Korean War Veteran Patrols Streets for Homeless

Korean War vet keeps homeless warm at night
San Diego Union Tribune
Pam Kragen
January 2, 2018

Since 2011, the campaign has distributed more than 3,250 sleeping bags. About 40 percent of downtown’s homeless population are veterans, Field said, but the bags are distributed to any one in clear need.

San Diego Veterans for Peace volunteer Stan Levin, 88, gives Shayne Dunn, who is homeless, a package of food before he and Gilbert Fields, background, a new sleeping bag in downtown San Diego on Friday. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

At age 88, Korean War veteran Stan Levin has earned the right to spend all his evenings in the warm comfort of his Serra Mesa home.

But several nights a month for the past six years, Levin has patrolled the streets of downtown San Diego, handing out free sleeping bags, socks and snacks to homeless men and women he finds sleeping on the sidewalks.

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Pathway to Profit Mentally Ill Get Eviction Notices

EXCLUSIVE: Mentally disabled New Yorkers face eviction as Pathways to Housing program fails to pay landlords
Landlords have given 1,300 eviction notices in the last four years to mentally disabled clients of Pathways to Housing, records show.
The nonprofit program is mired in debt and as of February, owed landlords $1.6 million in back rent, with the average payment six months overdue.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY GREG B. SMITH
Sunday, September 7, 2014

The group is mired in debt, dropping from a $1 million surplus in 2008 to a $3 million deficit last year, records show. As of February, it owed landlords $1.6 million in back rent, with the average payment six months overdue.

In March, the Office of Mental Health questioned an “excessive number of administrative staff on the payroll,” according to a letter from a department official to Pathways Director Georgia Boothe.

The group’s president, Sam Tsemberis, made nearly $300,000 in 2013. Boothe made $174,000 last year, and four other Pathways executives cleared six figures, including a $182,000-a-year psychiatrist.

The agency also questioned $900,000 in “affiliate fees” Pathways paid itself for two years after it went national in 2011 with no written agreement spelling out what the money was for, documents show.

Thanks for nothing.

Hundreds of mentally disabled New Yorkers have been slapped with eviction notices because a nonprofit that was supposed to arrange their taxpayer-funded housing was not paying their rent, the Daily News has learned.

Landlords have whacked the vulnerable clients of Pathways to Housing with 1,300 eviction notices in the last four years, records show.

Struggling to end this pattern of neglect, the state Office of Mental Health — the primary source of the group’s funding — recently discovered alarming questions about what Pathways has been doing with the millions of taxpayer dollars it has received in the last few years.
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Homeless veteran stands tall next to government officials

Homeless Jacksonville veteran tells his story after officials speak on the subject
Officials address the national problem Wednesday at the Clara White Mission.
Posted: August 15, 2012
By Matt Soergel

Ronnie Hellum’s eight years in the Army were the best days of his life.

He had structure. Purpose. An important job. A steady paycheck. People depended on him.

After getting out, he was adrift. And over the years he’s suffered many losses: His son, murdered at 17. His family. His freedom, after running afoul of the law. His job. And his health — he ended up profoundly depressed.

Two years ago he became homeless, sleeping under bridges, in bushes off the side of the road.

But on Wednesday, Hellum, 56, stood right next to some national and local leaders as they talked about the nation’s responsibility to help veterans who have ended up homeless.

U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, a retired Army general, came to the Clara White Mission in downtown Jacksonville. So did Mayor Alvin Brown and U.S. Reps Corrine Brown and Ander Crenshaw.
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"Hope Unseen" blind soldier and daughter of NY fallen firefighter earn awards

The Christophers' Special Awards to Capt. Scotty Smiley, First Blind Active-Duty Army Officer, and Shannon Hickey, Young Activist for the Homeless

Capt. Smiley, commander of Warrior Transition Unit for ailing or wounded soldiers at West Point, to receive 2011 Christopher Leadership Award; Hickey, 21, founder of ministry serving poor and homeless which was inspired by 9/11 victim, Father Mychal Judge, to get 2011 James Keller Award
NEW YORK, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- Capt. Scotty Smiley, the U.S. Army's first blind active-duty officer, and Shannon Hickey, a 21-year old college student who, at age 11, was inspired to help provide for the poor and homeless by the example of Father Mychal Judge, the New York City Fire Dept. Chaplain killed in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, will both receive special Awards at the 62nd annual Christopher Awards ceremony in New York City on Thursday, May 19th.

Capt. Smiley, who was nearly killed while leading his platoon on patrol in Iraq in 2005, will receive the Christopher Leadership Award for his exemplary courage and leadership in the face of adversity. He opted not to retire from the Army, as is customary after a life-changing injury, but instead fought to regain his health and went on to command the Warrior Transition Unit for ailing or wounded soldiers at West Point. Hickey will receive the 2011 James Keller Award for founding Mychal's Message, a ministry that serves the poor and homeless, and which has taught many teens about the problem of homelessness in society.

The Christopher Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose work, actions and example serve as a guiding light to those in and out of public life, and inspires others to lead lives that make a difference for the good. This year's winner barely survived the shrapnel and debris that pierced his eyes and brain following a car bomb attack in Iraq. Crushed by the news he would never see again, Captain Smiley at first questioned his faith and his belief in God.

During his recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Army pressured his wife to follow standard procedure by signing papers that would "medically retire" her husband, since it was accepted wisdom that blind people couldn't serve in the Army. She resisted, believing her husband might still have a future within the Army he loved.

After tremendous physical, emotional and spiritual struggles, Capt. Smiley came to terms with his new reality and successfully fought to stay on active duty. Along with teaching leadership at West Point, he also earned an MBA from Duke University with assistance from his wife and a dedicated tutor, and wrote an autobiography, "Hope Unseen."

With the vast number of American servicemen and women returning from war with serious injuries, his job is of critical importance as is the example he is setting. He remains committed to living a life of service to others and admits his trust in God has been taken to new levels.

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The Christophers' Special Awards

St. Petersburg offering nonprofits $338,000 in grants to help homeless

St. Petersburg offering nonprofits $338,000 in grants to help homeless
By Jackie Alexander, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, July 22, 2009


ST. PETERSBURG — With the help of city grants, groups like Boley Centers can help homeless people get off the street.

St. Petersburg is offering $338,000 in grants the next budget year for local nonprofits to help the homeless.

Miriam Williams, the chief executive officer at Boley Centers, said it was able to hire a case manager with a $25,000 grant this year. As a result, about 35 people have received help getting benefits and finding places to live.
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http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1020399.ece

Orlando 3rd 'meanest' city for homeless, study finds

Orlando 3rd 'meanest' city for homeless, study finds
Advocacy groups rank Top 10 cities that 'criminalize' homelessness
Kate Santich

Sentinel Staff Writer

July 14, 2009
The City Beautiful? How about "The City Mean"?

Two national advocacy groups for the homeless ranked Orlando as the third "meanest" city in the nation Tuesday, citing a trend toward criminalizing activities that come with living on the streets, such as sleeping in parks or panhandling.

In a report from the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and the National Coalition for the Homeless, Orlando ranked behind Los Angeles and St. Petersburg on a Top 10 "meanest cities" list, which also included Gainesville (No. 5) and Bradenton (No. 9).

Although a city of Orlando spokeswoman called the label unfair, Tulin Ozdeger, the law center's civil-rights program director, said: "We're definitely seeing a prevalent attitude among many cities in Florida that encourages these ... criminalization measures. We think there needs to be a political shift in attitudes to move toward solutions instead of penalizing people."
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Orlando 3rd meanest city for homeless, study finds

Just a reminder

FL 430 funded beds but 18,910 homeless veterans as of 2006 report

http://www.nchv.org/page.cfm?id=81

One of the biggest factors in Vietnam veterans becoming homeless was the fact that when they came home, there was a timeline to file claims of a year. With PTSD issues increasing since the time many of them came home, it took longer in too many cases for them to understand that what was "wrong" with them was connected to their service. To this day, we're still seeing Vietnam veterans seeking help from the VA for the first time. It's not that they suddenly found themselves needing help. It's because they didn't know what they needed help for or how to get it. I still have them asking what PTSD is. We did a lousy job getting Vietnam veterans help even though they were responsible for all the research and programs the VA and mental health community have right now. Let's not make the same mistake again because we're already seeing homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans needing help to heal. Not healing does lead to homelessness in too many of them.

The other issues on homelessness is the economy and lack of jobs. People in need of mental healthcare are also a factor. For all the reasons we can find for why people end up homeless, there are very few excuses we can come up to justify not helping them.

Rachael Todd wins Miss Florida

Rachael Todd wins Miss Florida!
First Appearance at Tuscawilla Country Club
Winter Springs, Florida - Tuscawilla Country Club is honored to be hosting the first appearance of the new Miss Florida, Rachael Todd, on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. Rachael, who was born and raised in Oviedo, Florida, will now go on to compete nationally for the title of Miss America! Ms. Todd, who celebrated her win and was crowned on Saturday, will be appearing to thank those who have supported her as she prepared for the Miss Florida Pageant.

Rachael's heart lies with her platform - "The Changing Face of Homelessness", which has been in the forefront and main topic of all of her appearances prior to the win. Rachael has held the position of volunteer coordinator for several large outreach events for the HOPE Foundation, which was founded by her mother in 2007, and was currently named Non-Profit of the Year. Rachaels' focus is to bring awareness to the "Millennial" generation and the true aspects of homelessness today, with specific focus on children and families. Rachael was a guest earlier this year at the Tuscawilla Country Club "Party with a Purpose" where thousands of dollars were raised to benefit the HOPE Foundations *Village of HOPE.

After the reception Rachael will start her new career traveling throughout the State of Florida, and within the US to continue her mission to spread the word about homelessness, encouraging people to get plugged into their community, and of course, prepare for the Miss America Pageant that will take place in Las Vegas, January of 2010.
WELCOME RECEPTION: Rachael Todd, Miss Florida
WHERE / WHEN: Tuscawilla Country Club
1500 Winter Springs Blvd.
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
http://www.tuscawillacc.com/tuscawilla/
RECEPTION: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (open to the public, cash bar available)
HOSTED BY:
Tuscawilla Country Club, in association with Miss Florida

Pageant and the HOPE Foundation *HOPE currently runs a large Thrift Store, Food Pantry and Resource Center. The Village of HOPE will allow families in crisis to access all resources and services in one location such as; case management, counseling, life skills training, medical/dental services, educational/apprenticeship programs and more. HOPE's assists families in crisis, preventing them from becoming homeless and giving them the tools to become self-sufficient.
For additional interview or appearances for Miss Florida, please contact Miss Florida Representative Mary at marycrwnmry@aol.com For additional information about HOPE, please contact Joan Faulkner joan@helpforthehomeless.net

Students at FGCU create their very own Shanty Town on Campus

Students at FGCU create their very own Shanty Town on Campus
Last updated: 5 hours ago
Ft. Myers Fl, has one of the worst foreclosure rates in the country. With the rising number of homes falling to foreclosure, families are being thrown onto the streets. Students at FGCU decided to take action and raise awareness by spending the night on campus in boxes in order to show thier support for the homeless.
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-234269

5 churches join forces to help Orlando's homeless

5 churches join forces to help Orlando's homeless
Kate Santich Sentinel Staff Writer
February 19, 2009
For nearly three decades, Orlando has tried to figure out what to do with the homeless in the heart of the city. First, officials opened shelters in Parramore to move them away from downtown businesses. Then they banned panhandling. They shooed them from parks. They even arrested those who fed them.

But now downtown church leaders are taking a different tack: They hope to open a drop-in center near Lake Eola that welcomes the homeless and gives them a place to go during the day.

The first fundraising event for the ambitious project is Friday evening.

"I know I've been overwhelmed by the human need I see out there," said associate pastor Case Thorp of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, one of the leaders of the effort. "Everybody else has just been waiting for the right time, the right facility, the right energy, the right money to come together. And we think the time is now."



The Downtown Orlando Homeless Service Center, the project's working title, would feature a "day lounge" where people can rest, shower, do laundry, and check e-mail and community voice mail. Lay teams would offer Christian fellowship, and case managers would help the homeless find jobs, get mental-health and addiction counseling, and connect to other social services.


Building on Wall Street

The group already has located a 16,000-square-foot building it can use for the center rent-free.

St. George Orthodox Church has agreed to lease the building it owns at 137 Wall St. for the cause. In return, the projects' backers will renovate the interior -- at an estimated $2 million -- and set aside room for a multicultural center that is part of St. George's vision.
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Orlando service remembers homeless when others didn't

Orlando service remembers homeless when others didn't
Orlando Sentinel - Orlando,FL,USA
Kate Santich | Sentinel Staff Writer
December 18, 2008
They left this life without a home but not without making a mark. Among them were an accountant, a former social worker, a decorated Vietnam veteran, a man who could never cope with the tragic death of his twin brother.

Of the 24 homeless people who died in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties during the past year, two were nameless -- authorities unable to identify their bodies. One had been hit by a car as he shuffled his meager belongings across a road in darkness. Another was murdered inside his tent in a homeless camp in the woods.

The lucky ones had a mourner or two among the half-empty pews Wednesday morning at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. There, a memorial ceremony was held in their honor -- an event mirrored in 125 cities across the country this week to coincide with the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year.

One man whose name was read was known only as "Cigar Bill." As with many of the departed, the details of his life are largely lost after too many setbacks, too many losses, too many problems that piled up until most of the vestiges of civilization had fallen away.
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Orlando Food Not Bonds wins right to feed homeless in court

Hallelujah! Orlando has it's heart back and compassion for the least among us as Christ commanded His followers to do and simple human kindness requires of anyone with a conscience.

Federal judge: Orlando's law against feeding homeless a civil rights violation
Willoughby Mariano | Sentinel Staff Writer
5:26 PM EDT, September 26, 2008
A federal judge has permanently barred Orlando from enforcing a rule barring large group feedings of the homeless in Lake Eola Park because it violates activists' basic civil rights.

In a ruling released this afternoon, U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell criticized the city's ordinance saying there was no "rational basis" for it.

"Rather than address the problem of homelessness in these downtown neighborhoods directly, the City has instead decided to limit the expressive activity which attracts the homeless to these neighborhoods," the ruling states.
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April Showers, Interfaith Homeless network

San Mateo County Times - San Mateo,CA,USA
Interfaith group welcomes San Leandro's homeless
By Gideon Rubin
The Daily Review
Article Last Updated: 09/07/2008 09:22:46 PM PDT


SAN LEANDRO — On most days, they are shooed away from street corners and coffee shops, told to go somewhere else.

On Sunday, about 50 homeless people who showed up for a faith-based outreach program at the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club were greeted with a welcome mat.

Every first, third and fifth Sunday, volunteers gather at the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club offering the area's homeless and indigent people showers, food and clothing.

The "April Showers" program is run by the Interfaith Homelessness Network, a coalition of 11 San Leandro churches.

"Normally when they sit down somewhere somebody comes around and says 'are you panhandling? Outta here!'" volunteer coordinator Margaret Strem said.

The IHN formed in the aftermath of the November 2001 death of a homeless man whose body was found at a San Leandro construction site, organizers say.

Volunteers on Sunday stirred up homemade soups and served pastries donated by local coffee shops. The needy also got clothing and a laundry voucher — no questions asked.

Those attending Sunday's event included children and the elderly. Some were handicapped.

"They provide a great service," a homeless man identifying himself as George said. "It fulfills a need, and they make you feel welcome."

Just as important as the sustenance, the homeless also get respect.

"It's important that every person have their humanness, their dignity," Strem said.
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http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_10406468

Orlando mayor defends regulations for feeding the homeless

Orlando mayor defends regulations for feeding the homeless
Mark Schlueb Sentinel Staff Writer
June 25, 2008
A confident Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer took the stand in federal court Tuesday, defending the city's regulations on feeding the homeless in public parks.

It was the final day of a trial that pitted the rights of the homeless against the city's responsibility to protect its parks and citizens.The homeless advocates who are suing the city over the 2006 rules are the ones who called Dyer to testify. But that decision may have hurt their case.

Attorneys for Orlando Food Not Bombs and First Vagabonds Church of God questioned Dyer for less than five minutes, and he had no problem coming up with answers.

The city's lawyers then questioned the mayor for 20 minutes, discussing his administration's programs to help the homeless and the complaints the city had received about feedings that regularly drew dozens of transients to Lake Eola Park.