Homeless Youth
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Transcript of Homeless Youth
Homeless Youth
Jason Freda Faisal Khan Tracy Moonsammy Lynette Rivera Eric Wang
Introduction
Homeless population in New York City continues to grow.
Young children and Teenagers are most prominently afflicted.
Our action plan to remedy the problem.
Homeless Youth Statistics
Individuals under age 18 who lack parental, foster, or institutional care.
Main problems identified by youth:– Family problems– Economic problems– Financial instability
Consequences
Challenges on the street. Mental and physical problems.
National Runaway Switchboard
Each year The N.R.S. handles more than 115,000 calls from youth and concerned adults who are reaching out for help.
Call Volume Activity in NYC: 6,192
Gender of Caller
Male 24.0%
Female 76.0%
On the Street - Means of Survival
Friends/Relatives 47.7%
Shelters/Soup Kitchens 8.2%
Stealing 1.4%
Prostitution/Sex Industry 2.1%
Selling Drugs 1.0%
Unknown 25.0%
Panhandling 2.2%
Personal Funds 7.3%
Detention/Police 3.0%
Employment 2.1%
Source: www.crisisline.org & www.Nationalhomeless.org
SEE: Homelessness
Teenagers– Lack of housing.– Increased level of abuse.– Increased level of unemployment.
SEE: The “Young Girl”
About 17 years old. “Lived” on street corner (42nd & Madison). “I’m hungry, can someone please provide me
with some food or change?” Our initial observation: A Blank Stare Other people’s reactions: Disgust
SEE: “Shauna”
“Lives” at Open Door Drop-In Center, NYC.
20 years old. Originally from Indianapolis. Parents:
– Mother: Drug Addict– Father: In Prison
“I’m no different than anyone else, all I want is a chance.”
SEE: Conclusion
Society may never understand homeless people and the obstacles they face.
Our overwhelmingly fast-paced society leads people to react to homeless with a lack of compassion.
Homelessness continues to grow.
JUDGE: Outlook on the Homeless
Individuals tend to:– Look down upon them.– View them as “worthless.”– See the individual’s problem as self inflicted.– Generalize them.
Two Tangible Models:– The Celebrity– The Typical Citizen
JUDGE: Commodity Form Reaction
“The Celebrity” and their assumed characteristics.
Modeling of human behavior as related to worth.
People seen as things. Production, Marketing,
Consuming, Value. Exteriority
JUDGE: Personal Form Reaction
The “Typical Citizen” and their assumed characteristics.
People are irreplaceable.
Religious basis. “Do Unto Others”
JUDGE: Conclusion
Both are prevalent. Based on background and upbringing. Society and media trend toward Commodity
Form. Family values and religion move toward
Personal Form.
ACT: Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)
D.Y.C.D. Services– Crisis Shelters– Interim Family Program– Transitional Independent Living Programs– Drop-In Center Program– RHY Street Outreach and Referral Service
Program
ACT: Covenant House
Outreach Nineline Hotline 1-800-999-9999. Right’s of Passage. Community Service Centers. Programs:
– Substance Abuse Programs – Help for youths addicted to alcohol or drugs– Mother/Child Program – Provides special care for pregnant and parenting
young women– Aftercare Program – Provides vital additional support to young people after
they leave Covenant House
ACT: Covenant House Statistics
Break down by Age
Breakdown by Culture
Breakdown by Gender
ACT: Action Plan
More funding. Early-age awareness building. Better advertising, public service
announcements. Better education for adults. More community involvement. Better cooperation between agencies. Long-term planning.
Questions? Comments?