Photos: Art to Raise Homeless Awareness in Anoka County

Artwork centering on the theme “Homelessness…the Journey” will be exhibited at sites throughout Anoka County in November-Homelessness Awareness Month.

A Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant to the Anoka County Library System was used to provide art supplies to area homeless shelters, and the artwork created by those individuals, along with large scale sculptures created by St. Francis High School Art students is now on display at the Anoka County Government Center in Anoka and all the Anoka County Libraries, including the

"Homelessness has many causes and many faces. These days, more of those faces are children. A child who experiences homelessness is much more likely to repeat the occurrence as an adult," said Anoka County Commissioner Robyn West in a statement from Anoka County. "The facts show raising awareness and working toward solutions now will pay dividends in the long run."

The county statement went on:

Homelessness does not have one face. It affects men, women and children of all races, places, ages, and backgrounds. Some have significant barriers to self-sufficiency. Some just can’t find affordable housing on their wages. Anoka County is not unaffected by homelessness. One night in January this year, 1,461 people in Anoka County were homeless. Of those, 576 were children and 132 were unaccompanied youth.

View the displays at your local library, where you can also find resources about homelessness.  For information about where to find help with housing and homelessness visit www.anoka.lib.mn.us and look for “Getting Help” under Homelessness Resources.