PROBLEMS BRING OPPORTUNITY
Out of studying the infinite measure of need, the objective of our ultimate mission, and the impact fulfilled, we at Lotus have come to terms that we will always be evolving in every passing year. Unfortunately, we have seen first hand many heartbreaking circumstances; however, it is imperative to remember that with each challenging situation, we have the openness to turn it into something positive for the long haul.
Many times we have heard Lotus Mothers state, "Lotus Loft adds so much to our lives." We are building them up to know that they are fully gifted to lead successful lives, but also knowing that it is a gradual steady process they need to build. One thing we instill, is that as one is consistently working towards their goals daily, it adds up over time. But, inspiring this process to begin and continue is where it's at on their behalf.
Many times we have heard Lotus Mothers state, "Lotus Loft adds so much to our lives." We are building them up to know that they are fully gifted to lead successful lives, but also knowing that it is a gradual steady process they need to build. One thing we instill, is that as one is consistently working towards their goals daily, it adds up over time. But, inspiring this process to begin and continue is where it's at on their behalf.
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HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND HOMELESSNESSHere at Lotus we receive calls from all over the Phoenix Metro area. A diverse range of needs in neighborhoods across the income spectrum, demographics and educational groundings. Homelessness can impact a family of any background, at any vulnerable point in their life.
Researchers at Harvard in 2016 found that almost half of renters in the U.S. were cost-burdened, spending 30 percent or more of their monthly income on rent. According to real-estate and urban design blog Curbed, it speaks about the housing affordability crisis in the U.S., which was updated in March of 2020; specifically mentioning, “Phoenix residents across income brackets spend nearly 50 percent of their earnings on housing and transportation.” "Lotus Loft adds so much to our lives." ~ Lotus Alumni Knowing statistics not only allows us to be current with what is occurring, but also allows us to continue to carry an empathetic heart for the reality of what our mothers face.
Lotus Loft is a short term economic rehabilitation program that is meant as an in between housing option, afforded to families experiencing economic hardship. Indirectly, we see our program lowering the homeless count in Arizona. While we are not an emergency shelter, or a transitional housing program, we are invested in the chain of breaking cycles of chronic homelessness. We are reaching and committed to the long term resolves. We here at Lotus believe that with every problem comes an opportunity; an opportunity to build, to create, to encourage, to improve, to change. And in regards to the circumstances of homelessness, we stand for building community. We believe that through the immense hardship our families face, we can create something so beautiful, a community that is fearless, resilient, and joyful. |
LIGHT AZ PURPLE
The Sojourner Center, a leading Domestic Violence service provider in Arizona, reports that Arizona is 4th in the U.S. for female domestic violence homicide. In just one day, domestic violence programs in Arizona responded to 1,652 domestic violence reports. Housing is the most common urgent need for victims of domestic violence. In a given day, state programs receive 223 unmet housing service requests in a single day.
In our experience with working with DV survivors, we have found the most common worry is the fear of not being able to do this alone. That emotion is enough to keep some of the strongest women from taking the help given and leaving for good. Lotus Loft has proudly gone to court to stand with the bravest of women, in front of a judge; paid legal filing fees, and advocated hard for justice and peace for these wonderful families.
DV is something that is unfortunately and tragically very prevalent in Arizona's communities. Every October the state honors DV survivors with the Light AZ Purple campaign; sky scrapers, government buildings, and banks are all lit purple to show support and raise awareness for what is occurring in our neighborhoods of all backgrounds. We here at Lotus witness firsthand the impact this has on not only the lives of women, but children as well.
Lotus has been built to help alleviate the challenges, and we provide a stepping stone to receive families escaping such violence. We know that this is not something light, but carries a weight all its own, because it involves the matter of life or death. We have been involved with creating escape plans, and have stood eyeball to eyeball with abusers in the protection of women and children.
In our experience with working with DV survivors, we have found the most common worry is the fear of not being able to do this alone. That emotion is enough to keep some of the strongest women from taking the help given and leaving for good. Lotus Loft has proudly gone to court to stand with the bravest of women, in front of a judge; paid legal filing fees, and advocated hard for justice and peace for these wonderful families.
DV is something that is unfortunately and tragically very prevalent in Arizona's communities. Every October the state honors DV survivors with the Light AZ Purple campaign; sky scrapers, government buildings, and banks are all lit purple to show support and raise awareness for what is occurring in our neighborhoods of all backgrounds. We here at Lotus witness firsthand the impact this has on not only the lives of women, but children as well.
Lotus has been built to help alleviate the challenges, and we provide a stepping stone to receive families escaping such violence. We know that this is not something light, but carries a weight all its own, because it involves the matter of life or death. We have been involved with creating escape plans, and have stood eyeball to eyeball with abusers in the protection of women and children.
AZ FOSTER CARE
In July 2019, Arizona reported having over 13,000 children in foster care. In a Aug. 2020 WallletHub report raked Arizona as number ten in the "States with the Most Underprivileged Children." AZ was the most populated of the top ten list.
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Lotus Loft is in the position of accepting the entire immediate family unit, a luxury not always afforded to other programs. We are built around strengthening the family individually and as a whole, so that they may find their own identity.
Through our support, and the hard work and dedication of Lotus Moms, CPS cases have been able to close, and families reunited. This is the whole goal of the foster care system is to keep children safe, all the while having mothers work to achieve set out goals, to build a safer home environment. Some of the mothers that come into Lotus, were raised in the foster care system, and aged out into adulthood. We are there receiving their phone calls, because of the lack of family to lean on when going through tough times. We are proud to call them our family! |
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Further Reading:
Housing: COST OF RENT PHX RENT AVG. HOUSING SUPPORT DEFINITIONS HOUSING TYPE DEFINITIONS
Homelessness: AZ DES
DV: AZ SATS
Foster Care: AZ DCS AZ FOSTER BED CRISIS
Housing: COST OF RENT PHX RENT AVG. HOUSING SUPPORT DEFINITIONS HOUSING TYPE DEFINITIONS
Homelessness: AZ DES
DV: AZ SATS
Foster Care: AZ DCS AZ FOSTER BED CRISIS