Arguments Against Independent Living Services
Often times young people are not forced to live on the streets, they make a decision on their own to leave. As in the following case of Martin that was cited in a book written by Kaye Stearman.
“As a child, Martin never had a real home… When they finally stopped moving, it was too late for Martin. He couldn’t settle. He had never stayed anywhere long enough to make friends or keep up with his schoolwork. His family wanted to help him but didn't know how. He began skipping school and spending more and more time on the streets with other truants. At first it was great. The group begged on the streets and on the streets and in the shopping malls. Sometimes they stole clothes or videos and CDs. It was only a matter of time before Martin was caught” (Stearman, 7). …show more content…
“Congress authorized the Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth (TLP), which continues to provide grants to community and faith-based non-profit and public organizations for longer term residential supports (up to 18 months) to youth ages 16-21 to promote their successful transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency” (Giffords, Elissa, Christina Alonso, and Richard Bell, 142).
“Independent living services are a viable alternative for youth not quite ready for emancipation. These services include special programs such as counseling and training designed to prepare youth for evidential independence”(Giffords, Elissa, Christina Alonso, and Richard Bell, 143). There are also many services available to assist a young person who might be faced with homelessness in the city of Philadelphia. Specifically, the Transitional Living Programs at the Covenant House and the
Attic.
A more optimistic viewers would not expect a young person to be able to just pull themselves out of a bad situation. The optimist would recognize that while teenagers might have grown up bodies, they are not fully grown up and are not as knowledgeable as their parents or older adults. Consequently, applying for services would be a challenge. Knowing where to go, what documents would be needed. For example, a birth certificate, social security card or other forms/documents that runaway or homeless youth might not have in their possession or not even know how to apply for a copy.
Although shelter and transitional living programs could help the young adolescents they tend to fill up quick and as a result youth are turned away. “Approximately 50,000 youth per year are served by homeless youth programs. Every year, thousands of youth who seek shelter are turned away” (FY 2016 Appropriations: Runaway and Homeless Youth Act).
According to a news report on NBC 10 While the National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that 50,000 youth per year are served by homeless youth programs, thousands who seek shelter are turned away. It was further reported that in 2014, more than 4,000 youth were turned away from Transitional Living Programs.
“As a child, Martin never had a real home… When they finally stopped moving, it was too late for Martin. He couldn’t settle. He had never stayed anywhere long enough to make friends or keep up with his schoolwork. His family wanted to help him but didn't know how. He began skipping school and spending more and more time on the streets with other truants. At first it was great. The group begged on the streets and on the streets and in the shopping malls. Sometimes they stole clothes or videos and CDs. It was only a matter of time before Martin was caught” (Stearman, 7). …show more content…
“Congress authorized the Transitional Living Program for Older Homeless Youth (TLP), which continues to provide grants to community and faith-based non-profit and public organizations for longer term residential supports (up to 18 months) to youth ages 16-21 to promote their successful transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency” (Giffords, Elissa, Christina Alonso, and Richard Bell, 142).
“Independent living services are a viable alternative for youth not quite ready for emancipation. These services include special programs such as counseling and training designed to prepare youth for evidential independence”(Giffords, Elissa, Christina Alonso, and Richard Bell, 143). There are also many services available to assist a young person who might be faced with homelessness in the city of Philadelphia. Specifically, the Transitional Living Programs at the Covenant House and the
Attic.
A more optimistic viewers would not expect a young person to be able to just pull themselves out of a bad situation. The optimist would recognize that while teenagers might have grown up bodies, they are not fully grown up and are not as knowledgeable as their parents or older adults. Consequently, applying for services would be a challenge. Knowing where to go, what documents would be needed. For example, a birth certificate, social security card or other forms/documents that runaway or homeless youth might not have in their possession or not even know how to apply for a copy.
Although shelter and transitional living programs could help the young adolescents they tend to fill up quick and as a result youth are turned away. “Approximately 50,000 youth per year are served by homeless youth programs. Every year, thousands of youth who seek shelter are turned away” (FY 2016 Appropriations: Runaway and Homeless Youth Act).
According to a news report on NBC 10 While the National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that 50,000 youth per year are served by homeless youth programs, thousands who seek shelter are turned away. It was further reported that in 2014, more than 4,000 youth were turned away from Transitional Living Programs.