While the Palouse may not have tent communities or a visible homelessness crisis, the issue is much more prevalent in the community than meets the eye.
Family Promise of the Palouse intends to bring awareness to this issue with the upcoming virtual campaign, Night Without a Bed, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. Starting with a kickoff event at the FPP Day Center, attendees can participate in a trivia and educate themselves on homelessness issues where the first 30 attendees will receive a s’mores kit. That night, participants are asked to sleep anywhere that is not their bed, such as the floor, a couch, a car or outside. They are encouraged to take pictures and post on social media with the hashtag, #nightwithoutabed and tag @familypromiseofthepalouse to build the awareness virtually.
Abby McGarry, the Family Promise volunteer recruitment & education specialist, feels that Night Without a Bed is an opportunity for individuals to not only understand homelessness issues, but to empathize with those who are experiencing it.
“In my opinion, I think it’s kind of hard for us to get outside of our own level and learn about other experiences unless we experience them ourselves,” McGarry said. “I think knowing what goes on in your community is important. There is a significant homeless population, we just don’t see it. People are sleeping in their cars, or they camp, and we may not see it but it does happen right in our own community.”
McGarry has seen COVID-19 become a major factor in leaving people homeless. Job loss has contributed to people being unable to pay their bills or rent. Minimum wage and lack of affordable housing is also a major factor, she said. The price of housing continues to increase while the minimum wage and households’ incomes are remaining the same, so people working 40 hours per week or overtime are still unable to pay their rent.
“There is also a generational cycle of poverty,” McGarry said. “Families that are experiencing homelessness, the children are more likely to experience homelessness as adults.”
“What we focus on here at Family Promise is not just getting families who are experiencing homelessness housed, but also focusing on employment, building job skills, creating resumes and providing life skills classes,” McGarry said. “We try to focus on the things that will create sustainable independence.”
McGarry encourages individuals to continue broadening their awareness of homelessness outside of the Night Without a Bed event.
“Get involved with organizations,” she said. “Donating is an awesome way to help people experiencing homelessness, and we have a lot of incredible organizations here on the Palouse. I think by donating your time and volunteering, you can begin to create that empathy.”
Those experiencing homelessness can call the FPP Day Center or visit their website for more information on available resources.
“Contacting the local organizations on the Palouse is a great start, because there is help and there are a ton of resources available,” McGarry said. “I think the tricky part is connecting that with the people that need it.”
Bailey Brockett can be reached at [email protected]