AKUJOBI ORGANZATION
At the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd. and W. Mulberry Street in Baltimore, Maryland on a cold winter night, one may find homeless men and women including veterans living in cardboard box. On any given night on the streets of Baltimore city and surrounding counties, thousands of individuals and veterans and their children are homeless due to untreated mental health challenges, disabilities, poverty, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
Various root causes and temporary circumstances contribute to the state of homelessness as defined by the Department of Housing (HUD).
The true magnitude of Maryland’s homeless problem is undetermined because some homeless individuals are not out on the streets each night, but in temporary housing with family, friends, and/or strangers. Still, by definition, they are homeless struggling with other social issues beyond not having a permanent home to call their own.
AKUJOBI ORGANIZATION is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization that provides services to homeless individuals as well as veterans and families in the Baltimore Metro Area. Our programs employ cutting-edge, best practice solutions to minimize the incidence and duration of homelessness, and unemployment with the ultimate objective of changing lives through the empowerment of others. We hope to provide homeless prevention and shelter diversion, comprehensive 24/7 shelters, day shelter, rapid rehousing, employment, job training and permanent supportive housing. Most of all, Akujobi Organization encourages its clients to deal with the root causes of their homelessness through counseling, education and career training, medical treatment and direct services that empower them to make positive changes in their lives. Our approach is not to give handouts but to teach, train, and equip others to take full responsibility for their choices and lives. Akujobi Organization also provides support to indigent families and school children in Mbaise Nigeria, through education and training. We offer training on subsistence farming, tuition assistance programs and hospital bills.
To have strong substantiable communities, we need stable families and individuals supporting the community. Akujobi Organization is seeking to partner with the state and its agencies in building our community, helping families and individuals to improve their quality of life. Akujobi Organization writes this intent narrative seeking financial support for its unique programs and services. To offer and run effective programs, we need money. In addition to money, we need in-kind donations such as supplies and equipment, houses, and services. This year our priority is to assess the number of homeless individuals and veterans in Maryland, define the root causes of their homelessness, find resources available to address their challenges, and to provide temporary housing and counseling. Our annual budget totals $250,000, which covers research, staff, and program delivery expenses. Please consider granting this application. Homelessness hurts human dignity, poses health hazards to communities, and breeds crimes. Importantly, homeless veterans are men and women who have volunteered to serve our country and defend our way of freedom. Let’s give back to help them heal and reintegrate back into our community as productive and responsible citizens.