Homelessness is not a vice
March 18, 2018
By ALINA BURMISTROVA
The Mirror reporter
Do you think homelessness people are to blame for their problems? Might you think that if they really wanted to make their lives better, they would do it or something like that?
There are global causes of homelessness. A serious earthquake in 2011 in Japan claimed many people’s lives and those who survived lost their homes forever. Also, Hurricane Katrina on August 28, 2005, was no less an important event in human history. This one caused great damage to New Orleans. Because of the hurricane, almost all buildings in the city were underwater. Natural disasters contribute to the emergence of homelessness.
People have other causes of homelessness such as loss of jobs and drug use and alcohol consumption. Adults do that and make their children suffer because of that lifestyle. More often students become homeless only because of parents’ behavior and it is a really large problem.
Recently I conducted an interview with my host father Jerry Gargulak who is school psychologist, student outreach coordinator and just a cool person. Gargulak said, “There are about 175 homeless students in Stevens Point Area Public School District. Last year there were 220 students identified as homeless.”
There are about 18,366 homeless students in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, there are not always good living conditions. Gargulak said, “They may live in hotel or motel. They could live with somebody else, mainly school-age friends. Some people stay at the Salvation Army or the Family Crisis Center. They could reside outside or even in a car.”
Gargulak also spoke about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act which “originally had 15 programs providing a spectrum of services to homeless people, including the Continuum of Care Programs, the Supportive Housing Program, the Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Single Room Occupancy Program.”
He explained that “Under federal or US law we have to ensure that homelessness or people living in transition is not a barrier to learning.”
School counselor Jennifer Ries said, “There are some student-led organizations such as Key Club that would help homeless students groups. Student Ambassadors also work with new students who come to SPASH throughout the school year, which would include some homeless students. Our school will also give fee waivers and provide free breakfast and lunch to students who are homeless.”
Homeless students can apply to college and file for financial assistance through the FAFSA. Students can also apply for scholarships that will help the cost of tuition.
Lauren Huebner • Sep 4, 2018 at 9:56 PM
Very well written article. It really makes you think about the kids you see around school.
Tony Ludwig • Apr 2, 2018 at 1:01 PM
Sometimes it’s hard to remember how rampant that homelessness judgment is. This is a very informing article.
Alyssa Schroeckenthaler • Apr 2, 2018 at 12:53 PM
I would’ve never guessed that so many people were homeless just in our town alone. I think this is very eye-opening for people. It is the thought that homeless people only exist in big cities, but it’s quite the opposite. Nice article, it was very interesting.
Hannah Gibbons • Apr 2, 2018 at 12:50 PM
Wow, I was shocked by reading this article. It was very factual and interesting to read. I’m glad someone decided to shine light on this serious topic. The depth of your article was good along with the quotes. You’re becoming a great writer Alina!
Hannah Siegel • Apr 2, 2018 at 12:45 PM
I liked this article, I never realized how big of an issue homelessness was in Point. I also never knew there were so many resources available to them.
Kacey Koch • Apr 2, 2018 at 12:44 PM
This article really made me think about how many people I see and have no idea what they’re going through. Great information and detail was put into this article!
Dylan Trigg • Apr 2, 2018 at 12:43 PM
This was very surprising. The facts you had made the article better. I would never have thought there were that many homeless people either in stevens point or Wisconsin.