Empowering the tide of progress and change

The issues of homelessness and an aging population in America are very different, but can be approached in similar ways. Both involve people who want to cooperate with society but are hesitant to relinquish any autonomy.

For example, most individuals living on the streets are looking for ways to help themselves. After all, very few people would choose living on the streets over a nice warm house. Yet these people are reluctant to accept government aid. Some resist because they are untrusting of the government; others because they simply prefer to be self reliant.

Likewise, many elderly citizens would prefer to be self sufficient rather than depend on external help, creating a problem when it becomes unsafe for an elderly person to perform such tasks as driving when they insist on their autonomy.

In such dire situations, force becomes a last resort. The homeless are forced off the streets, despite having nowhere else to go. Senior citizens are forced to stop driving, whether or not they have an alternate means of transportation.

Obviously society must come up with a better answer to these issues -- a call that two new programs are attempting to answer both appropriately and sensitively.

The first, FareStart, is a job-training program for the homeless. As described in the Seattle Times, an individual in the program undergoes four months of culinary training by volunteers. While in the program participants live in homeless shelters, receive "life skill training," and are able to earn a GED, if necessary.

The meals that the students prepare are distributed to homeless shelters, daycares and Head Start programs around the region on a daily basis. This is what makes the FareStart program essential; not only are these individuals bettering themselves, but in doing so they are able to help others.

FareStart's Web site estimates that 80 percent of its graduates find job placements immediately after completing the program -- a truly astounding percentage. I wonder how many colleges see a similar number of its graduates find jobs right away. The figure is a clear indication that the program gives people the motivation and the resources to be self reliant.

The other story that grabbed my attention is out of Portland, Maine and details the Independent Transportation Network (ITN), a program that provides safe, reliable transportation for senior citizens too elderly to drive themselves. In 2005 the network provided 15,200 rides to its 1,000 members.

Last year senior citizens surpassed teenagers as the age group with the most accidents per miles driven. These accident rates are expected to rise as the baby boomer generation ages.

The ITN allows senior citizens to retain their freedom. Many of them came of age in a time where individualism was becoming rampant, and they are often reluctant to become dependent on others. The network lets them keep their independence without compromising public safety.

Thankfully, the programs are catching on nationwide. There are a dozen programs modeled on FareStart starting across the country this year, and four cities are adopting the ITN. A senator from Maine is also planning to ask for federal grant money to extend the network to all corners of the United States.

The key to success for both of these programs is the empowerment of the individual. Those enrolled at FareStart not only become self sufficient, but they gain a sense of self worth from being able to give back to the community. The participants in the ITN are still able to live alone and do not have to feel like a nuisance to others.

In these situations, everyone wins.