This week, we are focusing our attention on Homelessness Awareness Month and working towards a world where no one has to experience it!

Each week in November, we will be highlighting a new national observance for the month, drawing attention to various important causes. Follow along all month long to learn, take action, and spread the word!

November is Homelessness Awareness Month, which shines light on those struggling in our country to find a safe place to lay their head at night and stay out of the elements. 

November 13th through the 21st of 2021 is highlighted by many as Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week as it is the week before Thanksgiving and is a perfect time to share our compassion for our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and work toward a world where no one has to experience homelessness. 

Every year, hundreds of thousands of American families become homeless, including as many as 4.2 million youth per year experiencing homelessness. Along with losing their home, community, friends, and routines as well as their sense of stability and safety, many homeless youth are also victims of trauma. Children make up 60% of all people in homeless families.

Children living through homelessness experience:

• Four times as many respiratory infections.
• Twice as many ear infections.
• Five times more gastrointestinal problems.
• Four times the likelihood of having asthma.
• Going hungry at twice the rate of other children.
• Having high rates of obesity due to nutritional deficiencies.
• Having three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems compared to non-homeless children.

With the holidays approaching, many choose to donate some of their time, attention, and resources to others to help alleviate those facing hardships. As the basic act of obtaining a home becomes more difficult, the cry for action echoes louder than ever before.

Many Americans are living on the edge, forced to choose between basic necessities like purchasing food, paying rent, or going to the doctor…

37.2 million Americans live below the poverty level

550,000 Americans are homeless on a typical night

44 million Americans are at risk of suffering from hunger

1 in 6 children in the U.S. live in poverty

While there has been slow but steady progress over the past thirty years, there are still a tremendous number of people around the world who live in extreme poverty…

795 million people do not have enough to eat

767 million people live on $1.90 a day or less

6 children die each minute of a hunger-related disease

65.3 million refugees have been driven out of their homes

Working together to end homelessness in the world around us.

As a society, we have the resources and knowledge to end hunger and homelessness, we just need the collective will to make these ideas a reality! Please visit the links provided to learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference!

https://hhweek.org/

https://nationalhomeless.org/about-us/projects/awareness-week

https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/homeless-and-runaway-youth.aspx