Homeless women and families are among the most disenfranchised groups in society. Further, because of their homelessness and associated problems, many homeless women become separated from their children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on predictors of entering a shelter with or without children (shelter status) and whether or not one is separated from one or more children (child separation status) on various special need predictors. A second objective was to determine the relationship between shelter status and child separation and to understand the unique experiences of homeless women who are separated from their children. These objectives were achieved via thematic analysis, quantitative methods and qualitative methods. Results suggest that shelter status significantly related to mental illness, drug abuse and domestic violence, but child separation status only significantly relates to drug abuse. The qualitative findings examined the origins of homelessness, child separation and the women's desires to be reunited with their children. Suggestions for further research and program changes are included.

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

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1994. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [54]-57).

The thesis examines the aspects that might be obstacles to operation and provision of the service. It is obvious that service funding is the most burning question that troubles the service providers. The organizations are subject to the social service inspection, the main purpose of which is assessment according to given criteria and meeting quality standards, which should be in line with the interests and needs of the service users. However this actually leads to administrative burdens for the providers and they often do not agree with the inspection results. Social services are subject to numerous laws, which should help homeless people return to the society, while the dependence on the government help or social services should be as low as possible. The legislation is subject to numerous changes in short periods, which should reflect the needs of the society and particularly those of the practical provision of social services. The theoretical part of the thesis describes the current legislation, which affects the possibilities of service provision and might influence the situation of the clients of homeless shelters. Three research questions were set in the practical part of the research: RQ1 - Do real obstacles to management of homeless shelters result from the current legislation in the opinion of the respondents? RQ2 - Do real obstacles to provision of the services result from the current legislation in the opinion of the respondents? RQ3 - Will the proposed modifications of the Social Service Act (Act No. 108/2006 Col., on Social Services as amended) improve the management of homeless shelters in practice? Seven respondents responsible for management of homeless shelters participated in the research. The research sample consisted of providers from the South Bohemia Region. The interviews were performed individually and anonymously. A qualitative method of semi-structured interviewing was applied. Each performed interview was recorded on a voice recorder with the respondent's consent and then carefully rewritten. The aim of the thesis was to map the opinions of the service providers, who may give a practical insight into the current situation and the possibilities of the social service development. They give us a realistic idea about the fears they face on everyday basis in operation of homeless shelters. The research has confirmed the prognoses of experts that the current system of subsidies from the public budget is really disputable, particularly in the social prevention services. Delayed advance payments lead to uncertainty among the service providers and make the development and planning of the service impossible. It has also confirmed the impacts arisen to the organizations as a consequence of the long intervals between applications for subsidies and payment of funds (debts on energies, problems with timely payment of salaries to employees etc.). It also leads to uncertainty among employees and this uncertainty is reflected in entering into employment contracts for definite periods or even contracts for work. The research has appreciated the contribution of the Individual Project of the South Bohemia Region. The organization funding is also problematic in the field of direct payments from the clients, particularly in the instance of client's leaving without payment or if a client causes a damage on the shelter equipment. Judicial enforcement of unpaid balances or damages is usually unsuccessful and the providers have often moral problems with such a procedure. Sponsorship and support through foundations are usually lower than those for social care services. The operation of non-profit making organizations was also affected by the new Civil Code, which has cancelled some laws and the organizations were forced to change their legal forms, which brought them administrative burden. The new Civil Code has also changed the sphere of rental housing, which might increase the number of homeless people.

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