Kanani Kekahaua’s five kids are like most kids…they’re trying to ride into a bright future. But they’re also unlike most other kids, because they were homeless. Kanani explains how it happened. “I lost my job and it snowballed from there. You never think it will happen to you. I don’t drink, I don’t use drugs, and it’s just unfortunate it happened to me and my five children.”

Suncoast article

Across the US the face of homelessness is changing daily. Children and families are joining the ranks of the substance abusers and mentally disordered. A place in society that was reserved for those who “deserved” their unfortunate position is becoming less black and white. While we have certainly made clear that all homeless individuals, regardless of circumstance, deserve a helping hand; this is a point of contention for some. It seems to muster more support for the homeless, one must share the stories of the individuals without “flaws” who find themselves in a tough spot. Perhaps then, something positive can come out of the recent change in the homeless population.

In the article previously linked, Pam Ducket, the program director of the Faith Program run by the Salvation Army, stated:

“80% of all homeless in Sarasota County are children and families. They are the hidden face of homeless.”

While Sarasota County, Florida, certainly holds a higher percentage of homeless children and families than the national average, families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. According to a 2007 survey conducted by the National Coalition for the Homeless, homeless families with children make up approximately 23% of the homeless population. In 3 years time those numbers are undoubtedly on the rise.

Whether you can identify personally with the man, woman, or child on the street is not important. Whether you can acknowledge that a fellow human being is in need is important. Regardless of what pulls at the collective heart-strings of the American people, it is long past time that we stand up and help our fellow man.

2/25/2010
R. Hardy