Help Raise Awareness On World Homeless Day

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World Homeless Day is global event to raise awareness about homelessness held each year on the 10th of October.

The idea of ‘World Homeless Day’ came from online discussions between people working to respond to homelessness from various parts of the world.
The first World Homeless Day was marked on the 10th of October 2010.
Since its founding, World Homeless Day has been observed on every continent except Antarctica, in several dozen countries. The idea of ‘World Homeless Day’ is open for all to use… anywhere in the world.

The purpose of World Homeless Day is to draw attention to homeless people’s needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an ‘international day’ provides. International days, weeks or months devoted to focusing attention on an issue or group of people in need can be very powerful opportunities in terms of fundraising, awareness-raising, and garnering significant political power. You can make a difference by:

  • Educating people about homeless issues.
  • Celebrating and supporting local good works.
  • Highlighting local issues

World Homeless Day is something you can point to on the calendar each year and use to make a significant difference in your local community. Once you identify the local service provider for homeless people you want to rally support behind – for example, if they suggest clean socks, or canned food, or an item they need funds to buy – use your local networks to rally even greater support:

  • Schools & Churches.
  • Community groups.
  • Local businesses.
  • Your workplace.
  • Local news media – newspapers, radio & TV.
  • Social media – Facebook, Twitter, etc.
  • And anyone else you can think of locally that could help.

It’s also good to raise the issue with local politicians:

  • Ask them to acknowledge World Homeless Day officially.
  • Point out the good works of local service providers.
  • Release new funds each year on the date.
  • Form an advisory group on homelessness.

You can find out more, and see examples of how others around the world have responded on World Homeless Day, here.