Kevin Duffer’s Post

As the temperatures drop, it’s hard not to think about the impact on those most vulnerable: those who lack stable housing. Recently, Homeward Iowa released a report detailing the challenges of unsheltered families in our community. This is important for many reasons, but primarily, it allows a first-hand account of how we can do better to support those who are trying to meet the most basic of needs. When I say we I mean: nonprofit organizations, donors, funders, neighbors, neighborhood and business associations, elected officials…literally all of us. Making these changes is no small feat–it will take financial investment, policy shifts, and collective voices. It will take all of us. It will not be solved in one year or by any one person or group. Consider, as you look towards the holidays and new year, what impact you would like to see in our community next year and how you can play a role. There are many individuals and nonprofits working in our community to solve homelessness and housing insecurity. We are grateful to know and support so many. It is incumbent upon us to support those doing this work and challenge ourselves to do better for the change we want to see in our community and world. https://lnkd.in/gxV4dXPv

[Endorsement] Thank you for your endorsement, Mayor Jeff Toborg, PMP! Visit the link in my bio to learn more about me, volunteer, and donate. As commissioner, I will bring my commitment to community service to address the challenges we face. We will: • Hold Sheriff Brown accountable for overspending and administrative issues that affect law enforcement quality. • Ensure our law enforcement is well-equipped, trained, and staffed without breaking the budget. • Implement a “Treatment First” approach to homelessness, focusing on underlying problems before permanent housing and keeping community members in temporary shelters during treatment. • Reevaluate affordable housing strategies, focusing on improving the economics of building modest, affordable homes. • Enhance our sense of community to reduce the mental health impacts of isolation and loneliness. #Tyler4Commissioner #Endorsement4Tyler

A Tale of Two Transitional Programs For veterans experiencing homelessness, Veterans Affairs and Congress enacted the Grant & Per Diem Transitional Program to provide transitional housing and supportive services for VA-eligible veterans to access resources for sustainable housing, financial stability, and medical and mental health wellness. The following is a comparison of two GPD transitional programs: • Catholic Charities AZ MANA House / Phoenix, AZ • NYC Dept. of Homeless Services Borden Avenue Veterans’ Residence / New York City, NY https://lnkd.in/eg-ZvAqf

Join Us in Changing Lives Dear compassionate souls, I’m Geraldine Churchwell, Founder & CEO of The Circle of Life Inc, and I invite you to be part of a transformative journey. Our mission? To lift those experiencing homelessness off the streets, provide temporary shelter, offer essential services, and empower them toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Who We Are: We’re not just a shelter; we’re a bridge to hope. Our goal is to raise $15 million to fund client expenses, start sustainable businesses, and create income opportunities. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support, your network, and your heart. How You Can Help: Monetary Donations: Every dollar counts. Help cover administrative and operational expenses. In-Kind Donations: Consider furnishings, employment leads, or housing resources. Volunteer: Be part of our team—whether you’re a lawyer, CPA, event planner, or digital marketing whiz. Spread the Word: Share our cause with family, friends, and colleagues. You never know who might lend a hand. Chosen 300 Ministries: We’re also supporting Chosen300.org, feeding 300 homeless and unemployed individuals. Plastic products, food, and personal care items are urgently needed. Immediate Needs: 300 Rooms: We’re seeking temporary shelters—apartments, houses, motels, or hotels. Cleaning Products: For those rooms. Jobs: We’re on the hunt for employment opportunities for our clients. Homelessness in Philadelphia: The numbers are stark: 4,725 people experienced homelessness in 2023, a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Imagine facing wind, rain, and snow without shelter. It’s a reality for many. Join Our Movement: Advertise with Impact: By purchasing an ad in the East Coast Urban Entertainment/Business Journal, you’ll amplify our message. Charles R. Cook Jr., our CEO & Publisher, is committed to spreading the word. Contact Charles: Reach out at Charles@DelawareValleyHomeJournals.com  or 856-398-5400. https://lnkd.in/eWdTdied Blessings Await: Your generosity can change lives. Let’s create a ripple effect of compassion—one that echoes far beyond the pages of a magazine. Donate Today: For drop-off donations, call Yumy Odom at 908-334-1793. Mail checks/money orders to: The Frator Heru Institute 2227 N Broad St, 3rd Fl Phila PA 19132. Specify “administration/operational expenses” or “Sponsorship Funds for The Circle of Life Inc. PayPal Donations: Visit https://lnkd.in/deryvNS. Specify “administration/operational expenses” or “Sponsorship Funds for The Circle of Life Inc.” 501c3 tax deductible. Thank you for being a beacon of hope. Together, we’ll turn despair into possibility. With gratitude, Geraldine Churchwell Founder & CEO, The Circle of Life Inc Transitional Homeless Shelter 215-954-3799 (CALL/TEXT) msgerry@thecircleoflifeinc.org  www.thecircleoflifeinc.org

💲Community organisations still have an opportunity to apply for funding to support vulnerable residents of Redlands Coast. Eligible not-for-profit groups can access funding across three categories, including a Quick Response option that offers up to $5,000. Applications for the Civic Support Fund close on Sunday, 30 June 2024, or sooner if available funds are exhausted. For more details, eligibility and how to apply, visit 👉 redlnd.cc/3Q0v29V 🥗 The Civic Support Fund was created to help community groups assist residents who have been impacted by cost-of-living pressures. It can cover funding for basics such as food, essential medication, personal and household items or essential furniture. The program aims to help vulnerable community members, particularly those who have increased risk factors such as child safety, domestic and family violence, homelessness and housing stress, mental health and the frail, ageing or those with disability.

Last night, I swapped the comfort of my bed for a sleeping bag on the cold concrete as part of #centrepoint's Sleep Out event. CentrePoint is an incredible charity working with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This experience gave me just a tiny glimpse into the harsh realities faced by so many young people in the UK. What was the hardest part? The cold. The noise. The feeling of vulnerability. Even knowing I was in a safe and organised environment, it was unsettling. It made me reflect deeply on how different it must feel for young people who face this uncertainty every night. What struck me the most? At the event, we learned about the complex factors that lead to homelessness. These can include family breakdowns, leaving care, escaping abuse, or simply being dealt an unfair hand in life. One fact stood out to me: homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head, it’s about losing opportunities for education, employment, and stability. The cycle can feel impossible to break without support. How can you help? Homelessness is an issue we can all play a part in addressing. Please consider donating to my fundraising page https://lnkd.in/e-ED9sWd. Your contribution, no matter how small, can help CentrePoint provide the support young people need to turn their lives around. Together, we can make a difference.

Hey The Labour Party , we loved your manifesto promise to create a cross departmental strategy to end homelessness. Just so happens to be what we've been calling for over the past year through the #PlanForThe136k campaign! 140+ charities have developed a policy check list for how this strategy could meaningfully end youth homelessness. It's 10 easy actions your new government could add to your strategy and tackle this escalating crisis. You can see them via the link below. We know over 50% of entrenched rough sleepers first experience homelessness under the age of 25. Prioritising tackling youth homelessness could halve homelessness in later life, save the tax payer billions and prevent a generations of young Brits from harm. #PlanForThe136k https://buff.ly/4d3H7oX

#CaringIsSharing 💚 I have been working on a thesis for the last 12 months and will continue gathering R&D for another 12 months. I call myself a 'method investor'. I like to understand the problem from the grass roots up and put my money where my mouth is before asking others to consider doing the same. I agree 100% with Simon Squibb 's post below and wish more Entrepreneurs would speak out about the consequences of our successive Governments putting rocket fuel into the hands of those who no longer need Taxpayer funded subsidies. ➡️ I don't prescribe to taking others opinions into account until I've 'lived the experience' myself. ➡️ I've uncovered shameful things at Local Authority levels. ➡️ I've learned there are issues with Insurance and Finance providers selecting against Landlords who want to support affordable housing solutions. ➡️ I've learned about affordable and sustainable build methods available that affected communities can easily help build together. ➡️ I've discussed my thesis with a senior charity executive who ran the UK's biggest overseas aid project in Syria and secured his support. ➡️ I've spoken with support workers who are frustrated with their senior leaders who turn a blind eye to the problems of housing the homeless and getting lives back on track. ➡️ I have visited 'shanty' communities and asked probing questions to evaluate whether individuals would willingly help each other. ➡️ I've asked Government Leaders if they will support my ideas and they have shown great enthusiasm. ➡️ And I asked Wealthy Asset Owners if they would help, if I showed them how to support Disaster Relief Zones, without having to lose control of Assets until they are ready. ➡️ I've already built a decentralised offering that is 14yrs old and next year will make new history in UKFS. I don't have all the answers but I do understand that I can solve key problems in society purely by taking action and not talking about taking action. 🌟THE GOOD NEWS🌟 On the 31st July 2024 my vision becomes viable thanks to changes in the Law that will affect all 45m DC Workplace Pension pot owners. And in 2025 I will be unveiling The Power of Ten (10×) Community, alongside several other initiatives that will offer Gen X, Y and Z'ers the opportunity to help build a fairer, cleaner and more equitable financial eco-system that puts People and the Planet first. I believe we owe it to our little Cherubs 👼 and those less well off, the chance of a better, sustainable future. Advancements in tech will assist Communities and Individuals, who like myself and Simon, believe that #CaringIsSharing 💚. Change is coming 🙌 #BUOM

Francine Katsoudas shared a powerful post spotlighting a heartbreaking reality: 4.2 million youth and teens experience homelessness in the U.S. 💔 As we approach a season of gratitude and giving, let’s consider redirecting some of our resources to impact these young lives. By giving, you can: - Support young people escaping human trafficking and finding safety - Offer hope to those who feel the world has left them behind - Transform spare change into essential shelter, clothing, and protection for those most vulnerable One less pizza, T-shirt, or streaming movie could mean the world to someone without a safe place to sleep. Be a holiday hero—better yet, become a monthly hero! With monthly support, you can keep hope alive for young people who desperately need it, which is an eternal investment with unprecedented ROI. Believe it or not, the most significant difference often comes from everyday people with a heart for those in need. Together, we can make change happen. https://lnkd.in/g7mmfmKP Steve Gatena Ryan Sick Covenant House International