Can you save a child? Will You?

November was National Homelessness Awareness Month. How appropriate to designate a month typically characterized by family gatherings and a hearty feast in honor of those who rarely eat, don't have health care, and often are subject to the elements because they have no roof over their heads and no family to turn to. Now we are in the middle of the season known for its bright lights, holiday cheer, bountiful food, and the exchange of beautifully wrapped gifts. But what about those who sleep under leaf-bare trees? What about toddlers who know nothing of Santa or the birth of Christ? What about the rising number of veterans who are homeless? A very sad commentary on this nation. Even sadder, the number of children who are homeless or living in poverty.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness reports that in the United States, more than one million youth are homeless at some time throughout any given year. Locally, four out of 10 children live in poverty,making D.C. the jurisdiction with the highest child poverty rate in the nation. How does this happen? In any given year, D.C. has approximately 1,400 homeless youth and yet, there are only 38 sheter beds and 74 transtional or supportive housing programs for youth specifically. There are more adult shelters, but youth who are not accompanied by an adult are either not allowed in those shelters or are advised against entering those shelters. How do I know this? Frank told me.

Frank is a 20 year old African American male residing in the Transitional Living Program of Covenant House Washington (my place of employment). He also served as the emcee of a Candlelight Vigil on Behalf of Homeless Youth, held Nov. 15 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. The Vigil was held outside intentionally to give participants a sense of what it feels to be without shelter in the winter. The backdrop of the event was the nation's capital and national mouments, conveying to participants that among such awesome beauty, in seat of government there is great poverty and violence: In the District, 4 out 5 deaths to older teens (ages 15 - 19) are violent in nature, nationally, approximately 5,000 homeless youth die from assault, illness and suicide every year; 57 percent of homeless youth don't eat at least one day a month; 50 percent of youth aging out of foster care and juvenile justice systems will be homeless in six months.

In his opening remarks, Frank spoke of how just about a year ago he was sleeping outside, in train stations, on benches. He tried to enter a men's shelter but got some advice that made him walk away. The intake person told him, "You're welcome to come in, but you won't survive in here. If you want to live a long life, leave." Fortunately, Frank left. One cold February night, he was picked up by the Covenant House Outreach Team and the rest, as they say, is history.

The 2007 Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth kicked off the 90 Days of Winter Campaign of Covenant House. The campaign, which spans the coldest months of the winter season, seeks to raise support for the nonprofit's Crisis Center--a 90-day emergency shelter program. During the Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth, youth engaged in the programs and services of Covenant House Washington took to the stage to tell participants how they can make a difference in the lives of homeless youth. Check out their comments and learn how you can make a difference. You can also visit the Covenant House web page to light a candle for homeless youth or make a donation: http://candlelight.covenanthouse.org/ or locally, visit http://www.covenanthousedc.org/.

No child should be homeless. You can save a child!

According to Homeless Youth, In 90 Days You Can:

1. Encourage City Officials to fund more shelters and housing programs for youth.
2. Donate warm, new clothing and blankets to a local youth shelter.
3. Get more businesses to invest in youth by providing more job opportunities.
4. Donate Metro fare cards and tokens to youth programs to assist with transportation.
5. Save all change you get after you buy your morning coffee or breakfast and donate that to a youth shelter at the end of 90 days.
6. Volunteer to teach young people skills in a trade or talk about entrepreneurship.
7. Advocate for more educational support systems for young adults and children.
8. Encourage City Officials to provide more health care and health insurance for the homeless and people with jobs that don’t offer health insurance at affordable prices.
9. You could bring/or refer a homeless youth to Covenant House Washington’s Crisis Center“hould ever be homeless. You can save a child!
10. Host a Candlelight Vigil in your home or at your place of business.

Sources: L.A. County Department of Children & Family Services; Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, The Older Adolescent Task Force and St. Louis University, 2002: National Runaway Switchboard; Covenant House.