"Homelessness touches the lives of many more people than the community thinks. It isn't just men and women with substance abuse problems. Being homeless affects young people transitioning from foster care, mothers and children who are victims of domestic violence, and families evicted from their homes or apartments for many reasons.

"People can't be successful in addressing such problems as substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect if they don't have a suitable place to live. It is only after such basic needs as housing and food are available that individuals and families can confront their issues in order to achieve or return to independence.

"The 10-year plan to eliminate homelessness is a blueprint that, if followed, will be successful in not only moving people from homelessness, but will also prevent homelessness in the future. The Commission on Homeless is comprised of individuals dedicated to following the blueprint, so that homelessness can be eliminated in Vanderburgh County."

Commission on Homelessness
The next meeting is set for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2006 at Mayor Weinzapfel's office. This City-County commission was established in June 2005 to oversee the implementation of Destination Home. Commissioner Tom Shetler is serving as chair for 2006-2007.

Why Does it Matter?
From rising healthcare costs to growing numbers of single parent heads of households and the cost of childcare, many Indiana families are struggling to make it. When they don’t, we pay high costs at every turn. We pay more work supports, like food stamps, childcare vouchers, and Medicaid. We create the need for more social services, and core infrastructure, more police and law enforcement. By creating paths to self- sufficiency, we can divert monies currently used as ‘band-aids’ to programs that provide training, encourage the right kind of job creation, and secure the health of Indiana communities.

Aren’t the Self Sufficiency Wages “too high”?
No. Because the Self Sufficiency Standard is calculated using the real costs of goods and services purchased in the regular marketplace, it reflects the real expenses consumers face. The Standard is a “no frills” budget that does not allow for entertainment, fast food, savings, credit card debt or emergency expenses such as car repairs. Plus, it is important to remember that any time a family does not make enough to cover these basic costs, the community or state must find ways to pay for them.

To read more about this online tool, visit the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues's website at www.ichhi.org

Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers can’t find a clean, safe and affordable place to call home. It’s a problem that affects more people than you think, including Seniors, Young couples, Working families, Single parents, People with disabilities, People and families experiencing homelessness, and Every community, including yours

What Is Our Indiana Home?
Addressing Indiana's affordable housing needs requires a commitment from a broad range of business, community and legislative leaders. Plus, educating residents about this growing statewide crisis, while encouraging them to get involved and help solve the problem, is just as important.

There Are (Some Surprisingly Simple) Solutions -- and you can help!
The first step is to become a part of Our Indiana Home. Together we’ll raise awareness about the need for affordable housing, how it benefits local communities, and how we can help ensure that every Hoosier has access to safe, quality housing that’s within their financial means.
Becoming a partner is easy (and free!)—just log on to www.ourindianahome.org and complete the online enrollment form (find out more about the issues—and how they affect us all—while you’re there).

On any given day in Hamilton County there are conservatively as many as 80 to 120 young people (12 to 17 years old) whose parents or caretakers do not know where the youth spent the previous night. Many of those youth were with family members or friends – but many of those friends were just “acquaintances.”

A Minnesota study found that 75% of young people who are out of their home for 24 hours or longer report being the witnesses, victims or perpetrators of criminal activity including drug or alcohol use, assault, theft, gun crimes and sexual assault or exploitation.

The Youth Outreach Program seeks out homeless young people both through street outreach workers who regularly patrol the streets and through a local drop in center. Youth Outreach workers provide basic survival services to the homeless – everything from showers and laundry to food, counseling, transportation and the slow encouragement to seek the stabilizing influence of employment, housing or treatment.

Many young people who are homeless do not have the self-sufficiency skills to negotiate daily life on their own even if they want to leave the streets. For these young adults the Transitional Living Program is prepared to help them find housing, figure out how to apply for and get a job or re-enter and complete school, to care for a young child, balance a budget or cook a meal.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Division provides a solid continuum of services to Cincinnati’s runaway and homeless young people. Lighthouse Youth Services is committed to serving every young person and his or her family with dignity and concern for their well being – to help each of them become good citizens, to act responsibly and to become self- reliant.

LOCAL NOTE: If you are currently serving the teens and young adults of the Evansville/Vanderburgh Co. area and have an interest in knowing more about what can be done to serve homeless youth in our area, please send us an email to let us know your interest, experience, or questions: info@auroraevansville.org

Getting Involved
If you would like to explore a strategy for development, participate in an ongoing strategy or would like more detailed information, please contact
Destination Home Resource Coordinator, Luzada Hayes, at 428-3246 or
e-mail luzhayes@auroraevansville.org.

Funding Sources
Destination Home is funded in part by: Bussing-Koch Foundation, City of Evansville, Fifth Third Foundation, Mission & Ministry Inc., Trinity United Methodist Church and Vectren Corporation.

"When will we ever learn that
there are no hopeless situations,
only people who have
grown hopeless about them?
What appears as an unsolvable problem to us
is actually a rather exhilarating challenge.
People who inspire others are those
who see invisible bridges
at the end of dead-end streets."
- Chuck Swindoll

To financially support Destination:Home strategies and endeavors,
send checks made payable to
Aurora, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Avenue, PO Box 74, Evansville, IN 47701-0074.
You may also make donations online via PayPal or your checking/debit card by clicking on the "Make a Donation" button above or on our website.