Running Head: HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND

HOMELESSNESS
1

Evidence - Social Action Project: Children and Homelessness

Pauline Abu-Tayeh
HD 390: Developing Anti-Bias Curriculum: Teaching Our Values to Our Children
Melissa Pinkham
April 20, 2016

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

Abstract
This is a social action project that focuses on children and homelessness. It is intended to
address the social inequities that children face every day. Whether they are in a preschool
environment, home living assistance, or out in the community, children are subjected to ridicule,
bullying, and violence. This paper aims to mitigate childrens effects and feelings about being
homeless. It will also entail some of the demographics of children being homeless in our
communities. This paper will also give ways on how we can help other children and adults get
involved in the solution to children and homelessness. The main goal is to tie in this topic to the
anti-bias goals and display and implement materials so that my social action plan can be
beneficial to others.

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

Social Action Project: Children and Homelessness

My project name is Children and Homelessness. Homelessness is becoming an
epidemic more than ever with children as the leading target. Families are engaging in traumatic
experiences in their lives. It is through lack of affordable housing where they cannot afford or
barely afford their rent expenses. Then, it makes it difficult for families to afford food, clothing,
transportation, and medical costs. Yet, another reason that children suffer from homelessness is
that they have to leave their homes due to domestic violence. Their lives are changed
completely. Economic status is another barrier for families with lack of education or job skills
that the workforce is requiring. In addition, families cannot afford childcare expenses so that
parents can work. It is imperative that schools such as Head Start, State Preschool, and Full
Day/Child Start remain open for services to parents so that they can work even if they are
homeless because these programs are free or reduced costs to them. Furthermore, children in
homeless situations are affected mentally as well as their physical health. Homelessness affects
people of all ages, occupations, ethnicities, and geographical areas.
A social inequity that I want to address is how I observed children and homelessness in
my school environment. I have observed how some staff will turn the other way and not address
children who are homeless. Others create bias attitudes about these children and their families.
For example, I have heard one staff member say, Its their fault that they are in this situation.
They have to pull themselves out of it. Theres nothing I can do. I have noted a particular
situation this year with two siblings who are homeless. One child is three years old. The other
child is four. They are siblings. Both children come into school with unkempt clothes, no socks,
and torn shoes. They are continuously hungry and thirsty. Several teachers and I decided to go
out into the community and get food, clothing, and shoes for the mother and her two children.

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

There were two churches that came forward and helped these families with shelter. Although the
mother was withdrawn, she was happy and thanked everyone for assistance. In Horizons for
Homeless Children, Kate Barrand states this social inequity of being homeless should be where
these children and other children in this position be granted civil rights and equal access to social
goods and services (2016).
The background of why I selected my project started because of my personal life as well
as my work environment where I see children in homeless situations. As I contemplated my
lifestyle throughout my years, there was a time in my life that I was homeless for six months.
My daughter at the time was six years old. I felt powerless that I was not able to provide for my
child. I felt saddened because I could not see my family at all during this time because of
domestic violence I encountered with my daughters father. I left everything behind. Barrand
stated nearly 25% of all homeless women fled with their children from domestic violence (2016).
Not only was I in a domestic violence situation but also in a homeless situation. It really does
take a community to care for its people. I felt supportive from the community and found my
daughter and I were cared for including the agency I work for today.
With homelessness, there are many risks involved. Children risk the fact of being
separated from their parents and placed into foster homes. Children are also at a risk for poverty.
They lack food and many of the necessary items for cleanliness. Therefore, children may be at a
risk for infectious diseases. Moreover, there may be problems where there are not enough
shelters or homes for these families and their children to be placed in. When children are
homeless and attend schools, they are often made fun of by other children due to their physical
appearances or knowing that they are homeless. As educators, the best thing to do is to support
these families and help them feel accepted.

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

The main goal of my action plan is to change the minds and hearts of people who view
homeless as an inconvenience. Homelessness is not something we are both into. Homelessness
is something that we may experience due to causes beyond our control. Our attitudes must
change and become positive hope for combating children and homelessness. We should never
blame parents and their children who face homelessness, domestic violence, or any other crisis.
Feelings matter for these children and their families especially when children are faced with
developmental delays in their growth. Children also suffer from emotional distress. According
to Hart-Shegos, (1999), 12% of preschool children ages 3 to 6 are diagnosed with anxiety,
depression, and withdrawal due to homelessness (Hart-Shegos, 1999). Hart-Shegos also said
16% demonstrate behavior problems with aggression and hostility (Hart-Shegos, 1999). It is
vitally important to assist our children in our preschool programs so that they understand and
regulate their feelings and emotions while going through critical situations.
In my social action project, the demographics of homelessness analyze the population of
the statistics served in our country. In January of 2015, statistics show that 564,708 people
experienced homelessness in the United States on one given night, and 69% were in sheltered
homes as well as 31% were found in unsheltered locations such as streets, abandoned buildings,
and cars (Facts on Homelessness, 2015). In 2013, a study was done on black families in the
homeless community. 48% of sheltered homeless families with children were black, and 29% of
those families were in poverty (Homeless Children and Youth, 2014). In addition to this study, it
was also discovered 23% of white families with children were in shelters while 22% were
Hispanics with families with children in homeless situations as well as poverty (Homeless
Children and Youth, 2014). Furthermore, this study included children who were in homeless
situations. In America, 10% of children who were homeless were under the age of one, 39%

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

between one and five, 33% between six and twelve, and 18% between the ages of thirteen and
seventeen (Homeless Children and Youth, 2013). Homelessness is on the rise among the
population of the children in this country. It is extremely important for me and others to stop and
be their voice.
There are many shelters for women and their children in domestic violence or homeless
situations. Some of these places helped me through my crisis. The Womens and Childrens
Crisis Shelter is located in Whittier. This shelter provides safety and hope to victims of domestic
violence. This shelter provided safety for my daughter and I. They provided counseling,
therapy, and education for my daughter and me. Another great source is the YWCA Wings
Shelter which is located in the Covina area. They also provide the same services to women and
children who find themselves homeless because of domestic violence. Also, in several cities in
California, there is a treatment center for women who have substance abuse issues and/or mental
disorders. There are also many food banks and thrift stores that support people in homelessness
such as the Salvation Army. They will provide vouchers to their store for furniture. Another
great way for the communities to support families in need is through social events. On April 23,
2016, there will be an annual 5K walk, This is held annually by the Shelters Right Hand in
honor of the Womens and Childrens Crisis Shelter. People reach out to other people who are
homeless. There are tables that provide information on safety and wellness. They also have
booths that have resources for job opportunities and seeking out low-income housing. The
feeling is great when we can reach out to others who have been through the same experiences as
others. My time line for implementation is now and has continued for twenty-four years. I am
an activist for children who are in homeless situations. In my place of employment, I monitor
every school year children and families who may need help or resources for their daily needs.

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

Because the children in my classroom come from disadvantaged families, I want them to learn
and be all that they can be. This is a passion of mine. There is no time line to my social justice
action plan.
From our text, Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves, it states children
will demonstrate self-awareness, confidence, family pride, and positive social identities
(Derman-Sparks, L. & Olsen-Edwards, J. 2010. p. 4). This goal establishes identity and offers
support for social, emotional, and cognitive levels of development. In addition, it states children
will be able to express comfort and joy with human diversity and human connection (DermanSparks, L. & Olsen-Edwards, J. 2010. p. 4). This goal will help children to appreciate the
similarities and differences of each other. In my teaching, I will use the new found activity in
this course with the persona doll. I will use the doll to explain how children feel when they do
not have permanent homes. I will also use the persona doll to help other children to develop
empathy for children who are homeless. Children will continue to recognize unfairness, have
language to describe unfairness, and understand how it hurts (Derman-Sparks, L. & OlsenEdwards, J. 2010. p. 5). This goal is to help children understand how it is hurtful to make fun of
children who do not have a home. In order to promote language, I use role play or flannel stories
so that children can create critical thinking strategies about respect and fairness. Finally, children
will demonstrate their skills to against prejudice and/or discriminatory actions (Derman-Sparks,
L. & Olsen-Edwards, J. 2010. p. 5). This goal will guide children to engage and support other
children who are being teased or bullied by their peers. I use conflict resolution strategies and
support childrens feelings and solving conflicts.
With my action plan of social injustices that children face every day, I will evaluate the
results through several methods. Through observations, I will record how I can make with these

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

children who are homeless. I will record dialogues of their feelings toward home life, meals, and
school. As I gather a collection of notes, I will find resources for the families. The federallyfunded program that I work for has enriching resources for children and their families. I will use
resources to find food pantries and thrift stores for clothing. Another way to help families in
need is to get the communities together and provide safety for them.
In conclusion, my social action project has made me more compelled to help others in
need. I have increased compassion for children and homelessness. I have an understanding of
how we face homelessness and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. Children have feelings. As
young as they are, they know enough when someone hurts their feelings with bullying words.
They may attend school but not have a permanent place to live. As a community, we need to
support and strengthen families in crisis. As a community, we must take one step at a time to
help others and share in the task of helping others become productive citizens.

HD 390 EVIDENCE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT: CHILDREN AND HOMELESSNESS

References
Barrand, K. (2016). Facts about the effects of child homelessness. Retrieved from
http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org
Derman-Sparks, L. & Olsen-Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and
ourselves/pp.3-5. Washington D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young
Children.
Facts on homelessness. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.projecthome.org
Homeless children and youth. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.chidtrends.org
Homelessness and its effects on early childhood development. (1999). Retrieved from
http://www.fhfund.org