NEW ORLEANS (press release) – As the holiday season approaches, the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter is drawing attention to the alarming surge in family homelessness in New Orleans in time for Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week.
According to a recent UNITY and Housing NOLA survey, family homelessness increased by 62% compared to last year, underscoring the pressing need for community support and awareness. NOWCS urges families, individuals and communities to take action Nov. 11-18, 2023 and every day to address this critical issue.
“Homelessness is a year-round challenge, but it is especially heartbreaking during the holidays,” said Dawn Bradley-Fletcher, NOWCS CEO. “Joy, togetherness and festive family celebrations can also serve as a stark reminder that not everyone can celebrate from the comforts of home.”
Pregnant mothers, single parents and intact families without stable housing face other severe consequences, with children being the most vulnerable. Homeless children experience higher rates of violence exposure, increased illness, emotional distress, developmental delays and poorer academic performance. The cycle of despair and poverty becomes harder to break without stable housing.
“The New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter is committed to breaking this cycle by providing comprehensive support to homeless families,” Bradley-Fletcher said. “Through family-centric counseling, services and 18 months of follow-up and transition assistance, NOWCS has achieved an impressive 98% success rate, transitioning over 4,300 people—half of them children—towards self-sufficiency. Addressing homelessness necessitates a community-wide effort.”
To find out how you can support New Orleans families experiencing homelessness, visit www.nowcs.org/support. To learn more about Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week, visit https://hhweek.org/.
