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(SIOUX CITY, IA) It can happen in the blink of an eye: you can be left without a home and nowhere to go, but a local agency is hoping to help out with a new project. The Community Action Agency of Siouxland is helping homeless families get back on their feet with the "Welcome Home Project." "There are so many people in Sioux City that are willing to help to give them a hands up," says Mike Wood, a Welcome Home Project volunteer. The Vargas family’s rental house was foreclosed on last weekend, nearly leaving them out in the street. That's when the family of 5 became the project's first tenants, giving them a place to stay while saving for a home of their own. "We're just totally relieved, I mean, we can go to work and we know we have a safe place for our children," says Leasa Vargas a Welcome Home Project tenant. In less than 6 months the project raised $140000. It now includes 6 apartments that are fully furnished and stocked with food, as well as resources for homeless families; Including the chance to work with specialists, striving for self sufficiency. It's all thanks to local companies and volunteers. A community coming together, welcoming home those in need and giving them the chance to get back on their feet. "This is going to be done by all of us. Rich, poor, black, white, green, I don't care, everybody is in this thing," says Marvin Berenstein, a Welcome Home Project volunteer. "Thank you doesn't even begin to cover it, it's truly a blessing, and thank you so ...
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