In the United States, there are currently over half a million individuals experiencing houselessness. Whether this be due to unemployment, poverty, or just an overall lack of affordable housing, this issue is increasingly affecting a number of individuals across the country.
California currently holds the title of the state with the highest homeless population, with over 150,000 of its citizens, as of January 2020, dealing with the inadequacies of affordable and equitable housing opportunities. This issue is further exacerbated by legislation that criminalizes and restricts homelessness. Just this past June, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, signed an ordinance heavily restricting encampments. In this ordinance, any sleeping, sitting, lying, storing of personal property, or any ‘obstructing’ is prohibited when it is within a certain distance of “sensitive” facilities such as schools, day cares, parks, or libraries.
With the rise of anti-homeless architecture and legislation, we have also seen a rise of organizations and nonprofits attempting to combat them. While many have taken different approaches, Shayna Rutman, a sophomore at American University, decided to provide resources directly to women combating this housing crisis in San Diego, California.
After seeing a Facebook flyer with her father in April of 2019, encouraging people to donate purses which they no longer needed to homeless women they may encounter, Shayna decided to take this idea a step further and kicked off Purses for A Purpose, Inc. Seeing the dehumanizing tactics used towards this community, they worked with the goal of reminding houseless women of their value and importance in this world. Rutman says “the goal is really to give them something that provides and reminds them of a time of comfort when they are going through tough times”.
The organization began to reach out to folks on social media and asking for donations to fill these purses with necessary items such as soaps, moisturizers and other toiletries similar to those you would find in a hotel room. Born and raised in San Diego, Rutman notes how the housing crisis has always been something that she has been exposed to and thus passionate about. Having this foundation built in her hometown and continuing to see this issue in other places further drove her to want to provide more for those experiencing homelessness.
What is now a growing non-profit organization with locations in New Haven, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, has not always had the easiest time bringing their goals to fruition. Their largest roadblock has been fundraising through the pandemic. Donations have been limited and not as easy to access and ask for. However, the current shift of status now allows for an easier path towards reaching out to larger organizations and seeing if any donations or funding from them could take them further. Along with the responsibilities that come with being a student and having a relatively small team, their work may become difficult. However, Rutman acknowledges the ever growing importance of her advocacy and work for the community.
When asked about what advice or tips she may have for those looking to get involved and help vulnerable communities, Shayna Rutman highlights the importance of education and language. Before entering any spaces or attempting to do any advocacy work, one must inform themselves on the context and issues pertaining to communities that one may not directly be a part of. Acknowledging her own past mistakes, Rutman notes the importance of being able to step back and recognize when your help is needed and when it is not. She also notes how the language used when offering assistance can go a long way, noting how “it’s not always easy to ask for help”. She suggests making the help known, yet not forcing folks to take it nor assuming it is what they need at the moment.
Furthermore, Rutman did not hesitate to recognize and emphasize how one act of kindness can go a long way for these individuals. It can be as simple as saying hello, offering them a meal, a compliment, or simply acknowledging their existence. In a society that has consistently tried to hide and write off these communities, it is important to acknowledge these individuals and remind them of their worth.
Those looking to get more involved with Purses for a Purpose, Inc can visit the website directly or their Instagram page to donate directly, access the Amazon wishlist, and find out more about how to spread the word and create a real impact! Currently, students at American University are encouraged to participate in the drive hosted with the Kay Spiritual Center, which will last through the end of the fall semester, to donate any travel-sized toiletries and/or gently used handbags to support women experiencing houselessness in the DC area.
References
City News Service. (2021, July 29). Mayor garcetti signs ordinance to restrict homeless encampments. Spectrum News 1. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/homelessness/2021/07/30/mayor-garcetti-signs-ordinance-to-restrict-homeless-encampments.
Homeless Population by State 2021. World Population Review. (2021). Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/homeless-population-by-state.
Rosalsky, G. (2021, June 8). How California Homelessness Became A Crisis. NPR. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://prod-text.npr.org/sections/money/2021/06/08/1003982733/squalor-behind-the-golden-gate-confronting-californias-homelessness-crisis.
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