What you can do to help

-

  


    Homelessness can be a daunting task to try and accomplish if you do not know where to start. For many, homelessness may seem like an issue we cannot help with; it may seem like it is solely up to the person experiencing homelessness. However, there is a lot that a person like you or I can do to help better someone's situation. 


    The first and most obvious solution is to donate. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, steady, monthly donations are a great way to provide. With a monthly gift, the Alliance has a source of income they can count on to provide service. They have reported that with donations like these, homelessness has gone down from 2010 to 2019. 


    If you cannot donate money at this time, then old clothing or canned food in your pantry can be of great help. If you want to donate food, the Oregon Food Bank is a great place to do so. Clothes can be dropped off at shelters, The Salvation Army, and Goodwill. These donations will help clothe those in need. We are entering winter, and it is starting to get below freezing temperatures here in Portland in the morning. Your donations could help someone who needs warm clothing to stay safe.

    Helping those in need does not have to be hard this holiday season. Help those in your community and make a difference by donating today. Big or small, any donation you can spare can help make a huge impact in someone's life.  

-John Bernards

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Homelessness

-
Image
  Source (American Addiction Centers)      Homelessness has a myriad of different reasons it can happen. The similarity between all scenarios in which a person is experiencing homelessness is that each person is human. A popular belief is that homelessness is a choice. People believe there is a set amount of circumstances that cause homelessness and that it is a choice not to fight to get out of those problems. The problems can range from mental health issues to drug addiction. There is no one size fits all, and it is not a choice.  Over the last few weeks, I have learned that there are many factors that can lead to homelessness. One big one that focuses on our class is how affordable housing, or the lack thereof, is a significant contributor to people not getting back on their feet. If you want to learn more about that subject and if affordable housing can help, click here.   This lack of affordable housing is a big roadblock for those trying to overcome homelessness. However,
Read more

Domestic Violence within the Homeless Community

-
Image
  Domestic Violence within the Homeless Community Source: Unsplash The Facts                                                                                          According to  Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 233,832 are people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the United States. Of the 233,832, 50,767 are families with children.  Currently, 30% of homeless people are adult women.  (portlandoregon.gov)   Bradley Angle , which works to support survivors of  domestic violence , reported that 70% of domestic violence reports are from homeless women. ( www.kgw.com)  Homeless women are 1/3 of the fastest growing populations HUD homeless populations. ( portlandoregon.gov)   Specifically, in Portland, Multnomah County has experienced a 20% rise in homelessness in 2023, the total amount of people homeless in Portland is currently  6,297 . (w illametteweek.com)                                                                     Source: Unsplash   The Problem        
Read more

Helping Fuel a Better Future

-
Image
Feeding the Homeless in Portland, Oregon. Back in 2011 ' Occupy Portland' set up over 300 tents to house,   feed, and check on some of the city's homelessness population . Today, tri-county officials have reported that there are more than 7,000 homeless people living within the Portland City metro area and that number only seems to be increasing. Not only do these people have to worry about not having a stable shelter but one of the biggest issues for them is their lack of food and water. Every single day these individuals wonder about what their next meal will be and where it will come from. Although this blog post is focusing on the homeless populations in Portland it's important to know that Feeding America has stated over 400,000 people in the whole state of Oregon have reported 'hungry'. That is equivalent to 1 in 10 people, so the resources I will mention below are not only for the homeless but anyone who feels they may be in need as well.  Never be afraid
Read more