Living on the Streets in the City of Angels, Research Paper Example

Outline

Thesis Statement: Being homeless is not about being lazy or crazy; but rather a condition due to various circumstances. It only takes one person to help bring about awareness and hope for the plight of the homeless; changing lives forever.

1. Introduction
   1. General overview of The Soloist
   2. General comments on Lopez and Ayers relationship
   3. Research questions and thesis statement
2. Middle
   1. Homeless review
   2. Reasons for becoming homeless
   3. Organizations
3. Conclusion
   1. Argument model
      1. Lopez and Ayers
      2. Summary of facts
4. Possible solutions

Introduction

The Soloist: A Lost Dream, and Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music by Steve Lopez is a nonfiction account of the relationship between the author and Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician. Lopez is a Los Angeles Times writer who notices Ayers on Skid Row playing Beethoven on his used and decrepit violin.  He becomes intrigued and frequently returns initially for a work project which later leads to friendship. He slowly and eventually earns the trust of Ayers. He learns that the homeless man had previously been a student at Julliard School with a promising career as a violinist; lost to mental illness. The review by National Public Radio describes how Lopez’ columns detailing Ayers and his situation inspired readers to send instruments to Ayers to help him foster his talent and better his living situation (2009). Lopez and Ayers shared a distinctive friendship. Lopez worked hard to help Ayers; in the end both men are helped by the friendship and time together.

A gifted and talented musician, Ayers was accepted into Julliard but is unable to deal with the competitive nature and tough schedule of the university. He develops schizophrenia during his second year at Julliard and it eventually becomes too much for him and leads to his mental breakdown and subsequent homelessness. Although this story relates the events, trials and tribulations of Nathanial Ayers, it is evident that he is not the only one who gains insight and personal growth. Through their years of friendship, Lopez discovers his own values and those of human nature. This story is compassionate and moving; demonstrating how lives are changed for the better when we attempt to help others.

The author uses wit, humor and raw truth to describe the sensitive subject of homelessness as well as the rarely discussed topic of schizophrenia. During an interview by Lauren Williams of the Los Angeles Times Online, Lopez describes himself as an “angry dinosaur of journalism” . . . and . . . “thinking his story would just fill another deadline” (2009). This demonstrates the misunderstanding that prevails in society’s concept of homelessness – their self worth and purpose in life. Too often the homeless are ignored and left for others to feed and help.  Lopez initially felt the same way, simply trying to meet a press deadline. The journey of seeing Ayers as a person, coming to appreciate his life history and the reasons for his homelessness was the beginning for Lopez to see the world differently; including how he perceived himself.

As Lopez helps Ayers reconnect to music and a more dignified way to live, the book describes the accomplishments and hindrances of helping someone dealing with mental illness and homelessness. “He’s got an apartment, but he has begun upsetting the neighbors and management by drawing on the walls inside and out. What do I do now?” (Lopez, 229) Dealing with these hardships is only a portion of the factors involved. Helping reinvent someone who has been living in the gutter is tumultuous; it is riveted with moral and ethical dilemmas. Lopez has to balance his commitment and understand the boundaries of human nature and individualism. Ayers has succumbed to a life of destitution and poverty.  However, he retains his musical abilities and passion for music. Lopez continues throughout the story to try and help Ayers. Awareness of how much help a person really wants is something Steve Lopez must view and realize is a moral and ethical dilemma.

Lopez brings many questions to mind about the homeless and how they survive. Too often society passes by homeless without a thought or consideration for their past.  How they became homeless and what ramifications it means to be without a roof over your head or money to purchase food or necessities. Ayers is without everything except his tattered violin which he is able to play to find refuge and happiness in his world of mental illness and aloneness. “All I what to do is play music, and the crisis I’m having is right here” referring to missing strings on his violin (Lopez, 7).

This book brought about my awareness of the homeless and conditions they live under in Los Angeles. Mental illness coupled with homelessness makes the situation worse. Lopez and his initial desire to simply meet a deadline, his subsequent friendship and attempts to help Ayers prompts the question of how one man can make a difference when there are already many organizations trying to help the homeless and mentally ill. There are agencies like the Los Angeles Mission and the Mental Health America of Los Angeles to name a few; but how successful are they? Was the one-on-one interaction and personalities of Lopez and Ayers the key to success for a short reprieve from homelessness for Ayers?  The Soloist describes the issues which left Ayers homeless, but what about the other multitude of homeless in Los Angeles? What leads them to homelessness?

The predominant fact illustrated throughout the book resides in humanity and how it only takes one person to make a change in another’s life. This change frequently brings about an awakening for both individuals just as with Lopez and Ayers.  With the increase in public awareness and education regarding the homeless and mentally ill, perhaps organizations set up to render assistance can bring about further attentiveness and action to the problem.

Homeless in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is estimated to have the leading homeless population in the United States. The largest concentrations being South Los Angeles and Metro Los Angeles with 14 to 18 percent being illegal aliens and 20 percent veterans. African Americans make up approximately half of this population (Los Angeles Almanac, 2008). Among these totals an estimated 10,000 are young children, adolescents and teenagers. Of this total, 25 percent suffer from mental illness and 20 percent are disabled. There is an estimated one to two-thirds percent dealing with substance abuse problems. The total estimated homeless men, women and children are 254,000, according to the Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty at the Weingart Center (LACEHH, 2009).

The Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness report one bed for every 50 homeless persons in just the South Los Angeles area alone. This is an overwhelming statistic and borders on futility (2009).  However, this organization believes “together we can end hunger and homelessness one life at a time” (2009).  They provide information, financial assistance, free legal and medical clinics and work with food programs to help the homeless of all ages.

Homeless people are forced to acclimate themselves to all types of conditions. These people do not thrive; they simply find ways to survive. Human beings have an overall innate sense to survive, regardless of the situation or mental condition. Although we may find a homeless person living in horrid conditions, they are merely taking what they have and making it work.  Living in this manner a person can become accustomed and lose the desire or ability to get into better living situations. The Los Angeles Mission provides free shelter and food. Like many other Missions they also seek to help the homeless rise above their situations through programs to help specific areas of need. They provide not only the basic needs and support, but also educational training for job interviewing, teaching the individuals to live healthy lives with personal accountability (Los Angeles Mission, 2009).

The public in general view the homeless as losers, addicts and mentally ill. This prompts people to walk past them without acknowledgement, or even cross the street to avoid any close contact. What we have to keep in mind is that becoming homeless is not a state of accomplishing a well thought out goal; but rather the result of uncontrollable circumstances. Homeless individuals can range from the addict who has spent all their money on drugs or alcohol or a person with no job or income due to job loss. Whatever the situation they can become dependent on the occasional handout begged on the street corner. In the case of Nathaniel Ayers it was mental illness which cast him to the streets.  Homeless people are not lazy; some may have lost their jobs or had an injury preventing them from working.

Work and the Homeless

In general people believe homeless is synonymous with being unemployed.  However, this is a generalization and misconception. Some families have one or two working individuals earning below poverty standards. Housing, food, gasoline, medical care, etc., make it difficult for a person or a family to live beyond the paycheck-to-paycheck scenario. Care agencies help, but there is a fine line between having a room to live in and being forced into the streets for many of these individuals. An emergency such as unexpected issues or an untimely injury can place a family to street life very quickly.

The minimum wage effective January 1, 2008 in California was $8; there was not an increase in 2009. The United States Department of Health and Human Resources (2009) report a poverty level in California for one person at $10,830. For each additional person in the family an additional $3,740 is added to this total.  A person working 40 hours a week at minimum wage will earn $16,640 for the year; provided they do not miss any days of work in the year. If you have a family of three with one person working, the poverty level is $18,310.  Living under these conditions will make it impossible for a couple to raise a child unless they both work without risking homelessness. With the poverty level and minimum wage being incompatible, it leaves one to wonder what guidelines are used to determine minimum wage. Why does minimum wage remain steady while poverty increases?

Combination of Issues

Becoming homeless is an individual experience. Each person has his or her own story and specific set of issues that led to their becoming homeless. Some individuals do not grow up benefiting from loving and supportive parents.  Some parents do not possess the knowledge of basic life skills and are unable to pass them on. Families and friends demonstrate to children how to spend or save money, how to get a job, how to have the perseverance to become an adult.  It is difficult to become an adult and possess personal accountability if a person is not reared to learn basic life skills. Parents, families and friends set the example. Some individuals who are raised this way can preserve and work to overcome their background; however, the majority follow the patterns of their childhood.

Usually individuals do not become homeless due to one problem, rather several issues combined lead to homelessness. A lack of education, limited job skills, substance abuse and mental illness are all contributing factors to becoming homeless. Natural disaster such as a fire or hurricane can also leave a person homeless. Runaway teens believe they can better their situations by leaving home and living on their own.  However, once in a new town without money or employable skills, they turn to living on the streets.

Help for the Homeless

The Weingart Center Association in Los Angeles is a large human services agency providing long-term help. The web site for this Center states a mission statement of “the Weingart Center Association delivers high quality human services and provides leadership and innovative solutions to help break the cycle of homelessness and end poverty” (2009). The goals of this organization are committed to transforming homeless men and women into productive and independent individuals. Living skills are taught to their clientele to break the cycle of homelessness. The typical person they serve lives on the edge of poverty and over half have substance abuse issues with repeated relapses. Approximately 14 percent have mental illness and 18 percent are disabled (Weingart Center Association).

This program is the largest human services organization in Los Angeles and is different from most as they attempt to help each person on an individual level. Most agencies are only able to give crisis help. This organization takes in the person and creates an environment of support and nurturing; until such time the person has the adequate skills to live independently.  Case managers are charged to work one-on-one with the participants to recognize and realize the individual needs, dreams and goals. Legal problems as well as credit issues are addressed and skills taught for the person to be self sufficient.

Other organizations also are located in Los Angeles. These agencies with the addition of many volunteer services provide significant assistance to the homeless. The county and city also sponsor organizations for homeless services. Established in 1993 as an independent agency providing shelter and services to the homeless in Los Angeles City and County; the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority provide other services to include domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, and family strengthening (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, 2009).  Having the largest homeless population in the United States, the joint power authorities of the city and county of Los Angeles united to deal with the problem and to make a difference.  This organization realize the problem Los Angeles has and provide the financial assistance to fund and plan programs for the homeless with the ultimate goal of self sufficiency.

Volunteer Services

In The Soloist Steve Lopez entered into the role of a volunteer to help a homeless person by accident. Volunteer agencies enlist individuals who are active in helping the homeless. The person giving assistance gains insight into the plight of the homeless.  They discover a place in their heart and mind for compassion, friendship, and moral and ethical integrity. Food on Foot is a nonprofit organization providing meals, clothing and transportation to the homeless in Los Angeles.  Volunteers work to take food to the homeless unable to come to the site for meals. They provide a program ‘Work for Food’ which gives jobs to the homeless to teach them to work to earn meals or gift cards (Food on Foot, 2009). This is a graduated type of program as the individuals learn more skills and prove themselves to be responsible. They are given options to learn more skills such as becoming a part of a team cleaning local businesses. This is an avenue for them to learn a trade and become productive members of society.

The Giving Spirit is another organization dedicated to helping the problem of homelessness in Los Angeles.  Founded in 1999, they recruit volunteers and accept monetary contributions to help buy goods in bulk from discount stores.  They assemble bags which are distributed throughout the homeless areas by the volunteers. This organization goes to the homeless directly. They give food, blankets, clothing, toiletries, water and hope (The Giving Spirit, 2009).  These packages are created by the volunteers and include medical supplies in addition to food.  Friendships form as the volunteer continued to donate time to this drive.

It only takes one person to step out of the realm of conformity to make a difference in another person’s life. Individual cases do happen, however, for the most part the work of the various agencies and volunteers make a big difference for the homeless population. In reality this mass issue breaks down into individual encounters. Research into the agencies has unearthed a continuing theme of care, compassion, love and support for the homeless.  The agencies and volunteers repeatedly note a sense of goodwill and feeling of elation in helping others. People who volunteer and work at agencies are there to provide a helping hand; earning in the process self awakening and a sense of goodness towards others it affords them.

Conclusion

Homelessness is a way of life for individuals forced into this situation due to finances, mental illness, substance abuse, childhood rearing, a lack of education or skills, or a combination of any of these factors. For Nathanial Ayers it was schizophrenia which crippled his life and took him into a world on the streets. One man’s desire to fulfill his job duties turned into years of personal growth. As Lopez’s interest in the homeless difficulties grew, his own heart transformed. When we set out to accomplish something, the road we take may not always turn out the way we intended. I am sure Steve Lopez was not thinking about helping a homeless man as he researched Nathanial Ayers for a subject to report about on his column in the beginning.

Los Angeles has the largest homeless population in the United States.  The mix of contributing factors is varied.  Ayers, a talented musician who attended Julliard was functional one day and homeless the next. This begs the question ‘how delicate the line is between the healthy and mentally ill?’ Ayers has a shopping cart which he is adamant about holding onto.  He keeps it close to his person all the time. When he goes to see a psychiatrist, he refuses to go without it. Lopez states “there’s a method to the man’s madness, one that blurs the line once more between insanity and insight” (216).  Nathaniel is reluctant to see the psychiatrist and realizes that the cart prevents him from this act purely by the physical constraints it presents. This is symbolic of his life. The cart is his security blanket and with it in-tow, he will not be expected to return to his previous life. Leaving his homeless state and having to face the situations which created his breakdown is unthinkable to him.

In previous centuries a homeless person could be sentenced to prison or suffer beatings. As time passed the movement towards social concern developed and the trend changed from attacking the homeless to attempts to help them. As people began to realize that they should help other people in need and not treat them as sub-humans or animals.  Public awareness on the homeless condition has brought about many changes. Social conditions changed and attempts to help the homeless began. Much like today, however, there still remains a division between the ‘have-nots.’ The Skid Row problem exists in cities throughout the United States and the world.

Given our long history of societal involvement and concern, it is amazing how far we have to go.  Homelessness has a long history. Fortunately we have grown in our compassion and resources. To help in the problem of homelessness, creative solutions need to be constructed and attempted. The agencies in Los Angeles have taken a proactive attitude and towards helping the homeless to help themselves. When we attempt help we have to remember the positive and negative effects of our action. If we build more shelters and provide free meals and clothing, will this enable to homeless to remain on the streets?  Or should we withhold care in those that are capable and force them to learn new skills.  The philosophy of ‘tough love’ may work well in teenagers but I do not see this as a solution to the homeless situation.

Attempting to help on a one-on-one basis, either through volunteer work or agencies, is a good start. The problem is still evident.  The number of homeless continues to rise. Recognizing high risk groups and developing prevention strategies is being proactive on developing a solution.  Case workers are underpaid.  They are in stressful and thankless careers.  Communities could connect and make a local attempt to develop funding and housing plans for the homeless in or near their own communities.  Licensed social workers can help recognize and suggest housing for homeless who are able to learn and work.  Once one individual experiences success, it is encouraging for others to see and feel empowered from the experience. Homeless who succeed can give back to the community by working with other homeless individuals to help teach and assist in their effort for self-sufficiency.

Communities need to become more involved in how minimum wages are determined. Adopting a living wage which is based on the cost of living and housing in the region would work towards eliminating poverty levels and subsequent homeless cycle elimination.  Requiring employers to pay fair market prices for housing and the cost of living in the region and updating these statistics annually is also a step towards lowering the number of homeless. Breaking the cycle of poverty is not a problem which can be done easily or quickly. However, low skilled workers need options for other work should they become unemployed or injured and not be able to work using the only skill or trade they know.  Providing training and access to other skills will help in this dilemma.

Learning to help one another gives hope for less fortunate people. What the homeless need most above the obvious basic service is our compassion and support.  It only takes one person, a kind word, one action to start the process of breaking the cycle of homelessness.  Los Angeles has begun this through the efforts of the agencies and volunteers in the city and county.  Soon hopefully, with all our concerted efforts, there will be no more homeless living on the streets of the City of Angels.

Works Cited

Food on Foot. “716 Consecutive Weeks of Service.” 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009 from http://www.foodonfoot.org/foodonfoot.php

Lopez, Steve. The Soloist: A Lost Dream, and Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music 2008. Penguin Books, Ltd.

Los Angeles Almanac.  “Homeless in Los Angeles County.” Given Place Media, 1998-2008.  Retrieved November 20, 2009 from http://www.laalmanac.com/social/so14.htm.

Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness (LACEHH). 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009 from http://www.lacehh.org.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://www.lahsa.org

Los Angeles Mission.  2009.  Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://www.losangelesmission.org/AboutUs/MissionStatementStatementofFaith.aspx

National Public Radio. “The Real Story Behind ‘The Soloist’.  April 24, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009 from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103415385.

The Giving Spirit. 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://www.thegivingspirit.org/index.php?id=2&link=whatwedo

United States Department of Health and Human Services. “The 2009 HHS Poverty Guidelines.” 2009.  Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09poverty.shtml

Weingart Center Association. 2009.  Retrieved November 23, 2009 from http://www.weingart.org/pages/welcome-from-the-ceo

Williams, Lauren.  “Steve Lopez’s ‘The Soloist’: The Journey from Print to Film.” Los Angeles Time Online. April 26, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2009 from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2009/04/social-dramas-are-usually-low-on-the-hollywood-pitch-list-but-the-soloist-was-a-story-that-went-from-one-newspaper-col.html.