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Fade to black – Is government leveraging homeless agencies out of business? Thursday, March, 4, 2010
Is politics the problem or the solution to homelessness? Monday, March, 1, 2010
Why do you hate in the name of God? Monday, February, 22, 2010
Cardboard is for shipping, not for housing Thursday, February, 18, 2010
Throw the bums out—RPG game re homeless should be sent back Monday, February, 15, 2010
Down-sizing affordable housing could increase the reduction of homelessness Thursday, February, 11, 2010
Down and exploited in Beverly Hills - Is TMZ.com exploiters? Monday, February, 8, 2010
Is marriage the solution to poverty or is it the cause of poverty? Saturday, February, 6, 2010
Book on homeless man and Los Angeles journalist is highlighted by Long Beach Book Week Thursday, February, 4, 2010
Why homelessness is decreasing while hunger and poverty is increasing
Monday, January, 25, 2010
Sometimes Preventing Homeless Deaths Don’t Work
I wish we could’ve saved Paul. That was the goal six months ago, when I stood in front of 100 community volunteers explaining to them why we were going to wake up at five in the morning for the next three days to interview people who were homeless on the streets of the civic center of Long Beach, California.
“We are going to save lives,” I proclaimed to the eager group of people who wanted to help those less fortunate on our streets. If we can document their state of vulnerabilities, and then start putting them in housing, we can save lives. Literally.
As of this month, we are on track to house 41 people. Almost 12 percent of the whole homeless population in the center of Long Beach, one of only a few cities whose downtown is on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
I’m sorry to say, however, that Paul didn’t make it. A few days ago, his lifeless body was found on the edge of the water. Officials don’t think his death was because of the inclement weather those of us in Southern California have endured in the past week.
All we know is that he is no longer alive.
At least, his death was marked in a tiny article in the local newspaper. For most deaths of people who are homeless, they pass from this life to the next anonymously. At least, Paul had some recognition.
Just like life, death should be dignified. That’s why the living remember loved ones with some sense of ceremony.
Sadly, however, Paul’s last breaths of life were probably not dignified.
Those of us in Long Beach, are frantically working to house as many of the 345 people living on the streets, so that no more people will pass away on our streets. Such a degrading way to end life.
How I wish more people in our community, and for that matter, in our country would see homelessness as a matter of life and death. The same sense of urgency we currently carry while addressing the crisis in Haiti.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a community be in such frantic frenzy because they are worried that their citizens might die on their streets?
If that were the case, I think Paul would still be alive today.
Ask your readers: Do they ever take a few minutes to actually talk to one of us as if we were human beings? Doing that would go a long way toward cleaning up the badly tarnished image all homeless people are forced to wear.
Posted 2010-02-18 16:04:06
This man relieved himself on her Bible. I was shocked and naive to learned that not all homeless are victims like those in Haiti but are homeless because of a succession of poor choices. I think you'll never see people react to the homeless situation like they do to the Haiti earthquake. Don't get me wrong, I'm positive many homeless are legitimately hurting and had things happen beyond their control but the public will never see them with the same compassion.
I thank God for your compassion and I pray that you feel the joy of being God's hands extended to the homeless. It can be a thankless job but you can accomplish much.
Posted 2010-01-24 20:44:48
When Celebrities Do Good... Tuesday, February 26, 2008
"Not In My Lobby" Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Is Immigration Increasing Poverty In America? Thursday, November 27, 2008
On This Thanksgiving Day... Friday, March 7, 2008
I’m Worried...
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