The Unrecognized American Citizen: Overcoming Poverty and Sustaining an Abuse Free Life

Who is the Unrecognized American Citizen?

• Individuals that society has written off
• Individuals who live in extreme poverty without understanding of their situation
• Individuals that are judged based on media’s portrayal of them
• Individuals who are denied a chance to be treated as human
• Individuals who are subjected to abuse at a systemic level

Why do people get caught up in the cycle of abuse?

When negative images are used they create a sense of a person not belonging or not being valuable. This triggers Youth to believe they are not as valuable as others. Those youth become parents. The experience of abuse that a parent feels can be passed on to the children.

The power if imagery and perception play heavily into the cycle of poverty and abuse. Come and discuss how these cycles were built, how they sustain and solutions to breaking them.

Presenter: Farji Shaheer – Violence Intervention Specialist

Farji is a Violence Intervention Specialist. He has been an HCMC employee since 2000 and has specialized in Behavior Health for over 15 years. He is a Community Activist and Youth Program Developer for the Next Step Program. Farji is also a member of the Advisory Committee for OJP. He specializes in Navigating Trauma with survivors of penetrating wounds mainly Gunshot wounds, stabbing and assaults. Trained in Trauma Informed Care, Cultural Effectiveness, Narrative Medicine and Motivational Interviewing. He is an engaged community member, father, brother and an Active Agent of Change.

Event location:

Goodwill Easter Seals
553 Fairview Avenue North
Saint Paul, MN 55104