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Addressing homeless youth issues worldwide
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Posted on Jul 22 2004
For many years, local resident Rose T. Ada-Hocog has displayed a passion to assist various community groups without expecting compensation.
Her experience and background as a volunteer earned her another challenging role after founder and president of Youth Outreach International Russell T. Hartsaw appointed her executive vice president of the organization’s international affairs.
Her new position was confirmed Tuesday.
Ada-Hocog will be assisting YOI in addressing homeless youth issues around the world.
“What I’ll be doing is coordinating affairs internationally, and that also deals with international volunteers. I’ll be coordinating operations dealing with promoting the program, attracting support, and raising awareness on the youth homeless issues present worldwide,” she said in an interview yesterday.
Ada-Hocog said her position was gained after responding to a search for volunteers conducted by the YOI.
In a statement, Hartsaw said Ada-Hocog will liaison with international operations executive president George Okanga, assisting him in meeting needs through organizational resources and developing resources through other organizations and government agencies.
The YOI’s mission is to address issues related to individuals under the age of 18 who lack parental, foster, or institutional care, including housing, food, health care, and education.
According to the YOI website, there are over 1.35 million homeless children in the United States alone. The average homeless child is six years old. Also, the National Alliance to End Homelessness indicates that 38 percent of people who are homeless are children.
“The homeless youth of today should not become the homeless adults of tomorrow. As a global community, we must join hands to fight homelessness. There are many ways that ordinary people can aid the cause to end homelessness in children,” the YOI said in its mission statement.
Most recently, Ada-Hocog’s volunteering included assisting with the 2004 Liberation Festival. She is the chair of the Queen’s Committee and is set to accompany the eight members of the Royal Court to Japan next month.
