Some topics have a way of bringing on a tidal waves of thoughts and feelings. Danielle Steele writes " dealing with homelessness feels like emptying the ocean with a thimble". The author has worked 10 years helping the homeless in Los Angeles. Concerned about funding cuts, she published as article to give a voice to the people she has come to know.
In King County there are 8,000+ individuals who are homeless on any given night . This number includes 400+ children or youth and 2,400+ individuals in family groups. In 2003 there were 42 individuals who died out-of-doors and homeless. This is a typical year.
Various organizations, coalitions, and local governments in King County form The Committee to End Homelessness. Dan Brettler, CEO of Car Toys, Inc. and Vice Chair of the Committee to End Homelessness, states "we should never surrender to hopelessness. If our community is to be truly strengthened we must end homelessness and not merely manage it"
Homelessness is costly, financially ,socially and morally. Emergency rooms, jails and institutions are high dollar services. Housing reduces use of high end services. Sound Housing provided transitional housing coupled with case management and referral services. This led to permanent housing and improved children's educational stability. David Wertheimer, Senior Program Officer, Pacific NW Initiative, shares his optimism." We are very exited today to be much more involved in a new set of activities. Trying to end -not just manage- homelessness."
Homelessness can be an overwhelming conversation. However, the solution may come from people putting their heads, and thimbles, together.
sources:
"A Roof Over Every Bed in King County, our Communities Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness", by the Committee to End Homelessness-King County , 2005
"A Secret Mission" Danielle Steel, Newsweek June 23,2008
"The Evaluation of the Sound Families Initiative" ,prepared for The bill and Melinda Gates Foundation by The NW Institute for Children and Families, University of Washington School of Social Work, 2007
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