About us
While the federal government is working to reduce homelessness in urban areas, rural American homelessness is getting worse. U.S. Department of Education data reveals that since 2013 the number of rural homeless grade-schoolers has grown 11 percent to account for nearly 162,000 students. Needy families in less populated areas often slip past HUD’s census, since they tend to stay with other families and in budget motels. Local communities, therefore, have to help their own.
Family Shelter Services—a 24-hour, 52-bed emergency shelter in Warrenton, Virginia, helps nearly 400 people annually—receives no state or federal funding and relies primarily on community giving to maintain operations. In addition to providing shelter, the FFS emergency facility and multi-year transitional housing program both provide struggling local men, women and families with crucial life skills related to budgeting, employment, nutrition, homework and parenting. Our staff and volunteers maintain a safe environment for our residents and a new path to dignity, responsibility and hope.
