Assisting the Homeless

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Survey of Social Problems Unit 5 Assignment Assisting the Homeless There are several populations illustrated in our text that describes the homeless community. Homelessness is caused by different situations, circumstances, and reasons. Two of the homeless populations I may work with in my career as a human service professional are runaways and the elderly. Some children runaway because of problems at home; in fact, the National Runaway Safe line (2014) states that, “47% of children runaway due to issues with parents or guardians”(p.1). Regardless to the reason, children ends up on the street creating more problems than they had at home. Some of them drop out of school, get involved with gangs and drugs, start committing crimes, and become a menace to society. As a human service professional I would see if there can be a possible reconciliation with parents or guardian; this may require some group therapy and individual counseling to help work through issues and conflict between parent and child. I would also recommend social programs and encourage education. Educating children on the danger and the risk they take by living on the street; and suggesting thay participate in support groups will also be a form of intervention I would use. Homelessness among the elderly require a different approach. Some among this population have worked all their lives, retired, and exhausted all or their funds. They are not able to work anymore and have no support system from family (Henslin, 2008 pg. 206). The cost of housing, healthcare, low income, alcohol, and mental illness has caused the elderly to become homeless in some cases. The elderly risk being victimized living on the street because they most likely can’t defend and protect themselves. They are also subject to having health problems due to old age and no insurance for routine checkups. As a human service
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