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I ’ m not afraid to bend my back I ’ m not afraid of dirt. Todd Rundgren, Honest Work. But how I fear the things I do For lack of honest work. My family is lost to me They could not bear the hurt. To see the state their boy is in For lack of honest work.
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I’m not afraid to bend my backI’m not afraid of dirt Todd Rundgren, Honest Work
My family is lost to meThey could not bear the hurt To see the state their boy is inFor lack of honest work
I hold no blame for anyonetwas I who did arrangeto pay my dues so I wouldNot have to learn or change
And when I was replaced, twas I Who started down the hill And drank away my savings ‘tilI couldn’t stop myself
The prophets of a brave new world,Captains of industryHave visions grand and great designs… But none have room for me
But if I live to see such thingsToo late for me they come Police allege dumping Homeless by L.A. hospital
I know I’m not the only oneTo fall beneath the wheelSuch company can not assuageThe loneliness I feel
But I will be remembered forThe life life took from me Homeless Man Found Dead Memorial for the 34 people known to have died living on the streets
Across American Cities • 30 percent of homeless adults experience severe mental illness, • 19 percent are employed, • 17 percent have a physically disabling condition, • 16 percent are victims of domestic violence, • 13 percent are veterans, • 3 percent are HIV Positive. • Up to 50% experience substance abuse, many use after becoming homeless to reduce anxiety & pain. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2013; SAMHSA, 2011)
SHELTERS 78% of responding cities had to make major adjustments to accommodate increased emergency shelter demands. 71% had to turn away families with children because requests greatly exceed shelter space. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2013)
In a given year, up to 3.5 million Americans will experience homelessness. 1.5 million of these are children. (2014, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty; 2010, National Center on Family Homelessness; 2009, National Alliance to End Homelessness). There are up to 2.8 million “runaway/ thrown away” youths annually. Up to a third stay out on the streets the first few days. Family Problems cited as number one reason including abuse and neglect. (National Runaway Switchboard, 2014 www.nrscrisisline.org, Ambrosino, et al., 2005)
Violence Against People living on U.S. streets: • 85% committed by people under 30 • 93% by males • Approximately 1 in 4 attacks end in death to the homeless person. Some videos of exploits are known to be distributed via the web. In 2013, Florida had the 2nd most attacks in the U.S. One man was recently stabbed to to death in Tarpon Springs, Florida. https://drive.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://nationalhomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Hate-Crimes-2013-FINAL.pdf&u=0
A Report to the UN Human Rights Committee classified criminalization of homelessness in America as a human rights violation ( National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, National Coalition for the Homeless, and Southern Legal Counsel, as the US Human Rights Network CAT Homelessness Working Group, 2014) 40% of U.S. cities have anti camping bans where people are sleeping. American citywide bans have increased by 60% from 2011 to 2014. http://www.nlchp.org/documents/CAT_Criminalization_Shadow_Report_2014
110 people were known to be attacked while homeless • 135 were survivors of Domestic Violence Big Bend Homeless Coalition Point in Time Survey, 1.26.14 and Leon County Agency Reports
Hunger 50.2 million Americans Including 17.2 million children could not secure food for all family members at times during the year. All cities reported food kitchens reducing amount of food offered. Causes: Unemployment, Housing costs, Low Wages, Poverty, Lack of SNAP benefits, Health costs (2010, Nord, Coleman-Jensen, Andrews & Carlson, USDA; 2013, U.S. Conference of Mayors)
The U.S. Weight Loss Market is a $60.5 billion dollar yearly industry 91% of college women are trying to lose weight. (The U.S. Weight Loss Market: 2014 Status Report & Forecast) Across America, 21% of people requesting emergency food did not receive it. (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2013)
“Two local pastors and 90-year-old Arnold Abbott were cited for violating the ordinance Tuesday, and each face up to 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.” http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/11/90-year-old-man-charged-feeding-homeless-florida-video.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/17/child-homelessless-us_n_6169994.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/17/child-homelessless-us_n_6169994.html
Poverty Rate by Ethnicity • Of the 46.5 million people in poverty: • 9.7% White non-Hispanic • 11.7% Asian • 25.6% Hispanic • 27.2% African American (DeNavas- Walt, Proctor, Smith, 2013 of the U.S. Census Bureau)
Five Theories of Poverty • Poverty as Deprivation: Overall insufficient food, housing, clothing, medical care, etc. • Poverty as Inequality of distribution of income: Population in fifths. Income gap is widening. • Poverty as a way of life: Intergenerational lack of access and knowledge. • Poverty as Exploitation by Ruling Class: Tax deductions and services to middle class and above. • Poverty as Structure: Institutional Shortcomings in Schools (testing), Workplace restrictions (family leave) etc.
International challenge: 2 days LIVE BELOW THE LINE According to UNICEF, 2014: 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE LIVE BELOW THE EXTREME POVERTY LINE “That’s four times the population of the United States spending less than $1.50 per day on food and drink”
National challenge $4.58: + 3days • Eligible Food Items • Households CAN use SNAP benefits to buy: • Foods for the household to eat, such as: • breads and cereals; • fruits and vegetables; • meats, fish and poultry; and • dairy products. • Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat. • In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals. • Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy: • Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco • Any nonfood items, such as: • pet foods • soaps, paper products • household supplies • Vitamins and medicines • Food that will be eaten in the store • Hot foods • (USDA, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Rules, 07/18/2014)
Personal Challenge: All Five Days FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS Give up at least one First World Luxury Ideas: • Give up driving by biking and walking • Sleep on the floor or safely outside to understand homelessness • Give up cosmetics and warm showers • Others?
Can you make choices to survive? • During your challenge, take this SURVIVAL QUIZ • As a mother living in poverty, you will make decisions about medicine, education, food and shelter for yourself and your children.
Ways to Raise Awareness • Post pictures or journal entries on social media • Donate your time or saved money to the Homeless Shelter, a Food Bank, etc. • Others?
Food and Nutrition Resources www.whyhunger.org Ending Childhood Hunger www.fns.usda.gov/fns/ech/default.htm Snap Outreach tools http://snap.ntis.gov/ Nutrition Research www.fns.usda.gov/fns/data.htm Nutrition Education www.fns.usda.gov/fns/nutrition.htm