A Benefit for Homeless Children in The Bluegrass
Are There Really Homeless Kids in The Bluegrass?
Homeless families with children of all ages come to The Salvation Army emergency shelter seeking refuge. So many families in our area are just a paycheck away from being out on the street. Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. People who are poor are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, child care, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income, that must be dropped. Being poor means being an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets.
Where do Homeless Families go in The Bluegrass?
The Salvation Army operates the ONLY emergency shelter for families in Central Kentucky. 24 Hours a day, 365 days a year The Salvation Army stands ready to serve the neediest in our community with love and compassion. Last year The Salvation Army emergency shelter in Lexington provided a safe haven for 328 children who were members of homeless families. In 2007, The Salvation Army provided 38,649 nights of lodging to those who had no where to go, right here in The Bluegrass.
Homeless families with children of all ages come to The Salvation Army emergency shelter seeking refuge. So many families in our area are just a paycheck away from being out on the street. Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. People who are poor are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, child care, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income, that must be dropped. Being poor means being an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets.
Where do Homeless Families go in The Bluegrass?
The Salvation Army operates the ONLY emergency shelter for families in Central Kentucky. 24 Hours a day, 365 days a year The Salvation Army stands ready to serve the neediest in our community with love and compassion. Last year The Salvation Army emergency shelter in Lexington provided a safe haven for 328 children who were members of homeless families. In 2007, The Salvation Army provided 38,649 nights of lodging to those who had no where to go, right here in The Bluegrass.
THE TRUTH CHALLENGE
Family Exercise:
Have a family member close their eyes and imagine a homeless person. Ask them to describe the person.
The Truth:
Families with children are now the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, accounting for about 40% of the nation's homeless. (2000)
The Truth:
41% of homeless children are under the age of five.
The Truth:
Almost 1/3 of low-income families do not have enough money to prepare three meals a day.
The Truth
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 1.35 million U.S. children are homeless on any given night.
What does the Salvation Army do for homeless families?
The first step in serving families in crisis is to meet the basic need. Shelter and meals are provided in a safe environment. Then parents meet with certified caseworkers and begin a road to recovery and independence. Often families have medical or mental health issues that need to be addressed. The Salvation Army offers an on-site medical clinic provided through a partnership with The University of Kentucky's College of Medicine.
Parents Receive
● Professional intensive case management
● Job Training (In-house and offsite)
● Life Skills & Computer Classes
● Mental Health & Spiritual Counseling
● Transportation
● Housing Placement
While parents are working hard to achieve independence their children are nurtured, educated and cared for.
Children Receive
Free access to The Salvation Army Early Learning Center
●Care for Children 6 Weeks to 5 Years Old
●Stars Rated Education Center
●Conducts mental, physical, and emotional assessments
●Provides professional help for children with special needs
●Prepares children for successful transition into Kindergarten
Free access tot The Salvation Army Boys' & Girls' Club
●Care for School aged children
●Homework Room with certified teacher
●State of the art Computer lab
●Arts & Crafts Room
●Full size Gymnasium
●Programs to promote Health, Leadership, and Good Citizenship
The first step in serving families in crisis is to meet the basic need. Shelter and meals are provided in a safe environment. Then parents meet with certified caseworkers and begin a road to recovery and independence. Often families have medical or mental health issues that need to be addressed. The Salvation Army offers an on-site medical clinic provided through a partnership with The University of Kentucky's College of Medicine.
Parents Receive
● Professional intensive case management
● Job Training (In-house and offsite)
● Life Skills & Computer Classes
● Mental Health & Spiritual Counseling
● Transportation
● Housing Placement
While parents are working hard to achieve independence their children are nurtured, educated and cared for.
Children Receive
Free access to The Salvation Army Early Learning Center
●Care for Children 6 Weeks to 5 Years Old
●Stars Rated Education Center
●Conducts mental, physical, and emotional assessments
●Provides professional help for children with special needs
●Prepares children for successful transition into Kindergarten
Free access tot The Salvation Army Boys' & Girls' Club
●Care for School aged children
●Homework Room with certified teacher
●State of the art Computer lab
●Arts & Crafts Room
●Full size Gymnasium
●Programs to promote Health, Leadership, and Good Citizenship
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LemonAiD Story
Homeless Kids?
Donate
Corporate Sponsors
Become a LemonAid Ambassador
