This Mother's Day, Take A Moment To Help Homeless Mothers And Children
HomeAid's 5th Annual Essentials for Young Lives™ Campaign is Collecting Baby Essentials Through Mother's Day.
- (1888PressRelease) May 10, 2012 - In honor of Mother's Day, HomeAid Orange County, in partnership with the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, is collecting "essential" items such as diapers, baby wipes, baby food and hygiene products for homeless families in Orange County.
Homeless mothers and their infants represent the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, and HomeAid's 5th annual Essentials for Young Lives campaign seeks to provide them with essential items that they cannot afford. Essentials for Young Lives Honorary Chair, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, said she is inspired by how the community rallies each year to help those most in need. Last year, the 2011 campaign collected 321,565 babies items, valued at more than $360,000.
"This year the campaign has more than 25 companies and community organizations throughout Orange County who have volunteered to serve as donation sites for the 2012 Essentials for Young Lives drive," said Sheriff Hutchens. "With wide-spread community support, we hope to reach our goal of collecting one half million items."
"We are so grateful for the assistance of Essentials for Young Lives in helping us serve the thousands of women and children who turn to us in their times of crisis," said Scott Larson, Executive Director of HomeAId Orange County. "These contributions are critical to the health and safety of at-risk babies and their mothers, and they send an inspiring message to struggling families that the Orange County community cares about them."
Essentials for Young Lives donations enable recipient agencies to save the funds normally spent on diapers, baby wipes, and other items for use on programs to help their clients achieve self-sufficiency and to lead productive, independent lives.
As the rise in homeless families increases, so does the demand for homeless services and the need for essential baby items. Donations are divided among HomeAid's 16 service provider partners. These are the agencies that operate facilities built in partnership with HomeAid Orange County and serve homeless families across the county.
• American Family Housing
• Anaheim Interfaith Shelter
• Casa Teresa
• Families Forward
• HIS House
• Human Options
• Interval House
• Isaiah House - Catholic Worker
• Laura's House
• Mary's Shelter
• Mercy House
• Orange County Rescue Mission
• Pathways of Hope
• Precious Life Shelter
• Thomas House
• W.T.L.C.
Drop-off sites for items are located throughout Orange County, including select VONS grocery stores and YMCA facilities. The list of public donation drop-off sites is available online at www.essentialsforyounglives.org.
About HomeAid Orange County
HomeAid Orange County is the founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build and maintain dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between service providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date the organization has completed 48 housing developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org
About Children and Families Commission of Orange County
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County oversees the allocation of funds from Proposition 10, which added a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California. Funds help pay for education, health care and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age five and their families. The Commission's goal is to ensure all children are healthy and ready to learn when they enter school. Programs supported by the Commission include shelter projects and services for children and families because children learn better when they have stable housing. For additional information visit: www.occhildrenandfamilies.com
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