A recent article written by Adelle M. Banks reports that Baylor University has conducted a study on religious organizations and homelessness in America and has found that faith – based organizations are providing more than 58% of the shelter beds for homeless people across the country.
These reports are based on analysis of the data collected by the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development where studies have been conducted in 11 cities with such organizations as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and community rescue missions.
America, we have a problem. Homelessness is one of the top three critical problems today faced by multi-thousands of single family units run by mothers with young children. Hard to believe and hard to estimate the number of homeless people in the US, but one indicator according to Child Trends Databank is the number of school children who do not have an address. At the start of the 2013 – 2014 academic year, there were approximately 1.4 million children in the United States who reported to school and did not have an address to give to school authorities. Child Trends asserts that while reporting has improved and can provide some background for the increased numbers, the sad fact is that the instance of homelessness among the most defenseless is increasing at alarming rates. Today, we have the most vulnerable population in our society floundering and ill-equipped with a quality of life to survive or thrive in the basic need of a loving home. Hidden Choices is hopeful that our new leadership in Washington and at the State levels is taking a fresh and positive look at this age-old problem in our land and address this American issue with an all out herculean effort to find positive solutions to dysfunctional community. Together if we are united in purpose and plan we can ALL TAKE initiative to fight homelessness in America and find a way out for millions of children!
What can you do:
- Call one of these organizations in your town
- Thank them for providing shelter to the homeless
- Show up! Volunteer time to assist in any way possible
- Raise monies to provide basic essentials to families in need
- Creatively think out of the box to solve this problem…all hands on deck!
Remember: One Person Can Make a Difference