Responding to the need

My blog last week – “needs on the rise” – shared with you the increasing number of calls we’re receiving from homeless families in our community. On average, we receive about 20 phone calls each month. As I mentioned last week, this past January we received the second highest number of calls (30) since July 2008. Mid way through April, we’ve already received 20 calls from homeless families – each in desperate situations and struggling to survive.

So how do we respond? Jody – our Family Ministry Specialist – talks with each woman who calls to assess her family’s circumstances and then compares their needs to our available resources. Do we have bed space available to accommodate their family size? Is there room for the children in our children’s programs based on their ages and our staff/child ratios required by state licensing? Do they have any other housing options available … family or friends they can stay with at least temporarily? What’s most concerning to me is the trend we’re seeing. As shared by many homeless service providers, the numbers of homeless families needing shelter is increasing at an alarming rate.

What we’re doing in response is working to raise more funds so we can provide the staff and resources needed for the increasing inquiries and provide referrals to other community services, operate at capacity to help as many families as possible, and effectively serve our growing number of graduate families in after-care. You can help us help others by spreading the word and supporting our efforts such as our upcoming Visions for Hope event on Thursday, April 29 at the Delaplaine Visual Arts and Education Center in downtown Frederick. This event … kids helping kids … is a silent auction of children’s artwork to benefit Hope Alive’s children’s programs. It promises to be a fun event for the entire family.

Yesterday I saw a few examples of our resident children’s photography that they’ve entered in the Visions for Hope silent auction. Their photos are stunning! I could hardly believe they were taken by our very own 6 and 8 year old residents. Check out our website for more information and come meet our young artists. Together we can respond to the needs and make a difference! Until next week …

Sue Oehmig
Founder and Executive Director