Many organizations around the country work everyday to implement solutions to homelessness. Using money from the federal, state, and local governments, and private donations, they provide assistance to homeless people and look out for their interests.

These organizations know that emergency shelters alone won't solve the problem. Yet even the temporary help shelters offer doesn't reach anyone who needs it. In its survey of 29 cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that 27 percent of requests for emergency shelter went unmet.

Even the best organizations don't have enough resources to serve all homeless people, and not enough is being done to prevent more people from becoming homeless. Affordable housing, adequate incomes, and services must be made available not only to people who are currently homeless, but also to a wider group of poor and low income people who regularly cycle in and out of homelessness. Much remains to be done in the struggle against homelessness in America.

Recognize the challenge with your willingness to help.