In 2007 the State of Michigan published a report called "The State of Homelessness in Michigan". The report found that at that time there were 79,940 homeless people in our state. Now think about what has happened to our economy in the last couple of years, how high do you think that number may be now? Do you think homelessness is just a big city issue? Its not! There are nearly 3000 homeless people living in Northern Michigan. They live in shelters, they stay at the Goodwill Inn, they sleep under the bridge downtown, or out in the woods.
Here are some interesting facts and figures about the state of homelessness.
Northern Michigan
290 Chronic Homeless
627 Adults in Families
1298 Single Adults
867 Children in Families
2 Unaccompanied Youth
Totals for the state:
7080 Chronic Homeless
13,358 Adults in Families
30,843 Single Adults
16,751 Children in Families
938 Unaccompanied Youth
Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked where families are one illness, accident, lost job or paycheck away from living on the streets. The rising cost of housing accompanied by declining wages creates conditions that put families at risk of losing their housing, and make it even more difficult for them to find housing one they becomes homeless.
Visit www.thecampaigntoendhomelessness.org for more information on this growing issue.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
1 in 50 American Kids Experiences Homelessness, a Number Likely to Rise
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Associated Press
NEW YORK — One of every 50 American children experiences homelessness, according to a new report that says most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening and often-overlooked problem.
The report being released Tuesday by the National Center on Family Homelessness gives Connecticut the best ranking. Texas is at the bottom.
"These kids are the innocent victims, yet it seems somehow or other they get left out," said the center's president, Dr. Ellen Bassuk. "Why are they America's outcasts?"
The report analyzes data from 2005-2006. It estimates that 1.5 million children experienced homelessness at least once that year, and says the problem is surely worse now because of the foreclosures and job losses of the deepening recession.
"If we could freeze-frame it now, it would be bad enough," said Democratic Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, who wrote a foreward to the report. "By end of this year, it will be that much worse."
The report's overall state rankings reflect performance in four areas: child homelessness per capita, child well-being, risk for child homelessness, and state policy and planning.
The top five states were Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Rhode Island and North Dakota. At the bottom were Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana.
Reflecting the disarray caused by Hurricane Katrina, the report said Louisiana had the most homeless children per capita in 2006, followed by Texas and California.
However, Bassuk — a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School — said many states fell short in regard to policy and planning. Only six were praised for "extensive" planning to curb child homelessness. Twenty-four states received an "inadequate" grade.
Ken Martin, executive director of the Texas Homeless Network, said the large number of homeless children in Texas was predictable.
"It's not surprising when you don't put money into human services that you have issues come up," said Martin, who expressed hope that improvements are forthcoming.
The Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless is fine-tuning a plan for curbing homelessness. Lack of such a plan earned the state an "inadequate" rating in the report.
Michael Gerber, executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and chairman of the interagency council, said officials are assessing how to use $41 million in federal stimulus money Texas expects to receive for homeless programs.
In Arkansas, relatively few homeless shelters cater to families or single fathers, so it took a while for Vaughn Summerville to find Our House Shelter in Little Rock. Because it has separate housing for families, Summerville can stay with his two daughters, who attend an after-school program at the shelter while he works at a museum.
"It was horrible at first, but it's getting better," said Tiffany Summerville, 13. "I guess I'm still reacting, because we've never been in a shelter before."
Many homeless families miss out on such support, foregoing shelters because they fear having their children taken from them, said Sandra Wilson of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition.
Shelters in Arkansas are funded mostly through private donations, along with some federal money, said Julie Munsell of the state Department of Health and Human Services. There's no state funding, and backers of a bill to create a housing trust fund said they are not sure where the money would come from.
In Georgia, one challenge is serving homeless youth who are on their own.
"We need to make it safe for kids to ask for help," said Becca Orchard of StandUp for Kids in Atlanta. "The focus is on the homeless adults because we can see them, and they're a nuisance. We can't see the kids, so we don't think they're there."
New York was ranked 38th, worst of any northeastern state. According to New York City's Coalition for the Homeless, the number of families in municipal shelters reached a record high at the end of November — 9,720 families, the most since the city began reporting such data 25 years ago.
Among the families in shelters now are Galina and Mark Turner, and their 18-month-old son, Nareem. They were evicted two weeks ago from their apartment, unable to keep up with the rent.
"It's decent," Galina said of their city-run shelter. "The worst part is it feels like jail."
Mark, 27, is jobless, and thus able to take care of Nareem while Galina works as a security guard.
"We're trying to hold our heads up and be optimistic," Galina said.
The report said homeless children are far more likely than other children to experience hunger, suffer chronic health problems, repeat a grade in school and drop out of high school.
It stressed the long-term damage that can result from disruptions to friendships, health care and family routines.
"These factors combine to create a life-altering experience that inflicts profound and lasting scars," the report said.
It offered 19 recommendations for government action, including beefed-up federal spending on low-income housing, assistance to struggling renters and homeowners, and investment in child care for homeless children. It urged states to place homeless families directly into permanent housing rather than into motels.
Ending homelessness for all U.S. children within a decade is possible, despite the recession, said the report, which Bassuk's center issued to launch a campaign pursuing that goal.
"If we fail to act," the report said, "the consequences will play out for years to come as a generation of lost children grow to adulthood."
Associated Press
NEW YORK — One of every 50 American children experiences homelessness, according to a new report that says most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening and often-overlooked problem.
The report being released Tuesday by the National Center on Family Homelessness gives Connecticut the best ranking. Texas is at the bottom.
"These kids are the innocent victims, yet it seems somehow or other they get left out," said the center's president, Dr. Ellen Bassuk. "Why are they America's outcasts?"
The report analyzes data from 2005-2006. It estimates that 1.5 million children experienced homelessness at least once that year, and says the problem is surely worse now because of the foreclosures and job losses of the deepening recession.
"If we could freeze-frame it now, it would be bad enough," said Democratic Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, who wrote a foreward to the report. "By end of this year, it will be that much worse."
The report's overall state rankings reflect performance in four areas: child homelessness per capita, child well-being, risk for child homelessness, and state policy and planning.
The top five states were Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Rhode Island and North Dakota. At the bottom were Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana.
Reflecting the disarray caused by Hurricane Katrina, the report said Louisiana had the most homeless children per capita in 2006, followed by Texas and California.
However, Bassuk — a psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School — said many states fell short in regard to policy and planning. Only six were praised for "extensive" planning to curb child homelessness. Twenty-four states received an "inadequate" grade.
Ken Martin, executive director of the Texas Homeless Network, said the large number of homeless children in Texas was predictable.
"It's not surprising when you don't put money into human services that you have issues come up," said Martin, who expressed hope that improvements are forthcoming.
The Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless is fine-tuning a plan for curbing homelessness. Lack of such a plan earned the state an "inadequate" rating in the report.
Michael Gerber, executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and chairman of the interagency council, said officials are assessing how to use $41 million in federal stimulus money Texas expects to receive for homeless programs.
In Arkansas, relatively few homeless shelters cater to families or single fathers, so it took a while for Vaughn Summerville to find Our House Shelter in Little Rock. Because it has separate housing for families, Summerville can stay with his two daughters, who attend an after-school program at the shelter while he works at a museum.
"It was horrible at first, but it's getting better," said Tiffany Summerville, 13. "I guess I'm still reacting, because we've never been in a shelter before."
Many homeless families miss out on such support, foregoing shelters because they fear having their children taken from them, said Sandra Wilson of the Arkansas Homeless Coalition.
Shelters in Arkansas are funded mostly through private donations, along with some federal money, said Julie Munsell of the state Department of Health and Human Services. There's no state funding, and backers of a bill to create a housing trust fund said they are not sure where the money would come from.
In Georgia, one challenge is serving homeless youth who are on their own.
"We need to make it safe for kids to ask for help," said Becca Orchard of StandUp for Kids in Atlanta. "The focus is on the homeless adults because we can see them, and they're a nuisance. We can't see the kids, so we don't think they're there."
New York was ranked 38th, worst of any northeastern state. According to New York City's Coalition for the Homeless, the number of families in municipal shelters reached a record high at the end of November — 9,720 families, the most since the city began reporting such data 25 years ago.
Among the families in shelters now are Galina and Mark Turner, and their 18-month-old son, Nareem. They were evicted two weeks ago from their apartment, unable to keep up with the rent.
"It's decent," Galina said of their city-run shelter. "The worst part is it feels like jail."
Mark, 27, is jobless, and thus able to take care of Nareem while Galina works as a security guard.
"We're trying to hold our heads up and be optimistic," Galina said.
The report said homeless children are far more likely than other children to experience hunger, suffer chronic health problems, repeat a grade in school and drop out of high school.
It stressed the long-term damage that can result from disruptions to friendships, health care and family routines.
"These factors combine to create a life-altering experience that inflicts profound and lasting scars," the report said.
It offered 19 recommendations for government action, including beefed-up federal spending on low-income housing, assistance to struggling renters and homeowners, and investment in child care for homeless children. It urged states to place homeless families directly into permanent housing rather than into motels.
Ending homelessness for all U.S. children within a decade is possible, despite the recession, said the report, which Bassuk's center issued to launch a campaign pursuing that goal.
"If we fail to act," the report said, "the consequences will play out for years to come as a generation of lost children grow to adulthood."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Cool New Blog
Wondering what to do this weekend? Want to know where to go for some fun? Want to see pictures of you and your friends out having a good time? Then check out Northern Spin . Everything you ever wanted to know about the social scene in Traverse City is right there at the tip of your fingers.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Picture Pages...
We have some fabulous photos from past Day of Caring's and our Volunteers, as well as our Live United photo shoot. Check us out on Flickr, who knows, you might just see yourself on there!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Come knit with us!
A couple of weeks ago we held a free "learn to knit" class here at the office. We had about 9 people show up plus 4 of us from United Way. Our teacher, Lynda Schleede, did a great job of showing us the basics, and she was very patient with some of the "slower learners" (me) in the class.
We had so much fun that we are going to do it again. So mark your calendars for Thursday Febraury 19th for knitting class #2. Lynda will be here from 5:30 to 7:30 to help us improve on our skills, and for those who have never knitted before, she will gladly show you how it's done.
So no matter your age or ability level, please come and join us for some knitting fun. We have plenty of yarn for you to use, but you do need to bring your own needles.
Give me a call if you have any questions. Space is limited so reservations are necessary. You can reserve your spot by either calling me (Michelle; 231-947-3200 x 201 or emailing me; michelleg@unitedwaynwmi.org.
Have a great day!
We had so much fun that we are going to do it again. So mark your calendars for Thursday Febraury 19th for knitting class #2. Lynda will be here from 5:30 to 7:30 to help us improve on our skills, and for those who have never knitted before, she will gladly show you how it's done.
So no matter your age or ability level, please come and join us for some knitting fun. We have plenty of yarn for you to use, but you do need to bring your own needles.
Give me a call if you have any questions. Space is limited so reservations are necessary. You can reserve your spot by either calling me (Michelle; 231-947-3200 x 201 or emailing me; michelleg@unitedwaynwmi.org.
Have a great day!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Workplace Campaigns
Each year, beginning in September, United Way of Northwest Michigan runs its annual fundraising campaign. Many people choose to make their donation through their place of employment. More than 75% of United Way's funding to the community is raised by individuals who pledge at the workplace.
The annual workplace campaign has become the traditional way many companies in our community offer their support to United Way. It is an excellent way to demonstrate your company's commitment to the community, and can be a great team-building exercise for employees and management alike. If your company offers payroll deduction, a small gift from each paycheck makes it easy for you and your employees to give back to your community. In addition, you'll have a chance to become familiar with the health and human service agencies that are available to everyone in our community in the event of need.
A company of any size can do it; United Way provides everything you need:
1) A step-by-step guide, with lots of campaign ideas. Brochures and other promotional materials.
2) A United Way staff person to present the campaign to your employees.
3) Tours of United Way grant funded agencies for your employees.
4) Opportunities for your employees to volunteer in the community.
For more information about hosting a United Way campaign at your workplace, contact Michelle Krumm, Campaign Director at michellek@unitedwaynwmi.org or 231-947-3200 Ext. 204.
The annual workplace campaign has become the traditional way many companies in our community offer their support to United Way. It is an excellent way to demonstrate your company's commitment to the community, and can be a great team-building exercise for employees and management alike. If your company offers payroll deduction, a small gift from each paycheck makes it easy for you and your employees to give back to your community. In addition, you'll have a chance to become familiar with the health and human service agencies that are available to everyone in our community in the event of need.
A company of any size can do it; United Way provides everything you need:
1) A step-by-step guide, with lots of campaign ideas. Brochures and other promotional materials.
2) A United Way staff person to present the campaign to your employees.
3) Tours of United Way grant funded agencies for your employees.
4) Opportunities for your employees to volunteer in the community.
For more information about hosting a United Way campaign at your workplace, contact Michelle Krumm, Campaign Director at michellek@unitedwaynwmi.org or 231-947-3200 Ext. 204.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Video Contest - 2009
The “Live United Video Contest” sponsored by the Volunteer Center at the United Way of NW Michigan and the State Theatre will spotlight youth videos (ages 13-19). The theme of the contest is centered on how volunteerism impacts Northwest Michigan and how giving back to your community makes a difference.
Original videos must:
Showcase volunteerism in Northwest Michigan
Be five minutes or less
Be free of copyright infringement
Please submit your videos, DVD Format, and a completed registration form to Michelle Gallagher at United Way of Northwest Michigan, 521 S. Union St., Traverse City, MI. 49684, by May 1, 2009. Videos will be judged prior to public screening. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding entries. By submitting this entry form you agree to allow your work to be submitted for public screening at the Live United Video Contest appropriate venues, inclusion on websites and other public viewing as deemed appropriate by the judging panel.
Original videos must:
Showcase volunteerism in Northwest Michigan
Be five minutes or less
Be free of copyright infringement
Please submit your videos, DVD Format, and a completed registration form to Michelle Gallagher at United Way of Northwest Michigan, 521 S. Union St., Traverse City, MI. 49684, by May 1, 2009. Videos will be judged prior to public screening. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding entries. By submitting this entry form you agree to allow your work to be submitted for public screening at the Live United Video Contest appropriate venues, inclusion on websites and other public viewing as deemed appropriate by the judging panel.
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