Organization celebrates National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Project Hope for the Homeless is celebrating National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Nov. 15-22.

The week is celebrated each November and is part of a national effort involving more than 700 organizations that work to raise awareness about poverty, according to a news release from Project Hope for the Homeless, which is the only emergency shelter in Lake County.

The organization continues to provide shelter to homeless persons during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Executive Director Judy Burr said the public can take action to help observe National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

“With so many of our neighbors who may be evicted from their homes at the end of 2020, please visit our website and fill out an application to serve, schedule a meal, or give the gift of a shelter night to someone in need,” Burr said in the release. “Thank you in advance for your response.”

Project Hope for the Homeless offers these four programs:

• Adult shelter: an overnight, goal-oriented shelter for adults

• Families Moving Forward: a daytime and evening shelter for families in a separate wing of the shelter for up to 12 parents and children

• Hope House: an off-site 24-hour senior transitional home that began operation in April 2019 for up to three guests who are 62 and older

“With so many of our neighbors who may be evicted from their homes at the end of 2020, please visit our website and fill out an application to serve, schedule a meal, or give the gift of a shelter night to someone in need.” — Executive Director Judy Burr

• Aftercare: a voluntary support program for former guests that includes workshops, care packages, special events and ongoing case management that has reduced recidivism rate to less than 10%

In 2019, Project Hope of the Homeless served 476 guests, including 71 children. This year through October, 251 guests, including 39 children from 21 households have received care with an 86% success rate of shelter guests transitioning into housing or treatment, the release stated.

Reservations to stay at the shelter are handled by calling 2-1-1. For more information about Project Hope for the Homeless, visit http://www.projecthopeforthehomeless.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/projecthopeforthehomeless.