Hierarchy of NEEDS

Abraham Maslow wasn't kidding around when he came up with this triangle of human survival needs. It lays the foundation for how a person can be a real human being and be comfortable with him or herself. The person can eventually figure out his or her full potential and be successful is all he or she does. Isn't that the goal for everyone's life--to find one's purpose and excel?

Biological and physiological needs: People may not notice that these needs aren't always met. The basis of life-food, water, warmth, shelter-are things the homeless people of America do not have. Can you imagine that? Those first necessities aren't even granted to some of our neighbors (in a sense). So, how can they excel in life? The homeless should have the same opportunities like everyone else but fall short because they have no foundation to start a meaningful life. This can be avoided and we can play a major role in helping the homeless obtain these necessities, so they can move forward with hope in their hearts.

I chose this picture to represent the lost faith of the homeless in America. Hopefully, we, as a nation, will pull together and strive to make a difference, so we can return those necessary elements of life to the homeless.

Safety needs: Do you think the homeless feel secure and protected? Absolutlely not.
They need to live outside, with no locked front door and no roof to shield them from bad weather. The life of a homeless person is anything but stable. Could you think of your life without parents or a lock on your door? The fear of not being protected would be enough to get to you, and keep you from moving forward toward better things. And without those basic needs, you definitely can't have stability. That's just a scary thought.

I chose this picture to represent a lack of protection. This tree isn't shelter but it's all some homeless people have. We could provide them with much more and maybe that fear can dissimate over time.

Belongingness and love needs: How many times have you seen a homeless person with an entire family? Very rarely. He or she is usually alone and doesn't say much. They definitely don't have that love and support that we sometimes take for granted. They don't have people telling them they can succeed. It's just, "hey, you can't stay here." Without close family or affection, the heart of a person cannot grow, which means that person can't truly figure out who they are or

what they're meant to do with their life.

I chose this picture because it reminded me of how fish, or just sea creatures, swim in schools and that's how they survive. They find safety and survival in numbers and homeless people just don't have that.

Esteem needs: Where do you think the homeless fall on the status scale in America? They are pretty much on the bottom, which is completely unfair since some people did not choose to be homeless. So, without recognition from society, that must take a devestating toll on the self-esteem and confidence of the homeless person. To not be viewed as a citizen, or even a whole person-that must be the worst way to see yourself. Without any confidence in the future, how are you supposed to move forward?

I chose this picture because it just looks lonely. It seeems as if this antelope has been looking for love, food, and shelter for days and it just hasn't worked out. It's a terrible thing, but that's who our homeless people are. Lost.

Self-actualization: This "personal growth and fulfillment" may never completely happen for a lot of people. We try our hardest to be all that we can be, but frequently we fall short and give up on ourselves. Homeless people may NEVER achieve this because they don't have any other basic needs met, so where do they start? It's depressing to admit that some never even have the chance to succeed, but we take plenty of chances for success for granted each day. How can the homeless be fulfilled if they have nothing to work for?

I chose this picture because it displays all that is pure-water, earth, the flow of nature. It represents the balance of life, which most homeless people don't have. That is something we definitely don't realize is present because amid the chaos of everyday life, lies order. Shocking, isn't it?