LifeMoves’ Post

When you put the client first, you can expect great outcomes.

All the yes on this 🙌. As someone who has faced both addiction and housing insecurities, I assure you trauma is the gateway. I do believe because we do not talk about it or share of how recovery is possible because of shame and stigma, how hope is not gone, the cycles continue. It is why I recover outloud. No human should ever be seen as a blight because they are experiencing homelessness. They are mothers, fathers, siblings, children. They ARE Philadelphians. When we say “let’s cleanup our streets and rid the neighborhood of the unhoused so we don’t have to look at it” as we’re seeing this harmful rhetoric growing recently, you are talking about your neighbors, someone’s child, someone’s family, a fellow Philadelphian. When we say those in addiction or experiencing homelessness are unworthy or unwanted, you forget that we DO recover, that if there is breath in our lungs, hope is not lost. 8 years and 2 months of life I’ve gotten to live in recovery, so when you see them as disposable, you see me, this PhD researcher, mother, daughter, sister, and nationally recognized executive leader as disposable. I AM the face of addiction. Imagine what might be possible if we all had equitable access to care and resources? I long for a city that cares for ALL of its citizens. Instead of “ridding ourselves” of the unhoused let’s rid ourselves of the barriers to healthcare, mental health services, food security, housing and employment. Human beings are not disposable elements to be swept away for your comfort. Sweep our streets of the inequities, not people. #weDOrecover #NotThrowawayPeople #addressTheTrauma

Helping the Homeless, #endhomelessness #whatcanwedoforhomelesspeople Saturday night as my husband and I made our way downtown to Atlanta, we were struck by the sight of numerous homeless individuals queuing up in what appeared to be a shelter line. This wasn't the first time we'd noticed the growing presence of tents and crowds in our neighborhood, but witnessing the extent of the line left us truly taken aback. It's disheartening to see so many people without a place to call home, not just in our immediate surroundings but in cities across the nation. While we acknowledge the talents and success of professional athletes, it's sobering to contrast their multimillion-dollar contracts with the plight of those who lack basic shelter. I’m not hating at all on athletes. :-) Bless their talents but it makes me think! This dissonance prompts reflection: How can we, as a society, reconcile such disparities? How can we extend a helping hand to those in need? While there's no easy answer, one thing is clear: We must mobilize resources to aid the most vulnerable among us. For corporations and businesses, it's imperative to prioritize social responsibility and expedite efforts to address homelessness. While the solutions may elude us, it's crucial that we come together to explore possibilities and act. If you share our concern and desire to contribute to this cause, I invite you to join us in initiating a dialogue or offering support. Please fill out this form to connect with us and explore avenues for collaboration. Together, let's work towards a more equitable and compassionate society. https://lnkd.in/eWf3t95b

Please watch this short video! Let's think of homelessness differently and with more compassion. 👏

Head Start programs prioritize enrolling children and families experiencing homelessness. This collection of resources can help you identify and expedite enrollment for children and families eligible for Head Start services through the McKinney-Vento Act: https://acf.mobi/4dZXSCG #HomeAtHeadStart

“We need to have a maniacal focus on creating more housing, and importantly, targeting that housing towards extremely low income households.” - Dr. Margot Kushel Margot Kushel MD is a rockstar for those of us who work in and care about health and homelessness. This podcast video done by Mark Horvath of Invisible People highlights findings of the largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid-1990s, the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness conducted by The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. 8 findings of interest covered in this interview: 1) Housing does help and people want housing 2) $300-500 could have prevented homelessness for more than 83% of those surveyed 3) People over 50 and experiencing homelessness medically present as someone in their 70s or 80s 4) Family homelessness is underrepresented as options for shelter and services sometimes separate parents from their children due to lack of options 5) Median age of people experiencing homelessness in CA is 47 6) Systemic exclusions based on race have resulted in overrepresentation of people who are Black Indigenous and People of Color 7) One of the most important things we could do to reduce homelessness is to fully fund the Housing Choice Voucher program 8) Housing and supportive services are a powerful combination to end #homelessness Watch or listen to the 53 minutes to get more context around these important findings https://lnkd.in/g6rATTfS #HousingIsHealthcare #HousingStability #AffordableHousing

On April 22, 2024, the US Supreme Court will convene to consider the pivotal case of Johnson v Grants Pass, marking a watershed moment in the legal landscape surrounding homelessness, criminalization, and the rights of unsheltered individuals. This landmark case holds profound significance as it grapples with the fundamental question of whether cities can lawfully penalize individuals for engaging in basic activities such as sleeping, sitting, or residing outdoors with minimal shelter options available. At its essence, this legal battle has far-reaching implications, delving into the heart of the debate on the criminalization of poverty and its severe consequences. The verdict stands to shape policies across the country and here in Greenville County, South Carolina. Our ask is that public and private partners continue to work together collaboratively. Homelessness is a complex issue, but we believe it is solvable when we work together as a connected community. The Greenville Homeless Alliance aims to facilitate conversations with local municipalities and Greenville County Council, those impacted by homelessness, and organizations that offer best-practice solutions. #gvlhomes4all #grantspassoregon #supremecourtjustice #endhomelessness #greenvillesc #gvltoday #collectiveimpact

We can see the future... a future where homelessness is rare and brief! 🥠 Ending homelessness requires accountability, which begins with shared aims and measurement. Built For Zero communities across the country have demonstrated that accountability is the first step toward getting to zero. #HomelessnessIsSolvable Explore here: https://bit.ly/3Reofvg

This is an excellent article by two leading advocates for affordable housing and eradicating homelessness. One key takeaway comes from this quote: "While people enduring homelessness often face serious challenges—joblessness, health problems, domestic abuse, racial discrimination—placing them rapidly into a permanent home with supportive services is the most effective way of keeping them permanently off the streets. A 2021 study showed that prioritizing housing with services decreased homelessness by 88 percent. It's also a good investment. An independent CDC panel found that for every dollar invested in such housing, taxpayers realize $1.44 in savings." - We all win if we do the right thing. The recent Supreme Court decision criminalizing homelessness does the opposite.