Thank you so much for adding this community.

Glad to have another avenue in which to help people! Lollie

I am really glad you added this because it helps get me out of my denial about how close to this I am. Part of me wants to say I'm not quite down and out yet to be here, but when I said no the abuse, I had no intention of being a burden to my daughter; I didn't know what I was going to do as I couldn't stay in a shelter because of my pets. I can't believe I don't have a permanent address anymore. And think of the people out there who have no access to a puter; at least we can get a little support.

Thank you Doug

I hope its ok to come here & just add my support & words of comfort if possible. I have been close to homeless, but have a different outlook after seeing what really goes on in our area.
Hugs

Thank you for adding this community. My family (dh and 2 kids) are days away from homelessness. We are a fairly "normal" family. My husband lost his job in April. I was a stay at home mom. He's having trouble finding a job and now we are both looking for work. I'm really scared, but we just keep trying.

Just an update: We have another month of grace. Our church helped us out and our rent is paid through September. I'm thankful to have another month to look for work.

Leslie, that's fabulous that you have an extra month. Sounds like you have a really good church.

leslie - keep us in the loop. we're all praying for you.

I'm happy to say that my husband began a new job today that looks like it will be long term [happy dance]. I think, by the grace of God, we will be able to stay put. We may lose a service or two temporarily until we get caught up, but I'm so grateful to have a place to live and that the weather is not frigid or terribly hot, that if we lose electricity for a short time, I think we'll be okay! This was one of the hugest challenges of our life. Even though we didn't have to go to a shelter (I'm trusting we won't have to, either), I will never see homelessness, or those in need in the same way. We are used to giving a regular offering in church. For the next year, we've decided to suspend that and give directly to the places (including our church) that have helped us. I've learned that pantries need things like feminine hygiene products and toothpaste! I will forever pick up an extra bag/tube whenever I buy those items for myself and drop them off at the pantry that helped us. I have never been so grateful in my life for the love and assistance from total strangers. I'm also grateful for the emotional, spiritual and occaisionally humorous support I've received from daily strength.

Forgive me for going on like this, but it was so good to join this group at just the time I needed it. I'm glad, Doug, that DS began the Homelessness group and I will visit often.

May I pat myself on the back a bit? Okay, I will... I'm so proud of the way my husband and I handled discussing our situation with our kids. We were matter of fact about it without being alarming. My kids seemed to feel comforted by our calmness (even if we were afraid). We let them know that we would be staying "somewhere" even if it wasn't "ours." Telling the kids about what could happen helped us to remain calm ourselves.

My heart goes out to other members who face this or are already homeless. Please use the resources available to you and my prayers are with you as you move through this season in your life.

Addendum: I'm still looking for work, too, in order to help us get caught up. I will likely work part time or PRN as a social worker. Ironic, huh? Even those of us in the helping profession are not immune to these types of experiences. However, this experience (and the experience of catching up that will come) will stay with me as I serve others in any capacity. It has deepened my compassion and respect for others in any situation.

For some good info on Homeless look at the following web site. agrm.org
It is a organization with shelters all over the world and lots of statistics. I work for a local shelter in WA and you would be amazed at the info they have for each state...Hope this helps someone.