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Dear Friends,

Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our wonderful community of supporters, last month HELP USA proudly opened our Walter Reed Veteran Apartments in Washington, DC.

We transformed a portion of the iconic former medical center into 77 apartments for veterans who have faced homelessness. These brave men and women now have a safe place to call home, as well as access to on-site support services, community space, a library, a fitness center, and more.

In honor of the new residents at Walter Reed Veteran Apartments, this Veterans Day we are launching a new campaign to provide ongoing support for our servicemembers who have struggled with homelessness and poverty. Please consider making a gift in dedication to a veteran in your life.

We are calling upon you to stand with them, today and always. With dedication opportunities at a variety of levels, your generosity will help us continue to provide and expand on our programs and supports for veterans experiencing homelessness.

Thank you for doing your part in giving the gift of home and sanctuary to those who have fought with pride for our country. Please make your dedication gift today!

With gratitude,
Scarlet Watts
Development Director, HELP USA

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HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

HELP USA is grateful to serve those who have sacrificed so much for our country. We provide homes for veterans in 6 states, and now, with our Walter Reed Veteran Apartments opening this month, 77 more homeless veterans will have a safe place to call home.

Walter Reed Veteran Apartments will not only provide residents with housing, but essential support in accessing health services, obtaining employment, and building a sense of community with other residents.

Please join us in celebrating this historic opening and supporting those who have fought bravely for us. Make your Veterans Day gift today!

Two of our nation’s finest who are set to move in were featured in today’s Washington Post article, Homeless Veterans Set To Move Into Permanent Digs, With a Touch of Stardom. Meet Air Force veteran Clifton Braxton, 72, and Army National Guard veteran Latisha Austin, 29, both of whom were homeless, but will now call Walter Reed Veteran Apartments their home.

The generosity of our supporters has made moments like this possible for residents like Clifton and Latisha. Each year HELP USA supports 25,000 people as they work to overcome homelessness and build better lives, including hundreds of veterans.

Please make a gift today! You can dedicate your gift to a special veteran in your life. We can’t think of a better way to honor their courage and strength.

Thank you for your generosity and for standing with our residents as they rebuild their lives.

Wishing you a wonderful Veterans Day,

Lawrence Cann
Chief Development Officer
HELP USA

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

HELP IN ACTION
November 2019

Annual VVA Toy Drive Breaks Record

We're happy to announce that this year's VVA Toy Drive to Benefit HELP USA was our biggest yet! We had 70 sponsors, raised over $300,000 for HELP USA's critical programs, hosted over 500 guests, and collected 2,000 toys for youth spending the holidays in our shelters.

We'd like to thank all of our amazing sponsors for making this year's event such a special one. We're continually amazed at the love and generosity that our supporters share during the holidays for people facing homelessness.

December 12th Luncheon at The Plaza Supports Survivors of Domestic Violence

The View's Sunny Hostin, stars of the hit musical Hamilton, and rising leaders in business will be just some of the honorees at this year's Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon. A special award will be given to social media influencer Klarity, whose personal story links him to the event.

At the event, scholarships will be awarded to 20 survivors of domestic violence to help them pursue their dreams and build new lives free from abuse. 

We're so grateful to all of our supporters, who have made it possible for us to host this meaningful event year after year and support these brave survivors.

Using Art to Overcome Homelessness

HELP USA recently hosted our first ever client art show, featuring work by residents of three of HELP USA's shelters.

The theme, "A Home for Heart", was meant to convey that people experiencing homelessness have a place, even if it is part of a longer journey toward permanency. The exhibit showed both the trauma of homelessness and the strength and resilience of the artists.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

When Samantha's husband became increasingly emotionally and physically abusive, she had no choice but to flee. Today, she lives at a HELP USA shelter, where she is healing with the assistance of our staff. Her goal for the future is to become a teacher.

This Giving Tuesday, make a gift to help Samantha and other survivors of domestic violence overcome homelessness and start new lives free from abuse. 

Your gift will go directly towards providing a scholarship for one of the 20 women and men that will be honored at HELP USA's Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon on December 12th.
 

Will you stand with this year’s scholarship recipients by making a gift?

Together, we will empower survivors of domestic violence and help support them in building better lives.

Sincerely,
Scarlet Watts
Development Director

P.S. And if you would like to join us at this year's luncheon, tickets are still available!

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Alma's Story

As 2019 comes to a close, I am writing to ask you to make a gift to HELP USA's Annual Fund. Your gift will help people like Alma*.

When Alma first came to HELP USA she was discouraged, frustrated and angry. She had just lost her apartment due to a disagreement with her roommates and had been laid off from her job several months earlier.

That’s when Alma entered HELP USA’s Homebase program. Homebase is a specialized homelessness prevention program that helps people stay in their homes or find housing quickly if they have already become homeless.

Alma connected with a HELP USA case manager who quickly became a trusted resource for her. With support, she found housing and completed all the necessary paperwork, and her case manager was even able to secure financial support for Alma to buy furniture.

HELP USA serves over 25,000 people like Alma each year. But we can’t do it without you.

When you make a gift to HELP USA, you make it possible for clients like Alma and their families to find stability in the face of homelessness and poverty. You’re investing in life-changing supports such as:

-    Counseling, educational enrichment, and recreation for youth and families
-    Emergency housing, financial aid, and job readiness for survivors of domestic violence
-    Affordable homes for veterans, seniors, and other special needs groups
-    Homelessness prevention and specialized services for our most vulnerable clients

Recently Alma completed our security job training program and is working as a security guard. Her case manager was there to cheer her on when she graduated from the program, showing her that #HELPisHere for her now, and always.

Together, we can celebrate the journey of clients like Alma and help thousands more in their fight to overcome homelessness and poverty.

Thank you for being part of the journey this year. Here’s to a joyful 2020 for all our clients, and to you and yours!

Sincerely,
Scarlet Watts
Development Director

P.S. Send in your year-end tax-deductible gift today to help more people like Alma get back on their feet!

*Name and likeness have been changed to protect client privacy

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Dear Friends,

I wanted to forward Alma's story below. Her success reminds us of what people can achieve if they have the right support around them. Will you make a gift to our Annual Fund today? Help us reach more clients who so urgently need our housing and programs.

Many thanks, and may you have a healthy and joyful New Year!

Sincerely,
Lawrence Cann
Chief Development Officer

Alma's Story

As 2019 comes to a close, I am writing to ask you to make a gift to HELP USA's Annual Fund. Your gift will help people like Alma*.

When Alma first came to HELP USA she was discouraged, frustrated and angry. She had just lost her apartment due to a disagreement with her roommates and had been laid off from her job several months earlier.

That’s when Alma entered HELP USA’s Homebase program. Homebase is a specialized homelessness prevention program that helps people stay in their homes or find housing quickly if they have already become homeless.

Alma connected with a HELP USA case manager who quickly became a trusted resource for her. With support, she found housing and completed all the necessary paperwork, and her case manager was even able to secure financial support for Alma to buy furniture.

HELP USA serves over 25,000 people like Alma each year. But we can’t do it without you.

When you make a gift to HELP USA, you make it possible for clients like Alma and their families to find stability in the face of homelessness and poverty. You’re investing in life-changing supports such as:

-    Counseling, educational enrichment, and recreation for youth and families
-    Emergency housing, financial aid, and job readiness for survivors of domestic violence
-    Affordable homes for veterans, seniors, and other special needs groups
-    Homelessness prevention and specialized services for our most vulnerable clients

Recently Alma completed our security job training program and is working as a security guard. Her case manager was there to cheer her on when she graduated from the program, showing her that #HELPisHere for her now, and always.

Together, we can celebrate the journey of clients like Alma and help thousands more in their fight to overcome homelessness and poverty.

Thank you for being part of the journey this year. Here’s to a joyful 2020 for all our clients, and to you and yours!

Sincerely,
Scarlet Watts
Development Director

P.S. Send in your year-end tax-deductible gift today to help more people like Alma get back on their feet!

*Name and likeness have been changed to protect client privacy

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

HELP IN ACTION
December 2019

Reggie Finds His New Home

Reggie* found HELP USA after he moved from his native California to Las Vegas. As a veteran who had experienced homelessness, he was eligible to receive government assistance to help him with his rent, but he had trouble navigating the complicated process of finding an affordable home. He soon found himself facing homelessness, and moved to a HELP USA shelter in Las Vegas.

After experiencing many difficulties in life, Reggie was skeptical that he would ever be able to find a home. His case manager, Roman, gained his trust and walked him through the process of finding a new apartment. After a two month stay at a HELP USA shelter, Reggie moved into his new home.

Reggie's story demonstrates how HELP USA lives out our core values every day. We believe that safe housing is the foundation upon which people can build a better life. That's why we do everything we can to help people facing homelessness find new homes as quickly as possible.

*Name and likeness have been changed to protect client privacy. 

Be a champion for people like Reggie!

As 2019 comes to a close, we're asking for your help. Make a gift to our Annual Fund to help more people like Reggie find safe homes.

Thank You to Our Volunteers!

This holiday season, we are grateful to the many volunteers who have brightened the holidays for HELP USA's clients and residents. One of our young volunteers, Shivani Patel, donated her time to help the youth in our HELP Suffolk shelter in Long Island.

Shivani and her family have been longtime supporters of HELP USA, and she recently stopped by HELP Suffolk to distribute toys and healthy food to the youth staying there. Shivani, a high school junior, has spent the last six months learning about food insecurity as a student ambassador for Island Harvest. We're so thankful that she decided to apply what she learned to help the youth at HELP Suffolk have a happier, healthier holiday season!

Earlier this month, HELP USA hosted our Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon, where we presented over 20 survivors of domestic violence with scholarships to help them pursue their personal and professional dreams.

William, a scholarship recipient and high school student, was brave enough to share his story at the event. He explained that he and his mother found themselves homeless after fleeing abuse at the hands of his father. 

Through HELP USA, William and his mother found shelter and the support they needed in a difficult time. Now, William is preparing to attend college to study music. He and his mother have found a new apartment, and his scholarship will help them with their monthly rent payments.

We're so grateful to all of our sponsors and guests who attended and supported this year's luncheon. You can view photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

This Saturday, January 25th, HELP USA’s Associate Board will be hosting a very special event for survivors of domestic violence.

The New Year, New You event will provide twenty of our clients with an afternoon of pampering, support, and self-care. They’ll enjoy services provided by a team of professionals, including hair styling, makeup, meditation, and empowerment coaching.

We are so grateful to the dedicated people who serve on our Associate Board for their hard work in creating a fun and restorative experience for our clients.

If you’d like to support their efforts to make this day extra special, please visit the event website.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,
Scarlet Watts
Development Director

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

To our HELP USA community,

We’re so grateful for the incredible support you showed for our clients in 2019. As we turn a page and enter a new year, we wanted to say thank you for your commitment to ending homelessness!

Check out this new video detailing some of the great things you helped us accomplish for our clients last year by supporting our Annual Fund. We’ll continue to provide these critical supports and build upon our work in 2020 to make an even greater impact.

One of the most important things we can give to people facing homelessness is stability. With your support, we helped over 25,000 men, women, and children in need find a safe place and programs to help them get back on their feet.

On behalf of the people we serve, our staff, and volunteers, THANK YOU! In the days and weeks ahead, we will keep you posted on ways you can do your part to help end homelessness.

Thank you for making a difference!

With gratitude,
Scarlet Watts
Development Director

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

HELP IN ACTION
January 2020

Bringing in the New Year

As 2020 begins, we are reflecting on our accomplishments from 2019 and looking forward to some exciting new projects underway in the new year. In 2019, we served almost 30,000 people, helping them find stable homes, shelter in times of crisis, and the support they needed to build better lives.

One of the year's highlights was providing new permanent homes for 77 formerly homeless veterans on the campus of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. We also opened a new shelter for women facing homelessness in Manhattan.

We're so grateful to our hardworking staff and dedicated supporters for making our impact possible. In 2020, we will be expanding our work even more. We have two apartment buildings under construction and several programs and buildings in the planning stages.

Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates about what's in store and information about how you can get involved!

New Year, New You

In honor of the new year, HELP USA's Young Patrons Circle hosted a New Year, New You event to support survivors of domestic violence on their journey to heal from abuse. Covergirl's Manhattan store hosted these survivors for an afternoon of pampering and empowerment.

Participants received massages, makeovers, and life coaching to help them find confidence in their inner and outer beauty. We're so thankful to all of the volunteers who made this afternoon a success!

To learn more about how you can get involved with HELP USA's Young Patrons Circle, visit www.helpusa.org/ypc. 

Help us make a difference in 2020!

Give today to support HELP USA's programs to support people facing homeless and poverty, including families, survivors of domestic violence, and veterans.

HELP USA's Employees Volunteer for the HOPE Survey

Have you ever wondered where statistics about homelessness come from? Every year, volunteers canvas cities across the United States to count the number of people living on the streets.

Earlier this week, over 4,200 volunteers traveled around New York City for the annual effort, including many HELP USA employees. We're grateful to our many dedicated employees who braved the winter cold to perform this public service.

The results of the survey, which will be available this Spring, will help shape the programs that HELP USA and other organizations create to serve people facing homelessness in the coming year.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 40 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

We are reaching out to share with you an upcoming virtual event in honor of Veterans Day!

Join us this Wednesday, November 11th at 8pm EST / 5pm PST for a special talk with active U.S. military member Michael Kelvington and veteran Meg Kelvington. This event will be the first in a virtual speaker series hosted by HELP USA''s Young Patrons Circle.

Michael and Meg, who are a married couple, will speak about their life story, their time serving in the Army, and how this impacted their family dynamics. They have faced many challenges as a couple, and will share their thoughts on grief and loss, assimilation back into society, and everyday life as a military family. The event will be free and open to the public. Sign up today!

HELP USA is honored to serve thousands of veterans each year, connecting them with safe homes and the support services they need to build better lives. Through listening to the Kelvingtons'' story, you will be able to understand the challenges that our troops face when they return to civilian life.

We hope you had a great weekend and look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
 
Best wishes,
The HELP USA team

Please note that the views expressed are Michael and Meg''s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 44 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

Recently we brought you the story of Vincent, one of HELP USA''s courageous staff working on the front lines in shelters keeping the space clean and safe for our vulnerable residents.

Vincent is far from the only member of our community who is showing tremendous courage during this time. We also have several residents in our shelters who are themselves essential heathcare workers.

It says everything about the urgency of the crisis and the inequality of the virus''s impact that there are frontline heroes struggling with homelessness.

We''re proud to serve heroes like Shireen and are reminded every day of the strength and resilience of our clients and our community. Thank you for being a part of it.

With gratitude,
Lawrence Cann
Chief Development Officer

*Name and likeness have been altered to protect client privacy.

Did you get this email from a friend? Sign up for our email list today and join the fight against homelessness.

HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We build affordable homes, provide shelter for people in crisis, and strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at our 44 residences and over a dozen prevention and support programs.

This year, almost 60,000 people will spend Thanksgiving in New York City shelters. During this challenging time, HELP USA will support the residents in our shelters by serving Thanksgiving dinner to over 4,000 people.

We will also bring in a professional chef to teach a virtual class to our residents about how they can make healthy holiday meals at home.

But we need your help to make it happen. Will you pitch in to help families in our shelters gather for a holiday meal?

For every $50 donated, you will provide one family the groceries they need to cook a festive, homemade dinner.

We also need your help to support meal servings at our shelters and residences. If you or your company wants to sponsor one or more meal servings, please email TPersaud@helpusa.org.

Thank you for your support!

Best wishes,
The HELP USA Team

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