by Emily Santillan, Sr Development Office/Family Gateway
When you hear the word 'homeless' what image first enters your mind? Is
it a mother with a small child, or a person with a cardboard sign? Do
you see a person with an overflowing shopping cart, or a family who lost
their home after a job layoff?
While chronically homeless individuals are the most visible on the
streets and in public places, families are the fastest growing homeless
group. Women with children make up 53% of the homeless population.
In fact, the Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2009 Report
to Congress confirmed Family Gateway's belief that family homelessness
is on the rise. 170,000 homeless families stayed in shelters in 2009
compared to 159,000 in 2008 and 131,000 in 2007.1 Though these numbers
represent a significant portion of homeless families, statistics may
under represent the multitude of families choosing to double up with
relatives and friends or living in hotels before turning to local
shelters for help. Per capita, Texas has the highest number of
doubled-up households due to economic hardship of any state.2
Homeless families in Dallas certainly represent the national and state
trends. Over 4,300 children in the Dallas Independent School District
are registered as homeless. Of those children, 69% lived doubled up with
other relatives or friends, 25% live in temporary shelters, 3.4% live in
motels, and 2% are unsheltered in cars, parks, or campgrounds.
When families are in distress, Family Gateway provides supportive and
transitional housing to families without support networks and resources.
We believe in keeping families together during this stressful and
chaotic period in their lives while fostering a positive environment for
success. Since 1986, Family Gateway has served over 7,700 children in
Dallas. By providing parents and children with a safe place to live and
support services, Family Gateway helps homeless families regain
self-sufficiency and stability.
Families that enter our program stay at the Annette G. Strauss Family
Gateway Center for 10 to 15 weeks. During that time, case managers
provide individualized counseling and assistance to parents seeking
educational or employment opportunities. Each family's situation is
unique, but a support system of childcare, classes, skills training and
additional resources give families and children the tools they need to
make positive choices and change their future. Afterwards, families may
move to the Gateway Apartments, where they reside for one year while
working or attending school full time. Our housing facilities provide a
secure, positive atmosphere for parents and children during their time
of need.
There are many ways for individuals and groups to get involved to
empower homeless families and children for success. We appreciate
financial gifts, in-kind donations from our wish-list, and volunteers to
serve at our Center, Apartments and administrative office.
Two easy ways to get involved this fall:
1. Join the 90 Kids in 90 Days Friends Asking Friends Campaign.
Raise awareness and funding for homeless children with your own
fundraising page. Family Gateway will create your page, so you can
simply personalize it as desired, set a fundraising goal and engage your
family and friends online. Contact khaigh@familygateway.org for details
and to get started.
2. Join the Children's Champion Club to care for homeless children
year-round with your recurring monthly gift. Contact
esantillan@familygateway.org to join.
For more information about Family Gateway or how to get involved, visit
www.familygateway.org <http://www.familygateway.org/> , or connect with
us through our Twitter (@FamilyGateway), Facebook, and YouTube accounts.
1 Department of Housing and Urban Development's Annual Report to
Congress, June 2010.
2 National Alliance to End Homelessness, June 2010.
ShareThis