Volunteer's Corner: Organizations that Help Fight Homelessness

Volunteering is the ultimate act of kindness. Giving one's time and energy to help out others is so much more rewarding than just donating money to a worthy organization. Volunteer opportunities abound on Long Island and everywhere for people who'd like to lend a hand to someone less fortunate than themselves. Volunteering can take many forms, whether it's utilizing a special skill or just lending an ear to someone who could use one.

The Long Island Volunteer Center is part of the 1-800Volunteer.org network, an organization dedicated to connecting people who want to volunteer with the organizations that need help. Both organizations are wonderful resources for anyone looking to give back to society and volunteer their services, whatever they may be.

In the past I've posted some pieces on volunteerism (see A Call to Volunteer and Non Profit Organizations in Suffolk County, NY), and I plan to continue providing resources on specific organizations dedicated to helping the less fortunate and who are always looking for volunteers to help in their cause. In this edition, we take a look at organizations that offer assistance to people afflicted by a very serious problem: homelessness. The organizations listed below seek to help those who unfortunately have no place to go. Often these people find themselves desperately looking for places to sleep, often finding themselves in cars, public spaces, or even worse.

So take a look at these organizations and if they seem like places you feel that you'd like to offer your time to, feel free to check out their websites listed at the bottom, and if you don't live in the Long Island area, you can check out the national 1-800Volunteer Network to find similar organizations in your area.

Suffolk County United Veterans Project
1380 Roanoke Ave., Suite 203
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-924-8088

The Suffolk County United Veterans Project is an organization that's been striving to find homes for homeless veterans on Long Island since 1989. The veterans they assist are those who've succumbed to substance abuse and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The group runs several programs geared towards helping these poor souls, including transitional housing, emergency shelter services, a food pantry and educational job training in the hopes of helping them achieve sobriety, self-sufficiency and independence.

The Suffolk County United Veterans Project is always looking for volunteers to help out in virtually any capacity. If you have "a talent, a skill, a strong arm, or a good ear," and of course a desire to give back to these veterans who've done so much for this country, contact the Suffolk County United Veterans Project to find out how you can help.

Long Island Housing Service
640 Johnson Ave., Suite 8,
Bohemia, NY 11716
631-567-5111

People who rent are often discriminated against or treated unfairly by unscrupulous landlords. Long Island Housing Services is an organization dedicated to the "elimination of unlawful housing discrimination and promotion of decent and affordable housing through advocacy and education." Some of the programs offered by the group include landlord/tenant counseling, and education and counseling on such matters as eviction, protection from mortgage scams, reverse home mortgages and much, much more.

Long Island Housing Services seeks volunteers in the areas of administration, Fair Housing advocacy and enforcement, and housing counseling. If you have a desire to lend a hand in this area and believe that you're have the skills to do so, check out their website below or call 631-567-5111, ext. 375.

Momma's House
1857 Wantagh Ave.
Wantagh, NY 11793
516-7814-8637

Since 1986, Momma's House has been providing shelter to young mothers and their babies who have no place else to go. Unfortunately, Long Island has a high incidence rate of teen pregnancy. Many of these young mothers, for whatever reason, are determined to keep their babies even without the resources to care for them. In this very difficult and critical time in their lives, Momma's House provides them with a safe haven where they can best learn how to get their lives on track as young mothers. Some of the services provided by Momma's house include:

- Providing young mothers age 17 to 21 years old with a sheltered atmosphere where responsibility is stressed, yet support is available.

- Preventing child abuse by alleviating the isolation of the young mother.

- Avoiding child neglect by teaching parenting and child care.

- Offering a stable environment where young mothers can be nurtured and encouraged to obtain training and schooling.

- Assisting the young mother in establishing a secure job in order to become financially stable and not be dependent on a welfare allotment.

Momma's House provides a valuable service to these young women with nowhere else to turn and they are always looking for volunteers to help out in the area of child care. If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer your time to this very worthy cause, check out Momma's website below.

Web Resources

Long Island Housing Services

http://www.lifairhousing.org/

Long Island Volunteer Center

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/long-island-volunteer-center/vcindex.do

Momma's House

http://mommashouse.org/index.html

Suffolk County United Veterans Project

http://scuv.org/601.html

1-800Volunteer.org

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do?nationalPortal=1