Natural Disasters | Home Sweet Home

What is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-government organization devoted to building decent homes for those in need. This international organization’s headquarters are located in Georgia, but they have several area offices around the world. You might have already seen their ads in direct tv and other media networks. These houses are built by volunteers and are sold at no profit.

Founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1967, they began the work to build houses for those in need. In 1976 Habitat for Humanity International was established. Since then, this organization has received several awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and they have built over 400,000 houses around the world, sheltering over 1,750,000 people.

Habitat for Humanity has many programs such as their Youth Program, where they try to find people ages 5 to 25 to become involved in the program. With their Colligiate Challenge, they attempt to get students involved during their school breaks such as spring break or summer break. During these programs, students spend a week working with the local Habitat affiliates. They are provided with housing and food for the week and are able to perform services for those in need.

Habitat for Humanity also has several annual events. Because former president, Jimmy Carter, became involved in Habitat for Humanity in 1984, the organization has named one even after him and his wife, The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, and they still attend these events. During this annual event in 2008, volunteers were able to build 60 houses in one week and frame 48 more, and in 2009 they were able to serve 166 families through this annual event.

Filed Under: Community Clean-Ups, Natural Disasters, Volunteer Organizations Tagged With: Habitat for Humanity International, Jimmy Carter, Presidential Medal of Freedom

Habitat for Humanity

Image via Wikipedia

Habitat for Humanity has built hundreds of thousands of homes for people in need of shelter. They have made homelessness their enemy and they are winning the fight. They cannot do it alone they need your help they need you to donate building materials or your time. You can also donate other things like couches, chairs, and clothing to help the people that need them the most. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that utilizes volunteers to build affordable simple shelters. The program is christened based, but anyone from all walks of life and any race can join in the fight against homelessness.

The homes or shelters are not a hand out; they are not given out for free. The family and the charity pick a mortgage that has easy payments for the family to pay off. The family pays for the materials and not the labor, anything that is donated to a project will save a family money. If the family needs help with a mortgage then Habitat will step in and pay for that month. All cash that Habitat spends needs to come back in order to pay for more shelter for more families in need of it.

Habitat for Humanity also sells cheap furniture that was donated to pay for parts of their program. Anything from fake plants to washers and dryers can be donated to any of the retail Habitat for Humanity sites. Donate your unwanted clothing they always need clothes to help out the people that are really down and rely on clothes to keep them warm. Building supplies from trusses to 2x4s and even gardening supplies are always taken in for the cause. The one resource that Habitat for Humanity needs the most is man power. Without your volunteering efforts this program cannot function and strive to help others. You are the most important tool to make any of these projects a reality and the people that are in need will be the most grateful for you.

Filed Under: Community Clean-Ups, Natural Disasters Tagged With: Habitat for Humanity International, Non-profit organization, Old Navy, Organizations, Philanthropy

Panhandlers Are People Too

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Most of us ignore panhandlers. These are the homeless people who stand near traffic lights with signs begging for money. Some are hustlers looking for drug money, but some are really good folks who are really down on their luck. If you’re sitting at a long light, and one of these people comes to your window, try talking to them before you decide to give them money or not.

Hey, What’s Your Name?

That’s a good place to start. Just ask the person his or her name. Then ask them where they’re from. You may not need to ask anything else. That may be all a homeless person needs in order to tell his story. As they talk, do they seem drunk or high? Does the story seem real? Is he really a vet? Sometimes you’ll discover the person is well educated, bright and truly in need of help. You decide whether that help is a little money or a the name of a good homeless organization.

Get to Know Who Advocates for the Homeless in Your Town

Every major metropolitan area has organizations that cater to the homeless. There are usually a few shelters, several food kitchens, and even churches who will assist transients and people living on the streets. Nobody likes living on the street, but not everybody has the means to overcome homelessness. If the person is new to the area, they may appreciate knowing where the nearest hot meal can be found.

Do a Little Outreach Legwork

Once you find those homeless organizations, either drop by or drop an email and ask them for some business cards. If you can’t give a person the money he asks for, then give him a card for the nearest homeless shelter or food bank.

A Cool Idea

There is a woman in Austin, Texas who gives clean socks to the homeless. She claims it is more appreciated than money. Now, that’s a cool idea!

Filed Under: Contractors, Natural Disasters, Volunteer Organizations Tagged With: Homeless, Homelessness, Organisations, Poverty

How to Find Adult Literacy Programs

Probably the most important tool for defeating poverty is education. However, many adults in the United States cannot read. Most major metropolitan areas offer adult literacy programs, but they’re virtually non-existent in rural areas. Therefore, an adult wanting improve his education will either need to live near a city or have reliable means of transportation to get to a city.

If the individual lives in the South, the border states offer more education and adult literacy programs. This is due to the large number of immigrants entering the US via Mexico. ESL, or English as a Second Language, classes are offered by school districts, community colleges and community organizations. In order to advance in America, it is important to read and write in English. Once English is mastered, other education goals are much easier to achieve.

One of the best resources for finding adult literacy and ESL programs is through “America’s Literacy Directory.” The website is http://www.literacydirectory.org. From this site, a person can either search for programs by zip code or city and state. The website also gives the individual the option to put in a mile radius, so that he can search beyond his exact location. Once a program is found, the site also gives driving directions, a map, and details on the program.

For the person who needs to complete a high school diploma, most of the programs offer ESL, GED preparation courses, and the GED test. Without a diploma, it is virtually impossible to rise from poverty. Therefore, ESL and the GED programs serve a very valuable role in American society.

One of the programs discussed on this website is “The Health Literacy Program.” This programs works to improve adult literacy. It also helps people navigate the health care system. Better reading skills make the process of receiving health care more manageable. The value in this program is that healthy people can achieve more.

Filed Under: Natural Disasters Tagged With: Education, Literacy, United States

How to Get Food Assistance

Be Prepared Before You Apply

Before you can apply for the WIC program, there a few things you need to have. You will need:

Drivers license or ID card

Social Security Card

Proof of income or proof of no income

If you are pregnant, you will need proof of pregnancy

Take these documents to your local WIC office. This office is usually located in the Health Department office or the public clinic. Schools, hospitals and doctors’ offices should be able to tell you where to find the WIC office if you are unsure. Just ask where you can get food assistance. You can also call 703-305-2746 to find out where to get food assistance in your state.

You will need to set up an appointment to go in an apply for the WIC program. A health department representative will give you an application to fill out. They will then go over it and determine if you qualify. If you do, they will give you a form to give to the WIC office. WIC will give you food options, like cereal, juice, bread, beans, cheese, milk and other foods. You can return every month for a new supply of food.

The food assistance program is designed to give low income families, children and pregnant women food from all the food groups. It will not pay for sodas, chips, candy, cigarettes or alcohol.

For extra assistance, ask your WIC representative where the local food bank is located. A food bank is usually run by community organizations, and it may be able to help you with extra foods you will need, like meat or baby supplies.

Community activists should consider volunteering at local food banks.

As more and more people find themselves living below the poverty level, it is very important to know how to get food assistance. All 50 states offer food assistance programs. The United States government funds it. The program is usually called WIC.
Be Prepared Before You Apply
Before you can apply for the WIC program, there a few things you need to have. You will need:Drivers license or ID cardSocial Security CardProof of income or proof of no incomeIf you are pregnant, you will need proof of pregnancy
Take these documents to your local WIC office. This office is usually located in the Health Department office or the public clinic. Schools, hospitals and doctors’ offices should be able to tell you where to find the WIC office if you are unsure. Just ask where you can get food assistance. You can also call 703-305-2746 to find out where to get food assistance in your state.
You will need to set up an appointment to go in an apply for the WIC program. A health department representative will give you an application to fill out. They will then go over it and determine if you qualify. If you do, they will give you a form to give to the WIC office. WIC will give you food options, like cereal, juice, bread, beans, cheese, milk and other foods. You can return every month for a new supply of food.
The food assistance program is designed to give low income families, children and pregnant women food from all the food groups. It will not pay for sodas, chips, candy, cigarettes or alcohol.
For extra assistance, ask your WIC representative where the local food bank is located. A food bank is usually run by community organizations, and it may be able to help you with extra foods you will need, like meat or baby supplies.
Community activists should consider volunteering at local food banks.

Filed Under: Natural Disasters Tagged With: Food bank, Health Department, WIC

Why the Dollar Menu is a Bad Idea

For those living in poverty, sometimes that dollar menu at the fast food restaurant seems like that best way to feed the kids. Although the perception is that these value meals are money savers, in the long run, they are very costly.

Here’s the Breakdown

Using Texas as an example, let’s look at one week of eating off the dollar menu. Let’s do this with a family of four. First question, will a one dollar meal fill up a growing child? Question number two is a little deeper. Will the dollar meal provide the nutrition that a growing child needs to be healthy? Here’s the breakdown. When tax is applied, each meal costs $1.09. Multiply that by four and then multiply that by seven. That’s $36.52 per week in fast food. That doesn’t include the drinks! Now, we’re talking closer to $60.00 per week. A similar meal can be made at home, and it will be much more filling, and much healthier.

Childhood diabetes growing in epidemic numbers. For the same amount of money even bigger meals can be made for about $5 per family. These meals can be chock full of low fat, low sugar nutrients. A chicken, vegetable and rice soup is delicious and nutritious. Food banks will provide many of the staples that a meal like this requires. In that case, the cost is reduced even more.

Long Term Health Concerns

Cheap fast food is cheap quality food. That means high fat, salt and sugar content. It may not seem like a problem in the present time, but down the line, it leads to multiple health problems that add unnecessary health costs to an impoverished family. Diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer become big problems. It’s not just the medical costs, it’s the cost of lost wages.

Making good, inexpensive food choices can help the poverty stricken family save money in the long run.

Filed Under: Housing Projects, Natural Disasters Tagged With: Food, Health, Meal, Poverty

School Lunches Help Meet Growing Child’s Needs

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School lunches are an important tool in meeting a poverty stricken child’s needs. Since most elementary age children need about 1500 to 2000 calories, the school lunch helps meet that goal and then some.

It is assumed that there are children in the school who are not getting their caloric needs met, so a school lunch is 821 calories, and it has a 30% fat content. Therefore, this very important meal covers about half the nutrition needed for the day. It is important to know that the 30% fat content is at the top of the recommended daily allowance. Children who consume junk foods are at risk for obesity as they take the fat allowance over the limit.

At the other end of the spectrum, school lunch programs have to deal with plate waste. Many elementary school children will not eat everything on their plate. This leaves educators with the task of educating these kids about nutrition. Due to junk food competition, this may not be an easy task. Parents will likely have to help in that area, and many of them are unaware of the nutritional needs for their kids.

In recent years, the Federal School Lunch Program has mandated that no food be fried in a school cafeteria. Even the french fries must be baked. This keeps the fat content in check. Inspectors can show up in a school lunch room and literally measure weights, check nutrition ratios, and make sure that the children are getting what they need to be healthy.

The ever increasing concern with childhood obesity is making school lunch programs one of the best options for children living in poverty. It may be the only real nutrition a kid gets all day. Some school districts restrict choices to the point that a child has to choose between a banana or an apple instead of chips and candy. These districts will likely see the greatest success in curbing hunger.

Filed Under: Natural Disasters Tagged With: French fries, Nutrition, School meal, United States Department of Agriculture

How to Make a Food Budget

One of the most important things a family in poverty needs to learn is how to make a food budget. When resources are limited, learning to plan can be the difference between health and hunger.

Oregon State University has come up with an excellent budgeting tool, that every food assistance program and food bank should pass along to its clients.

This is a simple budget plan:

Step One. Add up the money available for food each month.
a. cash = ?
b. food stamps = ?
c. WIC = ?
Add a+b+c to get the total food budget.

Step Two. Divide the total food budget by 4.3. This is how much money can be spent on food each week.

Step Three. List all other food resources available to the client, like food banks, school lunch programs, or local churches.

Here’s an example of a food budget plan:
A mother gets $50 in food stamps each month. She gets $30 in WIC vouchers. She is able to set aside $150 a month for food. This gives her about $53 a week for groceries. There is a food bank in this mother’s community that gives her a monthly box of staples that include bread, rice, beans, dry milk, cooking oil, and canned vegetables. With this set up, this person is able to use her food dollars to buy perishable items like milk, eggs and meat.

If food banks can help council their clients in how to use their food dollars, and continue to monitor the success of the budget plan, these valuable organizations can make an even bigger impact on the war on poverty and hunger. If the budget process is successful, then a family in poverty may eventually begin to have extra financial resources for other needs like housing and clothing.

People in poverty often lack the ability to budget and plan, so the charitable community can be a valuable education resource.

Filed Under: Natural Disasters Tagged With: Food, Food bank, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Middle Class Values Don’t Apply to People in Poverty

: Image by Cory M. Grenier via Flickr

One of the worst assumptions our society can make is that all Americans value the same thing. Dr. Ruby Payne wrote a ground breaking book called “A Framework to Poverty.” Ms. Payne makes it clear that middle class values don’t apply to people in poverty.

She defines poverty as the extent with which people do without resources. Resources are more than just money. Resources include a car, a home, reliable family and friends, and education. The resources the poor value are different than the ones the middle class values. For those in poverty, a reliable family goes much further than it does for a suburban resident.

If a poor person’s car breaks down, he needs a friend or family member willing to give him a ride to work or loan him a car. Simply pulling out a checkbook to have the car repaired is not an option. If this individual has no family resources, he has to decide whether to use his cash resources on the car or whether he should just stay home and risk losing his job. He’s going to lose money either way.

Not only will people in poverty rely on each other for transportation, they often need each other for housing and money. In poverty stricken families, cash is often pooled. If one individual has cash, he may be the person responsible for food that week. When he runs out of cash, it is understood other family members will, in turn, support him.

People in poverty live in the moment. Saving for the future is non-existent because survival is a daily struggle. To assume a poor person can overcome his situation with the right discipline and planning is naive. A middle class individual can lose a resource and limp along. An impoverished person can lose a resource and find himself in the middle of a disaster.

Understanding poverty is one of the first steps in eliminating it.

Filed Under: Natural Disasters Tagged With: Facts and Statistics, Family, Middle class, Poverty, United States

How to Get A Habitat for Humanity House

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization that provides affordable homes for people in need. They actually build a new home for the qualifying family. They build for all races, religions, and backgrounds. If you are interested in living in one of these homes, it is important to know how to get a Habitat for Humanity house.

Habitat for Humanity runs its organization on a local level, so you must first attend an orientation meeting with the group in your community. These meetings are held several times a year. Attendance at one of these meetings is a mandatory first step in receiving a home. Gather all financial information to take with you. Fill out the application and demonstrate your need for housing. The organization aims to help those who are truly in need.

Some of the things Habitat for Humanity looks for is whether your current home is substandard, located in an unsafe neighborhood, costs more than 35% of your income, or is temporary housing. Along with hardship information, you have to prove your ability to pay for the new house. That means you are responsible for the down payment before construction begins. It will be 1% of the projected mortgage. A small deposit is required when your application is accepted. You will then be expected to pay 25% of your income in mortgage, and the payment must be on time.

Recipients of Habitat for Humanity homes also have to put in hundreds of hours in volunteer time. That means sweat equity in your own home. You will help build it. You’ll also be expected to help build other homes. If you cannot meet these demands, then you will not qualify for a Habitat for Humanity House.

The organization is about helping people who want to help themselves, so hard work and financial integrity are expected regardless of your situation.

Filed Under: Natural Disasters Tagged With: Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity International, Organization, Sweat equity