Women and children, often referred to as the “hidden homeless”, are increasingly being turned away from overcrowded shelters, forcing them to seek refuge with friends, relatives or in less fortunate situations, find shelter in cars or vacant storage units. Safety concerns often discourage single women and mothers from staying in shelters or on the street, but safe havens are surely not easy to find. These tragic stories have gained national attention lately with recent focus on the countries “tent cities”, and when President Obama commented on the growing problem last week:
It is not acceptable for children and families to be without a roof over their heads in a country as wealthy as ours.
Lasting solutions to homelessness need to be found, but we should also look for specific ways to help women and children who are particularly vulnerable. Here is a heartbreaking video from Invisible People that highlights the difficulties of living on the street with a family:
Cerisa and Jon from invisible people on Vimeo.
takepart by learning what you can do to help the homeless with the National Coalition for the Homeless and check out the action page for the upcoming film The Soloist.
CATEGORIES: Global Health, Human Rights
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Soon I to will be one of the homless living on the street with my two boys. Let go from my job which is fighting to give me unemployment in a system that is broken in the state of Michigan.
I have no family close by, and very few friends.
I have wiped out everything to keep my credit in good standing and saved enough to make the april house payment then we are broke.
I don’t know what to tell my boys when we put everything in storage and start living out of my blazer.
I was turned down for food stamps and was working for a temp service.
There’s no hope left.
“get a education. find a good job”. I did that being very secessful but lately the american dream has failed me.
Thank you for your comment Ij, I wish you all the best and hope your circumstances improve soon.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. My husband & I recently opened our home to a young mother and her daughter to keep them from being homeless. I pray that someone opens their heart and home to you and your sons, as well. We live in Phoenix, AZ.
I really would like some help for me and my family. We have no where to go right now because of certain circumstances. I have a 3 year old son right now and I wouldn’t like him to go through this. I am in desperate need of some serious help, if any program that you have will benefit or help me please contact me as soon as possible at 773-491-5925 or 773-617-7774.
I am in desperate need of help. My family and I are homeless right now and in need of a place to stay and get our life together. I have a 3 year old son, and would like to better myself and get him out if thus situtation. If you can help please contact me at 773-491-5925 or 773-617-7774
I am now one of the homeless, with my son who is 10, I have tried every option given to me by Riverside County, Everyone that I have spoken to are not very professional and after all the paperwork and driving around in 115 degree weather for hours acquiring everything that has been asked of me, I am told sorry, we cant help you. In this country I would think there would be more people out there willing to lend a helping hand instead of treating you as if your feelings and hardship are just work to them.
I am adding information if anyone has any ideas besides welfare and catholic charities (I am on tanf and the charities said they are low on funds). Please call 760-272-5513
I have two children.My daughter is 1 and my son is 3 months. We are now homeless, we are on waiting lists for shelters and I spent all the money I had on a hotel room in which I had to check out of as of 11 am today.There is alot of help from agencies once I get into a shelter But thats the problem I am not able to get into a shelter.Plz Someone Hear this.. HELP In Minnesota!
Are you still out there Heather? I’d like to try to help you
Please reply
Heather please email me at angelaperry@lycos.com
I keep reading these stories and they make me more upset day by day.. the problem is you have to many people that can do something about it only worried about one thing themselves. I wish I had the funds to help or knew a way to get the funds to help beacuse I have alot of plans that would help these poor souls out. It is always painful when you here about small children living on the streets. I live out in the country and never understood why the goverment would ont set up some program to supply housing for people in need in areas like I live in..If there is anyone out there that knows of programs like this or anyway I can get funding to start up a program like this please email me I would love to help out..bigknisley@yahoo.com
Thank you everyone for you comments. The action page for The Soloist provides wonderful resources for those looking to help and for those in need. Please take a look: http://www.takepart.com/thesoloist/