A PERSONAL STATEMENT: Why I am involved in advocacy for the homeless. Having spent 4 years involved with Tent City in Lakewood, NJ I watched it thrive....grow......change....evolve...and at the end... I watched Tent City get bulldozed down. I got to know many of the residents of Tent City on a personal level. I learned about what was working in the community.... and what was not. Although I am not a supporter/advocate of Tent Cities in generaI, I do believe that at times there are many who have no other option. I do believe that Homelessness is growing and will continue to grow throughout the State of NJ. I do believe that many of us are Only A Pay Check Away from homelessness now.... Tent Cities are a viable option if the camps are orderly and people are held accountable. With the appropriate leadership...Tent Cities can raise people up and act as a stepping stone in assisting people get back on their feet. Housing First works....when and if...there is housing available....but what if there is none. ...Tent Cities may become a necessity....if we do not ALL begin to take some sort of responsibility in attempting to resolve the critical issues surrounding this extremely sensitive topic. First and foremost Id prefer to see a Rebuilding of Communities but that...is a whole other chapter.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 02:02:36 +0000
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