According to the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA, 2008), in their annual “Point in Time” homeless census count, in 2008 there were 5,869 homless persons counted, which was a 14% increase from 2007.  There were 611 “chronically homeless” counted, an increase of 8% from 2007.  Forty-three percent of those surveyed in that count reported they had been homeless for more than one year.  (Chronic homelessness means an individual has been homeless for 1 year or has had 4 episodes of homlessness in a 3-year period.) 

As the winter weather descends upon North Texas, I am excited to announce this year we will partner with the national non-profit organization One Warm Coat to aid in our coat drive.  Our recipient this year will be the Austin Street Centre.

OWC has been gracious enough to send me a wonderful banner and other materials for our coat drive, which will be held through December 20th.  I will be delivering the marketing materials at church this weekend. 

***WE ARE IN URGENT NEED OF A LARGE COLLECTION BOX (or boxes)*** 

If anyone can bring one to the church this Sunday, December 13th, it would be much appreciated.  If you have a box or boxes, please contact me (Jase) at org.psych2010@gmail.com.

For more on One Warm Coat, click here.

For more on the Austin Street Centre, click here.