You may think you know the face of the homeless, but...
"Did you know?" -- by Kate Noble
- Children and families make up the fastest growing segment of the homeless population?
- There are 500,000 families in shelters in the United States and 1.35 million children?
- Over half of homeless families are homeless for 6 months or more? homeless families relocate sixteen times more often than the typical American family?
- Homeless children are twice as likely to repeat a grade in school?
- Over half of homeless students transfer schools each year and 2/3 transfer multiple times?
- One in ten homeless students misses at least one month of school each year?
- Homeless children are twice as likely not to be enrolled in preschool?
You may think that Conway and Faulkner County don't have a homeless problem. We do! They may not be sleeping in boxes or on grates along Front Street, but the homeless are out there: in Arkansas, in Faulkner County, and in Conway.
Bethlehem House, Inc. is a transitional living center in Conway that means it is more than an emergency shelter. The program's focus is providing a "hand-up," not a "hand-out." If there is room, an individual or a family can make a home there for up to 24 months, moving from being dependent on social services to becoming independent, productive, self-supporting members of the community.
We have a waiting list. We always have a waiting list. Bethlehem House stays at capacity. This means that as many as 15 formerly homeless men, women and children live at the House at any given time. There are more homeless individuals being turned away every day -- several times a day.
In addition to the residence program, Bethlehem House provides services to nonresidents: showers, boxes of food, laundry facilities, and meals.
With needs so great, we need your help! Your financial support allows Bethlehem House to provide food,shelter, clothing and rehabilitation services to the people who are destitute and homeless in Central Arkansas.
Your support is appreciated and is tax deductible! If you have any questions, please call Bethlehem House, Inc. at 329-4862. Additionally, you can visit the shelter at 930 Faulkner Street, Conway, Arkansas 72034.