Please see our new website for more information: www.hhweek.org
November 11-19, 2017
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW) is held each year the week before Thanksgiving. This is a time for us all to start to think about what we are thankful for, a perfect time to share our compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and work toward a world where no one has to experience hunger or homelessness. HHAW offers the chance to contribute to a national social movement. NCH’s aim is and always will be to eradicate homelessness by solving the root causes of it. We aim for activism in this vein. For this year’s HHAW we are focusing on the laws passed by local governments around the nation which prevent people experiencing homelessness from doing life-sustaining activities. Let’s bring light to this issue, pressure lawmakers and Bring America Home together!
Click here to read the organizing manual>>
What can I do?
You and all citizens have real political power to add to the struggle to end homelessness and the power to educate your community members and politicians. You can help to change the conversation about stereotypes, improve policy, help service providers, and so much more. NCH is and was made up of individuals who contributed to an impactful history of social activism resulting in real victories for the homelessness movement. As the basic act of obtaining a home becomes more difficult, the cry for action echoes louder than ever before. Be a part of something BIG!
If you are thinking about participating, here is a sample check list of some, but not all, of the questions that need answers:
- What is our community goal for HHAW?
- How many and which events should we plan for?
- What individuals or organizations should we partner with in the community/on campus?
- How many organizers do we need?
- When should the events take place?
- Who should handle publicity?
Download NCH’s Awareness Week Organizing Manual or look for an event to attend!
If you are holding an event, register your event on the HHAW website!
Houselessness is not a CRIME!
As Homelessness becomes worse, localities have sought to criminalize life-sustaining activities in public spaces. By making it illegal to share food in public spaces or lie down in parks, and even constructing spikes to keep homeless people from resting, our society refuses to let humans carry on life in public spaces. This only makes issues of homelessness worse and more costly for governments and taxpayers. This year’s HHAW focuses on anti-criminalization efforts. Homelessness activists have identified sleep-outs as an easy way to gain attention and push against policy makers. Please consider taking action with people like you across the country and share your pictures with the hashtag: #HHweek. Follow H&H Awareness week on Twitter to keep up to date about this year’s planning and events.
Resources/Links
Click here for the 2017 Awareness Week Organizing Manual>>
Serve All Year Long
While we set aside this week to shed light on the issues of hunger and homelessness, remember that advocacy work happens 365 days a year. Keep your community engaged year round and check out these great resources:
▪ Global Youth Service Day (April)
▪ Semester of Service (MLK Day through Youth Service America)