Nationally: More Families Homeless & on the Streets

"The Great Recession drove more families into homeless shelters in 2009, a new federal report has found.

Some 170,000 families needed shelter last year, up from 159,000 in 2008, according to an annual survey from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. There were 535,000 people in those families.

Over the course of the past year, the number of people in homeless shelters dipped slightly to 1.56 million, from 1.6 million a year earlier. This translates into one of every 200 Americans."

money.cnn.com/2010/06/16/news/economy/homelessness/index.htm

Help wanted with Kalamazoo's third annual 'Family Reunion'

From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

KALAMAZOO — Donations, volunteers and community organizations wishing to share information about their services are all being sought by organizers of Kalamazoo’s third annual Ultimate Family Reunion.

The free, public fun-and-food event is slated to run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Spring Valley Park.

The 2010 theme is: “As a Community, We Win in 2010.” The event is again sponsored by Mothers of Hope, an organization founded to empower women recovering from substance abuse, restore families and enhance community life.

Organizers Gwen Hillman, Mothers of Hope chairwoman, and Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Bell, the group’s program development chairwoman, say they need everything from picnic volunteers and cash, to food donations and sporting goods contributions to make the summer event a success.

“The primary goal of this year’s event is to provide an opportunity for community members to connect with resources within the community for the building of strong community ties,” Bell said. “As in years past, we desire to hold an event that will provide a safe, welcoming environment for families within the overall community ... of Kalamazoo.”

A small registration fee charged to agencies and programs that wish to distribute information about their services will help underwrite some of the costs.

In addition, Mothers of Hope is seeking help with the following:

• Vans to transport people who park in off-site lots to and from the reunion.
• Donations to purchase food and suppliers who are willing to offer at least one free food item throughout the day. They also seek donations for stages, portable restrooms and sound equipment.
• Volunteers to cook and/or serve food at the event.
• Bottled water.
• Praise teams, choirs and entertainment groups.
• 50 fishing poles and volunteers to assist children from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The donated poles will be raffled at the end of the day.
• Tennis rackets and balls, plus volunteers to oversee tennis from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. That equipment also will be raffled with proceeds used to pay reunion expenses. A group is also needed to organize softball games at 1 and 4 p.m.
• Additional picnic tables and trash cans for the event and volunteers to help with clean up.

Organizers also plan three-on-three basketball tournaments and a dance contest.
For more information, to donate or to volunteer, contact Bell at 269-760-5969 or e-mail stephny4@yahoo.com.

Read the full article: http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/06/help_wanted_with_kalamazoos_th.html