Wednesday, April 30, 2014
SYRIA, UNITED KINGDOM, KAZAKHSTAN, JAMAICA, and KUWAIT read EXPOSE HOMELESSNESS
WELCOME... we encourage you to start a blog about poverty and homelessness in your country! Anyone writing about these subjects please leave a comment with the links!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
JOHN JOHNSON PASSES AFTER 30 YEARS OF SOCIAL CHANGE ADVOCACY THROUGH CHANGE LINKS
CHANGE LINKS JOHN JOHNSON RIP
LA TIMES OBIT - JOHN JOHNSON
picture from LA TIMES OBITJuly 4, 1944 - April 13, 2014
John Johnson was editor and publisher of Change-Links, a monthly progressive newspaper for activists in Southern California. He produced it for over 30 years. The paper was a vehicle for his life-long passion in fighting for justice and change in our society. He loved the San Fernando Valley and lived most of his life in North Hollywood and Van Nuys...
"That was the idea. That was the dream. It may all be over now, but once upon a time, it existed. No good idea ever truly dies. The dream was here, and so was I, and so were you." - W.Pitt, 2006.
Donations in John's memory can be sent to:
Alliance for Global Justice, 225 E. 26th St. Ste 1, Tucson, AZ 85713.
Monday, April 28, 2014
LANCASTER VICE MAYOR MARVIN CRIST - LANCASTER HAS 12% OF HOMELESS BUT ONLY 2% OF THE FUNDING
LA TIMES - LANCASTER SEEKS FUNDS - OVERWHELMED WITH HOMELESS
Vice Mayor Marvin Crist said on any given night the Antelope Valley has 12% of the county's homeless population, or 6,500 people, but receives only 2% of the funding from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The service area centered on L.A.'s skid row, by contrast, has 18% of the population and 50% of the funds, he said.
"When it gets cold in Los Angeles it's 30 degrees. Here it gets down to 8 degrees and people freeze to death," Crist said..."
HEY WE'RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHY OR HOW ALL THOSE HOMELESS GOT THERE and WE'RE BETTING THEY GOT MOVED - THROWN OUT - HARASSED - BY OTHER CITIES!
Vice Mayor Marvin Crist said on any given night the Antelope Valley has 12% of the county's homeless population, or 6,500 people, but receives only 2% of the funding from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The service area centered on L.A.'s skid row, by contrast, has 18% of the population and 50% of the funds, he said.
"When it gets cold in Los Angeles it's 30 degrees. Here it gets down to 8 degrees and people freeze to death," Crist said..."
HEY WE'RE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHY OR HOW ALL THOSE HOMELESS GOT THERE and WE'RE BETTING THEY GOT MOVED - THROWN OUT - HARASSED - BY OTHER CITIES!
PATH SHELTER EXPOSE - WRITTEN BY LA WEEKLY'S GENDY ALIMURUNG - RYAN GIERACH JOURNALIST TEMPORARILY HOMELESS
GIMME SHELTER - LA WEEKLY DIGITAL - GENDY ALIMURUNG full article linked.
EXCERPTS: PATH operates five Southern California shelters, where a person can live for up to six months and tap into veterans programs, job training, personal finance workshops and more. There’s even a hair salon at the “groundbreaking” PATH mall at the Madison Avenue shelter, as well as a legal assistance center, pharmacy and health clinic.
Big money flows through this empire. PATH’s real estate development pipeline — in partnership with private developers — is valued at $90 million. In 2011, PATH’s revenue was $8.3 million, most of it from taxpayers. ...
Finally, last July, Susie Shannon, executive director of the homeless advocacy group Poverty Matters, brought her concerns about PATH to the city of West Hollywood. Her clients occasionally wind up at PATH, and at least 10 complained to her about conditions there. Lack of food came up repeatedly.
Sometimes people would donate baskets of fruit and vegetables. Staffers told the shelter residents, “That’s for breakfast tomorrow,” Shannon tells the Weekly. But when “tomorrow” arrived, the fruit and vegetables were missing.
She was told that staffers were “berating” homeless clients during mandatory Monday house meetings, conducting invasive locker searches and ignoring sexual harassment among the closely housed residents. And then there was the “day pass” controversy over passes PATH rewards to residents who save money. Day passes let them stay out past PATH’s curfew to, say, visit family without losing their bed. “The case managers would hold on to the money for you. In order to get a day pass, you had to give them your money,” Shannon says.“ As an advocate this is outrageous. I was horrified.”
Some of her former clients told her they were pressured to serve as “informants.” “Though you’ll never see it on the beautiful brochures PATH prints out to ask for money,” Shannon says. “On the one hand, they do a lot of good. On the other hand, there’s a public trust that’s been violated. You give them money, thinking that people are being treated the way the brochure tells you. But that is so far from reality.”
***********
OUR RESPONSE: PATH IS NOT THE ONLY SHELTER THAT TAKES IN HUGE AMOUNTS OF FUNDING where "CLIENTS" are BERATED or SUBJECT TO OTHER B.S. BY CASE WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT. Check out our PAGES.
EXCERPTS: PATH operates five Southern California shelters, where a person can live for up to six months and tap into veterans programs, job training, personal finance workshops and more. There’s even a hair salon at the “groundbreaking” PATH mall at the Madison Avenue shelter, as well as a legal assistance center, pharmacy and health clinic.
Big money flows through this empire. PATH’s real estate development pipeline — in partnership with private developers — is valued at $90 million. In 2011, PATH’s revenue was $8.3 million, most of it from taxpayers. ...
Finally, last July, Susie Shannon, executive director of the homeless advocacy group Poverty Matters, brought her concerns about PATH to the city of West Hollywood. Her clients occasionally wind up at PATH, and at least 10 complained to her about conditions there. Lack of food came up repeatedly.
Sometimes people would donate baskets of fruit and vegetables. Staffers told the shelter residents, “That’s for breakfast tomorrow,” Shannon tells the Weekly. But when “tomorrow” arrived, the fruit and vegetables were missing.
She was told that staffers were “berating” homeless clients during mandatory Monday house meetings, conducting invasive locker searches and ignoring sexual harassment among the closely housed residents. And then there was the “day pass” controversy over passes PATH rewards to residents who save money. Day passes let them stay out past PATH’s curfew to, say, visit family without losing their bed. “The case managers would hold on to the money for you. In order to get a day pass, you had to give them your money,” Shannon says.“ As an advocate this is outrageous. I was horrified.”
Some of her former clients told her they were pressured to serve as “informants.” “Though you’ll never see it on the beautiful brochures PATH prints out to ask for money,” Shannon says. “On the one hand, they do a lot of good. On the other hand, there’s a public trust that’s been violated. You give them money, thinking that people are being treated the way the brochure tells you. But that is so far from reality.”
***********
OUR RESPONSE: PATH IS NOT THE ONLY SHELTER THAT TAKES IN HUGE AMOUNTS OF FUNDING where "CLIENTS" are BERATED or SUBJECT TO OTHER B.S. BY CASE WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT. Check out our PAGES.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
INCOME INEQUALITY - INEQUITY LOS ANGELES
LA TIMES - INCOME INEQUITY - OTHER CITIES WORSE THAN LA!
"The upper 5% of Los Angeles residents earned more than 12 times what the bottom 20% took in, Alan Barube, who studies social policies affecting low-income families for the Brookings Institution, said in a paper. The income spread was similar in New York City, Washington, Oakland, Chicago and Baltimore, he added.
The inequality gap is even worse in San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami and Boston, where big earners made 15 times more than the bottom-income bracket, Barube said. His analysis was based on 2012 U.S. Census figures."
OUR QUESTION IS HOW MANY OF THOSE UPPER INCOME PEOPLE ARE MOVIE STARS?
"The upper 5% of Los Angeles residents earned more than 12 times what the bottom 20% took in, Alan Barube, who studies social policies affecting low-income families for the Brookings Institution, said in a paper. The income spread was similar in New York City, Washington, Oakland, Chicago and Baltimore, he added.
The inequality gap is even worse in San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami and Boston, where big earners made 15 times more than the bottom-income bracket, Barube said. His analysis was based on 2012 U.S. Census figures."
OUR QUESTION IS HOW MANY OF THOSE UPPER INCOME PEOPLE ARE MOVIE STARS?
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
SOUTH BAY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS - LYDIA HOUSE
SOUTH BAY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS list of resources including LYDIA HOUSE shelter for women and children, Salvation Army, etc - one or two we never heard of...
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
DOES YOUR SHELTER FORCE DONATIONS OR PAYMENTS FOR YOUR COT BED OR SPACE?
ARE YOU UNDER THREAT OF BEING "TERMINATED" or put back out on the street if you don't hand over a certain amount of money? Are you making payments but going without things you need to do it?
WHEN MONEY TALKS - HOUSING HOMELESS SAVES TAXPAYERS MILLIONS - LIZ DWYER CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
CS MONITOR : IF HOMELESS PEOPLE HAD A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE TAXPAYERS COULD SAVE MILLIONS by Liz Dwyer
EXCERPT:
Researchers at the University of North Carolina–Charlotte's Department of Social Work have found that housing constructed specifically for homeless people saved the city millions.
Providing housing at an 85-unit facility called Moore Place resulted in 447 fewer visits to emergency rooms and 372 fewer days spent in hospitals, The Charlotte Observer reported. That alone saved the city $1.8 million—which makes plenty of sense. When people aren't exposed to danger from criminals or animals, and they don't get sick from sleeping in a doorway on a cold night, they're bound to be healthier.
EXCERPT:
Researchers at the University of North Carolina–Charlotte's Department of Social Work have found that housing constructed specifically for homeless people saved the city millions.
Providing housing at an 85-unit facility called Moore Place resulted in 447 fewer visits to emergency rooms and 372 fewer days spent in hospitals, The Charlotte Observer reported. That alone saved the city $1.8 million—which makes plenty of sense. When people aren't exposed to danger from criminals or animals, and they don't get sick from sleeping in a doorway on a cold night, they're bound to be healthier.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
HARBOR INTERFAITH SERVICES - SAN PEDRO - HARBOR CITY, LOMITA, TORRANCE, WILMINGTON, LONG BEACH
HARBOR INTERFAITH ORG
Harbor Interfaith Services is a non-profit organization serving the South Bay communities of Los Angeles, California including San Pedro, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lomita, Torrance, Wilmington and Long Beach.
In 2013, HIS assisted over 23,000 homeless and working poor people by providing the comprehensive services they need to lift themselves out of poverty and onto the road of self-sufficiency.
Harbor Interfaith Services is a non-profit organization serving the South Bay communities of Los Angeles, California including San Pedro, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lomita, Torrance, Wilmington and Long Beach.
In 2013, HIS assisted over 23,000 homeless and working poor people by providing the comprehensive services they need to lift themselves out of poverty and onto the road of self-sufficiency.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
JESUIT PRIEST PETER MCVERRY HONORED WITH FREEDOM OF DUBLIN AWARD FOR 40 YEARS OF WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS
RADIOVATICAN " JESUIT PRIEST PETER MCVERRY - BUBLIN - HONORED FOR HOMELESS WORK
"On the 22nd March an Irish Jesuit priest became the 77th person to receive the Freedom of Dublin. Father Peter McVerry received the honour for his tireless work over the last 40 years with young homeless people in the Irish capital.
Fr Peter set up the Peter McVerry Trust with the aim of reducing homelessness and the harm caused by drug misuse and social disadvantage.The services that the Trust provides include an informal drop-in centre which is the first point of contact for many young homeless people especially those leaving prison, supported temporary accommodation and drug treatment facilities.
There are also three services that offer support and accommodation for homeless children aged between 12-18.
Speaking to Lydia O’Kane, Fr Peter says the traditional image of homelessness has changed, in that, it is no longer true to say they are people with drink and drug issues or mental health problems. “The majority of people now who are becoming homeless are ordinary working class even middle class people who can no longer afford to pay the rents… or they’re people whose relationships have broken down and they have had to leave the home that they have been sharing with somebody else.”
He goes on to say that having “a place to call home is a fundamental human right.”
"On the 22nd March an Irish Jesuit priest became the 77th person to receive the Freedom of Dublin. Father Peter McVerry received the honour for his tireless work over the last 40 years with young homeless people in the Irish capital.
Fr Peter set up the Peter McVerry Trust with the aim of reducing homelessness and the harm caused by drug misuse and social disadvantage.The services that the Trust provides include an informal drop-in centre which is the first point of contact for many young homeless people especially those leaving prison, supported temporary accommodation and drug treatment facilities.
There are also three services that offer support and accommodation for homeless children aged between 12-18.
Speaking to Lydia O’Kane, Fr Peter says the traditional image of homelessness has changed, in that, it is no longer true to say they are people with drink and drug issues or mental health problems. “The majority of people now who are becoming homeless are ordinary working class even middle class people who can no longer afford to pay the rents… or they’re people whose relationships have broken down and they have had to leave the home that they have been sharing with somebody else.”
He goes on to say that having “a place to call home is a fundamental human right.”
Sunday, April 13, 2014
SEE OUR NEW PAGE "HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOM MATE AT THE SHELTER"
AND NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM
Problems with Room Mates at shelters is something we hear a lot about.
We also hear about Case Managers, Therapists, and other homeless business professionals who are out of control. We hear about "Security Guards" who are a JOKE!
A person who is in a shelter is trying to recover from being on the street and trying to get healthy, find a job, find a place to live, and the last thing they need is to have ongoing problems with other homeless who want to screw them up and drag them down.
THAT'S ONE REASON WE SAY "IF YOU AREN'T SAFE STAYING THERE IS SHOULDN'T BE CALLED A SHELTER.
So we started a new page. HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOM MATE AT THE SHELTER.
It's in PAGES on our sidebar, and like our other PAGES is an ongoing project!
Problems with Room Mates at shelters is something we hear a lot about.
We also hear about Case Managers, Therapists, and other homeless business professionals who are out of control. We hear about "Security Guards" who are a JOKE!
A person who is in a shelter is trying to recover from being on the street and trying to get healthy, find a job, find a place to live, and the last thing they need is to have ongoing problems with other homeless who want to screw them up and drag them down.
THAT'S ONE REASON WE SAY "IF YOU AREN'T SAFE STAYING THERE IS SHOULDN'T BE CALLED A SHELTER.
So we started a new page. HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOM MATE AT THE SHELTER.
It's in PAGES on our sidebar, and like our other PAGES is an ongoing project!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO BAY VIEW JOURNALIST CAROL HARVEY - WE'RE COMING BACK AND BACK TILL WE GET THIS THING!
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
FINANCIAL AID FOR HOMELESS COLLEGE STUDENTS ? ARE YOU A FOSTER OR HOMELESS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT?
WE FOUND THIS... It's From a California Community College
"SECTION III (to be completed by Certifying Official)
The student above may be eligible for financial aid as an independent student. When validation is complete, please
return the form to the San Diego Mesa College Financial Aid Office, 7250 Mesa College Drive, I4-107, San Diego (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE AND DOES NOT MEAN STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO TO OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES SEND ANY MAIL TO San Diego Mesa College...) CA 92111-4998. Please check only one option and sign below.
□ Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless (on or after July 1, 2012)
by a high school or high school district homeless liaison.
□ Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless (on or after July 1, 2012)
by the director/coordinator of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the
U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development.
□ Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or at risk of being
homeless (on or after July 1, 2012) by the director/coordinator of a runaway or homeless youth
basic center or transitional living program."
**********
We know that going to college when you aren't sure where you are going to sleep and study is a hardship. We know that some students are living in RV's or in tents in the woods and some campuses including UC SANTA CRUZ have parking areas designated "alternative living."
If you can make an appointment with a COUNSELOR on staff at a college to talk about FINANCIAL AID and HOUSING you may just have a chance... and maybe they have a dorm or other place where you can stay during breaks.... ASK. Be honest about your situation.
***********
CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE - NEWS TRIBUNE - ANNALIESE DAVIS : LEGISLATURE SEEKS TO TRACK DROPOUT RATE AMONG HOMELESS STUDENTS
The federal McKinney-Vento Act requires school districts across the country to identify homeless students within their district and provide them with the necessary support to complete their schooling. In Washington, the information is collected, but the dropout rates of homeless students are not tracked or reported.
"SECTION III (to be completed by Certifying Official)
The student above may be eligible for financial aid as an independent student. When validation is complete, please
return the form to the San Diego Mesa College Financial Aid Office, 7250 Mesa College Drive, I4-107, San Diego (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE AND DOES NOT MEAN STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO TO OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES SEND ANY MAIL TO San Diego Mesa College...) CA 92111-4998. Please check only one option and sign below.
□ Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless (on or after July 1, 2012)
by a high school or high school district homeless liaison.
□ Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless (on or after July 1, 2012)
by the director/coordinator of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the
U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development.
□ Student was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or at risk of being
homeless (on or after July 1, 2012) by the director/coordinator of a runaway or homeless youth
basic center or transitional living program."
**********
We know that going to college when you aren't sure where you are going to sleep and study is a hardship. We know that some students are living in RV's or in tents in the woods and some campuses including UC SANTA CRUZ have parking areas designated "alternative living."
If you can make an appointment with a COUNSELOR on staff at a college to talk about FINANCIAL AID and HOUSING you may just have a chance... and maybe they have a dorm or other place where you can stay during breaks.... ASK. Be honest about your situation.
***********
CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE - NEWS TRIBUNE - ANNALIESE DAVIS : LEGISLATURE SEEKS TO TRACK DROPOUT RATE AMONG HOMELESS STUDENTS
The federal McKinney-Vento Act requires school districts across the country to identify homeless students within their district and provide them with the necessary support to complete their schooling. In Washington, the information is collected, but the dropout rates of homeless students are not tracked or reported.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT HUFF POST ARTICLE BY KEVIN SHORT - LA VERSUS NEW YORK ON SHELTERING HOMELESS
HUFF POST - KEVIN SHORT - NY and LA DEAL WITH HOMELESS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAYS
EVERYONE CLICK ON THE LINK TO GET THE ARTICLE WITH THE AMAZING GRAPHS THAT SHOW WHAT A SHAME LOS ANGELES IS!
"But while most of New York's homeless population is sheltered, the same can't be said about Los Angeles....Patrick Markee, senior policy analyst at the Coalition for the Homeless, credits New York's low rate to the state's "strong tradition of shelter and legal protections for the homeless." ... "You can still die of hypothermia in Los Angeles," Markee added.
EVERYONE CLICK ON THE LINK TO GET THE ARTICLE WITH THE AMAZING GRAPHS THAT SHOW WHAT A SHAME LOS ANGELES IS!
"But while most of New York's homeless population is sheltered, the same can't be said about Los Angeles....Patrick Markee, senior policy analyst at the Coalition for the Homeless, credits New York's low rate to the state's "strong tradition of shelter and legal protections for the homeless." ... "You can still die of hypothermia in Los Angeles," Markee added.
Friday, April 4, 2014
SANTA ROSA - SONOMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS - HOMELESS PARKING - CAN ANYONE REPORT IN?
KTVU SANTA ROSA HOMELESS PARKING APPROVED - HELP HOMELESS full article
SOME EXCERPTS : The board approved a safe vehicle parking program that allows homeless people to sleep overnight in their cars in a parking lot at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa between Feb. 1 and April 30.
As many as 50 vehicles will be allowed on the site, and sleeping in vehicles is limited to between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Catholic Charities of the Santa Rosa Diocese will operate the program, provide security through a private company and provide a morning meal.
The 2013 homeless count identified 444 vehicles that were used by 837 people for habitation in the county.....
Homeless advocates who spoke at the meeting praised the board for what some called its quick "decriminalization of homelessness."
Larry Hall of Sebastopol told the board he collected 2,000 signatures to "decriminalize sleeping." He asked the board members to imagine waking up one morning without a home or job.
Hall said the vehicle safe parking program was a small beginning and a short-term solution but an important one.
"This is kind of a 'pinch me' moment," Carolyn Epple said regarding the initiatives for the homeless before the board.
"We have to rescind ordinances that criminalize poverty and shift the mindset," said Epple, a retired Sonoma State University professor.
Epple invited community members to bring food to those sleeping in their cars near the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
****
CAN ANYONE REPORT IN? WAS THE PROGRAM A SUCCESS? HAS IT OR WILL IT CONTINUE? WE HOPE SO!
SOME EXCERPTS : The board approved a safe vehicle parking program that allows homeless people to sleep overnight in their cars in a parking lot at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa between Feb. 1 and April 30.
As many as 50 vehicles will be allowed on the site, and sleeping in vehicles is limited to between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Catholic Charities of the Santa Rosa Diocese will operate the program, provide security through a private company and provide a morning meal.
The 2013 homeless count identified 444 vehicles that were used by 837 people for habitation in the county.....
Homeless advocates who spoke at the meeting praised the board for what some called its quick "decriminalization of homelessness."
Larry Hall of Sebastopol told the board he collected 2,000 signatures to "decriminalize sleeping." He asked the board members to imagine waking up one morning without a home or job.
Hall said the vehicle safe parking program was a small beginning and a short-term solution but an important one.
"This is kind of a 'pinch me' moment," Carolyn Epple said regarding the initiatives for the homeless before the board.
"We have to rescind ordinances that criminalize poverty and shift the mindset," said Epple, a retired Sonoma State University professor.
Epple invited community members to bring food to those sleeping in their cars near the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
****
CAN ANYONE REPORT IN? WAS THE PROGRAM A SUCCESS? HAS IT OR WILL IT CONTINUE? WE HOPE SO!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
"HOMELESS IN FORT WORTH" BLOG WELCOME TO EXPOSE HOMELESSNESS!
HOMELESS IN FORT WORTH Catherine Neal and Family
"... Even though my mom was a single parent, I grew up going to museums, plays and different events around Los Angeles, California. I mean how many people do you know have seen Yul Brynner star in The King and I at the Pantages Theater when they were in their pre-teens. I didn't have a privileged childhood but I did get introduced to a lot of culture and different forms of art.
So when I get to experience the culture and arts of Fort Worth, Texas, my spirit is raised. Life definitely is more enjoyable..."
"... Even though my mom was a single parent, I grew up going to museums, plays and different events around Los Angeles, California. I mean how many people do you know have seen Yul Brynner star in The King and I at the Pantages Theater when they were in their pre-teens. I didn't have a privileged childhood but I did get introduced to a lot of culture and different forms of art.
So when I get to experience the culture and arts of Fort Worth, Texas, my spirit is raised. Life definitely is more enjoyable..."
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
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