There has been extensive research on the negative outcomes experienced by homeless youth and the protective role social support plays in typical adolescent development. However, current gaps in the literature are found in regard to potential protective factors for homeless youth, showing a need for further research to examine such possible influencers as social support. Homeless youth are a vulnerable population that live in social and residential instability during a critical time of development. It is imperative that research explores the elements that could serve as potential protective factors to foster resilience and healthy adolescent development for these youths. The current study sought to explore social support as a potential protective factor for homeless youth. By utilizing a social support framework, this study researched the relationships between homeless living status (e.g., living with a relative, non-relative, or no permanent home or caregiver), teacher social support, peer social support, academic achievement and psychosocial distress. This study found that teacher social support had a direct effect on the psychosocial functioning of homeless students. This indicates that higher levels of teacher social support perceived by homeless students within the school environment may have a positive impact on these students' psychosocial outcomes and overall well-being. Limitations and implications of the current study are discussed.

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The number of children experiencing homelessness continues to rise at alarming rates. Schools are on the front lines of service delivery and face numerous barriers in an attempt to meet the educational and psychosocial needs of these children. This study explored the perceptions of homeless liaisons in three states about the implementation of the McKinney Vento Act within the school districts. While no differences were found across the states, significant differences were found between rural and urban geographic densities in the perceived implementation of the federal legislation. The significant differences relate to collaboration within the community and resonate with the lack of resources available to the families experiencing homelessness in rural areas.

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Literature on Housing First indicates much success of the program in terms of financial savings and tenant positive outcome evaluations; however, there is limited explanation of how these successful outcomes are produced. Within this dissertation, interactions between tenants and case managers are revealed to be the primary intervening variable in a process of transition for tenants. These interactions connect Housing First policy (independent variable) to successful outcomes for tenants experienced during continued housing tenure (dependent variable). The measurement methods in the study are triangulated to reflect the fluidity of real life processes and both qualitative and quantitative data types are collected. From March 2008 until January 2011, twenty tenant case studies were interviewed three times in six month intervals. Nine case managers were also interviewed once and two tenants who discontinued permanent housing tenure were interviewed for an overall total of 71 interviews. Overall, symbolic interactionism is found to be a reasonable framework for explaining the successes of Housing First. Through highly focused intention in interactions case managers facilitate three social processes for tenants that lead to their successful continued housing tenure. These beneficial processes can be more specifically described as `socially healing processes' or `social healing' as they heal the social dimensions of identity, affective home creation, and wellness networks to various degrees for tenants. / Sociology

My Polish background and upbringing have had a profound influence on the way I look at architecture. Growing up I was always fascinated by the interplay of new things that were around me, dancing with the old objects and way of life that were still present. How can these two worlds co-exist? Does the rise of one signify the death of the other? My thesis project explores this dichotomy of old and new and how they interact with each other. The site is near Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington DC. I thought it beautifully poetic the idea of a homeless shelter rising above the ruins of a burned out church. A place for spiritual salvation would now morph into a haven for corporeal redemption. The transformation the space demanded was basically cosmetic; it would remain a place for human beings to rediscover themselves. The lingering eminence of the space made me fall in love with it, and the possibility of what it could become, of what it could turn into, drove my desire. / Master of Architecture

This study examines the conditions of hopelessness in the city of San Bernardino. The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which women and men's accessing of services for homelessness differ. This study employs a survey administered at an event given specifically for the homeless population in San Bernardino, and the differences between men and women and their access to support is documented.

M.A. / The street child phenomenon is a world-wide phenomenon. However ; it is perceived to be most prominent in third world countries as compared to first world countries. The main issue is that children are forced to leave the comfort or discomfort of their homes to live on the street. This results from a number of factors. According to Schurink and Tiba in Schurink (1993:10), an extensive literature study revealed the following key factors: rapid urbanization, high rates of unemployment, poverty, inadequate housing, maladjustment to family disintegration. According to Maphatane (1993:1), today's children and youngsters face many problems and pressures arising from the changing structure of the family and the community and the breaking down of traditional systems of support and preparations for adult life. The emergence of the street child phenomenon results from poor soci-economic and political conditions. For instance according to Agnelli , as cited by Schurink (1993:13), the roots of the present clay street child phenomenon seem to lie in the historical context of economic conditions and in national and international policies accepted by various countries.

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [57]-58).