Additional Outreach Projects Can Be Found Under Events

You are uprooted from your home and most likely lose your possessions as well as connections to friends and neighbors. You lose your connection to the community as the general populace has become accustomed to ignoring the unhoused. City shelters are overwhelmed and you are left trying to find shelter and may end up living in a car, tent encampments, the woods, under bridges, or on streets and sidewalks.

While experiencing homelessness, people are more likely to experience violence and other traumatic events. Major cities across the nation have criminalized homelessness and so the unhoused are being fined or arrested for panhandling, sleeping in a park or car, or loitering.  They find that their belongings have been collected and discarded.

Some of us have been taught that people are homeless because they are lazy or perhaps on drugs or alcoholics. While drugs and alcohol may play a role for some, the reality is people experience homelessness because of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, unemployment, lack of a living wage, or domestic violence. 7 out of 10 Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless. And were you aware that “National Foster Youth Institute” reports that 20% of the children aging out of foster care instantly become homeless? Also, according to “American institutes for Research” 40% of homeless LGBTQIA+ youth are on the streets because of conflicts with their family regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity.

 1) Educate Yourself, Your Peers, and Your Community

Don’t rely on stereotypes. Learn as much as you can about why people are homeless; how many people are homeless and other information. Check out websites such as Invisible People, the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, or U. S. Dept Housing and Urban Development.

2) Volunteer

There are non-profit organizations that provide food, clothing, legal advocacy, and financial assistance. Volunteer your skills and time, this is another way to learn what challenges the unhoused are facing and ways in which you can help them. 

3) Donate Money & Goods

Most homeless shelters and programs providing services to people living in poverty are non-profit organizations. They depend on donations to do what they do. Look for organizations that work with people who are homeless, support people living in poverty, or advocate to increase affordable housing and improve health and mental health care. Some organizations even post “wish lists” for specific items they need on their websites or social media channels.

4) Advocate for Change

Be an advocate for change. Donations are just a Band-Aid. We need real solutions to reduce homelessness. Solutions that include more affordable housing and living wages. We need to ensure everyone has access to affordable health and mental health care services, transportation to work and school, quality daycare, and education.

It is up to us individually and collectively to tell our national, state, and local governments that the time is now to address laws, programs, and policies that perpetuate homelessness and marginalize those in need.

If you are 18 years or older, make sure you are registered to vote! Ask the candidates their stance on solutions to address poverty and homelessness.