The Campus Voice

Issue date: 3/16/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Jamie Halstead [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jamie Halstead City Rescue Mission member. [Click to enlarge]

Homelessness has increased 33 percent in Jacksonville alone during the last year.

The scariest part of it is that out of all the homeless population in Duval and Clay counties, 33 percent have had some sort of college education or degree.

Census figures from the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville show there are about 1,500 homeless people located downtown on any given day, and over 3,000 in Duval County.

The homeless population is seen as one of the inner cities most visible problems, and has frequently been cited as the biggest drawback to living downtown, while officials in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach have begun considering ordinances that would outlaw sleeping in public.

While many organizations are fighting back to decrease the growing number of homeless people in Jacksonville, according to the City Rescue Mission charitable donations have decreased by 28 percent.

"We cannot simply turn our backs on them and hope they go away," said the City Rescue Mission.

The streets have become home to many people living in Jacksonville and it is not a problem that will solve itself or be solved by putting more people in jail.

With the deteriorating economy many have lost their jobs, cars, and homes; while others are suffering from a drug and alcohol addiction.

The problem is that many homeless people do not have a state-issued identification card, which prevents them from checking into treatment facilites and even shelters.

According to The Jacksonville News, Oscar Norwood, a self admitted drug and alcohol abuser, whose family left him in his plummet to the the street, was on a mission to find directions to where he could get a ID to check into treatment.

"You're trying to pull yourself together, but not everyone cares to help anyone," said Norwood.

In efforts to help all homeless not just ones who happen to have a government issued ID, a group of non-profits are rallying for a daytime center for Jacksonville's homeless.

"The concept, which right now has no proposed location, price tag or money, would give the homeless better access to things like showers, telephones and the Internet. It's an effort aimed at helping the homeless and needy off the streets and into jobs," said David Hunt, a writer for The Jacksonville News.

The day center would be a gate way to connect services, such as job training and substance education all under the same roof.

Locally, many shelters and programs have opened doors for recovery, such as the City Rescue Mission. The New Life Inn is a program started by the City Rescue Mission,which has been set up to help those in desperate need of basic living essentials.

"This is for those who have completely fallen through the grid and are lost in despair and hopelessness," said the City Rescue Mission.

Providing a roof over their head for a night or a hot meal is only the first step in helping to decrease and eventually eliminate the homeless population.

An overnight stay at the City Rescue Mission gives people a gateway into another program called Life Builders, which is offered to help homeless people not for the night but for a lifetime.

"Participants in the Life Builders Program live at the McDuff Campus for 1 year and make a commitment to abide by all requirements which will ultimately enable them to rediscover how to care for themselves and their families," said the City Rescue Mission.

During their year in the Life Builders program participants receive food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, optical and orthopedic care, education, and legal services provided by Jacksonville Christian.

"We cannot do it without your compassion, prayers, and donations," said the City Rescue Missions. "We are making a substantial difference in the lives of so many because of the generosity of CRM's supporters."

The national rate for successful recovery and rehabilitation of the homeless is only 28 percent; the success rate for participants in the Life Builders program through the City Rescue Mission is 85 percent.

Homelessness is a serious problem, even if it does not directly affect you. If you take the time to look beyond the stereotypes many homeless people are desperate to get a job, support themselves, and build a life. What needs to be understood is that it is not that simple. Many think why don't they just get a job, or I worked to be where I am why can't they?

The truth is it is expensive to get a government issued ID to even apply for a job. When you are homeless where do you shower, or get clothes to present yourself for an interview?

These are things that directly stop those who want to change from actually being able to do it. As for those with addiction or mental health issues, instead of support through institutions and rehabilitation centers those types of places are getting more expensive and even in many areas shut down for lack of government funding.

Homelessness is not a choice, it is a struggle. Even if you cannot find the time to volunteer, simply making a donation can help change a life. We need to reverse the epidemic of homelessness in Jacksonville one person at a time.

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