Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
MENTAL HEALTH and the FAILURES OF LA COUNTY'S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM : HAYLEY FOX
JEWISH JOURNAL : LOVE and HEARTACHE by HAYLEY FOX - PSYCHIATRIC CARE - LA's MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM
EXCERPTS: According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, L.A. is home to nearly 9,000 homeless people with mental illnesses. In L.A. County jails, there were more than 4,000 inmates with mental illness as of May 2016, the Los Angeles Times reported last month. Without access to proper treatment, housing or legal guidance, it’s all too easy for people to fall between the cracks or simply get lost amid the bureaucracy. In fact, Laurie himself was a casualty of this overloaded system, and without his brother’s diligence, he would have ended up standing trial instead of being recognized by the court as mentally ill and being placed under a conservatorship.
...
Greg Spiegel is the director of strategic initiatives at the Inner City Law Center on Skid Row. For more than 35 years, this nonprofit law firm has been helping protect low-income families from eviction, developing strategies to end homelessness and placing veterans, the homeless and the disabled into secure, affordable housing.
“Over the last 10, 15, 20 years, we’ve learned that the way to end somebody’s homelessness is housing first,” Spiegel told the Journal in an interview.
It’s difficult for people to get clean or consistently take medication while living on the street, Spiegel said, so for individuals like Laurie Ritz with a serious mental illness, and/or those with drug addiction, the best first step on the road to recovery is permanent supportive housing. Such stable, long-term accommodations include built-in support systems that many homeless need, including doctors and counselors.
...Given L.A.’s housing shortage and lack of other stabilizing resources, many individuals with mental illnesses end up in L.A. County’s Twin Towers Correctional Facility, making it one of the largest mental health facilities in the United States. In just the past few years, Laurie has been sent to the decrepit downtown L.A. jail on multiple occasions, for up to six months. Much of this time was spent waiting for a judge to decide whether he was competent to stand trial.
“Each time is one too many,” said Laurie, who agreed to share his story with the Journal in an effort to help others avoid his same fate. “It’s not the kind of place anyone wants to go to, and certainly not go back to again.”
L.A. County’s inadequate treatment of its mentally ill inmates has been widely criticized by mental health advocates and the federal government alike. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice, which had been monitoring conditions within the jails for more than a decade, concluded “serious deficiencies” remain in the mental health care system. These are made worse by “inadequate supervision and deplorable environmental conditions,” such as insufficient cleaning of “feces-smeared cells,” depriving inmates of their constitutional right to mental health care.
EXCERPTS: According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, L.A. is home to nearly 9,000 homeless people with mental illnesses. In L.A. County jails, there were more than 4,000 inmates with mental illness as of May 2016, the Los Angeles Times reported last month. Without access to proper treatment, housing or legal guidance, it’s all too easy for people to fall between the cracks or simply get lost amid the bureaucracy. In fact, Laurie himself was a casualty of this overloaded system, and without his brother’s diligence, he would have ended up standing trial instead of being recognized by the court as mentally ill and being placed under a conservatorship.
...
Greg Spiegel is the director of strategic initiatives at the Inner City Law Center on Skid Row. For more than 35 years, this nonprofit law firm has been helping protect low-income families from eviction, developing strategies to end homelessness and placing veterans, the homeless and the disabled into secure, affordable housing.
“Over the last 10, 15, 20 years, we’ve learned that the way to end somebody’s homelessness is housing first,” Spiegel told the Journal in an interview.
It’s difficult for people to get clean or consistently take medication while living on the street, Spiegel said, so for individuals like Laurie Ritz with a serious mental illness, and/or those with drug addiction, the best first step on the road to recovery is permanent supportive housing. Such stable, long-term accommodations include built-in support systems that many homeless need, including doctors and counselors.
...Given L.A.’s housing shortage and lack of other stabilizing resources, many individuals with mental illnesses end up in L.A. County’s Twin Towers Correctional Facility, making it one of the largest mental health facilities in the United States. In just the past few years, Laurie has been sent to the decrepit downtown L.A. jail on multiple occasions, for up to six months. Much of this time was spent waiting for a judge to decide whether he was competent to stand trial.
“Each time is one too many,” said Laurie, who agreed to share his story with the Journal in an effort to help others avoid his same fate. “It’s not the kind of place anyone wants to go to, and certainly not go back to again.”
L.A. County’s inadequate treatment of its mentally ill inmates has been widely criticized by mental health advocates and the federal government alike. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice, which had been monitoring conditions within the jails for more than a decade, concluded “serious deficiencies” remain in the mental health care system. These are made worse by “inadequate supervision and deplorable environmental conditions,” such as insufficient cleaning of “feces-smeared cells,” depriving inmates of their constitutional right to mental health care.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
ILLEGAL HOMELESSNESS - CITIES TARGETING HOMELESS ON THE RISE "EVERYONE WANTS TO MOVE THE HOMELESS BUT THEY HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE DON'T THEY"
300 BEDS IN BOISE - 2000 HOMELESS
A growing number of American cities are ticketing or arresting homeless people for essentially being homeless. The new laws ban behavior commonly associated with homelessness like reclining in public, sharing food or sitting on a sidewalk.
Supporters argue these measures are necessary to push homeless people into the shelter system and maintain public safety. Critics say the laws violate the rights of homeless people and ignore the more complicated drivers of homelessness like mental illness.
We found homeless people camping in the woods to escape police harassment, a homelessness consultant opposed to feeding homeless people and a city that uses solitary confinement to force homeless people into shelters.
VICE News began its investigation in Boise, ID, where a group of homeless people have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of these laws. Their case could change the way homeless people are treated across the country.
Read "New York Cops Are Now Shaming Homeless People On Social Media" - http://bit.ly/1PKH6qX
Read "San Francisco Mayor Vows to Remove City's Homeless by Super Bowl Weekend" - http://bit.ly/1Mi30iZ
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
ARE YOU UNEMPLOYED BECAUSE YOU REFUSED TO DO SOMETHING ILLEGAL? QUESTION FOR HOMELESS
We know someone who quit his job because he knew that the place he was working for was lying to customers and overcharging them.
We know someone who quit her job because she couldn't deal with the sexual harassment going on all around her.
These people are homeless now.
Did you quit or get fired because you were expected to do something illegal or because you were a whistleblower?
We know someone who quit her job because she couldn't deal with the sexual harassment going on all around her.
These people are homeless now.
Did you quit or get fired because you were expected to do something illegal or because you were a whistleblower?
Sunday, August 21, 2016
OLYMPIAN DEBI THOMAS LIVING IN BED BUG INFESTED TRAILOR - YOU WANT TO TELL THE INTERVIEWER TO JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!
HUFFPOST : DEBI THOMAS OLYMPIC ATHLETE LIVING IN BED BUG INFESTED TRAILER This interviewer tries to heap shame on Debi for living in a trailer. Well, some of us would LOVE to move up in the world into a trailer or are living in bed bug infested SHELTERS or HOUSING PROJECTS! And some of us would love to have a partner who loves us, even if they have no money. SO SHUT UP ALREADY!
EXCERPT:
In between the Olympics and the World Championships, Thomas got married, but says the relationship crumbled after just three years because her husband felt lost in the midst of her popularity. As with her professional stumbles at the Winter Games, Thomas considered this personal stumble to be a failure. Then, more failures: As a physician, Thomas says her high expectations led her to go head-to-head with colleagues, and she was let go from two jobs. Though she had never really wanted to open up her own practice, she did. That’s when another divorce led Thomas to lose her nest egg, she says, and she soon had to close her private practice after two years.
Thomas is currently broke, jobless, twice-divorced and living in a bug-infested mobile home in a trailer park with her fiancé and his two sons. She even lost custody of her own 13-year-old boy, and her fiancé struggles to control both his alcohol use and his anger.
EXCERPT:
In between the Olympics and the World Championships, Thomas got married, but says the relationship crumbled after just three years because her husband felt lost in the midst of her popularity. As with her professional stumbles at the Winter Games, Thomas considered this personal stumble to be a failure. Then, more failures: As a physician, Thomas says her high expectations led her to go head-to-head with colleagues, and she was let go from two jobs. Though she had never really wanted to open up her own practice, she did. That’s when another divorce led Thomas to lose her nest egg, she says, and she soon had to close her private practice after two years.
Thomas is currently broke, jobless, twice-divorced and living in a bug-infested mobile home in a trailer park with her fiancé and his two sons. She even lost custody of her own 13-year-old boy, and her fiancé struggles to control both his alcohol use and his anger.
Friday, August 19, 2016
ZUMA DOGG SPEAKS OUT ABOUT LOS ANGELES BEING COMMITTED TO MILLION DOLLAR CONDOS...
A mellower advocate in 2016... People arriving for the summer at Venice, close to the Board Walk.... Streets Overflowing...with encampments... Desperate people living on the street. Big 2 billion dollar plan to end homelessness.
NOTHINGS GOING TO HAPPEN
SINCE at least 2007 ZUMA DOGG has been at it... CITY COUNCIL has heard him speak.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
TRAFFIC TICKETS UNAFFORDABLE - LEADS TO HOMELESSNESS - LAWSUIT and OUR OPINION
SPCR.ORG LAWSUIT CHALLENGES UNAFFORDABLE TRAFFIC TICKETS
EXCERPT:
The lawsuit argues that under California law, the court is only authorized to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles about a license suspension if a driver's failure to pay is willful. The court must offer a hearing to those ticketed to explain their financial circumstances, the suit claims, and those unable to pay should not have their licenses suspended.
The legal challenge comes amidst a growing movement to reform the traffic ticket system nationwide. Last year, California instituted a ticket amnesty program to allow those with unpaid tickets issued before 2013 to pay them off at a discount and have their licenses reinstated.
A recent report from the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area and other legal advocacy groups stated 4.2 million Californians had their licenses suspended over the last eight years due to unpaid tickets, resulting in a $10 billion backlog in ticket fees.
*****
WE KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH UNAFFORDABLE TRAFFIC TICKETS.
Now some people ask to do community service rather than pay and that turns out well.
However, those of you reading this who are not familiar with the problem for homeless people, and those on SSI, SSDI, or working low wage jobs, is that ONE UNPAID PARKING TICKET NOT ONLY BECOMES MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE, but when the police are doing background checks (just because they can) and they find UNPAID PARKING TICKETS, or FAILURES TO TURN UP IN COURT, it can mean that the vehicle someone is living is taken away from them, and then they are ON THE STREET.
So yes, we do need reform. We do need consideration for a person's finances.
EXCERPT:
The lawsuit argues that under California law, the court is only authorized to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles about a license suspension if a driver's failure to pay is willful. The court must offer a hearing to those ticketed to explain their financial circumstances, the suit claims, and those unable to pay should not have their licenses suspended.
The legal challenge comes amidst a growing movement to reform the traffic ticket system nationwide. Last year, California instituted a ticket amnesty program to allow those with unpaid tickets issued before 2013 to pay them off at a discount and have their licenses reinstated.
A recent report from the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area and other legal advocacy groups stated 4.2 million Californians had their licenses suspended over the last eight years due to unpaid tickets, resulting in a $10 billion backlog in ticket fees.
*****
WE KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH UNAFFORDABLE TRAFFIC TICKETS.
Now some people ask to do community service rather than pay and that turns out well.
However, those of you reading this who are not familiar with the problem for homeless people, and those on SSI, SSDI, or working low wage jobs, is that ONE UNPAID PARKING TICKET NOT ONLY BECOMES MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE, but when the police are doing background checks (just because they can) and they find UNPAID PARKING TICKETS, or FAILURES TO TURN UP IN COURT, it can mean that the vehicle someone is living is taken away from them, and then they are ON THE STREET.
So yes, we do need reform. We do need consideration for a person's finances.
Monday, August 15, 2016
SLAVES IN TODAY'S WORLD - HOMELESSNESS or DESPERATION FOR HOUSING IS THE START : CNN FREEDOM PROJECT
Rafael Romo, Senior Latin American Affairs Editor
CNN - ZUNDURI endured FIVE YEARS OF VIOLENT SLAVERY
CNN WORLD FREEDOM PROJECT - END SLAVERY NOW
LINK TO REPORT US and MEXICO TRAFFICKING! CNN WORLD FREEDOM PROJECT REPORT - TIP - SAVE SOMEONE!
NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING CENTER OPEN 24/7
1-888-373-7888
ENSLAVED FOR A DECADE IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN at HAIR BRAIDING SALONS
WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK and ALL THEIR TIPS
TAKEN...
TRAFFICKERS SPOTTED HER ... AN OLDER GIRL (19)
INTRODUCED HER TO A PIMP...TRICKED AGAIN AT HER
MIDDLE SCHOOL - A BROTHEL IN BROWARD COUNTY -
THEY KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT HER. SHE WAS 14.
CNN - ZUNDURI endured FIVE YEARS OF VIOLENT SLAVERY
CNN WORLD FREEDOM PROJECT - END SLAVERY NOW
LINK TO REPORT US and MEXICO TRAFFICKING! CNN WORLD FREEDOM PROJECT REPORT - TIP - SAVE SOMEONE!
NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING CENTER OPEN 24/7
1-888-373-7888
ENSLAVED FOR A DECADE IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN at HAIR BRAIDING SALONS
WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK and ALL THEIR TIPS
TAKEN...
TRAFFICKERS SPOTTED HER ... AN OLDER GIRL (19)
INTRODUCED HER TO A PIMP...TRICKED AGAIN AT HER
MIDDLE SCHOOL - A BROTHEL IN BROWARD COUNTY -
THEY KNEW EVERYTHING ABOUT HER. SHE WAS 14.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Thursday, August 11, 2016
SENIOR FOOD BANK PLUS - BURBANK SALVATION ARMY and LA REGIONAL FOOD BANK
COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM for SENIORS age 60 and over
Income limit for one person is $1,276 per month. Two people $1,726 a month.
You can authorize someone else to pick up your food box once a month.
To sign up come with picture id that has date of birth as well as proof of income such as a bank statement, check stub, benefit award letter, SSI or Pension.
FREE FOOD KIT ONCE A MONTH FOCUSING ON SENIOR NUTRICIAN includes meats, canned fruits and veggies, dry milk and related products, cereals, grains, and (you've got us in suspense with this one" much more.
SALVATION ARMY BURBANK
300 East Angeleno Avenue
Burbank, CA 91502
9 am to 11 am
EVERY FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.
BRING YOUR OWN GROCERY CART.
Income limit for one person is $1,276 per month. Two people $1,726 a month.
You can authorize someone else to pick up your food box once a month.
To sign up come with picture id that has date of birth as well as proof of income such as a bank statement, check stub, benefit award letter, SSI or Pension.
FREE FOOD KIT ONCE A MONTH FOCUSING ON SENIOR NUTRICIAN includes meats, canned fruits and veggies, dry milk and related products, cereals, grains, and (you've got us in suspense with this one" much more.
SALVATION ARMY BURBANK
300 East Angeleno Avenue
Burbank, CA 91502
9 am to 11 am
EVERY FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.
BRING YOUR OWN GROCERY CART.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Sunday, August 7, 2016
BIG ISSUE - THE UK MAGAZINE FOR THE HOMELESS - HOMELESS VENDORS REBUILT THEIR LIVES
BIG ISSUE ORG - MAGAZINE
From their site:
The Big Issue offers people who are homeless the opportunity to earn their own money; a livelihood. The Big Issue Foundation, as an independent charity for people who are homeless, offers vendors the opportunity of a life. We work tirelessly alongside our vendors to help them deal with the issues that have caused their homelessness or have developed as a result of hitting the streets.
It can be as little as 12 months from a significant life event to losing everything and arriving on the street. Last year alone we worked with over 2,200 individuals, enabling people who are homeless to take control of their lives.
...We offer vendors the opportunity to integrate in all aspects of our work including our fundraising events such as our inspirational Big London Night Walk and our amazing annual bike ride, this year we’ll be pedalling from London to Amsterdam. Many vendors have walked or cycled with us over the years and helped to raise vital funds and awareness for our work.
From their site:
The Big Issue offers people who are homeless the opportunity to earn their own money; a livelihood. The Big Issue Foundation, as an independent charity for people who are homeless, offers vendors the opportunity of a life. We work tirelessly alongside our vendors to help them deal with the issues that have caused their homelessness or have developed as a result of hitting the streets.
It can be as little as 12 months from a significant life event to losing everything and arriving on the street. Last year alone we worked with over 2,200 individuals, enabling people who are homeless to take control of their lives.
...We offer vendors the opportunity to integrate in all aspects of our work including our fundraising events such as our inspirational Big London Night Walk and our amazing annual bike ride, this year we’ll be pedalling from London to Amsterdam. Many vendors have walked or cycled with us over the years and helped to raise vital funds and awareness for our work.
Friday, August 5, 2016
TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH (18-25) DROP IN CENTERS - DANIELS PLACE - STEP UP on SECOND STREET and more
TEMPORARY and BASIC SUPPORTS for seriously mentally or emotionally ill teens who are living on the streets or in unstable living situations.
SHOWERS
MEALS
CLOTHING
COMPUTER/INTERNET
DVD and GAMES BOOKS SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Referrals for
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE and the usual.
If you're in a dangerous situation, stop in for help
PACIFIC CLINICS - HOPE YOUTH CENTER
13001 Ramona Blvd Suit 1
Irwindale, CA 91707
(626) 337-3828
LA GAY and LESBIAN CENTER
THE YOUTH CENTER ON HIGHLAND
1220 North Highland Ave
LA, CA 90038
(323) 860-2280
(888) 255-2429 (toll free)
STEP UP on SECOND STREET INC - DANIEL'S PLACE
1619 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-5855
also ENHANCES EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM
housing for up to 36 nights in warm, clean, and safe place, hand 3 hot meals a day, very short term but housing placement will be made.
Homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless (such as leaving foster care, leaving abusive home or relationship, etc.) Must not be a danger to yourself or others (but you can work towards that) and dead broke. THERE ARE FOUR CONFIDENTIAL LOCATIONS, plus LA, SOUTH BAY, and HOLLYWOOD...
CALL (213)738-6194
SHOWERS
MEALS
CLOTHING
COMPUTER/INTERNET
DVD and GAMES BOOKS SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Referrals for
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE and the usual.
If you're in a dangerous situation, stop in for help
PACIFIC CLINICS - HOPE YOUTH CENTER
13001 Ramona Blvd Suit 1
Irwindale, CA 91707
(626) 337-3828
LA GAY and LESBIAN CENTER
THE YOUTH CENTER ON HIGHLAND
1220 North Highland Ave
LA, CA 90038
(323) 860-2280
(888) 255-2429 (toll free)
STEP UP on SECOND STREET INC - DANIEL'S PLACE
1619 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-5855
also ENHANCES EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM
housing for up to 36 nights in warm, clean, and safe place, hand 3 hot meals a day, very short term but housing placement will be made.
Homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless (such as leaving foster care, leaving abusive home or relationship, etc.) Must not be a danger to yourself or others (but you can work towards that) and dead broke. THERE ARE FOUR CONFIDENTIAL LOCATIONS, plus LA, SOUTH BAY, and HOLLYWOOD...
CALL (213)738-6194
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
REACHING OUT CALIFORNIA
REACHING OUT CALIFORNIA
According to the most recent count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there are 46,874 homeless people in Los Angeles County. With only 12,347 shelter beds available, 34,527 homeless people in Los Angeles have nowhere to sleep other than on sidewalks, in doorways, and on bus benches.
Their problem is our problem. With your support, we can do something meaningful to change the dark and lonely world of the homeless in our community, one life at a time.
According to the most recent count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there are 46,874 homeless people in Los Angeles County. With only 12,347 shelter beds available, 34,527 homeless people in Los Angeles have nowhere to sleep other than on sidewalks, in doorways, and on bus benches.
Their problem is our problem. With your support, we can do something meaningful to change the dark and lonely world of the homeless in our community, one life at a time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)