How do people become homeless?

People become homeless due to multiple reasons: job loss, domestic violence, natural disaster. The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County found that among the individuals surveyed who are homeless:

• Loss of job is the highest reported reason for becoming homeless (59% of men and 32% of women).
• 54% of homeless women are victims of domestic violence.
• More than half of Houston’s homeless persons are mentally ill; 33% of those live on the street. 
• 60% have histories of substance abuse.
• Homeless youth are often children who have aged out of the foster care system or are escaping abusive homes.

How is SEARCH different from other homeless service organizations?

SEARCH Homeless Services complements and partners with shelters and other agencies to fill the gaps for individuals struggling to change their lives. While meals and shelters meet immediate survival needs, SEARCH services focus on long-term results. We provide people with education, job skills, and access to resources to help them stabilize and build a productive life.

What does case management mean?

A social worker or social service provider who works one-on-one with clients, who are facing challenges and obstacles in their life, is a case manager. During these confidential sessions, case managers listen to the clients, offering feedback that is both supportive and non-judgmental. Case managers encourage clients to consider options to the lifestyle in which they are currently living, set personal goals and take incremental steps toward reaching those goals. Case managers understand that people who are homeless, particularly those who are chronically homeless or disabled, may only be able to take one step at a time toward stability. Each step is considered a success.

What does it mean to help people “back on their feet"?

Families, women, children and men who experience homelessness are faced with many overwhelming obstacles, including hunger, exhaustion, physical illness, low self-esteem, and paranoia. Each of these challenges, in and of themselves, can stifle a person’s determination to change their predicament. It takes tremendous fortitude for a person who is homeless to completely and successfully regain self-sufficiency. At SEARCH, we work one-on-one with clients helping them take one step at a time to ultimately help people "get back on their feet."

What can I do to help?

There are many ways to help SEARCH Homeless Services in our mission of providing hope, creating opportunity and transforming the lives of Houston’s homeless.

You can:

• Make a monetary and/or stock contribution.
• Get involved and volunteer.
• Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers about who we are and what we do; and encourage them to get involved.
• Set up your estate to plan for a gift to SEARCH
• Ask your company to donate to SEARCH or to match your contribution.
• Raise money through your congregation or company.
• Plan an in-kind donation drive in your community.