Children pray for 2,148 homeless children in Richland and Lexington Counties

[The Straight Story]

Children pray for 2,148 homeless children in Richland and Lexington Counties


Aidan Sauls learns about Midlands Shelters Aidan Sauls learns about Midlands Shelters Light the Way/ Midlands Interfaith Homelessness Action Council was formed in Columbia in 2007 by a small group of faith leaders who shared a vision to “encourage and coordinate the extraordinary faith-based commitment and energy in the Midlands community to address homelessness and its associated issues.”

In 2011, a one- day count conducted by the Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless identified 1180 homeless people in Richland and Lexington counties who were living in the streets, in shelters or awaiting release from a medical facility. The number is estimated to be as high as 3,000-6,000 annually. Homelessness in the Midlands has increased by nearly 17% in the past two years, and in the 2010-2011 school year, Richland and Lexington school districts reported 2,148 homeless students.

Elizabeth Barber, one of the founders of Light the Way, began volunteering at a shelter on Taylor Street when she moved to Columbia several years ago. She soon became convinced that more needed to be done for the people seeking food and shelter in the Midlands on a daily basis. She and the other leaders of the Light the Way movement have brought about significant improvements in services to the homeless in the Midlands by advocating for ” transitional shelter, affordable housing, outreach services, community involvement, prevention, and sustainable funding.”

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Children from area churches gathered to pray for other children who are currently living in shelters in Columbia. Each participant received a bracelet with child’s name to pray for and remember during Homeless Awareness Week. The Reverend Julie Songer Belman of Shandon United Methodist Church led the church in a discussion of what it means to be homeless and how we can all help those who are less fortunate. Representatives of the Family Shelter, St. Lawrence Place, Hannah House, Children’s Garden/ Vital Connections of the Midlands, Inc., and Samaritan’s Well were present to provide information about their services to the homeless of the Midlands.

http://www.thecolumbiastar.com/news/2011-11-25/News/Children_pray_for_2148_homeless_children_in_Richla.html