Mentor A Promise

  Photo Credit: melita - stock.adobe.com While the United States is slowly becoming a multicultural nation, it has not yet become a so-called majority minority society. That is to say that people of color still do not comprise 50.1 percent or more of the population. It is true that, as of 2020, that non-Hispanic whites make up 50.1 percent of the homeless population, while making up 61.6 percent of the U.S. population. However, it cannot be denied that some demographics are overrepresented in this unfortunate cohort. This blog post will explore how race factors into homelessness, why that might be the case and how this might be counteracted.  Does Race Play a Factor in Homelessness?  Non-Hispanic whites, those of Asian descent and those of mixed ancestry are the only cohorts whose share of the national population exceed their share of the homeless population.  Conversely, non-Hispanic black people make up 12.4 percent of the overall population, but 37.4 percent of th...

  Photo Credit: Africa Studio - stock.adobe.com After a lifetime of hard work, scrimping and saving, one is entitled to a reasonable expectation of rest and recreation in their golden years. However, for many seniors, these expectations are out of reach. Indeed, a growing number of Americans ages 65 or older are experiencing homelessness for the first time. This blog post will discuss what gray homelessness is, why it is happening and what may be done to stem the proverbial “gray wave.”  How Prevalent Is Gray Homelessness?  According to the United States Government Accountability Office , more than 770,000 people experienced homelessness at some point during 2024 and, of that population, approximately 20 percent were older adults, i.e. ages 55 and up. By that math, approximately 156,000 older adults were homeless last year. Based on preliminary data, that number is rising.  Why Are Americans Falling Into Gray Homelessness?  While many of the instigating factors ...

  Photo Credit: RomanR - stock.adobe.com The 2025-2026 school year begins on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Even for the more fortunate members of our fair city, back-to-school can be a hectic time, complete with last-minute purchases of pencils, pens, notebooks and other school supplies as well as new outfits that will fit your growing children. However, these things are luxuries some New Yorkers simply can’t afford, potentially jeopardizing their academic performance. For those who would like to help, this blog post will discuss how you can help homeless New York City students prepare for the new school year.  How Important Are School Supplies for Homeless New York City Students?  It may sound like a cliché, but having a solid educational foundation can open many doors for people of all backgrounds, not just the privileged. We might not think about pencils, notebooks and other school supplies as such, but they are crucial to academic success. Possessing the necessary scho...

  Photo Credit: kieferpix - stock.adobe.com While we at Mentor A Promise endeavor for political neutrality, we must acknowledge that even though every New York politician vows to combat homelessness, the crisis has only worsened. This collective failing has eroded trust between those experiencing homelessness and city officials. This blog post will discuss whether homeless New Yorkers should trust the city government, how trust can be rebuilt and the benefits of proactive measures.  Why Don’t Homeless New Yorkers Trust the City Government?  We would like to acknowledge the vast amount of financial and human capital dedicated to curbing homelessness. In January of this year, Mayor Eric Adams announced $650 million in new allocations to reduce street homelessness and mental illness. The Homelessness Prevention Administration works alongside the Department of Homeless Services, NYCHA and numerous other private and public agencies to turn the proverbial tide. And yet, as Sha...

Photo Credit: FollowTheFlow - stock.adobe.com  To most outside observers, regaining safe, reliable housing seems like the end of the story. However, to continue to belabor this metaphor, this positive development is only the close of one chapter in a much longer narrative. Remaining healthy and housed is a neverending struggle. As such, many of those without the proper support network are at risk of returning to the streets and/or shelters. This blog post will discuss how often formerly unhoused New Yorkers relapse into homelessness, why this might happen and what can be done to prevent this.  Why Do New Yorkers Relapse Into Homelessness?  Homelessness, like many other chronic conditions, is akin to a disease, not a moral failing. Just as those struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction may relapse multiple times before treatment takes hold, homelessness is a cycle. This is especially true if the underlying traumas are not adequately addressed. As such, many of the same...

Photo Credit: BillionPhotos.com - stock.adobe.com Writers and thinkers from Yuvi Noah Harari, author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind , to Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series, have posited the theory that homo sapiens survived prehistory while other human species went extinct due to our species’ ability to tell stories and engage in other artistic forms. This blog post will discuss how Art can heal homeless New Yorkers as well as where they may express themselves.  Does Art Have Healing Properties for Homeless New Yorkers?  With all the threats facing humanity, Art can seem like a luxury. However, throughout human history, Art has brought solace, toppled tyrants and given voice to the voiceless. Free expression is every bit as critical to our survival as nourishing food, clean water, suitable clothing and a safe, reliable place to lay our heads at night. This applies even to those experiencing homelessness.  How Does Art Heal Homeless New Yorkers? Aside ...

Photo Credit: SerPhoto - stock.adobe.com For many children, summer break is a time of excitement and exploration, free from the demands of school and extracurricular activities. But for the less fortunate children of New York City and elsewhere, the summer is a period of anxiety and deprivation. Without the breakfasts and lunches provided to them by their schools, these children will experience food insecurity and, yes, even hunger. This blog post will discuss summertime hunger among homeless New York City children, its prevalence, its impact on developing minds and bodies and how we can assist this vulnerable population.  How Common Is Summertime Hunger Among Homeless Children in New York City?  Before we delve into the numbers, the authors of this blog post would like to state that hunger is not exclusive to the summer months, nor is it constrained merely to young people who lack a safe, reliable place to sleep at night. Indeed, many New Yorkers from low income families expe...

  Photo Credit: miss irine -stock.adobe.com Thanks to countless movies and TV shows, we have all seen the stereotypical image of those experiencing homelessness. However, in many instances, that image is a myth. This blog post will discuss why homeless New Yorkers are not “dirty,” how they maintain their appearances and why you should not stigmatize them.  Do Homeless New Yorkers Observe Proper Hygiene? This may surprise some folks, but not all homeless people in New York City sleep outside, in tents or in condemned buildings. Many live doubled, tripled or quadrupled up in facilities they can’t rightly call their own or in well maintained shelters.  In a previous blog post , we discussed the rising trend of those who lack permanent housing and still have to work full-time and/or part-time jobs. In order to interview for, obtain and keep gainful employment, one absolutely must bathe regularly and dress appropriately.  How Do Homeless New Yorkers Stay Clean? Many homel...

  Photo Credit: Freedom Life - stock.adobe.com It seems like the only time that the mainstream news media ever mentions New York City’s homeless population is in connection with some violent act allegedly perpetrated by a member of this unfortunate demographic. Such coverage might lead you to conclude that those experiencing homelessness pose a threat to public safety. But that is not the reality. This blog post will endeavor to explode the myth that homeless New Yorkers are inherently dangerous while also discussing how to protect them from being victims themselves. Are Homeless New Yorkers Violent?  Every population - be it stably housed or otherwise, of one ethnicity or another, rich, poor, middle class - has its share of individuals who engage in acts of violence. In many cases, this is the result of trauma and/or untreated mental illness, and heaven knows that those experiencing homelessness have experienced more than their fair share of trauma in their lives.  Howev...

  Photo Credit: guy2men - stock.adobe.com If you are at all like the authors of this blog post, your heart breaks when you see someone braving traffic just to beg a few meager dollars from indifferent passersby. You may have reached for your wallet but stopped when you remembered that old refrain, which we shall not repeat here. But is there any truth to it? This blog post will examine whether you should ever hand a homeless person money on the streets of New York City.  Is It Wrong to Give Money to a Homeless Person?  According to one school of thought, which includes the late Pope Francis, it is not wrong to give homeless people money directly and it is none of our business how it is spent. To give the other argument some credit, it is true that around 38 percent of homeless people abuse alcohol and approximately 26 percent abuse other substances. [ 1 ] These illnesses may not be readily apparent. However, the overwhelming majority of this population, which includes tho...

  Photo Credit: New Africa - stock.adobe.com Some of those reading this blog post might have been the recipients of hand-me-downs passed along from older siblings who’d outgrown them. While there is nothing wrong with frugality, giving a child clothes that are ill-fitting, uncomfortable, warped, stained or clearly used can negatively affect said child’s self-esteem and their social standing. Indeed, this is one of the ways in which homeless individuals stand out from their peers. This blog post will discuss whether good, clean clothes can help the homeless in New York City.  Do Homeless New Yorkers Benefit from Good, Clean Clothes?  Along with food, water and shelter, clothing is a basic necessity. The right clothes can keep you warm in the winter and comfortable in the summer. But the benefits go much deeper than that. Homeless people are often stigmatized for their appearance, including their worn and heavily used clothing. This is especially true of homeless children, ...

  Photo Credit: rangizzz - stock.adobe.com The official start of summer is only a few weeks away, but it’s already growing quite hot in the streets of New York City. Excessive heat, made worse by the effects of climate change, is not just uncomfortable, it can be deadly, especially for the most vulnerable members of our society. This blog post will discuss the dangers of heat on the homeless population of New York City as well as resources they may use to cool off.  Why Are Extreme Heat Events More Dangerous for Homeless New Yorkers?  Even for the healthiest New Yorkers, extreme heat events tax their physical, mental and emotional well-being. However, certain conditions place some groups in greater danger. Those experiencing homelessness are the most vulnerable, because they often experience multiple risk factors simultaneously. According to the National Integrated Heat Health Information System , these risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following:  In...

  Photo Credit: Puttachat - stock.adobe.com Wherever you first heard it, chances are that you have encountered some variation of the phrase, “He who saves a single life, saves the world entire.” This ages-old precept may sound cliché, but there is truth to it. And one of the easiest and most effective means of saving a life is by exhibiting basic humanity and compassion. This blog post will discuss the power of kindness and the effect it can have on New York City’s homeless population. What Does It Mean To Be Kind?  Before we delve any further, we want to stress that kindness is separate from niceness. The latter involves a generally appealing and inoffensive nature, which will change from culture to culture. For example, your definition of a “nice” boy or girl might differ from your grandmother’s. Kindness is something much more profound and universal. It involves curiosity about and empathy for our fellow travelers and their struggles as well as actions taken to relieve some...

Photo Credit: leonidkos - stock.adobe.com Throughout these blog posts, we have endeavored to paint a portrait of the true face of homelessness. Constant readers will know that anyone may, through one or more misfortunes, become homeless. This blog post will discuss the growing trend of working homeless in New York City as well as some resources they may use.  How Can You Be Homeless in New York City If You Are Working?  As mentioned in previous blog posts, there are many reasons why someone might become homeless, including domestic violence, fires and natural disasters. At the same time, wages have not kept up with the rising cost of rent and other living expenses. To afford those expenses requires an average household salary of $46,967, or $23 per hour. [ 1 ] As of 2025, the minimum wage in New York is $16.50. [ 2 ]  How Many New Yorkers Are Working and Homeless? Studies have shown that the majority of homeless adults in America have jobs. [ 3 ] In New York City specific...

 Photo Credit: Lumos Maxima - stock.adobe.com  Many myths persist about homelessness and those who experience it. Some of the most pernicious are in service to the lie that only certain types of people, for one reason or another, will lose stable housing. While some groups and individuals are more prone to being homeless, the truth is that anyone, under the just the wrong set of circumstances, could find themselves without a safe, reliable place to live. This blog post will examine how people become homeless in New York City, who is most susceptible to this condition and how one might work their way back from the brink.  How Does A New Yorker Become Homeless?  Although New York City consistently ranks as one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, unaffordability is only one of the many causes of homelessness. As discussed in a previous blog post , domestic violence is responsible for approximately 40 percent of cases within the city shelter system. In all l...

  Photo Credit:  THANANIT - stock.adobe.com This blog discusses content also covered in our new podcast, available here .  We all know the cliché: “If you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere.” But for far too many New Yorkers, prosperity and success remain out of reach, exemplified most poignantly by the city’s dearth of affordable housing. To combat this growing crisis, Mayor Eric Adams proposed the “City of Yes” initiative. This blog post will examine its aims, potential benefits and whether it will be sufficient to solve New York’s housing crisis.  What Is The City of Yes?  According to the municipal government website, the City of Yes is a three-part plan to revise zoning laws, which haven’t been updated since 1961, to promote environmental sustainability, economic opportunity and, of course, increase the number of affordable housing units available. [ 1 ] These complex plans are intended to address a wide range of interconnected issues th...

  Photo credit: Arpatsara - stock.adobe.com Many times throughout the course of these blog posts, we have documented the various medical issues that homeless New York City students and their families are vulnerable to and why. From this information, you could correctly infer that individuals experiencing homelessness are more reliant on the city’s hospital emergency departments than their stably housed peers. What you may not realize is that some hospitals neglect to screen for housing status, which could affect patients’ long-term health and overall well being. This blog post will discuss why NYC hospitals should screen patients for their housing status and the consequences of not doing so.  Do NYC Hospitals Screen Patients for Housing Status?  Generally speaking, hospitals in New York City screen patients for housing status. This is particularly true of hospitals that work with initiatives like Housing for Health and NYC Health + Hospitals. The latter alone operates the...

  Photo Credit: Cincinart - stock.adobe.com As you may have gleaned from previous blog posts, once a family enters the New York City homeless shelter system, it is extremely difficult for them to get out. However, we have not yet discussed the impact for those who have been born into this system. This blog post will discuss what happens to children born in NYC homeless shelters, including the impact on their future health, educational and other opportunities.  How Many Children Are Born In NYC Homeless Shelters?  As of April 16, 2025, 18,206 families resided in New York City’s homeless shelter system, including 31,583 children. [ 1 ] Extrapolating data provided by the Comptroller’s Office , there could be as many as or more than 51,000 individuals of child-bearing age in city shelters. In Fiscal Year 2021, 1,121 babies were born to parents living in DHS shelters. [ 2 ] The final tally has not been verified yet, but given all those statistics and the knowledge that New Yor...

Photo credit: ex_flow - stock.adobe.com Homelessness is a profoundly stressful and traumatic experience and, therefore, it should be no surprise that New York City students experiencing homelessness may act out in school, at home or elsewhere. This blog post will examine why many homeless NYC students have behavioral problems, how they may manifest and some resources for those seeking help.  What Are Behavioral Problems? Childhood and adolescence can be tumultuous periods of change in a person’s life. As such, he or she may sometimes argue, be aggressive or act angry or defiant around adults and peers. However, when these and other disruptive behaviors are uncommon for the child’s age, persist over time or are severe, they may have a behavioral problem that will require treatment. [ 1 ] Behavioral disorders may be hereditary, acquired or a combination of both. They may be expressed in the following ways: Impulsivity  Inability to focus Poor time management Mood swings and irri...