Justice and Charity

Project HOME does both works of justice and of charity. They help the homeless in the moment by giving outreach, shelter, food, and clothing, but they also work towards long-term justice by advocating for the needs of the homeless. They work to break the cycle of poverty through having not only a bed but also programs for long-term improvement. Such programs include education, work experiences, affordable housing,and medical care. Project HOME is a better model than other homeless shelters because it is more well-rounded. While shelters that offer basic survival needs are helpful, Project HOME provides a holistic approach that eventually gets people off the streets. It is a more complicated model because it provides more than just basic survival needs (clothing, shelter, food and water)-- it also provides services such as medical care, housing, and opportunities for education and empowerment. I think that all of Project HOME's programs are very important. However, if I had to pick one that was the "best," I would have to say housing. Project HOME provides short-term and long-term housing. The reason I say that this program is the best is because going from homeless to home owner is a very empowering transformation. It can give people the boost they need to get back on their feet and can empower them and enable them to obtain an education and a job. (In most cases, it's pretty hard to be focused on school or get hired for a job if you don't have a home. This is one of the first, basic steps in the journey to improve one's situation.)