Consider helping the homeless
It might have begun with Ally McBeal's dancing baby, but thanks to Friday's YouTube email/post, my computer is permanently muted. Last Friday, however, rather than a cat, a toddler, a puppet or a Smack Cam compilation, I received a video about a homeless veteran. The time-lapse sequence, which ends with a haircut and a business suit, has received more than 1 million views and mixed reviews.
Some stated it oversimplifies chronic homelessness, insinuating that it can be solved by a haircut and a suit, while others hailed it as a life-changing moment. The reality, however, lies somewhere in the middle, with the universal desire to be seen and valued.
Locally, we celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Homeless Trust, founded in 1993 by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. Comprised of 27 volunteers, this autonomous board is tasked with administering proceeds from the 1-percent food-and-beverage tax dedicated to implementing the Miami-Dade County Community Homeless Plan.
On Nov. 14, Homeless Awareness Day, we paused to recognize the achievements of the Homeless Trust, the reduction of street homeless from more than 8,000 people in 1993, to fewer than 900 in 2013. At Miami-Dade County Public Schools, more than 40 school groups participated in Cardboard Brigades, while hundreds attended educational rallies at the University of Miami and Florida Memorial University. Some schools also hosted food drives, sock drives and marches to raise awareness and champion civic engagement.
But this work is year-round and with our partner, the Homeless Trust, Miami-Dade public schools offer in-school, age-appropriate curriculum about homelessness. And annually, the Homeless Trust sponsors an essay and photo contest that asks students what homelessness means to them.
Today, I humbly ask you to consider what homelessness means to you and to consider homeless parents, grandparents, children, adolescents and veterans. Please consider the homeless you don't see on our streets, the ones being helped by the Chapman Partnership, Lotus House, the Miami Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army and Camillus House. Consider the hundreds of homeless children who are served through the school system's homeless-assistance program. Today, I ask you to do your part to raise awareness and consider volunteering with one of these organizations that don't just feed the homeless, but help them rebuild their lives. And maybe soon, we can all share something thoughtful and recognize the dignity of the frailest among us.
Raquel Regalado is a Miami-Dade County school board member.
No comments:
Post a Comment