Blog Post: Homeless Does Not Mean Hopeless

With the mess in today’s economy more and more people are suffering.  Due to our declining economy homelessness has risen a thousand fold.  CBS news reported in 2004 that there were over 800,000 people who are homeless in the United States , and 200,000 are children of homeless families.  With the decrease of employment and affordable housing, these numbers are climbing astronomically each day.

At PATH West L.A. , we see the effects of unemployment and the lack of affordable housing every day.  Hundreds of well qualified people are coming into PATH West L.A. for services for housing and employment, needing some support to get back to a place of self sufficiency.

At first glance, our clients come to us with baggage from their troubled past, and the weight of unresolved issues.  Quickly as a staff we have to get them ready for employment.  This transition is hard at times, however, as a team we are able to give them the services they need.  Acting as a bridge, PATH gives hope to these transitioning individuals, allowing them to BECOME who they want to be.

Regardless of how bad it gets, and we all know how bad it is getting.  Even though many Americans are one pay check away from homelessness, there is still hope.  There are services, programs, and many loving compassionate people that are willing to give the homeless (and about to be homeless) community a hand up, not a hand out.  At PATH West L.A. we are committed to uplifting their spirits, and increasing their choices, and encouraging renewal of their minds, personal goals, and lifestyles.

If we ALL combine our efforts we can become ONE community of people working as ONE team to break the cycle of homelessness by empowering them with the tools for self-sufficiency!