Tuesday, December 20, 2011

CHIP Fact Sheets and talking points...

 
What does a homeless person look like? Who is homeless? Old men who drink too much? A bum? Someone who sleeps under a bridge? Often, people imagine someone who is:
  • Dirty
  • Dangerous
  • Intoxicated
  • Crazy
Worst-case stereotypes like these feed into the dehumanization and the voicelessness of homeless persons. The fact is there is no one answer.

Homeless persons are any age, race, gender-men, women and children-who often work and may be indistinguishable from anyone else riding the bus or shopping at the grocery. The reasons for their homelessness vary across a wide range of issues, including:
  • Women escaping from domestic violence
  • People encountering sudden and severe financial setbacks
  • Young people exiting from the foster care system
  • And many other situations
Misconceptions can only be corrected through information, education and advocacy.  Lend your voice to the voiceless. Help tell their stories...

http://www.chipindy.org/advocate-fact-sheets.php