American University Partners with NLCHP to Launch All-In to End Homelessness Campaign

Press Type: Press Release   Associated Program: Housing

Released: 04/2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Law Center On Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP) and American University (AU) School of Communication announced today the launch of the "All-In to End Homelessness" campaign to raise awareness of homelessness in America and provide a way for students to commit themselves to the cause. The campaign includes a solidarity pledge and a national PR push, culminating in an awareness-raising event on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 12 noon until 4PM on the campus of American University.

"We're really hoping everyone will be as touched by this issue as we have been," said Mariela Suarez, one of the students working with NLCHP. "The McKinney- Vento Act has done so much for the homeless population, but more has to be done. This solidarity pledge will demonstrate that students have not forgotten about this issue or these people, and that we stand together to go 'All-In' to end homelessness in America."

AU faculty, students, and members of the public will gather on the AU Quad for a rally to sign the pledge, hear remarks from leaders in the homeless advocacy movement , and recognize the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the first significant federal legislative response to homelessness.

"The McKinney-Vento Act was landmark legislation protecting the rights of our homeless citizens," said Maria Foscarinis, founder and executive director of NLCHP and a featured speaker at the All-In event. "However, the Act was meant only as a 'first step' in addressing homelessness, and our country has yet to take the additional steps needed to actually prevent and end homelessness in America."

With the foreclosure crisis and continued unemployment driving dramatic increases in homelessness among families, Foscarinis added that "this campaign couldn't be more timely,
especially for parents and children."

Nhianhi Chestnut, a homeless resident and advocate in D.C., is featured in the campaign. "There's a misconception - a stereotype - that homeless people are destitute, drunks, drug addicts," she said, "or that homelessness affects just one particular race or class. We have all types of people that are in this situation. Anyone can become homeless."

To learn more about the All-In to End Homelessness campaign, click here. 

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