The Face of Homelessness Has Changed

Chances are a couple of years ago you knew no one who had lost their job or their home. Today, most of us likely know at least one person who has found themselves needing financial support from loved ones, or worse, who have lost most everything. While there are indicators the recession is beginning to ease, in its wake are good people who've lost nearly everything.

People who may have been your next door neighbor, who you knew from church, the grocery store or the health club may have found themselves one or two paychecks short of meeting their monthly commitments. The face of homelessness has changed. And the number has skyrocketed.

Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) operates the state's largest shelter and services for the homeless. "We have seen a 20 percent increase over last year in the number of people coming to our door," said Mark Holleran, CEO of CASS. This includes more military veterans, more young people, and more elderly. In terms of women and children, CASS's family shelter has, for years, turned away four out of five who seek refuge because there was no more room.

Many of the people now seeking shelter have never been in this situation according to Holleran. "A former real estate agent came to our door. He had lost his career, his family, his home. He had only his car. The shelter is not a pleasant environment and not everyone can handle it. The man left after a night or two and we later heard that his story had a tragic ending," said Holleran. The face of homelessness has indeed changed.

Social service agencies report a growing number of women with children who are now on the streets. In fact, the Associated Press recently reported that there are approximately 25,000 homeless school children in Arizona. Included in this mix are kids who have had to fend for themselves on the streets; many because their parents are drug addicts or lack their own life skills to manage raising children.

Some of those kids eventually find a guardian angel, if they're lucky. "John's" story is much like others who find their way to Home Base Youth Services. "My dad abandoned my mom when she was three months pregnant with me. When I was 13, my mom lost our home and she moved into a homeless shelter for women. Since children were not allowed, I had to go to a shelter for kids. I absolutely hated it." "John" went from the shelter to group homes to foster homes. His story isn't easy to hear, but it is his life and it is real life for many kids on the streets.

As Arizonans, we are fortunate that there are a number of charities and social services that reach out to help this part of our population, but the need is greater than their resources at this time. Agencies like CASS depend on government dollars and those dollars have been slashed. Many agencies are in need of not only donations but in-kind donations.

We have included information below on four agencies in Phoenix and Tucson, along with their contact information and specific needs lists. Perhaps you and your friends and colleagues would consider staging a collection drive at work or school, or even share some excess supplies you may have in your own home.

Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)
http://www.cass-az.org
Phoenix
602-256-6945

Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) is the largest shelter and service center for homeless people in Arizona, serving 6,000 men, women and children annually. Their mission is to empower men, women, and children with diverse needs to end their homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services

CASS has two facilities. The main facility in downtown Phoenix serves 400 homeless men and women. Vista Colina Emergency Family Shelter is a 30-unit apartment complex in Sunnyslope that houses homeless families with children. Both operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Basics Needs:

• Disposable razors
• Aerosol deodorant
• Baby wipes (in hard containers for easy stacking)
• Large heavy-duty trash bags (30+ gallons)
• Toothbrushes
• All-purpose copy paper

Clothing Needs: (ALL DONATIONS MUST BE IN WEARABLE CONDITION)

• Men's clothing (larger sizes needed)
• Men's and women's black pants and white shirts suitable for resort/banquet serving positions
• Underwear and socks (all sizes-must be new)
• School uniforms for all children sizes (white polos and dark blue/black/khaki trousers preferred)
• Baseball hats (any hat to protect from the sun)
• Youth boys clothing (ages 6-15)
• Larger adult clothing

Hygiene Needs:

• Body lotion
• Sun block
• Liquid body soap (creates less waste)
• Shampoo/Conditioner (for both regular and ethnic hair)
• Shaving cream
• Bath towels (new or used)
• Disinfecting wipes

Household Needs:

• Pots, pans and bowls
• Dinner/salad plates
• Pitchers
• Silverware
• Skillets
• Cookie sheets
• Large cooking pots

Homeward Bound
http://www.hbphx.org
Phoenix
602-263-7654

Homeward Bound is recognized as the largest provider of transitional housing in Arizona. Their mission is to assist families to achieve economic independence, secure long-term, safe, decent, affordable housing and break multi-generational cycles of homelessness and domestic violence. Beginning with one family and one home, Homeward Bound now owns and operates 162 housing units, which house as many as 595 people, more than 400 of whom are children. Homeward Bound assists families with a "hand up, not a handout." In addition to transitional housing, Homeward Bound provides a 12- to 24-month comprehensive social services program including case management, mental health services, employment services, life skills programs, and affordable and accessible childcare.

Basic Needs:

• Diapers sizes 4, 5, and 6
• Vacuum cleaners
• Pots, pans, dishes, and glassware
• Cleaning supplies small working appliances
• Bedding, pillows and linens
• Irons and ironing boards
• Personal hygiene items

Furniture Needs:

• Dressers
• Twin and double beds dining tables and chairs
• Lamps

Special arrangements will need to be made for furniture donations, as Homeward Bound does not have a truck to pick up items. There is always a need for volunteers to help pick up items.

Food Needs: They are continually restocking the food pantry and need various food items. Please consider holding a mini food drive in your company or neighborhood to collect one of these items: beans, pasta and sauce, cereal, juice, and sugar.

HomeBase Youth Services
Phoenix
www.hbys.org
602-263-7773

There are thousands of Arizona kids living on the streets. They may have fled a home where mental, physical and emotional abuses are the norm. Some simply "age out" of a foster home and have nowhere to go. Whatever their story is, the streets are no place for anyone, especially those under 21 who don't have the education or life skills to ever make a go of a happier life.

The walls of HomeBase Youth Services are lined with great stories - stories of self-determination, struggle, and accomplishment of the highest magnitude. The photos pay tribute to countless homeless youth who passed through HomeBase's doors and overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve health, stability, and independence. They also honor many people who provided those troubled youth with a loving, compassionate hand. HomeBase has established itself as the premier source of prevention, outreach, transitional living and referral services for homeless youth.

Donations are gratefully accepted at the Dustin Center at 1301 E. Almeria, Phoenix AZ 85006.

Critical Needs:

• Deodorant
• Shoes and flip flops
• Bottled water
• Backpacks
• Men's belts (large sizes)
• Women's belts (large sizes)
• White t-shirts
• Men's boxers

Clothing:

• Underwear (men and women)
• Shoes and flip flops
• T-shirts
• Women's bras
• Business casual clothing
• Plus-sized clothing
• Skirts and dresses
• Shorts

Food:

• Bottled water (individual size)
• Milk and yogurt
• Cereal
• Fruit
• Soups
• Quality meats
• Top Ramen
• Juice drinks
• Snacks (granola bars)
• Mac 'n cheese
• Instant pasta/rice/potatoes

Hygiene:

• Deodorant
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Toothpaste
• Laundry soap

Miscellaneous:

• Bus tickets
• School supplies
• Paper goods (bowls, plates, cups, napkins)
• Plastic silverware
• Ziploc bags (sandwich and gallon size)
• Paper towels
• Gift certificates in small dollar increments
• Event tickets
• Recreational equipment
• Newer office equipment
• Newer kitchen equipment
• Mattresses

New Beginnings for Women and Children
http://www.nbwctucson.org
Tucson
520-325-8800

Since 1987, New Beginnings for Women & Children has been helping homeless women with children to become financially self-sufficient and to be able to sustain their families in stable housing. People who come to New Beginnings have become homeless for any number of reasons.

New Beginnings provides a family shelter including food, clothing, personal care and transportation needs and counseling and support services. Clients are helped with finding jobs or obtaining training needed to get work and create a plan for obtaining stable housing. They also offer transitional housing for up to two years combined with case management and other support.

Urgent Needs:

• Upright freezer
• Bed pillows (new)
• Paper towels

General Needs:

• Two-drawer horizontal file cabinet
• Rug pad, 7x9 ft.
• An American flag, 5x8 ft.
• Sets of silverware
• Sets of drinking glasses
• Cribs
• Strollers
• Baby gates
• Fitted sheets, twin
• Sheet sets, twin
• Blankets
• Cleaning supplies
• Sunscreen, deodorant
• Diapers (sizes 1-2-3)
• Baby wipes
• Laundry detergent
• Toilet tissue
• Children's underwear
• Mops and buckets
• Brooms and dust pans
• Pots and pans

Food Needs:

• Pasta and sauce
• Mac & Cheese
• Canned fruit
• Jello
• Juice
• Jelly
• Potatoes (instant)
• Canned meat (ham, tuna, chicken, roast beef)
• Tuna and Tuna Helper

New Beginnings for Women and Children cannot accept the following items:

• Televisions
• Computers
• Electronics
• Clothing