Empathy In Action

EMPATHY IN ACTION

Empathy in Action is a course specifically for people who:

do not work in a clinical capacity
are not a professional helper
have no substantial experience interacting with homeless individuals

We also encourage people who have lived experience of homelessness, including close friends and family who have already been helping an individual long term, to attend.

Everyone is welcome.

This training will provide participants with the why and how to directly support a person experiencing homelessness. Topics may include:

Overview of Factors Contributing to Homelessness
Current Models and Resources to Address Homelessness
Science of Attachment Through the Human Lifespan
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs)
Maladaptive Behavior and Coping
Sanctuary and Reenactment Trauma
Stages of Change
Trust and Bonding with a Homeless Friend
Interfacing with Professionals, Agencies and Systems as an Advocate
Competency in Crisis
Safety and Ethics

This training uses concepts from the Folk School tradition which focuses on experiential learning to make academic subjects accessible to all. The Folk School philosophy engages lay people in addressing challenging topics with the belief that a well rounded knowledge base motivates people to participate in democracy and constructively solve problems within their own communities. The Folk Education Association of America writes in a “Brief History of Folk Schools”, “Folk Schools model an educational approach that places relationship, culture, and personal and community empowerment at the center of learning and life.”

Homelessness is one of the most tragic and vexing problems in the United States currently.

Many people feel deep pain watching the suffering on our streets. People who are housed, as well as the unhoused themselves, are frustrated, frightened, nervous, indignant, indifferent. We hear outrageous negative anecdotes, see oversimplified statements in the media. Sometimes we are swept up in black and white thinking and become adversarial demanding political leaders resolve the crisis. One side says, “I pay taxes, this is not my job.” The other side implores society to have endless patience and tolerance. TEAMCTX sees both sides. The issue is urgent and we can not allow people to languish. Wholesale criminalization doesn’t work, nor does a continuous supply of tents. It is through ongoing, flexible, one-on-one natural relationships that individuals living through devasting stress of being unsheltered are given hope, encouragement, role models, positive social integration, tangible means to imagine, set, achieve goals and a way to move forward.

Empathy in Action training will give you the core skills to begin helping one person. If you have the willingness to learn, you can be a stabilizing influence in someone’s life. It’s not a fix, save, rescue mentality. It is a process of practice. You won’t swoop in and resolve all the problems your friend is facing in 90 days. We can help you build confidence, courage and commitment within yourself to be on a journey of self development with your homeless friend.

Get Involved!

Help develop the course material. We are forming a curriculumn committee. Join us to contribute your ideas!

If you are interested in attending the training let us know!