homelessness on the rise…

In the recent Chesterfield Observer article “More people with no place to live”, it is stated that “Economic indicators continue to be grim – unemployment has soared in the past year, and there seems to be no end in sight to the spike in foreclosures. It stands to reason, then, that more people are finding […]

April 23, 2009; 9:25 AM • by Chris

In the recent Chesterfield Observer article “More people with no place to live”, it is stated that “Economic indicators continue to be grim – unemployment has soared in the past year, and there seems to be no end in sight to the spike in foreclosures. It stands to reason, then, that more people are finding they have no place to live.”

Looking at jobs in the area that have closed down, this is very true. It is all too well known that we have lost several big name companies, including Wachovia Securities moving to St. Louis, Circuit City liquidating, Qimonda shutting its Henrico facility down, Precision IR layoffs … and that’s just companies I’ve heard of that I can *remember*. But on the back-side of things, I can only imagine how many more jobs were lost that serviced these companies… a friend of mine cleans business floors and has had to cut a few guys because there’s just not enough work right now.

In the article Kelly King Horne (executive director of Homeward, an organization that coordinates homeless resources in the Greater Richmond area) states that “People who were just making it have lost jobs and have no support… There are increases in three areas:

• those who are homeless for the first time,
  
• single adults and
  
• those who are unsheltered.”

The article lists several organizations in the area, but left out several more. I recently wrote on my blog a list of just that (funny how timing works sometimes) – Richmond homelessness organizations (which probably isn’t a complete list either but still lists more). If you would be looking to help out, contact any of them or just go to their website – many list their needs right there. Volunteers are always needed as well. And if you’re interested in more than that, you may want to check out Embrace Richmond’s Unity Works program:

“a training program offering people of faith opportunities to learn about the issues facing impoverished individuals in Richmond and helping individuals and congregations discern how they can help prevent and end homelessness in Richmond through partnership with non-profit organizations. The Unity-Works project is being funded in part by Valparaiso Universities Practicing our Faith program.”

April 23, 2009 9:25 AM 0