Five National Organizations to Brief Congressional Staff on Growing Problem of Family Homelessness
3/16/2005 10:15:00 AM
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=44417
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Kathleen Corcoran of Volunteers of America, 703-341-5004; Shelley Borysiewicz of Catholic Charities USA, 703-549-1390 ext. 147
News Advisory:
On Friday, March 18, five national organizations -- Catholic Charities USA, Volunteers of America, the Child Welfare League of America, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, and the National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness -- will brief congressional staff on the growing problem of family homelessness. Requests for emergency shelter by homeless families have increased every year since 1985, with an average increase of 7 percent in 2004.
The briefing will bring together a diverse panel of service providers and educators to discuss the problems that cause and perpetuate family homelessness, and include a presentation of a policy agenda to help prevent and end homelessness. Topics to be discussed include the need for housing and supportive services, the importance of keeping children in a stable school environment, and the damaging impact of domestic violence and interactions with the child welfare system. Congressional staff will also hear from a formerly homeless youth from Ohio.
The briefings are sponsored by Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), along with Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio), Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), and Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.).
Panelists include:
-- Chuck Gould, national president, Volunteers of America (morning session)
-- Rev. Larry Snyder, president, Catholic Charities USA (afternoon session)
-- Ellen L. Bassuk, M.D., president, The National Center on Family Homelessness, Newton, Mass.
-- Becka, a student at Kenton High School, Kenton, Ohio, and member of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP)
-- Patsy Williams, supervisor, Lafayette Parish Homeless Children and Youth Education Consortium Program, Lafayette, La.
-- Arlene McNamee, LCSW, executive director, Catholic Social Services, Fall River, Mass.
-- Dianna Kunz, president and CEO, Volunteers of America- Colorado Branch, Denver, Colo.
HOUSE BRIEFING DETAILS
WHEN: Friday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
WHERE: 2128 Rayburn House Office Building
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SENATE BRIEFING DETAILS
WHEN: Friday, March 18, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building
© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/