Simple statistics can be some of the most eye opening sentences. They can be so powerful even when you have never even considered the topic before. The reading we did today was full of shocking facts that I had never even considered. We have talked before about the amount of children who are homeless, but the statistic we saw was far more than what I've ever imagined. The most shocking statistic I saw today was that 1 out of 50 (about 1.5 million) children in the United States are or have been homeless. Another fact that was surprising was the actual percentage of people with mental illnesses who end up homeless. Of all homeless people, 66% reported having either substance addiction or mental health problems. Also, 46% reported having chronic health problems. It is terrible that someone who is sick is thrown onto the streets when they need shelter and protection the most.
The more we read into homelessness and learn more details, the greater the empathy that develops. Seeing these facts and figures really makes it more real. It makes you see them as people instead of just a number. We learned today of all the children, the sick, and the veterans, who become homeless. People who are young and innocent, in desperate health, and who fought for their country, now destitute and without a home. It is an eye opening topic that really makes you reevaluate not only how you view the homeless, but how you view all the blessings you have in your life.
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Many of these people did it all right, or haven't even had the chance to try yet. They are still on the streets, struggling to have what we take for granted.
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