49. Join Habitat For Humanity
Catherine Martinez shed tears of joy as she thanked the men and women with the Santa Fe, New Mexico, Habitat for Humanity who had come to help to help build a home for herself, her husband, and their six children, ages five through eighteen. The family, along with Cathering's parents, lived in an 800-square food trailer. Their living conditions had become intolerable, putting them at great risk of becoming homeless.
Cathering's husband, Robert, a Vietnam vet suffering from post-traumatic syndrome, receives $19,000 a year in disability benefits, placing them below the poverty level for a family of their size.
"I'm overcome with emotion," said Catherine. "The going was rough, but my faith in God carried me through. There's nothing better than to give of yourself to others." Then she gestured to a woman who lived in the home that the Santa Fe Habitat had just completed. "Joan's here today, building my house--and I'll be at the next one that Habitat builds."
List of all 54 Ways
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54 Ways You Can Help The Homeless - Overview