1

Community Analysis

Abigail Neeley, Abigail Patschorke, Emma Pedersen, Emma Ramsey & Ira Hogg

SOWK412-002: Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities

College of Social Work, University of South Carolina

Professor Jennifer McArdle

1 March 2024
 2

Understanding of the Social Problem and Community

Problem

Youth homelessness is a relevant and growing social issue affecting communities around

the United States. The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) definition of

homelessness does not apply to the situation faced by many youths, as they are more likely to be

couch surfing than sleeping on the streets. In this analysis, we will assess homeless youth ages

17-22 based on the federal Mckinney-Vento Act definition of youth and children experiencing

homelessness as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence" (PIT

COUNT, 2019). This definition of homelessness may look like the youth who are living

"doubled up," sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason,

staying in hotels/motels as a result of inadequate housing, living in shelters or transitional

housing, and living unsheltered in abandoned buildings, parks, public places, cars, parks, or

similar settings (PIT COUNT, 2019). The McKinney-Vento Act also defines unaccompanied

homeless youth as "an unaccompanied youth living in any of the situations covered under the

definition of homeless" (PIT COUNT, 2019).

Approximately two-thirds of youth who report experiencing homelessness also report

couch surfing within the prior 12 months (Morton et al., 2017). It is difficult to define youth

homelessness as the definition applicable to adults is not relevant to situations experienced by

youth. These differences in definition have made it difficult to collect research and information

specific to individuals ages 17-22 experiencing homelessness. There are approximately 3.5

million homeless young adults, individuals under the age of 25 years old, lacking regular, fixed,

and adequate nighttime residence (Barman‐Adhikari et al., 2019). Grattan et al. conducted a
 3

systematic review of risk and resilience factors for youth homelessness in Western countries

(Grattan et al., 2022.)

The review concluded the risk factors to be family difficulties, mental health problems,

substance use problems, history of foster care, homelessness as a child, and history of running

away from home (Grattan et al., 2022). There is a great misconception that this population is

rebellious. However, a small percentage of the youth leave home for adventure or social

experience (Barman‐Adhikari et al., 2019). In the United States, youth homelessness is

overwhelmingly the result of youth fleeing unstable or unbearable living situations with few

available options for alternative housing (Barman‐Adhikari et al., 2019). Research has shown

homeless youth are experiencing high rates of victimization and trauma, sexual risk,

discrimination, and systems involvement, increasing their risk of developing emotional and

behavioral problems and experiencing barriers to formal employment, services, and other

support systems (Barman, et. al., 2019).

Organization

The Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc. (MIRCI) is a non-profit organization aimed at

helping people find a way forward when their lives are at an impasse (2024). MIRCI provides an

array of behavioral health care, supportive housing, and essential needs to their clients to help

them move forward in life. The organization has several offices located in Columbia, South

Carolina, including their Administrative Services building (1408 Gregg Street Columbia, SC

29201), the outpatient clinic (1516 Gregg Street Columbia, SC 29201), and clinical services

(3809 Rosewood Drive Columbia, SC 29205).

The MIRCI team implements assertive community treatment (ACT) to improve outcomes

for clients experiencing severe and persistent mental illness who are at a greater risk of
 4

psychiatric crisis, hospitalization, and involvement in the criminal justice system. One of the

critical features practiced by the organization is providing out-of-office treatment in a

community setting, which MIRCI accomplishes through its outreach services. The organization

has also adopted the housing first approach by being a tremendous advocate for immediate

affordable and supportive housing as a first step in addressing the homelessness of vulnerable

populations. MIRCI has categorized its services into three areas; essential needs, behavioral

health, and supportive housing.

Essential Needs

The MIRCI team strives to assist clients in living independently while creating a healthy

life by addressing their everyday needs (MIRCI, 2024). One way they do this is by helping

clients with benefits assistance by ensuring they secure benefits through enrollment in

government assistance programs such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP. Staff also

participates in year-round outreach to provide services to unsheltered individuals by inviting

them to the appropriate MIRICI center, where their immediate needs are met as they consider

housing needs, provide mental health screenings, benefits enrollment assistance, and referrals to

shelters and other service providers. So far, 1,200+ individuals have received assistance through

their homeless street outreach teams. A portion of their outreach program is dedicated to youth

ages 17-22, providing gateway services at MIRCI and in the community to assist and support

youth experiencing homelessness in navigating the emotional uncertainty of mental illness and

housing instability (MIRCI, 2024).

Behavioral Health Services

Their behavioral health services provide behavioral health care interventions and support

for adults with severe and persistent mental illness (MIRCI, 2024). They offer a clinical team of
 5

behavioral health care specialists, psychiatrists, nurses, and nurse practitioners, delivering

psychiatric care, medication management, ongoing therapeutic intervention, and trauma-sensitive

treatment. The services provide intensive support to help clients live independently in the

community and ensure quality of life improvement (MIRCI, 2024).

Supportive Housing

Their supportive housing services strive to provide long-term stability and independent

living through ongoing housing support (MIRCI, 2024). They provide permanent, supportive

housing to approximately 300 adults, young adults, and families yearly while continuing access

to treatment services, transportation, after-hours support, and other programming. Rent is

subsidized to ensure residents do not pay more than 30% of their income with no time limit on

residency, more than 90% of residents remain in MIRICI housing for a year or longer (MIRCI,

2024).

As for their youth services, MIRCI's Transitional Living Program provides safe, stable

housing to male-identifying youth ages 17-under 22 in a 10-bed transitional housing program

(MIRCI, 2024). The program provides the residents with the stability and support needed to

attend school, gain employment, and develop life skills leading to independence. Out of these

youth residents, more than 90% of these youth and young adults leave the program for

permanent housing, and more than 70% improve their education and/or secure jobs. There are

currently plans to open a Transitional Living Program for female-identifying youth in 2025.

They previously operated an outreach youth drop-in center to provide homeless youth with

access to basic needs and services, such as showers, meals, and case management. MIRCI closed

the center in 2023 due to safety concerns regarding violence among the homeless population

with no current plans for reopening (MIRCI, 2024).

 6

Practice Outcomes

MIRICI has assisted a large population of the community through its services (MIRCI,

2024). So far, 675+ individuals have received benefits assistance improving income and health

care, 1,200+ have received assistance through their homeless street outreach teams, and 300+

have enrolled in long-term therapeutic assistance and housing programs. They have also made

strides in services for young adults 92% have enrolled in behavioral healthcare programs to make

progress on their care plans (MIRCI, 2024).

Community

Demographics

Richland County, South Carolina, has 757.3 square miles of land area and is the

13th largest county in South Carolina by total area and a total population of 416,147 people

(United States Census Bureau, 2022). The median age of the community is 34.4 years old with a

ratio of 92.7 males to 100 females. Of those 416,147 people, 1,356 identify as American Indian

and Alaskan Native, 11,438 identify as Asian, 190,218 identify as Black or African Americans,

26,095 identify as Hispanic or Latino, 467 identify as Native Hawaiin and Other Pacific Islander,

172,644 identify as white alone, not Hispanic or Latino, and 177,274 identify as white (United

States Census Bureau, 2022).

The Census concludes that 13.7% of the population is disabled with 3.2% hearing

difficulty, 2.6% vision difficulty, 6.0% cognitive difficulty, 6.5% Ambulatory difficulty, 2.7%

self-care difficulty, and 5.4% independent living difficulty (United States Census Bureau, 2022).

There is limited data recorded on sexual orientation in the community from the Census. The

William Institute at UCLA estimated the LGTBQ population to be about 167,000 people in the
 7

state of South Carolina (Conron & Goldberg, 2020). There is no Census data regarding religion

in Richland County, South Carolina.

Economics

Richland County has an employment rate of 58.8 % with 9,352 total employer

establishments (United States Census Bureau, 2022). The median household income is $60,442.

A breakdown of median income by family type shows families as $80,188, married-couple

families as $105, 992, and nonfamily households as $29,478. The poverty rate in all of Richland

County is 16.1% with 18.8% being under the age of 18, 16.8% between ages 18-64, and 9.1% of

individuals in poverty are 65 years of age or older. Richland County’s median gross rent is

$1,168 with an ownership rate of 62.5%. There are 182,408 total housing units and 168,877 total

households (United States Census Bureau, 2022).

As for education attainment in Richland County, 42% of the population has earned a

bachelor's degree or higher with 20.8% earning a high school degree or equivalent, 21.5%

attending some college but did not earn a degree, and 8.8% obtaining an Associate's. Current

school enrollment includes 4.2% enrolled in Nursey or pre-school, 57.4% are in kindergarten

through grade 12, 28.1% are enrolled in an Undergraduate College program, and 10.3% are in a

Graduate Program. The median age of the community is 34.4 years old with a ratio of 92.7 males

to 100 females (United States Census Bureau, 2022).

Local Politics

Policies and laws in the City of Columbia are enacted through decisions made by the

Mayor, Daniel Rickenmann, and the City Council, made up of four Council District members

and two At-Large Council members (City Council, 2024). In August of 2023, the City Council

amended the 1998 Code of Ordinance of the City of Columbia, Chapter 14, Article IV, Section
 8

14-105 criminalizing homelessness in the city. The City Council has demonstrated its role in

formal power in the community by exhibiting social control over vulnerable populations.

Ordinance No:2023-079 gives law enforcement the right to arrest any persons in violation

of urban camping and improper use of public places by sleeping, loitering, storing personal

items, sleeping, or camping on any public property, including parks and streets (2023). Power

has been handed over to law enforcement by granting officers the ability to detain the homeless

population, further stripping them of their dignity and worth as people. Instead of addressing the

root causes of homelessness, city officials have decided to punish and hide what they believe

makes the community "ugly."

Strengths

Since the criminalization of homelessness in the City of Columbia, the community

agencies have demonstrated their determination to alter their services and goals to address this

ordinance change. The organizations have come together to protest the criminalization and

expand services to improve outcomes for the homeless population. To improve research on

homeless youth to improve services and practice outcomes, organizations collaborated to

propose a bipartisan bill to create a uniform definition of youth homelessness (Budds, 2023). A

uniform definition will eliminate the conflicting definitions affecting community program's

abilities to receive federal funding, ensuring availability between adult and youth services

(Budds, 2023).

Weaknesses

The community shows little regard for addressing social issues affecting oppressed and

vulnerable populations. The powerholders are more worried about beautification and value than

the deeper-rooted causes creating social inequalities. Local politics have shown little interest or
 9

motivation in providing funding and research to address youth homelessness. MIRCI’s Youth

Drop-In Center was a safe haven for the homeless youth in Columbia. Its closure contributed to

safety without taking any precautions or implementation of security procedures to ensure safety.

Since its closure there has been limited, public information announcing or discussing the closure

and its impact on the population served. The lack of press and effort to maintain the center shows

the community's lack of motivation or care for their youth.

Sense of Belonging

There has been limited research collected on youth homelessness in Richland County due

to the lack of engagement among the youth and the varying definitions of what constitutes

experiencing youth homelessness. The lack of research and desire to understand the population

has led to ineffective outreach to engage youth in services, creating social isolation between

homeless unaccompanied youth and the community. MIRCI’s youth outreach coordinator

commented on high rates of relocation among youth she has serviced (Patschorke, Jones,

Outreach Coordinator/Youth Transitional Living Support, February 13, 2023). Anita believes

many youths are relocating to larger cities, such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Denver, offering more

services as they search for a place to fit in (Patschorke, et. al, Jones, Outreach Coordinator/

Youth Transitional Living Support, February 13, 2023). There seems to be a poor relationship

quality and lack of mutual trust for homeless unaccompanied youth in the City of Columbia and

Richland County, placing the population at greater risk of experiencing negative effects on their

health.

Target Population

The number of youths aged 17-24 experiencing homelessness has continued to grow

throughout the Midlands of South Carolina (United Way of the Midlands). Between 2014-2017
 10

there were more than 669 documented homeless unaccompanied youth (ages 17-24), with more

than 80% of those youth residing in Richland and Lexington counties when they became

homeless (United Way of the Midlands). The average age of youth receiving Services indicating

homelessness for the first time is 21.8 years old, but 14% reported being homeless for more than

12 months before the first service. (United Way of the Midlands).

The 2022 South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness (SCICH), State

Homelessness Report found 1,017 people, or 8% of the homeless population to be ages 18-24

(SCICH, 2022). The report also included Mckinney-Vento Data regarding the children in South

Carolina schools experiencing homelessness (SCICH, 2022). MACH is a group of approximately

50 homeless service providers operating in counties including Lexington and Richland Counties.

Their data shows 220 unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness in 2022. Of those, 22

were doubled up, 8 were staying in hotels and motels, 8 were in shelters or transitional housing,

and 2 were unsheltered (SCICH, 2022). The United Ways of Midlands explains the effect

homelessness has on youth who have experienced homelessness at any point in their lives. These

youth are faced with substantially worse physical and mental health outcomes. The education

data showed approximately 60% of the youth repeated a grade, while 26% repeated two or more

grades.

Several factors are placing youth in the Midlands at a higher risk of becoming homeless

as they age. Up to 37% of youth aging out of foster care are experiencing homelessness after the

transition (United Way of the Midlands). Identifying as Black or African American is one of the

leading risk factors for becoming homeless after exiting foster care. The data also revealed

females with a juvenile charge are placed at a significantly higher risk of experiencing
 11

homelessness as 42% of those who become homeless with a charge are female, but only 22% of

all juvenile charges are by females (United Way of the Midlands).

Community Members Assessments

Interview One

See Appendix B for interview questions.

Rob McClary, MIRCI’s Transitional Living Program Manager was our first interview

(Ramsey, et. al, McClary, Transitional Living Program Manager, February 9, 2023). Mr.

McClary is a forty-eight-year-old, non-Hispanic/Latino, African American, able-bodied,

Christian male with a mental disability resulting from his military service. Rob is middle class

with an estimated $62,000 annual salary but has left his position since the interview. (Ramsey,

et. al, McClary, Transitional Living Program Manager, February 9, 2023).

Relevance

As the Transitional Living Program Manager, Rob directly engages with our target

population (Ramsey, et. al, McClary, Transitional Living Program Manager, February 9, 2023).

Rob interacts with the resident at various times throughout the week while leading skills groups.

Rob can give an overview of MIRCI's youth home and its daily functioning.

Key Take Aways

Although MIRCI offers services for youth 16-22 years old, they do not accept residents

under 17 due to the risk of accepting runaways. Residents typically stay for 3-4 months, despite

the 18-month maximum. The staff prioritizes client self-determination and independence,

allowing residents to gain employment or educational enrollment at their own pace. Staff is
 12

available for support but will not interfere unless a lack of progress is demonstrated. Rent is

$25/month before employment when it transitions to 30% of their income, not to exceed $150.

Upon discharge, the rent sum is returned to residents to fund moving fees such as security

deposits and the first month's rent. Although rare, rent may not be returned if a resident causes

extreme damage to the property. The rent is not returned. Service engagement takes a dip from

Halloween till New Year's as many families will wish to be together for the holidays. These

trends during the holidays and the evolving circumstances of youth homelessness make outreach

difficult. Youth homelessness has shifted from being unsheltered to doubling up or couch surfing

(Ramsey, et. al, McClary, Transitional Living Program Manager, February 9, 2023).

Critical Reflection

Rob McClary’s interview deepened our understanding of the youth home operations. We

gained knowledge of eligibility requirements and the impacts of evolving circumstances on the

youth. Rob connected us residents, leading to our third interview. We got an inside look at the

youth home operations, which helped us analyze who to conduct our interviews with next. The

interview provided direction for our project, supporting the development of further questions to

explore our target population. Rob mentioned youth with felonies are not accepted into the

MIRCI youth home program. Youth with criminal backgrounds are becoming more common in

society. Youth can receive felony charges due to drug abuse, assault, gun violence, and sex

crimes. The peak age for violent crime in youth is 18 years old. People who have felony charges

become excluded from society because of the criminal record and are further marginalized.

Homeless youth are more likely to have been arrested than their peers and have a

disproportionate level of crime rate amongst the community.

 13

Interview Two

See Appendix C for interview questions.

Anita Jones is the Outreach Coordinator/ Youth Transitional Living Support for MIRCI.

(Patschorke, Jones, Outreach Coordinator/Youth Transitional Living Support, February 13,

2023). She is a fifty-year-old non-Hispanic African American, able-bodied Catholic female.

Annita is middle class, as her salary is “too low.” (Patschorke, Jones, Outreach

Coordinator/Youth Transitional Living Support, February 13, 2023).

Relevance

Anita plays a vital role, in engaging with homeless youth through community outreach.

(Patschorke, Jones, Outreach Coordinator/Youth Transitional Living Support, February 13,

2023). Anita builds vital relationships with our target population by building rapport to

encourage service engagement. During the interview, Anita provided information about the

current struggles facing youth outreach, giving insight into potential solutions.

Key Take Aways

Anita targets her outreach to events frequently attended by students and youth, such as

fairs, festivals, schools, sports games, and libraries. However, engagement is made difficult by a

“group mentality,” making it difficult for her to gain individuals' trust or interest in receiving

services. She utilizes snacks, hygiene, etc., as an incentive to speak with her, potentially stepping

away from their group. Once separated, they are willing to engage in services and seek resources

for employment. She conducts outreach at various times of day combatting the issues presented
 14

by couch surfing and doubling up. The population regularly loiters around the Richland County

Public Library to connect their phones to Wi-Fi. Anita assumes they are on social media but is

unsure of specific apps to explore to improve outreach. She also commented on the increase in

youth relocating to larger cities, seeking a wider range of opportunities and services. As for

improvements, Anita pushes MIRCI to incorporate more structure into the programs increasing

success in client outcomes. Adding resources for internships is also a goal she wishes the

organization would incorporate (Patschorke, Jones, Outreach Coordinator/ Youth Transitional

Living Support, February 13, 2023).

Critical Reflection

Anita’s interview encouraged critical thinking among our group through our discussion

on current outreach strategies, outlining the gaps in engagement. After hearing Anita’s

frustrations with locating homeless youth, we could highlight the issues and brainstorm potential

locations and solutions. The interview with Anita helped us develop new questions to explore for

our next interview. Youth experiencing homelessness are becoming harder to find on the streets

according to Anita. Youth of different identities may have more complex accommodations than

those without. For example, a youth who has a mobility impairment may need a wheelchair.

These youth might be found more frequently in shelters where they have access to ramps,

uncluttered spaces, accessible passageways, and grab bars. Another example is female youth

experiencing homelessness. Due to the rise in sex trafficking and sex crimes, female youth may

feel more comfortable couch surfing or living in shelters. LGBTQIA+ identifying youth are more

likely to be homeless than their peers due to their identities. They can also experience sex

trafficking, assault, and trauma while on the streets. Looking in places like Safe Space and
 15

Transitions can be a resource on where to find this group of youth experiencing homelessness.

African American LGBTQIA+ identifying youth are even more likely to experience

homelessness.

Interview Three

See Appendix D for interview questions.

Tyler is a nineteen-year-old African American male resident of the MIRCI youth home.

(Patschorke & Pedersen, Daney, February 21, 2023). Tyler grew up in Houston, Texas, but after

entering the foster care system, he was adopted and relocated to Manning, SC. Tyler was placed

in military school and relocated to Columbia for basic training at Fort Jackson. After being

discharged from basic, Tyler began to experience homelessness.

Relevance

Once Tyler became homeless, he ended up traveling to Palmetto Place. Tyler was

referred to MIRCI because the agency thought he would be better off in independent living with

single rooms. He has been living in the MIRCI youth home for three months. Tyler identified as

an African American male experiencing homelessness. African Americans are more likely to

experience homelessness than their caucasian peers. Intersectionality is when someone is

disadvantaged by multiple sources of oppression. For example, being an African American

experiencing homelessness and identifying as LGBTQIA+ can be connected with intersectional

oppression. Tyler is disadvantaged because of structural and systemic racism that have excluded

historically oppressed groups of people. People who identify with multiple ACES (adverse

childhood experiences) are more likely to experience homelessness and intersectionality. By

 16

learning how multiple identities can create a life of intersectionality for an individual, we can

better understand the targeted groups that populate the homeless community.

Key Take Aways

Tyler expressed how he enjoyed MIRCI more than Palmetto Place because he feels as

though the services MIRCI provides are more beneficial in teaching the residents how to

overcome their challenges on their own by teaching them life skills such as money management,

job searching, creating resumes, filing taxes, and more. Tyler told us homeless youth may be

able to be found at MLK Park, Safe Space, the public library, outside or around Transitions, in

Five Points, Epworth Children’s Home, Grey Stone Youth Advocacy Center, and at an

abandoned house in Cayce he called “the bando” (Patschorke & Pedersen, Daney, February 21,

2023). Tyler also said homeless youth can be found on Twitter (or “X”) and Instagram. When

asked if he has ever tried to engage other youth that he knows are experiencing homelessness in

the services MIRCI provides, he answered "no," saying that he believes many of them will not be

willing to follow the rules and seem, to him, unmotivated to change (Patschorke & Pedersen,

Daney, February 21, 2023).

Critical Reflection

The interview with Tyler was helpful because he identified places to locate homeless

youth. His answers suggest that places MIRCI has been looking for may be outdated and gave us

new ideas of how to help MIRCI do outreach. By discovering this, we can implement new ideas

on where to conduct outreach for MIRCI. In addition, our interview with Tyler revealed many

strengths in MIRCI’s approach to services as it is clear that they prioritize client self-

determination and that the residents appreciate that. Finally, Tyler gave us crucial insight into a

key reason why MIRCI may be struggling to engage youth in their services when he said that he
 17

sees a lack of motivation to change and an unwillingness to follow rules in fellow youth he

knows who are experiencing homelessness.

Theoretical Frameworks
Conflict Theory
Theoretical frameworks allow the researcher to analyze a problem with a guided

approach, within a confined vacuum (Rogers, 2019). When reviewing the workings and

composition of MIRCI, conflict theory best describes its existence and the connection it holds

with its choice population. One of sociology’s first theoretical orientations, conflict theory

highlights the physical and perceived tension amongst social classes. Describing a struggle

between the haves and have-nots, it is seen as the disproportionate distribution of resources.

Despite the cons of this framework, it is useful for peeling back different layers of social work

that may be the root of the problem. By doing so, conflict theory can help understand the

complex and varied relationships that occur within an environment, focusing on how power is

used and misused to create inequalities. This power shift is echoed throughout a population that

struggles to gain control of adequate shelter and permanent housing. Several key dynamics are

analyzed when utilizing this framework: structural inequality, exploitation, power dynamics, and

social control. Structural inequalities within society, such as unequal access to education,

employment, and housing contribute to youth homelessness. Economic disparities and systemic

issues like poverty exacerbate the problem even further. The exploitation of marginalized groups

by those that are in power facilitates an environment where vulnerable youth are forced to work

for low wages, or in return for minimalistic housing opportunities. Some exploitative measures

may include trafficking and jobs as drug couriers. The role of power dynamics in molding social

relationships and institutions is crucial for survival. Power imbalances between various social

groups, policymakers, and participating corporations gravely influence the handoff and
 18

maintenance of resources. As agents of social change, homeless youth collectively gather to tip

the scales of power. Via homeless outreach centers such as MIRCI, grassroots movements, and

other entities advocating for the eradication of chronic homelessness, awareness becomes the

talking point at every community meeting, city planning symposium, and dinner table

discussion. Being able to address underlying biases, discriminatory practices, and legislation

strategies will be the necessary actions to overturn ideologies deeply rooted in conflict theory

(Rogers, 2019).

Ecological Systems Theory

Ecological Systems Theory (EST) is the idea that our environments have varying

interconnected levels of impact on our development and interactions and range from immediate

social circles to broader influences (Budzyna et al., 2023). There are five environmental systems

EST encompasses to describe the different levels at which the environment can affect our

development: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. EST

emphasizes the importance of considering multiple levels of influence when analyzing

individuals and groups of people to have a better understanding of the factors that influence their

development (Budzyna et al., 2023).

Within the framework of EST, youth homelessness in Columbia has MIRCI as an

essential exosystemic factor by playing a role in the availability of mental health resources. At

the microsystem level, several factors such as family dynamics and peer relationships can

contribute to youth homelessness. Within the community level, or mesosystem, lack of

affordable housing and limited job availability and resources can play a role in the prevalence of

youth homelessness. Social stigma and inadequate policies contribute to youth homelessness on
 19

the macrosystem level, and this can further compound the overall issue of homelessness and

create even further challenges for homeless youth.

Human needs and social justice concerns can be addressed through the Ecological

Systems Theory by prioritizing comprehensive support systems based on viewing the issue

through a nuanced lens. When these interventions are provided, access to resources and

opportunities can become equal for everyone, and this allows MIRCI to foster homeless youths’

well-being and promote social justice. By using each of these systems as a lens to view the

multifaceted factors that cause youth homelessness in Columbia, MIRCI can have a deeper

understanding of the issue and work to create holistic intervention plans to decrease youth

homelessness.

Problem Analysis

The data we have collected through both qualitative and quantitative research as well as

community interviews, not only provides surface-level information about youth experiencing

homelessness but also highlights patterns and provides important context surrounding youth

homelessness in Richland County that can help us draw tentative conclusions about why MIRCI

has struggled to locate and engage youth with unstable living conditions with the services they

provide.

Data that stands out from the community is that there is a higher-than-average poverty

rate compared to the norm: 16.8% for ages 18-64 compared to 12.4% nationally (United States

Census Bureau, 2022). There are a total of 182,408 housing units with a median gross rent of

$1,168 in Richland County despite the higher-than-average poverty rate making these housing

units unattainable for a significant portion of the residents of Richland County (United States
 20

Census Bureau, 2022). Richland County is also home to more females than males, 92.7 males for

100 females (United States Census Bureau, 2022). This data could help explain why MIRCI

reports that they have more engagement in their services from females than males. Another

important quantitative piece of data that stands out is that the enrollment rate for grades K5-12 is

57.4% (United States Census Bureau, 2022). While this number is not significantly low, it shows

that 42.6% of Richland County youth are not enrolled in or finishing their basic education.

Incompletion of education is an indirect cause of homelessness as it limits opportunities for

employment and income level. Research shows that "because homeless youths are often more

likely to lack familial and/or financial resources as compared to youths with stable housing, many

struggle to navigate this transition, and about half continue experiencing homelessness as adults”

(Winiarski et al., 2021). Many young persons who are in unstable living conditions are not

focused on performing well in school, but on their basic needs, which therefore impacts not only

their ability to complete their education but also lessens the importance of completing it when it

comes to a choice between their education or their survival. This claim is backed up by research

that says, “job scarcity and dire financial limitations, housing insecurity, and circumscribed social

support have the potential to “pressure” these youths to engage in risky and perhaps illegal

behaviors that contribute to an ongoing cycle of residential instability” (Winiarski et al., 2021).

Alarming data shows that 37% of youth face homelessness after aging out of foster care

(United Way of the Midlands). Homelessness stemming from “aging out” occurs as a result of

the breakdown of multiple supportive systems in the youth’s life all at once (Winiarski et al.,

2021). Youth who identify as African American are at an even higher risk of facing homelessness

after aging out of the system (United Way of the Midlands). This data is important because

45.71% of Richland County’s population is African American (United States Census Bureau,
 21

2022). In addition, having juvenile charges is also a risk factor in increasing the likelihood of

homelessness for youth aging out of the foster care system and history shows that people of color

are disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system. Data shows that youth

previously involved in the justice system are at higher risk for reasons such as "they are less

likely to receive housing or financial assistance from their families and may struggle to find

affordable housing because most existing housing policies bar individuals who have committed

certain offenses from qualifying for or receiving public housing or Section 8 rental housing

assistance” (Winiarski et al., 2021). More than 80% of the youth homeless population reported

being in Richland or Lexington counties when they became homeless (United Way of the

Midlands). Richland County is home to not only two short-term juvenile detention centers but

also the only South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice long-term commitment facility, as

well as the Epworth Children's Home, which according to our interview with Tyler, is a home for

kids aging out of the foster care system who have juvenile charges (Patschorke & Pedersen,

Daney, February 21, 2023). This data combined with the knowledge of the location of the

detention centers and foster group homes, can potentially provide one explanation for why many

youth experiencing homelessness begin to experience it in Richland County.

Data also shows that only a small percentage of youth leave home for rebellious activity

or adventure, and research shows it is more likely that they are fleeing unstable living situations

(Barman‐Adhikari et al., 2019). In our interview with Tyler, he shared how he came to South

Carolina for basic training at Fort Jackson and after graduating began to experience

homelessness. Many children like Tyler join the military in hopes of creating a better life for

themselves, but issues can occur along this journey that put many young people in the same

circumstances as Tyler. According to Cohen-Cline et al. (2020), childhood instability is strongly

 22

associated with adult homelessness. With Fort Jackson in Richland County, this pattern could be

another potential explanation used to conclude why youth homelessness is a problem in the

county MIRCI is servicing.

In 2023, Columbia passed Ordinance No: 2023-079 which criminalized homelessness in

Columbia by giving police the power to arrest people experiencing homelessness simply because

they are experiencing homelessness. MIRCI has struggled to both find and engage youth in the

services they offer, and we believe that this ordinance is directly influencing MIRCI's ability to

find and engage this population due to their fear of being arrested for their lack of housing

causing them to gather and hang out in places that are out of sight and unknown to the wider

public. Building on this, data shows that 14% of youth experiencing homelessness in Richland

County report being homeless for at least 12 months before the first time they received services

for this problem (United Way of the Midlands). This indicates a pattern of distrust and

disengagement in services provided in this county that may be traced back to the attitude the

community has developed towards people experiencing homelessness and this is consistent with

research that suggests youth are less likely to access services. Carlson et al. (2006) report that

when homeless young persons are in stasis or well-integrated into street culture, accessing health-

related services is not a priority; however, in the stage of disequilibrium, crises are frequent, and

it is in crisis mode that the homeless seek mental health, drug abuse, and medical services.

Strengths

Despite all of this, Richland County has turned more of its attention toward residents of

the community experiencing homelessness which is a strength, but scholars say "without

addressing broader community-level problems that contribute to homelessness, such as low

wages or lack of affordable housing, which may be affected by systemic racism, this may be akin
 23

to swimming against the current.” (Grattan et al., 2021). Moreover, even though MIRCI has had a

decrease in its engagement with youth who are experiencing homelessness, a huge strength of

this organization is that they are motivated and cares enough to ask for help and promote change.

They are a well-established organization that has a good reputation and adequate funding

to help make change a reality. MIRCI also works in tandem with many community partners who

have all made efforts to alter their services to attend to the new challenges the homeless

population is facing in Columbia and Richland County. Tyler, a current resident of MIRCI's

group home, credits the program for its unique approach to prioritizing client self-determination,

and data shows that the services it provides are effective. The strengths and assets this

community and organization offer, along with MIRCI's motivation and willingness to change,

show significant promise in their ability to improve their services to address the weaknesses

identified and combat the problem of disengagement of youth in services.

Cultural Analysis

When seeking an understanding of the affected population’s culture, it is important to pay

special attention to how various social identities impact both the causes of and experience of

homelessness for different peoples due to the values and beliefs of the community.

Fighting the turmoil of generational trauma, African American youth experience

homelessness far greater than other adolescent ethnic groups. According to research on race as a

factor in youth homelessness by Chapin Hill, “the risks of homelessness and housing instability

are not equally shared among young people; Black and Hispanic youth are at greatest risk. The

challenge of youth homelessness and housing instability is more pronounced among BIPOC

youth ages 13 to 25, with 11% of American Indian and Alaskan Indian youth experiencing
 24

homelessness during a year, 7% of Black youth, and 7% of Hispanic youth relative to 4% of

White, non-Hispanic youth” (Gonzalez et al., 2021). Furthermore, this data reveals to what extent

youth of color experiencing homelessness is exacerbated due to the infrastructures of society and

the way it is designed to promote color as the most marginalized population.

In another study, the correlation between gender, sexual orientation, and experiencing

homelessness is startling. "Regarding gender identity among sexual minorities, 22% of

genderqueer or nonbinary people, 17% of cis women, and 15% of cis men experienced

homelessness. Additionally, 28% of sexual minorities who were highly gender nonconforming

reported experiencing homelessness in their lifetime, whereas only 15% of those who were

gender conforming had this experience” (Wilson et al., 2020). This information is useful, as we

know that the predominant beliefs of the target community are in favor of cisgender, straight

persons so much so that where one church has created "safe space dinners" for those who identify

as 2SLQBTQIA+.

To seek out various cultural tenets amongst overlooked populations, linkage to

institutions and social entities reveals individuals who may have experienced homelessness at a

greater rate. Compiling quantitative and qualitative research findings, we as social workers can

create improved prevention plans and implement policies to better serve those who may be

experiencing homelessness.

Critical Reflection

Windshield/Walking Survey

The windshield survey completed in the area surrounding MIRCI provided a

comprehensive glimpse of the neighborhood and environment and offered a more thorough
 25

understanding of the area's dynamics. The diverse landscape surrounding MIRCI is highlighted

by the variety of businesses juxtaposed with the residential areas and the crucial accessibility of

the pharmacy to the organization and community.

The landscape in the surrounding area showed an interest in several activities and

services used by the surrounding community. Some of the main local elements in the area

surrounding MIRCI included a fireworks store, gas station, fast-food establishments, and a

pharmacy (see Appendix E). Within this area, several houses and residential areas accompanied

the businesses, and the availability of sidewalks on both sides of the streets allowed people living

in this area to access these businesses without a car. The diverse landscape surrounding MIRCI

not only shows the vibrancy of the community but also shows the importance of using local

resources to better serve the community.

One building of significance is the pharmacy found across the street from MIRCI.

Because of the proximity to the MIRCI building, MICRI's clients and the surrounding

community can easily access the services provided by the pharmacy. The convenience and

accessibility of the pharmacy enhance the attractiveness of MIRCI's location, and this could

facilitate engagement with the organization and the use of MIRCI's resources.

Community Asset Mapping

An asset map of the City of Columbia highlights the community's resources, services, and

shared values among the population. The city is home to various Universities and Colleges. The

options range from public state universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities

(HBCUs), and technical/community colleges. Education is valued through the various

 26

educational and library locations. The city also values religion with a variety of religious

organizations and places of worship to choose from, providing potential relationship-building

and faith-based motivations to guide individuals experiencing adversity.

Many non-profit organizations are providing physical and behavioral health services,

housing, food, and case management to various populations. Public transportation is readily

accessible through various bus stops and bus stations locations throughout the city. Access to

public transportation and community services provides vulnerable and oppressed populations

with programs and resources to address their basic needs.

Condition Statement

Youth, ages 17-22 years old, living in Richland County, which has a higher-than-average

poverty rate, are experiencing homelessness as unaccompanied youth at an increasing rate with

1,017 youth recorded as experiencing homelessness in 2022 (SCICH, 2022). MIRCI's current

outreach approach is based on an outdated definition of homelessness, which does not align with

the evolving circumstances of youth experiencing homelessness. Therefore, a comprehensive and

modernized outreach approach aligning with the diverse and individualized experiences of

current homeless and unaccompanied youth is crucial to increasing service engagement among

youth in Richland County.

 27

References

Barman‐Adhikari, A., DeChants, J. P., M. Brydon, D., Portillo, A., & Bender, K. (2019). On the

fringes: How youth experiencing homelessness conceptualize social and economic

inequality–A Photovoice study. Journal of Community Psychology, 47(4), 924–942.

https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22164

Budds, Becky. (2023). There are Several Definitions of 'Youth Homelessness'. A New Bill Could

Change That. News19. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/politics/bill-define-homeless-

risk-youth-advances-state-house/101-8f8e2538-ef72-465d-921d-d06f31bad5ed

City Council. City of Columbia. (2024). https://citycouncil.columbiasc.gov/

Budzyna, D., & Buckley, D. (2023). Theorists and Theories of Development. In The Whole

Child: Development in the Early Years (pp. 45–46). essay. Retrieved from

https://rotel.pressbooks.pub/whole-child/chapter/ecological-theory-

2/#:~:text=The%20ecological%20systems%20theory%20holds,by%20nesting%20sphere

s%20of%20influence.

Carlson, J. L., Sugano, E., Millstein, S. G., & Auerswald, C. L. (2006). Service utilization and

the life cycle of youth homelessness. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(5), 624–627.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.10.009

Cohen-Cline, H., Jones, K., & Vartanian, K. (2020). Direct and indirect pathways between

childhood instability and adult homelessness in a low-income population. Children and

Youth Services Review, 120, 105707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105707

Conron, Kerith, J. & Goldberg, Soshana, K. (2020). LGBT People in the US Not Protected by

State Non-Discrimination Statues. UCLA School of Law, William Insitute.

 28

https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/LGBT-ND-Protections-Update-

Apr-2020.pdf

Grattan, R. E., Tryon, V. L., Lara, N., Gabrielian, S. E., Melnikow, J., & Niendam, T. A. (2022).

Risk and Resilience Factors for Youth Homelessness in Western Countries: A Systematic

Review. Psychiatric Services, 73(4), 425–438. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000133

MIRCI. (2024). https://www.mirci.org/

Morton, M. H., Dworsky, A., Matjasko, J. L., Curry, S. R., Schlueter, D., Chávez, R., & Farrell,

A. F. (2017). Prevalence and Correlates of Youth Homelessness in the United States.

Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(1), 14–21.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.10.006

Ordinance No. 2023-079, Chapter 14, IV § 14-105 * (2023).

https://citycouncil.columbiasc.gov/download/ordinance-no-2023-

079/?wpdmdl=975617&refresh=65e097ae2cdb31709217710

Rogers, A. (2019). Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Perspectives on Development

and the Life Course (New Directions in Social Work) (5th ed.). Routledge.

South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2019). 2019 South Carolina State of

Homelessness Report.

https://www.uway.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019_pit_count_state_report.pdf

South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2022). 2022 South Carolina State of

Homelessness Report. https://www.schomeless.org/media/1209/2022-state-of-

homelessness-report-draft-final-211-demo-change-1423.pdf
 29

United States Census Bureau. (2022). Richland County, South Carolina [Data file]. Retrieved

from

https://data.census.gov/profile/Richland_County,_South_Carolina?g=050XX00US45079

United Way of the Midlands. (n.d.). Youth in Transition: Better Understanding Our Youth.

United Way. https://www.uway.org/sites/default/files/documents/Youth%20One-

Pager%20updated%203-11-19.pdf

Winiarski, D. A., Glover, A. C., Bounds, D. T., & Karnik, N. S. (2021). Addressing Intersecting

Social and Mental Health Needs Among Transition-Age Homeless Youths: A Review of

the Literature. Psychiatric Services, 72(3), 317–324.

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900498
 30

Appendices

Appendix A: Census Data on Richland County, South Carolina.

Note. Adapted from the United States Census Bureau. (2022). Richland County, South Carolina

[Data file].

https://data.census.gov/profile/Richland_County,_South_Carolina?g=050XX00US45079
 31

Appendix B: Interview with Mr. McClary

Youth Group Home Friday 2/9

Interviewers: Emma P, Emma R, Abigail N, Abigail P
INTERVIEWEE DEMOGRAPHICS:
Name: Rob McClary
Position/Title: Transitional Living Program Manager
Age: 48
Race: African American
Ethnicity: Not Hispanic/Latino
Religion: Non-Denominational
Gender: Male
ability levels: Able-bodied, has a mental disability from the Air Force.
income levels: Middle Class, 62k salary.

Questions:
Q: What do the house dynamics usually look like for your clients?
A: We service 16–22-year-old identifying males. We don’t usually accept 16-year-olds because
they are minors, probably running away from home.
Q: How many rooms does the house have?
A: The whole house has 10 rooms, but only nine are occupied right now. The tenth is being used
for storage. The rooms are pretty much identical to dorm rooms. They have a bed, a dresser, a
desk, a chair, a lamp, and a closet.
Q: What are the house rules?
A: The boys have a curfew of 11 pm on weekdays, but Fridays and Saturdays are midnight. We
have a restriction on when they can be downstairs too. They must be in their rooms by 11 pm,
but they can play video games together if they are in their rooms. We used to have boys make
five-course meals at 3 am, so we became stricter on that.
Q: Do you provide them with anything when they move in?
A: Yes, we have small welcome baskets that include toiletries, a washcloth, and a towel.
Q: Is there anywhere for them to receive donated clothes?
A: We have a very small donation closet they can sift through if they need extra clothing.
However, most of them come here with a large amount of clothes.
Q: Does the home provide them with any other items such as food?
A: No. They are responsible for their belongings. They have to buy their food, have
transportation, a job, and so on. We try to keep things like ramen and breakfast bars in stock for
those who don't have a lot of food. We will take them to the grocery store every two weeks.
Q: Do they have tasks around the house?
A: Yes, they all have assigned chores for the week. Most of the time it is cleaning certain rooms.
We ask that they pick up after themselves and don’t leave a mess.
Q: Do they enjoy being independent for the most part?
A: Yes, because we don’t hover over them if they have it together.
Q: What other resources do you provide for them when in the home?
A: We do have medical professionals come to the house for STD testing and screenings. We also
have educators come in and teach them about taxes and common life skills.
 32

Q: What is the duration of the stay here?

A: The maximum stay time they can have is 18 months. But that is pushing it. Most of our guys
stay for 3-6 months before they leave. Once they reach the 10–11-month mark, we do a progress
check and see what their plans are. We then decide if they can get the six-month extension.
Q: What fees or rent prices do you charge for living here?
A: If they are unemployed, they must pay a $25 monthly fee. If they have a job, we charge 30%
of their income, but this never exceeds $150. Once they are ready to leave, we return all their
money to them. If they have damaged something expensive, we may keep the money, but that is
rare.
Q: Are there any rules for termination?
A: Yes. If they break any of our house rules, they get a write-up. If they want to stay at a friend's
house overnight, they must tell us 24 hours in advance. We ask them to leave if we do not see
progress. If they aren't in school, don't have a job, aren't paying their fees, and deny assistance,
they are asked to leave.
Q: Is this hard to do?
A: Yes, there are so many gray areas, that it can be hard to decide what to do next. If we end up
changing the rules, we must make them universal for everyone and apply them to all clients in
the future.
Q: Does your program structure use any evidence-based practice?
A: Yes, we use a mixture of evidence-based and practice research.
Q: Do you conduct groups?
A: We have an LPC group led 3-4 times a week. Those groups focus on life skills such as money
management, housing search, communication skills, relationships, employment and career
assessments, etc. We also do ones for individualized care plans. Things like basic wellness,
mental and physical education, employment, connections or permanent connections, and stable
housing.
Q: What does your staff usually look like?
A: We have four full-time staff. We have two in the day, one at night, and one for outreach. We
have one peak shift from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
Q: What does the admission process look like? Are there referrals?
A: Most of the time it is community agencies calling or call-ins of interest from friends and
families. We do outreach to agencies and schools to meet for quick referrals. Community service
partners help a lot like Palmetto Place. Most of our referrals come from them.
Q: If someone has a history with the prison system, what does that look like?
A: We do background checks and have rules to where we deny entry. They must be non-violent,
have no felonies, and not be charged with any sex crimes. Before I let them in, I do a 30–45-
minute interview with them and if it goes well, we do the background check submission.
Q: What does outreach look like?
A: We have an outreach coordinator. She looks at places like the library, schools, and Palmetto
Place.
Q: Is it harder to find people these days?
A: Yes. We saw a huge decline post-COVID, and holidays make it harder too because they go
and stay with friends or family. Mainly around the cold months, so October to January.
Q: We are aware MIRCI used to do a youth day clinic, why was it closed?
A: There were safety issues around the clinic such as incidents of aggression.
Q: Does MIRCI plan to reopen the clinic?
 33

A: No, not currently.

Q: Is there a youth home for girls?
A: Not currently, but we are in the process of making a women's home for female-identifying
youth. MIRCI is different because our homes are separated by gender and do not have co-ed
facilities.
Q: Where can we learn more about this house?
A: You can talk to Jill, and she can provide you with more information for the future.
Q: Okay, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview!
 34

Appendix C: Anita Jones Interview 2/13 @11:45

Interviewers:
Abigail P, Emma R, Ira H

INTERVIEWEE DEMOGRAPHICS:
Name: Anita Jones
Position/Title: Outreach Coordinator, Youth Transitional Living Support
Age: 50
Race: African American
Ethnicity: Not Hispanic
Religion: Catholic
Gender: Female
Ability levels: N/a
income levels: “Too low”

Questions:
Q: Who are your services targeted toward?
A: Youth ages 16-22 who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. We also do
outreach for most ages, but our youth services are for a specific group.
Q: What specificities do they need to have to receive services?
A: Severe and persistent mental illnesses/diagnoses. If you're a youth, you just have to be
homeless.
Q: Does being homeless include couch surfing?
A: Yes. Living on someone’s couch or in someone else’s home for a temporary period. We see
this more around holidays because people feel bad for them. Especially their friends, so they let
them stay at their house.
Q: What zip code are you focusing your services on?

A: We don’t have strict limits to zones. We do outreach throughout Lexington, Richland, and
Blythewood. But we do not go outside of the counties. We will refer people to other services if
necessary.

Q: What are the characteristics of the target population? (SES status, age, race, gender, etc.)

A: Our age range is around 17-80 years old. Most of our clients or people we will do outreach to
have disabilities. However, we specifically try to engage with our youth population. We are even
in demographics. We do not work with one demographic more than the other.

Q: When it comes to outreach, how do you define what you do?

A: I would like to say we are an agency that provides multidimensional services.

Q: What does your outreach strategy look like?
A: We will go to settings where people are typically hanging around. Our most popular one
recently has been the library. We will ask if they know anyone experiencing homelessness and
we will provide them with snacks or incentives. They are usually willing to talk to us.
Q: Where are you most likely to engage with them?
 35

A: Schools, sports games, festivals, fairs, libraries. The hard thing is when they are in a group,
they are less likely to talk to us. They have a group mentality. Plus, we don't want to intrude
when they are out at fairs with friends. I used to be a coach, so I go to sports games and do it
without receiving pay for it.
Q: What time of day are you most likely to interact with them?
A: We don’t have a specific time of time. If they are squatters, it’s hard to find them no matter
what time of day it is. Going to the library is our go-to for youth.
Q: How do you begin this conversation with the youth?
A: We try to build rapport with them first so they can trust us. I’m a mother so I try not to have
that mother interrogation vibe, but more of being friendly. I tell them what I do and how I can
help them. They are receptive most of the time.
Q: Are there patterns you see with the youth population experiencing homelessness?

A: Oh, all the time. Most of them run away from home because of disagreements with mom and
dad. They no longer want to live under structure and rules, so they leave. They want somewhere
to live without the structure aspect.
Q: How many of them follow up with services?
A: If we cannot directly help them, we will refer them to another agency, and they will usually
follow through with it. They are receptive to resources; they just need a “push” to do it.
Sometimes I will engage with someone and think they are ready to receive services. But then I
won’t hear from them for months. It’s hard because I want to make sure they are okay.

Q: How often do you hear from past clients?

A: It just depends on the person. I am in contact with one regularly and they update me. But I did
have one client kind of disappear on me. Her friend talks to me and I ask if she can get her to
give me a call, but she never does.
Q: Have you been able to use social media as a tool in the past for outreach purposes?
A: Well, they need to be around Wi-Fi to use their phones, so not many of them are on social
media all the time. However, they are at the library to use the Wi-Fi. They all have nicer phones
than me. They have iPhones, Samsung, and all kinds of stuff.
Q: Do you think they are staying in Columbia since you only see them at the library?
A: No. I think they are migrating to bigger states that have more resources. I had one client get a
bus ticket and go all the way to Colorado. They also leave because of the relationships they are
in. It's hard to find any youth anymore.
Q: What services are they trying to find or ask for?
A: They want to know more about housing and where to get jobs that will support them in the
long run. You can go to fast food just about anywhere, but it won't pay your bills. We try to get
them jobs in factories or plants to make sure they have enough money for necessities. One of our
clients works as a security guard but lives in his car.
Q: What would you change about the process of outreach?
A: I would add more mandates for them to be successful. We have mandates, but I mean more
structure when it comes to the eligibility criteria. Maybe adding more resources for them to have
internships too.
Q: Thank you for doing this interview with us. We will be back in touch.
 36

Appendix D: Tyler Daney Interview

2/21/24
Interviewers:
Emma P, Abigail P
INTERVIEWEE DEMOGRAPHICS:
Name: Tyler
Position/Title: McDonald’s Cook, previously a cook at Russell House
Age: 19
Race: Black
Ethnicity: African American
Religion: n/a
Gender: Male
Ability levels: n/a
Income levels: n/a
*Interviewers did not want to ask certain demographic questions because of the risk of being too
invasive*
Questions:
How did you find out about the MIRCI house?

How long have you been at the house?

How has your experience been so far?

Do you feel like the program is benefiting you?

What do you do/where do you hang out on your days off?

Where can we find other youth experiencing homelessness?

 37

Appendix E: Area across from MIRCI administrative services.