Stories Have Power

Homeless doesn’t mean hopeless, despite what some blind, deaf and dumb human monkeys might think.  Many of the people the monkeys are throwing verbal feces at are working hard to better their situations–and succeeding.  With help, things CAN be different.

This year, youth used their stories of homelessness in powerful ways. They talked to Illinois legislators about the need for increased funding for Illinois’ homeless youth programs. They spoke about the services they need at CDBG and city budget hearings. One resident of RAPPP even visited Washington, DC this month to tell her story to members of Congress.

Here’s a link and short quote from her story:

“I’m in college now. I’m on the Drama Team and I was elected to the Student Senate. I have to graduate college no matter how hard the obstacles may be. With a college degree, I know that I will be able to get a good paying job with a guaranteed salary. My dream is to be a social worker to help people that are going through the same struggles that I have faced.’

Testimony to the House Financial Services

 

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Invisible People TV

An opportunity to learn and help at the same time.

 

I need your help to continue telling these stories and reaching out into the streets, under the bridges, park benches, shelters and tent cities — in two months on the road we have been able to see huge results!

via – Razoo.

And the lion shall lie down with the lamb

Or in this case the rat with the cat and the cat with the dog.  A fascinating example of three of my main interests, love of animals and conviction that homeless people are just like you and me, or in some cases, even better. And the belief that we can all live in peace if only we would find it in our hearts to try.

Webinar on LGBTQ Homelessness

Among the many homeless youth on our streets, it is particularly difficult for anyone lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.  If you want to know more, try attending this webinar which talks about the issue from both a Canadian and US perspective.

In this webinar, we’ll hear from Toronto-based researcher Ilona Alex Abramovich, who will discuss what’s behind the high incidence of homelessness among LGBTQ young people in Canada, how service providers are responding, and where needs still remain.

Following, we’ll hear from Jama Shelton of the New York City based service provider The Ali Forney Centre (AFC), whose goal is to provide homeless LGBTQ youths, aged 16-24

via CHRA – WEBINAR: Shelter From the Storm: Understanding and Responding to Homelessness Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Youth.

Housing the Homeless

The Pacific Garden Mission is the oldest continuously running mission in the country. Countless lives have been touched by their various ministry outreaches in some form or another. Only God knows what seeds have been planted and only in eternity will those who have served be able to reap the boundless benefits and blessings due to them.

More than 166,000 people in Chicago are homeless in a year’s time. The mission reaches out to the homeless in Chicago providing sleeping accommodations for the night, delicious hot meals, and other resources if the need arises.

via Housing the Homeless and Sharing the Gospel in Chicago – The Pacific Garden Mission.