Homelessness is a problem that affects many communities across the United States. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on any given night in 2017, there were 553,742 people experiencing homelessness in the United States. This issue is especially prevalent in large urban areas, where the cost of living is high and access to affordable housing is limited.
As a result of the widespread nature of homelessness, social workers play an important role in assisting those who are affected by it. Social workers can provide direct services to individuals and families who are homeless, such as case management and referrals to community resources. They can also advocate for policy changes at the local, state, and federal level that would address the root causes of homelessness.
Kidney stones are not simple to handle, nor is the hospital bill when you don’t have the funds to cover it. My lack of knowledge about available resources and no one to speak out on my behalf made me unable to pay my medical bill. As a result, I was brought back for additional payments and had difficulties obtaining financial help.
I was not only in debt, but my credit score had been damaged. I was also left with anxiety and depression due to the stress of the situation.
While on a walk one day, I saw a homeless man who looked to be about my age. He was dirty and his clothes were tattered. I felt bad for him, but I didn’t want to give him any money because I was afraid he would spend it on drugs or alcohol.
I later found out that this man had graduated from college with me. He had become homeless because he couldn’t find a job after graduation. He had been living on the streets for over two years.
This made me realize that there are many people who are just one step away from being homeless. I decided to become a social worker so that I could help people in situations like this.
As a social worker, I help people access resources that they may not be aware of. I also advocate for them when they are unable to do so themselves. This allows them to get the help they need to get back on their feet.
I have been working as a social worker for over 10 years now and I love it. It is very rewarding to know that I am helping others who are going through tough times. If you are considering a career in social work, I encourage you to go for it! It is a very rewarding field.
I know my tale is all too common in our community, but no family should have to go through what we did to get medical help and try to survive. Furthermore, while I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I experienced a tragedy that I hope no one else has to endure: My father died as a result of mental illness exacerbated by the Veterans Affairs office’s lack of support and psychological treatment.
I remember getting the call that he had taken his own life; I was in shock. My father was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and I know he fought hard for his country. After he was honorably discharged, he battled with alcoholism, which led to him losing everything. He became homeless and ended up living on the streets. When I would see him, he would tell me stories of how people would treat him like less of a person because he did not have a home.
They would judge him and say things like “You’re just a worthless homeless person.” It broke my heart every time I heard those words, because I knew my dad was so much more than that. He was a kind and caring man, who just needed some help.
I wish I could say that my father’s story had a happy ending, but it doesn’t. When he took his own life, it left our family shattered. My mom was left to raise my two younger sisters and me on her own. We struggled for a long time, but thankfully we were able to get back on our feet with the help of family and friends.
Now, I am a social worker in the community where I grew up. I work with families who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, and poverty. I see firsthand the struggles that my father went through, and I am determined to help these families get the assistance they need. I know that if my father had had someone to turn to, he would still be here with us today.
If you or someone you know is struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, or poverty, please reach out for help. There are people who care and want to help you. You are not alone.
My experiences as an immigrant and the perspective of countless other dispossessed families compelled me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, allowing me to advocate for people who are dealing with difficult circumstances at any phase of their life, act as a guide during their therapy process, and assist them in gaining the abilities they need to live with their trauma in a more productive way.
I have always been interested in social work and I enjoy working with people. After completing my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a career in social work so that I could help others who are facing difficult situations. My goal is to provide support to individuals and families who are dealing with homelessness, poverty, abuse, mental illness, and other issues. I want to help them navigate the social service system so that they can get the resources they need. I also want to work with communities to develop programs that will prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.
Social work is a challenging but rewarding field. It requires a lot of patience and compassion, but it is also very gratifying to see the positive impact that you can have on someone’s life. If you are interested in helping others and making a difference in your community, then social work may be the right career for you.