Photo via nationalhardhatday.org

Number of homeless children in America is increasing

One of every 50 American children experiences homelessness, according to a new report that says most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening problem, reports Jeremy Reynalds, correspondent for ASSIST News Service.

The recent report from the National Center on Family Homelessness gives New Mexico another dismal statistic-ranking the state fourth from the bottom. Connecticut had the best ranking while Texas was at the bottom.

The report’s executive summary is headlined with the words, “It is unacceptable for one child in the United States to be homeless for even one day.”

It continues, “The year 2008 will long be remembered by Americans as a time when grossly overpaid bankers, captains of industry, and carmakers hobbled to Washington, hats in hand, begging for bailouts and infusions of billions of dollars. Ignored by members of Congress and the media were scores of children – many still infants and toddlers – who were homeless in the midst of this economic turmoil.”

I wondered what children, who are traditionally honest about their experiences, had to say about their experience of homelessness while staying at Joy Junction, New Mexico’s largest emergency homeless shelter. With that in mind, we asked a few of our young guests.

Jimmy (not his real name) who attends a local school, called Joy Junction “the best shelter I have ever lived at.” He admitted, though, that other children make fun of him once they know he stays at Joy Junction. He said he is thankful to have a roof over his head.

Asked for his first impression of Joy Junction Jimmy answered, “Once I saw the big playground I said, �?This is gonna be great!’” He said he really enjoys the sandpit, part of the children’s play area at the shelter.

Recalling Christmas 2008 and the parties and gifts enjoyed by the children Jimmy said, “We got to celebrate it seven times. We each got a bike, and we saw Santa three times. We made a wish list and Santa gave us what we wanted.”

C.J. (not his real name) also attends a local school. He said he lives with relatives other than his parents at Joy Junction, “because my mom did bad stuff”

He said he was nervous when he first arrived at Joy Junction, but now enjoys being there. Like Jimmy, the other children also make fun of him because he stays at Joy Junction. However, he said, he ignores their hurtful teasing.

His favorite time at Joy Junction is shrimp night. In addition to feeding over 10,000 nourishing meals a month, once a week, Joy Junction is able to offer shrimp and other fish due to the generosity of a national restaurant chain which has a giving program benefitting organizations like Joy Junction.

Dennis (not his real name) has been at Joy Junction with his parents since the beginning of the year. Although he was “scared and nervous” when he first arrived, he said now he feels “relieved and comfortable.”

Asked what he enjoys most about Joy Junction he said, “I like church and praying, and the food is okay.”

Ruth was also scared when she arrived at Joy Junction in mid-2008. However, that’s all changed now. She said, “I feel much better now. I have a lot of friends; more than the hotel.”

Other children reported experiencing similar emotions. While they were initially scared, they have adjusted quickly. One said, “I feel better. I can relax and have friends now.” Another youngster said, “I feel good. People take care of me and my family.”

All the children said how much they enjoyed Joy Junction’s playground.

But how bad is life in general for a homeless child? Pretty grim, according to the report, which says that homeless children are twice as likely to experience hunger as other children. The experience of homelessness also contributes to children becoming sick. The report says homeless children are twice as likely as other children to repeat a grade in school, to have disciplinary problems, or to drop out of high school. At the end of high school, the report’s research contends, few homeless students are proficient in reading and math, and their estimated graduation rate is below 25 percent.

A sidebar reads, “Ending homelessness for all children in the U.S. is possible if a concerted effort is made by national, state, and local political leaders, funders, the White House, service providers, advocates, and philanthropic foundations.”

The report offers 19 recommendations for government action, including increased federal spending on low-income housing, assistance to struggling renters and homeowners, and investment in child care for homeless children. It also urges states to place homeless families directly into permanent housing rather than into motels.

While Joy Junction supports immediate care from government sponsored agencies, we are there for the lasting cure.

The report writers place all the responsibility for homelessness on the system, and the lack of its ability to support people in a time of job loss. Undoubtedly, a portion of the population is in such a place. All they need is a place to stay while they try to obtain employment and a place of their own.

However, many people coming to shelters – or rescue missions – need more than a roof. Either afflicted with life controlling conditions prior to our economic downturn, or depression and despair initiated or exacerbated by an inability to find a job that will pay the bills, they need more than a roof. They need hope and healing, as precious as water to a thirsty man.

I thought about Jimmy, C.J., Dennis, Ruth and others, and wondered how we could best help them. While their parents obviously need funds to get back on their feet, isn’t that only half of the story? For example. We need to discover why Jimmy’s parents were going from shelter to shelter prior to coming to Joy Junction, and make sure that C.J.’s mother no longer does “bad stuff.”

A secular mind set can scoff at spiritual need, meeting all needs with food and shelter. Of course we need those, but they do not heal the problem of an empty heart. Many secularists say with human effort, and by throwing lots of (government) money at the problem, that the issue of homelessness can be solved.

Over the years I've seen much material which attributes homelessness almost purely to a lack of affordable housing. While that may be the issue in some cases, it is far from universally true.

Homelessness as such is not the problem. Homelessness is usually the result of a variety of other issues, which include alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness and domestic violence. We won't solve those problems or their far reaching after effects just by building more affordable housing.

All we'll do is take people with seriously debilitating issues, and give them a place to stay without dealing with the problems that caused their homelessness in the first place.

However, many conservatives and some individuals with a faith-based persuasion are not blameless. As a rule, conservatives say that with human effort and God's blessing, achievement of the American dream is still possible. But there can be a tragic consequence when you take that philosophy to its logical conclusion.

When someone receives help that in some circumstances could enable them to get back on their feet again but they fail to achieve success, then their plight is often blamed on laziness or an unwillingness to “do what it takes.”

There can be a tendency to say, “I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps and so can they.” However, I have come to realize after years of espousing that same philosophy myself that such a mind set allows society an “easy out.” People who make such statements many times feel justified in their lack of non-involvement in a person's tragic situation.

While we'd like to think that a meal, a few Bible verses and a place to stay can provide a quick fix for the issue of homelessness, for the most part it's not as easy as that.

It was a long and painful road that many of our guests staying at Joy Junction endured before they came to stay at the shelter, and while some can nonetheless get back on their feet again pretty easily and in a relatively short time, for others the journey will be much longer. We rush that necessary time frame at the emotional and psychological peril of those whom we help.

Showing the love and patience of Jesus Christ to all of our guests, and letting Him begin to heal their broken hearts in His time, is a key component in the recovery model we use at Joy Junction.

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TAGS: USA homeless children Joy Junction homeless shelter Christianity

[03/19/2009]

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