Thank you for sponsoring a table at the Second Annual Breakfast of Champions! MCAH is excited for you to attend the event. With your help, we will be able to, quite literally, sit at the table with the decision makers and leaders in our communities. MCAH has created a toolkit to help you invite your guests to the breakfast: 1. Invitation. This invitation is designed to allow you to insert your organization’s contact information and then be printed (5.5x8.5) or emailed to your guests. Suggested recipients of the invitation: • State Senators • State Representatives • Mayors • City/Township Managers • Council People • Commissioners • Continuum of Care Contacts 2. Sample Letter. MCAH has drafted a sample letter to accompany the invitation via mail or email. This letter is designed to come from you and is editable. Find your representative
The Honorable [First name] [Last name]
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Find your Senator
The Honorable [First name] [Last name]
Michigan State Senate
Post Office Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
3.
Talking Points. MCAH has developed talking points to guide you if you are speaking with your guest directly. We also recommend making follow-‐up calls to anyone who you sent an invitation; the talking points can be used for this as well. www.mihomeless.org
15851 S. Old U.S. 27, Building 30, Suite 315, Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: (517) 485-6536 Fax: (517) 485-6682
Talking Points
•
Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness members, supporters, other public officials and
community members celebrating achievements in the fight against homelessness will attend
the event. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together to recognize successes that can
inspire and motivate us all in our fight against homelessness. Together we’ll raise
awareness about homelessness, celebrate accomplishments, and generate support to
further our mission.
• More than 86,000 people were homeless in Michigan in 2014
o More than half of homeless families were first-time homeless
o The average age of a homeless child is 7
•
There are many things that, by themselves or in various combinations, can cause
homelessness:
o Loss of employment
o Reduction in pay or hours
o Significant health issue
o Substance abuse or other disability
o Divorce
o Significant, unexpected household expense
o Lack of affordable housing
o Domestic violence
•
The human costs of experiencing homelessness are incalculable – trauma, despair, loss of
family, job and community, illness and injury. Homelessness is also costly for the state and
local governing bodies and taking steps to address the problem is fiscally wise. In
communities that have engaged actively in ending homelessness, public costs have been
reduced – often substantially – in the areas of crisis response, public safety, and emergency
services.
•
Community agencies – both public and private-sector – deliver services every day to people
experiencing homelessness, including services to help them find and stay in housing.
•
Improved cooperation at the federal, state and local level is needed to streamline and target
resources to achieve a shared goal of re-housing people and offering the right amount of
the right type of interventions to keep people housed.
www.mihomeless.org
15851 S. Old U.S. 27, Building 30, Suite 315, Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: (517) 485-6536 Fax: (517) 485-6682
[DATE]
[NAME]
[ORGANIZATION]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
[TITLE LAST NAME],
On behalf of [ORGANIZATION] and the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness
(MCAH), I would like to invite you to the Second Annual Breakfast of Champions
on May 21. [ORGANIZATION] is sponsoring a table at the event and we would be
honored if you would join us. Please find enclosed an invitation to the event.
MCAH members, supporters, other public officials and community members
celebrating achievements in the fight against homelessness will attend the event.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together to recognize successes that can
inspire and motivate us all in our fight against homelessness. Together we’ll raise
awareness about homelessness, celebrate accomplishments, and generate
support to further our mission.
[INSERT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, MISSION]
We look forward to seeing you at the breakfast. Please contact me directly should
you have any questions about [ORGANIZATION] or the event.
Thank you,
[NAME]
[TITLE]
[ORGANIZATION]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]
www.mihomeless.org
15851 S. Old U.S. 27, Building 30, Suite 315, Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: (517) 485-6536 Fax: (517) 485-6682