With the U.S. economy still in a dangerous position, it is not surprising that as the number of jobless citizens rises, so does the number of homeless people. This number includes homeless children.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the number of homeless individuals increased by about 20,000 people from 2008 to 2009.
Homeless youths are visually prominent in Arizona’s urban capital.
People living in suburban communities are not exposed to the same sights I am daily. Rampant homelessness in the city of Phoenix is among these urban images.
Whether I am walking a few blocks to the local CVS Pharmacy, riding the Metro Light Rail to Tempe or simply going to class, I expect to see people living on the streets. This familiarity with poverty is quite disturbing.
Different stereotypes of homeless people exist today. From my own personal experience, I know that homelessness in Wisconsin is often associated with older males who not only live on the streets but also suffer from mental or physical disabilities.
This is not always the case elsewhere in the country. In fact, the number of homeless youths in the U.S. is rapidly increasing. It is common to see poverty-stricken teenagers or younger children with their parents on the streets.
According to a U.S. Labor Department jobs report, 2.6 million people lost jobs from 2008 to 2009. Families often experience harsh realities, such as the inability to afford a mortgage payment, when parents lose their jobs.
Even though homelessness is not an issue that can be quickly resolved, there are steps that the community can take can to improve it.
StandUp For Kids is doing just that. The national non-profit organization is dedicated to helping homeless youths across the U.S.
David Bakelman, who serves on the non-profit’s board of directors, explained that StandUp For Kids focuses on creating a “caring relationship” for the children, something they are often unaccustomed to.
He stressed the importance of community members’ volunteer service in the community.
“Volunteering is what’s most needed,” said Bakelman.
Hygiene products and monetary donations are useful, but the volunteering is what establishes a sense of acceptance.
“The government is working to address the issue of homelessness,” Bakelman said.
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is planning programs to help end chronic homelessness by 2015, according to their website.
Bakelman explained that even as the government is making strides toward ending homelessness on the whole, youth homelessness will continue to be a problem.
Everyday people do not have the power to create jobs, make large donations or pass laws. However, they do have the ability to help homeless children feel included in the community by volunteering.
Volunteering with organizations like StandUp For Kids can help one focus time and energy where it is needed most.
Cities have numerous soup kitchens and shelters in need of local volunteers.
Contact information for these establishments can easily be found online, and a few hours of volunteering can provide homeless individuals with invaluable resources.
Until the economy becomes secure and more jobs are available, volunteers just might be the difference in these kids’ lives.
Isabelle can be reached at inovak@asu.edu.
