Abstract:
The United States offers freedom to people. This country offers the opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, not all citizens experience this luxury. Not everyone can go where they please and do what they want. For example, homelessness which has existed for thousands of years has been a problem. The solution to managing this portion of society is to put them in a place where they will not pose a threat to "the rest of society". They are a marginalized people, with no place to settle. And though there could be any number of reasons that a person is homeless, we view them all as a threat. We take pity on them, maybe as a moral obligation to take care of the weak, or perhaps we fear that someday we may need a hand up. Rare is the occasion where we truly take an interest in their story, their experience, and their life. We throw money at the problem and ask government and churches to care for the less fortunate. But on the sidewalk, we ignore them, commit acts of violence against them, and choose not to address their needs. All people have the same basic needs as defined by Maslow's hierarchy of needs. We have basic needs such as food, shelter, and water. Above that is our social needs. We need to feel that we are a part of a group, that someone can be a testimony to our lives. But in a society where we continually push people around to another location, and refuse to address them on a deeper level, and fail to meet the social need for a percentage of the population.This project, is in no way meant to be a solution to homelessness. or a place for homeless to set up a living arrangement. This project is intended to meet the people where they are and serve their needs. So that hopefully, they can feel that they are a part of society and that society views them as less of a threat, and more like a valued human being. Meeting the social needs of a person can only happen after meeting the basic needs. Once those are met, then we can begin to give these homeless men and women a place in our society. You cannot force people to interact, but you can provide spaces and activities that would promote interaction (verbal or non-verbal) between different groups in a safe and inviting atmosphere.
