Shelter Proposal
Becoming Homeless
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...The Story...Categories (I,II,III), Themes (A,B,C,) & Subthemes (1,2,3,) 
I.  BECOMING HOMELESS...THE STORY.
    A.  I had no choice, I was forced to leave.
    B.  I decided to leave so we could have a better life.
    C.  We tried to avoid homelessness by staying with relatives,  but it was tense and uncomfortable.
 
II. EXPERIENCES IN THE SHELTER SYSTEM - PAST.
    A.  It was traumatic to live in the hotels and shelters:
         1. We were living with a constant fear of danger.
         2. I felt dehumanized and mistreated by the people in charge.
         3. I felt isolated in the hotel.
         4. Activities of daily living such as eating, sleeping, and bathing were stressful in the shelters and hotels.
    B. I liked the shelters and hotels were we stayed.
 
III. EXPERIENCES IN THE SHELTER SYSTEM - PRESENT.
    A. I feel much more secure because I know I can stay here until I find an apartment.
         1. I wish I could stay here forever.
    B. We feel safe here.
    C. We have almost everything we need here.
    D. I've never had so many opportunities in my life.
        1. The groups and meetings they have at this shelter are very helpful.
        2. I feel my social worker cares about me and my family and helps us in many ways.
        3. My social worker doesn't support me or respect my privacy.
        4. The programs and activities for children at the shelter are good.
 
IV. EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES.
     A. I felt anxious.
     B. I felt depressed.
         1. I felt hopeless.
         2. I felt sad because I lost so much.
         3. I'm ashamed to be homeless.
     C. I felt angry.
     D. My health suffered.
     E. I felt relieved and hopeful.
 
V.  IMPACT ON RELATIONSHIPS.
     A. Being homeless made it difficult to maintain relationships.
         1. I had to hide my relationsip with the man with whom I'm involved.
     B. Parenting in the shelter environment has been challenging.
         1. My child's behavior seemed to deteriorate after we became homeless.
         2. I try to protect my children from the horror and danger associated with shelter life.
         3. I feel guilty and inadequate as a parent for exposing my children to this.
     C. It was difficult to make new friends.

VI. ACADEMIC CONSEQUENCES.
     A. Homelessness had a negative impact on my children's education.
     B. I hated changing schools so often.
         1. I love the school I go to now and don't want to change again.
         2. I liked my old school better than this one and wish I could have stayed there.
         3. It seemed like I was always behind and trying to catch up with the rest of the class.
         4. Sometimes I was just too tired to pay attention to what was going on in school.
 
VII. SUPPORTS.
     A. My family is supportive and helpful.
         1. My child is a source of support and help.
         2. My mother is the most important person in the world to me.
         3. Relatives have helped us through this experience.
         4. I'm disappointed that my family has not been helpful or supportive enough.
     B. Men help financially and emotionally, but they're unreliable.
     C. I have friends who help me.
     D. I'm wary to get involved with the other residents.
 
VIII. COPING STRATEGIES.
       A. I've learned to use the system to my advantage.
           1. I've learned to be my own advocate.
           2. Entering the shelter system was my strategy for getting an apartment.
       B. I try to avoid problems by staying alone or with my family.
       C. Sometimes I need a drink to calm myself.
       D. I keep busy so that I don't think about my situation too much.
       E. I'm always ready to defend my integrity.
       F. I make new friends as quickly as I can.
       G. I try to follow the rules so that we don't get thrown out of here on my account.
       H. My belief in God has helped me through this.
       I. I found a job to help my mother with expenses.
 
IX. VIEW OF THE FUTURE.
     A. I want an apartment that we never have to leave.
     B. After we move I hope our problems will disappear.
     C. I want to work so I can get off welfare.
         1. When I grow up I want to get a good job.
     D. I'd like to live in a world without homelessness.

* "No place else to go" by Sharon R. Liff
Copyright 1996 Printed with permission.