STAT: One-half of homeless children attend 3 different schools in one year.

STORY: “Eric” and “Emory” are Darla’s two  5 year old sons.  Eric’s severe asthma is very scary for him and can be life threatening.   Thanks to support from Drop-In Center and housing staff, Eric and his family have been able to receive extra health training from the Berkeley Public Health Nurses and from Children’s Hospital staff.  Our referral to the  Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund allowed Eric to receive the proper attention from the school district staff that he needed to successfully attend the local school.  Both boys are excited about attending school, making friends and doing very well.  They and their mother are happy to be living in their own apartment, thanks to one of our transitional housing programs.

STAT: The median wage needed to afford a two bedroom apartment is more than twice the minimum wage: $16.67 an hour.  (National Center on Family Homelessness)

STORY: “Darla” has been working with staff at the Drop-In Center since she escaped a terrifying domestic violence relationship with her two young sons in 2005.  Staff immediately helped her get into a secure domestic violence shelter to stabilize their living situation and to keep them safe from harm.  One of Darla’s children had a critical medical condition, so we helped to connect her to Children’s Hospital for on-going treatment.  Today Darla is participating in one of our transitional housing programs and is completing a training program so that she can increase her income through work.

STAT: The average income of a homeless parent is $8000


STORY: “Carol” is a 39 year old mom with a 20 month old son who came to the Center for help with housing.  The staff was able to help her find a day program for substance abuse.  The family is surviving on CalWorks benefits until Carol can get more training.  Thanks to staff support, Carol has been able to confront her fears of going back to school and is working on passing her GED exam.  A real crisis was presented when Carol’s best friend died; but with her new support network Carol was able to address this pain and to stay free from drugs.  The staff was able to help them find a safe place to live.

STAT:  The fastest growing segment of the homeless population are families with children.   In 2007 23% of all homeless individuals were members of families with children. 

(US Conference of Mayors, 2007).

STORY: “Becca” an energetic, but shy 3 year old, accompanied her mother to the Center, clinging to her mom’s skirt at first.  As she learned the routine in the playroom and she began to play and interact with other children, her natural enthusiasm started to emerge.  Thanks to her time at the Center, Becca’s mom saw how much she enjoyed being social, so was able to enroll her in a local Headstart program.  Becca is no longer as quick to display the tantrums and acting out behavior which had frustrated her mother.  Becca and her mom are grateful to be stably housed in a two bedroom apartment near the Drop-In Center.