There are a lot of different circumstances in life that can lead an adolescent into homelessness. Some are born on the streets, some have been kicked out of their homes and others choose to run away because they may have gone through horrible situations leading them to believe that being on the streets is a safer option.
People often shy away or turn a blind eye when it comes to dealing with homeless people in the community, brushing them off as dangerous and helpless. But there are some amazing people out there that need our help.
If someone is born and raised on the streets, they grow up being surrounded by drugs and violence. Many don’t get the education they need in order to hold a steady job, which is why the cycle of homelessness is a very difficult to break. It is extremely challenging to get out of that sort of situation when that is all they have ever known.
Hosea Youth Services Project volunteer coordinator Karri Heacock has only been in Eugene for about a year, but has really been impacted by the wonderful young adults she has met and helped.
“There are roughly 150 kids a year being introduced to homelessness,” Heacock said. “Kids are smart, they know our doors are going to be open. We have to pick them up as soon as we see them. We got to show them that they are loved because every kid wants to be loved even if they say they don’t.”
Many community members in the city of Eugene have come together to make several different resources available for homeless youth.
“Hosea drop-in center offers showers, laundry, meals, job trainings, resume building and many other services,” Heacock said. “If someone does get into housing, we can help furnish their place. Right now, our big goal is to introduce our own housing. We just got approved for a duplex and we are in the process of that.”
Services are always trying to help out in any way possible. If one facility doesn’t have educational resources and finds an adolescent that wants to get involved in school, then they will help he or she get involved in programs like Looking Glass New Roads School in Eugene.
The school provides homeless and runaway youth, ages 11-21, with an alternative educational program. There are classes where adolescents can earn basic middle and high school credits as well as receive GED tutoring.
Educational programs in Eugene set the track for young adults to have a chance at normal life by helping them get into Lane Community College and University of Oregon. Once these young adults are back on their feet, they can transition into society and actually reconnect with the community.
We are all people and we have all been dealt different hands, some tougher than others, but we must show compassion to each and every person we come in contact with.
Homelessness is such a big issue in our community and we rarely hear any information about it on campus, but many hardworking professors and students with the University of Oregon Community Philosophy Institute are trying to change that.
Philosophy professor Naomi Zack is currently teaching a course titled Home & Homelessness, and is also chairing the organizing committee for the Community Philosophy Institute’s Homelessness Project.
“We have a website that will be ongoing, a Nov. 6 public lecture and a Nov. 7 roundtable about the role of the University in addressing homelessness, to be composed of local officials, stakeholders, advocates and members of the UO administration,” Zack said. “The general discussion of the roundtable will be what would be nice for the university to do and what kind of obligations does it have, if any.”
As a student body, there are several ways we can get involved and help out these struggling young men and women. Different facilities and centers around Eugene, including Hosea Youth Services, are always welcoming volunteers and donations. Anything from underwear to toiletries, to camping equipment, will help out, and as the winter months approach, jackets and pants are much needed.
Follow Tanner Owens on Twitter @T_Owens21