On a cold December night in 1983, 11-year-old Trevor Ferrell saw a TV newscast about people living on the streets. Those images stirred a compassion deep within Trevor and he pleaded with his parents to take him to downtown Philadelphia so he could give his blanket and pillow to the first homeless person he met. In ensuing weeks, with the help of family, classmates and neighbors, Trevor made nightly trips into Philadelphia to distribute food, clothing and blankets to the needy. Through hundreds of generous citizens and businesses, this little "campaign" soon grew into places to stay and an entire array of services.
The dream and compassion of one small boy has taken on a life of its own and become an integral part of the vital services offered to the estimated 24,000 homeless of Philadelphia. Since its humble beginnings, the Campaign has grown in its approach and sophistication to how best enable the homeless to regain self-sufficiency. A four-pronged approach has been developed to address the problem of homelessness: outreach, housing and services, redistribution and public education/advocacy.
Our Four-Pronged Approach
- Outreach and Volunteerism: Meeting the homeless at their point of need through trained staff and caring volunteers.
- Housing and Services: Helping the homeless become independent through home for the present, developmental programs and hope for the future.
- Donations and Redistribution: Improving the quality of homeless life through recycling of donated household goods, furniture and clothing.
- Public Education and Advocacy: Treating the causes of homelessness, not only the results, through literature, media and public forums.
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