Surprising as it may seem, there are more than 1,500 homeless individuals in affluent Fairfax County. One-third are children – and growing up homeless is hardly a recipe for success. For 75 families a year, Homestretch provides hope: two full years of housing (clients pay 30% of their monthly income; Homestretch pays the rest), job skills training and placement assistance, scholarships for school, ESOL and life skills classes, legal advice, and counseling for victims of domestic violence and trafficking – the root causes of homelessness for over half of Homestretch families. Staff ensures that children receive immunizations and enroll in school or daycare; and Homestretch offers a pre-kindergarten program, and after-school programs for teens. The results are inspiring: Homestretch has a 90% retention rate, and the average rise in income for a graduating family is 150%. Leading the nation, a full 95% of graduated families remain employed and permanently housed two to five years after leaving the program. With your help, 75 more families will have the hope that they need down the home stretch.
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