Responding to Gaston County’s homeless family needs

 

Being without a safe, warn place to sleep and eat is a profound crisis for anyone, but especially for families. This is the plight of our ever-growing homeless population.

And the numbers are mind-boggling.

An estimated 300 to 400 residents on any given day in Gaston County, a lovely area with a total population of 190,365 near the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains – are in fact homeless or “at risk” of homelessness. According to a survey conducted in January 2003, twenty-nine (29) of the families include children.

            This staggering statistic is due in large part to a lack of affordable housing in Gaston County. Yet, there are many factors that result in families becoming homeless – illness, domestic violence, divorce and unemployment, all contributing to a cruel spiral of poverty.

            In Gaston County homelessness is not readily apparent. Most homeless families take refuge in a relative or friend’s home, or stay in sub-standard hotels, or sleep in their vehicles.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP!

            Our long-term goal is to help our families stay on their feet financially, and achieve their goal of having a fulfilling, productive way of life. That is why so much attention is given to counseling families on ways to take control of their lives.

            At IHN, we also seek to get on our feet financially. Our expenses in FY03-04 will run about $115,800.00. Of that 82,353.00 (71.1%) is directly related to family services – time spent on case management activities (counseling and mentoring), conducting budgeting classes, fees for GED testing and technical training, and other family needs (laundry, gasoline, bus passes, beds, linens, etc.).

            General operations (utilities, telephone, vehicle expenses, insurance) cost another $26,032.00 (22.5%). Only $7,415.00 (6.4%) goes to cover fund raising, public affairs and other expenses.

So what can you do to help?

·         Pray For All Who Are Homeless And In Need

·         Become A Host Church

·         Become A Support Church

·         Volunteer At The Day Center

·         Contact your church coordinator to prepare a meal, help tutor a child, drive the van or any of a dozen other tasks that each host congregation will face during their week with our guests.

·         Pledge your support by making a tax-deductible charitable donation.

 

And the King will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”.

Matthew 25:40