I am very happy to meet you all via my blog, after my US visit many things happened in my personal life as well in my professional carrier positively. First is I have Cleared my National Eligibility Test (NET) for Lectureship in India conducted by University Grants Commission, Government of India, and also I have got selected for Rajiv Gandhi National Junior Research Fellowship for my Ph.D program, I am the first person got these two higher Qualification from my village as well from my region.
I have initiated to Construct New House to my family members with Loan support from My NGO friends and Faculty. This was my dream comes to a real life; I am very much exited about these type of improvement in my life. With support of MUGHIL Social Welfare organization, we have purchased and distributed school bags to all my village children who is not having proper school bag.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
My Action and learning journey comes to an end in USA for this spring period
My Action and learning journey comes to an end in USA for this spring period, I never think and thought about this kind of trip in America and learn and share my knowledge with America students and faculties and got this much appreciation from American faculty members. I saw the different America in my own development perspective and critics, as I shared in the last post I learnt many things from this journey, I divided the learning of this trip into three aspects. As
1. Socio-Economic and Cultural Issues and Learning’s
2. Academic Research contacts and Learning’s
3. Activities and Strategies of non-Profits in USA
(Child Leader Project. Inc and Trust for Youth and Child Leadership)
Socio-Economic and Cultural Issues and Learning’s in USA
On the first day itself I felt alone and separated from neighbors, no one mind me, every one busy with their own work, after 35days I don’t know who is living my next room in apartment and office too, but who ever I met everyone very friendly, jovial and affectionate people.
The issues are very similar in India and USA but degrees of impact is differ from each other, for example, poverty= Homelessness, Unemployment =joblessness and job insecurity (Public and private), Transgender neglect ion and abused=Civil Rights for LGBT, Expensive Health care facility, Social insecurity for Elderly people, Child marriage= Teen or early pregnancy in schools, Child labor= Gang Violence.
Riverside city is more religious place, there are lots of religious people, I went to Unitarian Universals Church, it was amazing work they are doing in church, there are creating space to discuss the issues and organizing all the age group people for justice and peace.
Special care to differently able people, Each and every meeting and program there is a special sign language translator for persons with Hearing and speech disability (Deaf)
We must learn plenty of things to learn from foreign people with regard to personal hygiene, respectful communication, Implementation of Laws, Rules, and welfare programs. (In US they won’t sell any alcohols and other drugs to under age of 21, if someone needs any alcohol products they must show the authenticated age proof ID which is provided by Government mostly every one asking and using Driving licenses)
Due to economic crisis in California more than 25,000 school teachers are going to lose their job in next academic year.
In USA everything very expensive, I use to think lot to spend a dollar for any purpose, sometime I don’t want to go out also, whenever I spent money in US I think about my family and situation, than I try to get very less price foods. Most of the time friends especially my beloved sister Ms.Samantha use to take care of myself.
Academic Research contacts and Learning’s
I have presented more than 10 guests speaking in Department of Sociology, Research on the World system, global studies, honors Program and Buffon Morning in University of California, Department of Sociology and global studies in University of La sierra.
I got special appreciation and gratitude certificate and letters from honors program, University of California.
I have been attended the Qualitative Research methodology class for 4 hours in University of California.
I had a special Interaction with program with Honors students and Ph.D Research scholars in Sociology and Anthropology in University of California and I had special lunch and Interaction program with faculty members and graduate global studies research students in La Sierra University.
I spent more than 50 hours in University of California, Riverside Rivera library, I found more than 100 books relating to Child Rights, Child Abuse, Child Protection, Social Work Research and qualitative and qualitative research methodology books, I took notes, photos of the books and added into the my online library. Four floor library only for Social sciences.
I have been discussed about my research topic and research methods with 10+ facility members from Sociology, Anthropology and education departments in University of California and 5 of them are willing to be an external examiner for my thesis.
The under graduate students are taking initiative of inter disciplinary action research in the community with help of university like Urban Garden (Botanical, Biological, anthropological and environmental department faculties are guiding them to create urban garden in cities) and Solar energy products in Schools and also their getting matching grants from the local Companies.
All the communication between students and faculties and other administrative works everything done through email. Each and every students, faculties and staff member have their own email and password to access university resources.
Presentation and observation at Quall ally Elementary school and Notre Vista High School, even our private schools are does not have that much technology and resources in India.
http://events.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/display.cgi?comp_id=34865%3A20110405124000
Child Leader Project. Inc (CLP) - Activities and Strategies of non-Profits in USA
I have been took part in two fund rising program in USA, I was CLP-India Representative, first program was GrassROUTS (Walk and Run Program) we raised $4000 for Child leader project and Kids. Second one was Send Us to India (SU2I) we raised $7000+ to take low income high school youths to India, I gave key note speech over there with Mayor of Riverside city and other distinguish guests from Riverside.
Clinton Global Initiative University Conference (CGIU) at San Diego, it was wonderful experience in my life, all the young students from the globe coming with any one social vision and sharing with others and moving forward towards action in the Community In the age of 20+.
I am very happy and proud to represented CLP-India in that Conference as organization member and we introduced the No. one song (Our own two hands song) with our Commitment in US national Channel MTV –U, it was telecasted in all over the US and Universities.
I had a planning and review meetings with volunteers and interns of CLP.
Leader shape one of the amazing program I attend in US, self selected undergraduate students come with some social development vision, sharing the ideas and knowledge like minded students, moving with action plans in global perspective with University support. As like our India habitat program but more action oriented with academic credits.
Little India Village visit was really nice, I saw several Indian people and Indian products, it gave home feeling to me, I brought some instant variety rice and channa masala.
I met CLP legal board and advisory board members and had a discussion about future work, plans and ideas of CLP India and USA. We decided to make Mutual intellectual partnership agreement with Child leader Project, USA and Trust for youth and Child leadership (TYCL), India.
I have been took part in Sendai Tsunami Relief fund raising activities in University of California, Riverside (UCR) and international Relation Council (IRC), Riverside city.
After Notre Vista High school program I found one School Children collective model for the Indian government school students.
The University of California Riverside students took video and personal interview of me and my work in India.
Inland congregations united for change (ICUC) is non profit in San brabtino, California Creating youth and young adult leaders in the low income community, I got opportunity to attend the youth leaders advocacy program, I went and shared my ideas and knowledge about Indian school education system and irrelevant curriculum structure in India and USA.
My heart and soulful gratitude for my beloved sister Ms.Samantha and Child leader Project.Inc for the incredible support in US and India, all the faculty members in USA and India Particularly Prof. Scoot Brooks, Prof. Ken, Prof.Crow Becker and prof. Margret,My beloved faculties from Pondicherry University Dr.C.Satheesh Kumar & Mr. Shankar Narayan, (if I missed someone please forgive me) Who made me to be here, This trip was total learning package for me; very soon it is going to be in action. Looking forward your comments and suggestions
Thank you so much……..
For more pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/home?tab=mq
1. Socio-Economic and Cultural Issues and Learning’s
2. Academic Research contacts and Learning’s
3. Activities and Strategies of non-Profits in USA
(Child Leader Project. Inc and Trust for Youth and Child Leadership)
Socio-Economic and Cultural Issues and Learning’s in USA
On the first day itself I felt alone and separated from neighbors, no one mind me, every one busy with their own work, after 35days I don’t know who is living my next room in apartment and office too, but who ever I met everyone very friendly, jovial and affectionate people.
The issues are very similar in India and USA but degrees of impact is differ from each other, for example, poverty= Homelessness, Unemployment =joblessness and job insecurity (Public and private), Transgender neglect ion and abused=Civil Rights for LGBT, Expensive Health care facility, Social insecurity for Elderly people, Child marriage= Teen or early pregnancy in schools, Child labor= Gang Violence.
Riverside city is more religious place, there are lots of religious people, I went to Unitarian Universals Church, it was amazing work they are doing in church, there are creating space to discuss the issues and organizing all the age group people for justice and peace.
Special care to differently able people, Each and every meeting and program there is a special sign language translator for persons with Hearing and speech disability (Deaf)
We must learn plenty of things to learn from foreign people with regard to personal hygiene, respectful communication, Implementation of Laws, Rules, and welfare programs. (In US they won’t sell any alcohols and other drugs to under age of 21, if someone needs any alcohol products they must show the authenticated age proof ID which is provided by Government mostly every one asking and using Driving licenses)
Due to economic crisis in California more than 25,000 school teachers are going to lose their job in next academic year.
In USA everything very expensive, I use to think lot to spend a dollar for any purpose, sometime I don’t want to go out also, whenever I spent money in US I think about my family and situation, than I try to get very less price foods. Most of the time friends especially my beloved sister Ms.Samantha use to take care of myself.
Academic Research contacts and Learning’s
I have presented more than 10 guests speaking in Department of Sociology, Research on the World system, global studies, honors Program and Buffon Morning in University of California, Department of Sociology and global studies in University of La sierra.
I got special appreciation and gratitude certificate and letters from honors program, University of California.
I have been attended the Qualitative Research methodology class for 4 hours in University of California.
I had a special Interaction with program with Honors students and Ph.D Research scholars in Sociology and Anthropology in University of California and I had special lunch and Interaction program with faculty members and graduate global studies research students in La Sierra University.
I spent more than 50 hours in University of California, Riverside Rivera library, I found more than 100 books relating to Child Rights, Child Abuse, Child Protection, Social Work Research and qualitative and qualitative research methodology books, I took notes, photos of the books and added into the my online library. Four floor library only for Social sciences.
I have been discussed about my research topic and research methods with 10+ facility members from Sociology, Anthropology and education departments in University of California and 5 of them are willing to be an external examiner for my thesis.
The under graduate students are taking initiative of inter disciplinary action research in the community with help of university like Urban Garden (Botanical, Biological, anthropological and environmental department faculties are guiding them to create urban garden in cities) and Solar energy products in Schools and also their getting matching grants from the local Companies.
All the communication between students and faculties and other administrative works everything done through email. Each and every students, faculties and staff member have their own email and password to access university resources.
Presentation and observation at Quall ally Elementary school and Notre Vista High School, even our private schools are does not have that much technology and resources in India.
http://events.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/display.cgi?comp_id=34865%3A20110405124000
Child Leader Project. Inc (CLP) - Activities and Strategies of non-Profits in USA
I have been took part in two fund rising program in USA, I was CLP-India Representative, first program was GrassROUTS (Walk and Run Program) we raised $4000 for Child leader project and Kids. Second one was Send Us to India (SU2I) we raised $7000+ to take low income high school youths to India, I gave key note speech over there with Mayor of Riverside city and other distinguish guests from Riverside.
Clinton Global Initiative University Conference (CGIU) at San Diego, it was wonderful experience in my life, all the young students from the globe coming with any one social vision and sharing with others and moving forward towards action in the Community In the age of 20+.
I am very happy and proud to represented CLP-India in that Conference as organization member and we introduced the No. one song (Our own two hands song) with our Commitment in US national Channel MTV –U, it was telecasted in all over the US and Universities.
I had a planning and review meetings with volunteers and interns of CLP.
Leader shape one of the amazing program I attend in US, self selected undergraduate students come with some social development vision, sharing the ideas and knowledge like minded students, moving with action plans in global perspective with University support. As like our India habitat program but more action oriented with academic credits.
Little India Village visit was really nice, I saw several Indian people and Indian products, it gave home feeling to me, I brought some instant variety rice and channa masala.
I met CLP legal board and advisory board members and had a discussion about future work, plans and ideas of CLP India and USA. We decided to make Mutual intellectual partnership agreement with Child leader Project, USA and Trust for youth and Child leadership (TYCL), India.
I have been took part in Sendai Tsunami Relief fund raising activities in University of California, Riverside (UCR) and international Relation Council (IRC), Riverside city.
After Notre Vista High school program I found one School Children collective model for the Indian government school students.
The University of California Riverside students took video and personal interview of me and my work in India.
Inland congregations united for change (ICUC) is non profit in San brabtino, California Creating youth and young adult leaders in the low income community, I got opportunity to attend the youth leaders advocacy program, I went and shared my ideas and knowledge about Indian school education system and irrelevant curriculum structure in India and USA.
My heart and soulful gratitude for my beloved sister Ms.Samantha and Child leader Project.Inc for the incredible support in US and India, all the faculty members in USA and India Particularly Prof. Scoot Brooks, Prof. Ken, Prof.Crow Becker and prof. Margret,My beloved faculties from Pondicherry University Dr.C.Satheesh Kumar & Mr. Shankar Narayan, (if I missed someone please forgive me) Who made me to be here, This trip was total learning package for me; very soon it is going to be in action. Looking forward your comments and suggestions
Thank you so much……..
For more pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/home?tab=mq
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
South India to Southern California; A Learning Journey
This is the first time, Shiva coming out of India, This is great learning opportunity in terms my personal carrier development as well as my child and youth organization for social justice work globally, this trip made me to reanalyze the my spiritual faith, being a atheist I use to criticize the religion, god and spiritual faith but after visiting the Unitarian Universals Church, it was taught me their principles and values beliefs towards humanitarian and social justice and action towards the peace and justice for all. Especially I would like to share with you all about the culture and food habits in California, Every day I was tasted different variety of food items, particularly Mexican food, Irish foods, Chinese and Japanese hotel and food and Indian Instant food items (Channa Marsala, Sam bar Rise, Tomato rise, Combo Thali, North Indian tahli , Badam milk, butter milk, Mango laasi and so on). With regard to culture and dress code, I was little bit nervous to Hug them first few days I try to shake hands but they will hug me, now I am completely alright with hugging the people in US. Even though spring climate people are wearing so short cloths in University campus and school campus. I realized about the way of living and cultural advantages and barriers in India and USA.
Here, I would like to highlight some of my learning experience in Southern California, are
I have been connected with various interdepartmental professors and administrators in University of California, Riverside for my research work in India, and also I am very much excited about the guest speaking and lecture program at UCR.
Through library resources I got new ways and methods for qualitative research for Social work and effective field work instructions for Social work students and faculties and field instructor.
I have been using the UCR Social science library resources for my research, there are lots and lots of updated social work research books and online articles and journals.
I facilitated program with No rte Vista High School students and Quall Wally Elementary School from these schools I got opportunity to learn about the primary and high school system in US. In public school, they have well developed infrastructure for the students and teachers and advanced technology was adopted for the teaching and learning, students and parents are actively involved in the extracurricular activity and after school programs.
I went and visited the Universal Unitarian church, it was really impressive and after the formal prayer (it is not a prayer, kind of meeting space for share our ideas and knowledge and get to know each other) I heard two songs both of them about love, justice and Human relationship.
I met all the CLP youth, interns, volunteers, board of Directors, friends and few donors, shared about CLP India work and my research, get to know about the issues prevailing in California and activities done by CLP in US, It was really great exposure to see all the projects and interns and volunteers initiatives
I have got opportunity to attend the URBAN GARDEN PROGRAM with students and faculties of Department of Environmental studies and other inter department students. It was attractive one, for community garden program they are looking at three perspectives one is Environmental, second Anthropological and third Botanical all three department eminent faculties facilitating the whole program. In Urban garden I was engage with sail test this is first time I tested the soil PH, Potassium, Nitrogen and so on.
I learnt about the Local fundraising strategies and method for nonprofit, youth and young adult organizing for Social justice.
The issue in India and US almost similar, the degrees of impact and the approaches of interventions are trivial different, I got several idea to eliminate drop out from the villages and slums.
The Education innovation and innovative multi disciplinary research projects begins from undergraduate itself. The students got vast knowledge about the particular area of interest.
The connection between community, Nonprofit organization and higher education institute and students is very high, I am very much impressed about these projects and activities in California.
At the meanwhile I am sharing my knowledge, ideas and views about social work education in India and globalization and its impact on Child Rights and Child Protection globally and my personal life and family and village.
I use to Share about the CLP India and our partners and volunteers, and their amazing contribution for social justice in India.
Through this Action and learning journey I did small study about homelessness and its impact on migrant children in California, I am working on GLBT civil rights issues in USA, very soon I will write about GLBT too.
I crossed the half in this action and Learning journey in USA, still lots of thing to be done here in order to learn and implement in India for the better world.
There are plenty of ideas and connections are going on my mind and heart for better work for the community
Almost above mentioned everything …………………….I will take back to home (India) for the positive change for our Society.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Public School Education in US
“Through the cooperative efforts of parents, community and staffs school is committed to challenging students to strive for continued personal growth and academic achievement in a caring supportive environment where cultural and intellectual diversities are enhanced and independent thinking is emphasized through quality academic and vocational Program”
- Norte Vista High School, Riverside California.
I am very happy to meet you all again through this blog, this is quite different experience to observe and have an interaction program with High School students and Presentation observation and conversations with Primary school students and teachers in USA. I went to two schools in two different places in California One are Alvord Unified School District NORTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL second one is Menifee Union School District QUAIL VALLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. It was enormous experience with interaction program with High school students, every one they have their program schedule in a different perspective.
Some of the questions asked by the High school students are
1. What are some different customs practices in India?
2. How is an Indian education system different?
3. What is it like to be in Dalit caste?
4. What are the activities youth and mentors from Pondicherry, India do with CLP?
5. How do you manage the CLP-India and your Education?
6. What is the best & worst part about working with USA & INDIA?
7. How many colleges are there in India? (Public and Private)
8. Where you born into a caste? What is it like? Do you have any stories?
I got surprise to see Public (Government Schools) with high tech instruments and infrastructure and so soulful dedicated teachers in public schools (There is No job security for Teachers in USA due to financial Crisis). I had discussion with High school student’s counselor; the curriculum is same in private and government (public) school. There are no Matriculations, Anglo Indian and State Board common syllabus for everyone. They have various soft wares for children, it was served by District Education Board one of the famous soft ware is SUCCESS MAKER. It was well developed with their curriculum. In elementary school at all level, all the teachers are following the Positive behavior approach with kids that was sounds good such as Don’t run …….for that please walk .. Eg: some children are not sitting properly one girl was sitting properly that teacher said I like that girl sitting pattern, all the children are start to sit properly with that girl.
Some of the positive initiatives taken by schools are;
Community Centre program (Providing second support to local community people )
Affinity with Child Protective service
Preschool activity in community three day in a week
Special Art class to Children
Professional Learning Community (PLC) sharing internal knowledge support to colleague.
Staff Development Program
Positive behavior support 1)Respect 2)Responsible 3) Safe
Develop High Expectations among the children and teachers about carrier
Library and curriculum book development fundraising programs
There are no punishments for students even though they did any kind of serious mistake, there is no attendance for class but all the students observed by laser machine system, if they come late regularly it will reduce their points and separate students and parents counseling’s will be taken place. Children are coming and going in and from the class without teachers permission.
Through my observation and hearings from teachers and friends the following Issues with Children in School:
• All the Children must learn through English, in southern California most of the children are migrated from Mexico and other countries that children are can’t able to cope up with this kind of system, they become a slow learners, very few schools are having special educator for them.
• In High school Child pregnancy is very high due to unsafe sex in the age of 12 to 14 for all gender children.
• Various Drug and alcoholic addiction is very high in High schools.
These are the observation made by I and like to learn more about the people and different issues and measures in USA. Still I am not clear about the US legislative measure and Planning and funding programs for school education.
Next is, SAME -SEX Parenting in USA ------ARE YOU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Trans gendered raising Children? Do you live with inland Empire? Work on progress
- Norte Vista High School, Riverside California.
I am very happy to meet you all again through this blog, this is quite different experience to observe and have an interaction program with High School students and Presentation observation and conversations with Primary school students and teachers in USA. I went to two schools in two different places in California One are Alvord Unified School District NORTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL second one is Menifee Union School District QUAIL VALLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. It was enormous experience with interaction program with High school students, every one they have their program schedule in a different perspective.
Some of the questions asked by the High school students are
1. What are some different customs practices in India?
2. How is an Indian education system different?
3. What is it like to be in Dalit caste?
4. What are the activities youth and mentors from Pondicherry, India do with CLP?
5. How do you manage the CLP-India and your Education?
6. What is the best & worst part about working with USA & INDIA?
7. How many colleges are there in India? (Public and Private)
8. Where you born into a caste? What is it like? Do you have any stories?
I got surprise to see Public (Government Schools) with high tech instruments and infrastructure and so soulful dedicated teachers in public schools (There is No job security for Teachers in USA due to financial Crisis). I had discussion with High school student’s counselor; the curriculum is same in private and government (public) school. There are no Matriculations, Anglo Indian and State Board common syllabus for everyone. They have various soft wares for children, it was served by District Education Board one of the famous soft ware is SUCCESS MAKER. It was well developed with their curriculum. In elementary school at all level, all the teachers are following the Positive behavior approach with kids that was sounds good such as Don’t run …….for that please walk .. Eg: some children are not sitting properly one girl was sitting properly that teacher said I like that girl sitting pattern, all the children are start to sit properly with that girl.
Some of the positive initiatives taken by schools are;
Community Centre program (Providing second support to local community people )
Affinity with Child Protective service
Preschool activity in community three day in a week
Special Art class to Children
Professional Learning Community (PLC) sharing internal knowledge support to colleague.
Staff Development Program
Positive behavior support 1)Respect 2)Responsible 3) Safe
Develop High Expectations among the children and teachers about carrier
Library and curriculum book development fundraising programs
There are no punishments for students even though they did any kind of serious mistake, there is no attendance for class but all the students observed by laser machine system, if they come late regularly it will reduce their points and separate students and parents counseling’s will be taken place. Children are coming and going in and from the class without teachers permission.
Through my observation and hearings from teachers and friends the following Issues with Children in School:
• All the Children must learn through English, in southern California most of the children are migrated from Mexico and other countries that children are can’t able to cope up with this kind of system, they become a slow learners, very few schools are having special educator for them.
• In High school Child pregnancy is very high due to unsafe sex in the age of 12 to 14 for all gender children.
• Various Drug and alcoholic addiction is very high in High schools.
These are the observation made by I and like to learn more about the people and different issues and measures in USA. Still I am not clear about the US legislative measure and Planning and funding programs for school education.
Next is, SAME -SEX Parenting in USA ------ARE YOU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Trans gendered raising Children? Do you live with inland Empire? Work on progress
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Homelessness & Public Health Care System; Southern California, USA
“Great physicians and nurses, skilled, caring and unparalleled in their training, intervened in my life and probably saved it. I was lucky but other Americans are not. It is time to speak again and stand again for the ideal that in the richest nation ever on this planet, it is wrong for 41 million Americans, most of them in working families, to worry at night and wake up in the morning without the basic protection of health insurance.” -Senator John Kerry
First Morning in America, I went Health care centre called “LOMA LINDA DERMATOLOGY MEDICAL GROUP” with my sister and friend & Sister Ms. Samantha, They have amazing infrastructures well constructed beautiful buildings with lawn, very lovable, thoughtful and gentle words by receptionist to collect the arrear medical bills. Very young and beautiful skin specialist came and asks what you like to do today? Without papers, case history file, nothing with her but within three minutes treatment is got over with high tech machines’.
I will try to explore the some ideas and observation made by me about the homelessness and health care system available in Southern California, How we are describing the Development through financial growth?, Infrastructure? Or Quality of Life? Such kind of questions are always in my mind even now?
There is no health insurance for all, those who are all having permanent job they can able to avail the medical care from hospitals for that also patient contribution must due to financial recession there is no job security for people . (Where the proportion of the population of the county that is poor (incomes less than $15,000 per year) is high, homelessness is relatively high.) Based on my observation I would like highlight some statistical report about homelessness in USA and how it is affecting the Children and young population.
Which states have the highest rates of homelessness?
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington State, and Washington, D.C. have the highest rates of homelessness, according to a study released in 2007 by The National Alliance to End Homelessness.
| Overall | USA | CA |
| Homelessness | 671,859 | 159,732 |
| Homelessness Person per 10,000 | 22 | 44 |
Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/2797
Children and Homelessness
One out of 50—or about 1.5 million—American children are homeless each year, according to a 2009 study by the National Center on Family Homelessness.
California's RANKINGS
| Extent of child homelessness | 48 |
| Child well-being | 15 |
| Risk for child homelessness | 28 |
| State policy and planning | Inadequate |
| Overall rank | 40 |
*States ranked 1-50 1=best, 50=worst
Source: The National Center on Family Homelessness http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/state_reports.php?state=CA
People who are homeless frequently report health problems.
- 38% report alcohol use problems
- 26% report other drug use problems
- 39% report some form of mental health problems (20-25% meet criteria for serious mental illness)
- 66% report either substance use and/or mental health problems
- 3% report having HIV/AIDS
- 26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted diseases
- 46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer
What are the greatest causes of homelessness?
For persons in families, the three most commonly cited causes, according to a 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors study (pdf) are:
- Lack of affordable housing
- Poverty
- Unemployment
For singles, the three most commonly cited causes of homelessness are:
- Substance abuse
- Lack of affordable housing
- Mental illness
Are veterans more likely than other populations to be homeless?
Yes. About 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans comprise only 34 percent of the general adult male population, according to research on veterans by the National Coalition for Homeless. On any given night, 200,000 veterans are homeless.
Demographics of homeless people?
Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly African-Americans, are overrepresented.
- 39% are non-Hispanic whites (compared to 76% of the general population)
- 42% are African-Americans (compared to 11% of the general population)
- 13% are Hispanic (compared to 9% of the general population)
- 4% are Native-American (compared to 1% of the general population)
- 2% were Asian
Note: The above figures are based on a 2006 study (pdf) by the US Conference of Mayors.
Homelessness continues to be a largely urban phenomenon.
- 71% are in central cities
- 21% are in suburbs
- 9% are in rural areas
Note: The above figures are based on 1996 data from Samhsha's National Mental Health Information Center.
What legislation exists that addresses homelessness?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was the first—and remains the only—major federal legislative response to homelessness. President Ronald Reagan signed the act into law in 1987.
The Act, which has undergone many changes since its inception, has resulted in several programs that have helped hundreds of thousands of Americans regain stability through emergency shelter, transitional housing, job training, primary health care, education, and some permanent housing. However, critics claim the greatest weakness of the Act is that it responds to the symptoms of homelessness more than its causes.
How do you measure homelessness?
Measuring homelessness is difficult because of the fluidity of the homeless population. Part of the difficulty stems from varying methodologies used to measure homelessness. Some researchers attempt to count all the people who are literally homeless on a given day or during a given week, called a "point-in-time" count. Critics say this method is likely to overestimate the number of chronically homeless and underestimate the number of people who experience temporary homelessness.
A second method of counting homeless people examines the number of people who are homeless over a given period of time, also called a "period prevalence" count. Critics of this method point to the difficulty of standardizing measurements. Other affecting factors in measuring homeless rates include the duration of counting and time of year of counting.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently instituted standardized reporting requirements to include both those inside the system (in shelters), and those outside (unsheltered) using a point-in-time count.
State and federal programs generally provide services to children, pregnant women, adults with children, and the elderly or disabled up to specified poverty levels. County programs generally provide services to adults without children and to those who do not qualify for state or federal programs up to specified income limits.
Where is Rights of the People? Where is Inclusion? What is Development? Where is equity and Equality? How we are going to ensure these things and rights to the needy.
Rise some of the questions frequently ask ourselves and move forward with your own community for Action. Try to eradicate the ‘I’ feelings from individuals, bring up the ‘We/Us’ feeling among all category of people, then we can able to develop the inclusion in everything and every where such as inclusion in finance, health, Education and so on…
“We need to guarantee equal rights and civil rights and say that, here in America, workers have the right to organize - women have the right to choose - and justice belongs to everyone regardless of race or gender or sexual orientation.” --Senator John Kerry
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Shiva in land of Orange
Soon after came out from Los Angels International Airport, I started my learning journey with Ms. Samantha by car from Los Angels to Riverside, while we are coming, we were discussed about Los Angels City and Social development, Homelessness is big social issue in this city; comparatively this is the place highest homeless people living in the city in USA. i could see the different world here, so structure car parking place, traffic and well constructed buildings. While i am coming by car i observed that there is board says $ 1000 fine for putting wastes on the road side but still i can able to see lots of plastic bags on the roadside, people are same any where in the world 
in order to break the rules and Unaware of environment or purposefully keep their public place unclean. "Carpools" there is four way road one road for carpools, which means more than two person in the car they have to follow that carpools, if people not following this rule police will catch them and fine up to $ 1000. i could see, almost every one going alone by car, it is made me to think people are selfish/Independent?I am very much exited and impressed with variety orange and orange tree in both side of the road in Riverside, California. The Orange flower (Orange Blossom) in University Campus, it is look like a Big Jasmin flower(kundu malli in Tamil), the smell is also same as like Jasmin, it is attracting and welcoming every one to the Campus. The University of California doing research about forming of Orange in tissue culture forming, hybrid orange forming and organic orange forming but University of California is not a Agricultural University but their giving much more importance to the Local Resource such as Orange and community based Action Research in Local Community.(Information given By Ms.Samantha, observed by MDS.Shiva)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
New Experience with International Flight
Hai Every One,
I started my first international Learning & action journey on 14th march 201
1 0n 3.30 am from Chennai International airport, First time in my life all my family members are came together to send off me up to Chennai Airport, it is made me to realize the importance of family relationship. I had great experience with Emirates International flight, I am very great full to Ms.Samantha Wilson, The Director, Child Leader Project.Inc., (My Good friend and Sister) Gave me such beautiful learning opportunity globally.
1 0n 3.30 am from Chennai International airport, First time in my life all my family members are came together to send off me up to Chennai Airport, it is made me to realize the importance of family relationship. I had great experience with Emirates International flight, I am very great full to Ms.Samantha Wilson, The Director, Child Leader Project.Inc., (My Good friend and Sister) Gave me such beautiful learning opportunity globally.
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