The Homeless Problem

I was reading an article written by a man who is chronically homeless and enrolled in an active case management program in another state. I enjoy reading the works of people who are homeless and understanding what daily barriers they face. It is easy for me to sit down with a client and start brainstorming resources and ideas to get him/her off the streets....but am I helping....am I listening to what they need at that very moment....or am I trying to solve their problems for them? Most of the time, Ryan and I juggle crisis intervention while trying to prevent our housed clients from moving back onto the streets. But again, are we listening to what they need? The author of the article, Roger Wade, talks about experiencing transportation barriers, communication barriers among agency staff, police harassment, and an overall lack of social acceptance and housing placement. The bottom line, our clients are all saying the same thing....WE need to be acknowledged, WE need immediate solutions, WE need permanent housing. Ryan and I took a picture of something that a client was reading the other day....a picture is worth a thousand words....EVERYBODY WANTS HOUSING.

Is Homelessness a Choice?

Exposing Myths: Is Homelessness Always a Choice? | 100,000 Homes
 Whenever Ryan and I engage in conversation with people about homelessness, it seems that it always focuses on  one thing: "People choose to be homeless." We couldn't disagree more. People who are homeless are living on the streets for very different reasons. Some have problems with addiction, mental health, relationships, money, or developmental problems. In fact, most people who are homeless are homeless due to lack of affordable housing and eroding work opportunities (National Coalition for the Homeless). We believe that mental health and addiction barriers prevent people from realizing their greatest potential, arresting them from being productive members of society and holds them captive. Ryan and I work around the clock to connect people with the starting points of therapy and treatment. We are action oriented, we help people who are homeless to realize their strengths through active case management; it's more than just providing people with a one time meal....what happens next....after the food has been eaten....where will they sleep tonight....who will understand their barriers...how can we move them into housing and ensure their success?
Is homelessness a choice? Would you CHOOSE to be homeless.............
-Kristi

From Homeless to Home

Ryan and I are so excited about helping Cleophis Black get off the streets after 7 years of being chronically homeless while struggling with addiction and mental health issues. It's amazing to see the disbelief on their faces as they are signing a lease for their own home with a front door that locks. "It's been a long time since I had a place to call home...now it's my time." Cleophis made it through detox and treatment and attends follow-up meetings on a daily basis. Thanks so much to all of the organizations that pulled together to make this happen for him: The CORE, Shelter Plus Care Bossier Housing Authority, Renesting Program at Asbury Methodist Church, and last but not least, Fairmount Apartments! What an amazing community we have! We will continue to work with Cleophis to make sure that his transition into housing is successful!

Kristi

Welcome to the C.C.A.M.P Blog!

We are so excited to keep everyone updated on our outreach experiences and current needs! We have had a lot of feedback from people interested in our activities with ending homelessness in our area so we decided to start this blog. Feel free to post comments and let us know what is going on!