BY: ZOE MELNYK
When most children have their first homeless-person encounter, they are usually stricken with fear, confusion or told by their parents to simply ignore the less fortunate. At age five, Hailey Fort had a much different experience when first meeting a homeless man, named Bremerton, in her home town in Washington. At just five-years-old, Fort knew that being homeless was an issue and felt it was right to assist her new friend, and as many other homeless people as possible.
She began with providing hygienic needs and growing vegetables within her home. Last year alone, Fort provided 128 pounds of assorted vegetables to people in need around her area.
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Food and sanitary needs didn’t quite cut it though, and so now, at nine-years-old, Fort builds and supplies small, temporary shelters for the homeless.
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Fort hopes to build 12 homes a year, each providing an 8×4 ft shelter with a window. This design is by no means a permanent solution for housing. Still, they offer a roof and protection from the elements.
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Although Fort receives some assistance from her parents, she oftentimes builds the shelters on her own. Discounts for her work means that each shelters costs about $300 each. Anyone looking to help the project can donate to Fort’s GoFundMe page.
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Many people might believe that Fort’s help, although generous and kind hearted, will inevitably fail to benefit those in need because of common stereotypes and misconceptions about the homeless population in America.
It’s normal in society for people to dismiss the needy because they assume that people are only homeless because of drugs or a criminal past, when in fact these individuals only make up a small percentage of the homeless population.
For one night in January each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that counties across America survey the homeless in their area for important and useful statistical data.
The results from 2014 show, despite common belief, that of the 578,424 estimated homeless people in America, only 15% are chronically homeless.
This homeless man is named Edward and is humbled by Hailey’s kindness knowing that he will receive a shelter
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Most of the homeless people surveyed were brought to their situation based on an unforeseen financial crisis such as illness, injury, or job loss. These causes are unfortunate circumstances that anyone could be subject to.
This portion of the homeless usually just needs some assistance to become financially independent again. Temporary help with rent, food, and other life necessities is all it takes to pull these people, sometimes whole families, back into regular society.
What’s even more shocking, is that nine per cent of homeless people are veterans of war. Unable to receive work after serving their time because of physical injury or mental distress, veterans can become victims to homelessness in a country they once fought to protect.
Because of this bleak situation, people usually chose to ignore helping the homeless in order to avoid the sad reality of our society. It’s people like Hailey Fort who work to help those in need who can bring about the positive change that the world desperately needs.
It’s people like Hailey Fort who work to help those in need who can bring about the positive change that the world desperately needs
Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Already building shelters, growing food, and providing sanitary needs to the homeless at just nine-years-old, there’s no telling what Fort will accomplish in her lifetime. Hopefully her accomplishments at such a young age will inspire others to do the same.

Photo: Facebook / Hailey’s Harvest
Source: boredpanda.com