Homes for the Homeless Releases Public Service Announcement During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2011 to Draw Attention to Family Homelessness

Contrary to public perception, the typical homeless person in America is a child

NEW YORK, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Homes for the Homeless, a social services provider that has served the neediest families in New York City for 25 years, released a public service announcement today to draw attention to the nearly two million American children who are homeless. The video was posted on Homes for the Homeless' YouTube channel in honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2011, which runs from November 12 to 20. The fictional scenario in the PSA depicts the surprising reality of modern poverty.

"This short film shows how homelessness is affecting families in our communities—urban, suburban, and rural," said Dr. Ralph da Costa Nunez, President and CEO of Homes for the Homeless. "Most people have a stereotypical notion of who a homeless person is. They don't think that it can be their co-worker, neighbor, or student. Hopefully this PSA will increase awareness about the staggering number of children who are currently homeless."

The PSA, "The Typical Homeless Person is a Child," is available on the Homes for the Homeless YouTube channel youtube.com/HFHnyc.  The video can also be found on the organization's Web site, hfhnyc.org.

Homes for the Homeless understands that poverty is a family issue. Since 1986, Homes for the Homeless has provided services to enhance the lives of New York City's neediest families. The programs range from family homeless shelters to summer camps for children experiencing homelessness and poverty, to the latest project, Milk from the Heart, which provides free milk to hundreds of children in undernourished communities in New York City.

For more information, contact Diana Scholl, ([email protected] or 212-358-8086 x 1223).

SOURCE Homes for the Homeless