Changes

Change is inevitable.

Sometimes change comes about as a result of our actions. At other times, our actions are precipitated by change. Change can be good, or it can be not so good. Regardless of whether we want it to or not, it is going to occur.

Now that I’ve stated the obvious…  

Quite a number of headlines I’ve come across this past week have been mentioning the "Point-In-Time" counts which are being done in communities all across the nation.

These bi-annual counts are a census of sorts. Their basic purpose is twofold: first, to enumerate local homeless populations; second, to use the collated data to seek funding for homeless support services.

Only a handful of the headlines I’ve seen anticipate a decrease of homeless in their communities. The majority are expecting an increase.

I suspect that it will take some months before reports are issued. Even so, I’m willing to guess that when all is said and done, we will see an overall increase in the numbers of homeless throughout the nation. However, it will be the demographic details which will tell the full story.

Personally, I believe that the numbers of homeless families will have risen significantly. I also tend to think that the numbers of homeless seniors will have increased noticeably.

Another segment of the homeless population which I believe will have increased, are those who at one time in their lives were considered "white collar" workers. Although I don’t think that any of the enumeration reports will be detailed enough to actually give us that type of information, I’m basing my guess on numerous headlines I read such as one I read on the CNN website yesterday, From $80,000 a year to eviction: Hard times in America.

The article tells of Ms. Amber Easton: a 35-year old professional who had been earning an $80,000 per year salary, but who is now facing a possible eviction from her apartment.

The change in her life began in 2007, when she decided to attend law school as a way to further her career. After a year’s time, realizing that it wasn’t for her, she found herself unemployed. Her previous position no longer existed and the jobs had become scarce.

She has applied to over 70 different companies, but thus far nothing has panned out for her.

The article quotes Ms. Easton,

"It’s hard not to be depressed during a time like this. I never imagined in a million years that I would be in such a situation at my age and at this point in my career. I am humiliated. I am praying for everyone else out there who are facing the same problems."

Ms. Easton’s saga isn’t unique.

In 2008, there were 2.6 million Americans who lost their jobs. Corporate downsizing; outsourcing; nationwide companies going out of business; record numbers of foreclosures and an economic recession have pushed many to the brink of homelessness. And, despite the federal government’s push for an economic stimulus plan, there is little relief in sight.

Sadly, those who have found themselves homeless due to "changes" beyond their control will soon discover that there are no actual transitional services to assist them rebuild their lives. What they will find instead, are shelter systems which will provide them with only the barest of necessities: a meal and a bed.

Perhaps saddest of all is how they will ultimately be viewed by other members of their communities – especially if they find themselves homeless for an extended period of time.

The assumption that so many in the mainstream community have is that a homeless person should be able to get a job in the blink of an eye. This is particularly true if the person is relatively intelligent or has certain jobs skills.

Unfortunately, these assumptions seldom reflect reality. Consequently, the longer a person remains homeless, the more likely it is that members of the community will begin to view them through the eyes of stereotypes.

Long before I began authoring this blog, I maintained that homelessness could afflict anyone. I still believe that to be true. Stories, like that of Ms. Easton, attest to it.

I personally do not believe that all homelessness will ever be a thing of the past. However, I do believe that we can have an impact at significantly reducing the numbers of homeless in our nation. Before that can happen, there are certain changes which need to take place.

Those changes entail the need to alter our assumptions and stereotypical beliefs about homelessness.

Norman Vincent Peale said:

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."

It seems to me that one of the best ways to change our communities for the better is to extend an open hand of help to our homeless, rather than shake a closed fist at them.