Reasons why the homeless are lost but not forgotten in the United States

The homeless may be lost but not forgotten in the United States. There is some assistance for the homeless. Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough money to take care of everyone.  One possible reason could be lack of funding. Another reason, is that some politicians don’t want to acknowledge that they have a homeless problem in their state, city or county. Well, if this is the case than they will not receive funding. Therefore, the homeless can only rely on businesses, churches, hospitals, police departments, fire departments and the average citizen. These people donate money, food, clothing, shoes and gifts for the holidays.

On the holidays, people all around the United States cook and serve the homeless when they could be with their families. So we know the homeless are not completely forgotten.

The churches in our county open their doors to the homeless so they can get a meal and a good night sleep. Volunteers of all ages prepare meals, clean up and are there to talk if you need some company.

In order to help the homeless we need more funding.  For some reason the United States has little funding for the homeless.  Maybe it’s because they are over budgeted because we are always helping other countries. Another reason the homeless seem to be forgotten is because the homeless population is increasing.  I know this because I was homeless. When your homeless you see you that you are not the only one that lost their job, home and have no where to go. The homeless population grew while I was in a shelter and it is the only shelter for the county I live in.

Homeless people don’t have a chance out there. There will never be a solution in this county or in the United States because many people don’t think  we have a homeless problem. Well, I am here to set the record straight.  The solution is not food and a shelter either.  We need to start treating each homeless person as an individual.  Find out why they are in this situation. Build more shelters, provide a place for them to go during the day that isn’t miles away.  Set up programs, provide transportation especially when it is six degrees outside with a windchill of twenty below zero. I don’t think it is right to let someone stand outside for an hour or more just to wait for transportation to the next church. You wouldn’t let your dog outside that long.

I wrote this article in hopes that people would have a better perspective about  what it’s like to be homeless. People are losing their homes, jobs, cars and precious belongings. They can’t take their belongings with them unless they have a car and most don’t.  Some of the homeless have no family to help them and that is the loneliest feeling in the world. The ones that do have family have a hard time seeing them because of transportation. You must also remember that many people look down on the homeless and this is wrong. No one wants to be homeless but bad things happen to good people and this can be the most devastating thing in a person’s life.

Our state representatives should get more involved and face the fact that there are a lot of homeless people out there. More than you think. Becoming homeless can happen to anyone. The economy isn’t helping either.  Unemployment keeps rising so this makes it even harder to find a job.

 If a homeless person is lucky enough to get an interview do they have the appropriate apparel, transportation or an address? With all the people that are looking for jobs these days don’t you think that an employer would choose someone that has a residence and a car over someone who is homeless?

The United States cares but they do have other important issues. I think it is up to each state to find a way to help their homeless people. They need to stop ignoring it because it won’t go away by it self. Believe me, homeless people are worth investing in. Yes, some have problems but so do people that live in homes. It really is true that bad things happen to good people.

There has to be someone that cares enough to make the homeless succeed. Forget the few bad apples and think about the young girl with two kids or the man who lost his job because of downsizing. It doesn’t always take money, sometimes it  just  takes space and a place to bathe to inspire a  homeless person.

Many homeless people are kicked out of the shelters because they didn’t find a job in thirty days. They looked for work, filled out applications but no luck. Now, they are out on the street with no where to go. They can get a meal at the soup kitchen but don’t you think they need more? How can they survive in those cold temperatures?  They feel as if they are the scum of the earth. Why, because they didn’t get a job fast enough. Somehow they keep trying. They are true survivors.The sad thing is that many are well educated with work experience and still cannot find work. They come from all walks of life but something happened that brought them this low. Now, all they need is a helping hand. Is there one? Yes, you and me. It is because of the average citizen that the homeless are really not forgotten in the United States. Thank you for the people that do help the homeless and donate their time and money. What would we do without you.