The solution is sustainable living.The problem is you’re not helping.

Featuring Lyrics from

“Tears Are Not Enough”by Bryan Adams

Photo Ken Lewis

As every day goes byhow can we close our eyesuntil we open up our hearts

Austin has approximately 2,400 rental assistance vouchers

This leaves 19,300 households underserved*

* Comprehensive Housing Market Study, City of Austin – Neighborhood Housing & Community Development, BBC Research & Consulting, March 3, 2009

Photo BL 1961

We can learn to shareAnd show how much we careRight from the moment that we start

The average life expectancy for the homeless ranges

from 42 to 52*

* O’Connell, Jim, MD. Premature Mortality in Homeless Populations: A Review of the Literature Nashville: National Health Care for the Homeless Council, December 2005.

Photo DaliBorley

Seems like overnightWe see the world in a different lightSomehow our innocence is lost

According to a University of Texas survey, each homeless

person cost the taxpayers $14,480 per year*

* Diamond, Pamela and Steven B. Schneed, Lives in the Shadows: Some of the Costs and Consequences of a "Non-System" of Care. Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 1991 Photo SamPac

How can we look away'Cause every single dayWe've got to help at any cost

We can bridge the distanceOnly we can make the differenceDon't ya know that tears are not enough

1 of 8 women in homeless situations report being raped*

* http://writerinaredchair.blogspot.com/2009/05/300-new-homeless-people-in-austin.html Photo Arty Smokes

If we can pull togetherWe could change the world foreverHeaven knows that tears are not enough

44% of homeless persons had paying jobs during the last

month

20% worked in a job lasting or expected to last at least 3

months*

* http://writerinaredchair.blogspot.com/2009/05/300-new-homeless-people-in-austin.html Photo Franco Folini

It's up to me and youTo make the dream come trueIt's time to take our message everywhere

On a single night in January 2008, there were 664,414 sheltered & unsheltered

homeless persons nationwide*

* 2009 HUD Homeless Assessment Report

Photo Don Hankins

If we should try together you and IMaybe we could understand the reasons why

46% of homeless report chronic health conditions related to

their living situation and inability to access adequate

healthcare*

* http://writerinaredchair.blogspot.com/2009/05/300-new-homeless-people-in-austin.html Photo James Willamor

If we take a stand every woman, child and manWe can make it work

For God's sake, lend a hand

22% of those in homeless situations report being

assaulted*

* http://writerinaredchair.blogspot.com/2009/05/300-new-homeless-people-in-austin.html

Photo BobTheMtnBiker’s

Our Tears Are Not EnoughDonateVolunteerDo something

Photo Metrix_X

Please, do something

Photo Chris A Carson

Turn the page to learn about Mobile Loaves & Fishes

and how you can do something

Who we are: Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social outreach ministry for the homeless and indigent working poor.

We’ve got 10,000 volunteers.We’re looking for # 10,001.

What we do: Provide food, clothing, and dignity to those in need in Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, Providence, and Nashville.

$10 30 Pairs of Socks

$20 Bread for 128 Sandwiches

$50 Cheese for 600 Sandwiches

$75 Peanut Butter for 900 Sandwiches

$100 2000 Cups of Coffee

A little goes a long wayPlease, do something

If you can’t volunteer, will you donate?

Visit us