In this week’s mini-episode, Ruthie recommends books—some novels, some memoirs—and television episodes that tell stories about homelessness. Then, taking a page out of Addressless’ book, Ruthie offers guides listeners through three at-home activities to better emotionally comprehend what it means to be at risk for homelessness and to experience it.

Organize a Sleep Out of your own.

Try Covenant House's "What Would You Do?" Activity.

Instructions for Losing Your Identity courtesy of Covenant House

Instructions for Privilege For Sale courtesy of Covenant House

Recommended Reads:

My Abandonment by Peter Rock

The Motel Life by Willy Vlautin

Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey From Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray

From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle

Find your local independent bookstore.

Grey's Anatomy, Season 9, Ep 6

Station 19, Season 5, Ep 12

Create the change:

• Learn more at the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)


• View homelessness statistics by state
  


• Volunteer with or donate to Covenant House; Organize a Sleep Out in your community


• Tell Congress to fund Homeless Assistance Grants (Click to sign a letter)
  


• Read up on current legislation that would impact homelessness


• How do we deal with our legislators?


• Improve conditions in homeless shelters:


• Hire well-trained staff, and hire enough of them


• Bring mental health services to the shelters (i.e. have AA meetings on the premises, have mental health counselors on the premises)


• What 4 experts have to say


• Find a mentorship opportunity


• Make cards with contact info to promote nearby shelters to hand out to those who are in need and asking for help


• Donate clothes, especially socks, to nearby shelters


• Participate in your city’s point-in-time count (signups are generally in Nov/Dec for the upcoming year - Google to find the PIT in your neighborhood)


• Try rapid re-housing in your community


• Learn about permanent supportive housing
  


• Increase employment opportunities (adjust job applications so they do not require listing a permanent address)


• 
  Read the obstacles to solving the homelessness crisis—then counter them


• Understand why homelessness is rising


• Directory of Homeless Service Organizations by state


• Sign up for Advocacy Alerts from the NAEH
  

Ruthie Fierberg, Host

Ruthiefierberg.com 

IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater

IG: @ruthiefierceberg / T: @RuthiesATrain

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