Atlanta, where I live, was recently ranked one of the "meanest" cities for the homeless.  I'm still trying to figure out what exactly this "mean" means...just the mere thought of not having a home is mean to me. 

I remember being at a huge luncheon a few years ago for the highly reputable Atlanta Woman's Foundation, and being read the statistic that the average age of a homeless person in our city was....eight.  Yep, 8 years-old. 

In fact, it is estimated that one in 50 children in the U.S. are homeless, and with more foreclosures and job losses this past year, the numbers are likely to be worse.   Now, I'm not one of those people who can read a statistic and recite it for years to come; I have a hard time even remembering a joke or lines from a movie.  But I have never forgotten that statistic.  And it especially rings in my heart around the holidays. 

So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Houston's ArtBridge program for homeless children.   The mission of ArtBridge is to encourage creativity and self-expression within a supportive environment. By nurturing imagination, hope and self-esteem, the program strives to combat the despair of homelessness. 

The staff and volunteers at ArtBridge bring weekly art lessons to the shelters in Houston to teach kids how to express themselves creatively through painting, drawing, coloring, and other mediums.  I imagine it brightens these young people's lives in more ways than just on a canvas. 

Here is what really draws me to this program:

- While families in this situation often have to focus on meeting the physical needs of the families, i.e. food, water, shelter - to truly break the cycle of homelessness its so important to address mental and emotional health.  ArtBridge is doing that.

- Kids need alternative outlets to express themselves in a positive way.  Its either with a paint brush under the suprevision of caring adults or in the streets fighting out their emotions in an attempt to survive.  ArtBridge is providing that.

- Every child deserve a chance to build and carry good, healthy self-esteem.  ArtBridge is giving that.

To find out more about ArtBridge and how you can help.  Donate or volunteer, check out their website: www.artbridgehouston.org 

   While people start to talk around the water cooler about the trends of 2009, I have one that tops the "Living by Giving" list -  The "Pay if Forward" birthday wish.  I've seen adults, teens, even little kids jump on this trend, turning their birthday celebrations into an opportunity to help others.  For my 31st birthday this year, I asked for people to donate $31 to Kates Club in lieu of gifts and cards.  Call me trendy if you want, but in the end we raised more than $5,000 for our cause. 

More recently I heard about a group of six teenage girls that are using their 16th birthdays to raise money for their favorite cause.  There will be a dj, fun foods, a dance floor...all the elements of a sweet sixteen, but instead of a gift table there will be a gift basket to collect cash donations. 

You can imagine my excitement when I read that Alyssa Milano was giving away her 37th birthday to help raise awareness and funds for her philanthropic passion: clean water.  Alyssa is someone who I grew up with on tv, and now I feel reconnected to her once again after having read about her birthday wish.  As someone proclaiming she has everything she wants and needs, her wish is simple:  "All I want is to provide life-giving water for 10 communities, 500 families and 2,500 people. In lieu of spending money on a party or presents, I'm asking people to donate to my Charity: Water campaign and help make my wish come true." Three words: Simple. Brilliant. Inspiring.

She shares more in a blog posted on Huffington Post. Read it here.

I'll share my top 10 "Best Giving Trends of 2009" list later this month.