Food Security United States Project #20051

Help UPO Help the DC Homeless

Summary

We are the eyes and ears of the city. Every day and night, UPO's Shelter Hotline team protects the health of people who live on the streets. We reach out so that people experiencing homelessness get the help they need. Last year, our team: - Responded to 92,000+ emergency calls - Distributed 179,000+ life-sustaining items (i.e. blankets, socks, sleeping bags, long underwear, etc.) - Gave free transportation to 112,000+ riders - Distributed 28,000+ meals along with water

$75,000
total goal

$23,072
remaining

440
donors

4
monthly donors

7
fundraisers

8
years

Challenge

There are 4,900+ people experiencing homelessness in Washington DC. They are vulnerable to the elements, from icy conditions to searing heat in the summer, and many of them have unaddressed health conditions. They have both short-term and long-term needs: Their health has to be monitored regularly and their eyes must be opened to see how to improve their lives.

Solution

UPO is essential to keeping people alive and showing them to lift themselves out of their dire situations. Our outreach workers travel throughout the city to protect people's health, respond to emergencies, and give them life-sustaining items. That's how we earn their trust and show them how to connect with more resources. For example, a former opioid user said that the care and attention from UPO was the reason he "got clean and turned my life around."

Long-Term Impact

UPO's mission is Uniting People with Opportunities. Our holistic approach goes much further: - Helping people who emerge from homelessness to find homes and become self-sufficient. - Giving their children free education and family support. - Training them for their next job. - Partnering with developers to deliver new affordable housing that DC desperately needs. We give people the tools to become the change agents of their lives, to move from homelessness to "Home Sweet Home."