Looney & Associates’ Post

Growing up in a community of single mothers, homelessness and chronic housing instability were constants in my life. Though I wasn't a foster child myself, my mother and aunts hailed from foster backgrounds, and so instability was a regular occurrence. Fast forward to 2024, serving and uplifting unhoused youth becomes my mission. The spaces God places me are on purpose, for a purpose. 🙏🏾 Youth homelessness is a super complex issue. Shelters are overcrowded, transitional housing is few, and affordable housing - don’t get me started. According to NCSL: 👉🏾 Each year, 1.5 million children and adolescents flee home due to family conflicts, abuse, or neglect, finding themselves homeless. 👉🏾 Over 250,000 children enter foster care annually, with more than 23,000 aging out each year. These youths face heightened risks of homelessness due to various factors, including unstable placements, histories of running away, and time spent in institutional settings. At Pour Over Love, the youth we serve encounter challenges unique to Atlanta, such as the prevalence of sex trafficking and the increasing presence of gangs and initiations. We're dedicated to empowering our youth through a comprehensive approach: expanding our resources to encompass career development, on-the-job training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we aim to facilitate successful transitions. Our goal is ambitious yet attainable: within our 12-month cohorts, we strive to secure stable housing and meaningful careers for each individual, setting the stage for sustainable lifestyles. 🤝 Will you help me in transitioning the lives of Atlanta’s at-risk youth? Whatever form your contribution takes (financial, mentorship, reposting), know that it is invaluable to us. Your support enables us to continue our vital work, impacting lives and reshaping futures, and we greatly appreciate your contributions. https://lnkd.in/eSi-eTg4 #nonprofit #supporttheyouth #fundraising #impactdriven #homelessness #careerdevelopment #jobtraining #mentorship #affordablehousing #employment

At every turn, we infuse our actions with purpose and compassion, aiming to deeply impact lives and improve our communities. Here’s how we’re making a lasting difference, and how you can be a part of it: 1️⃣ Custom "Gifted" Kits: Imagine moving into a new house and having Welcome, Hygiene, and Cleaning kits ready for you, making it feel like a home from day one. 2️⃣ Community Events: Picture a community where people gather, share, and celebrate together, fostering a sense of unity and joy. 3️⃣ Educational Scholarships: Think about the ambitious students whose dreams we support with scholarships, empowering them to achieve their academic goals and uplift their communities. 4️⃣ Grand Openings: Each new housing project is not just a building; it’s a celebration of progress and new possibilities for families and individuals. 5️⃣ Strategic Partnerships: Our collaborations with other organizations magnify our efforts, extending our reach and deepening our community engagement. Your involvement is key to our success. Join us in supporting and uplifting San Diego’s affordable housing communities. Together, we can create spaces where everyone can thrive. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eN22Dg8q #AllgireFoundation #Community #GivingBack #GetInvolved #PayItForward #Volunteer #SanDiego

NBC News recently highlighted an urgent issue: in LA, 13,000+ students in public schools are experiencing homelessness, a 19% increase from the previous school year. ▶ The problem: There’s an increasing number of students experiencing homelessness, which leads to lower attendance & graduation rates. ▶︎ Here’s what we’re doing: Providing free weekly tutoring to students residing in emergency & transitional shelters through forming meaningful partnerships. Learn how you can help us make an impact in the lives of students experiencing homelessness: https://lnkd.in/gbhMGZqZ

At #ISTManagement, we believe in the power of giving back. In this article, CEO & President, Hal Blackman shares his thoughts on the importance of community heroes. 🌟https://hubs.la/Q02JgdV-0

𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲’𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 With only four apartments available, our selection process is rigorous. Our selection criteria prioritizes families committed to change, ensuring that our limited resources make a lasting impact: ✅ Self-Elimination: Some families intentionally seek alternative housing, removing themselves from consideration. ✅ Criminal Offense Nature: Violent offenses against children or the elderly disqualify individuals. However, most other offenses can be considered with the right context. ✅ Willingness for Change: A critical requirement is the mother's genuine desire to change. Without this commitment, we run the risk of being just another housing program, which we strive not to be. Our process is inclusive and does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national origin, or religious preference. We seek families ready to embrace change, allowing for meaningful support and lasting transformation. If you know families that could benefit from our program or want to get involved, please reach out to Mercy’s Shore. Together, we can create a brighter future for those in need! #NonProfitOrganization #CommunitySupport #TransformingLives #Philanthropy

Articulating the 'why' behind any #candidacy is paramount. The City of #Largo #invested in me, my family, and our #neighborhood, catalyzing transformative #change. As a #lifelong #resident, I've experienced firsthand the impact of proactive community policies, particularly in #housing, #childcare and #communityengagement. My journey in Largo began at one year old, when my #family settled in the back unit of a #duplex in a challenged neighborhood. In 1996, pivotal changes occurred with the establishment of the Lake Palms #Outreach Center, a collaborative effort by the City of Largo #Recreation Department, the Largo #Police Department, and the #Juvenile #Welfare Board. This initiative provided #free #yearround services for youth under 18, offering a #safespace for #community-building, #games, #activities, #sports, #tutoring, field trips and #meals. Simultaneously, #communitypolicing initiatives fostered #trust and connection between law enforcement and residents. These efforts #revitalized our neighborhood, prompting residents to transition from #renters to #homeowners, including my own family. Inspired by dedicated #teachers, familial support, and by Largo's Outreach program, I overcame #academic #challenges to excel academically, culminating in recognition and awards by fifth grade. However, personal losses, including the passing of my grandmother and father and the impact of national tragedies like 9/11 all in 2001, underscored the #resilience and #compassion within our #community, which was #underscored to me by the #actions of those at Lake Palms Outreach Center. Despite adversities like #natural #disasters, such as #Hurricane Francis in 2004, I persevered academically, graduating with honors from Osceola High School and becoming the #first in my family to attend #university. Yet, the escalating #cost of #homeownership in Largo underscores the urgent need for #inclusive #policies that ensure #affordability and #opportunity for all residents. Today, I'm compelled to run for Largo City Commission to #uphold our community's #legacy of #inclusivity and #opportunity. While I can't recreate my #youth, I'm #committed to fostering a Largo that prioritizes #equity, #affordability, and the realization of every resident's #potential, regardless of their #background or #circumstances. Paid Political Advertisement Approved By Matthew Faustini For Largo City Commission Seat 2.

The Dsquared Homes for the Homeless GAP program assisted our 100th client with rent today! I'm extremely proud of this initiative, which came about from my son being denied temporary housing over a $40 income shortage I wasn't allowed to cover. He lived in Kiwanis Park for one year, and though I fought hard, he never received help. My motto is, "Don't TALK about it, BE about it' because it's more normal to complain about what someone else ISN'T doing (especially the government) than it is to look at ourselves and figure out how WE can make a difference. I founded this nonprofit to assist those experiencing a temporary setback with rent, and it's exactly what we've done without help from the government. I don't believe in excuses, and complaining about what the government wasn't doing, certainly wasn't helping my son when he lived in the park. Dsquared Homes for the Homeless is recruiting an Administrative Assistant (we always need a Fundraising Director) whose role will include representing Dsquared in Zoom meetings with our community partners. My preference for the Admin Position is someone who is retired or only works part-time because they will have the flexibility required for this role. Although we do not have monthly meetings (most of us work while volunteering with Dsquared), we are known well enough that businesses reach out to support our mission through their organizations regularly. This volunteer MUST be a self-starter but does NOT need to live in Arizona as the entire role is supporting us with Admin duties, and representing us on Zoom calls. Who do you know that wants to make an immediate impact in the community, and has a passion for underserved populations? Learn more about us at Dsquared4homeless.org and email your resume to Admin@dsquared4homeless.org. #mentalhealthawareness #homelessnessawareness #Dsquared4homeless #Nonprofit

If you want to see change in your community, do your part to help improve things and give back. Here are a few easy ways you can foster changes in your community. https://ow.ly/NW4a50Tz3o0

Blessings friends! In my personal practice, I've been thinking a lot about gift awareness, and it's importance in community development. Gift awareness is the starting point of gift economics. It is a recognition of our indebtedness to others (fellow humans, animals, plants, cosmic forces). I wrote a letter to my readers on The Sufi Gardener and I would like to share it with you all. It is a call to cultivate gift awareness in all that we do: careers, crafts, vocations, volunteering, education, etc. You can read my letter here: https://lnkd.in/emTcwjJ9

How Churches Are Making a Difference: Food Banks, Clothing Drives, and After-School Programs Churches are stepping up with impactful outreach programs like food banks, clothing drives, and after-school support. These initiatives offer essential resources, helping families in need and strengthening communities. Want to get involved or need support? Follow "Churches That Help" for more! #ChurchesThatHelp #CommunityOutreach #FoodBanks #ClothingDrives #AfterSchoolPrograms #HelpingHands #SupportLocal