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The Face of the New Homeless The face of homelessness is changing. We have always thought of them as mental misfits, single men, aimless alcoholics. Surely they are nothing like you and I. Look again. Sadly, the fastest-growing segment of homelessness are women and children according to the National Coalition of homeless. An estimated three million Americans, over a third of them women with children, must go without the most basic needs. Imagine the stress of having to choose between paying the rent and feeding your children. Poverty affects women disproportionately, as women earn less than men, yet the high number of single-mother households mean that it is women, who are bearing the sole burden of many families basic living expenses. A missed paycheck, a health crisis, an unforeseen financial bill or domestic violence, can send them over the edge. For children, the stigma of being homeless can be especially brutal. The worst part may be having to lie to your friends about where you live, afraid they'll find out. Shelters can be a short term band-aid. What families who are facing long term homelessness need, are programs and organizations that provide a safe place to live for a duration of time long enough time to establish the finances and the social retraining needed to accomplish the goal of becoming stable productive members of society.
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Women Rebuilding Lives.
The following are excerpts from letters written to FUSION by women who FUSION and the YWCA helped with transitional housing and case management: "When I lost my job shortly after Sept
11, my family and I became faced with homelessness. FUSION saved my
family with shelter, clothing, and holiday dinners...FUSION has given my
family a place to call home...being protected from the elements is a
pretty big deal when you're a single parent of three. My eldest daughter
is a 12th grade running start student...enrolled in both high school and
college. The YWCA assisted with purchasing college books, and she had
successfully completed 45 credits with a 3.95GPA. FUSION will be
supplying her with a well deserved dress for the senior prom. -March 2003- "To realize that somehow I deserved to live in such a nice place had changed not only my opinion of the kind of place I could live in, but also my feeling about myself and my future. Having a stable, secure place to stay in, provided me with the opportunity to start over...The whole experience has been an empowering one. One that has me feeling as if I, by being empowered myself, can give a greater gift to the world." "Nobody wants to be homeless, cold, or hungry, especially children because they don't have a say. I know you've given my children a future and a hope. And because of that I want to give back to this community...I have such high hopes for the future and I thank you."
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Heartfelt Thank you Dear Volunteer, I stand in front of a door to a FUSION unit, holding its key. I barely dare to hope. I turn the key. Standing within its walls, tears of joy and disbelief stain my face. “Is this where we’re going to live mommy?” my child asks excitedly. My head spins. A door of our own, Rooms of our own, Beds of our own, Privacy and safety, Luxury and beauty surround me. “Yes, this is our home now” I answer. I may never have the chance to meet you, or shake your hand, or tell you what this “key” has meant to me. We will probably remain nameless and faceless to each other. But know that when I thank God for this haven of hope, this real home, I thank you too, because this chance, this key can make all the difference in my tomorrows. Thank you Nameless, but no longer hopeless! -Anonymous-
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