The Shelter Book
On any given night in Detroit, MI you will find thousands of homeless men, women and children living in abandoned buildings or “doubled up” with family and friends. The statistics for homelessness in Detroit vary based on the agenda of the organization sharing the data, but one this is for certain, Detroit has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Homeless prevention education is needed to keep families off the streets.
National Homeless Awareness Week is November 15 – 21, 2009 and one former homeless woman wants to focus on preventing homelessness not statistics and rhetoric. Versandra Kennebrew, author of “Thank God for the Shelter – Memoirs of a homeless healer” knows from personal experience that the face of homelessness is not what we typically see on television. She also knows that without a “Life Recovery Plan” the likelihood of a doctor in West Bloomfield or a factory worker on the Eastside becoming depressed and losing everything is equal during our current economic climate.
During National Homeless Awareness Week, Kennebrew is presenting a series of Community Homeless Prevention Forums around Detroit in an attempt to show residents the importance of planning for a possible economic disaster. “When I was homeless, I took a holistic approach to getting back on my feet,” Kennebrew says. She describes this process as one of personal introspection. She analyzed her situation, decided she could not fix it on her own, looked for support and a place of refuge to begin her transition, began to control the things she could control (including her health) and finally she changed her mind about her plight to find meaning and the opportunity for personal growth. She wishes however that she had a plan prior to becoming deeply depressed and without a home.
Ms. Kennebrew admits she is not an expert on homeless prevention although she is currently studying at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) to obtain her associates degree in Mental Health. She is preparing for her new role as a self-improvement teacher/coach. “Humility and an even greater desire to assist others in need were outcomes of my homeless experience. During the darkest days of my life, I found everlasting light. I learned that I have unlimited resources inside and around me. If I can use my homeless experience to help others tap into their infinite resources, I’ll be happy,” Kennebrew says.
Author, Versandra Kennebrew will be available to answer questions about homeless prevention at one of the free Community Homeless Prevention Forums listed below. For more information about Versandra Kennebrew or her book “Thank God for the Shelter – Memoirs of a homeless healer,” visit www.thankgodfortheshelter.com or call 866-522-3453 ext 110.
November 15, 2009
3pm - 5pm
Samaritan Center
5555 Conner Ave
Detroit, MI 48213
November 16, 2009
3pm - 5pm
Detroit Library Hubbard Branch
12929 W. Mc Nichols
Detroit, MI 48235
November 18, 2009
11am - 1pm
Barnes and Noble Wayne State University
82 West Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI, 48202
November 21, 2009
3pm - 5pm
Detroit Public Library Redford Branch
21200 Grand river
Detroit, MI 48219
