What you need to know to support our mission. Monthly Newsletter Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week starts today November 16th - 24th Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to hunger and homelessness. See 5 ways you can take action during this week with Doorways. Get Involved November is National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month "Adolescence and young adulthood represent a key developmental window. Every day of housing instability represents missed opportunities to support healthy development and transitions to productive adulthood. No more missed opportunities." National trend, local impact Did you know that 1 in 10 youth ages 18-25, and 1 in 30 youth ages 13-17, experience homelessness each year? These findings, the result of groundbreaking national research from Chapin Hall, reflect the reality we experience in our community. Last year, more than 40% of adults in Doorways' Freddie Mac Foundation Family Home were between the ages of 18 and 24, including single youth and parenting youth. These young adults need developmentally targeted services to address life-skills development and complex trauma needs. Doorways' response: Pathways for Youth Pathways for Youth provides youth and young families who are experiencing homelessness with developmentally targeted services to address life-skills development and complex trauma needs, with a special focus on underserved populations including communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth. Learn More Some youth are at greater risk of experiencing homelessness "Understanding that certain groups of young people are more likely to experience homelessness can prompt targeted strategies to speed progress toward ending youth homelessness," Chapin Hall reported in its first in the series of Research-to-Impact briefs. Their findings "reinforce the need for targeted strategies to address the disproportionate risks for homelessness among certain subpopulations." Read more. Click here to see full-size version Holiday Wishes Sign up to be a sponsor 'Tis the season! For many, this time of year is marked by joy, traditions, and sharing. At Doorways, our clients wish to give their families memorable holiday experiences, despite the hardships they are experiencing. That's where you come in, to make those wishes come true. How can you help? Sign up to be a Doorways holiday wishes sponsor! Through our new Holiday Bazaar, sponsors will provide two gifts (maximum $50 in value each) and one $50-$75 gift card per client. To learn more, please contact Anna at (703) 504-9291 or [email protected]. We are so excited to get you involved again in bringing holiday cheer to our clients. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Complete Sign-Up Form After you complete this form, we will send you a list of items our clients have requested, similar to years past, along with details including donation drop-off times. Thank you! 12 ways to support Doorways during the holiday season Everyone deserves a holiday season filled with joy, peace and hope. Every year, we rely on our caring community to help provide those gifts to the adults, youth and children in our programs. Your generosity lifts their spirits every year. Here are 12 ways to make a difference this season to help ensure our clients enjoy a season of good tidings! See the list (and check it twice). Upcoming Events 9th Annual Gifts That Give Hope NoVA Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, December 7th Shop for a good cause! Gifts That Give Hope puts a new spin on gift-giving. The concept is simple: Make a donation to one of their select locally based nonprofits, including Doorways, personalize a GTGH greeting card for a loved one, and give that act of kindness as a gift. Thank you in advance for giving the gift of hope this season! Learn more. See More In the News Ending the Cycle The reality of homelessness and how the community can help "The reality of homelessness looks a lot like what Terri experienced — people placed in a bad situation doing everything they can to make ends meet." "Homelessness isn't always continuous, as people often weave in and out of having shelter. Terri's credit report shows 37 addresses. It could be more." "Her unstable housing situation forced her to lower her expectations of what a healthy relationship should look like. Physical, sexual and psychological abuse became routine." Read Terri's Story Homelessness and Education Systems Can Work Together to Improve Youth Outcomes "Homelessness and housing instability interfere with young people's abilities and opportunities to stay in school and achieve their educational aspirations. This brief highlights opportunities for the education and homelessness systems to work together to ensure that youth are supported in their living situations, their educational experiences, and their career pursuits." Read more. Last year, 100% of of transition-age youth who were enrolled in high school or college when they came into Doorways' Pathways for Youth program continued in school. Doorways | P.O. Box 100185, Arlington, VA 22210 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!