Homeless Community Research Paper

The way communities are build need to change, in order to change a number of people who are living on the streets. I have seen many homeless people struggle, especially to be able to have some food. Witnessing the struggle many people go through has inspired me to obtain a degree in agricultural science in order to grow organic foods and eventually donate this food to those in need. Not only will it provide with a way to be healthier but they will be consuming healthier foods. Not only would I like to provide help to homeless people but also to local low-income families; there are many families who do not have enough money to buy sufficient food for their family especially when it comes to large families. Affording organic foods is pricey as
it is, but I would like to change that, also changing the way our communities are structured.
The church that I attend on Sunday’s offer an opportunity for us to contribute to the community by helping feed the homeless that are living or staying under a bridge, such as the Salem bridge.
I have taken advantage of this opportunity and it has been a life changing experience. As they walk up and receive the food we offer to each and every single one of them I observe them. I can see how sleep deprived they are and how much desperation they have to receive warm food and coffee after a long night of sleeping in the freezing cold weather, even though there are many shelters who take in homeless people many of them are limited to a number of people they can help. I feel the need to serve those in need because I have been very fortunate to receive many things in life and unfortunately not everyone has had the same opportunities to resources like I have. Since I have been fortunate to receive such resources I feel that it is my duty to repay that good fortune by giving back to those in need. Something that impacted me the most was seeing women living under the bridge. There were several women that discussed their experience with me and how they had previously been assaulted. As they would tell me their stories, I felt a mix of many emotions, I felt frustrated, disappointed and sad. Eventually, I would like to make an impact on the way that people live and get them off the streets. People should not be suffering in order to have a roof over their head and especially not for
food, especially considering that we live in a country of many resources. After putting some thought into how I can use my degree for the good of others, I have concluded that by owning a business I can not only provide homeless people with food but also as a way to earn some money.
In order to accomplish this, I will need to earn a degree in both business and agriculture. Oregon State University provides the opportunity that I need to earn these degrees. Since I would like to start changing the structure of communities and the lives of people who live on the streets as soon as possible, my plan is to partner up with my sister. My sister has earned a degree in business and between her business degree and my future degree in agriculture, we would be able to start a business. Owning a business requires budgeting in order to pay employees, especially when it is a small and local business. Not only would I help many people by providing them with food but by providing them with a job that will allow them to put a roof over their head.
I really hope that by obtaining and owning my a business I will be able to help and serve my community. I want to make a change. I have witnessed how much people suffer by living on the streets; not being able to afford a home of their own and living in the cold weather. My dream is to accomplish these goals, hopefully in the next five years and start making a difference in my community. No one should live in the streets, I believe that each and every person should be able to have a place that they can call a home. Serving my community has inspired me to earn a degree in agriculture science, I hope that by doing so will make an impact.