Little Emily arrived at Muskegon Rescue Mission clutching her mommy’s hand, her tiny fingers interlaced with her mother’s trembling ones. In her other hand, she held tight to a backpack filled with cherished treasures—a well-loved bear, her blanket, a pair…
STRUGGLES, STRENGTH, AND STABILITY. For single-parent families, an illness, job loss, or loss of childcare can push them over the edge. Single mothers, with their unwavering strength, juggle the demands of parenthood and poverty, striving to provide normalcy for their…
HOMELESSNESS — the problem is bigger than you know. The victims are younger than you think! Every night, across the country, thousands of young people experience homelessness and go to sleep without safety and stability. Their experience is often fluid…
A rising number of families in our community are on the brink of homelessness, grappling with relentless stress and uncertainty. Yet, amidst the darkness, hope is fueled by love and a determination to shield their families from hardship. This month,…
Homelessness casts a shadow over our community, and amidst this struggle, there is a group often overlooked — our veterans. They served our country, protected and preserved our freedoms, but now, many face the harsh reality of life on the…
One of the largest generations in our nation, the baby boomers, swelled the ranks of the young when they were born, the workforce as they entered adulthood and the population of older adults as they age. AARP has noted a…
Over the past few months, we have addressed some common myths and misconceptions about homelessness. We wrap up this series with Myth #6: “They are not my problem!” It’s essential we recognize we are all part of a larger community…
This month, let’s debunk Myth #5: The homeless are unskilled and uneducated. This misconception is far from true. Homelessness affects people from all walks of life, backgrounds and levels of education. Many highly skilled, intelligent individuals face homelessness due…
This month, we address Myth #4 – THEY CHOOSE TO BE HOMELESS. Homelessness is rarely a voluntary decision. Instead, it often arises from a combination of unfortunate circumstances, such as job loss, financial difficulties, mental health issues, or a lack…
This month, we are dispelling Myth #3 — THEY ARE ADDICTS. This stereotype spreads harmful negativity and falsehoods. Substance abuse does not represent all homeless people. Although it can lead to homelessness, other factors such as lack of affordable housing,…