Understanding Homelessness: A Call for Change in Perception and Attitudes
This content delves into the issue of homelessness, urging a shift in public perception and attitudes towards those experiencing homelessness. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and active engagement with homeless individuals. Through insightful images and thought-provoking messages, the author, William Graham, advocates for a more compassionate and supportive approach towards addressing homelessness in communities.
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HOMELESS William Graham 2021 1
HOMELESSNESS OUR PERCEPTION OUR HANDICAP View of Homeless People Unwillingness to understand Perception Things People Events appear to us What we see, hear, feel Influenced by experiences, culture, race, faith, values, education, peer groups, upbringing and context William Graham 2021 2
WHO ARE THEY? No Different Victims of Circumstances Our role as Persons of Faith and human beings Talk to Homeless Ask them questions What do they Need What can we do to help William Graham 2021 3
CHANGES IN PERCEPTION Change through maturing through educational experiences spiritual experiences, experiencing other cultures and ways of living, meeting, interacting and discussing different cultures, habits and our biases. William Graham 2021 4
CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION Sell this idea to: public, teachers, students, parents, business owners Meet Homeless people Talk to them Treat them as if they were your family. William Graham 2021 5
MY PROPOSAL A CHANGE IN ATTITUDES PUT A DECAL BESIDE THE BUSINESS DOOR. Stores, Service Station owners Restaurant owners Coffee shops Truck Stops Etc Look at the Homeless person in a different Light William Graham 2021 6
WHAT ONTARIO OFFERS Great Facilities in Many Communities People Programs Plan 230,000 people homeless in Canada each year. While Peel region, including Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga are better off than most places, Homelessness is still a big problem and I know you all realize this. One Homeless Person Is One Too Many! William Graham 2021 7
HOMELESS DEATHS William Graham 2021 8
THE ROAD UPWARD Take personal responsibility for the person Work with the person for years Help them back up each time Enjoy the final result as they fly. Ignore the individual Be a part of the solution. OUR CHOICES William Graham 2021 9
A LIFETIME SENTENCE we should not tolerate this continual abuse of our fellow man for no valid reason other than our own selfishness and indifference. BEING HOMELESS SHOULD NOT BE A LIFETIME SENTENCE. William Graham 2021 11
WHY ARE PEOPLE HOMELESS? WHY ARE WE NOT HOMELESS? Perhaps because - We are working or have adequate income. We weren t beaten down and driven to the street by Abuse and Violence in the home or workplace. Perhaps we aren t homeless because we have good physical health and are mentally stable. We aren t the victim of Alcohol or drugs or other addictions and many of you realize that some addictions are not that easy to walk away from. Aren t we fortunate to have stable lives and not be homeless? Let us share our Good Fortune William Graham 2021 12
NOT A CHOICE MANY FACTORS No secure income contract work Family violence bullying poor family relationships No secure accommodations Physical and/or mental health issues Unemployment or job loss No support network Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction Not feeling safe at home William Graham 2021 13
IMPEDIMENTS TO WORK No Housing Being Unemployed No address No Clothing No Friends No Family Mental Illness Alcohol and Drugs Often caused by Homelessness William Graham 2021 14
CITIES CANT AFFORD HOUSING Supportive Housing Costs $20,000.00 per year Homeless person on street for hospital, Police Etc costs can exceed $100,000.00 per year. Medicine Hat Alberta has about a 95% success rate. Surely we can do the same. William Graham 2021 15
THE CRITERIA WE, As Vincentians, must believe this. Only Then Can We Sell This Concept To Others Believe In Your Product Believe In Those We Are Privileged To Serve. William Graham 2021 16
WE NEED MORE Housing First is the theme we hear and we see some good things happening. BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH Housing, Adequate money to live Someone who is committed to walk with the person, Work with the person. Develop a plan to get them on a firm footing and up the ladder from the spot they are in. That person might be a committed Social worker or a committed volunteer. * I tell people that it is an exciting and beautiful world out there but you need money to enjoy the benefits. William Graham 2021 17
WE NEED A PLAN Outcome Star As only one Program I Don t Suggest A Program. There are Others In Peel And Other Places With Knowledge And Experience With These. William Graham 2021 18
PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE 1) Motivation and taking responsibility for their actions 2) Self Care and Life Skills 3) Managing Money 4) Social Networks and Relationships 5) Drug, Alcohol and other substance abuse 6) Physical Health 7) Emotional and Mental Health 8) Meaningful use of time 9) Managing tenancy and accommodations 10)Offending William Graham 2021 19
THE START Change is never easy Follow Up Build Trust A job is the answer The barrier Securing Food, Safe place to sleep Securing belongings Staying Healthy William Graham 2021 20
CHANGING OF ASSUMPTIONS We are asking that the homeless person be treated with civility, such as: - Talk to the person in a respectful tone. Shake their hand. - Advocate for the homeless defend them. - Don t assume the person is bad, evil or dirty You are probably wrong. Most of our worst crimes are committed by well dressed respectable people. - Give the person a glass of water without charging, and more if you can. - Let them use the shower at the truck stop without paying. - Don t call the police just because they are sitting on a public park bench. Defend the person in these situations. - Offer them shelter and more if you can, especially in winter. - Let the person use the public washroom don t keep it locked. - Ask the person what they need, don t tell them what they need. Accept their wishes. - Ask your local Police for support for this project. They want to help. - Never ask the person for proof or documentation of their situation. - Have information on local support groups such as shelters, food banks etc. - Give them, generously of your most valuable asset your time. Stop and talk to them. - - Don t stand over the person, crouch down to their level. - Be willing to work with them, to walk with them to help them out of their situation. Help them up when they fall with patience and love. William Graham 2021 21
EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS CHANGE THEIR PERCEPTION Educate our Conference Members, our Clergy, Teachers and Students Change their perception. Look the person in the face and address them in a friendly voice Ask them how they are Treat them as you would a family member Crouch down to their level to talk to them Don t toss the sandwich to them Don t use the bread heel for the sandwich DON T FAKE IT - THEY KNOW THE DIFFERENCE William Graham 2021 22
FOUR NECESSARY QUALITIES I see four qualities, beliefs, attributes or whatever, that we, as Vincentians must understand and must have to serve our fellow man effectively: LOVE: Have a love for our fellow man as a person, a human being, an equal. RESPECT:If we don t respect the person s needs we cannot serve them. JUSTICE:If we don t understand that poverty is the result of injustice, we cannot serve the person. JOY: If we do not get joy from serving our fellow man, we are in the wrong business. William Graham 2021 23
THE SITUATION THE HOLE: No Way Out Your Help William Graham 2021 24
YOUR PATIENCE The Challenge of Serving Your Patience When Will The Next Shoe Drop? What Are Options? ADVOCATE for Them MOTEL STORE OWNER COMMUNITY COLLEGE Shelter Food Meaningful Work - Mentor William Graham 2021 25
THE OPPORTUNITY We know many great Vincentians that will seize the opportunity. People and Companies have Shone Great Public Relations For Companies Great Personal Satisfaction We are privileged to have the opportunity to serve our fellow man. Are We Not All Born Equal? Let us not pass up this Opportunity William Graham 2021 26
INNOVATION - STARTS WITH US As a past New York mayor said. The streets are neither a bathroom or a bedroom , there is always room inside. Let us follow this example In Peel. Be innovative. Look for ways to help. How do we make this work? Pray for help It Works How can you make this work? William Graham 2021 27
SUPPORT OF BUSINESS A BOLD MOVE Talk to them. Will you take some personal responsibility for the outcome. OFFER THE PERSON THE CHANCE TO HELP THEIR FELLOW MAN. - AND FEEL GOOD DOING IT. The change will show in the Homeless Population - ATTITUDE, APPEARANCE AND ACTIONS William Graham 2021 28
IT CAN WORK Business will welcome this. Will You Buy Into The Program? Will You Talk To Business Owners? IF IT IS TO BE - LET IT BEGIN WITH ME William Graham 2021 29
THE FIRST STEP COMMIT TO - WORDS & ACTIONS HAVE SOME HANDOUTS WHO CAN YOU CONNECT THE PERSON WITH? WILL YOU BE THE GO-BETWEEN INTRODUCE THEM? ASK THE PERSON TO JOIN YOU FOR COFFEE OR A MEAL. PASS THE WORD - ASK OTHERS FOR SUPPORT ASK FOR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS OFFER MORE THAN A BAND AID - HELP THE PERSON CHANGE THEIR LIFE. William Graham 2021 30
EDUCATION Educators Students Parents Support and promote this program William Graham 2021 31
ACTS OF KINDNESS I see the person in the donut shop give the homeless person coffee and something to eat with no exchange of money. I see the person in the restaurant giving the person a plate of food at the back door. I wish they would invite the person in, sit them down and treat them like a guest. We see many people doing good now. I think it just needs to be promoted more. If you can do this, please send me your mailing address and I will send you decals. Thanks. Need your thoughts, need your support, need your suggestions. William Graham 2021 32
OUR EVOLUTION Whats In It For You? As you evolve from helping others and realize you are a good person doing Our Father s work the dark spots in your life will disappear as you put your trust in Our Father. The day to day worries will become less and you will enjoy what you are doing because you will know you are making a difference in some persons life. William Graham 2021 33
OUR JOURNEY Vincentians are called to journey together towards holiness, because true holiness is perfect union with Christ and the perfection of love. Vincentians seek His glory, not their own, to relieve suffering for love alone, without thinking of any reward or advantage for themselves. They draw nearer to Christ serving him in the poor and one another. Vincentians will gain PEACE OF HEART God s most valuable gift to us and the hardest to attain. Just by putting our trust in Our Father. William Graham 2021 34
WHAT TO DO NEXT YOUR MISSION Present this information on Homelessness to your conference members Present to other groups such as Knights of Columbus. They will support you. Talk to your Pastor. Talk to any Youth Leaders. Present to them. Present to other organizations. Present to your teachers. ADVOCATE to you Councillors, MPs, MLAs William Graham 2021 35
THANK YOU QUESTIONS William Graham 2021 36
