tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18170579.post6090906439358450146..comments2024-01-07T16:42:59.197-05:00Comments on Cleveland Homeless: Forum on Shelter Standards IICleveland Homelesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110090957882137978noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18170579.post-19630999114604209732011-07-09T23:14:46.797-04:002011-07-09T23:14:46.797-04:00We encourage you to review, sign, and share our on...We encourage you to review, sign, and share our online petition for a <b>Bill of Rights for the Homeless</b> at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/bill-of-rights-for-the-homeless/<br /><br />The implementation of this 25-point legislation, while comprehensive, can start with simple training to change the mindsets of how staff view and approach shelter clients.<br /><br />I have been a recognized volunteer in the community for 10 years. Recently, I founded a nonprofit dedicated to building strong families and lived as a homeless person for 7 months to understand the authentic needs of our constituents.<br /><br />To my surprise, I was subjected to harassment, intimidation, and verbal abuse by shelter staff and security personnel. Additionally, I witnessed the other residents being subjected to the same treatment.<br /><br />As I took my findings to community leaders and citizens, many dismissed it or made comments to minimize the severity of such abuse. We have civil rights protections for a variety of vulnerable groups such as racial minorities, people with disabilities, and nursing home patients. We have laws to protect citizens against domestic violence. However, once a person enters a homeless shelter, all bets are off.<br /><br />This should not be happening in our country. More than 1.6 million unemployed professionals, middle-class families displaced by foreclosure, and underemployed blue-collar workers are homeless and possibly face this treatment. Given the slow job market, another 6 million Americans who are doubled-up with family and friends are at-risk of being homeless and facing this maltreatment.<br /><br />Just as other vulnerable groups needed extra legal protections, the time has come to pass legislation for the dignified and respectful treatment of people experiencing homelessness.<br /><br />-Sapphire Jule King, MAEd<br />Founder & President, International Freedom CoalitionInternational Freedom Coalitionhttp://www.walkaweekinyourshoes.comnoreply@blogger.com