LA's Homeless Profile

Hello Zaadz friends!

Know the profile of LA’s homeless?  I was shocked to find that they resemble us more than you may think …
 

• Recent estimates of American homelessness indicate that the average age is nine and the fastest growing segment is children under 12.
• Families, typically headed by single moms, represent a growing percentage of LA’s homeless - nightly estimates are up to 43%.
• Women represent approximately 24.5% of the overall homeless population
• The most frequent source of income before the onset of homelessness is a job
• 17% of homeless adults report a history of active military service.  This is nearly double the 9% rate for the rest of the county
• 42% of homeless residents report some type of disability - double the disability rate for LA County

 
Children, single-moms, veterans, families, the disabled and fellow workers.  Not exactly what you thought, huh?
 
Can you imagine not having clean diapers for your baby, socks to keep your feet warm, water to quench your thirst, or have no clue as to where your next meal is coming from?  Let us pray we never will.  However, here in LA there are tens of thousands of living examples of how real an existence this is for many people today. 

And that's why the work of an organization call The Giving Spirit is so critical.  The Giving Spirit is a grass roots, non-profit organization headed by a wonderful friend of mine, Tom Bagamane.  Each year the organization creates and hand delivers kits filled with over 70 items aimed at giving homeless families and individuals sustenance, survival and hope.  This year their goal is to reach 1600 of LA's homeless population.

As I said before, The Giving Spirit is truly remarkable because it provides tangible and often-times monumental changes in people's lives.  Honestly, it's not even so much about the food, health care items, clothing, etc. - even though they're incredibly important.   Even moreso, it's the fact that the people who are homeless, who often feel so isolated and alone, get to know for one moment that they are loved, supported, and important in someone's life.  That they are valuable.  It truly is a gift of the spirit.

Below is an e-mail from Tom providing some background for The Giving Spirit and its goals for the 2007 holiday season.  Essentially, there are two huge ways you can provide help:  a) donating financial support - tax deductible, and b) giving your time (if you're in the LA area).  You can donate or sign up to volunteer on the website, which is http://www.TheGivingSpirit.org.

Also, if you're part of an organization or business, there are many more ways to participate.  Check out the opportunities here:  http://www.thegivingspirit.org/index.php?id=14&link=corporate

Here's to changing the world - one person at a time.

Much love,
Nancy

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MESSAGE FROM TOM BAGAMANE:

Dear friends of The Giving Spirit –
 
In five short weeks volunteers from all over the country will gather in LA to personally serve 1600 homeless children, women and men.
 
We hope…
 
As of today, The Giving Spirit (www.thegivingspirit.org) is well short of our goal to raise $105,000 to build and deliver survival kits to 1500 homeless adults and 100 homeless toddlers. We have raised only $29,600 with less than one month to go.  We need your help to raise the remaining $75,400.
 
As we look to gather together to give thanks for what we have, please be reminded that LA’s annual homeless population reaches 300,000 – with 88,000 on any given night looking for one of 16,000 beds.
 
For those of you who have already sent your donation in, thank you very, very much. Please forward this on and challenge your company, your friends and your families to join you. If you would like to gift someone a few kits as/or in lieu of a holiday gift, we will send them a card on your behalf.

Just email us at info@thegivingspirit.org and let us know the details.
 
FYI - we are mandated to return a minimum of $.95 of every donated dollar directly and personally to the homeless.  Our outreach is only limited by the funds we raise. If your donation is on the way, please let us know the amount of your pledge so we can budget accordingly. Please give generously as every extra dollar spreads your kindness. 

Donate online at www.thegivingspirit.org - or make out your check to The Giving Spirit and mail it to: The Giving Spirit, 11908 Montana Ave. #205 LA, CA 90049.
 
December 13th-15th is when it all happens. Please sign-up to volunteer at  http://www.thegivingspirit.org/index.php?id=30, and see how your generous gift impacts the lives of 1600 homeless people and the hundreds of volunteers who reach out to the forgotten.  All in 72 hours.
 
Peace, Godspeed and Happy Holidays to you and your good families. Thank you for your abundant generosity.
 
Tom
 
Tom Bagamane
Chairman
The Giving Spirit
310.442.9489