Letting go of pride
Given the current economic state of our country, Americans could benefit from a lesson in humility. Foreclosures and job losses are much closer to home than many middle class Americans are will admit. Homelessness is not a farfetched occurrence for any family especially if someone does not prepare for a crisis in advance. Recognizing financial problems is the first step to preventing a housing crisis.
A perfect example is the story of a man from New York who had lost his job. After applying for several jobs with little success, he decided to take a more drastic approach. Dressed in a suit and tie, he went onto the streets of New York with a sign reading “Almost Homeless”. He gave out resumes and even had a few televised interviews, thus increasing his visibility to potential employers. This man acknowledged the fact that his resources were running low and he and his family were going to be unable to live at the level they were accustomed. He put aside his pride for a moment to ensure his family would be taken care of. While it may not be necessary to carry around a sign, going to organizations like Virginia Supportive Housing for help is not below anyone. We all need assistance at some point and the only way to receive it is to humble ourselves and ask.