WE NEED YOUR SOCKS!

At some point, you've probably seen a homeless person. Some live out of their cars, others appear to be wandering around aimlessly, or perhaps holding a sign seeking your assistance.  How many times have we looked the other way, pretending that we were doing something else? I don't think these people choose to be walking around in the rain, while we drive comfortably in our dry cars. No, I believe they have hopes, dreams and aspirations just as we do.  I think they desperately wish we wouldn't look at them with contempt and scorn, while hoping they are able to find something to eat even just once a day.  I also imagine the incredible embarrassment they must feel.

There are  women who are out there alone, suffering, not having enough to eat, possibly separated from their children, or living in fear.  Some of these women are in this situation because they simply couldn't take the emotional, physical, sexual or verbal abuse any longer from someone who professed to love them. In fact, many cities throughout the US indicate this as the reason for homelessness for women, and these women admit that domestic violence is why they are homeless. What a vicious cycle

On a Single Night in January 2016 • Half of all people experiencing homelessness did so in one of five states: California (22% or 118,142 people); New York (16% or 86,352 people); Florida (6% or 33,559 people); Texas (4% or 23,122 people); and Washington (4% or 20,827 people). • Of the 118,142 people experiencing homelessness in California, 66 percent (78,390 people) were without shelter and 34 percent (39,752) were staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens. • California accounted for nearly half of all unsheltered people in the country in 2016 (44%). Florida had the second highest share of the unsheltered homeless population in the U.S., with nine percent (15,361 people). • In four states, more than half of all people experiencing homelessness lived in unsheltered locations: California (66%), Oregon (61%), Hawaii (54%), and Nevada (53%)

THIS  recent data from HUD can be found in the agency's 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congresss.

Society may look upon them with disdain, yet I admire the tremendous courage it must have taken for these mistreated women to leave their homes with nothing, in an attempt to gain back some self-esteem and self-worth, or simply the chance to understand how important and beautiful they really are.  They may be driving around in their cars piled with blankets or canned food, or perhaps the car is entirely empty, devoid even of gas to get to the next safe place.  

Ironically, many have held high paying jobs, earned college degrees, or traveled around the world. Some gave up their dreams due to someone who wanted to exhibit total control, or others may have no skills. My heart cries for their pain, wanting to see them succeed.

You may also surprised to know that one of the MOST needed items in a shelter are socks, but they are also the LEAST donated.  Even in the summer people need protection for their feet. I'm offering a challenge.  I'd like to donate 100 pairs of socks to a local shelter here in NC, and my goodness there are several, but I need your help.  Some are for women and children only, some are for men, and a few are co-ed.  They all have the same needs.  

If you email me at goddess10@gmail.com , I'll provide my address to have the socks mailed or delivered to me. We DO NOT want cash, please, just socks.  Once we get to that number, I'll take a picture and post on the blog and head to that shelter.  The 1st Shelter is Meet Me At the Bridge, Moore Square, Raleigh NC 919-210-8504.  We plan to surprise them by showing up at their door with 100 pairs of socks to make things a little easier for residents, or those outside of the shelter they often help.  Can we count on your support to meet this goal?  We need NEW socks for infants, kids, women and men, please.

Once we've delivered those 100, we'll start again for a new shelter.  We're on fire for this project and hope you are too!

On a Single Night in January 2016 • 39,471 veterans were experiencing homelessness in the U.S., accounting for just over nine percent of all homeless adults. • Two thirds of homeless veterans (67% or 26,404 veterans) were staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or safe havens, while a third (33% or 13,067 veterans) were found in places not suitable for human habitation. • Almost all veterans were experiencing homelessness in households without children (97% or 38,340 veterans). About three percent (1,131) were veterans who were homeless as part of a family. • Veterans experiencing homelessness as part of a family were more likely to be staying in sheltered locations than veterans experiencing homelessness as individuals (75% compared to 67%)

The most recent data from HUD can be found in the agency's 2016 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congresss.