a speech by Bobbie Breckenridge

It’s the worst storm of the year, you’re scrambling to find shelter away from the cold. As you run down the street feeling the frost bite spread through out your body, you look up and see the house you used to own. You pause for just a second to see the happy family sitting around the fireplace warm and toasty so innocent and wonder What would their parents do if their little girl was homeless?? (pause) Good afternoon/morning Mr.T and fellow classmates today I will be talking about the very sad but realistic growing problem in today’s society “Homelessness”. Many people suffer from homelessness each day. You may see them on the streets of Toronto begging for money. What you might not know is that 5052 people are homeless in Toronto alone. Across Canada is an estimated 150,000 people who are homeless. Now think all those people have families and friends who love them. You might be wondering why these people don’t turn to their family and friends for help. Well there are many reasons that people don’t go to there relatives and stay homeless for long periods of time. One reason is that a majority of homeless people are mentally ill. Another reason is that a lot of the homeless are alcohol and substance abusers. The other reasons are: Unemployment, poverty and low paying jobs. The vast majority of the homeless are not living on the street. Many are sleeping in church basements, abandoned buildings and vehicles and in other places away from the public.
Here’s an eye opener 1 in 7 people who are in shelters are children just like us. They unlike us suffer from lack of education and physical abuse. Most of them will grow up to be nothing but there are an odd few that become very rich and have great lives. The pursuit of happiness is a great example of this. This amazing life changing film has a significant meaning and shows that if you work hard enough it will pay off. If you’re saying to yourself right now yeah this all may be true but why don’t they go get a job? Well if you think about it, when you go for a job interview the necessary things needed are: good hygiene (you don’t want to smell bad), proper clothes, a resume (which needs a computer), a phone (so they can call you back) and an address. Even if you do get the job you need five days worth of clean clothes, you need to be rested and be fed in order to concentrate on your work. Plus it will take a couple of months before you have enough money to rent affordable housing. By the end of all that you would probably be fired. Here are some facts on homelessness: Children under 18 make up 27% of the homeless, people from the age of 3 to 50 make up 51% of the homelessness, here’s a scary one 50% of the homeless are women and children running from domestic abuse. So next time you see someone on the street think about everything I’ve said. Think everyone has a different story another tale and all you have to do is take the time and try to think how can I help the on growing problem??? What can I do???