A Beacon of Hope For Millions of Homeless Children

In this episode of Heartfelt Horizons, I speak with Martha Figueroa who went from a homeless mother seeking refuge ?to now being an integral part of leading operations for the shelter that saved her.? Her story is a testament to the transformative power of hope.?

She is a strong advocate and role model for those facing what may seem like insurmountable odds.

Martha knows these struggles all too well. She was a mother trying to escape a toxic relationship with her children when she unexpectedly lost her job and found herself with nowhere to go.

Martha introduces us to Thomas House Family Shelter. For over 35 years, Thomas House Family Shelter has served as a beacon of hope for families with children experiencing homelessness.?

At Thomas House, they don’t just offer shelter; they provide a comprehensive foundation of empowerment and transformation. Their programs include supportive services and educational initiatives designed to foster independence and stability for the entire family.

I have been a supporter of Thomas House for over 17 years, and I’ve witnessed the transformation of countless lives.?

The entire staff is incredibly dedicated to their mission of serving their residents holistically and for the long term. I’ll include a link to their website in the comments so you can learn more about their incredible work.

With the recent displacement of families from natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, the Pacific Palisades fire, and the Eaton fire, the number of homeless families has increased dramatically. Updated statistics are not yet available, but the need for support is greater than ever.

According to a National Center for Homeless Education report from November 2022, titled Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2018-19 to 2020-21, 1,099,221 students experienced homelessness during that time. This represents 2.2% of all students enrolled in public schools (NCES, 2021).

It’s important to note that these statistics only account for children enrolled in public schools. Many homeless children are not enrolled in any school and are, therefore, not reflected in these numbers.

Stories like Martha’s remind us that even in the darkest of times, hope and compassion can light the way. Together, we have the power to make a difference—by supporting organizations like Thomas House Family Shelter, by advocating for those in need, and by extending a hand to lift someone up when they’ve fallen.

Let’s strive to create a world where every child has a safe place to sleep, every family has a future to look forward to, and no one is left behind.

It starts with each of us.?

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW: I’ve placed a link to the interview in the comments.?

How to help:? Links to support Thomas House Family Shelter + explore your state’s homelessness data are in the comments.

Let’s be the beacon of hope that changes lives.??

I welcome you to share additional resources to support more communities in the comments.??

#Resilience #CommunityImpact #Leader #Empowerment