Day 351: Homeless Emergency Project

There are so many factors that can lead to someone being homeless, making those organizations that are working hard to help people get back on their feet so important. Day 351’s charity is no different, the Homeless Emergency Project’s goal is to be the last shelter ever has to use, by providing services to help individuals and families attain their self-sufficiency again.

Homeless Emergency Prjoect (HEP) is a registered 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Since 1986, their mission has been to provide homeless and very low-in come individuals and families with housing, food, clothing and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. The goal is to break the cycle of homelessness and be the last homeless shelter an individual or family ever has to access.

Anyone can experience homelessness: youth, adults, elderly individuals, families with children, and veterans living in rural areas, small towns, suburban neighborhoods, and big cities.  At first glance, the problem of homelessness seems simple, but in reality examining the reasons behind homelessness requires an understanding of many other issues. Mental health, substance use, physical disability, and physical health are often factors. Affordable housing, access to social services, and education and employment are also critical to both understanding and solving homelessness.

Amount Donated: $5

To support the Homeless Emergency Project, please visit: http://www.ethep.org

Day 293: Pine Street Inn

Today’s give is in honor of Carl D, this guy is a prime example of paying it forward. Carl washes dishes part time at a restaurant in Billerica, MA to earn extra money to donate to charity as part of his spiritual path for lessons in humility and sacrifice. He is a true everyday hero and just another example of someone trying to do a little good in their community. So, I am donating to one of the charities Carl has helped, Pine Street Inn, a group that is working to end homelessness in Boston.

Thanks for the support and inspiration, Carl!

The mission of Pine Street Inn is to be a community of respect and hope for each guest it serves; to be a resource through which neighbors and friends can help to meet the basic needs of others; and to serve as a national leader in the fight to end homelessness. Pine Street Inn is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

Every night, over to 7,000 men, women and children in the City of Boston have no home. Founded in 1969, Pine Street Inn serves more than 1,300 homeless individuals daily and 10,000 annually, providing the full spectrum of services to help men and women reach their highest level of independence and get back to a place they can call home.

Amount Donated: $10

To support Pine Street Inn, please visit: http://www.pinestreetinn.org or make a donation to Carl D’s Crowdrise Project.

Day 278: Back On My Feet

Today’s give goes out to very cool organization engaging the homeless population by challenging them to run with a community to build confidence and self-esteem. They provide shoes and gear, social running events and help cover race entry fees and other incentives. The longer a runner stays committed to the team and program the more opportunities, connections, and aid they receive for education, work, and housing. 

Back on My Feet, founded by Anne Mahlum in Philadelphia in 2007, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

They do not provide food or shelter, but instead provide a community that embraces equality, respect, discipline, teamwork and leadership. The organization consists of much more than just running: their members participate in a comprehensive program that offers connections to job training, employment and housing. Those benefits are earned by maintaining 90 percent attendance at the morning runs three days a week for our six to nine month program.

BOMF have chapters in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston and Chicago.  On February 14th BOMF will launch in Dallas-Fort Worth, followed by Indianapolis on March 8th. 

Amount Donated: $5

To support Back on My Feet, please visit: http://www.backonmyfeet.org