Babies of Homelessness was created to raise awareness of the innocent babies who, through no fault of their own, are the victims of homelessness! Going through the struggles of surviving with their parent(s), their basic physical needs—food, clothing, and medical care—are often woefully unmet. The children we aim to help are often living in homeless encampments, cars and RV’s or bouncing from shelter to shelter. I’ve seen homeless moms and dads struggling to care for their babies but without a clear path or the resources to do so. I’ve also seen abused and neglected babies living in deplorable environments surrounded by mentally unstable and drug addicted adults.
I have always been aware of the efforts to address the “homeless youth crisis,” typically raising awareness for children, ages 12-18yrs old. These preteens to young adults have many resources geared towards them specifically. My goal is to raise awareness and help the babies and the toddlers who are often hidden from society by parents who desperately need help, but fear they could lose their children if Child Protective Services (CPS) deems them unable to care for their children.
As a child who experienced homelessness and shelters growing up, this population has always been very close to my heart. I have been an active participant in volunteering at Women & Children Shelters for years. But a news story of a 2 year old little girl found eating old doughnuts off the ground, with a presumed 2+ day soiled diaper, fungus infected toenails at a homeless encampment, enraged me! Children at this age are not capable of protecting themselves, not capable of walking out of a vile, unsafe area and seeking help. So I began by preparing care packages containing diapers, wipes, baby food, socks and a change of clothes and started going out weekly on Search & Rescue with the Union Gospel Mission searching for the children. That is when Babies of Homelessness was created. We strive to bring essential items directly to the children; no questions asked and no judgement. Our goal is to just giving them what they need. The hope is to raise awareness of their existence.
There are many homeless children, many who are housed in shelters with moms who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their children. But what about the families with infants and toddlers who literally have no home, with parents who are struggling to survive and can’t provide for their child? What about the children of drug-addicted parent(s) where the drug is the priority? There are homeless adults who resist help or services offered to them for a variety of reasons, but the babies aren’t making that choice. They are truly the victims.
I wholeheartedly believe we are not placed on this earth to simply exist or survive but rather to make a difference, to be compassionate, to help our brothers and sisters who are struggling, and to look out for those who are vulnerable.
The goal of our organization is to raise awareness of these issues and to bring immediate essentials (care packages) directly to the babies and small children found in homeless situations. Babies of Homelessness offers help and assistance to the parent(s) before it becomes a CPS issue. The greater goal is to have a voice at the state legislature level raising awareness for the need of more safe housing options for these families.
There are hungry, homeless and often times neglected BABIES out there, in our backyard! We have to protect our children! We have to do something!
Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society.
It is a goal and an essential part of my life.
Star Lalario