Alabama Possible » homelessness

Alabama Possible summit: relational ministry + your faith community

Robyn Hyden — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:28:00 +0000

We’ve just posted the agenda for our October 25 Alabama Possible Summit, and we’re really excited about it! Dr. Wayne Flynt will speak about the context of ministry in Alabama. R.G. Lyons, Jim Branum, and a bunch of amazing ministers and people of faith from all over will be joining us to talk about building reciprocal relationships through ministry. We’ll also have roundtable discussions about education, homelessness, home repair and rural ministries.

Check out the agenda and register online by October 18 to get our early-bird rate of $15, or $9 for students.

Posted by Robyn Hyden.

Veterans and Poverty: Gender and age matter

Kristina Scott — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:35:38 +0000

On this Veteran’s Day, I thought I would look at how military service impacts economic security.

According to the Census Bureau, poverty is low among veterans. Only 5.6 percent of veterans lived in poverty in 1999 – or about half the rate for all adults, which was 10.9 percent.

However, our youngest veterans, those who served in August 1990 or later, were among the most likely to be poor, with a poverty rate of 6.2 percent. And, according to this story from the Boston Globe, the VA says that the number of homeless women veterans is on the rise.

An estimated 6,500 female veterans end up homeless. While that’s a relatively small number, it is twice was it was a decade ago. Again, younger veterans are more at risk: One out of every 10 homeless vets under the age of 45 is now a woman. And many are single moms.

Help make sure Alabama counts

Kristina Scott — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:09:16 +0000

The US Census Bureau is gearing up for next year’s big count and APP hopes that you and nonprofits that you support will get involved.

2010 Census data will determine how much federal funding Alabama receives, set priorities for infrastructure improvements and draw district lines for our elected representatives.

Low-income areas, immigrant neighborhoods, homeless individuals, minorities and the unemployed are most at risk for being under-counted. And if a community is under-counted, it will also probably be under-funded and under-represented.

The Census is a survey sent to every household in the United States every ten years. It is available in multiple languages and is a legally confidential document.

Here are some specific ways that you can get involved to make the 2010 Census a huge success in your community:

• Contact your local U.S. Census Bureau office and find out how to partner with them.

• Have educational materials readily available at your nonprofit, house of worship or other community center.

• Sponsor a campaign or event in your community to raise awareness.

• Become a Be Counted site or a Questionnaire Assistance Center.

• Provide links and information about the Census on your website or in your emails.

For more information, materials and ideas visit the Nonprofit Counts website at www.nonprofitscount.org.

Posted by Haley Heckman