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November is National Homelessness Awareness Month (NHAM). Most of us have at least some awareness of homelessness. But not everyone is familiar with the many shapes homelessness can take. 


In the U.S., 37.2 million people live below the poverty line, and on any given night, nearly 600,000 individuals experience homelessness. This could mean living on the street, out of a vehicle, couch surfing with different friends or relatives, and more.


At BCM Georgia, our efforts support working people facing different types of housing insecurity- facing eviction. This month, for NHAM, we are sharing the story of our client, Jen and her 7-year-old son (names have been changed to protect client identities). Click below to learn about their journey from housing insecurity to hope and stability

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The Effects of Unstable Housing on Children

We know the immediate stress and impact unstable housing can have on families. But a recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found it can also impact the long-term health of children.


The study followed three groups of young children throughout adolescence: those with stable housing; those with moderate housing insecurity (i.e. periods of insecurity along with periods of security); and those who experienced high levels of housing insecurity throughout early childhood, but found stability later on.


The study found that both insecure groups went on to experience higher levels of depression, and the highly insecure group also reported higher levels of anxiety.


Hidden Trauma

The health impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are well-documented and include elevated risk for health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and more. The CDC also recognizes housing insecurity as a type of ACE.


Shelter is among our most basic needs—physical shelter, of course, but also emotional shelter. Housing insecurity affects both: not knowing where you are going to be staying from one day, week, or month to the next, but also witnessing the impact this has on caregivers and those we rely on for stability and security.


Stability Now & Later

At BCM Georgia, we work to get ahead of experiences like this by helping families remain in their homes and children attending the same schools, while they navigate challenging circumstances. For those who don’t currently have stable housing, we help them access it as quickly as possible and equip them with the tools and resources they need to stay there.


Shelter is important, but one thing this study demonstrates is that a “home” is much more than that. Our programs help build strong foundations so families and children can experience stability in the way they live, the way they feel, and the way they grow.

End-of-Year Fundraiser 2024

BCM Georgia just launched our end-of-year fundraising efforts. The focus this year is on our blueprint for helping families avoid homelessness and build lasting stability in their lives.


Your gifts make a difference in providing an important safety net to vulnerable neighbors in our communities. You can help adults and their children facing a crisis avoid becoming homeless. This year we will serve more than 1,000 households and your support allows BCM to sustain and expand our reach through our three programs: Emergency Housing Assistance, Supportive Housing, and Financial Education.


We look forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks and hope we can count on your support. Together, we can help build caring communities where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.

DONATE TODAY

The mission of BCM Georgia is to keep people from becoming homeless and work to elevate their possibilities for economic empowerment.


Learn more at bcmgeorgia.org.

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