The Salvation Army Syracuse Area Services’ Post

We must break down misconceptions and demand change from our policymakers to help those experiencing homelessness. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eX7WkXdQ #ECFimpact #servecompassionately

🏠 Providing Shelter and Hope for Homeless Youth! 🏠 Covenant House offers more than just a roof to homeless youth, including many who have aged out of foster care. They provide essential services like shelter, food, and critical care to young people in need, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Their work with youth ensures no young person is left behind, offering a safe space and a path forward. For those impacted by the foster system, stable housing is transformative. It not only provides physical security but also creates the foundation for positive life changes, such as improved mental health, better educational outcomes, and long-term stability. By providing a compassionate, stable environment, Covenant House helps youth regain control of their lives, break the cycle of homelessness, and build a future filled with opportunity. You can visit Covenant House's website to find out how you can support their efforts to end youth homelessness. 🌐 Website: covenanthouse.org Know a resource that can help youth like this? Let’s connect and share similar supports, or learn more about how resources like Covenant House is making a real difference in the lives of those impacted by the system. Together, we can help create the foundation for a brighter future! 💙 #YouthHomelessness #FosterYouth #CovenantHouse #SupportAndShelter #HopeAndDignity

Webinar: Homelessness and the Supreme Court 🗓️ Date: Thursday March 14th 🕒 Time: 12pm ET / 9am PT 📍Register here: https://lnkd.in/eb3cp_XH From small towns to big cities, every person needs a safe place to sleep at night but the upcoming Supreme Court hearing of Grants Pass, Oregon vs. Johnson could allow towns to ticket and fine people for sleeping outside, even when they have nowhere to go. This case will have huge implications for how the country addresses homelessness. With more people paying attention to the issue, it’s an opportunity to elevate solutions that respect the rights and dignity of people who are unhoused, and address community concerns. How can housing and advocacy organizations communicate about this case to expand broad public support for compassionate, proven solutions to homelessness? Join three leaders in a conversation about how research, experience, and strategy inform their communications about this case.

Today we kicked off Homelessness Week - ‘Homelessness Action Now’ by hosting an internal Haven Home Safe event discussing the challenges, misunderstandings and successes of working to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In addition to being awestruck by the incredible work of our staff a few key action themes emerged: 💙 We cannot do this alone. Often the best client outcomes are the result of formal and informal partnerships and community support to deliver outcomes. 💙 Advocacy makes a difference. Our councils, state and federal governments are listening to us. We heard examples of community support resulting in change such as local planning permits changing to support homeless families. It is up to each of us to shout from the rooftops about issues that impact the communities we live in and to raise issues with government bodies working to make a difference. 💙 The current system (without access to sufficient social housing) is causing more trauma and delaying outcomes. While we wait to build more homes, we need some flexibility in how we (and other services) deliver support to people with complex needs. Despite the challenges, the passion and dedication of our staff could not be clearer. We are so proud of the work our staff do and taking the time to reflect on this was a great way to start Homelessness Week. 

Greater Seattle residents, the Seattle Times wants to hear from you: How has your view of homelessness changed? Read the article below to learn more about Project Homelessness and how to contribute. https://lnkd.in/dSPYB55G

part2 Scottish Parliament has committeed to respecting Rights of the Child. Yet has not yet articulated that in terms of making positive obligations upon local councils to implement their awarded power to set a rent cap (rent ceiling) for the purpose of respecting, protecting and realising a Child's right to "adequate housing"https://accionvegana.org/accio/0ITbvNmLulGZltmbpxmL3d3d6MHc0/his home (iCESCR). That missing link can be addressed. Limiting the price as well as the quantum of AirB&B is becoming a necessary part of the remedy too. Capping longterm rents without the same for AirB&B, creates a drive towards more of the latter. Scottish parliament has done good detailed work on the issue of affordability & rent caps. Yet fails in its meaningful application. Often for political reasons. Planning departments could require new build affordability to include a higher % to be ringfenced for families incl low income households. They could also include a % to be for multigenerational households. Financial, insurance & legal detterance against a family sharing or having a "lodger", including in rented accomodation, can be addressed. Maybe its time for the kids to say - enough is enough. A framework for a legal action in Scotland is provided via iCESCR, the iCRC and the Scotland Act.

It's easy to take for granted having a safe and cozy place to go home to every night, especially as the harsh winter season looms. People experiencing homelessness are often easily judged. Many assume they just "made bad choices" that put them in the position they’re in. At Guild, we now that each person’s experience is far more complicated than that, and that there are many variables that lead a person to homelessness. Visit the Guild blog to learn more about some of the common misconceptions about homelessness — and how you can help people experiencing homelessness in your community: https://bit.ly/3MUrV2I

🌟 Supporting Homeless Families: A Compassionate Approach 🌟 In our communities, there are families and individuals experiencing homelessness who may not be ready to accept help. It can be challenging, but together we can make a difference! Here are some ways to engage compassionately and effectively: 🤝 Build Trust: Take the time to listen and connect. Show that you care without judgment. 📜 Share Resources: Provide information about local shelters, food services, and support programs in a gentle, non-intrusive way. 👐 Offer Practical Help: Sometimes, a little assistance with food, clothing, or transportation can open the door to further support. 👥 Peer Support: Encourage connections with others who have shared similar experiences. Peer relationships can foster trust and community. ⏳ Be Patient: Change takes time. Keep showing up, offering support, and respecting their choices. 💬 Tailor Your Approach: Understand that everyone’s journey is unique. Customize your support based on their specific needs and circumstances. 🌈 Empower Self-Determination: Encourage families to set their own goals. Empowerment can lead to motivation for change. 🏡 Advocate for Change: Let’s work together towards systemic solutions—affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and job opportunities for all. Together, we can create a compassionate community where everyone feels valued and supported. 💖✨ #EndHomelessness #CompassionInAction #SupportOurNeighbors #CommunityLove #Empowerment Feel free to share your thoughts or ways you’ve been able to help in the comments below! 👇💬

💙 This National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, we’re celebrating Decatur Cooperative Ministry Incorporated (DCM), a beacon of hope for families and individuals facing housing insecurity in DeKalb County. 🏠 With over 50 years of experience, DCM addresses housing instability by providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term solutions. They understand that challenges like domestic violence, hunger, and lack of access to educational support are often interwoven, creating barriers to safety and stability. 💡 DCM’s holistic approach empowers clients to rebuild their lives, whether through finding safe housing, pursuing education, or healing from cycles of violence. Their work reminds us that tackling homelessness requires compassion, creativity, and a focus on each person’s unique journey. 🤲 Join me in recognizing DCM and others who are committed to creating pathways toward equity and resilience. Together, we can advocate for communities where everyone has a safe place to call home. #HungerAndHomelessnessAwareness #DecaturCooperativeMinistry #HousingForAll #CommunitySupport #EquityInAction #HHWEEK

SVdP underlines the value charity brings by transforming lives TODAY in a tailored, adaptable, and personally connected way. While there's an obvious policy dimension not explicitly addressed here that needs its own advocates (why, even beyond the housing crisis, are so many Americans on the brink of homelessness?), community-based, neighbor-to-neighbor solutions enable us not only to provide direct impact, but to know, love, and enter into relationship with the people around us. Today's nonprofits, activists, and donors can be quick to denigrate traditional charity, which does not have the same impact-at-scale as "root cause work," but charity done well is a culture-building habit and a solution to the alienation increasingly built into modern philanthropy.