Homelessness is as an umbrella that cover an array of raindrops...one that encompasses a vast array of root causes populations of people experiencing homelessness. Statistics on homelessness nationwide are sobering. More than half a million people currently meet the definition of homeless in our country, and of those — A Grateful Mind served 2,819 in the Atlanta region alone in the last year. You might already be familiar with these statistics, but what you might not realize is that:

•     38% of All Domestic Violence victims become homeless at some point in their lifetime.
•     Countrywide, 8% of homeless people are military veterans.
•     America’s youth accounts for 50,000 of homeless.
•     Over 200,000 of America’s homeless are families with children
•     An alarming number of elderly, seniors are homeless living on our streets each night without food, healthcare and housing during their most fragile years.

   
It’s disheartening to see the numbers in print. Yet, as a service provider for the homeless, we know these numbers are not all inclusive, nor accurate.  That's why through A Grateful Mind's Community Outreach, we’re doing all we can to put an end to homelessness in our area earnestly tackling this heartbreaking problem head-on to lighten the burden on our partners with housing the homeless with serve as we seek funds and support to create more beds with a sustainable plan of action to transition those that are homeless into productive, independent lifestyles.

You probably don’t see them, perhaps you scurry by them. They seek shelter under bridges and inside abandoned buildings — anywhere they can feel safe enough to fall asleep. They’re America’s “senior homeless,” and they’re not in this situation by choice.

Homelessness happens because an individual or a family can no longer afford housing. It could happen to you or me just as easily. In fact, most will admit they're just one missed paycheck away from becoming homeless. Yes,it could happen to anyone at any given time — a job ends, an uninsured home burns down, a sick senior becomes a household burden, teen gets kicked out of the house — these are the faces we see at A Grateful Mind. They’re not the walking dead. They don’t come refusing to work. They’re not looking for handouts. They’re good people in tough situations, that need feasible resources with a sustainable plan to put in place and your donation or your volunteer efforts help to make their lives better and set them on a path of transformation.

Statistics Show Only a Part of the Problem

Statistics are only hard numbers. They don’t show the all consuming fears of a senior who is afraid to be beaten to death in his sleep, the  tears on the face of a mother who can no longer provide safe shelter for her children. Nor do they mirror the  look of defeat on the face of a father who can no longer work to provide for his family. Likewise, statistics can’t coax a smile from a child who sits eating a snack, listening to a story with no idea of what his mom is dealing with to find them shelter from an abusive spouse, or relief in a senior who’s eating a warm meal for the first time in days. Statistics don’t show you these extremes and give you these hard facts.