Path Home’s Post

Housing is more than four walls: It's a sense of safety & belonging. A place to call home. Joining in our work = helping children, youth & families experiencing homelessness get what they need to thrive. Let's put those values into action. Give today: https://ow.ly/aYvU50QkrJN

I have spent 23 years in human services and being on the front lines allows me to see the people in their humanity, face to face with mine. I feel like those making policy should actually ask not just a professional but the people who are stereotyped and ask " who are you as a human, what actually happened in your life- the loves, the passions, talents and many assets vs the "blame and pull yourself up by your bootstraps". Yes, there is this dynamic tension between "personal responsibility" and really what I consider to be the failings of the current economic system, a type of Calvinistic moralism that sees poverty as lack of favor from God, the lack of a fulfillment of the promises of the Declaration of Independence's preamble, and the lack of "liberty and justice for all" in our pledge where we truly were united in our purpose as a shining light on a hill. But so much now is about quantitative data and the measurability of the effects of particular programs and policies. The people with their stories, those of their families, and their communities are largely forgotten or outright ignored. It is why I love my work. I see the Creators image in the individuals, I get to listen and learn, and see I am not the expert. When this happens, it makes me laugh, cry, build up others, and realize we survive when we see a communitarian vision of creating the common good where political ideologies can not lead us to hardened hearts and minds; which I see as the current state of affairs

"Instead of focusing on children individually, separated from family and love, we now serve and support families holistically. And so can you." Our friend Emmanuel Nabieu “Nabs” 's story is evidence that “orphan care” is a much more complex issue than our Western culture realizes. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are some approaches that work better than others. Read more about Nabs’ story and how he is using his lived experiences to support children in families. Helping Children Worldwide #familybasedcare #familiesbelongtogether #family #orphanagetransformation

Have you ever considered leaving a gift in your will? ✨ By leaving a gift in your Will, you will become a Pyjama Foundation Guardian Angel. Your greatest gift and lasting legacy will help break the cycle of disadvantage for children. You can change the future for children in foster care. A gift of even 1% can help transform the lives of our next generation’. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gYRDX6zq

I want to kick off April and take a moment to recognize Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month. More than 5.6 million Americans are living with limb loss and limb difference. 🦾🦿 Ways anyone can recognize LLAM: 1. Advocate for legislative inclusive change 2. Talk to community leaders about inclusive playgrounds 3. Promote ADA standards in the community 4. Support disability-owned businesses 5. Donate to organizations that advocate for those with disabilities 6. Hire people with disabilities 7. Create inclusive spaces for everyone For the limb loss community: 1. Participate in a support group (The one I co-host is the last Tuesday of each month) 2. Participate in “show your mettle day” 3. Challenge assumptions

For the past decade A Stronger Cord's mission has been helping displaced men build new and healthier relationships as they work the comeback trail from incarceration, recovery and homelessness. Our thinking has always been, "You need new friends on this journey ahead. Going back to prior influences are only going to drag you down." Relationships. For ASC's band of knucklehead volunteers, it's all about building relationships with guys in the Denver Rescue Mission's New Life Program and other programs. Build a relationship, earn some trust and then assist the men in building a stronger cord to their families, purpose and communities. Yesterday at Aurora's Stanley Market, two incredible ASC volunteers hanging with a current member of the Mission's NLP program. Marcus, Ted and Johnathan. It takes time, commitment and a tough skin. Success is far from guaranteed. When talking to potential "Comeback Coaches" interested in volunteering? I tell 'em, "It's like baseball. If you help 3 out of 10 we're doing pretty well." We're working to improve those numbers. Wanna possibly help? In that 45-60 range, kids are grown, looking for a way to give back? Walk beside displaced men. We have far too many and far too many have had few, if any, positive role models in their lives. Thanks for considering. It's challenging but rewarding service. #goodbetterbest

Last year more than 4,000 Americans of all ages and backgrounds united to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity through national service in Utah. AmeriCorps invested more than $15 million in federal funding to support cost-effective community solutions, working hand in hand with local partners to empower individuals to help communities tackle their toughest challenges. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs, helping communities and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting veterans to services, fighting the opioid epidemic, helping seniors live independently, rebuilding communities after disasters, and leading conservation efforts. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers served at more than 600 locations across Utah, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, youth centers, veterans facilities, and other nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Through a unique public-private partnership, AmeriCorps and its partners generated more than $3.8 million in outside resources from businesses, foundations, public agencies, and other sources in Utah last year. This local support strengthened community impact and increased the return on taxpayer dollars. #AmeriCorpsWeek #AmeriCorpsUtah

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

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

March 2020, at the very start and urgency of COVID-19 lockdowns, my two older siblings and I were granted guardianship of our then 5-year-old sister. We had been fighting for this for well over a year between getting ourselves established, finding the best lawyers to take our unique case, and convincing the courts of the severity of the situation. We could not have predicted that by the time we finally saved our sister, we would be stuck indoors with limited to no resources to help us and her in this traumatic time. Now, 4 1/2 years later, we are doing much better, but it took until our little sister was almost 8 to get adequate aid services. Waypoint is an incredible organization that has provided so much help to families across the state; as a whole, though, there is still much that needs to be done in the field of family social services, court reform, and child welfare in New Hampshire. Waypoint makes strides to change this dilemma and divide of need versus what the state budgets provide. The more people speak on this matter, the greater the chance of productive change for the social services field.