Who is Homeless?

I am an abused wife who left unspeakable terror at home. I am homeless.

I am a steel mill worker. The mill shut down, and I couldn't find work for a long while after that. I am homeless.

I am a runaway girl. I left home because of family problems. Now I'm trying to cope on the streets. I am homeless.

Homelessness in America has no specific age group, race, religion, gender, or educational level. There are homeless people with high school diplomas and post doctorate degrees. There are young children and old men. Some have been forced out of home due to loss of work, fire, abuse, social or legal circumstance, gambling, natural disasters, and sometimes substance abuse.

It can strike anyone. But all homeless people have one thing in common. They have lost hope. They find themselves in a bad situation, and without hope, they give up, and just wind up staying homeless.

Steps Up is dedicated to teaching the Social and Job skills necessary to re-instill the hope needed to further oneself.