There are over 500,000 homeless in the US, out of which around 40,000 are veterans. About 1.5 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing. About 53% of individual homeless veterans and 41% of homeless non-veteran individuals have disabilities. Half suffer from mental illness; two-thirds suffer from substance abuse problems; and many from dual diagnosis (that is, a person struggling with both mental illness and a substance abuse problem).
Given this abysmal scenario, Global Pragathi has been doing its bit to support the Veterans and other homeless and needy people. One way we help out is by conducting a Virtual Walk program in the whole month of October every year to raise money for Veterans. In 2022, we had about 700 participants cumulatively walking or running about 55,000 miles. So far, over $ 50,000 have been raised. We now wish to take the program to a higher level to support more homeless.
During the Stand Down event in 2022, volunteers distributed 300 backpacks consisting of toiletries, warm socks, gloves, caps, blankets, sleeping bags, and hand warmers. Three hundred food packages consisting of non-perishable food items enough for 5000 meals were also distributed during Stand Down. We have also been providing food to the homeless and poor non-veterans.
We have made a fresh resolve to extend these services and benefits to all the homeless and needy all across the US. We are in the process of developing strategic alliances and partnership networks to enable a smoothly functioning delivery system. With your help, anything is possible.
Vision, Mission, and Values of Global Pragathi
Vision
To be leaders in humanitarian efforts globally to mitigate poverty by developing good models at the grassroots level.
Mission
Reduce poverty through improving educational opportunities and quality, empowering women, making youth employable, promoting preventive health, improving infrastructure, and getting everyone on board in the community
Values
Compassion: the most important quality needed to do sustained humanitarian work
Action: we believe in the adage ' Action Speaks Louder Than Words' and translate our ideas into action
Impartial: we work irrespective of caste, creed, religion, regional, linguistic differences, etc.
Harmony: in the communities by making basic necessities of life available to the poor
Collaboration: ultimately make a much bigger impact in the lives of the poor through collaboration
