[BLATANT PLUG]
You're going to be asked by a lot of people to support their favorite charities this time of year. Let me tell you about one of them.
I recently joined the board of directors of The Philadelphia Committee to END Homelessness.
That's right. End it.
Our philosophy is simple: we believe believe that the best way to help homeless and at-risk individuals is to secure them housing first, then connecting them to the mainstream and neighborhood services they need to maintain permanent housing. This approach helps prevent people from entering the homeless service system, and helps those already homeless to rapidly exit the cycle of temporary solutions. Give people the stability and dignity that permanent housing affords, rather than use the more expensive shelter system as a bandaid.
Our plan is called Safe Home Philadelphia. Because we don't accept public money, we exist outside the network of service providers dependent on a constant supply of homeless people to fill our shelter beds and keep people employed. Indeed, when we have finished our plan, we want to turn our offices into more family housing, and declare ourselves out of business.
Want to help the homeless? Help us help them no longer be homeless. We know what works; give us the resources to succeed.
We're also selling holiday cards which might be of interest to anyone in the Philadelphia area.
Learn about our programs, read the 2010 plan, and feel free to ask me questions about PCEH. I can also try to direct you to good organizations in your area.
What's important here to realize is that homelessness is not a permanent, intractable condition. We can do something about it.
Thanks for your time. Help us if you can.
[/PLUG]