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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week (November 16-24) is an annual program where individuals draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness on a local and national level and to help build a base of volunteers and supports for local anti-poverty agencies. During this week, Prospera youth residents (grades 8-12th) learned about the causes of homelessness, toured Haven for Hope, and created hygiene/snack packs for Haven’s outreach team to distribute. Youth residents also learned about personal experiences of homelessness from two guest speakers. Shawn Irwin, Regional Service Manager, states, “Prospera HCS participating in this awareness week just makes sense as we are directly doing our part with ending homelessness and through our direct relationships with our community partners to assist in ending hunger. Our youth residents were engaged, and the personal tour of Haven for Hope was very eye opening for all involved. Overall, it was an amazing and fulfilling day of education and service.” When asked by their service managers about the day, many of the Prospera youth shared that they didn’t know how many people in San Antonio were homeless and want to commit to volunteering community services hours to help in some way. Abdihamed H. stated, “I did not know so many kids were homeless, too. How can I help them?” After the event, many of the youth now want to volunteer to help feed the homeless, assist with working in Haven’s garden, and provide gently used clothing to the children at Haven. Matan M. said, “We have been blessed with a home, we want to bless others.”
