Why did we chose the topic of homeless veterans for our project of empathy? Our biggest reason in choosing homeless veterans as our topic is because of the amount of them we see all around us. In our film, we describe the living conditions of them as well. Our group believes that there is no way to put a stop to homelessness, but there are many ways to help. In the film, we also give information on the housing for veterans. Not many veterans are homeless with children, but the ones that are experience extreme hunger and malnutrition. The reasons are listed as well on how many veterans become homeless in our world today. There are social causes of homeless veterans, such as a lack of affordable housing, poverty and unemployment; and life events which cause individuals to become homeless veterans. People can become homeless veterans when they leave prison, care or the army with no home to go to. In our video, we mention homeless shelters. Homeless shelters are places that are free to homeless people to find housing, or temporary residence to individuals. They provide safety and protection from harsh weathers outside to those who enter. Many homeless people often bring up the living conditions of all the homeless shelters and how they are often not suitable for living. Many being dirty, full of thieves, and are often very full due to the countless homeless individuals in a community. Many say they would rather take their chances on the street, then live in one of these shelters. This topic brings much to our attention as we believe the shelters should be a relief from the outside world conditions rather than something worse. We believe that if shelters cannot keep a clean, suitable living area, then more should open up around the world to help individuals that suffer from homelessness. The job veterans do are often overlooked and not appreciated by society. Veterans have left there homes, jobs, and families to protect the freedom and safety of all american citizens. More often that not, veterans come home after war with not much to survive with since the pay is not well and the trauma faced during the war may cause mental illness leading to substance and drug abuse. People who have put their lives on the front line for the sake of others may end up living on the street homeless and neglected. Homeless shelters are often overpopulated, unsanitary, and not properly maintained which makes it not suitable for anyone to stay especially a veteran. The United States Department Of Veteran Affairs can not offer aid to all veterans and lots of disabled veterans are still waiting on there disability check to support them financially. The purpose of this film is to raise awareness on the situation veterans may face on there return home. Also, we want to increase the amount of help and care displaced veterans receive from the public hopefully inspiring some people to be more empathetic toward their cause. The public can assist in many ways whether through donations, counseling, or just a word of appreciation for their service.
Works Cited:
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/.
“Veteran Homelessness.” National Alliance to End Homelessness, https://endhomelessness.org/resource/veteran-homelessness/.
VHA Office of Mental Health. “Veterans Affairs.” Go to VA.gov, 9 Mar. 2012, https://www.va.gov/homeless/.
Whitaker, Lenyon. “How Many Homeless Veterans Are Living in the U.S.?” Metro US, Metrous, 6 Sept. 2018, https://www.metro.us/news/homeless-veterans-in-united-states-map.