FACTS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS
Over 63,000 New Yorkers sleep in shelters each night.
There are 23,000 children experiencing homelessness in New York City.
About 4,000 New Yorkers sleep on the street each night.
Homelessness is more than just a loss of shelter. The story of a homeless person is often a winding road that could include job loss, relational loss, mental illness, or addiction. Each story is unique, and so caring for each person experiencing homelessness requires relationship and a personal touch.
REASONS FOR HOMELESSNESS
Environmental
War, political unrest, and natural disasters leave individuals and families displaced and looking for shelter.
Societal
Shortage of affordable housing, unemployment & low-wage employment, discrimination against racial & sexual minorities, and a fragmented service system create a perfect economy for increased evictions and loss of housing.
Individual
Early childhood environment, trauma & abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse shape the stories of individuals experiencing social isolation and homelessness.
Becoming homeless involves a gradual downward spiral that often begins in early childhood. Features of early life that increase the likelihood of homelessness in adulthood include abuse; neglect; abandonment; transience; poverty; and parental mental health issues, including substance abuse.
- Dr. Deborah Finfgeld-Connett
HOW TO HELP
Individuals
Volunteer at Don't Walk By in February and with one of our partner organizations year round.
Request resource cards, and more information about how to engage with homeless New Yorkers on your own.
Churches
Invite Rescue Alliance to train and equip your staff and congregation to care for our neighbors surviving on the street.
Mobilize volunteers to serve in a host of volunteer capacities through Hope for New York, in our annual Don't Walk By, or with our ministry partners.
Non-Profits
Contact us to talk about how you can join in our collaborative initiatives to serve our neighbors living on the street.
Consider partnering with us during our annual Don't Walk By.
SHOW COMPASSION EVERYDAY
By taking the time to look someone in the eye, flash a smile, and interact for even a moment, you show respect and care to your neighbors suffering on the street.
You can refer someone you meet to any of the services of Rescue Alliance. Give them a Resource Card with information about program offerings and locations.
Pray. Pray for homeless families. Pray for homeless veterans. Pray for leaders in our city who face incredible challenges. Pray for the Rescue Alliance and its endeavors.