Vulnerable Population

Vulnerable Populations

Throughout our society there are populations that face unique challenges. Some of these challenges may come in the form of living with a mental illness, learning to deal with adult or childhood trauma, and surviving the stigma of homelessness. As human service professionals, it is important to be cognizant of all the various populations, we work with. In being cognizant, we can transcend some of the social barriers and stigma that falsely prevent us from providing better resources and support to these populations.

Homelessness is an issue that dates back to the early fourteenth and seventeenth century and it continues to escalate and decline in importance depending on the natural advancement that is currently occurring in society at any given time. Historical events like the English Poor laws and the Great Depression provide us with brief insight regarding how the homeless issue was perceived and how these events continue to shape our views as a society today. In addition to past events, the current economic crisis and downturn has brought about new challenges, although still upholding existing ones. In understanding the historical and present nature of the social problems that exist for this population, we can ascertain the clinical strategies and interventions that better aid in the support of their disproportionate representation. We can also address prevalent matters and future consequences of intervention.

Prior to the Middle Ages, homelessness was widely accepted by society and the churches as part of the day-to-day responsibility to one’s community. The tendency to serve the poor or those who were considered less fortunate was easily embraceable by a community, and perceived as fulfilling the prerequisites of God. In essence, “Those who were poor through no fault of their own, were considered blessed, and it was considered a blessing to care for them” (Martin, 2007, p. 3). This perception changed throughout the Middle Ages, as the...