BOB DYLAN - LIKE A ROLLING STONE

DO YOU WASH IN A GAS STATION BATHROOM?

Life on the street often makes it difficult for us to wash, keep clean, look clean, even if we want to smell sweet and look groomed.

taken down due to age and also repeats April 2016 BURBANK TEMPORARY AID FOR THE POOR and THE HOMELESS

BURBANK TEMPORARY AID (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE HOMELESS TO BE SERVED)
1304 West Burbank Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91506
UPDATED JAN 2015  NEW LINK http://www.burbanktemporaryaidcenter.org/


PLEASE ASK IF IN 2015 THEY ARE STILL PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING FROM THE LIST IN 2011.

BTAC provides clients a variety of programs and services including:

Groceries from BTAC’s Food Pantry.
Daily sack lunches for the homeless.
Monthly Senior Food Distribution program.
Assistance with utility bills.
Transportation assistance.
ID/License replacement program.
Limited medical assistance.
Limited emergency shelter, via a voucher program with cooperating businesses in the area.
Shower facilities for the homeless.
Laundry facilities for the homeless and other clients.

ETCHING OF BUTTERFLY 2

Go to our sidebar where you
will find links to our latest posts as
well as an AMAZING archive, lots of links to other Homeless and Poverty Activist Bloggers, and much more!

BODY BAGS AND CREMATION RICE BALLS AND NOODLES TO STAVE OFF HUNGER : TSUNAMI

We're posting a link here to the Yahoo News which is covering the situation in Japan. This link has some horrible pictures and horrible news; 2000 bodies washed ashore, Japan short on body bags and coffins, 430,000 at emergency shelters (including those who had to leave due to possible radioactive contamination), 24,000 "Stranded."

TSUNAMI EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATED JAPAN : THOUSANDS MORE IN THE WORLD BECOME HOMELESS

It's easy to say "it was an act of god," and pity these people who have lost everything and are tired, scared, hungry, thirsty, injured, dying.

Yet let us remember that on an INDIVIDUAL BASIS, many of us have also been devastated. And there is little pity for us.

And while the UNITED STATES rallies for Haiti, and for New Zealand, and for Japan, offering disaster relief around the world. We still have our NEW ORLEANS.

AND WE STILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE MILLION AMERICANS HOMELESS. MILLIONS MORE HANGING ON BARELY.

WE WANT TO WISH A HOMELESS MAN WHO SLEEPS IN AN LOS ANGELES COUNTY PARK AND WHO IS TAKING CLASSES AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE THE BEST!

A friend has decided to go ahead and enroll at the Community College while still sleeping in a sleeping bag in a LA County Park. Our friend has been homeless after a Fortune 500 career and a car accident for about three years. He has yet to succumb to the drugs or alcohol that most of the others in the park are using. He is not eligible for any program because he is not mentally ill or addicted. We hope and pray he will succeed, and have a positive response to FINANCIAL AID concerns and be able to establish a new career!

GOOD LUCK BUDDY! UPDATE : Our friend has aced his midterms!

WASHINGTON D.C. HOMELESS IN THE SNOW

SMALL YELLOW BUTTERFLIES

KRISTEN PORTLAND RESCUE MISSION

Yes, Portland Rescue Mission is a Christian religious place. Religion is for some. For others it is not. Some of us think religion should be no part of shelters. Others say this is the way. Many homeless do have drug or alcohol problems, but others do not. Overall our health is poor. Good health (and that means no abusing drugs or alcohol) is important to being able to make and keep a plan of action.

Remember that our postings don't necessarily mean we endorse a poster of a video or the opinions expressed in one.

DO YOU SELL YOUR EBT (FOOD STAMPS) FOR CASH?

UPDATE JAN 2015 -  WE WILL BE POSTING ABOUT THIS SUBJECT VERY SOON...  HOW IT'S DONE (YOU ALREADY KNOW WHY!)

(THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION TO BUY FOOD STAMPS!)

Are you one of the many Homeless who manage to get enough to eat without using all your EBT (food stamp) allotment and can use more cash?

Do you sell your food stamps?

How much do you sell $50 worth for?

Who buys from you?

UPDATE : This is one of are most popular posts, though so far no one has answered any questions or left any comments (EXCEPT COMMENT SPAM WITH PEOPLE ASKING WHERE TO SELL THEIR STAMPS OR OFFERING US THEIR STAMPS FOR PURCHASE). You can do so without having a gmail or other social networking account using the anonymous option on COMMENTS below the post. Also, we read the paperwork you do every three months with the EBT/SNAP people and it's not considered legal to sell the stamps. We can't tell you to do anything illegal. We just know that a lot of homeless are saying they do exchange EBT/SNAP for cash. Sometimes this money is used for drugs or beer, sometimes for vitamins, sanitary supplies, over the counter medicines, and other small but necessary items.

WITH RESPECT TO RAMONA RIPSTON OF THE ACLU SUPER HOMELESS ACTIVIST WE'LL MISS YOU

Longtime ACLU/SC Executive Director Ramona Ripston Announces Retirement
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – ACLU/SC Executive Director Ramona Ripston, for decades one of the region’s most respected and outspoken voices on civil rights and civil liberties issues ranging from education and police reform to privacy, freedom of speech, and the rights of immigrants and homeless people, announced today that she will step down from the post she has held for 38 years.

Ramona is in her 80's.

"She was the first woman to assume a leadership role in the organization during a time of enormous change in the country. Some of her many accomplishments include ending segregationist policies at the Los Angeles Unified School District, spurring meaningful reform at the notoriously hard-headed LAPD, fighting successfully for voting rights for Latinos, and providing leadership in battles for equal rights for the disabled, immigrants, gays and lesbians, and the homeless."

A THOUGHTFUL COMMENT LEFT RECENTLY ON AN OLDER POST

Having been homeless I can see both your side and Martha's. I've read her book Steering by Starlight and am familiar with that passage as well. What Martha, a privileged, silver spoon in her mouth, broke but never impoverished mother doesn't understand is the utter misery of homelessness. It's a common stance of those who have never been there. Pity her. She's ignorant. Contrary to what she believes, people can't truly "imagine" what it is to be in someone else's shoes because each of us is different. I lived in a van and can't say I know what it is like to life for months on the street. I can come closer than Martha, but it's not the same as those who have actually done it. Not having experienced life in a gutter doesn't mean I don't know what it is like to be homeless. I know my experience. She knows hers, your know yours. That said, I do believe she is right on one thing - if we want something badly enough we will find a way - legal or illegal, to get it. Her challenge is, I See more... think, to ask ourselves what it is we want and want so badly that we'll focus all our resources to get it. The homeless are already in such pain and so deprived that the climb out is longer and harder and it doesn't seem or feel fair. We want a hand up, but are not likely to get it. There is anger that someone who is rich, sitting pretty and full of glib advice seems to be sitting in judgment on us. What does or could she know? She knows shit. But she is right. As much as we hate it, as unfair as it is, ultimately WE are the only ones (unjust and unfair as it is) who will pull ourselves out of our situation.

By Becky Blanton on MARTHA BECK MAKES HOMELESS SCREAM ! on 2/26/11

SEEN RECENTLY - TWO OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S CHILDREN DONATING MONEY TO LOS ANGELES FAMILY HOUSING

The rumors are strong that recently two (of deceased pop star) Michael Jackson's children made a personal visit to the big non profit LOS ANGELES FAMILY HOUSING to donate money to the shelter.

This is an opportunity for residents past and present to comment on their lives at the shelter, which operates a family side and a single side. You can leave a comment without signing your name. Please be truthful.

BUTTERFLIES REAL OR IMAGINED?

DO YOU EAT HOTDOGS, SPAM, OR OTHER MEATS WITHOUT COOKING THEM?

Some of you ARE!

Have you ever become ill from eating very salty, preserved meats from a can or from a package because you do not have any way to COOK?

SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA HOMELESS BLOG ADDED TO OUR LIST

Sacramento California has a Homeless Blog... just added to our list. This is the state of California's Capitol and we hear there are a lot of section 8 apartments available there, if you can get a voucher.

UNEXPECTED READERSHIP in UNITED ARAB EMARATES and SAUDI ARABIA

This past 30 days our stats showed that we have at least one reader in the United Arab Emirates and at least one reader in Saudi Arabia. We can't afford sophisticated stat compilers that tell us more, so we don't know if the 30 hits we got from those locations are one person checking in with us a lot or many.

As Americans we don't know what to think. Is this just curiosity? Is this person(s) male or female? Do they sneak to read us? Do they have respect for us? Are we flying in their face?

One of us said "They are probably happy that gas prices are driving more of us into unemployment or having to get rid of cars."

Someone else said, "I hope it's a sheik with lots of money who can help us."

Also being so American, we hope that these persons will leave a comment for us. There is a translator now.

CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM FOR EBT HOLDERS (FOOD STAMPS) NOW CALLED CALFRESH

OUR MOST POPULAR POST - UPDATED DECEMBER 2014

If you are HOMELESS, DISABLED, or ELDERLY, and already financially qualifying for EBT (FOOD STAMPS) SNAP which means you do not get Social Security, you may also be eligible for RESTAURANT MEALS. The Restaurant Meals Program (sometimes called the Hot Meal Program) allows you to have some of your meals on the FOOD portion of your card -  that means not from your CASH BENEFIT. 

(Since we've walked into some restaurants with EBT signage and learned they expected to take the money out of a CASH benefit we want to emphasize this!)

And OK LET'S PAUSE RIGHT HERE.  If you are on Social Security OR if you're on EBT (FOOD STAMPS) SNAP you can STILL GO TO FOOD BANKS and FEEDS so check out our sidebar which has a good National Food Bank directory or search the innards of this blog for food banks and feeds in Los Angeles and some other parts of Southern California. 

This special benefit from the State of California is for people who are unable to physically make their own meals, be it because they have housing but no refrigerator or stove like in an SRO or motel room, be it because they are homeless on the street or living in an RV without hook ups, or because their disability makes it difficult to deal with cooking.  We know of someone in a Section 8 apartment who has no stove or fridge and is getting this benefit.

Although it's difficult to budget frequent restaurant meals when you have about $5 - $6 a day for all three of your meals and most of the restaurants that take EBT FOOD for payment are fast food, it can make a big difference to you if you can buy a hot coffee on a cold day, if you can actually be inside a restaurant in the warmth and socialize a little bit.  We also know of people at shelters who managed to "save up" enough SNAP over many months to go out to a restaurant for a birthday in a small group.

LINK HERE TO CALIFORNIA EBT CLIENT WEBSITE (Check your status, purchases, etc.) 

LINK HERE FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES - RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM

LINK INCLUDES A LIST OF EBT FARMERS MARKETS. We find the prices are usually out of our range, but sometimes you can find better quality eggs for not too much more than a regular grocer, and it may be worth it to spend maybe $10 a month on fresher or organic fruits and veggies.  Please go to PAGES where you will also see a page called TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DIET, where we will remind you to drink enough plain WATER every day as part of your health plan.

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LINK HERE for a list of LA County Restaurants taking EBT for hot meals
LADPSS SOCIAL SERVICES - RESTAURANTS TAKING EBT

If you are an independent restaurant owner reading this, you can set up EBT with the state of California, but again, we're talking the FOOD portion not a CASH BENEFIT portion to be charged for the food.  We want to eat healthy, freshly cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for a reasonable price.

ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA LINKS are at the PAGE!  (See the top of our blog!)

If you are from any other place in the Nation of the United States of America, check to see if you are eligible through your state and county by going to their Social Services sites.

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HERE IS  NEW OPPORTUNITY TO DOUBLE YOUR MONEY when shopping for produce at participating FARMERS MARKETS.  It's called MARKET MATCH and WIC and EBT/CalFresh users can get $20 work of produce for $10.

Search for a market here  http://ecologycenter.org/fmfinder/

Please contact us through Comments if you know of any independent restaurants who take SNAP - we mean the FOOD PORTION not the CASH PORTION that do not yet appear on the lists!

FEEDING AMERICA and HOT POCKETS

Feeding America is supposed to be the LARGEST "solve the hunger problem in America" organization.

"With an astounding one in six Americans not knowing where their next meal may come from, HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brands have teamed up with FEEDING AMERICA®, the nation’s leading hunger-relief charity, in an effort to engage the country in providing relief to those in need."

M found out about this because he is buying HOT POCKETS, letting them thaw out, and eating them without cooking again. So far, so good.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD -TEMPORARY HOME

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU!

CARLY SIMON - WE'RE SO CLOSE

CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT - CHILD PROSTITUTION!

"Children of the Night is dedicated.... to assisting children between the ages of 11 and 17 who are forced to prostitute on the streets for food to eat and a place to sleep. Since 1979 we have rescued girls and boys from prostitution and the domination of vicious pimps. And we provide all programs with the support of private donations.

We are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children each year. Our commitment to rescuing these children from the ravages of prostitution is shared with a small but committed group of detectives, FBI agents, and prosecutors in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Diego, other areas of California, Las Vegas, Portland, Billings, Montana; Seattle, Washington; Miami, New York, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Phoenix, Hawaii and Washington D.C. — all stops on the child prostitution circuit."

Child prostitutes require specialized care for effective intervention. Most of the children victimized by prostitution were first victimized by a parent or early caregiver. Most have been tortured by treacherous pimps, and many testify in lengthy court proceedings against the pimps who have forced them to work as prostitutes."


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UPDATE Summer 2014
Please note that we've added a SEX SLAVERY/TRAFFICKING list on our sidebar that includes other options for reporting sex slavery/trafficking or getting help!  If you are being prostituted and you are reading this we know that you may have difficulty getting away. We suggest though that you do not have to go directly to the police for help.  We are suggesting to you that you can go up to a librarian in a library and ask them to call the police for you - slip them a note if you have to - and that it's worth it to call 911 and get an ambulance to take you to a hospital - any way at all that you can get away from the persons trafficking you.

LUTHER VANDROSS A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME