National Homelessness Awareness Week

“National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week” is held each year the week before Thanksgiving. This year, it is held on November 12th  through the 20th.  As we prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday and think about all that we are thankful for, we are asking you to remember that some families have it harder than others. And worse, there are many families with very young children who are experiencing homelessness in America.
 
At Children Today, every year we serve more than 100 children and their families who are experiencing homelessness. Some families are living in shelters or are temporarily housed in motels. And, yes some families are currently living on the streets. This is difficult for most of us to imagine. Recently, we enrolled Taylor (not her real name) into our preschool program. She is two years old. Her parents are Mary and Nathan (not their real names). Mary told us that their family is currently living at the beach and sleeping wherever they can.  She tried to make us feel better about her situation and assured us that she had lots of blankets and covers to stay warm at night. The family has been homeless since January when Mary lost her job. Mary is just like you and I. She is a very concerned and doting mother and she wants the best for her daughter. We connected them to the City of Long Beach’s Multi-Service Center for the Homeless. Here, Mary and Nathan will receive services from a collaboration of agencies that will help them to obtain housing and with other basic needs. In the meantime, Taylor is being cared for by our staff at Children Today. Our teachers provide her with social and emotional support and care, so that she feels safe and secure.  As you can imagine, this is not easy for her, given her family’s housing situation.
 
In recognition of “National Hunger and Homelessness Week,” you can help families like the one described above by making a contribution to Children Today.  Please make a tax deductible donation.

Thank you.