Thursday, October 30, 2014

SETH CAMM - SAN ANTONIO ARTIST PORTRAITS OF HOPE

KSAT HOMELESS PORTRAITS TELL STORIES OF HOPE

Seth Camm has been painting portraits of homeless people for years and doing exhibits of the paintings. "For the past 12 years, he's dedicated himself and much of his career to painting America's homeless population and documenting their stories.

"I'm basically trying to make it possible that people can understand and relate a little bit more to people on the streets," said Camm..."




SETH's WB SITE ANARTGALLERY representing SETH CAMM

Seth Camm studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where his talent burgeoned and was rewarded with a scholarship to study art and travel across Europe and the Netherlands. While in Norway, Seth studied under one of the most important living masters, Odd Nedrum. 
Seth Camm is fascinated by people, and has drawn extensive media coverage for his artistic and philanthropic work with the homeless. His Trinity University exhibition, “Misplaced Hopes and Shattered Dreams, grabbed people’s attention and esteem.

OLD 2010 VIDEO FROM HAVEN OF HOPE mentioned in the article
HAVEN OF HOPE ORG - SAN ANTONIO TEXAS   link to organization

Monday, October 27, 2014

Sunday, October 26, 2014

FASCISTS - CITY OF LA - LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY - IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARK - WORD ON THE STREET

FROM URBAN DICTIONARY

FASCIST

2. A lesser authority (corporation, mayor, cop, boss, parent) who legally issues harsh, burdensome, micro-managing, insensitive, or uncaring orders -- especially when they know, or should know, that their goals can be accomplished with more autonomy and much less hardship or distress.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT FROM THE FOLKS IN THE AREA WHO ARE VERY UPSET ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN THE PARK.

WORD ON THE STREET - Magnolia and Tujunga - North Hollywood

Earlier this month, the two metal benches that have been for years at the Amelia Earhart statue have been removed because homeless were sleeping on them.  Well, senior citizens and many other people were sitting on them to have conversations, eat their lunch, or rest from dog walking.  THE  PARK SURROUNDING THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD LIBRARY AND SENIOR CENTER AND THE PARK ACROSS THE STREET ARE BOTH IN DIRE NEED OF SEATING.  THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR, if you have to sit, sit on the grass (which much of has turned to dirt because it hasn't been watered due to the drought.)  Some people can barely get up off the ground.

For years the FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH in the area has provided a Sunday picnic lunch EVERY SECOND SUNDAY of the month as part of their Christian outreach in the park.  (If anyone knows the name of the people who head up this effort please let us know.)  They serve between 25 and 50 people.

As we hear it LAPD showed up and closely FILMED THE LINE UP OF PEOPLE STANDING THERE WAITING TO EAT!   AND EXACTLY WHAT DID THEY DO WITH THE FILM? 

Not only that but Angel Hanz for the Homeless and their Pets, a non profit we support in posts and links to this blog, also has been providing supplies and information to the local homeless in the park area.  NOW THE PARK TABLES AND BENCHES that were used to put out food and where people sat and gathered have been removed.  THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR - GO FEED PEOPLE SOMEWHERE ELSE or LET THEM SIT ON THE GROUND TO SERVE AND TO EAT.

We are also hearing that THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY librarians have been calling LAPD repeatedly to remove anyone they consider "intimidating" including people with disabilities.  We hear that the head librarian at this branch has gone to CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THAT THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS HER EFFORT TO CLEAR THE LIBRARY AREA OF HOMELESS by repeatedly calling LADP.

TO US THIS IS A MISUSE OF THE LAPD'S RESOURCES and SHE IS CAUSING HOMELESS PEOPLE TO BE CRIMINALIZED NEEDLESSLY BECAUSE SHE CAN'T COPE WITH THE LOCAL PEOPLE WHO USE THAT BRANCH - maybe a transfer to another branch would be a good idea! 

THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL welcomed big developers into the area and much affordable housing was torn down and not replaced with affordable housing units in the area.  A number of the NORTH HOLLYWOOD HOMELESS are people who've been displaced due to tear downs of their housing and small business locations including businesses along Magnolia Blvd that planners want to turn into restaurant row.  Since the RedLine has it's end point at North Hollywood people from all over the city and not just money spending tourists have come to the area.  We know there is more real crime than ever around that hub of public transportation and WE DON'T MEAN THE CRIME OF DESPERATE POVERTY.

SHAME ON NORTH HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL, NORTH HOLLYWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY!

LAPL NORTH HOLLYWOOD BRANCH - link and send your opinion to LAPL
If a head librarian and her staff can't cope with people who are disabled should they work at this branch?

LA CITY PAUL KREKORIAN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 inc NORTH HOLLYWOOD
Is Paul Krekorian and the City Council supporting the ETHNIC CLEANSING OF POOR PEOPLE FROM NORTH HOLLYWOOD?

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - SPONSORS NOHO FEED
Does this church need a lawyer to make sure they can continue to feed homeless in the park?

ANGLEHANZ for THE HOMELESS

Friday, October 24, 2014

SRO HOUSING CORP CELEBRATES 30 YEARS PROVIDING HOUSING - ANITA NELSON CEO SAYS THEY'VE HOUSED 2300 and HAVE A WAITING LIST OF 500

SRO HOUSING ORG.

Social Services Information Desk(213) 620-7146
9:00 - 11:00 AM



Anita Nelson, CEO... They buy and rehab old buildings around skid row... have rehabbed 30 buildings.  2300 people live in one of their buildings.  They hire from the community and have a wait list of 500 people.  The room in this video looks pretty good!  Emergency, Transitional, and Permanent Housing.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO VETERANS HOMELESS OUTREACH - BART STATION - ENDING CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS - THE ROLL OF COURTS AND ADVOCATES



THIS VIDEO IS OVER AN HOUR. It's interesting and important.

FROM YOUTUBE :  THIS VIDEO WAS Published on May 21, 2014
ENDING THE CRIMINALIZATION OF HOMELESSNESS:
THE ROLE OF COURTS, LAWYERS AND ADVOCATES
San Francisco, CA
April 25, 2014

Program materials can be accessed at:

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION - POVERTY - HOMELESSNESS - EVENTS

Welcome, Introductions and Framing Questions
Hon. Gordon Baranco, Superior Court of Alameda County, CA

It Takes a BIG Village: The Success behind the VA's Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative

In 2009, President Barack Obama and VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced the goal of ending Veteran homelessness by the end of 2015. Since 2009, the number of Veterans who are homeless has dropped by 17.2 percent. Together with partners and supporters nationwide, the VA Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative has facilitated the establishment of a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary and highly effective network of programs addressing the myriad barriers to ending homelessness among veterans. The network includes outreach initiatives, housing, income supports, medical and mental healthcare, education, job training, reentry planning and other critically needed services. The network also includes the Veterans Justice Outreach Program which seeks to prevent the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extended incarceration among veterans. As a result of VA leadership, the legal community across the country has joined
together to create not only Veterans Treatment Courts, but a variety of pro bono and specialty programs aimed at addressing the civil and criminal legal issues facing veterans. The panelists will discuss why this comprehensive network has succeeded in ending homelessness among significant numbers of veterans at a time when homelessness among individuals and families continues to increase.

Moderator:
Paul Freese, JD, Vice President, Public Counsel, Los Angeles, CA; Special Advisor on Homeless Veterans, ABA Commission on Homelessness & Poverty

Speakers:

Suzanne Will, JD, Regional Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, San Francisco, CA

Joel Rosenthal, PhD, National Training Director, VA Veterans Justice Programs

Monday, October 20, 2014

MIDNIGHT MISSION - SKID ROW LOS ANGELES CELEBRATES 100 YEARS IN SERVICE - COURTYARD OUTREACH

MIDNIGHT MISSION ORG OFFICIAL WEB SITE   lots to read.  Here is some of it.

"Get Help

When you or a family member is struggling with drug addiction, sobriety can seem like an impossible goal. But recovery is never out of reach, no matter how hopeless the situation seems. Change is possible with the right treatment and support, and by addressing the root cause of your addiction. Don’t give up—even if you’ve tried and failed before. The road to recovery often involves bumps, pitfalls, and setbacks. But by examining the problem and thinking about change, you’re already on your way.

If you or someone you care for is dependent on alcohol or drugs and needs treatment, it is important to know that no single treatment approach is appropriate for all individuals. Finding the right treatment program involves careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and your or your loved one’s needs.

During The Midnight’s 100 years of service we have helped thousands of individuals and their families rebuild their lives.  Our impact has stretched across the country and across the globe.  Many of our alumnus live successful, productive and self sufficient lives within our communities."

"Courtyard Outreach

The Courtyard Outreach Program is a unique form of outreach for the Skid Row community. Our outdoor courtyard is open to anyone during the day and is a safe place to sleep in at night for those who are resistant to the idea of shelters. The overarching program helps break the cycle of homelessness by identifying the most vulnerable individuals in our courtyard and creating a bridge to our life-saving services. Our courtyard is a safe, monitored outdoor space specifically for homeless individuals.
 
The courtyard team performs a subtle form of engagement in order to connect with our homeless guests, many of whom experience the reluctance of accepting help or shelter that comes with chronic homelessness. The guiding idea is to gradually move individuals into services over time through regular daily engagement. The use of EDARs,  a canvas tent-like structure on wheels  has been instrumental in helping courtyard residents get a feel for having a roof over their head in a safe environment. With the program, we continue to establish trust, allowing us to provide services to those once thought of as unreachable.
 
During the course of a 90-day EDAR stay, Case Managers actively assess and monitor the courtyard guests’ needs and goals. Many of those who transition into EDARs ultimately access other social service programs, like addiction treatment, mental health care and permanent supportive housing."

Friday, October 17, 2014

NEW ORLEANS DOING GREYHOUND THERAPY - SENDING HOMELESS TO LOS ANGELES - THE WORD ON THE STREET

WORD ON THE STREET, especially in the North Hollywood and Metro Red Line (subway) Terminal area, is that NEW ORLEANS has been doing GREYHOUND THERAPY, providing one way tickets to homeless to Los Angeles who get off at the North Hollywood Greyhound Station.

GREYHOUND THERAPY is the term used when a city sends its homeless problem to another town.  Currently there are actual lawsuits between cities over this issue.   At it's worst GREYHOUND THERAPY IS NOT JUST A ONE WAY TICKET TO ANOTHER CITY THAT TAKES THE PERSON AWAY FROM THEIR HOME BASE TO A PLACE WHERE THEY KNOW NO ONE (EXCEPT MAYBE THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE SENT FORTH), DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO, OR HAVE ANY RESOURCES TO TURN TO.

Some of these homeless and mentally ill people are actually given a bad lunch and A ONE DAY SUPPPLY OF THEIR PSYCH MEDS!

Los Angeles and Southern California in general -  Santa Barbara County - Orange County - is a very expensive place to live with rents easily a thousand dollars a month for a single or one bedroom apartment, and though the weather here may be better than in the snow belt, in some parts you can die of the cold here too.  Winter in the beach areas and the high desert areas of Lancaster Palmdale can be very rough outdoors at night.

We've been told that a number of homeless people from New Orleans have been sent here and are now in the usual competition for shelters and other services and in line for government benefits.

One of the lawsuits is against Nevada, which allegedly sent 500 mental patients to San Francisco. 

SACRAMENTO BEE: NEVADA BUSES HUNDREDS OF MENTALLY ILL TO SF

"Since July 2008, Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas has transported more than 1,500 patients to other cities via Greyhound bus, sending at least one person to every state in the continental United States, according to a Bee review of bus receipts kept by Nevada's mental health division.

About a third of those patients were dispatched to California, including more than 200 to Los Angeles County, about 70 to San Diego County and 19 to the city of Sacramento."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/14/5340078/nevada-buses-hundreds-of-mentally.html#storylink=cpy

Saturday, October 11, 2014

IMPERIAL VALLEY FOOD BANK - MULTIPLE PROGRAMS INCLUDING $25 BOX OF FOOD

IMPERIAL VALLEY FOOD BANK - AN INDEPENDENT NON PROFIT - MULTIPLE PROGRAMS 

CalFresh Outreach
Nutrition Education
Community Gardens


Weekend Backpack Program

We partner with 35 schools in Imperial Valley to distribute close to 600 backpacks of food for children for the weekends.  Many students in the Imperial Valley qualify for free and reduced fee breakfasts and lunches, and may not know if they'll have food to eat over the weekend without the Backpack Program.  Please contact Cecilia (cecilia@ivfoodbank.org), 760-370-0966 for more information.

Mobile Food Pantry

Thanks to a generous donation from the WalMart Foundation, we are able to bring food to the rural communities in our Valley.  We go to Winterhaven, Bombay, Ocotillo, Seeley, Calipatria, Niland, Westmorland, and the Salton Sea.  Please contact Cecilia (cecilia@ivfoodbank.org) or 760-370-0966 for more information.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

ROLLING STONE : 40 % OF HOMELESS YOUTH ARE GAY - HOMELESS GAY TEENS CAST OUT BY RELIGIOUS FAMILIES

EXCERPT: "Research done by San Francisco State University's Family Acceptance Project, which studies and works to prevent health and mental­health risks facing LGBT youth, empirically confirms what common sense would imply to be true: Highly religious parents are significantly more likely than their less-religious counterparts to reject their children for being gay – a finding that social-service workers believe goes a long way toward explaining why LGBT people make up roughly five percent of the youth population overall, but an estimated 40 percent of the homeless-youth population. The Center for American Progress has reported that there are between 320,000 and 400,000 homeless LGBT youths in the United States."

Read more: ROLLING STONE - HOMELESS GAY TEENS CAST OUT BY RELIGIOUS FAMILIES

Excerpt: "The summer that marriage equality passed in New York, we saw the number of homeless kids looking for shelter go up 40 percent," says Carl Siciliano, founder of the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth. ... Siciliano was working at a housing program for the homeless in the Nineties when he noticed that his clientele was getting younger and younger. Until then, he says, "you almost never saw kids. It was Vietnam vets, alcoholics and deinstitutionalized mentally ill people." But not only were more kids showing up, they were also disappearing. "Every couple of months one of our kids would get killed," Siciliano says. "And it would always be a gay kid." In 2002, he founded the Ali Forney Center, naming it after a homeless 22-year-old who'd been shot in the head on the street in Harlem, not far from where the organization's drop-in center currently resides. Siciliano had been close with Forney and felt that had he had a safe place to go, he might be alive today... Since founding the center, Siciliano, 49, has become one of the nation's most outspoken homeless advocates."

ALI FORNEY CENTER

Monday, October 6, 2014

EBOLA, ETC - KFI RADIO RADIO PERSONALITIES CONTINUE IGNORANCE about THE HOMELESS and POOR

Sunday night - Monday morning; that's THIS morning, listening to the powerful KFI RADIO Station, and what do we hear?  Bill Handle and his male sidekick this morning were talking about EBOLA, the frightening, killing disease that's left thousands dead in Africa and threatens to invade the United States next. We aren't hitting the panic button about EBOLA yet but we know that like drug resistant TB, and like HIV/AIDS, there are plenty of innocent people who can get this disease, which we are being told is NOT airborne (like most viruses that you can get by being in sneeze zone) but is through the exchange of bodily fluids...  which means sneezing in close range of someone's eyes or mouth, kissing, changing a diaper, and sex.  Close quarters such as sleeping next to sick people on cots in an armory shelter could be enough.  Many of us have gotten sick from virus and colds from sleeping near strangers in shelters.

We heard Bill handle call the HOMELESS MAN who was in the SAME AMBULANCE as the African tourist who is fighting for his life, a "Fruitcake" and his sidekick call the man a "Crazypants."  SO THIS IS THE KIND OF LANGUAGE USED ON MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE?  It was said to DISMISS THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT HOMELESS MAN'S LIFE.

Last night a newish female "personality" spent some time talking about beggars who are committing fraud to get you to give them money.  We know that some of these people are out there, collecting a few hundred a day begging and then going around the corner to the alley where they' ve parked their Cadillac.  This person played a tape of her friend's confrontation with the woman who he had sacrificed to give $3 a day to.  We feel for him too but THE MAJORITY OF HOMELESS BEGGARS ARE REAL PEOPLE who have run out of their EBT money for food already.  (We dare you to try to live on $5 a day food with no cooking or refrigeration!)

Besides these recent offenses, another of their regular male "personalities" who is selling some sort of retirement plan/investment is now saying "YOU WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO RETIRE.  YOU WILL HAVE TO LIVE IN YOUR CAR!"

Well, yes, we have met and know people who have LOST THEIR RETIREMENTS due to schemes (speaking of FRAUD), people who have lost their homes after many years of paying their mortgages because they couldn't come up with the taxes, and many people who once had spectacular resumes beginning with college but who are now in the park.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR KFI PERSONALITIES
TO SHOW MORE SENSITIVITY?

Saturday, October 4, 2014

WHY SHELTER NOISE CAN LOWER YOUR TEST SCORES AND RUIN YOUR HEALTH

"Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization link noise pollution to high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, anxiety, poorer work habits, and lover grades at school.  Sleep is where the impact registers most.  Research shows that while a degree of habituation occurs with low decibel interruptions at night - was that a possum?  An earthquake? Whatever - we never get used to them completely.  Our heart rate spikes and REM falters even if we believe we're out cold.  The brain listens night and day.  Researchers studied a New York City school located a couple of hundred feet from an elevated subway track.  Every four and a half minutes a train passed by for 30 seconds at 89 dBs, roughly the level at which sustained exposure causes hearing loss. Student performance in classrooms facing the tracks was as much as 11 months behind that of students whose rooms faced away from the train.  Now think of the many L.A. schools you see beside freeways, here decibel levels can easily reach 65 and beyond.

From  Los Angeles Magazine, page 96, August 2014 edition.  Article "Sound Check" in Well Being column by David Hochman