No Child Should Sleep on the Street Imagine that you are a homeless child, living in a car or under an overpass with your mother. Last night, you heard the sound of gunfire near you. Your mother says she doesn’t know where to go. You are frightened, exhausted, and hungry. This is the sad reality for hundreds of children in our community each year. On any given night, half of the homeless people in the metro area are children. They and their parents are our neighbors: the working poor, the disabled, the un- and underemployed, survivors of abuse, and those caught in a vicious intergenerational cycle of poverty. Homeless families often have very few options. Single parent-led families, intact families and expecting mothers find hope and stability every day at the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter. The Shelter offers case management, education, employment, children’s and financial literacy programs in a safe and family-friendly environment, so families can gain stability and prevent a return to homelessness. It may be a cliché, but we know our children are our future. And because twothirds of the people that the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter serves are children, the Shelter has a special focus on after-
school, summer and parenting support programs to help children overcome the trauma of homelessness and thrive in school and at home. Children like Malik (13-years old) and his two younger brothers — Makhi (9-years-old) & Darrick (6-years-old) — have found a safe haven and more at the Shelter. The oldest of three, Malik says, “I really love the shelter because they support us in many different ways and they help us with certain things, like school supplies. I started school this year and I had everything I needed and I was so happy. It has helped my family because it bought us together… and it was so very helpful because my mom is happy to know that we are getting a house and it’s amazing.
Join us, Malik’s family, and the 450 people that the Shelter is on track to serve this year as we do the hard work – together – to break the cycle of homelessness. In this season of family, gratitude and giving back, you can strengthen our community by giving homeless families the tools to succeed and achieve stability. Our future will be brighter because of you. Learn more at nowcs.org/support
Please say, “I Saw It In Kids & Family New Orleans”
