(Kansas City, MO) - One of the nation's largest providers of services for the homeless issued a report today detailing a startling increase in the numbers of mothers and children who depend on its services. The 12-month study by the International Union of Gospel Missions (IUGM) reported that rescue missions nationwide:

• Provided more than 1,277,580 nights lodging to children, an increase of ten percent of the previous year.
• Provide more than 3,000 children daily with day care, after-school care and tutoring, an increase of slightly more than 50 percent.

"These numbers reflect an alarming increase in the number of children whose parents cannot adequately provide for them," said Reverend Stephen E. Burger, Executive Director of the IUGM. "And the vast majority of these children are being raised by single mothers." Especially troubling, he said, was that demand for services is expanding beyond shelter and food and into areas involving day care and education.

Burger noted that these figures provide further confirmation for an IUGM report issued last November, indicating that single mothers and their children were the fastest growing group of homeless in the U.S.

The IUGM study also detailed the massive and growing effort on behalf of the homeless that is being undertaken each day by the nation's 250 rescue missions. The findings show that during the 12-month survey period, IUGM rescue missions provided:

• 28 million meals (an increase of about 1 million from the previous year);
• 10 million nights lodging (an increase of about 1 million); and
• 24 million pieces of clothing (an increase of about 11 million pieces of clothing).

"Our rescue missions are on the front lines in combating homelessness around the U.S.," added Burger, "We are engaged in a massive effort to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in our inner cities. But it's not easy because, as these figures show, the face of the homeless is getting younger."

IUGM conducted the survey of its 250 member missions across North America, collecting information on numbers of meals served and beds provided, as well as, amount of clothing distributed. The survey also covers the number of participants in mission rehabilitation, education, and job training progranms. The survey has been conducted every year since 1982 and copies can be obtained from the IUGM by calling 817-471-8020.

Founded in 1913, IUGM member rescue missions provide emergency food, shelter, youth and family services, jail ministries, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, services to mentally ill persons on the street, and assistance to elderly poor, inner-city youth and street kids. The IUGM is based in Kansas City Missouri.

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Read the stories of Homeless Mothers Who Succeeded.

Go to the detailed report for the IUGM's 1995 Statistical Survey