A homeless child

According to a new report, one in every 50 American children experiences homelessness and most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening and often- overlooked problem. The final chapter I have chosen to explore is Chapter Eight, Social Class and Social Stratification.  The topic of childhood homelessness is of particular interest to me because of my time spent as a volunteer for the Union Gospel Mission's women and children's shelter called Hope Place.  Through my work with the Mission, I learned about the different struggles that these children go through and how their experience with homelessness is very different from that of adults. 

Lessons learned from children who have experienced homelessness: what services need to know
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This article describes the experiences of children who lived through extended periods of homelessness with their families.  Its primary focus in on what children and young people say they want from the services they come in contact with.  Key concepts that emerged from the article’s study were the need for services to view children as individuals in their own right, to listen to and acknowledge their stories, to have services that meet their needs, and to act and respond when children feel unsafe.  The children also wanted workers to know that they felt their parents were doing the best they could to keep them safe. 

Through the Eyes of Homeless Children
The idea of being homeless is terrifying to many, but the thought of being a homeless child is paralyzing.  This video was made to help people understand what children think, feel, and experience when they become homeless. 
  

National Coalition for the Homeless
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There is a common misconception that homelessness is an issue that only effects single men and women, but the reality is that thousands of families a year will experience homelessness.  In fact, 41% of the homeless population is comprised of families.  National Coalition for the Homeless is an excellent source of information for those who would like to learn more about homeless children and families.  

Campaign to End Homelessness
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"America's Youngest Outcasts 2010 documents the numbers of homeless children in every state, their well-being, their risk for child homelessness, and state level planning and policy activities."  This site offers pdf copies of some of the material found in the book.


"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless.  The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty.  We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."



Resources: 
Campaign to End Homelessness. (n.d) retrieved April 22 2013, from Homeless Children America Web Site: http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/reportcard.php

Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Noble-Carr, D. (2011). Lessons learned from children who have experienced homelessness: what services need to know. Children & Society, 25(2), 115-126. doi:10.1111/j.1099-0860.2009.00270.x

National Coalition for the Homeless Fact Sheet. (n.d) retrieved April 22 2013, from National Coalition for the Homeless Web Site: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/families.html

Through the Eyes of Homeless Children. (n.d) retrieved April 22 2013, from Youtube Web Site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO3ec5qRub4&feature=player_embedded