letterfrompublishers
CoNTACT uS
Natural Awakenings of East Michigan Serving Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Genesee, Lapeer & Shiawassee Counties Michigan Healthy Living & Sustainability, Inc.
P.O. Box 283 • Oxford, MI • 48371
248-628-0125 Fax: 866-556-5205
Publishers
Tracy & Jerry Neale
publisher@NAeas22ichigan.com Editorial, Design & Layout Kim Cerne • Alison Chabonais Wendy Clem • Tracy Neale Linda Sechrist • Lesley Tarsi
Advertising, Sales & Marketing Jerry Neale: 248-628-0125
National Franchise Inquiries 239-530-1377
www.naeastMichigan.com ©2014 by Natural Awakenings of East Michigan, Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. and Michigan Healthy Living and Sustainability, Inc. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that written permission be obtained in advance. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products or services advertised. The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always seek the advice of your medical professional. We welcome your ideas, articles and comments.
Subscriptions: By Mail: $30 (12 issues) Natural Awakenings P.O. Box 283 • Oxford, MI • 48371 Free Digital Subscription: visit ReadNA.com
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id you know that, depending on where you get the figures, there could be as many as 90,000+ people in Michigan who are at some stage of homelessness? We heard that statistic on the radio a few weeks ago and were astonished. In doing a bit of online research, it looks as if somewhere around 20% could be children, and most of those are under the age of 11. Many others are veterans, disabled, have a chronic mental illness, and there seems to be a growing number of seniors. I'm sure we've all heard, or asked, the question, "How can this happen in a country like ours?" According the MichiganRadio.org website, in its 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that Michigan had a 6.1% increase from 2013 to 2014, one of the highest in the nation. And this doesn't even address the issue of wellness and nutrition, another topic altogether, and one that we're sure is not at the forefront of concerns for those simply needing a warm place to stay for themselves and/ or their family. If you want to read some of these startling statistics, take a few minutes and visit websites like CommunityHousingNetwork.org or MIHomeless.org. As we head into the winter and holiday season here in Michigan, it makes this issue especially concerning. Granted, there are shelters and other organizations striving to help, but they all need support...and it won't take much from each of us to help in the battle. So, as you read through this month's issue, which contains many articles on social consciousness, activism, creating miracles and the spirit of loving and sharing, we encourage you to keep the homelessness issue in the back of your mind and find a way to support a local organization dedicated to this issue. These groups aren't hard to find. Visit the websites mentioned above or simply open up your web browser and do a search on "Homeless in Michigan." You'll find an abundance of organizations that are working to provide shelter, food and other resources to help tackle the issue of homelessness in our state. Do something, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. "Every little bit," as they say. So until next month, stay happy and healthy...naturally...and find a way to help those in need!
Natural Awakenings is printed using recyclable newsprint and soy-based ink.
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East Michigan edition
www.NAeastMichigan.com