Change
The above quote is by Indian civil rights leader, Mahatma Gandhi. He is famous for his acts of non-violent protest performed to sway policies and government laws regarding the rights of the disenfranchised. Recently, I began working for a local non-profit organization. It uses a "housing first" model to help homeless people first get into safe stable housing, then address their physical, mental health and addiction needs. The program I work out of is permanent supported housing for those with mental illness. Yesterday evening I was in the grocery store, speaking with one of my favorite cashiers about my job. As I left the parking lot in my car, my mind was on the residents I interact with and how so many have these beliefs that people choose homelessness as a lifestyle. They have no idea the barriers to housing and employment these individuals face. As I drove, Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" began to play. I remember hearing...