How many of you have been touched by cancer in some way, as in you know someone who has had cancer or someone who has been affected by cancer?
Everyone knows someone.
Now, think for a moment about homelessness. How many of you have been touched by homelessness in some way? Is the outcome the same?
You may not believe that it is or could be. We do not see homelessness as much as cancer nor we do we hear about homelessness as much as cancer.
However, it exists in our rural communities and it is as prevalent as cancer.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “homeless” as having no home or permanent place of residence.
The word “homeless” conjures thoughts of cardboard boxes and hand-written signs, burning barrels and paper-wrapped booze bottles. The “bums who live down by the river and sleep in make-shift tents,” the “hippie guy with torn clothes in bare feet with his stray dog on no leash,” the “crazy woman with the shopping cart full of trash who talks to herself.”
These are the stereotypes of what homelessness looks like. These are the stigmas that belong to a very serious issue, one most believe happens only in inner-city, urban areas.
However, there are many levels of homelessness and many classifications to this very complex issue.
There are the literally homeless, those who are sleeping on the street, a park bench, under a bridge, in their car, literally having no home or permanent place of residence.
Urban areas typically combat this “blight” with loitering laws and stringent enforcement in parks and public areas.
There are the “chronically” homeless, those who have suffered multiple, lengthy stages of homelessness throughout the course of their lives. Mental illness typically accompanies this level of homelessness, and may lead to drug or alcohol abuse.
There are the “doubled-up” homeless, those who have no home of their own and are staying with a friend or family member. This situation can occur from the lack of income, lack of resources, previous evictions, jail or imprisonment, or even death of another family member.
There is veteran homelessness, LGBT homelessness, family homelessness, youth homelessness, domestic violence, transitional housing, corrections release programs, etc. The list goes on and on.
Rural America is not immune to this issue, and if we are going to combat the persistence of this extensive problem we need to first acknowledge its existence. We need to recognize that it happens in our communities.
Take a look around, check out your community resources and understand how little we do to be change agents. It starts with us, with our communities, with our citizens. We can make a difference. We can help. We must recognize and realize.
Look at your personal situation. How far are you from homelessness?
In many cases, it would not take much to push you past the point of no return. Many families are one check away.
Again, how many of you have been touched by homelessness in some way? Everyone knows someone, right?

Emily Henry is the housing resource, HCV, and information specialist with KeyStone Place Inc., an agency that offers emergency housing and assistance to homeless people living in Cass and St. Joseph counties. To donate to the battle against homelessness please contact KeyStone Place, Inc. at (269) 467-7078.