What Is The Heart Without A Home?

Coming up, if someone would have told me I would grow up to take an active role in the fight to end homelessness, I would have laughed in their face.  Championing the arts, or becoming an actual artist, yes, but not social justice and certainly not the unseemingly cause of homelessness/poverty; after all who would want to expose themselves to dirty, stinky people with no refinement?  Sad but true opinions of my misspent youth.  But God is a funny guy, and the irony is not lost on me.  I hazard to think who I would have become if not for becoming involved with the homelessness cause...I have never met more beautiful people...but it is a bitter reality we all too often learn to ignore; and a reason I've been blessed with a voice that carries, and enough charm to get people to listen.  20 years of homeless advocacy (give or take), with less than a couple of months before hanging up that professional hat...altho' I know I will always continue to do my part to raise awareness of the the plight of homelessness and a voice to those who have lost theirs.   That being said, consider this post a loud shout.

From The National Coalition for the Homeless

*Who is homeless?

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/who.html

*How many are homeless?

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html

*Why are people homeless?

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html

*Want to help?

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/want_to_help/index.html

The Lord's Work Is Never Done

From The National Coalition for Homeless Verterans:

"Although flawless counts are impossible to come by – the transient nature of homeless populations presents a major difficulty – the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) estimate that over 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness. Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans."

To date (2012) the highest number of persons experiencing homeless within the homeless population are veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now what does that sign say?

This Memorial Day we honor our brave men and women who have given their lives protecting this country.

See how you can get involved in the fight to end homelessness for all Americans:

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
http://www.nchv.org/

National Coalition for the Homeless
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

National Alliance To End Homelessness
http://www.endhomelessness.org/