Homelessness is a problem in America today and always has been. In the United States, the number of homeless people has been documented since 1640 and has grown rapidly since then. There are almost 630,000 homeless people, a figure equal to that of Boston! Some people or families become homeless due to natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and other related disasters. Some people or families also become homeless due to the loss of a family member, house fires, or being fired from a job. These are ordinary people who once had a home to return to every night and a warm place to sleep. Just imagine that one day you will lose everything and no longer have a place to sleep or call home. There are many things you can do to help: recycling can help the environment and money can be donated to a shelter or soup kitchen that helps the homeless. There are stores out there that donate their profits to charity, such as online clothing store KNO. KNO Clothing takes 50% of their profits and gives it to the homeless to help them get back on their feet. In the 1640s, homelessness was considered a character flaw. If you were homeless in the 1600s, a person or family would come to town and prove their worth to the community. If they couldn't prove their worth they would move to the next town. Homelessness is a social problem with many causes, still involving some of the issues from the 1600s. Some causes of homelessness were due to industrialization, wars, disasters, medical problems, or the death of a family member. Between 1820 and 1830 the Industrial Revolution began and people began moving from farms to the city to look for work. Philadelphia and New York had a lot of people walking the streets in paper, there are charities, recycling centers, online stores like KNO clothing and even Carries for kids. All we need is one small step at a time and then the ball will start rolling and we will actually see the economy improve, see fewer people on the streets and not live in a hotel room with their families. Our community needs our help and we all know we can provide it. All I ask is that you please help me, these kids have a life I wouldn't want to jump into, I volunteer as much as I can because I have to sit with them and talk about their life, but yet they still manage to have a smile on their face with the little things they have. You will never regret helping with children or families, when you see their faces you will never forget how you felt and what little things you can do to make a family and their children happy.