CHANGING THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
‘Excuse me; could you spare some change?’
You have probably heard this question more than once during a day in our fair city. It is also just as likely you have wondered how someone becomes homeless and how it can be prevented.
The 2006 census revealed an estimated 23,299 Victorians have nowhere to call home. Those who are trapped in the homeless cycle find it a demoralising and debilitating experience.
Sacred Heart Mission’s program co-ordinator for client support services Chris Middendorp said his clients generally come from disadvantaged backgrounds and had difficult or violent childhoods. High percentages have learning difficulties and were also bullied in school.
He said these individuals did not have the opportunity to learn important life skills essential to functioning in society. They often have increased levels of frustration, relating to their life experience and they sometimes engage in antisocial behaviour as a coping mechanism. This isolates them from the community.
The mission runs the ‘Journey to Social Inclusion’ program to help clients transition out of the homeless sub-culture by addressing behavioural, mental issues and trauma associated with the homeless experience.
But Chris believes it is just as much re-educating the community as well as rehabilitating the client, “Our society doesn’t deal with difference very well.”
With prevention in mind, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations runs the ‘Youth Connections’ program. This Federal government initiative provides support for youths who are at risk of disengaging in the education system and becoming homeless.
Disengagement is often caused by a combination of factors, such as poor academic performance, unstable home lives and drug usage.
“Youths at risk have a case manager to support them. If they are being bullied at school their case manager will go through with them how to confront the bully in a practical way,” Celeste Perfect, the careers education manager of the program said.
The program also helps youths make positive choices, increase self esteem, deal with stressful situations, and develop social skills if required.
Both programs for prevention or rehabilitation are a big part of the solution to homelessness as well as changing community attitudes.
Perhaps next time you’re asked if you can spare some change you might see the person behind the question.
