tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54176023546942025872024-02-20T11:03:05.863-08:00Homeless in Ocean CountyHomeless in Ocean County provides information about homeless solutions, events to support the homeless, and opportunities to assist people who are homeless.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00356074181149963787noreply@blogger.comBlogger550125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-36799259740633405542014-03-19T18:23:00.000-07:002014-03-19T18:23:59.370-07:00INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS –PUBLIC HEARINGTuesday, March 25, 1-4 p.m.<br />
NJ State Museum Auditorium<br />205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ<br />
<br />
The New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness urges advocates, service providers, and individuals
affected by homelessness to testify at this important public hearing. In
order for changes to occur in our state, the members of the Interagency
Council need to hear about the real barriers faced by homeless
individuals and those who provide services. Testimony is limited to
three-minute statements with no questions. The Council is particularly
interested in hearing views on two topics:<br />
• Best practices in homeless services delivery and<br />• Impediments to the delivery of homeless services.<br />
<br />
The hearing is held by Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Commissioner Richard Constable and Department of Human Services (DHS)
Commissioner Jennifer Velez. Several members of the NJCEH are members of
the Council including Board President Alison Recca-Ryan, Trustee Connie
Mercer, Advisory Board Member Kent Pipes, and former Trustee Julia
Orlando.<br />
<br />
Written remarks may be submitted via email at <a href="mailto:HomelessCouncil@dhs.state.nj.us">HomelessCouncil@dhs.state.nj.us</a>
or by mail to Homeless Council Public Testimony, NJ Department of Human
Services, Office of the Commissioner, PO Box 700, Trenton, NJ
08625-0700.<br />
<br />
<br />
Some excellent sample talking points for the hearing are listed at the website of Monarch Housing Associates, <a href="http://monarchhousing.org/2014/02/20/march-25th-hearing-to-end-homelessness/" target="_blank">http://monarchhousing.org/2014/02/20/march-25th-hearing-to-end-homelessness/</a>.<br /><br />The
Interagency Council on Homelessness was created by Governor Christie in
April 2012 and is charged with better identifying and addressing the
needs of homeless individuals in New Jersey and preparing a 10-year plan
to end homelessness in New Jersey.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Deb EllisLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00356074181149963787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-18088433804340418882014-03-19T18:15:00.000-07:002014-03-19T18:15:29.379-07:00How to help the relocated from Tent City<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;">H</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">omelessness
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;">E</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">nded
through </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;">L</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">ocal </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 28.0pt;">P</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">artners<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">A Network of Ocean County Housing
Advocates<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Support Services for the Newly Housed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">If
you have recently left Tent City and moved into an apartment or motel, or will
be leaving Tent City in the near future and need some help, please let us know.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Some
of the things we can help you with for free are: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">transportation
for food shopping<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">transportation
to job interviews, doctors/clinic appointments<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">transportation
to Social Services, Social Security, and unemployment offices<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">help with filing
for possible benefits from Social Services, Social Security, and unemployment <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">help with
financial matters -- budgeting, checking accounts, paying bills, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">help with
researching bus routes and providing bus schedules<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">provide list of
food pantries and soup kitchens<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">furniture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">encouragement to
attend AA and NA meetings<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">If you need help
with any of the above, or have other needs,
please call:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Stan Rosenthal Paul Hulse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">908-902-0769
(Call or text) 386-315-0168 (call or text)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Email:
SRosenthal1943@comcast.net
phnh09@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00356074181149963787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-88090284932308406312014-03-17T05:20:00.002-07:002014-03-17T05:20:20.769-07:00NJ Supreme Court gives COAH more time to propose rules, again<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">NJ Supreme Court issues order that vacates COAH appellate ruling, gives state until November to adopt new rules
<a href="http://t.co/gT8UrX1Oop" target="_blank" title="http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/coah/SCONJCOAHorder.pdf">
<span class="invisible6"><span style="color: #3b88c3; text-decoration: none;">http://www.</span></span><span class="js-display-url"><span style="color: #3b88c3; text-decoration: none;">judiciary.state.nj.us/coah/SCONJCOAH</span></span><span class="invisible6"><span style="color: #3b88c3; text-decoration: none;">order.pdf
</span></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span style="color: #3b88c3; text-decoration: none;">…</span></span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span style="color: #3b88c3; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;">Be sure to read Justice Albin's dissent beginning on page 5. </span></span></span></span>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00356074181149963787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-69753547470167322702014-03-17T05:05:00.001-07:002014-03-17T05:05:05.548-07:00My Din died in Tent City fireLakewood's Tent City resident killed in fire remembered as 'very friendly' culinary expert <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://ow.ly/uDOsE" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/KCOwQE7hNF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ow.ly/uDOsE"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">ow.ly/uDOsE</span></a> Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00356074181149963787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-85720323258939090772014-03-01T09:46:00.000-08:002014-03-01T09:46:19.559-08:00NJ Coalition to End Homelessness: Good news - the tents are coming downTents are coming down in the Lakewood Tent City -- and in a good way! As
per the court orders with Lakewood obtained with the Coalition's
support, all of the homeless residents who participated in the
court-ordered census last April are now in the process of moving out of
the cold woods and into apartments. So far, more than 30 men and women
who had to fight to survive in the woods are now warm indoors. Their
tents are only coming down when they are no longer needed. <span style="background-color: #f8f7f7;">The Coalition congratulates board member Jeff Wild for his dedicated efforts in securing this victory.</span><br /><br />Here is a link to one of the many heartwarming stories of those who finally have a home of their own:<br /><br /><a href="http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/get.link?linkid=6506331&subscriberid=266902883&campaignid=1770928&linkurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.app.com%2farticle%2f20140110%2fNJNEWS%2f301100115%2fSome-Tent-City-campers-begin-find-homes%3fnclick_check%3d1" target="_blank">Kevin's Story</a><br /><br />There
is, however, much more work to be done. Even though Lakewood is now
abiding by the law – providing housing for these unsheltered homeless -
Ocean County is not. Ocean County must provide a safety net – an
emergency housing center – for all the other homeless throughout Ocean
County. At the so-called “Special Response” Office of the Board of
Social Services in Toms River, homeless men, women and children are
still being turned away on a daily basis as “ineligible” for emergency
shelter. The Coalition has made addressing this unconscionable
situation one of its top priorities for this year. Please consider
making a tax-deductible contribution
towards the Coalition's remaining work
using the link below.<br /><br /><a href="http://app.expressemailmarketing.com/get.link?linkid=6506332&subscriberid=266902883&campaignid=1770928&linkurl=https%3a%2f%2finterland3.donorperfect.net%2fweblink%2fweblink.aspx%3fname%3dE163318%26amp%3bid%3d3" target="_blank">Support the Coalition</a><br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Deb EllisLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-60667106743009836372014-02-23T18:18:00.000-08:002014-02-23T18:18:30.675-08:00This is the new date of the hearing that was postponed by weather last fall.<img alt="Monarch Housing Associates header image" height="126" id="thesis_header_image" src="http://monarchhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Headernew.png" title="click to return home" width="1032" /><br />
<br />
Hearing Scheduled for March 25th Advocates Share Talking Points<br />
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Advocates for efforts to End Homelessness in New Jersey have prepared sample talking points with strategies that should be considered in the statewide plan to end homelessness.<br />
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The talking points are offered to all who plan to testify at the Interagency Council on the Homeless hearing that will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at from 1 – 4 PM at the NJ State Museum Auditorium. Additional information regarding the public hearing will be sent out in the beginning of March.<br />
<br />
The strategies include:<br />
1. Adopt Housing First as a State Policy<br />
2. Create a Rapid Re-Housing rate for boards of social services<br />
3. Support Local Efforts to Create Centralized and/or Coordinated Assessment Systems<br />
4. Set a priority for homelessness with the State Public Housing Agency (PHA) and encourage the same from local PHAs<br />
5. Assist local Continuums of Care (CoC) in retooling transitional housing<br />
<br />
The talking points also make recommendations that would address impediments to the delivery of services<br />
Ensure that all agencies receiving state contracts for service funding are required to serve the most difficult to house homeless and focus their resources on solutions that work, while encouraging well-designed innovations for continuous improvement Encourage all state agencies that receive funding to assist the homeless, including DHS and DCA, to coordinate funding for housing and homeless services.<br />
Require participation of local Boards of Social Services in Continuum of Care (CoC) homeless planning activities Coordinate with local CoCs and ensure that all grants for state funding for homeless activities require local CoC approval<br />
<br />
Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard Constable and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jennifer Velez will hold an Interagency Council on Homelessness public hearing on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 to hear from the public about how the State can best address the needs of homeless New Jerseyans.<br />
<br />
The public hearing will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the at the NJ State Museum Auditorium at 205 West State Street, Trenton.<br />
<br />
The Council is particularly interested in hearing views on two topics: Best practices in homeless services delivery and Impediments to the delivery of homeless services.<br />
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Individuals planning to speak will be limited to 3 minutes and will be expected to focus on one or both of those topics. Written remarks may be submitted via: email at or mail to Homeless Council Public Testimony, NJ Department of Human Services, Office of the Commissioner, PO Box 700, Trenton, NJ 08625-0700.<br />
<br />
If you are in need of an accommodation, please contact Jennifer Crowley at the NJ Department of Human Services at (609) 292-6090 no later than Wednesday, December 11, 2013.<br />
<br />
Please note that the public hearing is an opportunity to provide your comments, only. It is not interactive.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-81256253740805409332014-02-23T07:06:00.000-08:002014-02-23T07:06:02.224-08:00NYT: "I'm homeless, not stupid"Needing help is not the same as being helpless.<br />
"I'm homeless, not stupid," says a resident of a Quixotic Village, a self-governing micro-housing settlement in Washington state.<br />
Twenty-four men and women were moved into their own tiny apartments Christmas Eve, much like the houses advocated for by Ocean County's Destiny's Bridge the past three years.<br />
The houses are small: 8 by 18 feet, 144 square feet. But providing a transitional house is the second step in moving people from homelessness to living in permanent housing.<br />
"It's about providing homes for people who were in tents a month ago," said Garner Miller, an architect who helped create the new village's layout and living model.<br />
Read the complete story in this <a href="http://nyti.ms/1heWEjJ">New York Times article.</a>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-28058240039433468642014-02-18T18:22:00.000-08:002014-02-18T18:22:39.353-08:00SWEENEY TO CONDUCT ‘SANDY BILL OF RIGHTS’ TOUR<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">FOR RELEASE:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">CONTACT:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">February 13, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Chris Donnelly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">(609) 847-3700<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">SWEENEY TO CONDUCT ‘SANDY BILL OF
RIGHTS’ TOUR IN PERTH AMBOY, TOMS RIVER & MOONACHIE</span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Residents Who Have Failed To Get Sandy Aid
Answers Or Assistance Encouraged To Attend</span></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">TRENTON</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> – In an effort to bring the thousands
of victims of Superstorm Sandy the answers, assistance and results they deserve,
Senate President Steve Sweeney will be conducting a "Sandy Bill of
Rights" tour, with stops in Perth Amboy, Toms River and Moonachie.
Information regarding these stops is below. Residents who believe they
have wrongly been denied Sandy aid and/or have failed to get answers from the
administration as to why they were denied are encouraged to attend and share
their stories with the media and Senate President Sweeney.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Friday, February 21</span></u></i></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">11:00
a.m.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Toms
River Elks Lodge #1875</span></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">; </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">600 Washington Street in Toms River</span></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A
town hall style meeting where residents will be able to share their stories on
the difficulties of getting Sandy aid.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Two
weeks ago, Senate President Sweeney introduced legislation that would establish
a “Sandy Bill of Rights.” The bill of rights would do several things, including
requiring a plain language explanation of what is needed to be eligible and to
apply for Sandy recovery programs; the right to know where your relief
application stands and what additional information is needed; the right to know
why your application was rejected or why you were placed on a waiting list and
the right to appeal a denial of funding.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-23372630461750800222014-02-18T05:39:00.000-08:002014-02-18T05:39:40.238-08:00Decriminalizing homelessnessHere is a roundup article about the foul attempts by some politicians to outlaw homelessness and the push-back by people who know better, including Utah which is on the road to ending homelessness.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.nationofchange.org/utah-ending-homelessness-giving-people-homes-1390056183">here.</a> to read the story.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-61447207050338172932014-02-15T08:11:00.002-08:002014-02-15T08:11:54.685-08:00America magazine speaks out on the homelessAmerica magazine, The National Catholic Weekly published by the Jesuits, posted an editorial (Dec. 23, 2013) and follow up comment (Feb. 24, 2014) that I have to bring to your attention.<br />
<br />
The editorial (to read, click <a href="http://americamagazine.org/issue/home-christmas">here</a>) begins with:<br />
<br />
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London part of exhibition by Lee Jeffries at Museum of Rome (CNS
photo/courtesy of Lee Jeffries)<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wend your
way through the streets of any large city, teeming with Christmas shoppers,
where store windows glisten with expensive watches and handbags, and it is all
too easy to avert your eyes from those dehumanized shapes in doorways or
sprawled on the steps or stretched out in the pews of open churches. Swathed in
blankets, they peer out with blank eyes from between scarves and wool hats as
they display their cardboard manifestos: <i>House burned down. Wounded Vet.
Hungry. Pregnant. Jobless. Help.</i> The message is sobering: We are helpless,
abandoned and dependent on your seasonal generosity...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="id">
Their follow up can be read <a href="http://americamagazine.org/issue/current-comment-33">here.</a> It is the third article in "Current Comment."</div>
<div class="id">
<br /></div>
<div class="id">
Some major cities have responded by arresting the victims or
requiring religious groups to pay for a permit in order to feed the homeless in
public parks. Utah, in contrast, under Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman, started a
program in 2005 called Housing First that identified the chronically homeless
and designed strategies to supply permanent or transitional housing to meet
their needs. The state calculated that the costs of emergency services and
incarceration amount to $16,670 each year for a chronically homeless person but
found that it could supply each person with an apartment and case management
services for $11,000.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As a result of the program, the number of
chronically homeless people in Utah has dropped from 1,900 in 2005 to fewer
than 500 today. How did this happen? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Assisting the poor and homeless has gotten a new advocate with the election of Pope Francis, but it is not only a Catholic concern. Providing aid to the poor is a basic </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">tenet</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> of Islam, and some of the homeless most active supporters are from the Jewish community. They and non-religious people alike who see poverty and homelessness as social justice issues have contributed so much time and effort to eliminate this indictment of our society.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">There are opportunities for you to help: local government agencies, community service groups, religious organizations, and support organizations. Need to find one? Know of one that is looking for volunteers? Let me know.</span></span></div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00356074181149963787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-45861184105500163132014-02-12T17:12:00.000-08:002014-02-12T17:12:07.975-08:00CASA volunteers of Mercer County find stabilizing a child's life very rewarding<a href="http://www.nj.com/mercer">MERCER</a>—Thinking of all the
children not able to sleep in their own beds used to keep Lori Morris
from falling asleep in hers, so she joined an organization meant to fill
in the cracks of the foster system to prevent more children from
falling into them.<br />
<br />
<br />
She’s not alone. While they represent a variety of occupations, ages,
races and backgrounds, the volunteers of Mercer County Court Appointed
Special Advocates for Children (CASA) program have a singular goal in
mind: to help the helpless.<br />
<br />
To read more click <a href="http://bit.ly/M51zKl">here.</a>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-22773760774243668942014-02-12T17:02:00.000-08:002014-02-12T17:02:32.605-08:00Poor and innocent<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">"We have a system of justice that treats you much better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent."
<a href="http://t.co/hHBzDcmQ2X" target="_blank" title="http://on.ted.com/tg7K"><span class="invisible6"><span style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;">http://</span></span><span class="js-display-url"><span style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;">on.ted.com/tg7K</span></span></a></span>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-83290885401592499282014-02-12T16:59:00.000-08:002014-02-12T16:59:14.038-08:00Where is the mayor?Portland residents carry pitchforks & torches to demand the city stop arresting the homeless: <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://alj.am/1eQKCj4" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/G7r6WR9prb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://alj.am/1eQKCj4"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">alj.am/1eQKCj4</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-41885789527532337852014-02-09T17:06:00.000-08:002014-02-12T17:00:37.066-08:0060 Minutes reports on housing 100,000; it's results in Nashville60 Minutes had a program this evening, Sunday Feb. 9 about the 100,000 homes for homeless program. So far it has provided homes for 80,000.and saves taxpayers money.<br />
<br />
To view the episode click <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/100000-homes-housing-homeless-saves-money/">here.</a>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-8610848071764575942014-02-09T09:55:00.000-08:002014-02-09T09:55:22.473-08:00Florida Ordinance Makes It Illegal For Homeless To Use Blankets Read more at TLR: Florida Ordinance Makes It Illegal For Homeless To Use Blankets | The Libertarian Republic http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/florida-ordinance-makes-illegal-homeless-use-blankets/#ixzz2sqZCMCV9 Follow us: @LibRepublic on Twitter | LibertarianRepublic on FacebookIs it illegal to be homeless in Pensacola?<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, despite the sunny ads that gloat about warm Florida weather, it does on occasion get cold down there. Sometimes it even goes below freezing and the homeless not only have no place to lay their head but in Pensacola they aren't even allowed to cover themselves with blankets (or newspapers) to fend off the cold.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Check it out and click <a href="http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/florida-ordinance-makes-illegal-homeless-use-blankets/#axzz2slb9dsq7">here.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I checked the Internet for more information about this situation. You might be interested in learning more by checking <a href="http://inweekly.net/wordpress/?p=15112">http://inweekly.net/wordpress/?p=15112</a> and <a href="http://bitcoinmagazine.com/6939/seans-outpost-announces-satoshi-forest/">Sean’s Outpost Announces Satoshi Forest, Nine-Acre Sanctuary for the Homeless</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Any updates?</div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-9023690082392533962014-01-16T16:01:00.000-08:002014-01-16T16:01:20.478-08:00Patch reports Toms River will build a 72-unit affordable housing complex for disabled, "very low income" families<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;">Patch reports: </span>Officials announced this week that federal funding would be allotted
toward a 72-unit affordable housing complex that is being planned for a
plot of land off Massachusetts Avenue.<br />
<br />
Freedom Village at Toms River has been approved by the
township's planning board and will be built on 10 acres of land at the
intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and West Hickory Street, township
officials confirmed to Patch.<br />
<br />
For more information click <a href="http://tomsriver.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/72-unit-affordable-housing-complex-to-be-built-in-toms-river">here.</a><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-38467346425050826612014-01-11T11:13:00.000-08:002014-01-11T11:13:11.797-08:00Free 6-week online class based on the Social Good Summit.<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
"How to Change the World"</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
From the bulletin: How can we use the things we share in common to address some of the most challenging problems facing the world? This course examines issues concerning poverty, the environment, technology, health care, gender, education and activism to help us to understand better how to initiate positive change.</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Syllabus:</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Week 1: What are social goods? From the Commons to Moral Revolutions.</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Week 2: Poverty, Prosperity and Aid</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Week 3: Climate Change and Sustainability</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Week 4: Disease and Global Health Care</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Week 5: Women, Education and Social Change</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Week 6: Education, Social Networks and Activism</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Readings will be presented as PDFs or as links to other sites.</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Instructor is Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University.</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Classes are free and begin Monday Jan. 20.</div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="stream-item-header" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="14159148" href="https://twitter.com/UN" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;"><strong class="fullname js-action-profile-name show-popup-with-id" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">United Nations</strong><span style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span class="username js-action-profile-name" style="color: #999999; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="color: #bbbbbb;">@</span>UN</span></a><small class="time" style="color: #bbbbbb; float: right; font-size: 12px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 1px; position: relative;"><a class="tweet-timestamp js-permalink js-nav js-tooltip" href="https://twitter.com/UN/status/422050688173342720" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" title="12:01 PM - 11 Jan 14">1h</a></small></div>
<div class="js-tweet-text tweet-text" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">
The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) based on 2013 <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SocialGood&src=hash" style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #66b5d2;">#</span>SocialGood</a> Summit launches Jan 20 -- sign up here: <span style="color: #0084b4;"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span></span><a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://trib.al/ydc2OQo" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/U37KSkzbFF" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://trib.al/ydc2OQo"><span class="invisible" style="color: #0084b4; font-size: 0px; line-height: 0; text-decoration: none;">http://</span><span class="js-display-url" style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;">trib.al/ydc2OQo</span><span style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;"><span class="invisible" style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 0; line-height: 0;"></span></span><span class="tco-ellipsis" style="color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;"><span class="invisible" style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 0;"> </span></span></a></div>
<div class="js-tweet-text tweet-text" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
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If we have enough people sign up perhaps we can have a discussion group meeting to discuss the class issues. </div>
<div class="js-tweet-text tweet-text" style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
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If </div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-2922917649678362052014-01-11T09:40:00.000-08:002014-01-11T09:40:28.877-08:00Care for the Poor, Quite A Challenge<span style="background-color: white; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px;">by </span><span class="entry-author-link" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="vcard author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="fn" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/author/ckerr/" rel="author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6799c7; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Christopher Kerr">Christopher Kerr</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="entry-author-link" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="vcard author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ignatian Solidarity Network</span></span><br />
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James Martin, S.J.’s offered up a concise summary of Pope Francis’ message since taking on leadership of the Catholic Church in March on the <a href="http://colbertnation.com/" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #0067a7; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Colbert Report</a> last night: “Christ invites you into simple living and to help the poor as an invitation to be part of the reign of God.” Fr. Martin later noted, “If you have a problem with Pope Francis. You have a problem with Jesus.”</div>
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In recent weeks Pope Francis’ comments on the global economy have received <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/31/pope-capitalism-wealthy-donor_n_4523332.html" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #0067a7; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">critique in the media from a small number of wealthy Catholics </a>who have expressed concern that his message is disconcerting to some people. In his tongue-in-cheek manner, Colbert questioned Martin on this asking, “Why is he gunning for the big money people?” Martin’s response: “Jesus tells us to care for the poor…The Pope said I care for the poor and the rich alike. But he has a responsibility to tell everyone that the rich need to care and respect the poor.”</div>
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To read the remainder of this blog click <a href="http://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2014/01/08/care-for-the-poor-quite-a-challenge/">here.</a> It includes a link to Fr. James Martin's SJ appearance on the Colbert Report earlier this week and his discussion about people's response to poverty and the poor. </div>
<span class="entry-author-link" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="vcard author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="entry-author-link" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="vcard author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-74272126800277287482014-01-11T09:08:00.000-08:002014-01-11T09:08:35.062-08:00Homeless: Vulnerable Amid the Polar VortextIgnatian Solidarity Network<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px;">by </span><span class="entry-author-link" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #818181; font-family: 'Open Sans', HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21.4375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="vcard author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="fn" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/author/mbartels14/" rel="author" style="border: 0px rgb(225, 225, 225); box-sizing: border-box; color: #6799c7; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by McKenzae Bartels">McKenzae Bartels</a></span></span></span><br />
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In light of the recent polar vortex, we are called to think about homeless outreach throughout the country. This past week, many homes lost power, forcing people to take shelter in schools, churches or community centers. For one or two nights, a mass amount of people experienced a sliver of what it is like to live in a shelter. Though this is nothing compared to what the chronically homeless face, it is important to realize homelessness happens everywhere and no one is immune. Any person could become homeless at any moment, whether from job loss, natural disaster or economic stress. In recognizing this, we can realize the solidarity that innately exists between people who are homeless and those that are not, we are all one people susceptible to tough times.</div>
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For many Jesuit institutions across the country, their relationships with those who are homeless have developed through projects or ministries named after St. Joseph Benedict Labre. Labre, the patron saint of the homeless, provides us a context to see the presence of God in our homeless brothers and sisters. Finding God happens when you look into a person’s eyes, you see their soul, moving you to compassionately love. For Christians, this is the experience of Eucharist.</div>
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To read the rest of this blog click <a href="http://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2014/01/10/homeless-polar-vortex/">here.</a></div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-41147136618146359552014-01-08T18:10:00.000-08:002014-01-08T18:10:03.205-08:00This week's abnormal cold and the Ocean County homelessLow temperatures and wind that made it seem like -40 degrees F provided life-threatening conditions to local homeless men and women.<div>
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WOBM did a story about Lakewood's efforts to provide emergency shelter. That story can be found <a href="http://wobm.com/lakewood-goes-all-hands-on-deck-against-deep-freeze/">here</a></div>
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WOBM did a followup article, "The Homeless and the Cold: a Dangerous Combination" by Jason Allentof. To read that report click <a href="http://wobm.com/the-homeless-and-the-cold-a-dangerous-combination/">here.</a> </div>
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From United Way of Ocean County: </div>
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0">When
temperatures drop below freezing, and conditions pose a threat to
individuals who are homeless or medically fragile, a network of agencies
throughout New Jersey helps people obtain shelter, food and clothing.
Warming Centers are also opened during stated hours to provide residents with a place that they<br /> can go to warm up. Here is the list: <a href="http://www.nj211.org/images/codeblue.pdf" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.nj211.org/images/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>codeblue.pdf</a> </span>Nice theory. Unfortunately, Ocean County only has two and they are both in Little Egg Harbor.<div>
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Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-52968774937946022222014-01-08T17:48:00.000-08:002014-01-08T17:48:25.783-08:00OC Dept. of Human Services: Project Homeless Connect 2014 & Point in Time Count<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK2" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ocean County Department of Human Services</span><span style="font-size: 24.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">Project Homeless Connect 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">and Point-in-Time Count </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">CoC/ CEAS Meeting </span></strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Monday, January 13</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at 9am </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at the Ocean County Dept of Human Services </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Point-in-Time Count Interview Training</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Monday, January 13 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at 11am </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at the Ocean County Dept of Human Services</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">PHC Giveaway Bag Preparation</span></strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Monday, January 27<br />
at 11am </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at the Ocean County Dept of Human Services</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Project Homeless Connect</span></strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Wednesday, January 29</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Various Sites -</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ARlpTmEHC7UVOqHUYpq-OreRPSw72bDnuGf-6s_9zwN6lVrIIuMqqOuOlrez1Ic8XQINdwK1OlH9AdZiapePPNseCfmEGwfFuKHj1UyUtFjrTY_zQucOoXBJLy3G8Sgi5rQIzVC_X-vjf58Ttoz3_LBrL5khgknf9-F60JWiXVCcBmqBFIo9YfB5GIiQJac3aG21qfxxX2OiQU3f0qhmA7W0_1westBJmbfi72fGdMU=&c=XSEUdCyv6l1gqhp0IXa1ugkFD07gHXFmu5rzlJ2vdCViPQCV2_Didw==&ch=9aC5rkmFUOZi0kDkTeVorbmgZHolIdR4w6SS5Ds460KoaZhzUqHHGw==" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
see flyer</span></a> </span></div>
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<a href="http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1102646938175" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Join
Our Mailing List!</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Dear Community Partners, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">On January 29, 2014, Ocean County will participate in the annual statewide
<em>Project: Homeless Connect</em> and
Point In Time Count in an effort to determine the number of people who
are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness in our community and
engage those individuals
in appropriate services. The Count is a vital component of the ongoing
process to assess and address Ocean County's need for services for this
vulnerable population. The Count also contributes valuable information
towards implementing and evaluating strategies
to prevent homelessness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">As a leader in the human services community, we ask for your assistance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">~ Please help us reach individuals who may be homeless or at risk by sharing
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ARlpTmEHC7UVOqHUYpq-OreRPSw72bDnuGf-6s_9zwN6lVrIIuMqqOuOlrez1Ic8XQINdwK1OlH9AdZiapePPNseCfmEGwfFuKHj1UyUtFjrTY_zQucOoXBJLy3G8Sgi5rQIzVC_X-vjf58Ttoz3_LBrL5khgknf9-F60JWiXVCcBmqBFIo9YfB5GIiQJac3aG21qfxxX2OiQU3f0qhmA7W0_1westBJmbfi72fGdMU=&c=XSEUdCyv6l1gqhp0IXa1ugkFD07gHXFmu5rzlJ2vdCViPQCV2_Didw==&ch=9aC5rkmFUOZi0kDkTeVorbmgZHolIdR4w6SS5Ds460KoaZhzUqHHGw==" target="_blank">
the Project: Homeless Connect sites</a> throughout Ocean County. Please
post and share this flyer with your clients, staff, constituents,
patrons, and contacts. Additional copies are available upon request. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">~
If you are familiar with particular individuals or frequented areas,
please contact my office with that information so that we can coordinate
outreach and engagement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">~
Please send in information, flyers, and brochures about pertinent
services provided by your organization so that it can be shared with
survey participants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Thank you in advance for your assistance and for your service to Ocean County.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sincerely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Jamie Busch</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Coordinator, Human Services Advisory Council </span></div>
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Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-52550010096463119492014-01-01T17:48:00.000-08:002014-01-01T17:48:26.920-08:00NJ Coalition to End Homelessness welcomes new director<span style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Coalition is pleased to announce the appointment of Deb Ellis as Executive Director. Created in 2012, the statewide Coalition works to eradicate homelessness through public policy advocacy, education, and organizing. </span><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f7f7;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“The appointment of Deb Ellis is a critical part of our initiatives to end homelessness in New Jersey,” said Alison Recca-Ryan, the Coalition’s President. “Deb’s passion, extensive advocacy experience, and energetic dedication will enable the Coalition to be a leading voice for the homeless of New Jersey and ensure that homeless individuals are treated with dignity and respect.”</span></span><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Deb has had a long career as a social justice advocate, both in New Jersey, where she was the Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, and on the national level. Deb’s work on behalf of the homeless began in the late 1980’s as an overnight volunteer at the Riverside Church’s shelter in NYC. Since moving to New Jersey, she has volunteered for both the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex County and Toni’s Kitchen in her hometown of Montclair.</span><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Most recently, Deb was Assistant Dean for Public Service at NYU School of Law, where she launched a new generation of lawyers into public interest law while creating innovative programs to strengthen NYU’s institutional commitment to public service. Deb’s work at NYU was recognized by a White House Champion of Change Award, the National Association for Law Placement’s Leadership and Public Service award, and the NYU Law Alumni Association Public Servic Award.</span><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">“I am grateful to have this opportunity to serve,” Ellis said. “It is a travesty that in New Jersey, with some of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., we have thousands of homeless individuals and families. It is hard to believe that some New Jersey citizens even live in tent cities, just like the Hoovervilles of the Depression era. I am looking forward to working with partner organizations in New Jersey to find innovative solutions.” </span><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In addition to serving as Legal Director of the ACLU of New Jersey and of NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, Deb was a staff attorney at the national ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center and a partner in a small employment discrimination law firm in Newark. She has taught at NYU and Rutgers Law Schools and at Yale College, and has spoken and published widely on social justice. Deb graduated from Yale College and NYU School of Law. Deb can be reached at </span><a href="mailto:debcoalition@gmail.com" style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">debcoalition@gmail.com</a><span style="background-color: #f8f7f7; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-56047035597718130142013-12-25T09:21:00.000-08:002013-12-25T09:21:00.432-08:00Fordham Student Reaches Out to Needy with Blessing Bag Project<h2 class="date-header" style="background-color: white; color: #215670; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 1.5em 0px 0.5em; text-transform: uppercase;">
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013</h2>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">The Tumblr</span><span style="color: #003366; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"> </span><a href="http://health-fit-me.tumblr.com/post/66840115482/workingthroughtheupsanddowns-finding-julian" style="color: #aa77aa; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">post</a><span style="color: #003366; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;"> </span><span style="color: #003366; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">caught Paulette Thomas’ attention around Thanksgiving. </span></h3>
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“Have you ever come across a homeless individual and felt totally uncomfortable?” it began. </div>
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The post, which has been shared multiple times across the social network, struck a chord with Thomas, a junior majoring in Information Science at Fordham College at Rose Hill.</div>
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Inspired by its message of charity and good will, Thomas and five friends will fan out across the city on Dec. 23 to deliver “Blessing Bags” to homeless people they encounter on the street.</div>
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Each bag will contain toiletries, snacks, a change of socks, spare change, and other useful items.</div>
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To read the story in the Fordham Notes news blog click <a href="http://fordhamnotes.blogspot.com/2013/12/fordham-student-reaches-out-to-needy.html">here.</a></div>
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Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-38490616939859061722013-12-23T15:29:00.000-08:002013-12-23T15:29:44.373-08:00APP coverage of the Interfaith National Homeless Night Memorial and RallyThe Asbury Park Press covered the Interfaith National Homeless Night Memorial and Rally held in Lakewood's Town Center Dec. 21st, the longest night of the year.<br />
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To read the story click <a href="http://www.app.com/article/20131221/NJNEWS/312210088/Housing-advocates-clergy-talk-solutions-to-homelessness-in-Lakewood">here.</a><br />
<br />Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5417602354694202587.post-12039670234331722462013-12-22T12:43:00.001-08:002013-12-22T12:43:52.077-08:00OCL to host 2 programs about human trafficking during January<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2 Human Trafficking Awareness programs to be presented at Ocean County Library</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">TOMS RIVER
</span></strong><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 12.0pt;"> - </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ocean
County Library will present two programs about human trafficking in
January and will discuss ways that individuals can halt its spread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Barnegat Light Area Branch of the American Association of University
Women has chosen to campaign against and raise awareness about human
trafficking by sponsoring these programs.
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Human
trafficking is modern-day slavery whose victims include men, women and
children of all ages and ethnicity. It is also a first-degree crime
with a penalty of 20 years to life
in prison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are two types of human trafficking: labor trafficking where people are forced to work for no pay; and sex trafficking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Because
of its geographical location, New Jersey has the potential to be a
major entry, transit and destination for human trafficking. And because
of the Super Bowl in February,
many law enforcement officials fear an increase in sex trafficking in
New Jersey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">New
Jersey has passed a stringent new law that will aid law enforcement in
the apprehension and conviction of those persons caught engaging in it,
and have created a Human Trafficking
Task Force and website to educate the public in ways to identify and
help victims.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Learn more about human trafficking at these two Ocean County Library locations:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Wednesday
Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Long Beach Island branch, 217 S. Central
Avenue, Surf City, NJ 08008. Their telephone number is (609) 494-2480.
The speakers will be Assemblywoman
DiAnne Gove and Vilma Applegate, president of the Barnegat Light Area
Branch of the AAUW.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thursday
Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Toms River branch, 101 Washington St., Toms
River, NJ 08753. Their telephone number is (732) 349-6200 or (609)
971-0514. Senior Assistant Prosecutor
Roberta DiBiase will speak at that session.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The program is free but people must register to attend. Register by telephoning the branch or on the library’s Website
<a href="http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org/" target="_blank">www.theoceancountylibrary.org</a> .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is January 11, 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">SIDEBAR INFORMATION (information provided by the NJ Human Trafficking Task Force information brochure at
</span><a href="http://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/humantrafficking/downloads/NJ-Human-Trafficking-Brochure.pdf" style="font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">
http://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/humantrafficking/downloads/NJ-Human-Trafficking-Brochure.pdf</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">) :</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nearly
half (46%) of human trafficking involves prostitution. One-quarter
(27%) involves domestic servitude. 10 percent involves agriculture; 5
percent factory work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It is estimated between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">50 percent of people trafficked into the US each year are children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">800,000 people are trafficked worldwide each year.</span></div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519862737938111244noreply@blogger.com0