During my travels, it is common for me to conduct my own “mini-research” with the homeless population. They are a population that I always look out for and care for because I understand the various reasoning behind their situation and I can meet them where they are as a human when speaking with them. It’s important for me to ask about their well-being, what brought them to the streets, discuss their/our faith, short term goals, find their sources of support, and listen…just listen their concerns, but redirect them to what is positive and what is possible.
This research was important to be conducted in the city of San Francisco, which has one of the highest percentages of homeless people in the nation. It was great to hear feedback from locals whether those in art galleries, working in retails stores, on the bus, or in the hotels. A woman from Argentina, a retired police officer, a taxi driver, a doctor in a hospital-these people not only had awareness into this population, but they had true insight and concern.
San Francisco is the city that welcomes the homeless with “open arms.” It was reported by a retired police officer that they come from all over the state and even the country. There was a variety of answers about this epidemic, but what I mostly heard was that the government does not properly address the problem. They provide approximately $400 contributing to their substance abuse. The police have grown accustomed to this problem that is not being addressed-admit him to the hospital, get released, and back outside doing the same thing. The city does not have enough space for them even if they did want to house them all.
When I asked about their level of violence, they didn’t find them to be violent, but they can act inappropriately in public touching or grabbing at others and not wearing clothing. The locals also reported ignoring this behavior and not providing money to condone this kind of behavior. While there is a liberal approach to treatment with many centers and organizations to help the homeless-there is a missing link between system, person, and organization. This missing link I found to be problematic in my own treatment of this population and/or severely and persistently Mentally ill. A woman demonstrated great concern with this system and how this is impacting the public and local residents of San Francisco. While many people are used to their presence on street corners or passing by talking to themselves-it is still a problem that needs to be addressed rather than just accepted at face value.
What was my role in speaking with the homeless?
New York, Chicago, LA, India, Honduras, etc. I will spend time speaking with the homeless population. I only spoke with a couple homeless people as I actually did have some fear with the San Francisco population. I saw a couple of them aggressively touch tourists on two occasions, which is uncommon for me to witness. They were unlike most homeless I encounter as many appeared to be living in their own world with no idea of where they were or who they are. Some carry carts with all of their belongings, old radio sets, little clothing, and also little begging. I did not witness a consistent amount of begging. It just seemed like they did their own thing and had their friends and sat on the sidelines smoking marijuana or cigarettes.
There was really something different about this population…..It would be very interesting to do a formal research study as there is many factors keeping them on the streets and along with those who recycle themselves through the system leading them to a street life of addiction.
This research was important to be conducted in the city of San Francisco, which has one of the highest percentages of homeless people in the nation. It was great to hear feedback from locals whether those in art galleries, working in retails stores, on the bus, or in the hotels. A woman from Argentina, a retired police officer, a taxi driver, a doctor in a hospital-these people not only had awareness into this population, but they had true insight and concern.
San Francisco is the city that welcomes the homeless with “open arms.” It was reported by a retired police officer that they come from all over the state and even the country. There was a variety of answers about this epidemic, but what I mostly heard was that the government does not properly address the problem. They provide approximately $400 contributing to their substance abuse. The police have grown accustomed to this problem that is not being addressed-admit him to the hospital, get released, and back outside doing the same thing. The city does not have enough space for them even if they did want to house them all.
When I asked about their level of violence, they didn’t find them to be violent, but they can act inappropriately in public touching or grabbing at others and not wearing clothing. The locals also reported ignoring this behavior and not providing money to condone this kind of behavior. While there is a liberal approach to treatment with many centers and organizations to help the homeless-there is a missing link between system, person, and organization. This missing link I found to be problematic in my own treatment of this population and/or severely and persistently Mentally ill. A woman demonstrated great concern with this system and how this is impacting the public and local residents of San Francisco. While many people are used to their presence on street corners or passing by talking to themselves-it is still a problem that needs to be addressed rather than just accepted at face value.
What was my role in speaking with the homeless?
New York, Chicago, LA, India, Honduras, etc. I will spend time speaking with the homeless population. I only spoke with a couple homeless people as I actually did have some fear with the San Francisco population. I saw a couple of them aggressively touch tourists on two occasions, which is uncommon for me to witness. They were unlike most homeless I encounter as many appeared to be living in their own world with no idea of where they were or who they are. Some carry carts with all of their belongings, old radio sets, little clothing, and also little begging. I did not witness a consistent amount of begging. It just seemed like they did their own thing and had their friends and sat on the sidelines smoking marijuana or cigarettes.
There was really something different about this population…..It would be very interesting to do a formal research study as there is many factors keeping them on the streets and along with those who recycle themselves through the system leading them to a street life of addiction.
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