Homeless Issues 108

The County Grant:
 
Regarding the grant, the County finally decided that a formal agreement with Community Haven (HTH), those  handling the financial operations for the Nomadic Shelter, was necessary.  The County developed the agreement and Art Edwards, Treasurer and Don Vandekar, President of HTH, have signed it.  Don mailed it back to the County on March 8.  Don believes this is the “last hurdle” and that the County can now send us the form that we are to fill out and submit for payment.  It is a good thing that we had the successful fund raiser and received funds from various churches, the Presbytery and individuals.  If the Nomadic Shelter had to rely on the County money this past year, the Nomadic Shelter would have had major problems.  You may recall, the Board of Supervisors approved the grant back in November.  The grant is for $10,500.
 
The Nomadic Shelter suspends its operation on March 31. JSS will distribute tents and sleeping bags to those who have used the Nomadic Shelter and had not received a tent and sleeping bag in the last 12 months. Keep in mind that the Nomadic Shelter was in operation for 5 months.
 
As of  3/20, we have had 253 different persons using the Nomadic Shelter.
 
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Where do the homeless go, what do they do and who can help them out?
 
JSS has a bright yellow tri-fold called “STREET SMART” What you need to know! FINDING–FOOD—CLOTHING–SHELTERS—HEALTH–DRUG/ALCOHOL TREATMENT–DOMESTIC AND VIOLENCE FREE RESOURCES.
 
These tri-folds are made available to each homeless person when they pick up their tent and sleeping bag….. Courtesy of Graphix Ink printing company.
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JSS will continue to drive our vans and delivering clothing and hygiene necessities to the places where homeless people congregate. They must gather on private property where we are protected from Placerville police harassment. It would be great for our brother and sister citizens who have the very least, if the city of Placerville and their police department would allow JSS to give what we have to the homeless at the old location on the fringe of the parking lot on upper Broadway.  The complaining landlord still does not attract business at that location, and with a police sub-station there, all should not be disruptive to the surrounding area for just the two times a week our vans appear. And more importantly, our homeless population would have the benefits of clothing and hygienic necessities. What a thought for a city. Caring for all of their citizens.
 
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Homelessness
 
“We need fewer mysteries in our lives through and holding up any subject, no matter how trivial or how profound, to the strong light of day, takes the mystery out of it.” — Andy Rooney
 
Through tattered clothes small vices do appear;  robes and furred gowns hide all.– Shakespeare