Kentucky's Capitol
(2009-11-09)
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Before helping prepare and serve lunch at a Frankfort homeless shelter, First Lady Jane Beshear spoke to a group of advocates for the homeless. Their yellow T-shirts say "Got Shelter?"
Photo by Tony McVeigh (Click image to enlarge)
(CLICK ARROW ON BAR ABOVE TO HEAR TONY'S REPORT)
This year's homeless count, which was interrupted by January's ice storm, still located nearly 6,000 homeless persons in Kentucky. Another 6,800 individuals are precariously housed, facing eviction, living in substandard housing conditions, or staying with family and friends. The numbers concern First Lady Jane Beshear.
"And on a day like today, when we can gather to shine a bit of light on a tremendous problem of hunger and homelessness, then this is a job and a day that is very important," said Beshear.
Mrs. Beshear backed up her words by helping prepare and serve lunch at a homeless shelter in Frankfort. Gov. Beshear is declaring November 15-21 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Kentucky.
(ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM THE EVENT)
In her remarks to advocates for the homeless, Mrs. Beshear spoke of personal responsibility.
"Everyone of us can help," said Mrs. Beshear. "I'm a great believer that everybody has an individual responsibility to make a difference - that everybody has to be a part of a change. And any small thing that you do can make a difference."
The first lady says the Beshear administration is committed to the goal of ending homelessness.
"We're pursuing programs that are specifically oriented to the homeless," said Mrs. Beshear. "The governor recently approved changes to Kentucky's ten year plan to end homelessness that will apply regional strategies to address needs that are unique in each area."
To conclude her remarks, Mrs. Beshear read the governor's proclamation declaring November 15-21 Hunger and Homelessness Week in Kentucky.
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