Covenant House Texas’ Post

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

Ever wondered how someone experiencing homelessness gets back on their feet? The answer often lies in the kindness of supporters like you. Your generosity provides: * Critical resources * Structured support * Restored hope and dignity Together, we're not just offering shelter – we're rebuilding lives in our community. Ready to make a difference? Join our mission to provide #LoveBeyondHomelessness. Spread real hope today: https://salarmy.us/4elF0Of

In September Karen McKeon attended HomeFront’s Community Engagement Open House to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Previously, Karen and her family had dropped off donations but this year, in early November, Karen volunteered with the HomeFront Thanksgiving Drive by helping sort and organize Thanksgiving donations as well as creating Thanksgiving baskets. Shared Karen, "Thanksgiving is a time to remind us to pause and reflect on our blessings. My family is fortunate to wake up every day knowing we have a loving home and there is always food on the table for anyone who enters. We will be spending Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends. This is not the case for everyone and HomeFront is an organization that is focused on ending homelessness and breaking the cycle of poverty." Thank you, Karen, for volunteering, and sharing your experience. Here is some information about the HomeFront organization: They believe that, “Every family should experience the joy of a home cooked meal on Thanksgiving Day.” But their mission goes beyond feeding families that are hungry. “HomeFront’s mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. We lessen the immediate pain of homelessness and help families become self-sufficient. We work to give our clients the skills and opportunities to ensure adequate incomes, and we work to increase the availability of adequate, affordable housing. We help homeless families advocate for themselves individually and collectively.” Homefront's way forward to the future is all encompassing, seeking to end homelessness for once and for all. It's ambitious and, as they say, audacious: "We recognize that we cannot end homelessness only by responding once it has already happened but must do what we can to ensure more families never experience the pain of homelessness in the first place. To that end, HomeFront has recently embarked on a multi-year effort to strengthen our capacity to forestall the crises that derail the ambitions and stability of families in our community, with programs and staff working more “upstream” on preventing homelessness." Perhaps there are similar organizations in your community--please share their good work. #foodinsecurity #endhomelessness #communityneeds

💥 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.

I recently had the opportunity to be part of the organizing crew for a sleep-out as part of the Anglicare Ambassadors program, raising awareness and support for homelessness. We spent the night on a rooftop, waking up at 3 AM after a simple dinner of soup and bread. As part of the experience, we ran an interactive game that imitated the struggles homeless people face—scrambling for food and basic resources. It was eye-opening, but it also reinforced a critical point. While these events are powerful for raising awareness, they also serve as a reminder that we need to go further. Awareness is important, but without real, direct action, it falls short of creating the meaningful change that’s desperately needed. Sleeping out on a roof, with just a sleeping bag, may give us a small glimpse into the harsh reality of homelessness, but it’s not enough. We need more sustained, impactful efforts to address the root causes and truly make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. I’ve joined this program to contribute to those efforts and hope to see more initiatives that go beyond awareness—ones that truly impact our communities for the better. #HomelessnessAwareness #DirectImpact #AnglicareAmbassadors #CommunitySupport #MakingADifference #CharityWork #EndHomelessness #SocialChange #ActionForGood

🏠💖 **Extending a Helping Hand to Our Homeless Neighbors** 💫🤝 ♥️🌈🌟 As the cold winds of winter blow and the holiday season approaches, let's take a moment to remember our homeless neighbors who are facing even greater challenges during this time. While many of us are cozy in our homes, there are countless individuals sleeping rough on the streets, struggling to find warmth, shelter, and sustenance. 🌈🌟 But amidst the hardships, there is hope – hope that each one of us can make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. It doesn't take grand gestures or deep pockets to lend a helping hand; sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact. 🌈♥️🌟 Together, let's create a community where everyone has a place to call home and no one is left out in the cold. Let's be the light in someone's darkness and the warmth in their coldest nights. After all, in a world where kindness is free, let's be generous with it. 🌟🤝 #HelpingHomeless #CompassionInAction #CommunitySupport #KindnessMatters #NoOneLeftBehind

“What does this say about our priorities, and what does it say about how we treat people who are experiencing one of the hardest things they’ve ever had to go through in life.” Ben Smith, CEO Mornington Community Support Centre. Almost 4,000 people are on a waiting list for public housing on the Mornington Peninsula. A third of our residents are experiencing some form of rental stress. Too many in our community are sleeping rough on our foreshores or in their cars. There is one crisis accommodation facility on the Mornington Peninsula - The Ranch. The Ranch is entirely community-funded and managed by @MorningtonCommunitySupportCentre, @SouthernPeninsulaCommunitySupportCentre and @WesternPortCommunitySupportCentre. The future of The Ranch is uncertain. We are very proud to be working with @Peninsula Films to tell the story of the people for whom The Ranch is home. And we’d love to see you at the premiere screening of The Ranch - at Peninsula Cinemas Rosebud on Monday August 5th at 7pm, as part of Homelessness Week. There’ll be a Q&A to follow the screening that will unpack some of the issues uncovered in the film, and what you can do to be part of the solution. Our hope is that the film will help inform conversations locally, and provide a sense of urgency to policy makers, to create change. See the preview and to purchase tickets, head to https://lnkd.in/g_8VnUrA The film was made possible with financial support from the Mornington Peninsula Shire Creative Economy Grant and the Mornington Rotary Club. #communitysupportingcommunity #morningtoncommunitysupportcentre #volunteer #homelessnessawareness #homlessnessonthepeninsula #sleepingrough #crisis #crisisaccomodation #morningtonpeninsula

Umbrella of Compassion ☔️🌼😊 It's 5.30 am and I got up due to heavy rainy sound and I wonder, the people who sit comfortably in warm, dry home, but think about those who aren't as fortunate. For the homeless, rainy days bring a harsh reminder of their vulnerability and the urgent need for compassionate action. CTA <Call to Action> : -Clothing drives -Food service -Fiest aid kit -Offer a hand (local place where altogether can stay) -Raise awareness on this serious issue For most of us, rain means cozying up indoors. For those without a home, it means braving the elements with little protection. Let’s shine a light on how we can help.👥️😇🙏 #HomelessSupport #CommunityAction #RainyDays #Volunteerism #SocialGood

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