Wednesday, June 11, 2014
THE HOMELESS CHILD EXPERIMENT by FOUSEYTUBE
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD ACTOR BEGS AND IT'S ON VIDEO? WATCH AND SEE!!!
Monday, June 9, 2014
FREE SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM BEGINS TODAY - LA PARKS AND RECS - AGES 1-18 NO PROOF OF INCOME
LA PARKS AND RECS SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM 2014 go to full site to find LOCATIONS = OVER 100 FREE FOOD SITES!
Come to the park for Free Summer Lunch!
FREE food, friends and fun! Kids and teens can get FREE meals all summer long and stay active. The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks offers FREE lunches to kids and teens ages 1 through 18* at over 100 parks starting June 9, 2014 until August 8, 2014.
To find a location nearest you, click on any of the site lists at the left or bottom of the screen to the right, or call our office directly at 818-546-2383 or 818-546-2384.
FREE Summer Lunch Program Information:
NOTE THAT THE CITY OF LA SWIMMING POOLS OPEN ABOUT THE 15th of JUNE and the cost is about $2. with a LIBRARY CARD!
Come to the park for Free Summer Lunch!
FREE food, friends and fun! Kids and teens can get FREE meals all summer long and stay active. The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks offers FREE lunches to kids and teens ages 1 through 18* at over 100 parks starting June 9, 2014 until August 8, 2014.
To find a location nearest you, click on any of the site lists at the left or bottom of the screen to the right, or call our office directly at 818-546-2383 or 818-546-2384.
FREE Summer Lunch Program Information:
- Meals are FREE to children and teens ages 1 through 18*.
- FREE summer lunches will help families save money.
- Food served is healthy and follows USDA nutrition guidelines.
- No application or proof of income is needed. You can just bring your child to one of the participating City of Los Angeles parks in your community.
- Please note staff plan and order lunches based on the daily number of kids that come to their sites. Therefore, in the event your child does not receive a meal because there is a shortage of lunches, let the staff know so they can plan to order more lunches the next day.
- Please note parents of children ages 1-5 may sit with their child to assist them with opening their packages. However, staff have the option to not allow parents in the eating area if Program Rules are not followed.
- Please note meals must be eaten on site.
NOTE THAT THE CITY OF LA SWIMMING POOLS OPEN ABOUT THE 15th of JUNE and the cost is about $2. with a LIBRARY CARD!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
HALF OF HOMELESS MEN HAVE SUFFERED TRAUMATIC BRIAN INJURY - NEW STUDY BY DR. TOPALOVEC-VRANIC - SAINT MICHAELS HOSPITAL
SCIENCE DAILY - ALMOST HALF OF ALL HOMELESS MEN HAVED HAD BRAIN INJURY
SOME EXCERPTS:
Almost half of homeless men had traumatic brain injury in their lifetime
Date:
April 25, 2014 St. Michael's Hospital
Almost half of all homeless men who took part in a study had suffered at least one traumatic brain injury in their life and 87 percent of those injuries occurred before the men lost their homes. While assaults were a major cause of those traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, (60 per cent) many were caused by potentially non-violent mechanisms such as sports and recreation (44 per cent) and motor vehicle collisions and falls (42 per cent).
Dr. Topolovec-Vranic said it's important for health care providers and others who work with homeless people to be aware of any history of TBI because of the links between such injuries and mental health issues, substance abuse, seizures and general poorer physical health.
Friday, June 6, 2014
JUNE 6 1968 ROBERT KENNEDY'S SPEECH FOR HUMANITY
Bobby Kennedy's Speech for Humanity makes us wish for a Presidential Candidate like this today... Give 10 minutes to listen to this speech and you may cry for what could have been.
"Hand in Hand with the Freedom of Speech goes the Power to be heard, to share in the decisions of government."
"Hand in Hand with the Freedom of Speech goes the Power to be heard, to share in the decisions of government."
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
VETERANS RESOURCE CORPS at LAKEVIEW TERRACE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
A veteran or military family member in need of help can contact George or Corey who are Veterans Corps Members at 213 598-5199
Library Location is LAKEVIEW TERRACE LIBRARY - VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER
12002 Osborne Street, Sylmar, CA 91342
HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH, VETERAN COMPENSATION BENEFITS
***
Just as a note here, if your parent is a veteran who became disabled, you may be eligible for some benefits to help you with your own education and other issues.
Library Location is LAKEVIEW TERRACE LIBRARY - VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER
12002 Osborne Street, Sylmar, CA 91342
HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH, VETERAN COMPENSATION BENEFITS
***
Just as a note here, if your parent is a veteran who became disabled, you may be eligible for some benefits to help you with your own education and other issues.
Monday, June 2, 2014
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS MAYBE THE ANSWER TO GETTING YOUR EATING HABITS UNDER CONTROL : SAN FERNANDO VALLEY INFO MEETINGS 2014
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS ORG NATIONAL
OA SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
INFO LINE 818- 342-2222
OFFICE 818 881-4776
DO YOU EAT WHEN YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY?
DO YOU BINGE? PURGE? OR RESTRICT?
IS YOUR WEIGHT AFFECTING YOUR LIFE?
OA of San Fernando Valle4y
7133-B Darby Avenue, Reseda CA 91335
Hear a panel of speakers and get your questions answered.
WHEN YOU JOIN OA there are NO DUES, NO FEES, NO WEIGH INS and NO DIETS!
*************
On our HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOM MATE PAGE we mention that YOU SHOULD BE WORKING ON YOURSELF as a focus rather than SITTING OUT GOSSIPING. If you're in a shelter, you should be using your time there for SELF IMPROVEMENT and getting control of your eating is important. So, you're overeating or eating bad foods may mean being overweight and overweight leads to bad health and discrimination against the overweight.
August 2016 This post edited... call them to find out when and where meetings are!
OA SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
INFO LINE 818- 342-2222
OFFICE 818 881-4776
DO YOU EAT WHEN YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY?
DO YOU BINGE? PURGE? OR RESTRICT?
IS YOUR WEIGHT AFFECTING YOUR LIFE?
OA of San Fernando Valle4y
7133-B Darby Avenue, Reseda CA 91335
Hear a panel of speakers and get your questions answered.
WHEN YOU JOIN OA there are NO DUES, NO FEES, NO WEIGH INS and NO DIETS!
*************
On our HOW TO BE A GOOD ROOM MATE PAGE we mention that YOU SHOULD BE WORKING ON YOURSELF as a focus rather than SITTING OUT GOSSIPING. If you're in a shelter, you should be using your time there for SELF IMPROVEMENT and getting control of your eating is important. So, you're overeating or eating bad foods may mean being overweight and overweight leads to bad health and discrimination against the overweight.
August 2016 This post edited... call them to find out when and where meetings are!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
CAN YOU PASS A DRUG TEST TO GET INTO A SHELTER?
Especially if you're just out or rehab, passing a drug test to get in and passing every drug test you're given is really important. We've met people who got kicked out of a shelter over a bad drug test.
New to homelessness?
Trying to get into a shelter?
Be aware that drug testing has become a standard aspect of application and admittance into "programs." Shelters may also surprise test selected or all residents. We hear that the Veterans Programs are more strict than others.
We suggest that if you're on a narcotic pain killer that might trigger a positive that you get a letter from your doctor stating so that you can submit with your application.
But we've heard about a veteran getting kicked out of a shelter because of a prescription he took because his tooth was infected and his jaw swelled. He was given antibiotics and the pain killer so that he could get the tooth pulled a couple weeks later and ended up on the pavement.
New to homelessness?
Trying to get into a shelter?
Be aware that drug testing has become a standard aspect of application and admittance into "programs." Shelters may also surprise test selected or all residents. We hear that the Veterans Programs are more strict than others.
We suggest that if you're on a narcotic pain killer that might trigger a positive that you get a letter from your doctor stating so that you can submit with your application.
But we've heard about a veteran getting kicked out of a shelter because of a prescription he took because his tooth was infected and his jaw swelled. He was given antibiotics and the pain killer so that he could get the tooth pulled a couple weeks later and ended up on the pavement.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
MEMORIAL DAY - THE BUTTERFLY IS OUR SYMBOL
The Butterfly is the SYMBOL
of
BY THE HOMELESS FOR THE HOMELESS.
A Butterfly goes through three life cycles and symbolizes metamorphosis. Every individual is unique just as we are.
You'll find butterflies all over this blog.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN DAY IS TOMORROW - ONE IN SEVEN RUNAWAYS ARE SEX TRAFFICKED
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN full services - click here!
One in seven runaway youths reported they were victims of sex trafficking. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also works on tracking down sexual predators, rapists, and abusers, and keeps the search for children who've been abducted years ago going.
If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
THERE IS ALSO A CYBERREPORT OPTION AT THEIR SITE
One in seven runaway youths reported they were victims of sex trafficking. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also works on tracking down sexual predators, rapists, and abusers, and keeps the search for children who've been abducted years ago going.
If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
THERE IS ALSO A CYBERREPORT OPTION AT THEIR SITE
Friday, May 23, 2014
DURING MAY AND JUNE JOIN "LIVE BELOW THE LINE" - LIVE ON $1.50 A DAY! (IF YOU AREN"T ALREADY LIVING ON THAT!)
LIVE BELOW THE LINE CHALLENGE THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISER - the United States, United Kingdom, even Columbia, Australia, New Zealand...
HUFF POST : BEN AFFLECK OTHER HOLLYWOOD STARS JOIN IN LIVE BELOW THE LINE FUNDRAISER
So far, celebrities including Ben Affleck, Sophia Bush, Nick Lachey and Josh Groban have committed to living on the small sum to support organizations that work to fight poverty, human trafficking and other critical global problems.
HUFF POST : BEN AFFLECK OTHER HOLLYWOOD STARS JOIN IN LIVE BELOW THE LINE FUNDRAISER
So far, celebrities including Ben Affleck, Sophia Bush, Nick Lachey and Josh Groban have committed to living on the small sum to support organizations that work to fight poverty, human trafficking and other critical global problems.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
SAN FERNANDO RESCUE MISSION SHELTER AND FOOD SERVICES DESTROYED IN FIRE - HAVES SHOULD DONATE NOW
DAILY NEWS : NORTH HOLLYWOOD HOMELESS SHELTER BURNS TO THE GROUND picture of firemen fighting blaze.
"The displaced residents, from seven or eight families, were being housed in emergency shelter provided by the American Red Cross, the mission’s Stacy Miller said.
About 60 percent of the shelter’s residents are children under the age of 12, she said.
In addition to the facility’s residences, the warehouse hub for the mission’s three thrift stores was also destroyed, Miller said. That effectively eliminates the sales that provide 50 percent of the shelter’s annual revenue.
The blaze also destroyed the mission’s food preparation area, where 42,000 meals were put together each year, and its fleet of vehicles, which provide meals and mobile showers to 1,700 people each month through an outreach program called S.O.S., she said.
“Our ability to do that is ruined,” Miller said."
SAN FERNANDO RESCUE MISSION OFFICIAL SITE
MLB : LA DODGERS HEADED UP FUNDING/ DONATIONS UNTIL MAY 15 (too late now but contact them if you need more information about donating, volunteering, etc.)
"The displaced residents, from seven or eight families, were being housed in emergency shelter provided by the American Red Cross, the mission’s Stacy Miller said.
About 60 percent of the shelter’s residents are children under the age of 12, she said.
In addition to the facility’s residences, the warehouse hub for the mission’s three thrift stores was also destroyed, Miller said. That effectively eliminates the sales that provide 50 percent of the shelter’s annual revenue.
The blaze also destroyed the mission’s food preparation area, where 42,000 meals were put together each year, and its fleet of vehicles, which provide meals and mobile showers to 1,700 people each month through an outreach program called S.O.S., she said.
“Our ability to do that is ruined,” Miller said."
SAN FERNANDO RESCUE MISSION OFFICIAL SITE
MLB : LA DODGERS HEADED UP FUNDING/ DONATIONS UNTIL MAY 15 (too late now but contact them if you need more information about donating, volunteering, etc.)
Monday, May 19, 2014
ONE IN SEVEN AMERICANS USING FOOD STAMPS - COLLEGE EDU TOO - POVERTY IN AMERICA
MSN MONEY - THE FACES - FOOD STAMPS by Hope Yen AP PRESS
EXCERPT: In a first, working-age people now make up the majority in U.S. households that rely on food stamps -- a switch from a few years ago, when children and the elderly were the main recipients. ...
Food stamp participation since 1980 has grown the fastest among workers with some college training, a sign that the safety net has stretched further to cover America's former middle class, according to an analysis of government data for The Associated Press by economists at the University of Kentucky. Formally called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, or SNAP, the program now covers 1 in 7 Americans.
EXCERPT: In a first, working-age people now make up the majority in U.S. households that rely on food stamps -- a switch from a few years ago, when children and the elderly were the main recipients. ...
Food stamp participation since 1980 has grown the fastest among workers with some college training, a sign that the safety net has stretched further to cover America's former middle class, according to an analysis of government data for The Associated Press by economists at the University of Kentucky. Formally called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, or SNAP, the program now covers 1 in 7 Americans.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
FOLDABLE BUTTERFLY HOUSE - POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO TEMPORARY HOMELESSNESS?
YOLANDA VICTIMS - BUTTERFLY HOUSE
NOW that rehabilitation work has started in typhoon-hit central Philippines, a possible “solution” to the housing problem for the more than 3 million survivors left homeless by Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) is being considered.
NOW that rehabilitation work has started in typhoon-hit central Philippines, a possible “solution” to the housing problem for the more than 3 million survivors left homeless by Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) is being considered.
Created by Filipino-American Rogelio “Vonz” Santos Jr., the Butterfly House System is a steel-framed housing structure that could be folded for compact shipping and storage, and unfolded into an immediately livable structure....
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS - TRANSITIONAL LIVING and OTHER ASSISTANCE
East San Gabriel Valley Coalition For The Homeless
1345 Turnbull Canyon Rd, Hacienda Hts, CA 91745
1345 Turnbull Canyon Rd, Hacienda Hts, CA 91745
(626) 333-7204
Transitional Services This is a program that helps get homeless families back on their feet with life skills education, counseling and financial assistance by providing a rent-free, safe and stable environment that can be from 6-24 months.
Professional case management assists family members set goals, monitors their progress and connects them with other social service agencies and physical and mental health care providers.
A mentoring program with designated Coalition members provides moral and psychological support as well as resources for maintaining a budget and building a mandatory savings account.
"People don't realize that the homeless have children. This valley has the second largest homeless family population in Los Angeles County! The only place the EAC can put these families is in a motel for a few nights...not a solution, but a band-aid. We desperately need more places like Job's Shelter!"
OTHER LINKS TO WINTER SHELTER AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Professional case management assists family members set goals, monitors their progress and connects them with other social service agencies and physical and mental health care providers.
A mentoring program with designated Coalition members provides moral and psychological support as well as resources for maintaining a budget and building a mandatory savings account.
"People don't realize that the homeless have children. This valley has the second largest homeless family population in Los Angeles County! The only place the EAC can put these families is in a motel for a few nights...not a solution, but a band-aid. We desperately need more places like Job's Shelter!"
OTHER LINKS TO WINTER SHELTER AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
GREATER WEST HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION - 25 YEARS OF FEEDING HOMELESS AND HUNGRY "I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER"
GREATER WEST HOLLYWOOD FOOD COALITION FEEDS
Every night between 6:15 and 7:30 a community comes together at the barren street corner of Sycamore and Romaine, along the border of Hollywood and West Hollywood. On the one hand – on one side of the table – are the volunteers of The Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition, a broad-based grass-roots organization which for the past 25 years has served a hot, fresh, and nutritious meal every night to the homeless and hungry. On the other hand are between 150 and 200 men and women who have somehow or other fallen through the cracks, and for whom the meal they are about to eat, sumptuous as it is, might well be the only meal they have all day. The GWHFC is comprised of actors, producers, writers, artists, teachers, journalists, lawyers, housewives, and a corps of former “clients” who have all had a strong desire to give back by volunteering in Los Angeles. Serving a meal to the “homeless and hungry” is the smallest part of what we do. We meet them on their own turf, talk to them, and listen. We get to know them as individuals, and, little by little, in all kinds of ways, we then help them to think better of themselves and to not be shy about asking for specific, practical help – which the Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition, entirely unsystematically, then tries to provide.
LOS ANGELES MAY END PUBLIC FEEDINGS. We think this is ridiculous. It will mean that individuals and charities HAVE TO RENT SPACE TO SPONSOR A FEED raising the cost to feed people. MOST OF ALL THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE POVERTY IN AMERICA...
- go to the link and find many articles about the subject including this one -
NY TIMES ON LOS ANGELES HOMELESS FEED RESTRICTIONS from last fall!
"I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER"
Every night between 6:15 and 7:30 a community comes together at the barren street corner of Sycamore and Romaine, along the border of Hollywood and West Hollywood. On the one hand – on one side of the table – are the volunteers of The Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition, a broad-based grass-roots organization which for the past 25 years has served a hot, fresh, and nutritious meal every night to the homeless and hungry. On the other hand are between 150 and 200 men and women who have somehow or other fallen through the cracks, and for whom the meal they are about to eat, sumptuous as it is, might well be the only meal they have all day. The GWHFC is comprised of actors, producers, writers, artists, teachers, journalists, lawyers, housewives, and a corps of former “clients” who have all had a strong desire to give back by volunteering in Los Angeles. Serving a meal to the “homeless and hungry” is the smallest part of what we do. We meet them on their own turf, talk to them, and listen. We get to know them as individuals, and, little by little, in all kinds of ways, we then help them to think better of themselves and to not be shy about asking for specific, practical help – which the Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition, entirely unsystematically, then tries to provide.
LOS ANGELES MAY END PUBLIC FEEDINGS. We think this is ridiculous. It will mean that individuals and charities HAVE TO RENT SPACE TO SPONSOR A FEED raising the cost to feed people. MOST OF ALL THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE POVERTY IN AMERICA...
- go to the link and find many articles about the subject including this one -
NY TIMES ON LOS ANGELES HOMELESS FEED RESTRICTIONS from last fall!
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
RESTAURANTS THAT TAKE EBT WANTED! BURBANK ORGANIC FARMERS MARKET TAKES EBT
We get so many hits and there are so many searches for Restaurants that take EBT and serve good food, places you can sit down and have a meal, eat well and slowly!
Go to our PAGE which will provide a LINK to the latest listing for LA County as the links have just been u[pdated. Please let us know if you know of any that are not yet listed!
If there is a privately owned place you'd like to use EBT at, you may want to suggest to the owner that they get in touch with the STATE OF CALIFORNIA to open an EBT account! (We hear it can take months.) WE ARE INTERESTED IN PLACES THAT TAKE THE EBT FOOD PORTION not the CASH PORTION!
Also we've learned that the BURBANK ORGANIC MARKET WHICH OCCURS ON SATURDAY MORNINGS in the parking lot across from CENTRAL LIBRARY (not far from the POLICE STATION) is taking EBT.
The way this works is that you decide how much EBT you want to spend. You get vouchers worth one dollar each to spend at the booths. You may have to provide some change or negotiate for another onion since your purchase may not be exactly by dollar.
Here's the Link : http://www.burbank.com/story/Burbank-Farmers-Market/78399
****************************************************************************
UPDATE Dec 2014. MARKET MATCH is an opportunity to double your buying power at participating Farmer's Markets. LOOK HERE TO FIND WHICH FARMERS MARKETS YOU CAN GO TO and spend $10 of your WIC or EBT money and get $20 in produce!
http://ecologycenter.org/fmfinder/
Go to our PAGE which will provide a LINK to the latest listing for LA County as the links have just been u[pdated. Please let us know if you know of any that are not yet listed!
If there is a privately owned place you'd like to use EBT at, you may want to suggest to the owner that they get in touch with the STATE OF CALIFORNIA to open an EBT account! (We hear it can take months.) WE ARE INTERESTED IN PLACES THAT TAKE THE EBT FOOD PORTION not the CASH PORTION!
Also we've learned that the BURBANK ORGANIC MARKET WHICH OCCURS ON SATURDAY MORNINGS in the parking lot across from CENTRAL LIBRARY (not far from the POLICE STATION) is taking EBT.
The way this works is that you decide how much EBT you want to spend. You get vouchers worth one dollar each to spend at the booths. You may have to provide some change or negotiate for another onion since your purchase may not be exactly by dollar.
Here's the Link : http://www.burbank.com/story/Burbank-Farmers-Market/78399
****************************************************************************
UPDATE Dec 2014. MARKET MATCH is an opportunity to double your buying power at participating Farmer's Markets. LOOK HERE TO FIND WHICH FARMERS MARKETS YOU CAN GO TO and spend $10 of your WIC or EBT money and get $20 in produce!
http://ecologycenter.org/fmfinder/
Monday, May 5, 2014
SLEEPING OUT ROUGH THE LATEST CHARITY FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS CHALLENGE! - A FEW LINKS!
Can people who sleep rough one night really get a feel for what it's like to be homeless? Well, it's a start. See if you're a person who likes to go camping in an RV or in a tent or out under the stars YOU HAVE A VACATION MENTALITY. You probably aren't trying it out as an ongoing lifestyle.
Anyway, if you use the Internet to word search "SLEEP OUT" + "Homeless" you'll bring up a lot of opportunities to try it out.
(If you're homeless and reading this you're probably laughing. OK, so how many actual homeless do these sleepers get to sleep NEXT TO?)
CENTERPOINT UK - 2014 SLEEP OUT Thursday 6 November 2014, we'll be holding our flagship event in London... other homeless charities in Britain are also holding events
COVENENT HOUSE = SOLIDARITY SLEEP OUTS For Homeless Kids - You can find or start a SLEEP OUT EVENT FOR KIDS so other kids won't have to live this lifestyle. This is the link to get started.
GUARDIAN - CHARITY SLEEP OUTS NOT TRUE HOMELESSNESS but VALUABLE
"rough sleeping is just the tip of a daunting iceberg"
Anyway, if you use the Internet to word search "SLEEP OUT" + "Homeless" you'll bring up a lot of opportunities to try it out.
(If you're homeless and reading this you're probably laughing. OK, so how many actual homeless do these sleepers get to sleep NEXT TO?)
CENTERPOINT UK - 2014 SLEEP OUT Thursday 6 November 2014, we'll be holding our flagship event in London... other homeless charities in Britain are also holding events
COVENENT HOUSE = SOLIDARITY SLEEP OUTS For Homeless Kids - You can find or start a SLEEP OUT EVENT FOR KIDS so other kids won't have to live this lifestyle. This is the link to get started.
GUARDIAN - CHARITY SLEEP OUTS NOT TRUE HOMELESSNESS but VALUABLE
"rough sleeping is just the tip of a daunting iceberg"
Saturday, May 3, 2014
WHY YOU MAY NOT WANT TO CALL 211
211 appears to be a governmental agency. It is in fact a non profit run by the United Way. Part of the intake for information is a survey of personal questions heavily focused on if you have children or are pregnant. Despite the fact that strangers are taking information from you, and we have no way of knowing if they are paid or volunteers, how truly confidential the information is, THEY DO HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC DATABASES SUCH AS CITY AND COUNTY LISTS OF KNOWN HOMELESS.
We called to help a senior citizen friend and played it that we had just met him. When asked his name the operator said he was "long term homeless" and so she could not send him to a shelter. (Considering that it takes a short 6 months to be considered a habitually homeless person what did she mean by long term?)
We explained that he was a senior, neat and clean, and appeared normal (not mentally ill). She said she would contact someone in social services for the county and the last we saw him it was late at night, hours had passed, and he was still waiting for a call back or a ride to the skid row shelters.
211 is, in the opinion of many homeless people, to be avoided.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
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