So You Wanna be a Homeless Advocate?

Published July 30, 2009 @ 10:21AM PT

This session is about being a homeless advocate, either as a self-advocate (formerly homeless individual) or anyone else who wants to see homelessness eradicated from their community.

First presenter is Nilaya Motalvo from Homes for Families in Boston.

1:13pm - Homes for Families believes in "consumers as community champions." In other words, bringing formerly homeless people into the organization as board members, advocates, and staff people.

1:16 - Definition debate about the term "consumer." This implies that homeless people have a choice in consuming services when, in fact, they don't.

1:19 - Identify the strengths of your advocates - whether it be writing, public speaking, building relationships, sharing their story - and help develop those skills to achieve meaningful change.

1:24 - If we're going to talk about involving formerly homeless people as self-advocates, you must be mindful of the barriers these families face. Consider the little things that could be barriers, like scheduling meetings around their workday, providing childcare, transportation, compensation, food, etc.

1:26 - The best way to recruit formerly/currently homeless self-advocates is to use other self-advocates instead of staff to network and make connections.

1:28 - Homes for Families goes to great lengths to avoid "tokenism"; that feeling that an organization brings on one formerly homeless self-advocate because it's a best practice. Involving self-advocates should be genuine and meaningful.

1:31 - Next presenter: Luella Sanders from the first ever state-wide Kansas Point in Time Count.

1:36 - Hearing some really technical info about the making of a state-wide point in time count. Learning that a good, thorough point in time count usually happens with a local champion who makes a strong case for cooperation and collaboration to conduct the count.

1:41 - Initial leadership is good. Cooperation and collaboration is good. But ultimately, resources are needed. This is where a series of local champions come into play. Ms. Sanders is saying that a lot of "person power" is needed to make this all-important collection of data a reality.

1:44 - To mobilize people, framing the issue is key. Demonstrate that we cannot afford not to end homelessness. Provide talking points. Communication is key.

1:56 - Covering more dirty details about the Kansas point in time count. Hearing about the pains states take to ensure that every person is counted is exhausting... almost exactly like "Get Out The Vote" efforts. In rural areas, volunteers counted unsheltered homeless people in abandoned barns and bales of hay, even (one attendee joked, "You found a person in a haystack!").

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Comments (6)

It is crucial to acknowledge that street people or those who are currently house-less can also be advocates. It's an arrogant assumption that members of a given target population - those living the situation NOW - cannot themselves do action research or advocate on behalf of persons who are in similar circumstances.

My own income places me at high risk for homelessness, yet I've contributed as much value in terms of action and research - including producing a powerful book - as anyone who no longer experiences or has never experienced such poverty. (See Policies of Exclusion, Poverty & Health: Stories from the front.)

Most people want to do for themselves, which includes sharing their experiences with a goal toward helping others. It's disrespectful to assume that street people or the house-less can only ever be subjects of studies and recipients of gifts from people in better circumstances, rather than leading researchers and providers.

Posted by Chrystal Ocean on 07/30/2009 @ 12:03PM PT
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Sharon,

Great job!

We at Try Change T-Shirts are official partners of Volunteers of America. We donate 10% of all profits to VOA. We also post inspirational stories on our blog.

Check us out at http://www.trychange.org/

Posted by Vince Stubbs on 07/31/2009 @ 09:19PM PT
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I agree that empowering people is the way to go. I was a Head Start parent and getting involved in advocating for my child and my community changed my life. I volunteer at an agency that employs consumers to provide services to consumers. I love it there. It feels the way Human Service agencies used to feel before they had to become businesses. The agency is very successful too!

Posted by robin tulley on 08/06/2009 @ 04:42AM PT
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Hello my name is Minister Michelle. I am so passionate about the cause of helping my fellow sisters and brothers that I have taken all my savings and started a program Purifications Standing In the Gap Ministry. I have walked away from corporate America to work full time in helping others. I just found my job empty, unfulfilled, not rewarding. I want to make a difference, I want to give back and help others get up. I know what its like to have nothing, to be counted out, and to journey alone. There was greatness inside of me, but no one wanted to take the time to teach me, reach me. By Gods grace I made it, but I never forgot. I now dedicate myself to this cause. If anyone can direct me to others who can help me make my vision reality that would be great. Come Lets Journey together which is my motto.

Posted by Michelle Hunn on 08/31/2009 @ 04:37PM PT
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I too have an inner passion for this cause and a few others I have experienced this first hand and know the trials and tribulations, the disgrace laid upon you. i am in the process of putting the constant pressure on state assembly and my local council for answers to where the funds are ( HEARTH , STIMULIS, ETC,, Funds never used for the right good of the people..) and for help establishing a network so desperately needed. I am in the beginning stages of founding an organization for the homeles as well as those "working poor" who just face the possibility all to often and the single parent fighting to stay afloat. Resources, proper intervention , services a shoulder to lean on or cry too, all are needed to step in and help and deter whatever the situation before they who are sheltered face the unsheltered in their tomorrow. I would help in anyway possible as I would love the help and in put from you and anyone able to give in return. With many Blessings, Tracy

Posted by Tracy O'Hara on 09/02/2009 @ 12:48PM PT
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We have a Section 8 Housing Program that could eliminate a lot of homelessness if it were funded. I don't understand with the circumstances as they are in America, that this program is not open and funded. As it stands now it takes people years and I am not exagerating to get into Section 8 housing. I believe this is the answer and the way to go. The program is already set up. We just have to fight to get it open. Rosalyn

Posted by Rosalyn Goseer on 09/18/2009 @ 09:14PM PT
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Author

Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.