Greetings!
I hope I didn't lose any readers taking this little break. I'm not sure I had any to begin with. I've been conducting an intense work search. Sadly, it has yielded nothing. Also, my unemployment claim was denied. You already know I'm one of those who has lost their General Assistance.
There's a lot going on with our economy, and I wish more of it was good news. Much of it is contradictory, confusing, and in many cases, just devastating.
I understand people getting fed up with panhandlers. Even when I was homeless they annoyed me because they make hard-working homeless people look bad. I never begged one day in the five plus years I spent on the streets. However, I know a young lady who panhandles every day to get money for a hotel room and food for herself and her husband. If she is forced away from her regular spot---let's just say things won't go well for her.
One solution to panhandling are street newspapers, which willing homeless people can work with, or sell on the street for some personal funds, a sense of accomplishment, and "a hand up, not a hand out." That's why I'd like to see this project grow and go into print. That's why I keep at it, although it seems nobody's listening---it's important to me, and it can be important to others.
So if you're out there; if you're reading this blog and would like to help in any way, please leave comments or e-mail me at riograndereport@live.com
The news from Utah County is confusing. Are people losing their housing subsidies? Are homeless numbers growing or shrinking? I guess that all depends on how much of the other news is accurate.
There's a lot of buzz about health care reform. The original August deadline was not met, so President Obama has "re-promised" that he and Congress will get it done by the end of the year. Meanwhile, here's where my situation regarding health care has landed: Since my cash assistance was pulled out from under me, I can no longer go to Community Health Clinics and regular pharmacies, where I paid a co-pay for care and prescriptions. I have to once again go to the free clinic and pharmacy and become a bigger burden on the system. I'm sure many of you are in that same boat once again. I'm sure most of us would prefer to pay our way.
I think it's important now more than ever to rock the boat---real hard
Here are some links to recent articles of interest to homeless people and their supporters, along with a recommended DVD release:
Salt Lake City sets sights on 'aggressive' panhandling
Draft would limit areas, times and manner for begging.
By Derek P. Jensen The Salt Lake Tribune
Draft would limit areas, times and manner for begging.
By Derek P. Jensen The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13009552?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Utah County may get extra cash to help low-income renters
Housing Authority to apply for extra funds.
By Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
Housing Authority to apply for extra funds.
By Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12990138?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
125 Utah County families to lose Section 8 subsidyHousing authorities across the nation are facing the same dilemma
By Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
By Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12954022?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Homeless population drops in Utah CountyThe Associated Press
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12918813?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
Unemployment aid runs out for many
Despite extensions, coming months will be tough.
By Erik Eckholm The New York Times
Despite extensions, coming months will be tough.
By Erik Eckholm The New York Times
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12974992?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com
New York buys one-way tickets home for homeless families
City is struggling to keep families out of expensive shelter system.
By Julie Bosman The New York Times
Couple avoids attack by log-swinging man
The Salt Lake Tribune
Food and dining briefs: Pizza -- from the heart
By Kathy Stephenson The Salt Lake Tribune
Advocates ask new guv to stop General Assistance cuts
Government aid to about 500 needy Utahns ends Aug. 1.
By Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
Government aid to about 500 needy Utahns ends Aug. 1.
By Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
New York buys one-way tickets home for homeless families
City is struggling to keep families out of expensive shelter system.
By Julie Bosman The New York Times
Couple avoids attack by log-swinging man
The Salt Lake Tribune
Food and dining briefs: Pizza -- from the heart
By Kathy Stephenson The Salt Lake Tribune
The Little Caesars "Love Kitchen" has rolled into Utah, and in four days is expected to feed more than 1,300 people at the Rescue Missions in Salt Lake and Ogden, the St. Vincent DePaul kitchen and the St. Anne's Center. The pizza kitchen on wheels travels across the continental United States and Canada meeting the needs of the hungry, whether they be homeless or disaster survivors. Local Little Caesars franchise owners and company regional offices donate all food and labor costs for the Love Kitchen servings.
"The Soloist" » Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. star in this fact-based drama about a journalist who writes about a homeless street musician. Rated PG-13
Check out the book and the true story that inspired this movie here:
See you next week
your editor
2 women go the extra (thousand) miles
Salt Lake pair trekking across the nation to raise awareness homeless LGBT youths.
By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune
By Rosemary Winters The Salt Lake Tribune
Chloe Noble and Jill Hardman
"The Soloist" » Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. star in this fact-based drama about a journalist who writes about a homeless street musician. Rated PG-13
Check out the book and the true story that inspired this movie here:
And here's a web site with loads of information regarding homelessness and how we can help:
Again, this entire concept and its success depends upon your participation and contributions. If you read any posts on this blog, please leave comments. Don't hesitate to e-mail me at riograndereport@live.com with ideas and feedback, your personal stories, opinions, artwork etc. I'll be happy to include it here. If you learn of new resources for the homeless, let me know about them. If you utilize any of the resources you find here, be sure to tell them you learned about them from "The Rio Grande Report."
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