THIS PHOTO MAKES ME SAD BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS MORE THAN JUST A BUM ON THE STREET.
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
THIRTY PERCENT OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION IS FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN?
NINE PERCENT IS MADE UP OF U.S. VETERANS
WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE FOR OUR COUNTRY?
ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND VETERANS ARE HOMELESS.
TWENTY-SIX PERCENT SUFFER FROM ADDICTION?
SIXTEEN PERCENT SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS?
THE AVERAGE TIME A FAMILY REMAINS HOMELESS IS
EIGHT MONTHS?
COULD YOU IMAGINE NOT HAVING A BED TO SLEEP IN, A TUB TO BATHE IN, OR A TABLE TO EAT AT SINCE LAST AUGUST??
THREE MILLION PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS?
FIFTY-EIGHT PERCENT ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND SHELTER.
BUT, THAT LEAVES FORTY-TWO PERCENT THAT GO UNSHELTERED.
ONE OUT OF FIFTY CHILDREN
IN THE UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE
HOMELESSNESS.
THAT IS ONE AND A HALF MILLION CHILDREN.
YOU CAN HELP IN HOMELESSNESS BY CAREING!!!!!!
C - Contribute (food, money)
A - Advocate
R - Reach out (volunteer)
E - Educate
visit the National Coalition for the Homeless by clicking here.
Other ramblings.... The week of April 18-24, 2010 is National Volunteer Week. This signature event of the Points of Light Institute celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve communities across the nation. As many of you know, I volunteer many hours a week to the Tuscaloosa and University of Alabama communities by assisting The RISE School (click here to view). I also volunteer advocacy, education, and awareness efforts to The National Down Syndrome Congress' campaign "We Are More Alike Than Different" (click here to view) and The Special Olympics and Best Buddies International "Spread The Word To End The Word" campaign (click here to view).
On Thursday and Friday of next week I will be volunteering at The Gene Stallings Golf Tournament benefiting The Rise Program at Ol' Colony Golf Course in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
I encourage everyone to become a part of National Volunteer Week. It really is a nation-wide effort to be at the center of social change by collectively making a positive impact in communities all over. I know that sometimes it seems difficult to find room in our already busy days (trust me, my little "student planner" is filled to the max almost always) but when you see things as a collective force, even an hour or two of volunteer efforts makes a really BIG difference. And look at it this way, you won't be the only one doing it. It's a national effort... so don't miss out! Oh! One more thing.... I ought to inform any of my classmate reader's about The University of Alabama's Green Week, ALSO next week April 19-24. In celebration of "Earthday" which is April 22, the SGA and other student organizations are sponsoring the week-long celebration of National Volunteer Week and Green Week.
On Monday, a showing of A Bug's Life will be on the quad. On Tuesday, on Doster Hall's lawn there will be a fashion show featuring sustainable clothing. On Wednesday (Sustainability Day), there will be displays and information sessions on recycling and other environmental initiatives around campus. On Thursday (Earthday), there will be a tie-dye workshop at the Ferguson Plaza where you can bring a t-shirt to tie-dye or $3 to buy an already created tee of your liking. And on Friday, bring your bicycle to Denny Chimes at 4PM to be a part of the mass ride that will aim to promote cyclist safety and awareness between cyclists and drivers in the community. Alright, that's all for now.... I hope everyone has a good week this week as you plan your festivities for National Volunteer Week and Green Week that begin a week from today! :)
PeAcE&LoVe&GrEeN
Bjj
1 comment:
I hate people's apathy towards poor/homeless people in this country. Many of these people are mentally ill and are homeless as a result of this. Not to mention, I wonder what percent of students at this university would be homeless if not for mom and dad supporting them. Count your blessings, because the line between success and down-and-out can be a thin one.
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