Despite a Recent Push for More Programs, Poverty, Homelessness, and Incarceration Rates Continue to Soar Post-Pandemic

The key to breaking homelessness, drug, and prison cycles may be targeting at-risk individuals and training them with education and marketable skills.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 16, 2023 / A​s society moves further away from the Covid-19 crisis, its grip on American culture, mental health, and financial security remains tighter than ever. The amount of people suffering from homelessness has steadily risen by 22% over the last five years, and during 2019, nearly 108,000 people over the age of 45 were living unsheltered on any given night.

For those trapped in poverty, homelessness, and incarceration cycles, there can be an immense difficulty in returning to a state of normalcy. Prison rates in America andrecidivism reports paint bleak pictures; 41% of inmates were rearrested within two years after their arrest. The problem is a complex one, with no single driving cause. Oftentimes prison, homelessness, and drug use rates overlap, making the situation even more complicated to understand, let alone fix. Meanwhile, governments employ unhelpful suggestions like anti-homelessness architecture to place ineffective Band-Aids over the issue.

Factors like education play a vital role in breaking cycles of prison, addiction, and homelessness. Studies detail that education increases individuals’ capacity for patience, resulting in more risk-averse thought processes and more attentiveness toward avoiding punishments. As a result, areas with higher education rates in the United States often see lower crime.

This realization of using education as a preventative measure against crime and homelessness is supported by many outreach groups. Yet while countless groups and organizations exist, few see tangible results. Perhaps this is because of a disconnect when organizations avoid the core, underlying issues.

One viable solution may be as simple as offering people skilled training. The RONI foundation, run by Zac Ozeri, offers at-risk people a second chance to reduce unemployment by providing participants with education and training to develop in-demand skill sets. The foundation tracks participants’ progress and motivates them to keep moving forward. By doing so, it can help lower crime and homelessness, and stop the cycle of trauma, addiction, prison.

Ozeri, who previously dealt with homelessness and abuse himself, recounts why he’s so driven to make a change for others. “I struggled with addiction and even homelessness for 38 years, myself, so I understand the nuances of the issues first-hand,” Ozeri says as he recounts his story. On the other side of the struggle now, he says, “there are many programs available but none seem to address the underlying issues. As a result, instead of seeing less of the issue, unfortunately, we are seeing an increase.” To Ozeri’s point, homelessness in America has in fact increased by16% between 2020 and 2022, and all evidence points that it will only continue to rise.

But the right kind of skilled training, may help those who are currently embroiled in the struggle with homelessness and abuse, “learn to shift gears from park to drive, by programming the subconscious mind to develop and practice good habits,” Ozeri says. RONI not only provides valuable workforce development training & leadership development to at-risk individuals to help them reach their full potential but also works to change their mindset to break cycles of abuse. Through targeted outreach and equipping adults with actionable skills and tools, the RONI foundation may be key to offering some adults a second chance.

ABOUT THE RONI FOUNDATION

The RONI Foundation helps high-risk young adults, homeless, and parolees get back on their feet to become functioning, well-adjusted members of society. The foundation provides housing, meals, mentoring, and market-ready skill training to equip members with the best chances to excel post-program. Author and founder Zac Ozeri uses his past experience with substance abuse and homelessness to help others lead a meaningful life. For additional information, visit RONI Foundation on Instagram.

C​ONTACT

Zac Ozeri
[email protected]

SOURCE:RONI Foundation