300 more homeless children found in Northern California Homeless Survey

[Guest guest]

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Redding & Shasta

County Homeless Continuum of Care's yearly meeting to discuss the

results of their homeless census. Although Redding Loaves and

Fishes, as well as the Redding Homeless Alliance believe the numbers

really are significantly higher, Don Meeks presentation on the

homeless, " myth or fact " , was a refreshing fresh breath of truth for

those who are trying to make a difference in the lives of those who

are poor and less fortunate. Between Mr. Meeks presentation, and

reporter Ryan Sabalow's concern for the homeless, as well as His

attention to detail in His article, a great stride forward was made

in the fight against homelessness. Well done !!

 

Unfortunatly, the City of Reddings response to the increase in

homelessness has, for the most part, been a dramatic increase in the

Law enforcement approach, with nothing in the works to address the

real issues and problems. In a little over 3 months 21 illegal

camping tickets have been issued, as well as homeless camp sweeps

that take their possesions without due legal process. Possesions

that the Christian community, prompted by the Lord , want the

homeless to have. I believe Tulin Ozdeger, a civil rights staff

attorney at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, said

it best in a recent article. " Laws that criminalize homelessness are

not only an inhumane way to treat some of our most vulnerable

neighbors, but they frequently pose constitutional problems and do

nothing to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Many of

these measures have been successfully challenged in court as

violations of homeless persons civil rights. "

 

Redding Loaves and Fishes/Redding Homeless Alliance has been

painfully aware of the increase in homeless children, especially

during the sub freezing , record breaking temperatures and virulent

flu season we have had this winter. The Shasta County Sherif " s local

Office of Emergency services refusal to open a warming shelter

during our record breaking cold spell is nothing short of an

abomination, and listening to their represenative at a recent

meeting, we can expect the same response should a simular occurance

happen. Does it really take reports from fire depts. and hospitals

that people are suffering for City and County officals to take a

safety first, pro active, injury and sickness preventive action?

Since there is no policy or plan in place to activate opening an

emergency warming shelter, what will it take? Would you allow this

in your Town? City ?

 

The Redding Homeless Alliance is havings its 5th in a series of

Community Homeless Forums Saturday, April 7th, at 1:00 pm, Church of

the Redeemed Fellowship hall.We also have speakers available for

Churches and other organizations who are interested in the facts and

not myths about homelessness. We believe Redding is a very caring,

giving and generouse community, so we are seeking and praying for an

apartment complex donation, so we can start taking steps to getting

the most vunerable population of the homeless off the streets, women

and children. Jesus says, " Whoever receives one little child in My

name receives Me " . Please come and help us be a part of the

solution, All are welcome.

 

http://www.reddingloavesandfishes.com

 

Link to article:

http://www.redding.com/news/2007/mar/27/more-suffer-street-county/

[Guest guest]

Mr. Meeks has been a part of the Redding scene for many, many years.

 

I grew up in Redding, and his family was notorious for donating things

to families and other organizations in need. Their lumber business has

become one of the best known in the state.

 

Unfortunately at that time as well, the local response to the increase

in homeless families was very much the same...send in the law

enforcement.

 

But I have to say, the city is doing its best considering the

circumstances. Most of my father's family still lives in that area,

and I get the " latest news " from them as things go along.

 

I am glad to see that the churches and other communities are stepping

up and helping out in this era. Hats off to them all.

 

From a TRUE northern California girl...

 

Dawn

 

 

 

, " cam_fong_as_chin_ho7 "

<cam_fong_as_chin_ho7 wrote:

>

> Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Redding & Shasta

> County Homeless Continuum of Care's yearly meeting to discuss the

> results of their homeless census. Although Redding Loaves and

> Fishes, as well as the Redding Homeless Alliance believe the numbers

> really are significantly higher, Don Meeks presentation on the

> homeless, " myth or fact " , was a refreshing fresh breath of truth for

> those who are trying to make a difference in the lives of those who

> are poor and less fortunate. Between Mr. Meeks presentation, and

> reporter Ryan Sabalow's concern for the homeless, as well as His

> attention to detail in His article, a great stride forward was made

> in the fight against homelessness. Well done !!

>

> Unfortunatly, the City of Reddings response to the increase in

> homelessness has, for the most part, been a dramatic increase in the

> Law enforcement approach, with nothing in the works to address the

> real issues and problems. In a little over 3 months 21 illegal

> camping tickets have been issued, as well as homeless camp sweeps

> that take their possesions without due legal process. Possesions

> that the Christian community, prompted by the Lord , want the

> homeless to have. I believe Tulin Ozdeger, a civil rights staff

> attorney at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, said

> it best in a recent article. " Laws that criminalize homelessness are

> not only an inhumane way to treat some of our most vulnerable

> neighbors, but they frequently pose constitutional problems and do

> nothing to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Many of

> these measures have been successfully challenged in court as

> violations of homeless persons civil rights. "

>

> Redding Loaves and Fishes/Redding Homeless Alliance has been

> painfully aware of the increase in homeless children, especially

> during the sub freezing , record breaking temperatures and virulent

> flu season we have had this winter. The Shasta County Sherif " s local

> Office of Emergency services refusal to open a warming shelter

> during our record breaking cold spell is nothing short of an

> abomination, and listening to their represenative at a recent

> meeting, we can expect the same response should a simular occurance

> happen. Does it really take reports from fire depts. and hospitals

> that people are suffering for City and County officals to take a

> safety first, pro active, injury and sickness preventive action?

> Since there is no policy or plan in place to activate opening an

> emergency warming shelter, what will it take? Would you allow this

> in your Town? City ?

>

> The Redding Homeless Alliance is havings its 5th in a series of

> Community Homeless Forums Saturday, April 7th, at 1:00 pm, Church of

> the Redeemed Fellowship hall.We also have speakers available for

> Churches and other organizations who are interested in the facts and

> not myths about homelessness. We believe Redding is a very caring,

> giving and generouse community, so we are seeking and praying for an

> apartment complex donation, so we can start taking steps to getting

> the most vunerable population of the homeless off the streets, women

> and children. Jesus says, " Whoever receives one little child in My

> name receives Me " . Please come and help us be a part of the

> solution, All are welcome.

>

> http://www.reddingloavesandfishes.com

>

> Link to article:

> http://www.redding.com/news/2007/mar/27/more-suffer-street-county/

>