In a recent hearing, the Human Services Commission has recommended against making this drastic cut to needed services for homeless families.

”Eliminating funding for this type of program is counterintuitive on two levels. First, with homelessness swelling in this new recession and need growing, is cutting social safety net services to homeless families the right cut to make at this time? Second, the Hamilton Family Transitional Housing  Program actually contributes to an annual reduction in costs to the City by diverting families from the child welfare and foster care systems.” – Beth Stokes, MSW, Executive Director, Hamilton Family Center

What you can do to help?

Contact Mayor Newsom and ask him to accept the recommendation of the Human Services Commission and not cut funding by 20% to homeless families and youth living in transitional housing.

Twitter @GavinNewsom
Facebook www.facebook.com/GavinNewsom
Phone: 415.554.6141
Email gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, at Hamilton Family Center we are working hard to identify resources for the upcoming food-centered holiday. Yet, it’s during this time, I’m compelled to reflect upon the fact that family hunger does not take a holiday, for the families we work with, food insecurity is a daily struggle.

In the 2008, United Conference of Mayors, Hunger and Homelessness Survey, the following was cited:

• The majority (59%) of persons requesting food assistance were in families

• Cities identified the three main causes of hunger as:

1. Poverty (83%)
2. Unemployment (74%)
3. High cost of housing (57%)

At Hamilton Family Center our mission is focused on serving this very same population. Every day we work with families living in homelessness and poverty; the majority being unemployed and struggling to find affordable housing in San Francisco.

The battle for low-income, working families to make ends meet continues to be hampered by record unemployment rates. Last week it was announced that the national unemployment rate jumped above 10%, and is now at 10.2%. This disheartening news, coupled with an economy that continues to struggle, can only result in a heightened demand for food assistance.

The confluence of these factors, a downturn economy and record unemployment, has resulted in skyrocketing family homelessness. The increase in demand for basic need services, including shelter and food assistance, comes at a time when resources are more limited and funding is down.

Yet, at Hamilton Family Center, despite these gloomy forecasts, we are undeterred and will continue in our efforts to mitigate the disturbing increases in family hunger and homelessness. Hamilton Family Center annually serves over 113,000 meals to homeless families; provides up to 75 food boxes a month to very low-income, food insecure families; and hosts a weekly food pantry.

Hunger does not take a holiday, so please join us and “Share Your Harvest”. Help us to end family hunger and poverty in our community.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Beth Stokes

We are grateful to the Hamlin School for their generous support for our programs and for homeless families in our community.