Look at how happy I am doing social media!!!

For the last two years I have been the “voice” of Sacramento Steps Forward on the internet. My job was to get off the ground our (very struggling) social media campaign and make it magnificent (which it now is, obviously).

I knew very little about social media and its role in social justice before I began this job. Now, its something I believe so very strongly in. I have managed our Facebook, Twitter, blog and website for the last two years and have learned so much about the roles that technology and media play in advancing the cause of homes for all.

We must continue to have conversations about ending homelessness in as many forms as possible. There is great joy in sharing stories of hope and housing. And when you share stories of sadness or tragedy, it is our responsibility to mourn together.

Most importantly, I believe social media will help lead us to the day homelessness ends forever. A system where thoughts and ideas are shared so quickly and so expansively must stir up new and greater solutions. Twitter and Facebook have already become great forms of advocacy for folks who are homeless (and if there is any great success story in social media, it is that formerly homeless folks have found homes, jobs and a voice by using it: read here, here and here for example!)

So, after all that, it is with happiness and sadness that I say my social-media-goodbye! I have taken a new and exciting position as Fund Developer for Women’s Empowerment, an amazing local agency serving homeless women and children. It is the perfect next step, and as part of my new job you’ll be hearing my voice here: Facebook.com/WEWorks! and @WE_Works

Sacramento Steps Forward will have some new voices coming on soon, so keep an eye out for them! We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we’ll all be fightin’ the good fight together.

Good luck!

~Kate

Today, is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.  It also marks National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day,  a day intended to remember those who have been lost due to the harsh reality of living on the streets or in substandard housing.  People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness experience more illness, including pneumonia, exposure, infectious diseases and other conditions as an outcome of dire living situations. Most die at an earlier age, often 20 to 25 years before the rest of the population.

Homeless people die from illnesses that affect everyone, frequently without healthcare. Homeless people die from exposure, unprotected from the heat and cold. Homeless people die from violence, often in unprovoked hate crimes.

Remember why they died.

Please take a moment to honor our friends and neighbors who died this year in Sacramento without homes:

In Memory Of

Eden Arlene Lua              

Lloyd Steven Hancock   

Irwin Horn          

Marcella Davis  

Raymond “Razor”Villanueva      

Alfred Barnes   

Brian “Redwood” Ritchey            

Deaondre Sullivan          

Allen “Bratt” Bray            

Donaven Hernandez     

Lori (Lorraine) Green Reed Haynes         

Rick Terranova 

Tracy Hall            

Charles Koch     

Ricky Greer        

Richard Wright 

David “Tweak” Ashford

Lawrence Daniel Smith 

Natalie Jeanne Griffin   

Stephen Dimas

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

We must do better.

Tell me: what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ~Mary Oliver

I’ve written about this before, but I truly thought working on the cause of ending homelessness would be “easy”. I really did. Of all the causes I had ever cared about or advocated for, I thought homelessness would be a piece of cake. How could a neighborhood, community or government be against providing homes for people? How could an individual tell me folks who are homeless don’t deserve housing?

I had to learn fast because, and this is the truth, although homelessness is a tragic, deadly, grave and heinous violation of human rights and dignity, people do not want to end it. People do not care to end it. People do not want to admit that it is there. And that has broken my heart.

I guess I didn’t realize how much blame we carry in our hearts and minds, how much judgment. Being a homeless advocate opens your eyes to the number of times people say “bum”, “transient”, “drunk” freely, without realizing those are derogatory words; the number of times homeless people are used as gags or jokes in movies; the number of times I’m told my job is a waste of time because “those bums like living outside.”

For whatever reason, people often tell me that folks who are homeless “deserve it” and “enjoy it”. For whatever reason, our society looks at aspects of a person’s life and uses that to pass a grand judgment on how they deserve homelessness. I could ramble on and on about how and why folks lose their homes, but I’ve done that before. Suffice it to say: no one deserves homelessness. Not a single person.

VISTA has taught me to believe in and work for a world that has kind hearts and open minds. VISTA has taught me that I believe in a giant safety-net that supports all members of our great community. I believe that everyone should take better care of everyone else; help your neighbors, do nice deeds for a stranger, volunteer when you can and give graciously. Spend less money on Starbucks coffee and give more money to people. Donate your time, give away your clothes, share your food, judge less and love more.

As a VISTA I have born witness to how a community can work together to make great, long-lasting change. I have seen one individual rally a thousand, and a thousand change the life of one. As a VISTA I have seen so much hatred, discrimination and things that are just plain unfair. But I have seen people give who have nothing, open their doors when they couldn’t, and work hard for no money because they have believed in a radical idea: that “the homeless” are people. People. Human beings. And the next time you walk past a human being sleeping outside, I hope you begin to believe in this idea too.

I came out to California knowing next-to-nothing about homelessness. I am staying in California because I am a homeless advocate now, and I’ll continue to work in this beautiful community to make the change I know we have to make.

As a VISTA I have worked with four amazing staff: Shannon Stevens (my VISTA partner-in-crime), Paul Hicks, Michele Watts and Tim Brown. They inspire me every day, and they have served as mentors and friends during times of great frustration and great joy.

Tim Brown once gave a speech to a graduating class of social workers, and it is only fitting to end with part of his speech:

To change things for the better we must have hope and turn desperation into innovation and action. We have to immerse ourselves in the great problems of our time, try to understand all sides and move ahead one small step at a time. This is how leaders come forward. Each of you has that potential within you.

I am on my way.

Emergency Shelter Options and Open Beds for Winter, 2011-2012

Winter Sanctuary:

Opens on Thursday, December 1st. This is a nightly, rotating shelter. Guests needing shelter should be at the Friendship Park Outreach office (at Loaves & Fishes) for screening  Monday – Friday, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM. Guests will be required to sign a participant agreement with Volunteers of America & show TB card: No drugs, alcohol, weapons or violence, no pets, no smoking. Must be willing to participate in simple chores.

Up to 100 guests will be provided a sleeping bag and will be sleeping on the floor. Transportation will be provided by VOA to houses of worship each night. This program is for homeless adults.

Motel Voucher Program:

Will provide 50 beds beginning November 21, 2011 for shelter-referred clients meeting priorities: elderly (60+ years), families with children who cannot get into a shelter, referral from shelter of persons w/contagious illness or medical disabilities, shelter overflow. Emergency shelters should fax referral to Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center’s “Motel Voucher Program” at 916-455-7143

Families with Children Overflow Shelters:

Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center has 25 beds for families that will begin November 21, 2011. Call 916-455-2160

Volunteers of America has 7 units for families beginning November 21, 2011. Sign up, orientation and in-take at Maryhouse on Tuesdays from 8:30-2:30p.m. Maryhouse is located at 1321 North C Street, questions can be directed to Volunteers of America at 916-443-4688.

Year-Round Shelter

• Volunteers of America Men’s Shelter

1400 North A St. (Single men only.) Phone: 916-448-5507

• Volunteers of America Family Shelter:

470 Bannon St. (Single women with children, single fathers with children and couples with children) Phone: 916-443-4688.  Volunteers of America staff will sign up new families at Maryhouse on Tuesdays from 8:30-2:30p.m.

• Union Gospel Mission
• 400 Bannon Street. (Single men only)
• Salvation Army Shelter

12^th and North B St. (Women and Men 18+).  Phone:  916-442-0331, call 8:00 am-1:00 pm, Mon-Fri to get on wait list. Must have a TB card

• St. John’s Shelter

Up to 90 day stay for women and children only. Phone: 916-453-1482. Must contact shelter daily to stay on waiting list. Priority given to Cal Works families

• Wind Youth Services

701 Dixieanne Ave. Homeless youth, ages 11-17 (some exceptions for 18) Phone: 916.561.4900 (Wind Center) or  916-628-1492 (emergency after-hours number)

• Sacramento Area Emergency Shelter

Family Shelter-families, single mothers or fathers with children.  Priority given to Cal Works families.  Phone: 916-455-2160

Women’s Refuge: Single Women Shelter. Phone: 455-0415, call daily for availability.

• Family Promise

A network of local congregations which provide long-term overnight shelter for homeless families

Phone: 916-443-3107

• WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment)

Emergency shelter available to survivors of domestic violence and victims of human trafficking.

Crisis line: 916-920-2952

• My Sisters House

Emergency shelter for Asian and Pacific Islander victims of domestic violence.

24-hour multilingual helpline: 916-428- 3271

• TLCS- Carol’s Place

Shelter for homeless adults with psychiatric disabilities. Referrals come through Guest House Homeless Clinic at 1400 North A Street.

• Volunteers of America HIV/AIDS Emergency Shelter

12 bed shelter for homeless single men or women who have HIV/AIDS.  For information on accessing shelter call Volunteers of America at 916-451-1765.

Rental Assistance/Motel Vouchers (short term)

• Francis House
  1422 C Street. Couples or families should call Tuesdays at 9 AM at 443-2646, short term Motel Vouchers only (no rental assistance). Phone: 916-443-2646

Hotlines/Emergency Telephone Numbers:

• Dial 2-1-1 (24hrs/7days) from any working telephone for referral to more than 2,400 community services including housing information.  Phone: 2-1-1 or 498-1000 from out of the area.

Below, a complete listing of all the fabulous foundations, agencies and individuals who have already donated to Winter Sanctuary (we couldn’t do it without them):

• Sacramento Region Community Foundation: $20,000
• The Sierra Health Foundation: $25,000
• The Winn Foundation: $10,000
• The River District: $3,000
• The Downtown Sacramento Partnership: $2,500
• The Teichert Foundation: $5,000
• Fremont Presbyterian Church: $1,500
• St. Paul’s Baptist Church: $2,000
• Spiritual Life Center: $3,000
• Individual donors: $4,736

Total Raised: $76,967

How much is left to raise? $71,033

Fundraising by Go Green Fundraising

Your Source For Flower Fundraiser

Update Fundraising Thermometer Here

Below, a complete listing of all the fabulous foundations, agencies and individuals who have already donated to Winter Sanctuary (we couldn’t do it without them):

• Sacramento Region Community Foundation: $20,000
• The Sierra Health Foundation: $25,000
• The Winn Foundation: $10,000
• The River District: $3,000
• The Downtown Sacramento Partnership: $2,500 
• The Teichert Foundation: $5,000
• Fremont Presbyterian Church: $1,500
• Individual donors: $3,967

Winter Sanctuary wouldn’t be possible without the commitment and community provided by the interfaith congregations who host our homeless guests through the Winter. During last year’s inaugural Winter Sanctuary program, 24 congregations participated. Each night of Sanctuary, dedicated volunteers from the participating congregation paid for and prepared two meals for their guests: a simple dinner and simple breakfast. The congregations and volunteers also provided games, movies, massages, haircuts, conversation and a warm, loving community.

Below are the congregations who have signed on for this year of Sanctuary:

Arcade Church

Capital Christian Center

First Covenant Church

First Baptist of Elk Grove

• In Sacramento County, 12.6% of the population [or, 297 people], are veterans.
• In the United States, 15% of all homeless adults are veterans; California has the most homeless veterans of any state, equaling about a quarter of the nation’s total homeless veteran population. [The New York Times]
• 20,184 veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are now homeless.
• The number of female homeless veterans is on the rise; between 2008-2009, 7.5% of homeless veterans population were women; 20% of returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans have experienced Military Sexual Abuse, a trauma that is more likely to impede a veterans transition back to society than combat trauma. [The Huffington Post].
• As a group, homeless veterans report having been homeless for longer than non-veteran homeless people; homeless veterans reported being homeless for an average of 5.77 years; non-veterans reported being homeless for 3.92 years
• According to 100,000 Homes Campaign “length of homelessness matters because the longer people spend on the streets, the more health risks they tend to develop. Among the 62% of homeless veterans who reported two or more years of homelessness, over 61% reported a serious physical health condition; 55% reported a mental health conditions; 76% reported a substance abuse habit; and 32% reported all three [or, are tri-morbid]. [100,000 Homes Campaign: National Survey of Homeless Veterans in 100,000 Homes Campaign Communities].
• 21.3% of homeless veterans are over the age of 60. [100,000 Homes Campaign]
• 9.4% of veterans reported multiple instances of frostbite. [100,000 Homes Campaign]

What is being done to help homeless veterans?

• The Obama Administration has committed to ending veterans homelessness in 5 years.
• The US Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) successfully launched the Supportive Services for Veterans Families Program (SSVF), which provides outreach and case management to families to help them through the process of accessing all eligible VA benefits, including health care, housing services, temporary financial assistance, transportation, childcare and legal services.
• Even better news: eight veterans programs in Northern California/Central Valley have been awarded SSVF grants.
• Sacramento County’s HUD-VASH vouchers [Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing] have assisted 145 households in providing rental assistance for homeless veterans and their families.

• Help your community start Housing Placement Boot Camps.
• Support the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center.
• Volunteer for Stand Down.
• Give to Operation Dignity.

Additionally, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency is providing $100,000 for other shelter-based programs and Supervisor Serna, working with local labor organizations and businesses, raised approximately $40,000!

This means a total of $390,000 has been identified for Winter Shelter. {Read more here.}

We are incredibly grateful for the amazing collaborations that lead to this great news. Local service providers, advocacy organizations, elected officials, homeless folks and public agencies all came together to support and coordinate this funding effort.

…but Winter Sanctuary still needs our help.

Make a tax-deductible donation through our secure Pay-Pal site. Or, visit our website at SacramentoStepsForward.org and click the red ‘DONATE‘ button!

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

We produced these graphics to better illustrate the way that Sacramento’s Winter Shelter programs work together, how they’re funded, and where you can help. Continue to check our blog, Facebook and Twitter feed to stay updated on Winter Shelter news and fundraising updates. We are committed to educating the community on the needs of homeless families and adults this winter!