May 2021
|
|
This is what Leadership from those with Lived Experience of homelessness looks like
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has always believed that one of the most important roles of an advocacy organization is listening to the voices of those who have been unhoused. Infused in the work of NCH for 40 years has been this tenant that those who have been there know the best solutions.
Finally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal agencies are starting to embraced significant involvement of people who have been homeless. NCH has been employing advocates who had experienced homelessness since its beginning, but have more recently been able to connect these homeless experts with Technical Assistance opportunities, providing guidance and evaluation of federal programs.
Our new Grants Manager position will allow NCH to grow its list of Technical Assistance (TA) providers who assist local, state, and federal partners with program development, leadership, peer mentorship, and racial equity. NCH will be launching a new local and state Technical Assistance initiative in the coming months, and we are beginning to recruit people experiencing homelessness to fill roles as TA providers. If you are interested in being a TA provider and have experienced homelessness, please email Michelle Bush at [email protected].
We have also recently filled the open role of Public Education Coordinator to oversee the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau. The Speakers' Bureau has been the bedrock of NCH's public education work for over 25 years. NCH is working to expand the opportunity to participate in the Faces of Homelessness to every state in the country. NCH is recruiting new speakers who have experienced homelessness to be included in our network. For more information about the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau, please email Maya Wharton at [email protected].
|
|
Get to Know NCH!
Please meet three of our newest staff members!
Michelle Bush, Grants Manager
L. Michelle Bush recently joined the National Coalition for the Homeless as grant manager. Her previous affiliation was as a formerly homeless speaker on the speaker's bureau some 20 years ago. A Washington DC born native, Bush has an extensive professional background in finance, management, operations, & training which spans corporate, public, and private sectors. A partial list of organizations served include: Baltimore City Government, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee, National Civic League, RE/Max, and US Department of Health & Human Services. Through her consulting practice, she has helped to start many thriving businesses and procure funding for sustainable operations. A woman of many talents, triumphs & defeats, Bush is an energetic preacher-teacher & motivator who pastors an on-line church fellowship from the inner city. In the Summer she hosts a seasonal specialty product showcase featuring minority-owned businesses. Bush is a mother of 3 talented young adults, and “Nana” to 2 geniuses.
|
|
Maya Wharton, Public Education Coordinator
Maya Wharton is an afro-nuyorican who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the DMV during the summer of 2020. She studied Women, Gender and Sexuality studies at CUNY LaGuardia CC. Most of her personal and professional career has been advocating for racial equity and inclusivity within reproductive health across multiple platforms. In her free time Maya runs a book club, bakes and in the hotter seasons, grows her own urban garden.
|
|
Haley Gallagher, Communications Manager
Haley Gallagher recently graduated from American University with a degree in Anthropology. She is passionate about community development and understanding how social issues hit home. Haley worked for StreetSense Media and Smithsonian Folkways, studying both material culture and indigenous intellectual property. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her cat and appreciating the nature that surrounds her.
|
|
Our monthly Town Hall for people experiencing homelessness is scheduled for this Thursday, May 20, at 3pm EST/ Noon PST.
We will be talking about the Biden administration's response to homelessness with officials from HUD. Click the link below to register!
Florida: Contact Publix to seek justice for Willie Barber
Almost a month ago, a security guard at a Public grocery store in Miami severely beat Willie Barber, after Mr. Barber was caught leaving the store without paying for food.
We are calling on Alexander Garcia Contrera, the security officer, to be censured with more than just a couple weeks suspension. We can all agree that stealing is wrong, but it does not justify the disgusting display of violence released on that bystander video in the Miami Publix.
Click here to learn more about the incident and how to ask for justice for Mr. Barber.
Image from NC Policy Watch
Tell your Governor to #SaveUnemployment
After what some consider to be a disappointing April jobs report, some legislators and Governors have begun to blame extended unemployment benefits for slow job growth. But economists have reported that these concerns about “too generous” benefits are simply not true.
The economy IS recovering with help of the American Rescue Plan, and recovery packages passed in 2020. Unemployment benefits, just like basic income programs, infuse money into the local economy. Households use the extra income to pay rent and utilities or to buy food and clothes for their kids.
It would be cruel to take away these federal benefits before the economy is fully recovered. Click to learn more or contact your Governor to #SaveUnemployment!
|
|
Cash Assistance
2020 taxes were due yesterday, May 17th. For anyone who did not file this year, or in previous years, but would qualify for the Economic Impact Payments (COVID stimulus $), here are some resources for accessing that cash assistance:
Toolkit for outreach to hard to reach populations.
|
|
Guidance on how to use the Emergency Housing Vouchers
HUD has released guidance on how to administer the $5 billion in new emergency housing vouchers that have been approved in the American Rescue Plan. Click here to view HUD's guidance!
|
|
May is Mental Health Month
For Mental Health Month this May, Veterans who have dealt with mental health challenges offer their fellow Veterans 10 ways to start improving their well-being. The list is filled with inspirational stories from Veterans who benefited from increasing their physical activity, taking up painting or a new hobby, and more.
This May, we encourage everyone to visit MakeTheConnection.net/MHM to hear advice from Veterans — for Veterans — about overcoming the same mental health challenges that many who have served in the military face. By taking One Step Today, Veterans can start their journey toward a healthier tomorrow.
Homestyle recipes for a cause
Executive Chef Cardie Mortimer knows the ups and downs of life. After professional training and a successful career, Cardie was sidelined by an injury and medical condition. Cooking helped rehabilitate him.
Celebrity chef Maria Liberati describes Cardie as a chef that cooks with soul. Outside of the kitchen, Chef Cardie believes giving back is another great way for us to come together. His relationship with a homeless man named Charlie inspired him to gift all proceeds from Keep on Cookin’ to support the National Coalition for the Homeless, and other organizations working to end homelessness.
For every $100 donation made to NCH online, we will send you a copy of Chef Cardie's favorite family recipes. We promise they will feed both your body and soul!
National Coalition for the Homeless, 2201 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
Don't like these emails? Unsubscribe
|
