Shame on Fred Jordan Missions #9- For not understanding Homelessness

I'll never forget watching Willie Jordan (President, Fred Jordan Missions) on television talk and act like she understood poverty and homelessness. She doesn't have any training or education at all on the subject. None.
Furthermore, not one Fred Jordan Missions employee, has any training of substance in the issue of homelessness and poverty. Not one.
Further, furthermore, not one person on the board has any background on the subject. Not one.
Contrast this with educated and highly trained staff at the Los Angeles Mission, Union Rescue Mission and the Midnight Mission and you'll begin to understand the reasons for all the issues that are pointed out on this Web Blog.

Anyway, this ignorance came to a head when Willie Jordan was asked point blank by a reporter, "Why are there so many people on the street?"
She responded, "bad decisions."
BAD DECISIONS? Really?

Lets look at the facts:
1. The average age of a homeless person in the U.S. is 9 years old.
2. 20%-25% of homeless suffer from severe mental health problems.
3. A national study showed that 13% of the homeless became homeless because of physical illness and disease.
4. Half of all homeless women cite domestic violence as their primary cause for becoming homeless.
5. As many as 25-40 percent of homeless people work full- or part-time, but cannot afford to pay rent.
6. 22 percent of homeless people are veterans.
7. As many as 25-40 percent of homeless people work full- or part-time, but cannot afford to pay rent.
Now, Willie Jordan, which of these statistics show bad decisions: getting sick, being a child, becoming mentally ill, going to war?

I encourage any potential donor to give their money to an organization that uses facts to determine the causes of homelessness. Demand that your charity be trained and well educated on the subject. You would demand that of your doctor, or your contractor or even of your Pastor, wouldn't you?
When it comes to helping people recover from homelessness, ignorance is not bliss.