Wednesday, July 31, 2013

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THAILAND, VENEZUELA, and POLAND READ EXPOSE HOMELESSNESS!

Americans are used to hearing how poverty is in OTHER COUNTRIES and so when we see that people from these other, "poorer" countries are reading us, we wonder, ARE YOU LEARNING HOW WE "DO IT?"

Monday, July 29, 2013

CASA ESPERANZA SANTA BARBARA OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR

CASA ESPERANZA SHELTER SANTA BARBARA CALIFORNIA link
 — all under one roof
Casa Esperanza is open 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Offering a wide array of services
for the homeless, with an emphasis on both
emotional and physical health, 10 different
program partners collaborate to bring recovery
to the homeless.  They have a winter shelter and a transitional housing program.



UPDATE OCTOBER 2013.  We're hearing that CASA ESPERANZA has closed the day center and the kitchen due to funding problems.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

ANOTHER FRIEND GOES FROM LIVING IN A VAN TO STREET HOMELESS THANKS TO THE POLICE

We saw "Henry" who is 72 years old sitting up near his laptop in a coffee shop with his eyes barely open. 

"You sick Henry?"

"No - The police got my van.  I gotta last till my SSI check comes in.  Then I got $400 for a car.  Gonna get a storage unit.  Need a ride to get my things out of the van.  It's impounded."

"Expired tags?"

"They got my van."

Henry has been living in his van for 7 years since he lost his house.  He's been moving his debt around for a long time and says he doesn't want to go into an assisted living because he'll be left with $10 a week.  That's probably about right.  He knows his credit is wrecked but still hopes to catch up on his bills. Since he's been sick two winters in a row - real sick - and we told him we thought it was time to try and get in a senior building.  He says he would rather be on the street than in a shelter.  The police in the area he's been parking KNOW Henry lives in the van, KNOW he's been sick, KNOW he is now on the street.  Guess they demoted him.

"But you're gonna get in trouble with the police, Henry.  They'll get you for loitering."

"Not if I keep walking all night," he says.

THIS STORY IS REPEATED EVERY DAY!  HERE, THERE, and WHERE YOU ARE!

Any suggestions for Henry?

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

SPIRIT OF VENICE BLOG ADDED TO OUR LIST!

SPIRIT OF VENICE (CALIFORNIA) BLOG ADDED TO OUR LIST

EXCERPT FROM POST APRIL of this year.
"Since last night (Friday, April 19 2013), two uniformed LAPD officers –have been escorting a 5-person film crew around Venice; intentionally harassing homeless people and people in vehicles and others –and then extensively filming it.

For example, they woke up several homeless people near the Boardwalk last night for some pretty flimsy pretexts–just to get a rise out of disturbed homeless people on camera, it seems to people who’ve seen it now several times –and even experienced it themselves:
With blinding lights in their eyes –and cameras shoved into their confused faces!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

POOR BUY SODA ON EBT JUST TO GET RECYCLING MONEY FOR THE CANS

We heard about this one the other day, and it's not a bad idea.

You can buy the cheapest soda in aluminum cans, dump the sugary soda that's bad for you and your teeth, and recycle the cans for cash. 

 It's legal!

Friday, July 19, 2013

AID FOR AIDS - HOMELESSNESS

AID FOR AIDS NET

For Services:

Main Office

825 Colorado Blvd. Ste. 100
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Telephone: 323-344-4888

West Hollywood Office

8235 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 200
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Telephone: 323-656-1107

To speak with a Housing Specialist, please call 323-656-1107. The AFA West Hollywood office hours are 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, Monday-Friday. The office is closed to clients every other Friday. The office is located at 8235 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 200, West Hollywood, CA 90046.

AID FOR AIDS ALSO REFERS CLIENTS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

AGE 16-24 and POOR? NEED YOUR DIPLOMA OR JOB TRAINING? ACT NOW! YOUTH POLICY INSTITUTE

"Orientations held every Tuesday at 5 PM and Wednesday 10 AM at 11844 Glenoaks Blvd, San Fernando, CA  91340

The YOUTH POLICY INSTITUTE and EDUCATION may be able to help you with some interesting PAID VOCATIONAL TRAINING.  So if you are staying at a shelter, coming out of Foster Care, or just hanging at home with your parents, bored and with no hope of getting on your financial feet, give these people a call at 818 573-9030.

SOLAR INSTALLATION CERTIFICATION is the way to a GREEN CAREER.

Ages 17-24 and JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE.

Also Certified Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aid training.

 (Other classes besides nurse assistant and solar installation certification available.)

GED and TEST PREP.
RESUME DEVELOPMENT
COMPUTER LAB
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
YOUTH POLICY INSTITUTE link

Monday, July 15, 2013

LA TIMES REPORT : HOMELESS NUMBERS GROW IN LA COUNTY

LA TIMES REPORT ON 2013 HOMELESS LA COUNT - HIGHER NUMBERS HOMELESS link to article from June 28, 2013 by Gale Holland and Emily Alpert.

So those of you who are homeless and reading this know that SHELTERS can only provide beds for a few people.

Here is some of the article: "The number of homeless people in the county has jumped by 16% over the last two years, a lingering result of the recession and now rising rents, a survey reports." ...

 "We have a real erosion in emergency shelter,"said Kerry Morrison, another member of the homeless services commission. "It's worrisome that we're slipping down the slope with no place to put people." Some homeless people were drawn to the county from outside by the weather, beaches, food banks and other assistance, the study found. Only 62% of those surveyed reported their previous address in Los Angeles County. An additional 18% said they were from other areas, and 20% refused to answer the question. The rise in homelessness stemmed largely from an increase in the "hidden homeless" — people who stay in garages or backyards where they are difficult to find. But some homeless advocates questioned whether the hike in this category was accurate. Unlike the other numbers, it was based on telephone surveys of random households asking if they knew of people sleeping in cars, vans, carports, backyards or unconverted garages. Garcetti said the homeless population is multifaceted, and every part of it needs to be studied. "I've worked with homeless people since high school, and you cannot create one single portrait of who that is," Garcetti said. "I don't think there will ever be a one-size-fits-all solution."

Friday, July 12, 2013

"AS YOU ARE" CHURCH FEED - RESEDA CALIFORNIA

This is a Four Square Christian Church and non profit.

AS YOU ARE CHURCH WEB SITE

The church is between Strathern and Saticoy at 7855 Lindley Avenue, Reseda, Ca 91335
(818) 758-1700

There is a feed on Friday late afternoon 2:30 to 3:30
and a feed on Sunday.  They also give out food boxes.  We hear there are sometimes 250 people there for meals.

There is a service.  You're not forced to participate.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

HOMELESS IN SEATTLE? CAN YOU AFFORD $35,000 TO MAKE A CONTAINER YOUR MINI HOME?

From-cargo-container-to-new-home-shipping-containers-are-Seattles-latest-housing-trend
link to article in MyNorthwest.com by Rachel Bell

""It has huge applications for homeless housing, for disaster relief, as a medical facility," says Kai. "We're going to talk to people like the Red Cross, Architects Without Borders. We're talking to some people, here in Seattle, about doing a hygiene station for people that are camping in their cars. We have about 200 people a night, just in our neighborhood, that are living out of their RVs and their cars. Most of them have day jobs."

Monday, July 8, 2013

AUSTIN RV PARK QUESTION and OUR FULL RESPONSE!

It looks like an East Travis county park has been approved. See this article ...

"I have a question. I am a homeowner, not homeless so I hope you will still hear me out. The Homeless RV Park proposed in this old clip is being proposed again, but this time directly behind my neighborhood. This area is still on the far East side of town and not close to any public transportation or public facilities like a grocery store, pharmacy, or even restaurant. Our residents concern is for the safety of the homeless that may live here. The street the site is located on is not lit and has no sidewalks. The closest bus stop is a mile away, again no sidewalks or lights, and to get there you have to walk down a very busy road. How would you feel about this situation if it were proposed to you? The one man in the clip likes the idea, but not the location. It is still in the same area, but this time no transportation. I would really appreciate any feedback. Thank you. on AUSTIN HOMELESS RV PARK ?"

OUR ANSWER: We think that anywhere that the homeless who own RV's can park legally is a positive thing, because at least they will not have to deal with police problems.  Also, the Rv owners may be able to hook up and have showers, cook, and live a more normal and less stressful life.  We know people who can barely afford to move their RV's from place to place, who are spending money on gas and going without enough food.  We understand that not being able to easily get to a bus or groceries is a problem, once parked, but some of these people might be qualified for local disabled shuttles, and perhaps they can go shopping in groups - running only one RV there and back.  Our point is that stability of residence is a start.

Check into SANTA BARBARA California's project of LEGAL PARKING at night in shopping center lots.  People are assigned a spot and have to arrive there and leave there each night and day, but at least they know where they'll be parking and there isn't a problem with the police.

We think this is the wave of the future.

Hopefully the stability of location will be a plus when some of these RV Homeless look for and find work, and can get into apartments!
AUSTIN HOMELESS PARK APPROVED
The non-profit says they already have proven success rate of 85 percent, with people who were formerly homeless now living in several RVs in an already established park in the city's southeast side.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013