For what is homelessness, refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness . The Richmond area has approximately 800 adults and 150 children experiencing homelessness (with ~72% male, and ~27% female) (1).
The area has several non-profit organizations that serve the homeless, including:
- Homeward VA
- Embrace Richmond
- Virginia Supportive Housing
- Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter (CARITAS)
- Freedom House
- Richmond Friends of the Homeless
- Chesterfield & Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry (CCHASM)
- HomeAgain
Homeward also provides a Street Sheet that is an excellent resource not only for those experiencing homelessness, but also for those concerned with these issues.
For a list of things you can do, refer to Homeward's Homeward 10 Things You Can Do.
A major gathering point for those experiencing homelessness is Monroe Park. Several organizations in the area serve food/drinks/clothing/toiletries/blankets/etc. on the weekends, and the Richmond Outreach Center provides bus services to their gatherings Saturday afternoon.