Indiana’s 5K walk to end homelessness and provide housing.

1. Indiana’s 5K walk to end homelessness and provide housing.

2. What is Homeward Bound? Homeward Bound, a project of the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICHHI), is a series of annual walks that take place in communities throughout the state. Since its inception in 2003, Homeward Bound has raised nearly $2,500,000 for over 90 affordable housing and homeless service providers around the state, making it Indiana’s largest grassroots fundraiser with the ultimate goal of ending homelessness. In 2008 alone, Homeward Bound - Bloomington raised nearly $64,000 with our total reaching over $325,000. All monies raised locally go to agencies located within Monroe County!

3. *Stepping Stones is an independent non-profit organization that provides housing and supportive services to homeless youth aged 16-20. *Residents are required to maintain a job while learning valuable life skills in the program. *Early equipping of teens is an important step in ending the cycle of chronic homelessness. Stepping Stones For more information: 339-9771 * www.steppingstones-inc.org

4. The same factors that contribute to adult homelessness, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, low education levels, unemployment, mental health, and substance abuse, can lead to homelessness among youth. Beyond these factors, youth homelessness is largely a reflection of family breakdown.

5. *Martha’s House is a temporary emergency shelter that provides case management designed to support residents as they find employment and affordable housing. *In 2007, Martha’s House provided 8,491 nights of shelter to individuals living in Monroe, Owen and Lawrence counties. Martha’s House For more information: 332-1444

6. are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. Persons living in poverty are most at risk of becoming homeless, and demographic groups who are more likely to experience poverty are also more likely to experience homelessness. Two trends National Coalition for the Homeless NCH Fact Sheet #3 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, August 2007 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf

7. Hoosier Hills Food Bank collects, stores, and distributes nutritious food products to nonprofit organizations, which provide free feeding programs that serve both ill and needy families and individuals.” “In 2007 – the food bank’s 25th year in service – 25 millions pounds of food were distributed to 25,000 individuals.” *Every $1 donated to the food bank results in over $6 worth of food to be distributed. For more information: 334-8374 * www.hhfoodbank.org

8. People who become homeless do not fit one general description. However, people experiencing homelessness do have certain shared basic needs, including affordable housing, adequate incomes, and health care. Some homeless people may need additional services such as mental health or drug treatment in order to remain securely housed. All of these needs must be met to prevent and to end homelessness. National Coalition for the Homeless NCH Fact Sheet #3 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, August 2007 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf

9. *MCUM provided financial assistance in the form of rent/mortgage to 96 Monroe Co. families in 2007. This homelessness prevention program helped 246 adults and children stay in their homes with their utilities turned on. *MCUM’s Affordable Childcare Program cared for 175 children in 2007, preparing low-income children to start school on equal footing with their higher income peers. For more information: 339-3429 * www.bloomington.in.us/~mcum

10. *Area 10 provides services to elderly through low-income housing, a nutrition program, in-home services, information and referral, health and fitness, and assistance to the homebound. *In 2007, more than 317,000 individuals were served by Area 10. *$25 will pay for two hours of homemaking services to allow seniors to remain in their homes. Area 10 Agency on Aging For more information: 876-3383 * www.area10.bloomington.in.us

11. *The Community Kitchen provides hot, nutritious meals to individuals in need, Monday-Saturday, from two locations free of charge with no eligibility requirements. *In 2007 the kitchen served a record 152,516 meals. Of those meals, 41% were given to children and 27% to seniors. *Community Kitchen delivers meals to the homebound on Thanksgiving and Christmas in collaboration with Area 10 Agency on Aging. For more information: 332-0999 * www.monroecommunitykitchen.com

12. *Middle Way House provides safe shelter and second and third stage housing for homeless women and children recovering from the trauma of domestic abuse or sexual assault. *$50 provides an overnight stay and three meals in MWH’s secure emergency shelter. *MWH served 2,000 clients in 2007. For more information: 333-7404 * www.middlewayhouse.org

13. Approximately 16% of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005). According to the Federal Task Force on Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness, only 5-7% of homeless persons with mental illness require institutionalization; most can live in the community with the appropriate supportive housing options. National Coalition for the Homeless NCH Fact Sheet #3 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, August 2007 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf

14. *Amethyst House provides high quality, structured living environments, treatments, education and recovery services for individuals with addictions and substance abuse issues. *Amethyst House served 299 clients in 2007. *A $25 donation will supplement three nutritious meals daily for one week for a resident in treatment. For more information: 336-3570 * www.amethysthouse.org

15. 151 Students attending Monroe County Community School System are HOMELESS Children under the age of 18 accounted for 39% of the homeless population; 42% of these children were under the age of five (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2004). This same study found that unaccompanied minors comprised 5% of the urban homeless population. However, in other cities and especially in rural areas, the numbers of children experiencing homelessness are much higher. National Coalition for the Homeless NCH Fact Sheet #3 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, August 2007 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf

16. *YSB serves youth, male and female, ages 8-17 years in the Shelter. Clinical services are provided to youth, ages 8-22, and their families at no charge. *Money donated to YSB goes to items ranging from clothing to GED classes for shelter youth. *YSB served 312 families in 2006. Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County For more information: 349-2506 * www.youthservicesbureau.net

17. As the number of families experiencing homelessness rises and the number of affordable housing units shrinks, families are subject to much longer stays in the shelter system. For instance, in the mid-1990s in New York, families stayed in a shelter an average of five months before moving on to permanent housing. Today, the average stay is seven months, and some surveys say the average is closer to a year (U. S. Conference of Mayors, 2005 and Santos, 2002). National Coalition for the Homeless NCH Fact Sheet #3 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, August 2007 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Whois.pdf

18. *Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard provides healthful, wholesome food to people in need, as well as nutrition and gardening education. *MHC served 72,000 clients in 2007. *In 2007, MHC food pantry redistributed 700,000 pounds of food. Every week MHC food pantry serves over 1,450 clients, a third of who are children. For more information: 355-6843 * www.mhcfoodpantry.org

19. *Mental Health America promotes awareness, acceptance and treatment in the prevention of mental illness. *MHA served approx. 700 clients in 2007. *A $50 donation to MHA provides a support group for persons with mental illness and their loved ones to one month. Mental Health America For more information: 339-1551 * www.monroementalhealth.org

20. By its very nature, homelessness is impossible to measure with 100% accuracy. More important than knowing the precise number of people who experience homelessness is our progress in ending it. Recent studies suggest that the United States generates homelessness at a much higher rate than previously thought. Our task in ending homelessness is thus more important now than ever. National Coalition for the Homeless NCH Fact Sheet #2 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, August 2007 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/How_Many.pdf

21. *Shalom Community Center is a safe, daytime resource center for those experiencing homelessness or poverty. *Shalom served 1,413 individuals in 2007. *In 2007, Shalom served 57,099 meals and 5,342 individuals received groceries from the Templeton/Shalom Family Market. For more information: 334-5734 * www.shalomcommunitycenter.org