This Sunday, November 15th, is the first day of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week! While there has been slow but steady progress over the past thirty years, there is still a tremendous number of people around the world who live in extreme poverty. Even in the United States, many people live on the edge, forced to choose between basic necessities like purchasing food, paying rent, or going to the doctor. And while often hidden from public view, many youth experience homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Not just oversees or nationally, but right here in Washington State. Right here in our very our own community…

  • 40,365 students experienced homelessness during the 2017-18 school year according to the 2015-18 Report from Schoolhouse Washington.

  • About one out of every 25 K-12 students in Washington state—nearly one in every classroom—will experience homelessness, living in hotels, in cars, or with friends, sometime during the school year according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington.

Oftentimes, stereotypes surrounding homelessness prevail and the truth around the challenges people face get lost in the noise. Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is an opportunity to share with your friends and community the facts surrounding homelessness. We invite you to join us in raising awareness about youth homelessness in your community November 15-22! You can help change the world for homeless youth by sharing! 

Share during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week:
November 15 – 22

We’ve made it easy for you to share! Below is an image that you can share with some facts to help provide insight into youth homelessness and the challenges that youth are often up against.

You can download the image below to share!

BARRIERS AND DANGERS FACING THE YOUTH WE SERVE:

trauma // addiction
46% of youth experiencing homelessness were physically abused at their home. [2] About 80% of homeless youth age 12-21 used drugs or alcohol as a means to self-medicate to deal with traumatic experiences and abuse. [3]

rejection
Up to 40% of youth experiencing homelessness are LGBT. Many experience rejection from their family. [2]

human trafficking
More than 1/3 of homeless youth engage in survival sex. 162,000 homeless youth are estimated to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States. [2]

the housing crisis
In Washington State, a minimum wage earner ($13.50/hr) would have to work 73 hrs/week to afford a modest 1 bedroom rental home at Fair Market Rent. [1]

You can help provide youth with a supportive community they can turn to for guidance and resources. People to walk with them as they face these challenges. You can help youth find safety, healing, and a home through The Coffee Oasis.

Join the Real Hope Club and provide consistent care for youth every month!

 

The Real Hope Club is a group of people who are committed monthly givers. As a member, you will receive a welcome pack and regular updates on the ways you are helping provide care for youth experiencing homelessness. And most importantly, your monthly gift will provide youth with the consistent care they need. Your monthly gift will help provide housing, therapy, job training classes, and more for youth experiencing homelessness.

Other ways you can get involved during Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week:

  • Volunteer as a youth mentor, crisis text-line responder, or check out our other volunteer opportunities!
  • Create a personal Facebook Fundraiser and share with your friends.
  • Encourage others you know to join the Real Hope Club!
SOURCES:
1. National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Out of Reach 2020: Washington.” reports.nlihc.org/oor/washington.
2. National Network for Youth. “Unaccompanied Youth Fact Sheet.” nn4youth.org.
3. Greene, J.M., S.T. Ennett, and C.L. Ringwalt. “Substance use among runaway and homeless youth in three national samples.” American Journal of Public Health, 1997.