Carroll

Why Does She Stay?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | September 16, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 1 Comment

“Why does she stay?” It’s a simple question. The answer is not. Bottom line… If a victim must choose between abuse in their home or the high risk of abuse on the street, it’s a stretch to think they are better off on the street.

What Do Homeless Need When a Heatwave Comes?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | August 19, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 0 Comments

Writing for Invisible People, Kayla Robbins Robbins, freelance writer, asks what can we do when a heatwave comes?

Criminalizing Christ: The Nationwide Targeting of Homeless

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | July 22, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 1 Comment

Jesus says any time there is a hungry, thirsty or ostracized person, that person is Christ himself. And if we don’t share our food, our water, or our welcome, then we are rejecting the Incarnation of God in this world.

A Shelter or a Way Out Of Homelessness?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | June 24, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections | 4 Comments

St Vincent believed that if you gave a hungry person a sandwich you fed that person for a day. But that did not solve the underlying problem.

Can Dickens Teach Us Homeless Advocacy?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Dec 23, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol?” Who hasn’t read it, or heard it or seen it on stage or screen?

Homeless Persons and “Listening”

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Nov 18, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

We all know Pope Francis is advocating for “listening church.” How might listening apply in our efforts with the homeless community?

Your choice! – “Bridge” or “soft incarceration”?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Oct 21, 2021 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

I have read about the need for shelters and rapid rehousing. But Robert Davis, writing for Invisible People, captured an insight in two metaphors – “Bridge” and “soft incarceration.”

Vincentians – Celebrating and Challenging

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Dec 17, 2020 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

Let’s remember what we learned during COVID-19, especially how we managed to maintain our personal relationship with those who, in addition to the daily challenges of living in poverty, must now weather the effects of the pandemic.

What Do “We” Share With Homeless People?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Dec 10, 2020 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

Mental illness is a major problem for the entire US population – not just the homeless population. The difference is the problems are aggravaated by homelessness.

Creating Connections Better Than Giving Directions

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Dec 3, 2020 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

A place where homeless and formerly homeless people can connect to one another. They can also connect to vital outreach services, their own personal friends, and family members.

Which Costs More – Housing or Health Care?

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Nov 19, 2020 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

After one year, BJC Healthcare estimated the cost of care for the enrolled homeless clients was reduced to $230,000, representing an estimated annual savings of nearly $400,000 or 71%. No doubt the financial people were quite pleased.

A Homeless Veteran and Cancer Survivor

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Nov 12, 2020 | Formation, Homelessness, Reflections

Lucrecia is a cancer survivor and was in the army for four years. She lives homeless in a tent in Los Angeles’s Koreatown.

St. Vincent’s Solutions For the Homeless of His Day

by Fr. Michael Carroll, CM | Nov 5, 2020 | Collaboration, Formation, Poverty: Analysis and Responses, Reflections, Systemic change, Vincentian Family

Vincent and Louise de Marillac were deeply committed to the education and moral formation of young people living on the streets or in dire conditions.