4. Many Sandwiches Ago….
RCOHH
Basic Math
• For about $1.50, we make a sack lunch…
• Just asking a few friends, we could raise $200-400…
• In about 2 hours, we can make 200-500 sack lunches…
Total
~3000 sack lunches.
6. Homeless in Houston…
RCOHH
Facts at a Glance:
• Houston has the largest homeless population in Texas
8th largest in the nation
• > 40,000 people experience homelessness annually
Over 13,500 people at any point in time
Over 11,000 students in Harris county
~1 in 5 are identified as “chronically homeless”
7. Homeless in Houston…
RCOHH
Facts at a Glance:
• Houston has the largest homeless population in Texas
8th largest in the nation
• > 40,000 people experience homelessness annually
Over 13,500 people at any point in time
Over 11,000 students in Harris county
~1 in 5 are identified as “chronically homeless”
9. Group Mission…
RCOHH
“So… what’s RCoHH?”
“The Rice Coalition on Hunger and Homelessness is a
student-led service and advocacy group focused on
tackling systemic poverty and homelessness in
Houston.”
10. Group Mission…
RCOHH
“So… what’s RCoHH?”
… Basically, we're looking for ways to help the folks in
need stay well-fed, get them out of poverty, and have the
rest of the world be made aware of their existence.
11. RCoHH Difference…
“How is this different from…?”
• More time spent understanding the issues
• Larger focus on creating repeatable service events
• More focus on long-term solutions
• Greater emphasis on policy/structural change
14. “Invisible People”
RCOHH
Karen
“Karen says she feels invisible. At one time she had an important job and lots of
social interaction, but now she says it’s rare to have a conversation with another
person. Earlier, Karen was parked near a public park and was cleaning out her car.
She was feeling invisible and hadn’t talked to anyone, then a dog came into the park
and caught everyone’s attention making Karen feel even more invisible.”
http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/07/karen-mobile-homeless-san-
diego/?autoplay=1
15. Malawi?
RCOHH
“We think sometimes that poverty is only
being hungry, naked and homeless. The
poverty of being unwanted, unloved and
uncared for is the greatest poverty.”
- Mother Teresa
16. “Invisible People”
RCOHH
Eliona
“At only 14 years old, Elaina made the decision to leave home rather than live
with her mother’s drug abuse. That’s a pretty hard call for a young child to
make, yet today I met a few homeless youth in Salt Lake City, Utah that felt the
streets were better than home.”
http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/08/elaina-homeless-youth-salt-lake-city-
virgin-mobile-sevenly/?autoplay=1
17. Alternatives?
RCOHH
Jacob
“According to California Progress Report, 65% of youth in foster care emancipate
without a place to live. 40% of persons living in homeless shelters are former foster
children. A similarly disproportionate percentage of the nation’s prison population
is comprised of former foster youth. Less than 3% go to college and 51% are
unemployed.” http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/2013/09/jacob-homeless-youth-
foster-care-salt-lake-city/?autoplay=1
21. Causes of Homelessness
RCOHH
Demographic Information
• 40% have mental illnesses
• Over 50% are African American
• 1 in 20 come from family of homelessness
• 1 in 5 are gay or bisexual
• 2 in 5 had been in foster care
• 1 in 3 homeless youths have children
22. Causes of Homelessness
RCOHH
Demographic Information
• 1 in 3 have substance abuse problems
• 35% of homeless mothers physical abused (nat)
• 40% of homeless mothers sexually abused as kids (nat.)
• Up to 54% of homeless have spent time incarcerated (nat.)
25. RCoHH Mission
RCOHH
“What is RCoHH doing to help?”
• Sandwiches for All (Food Distribution)
• OWLS Consulting Service (Re-Incorporation Assistance)
• Rice Invisible People Project (Photojournalism)
• Annual Panel on Homelessness
• Lots of speakers!
26. RCoHH Mission
RCOHH
“How can I get involved?”
• Help make sack lunches on September 8th!
• Apply to be an officer online!
• Spread the word!
• Offer your ideas!
