Homeless youth are described as “individuals under the age of eighteen who lack parental, foster, or institutional care. These young people are sometimes referred to as 'unaccompanied' youth.”
-National Coalition for the Homeless
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
What is Youth Homelessness?
How does it differ from regular homelessness?
Homeless youth are described as “individuals under the age of eighteen who lack parental, foster, or institutional care. These young people are sometimes referred to as 'unaccompanied' youth.”
-National Coalition for the Homeless
Homeless youth are described as “individuals under the age of eighteen who lack parental, foster, or institutional care. These young people are sometimes referred to as 'unaccompanied' youth.”
-National Coalition for the Homeless
Causes of Youth Homelessness
Youth may find themselves suffering from homelessness in a variety of different ways.
- A parents loss of employment where the youth's provider no longer has stable income
- Leaving on one's own accord because of domestic violence
- The loss of a house due to a natural disaster or fire
- Being kicked out by a guardian because of a dispute, unwanted pregnancy or mental illness
Statistics
-In Moncton (2009), 737 individuals used a homeless shelter for at least one night.
a decrease of 19 from the year before
-In 2006, one in every six children in New Brunswick lived in poverty.
-In March 2011, 18 539 New Brunswickers received food from food banks, (34.4% were children).
While these numbers are decreasing, it is clear that the future of youth homelessness is far from resolved.
Click here for New Brunswick's up to date Child Poverty Report Card
http://monctonhomelessness.org/documents/NB%20child%20poverty%20report%20card%202011%20eng.pdf
a decrease of 19 from the year before
-In 2006, one in every six children in New Brunswick lived in poverty.
-In March 2011, 18 539 New Brunswickers received food from food banks, (34.4% were children).
While these numbers are decreasing, it is clear that the future of youth homelessness is far from resolved.
Click here for New Brunswick's up to date Child Poverty Report Card
http://monctonhomelessness.org/documents/NB%20child%20poverty%20report%20card%202011%20eng.pdf
Effects on Youth
For those youth suffering from homelessness, the effects can be both short and long term.
- Short-term: dangers from street violence, lack of basic necessities and illness/disease.
- Long-term: a low qualitiy of life and the possiblity of addiction, where the long term effects can result in fatality.
Effects on Society
An abundance of homeless youth in one particular area can have outstanding affects on that region's society in a variety of ways.
- The creation of a divide between the youth who have nothing and upper middle class classmates
- Youth who turn to drugs and crime have long term effects on an area in terms of drug trafficking and violence
- The cost to maintain a foster care system as well as funding for supplies can affect the spendature of tax dollars.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Their Story
This New Brunswick youth has overcome homelessness and wishes to share his personal triumphs.
David's Story
It’s hard to imagine how anyone could cope with the challenges that David has faced in his short life. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, he was just ten years old when his mother died. His father, an alcoholic, died just eight years later. His three siblings had already left home and were involved in the drug culture. Epilepsy and learning disabilities further complicated David’s life. At 18, he felt alone and vulnerable.
Then a friend told David about the Transitional Housing Program operated by Moncton Youth Residences. A Raising the Roof partner agency, Moncton Youth Residences Inc., offers guidance and support to young people like David, who need help to make positive choices and gain more control over their future.
During the year he lived there, David learned important life skills, began to take responsibility for his health and education and developed friendships. “One of my proudest moments was graduating high school,” he says. He also gained the confidence to attend community college for a year, graduating with carpentry skills.
Today, David lives in his own place and works at a movie theatre. His epilepsy is under control and he keeps fit by biking and walking to work. He’s exploring wood working possibilities for the future, but right now he is happy that he has come so far. “I’m strong willed and a positive thinker,” he says and then pauses. “My mom was like that.”
*name has been changed
David's Story
It’s hard to imagine how anyone could cope with the challenges that David has faced in his short life. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, he was just ten years old when his mother died. His father, an alcoholic, died just eight years later. His three siblings had already left home and were involved in the drug culture. Epilepsy and learning disabilities further complicated David’s life. At 18, he felt alone and vulnerable.
Then a friend told David about the Transitional Housing Program operated by Moncton Youth Residences. A Raising the Roof partner agency, Moncton Youth Residences Inc., offers guidance and support to young people like David, who need help to make positive choices and gain more control over their future.
During the year he lived there, David learned important life skills, began to take responsibility for his health and education and developed friendships. “One of my proudest moments was graduating high school,” he says. He also gained the confidence to attend community college for a year, graduating with carpentry skills.
Today, David lives in his own place and works at a movie theatre. His epilepsy is under control and he keeps fit by biking and walking to work. He’s exploring wood working possibilities for the future, but right now he is happy that he has come so far. “I’m strong willed and a positive thinker,” he says and then pauses. “My mom was like that.”
*name has been changed
Today's Issue, Tomorrow's Solution.
Youth homelessness in Canada is an issue that can be resolved with planning, protection and awareness.
-By planning ahead, adequite homeless and foster care can be found before the amount of youth who find themselves homeless rises.
-By protecting those who are currently facing homelessness from the elements, violence and disease, we can ensure that the number of deaths resulting from homelessness would diminish. With funding and donations, providing youth with these basic supplies can be an affective and inexpensive way to change lives.
-By creating awareness in communities where youth homelessness is an issue, help can be more easily obtained through donation as well as revealing statistics that have profound effects on citizens who may not otherwise be aware of the current situation.
-By planning ahead, adequite homeless and foster care can be found before the amount of youth who find themselves homeless rises.
-By protecting those who are currently facing homelessness from the elements, violence and disease, we can ensure that the number of deaths resulting from homelessness would diminish. With funding and donations, providing youth with these basic supplies can be an affective and inexpensive way to change lives.
-By creating awareness in communities where youth homelessness is an issue, help can be more easily obtained through donation as well as revealing statistics that have profound effects on citizens who may not otherwise be aware of the current situation.
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