OUR "BLACK FRIDAY" PICKS - OPEN YOUR WALLET TO THESE CHARITIES NOW!

The haves will be out spending their money today - mostly buying Christmas presents - so we are giving you a list of charities that we recommend who help the have-nots.  This short list is based on what people are saying on the street, our own experiences, as well as a good look at the number of hits various posts have gotten over the last year.  We know that if a homeless person is in need they may use this blog to find services they might be able to access.

HERE IS OUR LIST OF NON PROFITS THAT WE THINK DESERVE A DONATION:

http://sanfernandovalleyrescuemission.org/index.php/en/  SHOWER TRUCKS - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RESCUE MISSION and rebuilding since fire.  Small family shelter.  Shower Trucks for anyone who can meet up with one.  We've met a number of people who depend on these showers to not just smell good but preserve their dignity while out among people.

http://mendpoverty.org/about-us/who-we-are/  M.E.N.D.  Meeting Each Need with Dignity.
Showers, clothes, hot meal, groceries, bus tokens on Tuesday AM for Homeless.  Takes no government funds.  Our experience is that they really do treat homeless with Dignity.

http://graceresources.org/LancasterCommunityShelter.asp  LANCASTER COMMUNITY SHELTER RUN BY GRACE RESOURCES.  Or other charities in the area that help the homeless.  The Antelope Valley has 12-13% of the homeless in Los Angeles County but only gets a small percentage of the funding from governmental agencies. Therefore Vice Mayor Crist this year started begging for funds.  If you're wondering where homeless people go when they don't want to go to skid row and have been "moved along" from various places in the county, it's north to the high desert, where you can freeze to death at night.

http://projecttouchonline.com/  PROJECT TOUCH TEMECULA  347 hits to our post in the last 12 months, we know that Riverside County homeless are looking for help through this organization. 

http://www.ascenciaca.org/  ASCENCIA
Since our original post in March 2012 on Ascencia, which separated from P.A.T.H and takes on Glendale, Burbank, North Hollywood, and Pasadena homeless, there have been over 1600 hits on Ascencia.  We think they are overburdened, do too much intake for the numbers of people they can help.  Donating may make those numbers more even.

AS ALWAYS READ "ASK THE SHELTER" which is on our PAGES part of the sidebar.  These are questions a person should ask who wants to go into a shelter, questions no intake person or management of a shelter should be shy about answering, and questions you as someone who wants to donate should ask have the answers to.

In some parts of the country the ONLY help homeless can receive is through religious organizations that may push a Biblical agenda, despite that person's religion of heritage or choice.

MAY WE SUGGEST THAT YOU "PAY IT FORWARD" by simply giving some money away, perhaps to someone you know or see around who is in need?  Be the secret elf who hands over an envelope of cash or a bag of your own gently worn clothes.  If you're shy about wanting a person to know the money is from you, hand it over saying someone else asked you to, and walk away.

T H A N K S!

THANKSGIVING

OUR BLACK FRIDAY PICKS FOR DONATIONS TO NONPROFITS WILL APPEAR TOMORROW

FIND THAT BUTTERFLY AMONG THE FALLEN LEAVES

Image from ButterflySparks

DID YOU USED TO DONATE TO HOMELESS ORGANIZATIONS BEFORE YOU BECAME HOMELESS?

We did!  We donated to downtown missions that wanted money for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals!  Then we became "the bums!"

ONE CHILD IN 30 IN AMERICA IS HOMELESS - TWO AND A HALF MILLION EASY

NBC NEWS ECONOMY : CHILDREN HOMELESS REPORT  So many families are living on the edge of poverty, that one little setback can push them into the abyss of homelessness... That's about 2.5 million kids, and an 8 percent increase to "an historic high," according to the study from the National Center on Family Homelesness. Just over half are younger than six years old.

“It is pretty alarming,” said center director Carmela DeCandia, who co-authored the report. “Poverty is really the driver,” she said. About 20 percent of American kids live below the poverty line, where even a small financial setback can have catastrophic consequences for a family.

 

check our other posts on NATIONAL CENTER ON FAMILY HOMELESS BY USING THE SEARCH FEATURE IN THIS GOOGLE BLOGGER

HOMELESS OF BOSTON BLOG ADDED TO OUR LIST

HOMELESS OF BOSTON BLOGSPOT 

Reportage on the situation in Boston where about 7000 are homeless tonight!

HOMELESS NEWSPAPERS DIRECTORY - WHERE TO BUY - HOW TO SELL - WRITING and POETRY NEEDED

From the linked site above, a list of HOMELESS OPERATED NEWSPAPERS in the UNITED STATES

Community Connection - Los Angeles, California  (Community Action Network)

Forgotten Voice - Las Vegas, Nevada  (The voice of homeless people in Nevada.)

Denver Voice - Denver, Colorado  (For Everyone who calls Denver Home)

Homeward Street Journal - Sacramento, California  SOLD ON THE STREET We welcome any participation or contributions: Articles, poems and other writing can be submitted at our office in Friendship Park (1321 North C Street, Sacramento), or mailed to Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee., P.O. Box 952, Sacramento, CA 95812, or emailed to Homeward2@yahoo.com.

Real Change - Seattle  VENDOR PROGRAM - Seeking Op Ed's

Spare Change News - Boston   Providing Thoughts and Stories "HOMELESS EMPOWERMENT"

Street Roots - Portland, Oregon  (For Those who Cannot Afford Free Speech)

Street Sense - Washington, DC  (Elevates Voices on Poverty Issues)

Street Speech - Columbus, Ohio  (Columbus Coalition for the Homeless)

Street Zine - Dallas, Texas  (The Stew Pot Serving Second Chances)

StreetWise - Chicago  (Empowering People To Work)

The Contributor - Nashville  (Genuine Opportunities for Advancement)


*******

Since posting our list in 2009 some publications have disappeared and some have gone online rather than be published on paper.  These links are fresh.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR SSI - SSDI - SS CHECK DO YOU USE FOR FOOD? DO YOU USE FOOD BANKS? WHICH ONE?

HOW MUCH OF YOUR SSI - SSDI - SS CHECK DO YOU USE FOR FOOD?  DO YOU USE FOOD BANKS?  WHICH ONE?

We're experimenting with the Ap on the side bar which tells us where some of those who are reading EXPOSE HOMELESSNESS are using computers.  Although so far we see that this Ap is not close to keeping up with the stats that Google Blogger gives us, we see that a great number of hits have been for our post about CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM, SNAP-EBT-FOODSTAMPS.

If you are on SSI -SSDI - or SS you do not get SNAP-EBT-FOODSTAMPS too.  That means that you have to use the money you have coming in for food.

We know of people who spend a lot of their week going on the bus from one food bank to another to get enough food free that they can eat and pay for a room for rent too.  Carrying the food in roll carts and suitcases on the bus is difficult.

KENYA, BULGARIA, IRELAND

VENEZUELA and LEBANON READ EXPOSE HOMELESSNESS!

FANCY STAINED GLASS WINDOW BUTTERFLY - COLORING PAGE FOR OUR HOMELESS CHILDREN (27)

FORT LAUDERDALE CRIMINALIZES CHRISTIANITY - 3 ARRESTED FOR FEEDING THE HOMELESS - SHAME ON FORT LAUDERDALE!

ABC 7 - 90 YEAR OLD CHARGED FOR FEEDING HOMELESS PEOPLE

EXCERPT:

Abbott and two pastors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were charged for feeding the homeless in public on Sunday, the city's first crackdowns under a new ordinance banning public food sharing, CNN affiliate WPLG reported.

Now they face possible jail time and a $500 fine, WPLG said.

Despite some criticism from homeless advocates, city officials have vowed the new rules will be enforced.

"Just because of media attention we don't stop enforcing the law. We enforce the laws here in Fort Lauderdale," Mayor Jack Seiler told WPLG.

He defended the law in an interview with the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.

"I'm not satisfied with having a cycle of homeless in the city of Fort Lauderdale," Seiler said. "Providing them with a meal and keeping them in that cycle on the street is not productive."

(HEY SEILER WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO SEND THESE PEOPLE?)

But Abbott, who has been helping feed homeless people in the area through his Love Thy Neighbor nonprofit since 1991, said authorities are targeting the city's most vulnerable residents.

"These are the poorest of the poor. They have nothing. They don't have a roof over their head," he said. "Who can turn them away?"

Recently, the city has also passed an ordinance limiting the storage of personal property in public, WPLG said. Then came the restrictions for food sharing.

"The city passed an ordinance requiring us to have a Porta-Potty. It's ridiculous. The whole thing was designed to rid Fort Lauderdale of its homeless," Abbott said. "Police told me anyone who touches a pan ... anyone who is involved, will be arrested."

It's a battle Abbott has fought before. In 1999 he sued the city for banning him from feeding homeless people on the beach -- and won, according to WPLG.

ANOTHER ARTICLE

ABC NEWS - 3 CHARGED WITH FEEDING HOMELESS IN FORT LAUDERDALE

EXCERPT:

Police arrested homeless advocate Arnold Abbot and ministers Dwayne Black and Mark Sims on Sunday as they handed out food to homeless people in a Fort Lauderdale park. The city ordinance took effect Friday...Black pastors The Sanctuary Church in Fort Lauderdale. Sims is pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Coral Springs.

CAN A HOMELESS PERSON BE THROWN OUT OF A SYNAGOG?

CHABAD ORG GIVES A GOOD JEWISH ANSWER  Web site and full article.


"The solution is quite simple: Provide Joe a place, either in the shul or elsewhere, to store his things. Find other ways that he can be helped without embarrassment.

When parents bring their children to shul, and the children ask what the Torah is talking about, what does the prophet mean, they can introduce their children to Joe. They can show how the shul helps him out, without embarrassing him, as a peer and a friend—because we are Jews, and this is what we were chosen to teach the world.

And when they ask, “Where is the most special place in our shul?” you can tell them: it is not the seat where the rabbi sits; it is not the bimah where the Torah is read; it is not even the aron that stores the Torah—even though the Torah is very holy and guides us in all our ways. The most special place in our shul is the little cubby we gave to Joe to store his things.

King David said in his Psalms, “Let the world sit before G‑d.” The Midrash tells that he was complaining to G‑d. “Why did You create inequality in the world?” he said. “Why did You make some poor and some rich, some wise and some dull, some joyful and some sad? Make a world in which all are equal!”

And G‑d replied with the second half of the verse: “Who, then, will guard kindness and truth?”

VETERANS DAY

VETNET - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS TO TRANSITION INTO CIVILIAN LIFE WITH JOBS

If you go to YOUTUBE and run the word search for "vetnet" you will find a number of informational videos.  This is the basic intro but there are many others.  We first heard of this VETERAN'S OPPORTUNITY reading Los Angeles magazine.  The purpose is to help recent veterans transition back to civilian life.

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY OUTLINES THE ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING PROGRAM THAT DIVERTS MENTALLY ILL HOMELESS FROM JAIL

VCSTAR - LOS ANGELES TO DIVERT MENTALLY ILL HOMELESS FROM JAIL full article

"That cycle so familiar to many Californians with mental illnesses may soon be interrupted thanks to the new Third District Diversion and Alternative Sentencing Program in Los Angeles County.
Designed for adults who are chronically homeless, seriously mentally ill, and who commit specific misdemeanor and low-level felony crimes, the demonstration project could help reduce recidivism by as much as two-thirds, Third District Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said..."Clearly, treating mental illness in jail does not produce the best results," Yaroslavsky said. "At present we put offenders into the mental health unit of the jail -- it's the largest mental health facility in the state. We provide mental health treatment and custodial care for approximately 3,500 people each day."


"The program will divert adults from the traditional fines, probation and incarceration typically imposed, and instead place them on a path to secure permanent, supportive housing and treatment, the MOU says.

Up to 50 adults -- including as many as 20 U.S. military veterans -- who elect to participate in the program will be released to San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center. The diversion program provides bridge and permanent supportive housing, health and mental health care, group and individual treatment and support, and employment and vocational services, said Yaroslavsky.

Misdemeanor offenders will receive a post-filing of criminal charges option and the pre-plea diversion program. Once they've completed the 90-day program, they can continue to earn permanent, supportive housing, as well as have charges against them dismissed. For felons who successfully complete the program, the court will consider whether to terminate probation early and or dismiss the case. The program for felons runs at least 18 months, and begins with a court order of 36 months of formal probation..."

STREET QUESTION - WHY AREN'T YOU IN A SHELTER?

We asked some homeless people WHY AREN"T YOU IN A SHELTER?

Here is what they said.

A, 50's, female, home base Northern California
"Shelters overall have a bad reputation.  I'm OK in my van."

B. 30's, male.
"I don't want some case manager ruling my life or minding my personal business."

C. 20's male.
"I like the people in my caravan.  We watch out for each other.  We're all good people.  I don't want to deal with criminals in shelters."

D. 50's male.  Ex heroin addict.
"A shelter kicked me out.  They didn't get me housing.  The same day they took in another guy and gave him my bed.  They're all scammers.  I'll never go to another one.  I'll make it."

E. 20's female.  Foster Child.
"I've been on a wait list for months.  I'll try it if they call me."

F. 50's female. home base,  Valley Village, California.
"I'm Jewish.  I'm not into all that Christian prayer and bible preaching.  I go to a Jewish food bank and I reach out for Jewish social services.  I just want to be me."

THANKS TO YOU WHO WERE WILLING TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA HEAD START/STATE PRESCHOOL and SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN INC FREE MEALS

CALL 818 980 2287 FOR MORE Information  VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

To enroll a child into a HEAD START/ STATE PRESCHOOL, several which are in North Hollywood, Sun Valley, and Tujunga areas of the San Fernando

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA - NATIONAL LINK  extensive links to programs in many states including Veterans Programs

HAVE YOU BEEN THROWN OUT OF A SHELTER BECAUSE YOU HAD OR NEED SURGERY?

We have heard about people being told that they have to leave a shelter if they need surgery, such as having a knee or ankle or shoulder or elbow fixed.  We can understand that if you have surgery that requires a nursing home like some back surgeries, but if the hospital is doing surgery on you and sending you "home" the same day or in a few days, why not back to the shelter?

We've met people who refused surgery they needed, hoping to get housing first, and the delay made it all worse.  One woman was told that her shoulder will never be the same again.  One man we know was told by the director of a local shelter he was not supposed to be using the shelter as a rehab.  Mostly what we hear is that some people get to stay and others don't/

SO HAVE YOU BEEN THROWN OUT OF A SHELTER BECAUSE YOU HAD OR NEED SURGERY?