[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E89]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING MARK WASSERMAN AND THE HOUSES FOR CHANGE PROGRAM

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Houses for Change is an 
innovative new campaign garnering support for the fight against 
homelessness. This new program is quickly becoming a popular way to 
help communities across the country support the less fortunate. The 
program's founder, Mark Wasserman, recently visited Capitol Hill to 
share his ideas with Members of Congress and their staff. I would like 
to recognize Mr. Wasserman's dedication and thank him for working to 
improve his community.
  Looking for a way to help the homeless, Mark came up with the Houses 
for Change program. This innovative program allows children to use 
their imagination and creativity to support homeless people. The 
children decorate pre-ordered boxes so that they look like small homes, 
and then they take their homes around the community to collect loose 
change. On a selected date, the children and parents bring the boxes 
back to Houses for Change, and all of the proceeds go directly to a 
charity selected by the participants. Similar to the Jewish tradition 
of the tzedakah box, this unique method allows all of the money raised 
to go directly towards helping the homeless.
  Mark's original idea was extremely successful in Palm Beach County, 
Florida. As a result, the program is now being launched nationwide. 
With the help of Family Promise, Houses for Change is quickly being 
adopted by schools, church congregations, and homeless organizations 
across the country. Additionally, organizations such as the YMCA and 
United Way are going to begin using this program to help youth get 
involved in this meaningful community service project. Due to his hard 
work and dedication, Mark's original idea is now a national effort to 
help the less fortunate members of our society.
  Mr. Speaker, people like Mark Wasserman are a shining example of 
those selfless individuals who have committed their life to helping 
their communities become a better place. I am so proud that the Houses 
for Change program started in South Florida, and I hope that the 
program continues to thrive across the nation.

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