Our community immersion took us to Hope School, a school for homeless children located in Orange, CA. The original school was located in a chuch near the heart of Old Town Orange, and just a block away from Chapman University. The learning settings were located in spacieous rooms that were decorated with bright primary colors. Hope school was located adjacent to a YMCA that closed down but allowed them to use their gym and grounds.
Yet, everything changed when Hope School had to relocate about three miles North of its location when thei school did not pass an earthquake inspection. Now the school is located within a shopping center off of a busy street. Their vicinity contains a park and a food restaurant. The classroom boundaries are less defined because of the tight space and setting. I imagine the students' transition from the original school to its current location must have been quite a shock because of is austere setting. A school is usually meant to emit warmth and friendly surroundings, not the money-making look of a shopping center. However, the physical boundaries defined by this setting are minor. School allows us to break barriers, open the boundaries of our mind and fly away into a different world of books and knowledge. In this sense, Hope school has no boundaries. It has no boundaries because it gives the disenfranchised children of Orange County the opportunity to learn in a safe and stable environment, when everything else in their life is less than stable.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Neighborhood Boundaries: Costa Mesa
One of my most memorable moments of the community immersion was the visit to The Costa Mesa Motor Inn. It made me realize how much I take for granted within my community, especially the freedom to roam in and around my immediate community. The inn is located off a very busy street (Harbor Blvd.), which serves as a clear boundary for families with small children. The families living in the inn must have children in order to become tenants of the community, which by definition means they are placing their family unit within the vicinity of a busy street, full of fast passing cars and businesses. This is an environmental disadvantage and advantage because they have access to many businesses, but are not located in a child friendly (safe) neighborhood.
However, the boundaries of this site are much more complex than those I have ever had to experience. These families have transitioned from living on the streets, cars, and shelters to living on a stable setting that has a nice pool, nice yard and friendly staff to help them deal with the tough transition. Therefore, although the larger boundaries of the Motor Inn are not placed in an ideal community, the community within the community have provided safe boundaries for many of these families. A perfect example of this was given to us by Paul when he spoke of a family who did not venture out of their apartment for weeks. His story was beautiful because it reminded us that many of us take our four walls, our many rooms, and our safety for granted. All one had to remember in this story was that this family had transitioned from living outside, where they didn't have privacy or a place to call their own. Now they had a home, and this made all the difference.
The boundaries of this neighborhood are complex and unusual because the creators of the program have created a model that provides most resources from within the compound. Their physical boundaries may be well defined by the size of the inn; but the freedom, supplies, and peace they receive from the many resources (e.g. counseling, afterschool programming...) within the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, removes the greater boundaries of life.
However, the boundaries of this site are much more complex than those I have ever had to experience. These families have transitioned from living on the streets, cars, and shelters to living on a stable setting that has a nice pool, nice yard and friendly staff to help them deal with the tough transition. Therefore, although the larger boundaries of the Motor Inn are not placed in an ideal community, the community within the community have provided safe boundaries for many of these families. A perfect example of this was given to us by Paul when he spoke of a family who did not venture out of their apartment for weeks. His story was beautiful because it reminded us that many of us take our four walls, our many rooms, and our safety for granted. All one had to remember in this story was that this family had transitioned from living outside, where they didn't have privacy or a place to call their own. Now they had a home, and this made all the difference.
The boundaries of this neighborhood are complex and unusual because the creators of the program have created a model that provides most resources from within the compound. Their physical boundaries may be well defined by the size of the inn; but the freedom, supplies, and peace they receive from the many resources (e.g. counseling, afterschool programming...) within the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, removes the greater boundaries of life.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Neighborhood Boundaries: Santa Ana - Civic Center and Isaiah's House
Civic Center is a known area where the homeless go to received a free meal. The Civic Center is located across the street from the Santa Ana Library off of Ross Street. This area consists of Government, City and private businesses. Most people who work in this area, do not live in the City. Those non-residents tend to drive nice cars, and wear expensive suits, while the homeless stair and watch them go by. Employees that work around the Civic Center tend to quickly walk by ignoring the area where meals are being provided for the homeless. Catholic-worker a privately funded not for-profit organization are the ones providing this service.Dwight and Leia Smith direct Isaiah's house and are members of Catholic Worker, a religious movement that believes Christians are called to serve the poor. They earn no salary, eat with the homeless they serve and rely on volunteers from parishes, mosques, churches and schools. Dwight and Leia are strong advocates for the homeless. Isaiah's House received criticism in the past for housing people that are drug and alcohol users along with families and children. Isaiah's house never said no to anyone as long as they did not use drugs or alcohol on the premises. Now, they are only able to serve women and children. Dwight and Leia's efforts to help the homeless have been tested numerous times. For example, in 2003 a city code enforcement administrator ruled that Isaiah House, which serves 3,000 meals a day and provides beds for up to 150 homeless people, violates zoning laws by operating in a residential neighborhood. (http://la.indymedia.org/news/2003/11/95746_comment.php)
During my experience walking the streets of Santa Ana and seeing it through the eyes of a homeless person, it made me very sad to know that there are not very many services offered to the homeless population. Not to mention, most shelters cater to women and children only. For a homeless man to find a shelter at night, his only option is the Salvation Army, which does not house enough to shelter everyone. Other shelters that might be able to house them have requirements such as a credit check or one has to be drug free, or enter a worship program. The homeless population struggles to get resources that help them get by. It seems that the resources that are available to them are almost unreachable for them because there are too many requirements involved.
There are no parameters or boundaries for the homeless. If they get lucky to get into a shelter, they have to get up early in the morning and roam the streets again to find food and shelter for the next day. It is there routine of life. Many of them look for work and try to look for affordable housing. With high rents and strict credit report checks, it is almost impossible for a person to get by on their own. The system makes it hard for anyone that comes from a low socioeconomic status to get ahead in life. Like the saying goes the rich get richer, and the poorer get poorer.
People tend to ignore the homeless population, they have a misconception that they are lazy and do not want to work, therefore do not deserve help. When people see a homeless person, they turn the other way. As one homeless man stated "there is a war against homelessness." After speaking to some homeless citizens, I realized that they are an ignored and oppressed group. Consequently, it is hard for them to get ahead in life. The City of Santa Ana has not come up with ways to solve homelessness. Citizens like Dwight and Leia advocate strongly for the homeless, but some how their kindness gets interrupted. In order to end homelessness, cities, counties, governments and citizens need to come together in order to find a solution.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to Isaiah's house please visit their website at http://occatholicworker.org/index.php for more information.
*Picture taken from JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER*
Social Networks
When you think of social networks what comes to mind? For the average person, specific clubs, group, organizations and friends are immediate things that come to mind. What about within th homeless community? Social networks takes on a completely different face when you are homeless. For the homeless population in Orange County, social networks are scarce. There are several programs, full of dedicated and hard working volunteers in Orange County that are working to change this. CHAT-H, Project Hope, and Isaiah House are three programs that seem to be making a tangible difference within differnt cities in Orange County.
These programs have done something that many have failed to do and that is to make resources accessible and improve the ability of the homeless to expand their own sphere of networks. How have they done this? They have brought social services, mental health services, and wrap around services together in one place to assist the homeless. These programs have formed a solid collaboration within the community and have worked to increase their accessibility and exposure to the homeless.
Attending college opened up a world for me that I would not have otherwise been exposed to. I was able to meet new people, foster relationships, join professional organizations and learn about financial resources and assistance for school. My "reach" and ability to obtain resources greatly improved due to my exposure to differnt social networks. In essence, this is what CHAT-H, Isaiah House and Project Hope have done for the homeless. Through collaboration and gathering of services, these programs have effectively expanded the "reach" of the homeless and are dogmatically tackling this issue in Orange County.
These programs have done something that many have failed to do and that is to make resources accessible and improve the ability of the homeless to expand their own sphere of networks. How have they done this? They have brought social services, mental health services, and wrap around services together in one place to assist the homeless. These programs have formed a solid collaboration within the community and have worked to increase their accessibility and exposure to the homeless.
Attending college opened up a world for me that I would not have otherwise been exposed to. I was able to meet new people, foster relationships, join professional organizations and learn about financial resources and assistance for school. My "reach" and ability to obtain resources greatly improved due to my exposure to differnt social networks. In essence, this is what CHAT-H, Isaiah House and Project Hope have done for the homeless. Through collaboration and gathering of services, these programs have effectively expanded the "reach" of the homeless and are dogmatically tackling this issue in Orange County.
Community Assets and Risks
What holds the community together when it seems like it’s all crumbling around? In our Neighborhood Visit to Santa Ana we had a chance to explore this question and see where the city and its people’s assets and risks stand.
We arrived in Santa Ana and walked up the street to Civic Center to begin our service by feeding the homeless. In the short walk the city was clean and had lot’s of trees with a new business being built. There were many nice restaurants to serve the businesses surround the area. There were no churches, schools or social service agencies. Overall it seemed like the average down town in any other city.
However, as we approached the park to feed the homeless the lunch line came into focus and you could see folding tables with people serving lunch. These efforts were being led by Dwight from the Isaiah House a shelter for woman and children in Santa Ana and one of the city’s biggest assets.
The biggest risk in the City of Santa Ana comes from the city legislation working towards homelessness in a less than humanitarian way. Through city ordnances it was became a crime to be homeless more so than a social and community issue. Santa Ana is a resilient city and with new innovative programs like CHAT-H, this community will work towards eradicating homelessness.
~ Judy Valenzuela
We arrived in Santa Ana and walked up the street to Civic Center to begin our service by feeding the homeless. In the short walk the city was clean and had lot’s of trees with a new business being built. There were many nice restaurants to serve the businesses surround the area. There were no churches, schools or social service agencies. Overall it seemed like the average down town in any other city.
However, as we approached the park to feed the homeless the lunch line came into focus and you could see folding tables with people serving lunch. These efforts were being led by Dwight from the Isaiah House a shelter for woman and children in Santa Ana and one of the city’s biggest assets.
The biggest risk in the City of Santa Ana comes from the city legislation working towards homelessness in a less than humanitarian way. Through city ordnances it was became a crime to be homeless more so than a social and community issue. Santa Ana is a resilient city and with new innovative programs like CHAT-H, this community will work towards eradicating homelessness.
~ Judy Valenzuela
Local Facilities
Costa Mesa Motor Inn: The Costa Mesa Motor Inn is an emergency shelter that can house up to seventy-seven families. The Inn specifically assists families with children that are Orange County residents, and presently there are no specific requirements for families to qualify for this emergency resource. The goal at Costa Mesa Motor Inn is to provide emergency shelter for needy families, and to assist those individuals with available support and services. Through this service, Community Health Assessment Team-Homeless' (CHAT-H) goal is to make families self-reliant.
Upon arrival, families are interviewed to assess their specific needs. After this process, the family is given two weeks of free housing so that they have the opportunity to rehabilitate. Later, it is determined just how much a family has to contribute for renting costs according to how much they are able to afford; this is determined by using a sliding scale. Some families may pay up to $700 in housing costs, needing only a $100 donation in order to fulfill the $800 renting cost, while others may need a much higher contribution in order to fulfill the requirement at the Inn.
The average family at the Inn needs about $450 in donations to assist them in their renting costs. This is equivalent to $24 a night, per family. The families have about a year or two in the program while they become independent and self-reliant. In addition to these rent subsidies, the Inn also offers the individuals an array of programs and services to help them move forward and set them on the path to independence. Interns and students from nearby schools are dedicated in providing private tutoring for children as well as counseling services creating business opportunities for more funding.
The local church also comes in to do crafts with the children. Although the Inn is not faith-based and does not require families to participate in faith-based programs, they work with all denominations.
A Head Start program is located nearby from the Inn which gives an opportunity for the parents of these children to participate in parenting classes in order to address the needs of their family in time of crisis. Mobile health buses also make routine visits to the Inn offering health services that address concerns families might have.
The wonderful aspect of this Inn is that it provides what a particular needy family needs most in a time of crisis: temporary housing. Many organizations, public and private, may donate clothing, food, even money, but very very of these donate temporary housing. With 35,000 homeless individuals in Orange County, most of them being women and children, have access to only emergency shelters and 1,500 beds, some of them placing restrictions on families.
The Costa Mesa Motor Inn, with funding from the Illumination Foundation, provides families and children a place to call home, needed stability and support to help them on their way back to success.
Upon arrival, families are interviewed to assess their specific needs. After this process, the family is given two weeks of free housing so that they have the opportunity to rehabilitate. Later, it is determined just how much a family has to contribute for renting costs according to how much they are able to afford; this is determined by using a sliding scale. Some families may pay up to $700 in housing costs, needing only a $100 donation in order to fulfill the $800 renting cost, while others may need a much higher contribution in order to fulfill the requirement at the Inn.
The average family at the Inn needs about $450 in donations to assist them in their renting costs. This is equivalent to $24 a night, per family. The families have about a year or two in the program while they become independent and self-reliant. In addition to these rent subsidies, the Inn also offers the individuals an array of programs and services to help them move forward and set them on the path to independence. Interns and students from nearby schools are dedicated in providing private tutoring for children as well as counseling services creating business opportunities for more funding.
The local church also comes in to do crafts with the children. Although the Inn is not faith-based and does not require families to participate in faith-based programs, they work with all denominations.
A Head Start program is located nearby from the Inn which gives an opportunity for the parents of these children to participate in parenting classes in order to address the needs of their family in time of crisis. Mobile health buses also make routine visits to the Inn offering health services that address concerns families might have.
The wonderful aspect of this Inn is that it provides what a particular needy family needs most in a time of crisis: temporary housing. Many organizations, public and private, may donate clothing, food, even money, but very very of these donate temporary housing. With 35,000 homeless individuals in Orange County, most of them being women and children, have access to only emergency shelters and 1,500 beds, some of them placing restrictions on families.
The Costa Mesa Motor Inn, with funding from the Illumination Foundation, provides families and children a place to call home, needed stability and support to help them on their way back to success.
Outside Perspective
THE OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE
In understanding the homeless population, many people who have had only an outside perspective lack the ability to fully understand the overwhelming difficulties this population faces. Many people who have had an inside perspective have come closer to tightening the gap in understanding the hardships and seeing individuals in a broader socio-economic and situational context. If an outside person has not visited such facilities such as the Costa Mesa Motor Inn and Isaiah’s house, the outside perspective can only limit the intelligence one will possess about these average everyday individuals and their families who really just need some “real assistance.” Many people have a bias opinion about the homeless population without really knowing what may go on at other “complicated” assistance facilities.
There are facilities available to the population, yet all their rules and regulations deter the target population from utilizing the services. In some eyes, this is seen as the homeless’ fault, yet those who believe that are the people who have had limited contact with these individuals and their families and do not understand the difficulties that some of these facilities put on their clients. The outside perspective questions why the homeless would deny themselves shelter and a meal, but do not see at times they are compromising their own personal freedom by entering the shelter. Some assistance shelters have a minimum stay and population standard such as males only or mothers and children. What will happen if there is a whole family wishing to stay together? No smoking, alcoholics, and drug user policies have also deterred individuals in pursuing assistance because the assistance only applies to people who are “fully” clean.
Though many individuals express concern for the troubles of the homeless, some outsiders express concern about successful programs bringing in numerous outsiders with numerous social problems. What needs to be seen is that the advantage of having more facilities offered with more funding would assist the homeless receive more concentrated services from social services. This in turn will get more of the population off the streets and receiving the proper assistance they need.
COMMUNITY ASSETS and RISKS
During the Community Immersion visit, concentrating on the homeless population to the cities of Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Orange, I became aware of the community resources available to individuals as well as the need for additional services. Emergency housing in the three cities that I visited did not entirely meet community needs. Overall, there were not enough emergency shelters available, particularly for homeless men. Similarly, the transitional housing available had unrealistic requirements such as having good credit and maintaining employment. Below is a brief description of some of the community assets available to those individuals experiencing crisis:
Costa Mesa Motor Inn: This emergency shelter for families is made possible by the Illumination Foundation. It houses up to 75 families. They provide wrap-around services for their families such as Head Start, tutoring for the children, therapeutic services, enrichment programs for the children, focus groups, and local schools go on site to complete registration. Local synagogues and Mariner’s Church are additional community assets that provide services and financial contributions to the community.
Isaiah House: This is a privately funded emergency shelter currently operated by Dwight and Leia Smith. Established 21 years ago, the Smiths consider their home a free space for up to 150 women and children. In addition to emergency housing, meals are provided and distributed by the Santa Ana Civic Center.
Project HOPE: This is a K-8th grade school for up to fifty homeless children operating on a year-round bsis. Project HOPE provides transportation to and from the school in Orange. The organization collaborates with the Boys and Girls Club for after-school enrichment programs.
Costa Mesa Motor Inn: This emergency shelter for families is made possible by the Illumination Foundation. It houses up to 75 families. They provide wrap-around services for their families such as Head Start, tutoring for the children, therapeutic services, enrichment programs for the children, focus groups, and local schools go on site to complete registration. Local synagogues and Mariner’s Church are additional community assets that provide services and financial contributions to the community.
Isaiah House: This is a privately funded emergency shelter currently operated by Dwight and Leia Smith. Established 21 years ago, the Smiths consider their home a free space for up to 150 women and children. In addition to emergency housing, meals are provided and distributed by the Santa Ana Civic Center.
Project HOPE: This is a K-8th grade school for up to fifty homeless children operating on a year-round bsis. Project HOPE provides transportation to and from the school in Orange. The organization collaborates with the Boys and Girls Club for after-school enrichment programs.
Evidence of Diversity
With an estimated 340,024 residents (U.S. Census, 2000), Santa Ana is one of the largest, most diverse cities in California: Hispanics (76.1%), Whites (42.7%), Asians, (8.8%), Blacks (1.7%) and American Indians (1.2%). The homeless population is no exception.
During the walkabout, the group saw homeless persons from, it appeared, each ethnic and racial demographic while visiting Civic Center Park. There were children (single mothers and entire families), adolescents, seniors, and couples. The group also learned that the homeless population, in general, is diverse in terms of age, education, former status. For instance, one of the youngest homeless persons housed at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, under CHAT-H, was 9-days-old. At least two guests at Isaiah House were in their 80's. There were also homeless people who had earned college degrees many years before becoming homeless; however, there was one person the group we spoke to who earned a degree while homeless. He graduated with a 3.8 G.P.A.
Their reasons for being homeless were as diverse as their population and ran the gamut from mental illness, addiction, inability to pay rent or mortgage, unemployment, medical condition that made it impossible to work or exhausted their savings. There were others who were homeless due to criminal records or violation of parole or probation that forced them out of their homes.
Social workers will need to find solutions that will address a diverse homeless population.
During the walkabout, the group saw homeless persons from, it appeared, each ethnic and racial demographic while visiting Civic Center Park. There were children (single mothers and entire families), adolescents, seniors, and couples. The group also learned that the homeless population, in general, is diverse in terms of age, education, former status. For instance, one of the youngest homeless persons housed at the Costa Mesa Motor Inn, under CHAT-H, was 9-days-old. At least two guests at Isaiah House were in their 80's. There were also homeless people who had earned college degrees many years before becoming homeless; however, there was one person the group we spoke to who earned a degree while homeless. He graduated with a 3.8 G.P.A.
Their reasons for being homeless were as diverse as their population and ran the gamut from mental illness, addiction, inability to pay rent or mortgage, unemployment, medical condition that made it impossible to work or exhausted their savings. There were others who were homeless due to criminal records or violation of parole or probation that forced them out of their homes.
Social workers will need to find solutions that will address a diverse homeless population.
References
U.S. Census Bureau (2000). Retrieved August 31, 2008 from
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Additional Mutual Aid
Opening their home to many homeless individuals and families in Santa Ana, Dwight and Leia Smith have been active advocates on the war against homelessness ever since January, 1996. Privately funded Isaiah House not only offers their "guests" daily meals for single women and families with children, but also provides bags of food and clothing. Affiliated with the Catholic Church, Isaiah House also collaborates with the Project Hope School in Orange, providing K-8th grade level education to homeless children.
Located on bustling Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Motor Inn is a temporary housing facilitiy providing emergency shelter and resources for homeless families to help them transition back into society. There are currently seventy-five rooms, five of which are used for counseling. Across the street from Costa Mesa Motor Inn, numerous shops, such as Target, McDonald's restaurant and Home Depot, are available for residents. Within close proximity of Costa Mesa Motor Inn, there is a Head-Start program, a local park, and a counseling facility.
Other Non-Profit Institutions and Shelters Available in Anaheim and Santa Ana:
Anaheim Interfaith Shelter: Transitional housing program working with families to establish permanent housing and stability. For more information, please visit: http://www.aishalcyon.org/
Orange County Rescue Mission: Accepting homeless individuals of all faith, Orange County Rescue Mission uses Biblical ideologies in their programs from parenting to financial services, helping their clients to become more independent and self-sufficient. For more information, please visit: http://www.rescuemission.org/default.htm
Located on bustling Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Motor Inn is a temporary housing facilitiy providing emergency shelter and resources for homeless families to help them transition back into society. There are currently seventy-five rooms, five of which are used for counseling. Across the street from Costa Mesa Motor Inn, numerous shops, such as Target, McDonald's restaurant and Home Depot, are available for residents. Within close proximity of Costa Mesa Motor Inn, there is a Head-Start program, a local park, and a counseling facility.
Other Non-Profit Institutions and Shelters Available in Anaheim and Santa Ana:
Anaheim Interfaith Shelter: Transitional housing program working with families to establish permanent housing and stability. For more information, please visit: http://www.aishalcyon.org/
Orange County Rescue Mission: Accepting homeless individuals of all faith, Orange County Rescue Mission uses Biblical ideologies in their programs from parenting to financial services, helping their clients to become more independent and self-sufficient. For more information, please visit: http://www.rescuemission.org/default.htm
Types of Available Mutual Aid
According to some of the homeless people interviewed at the Santa Ana Civic Center, their available resources are as follows:
General Relief*: Approximately $270 per month. Homeless individuals were having difficulty applying for and receiving assistance due to insufficient documents.
Unemployment*: Homeless individuals claimed that they were having difficulty getting assistance by telephone.
Food Stamps*: Have limited choices of common, every day food products. For example, no sodas and no expensive meat.
Medical/ Medicare*
Homeless Shelters*: Limited supply in Santa Ana; usually for families or single women only; Salvation Army admits single men only; arrival time before 2PM is mandatory.
Transitional Housing*: Not many homeless people are aware of their existence or availablity. Those needing assistance can only apply for admission if they have already completed a homeless program. The entire application process can take up to several months.
Section 8* Housing voucher: government would be able to assist with rent subsidies; the waiting period is up to 5-7 years.
Local social services agencies
Government assistance* Department of Social Services: the department requires applicants to follow up quarterly and to fill out forms with current financial data. If the applicant does not have a mailing address or applicants do not return the data form every 3 months, benefits will be suspended.
General Relief*: Approximately $270 per month. Homeless individuals were having difficulty applying for and receiving assistance due to insufficient documents.
Unemployment*: Homeless individuals claimed that they were having difficulty getting assistance by telephone.
Food Stamps*: Have limited choices of common, every day food products. For example, no sodas and no expensive meat.
Medical/ Medicare*
Homeless Shelters*: Limited supply in Santa Ana; usually for families or single women only; Salvation Army admits single men only; arrival time before 2PM is mandatory.
Transitional Housing*: Not many homeless people are aware of their existence or availablity. Those needing assistance can only apply for admission if they have already completed a homeless program. The entire application process can take up to several months.
Section 8* Housing voucher: government would be able to assist with rent subsidies; the waiting period is up to 5-7 years.
Local social services agencies
Government assistance* Department of Social Services: the department requires applicants to follow up quarterly and to fill out forms with current financial data. If the applicant does not have a mailing address or applicants do not return the data form every 3 months, benefits will be suspended.
Social Control and Homelessness
Social Control.
The city of Santa Ana attempts to exert social control over the situation of homelessness by passing ordinances that prohibit the possession of camping paraphernalia in public spaces in its municipal code. Click below to see Article VIII. Camping and Storage of Personal Property.
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=14452&sid=5
Examples of social control in other cities:
In Outlawing Homelessness, Kristen Brown (1999) criticizes the criminalization of homelessness for three different reasons: (a) punishing homelessness will no eradicate it, (b) it puts an added burden on the criminal justice system and its resources, (c) it provides no benefits for homeless individuals or the dispute over public spaces. She also provides examples of legislation criminalizing homeless in Massachusettes, Miami, Seattle, Tucson, etc.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/106/brown.html
Monterey, California. Accessed through the city of Monterey Police Department’s website, it is a webpage specifically designed to orient residents on how to deal with the homeless in their community. The website is careful to note that the police department reserves the right to deal with people, including homeless, when their activities are unlawful or impact the health and safety of the community. However, among the tips to “avoiding problems” with homeless individuals, the website lists, “Do not offer food or money,” and “Trim back landscaping and foliage to eliminate hiding places.” The language used throughout the website implies a distinction that separates the homeless from the rest of the “community.” In addition, the bottom of the webpage cites specific city ordinances. Among the ordinances cited, the city prohibits begging, camping in unauthorized locations, camping in vehicles, trespassing on private property, and loitering in parking facilities. While the website is careful to mention that “being homeless is not a crime, ” any evidence of homelessness appears to be prohibited by the city.
http://www.monterey.org/mpd/get_informed/homeless_issues.html
The city of Santa Ana attempts to exert social control over the situation of homelessness by passing ordinances that prohibit the possession of camping paraphernalia in public spaces in its municipal code. Click below to see Article VIII. Camping and Storage of Personal Property.
http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=14452&sid=5
Examples of social control in other cities:
In Outlawing Homelessness, Kristen Brown (1999) criticizes the criminalization of homelessness for three different reasons: (a) punishing homelessness will no eradicate it, (b) it puts an added burden on the criminal justice system and its resources, (c) it provides no benefits for homeless individuals or the dispute over public spaces. She also provides examples of legislation criminalizing homeless in Massachusettes, Miami, Seattle, Tucson, etc.
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/106/brown.html
Monterey, California. Accessed through the city of Monterey Police Department’s website, it is a webpage specifically designed to orient residents on how to deal with the homeless in their community. The website is careful to note that the police department reserves the right to deal with people, including homeless, when their activities are unlawful or impact the health and safety of the community. However, among the tips to “avoiding problems” with homeless individuals, the website lists, “Do not offer food or money,” and “Trim back landscaping and foliage to eliminate hiding places.” The language used throughout the website implies a distinction that separates the homeless from the rest of the “community.” In addition, the bottom of the webpage cites specific city ordinances. Among the ordinances cited, the city prohibits begging, camping in unauthorized locations, camping in vehicles, trespassing on private property, and loitering in parking facilities. While the website is careful to mention that “being homeless is not a crime, ” any evidence of homelessness appears to be prohibited by the city.
http://www.monterey.org/mpd/get_informed/homeless_issues.html
Civic Engagement And Three Programs Serving the Homeless
Civic engagement means getting involved in a cause that addresses social and/or political issues that effect individuals and their quality of life.
See http://www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial2/coll_aascu_defi.html, for a more specific definition.
The three organizations that we visited during Community Immersion all promote and participate in civic engagement to better the services, resources and standard of living for the homeless in Orange County.
CHAT-H founders Dr. Handler and Paul Leon, RN, PHN both promoted the issue of dealing with homeless families in Santa Ana by lobbying at the county level. Their commitment to offering service to homeless individuals motivated them to talk about a subject that many people just don't want to discuss. Currently, CHAT-H is sponsored by the Illumination Foundation, whose mission is to promote awareness, involvement and action to eradicate homelessness. Please visit their web site and get involved: http://www.ifhomeless.org/Default.aspx?mod=home.
See http://www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial2/coll_aascu_defi.html, for a more specific definition.
The three organizations that we visited during Community Immersion all promote and participate in civic engagement to better the services, resources and standard of living for the homeless in Orange County.
CHAT-H founders Dr. Handler and Paul Leon, RN, PHN both promoted the issue of dealing with homeless families in Santa Ana by lobbying at the county level. Their commitment to offering service to homeless individuals motivated them to talk about a subject that many people just don't want to discuss. Currently, CHAT-H is sponsored by the Illumination Foundation, whose mission is to promote awareness, involvement and action to eradicate homelessness. Please visit their web site and get involved: http://www.ifhomeless.org/Default.aspx?mod=home.
Isaiah House participates and hosts several community services that offer food, basic necessities such as blankets, clothes, school supplies and groceries to families and community residents in need. On a larger scale, Isaiah House participates in community engagement by promoting the needs of the homeless population in Santa Ana by posting informational bytes on websites such as youtube.com The following informational post can be accessed on the net: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM8fW0MlFC0
Project Hope School advocates for the most innocent population of homeless: children. Being part of the Orange County Department of Education, Project Hope School has a platform on the local government level to advocate for the needs of homeless children and their right to a public education that will address the unique needs that families facing poverty and lack of shelter present.
We can all be part of the solution to end homelessness.
How can one individual make a difference? Volunteering your time is one of the greatest gifts we can give to impact those people in need: the disadvantage, disenfranchised and the under represented populations.
Demographics: Santa Ana, California
Population:
337, 997 residents
Males: 51.8% Median Age: 25.8 years
Females: 48.2% Median Age: 26.2 years
Ethnicity:
Santa Ana is predominantely Latino, making up 76.10% of the population.
Household Trends:
32.6% of households have 6 or more people living in one home.
Married households w/children: 45.4%
Married households w/no children: 15.10%
Non-family households w/children: .50%
Note: Families represent 81.9% of the population
Employment, Income, and Education
Median Household Income: $53,951
Graduated High School: 19.4%
Some College, No Degree: 22.2%
Bachelors Degree: 14.6%
Our Reflection:
Although Santa Ana has 62.3% of its inhabitants employed, the city still has many homeless people. During our neighborhood walkabout experience, we met with unemployed homeless individuals stating that it was incredibly difficult to find a job, and access to obtain one was limited. They claimed that without transportation, they couldn't make the interview; without a phone number to leave, employers couldn't contact them; without medical treatment, it was hard to keep a job. Santa Ana should focus on creating more jobs and helping its residents access them. With half the population being male, Santa Ana should also create more emergency shelters for men, because most shelters are only open to women with children and families. With many residents being younger, it might be best to promote the importance of education.
Information was obtained from the following websites:
http://santaana.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm and
http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/cda/documents/SantaAnaDemographicTrend-2000Census.pdf
337, 997 residents
Males: 51.8% Median Age: 25.8 years
Females: 48.2% Median Age: 26.2 years
Ethnicity:
Santa Ana is predominantely Latino, making up 76.10% of the population.
Household Trends:
32.6% of households have 6 or more people living in one home.
Married households w/children: 45.4%
Married households w/no children: 15.10%
Non-family households w/children: .50%
Note: Families represent 81.9% of the population
Employment, Income, and Education
Median Household Income: $53,951
Graduated High School: 19.4%
Some College, No Degree: 22.2%
Bachelors Degree: 14.6%
Our Reflection:
Although Santa Ana has 62.3% of its inhabitants employed, the city still has many homeless people. During our neighborhood walkabout experience, we met with unemployed homeless individuals stating that it was incredibly difficult to find a job, and access to obtain one was limited. They claimed that without transportation, they couldn't make the interview; without a phone number to leave, employers couldn't contact them; without medical treatment, it was hard to keep a job. Santa Ana should focus on creating more jobs and helping its residents access them. With half the population being male, Santa Ana should also create more emergency shelters for men, because most shelters are only open to women with children and families. With many residents being younger, it might be best to promote the importance of education.
Information was obtained from the following websites:
http://santaana.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm and
http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/cda/documents/SantaAnaDemographicTrend-2000Census.pdf
The Real Problem of Homelessness in the O.C.
The reason we don't see homelessness in Orange County is because these individuals don't necessary roam the streets (some do), instead they have to resort to finding inexpensive housing for shelter. Such places could be motels, emergency shelters that are few in number, or subletting a room in someone else's home. This unique quality about our county's homeless community makes it appear as a trivial matter to the general populace. According to Dwight Smith from the Isiah House, an emergency shelter in Santa Ana, Orange County's populuatin is the second largest in the countr,y next to Detroit, and yet we receive nothing in government aid to resolve the matter. Rather than progress with finding solutions to break down barriers to help these people, our legislators would rather utilize their time in office to "study" the matter. What we really need from these ineffective politicians is change if we ever expect to help these needy individuals.
Friday, August 29, 2008
My Adventures in Santa Ana
I wasn't sure of what was going to happen, who I was going to meet, what I would witness or just the pure fact of how I would react to the people and sights of the tri-cities. Starting off in Costa Mesa I was able to walk through the facility and realize how fortunate I am to be living in a house with my loving family. It was somewhat strange becuase just down the street was the hustle and bustle of the community, cars and retail shops. It opened my eyes and made me realize of the small things and how much I take things for granted.
Moving right along off to Santa Ana I beleive this is where it truly hit home for me. That day I met a man named Joseph who was a community college graduate originally from Laguna Beach. He had attended Saddleback College and had a 12 yr old son in Germany. Through his story I was able to identify with him the most simply because I would have never realized, noticed or known that "homeless" meant "college graduate" he truly opened my eyes and showed me that even with a college degree you can be attending school trying to acheive dreams but sleep out in the open cold on a city bench and reiceve 12 expensive tickets.
After meeting Joseph we met Dwight at Issiah's House a couple of blocks down, He was a man of great ideas, passion and compassion for the people he chose to serve. It is unfortunate that even with all the hardwork and passionate fights, Dwight still struggles with the system being so messed up and is angered at the failed system. Gave me more a passion to do well and do no harm as a future social worker.
After the events of Santa Ana, we had met Lori with the Project Hope School. I was actually excited and grateful to meet her. I have a secret passion of teaching and to see first hand what she does and accomplishes on a daily basis makes me excited and happy for the future. I only wished that we were able to meet the students!
I will never forget the day I was on the streets meeting and talking to a lot of different people and to see first hand what happens when the system fails made me want to stive that much more and come back to serve the underprivileged.
Moving right along off to Santa Ana I beleive this is where it truly hit home for me. That day I met a man named Joseph who was a community college graduate originally from Laguna Beach. He had attended Saddleback College and had a 12 yr old son in Germany. Through his story I was able to identify with him the most simply because I would have never realized, noticed or known that "homeless" meant "college graduate" he truly opened my eyes and showed me that even with a college degree you can be attending school trying to acheive dreams but sleep out in the open cold on a city bench and reiceve 12 expensive tickets.
After meeting Joseph we met Dwight at Issiah's House a couple of blocks down, He was a man of great ideas, passion and compassion for the people he chose to serve. It is unfortunate that even with all the hardwork and passionate fights, Dwight still struggles with the system being so messed up and is angered at the failed system. Gave me more a passion to do well and do no harm as a future social worker.
After the events of Santa Ana, we had met Lori with the Project Hope School. I was actually excited and grateful to meet her. I have a secret passion of teaching and to see first hand what she does and accomplishes on a daily basis makes me excited and happy for the future. I only wished that we were able to meet the students!
I will never forget the day I was on the streets meeting and talking to a lot of different people and to see first hand what happens when the system fails made me want to stive that much more and come back to serve the underprivileged.
PRETENDING TO BE HOMELESS!
As per Dwight's (Isaiah house) suggestion, I called six shelters today, at 10AM pretending to be
a homeless mother with two young children who are in need of food and emergency shelter.
First of all, the entire process took me several hours. I got the numbers online and made
the phone the calls. All of the shelters are in San Diego County and I will not state their names.
The first shelter I called was answered by an answering system, after several options I spoke
with an actual human, who informed me that they do not accept walk-ins and that I needed to
call the Homeless Outreach Team and find out if I qualify for the program. I did so and no one
answered. A person at the second shelter suggested that I call another phone number and that
they would be able to help me. I called and was told that the shelter is full. She transferred me to
someone else who gave me some phone numbers. Called them and got voicemail.
The third shelter is full every day, there is a waiting list, I need to physically go to the facility and
fill out forms. There is no guarantee that I will get in today, only if a spot becomes available.
The woman on the other end was very apologetic and stated that "it's very difficult here in San Diego to get into an emergency shelter." The fourth shelter is also operated by an answering
service. The fifth one suggested that I call 211 for referrals and the sixth shelter is a seasonal
shelter which is currently closed and reopens in September.
Dwight is correct when he asserts the fact that there are programs that have too many restrictions, are highly bureaucratic and are highly inefficient. This exercise proves to me that
any of us can truly be homeless. It makes me very sad and mad!
a homeless mother with two young children who are in need of food and emergency shelter.
First of all, the entire process took me several hours. I got the numbers online and made
the phone the calls. All of the shelters are in San Diego County and I will not state their names.
The first shelter I called was answered by an answering system, after several options I spoke
with an actual human, who informed me that they do not accept walk-ins and that I needed to
call the Homeless Outreach Team and find out if I qualify for the program. I did so and no one
answered. A person at the second shelter suggested that I call another phone number and that
they would be able to help me. I called and was told that the shelter is full. She transferred me to
someone else who gave me some phone numbers. Called them and got voicemail.
The third shelter is full every day, there is a waiting list, I need to physically go to the facility and
fill out forms. There is no guarantee that I will get in today, only if a spot becomes available.
The woman on the other end was very apologetic and stated that "it's very difficult here in San Diego to get into an emergency shelter." The fourth shelter is also operated by an answering
service. The fifth one suggested that I call 211 for referrals and the sixth shelter is a seasonal
shelter which is currently closed and reopens in September.
Dwight is correct when he asserts the fact that there are programs that have too many restrictions, are highly bureaucratic and are highly inefficient. This exercise proves to me that
any of us can truly be homeless. It makes me very sad and mad!
ORANGE COUNTY’S WAR ON THE HOMELESS
“America has declared a war against the homeless!” screamed Larry, a man I interviewed while collaborating with Isaiah’s House in providing meals in downtown Santa Ana. Larry, an intellectual man with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Paralegal Certificate, lost his job when the business he worked for shipped his company to a foreign country for a tax break implemented by the Bush Administration. Gary then slid down the slippery slope of living in a sober house for treatment, losing his car, and eventually ending up on the streets. With a lack of social support, family, and friends, he has been living on the streets since 2006. Despite going to job interviews he has yet to be employed because after all, as Larry stated, "Who wants to employ a homeless man?"
Since Larry has been living on the streets, his most difficult battle is fighting police officers. Citizens of Orange County are so afraid of homelessness that municipal codes in Santa Ana and neighboring cities have been enacted to arrest individuals for camping in the city or having camping paraphernalia. This blogger called the Santa Ana police department in order to record the exact municipal codes Gary was telling me he had been arrested for. Although the supervisor with whom I spoke acknowledged that camping in Santa Ana is illegal, he did not know the exact municipal codes for citing homeless individuals. The only code I was provided was the municipal code for camping in the civic center area, which is S.A. 10-550 D. This made me question, do we even know why we are arresting the homeless? Is arresting the homeless going to solve the problems of these disenfranchised people?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrPdZmPB36U
Please view this video to see how police departments, acting on behalf of its citizens, handle homelessness . . . maybe Larry was right. We have declared a war on the homeless.
Note: Larry is a pseudo name for privacy purposes and the photo was found at the following link: http://www.tommyimages.com/
Isaiah's House
Isaiah’s House is a nonprofit organization, affiliated with the Catholic Church, which provides the homeless families in Santa Ana, California emergency crisis shelter. Dwight and Leah Smith are the house managers that accept anywhere between 40 to 100 people a night for shelter. Mats are used to sleep on and food is provided. Isaiah’s house is one of the few locations in Orange County that accepts homeless individuals as they are: individuals with criminal histories, drug abuse problems, and bad credit. Isaiah’s House also collaborates with Project HOPE to assist homeless children in receiving education. To view videos of Dwight and Leah Smith, pioneers in solving the epidemic of homelessness visit the following link: http://www.occatholicworker.org/
HOMELESS CHILDREN AND SINGLE MOTHERS
Most people take the luxury of having a home for granted. The reality is that not every one is lucky enough to have a roof over their head every night. More than half of all homeless children
are under the age of six and not yet in school and many homeless kids do not attend school at all.
They roam the streets night after night, moving from place to place in search of food and shelter,
lacking medical attention and education. There are approximately 16,000 homeless children
living in the streets of Orange County. Both Isaiah House and Costa Mesa Inn give shelter to these children. Funding comes mostly from private donors. Project Hope School is a school that
teaches 55 homeless children and provides them with clothes and school materials. This progressive school not only educates the children, but provides food, clothing, structure and a shot at a better future. Costa Mesa Inn houses families and children 9 days old to 16yrs. old. They provide tutoring, wraparoundservices and counseling for their homeless children.
Single mothers head about 85% of homeless families, usually comprising a young mother and two
young children. This young homeless family is usually confronted with stressful and often traumatic events every day. According to Paul, at the Costa Mesa Inn, it is common to see young
mothers "hook up" with feared gang leaders in order to receive protection from them. Unfortunately, the reality is that these homeless women become on the receiving end of the
violence. The men that they choose to protect them become their aggressors and abuse the women and their children.
are under the age of six and not yet in school and many homeless kids do not attend school at all.
They roam the streets night after night, moving from place to place in search of food and shelter,
lacking medical attention and education. There are approximately 16,000 homeless children
living in the streets of Orange County. Both Isaiah House and Costa Mesa Inn give shelter to these children. Funding comes mostly from private donors. Project Hope School is a school that
teaches 55 homeless children and provides them with clothes and school materials. This progressive school not only educates the children, but provides food, clothing, structure and a shot at a better future. Costa Mesa Inn houses families and children 9 days old to 16yrs. old. They provide tutoring, wraparoundservices and counseling for their homeless children.
Single mothers head about 85% of homeless families, usually comprising a young mother and two
young children. This young homeless family is usually confronted with stressful and often traumatic events every day. According to Paul, at the Costa Mesa Inn, it is common to see young
mothers "hook up" with feared gang leaders in order to receive protection from them. Unfortunately, the reality is that these homeless women become on the receiving end of the
violence. The men that they choose to protect them become their aggressors and abuse the women and their children.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Homeless in Hawaii
When we think of Hawaii, we think of warm weather, beautiful beaches, exotic landscapes and attractive people flaunting on the beach. But there is another side of Hawaii that is not listed in the travel brochure: homeless people. Yes, there are homeless people in paradise, and the government is accused of doing far too little to the address the needs of this seemingly invisible population. There is one person, however, who is doing whatever it takes to find housing and other resources for Hawaii's homeless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqjBKTLtHrQ&feature=related
About five and a half minutes into the video, a tourist from Texas gives his perspective on homelessness. What is your feeling after hearing his view. Is there anything we, as social workers, can do to challenge the the stereotypical views many people have of the homeless?
About five and a half minutes into the video, a tourist from Texas gives his perspective on homelessness. What is your feeling after hearing his view. Is there anything we, as social workers, can do to challenge the the stereotypical views many people have of the homeless?
Paradise Blocks Homeless from Public Education
Advocates for the homeless accuse the State of Hawaii of blocking homeless children from attending public schools. Watch the video and voice your concerns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps0CsOSxwmA
Community Immersion - Santa Ana
Mo
Passionate, motivated MSW students pose for a picture during community walkabout. The group visited Costa Mesa Motor Inn, Isaiah House and Project Hope, entities throughout Orange County that advocate for the homeless. They also talked to homeless people in Civic Center Park in order to gain a better understanding of some of the causes of homelessness, some of the barriers the homeless encounter while attempting to access resources (or have caused them to discontinue accessing resources) and some of the concerns they have with law enforcement practices and policies that target the homeless.
Passionate, motivated MSW students pose for a picture during community walkabout. The group visited Costa Mesa Motor Inn, Isaiah House and Project Hope, entities throughout Orange County that advocate for the homeless. They also talked to homeless people in Civic Center Park in order to gain a better understanding of some of the causes of homelessness, some of the barriers the homeless encounter while attempting to access resources (or have caused them to discontinue accessing resources) and some of the concerns they have with law enforcement practices and policies that target the homeless.
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