Center For Family Services is proud to be part of a community that believes in the power of compassion and care. Homelessness can happen to anyone. A job loss, medical emergency, or family crisis can push someone into instability faster than most imagine. That’s why awareness is so vital—it’s a reminder of the importance of strong community support systems and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Each November is observed as Homelessness Awareness Month, a time to build empathy, break down stigma, and encourage action. This awareness month is about more than recognizing a crisis—it’s about changing the narrative. Too often, people experiencing homelessness are unfairly judged or misunderstood. This month serves as an opportunity to shift that perception and remind our communities that homelessness is a situation, not an identity.

Homelessness can create powerful barriers that make it difficult for individuals to reach their full potential, not because of who they are, but because of the circumstances they face. When housing is unstable, every aspect of life becomes more challenging.

For children and youth, homelessness can mean interrupted schooling, frequent moves, and chronic stress, all of which make it harder to learn, grow, and dream about the future. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education reported that more than 1.2 million public school students experienced homelessness at some point during the academic year—a staggering number that reflects the deep impact of housing instability on young lives.

Adults experiencing homelessness face immense challenges that go far beyond finding shelter each night. Securing or maintaining employment becomes a daily struggle when you don’t have a stable address to list on job applications, a reliable way to receive mail, or even a safe place to rest after a day’s work. The uncertainty of where you’ll sleep or how you’ll meet your basic needs forces your focus to shift from long-term goals to immediate survival. Even for those who manage to find work, the lack of stability makes it nearly impossible to save money, maintain consistent attendance, or plan. Without the foundation of safe housing, it’s not a lack of motivation that stands in the way—it’s the weight of instability itself.

The strain of homelessness also takes a heavy toll on mental and physical health. Without a safe place to rest or access to consistent healthcare, individuals are more likely to experience illness, anxiety, and exhaustion—conditions that make recovery and long-term stability even harder to achieve. In New Jersey alone, more than 8,700 people experience homelessness on any given night, many of whom face additional barriers such as trauma, disability, or lack of affordable housing.

Beyond the physical challenges, homelessness can also erode a person’s sense of identity and dignity. Too often, society defines individuals by their housing status rather than their strengths, talents, and potential. This stigma can strip away hope and make it harder for people to seek help or believe in their ability to rebuild.

Ultimately, homelessness interrupts opportunity—but it does not define the person. 

Support for Teens and Young Adults: Street Outreach Program

If you are a teen or young adult experiencing homelessness or instability, help is available 24/7. The Street Outreach program provides compassionate, immediate support to young people up to age 22 who are facing homelessness, have runaway, or are couch-surfing.

Through crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and prevention services, trained counselors work to ensure that every young person has a safe and stable place to live. The program also offers referrals and safe transportation to emergency shelters, along with life-skills training and connections to community support services all designed to help youth build a strong foundation for a stable and hopeful future.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, please reach out to the 24/7 helpline at 800.255.4213. Street Outreach is here to listen, to help, and to remind every young person that homelessness is a situation, not an identity—and that there is always a path forward.