My Fellow Man Alliance is a private, non-profit organization with a dedicated mission to provide safe housing, medical respite referrals, community awareness and education, outreach and intervention, self development and independence programming for homeless persons or those that would otherwise become homeless without intervention throughout Houston, Texas and the Nation.

Description:
My Fellow Man Alliance is a private, non-profit organization that is working with local agencies, to provide housing, support and vocational rehabilitation services for the homeless and those that would otherwise become homeless without intervention.

At this point in time, there are an estimated 15,000 homeless individuals throughout Houston. Per the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, and other sources, the number of available shelter beds is approximately 5,500 across 75-100 shelter programs. For homeless persons coming out the hospital, there are only 17 medical respite beds for men (in the region); none for women. There are another 11 beds for homeless persons with active TB.

Presently, at any given time, there are approximately 15,000 homeless people in Houston. Of this population, approximately one third are veterans, one third have a significant, chronic mental illness such as schizophrenia, and about 20% are made up of families with children. Obtaining permanent housing is difficult as the waiting list for public housing and related programs is between 20 and 35 months.

In considering the financial impact of the homeless on Houston and Harris County, the cost is almost incalculable. In 2007, the projected cost will be approximately $80,000,000 with an annual increase of approximately $10,000,000. These figures only account for housing, living expenses, outreach and case management. These figures do not include the cost of healthcare through the numerous clinics and hospital district.

To help in this process, the following goals have been established:

Goal 1. To provide safe housing to homeless individuals.

Goal 2. To provide medical respite services to homeless individuals who have been recently released from the hospital.

Goal 3. To help raise awareness in the public consciousness about the homeless situation in the city, state and nation.

Goal 4. To engage in active outreach and intervention services for the homeless.

Goal 5. To develop and implement a series of programming that emphasizes self-development and fosters independence through individually tailored mental health, social service, physical and/or vocation rehabilitation services.

At this point in time, My Fellow Man Alliance is fully engaged in aspects of each goal. We are dedicated to helping eradicate homelessness and are prepared to commit resources to this cause.

Contact people:

John Hickernell, Project Leader, (phone), (email) Darrell Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (713) 780-2414

Address:

6060 Richmond, Suite 372 Houston, TX 77057 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.myfellowman.org