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What Does it Really Mean to be “Vulnerable”?
Vulnerable. It’s a word we often use to describe the clients our programs target—individuals who have serious health, mental health, and substance abuse challenges; who are frequent utilizers of...
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Let’s Change the Meaning of PTSD
PTSD. This four letter word is a job killer for veterans looking for employment. That’s what I learned while sitting in a meeting this past week with a small group of formerly-homeless veterans and a...
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Prioritizing Homeless Vets: Are We Giving Up on Ending Homelessness for All?
Fourteen years ago, when the goal to actually end homelessness was proposed by a national homeless group, the idea of zero homelessness seemed lofty. Back in 2000, there were 700,000 people who were...
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Is Today the Day that I Die?
I walk my daily patrol like a fearsome warrior, dressed in my combat helmet and protective gear. I point my rifle out for all to see, and the people around me cringe. But, inside, I’m just a kid from...
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The “Up and Down” Perspectives on Homelessness
Besides the leftovers in the refrigerator—all-in-all, the turkeys have been eaten, along with the mashed potatoes and gravy. Shelter volunteers are back at home with their families. The television news...
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A Key? Not Always the Key to Housing
Jason thought his foxhole was safe enough to keep him hidden from the enemy. His trench was behind some bushes and was located about halfway up a hill overlooking Hollywood, California. From his...
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Homeless Or Home-Free?
It sounds adventurous, exotic, and even a bit thrilling. To live on one’s own, outside, and disconnected from monthly rent, job responsibilities, utilities, banking, credit cards, and car payments....
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Homelessness: America’s Refugee Crisis
Photo by Tiny.cc/Syria Freedom, Flickr. Their stories are heartbreaking. Dozens drowning when their tiny boats capsize off the coast of Turkey. Desperate crowds shouting for entry at the borders of...
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Hopeful Resolutions For 2016: A Realistic Approach to Homelessness
Photo by A McLin For the past several year-ends, I have listed America’s top ten positive solutions to ending homelessness. Hope was in the air when those of us who have dedicated our lives to...
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LA Homeless Plan: Find Change Here
Paul stood at the 101 Freeway off-ramp, holding a cardboard sign that read, “Spare Change?” He was a veteran in our armed services who lived on our streets for ten years. Last year, Paul was one of...
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