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November is National Hunger and Homelessness Week (November 14-20, 2010) and Philanthropic Month for Non-Profits. With this in mind, here are some facts about national homelessness and a snap-shot of homelessness from our part of the world - Waltham and the Metro-West area.
"Approximately 2.3 to 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness at least once annually. Single adults comprise about 49 percent of the homeless population, some whom are called chronic homeless, and the majority is male". - The National Center for Homelessness
At the Community Day Center, we see over 600 different homeless and near homeless people annually. 65 percent of them are homeless (of these, 80 percent are in shelters, and 20 percent are on the streets). 70 percent are male and 30 percent are women.
“Their lives are marked by violence, hunger, health problems, social isolation, and the challenges of living outdoors in extreme weather and without access to showers or bathroom facilities. Many have experience traumatic stress and violence. At least 25 were physically or sexually abused.” - The National Center for Homelessness
Each Guest at the Community Day Center faces on average at least two of these major challenges: Transitional Assistance, Health Insurance, Food Stamps, Social Security, Housing Clothing Vouchers, Legal Assistance, Domestic Violence and others. Because we only record those challenges that are self-disclosed, often statistics do not fully express the hardships faced.
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During the month of January, dine at The 
CDCW Photo Exhibit Now Viewable at
The Crescent Suites Hotel