I work for Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO), and here are some answers, but not really the whole picture…

-”how many homeless children would you say are in your shelters?”
Stats show that more than 50% of homeless are children, and that is mostly consistent at CCO. Throughout the year, the average is around 160 or so.

-”How long do they typically stay? ”
Most families stay at CCO for an average of 3-4 months. Some shorter, and some longer, it depends on each individuals needs and goals.

-”Any thoughts or suggestions for things the community could donate or provide for these kids?”

Some of the families really have lost everything along the way to being homeless. It is hard for the children, and I feel that consistency is what everyone desires, including children. At CCO, we really want to meet each individuals needs, and help them get back on there own. One of the most lasting ways to provide for the kids, is to provide for the parents, and get them housed.
For example, donating things that the parents would have to pay for, like school supplies, money to help them get ID’s and birth certificates, transit cards to get to appointments or jobs, kitchen wares for when they are housed, and even rent or security deposit money, are huge for a family just starting out.

I know this is a lot of info. How can you help?
Come by, volunteer, and even make a donation to CCO. CCO relies on private funding for a lot of its work, and would appreciate any donation, to continue doing the work.

You can contact me at awinter [at] ccolife.org, to continue this discussion, and check out CCO’s blog at http://ccolife.org/blog.

June 4, 2009 8:40 PM

For the last 2 month or so, I have been trying to find employment and housing. Occasionally, my children and I find shelter with friends but only for a short time. And therefore, most of the time, I live in my car. I have made know my situation to both my Case Worker at DHS and my Counselor at Work First, but they seem unconcern or unable to help.

Also, I have called numerous organizations that assist the homeless, Catholic Charities, CEDA, Interfaith Housing just to name a few, but again, no help, just a waiting list of hundreds of people like myself or a lack of funding for housing. I have also tried finding a shelter in which I live in the South Suburban but there’s none in the area. The Shelters in the South Suburban are not available in the summer time can you image that.

Prior to my lost, I had worked two part time jobs because one job wasn’t enough to provide for me and my children. I had also attended school because I need an education in order to get a better job. But due to a sick child and a lunatic Manager, who by the way is facing prison, I lost my jobs and I have been desperately looking for employment. It is harder for individuals like myself to find employment because we have to compete with others who have more education and experience. Also, employers are reluctantly to hire employees with children. So again, it is getting harder and harder for those at the bottom like myself.

Never the less, I cannot and will not lose hope or give up, I have two children depending on me. And, I will not abandon my hopes or prayers of giving my children a good life or least a stable housing. If there is any help or direction you can assist me with please contact me. I don’t have a phone but you can leave a message at this number 708-335-1566 or you can send me an email at charamc@yahoo.com.

Thanks
Trisha Stallworth