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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Homelessness in America


Home--for many of us the word conjures up a slideshow of images. Sometimes we may think of our caring parents, loving siblings and warm dinners. Sometimes we may think of arguing with our parents, annoying siblings or dinners that were disgusting. Whatever the memories, good or bad, the fact is that we have memories of home.

Unfortunately, tonight in America,  over 600,000 people will not have a home to sleep in.


According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness,

"By the numbers:

-There are 643,067 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States.
-Of that number, 238,110 are people in families, and
-404,957 are individuals.
-17 percent of the homeless population is considered 'chronically homeless,' and
-12 percent of the homeless population - 67,000 - are veterans." Read More


Get Involved:
Volunteer in a local shelter 
Organize a donation of supplies to a local shelter (canned food, paper goods, toiletries, books)
Volunteer at a local soup kitchen to serve the homeless
Advocate for the homeless by calling 202-46204822 or e-mailing info@nationalhomeless.org
Make posters to place around your school/community to help peers who may be homeless
Donate your used clothes and shoes to a local shelter
Get more ideas

Read More:
Read a collection of stories about homeless teens overcoming their obstacles in
       The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times 
       Edited by Al Desetta M.A. (Editor), Sybil Wolin Ph.D. (Editor)
Read about a homeless teen in NYC in
       Street Life: My Story (E-book) by Wayne Kernochan
Read about the daily lives of homeless women in the D.C. area in
       Tell Them Who I Am: The Lives of Homeless Women by Elliot Liebow
For children, read about a child living out of his car in
       A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning

If you need help:
If you are under age 20, call 1-800-323-GROW
Click here to find a homeless shelter by you. 
Know that you are not alone and that there are many people willing and able to help!

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