Community
Family Homelessness: An American Reality
By: John Harris III, Americorps VISTA
Founder of Authentic Reflection
“..a family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States.” ~National Alliance to End Homelessness
There are some people in our land of opportunity who are deprived of the resources necessary to exercise basic rights. They work hard. They work long, hard hours with heavy burdens, and they do not quit. They believe in the American Dream although their realities would deem such a life as fantasy.
How can we be promised the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness yet face inhumane decisions? No one should ever be asked to choose between food, housing or medicine. It’s difficult to believe in the right to pursue happiness when people aren’t at liberty to pay the hospital to save their children’s lives—no matter how long or hard they work.
What’s a home without the people you love? People shouldn’t be forced to choose between rent and life.
What do we do when working hard isn’t enough? What do we do when the very work ethic we glorify from the playpen to retirement isn’t even enough to guarantee housing?
We do something about it. Together. Homelessness is an issue that affects us all.
Family homelessness is projected to surpass homelessness among singles in DC this year.
Help end homelessness. Help rebuild lives. Every bit counts. Contribute what you can in the best way that you can, whether through your talent, your home, your food, your money, your time, or simply your smile. It all matters. Do your part. Don’t accept homelessness as a possibility for the families in our communities. As long as it is accepted, it will remain. Remember the golden rule.
See you. Be you. Do more. ©
Friendship Place’s Education and Advocacy Symposium
Family Homelessness: DC’s Growing Crisis
National Presbyterian Church
April 18th 6:30pm
