What is your homeless IQ? Take this quiz to find out about Lexington’s population.
The week of Nov. 13-20 is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Beginning in 2001, the Catholic Action Center invited faith community and community leaders to participate in a 24-hour Homeless Experience to learn about the reality of those experiencing homelessness in Lexington.
Over the years, more than 450 men and women including US Representatives, Governors, Mayors, Council Members, clergy, business leaders took to the streets for 24 hours in small teams to get a taste of the life of those who call our streets their home. Some had profoundly discomforting experiences and realizations, from being shunned by people they knew because they were dressed differently and unrecognizable in their layered “street look” to the general challenges faced by the unsheltered in a single day. This experience was held to create awareness and hopefully remembrance for those leaders so they could impact the lives of our unsheltered citizens as they went back to their “real” lives.
In February 2020 the planning for the 2020 Homeless Experience was underway and then came COVID-19... the experience was canceled as all of our lives were changed. As the pandemic lingers, the 2021 Homeless Experience is not to be.
Since homelessness and suffering on our streets doesn’t stop because of the pandemic— in fact it is increasing - now more than ever understanding is needed. Central KY Housing and Homeless Initiative has joined with the Catholic Action Center to create an alternative method to engage even more in an awareness experience: the What Is Your Homelessness Awareness IQ? online quiz.
Fifteen questions with multiple choice answers describe situations that face our unsheltered families, singles, and elderly every day for their survival on our streets here in Lexington. You cannot pass or fail this quiz and no one but you will know your score. It is designed for those participating to learn about some of the barriers faced by the over 300 and growing number of our sisters and brothers who are unsheltered —those who live in cars, camps, alleys, parking garages in Lexington. It does not address those who are in the shelters that provide services which the quiz addresses. It does not address the situations that have caused these folks to be unsheltered. It does not offer solutions to homelessness. It is simply 15 actual scenarios with often surprising correct answers. As examples: What happens to the remains of someone experiencing homelessness who dies? Without next of kin can their street friends, church group or shelter community have a funeral and burial for them? How often do families living in their vehicle in a public parking lot have to move their vehicle? What paperwork is needed to replace an ID when those experiencing unsheltered homelessness have lost theirs?
The reality may not be what you assume when you see someone sleeping in a doorway. Perceptions regarding the “choice” of this lifestyle may be altered by understanding some of the barriers. It may be an exercise that stirs within you a greater appreciation when you hear our government officials proposing to allocate our tax dollars and ARPA funds to reduce the suffering of homelessness.
So the challenge is this: take the quiz and share it with family, friends, co-workers, church members, and community groups on social media. And as we gather with family and friends at Thanksgiving, say a prayer for all who are experiencing homelessness and may we all remember to be thankful that we have a place to call home.
The Homelessness Awareness IQ Quiz is available at https://caclex20006976.survey.fm/what-is-your-homelessness-awareness-iq, the Central Kentucky Housing and Homeless Initiative Facebook page or Or email caclex2000@gmail.com for the link.
Ginny Ramsey is co-founder of the Catholic Action Center.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 9:00 AM.