Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s Post

Subject: Urgent Call to Action: Help a Homeless Young Lady Dear Compassionate Community, I come to you today with an urgent plea—a call to our collective humanity. The Circle of Life Inc Transitional Homeless Shelter is on a mission, and we need your support more than ever. Let me share our story: Our Mission: We reach out to the public, businesses, corporations, and foundations to acquire donations that directly impact the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Our immediate goal: $20,000. Every dollar counts. The Young Lady in Need: She’s 25 years old, four months pregnant, and homeless due to domestic violence. Health challenges—ADHD, depression, and Autism—makes her journey even more difficult. What She Needs:                                                        A Job: If you know of any opportunities, please send them our way. Emergency Housing: A house or apartment with at least two bedrooms. Furnishings: Donated items to turn her shelter into a home. The Reality: Yes, there are shelters in the city, but they’re full. The need outweighs the available resources. In Philadelphia alone, over 4,000 people are homeless. It’s a crisis we cannot ignore. Your Call to Action: Pause. Reflect. Imagine yourself in her shoes. Then, consider making a donation. Every contribution matters. How You Can Help: Contact Us: Geraldine Churchwell, Founder & CEO Call leave voicemail or text: 215-954-3799 Email: msgerry@thecircleoflifeinc.org Visit our website: www.thecircleoflifeinc.org Mailing Address for Donations: To drop off donations, please call Yumy Odom at 908-334-1793. Mail checks/money orders to: The Frator Heru Institute 2227 N Broad St, 3rd Fl Phila PA 19132 Donate via PayPal: Visit The Frator Heru Institute. Specify that funds are direct donations for administration/operational expenses for The Circle of Life Inc. Tax-Exempt Donations: Your generosity is IRS tax-exempt under Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Blessings Await: Let’s be the silver lining in her storm. Together, we can rewrite her story. With gratitude, Geraldine Churchwell

When people ask me about Generus, I show them this video🧡 If you or your company want to make a difference like this, let’s connect!

Muiembe Youth Focus (MUYOFO) on advocacy for street children: A Hand to Hold: Giving Hope to Homeless Children They walk our streets with no place to call home, their small hands clutching worn bags, their eyes gazing nowhere. They are the overlooked remnants of hard times—the children of homelessness (CHOKORA). A daily meal is uncertain for them, and a soft bed is a distant dream. But we can offer these innocent victims of circumstance the most valuable gift of all: our compassion. Even a small act of kindness can make a world of difference in a homeless child's day. We need support to start a children's home to spark their imagination. The simple gift of our time and presence can lift their spirits and remind them that not all adults are uncaring. With schools and friends often left behind, they need positive interactions to counteract the rejection they face. Of course, more systemic changes are needed to give these children the futures they deserve truly. But on an individual level, we can be the one friendly face among the anonymous crowds, the one who stops to listen and affirm their dignity. We can donate old jackets, blankets, and toys to local shelters and advocate for more affordable housing in our cities. No effort is too small when a young life is at stake.  Homeless children are not defined by their circumstances. They have talents to offer, dreams to achieve, and so much potential waiting to emerge. By opening our hearts, we can help unlock the bright futures they deserve. All it takes is a gentle hand - and the willingness to care.

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Street and Homeless Children for a Better Tomorrow! On this International Street Children Day, let's shed light on the realities faced by these resilient young souls. While 'street children' and 'homeless children' are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important distinctions between the two. Not all homeless children live openly on the streets; many find themselves in hidden circumstances, such as sleeping on floors or in temporary accommodations like hostels. Shockingly, in 2018, around 9,500 children in the UK spent Christmas in hostels or temporary housing, often facing cramped living conditions and sharing facilities with strangers. Join us in raising awareness about this issue and providing essential support to empower street and homeless children. Together, we can break barriers, create equal opportunities, and build a brighter future for every child in need. #StreetChildrenDay #HomelessChildren #BreakingBarriers #RaisingAwareness #SupportingChildren #BuildingABetterFuture #EmpoweringYouth #MakingADifference #ChildrensRights #EqualOpportunities #SocialImpact #EndChildHomelessness #CharityWork

Momentum is Building

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I hope you will join me in supporting Between Friends, a wonderful organization that supports survivors while also educating youth to break the cycle of violence in future generations. https://lnkd.in/g6CJESV9 Here are just a few ways your dollars will be put to good work: Support Essentials $25 Supports the cost of basic household items for individuals and families surviving violence, ensuring they feel supported and nourished. Transportation $50 Covers one month of transportation costs for a survivor to come to our office for in-person counseling support. Expressive Arts Therapy $100 Supports 10 expressive arts therapy sessions for children - a proven way for children who have witnessed domestic violence to heal. Legal Advocacy $200 Helps two survivors with legal advocacy supports from our advocates who can help with filing an Order of Protection, accompany survivors to court to provide emotional support and help navigate the complex legal system. 24-Hour Crisis Line $250 Funds one day of our emergency 24-hour crisis line services for survivors. Our help line offers crisis support, referrals, safety planning, and more. Teen Dating Violence Prevention $500 Provides four sessions of our teen dating violence prevention programming - Relationship Education: A Choices for Hope (REACH).

💥 Our next Grapevine Speaker's Series is happening on April 4! 💥 It’s estimated that 6 million people experience homelessness in the U.S. each year and one out of every two Americans is one paycheck away from not being able to afford rent. We also know that 82% of Americans believe the U.S. should be doing more to prevent homelessness. So what’s preventing us from addressing this issue in a real and effective way? 💬 This conversation will outline how and why community-based work and advocacy is at the heart of addressing the homelessness crisis. The scope of the problem can feel daunting, but community-centric models like Giving Circles bring reason for hope by prioritizing our shared humanity and desire for collective change. 🎟 Grab your spot to the conversation on April 4 here: https://lnkd.in/eibBwA5u 🎤 Meet the Panelists: 🌟 Kevin F. Adler Award-winning author of When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness in America, and founder of Miracle Messages, a nonprofit addressing relational homelessness. 🌟 Kelly Cobb Vice President of Giving at Bombas, an apparel brand that donates a clothing item to those experiencing homelessness for every purchase made.

It's the run up to #WorldHomelessDay, and we’ve been thinking about the experiences of young people who access our emergency youth shelter, the Z House. Our staff and volunteer teams work in a trauma informed way, because the trauma of experiencing homelessness is often preceded by other experiences that create disadvantage for young people. We’re here to address the disadvantages, barriers, and challenges that they face. It’s not just about homelessness – it’s about the whole person. If this approach sits with you, why not find out about volunteering for Z House, and being part of the lasting change that we’re creating with young people as they move beyond homelessness. https://brs.tl/WHD

We are grateful for the continued support from the Nationwide Foundation for A New Leaf’s Homeless and Domestic Violence Shelter Services, and for Sr. AVP, Eric M., volunteer service on our Board of Directors. With this year’s contribution, A New Leaf will provide services that address social determinants of health for community members experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. During the past few years, Phoenix rental prices have increased much faster than incomes, making it harder for renters to stay in their homes. In January 2024, a record number of evictions were filed in Maricopa County, creating a desperate need for services that provide shelter and support for individuals experiencing homelessness. The intersection of domestic violence and homelessness is undeniable. Approximately 1 in 4 women and women with children are homeless because of their experiences with domestic violence, and women who are homeless are more vulnerable to domestic and sexual violence. Support from community partners, like Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation, increases A New Leaf’s capacity to offer more than a bed in a shelter. Our wrap-around services and a continuum of care help people move from crisis to long-term stability.

The Supreme Court is hearing a case on whether it is cruel and unusual punishment for cities to prevent the homeless from using temporary shelters. This has big implications, and the issue of homelessness has been a challenge in City of Pittsburgh for years. Mental illness and addiction are just some of the reasons why people end up on the streets not to mention affordable housing. Fortunately, non-profits like Light of Life Rescue Mission and Homeless Children's Education Fund are working hard to help those in need. If you want to make a difference in our city, support those organizations that are tackling the core of the problem and making impact now. Let's work together to help those who are suffering. #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #homelessnessissolvable