GILROY, SUNNYVALE, and SAN JOSE COLD WEATHER SHELTERS OPEN

HOMEFIRST COLD WEATHER SHELTERS 2015-2016

The Cold Weather Shelters will be open November 30, 2015 through March 31, 2016.
From the Monday after Thanksgiving through the end of March, we open two additional sites and continue year-round operation of the Boccardo Reception Center (BRC) shelter with additional beds. These seasonal nightly shelters serve as a refuge from harsh winter weather conditions for homeless men, women, and families. The program is funded by the County of Santa Clara.

Locations

Boccardo Reception Center (BRC)
2011 Little Orchard
San Jose, 95125
Near “The Plant” shopping center
(408) 510-7502

Adults only. Space limited to 50 with additional capacity for inclement weather as authorized by the County of Santa Clara. Clients must be onsite by 3:30 p.m. to join the lottery for bed assignments, and the shelter opens at 4:00 p.m. Meals served daily.

Gilroy National Guard Armory
8490 Wren Avenue Gilroy, 95020
Near Las Animas Park
(408) 712-0453

Adults and families served. Space limited to 100-130 as authorized by the National Guard and County of Santa Clara. Clients must be onsite by 6:00 p.m. for intake. Meals served daily. Note: There are some offsite nights each month due to Guard exercises.

Sunnyvale - Onizuka Air Force Base  (Please note comment below... our information came from the HOMEFIRST COLD WEATHER SHELTERS SITE.)
1100 Innovation Way
Sunnyvale

WHY DOGS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR THE HOMELESS - COMPANIONSHIP - SAFETY - CONSISTANCY - MENTAL and EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Although some homeless in vehicles keep cats, it's dogs who make the best companion animals for the homeless, because they are so responsive and  loyal.



A DOG AS A COMPANION IS A CONSISTANCY

This is especially true it a person had the dog BEFORE they became homeless.
We've met people who are homeless because of their pet or pets.  They can't find another place to live that will take them and the pet or pets so they prefer their van or RV.  This may seem ridiculous to some people, but not when you face the fact that if you give your pets up at a shelter they might be facing death.  Older cats and dogs especially. (In LA County about 40 % of cats turned into county shelters are put to death.) You made a commitment to them, love them, and will not put them to death.

Then you may have to keep moving or not know exactly where you're going to sleep.
BUT YOU DO KNOW WHO WILL BE RIGHT THERE BESIDE YOU - your DOG.
Some of the dogs are great as watch dogs and protectors.  Maybe they wouldn't bite someone attacking you, but they might give them pause, or wake you up so you know someone is coming.

SO SAFETY FIGURES INTO WHY A HOMELESS PERSON WANTS A DOG BESIDE THEM.

COMPANION and SERVICE ANIMALS that you want to take into libraries and other places usually have to be ID'd as such.  It's pretty easy to get the paperwork from a doctor if you have been diagnosed as mentally ill, or in need of emotional support.  The animal should be able to stay by your side quietly for as long as you're on a computer or reading in a corner or keep them right beside you in the store.  Some people do have the letter from their doctor for their dog to be ID'd as a companion or service animal but can't afford the ID, Vest, or other paperwork.  THE DOG'S FUNCTION CAN BE ANYTHING FROM ALERTING YOU TO AN EPILEPTIC ATTACK, REMINDING YOU TO TAKE A MEDICINE, or KEEPING YOU CALM.

PEOPLE WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS such as veterans can benefit from having a calm and loving protector by their side. 

FINALLY,  HOMELESSNESS can BE LONELY.  A homeless person may not have family, may have been abused by or abandoned by family, have experienced the death of their spouse and be in mourning, or suffering from the loss of their home and possessions.  They may not be getting love or be able to give love to anyone right now.  Their dog is always ready, willing, and able to be loved and most of us think - give love in return.

LOOK AT ME : DON HALL - NEW SONG WRITTEN AFTER AN ENCOUNTER WITH A HOMELESS MAN

Look at Me written by Don Hall and Pam Hall Bradford, Performed by Don Hall

Beautiful new song written after an encounter with a homeless man.


THANK YOU DON AND PAM!

THANKSGIVING

FLOCKING TO A FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER?
IF YOU'RE HOMELESS, THIS DAY IS THE DAY YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE A HOT MEAL.

DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER - HOMELESS WOMEN's RESOURCE - DOWNTOWN WOMAN'S ACTION COALITION

DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER

442 S San Pedro St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 680-0600

 

FROM THE SITE:

Homelessness increased 12% in LA County in the past three years, from 39,461 to 44,359 individuals. While the numbers reveal a concerning state of affairs for our City, they serve as a call to action to prioritize affordable and permanent supportive housing as the solution to end homelessness.  ... While median rents in our state have increased over 20% from 2000 to 2012, the median income dropped by 8% and California still has a shortfall of over 1.5 million affordable rental homes. ... At the federal level, DWC supports full funding for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants and Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program.

At the state level, DWC supports state legislation that preserves and rehabilitates existing affordable housing stock and the establishment of a permanent funding source for affordable housing.

At the local level, DWC supports County and City efforts to end homelessness through increasing affordable housing for all homeless individuals including veterans and people on probation or parole, streamlining systems, and grassroots advocacy efforts led by the Downtown Women’s Action Coalition

ASCENCIA NEW LOCATION FOR 80 BED WINTER SHELTER FOR SINGLES -OPEN NOW THROUGH END OF MARCH 2016

ASCENCIA WINTER SHELTER PROGRAM
NEW LOCATION OF SHELTER (note that this is not the same address as the program)
1219 Los Angeles Street, GLENDALE, CA  91204

Homeless Single Adults (18 years old and up).  80 Beds.  If you are person 81 in line you will be referred elsewhere.  First Come First sere.  Arrive at the address above between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM - important - no early line ups/loitering.

If you are working and cannot arrive that early, please call first

(818) 246-7900 extension 100

BURBANK CLIENTS CAN RECIEVE BUS TOKENS AND OTHER INFORMATION THROUGH

BURBANK TEMPORARY AID CENTER
1304 West Burbank Blvd.

(818) 848-2822 extension 104

Actual address of
ASCENCIA ACCESS CENTER
(i.e. intake and interviews for program other than first come first serve shelter above.)
1851 TYBURN STREET
GLENDALE, CA  91204
(818) 246-7900

(They can use volunteers and food donations.)

OPEN YOUR WALLET TO THESE HOMELESS and POVERTY ACTIVISTS INSTEAD OF SPENDING IT ALL ON BLACK FRIDAY! OUR 2015 PICKS

OUR EMPHASIS THIS YEAR IS ON SMALL GROUPS or ORGANIZATIONS WITH "ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES" TYPE MANAGEMENT and VOLUNTEERS who personally interact with the homeless and poor or organizations whose work benefits thousands - but through smaller settings. 

MY FRIEND'S PLACE - Hollywood Homeless Teens (Many coming in from other parts of the Country)
MY FRIENDS PLACE  100% privately funded

"In 1988, Steve LePore and Craig Scholz initiated a volunteer-led, mobile meal program to distribute sack lunches to the homeless youth in the Hollywood community. Soon the volunteers built trust with the young people and realized that youth are driven to the streets by abuse, abandonment and neglect by families and caregivers. The needs and challenges of homeless youth go well beyond the critical condition of hunger.

Two years later, the volunteer group first opened the doors of a facility they called My Friend’s Place where they began to offer social services and creative opportunities in addition to basic needs . Today, My Friend’s Place is a thriving, professionally staffed drop-in Resource Center serving more than 1,400 homeless youth ages 12 to 25 and their children each year. Our primary goal is to lower traditional barriers to service and provide homeless youth with the opportunity to improve their psychological, intellectual and physical capacity to reach their potential...."

*****

Curt's Kitchen serving the poor hot meals in San Pedro

137 N. Pacific Avenue , San Pedro, California.
(between First Street and Santa Cruz)
If you'd like to volunteer or donate contact
Helen Grove at 310.831.3480   San Pedro Catholic Worker lay ministry group
INFORMATION LINK for CURTS KITCHEN
HOLY TRINITY PARISH LINK  (source of outreach workers)

BE SURE YOUR DONATIONS ARE MARKED FOR CURTS KITCHEN.  San Pedro has become a very expensive area to live in, situated next to the Palos Verdes peninsula.  Many of the low income residents are people who have lived in the area since before it became so expensive.

*****

Angel Hanz for the Homeless (and their Pets) serving in North Hollywood at the park near the library.

ANGEL HANZ FOR THE HOMELESS

Angel Hanz for the Homeless assists the homeless with keeping their animals out of the killing shelters by supplying the animals with comfort and care, including medical, while they are on the streets. This non profit has the potential to expand services but is in need of volunteers and donations.  This group has an increasingly vegan point of view.

The group recently provided FREE RABIES SHOTS FOR CATS and DOGS by a vet!  Angel Hanz has deep empathy from personal experience.

"We always appreciate additional VOLUNTEERS!"
Call 818.358.3663 if you would like to help or if you would like more information.

You can donate via PayPal
or by mail: ANGEL HANZ FOR THE HOMELESS, INC. P.O. BOX 10716, Burbank, CA 91510

***** 

LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK (the source for 680 other sites for distributions.)
LA FOOD BANK - STATS and links to how to donate

One in SIX people in LA experience HUNGER.  1.7 MILLION

The bank has 680 distribution sites/agencies.

 

97Cents of every dollar you donate actually used for services including food in the parks and food for seniors on fixed incomes. 

 

 

  

*****

ANY ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SHOWERS FOR THE HOMELESS

BOY GEORGE - POVERTY

POVERTY AINT WORTH BEGGING FOR

LOS ANGELES MISSION GEARS UP FOR THANKSGIVING MEAL - CELEBRITIES SURE TO HELP SERVE 3000 - 4000 MEALS

LOS ANGELES MISSION - THANKSGIVING AND SERVICES



IF A HOMELESS PERSON CAN'T GET A MEAL ON THANKSGIVING ...

Let us remind you that there are hungry people in need of a hot meal 365 days a year.

UNCONSCIOUS MAYORS OF BALTIMORE, PITTSBURGH, and 100 OTHER CITIES PRIORITIZE REFUGEES OVER CITIZEN HOMELESS!

We're irate when we hear about Mayors in 100 cities including Baltimore and Pittsburgh welcoming refugees - for whom there will be PUBLIC FUNDING when THERE ARE SO MANY HOMELESS IN THESE PLACES, not to mention CHILDREN WHO GO HUNGRY.  These cities have major depressed areas, impoverished areas.  They have homeless people living under bridges.

THEY DO NOT SERVE OR SUPPORT THE AMERICAN MADE REFUGEES called HOMELESS.

What the hell is WRONG with these people?

CHRISTIAN TODAY - MUSLIM IMIGRANTS INVITED DESPITE TERRORISM RISKS

Further in California we are already dealing with illegal immigrants using SOCIAL SERVICES and PUBLIC funding for housing, food, education, and health care.

It's not that we don't know this is a nation of immigrants.  It's not that we don't think some of these people have something to offer.  It's that OUR COUNTRY CANNOT AFFORD it.

So long as the United States welcomes in refugees and illegal immigrants, AMERICAN CITIZEN HOMELESS SHOULD FEEL NO SHAME AT ALL ABOUT BEING ON BENEFITS.

STAR STUDDED TASTELESS HOMELESS THEMED BRONX PARTY FEATURED TRASH CAN FIRES and BULLET HOLED CARS

DAILY MAIL UK - WATERFRONT CONDOS PARTY TASTELESSLY FEATURES HOMELESS THEME  - see pics!

"The venue is just down the road from Mitchel Houses, one the largest housing projects in New York City.  

 

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito tweeted on Saturday: 'Lack of empathy and basic awareness are signs of an ailing society. Who thought "Bronx is Burning" theme a good idea?'

 

'Trivializing legit community concerns not welcome. Neither are attempts to erase neighborhood's culture & history,' she added."  (EXCERPT from full article linked above.)   Attending were Carmelo Anthony, Naomi Campbell, Adrian Brody, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner....  The party was backed by real estate firms Somerset Partners and The Chetrit Group.

 

7th ANNIVERSARY OF THIS BLOG - EXPOSEHOMELESSNESS.BLOGSPOT.COM - INCREDIBLE

 

CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING LIST OF

 OTHER HOMELESS and POVERTY ACTIVIST BLOGGERS

ON OUR SIDEBAR!

RINGO STARR - POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE

VETERANS DAY 2015

USE THE GOOGLE BLOGGER SEARCH FEATURE EMBEDDED IN THIS BLOG TO PULL UP POSTS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS SERVICES, PROGRAMS, and NEWS

NATIONAL COALITION FOR HOMELESS VETERANS and OTHER HOMELESS VET LINKS HERE!

NATIONAL COALITION HOMELESS VETS

VA GOV HOMELESS VETS START PAGE

NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS - VETS

VETERANS CRISIS LINE

50,000 HOMELESS VETERANS EACH YEAR - LA HIGHEST POPULATION - SAN DIEGO SECOND

PUBLIC CEO on SAN DIEGO HOMELESS VETS full article

EXCERPT:

San Diego has the second-highest number of homeless veterans in the state, yet it barely secured any money from a new state program that doles out funds for new veteran housing projects.

California launched its Veterans Homeless and Housing program this year, making $75 million available to private developments that would build new homes for low-income and homeless veterans.  San Diego was meant to get about $5 million of that money, based on the size of its homeless population.

But just one project in the county applied for the state funds, securing just under $1 million – the  smallest of all grants awarded. Los Angeles, meanwhile, brought in $25 million for eight veteran housing projects.

The rest of the money meant for San Diego projects was left up for grabs for other projects in the state.

LAMP COMMUNITY for SERIOUSLY ILL HOMELESS - 30 YEARS in BUSINESS - HOUSING FIRST?

LAMP COMMUNITY - program for mentally ill homeless

"What sets Lamp Community apart from other service providers in Los Angeles and Skid Row is its expertise in outreaching to those who have the most complex, high-barrier conditions contributing to their homelessness, including untreated, severe and persistent mental illness and physical disabilities including chronic disease. Without intervention, members of our target population can end up on the streets again and again and cycle through institutions, shelters or jails for years.  ...  Our programs are based on the “Housing First” model, which Lamp helped pioneer more than two decades ago and that is recognized as a best practice by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Services are provided within a high-tolerance, harm reduction framework, meaning there are no preconditions such as sobriety, religious participation or income. This allows us to house the most vulnerable – those who have been shut out of other programs and left to fend for themselves on the streets. Clients receive stable housing and are surrounded by services essential to maintain it, treat mental and physical illnesses and achieve self-sufficiency on their own terms. Lamp is one of only a few agencies that houses the chronically homeless and 95% of Lamp clients remain in their housing long-term..."

***********************

If you are in need of help or want to make a referral, please call the main line.  INTAKES are conducted in person at the FRANK RICE ACCESS CENTER, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 11 am.  Walk ins are welcome.  A formal intake is not required to use the ACCESS CENTER.  Homeless can use the restroom, take a shower, or meet others.  The ACCESS CENTER is open seven days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM.  SHOWER EVEN IF YOU DO NOT DO INTAKE.

Center is located at 627 San Julian Street (between 6th and 7th streets) LA CA  90014

PHONE  213-488-9559

BEACH BOYS - DON'T WORRY BABY

2015-2016 WINTER SHELTERS WEINGART CENTER and WEST LOS ANGELES ARMORY - Also WINTER SHELTER HOTLINE

LAHSA WINTER SHELTER PROGRAM PDF FILE

Winter Shelter Hotline
Remember that ARMORYS CAN BE CLOSED FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS OR PRACTICE and on those dates YOU MAY NOT HAVE SHELTER THERE ON THOSE NIGHTS.

GOOD NIGHT TO FIND A 24 HOUR COFFEE SHOP!

GO TO THE PDF FILE TO FIND SOUTH LA SHELTERS - We know that not everyone can download PDF on their cell phones so...
Phone: 1-800-548-6047
TDD: 1-800-660-4026

WEINGART CENTER
Planning area 4
36 Bed Program
566 South San Pedro Street (downtown LA)
(213) 833-5020
walk in shelter.  arrive between 8 am and 2 Pm to sign up for that evening.

WEST LOS ANGELES ARMORY - 150 BEDS
(Planning area 5)
1177 West 25th Street, Los Angeles

(323) 758-4670

November 1 2015- March 31 2016
Pick up at the VENICE BEACH BOARDWALK at Market Street and Ocean Front Walk
at 5 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:15 PM
 

********************************************************************

2015-2016 LAHSA WINTER SHELTER PROGRAM LOCATIONS NOW OPEN : LANCASTER and CITY OF BELL POMONA - PICK UP LOCATIONS

Opened on October 15th. 

We're looking for other locations but you can always call the winter shelter HOTLINE number below. 

If its cold or raining, please get inside!   Don't catch a virus, allergies, fever, pneumonia... There's still something called THE WINDCHILL FACTOR here is Southern California, which means that it can feel MUCH COLDER due to the wind than the temperature on the thermostat.  CALL AHEAD IF YOU WANT TO DRIVE YOUR OWN VEHICLE IN.  Remember these shelters are for ALL HOMELESS, even those living in RV's, Vans, and cars.

If you are NEW to being HOMELESS, even if you're in a vehicle, a cold weather shelter is an option for you, for warmth, for safety, for showers and food, and possible links to other social services that may help you.    You will probably be on army cots, not " beds."  OUR ADVICE TO YOU IS THAT WHILE AT A COLD WEATHER SHELTER NIGHTS you use your days TO APPLY TO ALL PERMANENT HOUSING PROGRAMS POSSIBLE.  Get on wait lists rather than get used to the street.




WINTER SHELTER HOT LINE  1-800-548-6047

TDD 1 - 800-660-4026  (Deaf and hearing disabled line.)

CITY OF LANCASTER - GRACE RESOURCES   35 BEDS  (in our opinion way too few!)
(Antelope Valley Planning Area)
44611 Yucca Avenue, Lancaster, CA
Open this year through March 31, 2016

(661) 945-7524

Pick up locations:  Corner of K8 and Gingham Ave  at 2:40 PM in the afternoon.

and

Grace Resource Center
45134 North Sierra Highway, Lancaster - COURTYARD is meeting place at 2:50 PM in the afternoon.


POMONA ARMORY - 100 BED PROGRAM
(San Gabriel Valley Planning Area)
Volunteers of America - Los Angeles
600 South Park Avenue
Pomona, CA  91767
Open this year through March 31, 2016

(909) 524-9799

OPERATING AS A WALK IN SHELTER.  You're encouraged to take the public bus.  If you need special assistance getting there, please call ahead.


BELL SHELTER - 79 BED PROGRAM
(East LA Planning Area)
Salvation Army
5600 Rickenbacker Road,
City of Bell, CA  90040

(323) 263-1206

Operating until March 15, 2015

Pick up locations:

Salvation Army Southeast Corps
29665 E. Gage Ave, Huntington Park, CA   at 3:30 PM in the afternoon

and

Salvation Army East Los Angeles Temple Corps
140 Eastman Ave.  East Los Angeles, CA  at 4:00 PM in the afternoon

and

Veterans Center
Corner of Olympic and Goodrich, East LA  at 4:45 PM