Trade For Life

My solution to homelessness in urban societies is offering locations for the impoverished to bring trash and trade it in for resources.

My solution in urban urban setting is for the homeless and impoverished to collect trash or recycling around the city and bring it to either participating locations or a tent every 2 weeks or so and trade it in for resources. They can trade the trash for items such as clothes, hygiene products, or food (if available). These people who would be bringing the trash would also deserve what they are receiving which means they care and have the drive to support themselves. This not only benefits the homeless, but also the environment by cleaning up trash around the city that would otherwise remain there. Overall, this could be the solution to urban homelessness because everyone benefits, especially the impoverished. 

The specific problem I am trying to solve is for the homeless in our cities to have to worry less on surviving and more on how to get them it of poverty. Additionally, this also targets the environment by cleaning up trash in the area. I live in the suburbs outside of Houston, so every time we go into town I always see lots of homeless people suffering and so I know this is a major concern in most urbanized places in the U.S. that can be solved. I’m Houston alone, over 3,000 people experience homelessness and over 550,000 people in the U.S. as well. This is an extremely high number considering we have the resources to help them. In downtown Houston, there are often so many homeless people that have no job or anything to do but sit on the ground or a bench, but with this solution, not only will they be able to do something beneficial, but also clean the streets and make the world a healthier place for future generations.

This solution serves the people in our society who are often overlooked, the impoverished. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, while people were worrying about themselves, so were the poor and homeless but the had no resources to protect them or their families. This solution will help care for them because they will be receiving the care they require while also helping the community. This symbiotic relationship between society can also make homelessness situations in America more well known and hopefully we’ll recognized which will encourage people to help their cause.

I have researched the homeless populations in the Houston area and know they are desperately in need of assistance. I’ve volunteered at homeless shelters before to sort clothes and other duties and we have the necessary items but we could use more. With this new application, not only will the streets be clean, homeless helped, but the money from recycling the trash and cleaning it can be donated back to the poor for more resources. While I have not directly worked with the target demographic, I have thought extensively about this endeavor and planned it.

My stage in production is still at concept because if it’s complexity. This type of project is feasible with help, but a teenager has neither the funds nor time to go to downtown and encourage this program and set it into practical action. This is why it is still at the concept level but with help, this is a reasonably attainable goal to help our community in hard times. Overall, this is still at a concept level due to available resources.

This solution involves already existing technology but used in a new way. This new way is in the form of drop off centers and tents to drop off trash and pick up resources. The technology used is textile products and other hygiene products. While this isn’t a new technology, it can still be beneficial because of its new use.

As of now my efforts do not include anyone because of my limited circumstances, but with adequate resources, I hope to raise that number by at least 1,000 in the next year in just one city alone. I feel this number is attainable because of the amount of people it can reach in a form city.

My impact goals are to guide the focus of the homeless off of survival and onto getting out of poverty and into a steady lifestyle. I hope to achieve this goal by having the people bring trash and recycling to a location and trading it for resources that prove beneficial to basic needs.

I plan to measure progress by the amount of people coming to donate the trash they pick up and the resources being distributed. People working at these stops can keep a log of the people they help and how many come and donate and receive goods in return.

A major barrier of mine for this project is money and time. I can’t do this project on my own because I don’t have the necessary funds to be able to pick up the donated trash or the resources able to be distributed. Overall, my main barrier is money because I can’t afford to give out resources and take in trash and recycling.

I have no background in helping the community in mass amounts, but I think that with this idea that will become reality, it can become a huge benefactor for society.

As of now I don’t partner with any organizations but with help maybe I can.

I believe that I qualify for the HP Girls save the world prize because this idea I think is revolutionary and can kill 2 Birds with one stone. Not only homelessness, but also pollution are helped within this cause. Overall, I feel I am qualified because of how many people this can help and the environment at the same time.

I feel I qualify for this prize because it can supply me with the rest of the idea needed to help our society.