SHARING SEASON AND GIVING THANKS: COMMUNITY AWARENESS

As we approach the holiday season, let’s pause and reflect on how grateful we are for living in such a great country and community.

As the giving season approaches and before we get crazy with our own personal shopping lists, parties and celebrations, for the remainder of the year, we intend to spotlight several non-profit organizations in our area who are doing terrific work to help out those who are less fortunate. As we reflect on our own abundance, take a look at what others are doing and consider getting involved or making a donation.

SPOTLIGHT: HOMESTRETCH, INC.

Homestretch, a nonprofit organization located in Falls Church, was established in 1990 to address the causes of homelessness for families living in Virginia with children under the age of 18. (The average age of someone in Homestretch is only 9 years old.) The mission of Homestretch is to work with the family to find the root of why it is homeless and provide it with the knowledge and skills to find permanent housing and self sufficiency so that they will become productive participants in the community.

We tend to look past homeless people when in fact we should be saying “there but for the grace of God go I.” There are many circumstances why people have lost their homes, but they needs are not invisible, and they will not disappear. Homestretch has assisted over 1,000 families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. To enter the Homestretch program, a family must be referred by a social service agency in Virginia.

For more information, visit http://homestretchva.org/.