Empower Network Sponsors 100000 Homes Campaign

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8/4/2013

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 31, 2013 -- Software and web marketing company Empower Network has announced a new sponsorship with the 100,000 Homes Campaign.

In 2010, Community Solutions launched the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a national movement of more than 200 communities working together to find permanent housing for 100,000 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals and families by July 2014. To date, participating communities have permanently housed more than 60,000 people.

"Some of the immediate basic needs for humans include food, clothing and shelter," said Empower Network co-founder and CEO David Wood. "It is amazing how few people actually have these three basic needs met and have to make their shelter from cardboard boxes or in abandoned buildings."

Wood and company co-founder Dave Sharpe were each homeless for years. Sharpe spent 10 years of his life as a homeless and addicted to drugs and alcohol. Five years ago, through the support of friends and family he became sober. Today, he and Wood live the American dream, going from homeless and rock bottom to empowerment, success and prosperity. They are now growing their company while helping others empower themselves.

"Having been there myself, I know how much Empower Network's sponsorship will give the homeless hope," Sharpe said. "Hope is the best thing you can give to someone. And if we don't forget where we came from, we won't have to go back there to remember what it was like."

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness' "The State of Homelessness in America 2013" report, more than 630,000 people were experiencing homelessness in 2012. Federal estimates indicate nearly 100,000 of those are chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for an extended period of time and suffer from serious health conditions.

Empower Network adopted an innovative sponsorship model with 100,000 Homes, which includes funding the campaign's national work as well as sponsoring its local community affiliates directly.

Recently, Empower Network donated $10,000 to Denver's Road Home, a local Denver affiliate of 100,000 Homes that has moved more than 390 chronic and vulnerable homeless people into permanent housing. In Austin, Texas, Empower Network donated $60,000 for a Habitat for Humanity home.