Disaffiliation does not cause homelessness, but rather is the most universal characteristic of the homeless. Poor people who have family ties, teenaged mothers who have support systems, mentally ill individuals who are able to maintain social and family relationships, alcoholics who are still connected to their friends and jobs, even drug addicts who manage to remain part of their community do not become homeless. Homelessness occurs when people no longer have relationships; they have drifted into isolation, often running away from the support networks they could count on in the past.

We can raise awareness year after year by designating one day out of the calendar year to lend a helping hand to those who are in need. Should the National Day of Homeless Awareness be put into effect hundreds of thousands of men, women and children would experience kindness like they've never known before. One day may turn into two days and so on. A simple, yet revolutionary step.