Want to help Philly’s homeless? This is how you plug in

Each year in Philadelphia, homeless outreach organizations engage over 5,500 people living on the street, in cars and in abandoned buildings. That’s in addition to the roughly 12,000 people accessing local shelters. 

There are organizations across the city working to address the homelessness from a variety of angles, from formal programs out of organizations like Resources for Human Development to photographer Ted Goldman’s photo essay that aims to bring a greater understanding of the homeless community here in Philly.

Generocity is teaming up with Resources for Human Development to map out what local homelessness looks like. The first event in our Blueprint “issue mapping” series will be centered around homelessness and the ways advocates in the community are currently addressing the problem. At this event, RHD will map out the series of stages and pain points of homelessness, with a specific view into systems in Philadelphia.

This workshop will offer the space for idea sharing, collaborations and connections amongst some of the most forward-thinking, committed local leaders to tackle this issue. If you have the desire to work with this community but aren’t yet engaged, this is where you figure out how you can be most effective.

Who is this for?

• Local leaders who already address homelessness, and need a refreshing jolt of energy in their work
• Funders and investors who are looking to back programs that are effective, scalable and driven by people closest to the issue
• Community development workers who work in Philly neighborhoods
• Nonprofit leaders who have great ideas but need to leverage connections to execute on plans
• Leaders who want to fight homelessness and advocate, and don’t yet know where best to throw their time, talent and funds

Blueprint: Homelessness will be the very first event in the new Pennovation Center, 3401 Grays Ferry Ave., on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1 to 5 p.m.