Repair the World

Gear Up for HOPE Count and Fight Homelessness

Homelessness in America has no single face. Amongst the approximately 3.5 million Americans who are homeless today, you find people of all backgrounds and nationalities, both urban and rural, male and female, young and old. According to a recent USA Today article, in 2010, 1.6 million children were living in shelters, on the street, or doubled up with family members. That’s one out of every 45 kids.

Unfortunately, with America in the middle of a recession, more and more families are at risk to lose their jobs and homes. But amidst the facts and figures, there is room for hope. Next Monday, January 30th, The NYC Department of Homeless Services will conduct its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) Count. Here’s how it works: volunteers (18 and older, or 16 and older with an adult) spend a night canvassing parks, subways and other public spaces to help count the number of people living without a home in New York City. Volunteers conduct a brief survey with each individual and offer transportation to shelters for anyone seeking services. Meanwhile, the information they collect is used to create better services and opportunities for homeless New Yorkers.

Nearly 3,000 volunteers – including Repair the World’s own CEO Jon Rosenberg and Jewish Service Learning Manager, Anya Manning – will spend next Monday night on the streets, helping those in need. And they could use your help! Want to join in the count and make a difference? Register for HOPE count here.

Can’t make it or don’t live in NYC? Here’s another way you can help: check out Do Whatever It Takes, a national organization that works to end youth homelessness across the US and Canada. Participants create a personal campaign to help them spread the word to family and friends, while raising funds to support services for homeless youth. Pretty cool, right?

So whether you live in NYC or Des Moines, Iowa – now is the time to stand up to homelessness. Let us know how you’re getting involved by tweeting us @repairtheworld.