Thesis advisor: Susan A. Michalczyk / For my thesis I not only looked at the research that has been done on the topic of homelessness, but I also used my first-hand experience from volunteering at Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter in Boston's South End. Although I focused more specifically on the older homeless population, I also looked at how society perceives the homeless in general. I realized that the homeless are constantly looked down upon by the more fortunate members of society, and that they are seen as some how deserving of their situation. I came to the conclusion that before we can eradicate homelessness, we, as a society, must change out attitudes and perceptions of the homeless. We must view the homeless as individuals, as human beings. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2006. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: College Honors Program.