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Many of us have a limited understanding of homelessness, especially if we’ve never experienced it personally or known someone who has. Our perception is often shaped by what we see in the media or witness in urban areas or at busy street corners.
However, homelessness encompasses much more than meets the eye. It goes beyond the image of shopping carts filled with recyclables, discarded blankets, and makeshift shelters. It’s more than just a cold, crowded room with rows of cots.
Homelessness can be a family of four living paycheck to paycheck, suddenly hit by an unexpected auto repair bill. Homelessness can happen to those who have fallen ill, missed work, or lack savings for emergencies. Homelessness may be the result of a parent and young child fleeing an abusive household, often tied to traumatic experiences. It can even be the young woman who cashes you out for gas on your way to work, sleeping on a friend’s couch for the third consecutive night. It’s the hospital coworker who had to shower at a shelter that morning, and it’s the school-aged child whose only stable meals are provided at school during breakfast and lunch.
The affordability of housing and food has impacted more families than ever before. A Lending Club report in March 2023 noted that 62% of American families are living paycheck to paycheck. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate, nor is it an inherent quality; it’s a circumstance. It does not define the individuals experiencing it.
In Saratoga County, a network of agency providers collaborate to offer safe housing, shelter, food, and support services to residents in need. They feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, and offer a dignified and respectful path out of poverty.
Homelessness is a complex issue that is easy to fall into, but difficult to escape. The Saratoga North Country Continuum of Care is committed to addressing the multifaceted nature of homelessness, from veterans grappling with PTSD to runaway teenagers. Our agencies reach out to individuals where they are, deliver safe and compassionate care, and guide them on the path to a better future.
No single person or agency can eradicate area poverty and homelessness. Collectively, we can make the world a brighter place for those facing these challenges in our community.
To learn more about our work and how you can get involved, please visit: www.endhomelessnesssaratoga.org.
