Mentor A Promise

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 ...

As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, homelessness is frighteningly common among, and particularly debilitating to New York City students. Such unfortunate children and youths are at much higher risk of having emotional and behavioral problems, developmental delays and learning disabilities. As schools are already ill-equipped to deal with homelessness, the challenges are magnified when a student has a disability necessitating placement in a special educational program. This blog post will discuss why there are so many homeless NYC students in special education.  How Many Homeless NYC Students are in Special Education? Of the 938,189 students enrolled in the New York City school system, approximately 23 percent - or roughly 213,787 - live with one or more disabilities eligible for placement in special education. [ 1 ] As previously mentioned, 146,000 city students lack permanent housing. Sadly, there is a great deal of overlap between these two cohorts. By the latest estimates...