In my experience with programs designed for homeless individuals I have been disappointed with the lack of interest in offering self-sufficient opportunities and solution to the poverty stricken. Instead I have seen some programs create dependency on various forms of aid, ether governmental or religious, in many cases only for the purpose of maintaining non-profit revenues.
In terms of the social infrastructure, specifically regarding homeless individuals, it’s not hard to locate those who through despair and prideful low self-esteem will not except aid yet manage to support themselves through some form of diligence. Others have become totally dependent on institutional living.
The microenterprise represents the dreams and aspirations of disadvantaged individuals seeking a means of meeting their goal of self-sufficient living. When faced with inevitable dependency isolation and poverty, self-employment may seem impossible. However there are those like myself that are willing to care when the talents of others no longer present a risk but a viable solution that challenges today’s stigmatized economic mainstream. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
I have a client that is disabled and receiving S.S.A. benefits. When preparing his business plan concern for a smooth benefits transition became paramount. My research has shown that the D.O.R. would be better suited to advocate on his behalf. I informed him that under the P.A.S.S. program he would be eligible for a start up-grant as part of a blending of finance options. That's were the Jobs Accommodations Network comes in. On the flip side CAMEO (California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity http://www.microbiz.org/)
