State of Our Community: The Challenges We’re Fighting Together

Every day, families in our community face challenges no one should have to face alone — hunger, unstable housing, limited job opportunities, and a lack of access to fresh, healthy food. These struggles are real, growing, and deeply connected.

This is the reality we’re working to change. This is why Helping Ourselves exists.

Through hunger relief, community gardens, job training, and housing support, we’re building pathways to stability — one person, one family, one neighborhood at a time. And with your support, we can turn these numbers into lives transformed.

The Reality We’re Working to Change

Fighting Hunger in Our Community

Over 44 million Americans face food insecurity (USDA).
1 in 5 children lives in a food‑insecure household.
Food insecurity is rising fastest among single‑parent households and low‑income workers.

Why This Matters

Hunger affects everything — health, stability, school performance, and the ability to work. Helping Ourselves want to provide food support, emergency meals, and community‑based hunger relief.

Community Gardens

Community gardens can increase local food access by 30% in underserved areas.
Neighborhoods with gardens report lower food insecurity and higher community engagement.
Urban gardens can produce up to 1.5 pounds of food per square foot annually.

Why This Matters

Community gardens don’t just grow food — they grow stability, connection, and self‑sufficiency. Helping Ourselves want to use gardens to teach skills, reduce hunger, and strengthen neighborhoods

Building Skills That Build Futures

Over 8 million Americans are unemployed or underemployed.
Job training programs can increase employment rates by up to 40%.
Skills‑based training boosts long‑term income by 20–30% on average.

Why This Matters

Stable employment is one of the strongest predictors of long‑term housing stability. Helping Ourselves want to provide hands‑on training, certifications, and pathways to sustainable careers.

Creating Stability Through Housing Support

745,652 Americans are homeless on any given night.
266,320 live unsheltered — in tents, cars, or outdoors.
Chronic homelessness has risen 81% since 2013.
Homelessness overall has increased 27% in the last decade.

Why This Matters

Housing is the foundation for everything — health, employment, education, and safety. Helping Ourselves works to connect individuals with shelter, resources, and long‑term stability.