1. Homelessness

2. Houston Statistics 10,000 homeless individuals are on the streets of Houston on any given night 25% of these homeless individuals are minors More than 50% of these individuals have been diagnosed with a mental illness More than 50% have complicated legal issues that prevent them from accessing services and employment 50% report having a substance abuse problem

3. Common Causes of Homelessness Poverty (impacted by declining work opportunities, decreased public assistance, financial crisis, mounting debt) Lack of affordable housing (impacted by increasing rents and excessive waiting lists for public housing, eviction, etc.) Lack of affordable health care -Mental illness and disability Substance abuse issues- Prison release and reentry into society Natural disaster Family crisis (e.g.: death, relationship breakdown, etc.)

4. Volunteer at Local Homeless Shelters and Soup Kitchens The Star of Hope (Homeless Shelter) Loaves and Fishes (Soup Kitchen) SEARCH Homeless Services

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Sc2yG7 ixw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Sc2yG7 ixw