Voices of Homelessness – Sandra

Sandra Names have been changed to protect the identity of those interviewed.  Sandra is a 23-year-old woman who is currently living in an emergency shelter. She graduated from high school with an advanced diploma and went on to receive her cosmetology license. She is looking to return to school in the fall to pursue a Read More

In the News: HB 717

HB 717 Unaccompanied Homeless Youths; Consent for Housing Services Unaccompanied homeless youths have experienced unneeded difficulties as they were seeking to obtain housing services in the past. Even though they are unaccompanied, they still needed adult permission through these services with being underaged. This rule that was in place left them with limited resources as Read More

Voices of Homelessness – Kelly

Kelly Names have been changed to protect the identity of those interviewed. At the time of her interview, Kelly was living in an emergency shelter with her two children (ages 8 and 2). This is her story. How did you become homeless? Sam · Kelly1 K: Rather than get an eviction on my record, I went Read More

In the News: Madonna House Fire

Approximately 75 Senior Residents Displaced After Madonna House Fire On Monday, May 16th more than 75 seniors were displaced from their homes after their apartment complex caught fire at approximately 10pm.  This fire caused significant damage to one wing of the building. Luckily, the fire was confined to the attic, but left significant smoke and Read More

Readings in Diversity Book Club – May 2022: Stolen

Hello Readers! Welcome back! We hope that you have enjoyed reading along with us thus far. For the month of May, we have chosen to read Stolen: A True Story of a Human Trafficking Survivor by Katriina Rosenblatt. In this novel Katriina Rosenblatt shares her experiences of homelessness and of surviving sex trafficking.  Often times Read More

The Danger of a Single Story

The Danger of the Single Story I wanted to share this TED talk because of the impact it had for me in thinking about the way in which I view people, the things that have created my generalizations and the role that I play in maintaining these popular narratives. The goal of Voices of Homelessness Read More

Voices of Homelessness – Randall

Randall Names have been changed to protect the identity of those interviewed.  Randall is a 41-year-old man who is currently experiencing homelessness. In the past 15 years, Randall has been homeless at least 8 times. If he was not homeless, he has been incarcerated. Many times upon release he has been able to seek shelter Read More

Readings in Diversity Book Club – April 2022 – Songs from the Gorilla Nation

Hello Readers!   Welcome back. For the month of April, we have chosen to read Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Pince-Hughes.   Initially written in 2004, Prince-Hughes discusses her personal journey and struggles with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder. For those who are unfamiliar with Autism, it is generally characterized as a developmental disability which impacts Read More

Housing First: The Basics

  On any given night in 2021 in Virginia’s Planning District 16, 180 individuals were experiencing homelessness. Of those 180 individuals 18 were living unsheltered – meaning that they were sleeping outside, in a tent, in a car, or some other place not meant for human habitation. Ideal circumstances would dictate that each individual living Read More

Voices of Homelessness – Kim and Daryl

Kim and Daryl Names have been changed in order to protect the identity of those interviewed.  Kim and Daryl have been living in the Richmond area all of their lives. They have been together for about 7 years and have two children together. Both Kim and Daryl are unemployed due to mental disabilities. Kim is receiving Read More

Voices of Homelessness: A Testimonial Project

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (2015), 564,708 people are homeless on a single given night in the United States. Though this issue effects over half a million people, our society has built a stereotype that all people experiencing homelessness are drug addicts, alcoholics, or criminals. Because of these stereotypes, we Read More

Readings in Diversity: A Book Club

Dear Readers, As part of my work with the GWRC, I have started reading as many books, essays, and poems, as I can to learn about the diverse experiences of the homeless. Our society has built a stereotype that all people experiencing homelessness are drug addicts, alcoholics, or criminals. Because of these stereotypes, we have Read More