Stand Down for homeless veterans

Shechaim's News of the Day

The original Stand Down for homelessveterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations.

http://nchv.org/index.php/service/service/stand_down/

This event is as it should be nation wide.

The American Veterans Stand Down Event in Orlando Florida

Stand Down for homeless veterans

2013 Orlando Veterans Stand Down – Volunteer Training

http://www.floridahospices.org/events/2013-orlando-veterans-stand-down-volunteer-training/

Soldiers from the 137th Quartermaster Company with the U.S. Army Reserve work on setting up a tent city for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down at Whittier Narrows Park in South El Monte on Wednesday October 31, 2012. The Homeless Veterans Stand Down is the 2nd annual SGV Heroes in the Shadows, 3-day event providing support services for homeless vets. (SGVN/Staff photo by Keith Durflinger)

http://photos.whittierdailynews.com/2012/10/31/photos-army-reserves-set-up-for-homeless-veterans-stand-down-event/

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BBC: Homeless man John Dolans artwork on show

Down Not Out

See the following from the BBC:

London is home to a thriving modern art scene, with people coming from all over the world to work and exhibit here.

One man whose work is being well received is John Dolan – but he is not professionally trained, well travelled, or a figure who you would describe as in vogue.

The BBC’s Tom Donkin went to meet him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24295687

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Homelessness and the role of the church

“… to make the point that the main difference between the homeless people I know is that they live their lives and share their problems out in the open. And most of the people I know who live in houses and have settled lives and incomes don’t share their (our) problems out in the open in the same way. Those walls of our homes which keep us safe and warm can also divide us.” Ain’t that the truth. — T.J.

On the Road and On the Street

This is a short Homily given at a special service at All Saints Fulham on Sunday 29/09/13. The Choral  Evensong included the 3 choirs of All Saints Fulham, St Martin in the Fields and St Luke’s Chelsea, and was organised to raise funds for the work of the Connection at St Martins, West London Churches Homelessness Concern, and Housing Justice

In this splendid and venerable building, having listened to those prophetic scriptures and, of course, to the wonderful singing of the 3 choirs, it is my privilege to talk to you for a few minutes about Homelessness, and the role of the church.

I pray that these words may encourage, challenge and inspire.

Thanks to Eileen and the clergy team for inviting me to come and speak this evening. I’m not quite on home turf, but when I first came to live in London in my early teens…

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Photos From The Big Night Are Now Up!

Like the boxes. Wish I came up with that idea on those cold, windy nights. — T.J.

Ludlow Cares Blog

We’ve now got all of our photos from the big night up on our Facebook page. Do go ahead and tag yourself or people you know in the snaps, and invite other sleepers to like the page so they can download and view their photos.

If you’re still managing to bring in some post-sleepout donations, then these photos are a great way of reinvigorating interest from prospective donors. The pictures serve as proof of the night out, and remind people why we all decided to do this in the first place.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ludlow College once again for providing the location, facilities, and students from their Health & Social Care class as additional staff for the sleep-out. We really couldn’t have made this possible without your partnership through every step of the charity drive.

All the very best and enjoy the snaps,

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Once Upon A Client: The End of Homelessness

“You saved my life. I love my apartment. Thank you.” Helping someone who is homeless find a place to live is saving a life. — T.J.

The Social Work Practitioner

There is no symbol more reflective of the end of homelessness than a set of keys.

As Manager of the Client Advocacy Project (CAP) at Coalition for the Homeless in New York City, I had the privilege of leading a team that helped put keys in the hands of over 100 homeless men and women.  These single adults, either street homeless or languishing in the city’s municipal shelter system, lived with a range of physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.  With a housing stock that to this day is grossly inadequate, this was no small accomplishment, and I am extremely proud of the team of dedicated individuals who made this possible.

The primary goals of the CAP were to secure federal disability benefits for those who, with appropriate advocacy, were eligible, and to leverage those benefits into a move to supportive, supported, transitional, or independent housing.  The timelines involved were quite…

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Low income survival tips from the Money Advice Service

Down Not Out

See the following from the Money Advice Service:

Tips and tools to help you find ways to make your money go further each month

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/low-income-survival-tips?utm_source=d-outb&utm_medium=disp&utm_term=ntwk&utm_content=d-tools&utm_campaign=d-outbrain

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Family Donates Canceled Wedding Reception to 200 Homeless People

When life gives you lemons… A good story.

Kindness Blog

Carol and Willie Fowler had planned an elaborate wedding reception for their daughter. Sadly, the wedding was canceled after all the arrangements were set. But they saw opportunity where others would see only tragedy, and teamed up with Hosea Feed the Hungry in Atlanta to turn the reception they’d planned in the first annual Fowler Family Celebration of Love, feeding 200 people in the process. “We’re very pleased that she’s handling it so well,” Carol Fowler said of her daughter to Here & Now. “She was also very delighted to see and know that others had an opportunity to enjoy something, rather than just allow it to go to waste.” “Events are canceled,” Fowler continued, “and sometimes for unknown reasons. Give them an opportunity to use that for people that will not have an opportunity, perhaps in life.”

Source: hereandnow.wbur.org

 

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Metro: Hungry turn to shoplifting to avoid food bank shame

Down Not Out

See an article by Nadia Gilani in the Metro:

Hungry families are turning to shoplifting just to put a meal on the table, a police chief says.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/23/hungry-turn-to-shoplifting-to-avoid-food-bank-shame-4094149/

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Decriminalizing Homelessness in America

Finally. Read about what is being done and take action in your city and state.

http://homelessnesslaw.org/2013/07/organizing-federal-action-to-combat-criminalization-of-homelessness/

http://nlchp.org/content/pubs/2013%2007%2018%20Criminalization%20Briefing%20Paper.pdf

Related articles

• Homeless In America (brainsections.wordpress.com)
• The Homeless of L.A. (behance.net)
• 5 Screwed Up New Ways America Is Abusing the Homeless (rinf.com)
• What would you do if you were homeless? (revolvingdoorbook.wordpress.com)

STATE CAPITOL: Annual Homeless Stand Down This Weekend

Wish they would do this in our state! –T.J.