Our organization takes advantage of the diverse of the location of its members in the US and Canada. In addition to helping people around the world, Medina International does its part in working with the homeless in major metropolitan cities. Every year 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States, making up about 50 percent of the homeless population over the course of the year.

        Homelessness is a crucial social problem that needs to be fixed. Although there are several reasons why people become homeless and stay that way, it is up to society to fight against homlessness and prevent recurrences in the future. Most people are unaware of the homeless problem thereby not giving much attention ot it. They assume that homeless people are homeless because they do not care about getting a job and solving their problems. This is a prejuge that needs to be fought against in order to eradicate homelessness.

What is Homelessness?
         The problem is, there are so many definitions of homelessness for so many different programs, no one is quite sure anymore exactly what "homeless" means. Most people think that homeless people are bums and panhandlers. Homeless people are demeaned in the media, ridiculed, and often the victims of hate crimes. Homelessness is not only a lack of residence in the cities. But the truth of the matter is that homeless people arent just bums and panhandlers that sit on park benches or city streets, wear filthy clothing, or living in boxes, they are also people forced to live in their cars, with family members, in tents and makeshift camps, and in shelters.In the United States, it is estimated that 41% of the homeless are single men, 40% are families, 14% are single women, and 5% are youth.

Causes of Homelessness

         There are two notables causes of homelessness. The most proximate one is poverty. According to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, there is no town, city, or state anywhere in America where an individual or family working full-time and earning the minimum wage can afford a one- or two- bedroom apartment at the fair market rental rate established by HUD. In hard economic times, most people can't afford their mortage payments and we might witness skyrocketing increase in the numbers of homeless persons and families. The second cause is mental problems. Twenty-two percent of homeless people have mental problems that have not been diagnosed. They should be in institutions, and in fact, many were but were subsequently released because of lack of psychiatric facilities and beds .

How Can We Fix the Homeless Problem?
         Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions but there are preventative measures. A solution would be to raise the national minimum wage and regional minimum wages to help the poor who are on the verge of becoming homeless afford housing. If people cannot support themselves, even with the lowest jobs, then they will not be able to rise out of or prevent homelessness. Most shelters cannot meet the needs of the homeless people, so there has to be a way to allow other public lands to be used to house the homeless on a temporary basis and within a certain time period. We believe that people should support local organizations working with homeless people. People on the verge of being homeless need financial assistance. Sometimes, it is more than money matters, it is having somebody that understands the problem and provides mental  support. Thus, the effort needs to start on the local levels with local non profits that would reduce the homelessness rate in those cities. Hence, Medina International makes great effort in working with Homeless in New York City, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Atlanta and many other places.

Do not take this lightly, HELP US HELP THE HOMELESS!!!