For my research paper on homelessness, I will be using a variety of sources, including the novel The Soloist, to help illustrate the problems that the homeless have to deal with on a daily basis, as well as the possibility for recovery.
The paper will first address the homelessness statistics in Canada, particularly cities like Burnaby, as a backdrop for the more personal stories from the homeless and to provide context for the ordeals that face today’s homeless. There are several types of stories I would like to convey through the research paper, including family homelessness and individual homelessness. The memoir The Soloist will be used to showcase the trials and tribulations of a homeless man with schizophrenia, demonstrating that many homeless do not often get the chance to better themselves, and mental illness can sometimes play a factor in hindering recovery. What’s more, a research report on family homelessness will showcase the effects of homelessness on an entire family – what leads them to that point, how they stick together, and how they can overcome these trials.
Drugs are another factor in homelessness; it is far too easy to fall into drug and substance abuse while homeless, and it can often cause the situation itself. The documentary Through a Blue Lens offers plenty of visual evidence of homeless who are addicted to drugs, and how that plays into the fact that they are without any way to recover from their addiction, as well as their destitute status.
In this research paper, I will use these sources and more to make the point that there are many factors that contribute to homelessness, and through outreach and understanding citizens and the government can get people off the streets.
Works Cited
Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness. "Homelessness in Burnaby." Community Development Committee, City of Burnaby 1 (2006): 1. Print.
Canadian Population Health Initiative. "Mental Health and Homelessness." Improving the Health of Canadians 2007-2008 1 (2008): 1-58. Print.
Mannix, Veronica. "Through a Blue Lens." NFB.ca . N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2011.
"The fifth estate - No Way Home, The Cost of Homelessness." CBC.ca. N.p., 10 Mar. 2004. Web. 2 Apr. 2011.
Zamprelli, Jim. "Family Homelessness: Causes and Solutions." Socio-Economic Series 03.06 (2003): 1-6. Print.
