I live in a beach community and participate in the Next Door email list for local issues. Aside from lost dogs and cats, adolescent boys in groups of bikes scaring people, the most contentious issue seems to be what to do about the plight of the homeless population. The newish community across the street from me has round the clock security guards who often find homeless folk trying to sleep in the buildings or in the park area around the local canals. Most of the homeless population lives in the riverbed area about 4 miles away or in the downtown area near the Rescue Mission.
The comments on Next Door favor punishment for homeless people who wander into our area, citing crime and drug issues, presumably from them. The comments are often viscous and ugly.
I’ll confess to being frightened of people who display the consequences of their mental illness in public but a few years back, I decided I’d like to be on the city’s Commission on Homelessness. I had served on the local Mobile home rent review commission, so I contacted a city official who knew me and inquired about serving. As it turned out, there are no vacancies but he mentioned working with local agencies that feed the homeless.
This led to my volunteering for food preparation for meals once a month a local Episcopal church. Some of the members pick up food from Food Share on Fridays and prepare a hot meal and back of snacks using whatever is available. I’ve become the salad constructor and even drafted a friend to help out. The Sundays that I do this, I meet volunteers from many local churches. We prepare meals for 60 people who start lining up at 4 PM and since Covid have been receiving these meals from a table outside the church.
I used to work at the local public library and have met at least one homeless man I knew who used to hang out there every day. The homeless men and women I’ve seen at the church don’t look frightening to me, just worn out and shabbily dressed. Next month the church will resume serving them indoors as they did before the pandemic and I’ll get to interact with them a lot more.
That church seems to be up on what the city is and isn’t doing for the homeless and the woman priest who serves the church is welcoming and open to doing whatever needs to be done for them. I’m impressed with their efforts and am happy to help in my small way. I would still like to be on the Commission and learn more what happens to the millions of dollars poured into the city to house and help the local homeless population.
— Oxnard15
The comments on Next Door favor punishment for homeless people who wander into our area, citing crime and drug issues, presumably from them. The comments are often viscous and ugly.
I’ll confess to being frightened of people who display the consequences of their mental illness in public but a few years back, I decided I’d like to be on the city’s Commission on Homelessness. I had served on the local Mobile home rent review commission, so I contacted a city official who knew me and inquired about serving. As it turned out, there are no vacancies but he mentioned working with local agencies that feed the homeless.
This led to my volunteering for food preparation for meals once a month a local Episcopal church. Some of the members pick up food from Food Share on Fridays and prepare a hot meal and back of snacks using whatever is available. I’ve become the salad constructor and even drafted a friend to help out. The Sundays that I do this, I meet volunteers from many local churches. We prepare meals for 60 people who start lining up at 4 PM and since Covid have been receiving these meals from a table outside the church.
I used to work at the local public library and have met at least one homeless man I knew who used to hang out there every day. The homeless men and women I’ve seen at the church don’t look frightening to me, just worn out and shabbily dressed. Next month the church will resume serving them indoors as they did before the pandemic and I’ll get to interact with them a lot more.
That church seems to be up on what the city is and isn’t doing for the homeless and the woman priest who serves the church is welcoming and open to doing whatever needs to be done for them. I’m impressed with their efforts and am happy to help in my small way. I would still like to be on the Commission and learn more what happens to the millions of dollars poured into the city to house and help the local homeless population.
— Oxnard15
Whoah. Millions of dollars. I'll bet some agencies are snapping that up and doing the minimum. I think about the homeless a lot. There was a camp in someone's backyard just a few houses away from me. I brought them some cupcakes, but I was unsure what else to do. The camp has now been "removed" by the authorities. I noticed that one guy (who seemed to be in charge) had a car, but no home. His tent was the biggest, and he seemed to be looking out for the others, but I don't really know, and I don't know where they all went. I'm in north Alabama, not as far south as you, but still, winters here are milder than elsewhere, and it's possible to live outside, though it must be difficult. You are doing good! (Macoff)
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Oxnard15! Pursuing ways you can help while keeping your eye on the possibility of a position of decision-making. You write with a very real, very contained passion. I hope I get to know more about your work, your ambition to help on a deeper level.
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