Literacy of the homeless: Voices of survival and dreams

In this country---the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the world, the homeless community has been a misunderstood, disrespected, marginalized population that has yet to be given the proper attention needed in order for their voices to be heard. Their immediate needs must be acted upon with urgency in order for them to survive in our society.;With this in mind, I have committed myself to the above cause with the same urgency I am seeking from society, clergy, community leaders, political leaders and government in rectifying many of the simple issues and needs of housing and employment for this marginalized population. Society has labeled, stigmatized, and demoralized those who have not achieved status, title and/or position the way we have---and therefore, the assumption is placed upon this marginalized population that something is wrong with them.;All who are homeless are not homeless by choice but because they were not given a choice or a chance. For some unbeknown reason, it is believed that we (academia) who are educated and trained through formal education somehow have been given the right to define those whom we know nothing about. Just because one has not obtained diplomas, degrees, certifications, employment, professions, etc. the way society structured and planned for all, it is with that in mind that I have committed myself to allow the above marginalized population to tell their stories in their voices.;We do not know their stories and neither do we care. Many assumptions are made and have been made down through the years. Only those of us who have experienced becoming almost homeless ourselves, homelessness, unemployment and struggles, are the ones who can better tell and understand the real and true stories of the homeless and almost homeless population.;This two part study focuses on literacy, survival and dreams of this marginalized population. I share with you a literacy that the homeless communities have in order to survive not only on the streets, but to survive period. I choose to coin and name this literacy, "Survival Literacy.";Part 1 of the data collected for this study comes from 4 participants who were once homeless. Their backgrounds vary, but they share many commonalities from education, becoming employed, parenthood, etc. but most importantly---they were given understanding and a chance. Part 2 of the data collected for this study comes from a politician, pastor/preacher, realtor and the Commissioner of Human Services (2005) for the City of Chicago.;I share a commonality of both worlds---academia and almost homeless. Therefore, I charge, challenge and welcome assistance from those in the White House and on Capital Hill to inundate yourselves into the trenches within this country in the fight to better understand the stories of this marginalized population and in assisting them with more housing and not shelters, more jobs and not unemployment. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...