Homelessness

On any given night in America, an estimated 750,000 people are homeless, and between 2 million and 3.5 millions Americans will be homeless for some portion of the year, many of them single mothers with their children (Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness).

There are many factors contributing factors, including a shortage of affordable housing, job loss, disability, mental illness and domestic violence. And while homelessness is generally a temporary situation, some shelter waiting lists have grown from days to weeks. And the problem is getting worse. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors 2002 Survey on Hunger and Homelessness, across the 25 cities participating in the survey, requests for emergency shelter grew by 19% last year, including an increasing number of families with young children -- the steepest climb in a decade. For shelters already stretched beyond their limits, this translates to an urgent need for donations and volunteers.

In these trying times, your help will help those who need it most to get off the streets, back into a home and back into their lives.