GENESIS JOY HOUSE

Genesis Joy House to host meal for homeless woman veterans - 41 NBC News

Of 141,000 veterans nationwide who spent at least one night in a shelter in 2011, nearly 10 percent were women, according to the latest figures available from the Department of VA, up from 7.3 percent in 2009. In part it is a reflection of the changing nature of the American military, where women now constitute 14 percent of active-duty forces and 18 percent of the Army National Guard and the Reserves.

Regardless of the growing percentage of women in the military, this is an extremely troubling trend, especially when viewed alongside another growing problem, that of sexual assault on women in the military. More tragically, some of the women who have been sexually assaulted while in the military are now the victims of another injustice: homelessness -- sometimes as a consequence of the assaults and trauma they endured while in service.

According to Patricia Leigh Brown, “Even as the Pentagon lifts the ban on women in combat roles, returning servicewomen are facing a battlefield of a different kind: they are now the fastest growing segment of the homeless population; an often-invisible group bouncing between a soft air mattress, overnighting in public storage lockers, living in cars and learning to park inconspicuously on the outskirts of shopping centers to avoid the violence of the streets.”

RESIDENTIAL HOUSING NEEDS

Many transitional housing program only provide people with a temporary place to live as they attempt to get back on their feet or make a major transition in their lives. Unfortunately, more than 40 percent of the formerly incarcerated--living in residential treatment facilities are likely to return to prison. That's what makes the Genesis model so critical in the fight against recidivism.

The Genesis model does not simply offer a bed and food. Genesis will offer a curriculum of learner essentials for participants. While GED classes are important, our primary focus is to give our women to executive level training and courses. Nontraditional residential classes such as Investing, Business Development, Strategic Thinking, Project management, Community Development, Life and Family courses (to name a few). All of which will play a critical role in empowering our women and giving them high-end training and experience in the corporate and marketplace.

In order to accomplish this much needed aspect of homelessness, Genesis needs your help. A property has been donated to Genesis that is in need of renovations. We are in need of financial contributions, in-kind donations for building materials and supplies, laborers, subcontractors, etc.

As mentioned, we are a registered 501(c)3 institution in full compliance (Guide Star). Please contact us today at 478-918-7606.