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*
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