To the streets...

[Sapphire Blue]

To The Streets: http://www.tothestreets.org

Video: http://www.centaurusmedia.com/~lonetree/sleepout_hi.wmv

To the streets

On March 31 roughly 800,000 people across the country will go to bed without a home. Where will you be sleeping? On that same night in cities, towns, and college campuses across the country, people will choose to spend the night outside in solidarity with those who don't have a choice.

Last year, students from across the Midwest got a small taste of the reality of homelessness. By spending a night on the streets of Chicago in mid-February, their lives were changed as they raised awareness and collected signatures for a rental housing support bill that they later helped make a reality. As a result, thousands of people across the state of Illinois were able to find or stay in housing. This year you can get involved in one of several ways. You can join other groups who are planning similar sleep outs in your own area or plan one by yourself or with others. You can help rally support for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund on a national level and target specific issues within your community. Be it through educating yourself and others, recruiting volunteers, rallying resources, or working for political change, there are so many ways that you can make a difference on the March 31. Though it takes more than one night to change a nation, one night is where it can start.

Whether you will be sleeping out alone, with friends, a congregation, or your school, send your information to [e-mail] so that it can be posted at www.tothestreets.org.

http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.display&issue=060322#12

[EFerrari]

1. Did I ever tell you this?

Sorry if I have. Stress messes with memory.

My husband is a gifted stand up comedian. Shortly after we married, I understood that he had severe mental illness.

For the next eight years, we struggled to get him proper care. WE, because he was on board.

It didn't happen.

I got so tired, I basically collapsed. He went homeless. It was terrible.

We were lucky because the press prompted the community to pick him up and help him out. Nowadays, we're on the other end of this disaster and can help other people.

Most people aren't that lucky.

Houston, we have a problem.

[Sapphire Blue]

2. Yes, we have a problem... a psychopath from a pig farm in Crawford...

... has been inflicting his cruelty on this country & the world for 5 years now.

Yes, I knew of your background, and am thankful that your lives have improved, that you're now on the other side & can now help others. I wish the same for all those who are still suffering from homelessness... and poverty; those who need us desperately.

[EFerrari]

3. It is hard to keep repeating the same message over and over.

But, it occasionally does get through.

Thanks, Sapphire Blue. :hi:

[Sapphire Blue]

12. ...

:hi: :hug:

[blm]

4. This really hits home for alot of people.

I knew so many homeless musicians and artists in LA when I lived there.

[EFerrari]

7. When I started asking around, it turns out that I know

a LOT of people who have been homeless at one time or another.

:(

[blm]

11. Not sure if you had seen my past posts where I discussed Dennis Kucinich

and his homeless situation when he was a boy. But, to make a long story short, one of my aunt's - a nun - was the head of an orphanage and group home in Parma, Ohio at the time when DK and his siblings were staying there. As a little girl, I would play on the grounds there about every other weekend.

[EFerrari]

14. I know the story but can't remember how I learned it.

It probably was your posts.

I have so much respect for Dennis. He is a remarkable human being.

[Sapphire Blue]

21. A truly beautiful soul!

[Warpy]

10. I have cousins that periodically end up homeless when they

go off their meds. I can understand part of what you've been through.

It's a long way out. Congratulations on making the trip and on being wise and caring enough to offer a hand to those behind you on the journey.

[EFerrari]

17. What was so instructive to me, Warpy, was when he became ill,

I took on another job to try to keep up. But, we couldn't get him the care he needed and it wasn't good for him for me to be away six days and twelve hours. So, there was this impossible balancing act we had to do that was, literally, impossible. I'd miss work to stay with him or I'd come home to an upset person. It got so bad, it was dangerous.

Everyone was willing to criminalize him; no one seemed to be able to deliver the medical tech that had been around for some time -- not even a good diagnosis. It was like a surreal nightmare only in the day time. We really had to work hard to educate ourselves and then, go demand proper care from health care providers. It was just astonishing to me. Especially because families already dealing with mental illness AND poverty aren't you most energetic bunch!

I learned that there are a lot of people who are an illness away from homelessness. Maybe even, most people.

[mdmc]

45. I didn't know this

[LiberalUprising]

5. k&r

[babylonsister]

6. So sad, and I only see these numbers escalating what with

our robust economy. :sarcasm:

[EFerrari]

8. Not to mention, our expansive health care system.

We take such good care of people. :sarcasm:

[Catrina]

9. Many of those homeless people are veterans ~

Where are all the righwing support-the-troops crowd?? Yellow ribbons are pretty, but they won't do much for homeless vets. Funny, I remember telling that to rightwingers at the beginning of this war. That when it came to supporting the troops they would be nowhere to be found ~

:kick: and recommended

[EFerrari]

13. You are so right about this. The least we could do for people

who risked their life for us -- or even gave years of their lives for us -- is to keep a roof over their heads.

[Tyler Durden]

15. Can't. Did it for real....

The very thought of doing it even as a protest gives me the heebies.

I don't even go camping.

[EFerrari]

18. Bless your heart. Please don't get the heebies!

:hi:

[fed-up]

16. What is a Vietnam Vet some stats

http://www.capveterans.com/caprd_004.htm

We lost almost 59,000 men and women during the 16 years of Viet Nam. As of 5 years after the war was officially over, we had 150,000 Viet Nam Vets that had committed suicide.

The suicide rate for Viet Nam Vets is 86% higher than the national average of peers of the same age group.

70% of all one car accidents is Viet Nam Vets (was it really an accident).

60% of all Viet Nam Vets have serious emotional problems.

Between 50 and 60% have a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

The unemployment rate for Viet Nam Vets is double the national average.

The divorce rate for Viet Nam Vets is almost 3 times as many as the national average.

About 25% of all incarcerated people are Viet Nam Vets. (Most are non-violent crimes).

56% of all homeless Americans are veterans, 44% are Viet Nam Vets.

[EFerrari]

19. Thanks so much for the stats.

They are staggering.

[davekriss]

42. O God help the vet mired down in Iraq now! (eom)

[Peace Patriot]

20. We are not a mean and greedy people; indeed, generosity and

open-mindedness are our strongest characteristics. But we have suffered a fascist coup, which is harming people in their souls, demoralizing and disenfranchising them, as well as impoverishing, torturing and killing people.

The remedy for these ills is the re-enfranchisement of the generous and open-minded American people, who make up the vast majority--by the return of our election system to transparency and integrity, and its removal from private, partisan control by "trade secret" vote tabulation software. We were by no means a perfect country before the takeover of our election system by private, partisan, rightwing interests, but I am convinced that we will be a better country when we restore our right to vote, because we will have learned many hard lessons about the purposes of the rightwing fascists and US-based global corporate predators who are running things now. We will know more about community, about human rights, about equity, about compassion, about democracy, and about goodness and truth, and the values that we want to live by, as a nation and as individuals.

Meanwhile, may all we are suffering...

the homeless
the hungry
those without hope
those whose hope has been crushed
the disempowered
the demoralized
the disenfranchised
the poor
the fearful
the wounded
the tortured
the sorrowful
and the courageous

...be surrounded by a mother's arms and comforted...

:loveya: :pals: :hug: :grouphug: :loveya: :grouphug: :loveya: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :loveya:

[Sapphire Blue]

23. And may we act as those mothers, surrounding the beloved community ...

... w/arms of love & comfort... and action.

One of my favorite prayers/blessings...

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people so that you will work for justice, equality and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.

[EFerrari]

24. That's lovely. I think I have to print that out. n/t

[motocicleta]

27. saving to my prayers folder

all right, it's the only one in there, but still, it's a heck of start.

[EFerrari]

22. And kick, here from my nice sunny livingroom

with the seven cats and a big dog in it.

:kick:

[EFerrari]

25. The stalwart L.A. Greens just sent out the notice in the OP

:kick:

[H2O Man]

26. A growing problem that

is too often ignored is homelessness among teens and youth. In the last few years before I retired, I was saddened by this trend. There are a lot of young people who are expected to accept the unacceptable, or to be prescribed psychological handcuffs in the guise of medications, and to go quietly along with their own personal hell.

Many, many years ago, I was a homeless teenager. It was an education that I do not wish on anyone else. My own Malcolm X University.

I used to listen to a lot of Woody Guthrie then. (Still do.) The Smithsonian collection has some comments he wrote on one of his three versions of his song "Jesus Christ" :

"I wrote this song looking out of a rooming house window in New York City in the winter of 1940. I saw how poor folk lived, and then I saw how rich folk lived, and the poor folks down and out and cold and hungry, and the rich ones out drinking good whiskey and celebrating and wasting handfuls of money at gambling and women, and I got to thinking about what Jesus said, and what if He was to walk into New York City and preach like he use to. They'd lock Him back in Jail as sure as you're reading this. 'Even as you've done it unto the least of these little ones, you have done it unto me'."

[EFerrari]

28. The kids. I don't know any stats for children and youths but

I read about six months ago that the fastest growing group was single moms.

It's so sad to have a name for something so needless.

[Sapphire Blue]

29. Our runaways & throwaways... yes, ignored & forgotten by so many...

... just trying to survive out there... while being preyed upon by vile vultures.

'Even as you've done it unto the least of these little ones, you have done it unto me'

[EFerrari]

30. I just called my local Coalition on Homelessness to find out

if they'd heard about what that Seattle organization, Share / Wheel was dealing with.

In a thread -- I believe hosted by flamingyouth -- I learned that Share / Wheel is looking at having their funding yanked because they will not agree to require personal information from their clients. The info is supposedly for a database that will help provide better services. But, they are refusing to require this from the community they serve where it seems that every other provider in town has caved.

My local guys didn't have more information, so I called up to Seattle and left a message.

I pointed out on the original thread (will post link if I can track it down) that poverty doesn't automatically disqualify you as a citizen with civil rights. And that these are more stringent reequirements than we require from HALLIBURTON.

The last thing that poor people have is their identity. It is an act of supreme stupidity, let alone disgraceful disrespect of both these people and of the LAW to demand they hand over their identity, the very last thing within their control, in this way.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2181246

Edit: clarity, link

[Catrina]

32. That it awful ~ and cruel ~ thanks for telling us about it ~

Btw, I meant to say that your story is so inspiring ~ and shows that no life is without hope so long as there is someone who cares ~

I always loved this poem which I found when I was fighting for someone I cared about who was an alcoholic, and an incredible human being. I stumbled on this and thought it was beautiful:

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three",

But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand.

[EFerrari]

34. "like that old violin"

Doug killed my violin when he was having an episode. I can't even know think about it without tearing up.

For my violin but, mostly, for Doug. Because he sure didn't want to be in that space, fought daily to stay out of it. With no help but me for a very long time.

We can do so much more than we think we can. lol

:hug:

[Sapphire Blue]

33. Just read the articles in the P-I & Seattle Weekly.

IMO, the City of Seattle should turn over all of the shelters to SHARE/WHEEL & keep its nose & computer databases out of homeless citizens' business. What the City of Seattle is doing is nothing more than legalized (?) blackmail.

If they want to "tackle homelessness", they can start by evicting the resident who lives here...

[EFerrari]

35. Yes'm. This org needs support. They are the lone hold outs.

Let's do anything we can for them.

"We are constantly looking for other Tent City hosts (we are currently at our 30th location)! If you know of a potential host, please contact us at the above address, or by calling our office [phone].

We also need supporters with vehicles to help with our many moves.

It costs approximate $45,000 a year to run Tent City. Major expenses include: servicing our Port-a-Potties, trash removal, bus tickets, and moving expenses. We are in desperate need of donations to support the general operation of Tent City. All donations are tax-deductible, and can be sent to SHARE/WHEEL, PO Box 2548, Seattle, WA 98111."

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

38. kick for SHARE/WHEEL!

:kick:

[EFerrari]

31. kick

[mdmc]

36. second kick for takin it to the street!

:patriot:

[EFerrari]

37. Thank you, mdmc.

:)

[EFerrari]

39. Kick and recommend. These people could be YOU.

:kick:

[Sapphire Blue]

40. It amazes (& saddens) me when people don't admit that it CAN be them!

One's fortunes can so easily change.

[EFerrari]

41. Back up there.

:kick: for a great action.

[Sapphire Blue]

43. ... again

:kick:

[EFerrari]

44. kick for all my friends living on Ocean Beach.

:kick: