Empowering Housing Advocates to Share Their Personal Stories

The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance's new Emerging Advocates Program builds on the organization's strong history of supporting housing advocacy. In this photo, advocates rally at the state capitol at the Housing Alliance's Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day on Feb. 11, 2013. Image credit: Washington Low Income Housing Alliance

At Firesteel, we believe that making your voice heard can spark change that will help end homelessness. The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance is a statewide leader in connecting community members who want to speak up with opportunities to make a difference. We're very excited about the Housing Alliance's new program focused on empowering people who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity to share their stories and have a positive influence on budget and policy decisions. Guest blogger Alouise Urness explains the motivation for the program in today's post.

From Soldier to Civilian: Affordable Childcare is an Unmet Need for Veterans

Image credit: Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs

The number of women veterans is on the rise in the U.S. While some adjust well to civilian life, others struggle with a variety of barriers. This "From Soldier to Civilian" blog series will share veterans' experiences and explore the challenges that veterans, particularly women veterans, experience. Image credit: Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs

Many veterans experience barriers transitioning into civilian life, and some become homeless. Between now and Veterans Day, November 11, our “From Soldier to Civilian” blog series will examine barriers that veterans, and women veterans in particular, face as they re-enter civilian society. We’ll also share suggestions from experts – veterans themselves – on making the transition easier. Today we introduce you to Leanna, an Air Force veteran and single mom who struggles financially, in part because of the high cost of childcare.

Culture Watch: “American Winter” and Poverty in the United States

In this promotional poster for “American Winter,” you see single mom Jeannette and her son Gunner, a Portland, Oregon family profiled in the documentary film. After Jeannette suddenly loses her husband, and Gunner his father, they end up homeless.

For those of us who feel securely middle class, the idea that a family would retrieve water from a bucket in the backyard, or that parents would go without food so that their children could eat, is unthinkable. That might be a reality for “other people,” maybe in other countries, separated from us by the insulation and distance provided by money. Unfortunately, many members of our community know what it is to live with reminders of the American Dream and signs of affluence all around, yet feel that they are living in a separate America. In this America, hunger is normal, poverty is real, and joblessness feels permanent. Perry Firth reflects on this reality, portrayed in the documentary film "American Winter," in this latest post in our Culture Watch blog series.

Policy Matters: “We Finally Had Our Own Place”

After Alice was laid off, she and her three young children were forced to live with friends and family. Moving from place to place was tough on the family; one year, the oldest child attended four different schools in two different states. Alice's family eventually found a stable, affordable home built with the support of the Housing Trust Fund. This fund, along with the state’s social safety net, is in danger as our lawmakers negotiate a budget. Your advocacy is more important than ever -- learn easy ways you can speak up and help keep families like Alice's in safe, affordable homes.

Culture Watch: “Eden” and Slavery in America

Jamie Chung portrays a sex trafficking victim in “Eden.” Original image from the EdentheFilm.com.

The arts not only reflect our society, but also have the potential to re-shape it by raising awareness and inspiring action. We’re excited to launch “Culture Watch,” a new blog series examining how issues related to homelessness are portrayed in movies, TV series, music, visual art displays, stage plays and more. Frequent guest blogger Perry Firth, a graduate assistant at Seattle University’s Project on Family Homelessness, contributed this first post. After watching the movie “Eden,” filmed in Eastern Washington and based on a true story of sexual trafficking, Perry was moved to reflect on the relationship between trafficking and homelessness.

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