An Eye Opening 24-Hour Homeless Experience in Montpelier, Vermont: Must Read!


As I believe current events in the affordable housing world duly warrants it and, also, as this particular essay still very much remains timely in my humble opinion, I am reposting the below introductory of a must read essay.

The essay was authored by Dana Szegedy, one of five Sterling College students who spent a night out together one cold rainy evening in Montpelier, Vermont during April of last year (2003).

These five college students began their education that evening in several indepth discussions spanning a variety of matters, including homelessness, housing, mental health, disabilities and related subjects while at the Another Way Drop-In Center before embarking out onto the streets for the night.

An Eye Opening 24-Hour Homeless Experience in Montpelier, Vermont


by Dana Szegedy


Question of Perception


Perception: something rarely thought of, but often used.

What is your perception of a man walking the streets at night, tired, depressed, ragged looking? What's your perception of a former mental health patient? Or a clean, wise, helpful man who happens to be homeless? Is there a difference between these people?

Before you say "he wanted to be homeless" or "we don't have a problem with homelessness here," read about my experience as well as some of what people who either live or have lived homeless have to say about these matters.

To read more, go to: An Eye Opening 24-Hour Homeless Experience in Montpelier, Vermont


Notes:

The Vermont Homeless Journal (VHJ) Essays Blog is the blog page for any of the longer original articles, commentary, columns or essays concerning homelessness and related matters, which have been authored and blogged by individual writers and blogger(s) of the Vermont Homeless Journal (VHJ) blog.

Note: All Rights, concerning written material posted on the VHJ blog(s), revert and belong solely to their individual author(s). If their e-mail address is not provided along with their writing, e-mail VHJ for further info or to be put in contact with an individual VHJ contributing writer.