For many of us, our home is where we grew up in or where we find shelter. However, as a famous song goes, a house is not necessarily a home. More than being a location, it is a place where one belongs—where one feels safe and secure. The “where” becomes a home once a person’s body and soul feel warmth and comfort from it. Most of the time, home is where our loved ones are.

However, not everyone has a place they can call home. Some people experience domestic abuse. UN Women reports that a shocking 35 percent of women worldwide, at some point in their lives, have experienced sexual and domestic abuse by non-partners. Even more disturbing is the number of women who were sexually and physically abused by their partner, which is about 70 percent.

Other people lose everything they have, including houses where they could foster their homes. About 1.6 billion people around the world live in homes that are less than conducive for living, reports Habitat for Humanity. Homeless people around the world are at an estimated 100 million, and about one in four people live in vulnerable, and dangerous conditions.

Because of these, many individuals and organizations around the world are working on giving disenfranchised women, abandoned children and homeless men a home—where they can, once again, feel safe, loved and whole. Board President of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women (USNC-UN Women), Lalita Janke, and her husband, Dr. Walter Janke plays an active part in rebuilding the lives of countless men, women and children, who are left wanting for a place to belong.

Children’s Welfare

Children are also abused and abandoned, and because not everyone is fortunate to find a home they can safely grow up, some resort to roaming the streets. A global estimate of more than 200 million or about 40 percent of children exposed to domestic violence are also prone to abuse, based on UNICEF reports on the impacts of violence among children. A study suggests that children from violent broken homes are at higher risk of becoming juvenile delinquents due to psychological distress and emotional trauma.

Lalita Janke believes that education can create different paths for children that had an unfortunate start in life. The Walter and Lalita Janke Charitable Foundation supports children’s education through setting up scholarship programs in the Indian River State College (IRSC). The program grants scholarship to children in need, especially the ones in the Florida Foster Care System.

The Hibiscus Children’s Center has also been called home by hundreds of abused children in the Indian River County. For over three decades now, the center has provided a safe and nurturing place for children who were victims of domestic violence and abuse. The main thrust of the shelter is to rehabilitate children by providing education and creating a peaceful environment that they can call home.

Women’s Rights

In many places around the world, women are still expected to adhere to the strict moral and social expectations of a patriarchal society— to submit to men, to agree on arranged marriages and even to stay silent on sexual abuse. Sadly, this also means that women who fail to fulfill these outdated perceptions are often cast away from their homes, abused emotionally, physically violated, financially crippled or worse, all of these things..

The Walter and Lalita Janke Charitable Foundation is dedicated to women displaced by violence. Part of the foundation’s mission is to empower women with choices and provide a safe environment for women victims of substance abuse. Lalita Janke, through their foundation, donated a house and $30,000, which was used to purchase another house, to the Substance Awareness Program. Since then, 66 percent of women in the program have remained sober. They reunited with their families, obtained an employment and completely turned away from substance abuse.

As board president of the UN National Committee for UN Women, Lalita also works with various organizations and programs to raise funds for UN Women initiatives. “I think we need substantive change in our country as well as other countries. We must join together to ensure women’s human rights are protected before, during and after conflict,” said Lalita in an exclusive interview.

Homeless Men

The US Interagency Council on Homelessness reports that 75 to 80 percent of the chronically homeless—people who experience four or more instances of homelessness within a year—are males. Another disheartening result of the study shows that one third of veterans are also homeless.

Lalita and Walter Janke both recognize these realities on homelessness. The couple are addressing the need to empower and uplift homeless men, by providing them living, educational and vocational opportunities through Camp Haven. The program sets a unique example in the Indian River County as it is the only one of its kind breaking the cycle of homelessness in men.

Homeless men at Camp Haven, are given a chance to express themselves through art and cultural classes. To make them feel part of society once again, Camp Haven organizes volunteer work for these men to help in various activities in the community. Lalita sees hope in every homeless man in the shelter and continues to become the light that guides them towards a better life.

There are people who are selfless enough to offer their time and effort into making this world a better place. Lalita Janke is committed to her philanthropy and her work as the board president of the USNC- UN Women. According to the Jankes, making a difference in the world means more than just sharing your time and resources. It is through making sacrifices, taking responsibility and going the extra mile that counts.