The Faces of Homelessness
Martha’s Village and Kitchen has been helping serve others in our community for over 27 years. In that time, the organization has been able to see that the “homeless” have many different faces and stories. It is a common misconception that all homeless suffer from a drug addiction or have made a choice in their life to cause their homelessness. Over the years, MVK has found that this is not as accurate as most people may think.
Did you know?
That within the Coachella Valley almost 40% of children are homeless or live in poverty. Or, that over 60% are married couples? Too many of our neighbors in need are living in poverty. So how does someone become homeless?
Homelessness to many is just a paycheck away. The loss of a job. The loss of a spouse or family member. A health complication causing high medical bills or prolonged illness. A domestic violence or other family situation. There can be many reasons why a person may end up without a home or place to stay. Each and every person has their own story and journey that led them to being homeless and making their way to Martha’s Village and Kitchen. It can happen to anyone and it is hard to ask for help.
Imagine…
Being a parent, who lost their job and is desperately searching to help regain employment to take care of their family. As time goes along, the bills just keep adding up leading to the cut back of food purchases and basic needs in the household. As a parent, you always want to be able to provide for you and your family. When the time comes when you are no longer able, it can be devastating.
The courage it takes to ask for help and walk through the doors at Martha’s Village and Kitchen should be something that is acknowledged. Martha’s is not an overnight shelter but an organization that provides overall professional case management and services to help people get back to work, get into permanent housing with tools for success. Our staff works diligently to ensure each of our clients has access to the tools and resources they need to return on a path to self-sufficiency whatever that path may be.
With over a 90% success rate for families exiting to permanent housing, Martha’s has an established, professional program that works.
Martha’s focuses on the family unit and the needs of both adults and children through our services. With our doors being open to both residential and public clients, the organization supports over 6,000 of our community neighbors in need annually.
So how can you help?
That is easy. Come visit us at Martha’s Village and Kitchen. Take a tour. Learn more about who we serve, the programs we offer and how you can get involved. There are so many different ways to support our mission and cause and we would be thrilled to share more with you.
For more information, please contact us 760-347-4741 or come by for a tour!
Our doors are always open.