The US Department of Housing and Urban Development reports about 553,000 people in the United States experience homelessness on a single night.
The US Interagency Council on Homelessness reports, nearly 3,500 people are homeless in Alabama on any given night. Taking care of certain necessities, and hygienic needs can sometimes be next to impossible. Some local groups are stepping in to make a difference.
Jennifer Whorton, who is currently living homeless in Huntsville tells our reporter, “I’m looking forward to the shower and some clean clothes, yeah.”
A hot shower: something that you might not think twice about, until you’re not sure when you’ll be able to have your next one.
Huntsville Community of Hope, BeArded WARRIORs, and 2820 Community Missional Space, came together to bring showers to our Huntsville’s homeless population. ShowerUp Nashville, an organization that travels through Southern Tennessee with mobile shower trailers to be used by anyone who needs them, provided the shower facilities.”
Jennifer Whorton, a mother of three and grandmother tells our reporter being catered to feels– different. Whorton tells us, “I’m just trying to recuperate from the last couple of years–struggling with Huntsville, Alabama and their system.”
Local stylists to came to give free haircuts, styling and shaves to those in need.
We talked to Sadie Pokipala while she was getting her hair cut. She says, “I’m doing my hair– this is something different. I had this haircut for 4 years before and I wanted to get it back again… I feel good, it’s so cool it’s like a blessing from God.”
One man tells us that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others.
Jack Daniels, who had just finished getting his haircut. He says, that people can help in more ways than they might think. Daniels adds, “It doesn’t matter where you’re helping–help. Because when you do that, you’re showing that you do care about the other people in the world.”
Alabama ranked 28th in the country for highest levels of homelessness in 2018. Over 14,000 public school students reported experiencing homelessness in Alabama at some point during the previous year.