"The New Face of Homelessness"

The article “The New Face of Homelessness” was quite intriguing in that it showed a very different view of what homelessness looks like in today's society, one that most do not want to believe exists. The stereotypical homeless person or “bum” is a dirty looking, lazy, drug attic who sits on the side of the road with a sign asking for money everyday. Most Americans don't see homelessness or poverty as something that hits or effects a suburban, middle-class family with parents and their children. However that is exactly what this article is bringing to attention, to show how these assumptions and stereotypes keep this injustice going in a vicious cycle.
All of the people and families mentioned in this article were hard working citizens trying to accomplish simple “American” goals, a house and yard for their children and the ability to send these kids to school where they can be successful in attaining an education. These are not lazy people who want to take advantage of the system, they are struggling moms and dads who just need some support and help from those with more power and resources. Most people who become homeless are inevitably stuck there for long periods of time with no way out of what seems like a never ending battle. These people do not make the decision to become homeless and often end up in this predicament by losing their job. However with the prejudices and assumptions made about today's homeless, it is hard to imagine an end to this injustice. When the rest of society sees the homeless as undeserving, lazy people, it becomes harder and harder for them to find relief or programs that are willing to provide help in leading them out of these dire situations. Changing these perceptions and creating organizations that really strive to give these families what they're in extreme need of, places to live, clothes to put on their children and an alternate source of income, is what will most benefit the issue of homelessness. Beth Davalos's “Families in Transition” is a perfect example of the effects these programs can have on less fortunate families. Through her program Beth helps kids stay in the same school for as long as possible, and additional connections are sometimes made when outside donors find out about certain families and can personally help them out. Hopefully creating programs as these can also change the stigma attached to these helpless people.