Helping Older African American Women Who	are	Homeless through Visual Images and Creative Strategies

Olivia G. M. Washington; Holly Feen-Calligan; David P. Moxley

Olivia G. M. Washington Wayne State University
Holly Feen-Calligan Wayne State University
David P. Moxley University of Oklahoma

Abstract

This paper examines cultural and gendered perceptions of homelessness, and the Leaving Homelessness Intervention Research Project (LHIRP) aimed at helping older African American women leave and remain out of homelessness. Gendered perceptions of homelessness and the interaction between race and poor health can heighten risk of homelessness and exacerbate the process of emerging out of it. The use of visual images, performance, and creative strategies (VIPCS) in amplifying womenâ€™s voices along with providing social support are identified as important elements of the helping process. VIPCSâ€”which can contribute to helping women leave homelessness, sustain their domiciled status, and educate the public about the exigencies of homelessnessâ€” are intervention strategies that improve the participantsâ€™ situations.

Author Biographies

Olivia G. M. Washington, Wayne State University

Olivia G. M. Washington, Ph.D., PMHCNS-BC, NP, LPC is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing and Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University, and CoDirector of the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research Community Liaison Core, Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan.

Holly Feen-Calligan, Wayne State University

Holly Feen-Calligan is Associate Professor of Art Education-Art Therapy at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

David P. Moxley, University of Oklahoma

David P. Moxley, Ph.D., is the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Professor in the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work a the University of Oklahoma.

Correspondence regarding this article should be addressed to the authors at o.washington@wayne.edu; hfeen@wayne.edu; david.moxley@ou.edu