Humblebees
Serving The Tri-State's Homeless Community
Our Mission
Humblebees fosters hope in the homeless community by providing basic human needs, comfort, and protection while they strive to improve their lives and obtain stable housing.
We supply Winter Survival Kits to those in need to help them cope with the cold winter months in the Tri-State region of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia (USA). Our dedicated "humble bees" travel city to city hand delivering supplies to our neighbors such as winter clothing, hygiene products, and other essential daily survival gear. We also offer sleeping bags and tents to anyone without shelter to help reduce wind-chill and the chance of hypothermia.
Donate
Please support our mission. We plan to file for Nonprofit status so we can continue having a positive impact on our community year-round. Thank you!
A Disabled Man and His Newborn
Back To School Backpacks
A Complete Winter Survival Kit
The Local Buzz
"Man Finds His Life's Purpose"
The Ashland Daily Independent
Front page article, November 30th, 2015Bee The Change
The Ashland Beacon, November 24th, 2015
(Archives tab, front page cont. on page 8)
Testimonials
- fellow advocate for the homeless
"I just want to say thank you again for all the help on getting us back home. We've learned about the struggle of being homeless and having nothing. I'm definitely going to help out at the local shelters now. Humblebees has an awesome thing going and I wish you all the best!!!"
- a family from Arizona who was stranded in the Tri-State
"I firmly believe in instilling a sense of community in my children...more than football, parades, and pleasantries. I'll be bringing my children [to the events]. They really look forward to helping. I get a sense of pride when I see how compassionate and kind my children are."
- local humble bee
"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver."
Statistics on Homelessness
Can you imagine sleeping outside in the winter?
- Nearly 600,000 people are homeless in the United States on any given night. [Approximately 70% are living in emergency shelters or in transitional housing programs, while 30% have no shelter.]
- Nearly 25% are children younger than 18 years of age.
- 1 out of 12 are veterans.
(2014 Point-in-Time [PIT] Survey from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Disturbing News: Homelessness is being criminalized nationwide.
More startling statistics on the growing homeless population in the United States.
The Future of Humblebees
We're eager to expand our reach in the community to maximize our giving-power and we partnered with a corporate sponsor to further this goal. Humblebees and NeuroRestorative's Ashland branch teamed up to help the homeless in the Tri-State and together we've done a lot of good for our community. Our most important long-term goal for the continuation of Humblebees' service in the community year-round, is becoming a true 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization. Without this legal status our impact is sorely limited. However, with a tax-deductible Employer Identification Number (EIN), we'll be able to request much larger amounts of clothing, food, and supplies from major corporations nationwide. We'll also be eligible to register for exclusive sponsorship programs that will allow us to help many more people in the Tri-State region than we could ever do on our own.
Humbly,
Alan M. Fairchild
Executive Director &
Founder of Humblebees
Donate
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
Serving Our Community
We're mindful of the extreme poverty and homelessness in our region. These issues affect people from all different backgrounds regardless of age, race, or religion. We can't afford to ignore these problems any longer. Decades-old programs, like Rapid Re-Housing and waiting on a list for months for H.U.D housing, just aren't effective anymore. The causes and the face of homelessness has changed. New programs, like Housing First are proven strategies that are working in Utah and Canada. Additional viable strategies that foster hope in the homeless community: Lava Mae, Homeless Homes Project, and I Am Waters.
I realize that simply handing out backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents won't put an end to homelessness, but it will provide protection from the harsh winter cold and a sense of normalcy to those who are going through the most difficult time of their lives. The idea behind creating Humblebees, was to bridge the gap between becoming newly homeless and finding stable housing and employment. Our survival backpacks and additional supplies satisfy their basic human needs so they can focus instead on personal growth and improving their situation.
"Nothing in life is permanent, be humble."
The H.I.V.E.
Join the H.I.V.E. (Homeless Intervention Volunteer Experience) We're passionate about raising awareness, funding, and the availability of resources for the homeless and impoverished in our community.
We work hard, day-in and day-out for those without a voice of their own, who suffer the unthinkable burden of homelessness. We strive to foster hope in our community. Join the H.I.V.E. and feel warmth and accomplishment by helping those less fortunate. Selfless giving lifts everyone's spirits, it's a win/win way of life! Our humble bees are doing amazing work in the field. We not only do random acts of kindness, we actively live a life of compassion and are mindful of the struggles of our fellow man. If you live locally and would like to join Humblebees and pollinate our region with love, compassion, and hope; please contact us at humblebees@hotmail.com.
A Little Hope
Brrr, it's cold! Be prepared this winter. If you're currently located in the Tri-State area and need assistance, contact us to get your FREE Winter Survival Kit!
Email: humblebees@hotmail.com
Website: www.GoFundMe.com/brrr_its_cold
Location: KY/OH/WV, USA
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Facebook: Facebook.com/alanfairchild8200
Twitter: @HumblebeesHC
Stigmas & Misconceptions
I was homeless for two years, sleeping in the cold, traveling city to city looking for work... Fortunately, because I had a little help and used certain resources at my disposal, I eventually got back on my feet after that long arduous journey.
I'm the exception.
Many men, women, and families spend decades in this impoverished condition with no hope in sight. We can end homelessness forever, if we try. Homeless children make up 25 percent of the homeless population in the U.S. They're forced to shuffle along beside their parents, without a choice (or a voice) of their own. I met some amazing, loving, genuine people during my journey, a few of whom, I'm still in touch with - including some of our nation's forgotten Veterans. The media often proliferates the stigma that all homeless people are dirty, lazy drunks or drug addicts (and that their situation is their own fault.) To be honest, sometimes this is true, but it's not the norm. The vast majority suffer from mental illness, (e.g. Los Angeles' Skid Row is filled with the sick and dying) some just lose their jobs and can't afford to pay their mounting medical bills or child support (much less rent or a mortgage). Others are children, LGBTQ teens that were kicked out of their parents' home because of the way they were born. I also know a family that lost their home to a house fire and a sweet, older lady who left her abusive husband for freedom.
I read an article recently about a big-time New York stockbroker who was found sleeping on a park bench! He went from making over a hundred thousand dollars a year to having nothing but the clothes on his back...
I quickly learned that homelessness can happen to anyone and has many faces. People from all walks of life end up on the streets. There are plenty of scenarios that can lead to someone's life spiraling out of control, but everyone deserves a better life than to be treated like trash or simply ignored, especially children and our Veterans.
“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
Poverty In Appalachia
Interactive Map of Poverty in the United States
"When you've lived on the streets, it makes a lasting impression. I still think about my experience almost daily. When I walk around the city, I still take note of good places to sleep - no security cameras, there's an overhang to keep me dry, that wall will block the wind... The homeless mentality has stayed with me, but I believe it's made me a better person, more appreciative of the small amount of things I now have and the people in my life. It changed me for the good. It made me more humble."
- Humblebees' Founder & Executive Director
The media proliferates the misconception that homelessness only exists in major cities. However, rural Central Appalachia is one of America's most impoverished regions. This is coal country, where the economic and environmental standards are very poor. Shock waves from economic collapse, The Great Depression of the 1930's, can still be felt today. We're located just north of the epicenter. The area's honest, hard working families who toiled to help build this great nation, have yet to fully recover. We're mindful of their efforts from decades past, coal miners who still help to provide power to American homes. Most are descendants of hopeful immigrant workers struggling to feed their families. Maybe it's time we gave thanks, where thanks is due...