Battling Homelessness: A Former Foster Child's Committed Endeavor for Change
In Portland, Oregon, Michael Larson volunteers his time with City Team, an organisation dedicated to providing essential services to those experiencing homelessness. His work is driven by a deep conviction and a dream for a society where every individual has a safe and stable place to sleep.
Born into the foster care system at the tender age of two, Michael's journey has been far from easy. He lived in seven different foster homes for a decade before being adopted by a single mother at the age of 12. This personal experience has given him a unique and powerful voice in the fight for housing.
Michael's advocacy efforts are not limited to volunteering. He is meeting with lawmakers to advocate for systemic change in housing issues, aiming to address the problem from a holistic perspective. His work is centred around ensuring everyone has a place to call home, a cause he believes is a fundamental right for all.
Michael's activism extends beyond Portland. He is the founder of Humans for Housing, a nonprofit organisation working towards the same goal. His documentary, "No Place to Grow Old," focuses on the rising rate of homelessness among older adults, shedding light on a often overlooked issue.
Despite the challenges he faced, Michael graduated from Gonzaga University. However, he is aware that many who age out of the foster system experience homelessness, a statistic that is sobering. Less than 10% of former foster youth achieve graduation from college, a stark reminder of the systemic issues that need to be addressed.
Michael's work with City Team and Humans for Housing provides food, clothing, medical care, and a sense of community to those in need. Through these efforts, he aims to provide dignity to people experiencing homelessness, offering them a glimmer of hope in their difficult circumstances.
City Team's "Night Strike" event is a prime example of Michael's work. This event provides essential services to those on the streets during the coldest nights of the year, offering a much-needed lifeline to those in need.
Michael's crusade for housing as a fundamental right for all continues, and his voice is a beacon of hope for those who have been marginalised by society. His personal journey, marked by resilience and determination, serves as a testament to the power of empathy and the human spirit.
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