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CROSS Ministries |
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61% of the homeless throughout Iowa are Women and Children. |
| During 2005 there were more than 6,000 homeless in Polk County |
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Although more than half of the homeless households rely on income from employment, factors such as lack of living wage jobs and affordable housing contribute to situations which many families must live "paycheck to paycheck." |
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80% of the people we help are employed |
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When presented with a crisis, such as the loss of a day's wages to care for a sick child, or the need to replace a car battery, a family can be placed in jeopardy of losing their home or utilities. |
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There are only so
many families that can be seen in one day and there is only a
certain amount of funds each month. |
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With a need this great, it is not unusual for the families to line up outside CROSS Ministries' door several hours before the scheduled opening as they desperately seek help with basic survival needs. Help is not provided for the families on a continuing basis so as not to foster dependency. |
Our funding
comes from:
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For
over 30 years CROSS Ministries has provided an avenue to meet the
emergency survival needs of more than 1,000 homeless and near
homeless families annually in the Des Moines area by providing
financial assistance with rent, red deposits, utility bills,
personal hygiene items, bus tokens, car gas to get to work and a
Back-to-School Giveaway serving approximately 650 children so they
can start the school year out with the right supplies. Just like the
smiling little girl in the picture!