Last week, The Apostles’ House joined forces with the National Women in Sheltering Network (NWSN) for a powerful three-day conference in Washington, D.C. The conference culminated in a dedicated advocacy day on Capitol Hill, where we stood alongside fellow organizations to push for legislative action that will impact the lives of countless women, children, youth, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and elderly women who are survivors of violence.

At the NWSN conference, the Safe Shelter Saves Lives Campaign was launched, with legendary singer Gloria Estefan and supermodel Gisele Bündchen serving as its ambassadors. This campaign aims to raise awareness and mobilize resources to support shelters and safe havens that provide critical services to vulnerable populations. As part of NWSN’s mission, we stand by the belief that “Together We Are Stronger”, reinforcing the power of collective advocacy and action.

Our mission in Washington was clear: to garner support for the Women and Children’s Protection Act, a crucial piece of legislation that seeks to increase Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding to sustain and expand shelters and safe havens. This bill calls for a $500 million investment over five years to ensure that essential services remain available to those most in need.

The Apostles’ House executive and administrative teams took the opportunity to meet with New Jersey State  Assembly, Congressional, and Senate offices to highlight the urgent need for action. Across the country, the face of homelessness is changing. At The Apostles’ House, we are witnessing a rise in the number of women and children experiencing homelessness, compounded by increasing mental health needs. Trauma-informed case management and holistic support services are more critical than ever in addressing these challenges.