Bulletin Board
The place where you can stay up to date with the latest events, stories, news, and opportunities for our City Relief community.
Empowering Health Education and Preventive Care for the Homeless
Throughout the month of June, I'd like to focus on the critical topics of homelessness and having access to healthcare. In my years of experience working with City Relief I've seen time and time again how not having the right information or preventative care has disastrous effects. I can't stress enough the importance of health education and preventive care initiatives specifically tailored for the unhoused community.
Helping Eddie Find a New Home
Today we'd like to share a story from one of our community partners, Goddard Riverside. Goddard Riverside's housing units provide safe, affordable homes for some of New York City's most vulnerable populations, including older adults, formerly homeless people, and those with mental illness. Residents receive on-site services ranging from benefits assistance to mental health care to social activities that help ensure that individuals stay connected to their community.
The Power of Human Connection.
In a major city like NYC, it’s surprisingly easy to feel lonely. These days, it seems like connecting with others is difficult everywhere. In fact, studies show that 60% of Americans experience loneliness and isolation, and the problem is only getting worse. A 2018 study found that loneliness levels have been increasing over the past few decades.
How much do you know about mental illness?
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? I don't know of anyone who hasn't been directly impacted by mental health challenges at some point in their lives. Whether it is you yourself, or someone you love, the reality is that at least one in five adults in the United States struggles with some form of mental illness.
The Hidden Struggles of Unhoused Women
Did you know that almost one-third of the unhoused population are women?
The Enemy of the Good
There’s a phrase I like to use, “Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good.” It means that sometimes a not ideal solution is better than no solution while you’re looking for the perfect solution.
Op-Ed in NY Daily News
Our CEO Josiah Haken and friend Deborah Berkman from the New York Legal Assistance Group penned an opinion piece for the New York Daily News. They write about NYC’s congregant shelters, and why they don’t work for so many that are experiencing homelessness.
Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
I wanted to take a moment to talk about a number that has been weighing heavily on my heart. Did you know that there are over a half million people in America without a place to call home? 582,462 moms, dads, children, friends and loved ones to be exact. That’s larger than the population of Sacramento, CA.
Understanding the Hurdles
A few weeks ago I was made painfully aware on Instagram of just how many people still don’t know that many people experiencing homelessness are already employed. We posted a video, and the comment section lit up with people sharing many common myths about homelessness.
The Myth of Choice
Too many of us believe that homelessness is simply the result of an individual’s poor decision-making. This widespread assumption inevitably leads to the feeling that it is their choice, instead of acknowledging and fixing the complex and systemic issues that cause and maintain homelessness. I like to say that if someone chose homelessness, what were the other choices they had?
Did Addiction Come First?
There is a common misconception that drug addiction and alcohol abuse lead to homelessness. However, studies have found that in many cases, it is actually the other way around. Homelessness often precedes addiction, and substance abuse can be a powerful coping mechanism. It is crucial to understand the complexities of addiction and homelessness to help individuals overcome these challenges and find a new life on the other side.
A Job Doesn’t Always Make Ends Meet
As someone who cares deeply about our community, I want to dispel myths about homelessness and unemployment. Did you know that 53% of people living in homeless shelters are employed either full or part-time? That's right, despite their hard work, they are still unable to afford housing due to a crippling combination of low wages and a lack of affordable housing.
Why listening matters…
As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.
Why Listening Matters…
As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.
Your Place in the Domino Effect
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge was recently interviewed by NPR. In her interview, Secretary Fudge noted that the issues causing homelessness - namely housing affordability and housing discrimination - were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the general public does not even realize the populations that are being hit the hardest.
Illegal Outside, Dangerous Inside
Forbes recently spoke with Dr. Jim O’Connell, president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless, about “Housing First” - a model that believes that permanent, supportive housing is the key to helping people experiencing homelessness.
Yearning To Breathe Free
The number of people who are unhoused has reached unprecedented levels not seen since the Great Depression.
Holistic solutions offer pathways for everyone to have a home
According to Project Renewal, it is also more cost-effective to fund supportive housing than shelters, saving agencies over $25,000 annually per person.
The vicious cycle between prison & homelessness
Have you ever wondered what happens to people when they try to put their lives back together after being incarcerated? Spoiler alert, it's not easy.
The Red Tape Behind Public Services
Today I wanted to bring awareness to the obstacles that someone experiencing homelessness has to face to access public services.