HOMELESSNESS
SO C IA L A C T I O N T O O LKI T FROM INSPIRATION TO ACTION SOCIAL ACTION TOOKITS PRODUCED WITH PURPOSE
HOMELESSNESS
SOCIAL ACTION TOOKITS PRODUCED WITH PURPOSE
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” - (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25)
It is very difficult to determine how many homeless people there are in the world because countries have different legal definitions for homelessness. However the closest account documented comes from a study in 2005 by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights that states that homelessness affects an estimated 100 million people who are without shelter. The report did not include those who were in temporary shelters, including those living in vehicles, tents and abandoned buildings or those that are “hidden homeless” moving from shelter to shelter or from one friend’s home to the next- these scenarios are reality for many all over the world. Homelessness is a worldwide crisis. In the United States alone there are an estimated 1,750,000 people who experience homelessness (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty 2013). 1.37 million of the total homeless population in USA are children under the age of 18. 40% are families with children, 41% are single males, 14% are single females (International Journal of Psychosocial Research, 2008).
For persons in families, the most commonly cited causes, according to a 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors study are: • • • • •
Lack of affordable housing Poverty Unemployment Substance abuse Mental illness
These are all issues that need to be addressed and looked at deeply in order to really understand why homelessness continues to be something that greatly affects human beings all over the world every day. Use this toolkit to become better informed about how to aid in remedying this tragic crisis that effects millions of human beings every day.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
GET INFORMED Terminology to Know:
Chronically HomelessAccording to The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the definition, a person who is “chronically homeless” is an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition (e.g., substance abuse, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness) who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. In order to be considered chronically homeless, a person must have been sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation and/or in an emergency homeless shelter. Hidden Homelessness The “hidden homeless” are those who live in temporary shelters They are the youth, adults, families and seniors who move from friend to friend and relative to relative while looking for affordable housing. They are the adults who live in cars and abandoned buildings in cities and on farms. They sleep in church basements for the winter. They are women who accept housing from a man, even in dangerous situations, rather than freeze on the street. (The Hidden Homeless Campaign). Permanent Supportive Housing Safe, decent, affordable housing that provides the necessary support services to enable formerly homeless persons with special needs to live independently. Permanent supportive housing options are designed to meet the specific needs of clients based on the client’s level of functioning. Transitional Shelter/Transitional Housing Programs Temporary housing situations that offer opportunities and comprehensive services for up to 24 months in an effort to assist individuals or families who experience homelessness in obtaining a level of self-sufficiency. Residential facilities for providing drug and/or alcohol treatment or treatment and supportive services for persons with mental illness and/or dual diagnoses are included in this category if the population served is homeless.
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” - Inscribed on the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor
GET INFORMED The Definitions of Homelessness that are used in the US are as follows: • Homeless is defined under Section 11302 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as an individual who lacks a
fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence or a person who resides in a shelter, welfare hotel, transitional program or place not ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations, such as streets, cars, movie theatres, abandoned buildings, etc. • The US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of homeless includes a person who has no place to go, no resources to obtain housing, and is either being evicted within a week, discharged within a week from an institution, such as a hospital, or is fleeing domestic violence. • The U.S. Department of Education’s definition includes children and youths “who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason” Select Federal Laws Relevant to Homelessness in the United States: • Housing Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act (2009) amends and reauthorizes the
McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act with substantial changes, including: • • • • • •
A consolidation of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) competitive grant programs The creation of Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program A change in HUD’s definition of homelessness and chronic homelessness A simplified match requirement An increase in prevention resources An increase in emphasis on performance
• The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (PL 100-77) is a United States federal law that provides federal money
for homeless shelter programs. It was the first significant federal legislative response to homelessness, and was passed and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 22, 1987. The act has been reauthorized several times over the years.
GET INFORMED RESOURCES ON US PROGRAMS: Continuum of Care (CoC) Organization of service providers established by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to oversee community planning around homelessness. Continua work together to define needs, plan strategies, and prioritize funding for supportive housing services. Entity that applies to HUD for federal funding. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) A community-wide database congressionally mandated for all programs funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development homeless assistance grants. The system collects demographic data on consumers as well on information on service needs and usage. Housing First A model that moves chronically homeless consumers from the streets immediately into permanent housing with the provision of supportive treatment services to the extent of need. Supportive Housing Permanent affordable housing, in any housing configuration with supportive services attached that are designed to help people maintain the housing. It is for people who have been or are at risk of homelessness and who have special needs including disabilities, or other substantial barriers to maintaining housing stability. Permanent means housing with no limit or length of stay and no requirement that tenants move out in their service needs change. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
GET INFORMED ARTICLES
NYTimes Homelessness- News Invisible Child- Girl in the Shadows: Dasani’s Homeless Life- NY Times The Criminalization of Homelessness in the U.S. Criticized by the U.N. – Iner Pres Service Hidden City-The New Yorker “Homelessness Problem Bigger than Our Leaders Think”- USA Today
VIDEOS Working Homeless Report- Rock Center with Brian Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdbHEZp0WPA Running Forward to Alleviate Homelessness: Anne Mahlum- TED Talks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVWCqCe1D8Y Hard Times Generation: Homeless Kids- 60 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK_RnxYdrqU Homeless In America: Families Living in Cars- 60 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZfJjjKjtr8 Light up the Street 2013: Youth Homelessness- AnglicCaresSydney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTtrh9miFus Faces of Homelessness- National Coalition of Homelessness Pt. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlQzS7aXLBk Pt. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUAYjt67IM4
GET INFORMED RELATED FILMS/ DOCUMENTARIES Note: These films or movies may contain graphic language, sexual content, and violence. While they expose the truth about homelessness around the world, they may not be appropriate for all audiences. This is not a comprehensive list, we do not endorse the movies and films on this list.
FILMS FEATURED IN HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL 2014 The NIMBY Experience: Luis Guzman (RBRW) The Starfish Throwers
OTHER FILMS: Dark Days (Dir. Marc Singer, 2000) Homeless in America: Without a Home (Film for the Humanities and Sciences, 2006) Homeless to Harvard (Dir. Peter Levin, 2003) It Was a Wonderful Life (Dir. Michèle Ohayon, 1993) Life in a Basket (Dir. David Hogan, 2005) The Pursuit of Happyness (Dir. Gabriele Muccino, 2007) Recycled Life (Dir Leslie Iwerks , 2006) Steal Me (Dir. Melissa Painter, 2007) Waging a Living (Dir. Roger Weisberg, 2006)
HELPFUL STUDIES The State of Homelessness in America 2014 Executive Summary A Research for Ending Homelessness. National Alliance to End Homelessness. Washington, D.C. June 2014
GET INFORMED BOOKS
Address Unknown: The Homeless in America Daily Bread: A Portrait of Homeless Men & Women: Encyclopedia of Homelessness The Homeless By Christopher Jencks Making Room: The Economics of Homelessness by Joel John Roberts Nickled and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrereich Rachel and Her Children- Homeless Families in America by Jonathan Kozol Reckoning With Homelessness (The Anthropology of Contemporary Issues) Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women by Elliot Liebow, Voices from the Street: Truths about Homelessness from Sisters of the Road The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler Novels Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan Out There: The Homeless Years Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America Breakfast at Sally’s: One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Journey Adventures of the Homeless by Jagdish Singh Homeless Hearts by Leroy Maclin For Children A Kids’ Guide to Hunger & Homelessness: How to Take Action A Shelter in Our Carny Monica Gunning, Illustrated by Elaine Pedlar Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Ronald Himler The Lady in the Box by Ann McGovern, Illustrated by Marni Backer Lily and the Paper Man by Rebecca Upjohn, Illustrated by Renee Benoit Lives Turned Upside Down: Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs Sketches By Eric Walters
GET INFORMED BLOGS
Coalition for the Homeless Blog End Homelessness Blog Hope for the Homeless Invisible People Picture the Homeless Squatter City
“Peace is no mere matter of men fighting or not fighting. Peace, to have meaning for many who have known only suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health, and education, as well as freedom and human dignity - a steadily better life. If peace is to be secure, longsuffering and long-starved, forgotten peoples of the world, the underprivileged and the undernourished, must begin to realize without delay the promise of a new day and a new life. “ - Ralph J. Bunche
TAKE ACTION
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ONE MINUTE ACTION
JOIN AN ORGANIZATION AIDING IN SERVING HOMELESSNESS Here are a few great organizations/ groups you can connect with: National Coalition for the HomelessNational Alliance to End Homelessness Horizons for Homeless Children Safe Horizons
3
THREE MINUTE ACTION
TWEET
In just one click you can spread the word through twitter. Use the popular hash-tags: #homeless #homelessness #rethinkhomelessness #endhomelessness #seetheinvisible
TAKE ACTION
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FIVE MINUTE ACTION
SPREAD THE WORD THROUGH ART Share images and videos on your Facebook page or (via other social media outlets) and write a message about why it is important to you to be aware and make change of Homelessness:
Art that focuses on spreading awareness of Human/Sex Trafficking: Andres Serrano Signs of the Times (Video of Collected Signs) (On the streets, a few words on a piece of cardboard can tell a life story) Video Is it Ethical to Collect Homeless People Signs As Art?- Smithsonian.com article Residents of New York- (Large Portrait Series) Homelessness in New York: A Public Art Project Goes Underground- NYTime.com Article We are all Homeless Mobile Art Installation (Artist- Willie Baronet) Homelessness Spoken Word Piece by Tye Martin (Salvation Army)
TAKE ACTION
5
FIVE MINUTE ACTION
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MINUTES
SPREAD THE WORD THROUGH ART
TAKE ACTION
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TEN MINUTE ACTION
DONATE MONEY/ PROVISIONS TO AN ORGANIZATION AIDING THE HOMELESS
$
There are thousands of organizations across the country that are working to combat homelessness all over the world in different ways. These organizations depend on the donations of people: 85% of funding for non-profits comes from individuals. Whether you can give $5 or $500, it is a valuable action to contribute your money to make sure that this organizing, educating, and mobilizing continues. Also in aid to homelessness, food, clothing and provision donations are crucial (below are links to places you can donate items to). Think about the work that you find most inspiring. Do you think national or local work is more important? Legal strategies? Education? Mobilization? Change?
Find a Food Bank/ Pantry through LA Food Bank FoodPantries.org FIND Food
Feeding America (Foodbank Network) The Trussle Trust
To Donate Clothing The Salvation Army Goodwill
TAKE ACTION
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FIFTEEN MINUTE ACTION
SOCIAL MEDIA Write down your thoughts on homelessness and poverty and the ways to stop it. Send them to your friends, family, and organizations through Facebook and other social media.
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THIRTY MINUTE ACTION
BEGIN TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE- TALK ABOUT IT It is tempting to separate ourselves from others disagree with us on this or other social justice matters. It can be painful to know that someone you know or care about holds views that you know to be biased. However, as someone committed to the human rights of all, a powerful way to create change is to engage others in dialogue, to see talking about an issue like homelessness, poverty, and hunger with them as our responsibility. Think back to how your analysis and perspective were shaped: Listen well to what the other person is saying, and why they see things the way that they do. Ask questions to help clarify. Withhold judgment. The goal is to move them forward, not to prove something about yourself. How did the people in your life move you through dialogue? When was it about the presentation of facts that you didn’t know, and when was it about shifting a framework, asking questions, or a deeper connection? • • • •
The following are some suggestions for how to respond to conclusions others often have around the myths of Homelessness. The goal is not to read these as a script, feel free to modify as makes sense for your conversations and life. We also included some questions that spark deeper conversations:
TAKE ACTION
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Comment/ Myth: “I don’t think that homelessness is a huge issue, if they really wanted to people who are homeless could get a job, they just aren’t trying hard enough.” Response: “Getting a job is a challenge for not only homeless people, but many recently graduated students, and many individuals who have most recently lost their jobs, and it becomes more difficult in the process for a homeless person. Most lack clean clothes, showers, transportation, and a permanent address and phone number. One of the largest reasons individuals become homeless is because of unemployment issues. People lose jobs and then housing. Other reasons that come up are run aways youth and adult escaping violence and trauma. Many also struggle with mental illness, depression or post-traumatic stress. Poor choices could be contributed to homelessness, but it is important to recognize that outside circumstances strongly influence those choices. Discussion Question: How can we make ourselves more aware and sensitive to the pathways in which people become homeless and understand that it is connected to larger economic structures?
Comment/ Myth: “Homelessness isn’t that bad of an issue in the U.S., its worse in other countries.” Response: In the United States alone there are an estimated 1,750,000 people who experience homelessness. And in any given night 100s of 1000s of people are homeless on the streets across the country. There are many factors as to why homelessness is so prevalent in the U.S. unemployment being a main factor, however, any who are homeless are not necessarily unemployed, but the cost of living in comparison to the money in which they are making does not add up, and they are left without permanent housing. When we talk about homelessness we have to look at the bigger picture. Discussion Question: How can we begin to be more aware of the way homelessness is an issue that affects many in the United States
Comment/ Myth “Homeless people are lazy, and are just looking for the easy way out and handouts.” Response: “Surviving on the street takes more work than we realize. Homeless men and women are often sleep-deprived, and ill from being out doors and unable to cover from harsh weather conditions. Their bodies are exhausted in connection to their minds and hearts. Help is available to them, however navigating the maze of social service agencies and bureaucracy can be overwhelming and many recently homeless have to learn the starting points of these procedures and where to go for aid. With no transportation and little money, they have to work diligently sometimes day to day to find food and shelter and they do this all while carrying their few possessions along with them in a bag or backpack. It is not a life of ease.” Discussion question: “ How and in which ways do we take for granted our own privileges and luxuries in our lives? How can we become more grateful?
TAKE ACTION
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Comment/ Myth “Everyone who is homeless is mentally ill or addicted to drugs.” Response: The majority of homeless individuals do not suffer from mental illness or chemical addiction. In fact, only 30% of homeless people residing in shelters cited mental health as one of many reasons for their homelessness and only 22.9% cited substance abuse as a reason. These numbers are significantly smaller for the larger population of individuals accessing mostly supportive services. In addition, many of these individuals experience a “dual diagnosis”, meaning that they experience both conditions concurrently, so there is significant overlap among the aforementioned groups. For most homeless individuals or those precariously close to homelessness, the loss of a job was the most common reason cited for homelessness. Family problems, like domestic abuse, as well as unemployment were also major reasons. In addition, 60% identified multiple reasons for homelessness, indicating that there are number of contributing factors to homelessness. (www.homelessalliance.com) Discussion Question: “How are our notions about stereotypes around homelessness formed? How does media help to encourage these stereotypical ideas?” Comment: “Homelessness is something that never could happen to me. I just wouldn’t let myself get to that place.” Response: “The truth of many homeless men and women is that they never intended or expected to become homeless. They’ve had solid jobs, houses and families, but unfortunately at some point, life fell apart. It is important to understand the human stories that brought these individuals to their point of becoming homeless. Many are still working to get back on their feet despite all of the challenges that are faced on the streets and navigating the system to support homeless.” Discussion Question: “How can we look at the economic infrastructures that cause homelessness to occur and be prevalent in our country?” Comment: “But what can I do about it? I’m just one person.” Response: In American history, individuals coming together have made real changes- in many different states there have different initiatives to alleviate homelessness in small and large degrees. Many include providing free and affordable housing and plans that help families get back on their feet. Things don’t change without attention, pressure and mobilization. The Homelessness Aid and Awareness toolkit suggests actions ranging from one-minute to one-hour and beyond.” Discussion Question: “What can we do today to engage more people more deeply?”
TAKE ACTION
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SIXTY MINUTE ACTION
WRITE
Do some writing- reflections, articles, letters to editors, local officials or online comments Here are some expressive writing prompts: The issue of homelessness matters to me because… I am standing up and raising my voice to say that we need to address poverty in the US/ the world because enough is enough… Homelessness still exists in the United States and I believe that all people deserve shelter over their head, I work to fight for that in my life by… Having a home means….. and everyone should have a home, because…. You can also write a formal letter to the editor of your local paper about homelessness and poverty in your community. And you can meet with and/or write to your local, state, and federal government representatives to let them know that you care about combating homelessness in your community, and ask what they are doing to address homelessness in your area.
“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase ‘to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy’. The need to live is our physical need for such things as food, clothing, shelter, economical well-being, health. The need to love is our social need to relate to other people, to belong, to love and to be loved. The need to learn is our mental need to develop and to grow. And the need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution” - Stephen R. Covey
TAKE ACTION
60+
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SIXTY MINUTE PLUS ACTION
TAKE A DAY OFF YOUR USUAL GRIND AND SPEND A FEW HOURS IN THE STREET! For any action, meeting, or in-person event please take pictures or a short video and upload it to your social media pages. See if there is a local action near you and go with some friends. Make some signs to get your message out. Great messages to use: “Everyone Deserves a Home/ Shelter” “Rethink Homelessness” At the action: Engage with others. Talk to them about why they are there and whether they’re involved with local homelessness aid and awareness organizations. Use YouTube videos, a short movie, or an article on homelessness to spark conversation with people in your community.
60+ SIXTY MINUTE PLUS ACTION
VOLUNTEER AT A SHELTER, FOOD BANK OR SOUP KITCHEN LA Food Bank Helping the Needy: Homeless Shelter Directory- Listing 3532 Shelters across the United States FoodPantries.org FIND Food Feeding America (Foodbank Network)
TAKE ACTION
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THREE PLUS HOUR ACTION
HOST A PARTY SCREENING OF A MOVIE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS The NIMBY Experience: Luis Guzman (RBRW) The Starfish Throwers Some Conversation Questions for The NIMBY Experience: Luis Guzman: • How do you feel about Luis’s experience of invisibility, the idea that we ignore those that live in the street? “They
don’t see me,” was a phrase he repeated continuously throughout the film. • From watching the film, what are some of the things that you feel support for homeless could do better with? What is working, what is helping? • How do you want to be remembered? • How can we work to support the production of socially conscious films like these? Actions attached to Film: • Take a Photo of your self with a cardboard piece that says “I See You” as a connection to your acknowledgement
that you are aware after watching the film and also something that you will do to help the cause of aiding and spreading awareness about homelessness post it on your social media with the hashtags #ISeeYou and #NimbyProject • Take the $2 Challenge- (More info to be included) • Have those that come to the screening take the Nimby Pledge and give to socially conscious films like this onehttp://www.nimbypledge.org/
TAKE ACTION
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HOURS
Organize a Screening of The Starfish Throwers
From The Starfish Throwers website: “The Starfish Throwers has partnered with Gathr® Films distribution service to allow individuals like you the opportunity to book the film into your local movie theater! Gathr TOD® (Theatrical On Demand®) allows audiences to pull films to their local theaters by gathering together and pre-ordering tickets in advance. Beginning now, communities can Gathr® their own local screenings of The Starfish Throwers at theaters near them—anywhere in the USA. Help us bring The Starfish Throwers message of hope and action to your city today. This is your chance to throw starfish too!” For More information: http://www.thestarfishthrowers.com/gathr/ Some Conversation Questions for The Starfish Throwers: • How do the experiences of the 3 characters collide in a way to serve a greater purpose? How do their diverse expe-
riences help you to feel empowered in your want to take action? • With such a large issue as Homelessness connected to the issues of Poverty and Hunger (which is highlighted in the film), how do you feel this film has helped to highlight individual efforts and what impacts they make? • What is the individual empowerment that you see taking place with serving and aiding such great causes? Actions attached to Film: • Give to one of the film’s many partner organizations, including the ones mentioned in the film:
Akshaya Trust Minneapolis Recreation Development Katie’s Krops • Follow The Starfish Throwers on social media and see how they are using their film to make impact around the world: http://www.thestarfishthrowers.com/contact/ • Throwing starfish is about making a difference in your community, in your world. Everything big starts small—that means even small actions really do matter, really do make a difference. Find a local organization, cause, or issue in which you believe. As Krishnan says in the film, “Get yourself involved with one issue. Maybe you can’t solve that issue, but you can participate to the best of your ability.” Send The Starfish Throwers a message and let them know what you did and how it went—via their contact form or social media. They’d love to hear about your experience! Examples of the film’s other community partner organizations can be found here.
TAKE ACTION
ON
GOING
ONGOING ONGOING ACTION
TAKE PART IN A DIRECT ACTION OR CREATE A CAMPAIGN TO BRING AWARENESS AND AID TO THE HOMELESS CAMPAIGN EXAMPLES :
100,00 Homes Campaign (Community Solutions • Campaign Video • The 100,000 Homes Campaign is a national movement, and anyone can get involved! Endorse the Campaign as a
sponsor, partner or ally, or learn how to volunteer with your local effort. Their vision is that hundreds of communities and thousands of volunteers across the nation will be inspired to start housing their chronic and vulnerable homeless neighbors. • By July 2014 they were able to house 105,580 people by participating communities • See more here. Cardboard Stories Campaign (Rethink Homelessness) • Campaign Video • #RethinkHomelessness asked #homeless friends to write down a fact about themselves that other people wouldn’t
know just by walking past them. They shared their answers • Engage in this campaign by doing the same in your city • Also Change your Profile and Cover Photo with a photo that conveys a message of positivity on how to Rethink Homelessness- Use #willworktochagealife:
TAKE ACTION
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GOING
Make Them Visible (New York City Rescue Mission) • Campaign Video • Make them Visible Campaign uses a social experiment, that had unsuspecting people walk by rel-
atives pretending to be homeless. Would they notice their family members? Or have the homeless become invisible? • Make people think twice before walking by the homeless. Share this video with friends to raise awareness and put a real face to those in need. Click Homeless Movement
• Click Homeless is a site that supports homeless bloggers, as well as non-homeless bloggers writing
on homelessness. • Their Mission statement: “What’s the first thing a homeless person needs? A job, food, cash, prayer, a house, a hug, an ear? Let’s start by teaching the power of the Internet, where you can build community, knowledge and wealth. A library or community computer lab is usually a walk or bus ride away and it can unlock so much with a bit of direction.
TAKE ACTION
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GOING
ONGOING ONGOING ACTION
JOIN A LOCAL ORGANIZATION OR GET YOUR ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS TO GET INVOLVED Look to the previous list of larger scale organizations and do your research of organizations work to aid Homelessness Locally: Parents: Encourage your local schools to partner with students and include the issue of homelessness in their curriculum. As a parent, educator, or school administrator, be aware of how homelessness affects children, especially in runaway situations. Students: Take action on your campus. Join or establish a university or secondary school club to aid and spread awareness about homelessness in your city and across the nation and initiate action throughout your local community. Consider doing one of your research papers on a topic concerning homelessness. Professors: Request that homelessness and poverty be an issue included in university curriculum. Increase scholarship about homelessness and poverty by publishing an article, teaching a class, or hosting a symposium.
“Home is where the heart is.� -Pliny The Elder
Homelessness in the United States and around the world is and issue that affects all of us, because they it is the result of the instability of economic structures to support the equal right of all human beings to shelter. We all deserve the comfort of a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs and the ability to maintain dignity in sustaining work to provide for ourselves and our loved ones . After taking time to educate yourself and become more deeply aware through the information provided in this toolkit we hope that you will take time, in your own capacity to take action to help aid and spread awareness of the issues around homelessness. Spread the word, take the time to have fruitful conversations, volunteer, and give in support- now is the time to make change!
PRODUCED BY:
WWW.CINECAUSE.COM
SOCIAL ACTION TOOLKIT TEAM:
JLOVE CALDERĂ“N, JANA LYNNE UMIPIG, CLARA WALOFF
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FILMMAKERS:
JACQUELYN ALUOTTO, JESSE ROESLER, PETE TEDROW
DESIGNED BY:
KAILEY STRACHAN KAILEYSTRACHAN.COM
HOMELESSNESS
SO C IA L A C T I O N T O O LKI T FROM INSPIRATION TO ACTION SOCIAL ACTION TOOKITS PRODUCED WITH PURPOSE