A survey was conducted by Community Foundation for Monterey County (2016) to identify the primary causes of homelessness for women, the needs and challenges that homeless women face, local policy considerations, existing services, and other recommendations. The data was collected from 38 public officials and service providers, and 60 homeless women in Monterey Peninsula.
A sample of 60 homeless women generously participated in the study. The measurement tools that were used in the study were interviews, surveys, and group conversations. Also, a policy examination was conducted to find the environmental factors and policies that impact the homeless women in Monterey Peninsula. The data for the study was gathered through both primary and secondary sources. The study utilizes statistical tools to analyse data and present findings in a graphical way with bar chats and pie charts.
The field of human services refers to approaching the goals for meeting the human needs. Problem redemptions and improvement of the quality of life are major concerns of human service field. A significant portion of women of the total population of Monterey Peninsula is homeless. It is articulated in the study that 400 women are homeless and experience several issues and challenges. It is always an important perspective of human services to provide respect women’s dignity and provide them with shelter, education, and earning opportunity so that they could be independent and play their role in society .
The report based on lives and issues of homeless women is significantly relevant and applicable in serving the humanity and social service as it provides an overview to the readers about the basic concerns of homeless women. Furthermore, it illustrates through quantitative analysis (Bryman, 2012) that the imminent issues of homeless woman can be resolved by giving them financial and moral support. These findings are also supported by other studies including Gilroy, et al. that also concluded that women who are living in poverty should be supported through safe shelter and justice.
References
Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Gilroy, H., Nava, A., Maddoux, J., McFarlane, J., Symes, L., Koci, A., et al. (2015). Poverty, partner abuse, and women's mental health: new knowledge for better practice. Journal of Social Service Research , 41 (2), 145-157.
McLeod, H., & Walsh, C. (2014). Shelter design and service delivery for women who become homeless after age 50. Canadian Journal of Urban Research , 23 (1), 23-38.
Appendix
Graph: the age group in which the homeless women in Monterey Peninsula fall
The above graph shows that most of the homeless women in Monterey Peninsula lie between ages 25 to and 52 to 60 whereas 14 per cent lies between the 18 to 24 and 61 plus years.
