Question:
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Redding & Shasta County
Homeless Continuum of Care's yearly meeting to discuss the results of
their homeless census. Although Redding Loaves and Fishes, as well as
the Redding Homeless Alliance believe the numbers really are
significantly higher, Don Meeks presentation on the homeless, myth or
fact, was a refreshing fresh breath of truth for those who are trying
to make a difference in the lives of those who are poor and less
fortunate. Between Mr. Meeks presentation, and reporter Ryan Sabalow's
concern for the homeless, as well as His attention to detail in His
article, a great stride forward was made in the fight against
homelessness. Well done !!
Unfortunatly, the City of Reddings response to the increase in
homelessness has, for the most part, been a dramatic increase in the
Law enforcement approach, with nothing in the works to address the
real issues and problems. In a little over 3 months 21 illegal camping
tickets have been issued, as well as homeless camp sweeps that take
their possesions without due legal process. Possesions that the
Christian community, prompted by the Lord , want the homeless to have.
I believe Tulin Ozdeger, a civil rights staff attorney at the National
Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, said it best in a recent
article.Laws that criminalize homelessness are not only an inhumane
way to treat some of our most vulnerable neighbors, but they
frequently pose constitutional problems and do nothing to address the
underlying causes of homelessness. Many of these measures have been
successfully challenged in court as violations of homeless persons
civil rights.
Redding Loaves and Fishes/Redding Homeless Alliance has been painfully
aware of the increase in homeless children, especially during the sub
freezing , record breaking temperatures and virulent flu season we
have had this winter. The Shasta County Sherifs local Office of
Emergency services refusal to open a warming shelter during our record
breaking cold spell is nothing short of an abomination, and listening
to their represenative at a recent meeting, we can expect the same
response should a simular occurance happen. Does it really take
reports from fire depts. and hospitals that people are suffering for
City and County officals to take a safety first, pro active, injury
and sickness preventive action? Since there is no policy or plan in
place to activate opening an emergency warming shelter, what will it
take? Would you allow this in your Town? City ?
The Redding Homeless Alliance is havings its 5th in a series of
Community Homeless Forums Saturday, April 7th, at 1:00 pm, Church of
the Redeemed Fellowship hall.We also have speakers available for
Churches and other organizations who are interested in the facts and
not myths about homelessness. We believe Redding is a very caring,
giving and generouse community, so we are seeking and praying for an
apartment complex donation, so we can start taking steps to getting
the most vunerable population of the homeless off the streets, women
and children. Jesus says, Whoever receives one little child in My
name receives Me. Please come and help us be a part of the solution,
All are welcome.
http://www.reddingloavesandfishes.com
Link to article:
http://www.redding.com/news/2007/mar/27/mo...-street-county/
Answer:
Thanks to all those who took the time to vote (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Answer:
.............eh? o.o I zoned out by the second paragraph Xp;;
Answer:
What is the Homeless and Poverty problem like in your City ? Is there places for them to go for Food ? Shelter ? What do you think we should do for Them ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)
Answer:
What are the barriers that are preventing them from finding a minimum-wage job?
Answer:
What is the Homeless and Poverty problem like in your City ? Is there places for them to go for Food ? Shelter ? What do you think we should do for Them ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)
Homelessness and poverty are extremely bad in my city. The building of a new university has increased housing rates to where the residents cannot afford to own a house, rather even pay the rent. However, the plus side is, the university will bring in more people, meaning more businesses and more available jobs! Also, we do have special centers and programs for homeless people and low-income families. For example, I have many friends who recently moved into new, two-story houses through a special program in which the government gives them aid.
What should we do for them? My personal belief: WE'RE DOING ENOUGH FOR THEM; WHAT ARE THEY WILLING TO DO FOR THEMSELVES? We can try to help them as much as we like, but if they don't even have the motivation to get off their feet and pursue a better lifestyle, then what's the use? I use to live in an area where there will be at least one homeless person each day who come and ask my family for 50 cents. We willingly gave it to them until one day, we realized that they took that money and the others that they gathered and used it to buy alcohol from the corner store. Yep.
