June 19, 2008- (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - Project Hope and Solera Community Church are teaming up with various organizations in the community and local high school and college students in a Labor of Love Community Event that will distribute survival backpacks for the homeless and school supplies to children and families in need in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Also planned is a picnic, entertainment and information to be distributed by local programs that encourage stability and growth and to offer support for those looking to improve their current situations.

Homelessness in Broward County has increased considerably in the past several years due to major storms, government cutbacks and the current unstable housing market. So often, the homeless are treated as pariahs of the community with no value, and are spiritually and emotionally lost in a sea of loneliness, discouragement and destitution, assumed to have a lonely existence while struggling with drug and alcohol abuse; many of which have mental illnesses without proper care.

It is our belief that in creating this community event, we will begin relationships that will offer hope to those so desperately in need of care. In sharing true compassion and providing support, they will be encouraged to work toward a life of victory.

According to a report in 2003 by Broward-by-the-Numbers, in 2000, there were 654,787 single parent households in Broward County, compared to only 418,464 in 1980. This is an average annual growth of 2.85 percent. The epidemic proportion of single parent homes in Broward County has given rise to children that are very often without proper nutrition, medical care and educational supplies.

The stress on a single parent is difficult especially when coupled with the inability to provide much need nurturing due to extended work hours performed in order to meet financial needs. It is our hope that these parents will have a chance to build a stronger bond with their children during this event by providing a time of refreshing, a fun and entertaining day and also supplies needed for the upcoming school year.