Raising

Awareness

We are obviously not the only family that has struggled with homelessness.

Part of our legacy for our son Elijah was to be kind and compassionate to others. So, on our walk we will be donating Charity Miles to "Back on My Feet." Also, we will be doing one act of kindness each week leading up to our walk for other homeless families in our area. You can read about these acts of kindness on "The Walk" page on our webpage, or by following the hashtags #loveelijah and #walkinghome17

Did You Know?

"One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population are families with children. In 2007, 23% of all homeless people were members of families with children."

"The average number of emergency shelter beds for homeless families with children increased by 8% in 2005, an average of 32% of requests for shelter by homeless families were denied in 2005 due to lack of resources."

"Estimates of the number of homeless children range from 800,000 to 1.2 million, and recent estimates state that 1 in 50 children in the United States are homeless. (National Center on Family Homelessness, 2009). What’s more, at least half of homeless children are under the age of 5. (National Center on Family Homelessness, 1999)"

"A shortage of housing options for poor families is problem that exists no matter the economic conditions. When the economy was strong, rental rates soared as a result of the housing bubble, making it difficult for poorer families to find affordable rental housing. After the 1980s, income growth has never kept pace with rents, and since 2000, the incomes of low-income households has declined as rents continue to rise (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2005). Once the housing bubble burst and the economy feel on hard times the problem did not subsist. Poorer families had to contend with two large issues, an increase in competition for rental properties, which sustained high prices and the loss of income that comes with layoffs and job losses. This situation is another factor underlying the growth in family homelessness. In 2004 the average wait for Section 8 Vouchers was 35 months (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2004). Excessive waiting lists for public housing mean that families must remain in shelters or inadequate housing arrangements longer. Consequently, there is less shelter space available for other homeless families, who must find shelter elsewhere or live on the streets."

"Homelessness severely impacts the health and well being of all family members. Children without a home are in fair or poor health twice as often as other children, and have higher rates of asthma, ear infections, stomach problems, and speech problems (Better Homes Fund, 1999). Homeless children also experience more mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal. They are twice as likely to experience hunger, and four times as likely to have delayed development. These illnesses have potentially devastating consequences if not treated early."

"Policies to end homelessness must include jobs that pay livable wages. In order to work, families with children need access to quality childcare that they can afford, and adequate transportation. Education and training are also essential elements in preparing parents for better paying jobs to support their families.

But jobs, childcare, and transportation are not enough. Without affordable, decent housing, people cannot keep their jobs and they cannot remain healthy. A recent longitudinal study of poor and homeless families in New York City found that regardless of social disorders, 80% of formerly homeless families who received subsidized housing stayed stably housed, i.e. lived in their own residence for the previous 12 months (Shinn and Weitzman, 1998). In contrast, only 18% of the families who did not receive subsidized housing were stable at the end of the study. As this study and others demonstrate, affordable housing is a key component to resolving family homelessness. Preventing poverty and homelessness also requires access to affordable health care, so that illness and accidents no longer threaten to throw individuals and families into the streets."

According to The National Coalition for The Homeless:

You Can Help

Here are a few places that can help you help others.

What is the number one way to help?

Be compassionate.

Remember that no one wants to be homeless and many are homeless because they are the other end of some tragic event and need your love and understanding.

You don't have to give your money, you can give your time, your food, and your resources. You can offer second chances. You can offer a listening ear. You can offer a smile and a human interaction. All of these things help.

Homeless people are human beings and should be treated as such.

"At the end of our lives we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by: I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.

Hungry not only for bread—
but hungry for love.

Naked not only for clothing—
but naked of human dignity and respect.

Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks—
but homeless because of rejection.

This is Christ in distressing disguise."