Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "homeless"

Mayor Discusses the Human Rights of the Homeless

2012-02-08T04:10:30Z

The possible human rights violations of the local homeless was a main topic of Mayor Kevin Johnson’s press conference Tuesday.

The conference was held to announce the expansion of Bank on Sacramento, a collaboration between local nonprofit organizations, banks and credit unions, to help people receive low-cost accounts and financial advice. Despite the announcement, the topic of homeless rights were heavily discussed.

Catarina De Albuquerque, a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, recently sent a four-page memo to warn Johnson about the possible violation. The current policy of removing the homeless from tent cities denies the homeless safe drinking water and sanitation, which Albuquerque interprets to be a protected freedom pursuant to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Johnson said he is disappointed with what little the city’s done so far to help Safe Ground Sacramento, an allegiance of many different homeless organizations, on their efforts to solve the issue.

“No one has been more upset and disturbed (than me) by the lack of progress that we’ve had with this particular group,” Johnson said. “I think what these folks want is not too much.”

“We’ve made a lot of great strides with homelessness in general,” Johnson said. “We had a goal of 2,400 permanent housing units, we’ve accomplished that goal within a two-year span versus three year, so we’re ahead of schedule on that.”

Despite this achievement, Johnson still believes there’s more that the city and the county can do collectively to find a cite to be used to benefit the homeless.

“I understand their frustration,” Johnson said. “I certainly share it. It’s been one of the areas that keeps me up at night.”

Johnson was also asked about whether he was concerned about the current plan to lease the city’s parking for the next 50 years to one of 13 interested companies, in order to raise $240 million to finance an arena. Johnson replied that there were “no red or yellow flags” and that there is no reason to be concerned.

“We’re exceeding our own expectations to date,” Johnson said. “We didn’t think we’d get 13 people bidding on parking.”

Local Man Fired for Feeding Cats

2012-02-01T08:01:05Z

Larry Ottoviani officially lost his job after seven years with the 7Up Bottling Company for doing the one thing that helped him counteract the anxiety in his personal life.

That one thing was feeding hungry cats.

“I love cats and don’t like to see them go hungry,” Ottoviania said. “When I’m feeding cats I can forget everything else for awhile.”

Ottoviani had been warned several times by his supervisor not to feed the cats. The official termination notice dated Jan. 4, 2012, stated that Ottoviani violated his “last chance agreement not to feed the cats on company time and/or company property.”

While Ottoviani does not deny feeding cats, he denied doing so during company time and on company property.

What was it that Ottoviani felt a need to momentarily forget about, even if it meant risking his job?

He is the father of a dependent adult child with severe physical disabilities and has also been coping with the effects of a debilitating illness afflicting his wife.

During the past year, his wife’s condition required several hospital visits as well as some extended stays. And after a tumor had been found on Ottoviani’s right kidney it required the surgical removal of that kidney.

Fortunately, job-related medical insurance covered most of the costs. Since the loss of his job, Ottoviani says he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. Even with COBRA, a health benefit provision that provides temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates, Ottoviania admits “I don’t know how I’m going to afford to pay the $400 monthly premiums.”

The 7 Up Bottling Company, a subdivision of the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group with headquarters in Plano, Texas is a beverage production facility governed by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.

According to company spokesperson Jason Genthner, “The FDA states that we must ensure that the grounds around the food plant under the control of the operator shall be kept in a condition that will protect against the contamination of food. Over the years we have seen an increased presence of feral cats on our property.”

Ottoviani believes that if it weren’t for him, at least in part, there would be far more cats on and around company premises.

In 2008, two local animal advocates, Linda Silva and Nicole Hutchinson, discovered Ottoviani feeding cats. When they saw how many cats there were, they immediately began working with Ottoviani on what is commonly referred to as TNR --Trap/Neuter/Return.

Alley Cat Allies, a national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats maintains a website that identifies TNR as the humane, effective approach for feral cats. Feral cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ear tipped (the universal symbol of a neutered and vaccinated cat), and then returned to their outdoor home.

The organization states that another aspect of TNR is that kittens and other cats that can be socialized are not returned but instead adopted into homes. These procedures stabilize colonies of cats since altered cats no longer produce kittens.

Hutchinson enlisted volunteers from the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) to sweep and clean up shards of broken glass in an unused area adjacent to the 7Up Bottling Company before launching an aggressive trapping program.

Hutchinson said that between August 2008 and December 2009, 71 cats were trapped and brought to the Sacramento SPCA which runs low-cost feral cat clinics on the first and third Sundays of every month.

The costs for altering the cats were paid by donations from the volunteers and from and grant funds. Ottoviani took home some of the tame cats and kittens, later finding homes for them. He kept the ones he couldn’t find homes for.

In 2006, there was a similar cat feeding incident involving a farmhand employed at the Cornell University Animal Science Teaching and Research Center in ~~Hartford, CT~~ Harford, N.Y..

John Beck was fired for feeding cats on the premises according to a story posted on the Best Friend Animal Sanctuary Network webpage. Beck filed a 20 million dollar lawsuit against Cornell University, which then filed a motion to have the lawsuit thrown out.

Beck admitted that his lawsuit was a long shot and that it was filed “for the principle of the thing.”

“How do you fire somebody for feeding cats?” Beck asked.

Ottoviani still believes he did the right thing. “I acted according to my conscience”, he said.

Linda Silva agrees. “Larry didn’t just feed the cats”, she said, “He went beyond the call of duty and took responsible action. It’s unfortunate that this would lead to the loss of his job.”

Editor's note: Corrections have been made to this article after publishing.

Sleeping bag giveaway event a success

2011-12-28T02:55:02Z

While most families in Sacramento were cozy at home enjoying a traditional Christmas morning with loved ones, a small group of dedicated volunteers braved the early morning cold to participate in the sleeping bag giveaway hosted by Safehaven Ministries of Sacramento.

Overseeing the entire event was Safehaven Outreach Center Site Pastor Joe Talancon, the inspiration and driving force behind the concept of a sleeping bag giveaway.

“Today has been a blessing,” stated Talancon when commenting on his impression of the event.

“This is the first time we’ve had our Christmas morning service indoors,” explained Talancon in reference to the Safehaven Outreach Center which was established at 1400 North C Street in downtown Sacramento at the beginning of the year.

Volunteers arrived well in advance of the 9 a.m. start time to prepare the coffee, hot breakfast and pastries that were freely available to anyone who stood in line.

By 9:30 a.m., the Outreach Center reached its full capacity of approximately 175 people, all there to enjoy the Christmas morning program.

Site Pastor Talancon first introduced vocalists Bernard Larue, Diana Larue, Pam Talancon and Juels Talancon. They sang five inspiring gospel tunes and received an enthusiastic response from the audience after each selection.

Site Pastor Talancon then gave a brief but strongly worded message of hope. During his service, Talancon quoted scripture and related details of his life story that included many years of struggling with substance abuse, homelessness and unemployment before he “got tired of being sick and tired."

Talancon emphasized to the audience that any of them could find the necessary favor through salvation to break the cycle of life on the streets.

Upon concluding his remarks, Talancon hosted a good natured raffle. Prize winners received air mattresses and Christmas stockings stuffed with toiletries and other items intended to ease the burdens of life on the streets.

“I appreciated hearing Pastor Joe’s message this morning,” said Tiron Brantley who was seated in the front row during the service.

“Four walls don’t define a person who is a fisher of men,” stated Brantley.

Shawn Caesar of Bayside [church] Of South Sacramento then took charge of the distribution of clothes; hot breakfast; books, including bibles, and of course the sleeping bags, complete with a mat to place underneath for added comfort.

Caesar was ably assisted by Minister Arthur Threadgill of Higher Heights Church of God In Christ, who helped to ensure there was a smooth and orderly procession.

Those seated in the audience were called up row by row to stand in line to pick and choose amongst the thousands of items that were donated to help those who are currently going through tough times. The sleeping bags were welcome relief for those individuals who have been braving Sacramento's subfreezing overnight temperatures in recent days.

Once the word spread throughout the area that the actual sleeping bag giveaway was underway, many people who received refreshments but did not stay for the service returned. Others who previously had no idea of the giveaway but caught wind of it were able to come inside and simply wait their turn to receive a sleeping bag and mat along with the other items that were available.

Upwards of 450 appreciative individuals patiently lined up under the watchful direction of Caesar and Threadgill, with stragglers coming up even after the doors officially closed around noon.

“It was time for a different type of Christmas for us,” stated Safehaven volunteer Donna Eckwortzel, who arrived early to help set up the event along with her husband and children.

“The kids opened up their presents at 6 a.m. and then we all came down to be a gift to others,” said Eckwortzel.

Volunteer LaDon Mellen recently attended one of the Third Thursday events hosted by Safehaven founder Pastor Don F. Harris. Mellen volunteered for other charitable organizations in the past and immediately agreed to become a part of the Christmas day event upon hearing of it.

“I pulled my family in [with me] this year,” stated Mellen as she pointed out her two children who were also serving as volunteers to assist with the Christmas event.

“We bought our kids sleeping bags to donate to the giveaway,” said Mellen in reference to her two children, now in their early 20‘s, who are both doing well as young adults.

Interfaith Council President John Fish brought his entire family of at least three generations to spread Christmas cheer to everyone in the room by singing a Christmas carol while the donated items were being passed out.

There were many voices of thanks and smiles that showed appreciation for the efforts of Safehaven Outreach Center.

“They really do help people,” said Sheila Talbert, who heard about the event by word of mouth from some acquaintances. Despite the challenges she personally faces being wheelchair bound, Talbert took the time away from her home to come out and be of service to others in her own way.

Emergency Shelter Programs Expanded

2011-12-27T16:50:08Z

Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Steps Forward will expand its emergency shelter program to meet additional demand. An additional 57 beds will be made available through expanded Winter Sanctuary and Motel Voucher programs.

Councilmember Steve Cohn and Jay Schenirer met last week with Sacramento Steps Forward, Sacramento Housing Alliance, as well as homeless advocates, the faith community, and business leaders to discuss the critical need for additional winter shelter options. The added beds will double the existing capacity of the Motel Voucher program from 40 to 80 beds and increase the Winter Sanctuary program from 100 to 117 spaces per night.

The additional beds are not fully funded for the entire winter. Several members of the City Council, including Schenirer, Cohn and Ashby, committed to raising the necessary funds to ensure both programs are able to remain operational for the entire winter and are asking businesses, individuals, and others to make contributions. To support the winter shelter, please visit Sacramento Steps Forward at http://sacramentostepsforward.org/ or mail checks to (payable to Sacramento Steps Forward):

Sacramento Steps Forward
1331 Garden Highway, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95833

“This immediate step by the City will help relieve a trying situation,” said Councilmember Steve Cohn. “In these difficult times, we need the business community, other jurisdictions throughout the region and the public to assist by stepping up to contribute to this effort.”

“The existing shelter programs are operating at capacity,” said Councilmember Jay Schenirer. “I’m happy we were able to work together with housing advocates and members of the business community to make this happen. These are temporary solutions as we continue to work on the long term solution of permanent housing.”

“Sacramento is a city that knows how to step forward in times of need,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson.
“It’s gratifying to see the collaboration among so many diverse people pulling together during the holidays to increase the capacity of our winter shelters.”

“The Sacramento Housing Alliance [SHA] deeply appreciates the leadership shown by Councilmember Schenirer and Cohn in expanding the emergency shelter programs, especially at a time when the temperatures are approaching freezing,” said Bob Elrenbusch, Executive Director of Sacramento Housing Alliance (SHA). “This is an important effort to keep an additional 57 homeless people safe and warm. SHA knows that we cannot continue to scramble to find stop gap emergency solutions, and we are committed to partner with Sacramento Steps Forward, the City and County to proactively create permanent housing solutions to end and prevent homelessness.”

The Winter Sanctuary program is an interfaith program run by Volunteers of America in partnership with Sacramento Steps Forward. They provide a safe place to sleep, meals and transportation for up to 100 homeless individuals each night at more than 20 houses of worship throughout Sacramento. The motel voucher program currently shelters approximately 40 plus women and children who would otherwise have nowhere safe to sleep.

How Registered Sex Offenders can Challenge “Jessica’s Law” Residency Restrictions

2011-12-22T17:30:03Z

Q. My brother is going to get out of jail soon, and we were planning on him moving in with me, but his parole officer told him he couldn’t because he has to register as a sex offender and I live too close to an elementary school, which is against “Megan’s Law” or “Jessica’s Law” or something like that. Isn’t there anything we can do? I’m afraid if he doesn’t live with me he will be homeless.

Jerri

A. California’s Megan’s Law requires anyone convicted of a wide range of crimes, including forcible sex crimes involving non-consenting adults and most sex crimes involving children, prostitution, and child pornography, to register as a sex offender upon release on parole or probation or discharge from custody. California Penal Code § 290. Proposition 83, the Sexual Predator Punishment and Control Act, or “Jessica’s Law,” which amended Megan’s Law on November 8, 2006, forbids any registered sex offender from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park where children regularly gather. California Penal Code § 3003.5(b).

Your brother is not alone in facing a very bleak prospect. According to the Prison Law Office, a nonprofit public interest law firm which engages in class action and other impact litigation on behalf of prisoners, these residency restrictions have forced many parolees to become homeless because they are unable to find affordable, compliant housing.

Jessica's law has been challenged in courts as being too restrictive. Your brother may wish to ask a court to review his case. The Prison Law Office, which has been involved in many of these challenges, has produced a packet of forms and instructions that parolees can use to ask for an immediate stay of the restrictions while their individual cases are being heard by the courts. The packet is available for free on the web at http://www.prisonlaw.com/pdfs/ModelHabeasFull,Dec10.pdf. An additional fill-in-the-blank form, required by all California state courts in this type of case, can be downloaded from the California Courts’ website at http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/mc275.pdf.

You should be aware that local cities, towns and counties are permitted to adopt ordinances which impose further restrictions on where you can live. If you are not in Sacramento and are unsure whether your residence is in compliance with local law, check with someone who is familiar with your community’s laws.

Good luck!

Do you have a question for the County Law Librarian? Just email sacpress@saclaw.org. If your question is selected your answer will appear in next Thursday's column. Even if your question isn't selected, though, I will still respond within two weeks.

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Christmas Sleeping Bag Giveaway Still Accepting Support

2011-12-20T06:32:05Z

While most people will spend Christmas morning at home celebrating with loved ones, a group of dedicated volunteers will be hosting a sleeping bag giveaway 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Outreach Center of Safehaven Ministries of Sacramento. The event will be located near the homeless shelters and food kitchens at 1400 North C Street, Sacramento, Calif. 95811.

This past Saturday, a group of dedicated volunteers spent the morning unloading trucks and accepting donations in preparation for the Christmas morning event.

Approximately 800 brand new sleeping bags along with mats, gloves, socks, clothing and headgear will be available on a first come-first served basis on Christmas morning.

The motivating forces behind this year’s giveaway are Safehaven Site Pastor Joe Talacon and Safehaven Lead Pastor Don F. Harris.

“I came from the streets,” stated Talacon when describing why he and his family will be spending most of their Christmas morning serving others. “I have been reaching out to those in need in this area for over six years and have been blessed to combine efforts with Pastor Harris to create Safehaven,” said Talacon.

Talacon spearheaded a similar event two years ago as the leader of His Streets Ministries, a faith-based homeless outreach ministry. He indicated that there is an overwhelming need for such an event in the Sacramento area.

“We will give out everything we have with no questions asked,” he stated.

Although Talacon currently works as a welder, the creation of an outreach ministry is his calling. His goal is to transition to serving as a pastor with Safehaven Ministries on a full-time basis.

Safehaven Ministries of Sacramento has been in existence for just over a year. While seeking support to open its Outreach Center on a regular basis, Safehaven has sponsored events for the homeless community during major holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving.

As a part of their efforts to expand their ministry and generate support from the business community, Safehaven founder Don F. Harris has regularly hosted “Third Thursday Business Breakfasts” at the 1400 North C Street location. Each breakfast has featured a different theme or guest speaker to further the ministries’ goals of “meeting needs and solving problems with integrity and excellence.”

The Christmas morning giveaway is generously supported by the local faith-based community. On hand lending their assistance to unload and store the donations alongside the dozen or so volunteers was President of the Interfaith Council John Fish. He was accompanied by Chuck Aldeman and Ron Kaldor of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

Many generous donations were delivered between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. this past Saturday. Amongst the various contributors to the efforts were Sacramento Diocese Catholic Women who donated scarves, mittens, socks and sleeping bags; the Folsom L.D.S. who brought 200 mats and sleeping bags and the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library who dropped off donated books including dozens of Bibles to pass out during the scheduled service and giveaway. Other supporters include Bayside Church of South Sacramento, the Bayside Church of Granite Bay and local businessman Moe Mohanna.

The facility at 1400 North C Street will be open between 9:00 a.m. and noon on Saturday, December 24 to accept additional new and gently used items to contribute to their efforts. The most requested items that are in short supply include gloves, socks, headgear, and of course, sleeping bags.

Financial donations to support Safehaven’s efforts to bring Christmas cheer to the less fortunate can be accepted at any time. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the efforts to purchase additional items or to provide the refreshments that will be served during the giveaway is encouraged to contact Safehaven Site Pastor Joe Talacon via email at

joe.talancon@gmail.com or by leaving a message and contact information for Safehaven Ministries on their website at Safehavensacramento.org.

Faith-based community joins forces with nonprofits to offer 'Winter Sanctuary' to homeless

2011-12-07T00:55:24Z

In spite of a $75,000 funding shortfall, Volunteers of America, Sacramento Steps Forward and Sacramento’s interfaith community are going forward with plans to offer nightly shelter and meals to Sacramento-area homeless men and women.

The second season of the collaborative “Winter Sanctuary” program began Dec. 1, and is once again offering people in need safe and comfortable shelter in the dining halls, community rooms and gyms of faith-based centers throughout Greater Sacramento.

While funding has only been secured to guarantee operation through January 2012, Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada and Sacramento Steps Forward have decided to open the doors now to provide at least two months of shelter for as many as 100 people each night – 100 people who might otherwise be forced to sleep outside in the cold.

“The other shelters in town are at capacity with long waiting lists,” said Leo McFarland, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada. “With the temperature dropping, we couldn’t wait until all of the funding is secured. We are prayerful that the rest of the money will come in and we won’t have to close after only 60 days, but that’s a possibility.”

Over the course of the inaugural Winter Sanctuary season, which ran from Dec. 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, dedicated volunteers from 24 host congregations provided shelter nightly.

During this period, some 2,000 of these interfaith volunteers not only purchased, prepared and served dinner and breakfast to more than 545 of their neighbors in need, but gave haircuts, offered assistance with résumés, showed movies and engaged their often-isolated guests in conversation.

“Winter Sanctuary was one of the very best outreach events that we have been involved with in years,” said Arcade Church Pastor Dann Bryant. “We didn’t know what to expect, and we were pleasantly surprised. It truly far exceeded my expectations. It was just a great blessing for the volunteers who participated, and for the people it was administered to.”

Through the generosity of the participating congregations, the Winter Sanctuary program was able to operate at just 25 percent of the cost of a dedicated winter “overflow” shelter.

Further, more than 80 individuals, and 25 business and civic associations made financial contributions and gave in-kind donations in support of the program’s inaugural year.

Those houses of worship scheduled to provide shelter and meals during the 2011-12 Winter Sanctuary program are:

Arcade Church
Capital Christian Center
First Baptist Church of Elk Grove
First Covenant Church of Sacramento
Mars Hill Church
New Life Community Church
Restoration Life
The Rock of Roseville
Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
St. Paul Baptist Church
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Sun River Church
This Is Pentecost Fellowship Ministries
Trinity Life Center
Westminster Presbyterian Church

Those interested in making a contribution toward the 2011-12 Winter Sanctuary program may do so online at sacramentostepsforward.org, volunteersofamerica-sac.org, or by calling (916) 557-9772.

Established locally in 1911, the Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada affiliate of Volunteers of America is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, operating more than 40 programs dedicated to ending homelessness, supporting the most vulnerable populations and transforming communities for the better.

Its ministry of service supports and empowers America’s most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, seniors, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions.

Sacramento Steps Forward is an initiative to rally the community towards a shared and collective effort to end homelessness.

Members include business and faith community leaders, foundations, service providers, homeless and community representatives, law enforcement and elected officials from local cities and Sacramento County.

Watch an animated slideshow from the inaugural Winter Sanctuary season.

Disclosure: Barry Wisdom is the public relations and marketing officer for Volunteers of America Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada.

"Searching for Safe Ground" : a film on the struggle of being homeless in Sacramento

2011-11-11T08:00:38Z

“Searching for Safe Ground,” a film series by Costa Mantis, reveals the daily struggles of being homeless in Sacramento and addresses the bleak reality of not having a safe place to sleep.

Starting in October and continuing until February, a different episode of the five-part series will play at First Methodist Church on the corner of J and 21st streets during Second Saturday Art Walks.

Mantis moved from his home in Pennsylvania to Sacramento on Apr. 1, 2009 on a “mission to give the homeless a voice,” he said.

In 2009, an estimated 250 of Sacramento’s homeless lived in a collection of tents on the banks of the American River in a community called Tent City. Without running water, bathrooms, and only the protection of thin nylon tents from the weather, Tent City became a national symbol of the economic hardships caused by the recession. From the Oprah Winfrey Show to the New York Times, Tent City was reported to reflect the harsh realities of the economic downturn that citizens faced and continue to struggle with today.

Mantis has been a filmmaker for 40 years has made many films such as, Time of Tears, Laughing Stock, Flying Pumpkins and many other films and commercials. Mantis took on this project because the people of Tent City needed to be heard and needed to tell their story, he said.

“I moved into Tent City to understand what it was like to be in their shoes,” Mantis said. “After Tent City was forced to close, I followed them in their struggle to find a place to sleep. Everyone deserves a place to sleep and stay warm and to take a shower. I exposed myself to their daily regimen to be able to accurately tell their story.”

In May of 2011 he moved out of the homeless community and into an apartment and has since finished his miniseries, “Searching for Safe Ground.”

“I hope that those who come to see the film become supportive of the movement and speak with the mayor and City Council about the need for safe ground for the homeless,” said Reverend Don Lee of First Methodist Church. “Costa Mantis has been using his gift of film-making to be a voice for the struggles of the homeless. It is an important message.”

For a video explanation of the purpose of the film series by Costa Mantis, visit here.

When Tent City was forced to disband in the spring of 2009, the organization SafeGround Sacramento emerged. The film follows the community from Tent City’s closure to the creation of SafeGround Sacramento and shows the organization’s continuing efforts today.

SafeGround Sacramento was created to rally for a safe, legal and sanitary sanctioned area for the homeless to sleep. Each member of SafeGround Sacramento must agree to adhere to a code of no drugs, no alcohol and no violence to be a part of the organization.

The films show the peoples’ daily fight for survival. It follows them as they try to find a safe place to sleep, a meal to eat and shows their constant shuffling about the city as police urge them on to find alternative sleeping arrangements.

The first part in the film series shows the harsh living conditions in Tent City and people tell their stories of how they arrived there. Cold wind blows through the air and whips against people’s tents as they explain their frustrations and the lack of options that they have. Muddy ground surrounds the area and police cars approach. The film captures the faces of the homeless occupants at Tent City as they are told to disband.

Before the homeless community at Tent City can tackle the issue of where they should go inmates arrive and begin cleaning up the land. Bulldozers and tractors roll over what was once Tent City and the community is shown gathering their belongings and moving out.

“When I first moved into Tent City people felt invaded by my presence. For ten days people felt threatened by me. After that, I started to gain their trust,” Mantis said.

From that point on Mantis lived and breathed with the occupants of Tent City. The film shows the 50 to100 people traveling together all over the city in search for safe ground.

“In these films you are going to see people living under bridges. You are going to see people living in the woods. You are going to see some who got into shelters and put in beds, ” Manits said.

After Tent City was dispersed the preliminary meetings for SafeGround Sacramento began. They were filmed by Mantis and segments are included in the film series. The proceeding SafeGround Sacramento rallies, picketing efforts, and City Council meetings are all captured in his films and the efforts continue today.

“There simply isn’t enough shelter space,” said Steve Watters, executive director of SafeGround Sacramento. “There are literally a couple thousand people around this county that have nowhere to go. I would guess that there is probably 400-500 people living along the rivers downtown right now.”

The members of the organization have yet to find a place that they are legally allowed to stay, and without enough beds in the city’s homeless shelters, they break the law nightly by sleeping outside in hiding.

“The actions of the city and county speak for themselves. Is there enough shelter? No. Are there enough beds? No,” Mantis said. “I am not looking to present both sides of the story in these films. I am telling these people’s experiences and showing life through their eyes.”

The miniseries is divided into five segments. For a preview of the segments the film series by Costa Mantis, click here.

• Oct. 8 – Episode 1 “Third World America”

Episode one explores the living conditions of those living in Tent City. It also documents the process of Tent City closing down and the homeless needing to find alternative places to live.

• Nov. 12 – Episode 2 “Outside In”

Episode two shows what happened to the occupants after they left Tent City. Mantis documents the homeless moving from Tent City to heavily wooded areas and to underneath bridges. In this episode SafeGround Sacramento is discussed and officially formed.

• Dec. 10 – Episode 3 “Where Will I Stay Tonight?”

Episode three reveals the community effort to claim safe ground and hold onto it by force. They fail to succeed but the idea is born to purchase land that SafeGround Sacramento can make available to the homeless.

• Jan. 14 – Episode 4 “It Is What It Is”

Episode four shows the planning for purchasing a piece of land develop. Occupation of a piece of land on C Street is attempted but after one month it is lost due to multiple law suits filed against SafeGround Sacramento.

• Feb. 11 – Episode 5 “Now What?”

Episode five shows SafeGround Sacramento occupants leaving the area on C Street and the law suits against them are dropped. The final scene shows the homeless community biking off into the sunset in further search for safe ground.

The film viewing starts at 5 p.m. at First Methodist Church in Midtown. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, and all proceeds go to SafeGround Sacramento. There will be a question-and-answer time after the film with the filmmaker and leaders from SafeGround Sacramento.

For more information on SafeGround Sacramento, visit the website here.

Local Artists Join Together to Benefit Sacramento’s Safe Ground Nov. 12

2011-11-08T15:13:02Z

Art does many things. It gives us a history of culture. It decorates our homes. It helps the homeless.

This 2nd Saturday, Vox Sacramento art studio is giving back to the community, as well as providing a unique art show called “Home.” The studio is asking locals to bring camping equipment, blankets and coats to the exhibit. Items will be used by Safe Ground Sacramento, a homeless advocacy organization supported by a coalition of local non-profits trying to provide a safe, dry and warm solution for local residents without homes. SafeGround supports a self-governed, alcohol, drug and violence free homeless community alternative.

The exhibit features several local artists, including:

B. Shearer
Andy Brooks
Jill Allyn Stafford
Robert Couse-Baker
Kelly O'Neill
Tomas Overbai
Lisa Oullette

Art is available for purchase and some artists will be on hand at the event. The studio is located at 1818 11th St. and the showing is from 5 to 9 pm.

Every day, more than 1,450 homeless men, women, children and families are struggling to make it on Sacramento County’s streets, while the current ailing economy has resulted in more people on the streets, but fewer private and government dollars to help them.
The next few months will be particularly difficult for Sacramento’s homeless community. There is a tremendous need for warm coats, blankets, sleeping bags and other camping items. Contributions, along with financial donations, will go far toward helping Sacramento’s growing homeless population.

Safe Ground currently needs churches, synagogues, congregations, union halls and business owners in the midtown area to permit up to 100 homeless to stay overnight on their property, from 6pm to 7am the next day. Safe Ground provides its own staffing and cleanup. For more information, contact SafeGround at 916-448-2448 or Steve at 916-769-8877.

Disclosure: I'm a volunteer for Safe Ground.

County, City and Private Donors Collaborate to Provide Winter Shelter for Homeless: An Estimated $390,000 Identified to Assist

2011-11-02T16:01:41Z

Sacramento County and City are working together with generous donors to coordinate winter shelter services for the homeless.

“It’s imperative that the County, City and private interests work together to maximize available resources in preparation for winter shelter needs,” said County Supervisor Phil Serna. “We hope that individuals, businesses, labor organizations and others will continue to donate, volunteer and otherwise support the efforts of our shelter providers and our local faith community.”

At last night’s Sacramento City Council meeting, the City Council approved $100,000 for the homeless motel voucher program. In addition, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, which serves both the County and City, will target funds of approximately $100,000 to families or individuals in shelters which will provide additional capacity in the existing shelter system. This is in addition to the $150,000 the County has identified for emergency winter shelter for families.

Private and public resources continue to be identified and winter shelter services are being coordinated with Sacramento Steps Forward, a non-profit organization that will lead the homeless continuum of care for Sacramento County, Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and other partners.

County Supervisor Phil Serna is again working with labor organizations and local business interests to raise funds for winter shelter. Thus far approximately $40,000 has been contributed directly to Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center for motel/hotel vouchers, Volunteers of America for the Winter Sanctuary program, St. John’s Shelter for Women & Children, and Cottage Housing. This is in addition to a fundraising effort that occurred last February to extend Winter Sanctuary and provide additional beds at the Salvation Army.

Winter Shelter Services consist of the following:
• Shelter beds for families provided by Volunteers of America and Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center
• Motel/hotel vouchers for homeless families, people with disabilities and the elderly
• Winter Sanctuary, an interfaith program run by Volunteers of America provides nightly shelter, meals and transportation for up to 100 homeless people at 20 places of worship throughout Sacramento. This program is supported solely by private donations.

Donations for winter shelter can be made to Sacramento Steps Forward at http://sacramentostepsforward.org/ or mail your check to:
Sacramento Steps Forward
1331 Garden Highway, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95833

'Occupy' protesters bring their message to City Hall once again

2011-10-19T06:04:15Z

Occupy Sacramento protesters told City Council members Tuesday in no uncertain terms – “Tyranny.” “Unconstitutional.” “Treason.” – that their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly are being violated by an ordinance that prohibits overnight camping in city parks.)

“We should not be here to teach you about the Constitution,” said Sacramento resident David Witkin, 28. “We are here to tell you what your constituents want.”

Protesters who have taken over Cesar Chavez Plaza for nearly two weeks showed up in force at City Hall Tuesday to ask council members – again – to consider an exception to the law allowing them 24-hour access to the park.

“The Constitution wasn’t drafted only during business hours,” said Sacramento resident Christina Kay Plumb, 25. “We need to occupy this park day and night to get officials to think about the issues day and night.”

Eileen Teichert, city attorney, told council members that the rights to freedom of speech and assembly are protected by law and honored by the city – but it’s not an “unfettered right.”

Teichert said there is longstanding precedent allowing government to exercise its police power to set “reasonable time, place and manner restrictions” on the use of its parks and other public facilities.

Vacaville resident and mother of a soldier killed in Afganistan Cindy Sheehan urged council members to consider the protesters’ requests for action.

“This movement is growing, and it’s not going to go away – no matter how much it is suppressed,” Sheehan said, “so you might as well start supporting it.”

The current camping ordinance states that Cesar Chavez Plaza – like all parks in the city – is closed from “dusk to dawn.”

Mayor Kevin Johnson said at a press conference Tuesday that he “wholeheartedly” supports the efforts of the Occupy Sacramento movement, but he feels the limits in the city ordinance are appropriate.

“I don’t think it is in our best interests to remove the existing ordinance,” Johnson said. “That’s my perspective, but I’m just one vote out of nine on the council.”

Johnson said the time limitations of the camping ordinance provide “ample time” for protesters to be speak and be heard.

According to a city staff report, an extension of park hours – or a temporary “exception” to the ordinance – would open the possibility of setting a precedent for exceptions to the rule.

Sacramento resident and Occupy Sacramento participant Anthony Gallardo, 27, said Tuesday that the group isn’t trying to “take over the park” to have a place to go camping.

“We are just trying to occupy it – to just be there, 24/7 and say our message,” Gallardo said.

Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel told council members that, despite the posted “dusk to dawn” park closure, the police department has allowed protesters to remain in the park until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

But that’s not 24-hour access – and therein lies the problem for Occupy Sacramento organizers and protesters.

“It’s not about the five hours or six hours (that the park is closed). It’s much bigger than that,” Gallardo said. “The Constitution gives us the right to peaceably assemble. It doesn’t specify a time or a place. This is about our freedom of speech and freedom to assemble.”

Braziel said there has been average of 40 to 250 protesters each day at Cesar Chavez Plaza.

Between Oct. 6 and Monday, the police made 58 arrests for unlawful assembly while participating in the Occupy Sacramento protests. Thirteen people have been arrested more than once.

According to Braziel, all of those arrests were peaceful, and none of them resulted in injury.

Organizers of Occupy Sacramento initially said local protests would come to an end on Oct. 15. Three days later, protesters remain at Cesar Chavez Plaza, with no new target ending date in sight.

“This event is set for an indefinite period of time,” said Sara Beth Brooks, 26, one of the Occupy Sacramento organizers. “We believe that limiting the time we can protest is an affront to our First Amendment rights.”

The occupation of Cesar Chavez Plaza has so far been peaceful, and Gallardo and Brooks said that is how it will stay.

“No violence, no threats of violence, no drinking, no drugs and no sexual harassment – those are the core values of this group,” Gallardo said. “If we all lived by those rules, it’d be a perfect world.”

More than an hour into public comment, the City Council had not yet taken any action on the item.

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Gaining Wheels to Work

2011-10-13T02:57:42Z

In a survey given to 375 homeless people in 2009 and 2010, the Sacramento Housing Alliance found that 30 percent of the homeless population reported that transportation was the largest barrier to employment and a new program is planned to help.

Paratransit’s Mobility Training and Job Search Shuttle for the Homeless, commonly known as Wheels to Work, launched Wednesday morning at the Volunteers of America Family Center, 470 Bannon St.

Wheels to Work is a program dedicated to providing homeless and low-income earners with transportation and mobile job training by means of two large vans. The vans are designed to give homeless men and women access to job training and transportation that is essential in their quest for employment.

“We didn’t assume what homeless people wanted. We went out and asked them and then we acted. We were lucky enough to get the vans and then our partners helped make it happen,” said Bob Erlenbusch, executive director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort donated the two vans in 2009 to a sub-committee of Sacramento Steps Forward, an organization that works with homeless people in Sacramento. Paratransit, in collaboration with the Department of Human Assistance, repaired, redesigned, registered and insured both of the vans.

One of the vans seats 21 people and will function as transportation for homeless individuals to get to job interviews, training programs, homeless relief programs and various government buildings such as the Social Security office, Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Human Assistance.

The other Wheels to Work van is equipped with computers and staff who will teach men and women how to make resumes, which they can print on the printers inside the van. They will also offer interview preparation, peer mentoring, job opportunity information and job counseling.

The Wheels to Work vans are operated by seven formerly homeless graduates of Women’s Empowerment who have various disabilities. The California Department of Rehabilitation is funding and providing the necessary services for the women’s vocational training. The Department of Human Assistance has provided enough federal funding to ensure the buses will run for the next year.

Women’s Empowerment is an organization that educates and empowers homeless women. It provides skill development training that helps women regain a home and a stable lifestyle. The seven graduates that will be driving the vans have been trained and equipped to help mentor homeless people in their search for a job.

“A dream without a plan or action is just a wish. This project is a testament to people who make change and can make dreams come true,” said Lisa Culp, executive director of Women’s Empowerment. “Our hats are off to to the graduates who will drive these vans and carry this dream forward.”

“I have a story and can relate to these people,” said Linda Strohmyer, a driver for Wheels to Work. Strohmyer said she spent six years being homeless and addicted to everything from hoarding to cocaine, but through Women’s Empowerment she regained control of her life and got off the streets. She is still living in transitional housing but said she hopes, by means of working as a Wheels to Work driver, she can be in her own home by the start of 2012.

“I have come from nowhere and have gotten back on my feet because of these resources,” said Donna Blacksmith, another driver for Wheels to Work. “People just have to want it, and my job with Wheels to Work is to help them regain hope.”

She will be driving people who she used to live with on the streets. She said that she aims for these men and women to gain a sense of hope by seeing her with a job.

“I was offered a second chance, and now I want to extend the offer to them,” she said.

The vans started operating at the start of October and run from 8:20 a.m. - 4:57 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to Linda Deavens, Paratransit’s CEO, Wheels to Work will start with one main route, but two more are in development. The current route runs the same each day and has scheduled stops at designated times.

The organizations behind Wheels to Work include: Paratransit inc., Women’s Empowerment, Sacramento Steps Forward, Sacramento Housing Alliance, Department of Human Assistance, California Department of Rehabilitation, and community volunteers.

To learn more about Wheels to Work visit the website here.

City appeals decision in homeless class action suit

2011-09-23T02:50:07Z

On the same day that activists and supporters rallied together for homeless rights at the Safe Ground Jubilee, attorneys for the city of Sacramento were busy filing a motion to appeal a Federal Court decision in a contentious homeless class action lawsuit.

“Our rationale for appeal is based primarily on procedural and evidentiary rulings that came up in the trial,” Brett Witter, supervising deputy city attorney for Sacramento said Thursday.

The motion for appeal was filed Sept. 14 in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by attorney Chance Trimm, on behalf of the city.

According to court documents, the city is appealing a May 24 Federal Court decision that found the city liable on two of six claims by plaintiffs that the city “had a custom and practice of violating (plaintiffs’) constitutional rights concerning their personal property.”

(Read court documents on Lehr v. City of Sacramento HERE.)

“We’re not appealing the jury’s decision,” Witter said, “instead, we’re challenging the way the evidence was presented to the jury.”

Witter said that, among the issues brought up in the city’s appeal is an amendment made to the plaintiffs’ complaint late in the game.

“(The amendment) came literally a couple of weeks before the trial,” Witter said. “We felt the late amendment was inappropriate. That’s just one of the problems (with the trial) we want to discuss.”

Mark Merin, the attorney representing the homeless class action group, said Wednesday that the city has no basis for the motion to appeal.

“An appeal can only happen after a final judgement,” Merin said. “In this case, there hasn’t yet been one.”

Because the jury decided the city is liable but hasn’t set damages yet, Merin explained, the case is not considered “final” or completed.

Merin filed a motion with the court on Sept. 20 to dismiss the appeal for “lack of jurisdiction.”

The homeless class action against the city began in 2007 when Merin, representing homeless individuals, filed suit in Sacramento Federal Court alleging that homeless plaintiffs’ belongings were illegally taken and thrown away by Sacramento police officers between August 2005 and May 2009.

Once the court made its decision in May 2011, Merin said, the next step should be negotiating a claims procedure to compensate individuals for damages and property loss.

“It’s not just compensation for the actual property,” Merin said. “It’s also loss of use of property. The (class action petitioners) are also entitled to damages for the violation of their rights.”

Merin said there isn’t any way to accurately estimate the final amount of damages, but he estimates the amount may be as much as $1 million or more.

“As long as the case is unresolved, it has a real impact on the many homeless people in Sacramento,” Joan Burke, director of advocacy for Loaves & Fishes, said Thursday.

Burke said that more than 1,000 homeless people in the city are forced to sleep outside every night because there is a lack of shelter space available.

“Anyone forced to sleep outside is subject to arrest,” Burke said. “When people are arrested, they have to worry about their stuff.”

Typically what people have with them when they are living outside, Burke said, are “survival items” – such as clothing, eyeglasses or medical prescriptions – or more sentimental items like photographs and family mementos.

“When you have to minimize what you carry around,” Burke said, “you get it down to what is really most important to you.”

In June, the city filed additional motions for summary judgment – to essentially “cancel” the jury decision – as well as a motion for a new trial.

Both actions were denied by Judge Morrison C. England, Jr., the presiding judge of the case, on Aug. 15.

“(The City) has done all they can to delay the reckoning,” Merin said, “and it just won’t work.”

Witter said that, if the appeal is denied, city attorneys will go back to the City Council to get direction on what to do next.

Merin said he expects the court will make a decision on the motion to dismiss by the end of October.

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Salvation Army opens housing complex for homeless families

2011-09-22T00:42:04Z

The Salvation Army officially opened its new E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Complex on September 20. The 35-unit center, located near I-80 and Watt Ave., will house families who were homeless.

Each family had qualified for this housing program through The Salvation Army’s Family Service Department. All participating families may live in the units from six months to two years. Case workers will work constantly with each program participant to find permanent housing and employment.

The living complex is also a clean and sober program. For those who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, recovery and prevention meetings will be available to them.

The new program is a blessing for 32-year-old Sunnie. She, along with her two children, recently moved into the housing complex. Prior to her participation in this program, Sunnie struggled with drugs and hopping from one shelter to another.

“They’re (Salvation Army) giving me a chance to get myself together,” Sunnie said. “It’s a way to not go down the same road I went through before. I can get my education, get a job, and get back on my feet and not worry about having a place to stay.”

More than $3 million was raised to purchase the property and start the housing program.

“The need for transitional housing for families in Sacramento is huge,” said Major Douglas Riley, Salvation Army Del Oro Divisional Commander. “To keep families together is critical these days. To help them in times of trouble and turmoil, that’s why we are here for.”

Joyce Raley Teel, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors for Raley's Family of Fine Stores, donated $2 million toward the project’s capital campaign. The living center is named in honor of Mrs. Teel’s late mother, E. Claire Raley.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for these people who had such a difficult past,” Teel said. “I’m very proud of this program. I’m glad my family could make a difference, along with many other donors.”

The donation was also made to recognize the work of The Salvation Army, who assisted E. Claire Raley’s family when she was a youth.

“My mother told me that The Salvation Army helped her family out when times were tough,” Teel said. “For some reason, I never forgot that. I just have a great admiration for them. Any disaster, they’re there. It impressed me, and here I am, trying to do my part and give back.”

Disclosure: Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army of Sacramento County. For more information about The Salvation Army, log onto www.salarmysacto.org or join the facebook page www.facebook.com/salvationarmysacramento

Women's Empowerment takes on making 1,200 desserts for Thursday's gala

2011-09-21T23:43:59Z

The smell of chocolate truffles, orange cream and strawberries flooded the KVIE commercial kitchen Wednesday morning as Women’s Empowerment graduates were hard at work. Making 1,200 desserts for 550 people was no easy task, but the 10 women took on the challenge with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.

The desserts are for the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Independence Gala that benefits Women’s Empowerment, a Sacramento non profit that helps homeless women find jobs and housing for their families. The gala is Thursday from 5:30 - 9 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt, 1215 J St.

The women worked diligently to make the perfect cheesecake bites from a recipe of one of the graduate’s great grandmothers. Tray after tray of chocolate truffles and orange-cream cheese cupcakes came out of the ovens while frosting was stirred by hand. Jovial voices bounced around the room while hand mixers turned on and off as they whirled batter quickly around glass bowls.

“Women’s Empowerment is a safe haven,” said Ann Gamble-Turner, a graduate of the Women’s Empowerment job readiness program. “I thought I was all alone, but at Women’s Empowerment I found women who could relate to my experiences. These women are making their desserts with every ounce of love that they’ve got...Talking about it makes me emotional,” she added.

Many of the women who enroll in Women’s Empowerment are homeless, unemployed and have come from histories of violence, abuse, drugs and poverty. Women meet others in the program who can relate to their experiences and offer encouragement as they work to create a new future for themselves and their families.

Gamble-Turner said she is happy to be a server at the gala this year and is so proud of the women who are graduating from the program. Gamble-Turner described herself as a Women’s Empowerment cheerleader who found her second chance in the program. she was offered a new start in the program after living as a homeless woman in Sacramento and having faced years of poverty and hardship.

“The women making the desserts today are women who love food and love to cook,” said Lisa Culp, executive director of Women’s Empowerment. “Making desserts this morning and serving dinner tomorrow night are a part of their training to become ServSafe certified."

Every restaurant must have at least one employee with a ServSafe ceritification to ensure that the food facility is following food safety standards. This certification will make these women more competitive candidates when they apply for jobs.

“We try to equip women with confidence and skills they can use in the workforce. Preparing them for a real job means they will be able to provide for their families,” Culp said.

The menu for Thursday night was not available Wednesday. ~~Thursday night the Grand Hyatt will be preparing watermelon salad, smoked pork shoulder, jambalaya and red velvet popsicles for the gala.~~ The Women’s Empowerment graduates and those who are in the program now will serve food to guests and recent honored graduates.

Wednesday morning the kitchen was filled with loud laughter, emotional moments and busy hands. Hard at work, the graduates were in “go” mode as they pulled together to make more than 1,000 desserts in just a couple of hours.

For more information on Women’s Empowerment or the gala Thursday, click here.

Editorial Note: A correction has been made to this story after it was published. The incorrect information has been struck out and the correct information has been added.

Kids ride for kids

2011-09-12T20:44:40Z

"I did it!" is an often heard refrain after the Mustard Seed bike ride for kids.

On Sunday, September 25th the 7th annual Mustard Seed Spin in Sacramento will take place on the American River bike trail. This bike ride -- by kids for kids -- has already raised and donated $120,000 to the Mustard Seed School for homeless children. All rider fees are donated directly to the school. More than 700 riders are expected this year, slightly more than last year. The bike ride introduces kids under the age of 18 to organized cycling, teaches bike safety, and hopefully creates a whole new generation of bike commuters. There is also a bike Scholarship Program which hosts 50 underprivileged kids at the ride. They go home with a refurbished bike, a new helmet, and a great sense of accomplishment and belonging!

The bike ride starts at William Pond Recreation Area at 11am on September 25th. Kids (and their parents) can do a 6 mile or 12 mile ride. Lunch and ice cream are served after the ride along with a raffle drawing for several new bikes. Please consider riding yourself or with a group of friends this year. You can go to www.mustardseedspin.org for more information.

Since obtaining non-profit status in 2010, the Mustard Seed Spin has expanded its mission to bike safety outreach to community centers and underserved schools.

"Beautiful Youth" premiere draws a crowd at the Crest

2011-08-19T08:07:20Z

Just a week ago, the Sacramento Press reported on a local documentary about youth homelessness and on Thursday, "Beautiful Youth" screened for a packed house as part of the Sacramento Film & Music Festival SummerFEST. The Festival contacted the filmmakers as a result of that article and, given only a week of lead time, the size of the audience was both noteworthy and a testament to the interest in the topic. The film itself has a running time of 47 minutes and was followed by a Q&A session with filmmakers Jennifer Lystrup and Mackenzie Long which lasted equally long. Even more remarkable, almost the entire audience stayed throughout the post-screening discussion and asked questions of both the directors and several of the individuals who were interviewed during the making of the film.

The Sacramento Film & Music Festival continues through Sunday evening. Friday evening's lineup consists of three narrative feature films: "Face to Face," "Stan," and "The Corridor" at 7pm, 9pm, and 11pm respectively.

The full Festival schedule can be found here.

Disclosure: Tony Sheppard is Co-Director of the Sacramento Film & Music Festival.

Friday to be known as 'Greg Bunker Day'

2011-08-11T00:07:48Z

A longtime friend of the homeless and down-and-out, the late Greg Bunker will be officially recognized for his service to the Sacramento area at a benefit concert Friday.

A city resolution honoring Bunker for his 21 years with Francis House will be delivered Friday night.

“Greg was a generous man who left a lasting impact on our community,” Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday. “He was a tireless advocate for the homeless and (worked) hard to serve those less fortunate.”

Bunker died from a heart attack last December.

“His contributions to Sacramento will surely be missed,” Johnson said.

The resolution, which denotes Friday as “Greg Bunker Day,” comes as Francis House doubles its operating hours to 35 hours per week, staying open from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and prepares to host a Tower of Power benefit concert on Friday.

“The need now is greater than ever before,” said Faith Whitmore, Francis House executive director. “We see more and more people every day.”

She added that expanding the hours beyond what was previously offered will give more service to those in need, and it was made possible in part by a good turnout to April’s Feast for the Streets.

“It means the world to us to have Mayor Johnson speak about us publicly,” said Sandy Acevedo, Francis House’s manager of direct services. “He knew Greg, and he wants (Bunker’s) work to continue.”

Acevedo said Bunker was always passionate about helping people.

“He returned from Vietnam – he was a vet – and he immediately went to helping people,” she said. “He managed a food bank for a while, and then he took over Francis House.”

When Francis House burned down about 20 years ago, Acevedo said, Bunker was instrumental in rebuilding it.

City Councilman Steve Cohn said he thinks there are few people in Sacramento who were more dedicated to trying to help the homeless and down-and-out people than Bunker and Francis House.

“I always found him to be a very gentle and peaceful person,” Cohn said Wednesday. “Even when you were talking about difficult subjects, he had an inner peace to him that really came through.”

Cohn said that though the resolution only sets aside this year’s Aug. 12 as Greg Bunker Day, Sacramentans should not count it out for future years as well.

“He helped I don’t know how many hundreds and thousands of people through tough times,” Cohn said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t some effort to continue to use his memory to continue his work.”

Whitmore said the nonprofit organization is inextricably linked to Bunker, and his work will go on.

“He had a lot of joy about him,” she said. “He instilled passion, compassion and joy in other people. His was a life of unending service.”

The expansion in hours at Francis House means those in need can receive new services, including life coaching, tutoring for the GED test and a childcare center people can use as they receive career counseling on-site.

Late-afternoon classes will also be provided, centering on topics involving parenting, literacy and anger management, among others.

The center will continue to provide the services it has historically, including help with obtaining California identification and settling families into apartments.

The new hours and services will go into effect Sept. 1.

According to the resolution, which can be viewed by clicking here, Francis House helped 30,000 people last year with resources and counseling, placed 1,900 people in hotel rooms and helped clients find 140 jobs.

Friday’s Tower of Power concert at the Radisson Hotel will donate all of its proceeds to the nonprofit organization, Acevedo said.

Michael Fahn of Fahn & Co., Inc., was a friend of Bunker’s, and this will be the first time Francis House has had such a large benefit concert, she added.

Tickets will be $34 and are available at Francis House, 1422 C St., until 3 p.m. Friday and at Dimple Records stores. They can also be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the door.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. and will include a raffle for items such as art and 14-karat gold jewelry.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Feast for the Streets comes Wednesday, honors Bunker

2011-04-23T00:37:25Z

Francis House’s Feast of the Streets on Wednesday will be a bittersweet celebration of both the 20th anniversary of the event, and the life of former Executive Director Greg Bunker, who died in December.

“About 1,000 people came to his memorial service, and this is sort of our memorial for him,” said Forrest Reed, program director for Francis House.

The banquet will kick off with a four-minute video of Bunker’s life.

Francis House is a nonprofit organization founded in Sacramento 40 years ago that offers counseling services, hotel vouchers and help getting California identification to people in need, such as homeless people.

Feast For the Streets is the biggest fundraiser for Francis House, and $56,000 has already been raised in corporate and private donations. About 750 people are expected to be at the event, with ticket prices at $50.

“We’ve managed to keep the ticket price steady,” Reed said. “It really is one of the premiere food events in Sacramento, but it tends to fly under the radar.

Lining the walls of the Scottish Rite Center Wednesday night will be 40 restaurants and six wineries, including Mimi’s Cafe, Mulvaney’s B&L, Ettore’s European Bakery, Thai Basil and River City Brewing Co.

According to Lisa Schulze, office manager for Mulvaney’s B&L, co-owner Patrick Mulvaney has been working with Francis House and the Feast for the Streets for the past several years.

“I think what’s important to him and his wife, Robin, is they’re helping to get resources to people who don’t have basic resources – like education and counseling to get out of poverty,” she said.

“I think the importance of it is that if you help these types of organizations, you help break the cycle of poverty because people get stuck in poverty and have no way out without help,” she said.

Reed said that increasing numbers of people have come to Francis House since 2007 asking for assistance, and a small core of 5,000 donors have been able to keep the needed aid flowing, but help is still needed.

“We have two full-time people and three part-time people, and we’ve managed to touch 30,000 people, but we’re still having to turn some away,” he said.

Just over 81 percent of every dollar received goes directly to those in need, Reed said, adding that it’s a number he feels very good about.

Carla Meyers is a volunteer co-chairing the organization of Feast for the Streets, and she said she started as a volunteer several years ago.

“I’m retired, and I wanted to do something where I could interact with people and not stuff envelopes,” she said. “From the beginning at Francis House, you sit with clients and do resource counseling, help with getting a California ID and send them to various resources. I just thought it was a really great way to give back.”

Attendees will be able to eat their fill around the tables at the event Wednesday, Meyers said.

There will also be a silent auction in a room adjoining the banquet area as well as a live auction on the stage.

“We get 700-plus people,” Meyers said. “It’s great food and great entertainment, and you get to give back to those less fortunate.”

Tickets can be purchased online or in person at Francis House, 1422 C St. Reed said tickets will be sold at the door beginning at 5:30 p.m., but the event is expected to sell out.

The Scottish Rite Masonic Center is located at 6151 H St.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Mayor, city celebrate Winter Sanctuary's accomplishments

2011-04-06T01:00:14Z

A group of Sacramento-area faith community leaders came out to be recognized on Tuesday for their participation in the Winter Sanctuary program to house the homeless in the winter.

“From December to March, (the) Winter Sanctuary program sheltered 550 homeless men and women,” County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan said.

It also served to aid the homeless with resources, employment and treatment of health issues, MacGlashan noted.

“(In addition), they were provided with sleeping bags and transportation each evening by bus to a safe congregation, and there the volunteers from each congregation (served) them with dinner, breakfast, social and spiritual fellowship,” MacGlashan said.

Under the Winter Sanctuary program – which was announced at a press conference ~~launched~~ Oct. 24 by Sacramento Steps Forward, l ocal houses of worship opened their doors to the homeless, giving them a place to sleep.

Mayor Kevin Johnson said it was a day to appreciate and honor the people who made the inaugural Winter Sanctuary program a success.

“We have over 3,000 homeless people in our community – far too many,” Johnson said. “Our vision, in Sacramento, is to be a city that works for everyone, and what I mean by everyone (is) it means the least among us.”

Supervisor Phil Serna said he was very moved when he went out and saw the homeless’ living conditions before the Winter Sanctuary program went into effect.

“From (this) experience, I wanted to do something immediately – I want to make sure our homeless population is taken care of,” he said.

Johnson elaborated on the long-term details of his plan to curb homelessness in Sacramento.

“We want to create permanent housing units,” he said. “We have 1,600 that we have done in a little over a year. Our goal is to have 2,400 within a three-year period.”

Johnson said the faith groups, volunteers,service providers and public officials all worked together to make the Winter Sanctuary program work – a program he previously said is necessary to help the homeless until the long-term goal can be realized.

He said the churches and two mosques contributed places to sleep, volunteers helped in serving meals and putting things in order, while service providers served with things such as transportation and the public officials aided in drafting the program.

About 24 houses of worship ~~churches~~ participated, and thousands of volunteers came out.

“We, as a community, want to step forward and take care of our community,” Johnson said. “We want to be a community that empowers the homeless to contribute to our city.”

For the list of the churches, visit the website Sacramento Steps Forward.

Among the speakers was Tony Aiken, a homeless man who said he is grateful for the program.

“Sometimes when (you) give (to the homeless), (you) give away what’s left over, but if you’re not using it, what makes you think we are going to use it?” Aiken said. “They served us first-class everything.

“Because of the blessing I have received, I am now able to help someone else,” Aiken added.

The program was led by Volunteers of America and Sacramento Steps Forward.

Among other service providers, Sacramento’s Loaves & Fishes offered space at Friendship Park to pre-screen guests ~~served meals for the homeless~~ .

Various businesses, individuals and associations made financial contributions to fund the program.

Editorial Note: Corrections have been made to this story after it was published. The incorrect information has been struck out and the correct information has been added.

Ground broken on downtown SRO

2011-03-29T02:36:30Z

Construction has begun on Sacramento's newest single-resident occupancy building downtown.

On Monday, a backhoe operator and other construction workers continued demolishing an old foundation at Seventh and H streets. The eight-story, 150-unit mid-rise being built there by Mercy Housing is the first new structure going up in the railyards redevelopment project area.

Once completed, the $47.4 million affordable housing project, known simply as “Seventh & H,” will be one of the city's largest permanent supportive housing projects. Half of the units will be reserved for homeless or recently homeless people, and the rest is aimed at downtown workers making $20,000 to $25,000 a year.

"Seventh and H is a very important part of the larger solution of affordable housing," said Rich Ciraulo, project manager for Mercy Housing in West Sacramento.

Work began March 17 to remove remnants of a building that once housed the Sacramento Police Department's patrol station and police academy. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, a project partner, bought the land from the city in 2008. The agency then donated the land, worth $3.1 million, and tore down the old building to allow for new construction.

Demolition crews from contractor J.R. Roberts/Deacon of Citrus Heights were still pulling foundation debris out of the ground Monday. The soil will be recompacted, then new foundation construction will begin.

The concrete-frame building will use concrete and steel-reinforced piles that are 65 to 70 feet deep to avoid pile driving in land next to an electric substation that powers the Capitol and a large part of downtown, Ciraulo said.

"SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) has been warning us all along to be very careful," he added.

Architects Mogavero Notestine Associates of Sacramento and SERA Architects of Portland designed the building. The exterior will be covered with tan brick and metal panels. Second-floor roof gardens are included in the design. The cost increased from $41 million to include a full solar panel array on the roof, a solar water-heating system, a larger health clinic and other features.

Support services will include programs on health, education, community integration and finances. The Effort, a Sacramento nonprofit health services provider, will offer primary health and behavioral health services in a 5,200-square-foot clinic located in the building on H Street.

Construction is expected to be complete in October 2012. Six months prior, Mercy will start interviewing prospective tenants with help from local nonprofits and agencies that work with the homeless. Mercy Housing also will enlist real estate brokers to find restaurant tenants for two other ground-floor spaces on Seventh Street.

Mercy Housing and SHRA cobbled together $21.7 million in federal low-income housing tax credits through the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, about $20 million in redevelopment funding – which includes tax increment affordable housing set-aside funds – plus other funding from the Federal Home Loan Banks and the California Housing Finance Agency.

"When you put it in the context of what's going on with the larger economy and what's going on with affordable housing right now, it's very exciting to have it be a reality," Ciraulo said.

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter at The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Safe Ground supporters hold vigil, call for a state of emergency

2011-03-16T05:51:56Z

The lack of adequate shelter for the homeless has been declared a state of emergency by Safe Ground.

Safe Ground, an organization that is devoted to finding proper housing for the homeless, gathered for a vigil on Monday on the corner of 10th and I streets to bring awareness and have people sign petitions.

Executive Director of Safe Ground Sacramento Steve Watters said he has been involved with the organization since its inception.

“Safe Ground’s main mission/objective is to acquire a piece of land and build transitional housing for the homeless,” Watters said. “It is surprising how many people are homeless in Sacramento. We have between 1,200 and 1,400 in Sacramento at night time that don’t have anywhere to go, so they end up illegally camping, sleeping in the doorway or begging to borrow a couch from a friend for the night.”

About 30 people were present at the vigil. They plan on being out there every day this week until the City Council and the Board of Supervisors address the issue.

Lawrence Hoover, 57, has been homeless for seven months and said he is frustrated with the way things are going.

“Sacramento Police Department and rangers should get off our back – What we are asking is to let us have a little piece of property,” Hoover said.

John Kraintz, 57, the president of Safe Ground Sacramento, had been living on the river for about eight years said that they are doing the best they can and now it is time for the issue to be addressed by the city.

We do not want to take over the river by creating tent cities, he said. It is a recreational place for people to relax after a hard day’s work, but we really have no choice when everywhere is packed.

“We are doing the very best we can in a very desperate situation, yet there is no reason for us to have this kind of desperation, because there are many many vacant buildings in this town,” he said.

He also noted that they do not have a specific number of people they are hoping to sign the petition, they simply want to bring awareness and inform people of the homeless shelter emergency.

“If all we could do is give a tent and a sleeping bag, that is what we are going to do,” Kraintz said. “It is a law we can’t stop breaking. We have talked to City Hall, asking them to help us to do something, but nobody seems interested in taking the issue on, so that is why we are asking for (a) state of emergency to be declared – they need to stop sweeping the issue under the carpet.”

Although there are transitional shelters and churches, they have long waiting lists and are reaching capacity.

Brian Baker, dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, said they housed about 100 to 120 people during the rainy and cold season.

Mark Merin is the attorney representing the homeless people.

“Our goal through this vigil is to lift the awareness of the people of Sacramento,” Merin said. “Homeless people have no place to be. We want to encourage (the) city and county to declare emergency, which suspends regulations and (the no-camping) ordinance, which is a barrier for them to be in any place.”

He mentioned there is a contract that the homeless sign promising to not drink alcohol, use drugs or get involved in violence.

The public needs to understand these are individuals who need a starting place for transition, Merin explained.

“We want to start on some piece of property to develop this community and then offer the people who participate an opportunity to get a job, housing, take care of heath issues – we need a safe ground/space to do this,”Merin said.

Safe Ground representatives will be on the corner of 10th and I streets from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. -6 p.m. weekdays and plan to continue until action is taken.

safegroundsac.org

Hossana Paida

LGBTQ Homeless Youth Fundraiser

2011-03-11T00:54:30Z

Homeless in America come in all colors, all ages and their number continues to grow. Homelessness in Sacramento is also on the rise. This past Tuesday, March 8, 2011 a fundraising reception was held at Beatnik Studios for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) homeless youth of Sacramento.

The humanitarian issue of homelessness is addressed differently depending on the areas that it affects. In Sacramento and other cities little has been done to meet the needs and challenges of the LGBTQ homeless youth.

These challenges are being addressed by the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center along with individuals and community groups. As a result The Sacramento LGBTQ Homeless Youth Initiative was created by these groups to address this issue.

Guests at the Beatnik Studios mingled while enjoying Michael “Custom Chef” Shugert’s catering. As I enjoyed the food I chatted with Roy Bishop and partner Bill Johnson. Roy and I talked about Los Angeles as it turned out we grew up around the same area down in Watts and East L.A. Mr. Bishop lived around the skid row area in L.A. around 5th and Main Streets. It’s unfortunate but that area is still considered skid row.

As Mr. Bishop talked about L.A. he reminisced about living in the downtown L.A. area during in the Zoot Suit time period. Having an older sister in Sacramento he made the move up here during adolescence where he went to school in Sacramento and Woodland. He’s been here ever since.

Roy Bishop was there to support the fundraising and pointed out some of the dignitaries on hand. He identified Wendy Hill for me. Wendy is the Executive Director of the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center. Roy indicated that she was going to be moving on to work at the State Legislature.

After a while Wendy Hill took the microphone to welcome guests at the event. “My name is Wendy Rae Hill; I’m the outgoing Executive Director at the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center. I’m so happy and welcome to all of you here tonight. It’s amazing to see this turnout.” said Wendy as she introduced herself and talked about the event.

A new initiative in Sacramento called the Homeless LGBTQ Youth Initiative brought guests to the event. Wendy also indicated that the co-chair of this event was Paul Curtis. “I started the center last May,” Wendy said as she gave a short background history. “Over the summer I noticed as I was coming to the center and opening up. There was about 6 to 8 young people that identified themselves as LBGT that would grab their backpacks and their belongings off the back deck and scamper away for a few hours and then sometime during the day came in to the bathroom and clean up or just hang out.” Wendy said.

Wendy said that she decided that instead of just closing her eyes to this she decided to act on what she saw. Wendy invited them in and talked to them about their circumstances. Sitting with these young people Wendy learned a lot about this special population of LGBT youth and young adults.

“I asked them to go around and count the number of their friends that they know of who are in that transition age, that 18 to 24 age group.” Wendy said. She indicated that there are approximately 32 youths in the Midtown area that fit the category. Wendy and Paul got together with other community leaders and talked about solutions to this problem.

This group talked about the services needed to be provided in the Midtown area for these homeless youth. Common characteristics were evaluated and Wendy indicated that “Most of them were either kicked out by their families or had to get out of their home at about age 18. Many were not prepared to be on their own. Few of them had a family history of poverty or homelessness meaning that once they were out on their own they had no idea what to do.For this youth the coping skills were just not there."

“It was their orientation or gender identity that was the reason why they no longer had that family.” Wendy said as she talked about this group of the homeless population. “The last common characteristic common for this group was that one of the reasons their parents, their family sited for kicking them out or pushing them out was religion.”

Wendy continued and said they identified that most of these kids, unless they were in the child welfare system or homeless system, prior to age 18 there are very few services available to them. She said, “That’s where tonight comes in. This fundraiser tonight is essentially raising the seed funds to move forward with a number of problem areas.”

Problem areas identified to be worked on were: creating an assessment system to evaluate needs, build a host housing program and provide support for the hosts that house young people. Creation of a Service Provided Training for these LGBT youths. Life Skills Training classes are also needed, as is the creation a mentoring and job training program, an emergency fund, a P.R./Communications program and fundraising.

Paul Curtis thanked those who helped put together the program. “We had a goal at the beginning,” said Paul. “The goal was, I thought, let’s see if we can raise 15 to 20 thousand dollars. I’m proud to say tonight that we met our goal.” Paul said and received cheers and applause from the audience. Paul indicated that in these economic times it’s hard to ask for funds and said, “It shows that our community really wants to embrace issues like this where there’s a huge need in our community.”

Paul thanked honorary co-chair and new County Supervisor Phil Serna. Mary Hernandez who donated the remaining campaign funds from her run for the City School Board election try was also recognized as one of the main contributors. Mary came on stage to say, “I wanted to thank the LGBT community because really you were my rock, you were my base when it came down to hitting the streets and help spread the word. First of all thank you very everything that everybody did on behalf of me and on behalf of my campaign.” Her contribution was appreciated and the guests thanked her.

Paul Curtis thanked the many individuals and organizations for their donations and acknowledged them for their contributions. He later continued, “This is just the start of the program, we have a long way to go. This gives us the seed money. The goal for this program is not keep it going with a community fundraiser every year, we’ll do something like this, but it will important that we out to the State and Federal Grants.”

Shahera Hyatt, Consultant, California Homeless Youth Project was introduced. Shahera has written her research brief; “Struggling to Survive: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning Homeless Youth on the Streets of California” and is available on the California Homeless Youth Project web page.

Shahera informed the audience that copies of her report were available in a couple of areas in the building. “We know that in the state of California up to 200,000 youth experience homelessness over the course of a year. Up to 40% of them identify as LGBTQ. In researching this report I not only consulted literature on this population but also interviewed LGBTQ homeless youth themselves but also the service providers across the state.” She wanted to get a better picture on the unique challenges and strengths of this group, her findings can be found on the very interesting brief she wrote.

Wendy came back on stage to thank sponsors and remarked that the program will also require volunteers to share their expertise. Wendy pointed out that volunteer sheets were around the studio for those that wished to sign up.

Wendy invited Supervisor Serna to say a few words before the. “I’m very energized this evening to play a very small part of this great effort.” Serna said. He talked about his efforts to address homelessness in the Sacramento area but specifically around the American River Parkway. “I’m very honored to be associated with this effort and what I would like to do in the interest of being very proactive. I would like to set a new goal tonight if it’s okay. I would like to commit to raising at least another $5,000 by the end of April.” Serna said and received many cheers. “But that means everyone in this room has the commitment to collectively match that.”

The challenge was issued and Serna ended by saying, “You need to reach out to your friends, colleagues, workers and family members to help me match that so we can raise an additional $10,000 by the end of April.”

With the final comments made the food and drink areas acquired more visitors. New friends and contacts were made and the opportunity to meet people involved in the LGBT community ended the evening. Janice Steele, Pastor, of the Imani Community Church was on hand and we talked about the event. Her church is on 2100 J Street and said that the LGBT community is welcome to attend where they can meet people who are willing to offer support and, as their motto says, “Practice Radical Hospitality.”

New initiatives, information and websites regarding the LGBTQ (and non-LGBTQ) homeless community can be found at the following sites:

Cahomelessyouth.library.ca.gov
cahomelessyouth.library.ca.gov/docs/pdf/StrugglingToSurviveFinal.pdf
www.SacCenter.org
www.sacramentostepsforward.com
www.endhomelessness.org
http://www.calyouth.org

Experiences in Homelessness Part 1

2011-03-07T21:48:30Z

I am not a journalist. I have no college degree in journalism, social services or any other field. I am a formerly homeless person with a real/authentic homeless experience. I also have the real experience of somehow getting off the streets and slowly finding my way to what society calls 'home'. Here is a beginning to my story:

When I turned 18, my family disowned me because I smoked pot. I came (to my father's)home from work and found the locks had been changed and noone would answer the door. All the windows and doors were tightly locked. The message was clear. I stayed with friends for about 9 months, and applied for a community college in Eugene OR. When I was accepted, I sold my car and moved there with two 'friends'. Shortly into my first term, the landlord suposedly found out there were 3 of us living in a 1-bedroom apartment and demanded one of us leave immediatley. My 'friends' nominated me the evictee and told me to leave.

I moved in with some students I just met, who were nice enough to take me in, but I felt like a charity case and knew it was temporary. I was getting no help from anyone, family or friends. I was alone. After the 2nd semester my student loan abruptly terminated. Somehow I didnt recieve a letter in the mail that was required to be filled out in order for my loan to continue. I was only working 10-15 hours a week, and was using part of the loan to pay for rent.

With no way to pay the cost of living, and no desire to burden the kind people who allowed me to stay with them, I packed my backpack with what Ithought I would need to survive, including a sleeping bag, and slipped out the back that night. With very few options in sight, I hitchhiked to a rainbow gathering in Mt. Shasta. From there I hitched to S.F. to meet the Grateful Dead at the Warfield who were to be playing within the next couple months.

I stayed on Upper Haight where I saw a lot of people my age seemingly in the same situation as me. I was 19 soon to be 20. I slept in the Buena Vista Park mostly. Sometimes I would stay in the Golden Gate Park. I wasnt a hippy, but I had been introduced to 'the Dead' while living in Eugene, shortly before entering the streets, and took hope and comfort in that I may be able to become part of the 'Deadhead' culture. I was already so discouraged by the cards I'd been dealt though, that I was suffering from depression and could not grasp the idea of being social as a young homeless 'man'. So I often kept to myself.

After about 3-4 months in S.F., I got a ride with some strangers to Chattanooga TN to get on the Phish tour. I wasnt having luck getting on the 'Dead' tour, so I would try my luck with Phish instead. Arriving in Chattanooga, I knew noone, and felt very lost and alone. That night, I searched until I found what seemed a safe place to sleep. I slept terribly, and awoke to someone who owned the property I occupied. She took me to a place she thought would be a safe place for me to stay.

Unfortunatley, where she took me was most unsafe. It was a house that a family lived. A mother and her 2 sons, both sons between the ages of 35-45. I was very far from home, no family or friends to speak of, and I did not know what to do. I decided to stay there long enough to get some money saved up and a plan as to what to do next. The family had agreed to let me stay. Within a month, the situation had developed into a very oppressive and abusive situation of which I saw no escape. I was sexually assualted by the older brother on numerous occasions, and threatened with violence and death if I did not comply,submit, etc... I was heavily drugged to keep me in captivation. After 9 months I was 'released' and sent on a bus to my father's.

I had no desire to see my father, and was too ashamed and confused to tell anyone what had happenned to me in TN. I couldnt believe it myself. That people prey on young homeless people to oppress and abuse them is still hard for me to believe. It does make sense though, because who would believe a homeless person, or even care for their welfare? Homeless are a perfect target for predators, because the homeless have no voice, and not many care what happens to them.

This type of experience being homeless became somewhat common for me throughout the next 5-7 years. Being treated like garbage by many people, having no voice, being exploited by people with predatorial tendencies, moving from city to city in search of hope, sleeping in parks and being chased out and ticketed by police for tresspassing. It was so strange, being exploited by predators, and within a same 24 hour period, being ticketed by police for trespassing. And as a kid I always saw the police as being there to protect, etc...What a lesson learned.

Even though it is important not to portray homeless as victims, its just as important to see that many homeless are victims, and their cries are real. But society, and even many homeless people themselves, believe that the homeless arent victims. I am compelled to disagree. Society has preached this philosophy so much to the homeless that the homeless are desensitiesed to the idea that they may be victims. I didnt know I had been targeted, exploited, and victimized by predators who prey on homeless and other minorities until several years later, when I got off the streets and started to recieve mental health services. I am offended when people who have never been homeless try to accuse homeless people of falsly portraying themselves as victims as an attempt to recieve media attention. There are real victims that are homeless who have suffered much worse than I, who are in need of real help.

Continue to part 2 here

Local clinics treat tens of thousands

2011-03-06T19:24:04Z

While local nonprofit clinics The Effort and the Health and Life Organization are not as well-known as major hospitals like Sutter Health or UC Davis Medical Center, they each serve tens of thousands of people in Sacramento County and play a major role in health care for the region’s low-income and homeless residents.

The Effort and the Health and Life Organization allow patients to pay for medical services on a sliding fee scale.

About six community health organizations run 29 clinics in Sacramento County, according to Chris Patterson, a media relations consultant for the Capitol Community Health Network.

About 14,000 patients made about 35,000 visits to The Effort’s medical sites last year, said Jonathan Porteus, the chief executive of the organization.

Porteus said he expects to see even more patients this year because of Sacramento County’s budget cuts to mental health services.

“What we’re finding is, as the county trimmed their mental health system, we inherited a lot of people with mental illness,” Porteus said. “They come more frequently.”

He said The Effort expects about 20,000 patients to make about 45,000 medical visits this year.

The organization consists of four general medical clinics, an addiction treatment center and three other clinics housed at specific sites, including St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children.

The Effort’s operating budget for the 2010/2011 fiscal year is $17.8 million, Porteus said. It receives federal, state and local funding, and monies from foundations, he said.

In addition, The Effort runs the second-largest suicide hotline in the country, Porteus said.

Jocelyn Nash, a patient who receives medical services at The Effort, spoke positively about the clinic.

“They take time with me,” she said.

The Effort’s J Street location looks like a typical medical office. The Sacramento Press toured the facility Friday morning. About 11 people sat on rows of chairs in a waiting room. Fliers about birth control and HIV were available for patients. Fluorescent lights shone down on a row of exam rooms. Several rooms were designated for counseling services.

Funding is a key challenge for the organization, Porteus said. The health care group has many patients who do not have government-funded health insurance like Medi-Cal.

During a couple months last year, 60 percent of the The Effort’s patients did not have insurance, he said.

With such a high percentage of clients seeking service who do not have insurance, The Effort must focus on how it can financially sustain its clinics, he said.

Meanwhile, the Health and Life Organization’s medical clinic on Del Paso Boulevard in North Sacramento was much smaller than The Effort’s. It also looked like a conventional medical center, with a TV showing CNN in the waiting room, and a white-coated medical professional walking the halls.

In addition to its clinic in North Sacramento, the Health and Life group has a clinic in South Sacramento. The group’s current operating budget is $4.3 million, and it receives state and federal funding. It plans to soon open a third clinic, which will also be located in South Sacramento.

About 60 percent of the health group’s patients are Southeast Asian, said Jerry Bliatout, the organization’s executive officer. His health group’s key challenge is to communicate to Southeast Asian patients how they can be helped by Western medicine, he said.

“We have to explain to them how important Western medicine is,” Bliatout said.

He said his clinics also communicate to these patients how they are expected to have longer lifespans in the United States than in Southeast Asia.

“These people that migrate from Southeast Asia, actually, they die a little bit earlier,” he said.

At the Health and Life Organization’s two medical centers, about 11,500 patients made about 40,000 visits last year, Bliatout said.

Porteus, chief executive of The Effort, says the public is unaware of his health center’s many services for low-income people.

“People don’t even know a lot of the stuff we do,” Porteus said.

For more information about local community health clinics, click on the following links.

The Effort

The Health and Life Organization

Capitol Community Health Network

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

A haven for pets at Loaves and Fishes

2011-03-01T00:51:30Z

The four-legged friends of Sacramento’s homeless have a new place to call their own at Loaves & Fishes.

“Anneke’s Haven” was dedicated Wednesday, and it will serve as a day-use kennel for pets belonging to the homeless.

“What we offer for the animals is actually a place to rest, a meal and care,” said Sandra Morris, volunteer coordinator for Loaves & Fishes. “For many of our guests, the pets have an especially strong bond because, unlike humans, they give you unconditional love, and they provide safety.”

The new kennel is across a walkway from the previous structure, which served the area for the past 15 years but was half the size and becoming run-down, Morris said.

The old kennels will be used for food storage for the pets and also more space for Mercer Clinic, said Sister Libby Fernandez, executive director of Loaves & Fishes. The new kennel was designed by Dennis Greenbaum, a Carmichael-based architect.

The kennel was funded by private donations – two major anonymous donors and individual contributions for the kennel, Fernandez said.

Anneke’s Haven will shelter up to 20 pets. It is mostly intended for cats and dogs, but Morris said any pet that is legal in Sacramento County will be cared for.

“For example, we don’t allow ferrets, because they’re illegal here,” she said.

The kennel is named for Anneke Voss, who was a longtime supporter of animals at Loaves & Fishes.

Voss died at age 85 about a month ago, and Morris said the dedication of the new facility to her was a natural choice.

“She was a longtime volunteer who created our animal emergency services program, and she also worked with SPCA and Mercer Clinic,” Morris said. “She was so splendid. She worked the day she passed away. She was very, very dedicated and just wonderful with the pets.”

The kennel offers a place where pets can stay while homeless visitors to Loaves & Fishes eat, participate in programs on the site or even go out to job interviews.

On the second Saturday of each month, Mercer Clinic – with the aid of UC Davis students – provides free care to homeless pets.

Morris said the clinic gives the opportunity for homeless pets to be spayed or neutered and be seen by a veterinarian.

The devotion pets have to their homeless owners is reciprocated by the humans, according to Morris.

“The pets are so well cared for,” she said, adding that the homeless place the welfare of the animals above themselves. “If there’s a choice, it’s the pets that are fed. Sometimes that pet is the only friend a person has.”

Fernandez said Anneke’s Haven is the only kennel in the area serves the homeless’ pets.

“It’s a good thing,” said Peggysue Peterson, a homeless woman who takes her dog to the kennel. “They can put their dogs in there and go about their daily lives and look for jobs. It’s a convenience because the dog isn’t running rampant.”

Anneke’s Haven opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 2:30 p.m., Morris said. Animals can be dropped off and picked up throughout the day, be it a short visit or one that lasts several hours.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Loaves & Fishes to get new 'welcoming center'

2011-02-26T01:41:58Z

Loaves & Fishes is building a new 15,000-square-foot combination warehouse, reception area and administrative building on the corner of North C and Ahern streets.

“This is really our welcoming center,” said Sister Libby Fernandez, executive director of Loaves & Fishes. “This is the entrance to Loaves and Fishes.”

There were several reasons to build the new structure, which is a warehouse with interior walls to give space for offices in addition to storage, Fernandez said.

The current warehouse and donation center is a rented space near Friendship Park and sees a lot of foot traffic, which poses a safety issue, Fernandez said.

“We have 700 people walking through there every day,” she said. “It’s not safe to have semi trucks coming through and backing up with all those people.

“All food distribution, donations, receiving and delivering (will come) into this warehouse,” she said. “By having it here, it allows better visibility and better access.”

Another reason for the new construction is so that Loaves & FIshes will own the building. It currently rents the nearby warehouse, though Fernandez did not disclose the rental amount.

The new building has a price tag of approximately $1.5 million, she said, adding that $400,000 came from a private, anonymous donor specifically for the warehouse.

“We don’t take any government funding,” Fernandez said.

Most of the warehouse is on an elevated floor half a story above ground level, which is split by an interior wall. Offices on the ground level back up to Ahern Street with a second floor above them, which can be used for storage of paper products, Fernandez said.

The reception area will be right on the corner of North C and Ahern streets, with a volunteer staffing a desk inside a pair of doors that will become the first point of contact for all Loaves & Fishes visitors and anyone wishing to bring donations.

About 10 people will work in the offices, with another three making up the warehouse crew.

Tom Armstrong, a local homeless man, disagrees with building the warehouse right now.

“It seems like a very improper use of a large sum of money when there’s a crisis,” he said, adding that he’d prefer to see the money spent on other services such as sheltering and feeding the homeless.

Fernandez, however, said Loaves & Fishes asked for additional money for the warehouse from its donors and also sought other funding.

“We’re asking people to go beyond the regular contribution so we can keep it separate from the operations,” she said.

Another benefit of the new building, she said, is that the current administration offices above the dining area will now be free for usage with other programs such as counseling.

Construction on the warehouse began last October, and Fernandez said it is scheduled to be completed in May.

Other services at Loaves & Fishes are continuing as they have previously, without interruption during construction.

The construction is being handled by Rod Read and Sons, and Fernandez said some of the work has been done pro-bono, Fernandez said.

Matt Burkhart, who works for Striplin Walker Construction, one of the subcontractors, said this project is a bit different from others.

“It’s nice to know you’re doing a project for someone who really needs it, and not just a toy box or an open-air market,” he said.

The finished building will have a brick façade in keeping with the area’s warehouse historical feel, Fernandez said.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Rangers to oust campers on American River Parkway

2011-02-17T01:24:18Z

Park rangers will be citing campers on the American River Parkway Thursday after a 48-hour notice ordering the homeless population to stop illegal camping expires, weather permitting.

“We have to enforce the law,” said Zeke Holst, Sacramento County Regional Parks spokesman. The notice was posted Tuesday at around 11 a.m. “It’s illegal to camp in the parkway, and it’s our job to enforce the law.”

If it is raining heavily, Holst said rangers will hold off until a clear day.

If it remains clear, Holst said rangers will approach campers in the parkway on Thursday and issue $115 citations to those who refuse to leave as well as confiscate and hold camping gear and other belongings.

Campers who comply will be able to take their belongings with them, Holst said.

When property is confiscated, the owners will be able to recover it free of charge by following directions on a receipt they will be given, said Steve Flannery, chief ranger.

Belongings can be recovered quickly, he added.

“We want to give their property back to them, because there’s a good chance they need (it) right away,” Flannery said.

Camping has been taking place for quite some time in the parkway, Holst said, but he added that there is currently a large group of more than 60 people camping together.

“There is certainly a sanitation concern because of the waste and the associated garbage and trash that accumulates there,” he said.

That garbage accumulation, along with other issues including damage to trees and safety concerns, had outraged advocates for the American River Parkway, as detailed here.

Holst said the 48-hour notices posted in the parkway pointed out where shelter beds are available for the homeless, but homeless advocates say there are not enough.

“On the notices, it lists 12 places where people are supposed to go to get shelter,” said John Kraintz, president of Safe Ground Sacramento, a group seeking a legal campsite for homeless. “If you call any one of them, the minimum waiting list is 100 people.”

Thirty-two beds were made available at The Salvation Army, with priority for the displaced campers, Holst said, but Kraintz said the Safe Ground campers did not want to be seen as cutting in a line that was more than 100 people long.

Those beds were funded in a partnership between the county and The Salvation Army – with each funding half of the beds – specifically for the American River Parkway campers, said David Bentley, Sacramento County coordinator for The Salvation Army. He said the beds will be available for 60 days, and confirmed that there is a waiting list for the preexisting shelter beds.

“There’s just no place for people to go right now,” Kraintz said. “The shelters are all full, and they don’t allow pets or couples.”

Officials said the Safe Ground campsite is the largest on the river, but it is far from the only campsite, with hundreds of campers in the area.

“The best estimates say there’s about 200 - 300 people camping outside in the general area,” said Joan Burke, director of advocacy for Loaves & Fishes. “The Safe Ground people are just a small fraction of the people camping. They’re the ones that agreed to be clean and sober and keep their campsites clean and look after each other.”

The rest of the campers, Burke said, are typically in small groups of between two and six people.

Burke agreed with Kraintz on the issue of available shelter beds.

“There’s a chronic shortage of shelter beds,” she said. “The turnover is slight, maybe four or five per day. The St. John’s women’s shelter typically has (a waiting list of) about 200. That gives you a sense of how big the shortfall is.”

Kraintz said the enforcement of the laws banning camping is not going to happen.

“It’s impossible to arrest your way out of poverty,” he said. “You can’t enforce laws which people cannot obey – they have absolutely no place else to go.”

He added that he fears for people whose belongings are confiscated.

“If you take away everybody’s stuff, I don’t know. We’ll have to get more stuff or go under a bridge,” he said. “We’ve got five days of rain coming at us.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Francis House “Feast For The Streets” to Honor Greg Bunker

2011-02-12T02:54:52Z

As Francis House of Sacramento continues to celebrate its 40th Anniversary, this very important institution will honor the memory of Greg Bunker, Executive Director, who passed away December 28, 2010 with their upcoming 20th Annual “Feast for the Streets Food and Wine Gala”, April 27, 2011 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in downtown Sacramento. Feast for the Streets is the largest fundraiser for Francis House and is highly regarded as one of Sacramento’s premiere food and wine tasting events.

With the sudden passing of Greg Bunker in December, Francis House wants to celebrate his life’s work for the homeless and destitute in a way that he would have wanted. Forrest Reed, Acting Director of Francis House of Sacramento is hoping that this year’s event will exceed any in past years so that the vital direct services this tireless advocate helped build from scratch will continue to keep up with the unprecedented demand.

Francis House provides resource counseling and referrals that assist those experiencing poverty in breaking the cycle. Those in need find emergency assistance with transportation and identification, temporary shelter, employment services, advocacy, and personal attention and caring. Francis House is supported by an interdenominational group of seventeen churches as well as community grants, businesses and individuals.

The goal of Francis House is not to sustain people where they are now, but to help provide the way to lift them towards self-sufficiency. This cornerstone agency in the social service community is more about a hand up then a hand out.

On April 27, forty of Sacramento’s finest restaurants and caterers, along with six exceptional wineries and several other business partners will pull together a feast to remember. The evening beginning at 5:30pm will include gala food and wine tasting, music, silent and live auction, raffle and door prizes and loads of fun.

You can purchase your tickets online (individual, couple) at www.francishouse.info or at Francis House, 1422 C Street. ($50 individual, $100 couple) For more information including Sponsorship Opportunities call 916.443.2646.

Last week to vote for local agencies to win $10K grant from Sutter Health

2011-02-11T18:43:28Z

To celebrate its 10th year of community benefit funding, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento (SMCS) will award one of its community partners an additional $10,000 grant for 2011. The winner will be determined through online voting that will close on February 16. The Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) and 16 other local agencies are using social media to help garner the votes they need to win the additional grant money.

"If the DSP is fortunate enough to be granted the additional funding, our organization plans to use it to fund homeless and youth outreach,” said Ryan Loofbourrow, DSP community services director, “Mental illness is one of the leading causes of homelessness. We would love the opportunity to use the $10,000 bonus grant to assist the most vulnerable of our homeless population in gaining access to care and treatment.”

Website visitors can help the DSP win the additional funding by voting at www.smcscommunityvote.com for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s vision statement. The 140-character statement illustrates how each agency is changing the world by improving or saving lives and contributing to our community. The DSP’s vision statement reads, “DSP leads the way in homeless & youth street outreach, making a difference by restoring the heart of our city by first rebuilding lives of the lost & forgotten.”

“Our Street outreach team believes that finding housing for the homeless and positive opportunities for our youth is an investment in our community’s future,” explained DSP Executive Director Michael Ault, “We have the people and the ability but we need funding to help open those doors to success.”

Other agencies receiving grants from SMCS and vying for the $10,000 bonus grant include Stanford Settlement, River City Food Bank, People Reaching Out, Society for the Blind, Sacramento ACT, WEAVE, Cottage Housing, Francis House, Loaves & Fishes, St. John's Shelter Program, Women's Empowerment, Center for Community Health and Well-Being, SPIRIT Project, The Effort, Sacramento Self Help Housing and Cover the Kids.

"No matter which agency wins, the real winner is the Sacramento community, "said Lisa Martinez, DSP director of marketing and outreach, "There is a lot of great work being done in our city by these organizations every day, and we are proud that our community services department is among them."

Disclosure: Megan Emmerling is the Marketing Manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership

Chic for Change – Becoming a Force in the Community

2011-02-01T07:32:58Z

I live in the ‘burbs and I can get to feeling pretty isolated from my neighbors. Okay, I have that feeling a lot of the time. It’s mostly my own fault – I don’t always make the effort because I’m kinda shy and different… I don’t always know where to start. Give me the right setting and a reason to chat, well that definitely helps. I’ve discovered one such setting and no, it’s not a support group (though I could probably use one of those). It’s a new shop near El Camino and Fulton called Chic for Change.

Teshala Paradiso, who everyone calls “Tesh,” is working to realize a vision that came to her during a year-long turn with a very serious illness. She described how on one particularly bad day, “I was laying in bed and thought, ‘If I ever get better, what would I do next?’ I knew I wanted to do something more." She continues explaining, "I liked to shop, loved thrift stores and had a great interest in building community, and this idea formed.” Tesh, who is married with two young children, realized her vision on January 3, 2011 by opening a unique high-end second hand store, which just so happens to be large enough to also serve as a community gathering place.

Chic for Change also benefits several local area nonprofits. 20% of every purchase goes directly to either Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center, or Wildlife Care Association. The customer gets to choose which one. It works like this: you purchase $40 worth of items; $10 of your purchase goes to one of the three nonprofits, providing each with a steady stream of financial support. But this is about more than just money.

Tesh explains that she wants Chic for Change, “…to be a place where people can come and get nice things they can afford and at the same time support their community - and also as a place where people can socialize, collaborate and build friendships.” The large store encourages this by having a homey area with a couch, chairs, coffee table, and pillows providing an area for customers to sit and chat, wait for a slower shopping partner, or enjoy a mocha from the coffee bar, which will soon offer a full menu of espresso drinks.

I went in for a visit myself last Saturday afternoon. I walked into a large store with high ceilings, still a bit sparse and still a work in progress but looking visually appealing. Toward the back of the store, local singer/songwriter Christian DeWild and percussionist Mike Pavisch played a two-hour set for customers while the store offered free refreshments, a 50% off clothes sale, and a big discount on the cost of a Disaster Survival Skills class.

While others shopped, I kicked back on the couch with my coffee, turkey sandwich roll and brownie and listened to Christian’s ear-pleasing, gravelly roots-rock sound. I did a little shopping too, picking up a nice Crate and Barrel tablecloth for $5, a set of three heavy duty stainless steel pots and pans for $20, a nice Fossil handbag for $10 and, of course, some clothes. A huge calendar behind the counter provided sale dates, classes and special events such as fundraisers, and said I wanted my donation to go to Wildlife Care Association (I do some volunteer fundraising for them, and this is how I found out about the store).

Chic for Change aims to be a higher end thrift store with reasonable prices. To accomplish this, Tesh has to be a little picky bit about the items sold in the store. Those that can’t be sold are donated back to the partnering nonprofits, especially the Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center who benefits from clothing, blankets, linens, furniture and kitchen items and more. As put so very well by Ms. Paradiso, “There is no reason for any of us to stand alone.”

About the nonprofits:

Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center (SAEHC) - This program started as a family shelter back in 1972 and now serves over 500 homeless people. Their website explains, “SAEHC runs one of only two shelters in Sacramento that accepts two-parent households, single fathers, and sons over the age of 14.” They also recently received funding to start a program for homeless seniors. Their goal is to help these struggling families and individuals to learn the tools needed to become more self-reliant.

Wildlife Care Association (WCA) –For the past 29 years, WCA has been providing medical and rehabilitation services to over 6,000 injured, ill, orphaned, injured and displaced wild animals each year. Hundreds of baby birds fill the nursery every spring but critters are brought in year-around to the facility, which recently located to McClellan Park. Once the animals have recovered or have grown and learned to fend for themselves, they are released back into the wild, giving them a second chance at life.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) – Since 1977, CASA has trained volunteers to advocate for foster children in the juvenile court system. These children only end up in court as a result of having been abused, neglected or abandoned and in the child welfare system. The volunteer gets to know the child and helps to avoid any additional trauma by ensuring that each child has a voice in the system. The CASA volunteer works closely with the child to understand, for example, does the child want to be reunited with his or her parents, or would she prefer to stay in foster care or to be adopted, and then speaks up for them in court, ensuring the child's needs and wishes are heard.

American River Parkway advocate: Park is 'no jewel'

2011-01-21T02:19:16Z

Trash, hypodermic needles and pornographic magazines litter a two-mile stretch of the American River Parkway in North Sacramento, and longtime advocate for the area Bob Slobe has seen enough.

“If you saw the devastation in the park, you’d go, ‘I can’t believe someone would let this happen,’ ” Slobe said.

He said the problem is due to illegal homeless camping in the area.

Slobe’s family owned the portion of the park, which stretches from Del Paso Boulevard and Northgate to Cal Expo, through its company, the North Sacramento Land Company, from 1910 - 1989.

As a park, he said it should be a place where families can go for recreation, but it’s no place he would envision taking kids.

“It’s just a cesspool,” he said. “You’re not going to go out walking with your kids and your dog here. This is the poorest part of the city. This should be where they come to recreate – to fish and walk. It’s just not fair. It’s not right.”

Slobe has been irked by the situation for decades, saying it was a trash pit by mid-1989, shortly after Sacramento County and The California Department of Fish and Game took over the property’s management.

Walking through the area on Monday, Slobe said he noticed that the camping has become more formalized, as wood chips have been laid down over bare ground.

“There’s roughly 200 tents out there, which means there are more than 200 people, and they have everything but toilets,” he said. “They’ve cleared the ground and put down wood chips.”

He added that the nightly campfires are fueled by trees that should be protected habitat spaces.

“Whatever I say, it doesn’t matter much,” Slobe said, “but the pictures say it all. The county has been calling this a jewel since the 1970s, but this is no jewel.”

To solve the problem, Slobe advocates that the existing laws that prevent camping be enforced.

“If you enforce the law, it forces municipalities to go back and find a real solution,” Slobe said. “This hiding our troubled world in the bushes is not a solution. It is not a temporary solution, and it is not a long-term solution. It’s no solution.”

All photos by Bob Slobe.

To see the full photo stream, click here.

Charities team up to feed the hungry

2011-01-15T09:20:27Z

Volunteers are still needed for the second annual Feed The Children event at Cal Expo, which will provide 1,600 families in need with food boxes on Tuesday.

The event is part of Feed The Children’s “Americans Feeding Americans” truck tour, and the Salvation Army and Sacramento Kings will be helping out on the local level.

“It’s something we did last year at the same site, and when Feed The Children contacted us again, we thought it would be a great idea,” said Salvation Army spokesman Syd Fong.

“We just came off our Christmas distribution, but the need doesn’t stop after the holiday season – it goes on throughout the year,” he added.

Fong said volunteers are needed to fill slots in the early shift, which is from 8:30 - noon, and people can sign up through the website.

“Basically, we need people to pick up boxes and drop them off in a person’s car,” he said. “That is the extent of what they’re doing.”

About 50 total volunteers will be helping Salvation Army staff.

The families to receive the food have already been selected, and they came from the Salvation Army’s social services department database.

The Oklahoma City-based Feed The Children was founded 31 years ago, and spokesman Tony Sellars said the organization partners with local groups to identify the families in need.

“We can’t be experts on all the regions we visit, so we rely on the local experts,” he said. “There’s no guesswork involved. We know that when we hand a box to people, it is going to someone who needs it.”

While Feed The Children trucks have been criss-crossing the country for three decades, Sellars said the need increased dramatically once the recession hit.

“Sacramento was one of the cities we featured last year, and we felt compelled to return this year because of the number of children who are in poverty in the area – 67,000 in the county,” Sellars said. “That can fill the Kings’ arena four times over.”

Sellars said the face of poverty and homelessness has changed in the past few years, with 40 percent of the homeless in the country being under the age of 6.

“It’s not the guy living under the ridge drinking out of a paper bag,” he said. “These are kids and families, and a lot of them are asking for help for the first time in their lives.

Each of the nonprofit organization’s 55 semi trucks carries 400 25-pound boxes of nonperishable food items, which provide meals for a family of four for a week.

Also carried on the trucks are boxes of hygiene items such as shampoo and cleaning supplies.

“People are cutting these things out so they can put food on their tables, but in reality, they’re a necessity,” Sellars said. “We give these out so people can go to job interviews and that sort of thing.”

All the food and supplies are donated, either by citizens or corporate partners, Sellars said.

For an interactive map of the cities Americans Feeding Americans visits, click here.

Photos of last year’s event courtesy The Salvation Army.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Homelessness a key issue in 2010

2010-12-31T01:18:31Z

With the city and county of Sacramento still in the depths of recession, 2010 saw a focus on homelessness as services were cut and unemployment was at 13 percent.

An ongoing issue with Sacramento’s homeless that was still not seeing notable progress even as the year ended was the Safe Ground movement, which seeks to find designated spots in the city for homeless to camp.

In April, about 50 people spoke at City Hall advocating for Safe Ground Sacramento.

They were still at it in July, and they remained a presence at Tuesday night City Council meetings.

In a controversial move, the City Council changed its public comment portion from the beginning of the meetings to the end, which many saw as a move to silence the persistent Safe Ground crowd. They claimed that the later public comment portion would prevent those who take public transit from voicing their opinions.

Their protests were successful, and the policy was overturned shortly thereafter.

One of the most vocal advocates for Safe Ground in 2010 was Tracie Rice-Bailey, who was profiled by Sacramento Press Staff Reporter Kathleen Haley.

A forum was held in October for the community to discuss homeless issues.

With little to no headway made in securing legal campsites, faith groups pledged to open their houses of worship to the homeless during the cold winter months.

The issue was discussed by City Council in October as well, but with little tangible result. Councilman Steve Cohn expressed his frustration with the Safe Ground group, asking members to come back with a concrete proposal.

The council agreed that the issue is an important one, and Councilman Rob Fong called it complex, adding that a lot more work needs to be done.

By late December, houses of worship were still opening their doors to the homeless, but organizers said they need another $50,000 to keep the program going.

Local government kept the issue of homelessness on its agendas despite budget cuts. In September, city and county officials hatched a plan to form a new nonprofit organization to fight homelessness on a regional level.

In December, The Sacramento Press reported on the progression of that idea.

Local nonprofits continued their work to help the homeless and those in poverty.

The River City Food Bank suffered a setback in October when its facility was destroyed in a four-alarm fire.

Undaunted, a new facility was ready to go by December.

The Salvation Army celebrated 125 years in Sacramento in 2010, and it took part in Sacramento Steps Forward’s third annual “Homeless Connect” event, which is designed to help the homeless get access to housing, medical and dental services, among others. To read about the event, click here and here.

Francis House also celebrated a milestone – its 40th anniversary.

The nonprofit is currently raising funds for an expansion plan, which can be read about here.

The year ended on a sad note for the homeless community, however, as Francis House’s executive director of 21 years, Greg Bunker, died of a heart attack.

Throughout the year, The Sacramento Press was home to a unique perspective on homelessness, as Tom Armstrong, a homeless community contributor on The Sacramento Press, shared his thoughts, opinions and insight. To read his more than 20 articles on homelessness, click here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Francis House executive director in critical condition

2010-12-29T02:30:18Z

Friends and family are gathering around Sacramento Francis House Executive Director Greg Bunker in a Santa Barbara hospital after the 62-year-old had a heart attack Monday.

“His condition is very serious and critical,” said Forrest Reed, program director for the nonprofit organization, which provides counseling services to Sacramentans in poverty.

According to Reed, Bunker is on life support and not capable of breathing on his own.

Bunker has been at the helm of Francis House for 21 years, helping rebuild the organization after it burned to the ground, Reed said.

“Greg was the person who was hired that brought Francis House back from the ashes,” Reed said.

The organization celebrated its 40th anniversary in October, and Reed said it is currently looking to raise $250,000 for an expansion project.

“(Bunker) has been the primary advocate for anybody experiencing homelessness and poverty in Sacramento,” Reed said. “He’s been an advocate for Safe Ground to decriminalize homelessness.”

With a full-time staff of three augmented by three volunteers, Reed said Bunker has always been “on the front line,” even running the organization by himself at times.

“Everybody here and everybody that’s been touched by him is praying that he comes back to us,” Reed said. “He’s got a lot of good work to do.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Photos courtesy Jill Macdonnell.

DSP program works on homeless issues

2010-12-21T05:11:12Z

Ryan Loofbourrow admits he didn't know anything about the homeless when he became field supervisor for Downtown Sacramento Partnership's Downtown Guides in 1995.

At that time, he believed social service agencies were responsible for handling the homeless and their problems. His attempts to work with people living on the business district's streets involved pointing the way north to Loaves and Fishes.

"That's not how it works," he said recently. "They are all individuals. And it takes a more individualized effort to get them into a more stable living situation."

Loofbourrow found social service programs were spread out and and hard to find, especially for those suffering from mental illness, drug addiction or chronic drunkenness. He also discovered homeless people sent to detox, jail and mental crisis centers against their wills were much harder to work with the next time around.

He created an outreach program, in partnership with a church and nonprofit housing agency, to go out to the streets and parks where homeless people live and help them one-on-one.

The private program now offers Sacramento’s only significant outreach to the homeless.

Within the last two years, providers including Volunteers of America (VOA) and nonprofit mental health organizations lost eight or nine outreach workers due to cuts in Sacramento County funding for homeless programs. Only one or two publicly funded outreach workers are still working, Sacramento Steps Forward Director Tim Brown said.

"The Navigator program is one of the only pieces of outreach that we have left in the whole system," he said.

Loofbourrow directs DSP's Community Services. He oversees the yellow-jacket Downtown Guides and a sister program, the blue-jacket Navigator program, which he began in 2006 to work with the Cathedral Square Homeless Program. The latter was started in 2005 by the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and its St. Vincent dePaul Society, with help from DSP, Pyramid Alehouse and the California State Association of Counties.

Loofbourrow modeled the Navigator program after a now-disbanded Volunteers of America (VOA) HOPE team that did outreach work with homeless people. Navigators help connect homeless people with the Cathedral Square Homeless Program and a deacon there who helps them get into housing with Sacramento Self Help Housing. That agency can provide followup and case management.

"It's quite a collaboration, actually," Brown said.

Loofbourrow has helped develop a program designed to work with people experiencing different degrees of homelessness – from the incidental homeless, who are temporarily homeless mainly due to circumstances but have a desire to work and live inside; to the episodically homeless who may be in an abusive relationship, have a slight mental health issue or an addiction; to the chronically homeless, plagued by problems with drugs, alcohol and/or mental illness.

Every weekday, a staff of four outreach workers or "Navigators" walk the streets and back alleys of downtown and Midtown to work directly with homeless people. Loofbourrow gets out often as well. Downtown navigators cover an area from Front to 16th streets between H and L streets. A Midtown navigator works from 16th to 29th streets between J and L streets.

Their jobs include asking homeless people to move out of business entries and alleys early each morning, as well as establishing and maintaining daily contact with people. They call in police or paramedics when needed.

On a recent December morning, cold rain dripped down the sides of buildings. A panhandler grabbed recyclable cans from the trash and asked two passing men for money, while another guy talked loudly as he walked slowly past the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The doors of the church stood open despite the chill.

Three navigators – Jvance "J" Stewart, Crystal Jordan and Teresa Olivas – strolled through Cathedral Square. Olivas checked in with a man talking to his "inner stimuli" while Jordan talked to a third man who asked for help getting a small fee waived so he could stay at a single-room occupancy (SRO) building.

An elderly woman, her face hidden under a hood, pushed a cart down K Street Mall after spending the night in an alcove. Navigators checked in with her, but steered clear of a big woman talking to herself and carrying a big, wooden stick in her shopping cart when she shuffled past.

"She's angry," Olivas said. "See that stick? She could hit you. I've seen her throwing belts out in the street. You want to keep a distance when she's like that."

Most Navigators learn on the job. Loofbourrow searches for people with the right combination: outgoing, approachable and patient, yet firm. Navigators must work with people on complex issues. For many, their personal crises come into conflict with business owners and their customers, and others in the downtown environment, over and over again.

Only Olivas has prior experience doing outreach work, in her case, with VOA.

Navigators also act as advocates. They'll accompany people to agencies to get current identification or apply for government benefits. People working at government agencies or nonprofits may not have the training or the patience to help someone who is mentally ill or extremely stressed, Loofbourrow said.

The $175,000 annual budget for the Navigators program covers salaries and uniforms for Jordan, Olivas, Stewart and Tammie Van Hook, who does outreach in Midtown. The money also pays for services, such as bus tickets, clothes, transportation costs and other necessities. Olivas joined the team in late 2010.

DSP funds one Navigator. The others are financed by the Midtown Business Association, Sutter Medical Center and the Central Public Library.

Sacramento County is reported to have at least 1,200 people living on the street and about 3,000 who are homeless at some point each year. Tracking homeless people is such a challenge because their lives are in such flux, Loofbourrow said.

Three Navigators worked with 159 homeless people in the downtown and Midtown coverage areas in 2010. Of those, 19 percent are still active, 29 percent were housed with family or long-term housing, 9 percent in shelters, 18 percent referred to social services, 20 percent left the area, 2 percent were arrested, 2 percent refused service and 1 percent died, he said.

DSP rarely hears from homeless people after they’ve left the area.

Loofbourrow has learned much about the complex problems plaguing the homeless, mentally ill, indigents and addicts. He has helped spearhead efforts to combat these problems. For example, public drunkenness is down 70 to 80 percent downtown since Loofbourrow and the District Attorney's office started a serial inebriate program in 2005. He's worked closely with the DA's community prosecutor to solve recurring problems.

His confidence in the program's individualized approach was cemented when they took on their first client: a woman living in the park who was so seriously mentally ill, she urinated through her clothes on the benches where she sat. Loofbourrow was afraid they wouldn't be able to reach her.

But working closely with her, they got her to social services and into an SRO hotel within two weeks. They helped reunite her with her family a year later.

"That gave me hope," Loofbourrow said. "I thought, 'Wow. If we can help that lady, we can do anything.'

Unity in the Community Potluck at McKinley on Sat. Dec. 18

2010-12-08T21:11:35Z

Sacramento’s Midtown neighborhood prides itself in being a devoted, unified community. Sadly, as our community struggles together during times of economic hardship, we sometimes forget what it means to celebrate Midtown’s unity and diversity.

In an effort to bridge the gap in the community, members of Midtown are hosting “Unity in the Community,” a potluck event designed to bring together every member of our neighborhood, regardless of class, race or background – in the name of humanity.

The event is being organized and directed by all Midtown’s members, the fortunate and less fortunate.

(Sign up for the event on Facebook, here)

WHAT
To create a human connection through food, conversation and relaxation. There is no agenda – just community members of all circumstances spending time with one another. The hope is to break the barriers that separate and divide us – to see those without homes sharing meals with their fellow community members.

WHO
ALL community members. Those members of all colors, creeds, and backgrounds – those with homes, those without homes, and anyone in between. If you call Midtown, Downtown, or East Sacramento your home, then your presence is encouraged.

TO HELP
Please bring any type of food dish, dessert, drink, plates, napkins. If you wish to become more involved please contact either Jimmy Spencer or Armando Gonzalez (contacts listed below).

WHEN
Saturday, Dec. 18 from noon – 2 p.m. (rain or shine)

WHERE
McKinley Park (details of exact area to come)
601 Alhambra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95816

* All media are invited to attend

– Unity in the Community –

Contact: Jimmy Spencer (916) 606-1214
jimmypspencer@gmail.com

Armando Gonzalez (916) 743-4748
therapywitharmando@gmail.com

River City Food Bank opens door to new location

2010-12-02T04:53:01Z

Community leaders and supporters congregated at the corner of N and 27th streets to see the beginning stages of the new River City Food Bank. After a four-alarm fire destroyed the RCFB’s original location Oct. 21, the community immediately responded, and the Sutter Medical Center donated this space for the Food Bank to rebuild.

The blaze, determined as arson by the fire department, heavily damaged the building and destroyed about 10,000 pounds of food.

Though still a large empty room, save for a few hanging lights and fold-up tables, the new location promises to give clients a more comfortable space and volunteers a better ability to help the community, RCFB Executive Director Eileen Thomas said. Compared to the previous food bank location, the new spacious area will allow for additional privacy for clients and more room for donation storage.

The event “celebrate(s) moving out of a truck and into a real space,” Thomas said, pointing to the Goodwill truck parked across the street from which the RCFB has been operating for the past few weeks.

She told the crowd that building projects rarely go according to plan. “Whatever you do,” she said, “you double the cost and triple the time.” She apologized for the building not being ready, but said they expect to have the space filled and operable by the middle of next week.

A burnt and warped laptop was on display as a remnant of the October fire, which Thomas considered a powerful symbol of the RCFB’s rebuilding process, since every program and document on the hard-drive was able to be restored.

The crowd huddled around a podium while Thomas introduced key supporters of the Food Bank’s recovery, including Councilman Steve Cohn, RCFB Board President Susan Timmer and Sutter Health Sierra Region Director of Community and Government Relations Keri Thomas.

“It’s a day to recognize those who responded on the day of the fire and to thank the community,” 3fold Communications Director of Media Lesley Miller said. 3fold has helped the RCFB with marketing and outreach, and helped organize the morning’s debut of the new space.

Timmer began the presentation by thanking everyone for their support and saying she never expected to be board president of a food bank rebuilding from a fire. “It was hard to imagine how we’d ever get started again, but here we are,” she said.

Cohn thanked the Trinity Episcopal Church for its continued support of the RCFB.

“We have a commitment to make sure this fire is turned into something that really rises like a phoenix,” Cohn said, “and the city will do all it can to help.”

Helping the homeless and those in need has always been one of the main priorities of the mayor and the council, right up there with job creation, he said.

Keri Thomas spoke on behalf of Sutter Health.

“I’m really proud to be part of a business community that steps up in a time of crisis and need,” she said. “We understand that if people don’t have access to basic needs – food, shelter – they can’t live a healthy life.”

Other supporters included Ruland’s Used Office Furnishings, which was at the event bringing tables and furniture into the empty building; Borges Architectural Group helped coordinate permits; Western Health Advantage donated computers; CalTronics donated a fax machine and Downey Brand offered IT technical assistance.

Grant donations were given by Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, Golden One Credit Union, Delta Dental and The Sacramento Bee.

The event was also a memorial for Mac, a well-loved cat who was lost in the fire. The food bank’s other cat, Cheese, was found safe and later given up for adoption.

The rebuilt River City Food Bank is located at the corner of N and 27th streets.

Ask Officer Michelle - Calling About Homeless Problems Downtown

2010-11-28T18:51:04Z

Posted by citypomo

Hi there, who do I call when I see homeless people drinking around my home and passing what appears to be “baggies” between each other? Sometimes they sleep at the church across the street from my apartment but can get real loud. Do I call 911 or is there another number to call since it is not an emergency.

Dear citypomo,

This is a common problem downtown. Most social service programs and even the mental health departments have cut their programs that previously gave law enforcement and homeless people options. It is frusterating for everyone involved. Frusterating for the homeless because they have no where to go. Frusterating for law enforcement because there aren't many places for us to take the homeless; frusterating for the homeless because they have limited places for shelter; and frusterating for the citizens who live downtown who constantly have their garbage being riffled through, the smell of urine in their alleyways, garbage being left behind, and people sleeping in their carports. There aren't any short term solutions right now. Perhaps we all need to have patients. This is a hard topic for me to write about. Yes, I enforce the laws and ordinances, but I also see the homeless from a more intimate perspective.

You can call the non-emergency number at 264-5471 unless there is a serious crime in progress like they are fighting, or using drugs in the open, or harassing passersby. Dispatch will make a call for service, and depending on the priority of calls, will send an officer out to advise and investigate. I have been working downtown recently and I can tell you that the district officers are very good at putting themselves out on these types of calls and either advising these people to move on, or citing and arresting them for various crimes including open containers, warrant arrests, and narcotics. If you do call the police and you want the officer to contact you, let the dispatcher know. If you don’t want us to come to your door, indicate that you only want to be called and we will call you before clearing the call.

Thank you for your post.

Officer Michelle

Free Thanksgiving meals for those in need

2010-11-23T20:26:30Z

Families in need have several opportunities to partake in the Thanksgiving holiday, even if they can’t afford a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Local charities and churches are providing free meals to families in need. Two are listed below, and if you know about any others, feel free to post in the conversation below the article.

Thursday’s free meals for those in need:

The Salvation Army

Where: 1200 North B St.
When: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

About 800 people are expected to be served Thursday at The Salvation Army, and the meal is expressly open to everyone in need.

“The one thing we want to stress is that they don’t need to be homeless,” said Sydney Fong, public relations director for The Salvation Army. “If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving meal, we welcome you. Don’t be ashamed. Everyone is there to have a good meal and a good time.”

Sam Pannell Meadowview Community Center

Where: 2450 Meadowview Rd.
When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Photo by Kathleen Haley.

Project61's "Feast for the Forgotten" is Saturday

2010-11-19T22:28:35Z

Project61 Update: "Feast for the Forgotten" This Saturday, November 20 at 2:00pm under the 12th Street Bridge.

Saturday is the annual "Feast for the Forgotten" Thanksgiving meal and gathering for those who meet up once a month under the 12th Street bridge.

This monthly event is called Project61 and was started by local rapper and motivational speaker Minister RMB in the fall of 2004 with some friends. RMB says, "Everybody wants to know they are valued and loved...regardless of their current situation or background. People desperately need love. Love with no agenda. We have all experienced times of brokenness, failure, loneliness, betrayal, abandonment....and it was during those times that we tried to fill the void with things or people that were not healthy. That is why we do this. We know that only true love can fill the voids out here in the streets and under bridges. Love wins!"

When getting close to the last Saturday of every month, Project61 puts out a call through their website, Facebook and email, to call the volunteers together for their monthly dose of giving unconditional love. The monthly gathering is more of an anticipated excitement from both the volunteers and the homeless guest that usually number between 100-150 except during the more advertised events such as this Saturday's “Feast for the Forgotten” and the annual Michael “Gremlin” Wentworth memorial banquet. “Gremlin” was a well known homeless advocate for the homeless community who was murdered in an attempt to help a homeless man being chased by two men. Those two events will draw hundreds more people than a usual month.

The monthly feast usually includes BBQ hot links, 1/3 lb cheeseburgers, chicken, lasagna and all of the side dishes that go with these foods. Because these feasts have been going on for five years, it has the atmosphere of a very well organized picnic which makes it more of a family event than a typical food and clothing hand out. After the picnic is over they give out warm clothes, socks, blankets, sleeping bags and personal hygiene items to hold them over during the coming month.

For more information or if you are interested in helping out in some way or another contact Minister RMB at 916 474-1155.

Add & Like Project 61 on Facebook @: http://www.facebook.com/projectsixtyone

Sacramento’s Top Restaurants Vie for the Title of Best Turkey Recipe while Helping to Feed the Homeless and Hungry: Monday, November 22

2010-11-19T17:43:35Z

Councilmember Rob Fong is again bringing together Sacramento’s top restaurants to cook delicious turkeys that will be donated to Loaves & Fishes so the organization can provide Thanksgiving meals to the city’s hungry and homeless population. Councilmember Fong established the Annual Turkey Cook-Off four years ago so that those who are unable to afford a meal can also share in the spirit of Thanksgiving. The cook-off, which will help feed more than one thousand (1,000) people, will take place on Monday, November 22, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Beatnik Studios, 2421 17th Street.

Loaves & Fishes is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. Each year, it works to secure two-hundred (200) cooked turkeys for its Thanksgiving meal.

During the turkey cook-off, Sacramento’s top restaurants showcase turkeys they have prepared using closely-guarded, top-secret recipes and techniques. Celebrity judges taste a small portion of each turkey to judge tenderness and flavor. The most tender and flavorful turkeys are recognized with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd - place awards.

"I want to thank all of the local restaurateurs who will participate in this year’s 4th Annual Turkey Cook-Off,” said Councilmember Fong. “Loaves & Fishes has to prepare meals 365 days-a-year for the hungry and homeless. Through this cook-off and the efforts of local restaurants, Loaves & Fishes will get the help it needs during Thanksgiving.”

All restaurants that participate will not only have a chance to be recognized for having Sacramento’s top-three turkey recipes; most important, they will help Loaves & Fishes to share the blessings of food, warmth, and family that many of the city’s hungry and homeless go without during the holidays.

“For many of our folks, this is the only Thanksgiving meal and we are their only family," said Sister Libby Fernandez, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes. "A heartfelt thank you goes out to Councilmember Fong and area restaurants for reaching out to our poor and homeless.”

Restaurants that will participate in Monday’s cook-off include Buckhorn Grill, Cyprus Grille, Fox & Goose, Hangar 17 Bar & Grill, Ink Eats and Drinks, Mulvaney's Building & Loan, Old Soul Co., River City Brewing Company, The Shady Lady Saloon, The Kitchen, Brew It Up, Buca Di Beppo, Cafeteria 15L, and Vallejo’s Restaurant.

Why Lie?

2010-11-01T02:04:09Z

Comedian Keith Lowell Jensen wanted to make a film about panhandling. So he did.

“It’s very much a comedy,” Jensen said. “There is a lot of humor, but the panhandlers are never the butt of the joke.”

The DVD release is on Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. at the Crest Theatre at 1013 K Street. Admission is $15 and a copy of the DVD will be included.

“We’ve all heard the urban legend of the panhandler hopping in his nice car and making his way to a comfortable home after a day of begging on the freeway off-ramp,” said Jonathan Morken, producer at Apprehensive Films.

Jensen decided to find out just how hard it really is to make money being a panhandler. He spent countless hours employing every imaginable in attempt to make his fortune.

Jensen said every subject was asked the same interview questions:
Do you believe in the myth of the affluent panhandler?
Do you give to panhandlers?
Should panhandling be protected as a freedom of speech?
Have you ever panhandled?
Do you worry about panhandlers using your money for drugs and alcohol?
Are you more likely to give money to a panhandler with a clever sign or someone playing the sympathy angle?

“This documentary doesn't just cover Jensen’s own personal trails trying to make it on the streets but interviews real panhandlers, homeless people, the police, and even your average citizen,” Morken said.

Morken said filming started about four years ago and that Jensen first came to him with an idea about panhandling over the Internet, trying to get people to pay him through PayPal. Later he came back with his idea about trying to prove or disprove the urban legend that there are panhandlers out there faking it and making a good living begging.

Photos by Jonathan B. Lewis

Council: Homeless need shelter for winter

2010-10-27T01:00:33Z

Finding a way to shelter the homeless during the winter months is job one for city staff tasked with addressing the homeless following a City Council workshop Tuesday.

“Winter waits for no one,” said Councilman Rob Fong. “We need to collectively figure out what we can do to make sure no one is exposed to the elements.”

The council uniformly applauded the faith community in its work to shelter the homeless over the winter, but all agreed more has to be done both in terms of a more permanent solution to emergency winter shelters and eventual year-round permanent housing options.

But not everyone agrees that opening the churches to the homeless is a solution.

“It is not shelter. There are no beds,” said Tamie Dramer, executive director of Safe Ground Sacramento. She added that people in the churches will sleep on concrete and hardwood floors, and suggested the term “sanctuary” is a more accurate description.

“It doesn’t look as though there’s a complete solution around the corner,” she said.

Safe Ground’s goal is to get the city to designate a spot for the homeless to camp and has been working toward that for more than a year.

“I’m really tired of just talking about this thing in concept,” said Councilman Steve Cohn. “If people are serious about this, come back with a concrete proposal.”

Cohn said he has heard a lot over the past few months about Safe Ground, but that that can’t be the focus right now.

“Our top priority at the moment has to be what we’re doing with winter shelters,” he said, reiterating Fong’s point.

“Sanctioning camping out there is just not a policy that’s right for the city,” said Councilman Kevin McCarty.

Councilwomen Sandy Sheedy and Bonnie Pannell agreed, arguing against revoking the no-camping ordinance.

“I just don’t see a safe ground opportunity here,” Sheedy said. “We need to start thinking outside the box on where to put people.”

Mayor Kevin Johnson said that any form of a proposal by Safe Ground would only be one piece of a larger solution of transitional housing as the region’s governments work toward the ultimate goal of finding permanent housing for the area’s 2,800 homeless.

“There’s a long-term strategy,” Johnson said. “And that long-term strategy is what we’ve been working toward, which is permanent housing.”

Johnson said the city is able, with the help of the county and nonprofit, private and faith-based groups, to shelter the same amount of homeless this year as last year despite reduced funding.

According to Johnson, progress has been made with helping the homeless over the past year, and one person who exemplifies that progress spoke during public comment.

“I am one of the statistics you are talking about,” said Robert Harris, a plumber. “This time last year, I was homeless.”

Harris said he had received a hotel voucher from the city in addition to clothing, food and medical attention from Loaves & Fishes.

“I am now employed,” Harris said, adding that it is just part-time, but he is hoping to be employed full-time soon.

“I want you to know your tax dollars did go to work for me.”

For others who remain homeless, however, the approach of winter highlights the council’s urgency to find a quick solution.

“Winter is on us, and we don’t have any money,” said John Krantz, a homeless man. “We need to find a solution and we need to find a solution quick.”

Krantz said the churches opening their doors helps, but he advocated for decriminalizing homelessness and allowing camping.

“This is not our last discussion,” Fong said. “It’s a big issue, and it really deserves a lot of attention.”

Johnson characterized the two-hour workshop as having covered a lot of complex issues. He said Sacramento Steps Forward – established about a year ago – is key to helping the city develop a system of using transitional housing options – possibly including something like Safe Ground – into permanent housing.

“Sacramento Steps Forward will strengthen our ability to go forward,” he said. “That’s the future. We have an opportunity here to really be cutting-edge.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Love Wins at Project61

2010-10-26T20:36:10Z

Once a month, every month like clockwork since 2005, hundreds of people get together under the 12th street bridge for a love-in. Yes you heard right, and this is probably the first time you have ever heard of it. In fact it happens this Saturday, October 30th at 2:00pm. People come from all over the area dressed in tie-dye and many other forms of clothing, depending on the weather, to create an atmosphere where "Love Wins".

Since then they have gone out on to the streets and any place where there were hurting people in need. They listened to their stories and showed compassion and love to people who had become accustomed to being ignored and rejected. Along with love and compassion they brought food, and friendship became their goal and monthly mission.

Heath Patterson, one of Project 61's founders states passionately, "We will no longer sing,"This land is my Land ,This land is your land" in Sacramento until the unfair laws that infringe upon our homeless brothers and sisters 14th amendment rights are abolished. They fought our Wars, Served in our armed forces, and worked in our marketplaces, contributing to the success of this City and our nation. Illegal to be homeless? You outta be ashamed Sacramento!"

When getting close to the last Saturday of every month, Project61 puts out a call through their website, Facebook and email, to call the volunteers together for their monthly dose of giving unconditional love. The monthly gathering is more of an anticipated excitement from both the volunteers and the homeless guest that usually number between 100-150 except during the more advertised events “Feast for the Forgotten” and the annual Michael “Gremlin” Wentworth memorial banquet. “Gremlin” was a well known homeless advocate for the homeless community who was murdered in an attempt to help a homeless man being chased by two men. Those two events will draw hundreds more people than a usual month.

The monthly feast usually includes BBQ hot links, 1/3 lb cheeseburgers, chicken, lasagna and all of the side dishes that go with these foods. Because these feasts have been going on for five years, it has the atmosphere of a very well organized picnic which makes it more of a family event than a typical food and clothing hand out. After the picnic is over they give out warm clothes, socks, blankets, sleeping bags and personal hygiene items to hold them over during the coming month.

A recent volunteer, Debbie Andreasen from Kids Care Dental Group wrote this about her Project61 experience:

"I was encouraged by Minister RMB and Heath Patterson to come to Project 61 in August just to observe. I was so taken away by the caring and compassion of the whole experience. I went to my office and asked the girls if we could get involved in the project. After showing them the pictures of people who gathered that day and the love they shared, all of the girls were completely excited. We put together a small donation of food, clothing, flashlights, batteries and tarps to share. It was the most amazing experience we could have accomplished together. It made us bond as a working team but most of all it made us bond with people we didn't even know over one special cause. We enjoyed conversation, hugs and the true meaning of love! They are not "homeless people" they are "wonderful people" who endure the same trials we all do. As a single mother who struggles every day to give her teenage daughter the very best...I have been completely humbled by this experience and so has she!!!"

For years these events have been funded by the volunteer's personal donations. Today Project61 is looking for sponsors, business or personal who like to see hands on community efforts in helping the sector of society who for whatever purpose have been added to the ranks of the homeless population. Project61 is all volunteer help with no paid staff. 100% of all donations go directly into this local event helping local people. The average monthly cost to put these on is anywhere between $200-$500. That amount goes very far considering they feed around 150 people each month.

To volunteer to help or make any donation of food or clothing, their contact email is: projectsixty1@gmail.com

To see more of what Project 61 does, please take a moment to watch this video http://vimeo.com/5690228

Add them on Facebook for updates & upcoming opportunities to serve: www.facebook.com/projectsixtyone

And for even more information go to myspace.com/projectsixtyone

Source: Photos supplied by Project61.

Faith groups open doors to homeless

2010-10-26T03:18:33Z

Sacramento’s faith community will be providing shelter for the homeless this winter season, as government funding falls short of providing enough resources.

Funding has steadily been falling as the poor economy has necessitated cutbacks, with more than $700,000 coming from Sacramento County in 2008 dwindling to less than $200,000 this year.

Mayor Kevin Johnson said shelters and motel vouchers can provide overnight housing for about 300 homeless, and he is looking for the faith community to supply shelter for another 100 people for the winter season.

“During the warm months, it’s less of an urgency, but when the temperature drops and the rain falls, it’s even that much more of a challenge to make sure we provide shelter for our homeless population,” Johnson said Monday at a press conference.

He applauded the area’s religious communities and said all have joined the Sacramento Steps Forward group, including Christians, Muslims and the Jewish community. Sacramento Steps Forward’s goal is to ensure that there is a system in place to support the area’s homeless and provide them with the resources they need.

Imam Mohammad Abdel Azeez of the Sacramento Area League of Associated Muslims said he remembers reading news reports of people “literally passing away” because of the cold a couple of years ago.

At the time, his congregation collected warm clothes and blankets and distributed them to the homeless.

“We are coming here today to make sure that such tragedy never happens again,” Azeez said. “We can not let our fellow Sacramentans suffer on those cold nights in the winter season.”

According to Pastor Rick Cole of Capital Christian Church, it’s not just Midtown churches that can help.

“There are churches in suburban areas that may not be as tied in and aware,” Cole said. “We need to step up and help and not just rely upon the Midtown churches to make a difference in this way in our community.”

Cole added that the problem is critical.

“We can’t fail at this,” he said. “We need to make sure that every night all through this winter season without fail that there’s a place for those who don’t have shelter over their heads.”

Though at least 10 churches have signed on to help out, Johnson and other church officials said Sacramento Steps Forward is looking to partner with at least another 10 to fill the need.

“I want to encourage other congregations to step up and offer to open their doors for one or two nights a month and be a part of this program and invite their congregation to this time of transformation,” said Brian Baker, dean of Trinity Episcopal Church.

“Even if you’re not part of a congregation, you can volunteer in congregations that are doing this,” he added, saying it is a problem all Sacramentans can help with.

The solution to the problem of homelessness can’t be solved by churches opening their doors in the winter, according to Johnson, but it is a crucial transitional step.

The ultimate goal is permanent housing, and Johnson said he wants to continue to see collaboration with all aspects of the community.

“It’s still a long road, we’d like to have this up in place by next winter,” he said, referring to finding a site for the Safe Ground that homeless advocates have been striving for since the tent city near Cal Expo was dismantled.

Johnson’s goal to find permanent housing is one shared by Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson.

“(We need) to make sure that we just don’t maintain people in a condition of homelessness, getting by, but that we give them the means and the opportunity to once again be full, participating members of our community,” Dickinson said.

Johnson further urged churches to volunteer by calling his office, where they will be connected with Sacramento Steps Forward. In addition to facilities, Johnson said $70,000 still needs to be collected to fund government-run services for the homeless this winter.

“You see a community coming together,” Johnson said. “City, county working together, the private sector, different regions, different worship houses, different denominations. This is the best of Sacramento.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Francis House Needs More Room as Homeless Problem Increases

2010-10-22T19:10:23Z

Francis House of Sacramento is launching their capital campaign to raise $250,000 to expand their facility and provide more services. To kick off their campaign the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, owners of Cache Creek Casino Resort have contributed a generous seed donation of $50,000. Greg Bunker, Executive Director for Francis House is pleased with the great start and is hopeful organizations and companies will consider helping with this important project.

Our economy is experiencing a slow recovery, but still the staff and volunteers of Francis House are overwhelmed by the continued increase in need over the last few years. Bunker is hoping to expand the facility to include extra space for counseling and classrooms. He explains, “The addition will allow us to add classes for much needed help such as employment readiness and substance-abuse counseling”.

Francis House resources are distributed directly to the poor in the form of vouchers for emergency transportation, shelter and identification, or used to provide direct counseling and hospitality services.

The organization serves as a lifeline to thousands of homeless and destitute citizens a month. While they do receive some limited federal funding through the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency and some city finding for ID’s support, a much larger portion of the budget is dependent on a network of community organizations, businesses, supporting congregations and individuals.

The kick-off event for the capital campaign for Francis House of Sacramento will be their 40th Anniversary Celebration event on Friday, October 29, at 6:00pm in the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Sacramento. Some of the finest local restaurants and caterers will serve a fabulous four-course dinner with fine wine parings. The popular band, Mumbo Gumbo will provide great music, and proceeds will support Francis House Services.

For more information or to contribute to the Francis House Capital Campaign call (916) 443-2646. For ticket information to the 40th Anniversary Celebration call or visit their web page at www.francishouse.info.

Homeless Forum tackles community concerns about homelessness

2010-10-14T02:16:13Z

Community leaders gathered to speak with local government to find out what is being done about the homelessness problem in Sacramento. It was a chance for the community to discuss the progress made toward more permanent housing and the setbacks that have hindered them. There was resolve that if the community efforts remain strong, the problem could be solved within the next few years.

Mayor Kevin Johnson and Councilman Rob Fong were among 13 community leaders who spoke at the Homeless Forum held Tuesday in the Redwood Room at Sacramento State.

“This is a chance to bring the activists to the policymakers,” said moderator and event organizer Steve Watters.

Fong was the first of many to reiterate that “housing is the biggest challenge.” He mentioned methods of handling the homeless concerns in other cities like Denver and Boise that were serving as models of how Sacramento approaches the issue.

“We’re not going to have another winter with people in the streets,” Fong said. He urged the audience to continue donating and aiding the shelters.

Costa Mantis played a clip from his documentary “Live from Tent City” that was sent to the United Nations to speak out about homelessness.

Author Jason MacCannell spoke about the history of the homeless epidemic and the preconceptions about being homeless that have carried over from the past. He explained how what was once a contained lower-class population in the skid row neighborhoods of cities gradually became homeless with the elimination of funding for affordable housing.

The first panel consisted of Sister Libby Fernandez, executive director of Loaves & Fishes, Donald Miller, Barbara Baker, Jim Gibson, Lola Wiley and Trimmie Sanders, the four of whom shared their tales of homelessness and recovery.

Fernandez started by discussing the rise of tent cities on the outskirts of the Sacramento area and how local homeless advocacy groups reached out to help them.

“We came there to help them, but what we saw was community,” she said. “But it wasn’t a safe place because it wasn’t legal, and it’s still not legal.”

The forum was sponsored by many groups who are dedicated to helping the homeless find safe ground to live, including Francis House, Loaves & Fishes and the Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee.

Each of the panel speakers explained his or her connection to Safe Ground, the organization of community leaders who campaign for the city to sanction areas for the homeless to stay without risk of arrest or harassment. The stories were heartbreaking, but with happy endings that expressed the value of Safe Ground for the homeless.

When the question-and-answer portion began, the panel was asked, “How else can we help?”

Wiley said, “Don’t stop. Take every little bit and go forward with it, and get your neighbor to go forward with you, and that neighbor get a friend…and we can beat it.”

Johnson stepped to the podium with encouraging words about plans to cure homelessness in Sacramento.

There are more than 3,000 homeless people in this city, Johnson said. “We have a broken system in the terms of the way we deal with our homeless population.”

His main point involved a five-pillar program to help support the homeless and aim them toward permanent housing. There have already been 1,350 families put into permanent housing, with a goal for 3,000 families total in three years.

The five pillars are housing, social services, funding, advocacy, and accountability. He explained how each pillar supports the pillar above it, so that it will take funding to get homes and services, but it will take advocacy from locals to raise awareness, and it will be accountability that keeps the plan working for the future.

“We need to prove that what we’re doing works,” he said, “and that it makes sense to the taxpayers.”

He then explained a 12- to 18-month plan for creating a new safe ground for the homeless population that can support about 100 people. It will be privately funded and be placed near access to services, but “we’re not sure where yet.”

The hope is to have safe ground “up and ready to go by November 2011.”

The next panel consisted of a variety of community leaders who began by discussing the legality of homelessness and what can be done about the “camping ordinance” that makes it illegal for the homeless to sleep outdoors.

“We cannot police ourselves out of homelessness,” said Bob Erlenbusch, on the board of the Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee

The panel was divided between putting a moratorium on the camping ordinance or leaving the law alone.

Sacramento Police Department Lt. Michael Bray said, “It’s tough to balance. The camping ordinance is a tool, and it’s an effective tool. We’d like to never have to use it.”

Next, the panel discussed the idea of government funding and how to supply services to the homeless. Sacramento Steps Forward Director Tim Brown explained how housing the chronically homeless costs the taxpayers less than paying for the prison and health services that the homeless are often dragged through repeatedly.

“It’s not enough for government to do it,” he said, “but we need the whole community to be involved.”

It was agreed that it will take government and private funding to move forward, as well as holding the mayor and the council accountable to create policy changes.

“We need affordable housing. That is the carrot at the end of the tunnel,” said John Kraintz, Safe Ground leader. “But till we get to the end of that tunnel, we’re gonna have to pitch a few tents along the way.”

Francis House of Sacramento Announces 40th Anniversary Party

2010-09-18T15:16:31Z

Francis House of Sacramento is announcing its 40th Anniversary Party to be held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Friday October 29, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. This event celebrating 40 years of serving the homeless and poor of Sacramento County will include a four-course dinner and fine wines served by the best restaurants and caterers in the city. The dinner will be followed by a dance featuring the popular band, Mumbo Gumbo.

Forty years is a long time for a faith-based non-profit to survive, however Francis House of Sacramento is not just any non-profit. The organization sees that over 30,000 men, women, and children each year receives personal attention for their problems.

The mostly volunteer staff of Francis House provides resource information and counseling for the poor. Seventeen churches and the community-at-large support their efforts.

Francis House Executive Director, Greg Bunker explains, “In many cases, we provide the last hope for those disenfranchised from the mainstream of society. Anyone in need is welcomed at Francis House with a warm cup of coffee and a dose of compassion. Our counseling is very much like you would experience with a friend who is interested to help problem solve their dilemma.”

Forrest Reed, Program Director for Francis House pointed out, “I am encouraged by the number of people in new jobs or in permanent housing due to our efforts. But personally, the best way I gauge our successes is by the smiles, appreciative words and expressions of hope I get to experience from those we help every day I come to work.”

The goal of Francis House is not to sustain people where they are now, but to help provide the way to pull themselves up and off the streets and into jobs and permanent housing. The process of getting them there doesn’t happen over-night so Francis House is right beside them every step of the way. Not everyone has the physical or mental ability, however for others who can do more, they expect sobriety, responsibility, hard work, and ultimately self-sufficiency.

One way to honor and celebrate Francis House of Sacramento and their 40 years of service and to help make sure they stick around another 40 years is to attend this very important fundraising dinner and dance event. Restaurants such as Mulvaney’s, Evan’s Kitchen, Tuli Bistro, Sampino’s and others will provide the four-course dinner and wine pairings.

You can purchase your tickets online (individual, couple, or corporate table) at www.francishouse.info or for more information call (916) 443-2646.

Julie Ann Twyman serves love, great food to community

2010-09-18T01:20:54Z

The spirit of giving lasts all year for Julie Ann Twyman, who spends her time coordinating a number of programs benefiting the homeless.

The mother of two runs a catering business, takes culinary courses at American River College and reaches out to the community for donations.

Eight years ago, after shedding the weight of a troublesome past, Twyman devoted herself to bringing improvements to the homeless and needy citizens of Sacramento. With sponsorship from the Sacramento First Church of the Nazarene, she began with a coat and backpack collection drive. When many other similar drives began around the community, Twyman refocused her programs on the needs of the homeless that other drives were overlooking.

Thanksgiving to the Streets was born. This event was a way to bring a full meal and donation baskets directly to needy families. Everything was donated – from the turkey dinners to the baskets set about town that collected donations. Some years she’s had between 80 and 100 volunteers helping her feed the community.

Next, Twyman began the Sacramento Blanket Drive. For this she asked the community to donate blankets and socks and other things to keep the homeless warm during the winter.

“Sponsorship from Starbucks,” Twyman said, “helped us collect almost 1,000 blankets one year from a single store.”

She soon began organizing another holiday event, Christmas Baskets to the Streets, which she coordinated with a donation program named Sacramento Poverty Reach Back. For this drive, Twyman asked for hygiene products like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors and other such “staples of comfortable living.”

Most recently, Twyman began the One Can CAN Do drive, aimed at collecting canned foods to be distributed through the holiday baskets. The name of the program was meant to inspire everyone to donate something, no matter how small.

“One can goes a long way,” she said. “If everybody could contribute one can, we could feed a multitude of people.”

With all of these programs collecting donations year-round, Twyman has found it difficult to maintain them on her own. “Most people call to volunteer two weeks before Thanksgiving,” she said, “but we need people more than just once a year. The volunteering really starts in January.”

Twyman had been using donated space in a building to host these holiday events that consisted of a fresh home-cooked meal for the community, live music, raffles, crafts tables, donation distribution, prayer gatherings and information about where to get free medical examinations.

“It was really wonderful,” Twyman said. “We had stations for the food and for the donations. There was a stage for the band. We had prizes, too, for vacations that people could win. And places where people could gather and pray together.”

In 2008 the building owner lost the property, and Twyman had to make a few changes to her programs. She said she is still looking for a new building to keep her various community events going and would only require the space for about a week in order to set up decorations and bring in supplies.

“If anyone were able to donate their space,” she said, “they would greatly help serve the community.”

She continues to be a big part of the Sacramento First Church of the Nazarene homeless ministry, and is busy getting the word out about her donation programs.

Stacey Hernandez, an administrator from the Nazarene Church, said, “This is a passion for Julie. She gives up lots of her time to help others and does a wonderful job of knowing resources for people in need.”

Hernandez said the Thanksgiving to the Streets event on its own helps about 100 families, and with Twyman’s involvement and the various other programs she has created, the number of families aided year-round is likely closer to 400 or 500.

Twyman said she loves helping others and “seeing expressions on their faces of joy, transformation and happiness, knowing they were loved and that someone cared. People feel honored and valued for who they are.”

“It’s completely life-changing,” Twyman said, “for me and for those we help.”

Twyman explained how some of those she has served and helped over the years now come back to be on the other end – to help serve. The homeless are now working, in school, making life changes.

Hernandez commented that “Julie has been an enormous help for us. She is getting so busy with her other programs, but she still works with the food closet to help bring donations.”

Her community-oriented lifestyle is not without challenges, however.

Twyman said she suffers daily from fibromyalgia and spinal neuropathy. This includes swelling, spinal problems and pain in her hands and arms. Some days she has to use a walker to get around and really relies on her family and her employees to help her.

“I’m definitely in the wrong line of work,” she said with a laugh. “Sometimes after a catering job I’m down for three days.”

Her 15-year-old son, John, and 18-year-old daughter, Jessica, have been helping her for the past eight years by cooking, prepping and serving food as well as gathering donations from the community.

“I’d be lost without my children,” she said. “When I’m down and out, they’re my lifeline.”

Twyman was not born disabled. Her disabilities were the result of injuries from physical abuse in her past. Now she uses her disability as fuel to continue giving back to the community, to prove that “it doesn’t matter where you are in life, everyone has something to contribute.”

She spends a lot of her time working at Two Moms Catering, which is going on its third year of business and growing in popularity. She learned to cook at home and is currently taking classes in the culinary program at American River College. The profit from Two Moms helps fund her various community donation programs.

Two Moms Catering operates in kitchen space rented from Mass Appeal at 2135 Dale Ave.

To volunteer for or get more information about this year’s Thanksgiving to the Streets and Christmas Baskets to the Streets events, e-mail Twyman at thanksgiving.to.the.streets@gmail.com.

Photographs:

1. Mixed green salad with olives, baby corn, carrot, red onion and feta cheese.
2. Julie Ann Twyman.
3. Christina, Julie and Julie's son, John.
4. John helping in the kitchen.
5. The front entrance.
6. The side entrance to the kitchen.
7. Julie Poirier and her children, helping at last year’s event.
8. Julie Ann's daughter, Jessica, and friend Thomas Cosby.

Mercer Vet Clinic Helps Homeless Pets

2010-09-13T22:30:17Z

Once a month, hundreds of pets and their owners break the Saturday morning quiet on Ahern Street. Dogs bark and pace, cats meow in travel cases and owners talk to one another to pass the time. Many will wait up to six hours to be seen at the Loaves and Fishes’ location for free veterinary care for the homeless by UC Davis’ Mercer Veterinary Clinic.

The clinic has been coming to Loaves and Fishes for more than 15 years to help the animals of the homeless clients. They visit the second Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

On Sep. 11, 148 animals were brought to Mercer to be seen.

Client Lisa Lafont of Sacramento brought her three dogs, Muffin, Missy and Sam, to be vaccinated, spayed and neutered.

“The population of everybody here is the homeless,” Lafont said. “Homeless pets are still family members. It gives them a little bit of health care, too.”

The number of clients and patients varies. Some Mercer volunteers said they believe it depends on the weather. Dogs are the primary patients, followed by cats.

“(The homeless treat their animals) really, really well,” said Dr. Laurel Gershwin, UC Davis veterinary school professor and chair of the Mercer board. “I’ve been incredibly impressed with how well they follow directions when you give them medication to give, and you get results.”

Mercer consists of first-, second- and third-year veterinary students. Preveterinary students assist as aides. Up to three UC Davis veterinarians are on-hand, depending on availability.

The clinic is funded by grants, donations and fundraisers. Its policy requires that its patients be spayed or neutered, and clients be confirmed as homeless by Loaves and Fishes.

“You have to realize for these people that have very little, that (an) animal is something solid and stable in their life,” Gershwin said. “It provides companionship, love, and it’s a very important part of their life. I’ve even seen our clients go out and save an animal another homeless person has been mistreating.”

Most patients receive general preventative care including heartworm medication and vaccines. Many clients rely on Mercer for pet food. The clinic provides and treats nearly everything a general practice would on-site, except surgeries.

“The only difference is sometimes we see things that most veterinarians would’ve seen sooner,” Gershwin said. “So the dog that was itchy and had a couple spots of hair missing, and would go to a normal clinic will come to us and have practically no hair because the owner didn’t know they could come in for free, and they couldn’t take it to a veterinarian.”

A UC Davis trailer comes the Sunday after each clinic visit for scheduled spay and neuter procedures. About 10 to 12 patients are seen per visit.

“It provides a lot of good for people who, basically without their homes, need their animals to protect them,” client Tosha Roach of Sacramento said. “And I don’t have any kids, so (my dog, Kaleah) is my baby.”

Loaves and Fishes requires the clinic to be finished by 3 p.m. Any clients left after that time must be turned away.

Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. They are taken into a warehouse where the clinic has temporarily set up equipment and supplies. Large containers of donated pet food sit on one side, and folding tables acting as examination tables sit opposite. There is a small tent in one corner so vets may examine cats without the possibility of them running away.

“It would be nice if we ultimately had a more dependable space where we don’t have to worry that if they decided to do something else with the warehouse, we wouldn’t have a space to do our clinic,” Gershwin said.

If a procedure is unavailable on-site, Mercer will often have the animal transported to the UC Davis veterinary teaching hospital or referred to a private practice veterinarian Mercer is associated with and pays.

“If our clients feel enough love and caring to sit out here for six hours in the hot sun to see a vet or vet student to get medication, you know they care,” Gershwin said. “Most people wouldn’t do that.”

Photos:

1) A kitten is seen by veterinary students.

2) Clients and patients wait to be seen.

3) Mercer's warehouse interior.

4) A table with supplies for Mercer veterinary clinic.

Johnson to ask staff to find safe ground sites, anticipates meeting with school board candidates

2010-08-10T19:13:40Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson announced today that he will be asking city staff to find three spots suitable to serve as safe ground for the homeless.

But that’s just one aspect of Johnson’s goal with regard to the homeless.

“If the dialogue on homelessness is only about SG, we’ve missed our mark,” Johnson said, adding that the overall goal is to get permanent housing.

“It is a thorny issue,” he said. “It’s one that I don’t mind being out in front of.”

Johnson said he would have preferred to start looking at possible sites back in January or February, and since that isn’t being done until now, there won’t be a permanent safe ground before November and the onset of cold weather.

He did, however, hint at good news to come.

“We’re going to (give an) update in the next week or two on the progress we’ve made on permanent housing,” he said. “It’s astounding...not just for our city, (but for) the region.”

Switching his focus to education, Johnson also announced that he will be taking an active look at the 10 candidates who will be on the ballot for three school board positions in November.

“My passion is education,” Johnson said. “It’s something I feel very strongly about. There’s no way we will have a great city without great schools.”

Johnson said he wants to sit down with all 10 candidates and make sure they put the children first, are willing to assume personal accountability for results, make decisions based on performance and work to put good teachers and principals in every school.

“You can go to school board meetings around the country, and they’re not talking about children as much as they should,” Johnson said, adding that he thinks every decision made should be in the best interest of the children – not unions or other adults.

“I do see that as part of my job,” Johnson said. “(Education isn’t) part of my job description, but it’s part of my job.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Hopeful homeless in search of a 'safe ground'

2010-07-23T03:25:42Z

Sacramento’s homeless are still searching for safe ground after the tent city was taken down in April 2009.

On Tuesday, homeless camper and SafeGround movement leader John Kraintz, Sacramento civil rights lawyer Mark Merin, State Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg and activists from nonprofit organizations around Sacarmento marched from Friendship Park to Cesar Chavez Park in celebration of the SafeGround Movement.

They were joined by homeless men and women as they marched, sang, danced and spoke on behalf of the homeless.

Using a microphone, which echoed through speakers around the stage, musicians and speakers were heard loud and clear by the crowd of more than 100.

“People came together on Tuesday to celebrate the conclusion of a year, to celebrate life and a common goal, and to demonstrate to the city of Sacramento that we are a coherent force,” Merin said.

SafeGround Sacramento is a nonprofit homeless rights and advocacy organization founded by homeless people working to establish a safe and legal place for Sacramento’s homeless to stay and sleep.

Last August, Mayor Kevin Johnson camped out with Sacramento’s homeless community in efforts to find a legal place for homeless people to reside.

A month later, Johnson launched a plan to find 2,400 housing units for homeless people during the next three years.

Almost a year after Johnson’s camping with them, homeless people like Kraintz are hopeful, but still waiting.

“This is a movement for homeless people, by homeless people,” Krainitz said. “SafeGround is many things at this point; it’s a social justice movement trying to find equality for all people, it is a camping gear supply store for people that don't have anything and need to sleep outside.”

Food Not Bombs served tofu, salad, fruit salad, chocolate cake and iced tea and the line for food stretched across the park. Many local bands and musicians, such as Pinkie and the Blind Resistance, had the crowd dancing and singing along to their classical rock tunes and modern blues.

Since April 2009, advocates have been trying to move away from the notion of a “tent city.”

“We have been fighting to acquire and develop a piece of land that we can use, for about 60 homeless people hopefully, so that they can have a place to go at a time when the county has pretty much cut off all their shelters and there are only a few beds left,” Kraintz said.

Sacramento’s “camping ordinance” has made it illegal for anyone to camp on public property. At least 1,200 men, women and children sleep outdoors in Sacramento. More on this information can be found on the SafeGround website. (SafeGround)

Both Merin and Kraintz expressed a similar thought about the progress SafeGround has made in the past year.

“The principle progress made is in the organization of the participants, establishing a nonprofit organization and gaining respect and recognition from members of the community,” Merin said.

Kraintz added, “In the beginning of the movement, they started out to find a place where homeless people can go. What we have learned is that we are building a community, and that is something that is really lacking.”

Although SafeGround members are hopeful, locating land has proved to be a challenge. The proposed pilot site has yet to be determined, according to Merin.

It will take up to a year, hundreds of thousands of dollars, compliance with zoning laws and public support to get the project done.

“We need to think outside of the box in an economy that has been severely taxed,” Merin said.

Loaves & Fishes is one of the three nonprofit organizations supporting SafeGround.

“Once we get support of the city, county and neighbors to help find an adequate piece of land, we are going to be the biggest model for the nation by showing a way of providing a need for the homeless,” said Loaves & Fishes’ executive director, Sister Libby Fernandez.

SafeGround has received a $25,000 grant from Catholic Healthcare West and has been promised a $50,000 grant for development from HomeAid Sacramento.

Steinberg took the stage as the celebration drew to a close.

The crowd cheered as Steinberg advocated for combating homelessness.

“This is a human rights issue, and it begins with SafeGround,” he said. “It beings with everyone having their own little sliver or slice of safe ground to be able to create a new beginning.”

“I’m very proud to be here with you as we fight all kinds of demons over at the State Capitol. Being out here with you is grounding for me.”

County sued over cuts in health care

2010-07-15T05:25:21Z

On July 23, The Sacramento County Superior Court will hear a team of attorneys argue that the recent budget cuts made to the County Medical Indigent Services Program are in violation of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.

Lead Counsel Stacy Wittorff from Legal Services Northern California and Abbi Coursolle from the Western Center on Law and Poverty will represent the petitioners in the case of Poole v. County of Sacramento in an effort to maintain what medical services the County offered prior to the recent passage of the 2010-2011 county budget.

At least 725 county employees will be laid off, and program budgets will be heavily reduced as a result of the county budget approved by the Board of Supervisors on June 17 in a 3-2 vote. With that vote, the county balanced the budget, closing a $181 million deficit.

The petitioners in the case include two chronically ill recipients of county health care and Sacramento homeless services provider Loaves & Fishes.

Once Executive Director Libby Fernandez of Loaves & Fishes learned of the budget cuts, she sprung into action.

“When I heard they were going to cut 50 percent of primary care and two of the clinics, I called Legal Services of Northern California,” she said.

Loaves & Fishes has been working with the homeless in Sacramento since 1983. The organization provides many services to the homeless, including health and legal services and a school for homeless children.

“We have a pretty good sense of what the needs and lack of services are out there,” Fernandez said.

Wittorff said that the county has specific obligations to provide last-resort medical care for those who can not otherwise get it.

“They have absolutely fallen below the line of their legal obligation,” she said.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Allen Sumner issued a temporary restraining order on July 1 that blocks the cuts from taking effect. The July 23 hearing will decide whether Sumner issues a preliminary injunction. This would extend a hold on the cuts until the fall, when the case can be heard in full.

“The cuts in medical services may have a significant impact on the county’s ability to provide medically necessary services promptly and humanely as the Legislature has required by sections 17000 and 10000 (of the California Welfare and Institutions Code),” Sumner said.

Sumner’s order also puts a temporary stop to five-week waits for active dental abscesses and reducing the number of physicians on staff. Without the restraining order, patient appointments would have been reduced by 100 per day, with delays of several months, according to a press release from LSNC.

“We would concede that there is a legal obligation to provide medical services to our indigent population,” County Counsel Bob Ryan said.

The county is arguing that how these services are provided is open to interpretation, especially in these fiscally troubling times, and that the new budget does meet the obligations of the county.

The County Medical Indigent Services Program is for seriously ill residents who are uninsured, do not qualify for Medi-Cal or other programs, and cannot otherwise afford medical care.

Supervisors Roberta MacGlashan and Roger Dickinson voted against the budget’s general fund allocations. Supervisors Don Nottoli, Susan Peters and Jimmie Yee voted in support of passing the budget.

Dickinson objected because he said he thought it did not make social services a higher priority.

“We have an obligation, a duty, particularly as a county, to address those who are the least among us,” he said.

Supervisor Don Nottoli said he felt a responsibility to pass a budget for the county, even with the included compsomises.

“The bottom line is that there’s not sufficient funding,” Nottoli said. “Yes, we prioritize, and we make decisions.”

Staff Reporter Kathleen Haley contributed to this report.

Residential housing program proves homeless individuals can turn their lives around

2010-05-28T18:02:34Z

Last week, 15 formerly homeless individuals were recognized for their transition off the streets during Cottage Housing’s semi-annual graduation ceremony. The honorees, seven men and eight women, tearfully but eloquently told the audience about the struggles to get into the two year program, and the success which has resulted from their time there.

Tom Pratt, a 2010 graduate of the program, started his stay at Quinn Cottages in January 2008.

“I came with very few possessions, no job and eight months of sobriety. I didn’t know a lot about Quinn Cottages, but I was determined to use my time here to get back on my feet and return to society as a tax payer and not a tax taker,” said Pratt.

Pratt has followed through with his goals. He is now married and working full time for the State Franchise Tax Board, a job he worked hard to obtain over the last year.

“What Quinn did for me was afforded me the time to pursue my goals and work towards a bright future which I now have,” Pratt added.

“When I came to Quinn Cottages I didn’t have more than the clothes on my back, but I had a lot of hope, commitment and determination and they were behind me all the way, said another participant, David Donnelly. “When you come here with nothing, and leave with something, it means a lot.” (Watch Donnelly’s full speech on Facebook.)

Residents at Quinn Cottages spend up to two years living in one of the program’s 60 midtown housing units. While there, the residents commit to maintaining sobriety, pursuing self-defined personal development goals and volunteering regularly in the community. Cottage Housing’s program has resulted in over 400 graduates since its opening in 1997.

Quinn Cottages is one of two residential housing units operated by Cottage Housing. Serna Village, located at McClellan Park, has 83 apartments which serve over 100 recently homeless adults and more than 200 children.

For more information about Cottage Housing, including how to volunteer or donate, please visit www.cottagehousing.org or visit on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/cottagehousing.

*Full disclosure: Writer works for a marketing agency. Cottage Housing is a paid client of 3fold Communications.

3rd Annual Homeless Connect

2010-05-24T19:47:51Z

Montrail Carr is a 29-year-old father of seven children. He and his family have been homeless for the last 13 months.

"I'm looking for housing or any kind of help," said Carr. "I have never been homeless before, so I need assistance for my family."

Carr's hope for help came one step closer recently. He was one of more than 700 homeless individuals who attended the third annual Homeless Connect on May 22 at Sacramento City College. The one day event provided direct services to the homeless in an “one stop shop” format.

With the partnership of more than 50 organizations and the aid of 500 community volunteers, Sacramento Steps Forward’s Sacramento Homeless Connect provided homeless individuals and families with access to residential assistance, health screenings, vision appointments, dental screenings, mental health services, Social Security Administration assistance, HIV tests, skin cancer screenings, California identification cards, and access to benefits, shelter, haircuts, bike and wheelchair repair and much more.

"I'm so thankful that there are so many who care about us," Carr said. "They really want us to change and get help."

The Salvation Army was the presenting sponsor of Homeless Connect, providing food and gift bags to all of the event guests.

"It's a honor and a blessing for The Salvation Army to be involved with the Homeless Connect again," said David Bentley, Salvation Army Sacramento County Coordinator. "We hope that the attendees can take advantage of all of the resources here, and hopefully, we can bring hope to them, too."

Since January 2007, chronic homelessness in Sacramento County has decreased by 35% but overall homelessness continues to rise.

"The goal of ending homelessness is an important and profound mission that requires the ideas, insights and efforts of all individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies," said Tim Brown, Director of Sacramento Steps Forward. "Sacramento Steps Forward,through its Homeless Connect project is an initiative to rally the community towards a shared and collective effort to end homelessness.”

Last year, over 700 homeless guests, 300 staff and 400 volunteers, participated in making Sacramento Homeless Connect a great success.

2010 Homeless Connect provides jobs, health and housing resources for homeless

2010-05-19T02:21:50Z

The homeless will find easy access to all the services they need in one location Saturday, as the third annual Sacramento Homeless Connect returns. The event, held at Sacramento City College, will run from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., offering a variety of resources including free haircuts, bicycle and wheelchair repair, California identification cards, job preparedness and even a barbecue lunch.

"Last year we saw 700 people and had 400 volunteers," said Tim Brown, executive director of Sacramento Steps Forward. This year, Brown said he expects to see 800 homeless and about 500 volunteers, due mostly to the increased percentage of homeless.

Sacramento Steps Forward is an initiative started to combat Sacramento homelessness by empowering the homeless and assist them in finding permanent housing. The Homeless Connect event is modeled after San Francisco's project of the same name.

"We're trying to bring community volunteers face to face with the homeless," Brown said. "We want to break through myths of the homeless, raise awareness and show they're not so different from us."

New for 2010, Homeless Connect will be offering more employment resources in response to requests from prior years' events. Programs such as Women's Empowerment and Crossroads Employment Services will be on hand to assist the homeless with workshops such as interview skills, resume critiques, interpersonal communication and dressing for success.

Brown said approximately 60 organizations will contribute efforts toward services Saturday, from local businesses and nonprofits to public-funded programs.

Shuttle services, funded by Sacramento Steps Forward, will be provided every 15 minutes throughout the day, stopping at locations such as Loaves and Fishes between B and C streets, the Salvation Army between Dos Rios and Ahern streets and the Capitol Health Clinic at 1500 C St.

The main goal of the event is to increase access to a wider variety of resources in one spot. "We're trying to make it easier to access many different services all in one day," Brown said. Typically, he said, it can take one full day to access just one of these resources.

Sacramento Steps Forward still needs 20 volunteers for the 2010 Homeless Connect. To sign up, or for further information, visit sacramentostepsforward.com. To view the entire schedule of the event's workshop, click here.

Photos from 2009 Homeless Connect courtesy of Tim Brown, Sacramento Steps Forward

Affordable housing defined

2010-05-04T04:05:34Z

Everyone wants "affordable" housing. But few people know what that is.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has defined affordable housing as no more than 30 percent of a household's income.

That means you shouldn't be paying more than 30 percent of your income for housing — whether mortgage payments or rent — plus utilities each month.

"People think affordable housing means just one thing. But it doesn't," said Sandra Hamameh, program director for the Sacramento Housing Alliance. "It means being able to afford a place to live, at whatever stage you're in in your life."

Levels of affordability are also based on an area's median incomes. The median incomes for Sacramento County, based on 2009 figures, are $50,950 for a single person, $58,250 for a two-person household and $72,800 for a family of four.

For housing to be affordable, that single person should pay no more than $1,274 per month; the couple, or parent and child, household shouldn't pay more than $1,456; and the family of four should pay $1,820 or less, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

Income levels that fall below the median include low income, very low income and extremely low income.

Low incomes are those at 80 percent of the median:
• $40,800 for a single person, making affordable housing no more than $1,020 a month;
• $46,600 for two people, and $1,165 a month for affordable housing;
• $58,250 for four people, and $1,456 a month for housing.

Very low incomes are those at 50 percent of the median:
• $25,500 for a single person, and $637 a month for affordable housing;
• $29,100 for two, and $727 a month for housing;
• $36,400 for four, and $910 a month for housing.

Extremely low incomes are those at 30 percent of the median:
• $15,300 for a single person, and $382 a month for housing;
• $17,500 for two, and $437 a month for housing;
• $21,850 for four, and $546 a month for housing.

Affordable housing may include subsidized housing projects such as multi-family apartments or single-family homes built or leased through public-private programs.

Single-resident occupancy units, or SROs, boarding houses and other arrangements offer housing for extremely low-income residents, but little of such housing exists, said Hamameh.

HUD has a housing choice voucher program known as Section 8 for elderly and disabled people, very low-income families, and homeless or otherwise-eligible veterans. Recipients use the vouchers to rent or buy housing.

Extremely low-income housing may also be occupied by people whose only income comes from monthly supplemental security income (SSI), Social Security or disability checks. A person getting $474 monthly SSI checks can afford rent of no more $142. A widow who now gets $718 a month in Social Security and $240 from her husband's retirement fund can afford rent of $287, Hamameh said.

In 2010, fair market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sacramento County is $852, according to HUD. Some people who can't find safe, quality affordable housing end up renting from private owners who still charge "fair market rate" for substandard housing, said Hamameh, whose organization has been advocating for affordable housing since 1989.

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Read the story about the proposal for the biggest SRO in Sacramento here .

19th Annual Feast for the Streets raises funds for the homeless

2010-04-30T04:02:48Z

"Sold!" announced the auctioneer, as one of the 200 available prize packages was claimed for $1,400. The 19th annual Feast for the Streets was in full swing Wednesday night, with more than 700 participants gathering for food, wine, prizes and a silent auction.

Now in its 40th year, Francis House put together the yearly fundraiser, with one simple goal:

"To break $90,000," said Program Director Forrest Reed. Last year, the event raised $88,000, all of which is used directly on clients of Francis House.

The center, located on C Street downtown, sees around 20,000 - 30,000 clients per year, or 1,600 monthly, providing counseling and resources for needy families and individuals. This year, Francis House has seen a 30 percent increase in clients, likely due to the current economic climate.

With a budget of about $633,000 and seven paid employees, four of which are part-time, Francis House relies heavily on community volunteers. On hand to help during the Feast for the Streets event were 60 volunteers, not including the 40 vendors from local restaurants and catering businesses including New Roma Bakery, Tony's Fine Foods, Cupcake Craving, and Pronto's.

For some, the exposure outweighs the cost. "It's a win-win for me," said Jeremy White, director of catering and chef for Event Architects Catering. In some cases, it can cost anywhere from $350 to $500 for businesses to supply the food and manpower for a fundraising event. However, "for someone who works with food, it's an opportunity to share (my craft) with people in an effort to curb hunger," he said.

Besides the silent auction and raffle, Francis House took the time to present a special award to Tina Reynolds to appreciate her contributions in the fight to end homelessness. Reynolds is a Safe Ground board member, and owner of Uptown Studios, a website development and design firm. Uptown Studios designed and donated the website for Safe Ground, a campaign to find space for the homeless.

"Anytime we get a group of like-minded people together to raise awareness, and have some of the homeless here too, it diffuses (fear)," Reynolds said. She said while people are typically afraid of the homeless, she chooses to work with them "because of their passion and hard work." Reynolds was pleasantly surprised at being recognized, stating there were so many people working toward assisting the homeless. "Everyone agrees we need to do something," she said, "but no one will offer up any land."

The annual fundraiser, which has been held at the Scottish Rite Center for the last four years, began in a church basement. Expanding each year, Francis House was able to move the Feast for the Streets, its biggest fundraiser of the year, to the new, larger location.

"Francis House is the real deal," Reed said. "(Of 2,000 like agencies) we're No. 5." The center, supported by 17 church congregations, is one of the oldest known assistance and resource centers. The congregation contributes around 20 percent of the annual needs, while fundraising events fill the remaining gap.

"It's a rarity for nonprofits to last (as long as Francis House has)," Executive Director Gregory Bunker said. "The people here tonight are the reason." Bunker pointed out that even in a down economy, people were still able to find ways to donate, that individuals could still put others' needs before their own. "(The 700 guests) are evidence of that," he said.

To volunteer with Francis House, visit www.francishouse.info for more information.

As if being homeless wasn't bad enough...

2010-04-10T18:41:30Z

From SAC PD:

"The Sacramento Police Department is investigating an early morning murder of a 69-year-old female.

"On April 10, 2010, at 4:12 a.m., the Sacramento Police Department responded to 8th Street near Capitol Mall after officers from the California Highway Patrol observed a female lying on the ground with possible injuries from being stabbed. The female was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center where she later died from her injuries.

"Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene. Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe that the female victim was a transient who was sleeping in the area when confronted by an individual. That suspect attacked the victim for unknown reasons."

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Commentary: Room at the Inn in the Houses of God?

2010-02-06T21:02:23Z

When I was in high school I had a real problem with religion. Why? As a teenager I couldn't get a grip in my spirit why "churches" had to spend so much money on buildings when there was so much need in the lives of people. It seemed like every time my girlfriend took me to church all they were seeking was money for their new building projects. Maybe those building projects of yesteryear are to help people today for such a time as this. Let me explain.

It wasn't until I was 23 years old that I came to the truth that in the word and eyes of God the church is not a building but rather the church is the people who believe in Him. But believing in God also means believing that Jesus Christ is His Son and that our eternal salvation is only through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. Once you believe, then Jesus says "follow me". In his faith, words and deeds.

Finally I realized the fact that God was not into the church as a building but rather into the church as the people. When I studied the life of Jesus, I discovered he did not concern himself with the traditions of the religious leaders of his day but rather with the heart of God towards people. When His disciples marveled at the beauty of the temple, His only response was: "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Matthew 24:2

Considering Jesus' straight talk on the man-made temple that was so revered in those days, what manner of persons should we be? People with compassion towards those who have been hit the hardest by the condition of the economy which is now made up of more and more single parents with children and families that don't have a roof over their heads. The cliché "What Would Jesus Do"(WWJD) truly needs to be considered more and more by churches and its leaders in our modern day society where people and their well being are far more important than possessions and programs.

I started considering what would happen if some of the largest churches in our area would take their emphasis off of buildings and building projects and put it on what God cares about most, and that is people. What kind of impact would it have on people’s lives, believers and non-believers if churches sold their properties and gave to the poor in the form of housing and food? Not necessarily move out of their buildings but rather lease them back and then open up the buildings at night for sleeping quarters for displaced families and children. They could use the monies from the properties to provide food and life sustaining help that would stimulate faith and hope in God. Isn't that what Jesus would do?

I asked my brother if he would go to the County Assessors office to look up the values of some of the churches in our area. Here is what the assessors office values these church properties which include land, building and improvements.

Capital Christian Center: Assessor's value - approximately $51 million

Warehouse Ministries: Assessor's value - approximately $8.5 million

First Covenan tChurch (Rancho Cordova) Assessor's value - approx $14.5 million

First Baptist Church Elk Grove: Assessor's value - approx $11.5 million

Bayside Church Granite Bay N/A (estimated in the millions)

Trinity Life Church North Highlands N/A (estimated in the millions)

I realize that there will be many religious people who would rebuke this idea because it bucks tradition and could be contrary to a church's "building funds" or "business plan". There is no evidence that Jesus cared about religious buildings or business plans. If these monumental edifices were built and maintained so that the religious leaders and denominations could display an outward show of their personal success, then it is just a matter of time before they experience what the temple and religious leaders of Jesus' day did.

With so many vacant commercial locations, there is no need for anymore new church buildings. What ever size a church(group of people) need, there is a building just waiting and perfect for their needs at a great price that will not strain the members personal finances. And then with money left over to do the good that God wants them to do. A good example is Bayside of South Sacramento. They are meeting in the Sac City College auditorium. They have a great location and the school benefits from this shared building as well. This is really what is meant in the bible as being "wise stewards".

I believe God is a God of resourcefulness, and would delight in seeing his people use his houses of worship 24/7 for the needs of hurting people. Do I get an AMEN? Or is it "Amen all by myself"?, a recognizable and humorous quote from Pastor Sherwood Carthen of the South Sac Bayside.

I am hoping to do a follow up article on the leaders of the above named churches that will hopefully give SacPress readers a glimpse at their salaries and if the economy has forced reductions in their pay. If layoffs are happening in their church, if any of their homes risk foreclosure and perhaps a look into their lifestyles and report whether or not they are living like kings or living like the King of Kings. If you know their addresses and/or their salaries it would help me with my article because most churches won't divulge this kind of personal information. I don't know what there is to hide unless they have something to hide. It seems like the Sacramento Bee is publishing many groups salaries, I am surprised they haven't gone after the religious groups.

Hey church people, let's start a new radical approach to doing church. Let's open up the Houses of God once again and stop shutting the doors to the people who need to get closer to God. Remember what Jesus said? "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 In this statement could he also be speaking to the religious leaders of our day?

About this SacPress writer: Jack Nordby served as a pastor for the Southern Baptist Convention and the Assemblies of God. He has been a guest speaker at churches and other events. He too is knocking at doors of todays religious leaders.

Sources: Pictures of Capitol Christian Center, Bayside of Granite Bay and First Covenant are fair use from the internet.

River People

2010-01-21T01:21:49Z

I never really understood it before, but to live in Sacramento is to be surrounded by water. That may sound ludicrous, but I have lived here most of my life, spent a lot of time by the water, but not until I saw more of the world did I understand how much water is a part of where I grew up. The water around here either collects or seeps or flows into our space, and can be seen all around town and really anywhere in the region. So I like water, I like spending time by it. Even when I am out in a high desert, I will find water to be near. Here in town, I will spend a lot of time by the water on a bicycle, fishing, or just standing.

Lately, as I have been bicycle commuting, I have noticed the River People. They will be walking along the trails or standing by camps, smelling of smoke and maybe a little dirt. You may have guessed by now I am talking about the homeless people that populate the riverside in Sacramento. To see them is to feel maybe fear, disgust, or envy. The fear can be either fear of them or fear that someday you may be one of them if economic factors will make you lose everything but your life. The disgust can be that you think they may be lazy, dirty, laden with alcohol, drug, or behavioral problems, but I sometimes feel disgust that our world can create people like the river people. The envy is that they may not have many worries about jobs, rent, bills, social disgrace, health, and the million things that can make us crazy. Their worries are probably different than mine.

I am not going to offer a solution, I will only offer observation. I often think how a lot of people were without a permanent address, wandering and living in tents, huts, sheds, or out in the stars, in times past before we developed the need for permanence. I wondered if those people were happy? Do all the things we have make us happy?

This story is one of trying to feel compassion that can overcome all the other feelings. That would be my own goal in writing this down and contemplating what I have written. Take what you will, and I apologize if I offend some people. I am only trying to understand and maybe absorb some lesson from what I see. Happy.

City's ill-conceived utility code encourages scavenging, marginalizes Homeless.

2009-12-01T20:30:31Z

Collection day morning in Midtown. Heralded once again by the clatter of shopping cart wheels, arguments over territory rights, and cans and bottles strewn about makeshift recycling centers upon the front yards of residents.

The Police are powerless. Worse, the City of Sacramento’s utility code unwittingly encourages marginalization of the Homeless. By providing residents no choice in how their recyclables are reclaimed, and no alternative to a monthly fee for recycling pick up, Sacramento residents automatically subsidize the burgeoning activity of scavenging. Leaving many recycling bins nearly empty well before pick-up time, and many residents with increasing—and misplaced—animosity toward the Homeless.

It’s time to re-write this city’s utility code and the processes that it supports. And to redirect the average $1.00/week fee that residents are now charged toward social services assisting the Homeless.

Only in this way can we halt the creation of a quasi-legal business that divides the Homeless against themselves, divides residents against those who have none, and encourages violation of the very laws of our city, including those which subsidize scavenging in the first place.

True, a large percentage of the Homeless population falls through the ever-widening tears in our tattered social service safety net. But others fashion tools and contrivances, and keep regular and rigorous schedules, in pursuit of something very different than subsistence: profit outside the system. Most residents have seen ample evidence of this while going about their daily business, while others have actually been approached directly and ‘encouraged’ to form an exclusive scavenging contract between themselves and a scavenger.

Utility code reform is a chance for us to assist everyone in need. Regardless of their gender, age, and—especially—their physical ability to scavenge.

The environment suffers, too, from the current situation. In an effort to reduce scavenging and trespassing, some Midtown residents have ceased recycling entirely and now bury their recyclables in the trash. Others redeem recyclables on their own, but are forced to pay for services unused. Still others, acting primarily on fear of trespassers, hide the bins far from the street, covered in blankets or tucked into dark corners, unused.
Let us now fulfill our responsibility to those less fortunate than ourselves, and do so in a manner that does not directly undermine the laws that we all, the Homeless included, rely upon for our survival.

Let us encourage the City of Sacramento to re-write the utility codes that currently mandate fees for recycling collection, regardless of use, and let us direct those revenues toward immediate support of Homeless social services.

We must now end the perpetuation of ill-conceived and outdated processes that divide—with ever-increasing acrimony—the people against themselves.

Midtown Church Feeds the Community

2009-11-25T01:41:55Z

Midtowners walking by the corner of 21st and J on the last two Sundays of the month will see as many as 200 of our hungry neighbors lined up, eager to share in a warm, hearty breakfast offered to any of our community members in need of a meal. Sacramentans of all ages, from small children to senior citizens, many of whom spent the previous night without a roof or a bed are greeted with a hot cup of coffee and a warm smile from members of the First United Methodist Church of Sacramento’s congregation.

“I think many of our guests on Sunday morning feel cared for and honored by the way they are treated here," Pastor Kathi McShane said. "We try to make them feel like they're in a restaurant rather than a soup kitchen -- flowers on the tables, servers, friends from the church to sit and have breakfast with them. Many of them know Rev. Linda from Friendship Park and I make a point of walking around and welcoming the guests at every table. We really do believe that every one of them brings the presence of God in with them.”

Congregation members come together early on these Sunday mornings to prepare and serve breakfast. About two dozen, young and old, give up sleep and a portion of their Sunday to cook pancakes and sausages, scramble eggs, brew coffee, pour juice and serve their guests.

“I find that this is the most compelling thing the church does, in terms of inviting new people to participate. One of the first things new visitors ask me is, ‘How can I get involved in the Community Breakfast?’” McShane said. “It's a little miracle each week -- with little budget and no paid staff, somehow the food and the people appear to make it happen.”

Each morning at 8:30 a.m., the social hall is quickly filled with hungry bellies, eager to enjoy a warm breakfast and a warm place to socialize with friends. The friendly servers offer coffee, juice, milk and fruit before one of the guests leads the group in a prayer that is often as diverse as the guests. All community members are welcome, regardless of beliefs.

The Community Breakfast has changed the church," McShane said. "It's a regular reminder that our neighbors are hungry and that the church's work is to be in ministry alongside of them. What makes me feel most full and satisfied is when the guests from the breakfast begin to participate in other aspects of the church's life -- worship, other activities. Then I really know they've felt welcome and included.”

First United Methodist Church invites all members of our community to join us for breakfast on the last two Sundays of each month. Breakfast is served from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Anyone interested in helping with or supporting the breakfasts can call the church office at 446-5025.

Sacramento Steps Forward initiative announced

2009-11-06T04:36:58Z

Thursday morning, journalist Lisa Ling, members of the City Council and the homeless and formerly-homeless community joined Mayor Kevin Johnson in launching the "Sacramento Steps Forward" initiative. A crowd of several hundred waved blue initiative flags and cheered as Johnson announced his goal "to end homelessness and focus on permanent housing."

He applauded permanent housing shelters such as Mercy Housing, Turning Point and Martin Luther King Jr. Village, 3900 47th Avenue, where the launch was held.

Johnson said the goal of Sacramento Steps Forward is to provide 2,400 "decent and affordable" permanent housing units over the next three years. That would nearly quadruple the amount of permanent housing units created in the city over the last two years.

The mayor asked the Sacramento residents to advocate for the homeless, educate others about services needed to end homelessness, and to help find public, corporate and nonprofit funding.

"The homeless do not need a handout, they need a hand up," Johnson said. "They want to be empowered."

Johnson is chairman of a multiagency task force, part of the Policy Board to End Homelessness, that found funding for 269 winter shelter beds last month. This came despite an 84 percent cut in county funding for homelessness and the elimination of funding for winter shelters in September.

Tim Brown, director of the Sacramento Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative, said last week that federal stimulus money will house 150 people who are now in shelters, freeing up 150 shelter beds over the next few months.

With an expected 419 beds, the city and county intend to provide 151 more beds this year than last year's 268 beds. According to the 2009 Homeless Count Summary Report, there are about 2,800 homeless people in Sacramento, including 711 in emergency shelters, 895 in transitional housing and 1,194 who have no shelter.

After Johnson thanked Brown, Sister Libby Fernandez and Joan Burke, both of of Loaves and Fishes, he introduced Sacramento-native Ling, the host of National Geographic Explorer. Earlier this year, as a special correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show, she reported on Sacramento's "tent city," which brought other media outlets to the site.

"Your mayor, so many members of the homeless advocacy community, members of the city and county rose to the occasion and decided to tackle (homelessness) head on," Ling said. "I'm so proud of the way so many members of this community have come together (and) if Sacramento is successful (housing the homeless), it could be a model for the rest of the country."

County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, St. John's Shelter director, Michelle Steeb, and City Council member Rob Fong also spoke. Fong explained the Faith and Families initiative that he helped create.

"We're asking the faith communities to see if they would be willing through their congregation to make a commitment for one year to help house a homeless family," he said. "In the last year we've housed 10 homeless families (and) we're hoping to get a dozen more housed before the holidays."

Three formerly homeless people spoke about their experiences. They credited programs such as Serna Village, St. John's Shelter and Lutheran Social Services with changing their lives and giving them hope.

"It was absolutely marvelous," Fernandez of Loaves and Fishes said about the city's effort. "In one year, this mayor has talked more about the issue of homelessness than any mayor ever has. He spends time with the homeless, policymakers and advocates."

Although she applauded the push for transitional and permanent housing, she noted the nine-month waiting period to get into Quinn Cottages, a transitional housing shelter. This means that homeless need somewhere to go in the meantime, Fernandez said.

"It takes too long for the next step. (Creating a) 'safe ground' is just an added piece to get to the final goal, which is permanent housing."

A 10-Step Plan To Fix K Street, Or: The Legend of the Skyscraper Fairy

2009-10-12T03:55:54Z

As a Sacramento resident keenly interested in the history of K Street from the gold rush to the present, I have read many opinions regarding the best ways to fix the ongoing problems of K Street. Some have been proposed recently, ideas that I view with a mixture of amusement and horror. Most involve returning to the mistakes of the past while clearly avoiding its successes. In order to take the best from the past while avoiding some of its mistakes, I have selected some favorites. I can take credit for none of them, as they are all ideas that have been suggested at other times and places, but they seem like the best of the lot to me. This ten-point plan varies in scope from the very simple and inexpensive to the rather complex and expensive, some are short-term solutions while others are longer-term solutions for better times, but all of them are practical. I can provide more detail about most of these points if requested.

1. Accept that the Skyscraper Fairy does not exist.

Many landlords along K Street have no apparent interest in maintaining or improving their properties. Some are convinced that as long as they own the land, the magical Skyscraper Fairy will give them uncountable millions for the land where their decaying buildings sit, and will replace them with shiny new skyscrapers. Thus, they have little interest in maintaining or tenanting their buildings. The result is under-utilized or vacant buildings whose facades continue to crumble. Despite the Downtown Partnership’s efforts to power-wash streets and alleys, buildings allowed to fall into disrepair, inhabited only by bats and squatters, make our historic buildings into eyesores. Ideally, the city’s code enforcement division would issue stiff fines to property owners who allow their buildings to fall into disrepair, in order to prevent demolition by neglect. Unfortunately, the city of Sacramento is also one of the guilty parties, and one of the strongest believers in the Skyscraper Fairy. City-owned properties currently sit vacant, awaiting their own savior in the form of a deep-pocketed developer who will brush aside the old building and provide badly-needed money to build something else. Given K Street’s current state, this is unlikely—the only propositions so far are dependent on generous subsidies from the city of Sacramento. Until both the city and K Street property owners can be dispelled of their belief in the magical skyscraper fairy, their properties will continue to rot.

2. It’s time to leave the shopping mall in the past.

K Street was a bustling place until the 1950s, when most of Sacramento’s population moved out of the central city, the residential neighborhoods adjacent to downtown Sacramento were demolished, and the city streetcar system was replaced by highways and automobiles. Suburban malls were closer to the new suburban neighborhoods and had plentiful parking, while K Street was far away and none of the stores had parking lots. The K Street pedestrian mall of the 1960s and 1970s was a desperate move to woo suburban shoppers by simulating a suburban mall, including demolition of nearby buildings to provide parking. But the suburban malls were still more convenient, and their parking lots bigger and more obvious, so K Street’s rebirth as a mall of the 1970s failed. A 1990s re-vamp that enclosed the section from 4th to 7th Street has become another failure, due to its failure to move beyond the idea of a suburban mall downtown.

A new generation of city planners has noted that shopping centers of the 2000s look a lot like old downtowns, with stores that copy historic styles and a mixture of pedestrian paths and driveways. These planners have decided that this is the future of K Street, and call for a return of cars to K Street so they can pretend K Street is a new suburban "power center," the 2010s equivalent of a shopping mall. But those suburban “power centers” are still closer to suburban shoppers, and their parking lots are still bigger. If K Street is simply opened to cars and its facades remodeled to emulate new suburban shopping centers in North Natomas, how can the result be any different from the last two attempts to disguise downtown Sacramento as a suburban mall?

3. Cars, no. Bikes, yes.

The simplest change to energize K Street will cost very little: permit bicycle riding on K Street. Bike riding is already on the rise, and the freedom to bike on K Street would turn it into the main cycling corridor of the central city, free from the vehicular mayhem of J and L Street. Provide a few bike racks so bike riders can stop and shop as well as ride through, and the numbers strolling past store windows will dramatically increase.

4. Shrink light rail to streetcar size.

Until the 1940s, K Street had transit in all sizes. On K Street itself, streetcars ran from the heart of downtown to Midtown, Southside and nearby suburbs like Land Park, Oak Park and East Sacramento. These cars were small, typically 30-40 feet long, about the size of a modern bus, and operated at speeds up to 25-30 miles per hour. Like a bus, they worked reasonably well with traffic, but because they had fixed rails they had a smoother ride and a predictable path, making them more comfortable for riders. Trains ran every ten minutes during the day, and “owl” runs carried late-night travelers all night.

On the corner of 8th and K Street, interurban trains ran in both directions. Passengers from Woodland, Chico, Stockton and even Oakland could hop on the train and get off on K Street. These trains were bigger, 60-80 feet long, and operated in trains as long as 6-8 cars. They were taller and wider than streetcars, and could reach 60-70 miles per hour going flat-out through the countryside. They ran on 8th Street because K Street was far too busy to handle the big trains.

Today, modern Light Rail trains are more like the interurbans than streetcars. With 80 foot long bodies and operating in four-car trains, they are not well-suited to playing the role of a streetcar. By through-routing Blue Line trains north via the upcoming 7th Street extension and connecting to North 12th Street via Richards Boulevard, light rail trains could bring passengers from Folsom, Rancho Cordova, South Sacramento and North Highlands to K Street without crowding pedestrians off the street.

Meanwhile, the streetcars can return to K Street. Some of Sacramento’s historic streetcars exist in unrestored condition in private collections, but modern streetcars offer amenities like air conditioning and ADA-accessible low-floor entryways. They can run on the existing K Street tracks while leaving more room for pedestrians and bikes. Using existing light rail lines and sharing their tracks, these streetcars can link nearby neighborhoods and connect with light rail. Extending streetcar lines into existing neighborhoods and new development areas costs less than one-third the price of light rail extensions and drives population density, economic investment and reduces the need for cars and parking. Run them until after 2:00 AM to give downtown visitors an option to leave their cars at home—especially if they plan on drinking.

5. Legalize street life.

This is another cheap and easy solution. Part of Second Saturday’s success is its prolific use of street music, performers, and vendors, but its monthly status creates a feast-or-famine condition. A permit program to allow music, performance and vending at any time means that visitors to K Street won’t need to check their calendars before going downtown. Street music and vending also gives local entertainers and small businesspeople a stepping stone to a retail storefront or a musical career. Musicians and vendors will promote activity, give walkers a reason to stick around, and attract visitors to enjoy the street life. This also does not rule out special street festivals and special events above and beyond the day-to-day activity, and maintaining K Street as a pedestrian walk maintains this valuable civic amenity for more public festivals. Both everyday street life and special events will draw visitors from within Sacramento, the surrounding region, and tourists from out of town.

6. Tours bring tourists.

Despite the demolition of the past few decades, K Street still retains a remarkable number of historic buildings, proud evidence of our architectural heritage in stone, terra cotta and concrete. Many cities use local tourism programs to bring visitors into the heart of the city, but to most visitors, Sacramento’s history ends at the edge of Old Sacramento. Efforts to alter this perception have been minimal. The Downtown Sacramento Partnership has a guided tour program, but it is minimally staffed, minimally funded, and minimally advertised. Downtown visitors looking for local history information are likely to come up empty-handed. Sacramento needs a full-strength tourism program worthy of a city with such a rich and diverse history. K Street, the walking street at the heart of the city, can be the center of such a tour program, with more tours branching out into nearby downtown streets and our architecturally rich residential neighborhoods. History tours appeal both to visiting tourists and to locals interested in learning more about their city's past.

On K Street, the potential star attraction of local tourism is right under your feet. Sacramento’s underground sidewalks, the result of a street-raising measure intended to keep the city above flood waters, run the length of K Street from the river to about 12th Street. Many are demolished, but enough material remains to allow a tour to weave in and out of underground sidewalk spaces, sunken alleys, basements, and even below-surface businesses. Combined with the dramatic story of the raised streets, and some entertaining and colorful stories from Sacramento’s history, the potential of an underground sidewalks tour is unlimited. In Seattle, local booster Bill Speidel turned a walk through clammy underground sidewalks in a notoriously bad part of town into a million-dollar tourist attraction that is known worldwide, drawing as many as 300,000 visitors a year and employing as many as 50 full-time staff. There is no reason that Sacramento can’t do the same.

7. Bring on the nightlife.

If a suburban mall isn’t the answer, what will bring suburban residents downtown? The answer is simple: Give them something the suburbs don’t have. Sacramento is best known for its quiet suburbs, the result of a decades-long whitewashing operation to conceal our party-animal past. The rowdy days of the Gold Rush, the proliferation of local breweries and wineries, our almost total refusal to acknowledge Prohibition, the legendary jazz and blues clubs of Sacramento’s West End, and even last year’s New Year’s Eve party (2,000 expected, 12,000 attended) burst through the “town where nothing happens” façade. It’s time to face the truth, and bring more nightlife down the length of K Street. This doesn’t just mean bars, it also means late-night restaurants, theaters, live music venues, dance clubs, movies, spas and salons, comedy clubs, coffee shops, and other imaginative options for entertainment. Cooperative parking agreements with state parking lots can provide tens of thousands of parking spaces, and better public transit can carry revelers home in safety.

8. Shop local, even if you’re from out of town.

The shopping-mall consultants are half right about K Street—it does need more than nightlife to survive. Daytime and early evening traffic means retail stores and services in between the state-employee lunch rush and the arrival of the dinner, drinks and dancing crowd. However, national chain stores are hesitant to expand, even if bribed into doing so. And again, suburban visitors won’t drive downtown to a store in their local mall. The answer is, again, to give them something the mall doesn’t have: unique, local stores. Local businesses keep money in the local economy, stimulate local employment and provide a unique character that chain stores simply can’t match. Encouraging local businesspeople to rent storefronts on K Street should be a city priority. Matched with neighborhood-serving retail like food markets, cleaners, drugstores and small department stores, locally-based retail on K Street should appeal to suburban shoppers, out-of-town visitors, and central city residents. As stores fill and crowds start to appear, instead of having to beg national chains to locate on K Street, they will appear on their own, smelling money to be made.

One idea we might lift from San Francisco: the much-adored Metreon, high-tech consumer wonderland, is falling on hard economic times, with many vacancies. Earlier this year, a full-time farmer’s market moved into the Metreon, and has already proved a popular destination. A permanent farmer’s market on K Street, instead of the current sporadic weekly markets, would provide fresh foods to a neighborhood where none are sold. Downtown workers, visitors and residents would all benefit from a convenient source for the Sacramento Valley’s agricultural bounty.

9. Living on K Street shouldn’t mean sleeping directly on it.

The destruction of the downtown neighborhoods near K Street was followed by the destruction of thousands of inexpensive rental rooms, commonly known as SRO hotels, where thousands of workers lived. As inexpensive housing disappeared, the poorest people did not. Out of necessity, they made their home on the streets. Many are still there, and as existing SRO stock is phased out of service and homeless services disappear, their numbers grow. They will not vanish and they will not simply move away, because they have nowhere to go and no alternative. The only way to reverse this trend is to replace the housing that was lost. This replacement housing need not be here on K Street, but it needs to be somewhere. Our only alternative is to accept the presence of people sleeping on the streets as an unalterable condition, and tell them that their suffering is necessary and unavoidable—or to simply remain in denial of the problem, which amounts to the same thing. As a people, as a city and as a nation, I think we are capable of better than that.

But it isn’t just the poorest that need housing in the central city. Housing for all income levels should be included in new development projects, but putting it into existing buildings would be even easier. Many formerly residential buildings were converted to office use in the 1960s and 1970s, so why not convert the abundance of vacant upper-story office space back into residential units? This housing should cross the economic spectrum: SRO units for the disabled and seniors, low-income units for service employees, workforce housing for office employees, and high-end, high-up housing for the high rollers. A truly urban life results when you can see all the way across the economic spectrum just walking down the street. That can’t happen unless the street has places for all of them to live, dine, work and shop. Again, not all of these places have to be directly on K Street, but they should be close enough to walk there in a few minutes. Restoration of residential buildings will preserve their architectural value, bring life back to the neighborhood, fill a great social need, and jobs restoring and maintaining the buildings will create more employment than comparable levels of new construction.

10. Have faith, be good, and the Skyscraper Fairy will come.

Part of the current mentality of property owners on K Street is based on outdated models of how downtown development should happen. For decades, cities were assumed to be teeming pits of an imaginary disease called “blight” that could only be cured with wrecking balls and a liberal application of public-funded redevelopment dollars, designed to push out “undesirable” tenants and solicit only the coveted suburban émigré to return to the central business district, and then only to spend money and leave, never to live. Today’s cities don’t work like that anymore. People want to live in cities because they want the amenities of urban life unavailable in the suburbs. If K Street can offer those amenities, not a sanitized Disneyland version and certainly not a copy of a suburban mall, they will grow interested in K Street. If they are interested, they will come to visit. If there are places to live, and things to see and do, they will want to move downtown. Once enough people have moved downtown that there is no longer room in existing buildings, and people feel safe and secure in neighborhoods that are well-maintained, high-rise developers who understand how cities work will look at K Street and see dollar signs. Instead of developers seeking handouts to build on K Street, they will come with money in hand where they think they can make even more.

And when they do, the Skyscraper Fairy will visit the property owners and civic leaders who took care of their buildings, who encouraged vitality and street life instead of a tax write-off, who promoted transit and walkability, and drew people back downtown to share in K Street’s uniqueness, character and history. She will shower them with money and riches and blessings, and cranes will rise on K Street, filling the gaps between the last century’s architectural gems with bright, tall new buildings. Yes, Sacramento, there is a Skyscraper Fairy, but she has very high standards.

William Burg is a board member of the Sacramento Old City Association. This story is a guest editorial opinion, and does not represent the opinion of Sacramento Press or its editors.

Sacramento Housing Alliance Affordable Housing Bus Tour

2009-10-03T04:39:04Z

Thursday afternoon, about 50 seniors, homeless and other community members participated in the Sacramento Housing Alliance Affordable Housing Bus Tour. The tour surveyed 10 different housing options and stopped to provide in-depth tours of three housing complexes.

Guided by Shamus Roller, director of the SHA, Ken Cross, CEO of Sacramento Habitat for Humanity and Paul Ainger, Mercy Housing project developer, the four-hour tour began and ended at the SHA office in Midtown.

"It's important to know what affordable housing means," Ainger said. According to the federal government, housing is considered "affordable" when a person renting or buying it spends no more than 30 percent of his or her income for housing.

"Affordable housing is an economic stimulus," Roller added.

"None of these [properties on the tour] are owned by non-profits," Ainger said. "They are all owned by for-profit guys."

The first stop was the 84-unit complex Serna Village, located in McClellan. A transitional housing community developed by Mercy Housing of California and Cottage Housing, Inc., the complex consists of one- to four-bedroom residential units.

The bus unloaded and took an in-depth tour of the community. One requirement for residency is to have children. Arla, who did not give her last name, gave a speech detailing her experience in Serna Village to the tour group.

She was referred to Serna Village through Quinn Cottages, another housing site for single homeless individuals run by Cottage Housing, Inc. She and other residents, besides meeting minimum requirements, must identify and commit to other lifestyle changes in order to remain in the community, she said.

"You're able to be yourself [here]," Arla added. "I'm in college for the first time in 18 years. It's an awesome program."

Like Arla, Kelly Dean, another Serna Village resident, spoke of her recovery from drug addiction. Dean held a six-month-old baby in her arms during her speech.

Serna Village offers parenting classes, mental health and drug and alcohol recovery programs, she said. "They take people from a homeless nightmare and turn them into the American Dream."

Rent at Serna Village is determined on a case-by-case basis and the average tenant stays for 14 months out of a two-year limit, said Cottage Housing's executive director, Robert Tobin. He also mentioned that Cottage Housing plans to more than double its residential capacity from 241 to 500 units over the next decade.

Victory Townhomes in North Sacramento was the tour's next stop. Developed by Sacramento Mutual Housing Association in 2003, the complex holds 21 three and four-bedroom town homes and tenants are allowed to stay as long as they want.

It serves people who are considered very low income, earning less than 50 percent ($25,500) of the 2009 annual Sacramento Area Median Income, $51,950. But it doesn't lack in high-tech amenities, explained Rachel Iskow, SMHA's executive director.

For one, the town homes are part of Sacramento's first green street, on Dixieanne Avenue, and have solar panels on their roofs. It's the first multifamily development to incorporate photovoltaics, or solar energy.

Opened in 2003, the property also offers a computer lab and free wireless Internet access. Residents who complete a computer literacy series in the computer lab and donate community service hours receive a free computer, which residents can keep.

The last facility toured was the Forrest Street build site developed by Sacramento Habitat for Humanity. When completed, the site, which features four three-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-family homes, will be SHFH's 200th home completed worldwide.

Though it is unclear when the homes will be completed, they are all expected to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "gold" certification, the second highest award possible.

Qualifying families must be low income (80 percent AMI, $40,800 or less annually) and their current housing situation must be overcrowded, unsafe or overpriced. Once approved, the family must complete 500 hours of "sweat equity" by helping to complete their own home, someone else's, or contribute in some other capacity in an SHFH office. The family must then make payments on the home.

Though the building of the homes is sponsored by local corporations, "families earn homes," said Cross, SHFH's director. "These are not handouts."

The tour then drove by The Park at Del Paso Nuevo, Loaves and Fishes, Quinn Cottages, 1801 L. St., Freemont Mews Apartments, and a former Safe Ground location at 1220 C St. owned by Mark Merin. The tour did not have time to stop as planned at Vintage at Natomas Field, St. Francis Terrace, Francis House, St. Anton Building or Pensione K, all of which have affordable housing options.

"I love the tour," said Sister Libby Fernandez, director of Loaves and Fishes. "It's wonderful to see a variety of affordable housing with good resident services."

"There are not enough shelters and not enough transitional housing," added Tina Reynolds, Safe Ground board member. She announced to the bus that Safe Ground is close to completing a shelter near Bannon Street which will use Tuff Sheds as transitional housing for three to 18 months.

Its goal is to have built-in bathrooms, cooking and laundry facilities and solar power, she added.

"There is a lack of SRO-type housing. Most homeless are single males," said John Krayntz, a homeless man and Safe Ground "elder," or leader, who once lived at 1220 C St. "The tour showed a lot of stuff that was very good, but there is still a need for [housing with] more services and disability advocacy."

Jill Hurley, who lives in Riverview Plaza, a low-income independent living facility downtown, said that she wanted to see more accessible showers built into affordable housing for seniors. "The biggest reason for hospital visits [among seniors] is falling and the most dangerous place is the bathroom."

For more information on affordable housing, please visit the SHA website.

Photographs one through six show Serna Village. Photographs seven through show of Victory Townhomes. Photograph ten shows the SHFH's Forrest Street build site.

Mayor Kevin Johnson addresses homelessness

2009-09-23T04:02:45Z

Tuesday morning, Mayor Kevin Johnson was joined by a handful of Safe Ground supporters for a weekly press conference inside City Hall. After reiterating his goal to end homelessness in Sacramento, he invited Sister Libby Fernandez and Greg Bunker, the respective executive directors of Loaves and Fishes and Francis house, as well as a homeless man named Thomas Jackson Ashmore III, to speak.

Johnson spoke about his meeting over the weekend with campers at the recently vacated 1220 C St. campground owned by Mark Merin. At the camp site, Merin had also been involved in a property dispute over the land with the neighboring Pedro and Gracilla Hernandez residence.

Johnson mentioned that a comprehensive plan to end homelessness would be launched in October, but also that two immediate issues are the most pressing: creating a legal "safe ground" called Stepping Stone; and helping finda location for winter shelters as they are set to open in mid November.

Johnson has created a task force for both issues, but it will take up to three to six months to create Stepping Stone, he said. Some key factors the task force is looking at for Stepping Stone include size, location, resident selection criteria, governance, security and services.

"The county cut 84 percent of their funding for the homeless," Johnson said. "They're talking about making even more cuts; that means there's a disproportionate amount of cuts going to the homeless population."

"This is a moment that we advocates really appreciate," said Fernandez. "This is the first time a city mayor has stepped up to the plate to think not only for the city but also for the county and the region of Sacramento when it deals with homelessness."

"We need to stop the arrests on people being homeless; we need to put a memorandum on enforcement of camping ordinances," said Ashmore, a homeless man, whom Johnson introduced to the crowd by the nickname "Hawk."

"It's a waste of taxpayer money. Every time we are arrested, it costs between $1500 and $2000 to take us all into jail," he added. "Then we're put back eight hours later on the streets, just to be arrested again."

Bunker also applauded Johnson and asked the entire community to join the effort to think of solutions to house the homeless.

Asked if Johnson would do a good job in helping homeless people, Merin said last week, "I think the Mayor is certainly well intentioned. The question is: can he get the majority of the city council to support him? It just depends on him knowing how to get something accomplished."

"The goal is to get people into housing," said Tim Brown, director of the Ending Chronic Homelessness initiative, in a phone call before the press conference on Tuesday. "We're spending so much on keeping them homeless, it's cheaper to provide housing and services in a lot of cases for chronically homeless."

"With federal stimulus money, for the first time, we're going to be able to prevent homelessness," Brown added. About $4.8 million will become available Oct. 1 for homelessness.

"We've housed 350 people in two-and-a-half years," Brown said. "What has made a dent is the switch to permanent housing."

As far as the vacated Safe Ground location at the Merin property (only a pair of port-a-potties remains), the Hernandez family have expressed "gratitude and relief" that the camp is gone, said their lawyer Aldon Bolanos. Their health has been deteriorating since the campers moved behind their property, Bolanos said.

"They're trying to get on with their lives," he added. "They absolutely are traumatized and it's going to be a while if ever before life gets back to normal for them."

"I'm not going to tell you that what [Merin] is trying to do [for the homeless] is wrong," Bolanos said. "This time when he did what he did, it really trampled on the lives of some innocent people; the real civil rights that were violated here were Pedro and Gracilla Hernandez."

Bolanos explained his view of the homeless.

"This whole episode really seems to underscore a leadership problem in this city, where no individual or group is willing to take accountability for what was happening here for over a month. This [homeless] situation is not going to go away, and providing this 'safe ground' outside of the downtown grid is just going to push the problem into someone else's backyard and the city is going to experience sad and difficult times and consequences."

Photographs one, two and three credit Sacramento Press staff reporter Suzanne Hurt. All other photographs credit staff reporter Jonathan Mendick.

Moving toward "Safe Ground"

2009-09-21T04:11:15Z

Though homelessness is not a new problem, the number of homeless people in Sacramento has increased over the last few years because of the state's budget crisis and cuts to federal programs. On June 30, hundreds of county shelter beds became unavailable, forcing more homeless onto Sacramento streets.

In answer to the shortfall, Safe Ground Sacramento was inaugurated on July 1. Organized by community members, nonprofits and businesses, Safe Ground seeks to provide the homeless with a safe place to be. Hundreds gathered that day for a rally and march to kick off the movement. Among them was Jacoby Shaddix, the formerly homeless lead singer of local band Papa Roach.

The city of Sacramento enforces a "camping ordinance" that makes it illegal for anyone to use or store camping equipment on public property for more than 24 hours. The police enforce the ordinance by confiscating camping equipment, such as tents and sleeping bags.

By July 14, homeless had been forced to leave four camping locations. They were at 420 Richards Blvd.; 100 Bercut Drive; between the Volunteers of America shelter and the Union Gospel shelter on Bannon St.; and on the corner of North D and North 11th streets.

A fifth location was provided by lawyer and Safe Ground partner Mark Merin on his property near 13th and C streets. Though neighbors have been critical of the location, which is allegedly related to a boundary dispute between Merin and the Pedro Hernandez family, Merin explained his rule that campers must remain drug and alcohol free on and off his property.

"There is no 'safe ground' in Sacramento," Merin said. "The attempt of the whole movement is to get the city and county to designate places where they will allow homeless people to be without threatening them with arrest and siezure of their property.

"My property is obviously not 'safe ground,' " he added. "Homeless people have been arrested three times on the property and [the city and the Hernandez family] are suing me to try to force me to move them out of there."

The issue affects law enforcement, officials say.

"We've always enforced the ordinance, but the number of campers has extended resources and it does cost the department both manpower and [money] to be able to address it," said Sgt. Norm Leong of the Sacramento Police Department.

"A couple of Sundays ago, I was working and I received no fewer than three calls for service from residents in the area. Not just the one person who lives directly next to the camp," Leong continued. "Other neighbors are affected by people coming and going from [the camp]."

Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday that in October he will propose three to five sites to the City Council on which a long-term campground could be established. The site would be exempt from the camping ordinance, he said.

The Safe Ground organization has proposed the 3-acre site on Bannon Street as a long-term camping site. The land, owned by the county's housing authority, has running water and shade, and HomeAid has agreed to provide architects to build shelters. However, a Sacramento Bee editorial noted the location was used as a shelter and was shut down in the 1990s because of drug use.

"There is an overconcentration of social services in this neighborhood and the downtown area," said Sean Wright of the Alkali and Mansion Flats Historic Neighborhood Association. "I was on the mayor's committee that looked at an outside facility in the city or county [for homeless shelters]. In the study, the recommendation was if any site was placed in the city or county, it should not be in the downtown area."

"[The homeless should] be able to sleep at night without fear of harassment, or arrest, or confiscation of their meager goods," said Greg Bunker, executive director of Francis House, one of Safe Ground's partners. "It's just common sense that every human being deserves to sleep outside where they are safe."

Tina Reynolds, a Safe Ground board member agreed.

"They are not criminals, they are looking for a place to stay." she said. "How can they raise up if the whole day is spent lugging around your stuff, or finding food, and finding a place on the street to sleep?"

Timothy Richard Boley Jr. described being homeless: "I was in overflow (the Volunteers of America-operated Winter Shelter at Cal Expo), and overflow is nothing but a jail without bars. Getting a bed for a night involves your whole day, so you can't get a job."

Safe Ground is a step in the right direction, according to Boley. "I would like to see people to be able to put a tent up, or someplace they could shower. The system they have right now just doesn't work at all."

Kassandra Perlongo contributed to this article.

Photographs courtesy Anthony Bento.

Map:

View Safe Ground? in a larger map

Addendum: "Safe Ground" property dispute

2009-09-18T04:07:51Z

In a previous story in The Sacramento Press about a "Safe Ground" encampment behind the Pedro and Gracilla Hernandez residence, Mark Merin, civil rights attorney and Safe Ground partner was not contacted. He is the owner of the property and responded to the article Thursday.

Merin explained the land dispute differently. He said "it's unfortunate" the story made it seem as if he were trying to harm the Hernandez family financially or use the homeless to bully them.

Merin explained that when he bought his property, he had been planning to use the corner lot at 13th and C streets as a law office, and the strip behind the Hernandez residence as a parking lot. It turned out that, in a rare instance, his deed and the Hernandez deed overlapped by seven feet.

Merin and Hernandez hired lawyers for the ensuing "quiet title action" lawsuit that would draw property lines to resolve the land dispute. Merin said the lawyers settled the case; the fence would be moved, and Hernandez would have a gate in the fence to access a small strip of land that was on Merin's property where Hernandez had kept his barbecue.

Merin offered to purchase the strip of property from Hernandez. As part of that deal, Merin also would have handed over a strip of his property so that Hernandez could enlarge the property behind his house. According to Merin, Hernandez refused.

To reside at the Safe Ground location, Merin required campers to be drug and alcohol free on and off the property, he said.

He added that there was one instance of a camper violating this rule, and he was ejected.

Property dispute at latest "Safe Ground" location

2009-09-17T01:04:14Z

For about 30 years, the Hernandez family has owned the only house on the block of 13th Street between B and C Streets. Until Aug. 21, the rest of the block surrounding their home was filled with vacant lots.

"Safe Ground" came to the block when Sacramento lawyer and homeless advocate Mark Merin, who has owned several of the adjacent lots since 2007, teamed up with non-profits, businesses and other individuals. Tightly fit rows of matching tents complete with a "Safe Ground" logo (click here for photograph) began filling the one vacant lot directly behind the Hernandez's house, and for nearly a month, tents have housed about 40 homeless people on the property.

Monday, the Hernandez family, with the support of attorney Aldon Bolanos, filed a lawsuit against Merin on the grounds that the encampment on the property is a private nuisance. Though the tenants of the house are Pedro and Gracilla Hernandez, who are both in their early 70s, their daughter owns the title for the house.

The city had already filed a similar suit on Sept. 9 against Merin for the property being a public nuisance .

Bolanos met the Hernandez family when he was walking his dog. He stopped to watch the campers move onto the Merin-owned property, and the Hernandez family struck up a conversation with him as they watched the tents being installed.

Bolanos also lives in the Downtown area, but further from the camp area. After hearing the Hernandez's story, he felt compelled to take the case, he said.

The dispute over the property began in March 2007 when Merin purchased the plot of land behind the Hernandez residence. Because it was too small to build upon based on city code, he wanted to connect it to an even smaller piece of property he owns on the corner of 13th and C Streets, also next to the Hernandez residence.

After finding out that the only way to do this was through the Hernandez's plot, Merin approached Pedro Hernandez, 72, to try to purchase their backyard. When Hernandez refused, wanting to keep his yard, Merin sued him, alleging a property line boundary dispute.

The suit dragged on for over a year, costing the Hernandez family north of $100,000 in legal fees. But when they won the case last October (the dispute was unfounded), Merin was forced to settle the case out of court.

"It's called playing dirty," said Bolanos, referring to both the lawsuit and Merin's use of the property as a "Safe Ground" location. Since the encampment has taken residence, the Hernandez family has complained about loud noise, garbage, urine, feces, cockroaches, rats and even drug transactions including crack, heroin and meth, Bolanos added.

"[Mr. Hernandez] has observed these campers urinating on his home," Bolanos added. "It's tough for them, and they have a host of health problems, so this has made it a lot worse for [them]."

"You tell me how you would feel if you had this problem in your backyard," Hernandez, 72, said in a Sacramento Bee article. "You can imagine how [my family and I] feel."

Because the encampment is a violation of a city ordinance that prohibits camping for more than 24 hours, police have been regularly entering the property, arresting campers and confiscating tents and other camping equipment. Tents and camping equipment have been donated after every raid.

"I'm sympathetic to the plight of homeless, and if somebody wants to live outside, that's fine with me," Bolanos said. "But to do it in the Downtown core of a major city--and they do it in a manner that affects other people; other people's rights have to be considered, too."

Bolanos expects both the public and private nuisance suits to be combined since they are "substantially similar," he said. If all goes according to plan, Bolanos said the campers might be restricted from Merin's property beginning Thursday, Sept. 17.

He also said that Merin could receive an injunction against campers on his property as early as Tuesday, Sept. 22. But the court's decision on whether Merin violated the law and provided an opportunity for "unlawful camping" could take up to 10 months, Bolanos added.

Homeless Advocates Rally At City Hall – Is Anyone Listening?

2009-09-10T23:11:09Z

SafeGround advocates rallied at Sacramento City Hall this morning. Over 150 people congregated in support of SafeGround and to rally around the push for a moratorium on the city’s anti-camping ordinance.

The rally started at 10am, but was preceded by SafeGround music written and performed by Glen Bailey. The Rev. David Moss started the rally out with a prayer asking city officials for a favor, to have “compassion, justice, and mercy “ and “for something that is a basic human right for most people, but not the homeless – the right to sleep in safety.”

Joan Burke, a homeless advocate, read a declaration from the Sacramento Democratic Party announcing it’s support for the SafeGround movement, and one or more campgrounds sanctioned by the city and run by the homeless themselves.

Several other advocates and supporters spoke including Mark Merin, the owner of the SafeGround property, and Tina Reynolds owner of Uptown Studios. Jim Gilland one of the SafeGround campers also spoke about life on the street, “It’s depressing when you have no place to go. It’s depressing when you have no place to sleep. It’s depressing when you have no food” and why he believes in SafeGround “I believe everyone deserves a safe place to sleep. A chance to better themselves, to get away from poverty.”

The Rally ended with the demonstrators marching around City Hall with a megaphone shouting “Safe Ground, Safe Ground!” and holding signs that say “Where do we go now?” Between the megaphone and the sound system those inside the City Hall building had to have heard at least some of the rally; whether or not they are listening is a different story.

Sacramento’s Democratic Party Supports Safe Ground for Sacramento’s Growing Homeless Population as More Working Families Face Economic Crisis

2009-09-10T19:27:41Z

The Democratic Party of Sacramento County (DPSC) voted to unanimously endorse a resolution in support of Safe Ground for Sacramento’s homeless community, urging an amendment to the city's anti-camping ordinance to create city-sanctioned campgrounds to provide safe, sanitary and regulated facilities. DPSC supports this measure to avoid forcing Sacramento’s 1,200 homeless men, women and children to fend for themselves on the streets.

"Homelessness in Sacramento is a crisis affecting working families hit hard by the recession," said DPSC Parliamentarian Alan LoFaso, "The community needs to rally in support of our most vulnerable residents and back innovative ways to help these families recover economically."

The DPSC is committed to bringing an end to homelessness in Sacramento by ensuring that every Sacramentan has access to safe, secure shelter and the resources and support they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

Snapshot Sacramento

2009-09-09T02:44:14Z

Photographers are being rallied all over the Sacramento region to help end the growing chronic homelessness problem.

From Sept. 13 until Sept. 19 photographers will be snapping pictures of inspiring moments across Sacramento. According to the official rules, the themes for the photographs are: home and family life, work, play, faith, and Sacramento.

"Homelessness is personal to me -- my son is homeless," said Don Nahhas, president of Snapshot Sacramento. "There is only so much you can do to help, and with the proceeds from this, those who want help have a way and an avenue to get help."

The weeklong event is modeled after America 24/7, a nationwide photography contest that creates a book of photographs taken around the world.

"This year we are going to make a calendar, but next year we want to make a book highlighting a year in Sacramento," Nahhas said.

According to snapshotsacramento.com, photographs must be taken between midnight on Sunday, Sept. 13 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The event is open to all amateur and professional photographers who are not prohibited by any law or regulation from entering, and who have access to the Internet. No entry fee or other payment is required to enter, nor is the purchase of any item or service necessary. Event organizers will select judges and the criteria will include: adherence to theme, composition, creativity and originality.

The Snapshot Sacramento 2010 calendar will be on sale for $10 with all of the proceeds going to the Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Sacramento County, Homeless Connect.

The money raised will help to create an event held at Sacramento City College that will provide services to the homeless that may not have been available during the work week.

Some services being provided will include: Free eye care, HIV tests, blankets, bicycle repair, the DMV will be issuing identification cards, and Federico Beauty Institute will be giving free haircuts.

"Everyone who is participating or has heard about this loves the idea and is excited to help in any way that they can," Nahhas said.

“This event brings the community together to assist our homeless citizens," said Tim Brown, Director of Ending Chronic Homelessness Initiative. "We will offer a full range of services and support to hundreds of homeless people through hundreds of community volunteers. This hand-to-hand assistance will positively impact everyone.”

Photos courtesy of Don and Dawn Nahhas. Homeless Connection May 30,2009.

Sacramento City Police Arrest 17 Homeless Campers

2009-09-04T22:52:33Z

Sacramento City Police once again have raided the small SafeGround camp site in downtown. This time they weren’t just looking for illegal tents and sleeping bags, instead they came looking for people.

They arrived around 7:30 am, with a warrant, and quickly proceeded to handcuff and line up most all the campers still on site. With over half a dozen squad cars, seventeen officers, the police van, and the CSI unit, they were able to arrest and move downtown seventeen campers including retired Methodist Minister Rev. David Moss. As of this writing, the campers are being processed and released with a citation and court date for October.

Six of the campers along with Sister Libby of Loaves & Fishes were arrested but later released onsite without being charged. According to officer Leong they weren’t detained further because they didn’t have any prior camping citations.

After all the police left I spoke with one of the campers who was not cited. Tipp, is a very jovial man, and despite the stress of the mornings events was able to laugh at the irony of the situation. “I’ve got three tents and two sleeping bags in police lock up.” And if things keep going this way, who knows how many tents the police may take from him.

So how many tents have to be taken from Tipp before somebody realizes he can’t go anywhere else? Sergeant Leong, of the Sacramento Police department stated himself that “Arrests are not a solution to this” but that the police department will continue to do it’s job and enforce the anti-camping ordinance.

So, if the police are going to continue doing their job, enforce existing laws and the homeless are going to keep doing what they have no choice but to do, sleep outside. Then how do we end this viscous cycle? Perhaps our City Council members can take up the matter and lead us to a humane, dignifying, and economically sensible solution.

Contact your City Council member now and tell them you want a humane, dignifying and economically sensible solution to homelessness.

Police Raid SafeGround in Search of Illegal Sleeping Bag and Tents

2009-09-02T22:11:49Z

Early this morning Sacramento City Police descended upon the small SafeGround campsite in downtown Sacramento. They came with half a dozen squad cars, a dozen officers, the paddy wagon, and a search warrant. They announced the site was a crime scene forced everyone to leave and taped off the site while they searched the premises for evidence of illegal camping. They then proceeded to take down and bag all the tents and sleeping bags as evidence of the crime, dumping peoples personal belongings in the dirt. After 3 hours of bagging and even the CSI unit taking pictures they hauled off the “evidence” and let the residents back in to gather their stuff out of the dirt.

The SafeGround residents, who are onsite with the permission of the property owner, now don’t even have the little shelter a tent provides. This is not the first time that police have raided and forced people out of encampments, in fact it seems to be becoming quite common. It happened on North D Street, it happened at the now infamous Tent City, and on a smaller scale at numerous other locations.

So why this repeating cycle? Why do these camp sites continue to pop up? The answer is simple, there simply isn’t enough transitional housing and emergency shelter for all of the people who are homeless in Sacramento. Yet despite this, City Officials continue to enforce the ridiculous Anti Camping ordinance, which states that it is illegal for anyone to camp anywhere (even private property where the owner gives permission) for more than one night.

Now I have compassion for any local business owners or residents who live within the area. Sure, they have a right to reasonable peace and quiet. Sure they have a right to not be distrubed at night. Just as I do. But that's the thing, this SafeGround site hasn't been loud and disruptive. In fact it's rather organized and quiet. There is an agreement they all sign stating no drugs or alchohol and they police themselves if anyone gets too rowdy or violates the agreement.

I can't help but wonder how much money and resources the City of Sacramento has spent enforcing this anti-camping ordinance. I can tell you that this morning their were at least twelve uniformed officers, seven squad cars, two trucks, and a CSI unit. They were onsite for about three hours and I'm sure many more were spent planning the day. How much tax payer money has been spent? How much money that could have gone towards more productive things like emergency shelter and transitional housing?

Sacramento needs more transitional housing, more emergency shelter, and yes, a moratorium on the anti-camping ordinance so that people who can’t get into shelter or housing can have a safe place to sleep at night. We are in the middle of deep economic recession and have over 1200 people sleeping on the streets every single night who can’t get into shelter. Come on! Let’s have a little compassion and let people who have hit bottom at least get a good nights sleep.

Mayor Johnson Camps With The Homeless People Of Safe Ground

2009-08-14T19:44:32Z

Fox 40's Natalie Bomke, and Mayor Kevin Johnson camped out with Sacramento’s homeless community, August 11, 2009. This is a huge step in making homelessness a priority and bringing forth change.

Safe Ground’s mission is to help the homeless community to have a safe and legal place to stay until the housing issues are resolved. Mayor Johnson and Bomke showed up at Safe Ground’s recent camp-out spot to learn first hand what it is like to be homeless.

Johnson and Bomke signed Safe Ground’s participant agreement; which is required in order to camp: no drugs, no alcohol, no violence. This agreement is set to keep the homeless community safe.

John Kraintz, a homeless leader and a member of Safe Ground, has great hope that the homeless community won’t appear “invisible” anymore. Change occurs when people take notice. The time has come for just that. How could you not take notice when Sacramento’s very own Mayor decides to take heed and put himself in a homeless man’s shoes?

In visiting, Sacramento Loaves & Fishes website, you can find some very touching and informative videos by Fox 40 and Costa Mantis, in regards to Sacramento’s homeless community, and what Safe Ground is doing to help make this movement work for the best.

Today, Safe Ground continues to move on a daily basis preventing the homeless from being arrested for camping. I’m very pleased to say there weren’t any camping tickets for Mayor Johnson or Bomke.

Mayor Johnson has created a task force to work out a more permanent place for the homeless community to call “home.”

Safe Ground photos

2009-07-15T21:47:33Z

This is the fourth vacant space Sacramento homeless have been forced to leave since July 1. For more background on this event, click the "Storyline" tab on the right, or click this link

Safe Ground yet to be found

2009-07-15T04:27:26Z

Police arrived at the most recent Safe Ground location on North D and North 11th streets Monday afternoon to notify about 100 homeless campers that they must vacate the premises.

Safe Ground is an attempt to find a safe, legal space for the homeless to settle.

Reverend David Moss was the only arrest made that afternoon for trespassing. Sacramento Police Department spokesperson, Sgt. Norm Leong commented, “He refused to identify if he was camping on the site and refused to leave.”

The empty lot is owned partially by the city and two private property owners. Joan Burke, Director of Advocacy with Loaves & Fishes, said those camping were aware only of the city ownership of the property.

“We came here to facilitate the removal of illegal camping and trespassing complaints of neighboring businesses and owners of the property,” Leong said.

Since the closing of the shelters, the homeless have now been forced to leave a fourth camping location since July 1.

The first was on a vacant lot at 420 Richards Blvd., the second was a vacant parcel of city owned land at 100 Bercut Dr., and the third was a small camp site between the Volunteers of America Shelter and the Union Gospel shelter on Bannon St.

“Thus far everyone is cooperating and moving their property,” Leong said.

Leong said that the police department does not claim itself as an organization fit to solve the homeless issue. “Our job is to enforce ordinances and laws in place," Leong said.

Since their time searching for a safe space to settle, the homeless have become self-governing.

“Campers as a group elected five people to be on a governing board,” Burke said.

She said the board is a Council of Elders, inspired by tribal practices, which helps make decisions about the group in a democratic process. “Each camper signed an individual pledge that the campground be drug, alcohol, and violence free,” Burke said. “It was the first thing the entire camp decided on."

Following the clearing of the lot, Joan Burke made her way to a meeting on the 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness.

In a phone interview Tuesday morning, Burke explained that the policy board met and voted Monday to ask the city of Sacramento to "adopt a moratorium on the enforcement of anti-camping laws."

This advisory policy will be passed from the board, which consists of non-profit organizations, businesses, law enforcement, and the homeless community, to the Sacramento City Council and the City Manager's Office.

The campers are planning to go to the City Council meeting Tuesday night with their gear to raise questions about where they will be sleeping tonight.

“This is a grave situation with nowhere for folks to go,” Burke said.

Weapon wielding transient threatens kind hosts

2009-07-07T00:44:38Z

Sacramento, CA- Shortly before 3 P.M. Monday, in the 1500 block of 19th Street, two apartment occupants were kind enough to allow a transient woman to hang out with them and relax for a bit in their apartment.

Per the occupants (who wish to remain anonymous), as the woman was getting ready to go, she asked to use their home phone. When they declined to allow her to use it she pulled a knife and began to threaten them insiting on using the phone. The two occupants restrained her as an on site worker called for police.

Police responded rapidly, however were initially given the wrong address by the onsite worker, which put officers several blocks away searching for the incident. On dispatch call back, dispatchers were able to obtain the right location and redirected responding officers.

As officers arrived, the woman got loose and led officers on a very brief chase. The fleeing woman was captured in the backyard of the apartment building.

The occupants stated that the woman was also very drunk.

In search of sleep

2009-07-02T05:40:38Z

Emergency overflow shelters shut down their accommodations to the homeless in Sacramento, including Cal Expo so the homeless took a stand Wednesday morning.

Hundreds gathered in front of Loaves & Fishes on the corner of North 12th and Ahern Street for a march to bring awareness to the recent closings of shelters and the criminalization of poverty and homelessness.

Event organizers expected around 200 attendees, but at one point during the march, there were counts of close to 1,000 people walking to 420 Richards Blvd., a vacant parcel next to the new police station.

Many of those participating in the rally who rely on shelters for a place to sleep at night said they are afraid of legal consequences for camping out on streets.

"There was a woman, six months pregnant on the street, and when the police found she was homeless, they put her in jail," said G.P. Bailey, an activist and songwriter. "That is a scary thing."

"It's a crime against people for existing," said Robert, an 18-year-old a recent graduate of Jesuit High School.

He endured the heat and 1.2-mile march in solidarity for the community of people he was immersed in as a part of a community service project. Robert spent one week living as a homeless person, scrounging for food and pedaling for money with the guidance of teachers.

"We come from a pretty privileged school and they want us to learn that there is more to life than that cloistered area in Carmichael," he said.

Another appearance from the ranks of the privileged was made by the lead singer of local band Papa Roach, Jacoby Shaddix, who lived in Del Paso Heights since the age of 18.

He mingled with the rally participants, held up signs of support with his family, and led a cheer for a safe, legalized camping ground for the homeless.

"My family was homeless for the first year of my life, and to be where I'm at now, I'm super blessed," he said.

Papa Roach has donated money to Loaves & Fishes, and when he is not touring on the road, he serves food there in his spare time.

Birte, a librarian at Loaves & Fishes, as well as a Danish immigrant, was attracted to the homeless environment because of her experiences in Denmark.

"Healthcare for everyone was a big difference back home," she said. "A lot of folks out here end up here because they didn't have healthcare or had big bills."

Tina Reynolds, the owner of Uptown Studios, expressed the need to reform public policy that criminalizes homelessness.

"We are working on repealing laws and making politicians aware of the situation," she said. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the various laws that prevent people from setting up camping gear, rolled up beds, and how these apply to everyone with homes as well. "You are not allowed to camp out in your backyard for more than one day," Reynolds said.

The issues at hand are not specific to the homeless population, they also affect the community in general.

"It's not one side, it's affecting everyone," G.P. Bailey.

Bailey feels the cuts in shelters are creating a ripple effect which affects more than those looking for a home on the street.

"It is affecting the police department," he said. "It's hard to hire anyone from the new graduating class" of the police academy.

Reynolds suggested a dome-like model structure on display from World Shelters that they hope to implement in the future.

"They have if for disaster relief, and there's no disaster like homelessness," she said.

The structure, which costs roughly $2,495, is made of panels of corrugated plastic, and is said to protect from UV rays and can be equipped with optional solar panel attachments. For $2 a day, people can live in these structures.

Reynolds said she wants to look for property within the city that is unclaimed and hopefully set up safe facilities. She described the ideal location as an inexpensive community off the grid that has access to services like Loaves & Fishes, water, toilets, showers and garbage collection.

"What I hope is that we'll be able to understand that there's a legitimate problem in Sacramento," Robert said.

To learn more, click the following links:
Sacramento Loaves & Fishes
World Shelters

Hope for the homeless on two wheels

2009-06-28T00:50:26Z

Hoards of people walked and pedaled up to North B Street Saturday morning. Volunteers were more than ready for them, tools in hand, prepared to repair their bikes as part of Cycle 4 Hope’s monthly “Homeless Outreach Day.”

Founded by Shawn Holiday in 2008, Cycles 4 Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides free bike repairs for the homeless. It operates entirely on donated bicycle materials and the help of volunteers.

“The number one thing that I have learned is that a bicycle helps a homeless person not feel homeless," Holiday said. "It gives them the opportunity to be at par with everyone else. It helps them forget the bad situation they are in.”

After Holiday spent a morning downtown this past July and saw the conditions the homeless live in, he began to wonder what it must be like to live in Sacramento in the middle of the summer heat and have no means of transportation to get to a shelter or somewhere cool.

He realized that something many people take for granted, a working bike, can make a huge difference in the homeless’ lives.

“A bike can get you to a place to cool off such as a community pool or the river. A bike can get you across town to a shelter for food, a bath and a clean bed. A bike can get you to a job that is helping you get back on your feet,” Holiday said.

Once a month, volunteers gather for “Wrench Days” to prepare and repair donated bikes. Outreach days are held the following day to provide free repairs to those who already have bikes as well as give away bikes that are donated to the organization.

On Saturday, 10 bicycles were given away to those who showed up early and entered a raffle.

While they waited in the blistering heat, many gathered in prayer circles, danced to the beat of live music and received free Bibles from members of Roseville’s Metro City Ministry, who attend the monthly gatherings to speak to the homeless.

“[Cycles 4 Hope] are meeting their physical needs, and we’re meeting their spiritual needs,” said Paul Fore, a leader from the ministry.

Earlier in the morning, the ministry gathered at Union Gospel Church and served breakfast to the homeless who are not able to make it as far as B Street. Afterward, they moved to the Cycles 4 Hope location to hand out free Bibles and preach a message of hope to the homeless.

The Outreach days are held once a month in Sacramento across from the Salvation Army, and Holiday said that as more people find out about their services, the numbers of those who show up in need of repairs grow every month.

Another one of Cycle 4 Hope’s targets is downtown Old Roseville, where the numbers of homeless are increasing. They have held several Outreach days there and will continue to do so as needed.

Holiday’s organization currently has 10 volunteers who volunteer on a monthly basis and around 30 who participate at least once a year. Last year, Cycles 4 Hope logged 400 volunteer hours, gave away 150 bikes and repaired more than 300 bikes in only six months.

Cycles 4 Hope is currently in the process of receiving its Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) approval that will make it exempt from federal income taxes. With more volunteers and donations, Holiday hopes that their services can expand beyond just the Sacramento region.

For those who wish to volunteer but are not able to make the Wrench or Outreach days, Holiday offers an adopt-a-bike program where volunteers can repair bikes at their own homes and return them upon completion.

“Cycles 4 Hope's mission is to provide hope, one bicycle at a time," Holiday said. "Providing hope to someone in need is the best thing we can do.”

To volunteer or find out more information, visit Cycle 4 Hope’s website

All photos taken by Ed Fogle of Maverick Photography

Homeless man's death apparently not homicide

2009-06-17T23:17:55Z

Sacramento Police investigators don't believe a homeless man found dead near an American River levee Tuesday morning was the victim of a homicide.

The Sacramento County coroner must determine the cause of death. The man, believed to be in his 30s, died at his secluded campsite below a popular bike trail near the former Tent City.

The family has not yet been notified, so officials are not releasing the man's name, said Sacramento Police Sgt. Norm Leong.

Another homeless person found the man dead in a wooded area behind a commercial/residential neighborhood near 16th and North C streets and reported the death to police at 7:56 a.m.

The area, which is used by homeless campers, sits between several nonprofit organizations serving homeless people and the fenced-off former Tent City site.

Body found near levee

2009-06-17T16:35:00Z

Sacramento Police are investigating after the body of a homeless person was discovered Wednesday morning behind a levee near 16th and North C streets.

He was described as a white male in his 30s, and appears to have sustained injuries. Homicide detectives have been called to the scene, said Sgt. Norm Leong.

The man was identified as a transient by a police officer who has been assigned to work with the homeless.

The body was found behind a levee near Capitol Casino, 411 N 16th St., and reported to police at 7:56 a.m., he said.

The area where the body was found is located between a former Tent City near the American River and several nonprofits that serve the homeless and the poor.

Connecting with the homeless

2009-05-31T19:09:30Z

Modeled after San Francisco’s Project Homeless Connect, Sacramento's one‐day event brought together a wide range of services for homeless people in a consumer‐centric “one stop shop” format.

The homeless guests were treated to haircuts, soothing pedicures, food, music, wheelchair and bicycle repair. Volunteers stood watch over their belongings, even their pets, while the guests explored the offerings for five hours.

Many soaked in the sun and music while visiting with others.

Some other the other services included:

Housing and employment programs
Vision and dental screenings
Free identification cards
Alcohol and drug assessments
Legal counseling
HIV and Hepatitis C tests
Veterans Benefits

According to communitycouncil.org, the benefits of Homeless Connect include:

Connects homeless individuals to important services all in one place, reducing frustration and increasing awareness about possible sources of assistance.
Inspires community members to help end homelessness.
Businesses, faith‐based groups, and colleges have the opportunity to make personal connections with people in need.
Helps debunk common myths and stereotypes about people who are homeless.

Over 400 volunteers made it possible Saturday at Sacramento City College.

Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento City Firefighters quickly knock down blaze allegedly sparked by homeless.

2009-05-29T07:00:06Z

Just months after Mayor Kevin Johnson clears out "tent city", Sacramento's homeless are back in the area setting up camp.

Just south of what was formerly known as "tent city", Sac Firefighters were called to a grass fire behind Downtown Ford, and off of 18th Street and Brier Rd. at approximately 9:20 p.m.

Down an embankment between the bike path and Downtown Ford, some homeless had set up camp. Sources say that there was an altercation and the area was purposely set on fire.

Sac City Firefighters contained the fire to the immediate area with approximately two to three acres involved. Per Capt. Jim Doucette, SacFire, Paramedics transported one victim of the altercation to the hospital with facial injuries. At this time, it is unknown if there have been any arrests.

Empowering the Homeless One Success Story At a Time

2009-05-19T17:45:45Z

By Philippe "SHOCK" Matthews

We drive by them everyday in cities and towns around the country. We turn our heads when we walk past them and frown if they make verbal contact. They are ignored and ridiculed, sometimes assaulted. They are human beings struggling to find their way. They are us one or two paychecks missed. They are the homeless population here in Sacramento.

Recently, I had the privileged of meeting Jodi Nerell at a downtown social function where Jodi shared with me that she was the Program Director for the Guest House Homeless Clinic for El Hogar Community Services here in Sacramento. After my conversation with her, Jodi invited me to sit in on one their first advisory board meetings with past graduates from the Guest House Homeless Clinic. I was so moved and empowered by the strength of the people I met and the stories that were told such as Linda McKinley who said, "I started here at the Guest House. I was homeless, I was sick. These people have helped me as of today I am an intern at NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence). I am an ex felon, I've had forty seven years of addiction and I am three years sober. I am fifty six years old and I am so excited about my life today. I am the oldest student in my class and I kept a 3.0 grade average. Guest House saved my life. One time I was in a crisis and I had this place to come to. If it were not for them, I would probably still be in my addiction, homeless with my shopping carts."

Another Guest House alum sitting on the Advisory Board was Jason, who became homeless five years ago and shared how his mental illness did not start with his homelessness but actually years before. "I have bipolar and post traumatic stress disorder. I sometimes have severe anxiety issues and because of the way I was raised, violence was most times the only answer for me. For the last five years, I've been working on my temper. I realized my rage was not rage but an anxiety attack and once I learned that there were ways to deal with that most of which I learned here, it has been a lot easier to deal with these things. One of the first things I did here is Cynthia's PSTD group and what I learned was that I was not alone. There were people who went through the same crap I had gone through."

Jodi Nerell has worked in social services for fifteen years. She received her undergraduate at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo (Family Psy.) and graduated San Francisco State University with a Masters in Social Work, MSW. Her agency specializes in the provision of mental health services which is augmented by site specific support services such as housing and subsidies for homeless elderly individuals.

In my own personal journey, I too have experienced pain, shame and hopelessness that comes when we lose our basic ability to secure shelter for ourselves. I was fascinated by Jodi's genuine enthusiasm for empowering the homeless along with her dedication in helping a community of people who because of economic strife, mental illness, personal tragedy or unforeseen misfortune were no longer able to help themselves. The mission of El Hogar is to provide services that contribute to the mental health and emotional well-being of individuals and families in the Sacramento community. El Hogar Community Services, Inc. has provided mental health supportive services to adults with chronic mental illness in the Sacramento, California region since 1977. In this exclusive Q&A with Jodi Nerell, you will learn about what the "New Homeless" population looks like here in Sacramento and how we all can assist in ending this debilitating cycle of poverty and mental illness that is crippling more individuals and families than ever before.

What are the unique skill sets that make your staff efficient at helping people at their lowest point?
We have three programs under the El Hogar umbrella (Guest House, Regional Support Team, and Sierra Elder Wellness). Collectively we have 65 employees who provide services for approximately 3300 clients annually. Our agency embraces the concepts of recovery (hope, personal empowerment, advocacy, etc.) and many of the staff have lived experiences which complement the extensive clinical training the agency provides.

How big is your staff and have any of them ever been homeless?
Our staff here at the clinic is 10 with 4-5 interns that rotate throughout the academic year. Yes, several have experienced homelessness and approximately 80% of us are former consumers of the very services we now provide.

Talk to me about the new face of homelessness. Who is losing their ability to provide a home for themselves?
It’s indiscriminate really. Most recently we are seeing more families, former foster youth, and professionals who were laid off-lost their health benefits and their homes. It’s sickening to witness. People are feeling disillusioned, in shock, and completely helpless.

Are there mental disorders that your agency is qualified to treat?
Our clinic provides services for adults who suffer from some of the most debilitating mental illnesses (schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder and specific personality disorders).

What is the official definition of homelessness versus the definition of the agency?
The Federal definition of homelessness is: "an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings". We provide services under that definition, which differs slightly from the more restrictive Housing and Urban Development definition of homelessness which is limited to individuals living on the street or in shelters (excluding individuals who are forced to live in motels or "doubled-up"- temporarily living with someone else)

How does homelessness affect children?
Children whose families are experiencing homelessness are at risk of child welfare involvement and family fragmentation attributable to the living conditions associated with homelessness. Cognitive development, language acquisition and motor skills can be seriously compromised due to the instability of homelessness. It is well documented that in school age children, those experiencing homelessness are diagnosed with learning disabilities, suffering from attachment disorders, and diagnosed with chronic and acute health conditions at a much higher rate than other children.

Are there entire families that are homeless?
Yes, unfortunately, and we are seeing an increase in that phenomena.

Why are you so passionate about the work you do?
I cannot imagine doing NOTHING and am intimately cognizant of the fact that it could just as easily be me on the other end of the table. In fact, at various periods in my life, it was me and this is my chance to give back what I received. The gift of Reciprocity can never be understated.

How does a typical day begin for you?
I check in with the team, we assess the waiting line at the front door and strategize ways to address the need with the staffing pattern. Triage process lasts most of the morning and I assist with consultation, provide provisional diagnosis, and meet individually with folks on my caseload. Meetings of course, lots of them, and then back to the office to disseminate information and prepare for inservices, etc. The 8-hr. workday does not apply here, nor could it given people's needs don't fit an 8-5 pattern.

Are there different profiles of homeless people?
Sure- and the demographic continues to change. We see a broad range of individuals- former foster youth, veterans, seniors, people with extensive educational/professional backgrounds (engineers, social workers, professors, pastors), those who are struggling with co-morbid conditions (addiction and mental health disorders, individuals with criminal justice background), and those who have been chronically homeless vs. recently homeless- it really runs the gamut. Homelessness doesn't discriminate- it could be any one's reality.

I heard that there are some homeless people that prefer to be homeless and don't want to integrate back into society. Is that true?
We do encounter people who are entrenched in the culture of homelessness and find it difficult to re-integrate. We respect where they are at and work to give them a positive experience with "the system".

What about the people who try to beat the system and are just looking for a free handout? How do you address this issue?
Many of our clients report feeling "beat by the system", vs. the other way around. We recognize that the "beating the system" mentality is actually a survival/coping mechanism that may have served them well in other arenas and at different points in their lives, but may be ineffective at getting their needs met as adults. We strive to have open honest lines of communication with those we serve, so we will open up that dialogue if appropriate. I am actually more focused on the other end of that coin, hoping to outreach and engage those that want/need the "free handout" so that we can collaborate on improving their quality of life.

I heard you were featured on Oprah. How did that happen?
We weren't featured, the "tent city" located two blocks behind us was profiled in addition to the Loaves & Fishes program which provides an extensive array of support services to those experiencing homelessness. Our services are a complement to theirs and we work interdependently to address the plethora of needs that you can imagine comes with homelessness and mental illness.

How can we change the perception of the homeless and realize they are not bums in the street strung out on drugs?
I think it first begins with the individual- taking a personal inventory of all of the support people in one's life and an honest accounting of the "luxuries" many of us have...and then removing them. Imagining those layers removed, in combination with a catastrophic event (loss of a loved one, job loss, onset of auditory hallucinations, etc.) gives you a sense of what many of our clients experience. No one wakes up and "chooses" homelessness, addiction, or mental illness. Looking at others, truly looking at those you pass on the street, in front of your favorite coffee hang out- will inevitably force you to SEE the person not the circumstance that they currently find themselves in.

I understand that a lot of people who become homeless do seek self-medicating drugs or alcohol to numb the pain of their situation.
That is the reality for some individuals- and what people choose as their survival/coping strategy varies from person to person. Our clinic seeks to tackle both issues in a parallel fashion (ie. Mental health treatment concomitantly with Alcohol/Drug treatment).

What kind of medical attention and psychological counseling does El Hogar offer?
We offer individual and group counseling, psychopharmacological therapies, and facilitate connection with a Primary Care doctor (some of our sites pay for the visit and provide transportation).

How do you handle those that are suicidal and feel complete hopelessness?
We begin by opening up the dialogue, engaging the person with a non-threatening, non-judgemental approach and conducting a suicide assessment to determine lethality. Empathic listening and the genuine expression of concern a caring person goes a long way. If hospitalization is necessary, we explain the process and attempt to reach a voluntary decision to seek assistance. We will also evaluate current medications and potential substance interaction effects as well, to mitigate an overdose occurrence.

What is your ultimate goal with your program and mission at El Hogar?
Our mission statement is "To provide services that contribute to the mental health and emotional well-being of individuals and families in the Sacramento community". To that end, the goal of our clinic is to essentially render ourselves non-essential. Our "graduate" profile is an individual who has obtained/sustained recovery from mental illness, is residing in a stable environment, is connected with a Primary Care physician and has secured financial solvency including health coverage (via employment, SSDI/SSI).

What can individuals do to help the homeless but don't know where or how to start?
Connect with local providers and ascertain what services they are providing that most succinctly align with what you would like to do. There is still a lot to be done, but we wouldn't be where we are if it weren't for the vision, altruism, and commitment of a cadre of volunteers,donors, and professionals who are passionate about this type of service.

What is the website where people can get more information about El Hogar Community Services?
www.elhogarinc.org.

Camping in a Residential Area

2009-05-11T02:46:21Z

Posted by mike916

hi, i live across the street from the freeway on w st.ive owned this house close to ten years now. in the last two months weve had new tenants in the neighborhood. a crew of homeless guys moved into the parking lot across the street. now im sympathetic to their situation. but it makes me a little uneasy having desparate people staying across the street from my home always watching when im coming and going. knowing when my wife is home alone. and they NEVER leave. i have called the police, and they move for about 6 hours then they come back. the same guys! what do i do? why cant the police take care of this? its worse 2 blocks down by the tracks. ive driven by during the day there is about 15 guys living there! and there are about 4 vans that people live in between 22nd & 23rd.

isnt there a law against camping in a residential area? anyways i know this is part of living downtown, but it is really getting out of control. this wouldnt happen in fair oaks or elk grove

Dear mike916,

I don’t think I would be comfortable with your situation either. I too feel for people who are less fortunate. However, there are places for them to stay. It is often their choice not to go to the facilities that the city and county provide for them. A large percentage of homeless here in Sacramento is not necessarily due to tough economic times. It is largely in part due to substance abuse, and in some cases, mental health issues. That being said, I would suggest you call the central Problem Oriented Policing (POP) team. They deal with solving chronic problems like this. They can be reached at 808-6449. They should be able to help these homeless guys get to an available shelter and to better living conditions for both you and them.

Take care,
Officer Michelle

Ask Officer Michelle - A filthy problem

2009-04-27T03:54:38Z

Dear Officer Michelle,

I have a question regarding a problem situation that my neighbors and I have been facing these last few months. We all live in a midtown apartment complex that has covered parking in the back off the alley. For the last six months or so, someone has been urinating and defecating by one of the cars in the covered parking area. We really did not know who was doing it until last week when our apt. manager discovered that it is a homless gentleman that is well-known to the area. I understand that it must be difficult to find places to go to the bathroom when one is homeless, however, his use of our parking area is filthy and inexcusable. What can we do about this problem? The apt. manager chased the gentleman off, but I am fairly certain that he will be back again. Is there really anything that can be done, other than chasing the man off every time we catch him?

Thanks for your help and expertise!

Dear Michilee,

This is a problem with the homeless downtown. You are right in that it is sometimes hard for them to find a bathroom, but there are public restrooms in many of the parks downtown. It sounds like your apartment manager is aware of this problem which is the first step.

If you catch them in the act, call the Sacramento Police Department at 264-5471 and describe them to the dispatcher. Even if they take off, if we find them, there is a City ordinance under which we can cite them. The caller will have to identify them though since it didn’t occur in police presence. Also, if you happen to have a cell phone camera with you, snap a photo. A picture is worth a thousand words. Nothing is more incriminating than a photo.

If you aren’t getting any satisfaction from your apartment manager, contact the owners. They too have an obligation to make sure things run smoothly on their property. Additional security measures such as lighting and fencing may be appropriate. Good luck

Officer Michelle

Homeless advocates fight to maintain their rights.

2009-04-22T17:24:48Z

Since the existence of tent city gained national attention on the Oprah Winfrey Show, a firestorm of controversy has ensued. A lot has been said in the last few weeks about the ‘homeless problem’ in Sacramento. Government officials have scrambled to free up shelter beds and come up with enough funding flush into alternative housing programs. But, the issue of homelessness does not appear to be going away anytime soon and throwing money at it may not be the answer.

“You can put government money on the table,” say Mark Chaclan, former Loaves and Fishes volunteer, “but there are still going to be people that have to resort to tent city.” Chaclan visited tent city twice last week to join fellow Loaves and Fishes volunteers in the fight to protect the rights of Sacramento’s homeless.

“Loaves and Fishes has taken a stance on the issue,” he says, “and they are ready to go to the trenches.”

In the meantime, as the bulldozers start to roll, hundreds of homeless men and women once again find themselves displaced.

Trevor McClure knows what it is like to be down and out. He was homeless for three years, beginning in 2003 and he wants to dispel the myth that the solution to homelessness is simply ‘getting a job’ as some more callous critics may believe.

“It’s damn near impossible to get a job when you’re homeless,” he says. “you have to be clean and presentable. You have to be able to shower every day. By the time to you get off work, you’ve lost your bed [in the shelter].”

McClure often found himself sleeping at the river. “The Union Gospel Mission doesn’t accept women,” he says, “and I’ll be dammed if I’m gonna sleep in a shelter and my wife’s gonna sleep on the streets.”

John Sherba was also homeless for a four year period starting in 2002. While he was able to make due with the limited resources at hand, he acknowledges that leading a transient existence is neither easy nor preferable.

“I slept on the streets, on the sidewalks, in front of the union Gospel Mission, and at the river,” he says. Sherba slept on the river for three out of the fours years that he was living outdoors and was able to keep the peace with park rangers and other residents.

“We made friends with them because we kept our camp clean. They liked the way we did what we did” he says, “but the bottom line is that camping in Sacramento is still illegal.”

Law breakers will be punished. “We had to keep moving constantly,” says Sherba, “They [Sacramento sheriffs] took everything I owned and threw it in a dump truck. They took the tent and everything in it.”

“When you’re homeless,” adds McClure, “every penny you have goes to surviving. You have to be able to eat and you have to make sure that you will be able to replace your tent and stuff when it gets taken away.”

The instability of the lifestyle and the illegality of camping within the Sacramento city limits are why some homeless advocates believe that places like tent city are necessary.

“They need a place for people to camp that’s legal,” says Sherba, “They can provide as many beds as they want to, but there are people that just can’t live that way for whatever reason.”

Sherba, who was also a volunteer at Loaves and Fishes while he was homeless understands that not everybody can make it indoors.

“There are people that are mentally ill,” he says, “I call them ‘happy campers’. I’ve seen them talk to telephone polls, but in the end, they don’t cause no harm to anybody.”

Homeless advocates vow to stop the disbanding of Tent City

2009-04-15T03:45:38Z

The Midtown Monthly blog is reporting that homeless advocates and charity workers are asking community members vigils this week as the police disband the homeless encampment known internationally as Tent City. In a letter to the Monthly, Greg Bunker of Francis House of Sacramento writes, "We are willing to be arrested on behalf of our homeless folks rather than see them be moved or be threatened with an 'arrest' if they do not move when they have NO SAFE PLACE to go!!!!"

Sister Libby Fernandez of Loaves & Fishes, Paula Lomazzi of SHOC and Mark Merin of Mark Merin Law Firm also signed the letter.

The letter calls on community members to "bare witness" to police action at the Tent City this week, even if they do not wish to participate in civil disobedience.

One Step Forward: Running with homeless people recovering from addiction

2009-04-07T18:59:56Z

Distance running is a metaphor for life. Imagine running a full marathon. Your physical strength, built by training, gives you the energy to push through the course. You feel energized until about mile 13. You start feeling pain, but it is within your expectations. Then you hit the wall at mile 20. You feel like there is no more fuel left in your body and your legs feel like steel. You start hearing a voice, saying, “You can’t go any further. You did enough. Quit and rest!” For the last six miles, you fight with this evil voice.

But you also hear another voice, “No, no, don’t quit. You can do it. You have come this far and the goal is near.” This part of you miraculously pushes you to the finish line with a rewarding sensation. It is such a positive feeling of the sense of achievement and self-confidence.

This journey has given me strength and persistence, not only in running but also in many other aspects of my personal and professional life. I want to share this experience with struggling people and support them in achieving their goals.

Do you enjoy running? Have you run races before? Have you run for charitable causes? Have you ever thought that the distance running itself, and not just the money raised, can actually help many people?

For me, fundraising races seem to represent one-way communication; run and raise money, and the charitable cause will receive that money. But I also want to know about these struggling people and learn about the organizations and how they address and help people.

I thought, “If we love running for good reasons, why not run together with those people we are trying to help, if they are healthy enough?” One race last year, Run to Feed the Hungry, triggered me to put the idea into action. There is no reason that only people of a certain economic or social status can enjoy distance running. If there are people who find running worthwhile to try, it may change their life, as it has for so many other people around the world.

This is how One Step Forward was born. Founded by the author of this article, One Step Forward introduces the power and joy of distance running to disadvantaged people through organizing group runs.

On March 17, we inaugurated our first group run-and-walk with 20 residents of Clean & Sober in North Sacramento thanks to the tremendous support from its management and staff.

Founded in 1994 by Manny Diaz, Clean & Sober is a program that provides help to homeless and disadvantaged people who are determined to overcome their addiction to alcohol and drugs.

“Many residents suddenly gain weight when they stop using drugs and alcohol, and don’t feel good about it. They want to lose weight and be healthy,” said Dana Christy, Executive Director of Clean & Sober.

For this reason, a group running-and-walking program seems to be a good fit for their residents.

Prior to the orientation in the preceding week, I was nervous, not knowing what the residents would think about the idea of a group run. My concern disappeared the moment I stepped into their residential compound. There were already about 10 people waiting outside, smiling and exchanging greetings with me. “So you are the nature woman?”

I felt their curiosity and excitement about starting something new. The response from the participants has been encouraging. “I know that people were proud of themselves and are very excited to continue it in the future,” said Julie Sharp, a dedicated staff member of Clean & Sober.

They seem to enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends, along with running and walking as a physical activity. Some have shared with me their rich and colorful life stories with honesty and openness during our walks and runs. After years of problems and hardships, such as homelessness, addiction, injury and sickness, they are determined to move forward and establish a new life.

Into the third week, we started an eight-week progressive training with generous support from Fleet Feet Sacramento.

Lisa Riley, Training Director at Fleet Feet Sacramento, brings in over four years of coaching experience for beginning runners to One Step Forward.

"This is quite an inspiring group," she commented on her second day with the Clean & Sober group. "They are up and smiling at 7 a.m. I had only been there one day and they were hugging me and thanking me already. Their attitudes are awesome."

The training will culminate with No Excuses 5K, a race held on May 25 at William Land Park. Our goal is that members will complete running or walking a 5K, most of them for the first time.

With the recent surge of media exposure for Tent City, Sacramento’s homeless problem has attracted national attention. While the homeless and Tent City were in Sacramento for decades, most media coverage seems to focus on the recent economic downtown as a staggering cause of the increased homeless population.

The homeless problem intertwines with complex sets of problems such as drugs, addiction, disability and mental illness, besides the economic crisis. It requires a holistic and multi-faceted approach to address the problems.

One Step Forward hopes to make an impact on those disadvantaged populations who are striving to restore their lives by helping them gain strength, motivation, and the drive to overcome their problems.

Running does not directly solve problems. Running helps people fight their problems with their own efforts. Distance running is not just about fitness. It is a powerful tool to gain mental strength. One Step Forward aims to emphasize three key factors: a sense of accomplishment, a sense of community, and hope.

Imagine: You train and run a distance with a speed you would have never imagined you could. You run a mile today and run three miles next month. Soon you will do a 5K race, a 10K race, then a half marathon. Maybe you will want to try a full marathon some day.

This ongoing process of efforts and achievements will provide a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem. It will give you the pride and motivation to achieve a further goal.

Running does not have to be an individual and lonely activity. At One Step Forward, we do it in a group where we can talk and encourage each other. It forms camaraderie and a support system for each group member. My conversations with the members demonstrate to me that they are eagerly seeking a gateway to community and society. Through the group run, we will build a strong sense of community.

A combination of these two, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of community gives us hope. With hope and confidence in our ability to drive ourselves to overcome challenges, be it recovery from addiction or gaining job skills, we can move forward one step at a time.

I am looking forward to running with the group for the next seven weeks and the challenge at the No Excuses 5K race. I hope to learn more about the members, strengthen the program, and expand it to new groups.

One Step Forward is supported by a small number of volunteers, in addition to our partners, Clean & Sober and Fleet Feet Sacramento.

If you are interested in knowing more about the program or joining us, please email us at run1stepforward@gmail.com.
For more information about Clean & Sober, please visit http://clean-and-sober.org/
For more information about Fleet Feet Sacramento, please visit http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/

Dinner and a Movie, for the Homeless?

2009-03-18T23:37:50Z

Sacramento is now also known for the "Tent City" for the homeless. That’s okay. If Sacramento, the capitol of the seventh or eighth largest economy in the world has to be the poster child city for the homelessness problem in America, then so be it!

Probably every man, woman and child in our area is aware of the growing homeless community. It does not matter where you are in the Sacramento area, homelessness happens. In fact, some of the people interviewed for the stories about our tent city, said "we never dreamed that we would be homeless and in this condition". I have never dreamed of being homeless, have you? Maybe we are next.

I come from a very large family and I believe if my world got to the point of having no place to go home to or sleep, someone in my family would give me a place. My dear mother, Marilou Nordby, whenever she would see someone less fortunate than herself would always say, "there but for the grace of God go I". Which means, that could be me in those peoples shoes, but because of God's grace it is not me. One time she confided in me and said that her greatest fear was becoming homeless. I was shocked! My mother had nine children and at the time she told me this every one of them were still alive. I told her that as long as I was alive she would never be homeless. I hope that gave her some peace in her fears.

As compassionate people we need to be reminded that not all homeless are mentally unstable, drug addicts, alcoholics or even losers in this game of life, but rather each of them at one time had a home, a mother, a father, brothers and sisters and even children and we should treat them as if they were our mom or dad, or a sister or a brother because we don't know their circumstances.

I have been stirring the idea around with friends that I know that we should have a dinner and a movie night for our homeless. Today I want to share this idea with the readers of the Sacramento Press with hope that this will go further than this online news source.

Here is what I am envisioning for that night.

We will ask the churches and clothes closets to donate clothing for all ages and gender and we will have an opportunity for anyone who needs a new set of clothes to pick out what they want to wear for that dinner and to leave in. We will have a place to dispose of old clothes. Of course we will have some sort of changing rooms available and port-a-potties on 10th street.

This banquet honoring our less fortunate neighbors will be done on the west side of the Capitol building using this glorious building as a backdrop for this event. The Capitol also represents the state government for the people, all the people, even the homeless. The grounds will be decked with tables all decorated like a fine restaurant(except everything is disposable) a tablecloth with a candle and a flower, nice plastic ware and napkins. We will serve steak, chicken, potatoes, fresh veggies, milk, or soda, coffee or tea, and a dessert that is fit for a politician or cupcakes and cookies for the little children.

After dinner we will show a movie on a giant screen with a great sound system. The movie should be heart warming with some comedy and rated for all ages. Perhaps the newly released "Marley and Me". I have never seen it, but I think everyone would enjoy it. There will be popcorn, movie type candy and bottles of water and other drinks.

After the movie we will have blankets, sleeping bags and personal items for anyone in need of these things.

I don't know all the logistics of this yet, but if enough of us get together with our influences and connections we can totally bless our homeless and let them know that we care. Perhaps the lawmakers and city leaders will see this event as a wake up call and put some real attention towards helping ease the sting of the plight of the homeless which now include many little children.

I know everyone reading this is now thinking, 'this is going to cost some money'. Yes it is! But I believe every good cause can be very easily funded by anyone who can afford a little to help. Some who can afford more will also help. I believe if we make this event known to everyone, there will be plenty to take care of the cost. I am also sure that many who have other needed resources will also want to be involved. I am going to put my money where my heart is so I will make the first donation to this cause and I believe the rest will come. Kind of like the “Field of Dreams”, build it and they will come. I say “do it and it will come”.

I was talking to a homeless man today and asked him about this dinner and a movie idea and he was very excited about it. I asked if the homeless would come? He said "oh yes they will". He also shared with me of his hope of the "Ten Year Plan" to get the homeless problem under control. We can't wait for ten years. We need to do something now.

I realize that this is not a "fix" to a serious problem, but if we can bring some joy to people if only for a night, it will be well worth it.

If anyone who reads this article would like to get involved somehow, someway, your service and willingness to serve will be much appreciated by those who come. Leave a comment and contact me personally at jacknordby@hotmail.com

P.S. When was the last time a homeless person heard the words, "your table is ready" or, "how did you like the movie"? Lets give them something to talk about. Better yet, lets give them some love with hope that things can turn around for them.

Inside Sacramento's "Tent City"

2009-03-14T01:02:29Z

Sacramento's "Tent City" has become national, even world-wide, news over the last two weeks. This article is Sacramento Press' take on the situation based on a visit by myself and our photographer, Anthony Bento, earlier this week.

I had been by there before, on several occasions, and expected to see a dozen or so tents and a large pile of trash. But what I found blew my mind. After ascending a certain hill (I'll leave the exact location undisclosed in this article) the gathering comes into view. It is, by my estimation, at least 10x larger than it was in July 2008. Hundreds of tents scattered over several acres make up "Tent City", and a city it is indeed.

Estimates of the total number of homeless living in this area range from 300-1200: I place my estimate somewhere in the middle at about 500 homeless.

First impression-"Wow"

The area was a hub of activity. Smoke plumed from several campfires over which residents prepared meals, people were coming and going from the camp on bicycles and on foot, and a kid of about 10 years weaved between tents on a gas-powered mini motorcycle. A man played fetch with his dog, while other dogs on leashes sat near their owners. There were no putrid smells. The residents appeared to range in age from early 30's to mid 50's. I saw a news van from ABC Channel 7, based in the bay area, setting up for a live feed and walked over to speak with them.

They were preparing for a feed to 5 different news broadcasts located across California including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. 'Pat' (name changed), the camera operator, shared with me his thoughts on the situation and his concerns that he could see himself in a camp like this if he were to lose his job. "This business isn't doing so great right now. I'm lucky, I still have my job, but you never know."

Anthony wandered off to snap photographs as I made my way into the makeshift city and headed for one of the campfires which several people were gathered around.

"Baldy" (his street name), a black man in his mid-40's who isn't bald, was busy breaking apart pallets to fuel the fire as I approached. The group was hesitant to speak with me, but after hearing that I was a student and an unpaid local reporter, "Baldy" opened up.

I asked him how he came to live in "Tent City": "Well, I moved out here from the east coast last July, been homeless since August. I met some people who invited me out and been here since." A woman shouted from twenty feet away, "Baldy ain't been nothin' but problems since he got here," following the statement with a laugh. "That's Theresa, she got me settled in here."

I asked if this was a new experience for him: "I know what you're thinkin', but I never been homeless. I come from a good middle-class family, I had good parents, a good upbringing." He moved out here with hopes of finding work. He has two decades of experience in construction and kitchen work, but has been unsuccessful his his job search. "I'm always lookin' for work. There's no jobs," he paused and continued to break wood for his fire, "I won't give up. I won't give up."

I asked about "Tent City" itself. "Tent City, Homeless Town, we call it 'The Wasteland'." He pointed out the different sections of town--the drug users located across the field several hundred yards away, the bad crowd near the drug users (violent types), the recluses across the train tracks in an area dubbed, "The Snakepit". I pointed to a cozy-looking place with a fence and gate built around a tent. "Yeah, they moved here a month ago. I don't plan to stay long enough to want to build somethin'. But if you have pallets, you can build anything."

"The originals", a group of homeless who lived at this site months before, moved upstream about a half-mile seeking a more peaceful area. "You should see some of their digs, man. They got crazy set-ups." Baldy told me that the city's population has exploded since he arrived, prompting me to ask about safety of the area.

He told me in a loud, proud voice, "This here is one big family. We look out for each other and take care of our own." A half dozen of his neighbors voiced their approval, "That's right, uh huh." Theresa shouted from her tent nearby, "Tell him about 'Batman and Robin'." At this the entire group chatted amongst themselves as Baldy explained.

"You got good cops, and you got bad cops. And we got 'Batman and Robin'."

This duo of city policemen drive through the camp almost daily. Also known as the "Homeless Cops", they know the usual residents and keep watch for anybody who doesn't belong that might cause problems, and prevent the "bad cops" from harassing the residents. "For all the people trying to cause us grief, 'Batman and Robin' do more good for the homeless than anybody else out here." He attributes them for helping to keep "Tent City" in its current location.

Baldy told me that churches come out almost every weekend to pass out tents, sleeping bags, clothes, food, and most importantly, water. There is no water system flowing to "Tent City", so the delivery of bottled water is much appreciated. Other aspects that we might take for granted are lacking as well--sewage, electricity, trash pick-up.

Recently porta-potties and a massive dumpster were donated by local rental companies to fill the communities need. Prior to their arrival, waste of all types was deposited across the levee on the river banks. Everyone I spoke with praised these amenities. One man told me, "We're homeless, but we don't like living in filth. Before the dumpster we just put our trash across the levee on public land. Then the county had to take it anyway."

The sun began to set and Baldy wanted to eat his dinner he had been cooking while we spoke, putting an end to our conversation. He left me with one last trinket, "I'll tell you one more thing, man. Something you probably don't know. Maybe about 50% of people here are on GA (Government Assistance). When the first of the month hits, this place is like a ghost town."

He refused to expand on that statement and I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. I walked through the camp to meet up with Anthony who was snapping pictures of some of the settlements and spoke briefly with several other "Tent City" citizens while they sipped on Steel Reserve and smoked cigarettes, before we headed back to our bicycles and home.

Amid talks of sanctioning or closing "Tent City", I was happy to get a better understanding of the gathering. It functions like a standard community, housing people of all types, from drug abusers to day laborers. Many of these people have ambitions and a desire to improve their current situations. Many are first-time homeless who are temporarily down on their luck and expect to rebound soon. Many are also government leeches, taking aid checks and spending it on booze and drugs.

Overall this is a content group of people. While I was there I heard more laughing, and saw more smiles, than I do while walking around downtown and midtown Sacramento. People were friendly and wiling to talk, sharing jokes and poking fun at the news vans that have pestered them lately. It was a great experience and enlightened me a bit more to the plight of the homeless.

Keep in mind that when much of the country, and the world, thinks of Sacramento, the pictures above and the pictures splattered across the internet will be what they see. Mayor Johnson has many difficult decisions ahead on what to do about a situation that continues to worsen. Time will tell the fate of "Tent City".

*Photographs by Anthony Bento

"Today Show" to Highlight Sac's Homeless

2009-03-07T02:00:41Z

Last week it was Oprah. Today it was CNN. And on Monday morning, NBC's "Today" show will focus on Sacramento's growing homeless population.

NBC crews will be in Sacramento on Saturday and Sunday to do their special report. They plan to interview officials from Loaves & Fishes, several other nonprofits, and city officials, including Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Sacramento has become the focus of a mini-media frenzy because of a sharp rise in its homelessness population. The jump in home foreclosures has left hundreds of families (yes, children too) without homes. The sudden jump in homelessness has overwhelmed nonprofit providers and resulted in a virtual "tent city" along the American River. Last week, a homeless man was killed when he was hit by a Union Pacific train; most of the encampments are on UP's land.

Hopefully all of this media attention will challenge the city's (and region's) leaders -- as well as the business and faith communities -- to design both short- and long-term approaches to delivering services who the homeless.

The "Today" show segment on Sacramento is slated to air on Monday morning.

Homeless Count 2009

2009-01-26T05:40:37Z

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Sacramento Department of Human Assistance (DHA) will be conducting the annual Homeless Count from 9 p.m. until midnight. The event relies on volunteers who must attend a 3-hour training prior to the count. Registration is closed, however, as mandatory training sessions were held this weekend.

According to the 2008 Homeless Count report released by the DHA last year, 2,678 people in Sacramento County are homeless on any given night. The count included those living in emergency shelters (730) and transitional housing (682) as well as street dwellers (1,266). Of these, a total of 680 are considered to be "chronically homeless."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines "chronically homeless" as "an unaccompanied homeless individual with a documented disabling condition who has either been continuously on the street or in an emergency shelter for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years."

As stated, the 2,678 number refers to homeless in Sacramento on any given night. The estimated number of homeless who passed through Sacramento County over the entire year is estimated to be 4,257.

Not included in the official count were those being treated at the Sacramento Mental Health Treatment Center (17), in custody at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (378), and those being treated at various drug and alcohol treatment facilities (123).

Information gathered by the count is used to learn about the size of the homeless population in order to better deliver services in efforts to end Sacramento's homeless problem.

Hopefully the above statistics have opened some eyes to the source of homelessness. Most are transitional homeless, enduring a difficult time while attempting to improve their lives. This is a forgotten part of our community, often seen as pests or even as a source of fear.

The 2009 count is especially intriguing considering the current state of the economy. Have those living on the fringe of homelessness been pushed over the edge? Will the numbers of homeless increase during 2009? The future will tell, but if we do nothing else, we should remember that there are people sleeping in the streets of Sacramento tonight.

A brush with death.

2009-01-24T00:37:24Z

Yesterday it rained in Sacramento. Yesterday I didn’t pay close enough attention to the weather forecast in Sacramento. Rather than parking near my office, I decided to park about a mile or so away and ride my skateboard in to work. It’s fun and gets me a little exercise. The ride in to work was quite pleasant. The ride back to my truck wasn’t so much, and the rain was not the worst part.

I left my office around 5 PM, at which point a steady rain was falling. Skateboarding in the rain sucks. Getting wet sucks, having your wheels get super slippery sucks. That would’ve been plenty to spoil what’s usually an enjoyable ride. Not only did I have to endure getting soaked and trying not to fall and bust my ass on the pavement, but I also dodged what could have been a quite unpleasant encounter.

I work in a building in downtown Sacramento. It’s also very near the river and Old Sacramento. These three elements make it prime territory for homeless people and crazy people… and often people that are a 1-2 punch of both. To skate from my building to my truck, I have to go along the river walk alongside the river. The river walk has lots of benches and open electrical sockets. This is practically a luxurious hotel to the homeless. They can sit on a bench and stare at the river and also plug in their stereos and listen to music. This is usually fine. I skate past homeless people every day who are just admiring the view and talking to their imaginary friends, no problem. I used to talk to myself too, but I was only 3 and tried not to do it in public or in a manner that made it appear I was arguing with myself.

So back to yesterday. As I said, it was rainy pretty steadily and I was skating down the river walk. On rainy days, the usual homeless folks are taking cover somewhere sheltered rather than hanging out getting rained on. This was the case as I started my way down. The river walk is probably about the length of two football fields and fairly slender. As I got about halfway down, I noticed that indeed not all the homeless folk had headed for cover. At the end of the river walk, I spotted one. This would usually not register as being anything of consequence; however, this gentleman was standing out in the rain wearing only a pair of denim pants. No shoes, no socks, no shirt of any kind, and due to his pants being drenched and sagging with water, I had a pretty good idea of the fact that he probably was going commando as well.

Perhaps it’s just me being a Nervous Ned, but when I spot a shirtless, shoeless man hanging out in the rain after the sun has gone down, it raises a bit of a red flag. You don’t hear many stories of a shoeless, shirtless man out in the rain changing your grandma’s flat tire on the side of the road. I spotted the dude quite a ways away and at first thought that perhaps he was just a highly fashionable gentleman wearing a skin tight ostrich leather coat and Italian leather shoes. As you now know, that wasn’t the case. When I got about 30 yards away, he had done a sufficient amount of pacing and turning to and fro for me to be able to conclude that he was indeed just a guy standing out in the rain looking like a lunatic. This then got me thinking of the multitude of possibilities that I should be prepared for when I passed him by. Here are a few examples of what my brain was envisioning happening (in order of likelihood) as I gingerly floated by on my skateboard like a prey waiting to feed the predator:

1) Crazy guy would wait until the last second, pounce on me like a hungry leopard, smash me across the face with my own skateboard, throw me over the river walk wall on to the bank and sodomize my unconscious body.
2) Crazy guy would wait until the last second, pounce on me like a crazy shirtless guy and bite my nose off of my face.
3) Crazy guy would wait until the last second, Liu Kang Mortal Kombat karate style kick me off of my skateboard, smash me across the face with it and skate away with my property.
4) Crazy guy would wait until the last second, turn to face me and compliment me on my excellent taste in shoe wear.

Now that my brain had cooked up it’s top 4 logical responses from the crazy guy, I was prepared to pass by in defense mode. I approached, keeping him in my sites and as I got about 10 feet away, as expected, crazy guy turned and faced me. As he turned, he made direct eye contact. In order to try to diffuse what I had concluded would most likely be a very uncool situation, I politely nodded to the man and said hello to which he responded by saying, “You’re gay” as I cautiously floated by continuing on to my truck and eventually back home.

My feelings were so hurt by his assumptions about my sexual proclivity that as he turned back around to face the river, I quickly jumped off my board and proceeded to option 1 his unconscious body. That’s not true.

What IS true is that I have a solution to Sacramento’s ongoing homeless problem. Two words. BROKEN BLUETOOTHS. Think about it. The problem with homeless people isn’t necessarily that they don’t sleep in a house at night. The problem is that they make me uncomfortable when they’re shouting at nobody (yes, that is the real problem). If we took all our broken bluetooths and forced homeless people to wear them at all times, it would just look like a bunch of dirty, smelly businessmen having heated business discussions on their wireless head sets. It’s genius!

Loaves and Fishes Benefit Concert

2008-12-09T01:43:27Z

Looking for a way to give back that involves music? Look no further than Fifth String Music Store this Friday, December 12th at 7 p.m.. The music store will be hosting a benefit concert to raise money and supplies for Loaves and Fishes.

This will be the 6th annual concert that the store has put on to benefit Loaves and Fishes. Ross Hammond, a local musician, came up with the idea after he started working as an instructor for Fifth String. Hammond had spent previous years volunteering for Loaves and Fishes during the holidays and wanted to do more for the organization.

Last year the concert raised $1200 in donations. All of the artists performing have some connection to the Fifth String school or store. John Green (owner of 5th String Music Store), Ross Hammond, Peter Kett, Steven Ward, The Inversions and others will be performing.

Concert-goers can expect to hear mostly folk, rock, bluegrass and jazz music. According to Hammond, the show will be very intimate and mellow.

Admission is either a $15 minimum donation or an item from the Loaves and Fishes wish list.

General wish list items include:

Toilet paper
New or gently used sleeping bags and blankets
Regional Transit passes
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Small toiletries
Back packs
Band aids
Combs and brushes

For adults, requests include:

Gloves
Large to extra large sweatshirts
Reading glasses without prescription lenses
New underwear
Large to 3X sweat suits
Tube socks.

For children, you can donate:

Baby bottles
Diapers
Non-soy baby formula with iron
Baby food
Sweat suits
Knit hats and gloves

For more information on Loaves and Fishes, visit www.sacloaves.org or e-mail Ross Hammond at ross@rosshammond.com if you have any questions.

Fifth String Music Store is located at 930 Alhambra Blvd (corner of J St.).

The image above is from the Sacramento Loaves and Fishes Web site.