Interfaith is a grateful recipient of the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant!
We Can End Family Homelessness in North County
The Reality
More than 22,000 children were identified as homeless* in San Diego County last school year, accounting for 4.5% of total students. In the Escondido Union School District, that number is even higher, with about 7% of students identified as homeless. Children and their parents are living in cars, abandoned buildings, and the occasional friend’s couch, with no consistent meals, sleep, or structure necessary to perform in school or at work.
Make a Difference
Interfaith’s One Campaign challenges all members of our community to join us in our mission to help these families attain stable housing that will allow children to thrive in school, and their parents to obtain employment and return to self-sufficiency. The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant will serve as the matching seed money we need to eliminate homelessness in North San Diego County, one family at a time.
*Source: San Diego Office of Education
Donation tracker here. Need to source.
Sponsoring a Family
While needs vary depending on the size of the family and their circumstances, the average amount needed to move a family off the street and into a stable home, including move-in costs, is about $7,500 and includes items such as job training, bus passes, rental deposits, and first-month’s rent. Move-in costs average an additional $2,500.
To become a founding partner with a gift of $25,000 or more, contact Varinda Missett at vmissett@interfaithservices.org.
Donations
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted and will be used to provide support for current Interfaith clients to help them and their minor children move into stable housing. Examples of needs may include:
- Therapy, counseling, and employment training
- Work clothes, tools, and bus passes
- Rental applications and deposits
In addition, we’ll provide you with periodic updates and personal stories of success from families who have benefited from your generosity.
FEATURED FAMILY
John was living on the streets last year, battling addiction with seemingly no way out until he found his way to Interfaith Community services. After a few weeks of finding a consistent food source through our free sack lunch program, he trusted our staff enough to ask for help. Once connected to our Recovery and Wellness center, their journey towards overcoming addiction began.
To support a family in need, visit https://interfaithservices.org/donate/ and select “One Family At a Time Fund” from the designation dropdown menu.
To learn more about Interfaith, email communications@interfaithservices.org.
“Instead of trying to survive day by day I've been able to actually focus on the future.”
- Family Shelter Resident
Take the Pledge!
It takes a village! Ask friends and neighbors to join the effort to end family homelessness in our community through the following pledge:
I commit to...
- Using my voice and my vote to influence elected and community officials
- Sharing my knowledge and ideas with friends and family
- Committing monetary or other resources to help families in my community