Agencies and organizations throughout the country raise awareness of hunger and homelessness around the Thanksgiving holiday to advocate for the less fortunate.
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week was observed Nov. 11-19 and sponsored by organizations such as the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger. The annual awareness campaign is meant to educate the public, draw attention to the problem of poverty and build upon an existing base of volunteers and supporters for local anti-poverty agencies.
"I think they need to realize there are homeless people out there on the streets," said Sue Legal, compliance and resource development director for Ouachita Children's Center.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week originated at Villanova University in Pennsylvania in 1975. More than 700 high schools, colleges, and community groups held events this year to mark the annual event.
This year's efforts focused on laws passed by local governments which prevent homeless people from certain activities. Observers were encouraged to educate community members and politicians to change the conversation about stereotypes, improve policy and help service providers.
"Individuals who are homeless, sometimes people perceive they want to be," said Sarah Fowler, resource development director for the United Way of the Ouachitas. "That is not always the case. Sometimes, it is a family who maybe lost a job or got hurt at work and they just absolutely do not have the means to put food on the table and provide for their family.
"It is not a case of they don't want to. It's just that at that time they are in a hard place. Some people are proud, living in their car and they do not want to admit they need help."
Legal said she wished the public was more informed on the dynamics of homelessness and hunger. She said she is saddened by seeing local homeless people begging for support around town.
"I just wanted to cry," Legal said. "You want to help everybody you see, and you just can't. In our outreach program, we can't help anybody that is over 24."
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development designates a date in January each year to calculate the amount of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people. HUD requires Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of homeless persons sheltered in emergency shelters, transitional housing and Safe Havens on a single night.
The 2016 Point in Time count for Garland County reported 115 unsheltered homeless persons in the community and 157 who were sheltered. The count included 443 homeless students in the county's K-12 public school districts.
The Garland County PiT count is conducted by the Southwest Arkansas Partnership Coalition on Homelessness. The results of the county determine the amount of federal funding is made available for the region.
Member organizations of SWAP include the United Way, OCC, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Arkansas Hospice, Birch Tree Communities, the city of Hot Springs, Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union, Habitat for Humanity, Hot Springs Family YMCA, Hot Springs School District, Housing Authority, Levi Hospital, Safe Haven Shelter for Women, Salvation Army and the Tuggle Clinic.
"Our community is so much more than us as individuals," Fowler said. "We are a village and it takes all of us to contribute back and support those who may not be as fortunate as we are."
SWAP reports to HUD's statewide Balance of State. HUD funding designated for Arkansas is applied through the Balance of State.
Members of SWAP meet on the third Thursday of every month at the United Way. PiT count participants performed more outreach during the 2017 date by visiting Jackson House, Salvation Army and other locations throughout Garland County.
The January PiT count reported 236 unsheltered homeless persons in Garland County and 149 who were sheltered. The count included 429 students, including those who are "doubled up" living in others' homes.
The Hot Springs School District accounted for 227 of the 429 students. Another 80 were students of the Lakeside School District.
HUD set the next PiT count for Jan. 23, 2018. Eighth-grade students at Lakeside High School partnered with the United Way to expand outreach to the homeless community and offer new pathways to employment and a better life.
Leah Buentello, Kevin Henson, Nicole Jones, Elizabeth Kalinowsky and Tarynn Yates developed the project for their Tools for Learning class with Cody Lambert. The project-based learning course incorporates technology and problem-solving similar to Environmental and Spatial Technology classes.
The students said they want to partner with local organizations to provide services and help employ local homeless persons. Fowler said the engagement of local students is important to the community.
"It is not just about them, but maybe a student sitting next to them in class," Fowler said. "They may be struggling with food insecurities or have needs much greater than their own. I think that is beneficial for them to see. It makes them empathetic to those that are around them."
SWAP organizations collect food, toiletries, tarps, hats, socks, gloves and many other items to distribute to the homeless during the PiT count. Organizers plan to distribute informational cards with service information to homeless persons in January.
Potential volunteers can call 501-623-2505, email [email protected] or email Jane Browning, executive director of the United Way of the Ouachitas, at [email protected]. Volunteers can also email Legal at [email protected].
Ouachita Children's Center provides food boxes to families in need and works to connect them with local church groups. The center receives funding through the National School Lunch Program to provide breakfast, lunch and snacks.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services' Division of Youth Services recently awarded OCC a grant for an after-school and summer program. After-school classes will begin in January once the training room on campus is fully renovated through a Community Block Grant.
Legal said a grant from No Kid Hungry will allow the center to purchase new equipment to offer supper for students in the after-school program. Grant from the Tegna Foundation will be used to purchase food.
Legal said she felt a drop-in center is most-needed in the community. She said it would be a place for children and adults to obtain services, shelter, rest, food, hygiene and more.
"There is nothing like that here and I have tried five years in a row for the federal grant for it," Legal said. "I still can't get it."
OCC recently obtained a grant to hire two part-time employees to make community connections. The positions call for individuals to meet members of the community, build relationships, distribute survival kits and offer information about local services.
Local on 11/22/2017