Veterans: Homeless for Different Reasons than One May Think

        

    Veterans typically make up a disproportionate proportion of the homeless and disadvantaged population in the United States than they typically do of the actual population of the United States, usually differing by double digit percentage points. A research paper in the American Journal of Medicine discusses why a large portion of that may be for a reason different than some of the psychological issues that may immediately come to mind. 

Financial literacy, for example, appears to play a major role in the issue. Many veterans lived in base housing while serving, and did not have to acquire the various financial skills necessary to succeed in our current society. Once they left the military, they were past the age when those skills are typically being learned, and thrust into a world and game that they did not know how to play. They may end up in a debt spiral from payday loans due to a difficulty being employed by employers with a structure different from the military, or they may be in a debt spiral because of bad financial decisions that they had no ability to make better than they had.

The question that we must ask ourselves is, what would it take to pull these people out of the quandary they are in, as well as teach them the life skills that they weren’t necessarily able to acquire while serving or when they were thrust into a world where they were far behind the skill sets of their civilian contemporaries?

This author wonders what you, the reader, think a solution might be?

        To find more information, or to lend a hand, please visit Easter Seals

-KA

ELBOGEN, E. B., SULLIVAN, C. P., WOLFE, J., WAGNER, H. R., & BECKHAM, J. C. (2013). Homelessness and Money Mismanagement in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. American Journal of Public Health (1971), 103(S2), S248–S254.

COVID-19 Shutting Us Down

Portland just like everywhere in America is being hit hard with COVID-19 and what it has done to local businesses. It has brought extreme tension and sadness on what is happening to our local economy. Not only are the business owners suffering, but so are the employees that make a living at the shutdown businesses. This latest shutdown by Governor Brown, which started on November 18 is very scary in terms if businesses will be able to get back up on their feet again.

Financial Assistance to Businesses

Governor Kate Brown will be allocating $55 million in assistance to businesses that are being affected by  COVID-19. The money will come from the federal CARES Act fund. This is supposed to be the start of potential more money down the road to help sustain the economy until the virus gets contained. The money will be handled and awarded to the counties based on population. Each county will have to figure out how they want the funds distributed and managing the applications. The hospitality industry and the businesses from black, native American and other disadvantaged communities will be prioritized. 

 

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/11/oregon-gov-kate-brown-pledges-55-million-in-state-aid-for-businesses-hurt-by-covid-19.html

 

 

Oregon Business Groups Urging Kate Brown of shutdown

Oregon’s Coronavirus Recovery Business Coalition urged Kate Brown to consider alternatives in regards to her shutdown of businesses. Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of Oregon Business & Industry said that this shut down will be a lot more damaging than the previous one. This shut down is a little bit more mysterious than the last one right now for workers and business owners because we had the federal unemployment support and small business assistance that was in play. The Business Coalition brought to the table some ideas, but the governor was not buying into that course of action.

 

https://www.wweek.com/news/business/2020/11/13/oregon-business-groups-urged-gov-kate-brown-not-to-implement-statewide-freeze-amid-covid-19-spike/

 

 

Ways to Help Small Businesses

1)Gift Cards- Purchasing gift cards would generate instant cash flow to the suffering businesses. It’s a Win-Win-Win though for all three groups involved though. The business is obviously benefiting because they are bringing in money. The purchaser is benefiting because they are going to be providing a good to the person of their choosing. The receiver of the gift card will obviously be benefiting because they will be able to spend money at that business whenever they want.

 

2)Shopping Local- Instead of shopping at all the chain restaurants or grocery stores do a good service and try to help out the local businesses instead. It is imperative during these times we are going through that we stick together and support each other as much as we possibly can.

 

3) Ordering Online- The easiest way in today’s world is to purchase everything and have it delivered by Amazon. Instead of doing everything the easiest and most convenient way try and order necessary items through local and brick and motor stores and shops. That could make the biggest difference towards them being able to fight through these times.

 

4) Pick-up from Restaurants- if some of your local restaurants don’t do delivery simply see if you can pick it up from them. Even though everything is most convenient through all of the food delivery services try and support your local restaurants when they need it the most.