Effects Of Homelessness In New York City

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If America is one of the richest countries in the world (Haroutunian), why are nine out of twenty-five of the top cities for homelessness located in the U.S. (Castillo)? As of April 27, 2016, there are 7.4 billion people in the world (Current). Currently, there are 100,000,000 people worldwide (Castillo), 500,000 in the United States (Johnson), and 60,000 in New York City alone that are suffering from homelessness (Castillo). Homelessness in New York City is higher than the time of the Great Depression (Basic). The number of New Yorkers sleeping in a shelter has increased 92 percent within the last ten years (Basic). Although homelessness in New York City is increasing, St. John’s Bread & Life has developed programs to help people who are struggling …show more content…
An average two bedroom apartment in New York City costs approximately $3,000 per month (Wallace), making it the second most expensive place to rent in the United States (Glink). Therefore, many families are put on the streets due to circumstances that withhold sufficient income to pay rent. There are approximately 14,699 families without a home in New York City alone (Basic). The second type of homelessness is episodic. This type happens to many people with drug problems, substance abuse, and mental illnesses (Dionne). Many single individuals living in the streets are prone to suffer from these problems. Loneliness leads to depression, and in most cases, drug and substance abuse. Mental illnesses occur from all of the horror they face on the streets daily. Drugs are extremely cheap costing only ten dollars for a bag of heroin (Dailymail.com). Mike Poshkin shares his story of how he became addicted to the cheap drugs on the street. He lost his job and house in a matter of weeks. Poshkin then served over a year in jail because of his use and possession of heroin. Poshkin says, “There is so much heroin around and if you look at most …show more content…
John’s Bread & Life is a Christian organization that reaches out to the homeless people in New York City. It was founded by Sister Bernadette in 1982 to provide the basic necessities for the poor in New York City (Our Mission and History). It appeals to many homeless people because it is not a shelter. Instead, St. John’s ensures the safety of their guests. St. John’s Bread & Life has many unique features. Serving over 2,500 meals each day, St. John’s provides people with the nutrition necessary for survival. Most of their ingredients are from local farms. Not only do they provide meals to the homeless, but also many extra services such as counseling, medical care, human services, and nutrition education (Our Mission and History). These extra services are available so that the homeless can try to start a new and better life for themselves. The program is built upon a firm Christian foundation that is displayed in every aspect of the organization. St. John’s Bread & Life welcomes the poor and hungry in New York City with open arms.Willie Johnson, a North Carolina native, shares his first encounter with St. John’s over 26 years ago. Johnson, father of eight children, struggled with substance abuse. One evening, he heard his two year old daughter crying because she was starving. Johnson had recently sold the food he received for her from a care center to purchase drugs. When he heard her cry, he walked down the street to the church where the founder of St. John’s Bread &

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