Moises Giron was a sociology research assistant (Soc RA) for the Center for Social Science and Public Policy Research (CSSPPR) in the fall of 2014. In this blog, he reflects on his work for the semester.
Homelessness is one of the social problems that many members of our community struggle with. Not only does homelessness mean that an individual does not have a reliable, or stable place to live, but it also taxes his/her physical, mental, and emotional health, and it becomes costly for the community in which the homelessness occurs. The cost of hospitalization, incarceration, and shelter prove to be significant expenses to communities which ultimately use taxpayer money to cover the costs.
For my research, I studied Housing First, a program that has proven effective in many communities as a medium to help improve the social problem of homelessness. Among Housing First’s achievements:
• the reintegration of individuals as productive members into society,
• significantly cutting the costs of helping the homeless population.
The ultimate goal of my research is to demonstrate the effectiveness, and usefulness of the Housing First program, so that the application of the program may, one day, benefit Springfield.
It has been a true honor to work on this project. Although I do not claim to know all there is to know on the issue of homelessness, or its solutions, it has helped me learn more about this social issue, and the steps that have been taken to improve the lives of the homeless and the communities that are affected. I have very specific career goals. This is what I plan to accomplish:
To establish a non-profit organization with two main missions: 1. To establish medical institutions in underserved countries where medical care is not readily available, and, 2. to help with the issue of homelessness within the United States.
I am grateful for the opportunity to begin working toward one of my life’s missions. The research assistantship has been a great experience, and the professors in the sociology department at Missouri State University have been, and are, supportive, and helpful as I develop into the professional I want to become.