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=Homelessness in Springfield, Missouri= Homelessness has become an epidemic problem throughout the country, and Springfield Missouri is no different. The federal government defines Homelessness as an individual who lacks a regular, adequate night time residence and whose night time residence is in a shelter, in an institution that provides temporary residence, or stays in a public or private place that is not designed to accomodate sleeping for humans (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). There are 3 types of homelessness: temporary, episodic, and chronic (McCoy, 2010). Temporary homelessness can be caused by a natural disaster, but the individual/family can usually regain stable shelter fairly quickly. Episodic homelessness is commonly seen as a person who becomes homeless for a few months, then finds housing, only to become homeless a year or two later. They typically go through life on this cycle, and this cycle is often generational. Chronic homelessness is a long-term lack of housing. Chronic homelessness is highly correlated with substance abuse (McCoy, 2010).



Prevalence
In the 2010, Springfield Summer Point-In-Time count, there were 178 individuals found that were considered homeless(Homeless Count Task Force, 2010). In the 2010, Springfield Winter Point-In-Time count the homeless count task force found 457 individuals considered to be homeless (Homeless Count Task Force, 2010). There is no definite number of homeless families available at this time, this is mainly due to the parents fear that if they admit they are homeless, their children will be taken out of their custody. Springfield, MO has 120 beds in emergency housing units-all of which are for women and children only. In Springfield, there are also 245 family beds and 313 individual beds in transitional housing units, all of which stay pretty well full (McCoy, 2010). “Every day there are over 700 people who are homeless in Springfield, over 200 of those individuals are unsheltered” according to Community Partnership of the Ozarks (2011).

Local statistics focusing on Springfield's youth from a count that was conducted during a five week stretch in 2009 found that over 450 youth between the ages of 11 and 22 are homeless in Springfield Missouri and 141 students from Springfield public schools were identified as homeless on one particular day. 950 to 1,450 younths ages 12 to 17 from Green County were homless at least one night in the year. Half of the kids surveyed were kicked out of the house on an average of 15.2 years of age, and the school drop put rate is 29% which is 5 times higher then the local average. (Booher, 2010)

Who Homelessness Affects
Homeless families affect everyone. People who are homeless as children have a much higher likelihood of becoming homeless as an adult, versus people who were not homeless as children (Busch, 2010). The homeless population consists mostly of families with children, people with mental illness and addictions, veterans, and immigrants. According to The Missouri Association for Social Welfare (2002)a study on homelessness in Missouri in 2001 indicated that out of 16,549 homeless people, 34% were families. This is a 60% increase from the same study that was conducted in 1998. People with both mental illness and addictions made up 13%, veterans 12%, and immigrants 3% (MASW, 2002).

Contributing Factors of Homelessness
Springfield (and the U.S.) has a lack of affordable, adequate housing, as well as the lack of the ability to earn a living wage. Of the people who are homeless in the Springfield area, approximately 51% became homeless due to an income related issue, whereas only 3% became homeless due to a substance abuse issue or mental illness, according to McCoy at the Kitchen Inc. (2010). Acording to the U.S. Census Bureau, 14% of Springfieldian's over the age of 25 did not complete high school, nor have they recieved their GED (Population and Housing Report, 2008). This has a huge effect on their ability to keep a job. The average cost of rent in Springfield is between $500 to $749 (U.S. Census Bureau: Housing Characteristics, 2008). For a single parent, who earns minimum wage, this could be more than 40% of his or her gross income.

Web Links and Resources
The Kitchen, Inc.mission is to create a place where persons, especially the poor, are welcomed and cared for with dignity and compassion. Some of the programs that The Kitchen, Inc. offers are: The Missouri Hotel, The Rare Breed, Bill's Place, Maggie's Boutique, The Medical and Dental Clinic, and the Community Outreach.
 *  The Kitchen, Inc. 

How You Can Help

The Kitchen, Inc. is always in need of volunteers in many different areas. They are also in need of the following supplies:
 * cleaning supplies
 * personal hygiene items
 * paper products
 * coats and blankets
 * food

Contact Information
 * The Kitchen, Inc.
 * 421 E. Pacific St.
 * Springfield, MO 65803
 * (417) 837-1511


 * Missouri Hotel - Provides housing for homeless individuals and families, meals, case management, and transitional housing.



Contact Information
 * Missouri Hotel
 * 420 E. Commercial
 * Springfield, MO 65803
 * (417) 837-1540


 * The Rare Breed - Provides counseling, information, and emergency shelter to the young (ages 13 to 20) homeless in the community.

Contact Information
 * Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center
 * 215 S. Campbell
 * Springfield, MO 65806
 * (417) 865-4000


 * Medical and Dental Clinic - Provides medical and dental services to those who meet the income guidelines.



Contact Information
 * Medical and Dental Clinic
 * 1630 North Jefferson
 * Springfield, MO 65803
 * (417) 837-1504


 * Community Outreach - Provides food and commodities to the needy. It also provides rent and utility assistance, Fresh Start Vouchers for much needed household items, and Maggie's Boutique vouchers for clothing.

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Contact Information
 * Community Outreach
 * 421 E. Blaine Street
 * Springfield, MO 65803
 * (417) 837-1511


 *  Homeless Veterans Rescue Center  -Provides emergency shelter for veterans.

'''Contact Information
 * Homeless Veterans Rescue Center
 * 648 South Campbell Avenue
 * Springfield, MO 65806
 * (417)869-2200

Springfield Victory Missionprovides men, women, families, and youth with emergency, transitional, and educational resources while spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of the services that the Springfield Victory Mission offers are:
 *  The Springfield Victory Mission 


 * Victory Square - Housing for men in a clean and sober environment


 * Victory House - Housing for women and their children while women attend the New Life Program

File:Victory Trade School.jpg
 * Victory Trade School - A 12 month program designed to provide students with skills required for the hospitality industry

File:Cook's Kettle.jpg
 * New Life Program - Women participate in job training and life skills to change their lives for the better
 * Cook's Kettle Restaurant - Open to the public, this restaurant offers the opportunity for students in the Victory Trade School to get hands on experience in the restaurant business.

How You Can Help

The Springfield Victory Mission can use your help as a volunteer, monetary donates, donates for food, clothing, and whatever else you can offer.

Contact Information
 * Springfield Victory Mission
 * 1715 N. Boonville Ave.
 * Springfield, MO 65803
 * (417) 831-6387 or (417) 864-2212

Salvation Armyis an international movement and evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible and its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Their mission to to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
 *  The Salvation Army 



A few of the services that The Salvation Army offers are:
 * Emergency Social Services - Access to a food pantry, rent and utility assistance, clothing, furniture, medical care, and transportation to people in need.
 * Family Enrichment Center, New Start Housing, and Harbor House - Transitional and temporary housing opportunities for the homeless.
 * Front Line Feedings - Provides a hot lunch 365 days a year to the community including breakfast, lunch, and dinner all year round for the residents of their shelters.
 * The Salvation Army Family Store - Retail store providing quality, low priced merchandise.

How You Can Help

The Salvation Army is always in need of services and resources. There are many easy ways to help that include:
 * donate gently used clothing items
 * volunteer to ring the bell during the holiday season
 * donate money
 * help serve meals
 * donate new unwrapped toys for children in need during the Christmas season

Contact Information
 * The Salvation Army
 * 1707 W. Chestnut Expressway
 * Springfield, MO 65802
 * (417) 862-5509

For more information on homeless shelters in the Springfield area, visit www.homelessshelterdirectory.org