HOKA’s Post

Silence is Not an Option: A Call to Action Against Community Violence - Dr. Kyza A. Callwood In communities plagued by violence, the cycle of loss feels relentless, leaving scars that run deep. As we witness the rising tide of senseless killings, it’s clear that our collective silence is no longer an option. Each statistic represents a life cut short, a family forever changed, and a future extinguished. We must recognize that change starts at home and extends into our neighborhoods. Parents, teachers, and community leaders need to engage more actively, fostering open dialogues about conflict resolution, empathy, and respect. Empowering young people through mentorship programs can provide them with the guidance and support they need to navigate their challenges without resorting to violence. Moreover, we must unite as a community, not only to mourn but to mobilize. Neighborhood watch programs, community gatherings, and church-led initiatives can create safe spaces for connection and healing. The time for action is now. Let us reclaim our streets, restore our sense of safety, and rebuild a culture of respect and care. Together, we can break this cycle and forge a brighter future for our children and ourselves.

Business leaders, politicians, & media stars are afraid to talk about 1 thing. And that 1 thing can solve the vast majority of our problems. Fatherlessness. Our leaders all want to pretend that it isn’t the biggest problem facing the United States and frankly, the entire world. But it isn’t politically correct to mention. 25% of American children don’t live with a father in the home. That’s nearly 18 million boys and girls. When a child is raised in a fatherless home, she is more likely to: ▪️Live in poverty ▪️End up in jail ▪️Become pregnant as a teen ▪️Drop out of school That’s why CATHOLIC WORLD MISSION INC is developing programs with The Lumen Institute to address this tragedy head on. We are working to build stronger fathers and stronger families by looking to the example of St Joseph. Be sure to check on CatholicWorldMission.org in the upcoming weeks on this program and learn how to help. Because it takes guts to address the real issue. It takes guts to stand up for kids.

From Dr. Wendy Mahoney, interim President and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): "Housing is extremely limited for survivors, often forcing them to make impossible choices between sleeping outside or suffering continued violence. This is especially true for survivors of color and other marginalized survivors, who are already more likely to experience violence, compounded by systemic inequality that makes it harder to escape and access safe housing. We all deserve a safe place to live, and we can't solve homelessness by punishing people for experiencing it." Learn more about the Johnson v. Grants Pass case here: https://lnkd.in/e3U-MmiK

In the latest installment of our "Evidence Matters" series, we delve into the power of learning from unexpected results. Join us on May 23 as we discuss the findings of a multi-year randomized controlled trial on preventing homelessness. Read more about the event and register here: https://bit.ly/3V7ASKu #PovertyResearch #CommunityOutcomes #HomelessnessPrevention #LEO #KingCounty #EvidenceMatters #AcademicResearch

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬. When I shared my experience of homelessness on national media (Newstalk & TheJournal.ie) with Focus Ireland, I was only 17. I thought I was doing something important—something that could inspire change. But I wasn’t prepared for the backlash. I received a wave of hurtful and racist comments that questioned my right to belong, despite being born and raised in Ireland. It felt like a punch to the gut. People dismissed my experiences, told me I wasn’t “Irish enough,” and even suggested I didn’t deserve support. The words cut deep, and the pain was real. At such a young age, it was difficult to comprehend why sharing a part of myself to help others could provoke so much hate. It hurt. It shook my confidence. But it didn’t silence me. I live by Proverbs 31:8: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” And I realized that if I stayed quiet, if I let fear win, then the voices that needed to be heard would remain unheard. So, I kept sharing my story—not for sympathy, but for change. I wanted to challenge the stigma around homelessness and speak up for the thousands of children who still don’t have a safe place to call home. Sharing your story isn’t easy, and it can come with risks, but it can also ignite important conversations and inspire action. For anyone facing backlash for speaking up: don’t let the hate silence you. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐭. #EndHomelessness #SpeakUp #Proverbs318 #HomelessnessAwareness #StandAgainstHate #FocusIreland #YouthHomelessness #endracism #ChangeStartsWithUs #NoChildHomeless #ShareYourStory Rory Hearne *(pictured: a snapshot of some of the hateful and racist comments that were left underneath Newstalk’s post about my story.)

Hosting your "Fivers for Survivors" event ties directly into the global recognition of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. By aligning with our cause, you are taking a stand against the hidden atrocity of modern slavery that also affects our society here in Australia. Together, we can transform small contributions into a wave of substantial support that restores hope and rebuilds the lives of those who have endured unimaginable hardships. Please join us in this vital cause! We’ve made it easy by creating some exciting resources to help you run a successful event. If you register through our platform, you’ll not only receive the resource kit, but you’ll also receive an official link to help you manage your campaign. https://buff.ly/4eR208v Need some more reason to get involved? Making an Impact * Know that your efforts are directly contributing to the rehabilitation and support of modern slavery survivors. Engaging your community * Boost morale and team spirit by involving your workplace, school, or community group in a meaningful cause. We can't wait to support you with your event this month - come and be a part of this! #freedomhuborg #fivers4survivors #endmodernslavery #socialjustice #socialimpact #humanrights #humanrightsbiz

Discover how Neighborhood Resilience Project is transforming communities in Pittsburgh. From trauma-informed care to addressing systemic issues, this faith-based initiative is creating real change and healing where it's needed most. Read more about their development program here: https://lnkd.in/eacV9Sxb #CommunityTransformation 

Hosting your "Fivers for Survivors" event ties directly into the global recognition of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. By aligning with our cause, you are taking a stand against the hidden atrocity of modern slavery that also affects our society here in Australia. Together, we can transform small contributions into a wave of substantial support that restores hope and rebuilds the lives of those who have endured unimaginable hardships. Please join us in this vital cause! We’ve made it easy by creating some exciting resources to help you run a successful event. If you register through our platform, you’ll not only receive the resource kit, but you’ll also receive an official link to help you manage your campaign. https://buff.ly/39mdeRI Need some more reason to get involved? Making an Impact * Know that your efforts are directly contributing to the rehabilitation and support of modern slavery survivors. Engaging your community * Boost morale and team spirit by involving your workplace, school, or community group in a meaningful cause. We can't wait to support you with your event this month - come and be a part of this! #freedomhuborg #fivers4survivors #endmodernslavery #socialjustice #socialimpact #humanrights #humanrightsbiz

📬 Question: What practical solution do you think the community can use to address the issues it is facing? 🗓 With the Together Action Group (TAG) holiday programme, which was held at the intersection of Hay Avenue and Fuel Road, on June 18, 19, and 20, 2024, New Pathways provided services to the Westbury, Newclare, and Coronationville communities. 🚔At moments of high anxiety, a well-known sight appears outside the TAG gates on Fuel: the police officers tasked with policing the area appear, and the realisation of what happens outside the gates stings. 🤝 We are collaborating with community-based organisations, long-standing non-profits, and individuals who wish to see change, particularly in the lives of the young people in their community. 👁️🗨️An interview that aired recently on SABC focused on three communities that are predominately made up of people of colour and the issues that these communities deal with that put our children in danger of a doomed future. 📝 The recent social media posts that caused panic among residents, particularly with kids on vacation, were discussed, along with Eldorado Park, Westbury, and Riverlea. The statement was "keep your 10-year-olds in doors." This is a near impossible task during the holidays. 📊 I will share the video here and you can decide for yourself whether the matter requires urgent attention or not. 🗂 Since its founding in November 2023, our organisation has been conducting research within the community to determine its needs and comprehend the underlying dynamics that hold it captive. ✂ With operational funding being scarce or nonexistent, we hope that we will be able to contribute to the change required soon. As operational costs escalate for our self-funded organisation, community challenges remain and become worse. 🎞 The video can be found at this link: https://lnkd.in/d8bXppPM.

In a recent interview with Bisnow, our Founder and CEO, Elizabeth Funk, discussed how we are tackling one of California's most pressing issues: over 50% of the nation's unsheltered homeless population lives in our state. At DignityMoves, we focus on addressing unsheltered homelessness, which is the most visible and inhumane. We're driving innovative solutions and interim housing communities that can be built fast, cost-effectively, and at a scale that can meet demand. Learn more about how we're leading the charge for real, actionable change. Link in comments 👇