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The place where you can stay up to date with the latest events, stories, news, and opportunities for our City Relief community.

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Op-Ed in NY Daily News

Our CEO Josiah Haken and friend Deborah Berkman from the New York Legal Assistance Group penned an opinion piece for the New York Daily News. They write about NYC’s congregant shelters, and why they don’t work for so many that are experiencing homelessness.

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

I wanted to take a moment to talk about a number that has been weighing heavily on my heart. Did you know that there are over a half million people in America without a place to call home? 582,462 moms, dads, children, friends and loved ones to be exact. That’s larger than the population of Sacramento, CA. 

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

Understanding the Hurdles

A few weeks ago I was made painfully aware on Instagram of just how many people still don’t know that many people experiencing homelessness are already employed. We posted a video, and the comment section lit up with people sharing many common myths about homelessness.

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

The Myth of Choice

Too many of us believe that homelessness is simply the result of an individual’s poor decision-making. This widespread assumption inevitably leads to the feeling that it is their choice, instead of acknowledging and fixing the complex and systemic issues that cause and maintain homelessness. I like to say that if someone chose homelessness, what were the other choices they had?

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

Did Addiction Come First?

There is a common misconception that drug addiction and alcohol abuse lead to homelessness. However, studies have found that in many cases, it is actually the other way around. Homelessness often precedes addiction, and substance abuse can be a powerful coping mechanism. It is crucial to understand the complexities of addiction and homelessness to help individuals overcome these challenges and find a new life on the other side.

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

A Job Doesn’t Always Make Ends Meet

As someone who cares deeply about our community, I want to dispel myths about homelessness and unemployment. Did you know that 53% of people living in homeless shelters are employed either full or part-time? That's right, despite their hard work, they are still unable to afford housing due to a crippling combination of low wages and a lack of affordable housing. 

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

Why listening matters…

As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

Why Listening Matters…

As an advocate for homelessness, I wanted to share a powerful story that I recently came across in the New York Times. The article, written by Tracy Kidder, is about a doctor named Jim O'Connell, who has dedicated his life to caring for the homeless population in Boston. What makes his approach unique is his commitment to listening to the stories of the people he serves.

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Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti Weekly Newsletters Elizabeth Fischetti

Your Place in the Domino Effect

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge was recently interviewed by NPR. In her interview, Secretary Fudge noted that the issues causing homelessness - namely housing affordability and housing discrimination - were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the general public does not even realize the populations that are being hit the hardest.

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