LEANNE, JOURNEYS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS

“One of the characteristics of homelessness that often goes unrecognized is shame, the shame of the person experiencing homelessness about his/her situation. As Leanne indicates in her story, her “friends” kept asking her, “Why don’t you ask your family for help?” Part of the answer was her sense of shame about being in that situation. Another part was her clear understanding of her parents’ economic situation and not wanting to be a financial burden on them. Homelessness creates real psychological trauma, and all of those in helping situations must recognize that and proceed with trauma-informed practices.”

LEANNE, JOURNEYS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS