To the editors:
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In some ways, our experiences are similar; in others, they are strikingly different. The homeless cannot be lumped together as a “they” and talked about in generalities. For this reason, articles on the subject of homelessness present a real challenge to the writer/reader who must keep reminding themselves that they are writing/reading about some, but not all, of the homeless.
Another difference in the programs is that Dehon House enables its residents to access neighborhood programs, rather than provide everything on the premises. This is a deliberate attempt to train people to meet their own needs in a way that can continue after they are in their own apartments. It is important that people reach out for what’s available and meet other people with the same needs rather than create a ghetto of the shelter. To be in a shelter can feel very isolating. Efforts must be made to keep people in contact with others.
