WHAT DO YOU BUY WITH THE CASH YOU GET FROM SELLING YOUR EBT-SNAP FOOD BENEFITS?

We've noticed that our previous post with the questions DO YOU SELL YOUR FOOD BENEFIT FOR CASH has a lot of hits. Are we telling you to do this? NO. We're just aware that a lot of homeless and simply poor people do sell their stamps for cash. It's trouble for you if you're caught though we were reading over our EBT paperwork and see that there is a penalty for a certain large amount. Stores that do this, usually owner-operated small groceries and convenience stores, are often a well kept secret among the people who sell their stamps, information only shared with those you can trust.

While some people are trading their EBT for cash so they can buy beer, many simply need things they can't stretch their cash benefit or other income to buy like vitamins, over the counter drugs, sanitary supplies, and things for the baby.

JOHNNY CASH - YOUR OWN PERSONAL JESUS

ROLLING STONE ARTICLE ON PARKING LOTS FOR HOMELESS

Article by Jeff Tietz

"Each evening, 150 people in 113 vehicles spend the night in 23 parking lots in Santa Barbara. The lots are part of Safe Parking, a program that offers overnight permits to people living in their vehicles. The nonprofit that runs the program, New Beginnings Counseling Center, requires participants to have a valid driver's license and current registration and insurance. The number of vehicles per lot ranges from one to 15, and lot hours are generally from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Fraternization among those who sleep in the lots is implicitly discouraged – the fainter the program's presence, the less likely it will provoke complaints from neighboring homes and churches and businesses."

By 2009, formerly middle-class people like Janis Adkins had begun turning up – teachers and computer repairmen and yoga instructors seeking refuge in the city's parking­ lots. Safe-parking programs in other cities have experienced a similar influx of middle-class exiles, and their numbers are not expected to decrease anytime soon. It can take years for unemployed workers from the middle class to burn through their resources – savings, credit, salable belongings, home equity, loans from family and friends. Some 5.4 million Americans have been without work for at least six months, and an estimated 750,000 of them are completely broke or heading inexorably toward destitution."

DROUGHT RAISES FOOD PRICES - IMPACTS HUNGER IN AMERICA

"More than 18 percent of Americans say there have been times this year when they couldn't afford the food they needed, according Gullup poll released on Tuesday." Linking to the Yahoo news article here.

COLORING BOOK BUTTERLY (8) FOR OUR HOMELESS CHILDREN

DO YOU BEG OR PANHANDLE FOR MONEY? HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD YOU HAVE TO MAKE AT A JOB TO STOP PANHANDLING?

Do you beg for money?


How much money do you make panhandling on a typical day?

IF YOU HAD A PAYING JOB HOW MUCH WOULD YOU HAVE TO MAKE TO STOP PANHANDLING?

WHAT DO YOU SPEND THE MONEY ON?

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES LA - GRAMERCY PLACE FAMILY SHELTER

Need Help? Start with JFS Central Access (877) 275-4537

HOME IS A PLACE THAT IS NON-VIOLENT

You do not have to be Jewish to recieve help.

"Through our shelter service programs, JFS serves homeless families as well as battered women and their children. Our shelters are staffed by highly qualified professional staff, trained to deal with the unique needs of our clients. JFS shelter residents, in our emergency and transitional shelters, benefit from a wide array of other services provided by JFS, including individual therapy, support groups, case management, food and hunger services and vocational and legal assistance. JFS operates a 24 hour hotline for women who are in all stages of abusive relationships."

ANGEL HANZ FOR THE HOMELESS INC - FOR HOMELESS AND THEIR PETS - A NEW BLOG AND FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCEMENT

ANGEL HANZ was started by a woman who lived in her car with her cat for about a year before finding a job and going from there. Now she's fundraising to continue outreach to homeless and their pets and there's an ANGEL HANZ blog which we'll be linking to.

CURRENTLY ANGEL HANZ NEEDS A USED CAR TO CONTINUE THEIR OUTREACH TO HOMELESS AND THEIR PETS. They are always looking for blanket donations.

ANGEL HANZ FOR THE HOMELESS, INC.
P.O. BOX 10716, Burbank, CA 91510
Or call 818-358-3663 for more information

UPDATE MARCH 2013 - a link to Angel's blog ANGEL HANZ FOR HOMELESS


ANGEL HANZ FOR THE HOMELESS, INC.
COMMUNITY OUTREACHSunday, September 30th, 1pm
North Hollywood Park
11455 Magnolia Blvd.
(Library side, near the underpass) North Hollywood, CA 91601

CHIRSTINA TRINH, shall be at the site supporting "Karen "ANGEL HANZ" HAMZA with professional CHAIR MASSAGE for the homeless to ENJOY! Our September gathering will be all about the homeless having a fun day in the park with their pets playing , dominos, scrabble, chess, checkers and more

UPDATE : ANGEL HANZ BLOG APPEARS ON OUR SIDE-BAR and there have been regular events to raise money including a plea for a grant writer.

UPDATE ON NATALIE, THE WOMAN WHO WAS RIDING THE BUS ALL NIGHT TO SLEEP IN 2011

We posted on Natalie in 2011. We said :

"Natalie's ankles are swollen because she never really gets to lay down unless she goes to a shelter in another, safer county. She sleeps sitting up every night on a particular bus route. Now we think this is kind of cool. Because the bus driver, a woman, knows Natalie's situation, and she never gives her a problem."

UPDATE AUGUST 2012

We are happy to say that we ran into Natalie and she's looking beautiful. Natalie was wearing make-up, had her hair done - shiny and sleek, and was casually dressed in black pants and neat sweater as well as earrings and a necklace for her job. Natalie was given stability by a local shelter where she slept each night and was able to keep a small wardrobe, though she had to leave for the day. She is no longer carrying her possessions in gym bags wherever she goes. She managed to get a starter job working part time for a non-profit animal related charity where she is on commission. She is also dog and cat sitting in private homes. She no longer looks exhausted. Congratulations!

SIX GOLD AND ORANGE BUTTERFLIES

WEST VALLEY FOOD PANTRY - PRINCE OF PEACE

Our volunteer called this food pantry to verify information and spoke to a very rude woman who said she was too busy to talk and hung up. We hope you get better treatment when you show up but some of us would rather go without a meal or two than be talked down to by some "do-gooder" (B. says do-do-gooder) with more attitude than compassion. B. also had this to say; "If you're helping the poor to stroke your ego, why not get out of the empathy business, bitch?"

WEST VALLEY FOOD PANTRY at PRINCE OF PEACE

818 346 -5554
5700 Rudnick Aveneu (near Shoup and Topanga
Woodland Hills 91367

A once every thirty days food distribution program. Photo ID and proof of residency in one of the following zip codes in the last 45 days is required but homeless can recieve food once a week. Open Mondays - Thursdays 10 am to 3 pm. Friodays 10 am 0- 12 noon.

Here's the zip codes: 91301-91302, 91303, 91304, 91305, 91305, 91306, 91307, 91311, 91324, 91335, 91336, 91364, 91367, 91371, 90290....

UPDATE:  We'll call the food banks again and report any changes in attitude or behavior towards the homeless, but it's up to the charity itself to train people.  Our volunteer called a number of food banks that are just as busy if not more so and this was the only one where they were met with rudeness.

NO HOME FOR HANK - HOMELESS NOT NAMELESS BLOG

One more really good blog by and for the homeless, this one we also learned about through HOMELESSFAMILY.BLOGSPOT.

We'll add this one to our HOMELESS AND POVERTY ACTIVISTS SIDE BAR where you can easily link!

"Who the heck is HANK??

This is the hardest post I have ever had to write. When I say 'had' to write, it is almost just that. This is me bowing to the suffering, knowing that everything happens just the way it does, for a reason. With a toast and a tear, I bow to HANK.

HANK is the homeless man that represents all homeless people and families, those who live in poverty, who see no way out, who live in fear they may not eat today or find a safe place to sleep. The people on the streets and in the shelters. Also, the people who have a home, but the type of homes you and I would not wish to even enter. Those who live in poverty, in sickness, in helplessness. And those who live in harsh judgement of others, and those who have given up."

WE DARE YOU TO EAT FOR A MONTH ON $5 A DAY AND NO COOKING!

If you ARE NOT HOMELESS AND READING THIS, we dare you to eat on no more than $5 a day (and no cooking) for one month. We know this diet will probably be too fatty and salty and may raise your blood pressure and your cholesterol level. You may gain some weight around your middle.

We know that you will head for the fast food shops and eat off the $1 meal. Lots of burgers and breaded chicken sandwiches. (El Pollo Loco's prices went way up recently so we're skipping them.)

You may also buy a piece of fruit every day, bananas and oranges. You can't afford to buy vitamin or other "waters" or fruit juices and still have enough to eat.

You'll feel like buying a whole pizza somewhere for that $5 and swear you can make it last three meals.

GO AHEAD AND FEEL IT!

Oh, we're going to give you a little help so you don't actually starve. To extend your budget try going to a discount or free feed or two or a food bank. (Lucky you, don't have to carry groceries around all day, or do you?) Since you aren't paying for the food, you can keep to your budget.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Join VA and help Veterans you know who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. VA is working to end Veteran homelessness by 2015 but can’t do it without your help. If you know a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, VA has dedicated services you can help them access. LINK HERE

Make the Call. 1 - 877-4AID-VET

GRAHAM NASH - BETTER DAYS

WHAT DO YOU DO TO PASS AS NOT HOMELESS?

Summer may be the best part of the year to be homeless anywhere, not just because we're not dealing with freezing cold weather, but because it's the best time to pass as a common person who happens to be camping in a tent or RV in a campground, along the beach road, or other location. You have to have your ID, your vehicle registration, and enough money for gas to keep moving though.We wonder, if you're homeless, what, if anything do you do to "pass."

PEOPLE IN PROGRESS - CLOSING SOON- WILL A NEW PROGRAM TAKE OVER SUN VALLEY SHELTER?

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2013  We were told recently that there is construction going on inside the old PIP building but haven't heard what might be moving in.

We recently got this comment which we are editing the names out of because the comment is unsigned with no contact information no information on if the poster was a resident or employee and we don't know the people named.

Quote " People I  progress was corrupt = big time grants from the Veterans Administration and Dept of Corrections and board directors like _____________ and  ___________  were self serving criminals who promoted gang activity by endorsing racist criminals."

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE POSTER TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT to report what he or she knows.  Also please send us a comment with an e-mail address so we can dialogue about what you experienced.  We're getting a lot of PIP bashing comments, don't know if this is from one person or many.

NOTE:  We sent an associate over to Sun Valley to see what's going on with the old PIP location and they reported workman were inside fixing up the place.  ANYONE KNOW WHO MAY BE RENTING OR OPENING AT THAT LOCATION?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OLD POST

Word is that PEOPLE IN PROGRESS, is going out of business. After the death of the Director, Mr. Sullivan, the non-profit failed to get enough grant money to keep going.

"For 35 years, People In Progress (P.I.P.) has provided intervention and support to individuals and families in crisis with services addressing substance abuse, economic deprivation, hunger and homelessness. We are creating self-reliance- building addiction-free lives. Each year, P.I.P. provides services to more 25,000 individuals. It is our aim to help those we serve transition back into the community as productive citizens. 100 percent of our participants are living well below poverty level. Our services are designed to provide disadvantaged individuals with access - whether directly or through referral - to the resources they need to reach self-sufficiency. As a leader in delivery of alcohol/drug treatment services we provide critically needed services to the chronically homeless population suffering from alcohol and drug dependency, coupled with other mental and physical disabilities."

PIP has faced opposition from commercial neighbors in the area, but the homeless in the area, men and women not in their program, also appreciated being able to take showers in the morning, have a coffee, and occasionally pick up clothes. The presence of PIP in Sun Valley, not far from the post office, also meant that many homeless families and couples living in vehicles were able to park in the lot without being in trouble with police. Several months ago, after Sullivan's death, things changed, and the homeless were no longer allowed to shower there.

Homeless in and around the Sun Valley Park area are hoping that the new Rescue Mission group that opened a Thrift Store and has opened a shelter for women and children will be able to get the money up to take over the PIP facility, which has the capacity to house a hundred or more.

Thanks to "Brat" for the information!

UPDATE March 2013.  We've been told that some of the social workers/ case managers from PIP are now working at LA FAMILY HOUSING'S property called PALO VERDE in Sun Valley, not far from the original location.  Also that the old PIP space may be taken over by another rehab.  We'd like to hear from people staying at PALO VERDE, which was build to house homeless, about their stay there.  We understand it is a shelter for people with Section 8 and other housing vouchers.

UPDATE AUGSUT 2013 : At this point there seems to be an empty building with no non-profit shelter or rehab in place at the location. We are being told that there is a small shelter within the thrift store at the intersection of San Fernando Road and Sunland, Hope of the Valley, which is around the corner from the old PIP sight. We are also being told that the Jack n a Box nearbye which takes EBT has posted a NO LOITERING SIGN, giving only 30 minutes to eat and go.

WHOLE PAGE OF BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES