More than 1.5 million children are homeless at some point in their lives, and this number is, unfortunately, still increasing according to www.prweb.com. Every day, 13 kids die on the streets throughout the United States. Orange County, Ca. is one of the counties with the highest homeless youth count — 22,025 estimated in 2008-09 by www.gchope.org.
These children lose their homes, friends, life routine and sense of safety and stability. A lot of the time, homeless children are also victims of crime and trauma. Because they are out on the streets, they are exposed to significant danger, which increases their chances of substance abuse, early parenthood, impulsivity, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and vulnerability to trafficking. Many victims of sexual or physical abuse become homeless as they try to escape from their terrible situation.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is now providing help to these families and children in need. They provide resources and knowledge to communities, educators, child welfare professionals and policymakers to better understand the situation and deal with homeless youth.
But this is not the only organization that is helping to spread awareness and information. The House of Representatives and the Senate in 2007 declared that they serve as an outlet to increase public awareness of any ongoing issue of homeless youth that occurs in cities across the United States.
Two local organizations, Milagro House and the Bethesda Mission, are making a huge difference in the community. Milagro House in Lancaster is a long-term, education-based program that helps restore the lives of women and children. They provide shelter, support and guidance to families that are in need of assistance. Milagro House promotes personal integrity, self-reliance and social responsibility to help motivate the families in the shelter.
Milagro House was founded in 1998 as a transitional program for homeless mothers and their children. It was originally located in a rented row house in Lancaster, surrounded by drug dealers and addict neighbors. However, since then, the program has bought many other houses on the now peaceful and clean street, providing homes for nine different families at a time. They also opened up a second location, which houses nine more families as well as an education center.
One great program that Milagro House offers is the Milagro House Education Center, which offers classes for GED preparation, as well as remedial and enrichment education classes. They also run a “give-away shop” where they collect donations from neighbors and community members to distribute to the residents. Milagro House is solely-funded by private donations from the Lancaster community, businesses, schools, churches and fraternal groups. They do no solicit or receive government funding. Instead, they hold numerous fundraisers such as “Evening of Miracles,” which helps funding, in addition to adding new supporters to the program.
To stay in one of the housing facilities, residents are required to complete various programs. Also, women who have completed the program remain a part of the supportive housing program and can take advantage of the services offered even when they are eventually in their own housing. Women may find themselves seeking help from this program for many reasons, such as recovering from addiction, mental illness, abuse, suffering from low self-esteem, insufficient education, inadequate parenting skills or poor self discipline and homelessness. The program provides weekly mental health counseling, budgeting guidance and parental support for these women. Milagro House has provided service to hundreds of families, including over one thousand children, and is still growing today.
The Bethesda Mission has been providing help to hungry and homeless people in Harrisburg since 1914 and provides a refuge for over 80 men and 25 women and children. It has a long-term program that deals with the cause of dysfunctional lifestyles through group and individual counseling with 467 people currently participating. Social services also helps supplement the program by providing benefits such as medical, veteran, welfare and social security.
There are other clinics and programs that assist with the needs of these people, such as medical and dental clinics, which are provided by medical personnel who volunteer their services. Bethesda Mission’s youth ministry works with 7 to 18-year-olds using mentoring and programming in order to provide knowledge and strength to live their lives in a constructive way. They offer a public soup line that is served nightly as well as food and clothing, personal care items, blankets and Christmas gifts. Sleeping bags, warm clothing, sandwiches, coffee and soup are provided by the mobile mission to those on the streets. In 2010, the Bethesda Mission ministered to over 5,130 people.
There are many opportunities to get involved this month and assist with National Youth Homeless Awareness Month. One opportunity is “The Faces of Homelessness and Hunger” benefit concert. The concert is completely free and is located at the East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church. It will be held Nov. 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monetary and nonperishable food donations will be accepted.
Another opportunity is a 5K run/walk. It is being held Nov. 12 at Franklin and Marshall College. The proceeds will benefit Lancaster’s Heading Home Fund and local food banks. The cost to participate is $10, and you can pre-register online at www.uwlanc.org or register on Nov. 12 between 8:30 and 9:00 am, for $15 per person. If you are a student at Millersville University, Elizabethtown College or F&M, the cost is $10 with your student ID. You are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to this event as well.
