Social Distancing and the Homeless

PLEASE........stare at this picture awhile, then click on the picture to read the story.  This is what happens when someone in a homeless shelter tests positive for Covid 19.  If you're one who's been complaining about staying home, or one who's been violating stay at home orders.........PLEASE.......read the whole article.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Homeless Man's Belongings and Pollution, Blogging in Alphabetical Order

Today's letter in our blogging in alphabetical order is P.  I focused on Pollution.  When I viewed this video, that's what first came to mind.  This jogger, initially named #Jogger Joe and later identified as Henry William Sintay is polluting.  Does he actually think he's helping clean up trash...or what he thinks is trash by throwing it in Lake Merritt in Oakland California?

• Yes, some of the stuff, the personal belongings of a homeless man may appear to be trash to walkers, runners etc that frequent the area; but how does breaking the bottles and spreading them about help?
• How does stealing personal belongings that aren't yours help?
• How does polluting The Lake seem like a good idea?
• How can things like this be fixed?   Are there not enough trash cans around for the homeless man to put his actual trash in?
• What a cruel and thoughtless thing for this #joggerJoe, #HenryWilliamSintay to do.  I'm glad he was arrested and put in jail and fined.
• Doing a google search produces several articles and other video's.  Apparently This Henry William Sintay arrest is for first degree robbery, he's also assaulted someone, tried to steal a cell phone.  Thus the large bail at $100,000.00.
• In one clip he says he's cleaning up trash and pretends not to know it's a homeless person's belongings........in another clip he says the man has taken up permanent residence in this area.  So clearly he knew it was just "trash".
• Homeless person is Greg Markson known to people in the area as a peaceful homeless man who goes by the name of Drew (which I saw spelled a few different ways in my google search of articles).
• JJ Harris is the person who did the filming.
• When Greg Markson returned to what had been his tidy camp (according to those who interacted with him on a regular basis), he stuff had been destroyed.  Locals brought him fresh blankets to help him through the weekend.

**This is the same park where a White Woman recently called the police on Black picnickers who were grilling out.  You might remember his video went viral.  Speculation is, this White JoggerJoe, Henry William Sintay is yet another racist incident, as the homeless man who's camp was destroyed is a Black Man.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Hard Life, Hovel, Homeless, and more, So SAD

 On our worst days, we have no clue how hard life can be.  How hard life can be living on the streets, waiting out the day to get a night in a shelter.

Trying to just take a rest......leaning up against a tree.  

Blogging in Alphabetical Order, today is the letter H.
So many words that start with the letter H having to do with Homelessness:
HARD LIFE.

HOVEL

 hov·el

ˈhəvəl,ˈhävəl/

noun

1. 1.

   a small, squalid, unpleasant, or simply constructed dwelling.

These pictures were taken in Southern California.  A hovel indeed.  Basically cardboard boxes and plywood put together.  These space was the home of 3 children (in their teens).  Near by was a mobile home where the parents lived.  The teens lived in this hovel for 4 years among feces, had no running water or electric.  The parents were arrested and the children then got care; but.....many across the country do live like this, in self made shelters; or abandoned buildings or pieces of buildings.  Horrible and sad.

So many H words, one is hunger, one is humiliation.  

We do the best we can do, we knit and we crochet and we loom.  We donate our time, to warm others physically.  We do our best to make a difference, to improve the existence of humanity.

We here on Bridge and Beyond do our best by giving what we can to the homeless.


**The counts on our progress bars are current. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Donald Gould, Homeless in Sarasota Florida

Sharing this wonderful story.  Please turn on your volume and enjoy this music and story.  A veteran, who lost his wife in 1998; ended up on the street plays for tips.  AND then........

Someone filmed him and it went viral.  This was several years ago, he's now married and working and no longer homeless.

**The counts on our progress bars are current.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Zneesy, and The Homeless

When I last blogged in alphabetical order and hit the letter Z, I blogged about the word Zen, Finding Zen. Please take a minute and follow to the link to that post.  These last couple of letters  X-Y and Z are quite a challenge to find words that start with those letters that can be connected appropriately to the topic of Homelessness.

The picture above isn't a recent picture, but sadly when I look out the window as I'm typing this post, on April 2 (remember most posts are typed ahead, and scheduled to be posted at the appropriate time; it's what I'm seeing out the window.  It's 27 degrees.  Hard to believe it's spring when it's that cold, damp, and nasty.  These conditions, bother me tremendously and I'm inside drinking hot coffee with the heat on (though the house hasn't yet warmed up).  Homeless, those in the elements, and those in shelters are far less comfortable.  

The word for today is Zneesy.  It means, cold frosty weather, and was used as a slang term in the 18th century.  Some believe the word was influenced by the word sneezy.

With this Zneesy weather we're having still, I do hope everyone is busy with their looms, their knitting needles, and their crochet hooks and lots of warm sturdy yarn making something warm.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. Percentages are current.  All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Wanda Witter Wins FINALLY Against the Government

Wanda Witter lives homeless for 16 LONG years in DC while trying to get the money owed her from Social Security.  No one listens, they think she's crazy.  Finally 16 long years later, her case has been proven and she has a home, and all the money owed her, $100,000.00.

Please watch Lester Holt talk about this in the video.
W= Winning, Wanda Witter as I blog in alphabetical order .



**The counts on our progress bars are current. Percentages are current, as of Feb 15th. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Ebony Arrested, Car Impounded, Jeff Glazer APD and CNN's Victor Blackwell

This story tells about a mother, Ebony and her 4 children being homeless, living out of their 20 year old car, a Buick.  How she was arrested, the car impounded by The Atlanta Police Department.  But, there's more as reported by CNN's Victor Blackwell.  This is a post for the letter V....a bit of stretch perhaps using the reporters first name to fulfill the alphabetical challenge of the needed post.

VIDEO

A Go Fund Me Page

**The counts on our progress bars are current. Percentages are current, as of Feb 15th. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Make an Investment

It occurs to me, we as a society need to make an investment in our Homeless Population.  I feel like that's what we do here on Bridge and Beyond.  We knit, we crochet, we loom and we donate hand made items of warmth...but isn't that us, making an investment in these people who are less fortunate than we are?  We're investing in their future.

I wish, we as a society were making more of an investment in getting people off the streets.  In providing them with a warm roof over their heads.  Investing in their future by helping with jobs, and providing mental health services which are so often needed with homeless populations.  I know homeless people have been around for ages and at times in our history the population has grown and at other times it has become less, which is awesome; but I believe we need a permanent fix...a permanent investment in the future for people in need.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.


** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Homeless, Hungry, and Hats

We've chatted a lot about being homeless since the first of the year, and shared pictures of the face of homelessness.  Some, depending on where you are you see more than others.  Another picture, sad picture of a person sleeping on the cold cement.  This gentleman has a piece of cardboard and blanket, that's not much.  How does one sleep?  I find it often difficult to sleep through the night in a warm comfortable bed, can't imagine sleeping on the cold, hard cement with perhaps city noises all around you.  I've posted quite a few pictures of that in recent weeks.  Still, each picture sadness me.

Cold, and hungry and homeless.  We do what we can by knitting, crocheting, and looming hats.  There's a hat tab across the top of the blog with information regarding sizes, colors, and fibers.  Please take a look and consider making a hat or two to help Bridge and Beyond help the homeless.  A hat can make a person feel so much warmer.  A hat can keep the cold wind out of your ears and perhaps keep you from getting an ear ache.

If you've knitted or crocheted hats for us before, could I challenge you to make at least one more this calendar year?  Please and thanks.  We didn't make our goal last year and would like to push a bit to see what we can accomplish this year.  Please tell a friend that might help you make a hat or 2. 

Thank you for visiting, and reading this blog.  Hope to see you again.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Donations for Homeless

The picture above pulls at my heart strings, it's sad.  Sleeping on a cold sidewalk (just as the previous post) in the middle of busy community while others go about their normal business.  Unlike the previous post and picture, this gentleman doesn't have the luxury of a tent.  Also looks like he has very merger belongings.  Our donations, like a warm knitted or crocheted or loomed hat can make him or others like him more comfortable.  Keep him warmer, and in fact can be the difference in staying alive on a cold night.

Yes, the situation is sad, and rather bleak; but you all who donate do make an important difference in giving people hope, as well as keeping them warmer...and more safe.

Our donations of hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, personal care items, cotton washcloths, and afghans tell people we care about them.  Our donations are all direct donations.  By that I mean, we here at Bridge and Beyond are a grass roots charity, they is no paid staff.  Your donations all go to those in need.  Some of your donations go from you to me to Rae.  Rae is dear lady who prepares hot meals on Saturdays mornings to feed those living out in the elements (under the bridges and beyond).  Your donations go to men, women, and children in shelters; as well as those families who transition from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.

Your donations are gifts!  Think of the Birthday or Christmas Gifts you've given over the years.  You give of yourself be it in time to shop for something special, or time to craft something special.  When you make a donation to Bridge and Beyond or a homeless group in your community, you are doing the same thing.  Giving something special to someone special.  Our donations aren't gift wrapped with a big red bow, but I venture to say they are equally as precious, if not more so.

Each item we knit, crochet, or loom has it's own tab across the top of the blog with necessary information about size, colors, and fibers to ensure our donations do indeed meet the needs of those we serve.  If you have questions not addressed, or wonder why there's a specific requirement for color, size or fiber.........please feel free to contact me either by email or the contact form in the right side bar.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time

.** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Camp for Homeless is NOT Camping

On first glance, you may think this Dad and his cute little daughter are camping, but........look again.  They are on a sidewalk--a hard sidewalk somewhere in the US.  Camping on a hard sidewalk is NOT something you do vs staying in a state or national park when you're camping.  When you're camping you typically pitch your tent on grass or a special tent pad that provides comfort.  No, this sad situation is a Dad and his cute young daughter on a sidewalk, there is no camp ground with a bathroom, or a fire pit etc.  They could even be considered as some of the luckier people, as they have a tent which would provide cover in rain. 

I assume there are in a large city that allows homeless to pitch a tent on a sidewalk.  In my community that is not permitted.  But, the big problem here is a young girl/ toddler and her father are homeless.  They probably don't know where their next meal is coming from or whether or not they can stay here beyond this one night.  It's sad.  Truly, being homeless is something that even my being involved with this blog for going on ten years, is hard to fathom.  I can not imagine what it must be like to want to take care of your sweet young daughter when you are without.  I just can't imagine.

Please do what you can to knit, crochet, spread the word here through Bridge and Beyond, as well efforts in your own community.  No one should be homeless.  Let's all do our best to provide what we can.  Perhaps you're able to provide a tent, sleeping bag, tarp or other equipment to an organization in your community.  This is a sad picture indeed, but ...can you picture what it would look like without the stroller, without the tent?  Do what you can, provide what you can. 

Together with caring hearts, we can help...one day at a time, one person at a time, one donation at a time.  Thank you for all you do here on Bridge and Beyond and whatever you're also able to do in your communities.

**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Begging and Homelessness

This is another picture that shows, in a very strong way what many in our community do when they see a homeless person.  Did you see the previous post?  How can we fix homelessness, if we don't acknowledge it?  Do we (Collective We), not acknowledge it because we don't know how to fix it?  

I don't know the answers, but sometimes think people look away because they don't want to stare, which is considered impolite.  Maybe just smiling, or saying hello would be a step to make them feel less invisible?

None of the above has mentioned begging, so let me address that, since it is the title of the post.  (Just found the picture profound).  Recently I've read some articles about some communities cracking down on what they are calling aggressive begging.  The first article was actually from The UK.  The area where the royal wedding will be, has a handful of homeless/street people.  Their government has decided it's inappropriate for them to be there on the doorsteps when the royal wedding uses that particularly route.  They indicate they are being forceful---aggressive with begging, some who work or live in the area say that's not true; while other business want the homeless gone.  Apparently, the problem is global, not specific to The United States.

I've passed people who have a can or bucket ...some container and are requesting donations, but, I've never had anyone actually approach me and beg for money.  Have you?  Do you give money to those with containers?  Some say it helps, others say it's not a good idea, as some aren't real homeless people, but con artists.  How do you know if you're really helping someone?  Isn't it better to perhaps give donations to someone who might be a con artist, than to not help anyone?

I see both sides of the issue, and have from time to time drop some money in the container; other times not.  I don't more than I do, and sometimes I later feel badly because I didn't.  Sometimes it's because I don't want to open my purse, sometimes it's because I know I don't have small bills..........I often carry very little cash, because I charge 99.9% of all my purchases.  I sometimes put a couple of dollars in a pocket (if I have one, and often as a women don't have pockets), so if see someone I can make a contribution without getting into my purse.  

Tell us what you do?  Tell us what you've seen.  Perhaps we can learn from each other.

In my effort to blog in ABC order, this is my B post.
A post is HERE, if you missed it.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Afghans and Homeless

There are so many faces of homelessness.  Some of the faces though are faces not often seen.  5 people in this picture at a traffic light waiting to cross.  The picture seems to make a point of showing how faceless the homeless person on the ground is.  Several appear to be purposely looking any other direction.  The young woman, takes what appears to be a quick sideways glance.....and then we assume the light changes.  I am told in a good number of articles I've read, we as a society look away because it makes us uncomfortable.  We look away because it's easier not to see the faces.

Several years ago I entered a blog contest that challenge bloggers to blog in alphabetically order.  It was a daily challenge.  I am going to attempt to blog in ABC order in hopes of having more blog posts written, even if there are no donations to show that particular day.  I'm probably not going to be able to do it daily,  but will attempt the ABC to have something here much more often that last year.  More frequent posts are suppose to help the SEO placement, just like more blog visits do, and more blog comments and sharing links etc.  So, I'll be sharing pictures, some stats and some of things I've found along the way about homelessness.

A=Afghan Afghans
Goal: 36
Start: #1
Current: 1

0.0277%

START

END

This is our current Tally and Goal regarding Afghans.  36, our goal is an average of the afghans donated over the last 5 years here on Bridge and Beyond.  We've started, and have had 1 donated so far, thus are current number is 1, and you see the percentage of goal accomplished.

I still have squares, stripes, and some pieces parts of things that have been donated over the years that eventually become afghans.  Additionally, sometimes I knit or crochet a ghan from start, and many of you good people do that same.   If you're new to the blog you might not know how our Afghans are used and or why we donate them.

This afghan is one my Great Grandmother made.  I consider it quite a marvelous treat that I still have this.  It's quite old.  Currently, it's not being used and is need of repair; but it's this afghan that propelled me to think how special afghans can be to people.  We donate afghans to families transitioning from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.  With their afghan specially packaged in a clear very large ziplock bag with handles is a letter briefly telling them we congratulate them on their accomplishment, we wish them well in the future and that the afghan is a celebration for them.  The letter tells them how to launder the afghan so that it can withstand the test of time, using a quick story about me having this afghan from my Great Grandmother.

Naturally afghans keep people warm and everyone loves to curl up under one.  It's a feeling of being loved, and comforted.  So, we donated afghans to Homeless Families Foundation and hope that we are providing warmth, comfort, and a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as hope for the future.

Here's the link for our Afghan Tab
Please take a minute and read the information about size, laundering, perfumes, smoking, pets etc if you're knitting or crocheting an afghan to donate to an appreciative family.

**TRULY, our ghans are received as very precious items.   This is a note from one of my contacts from Homeless Families Foundations.
Sandy  - I wanted to share a story with you...Today one of our clients came in and he was picking out some scarves and hats from what you brought in for us. He started talking about how he use to have a blanket that his grandmother had crocheted for him and due to moving around a lot he had lost it. When I pulled out one of the wonderful blankets you had brought into us and told him that his grandmother didn't make it but hopefully he could think about her when he uses it, he was so thankful. He darn near started to cry which gave me the goosebumps. So thank you once again for all that you do for us at The Homeless Families Foundation. It truly means a lot to our families!

That's the afghan she gave him.  During a later delivery to Homeless Families Foundation, I met the gentleman from the above story.  It was a very special feeling for me.  So,please know if you've knitted or crocheted afghans in the past for Bridge and Beyond, they are very special.  AND, if you've not in the past; please do consider making one to donate.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Pictures of Donations for the Homeless After Being Hacked!

 If you read yesterday's post (and if not PLEASE PLEASE do), you know I was hacked and have been without the ability to use my computer and post for sometime.

 To give you an idea of what wonderful donations have been pending.  I'm posting these pictures, which will all be discussed in subsequent blog posts.

As note in yesterday's post, some pictures were stuck on my computer without my ability to get to them, others stuck in my camera without the ability to load them anywhere.

 Almost all of these wonderful donations had already been bagged for delivery.

 A few have come while I was working through the issues.

And, as we'll be catching up....thought you'd enjoy seeing all these wonderful knitted, crocheted, and loomed goodies!

 Our weather here as already started to turn.  August in fact might have been one of the coldest I can remember.  Ohio August's are always referred to as the dog days of summer.  Not this year.  The last several weeks of the month we had many mornings with temps in the 50's, which is just crazy.

 And now for the last month, we thought we might have what in this area is referred to as Indian Summer....once the kids get back to school it gets super hot.  NOPE, that didn't happen either.

 While we've not had frost yet, we have had lots of fog that last several mornings.  Could barely see out the window this am and it didn't clear til around 10:30 am.  Strange weather indeed.  Though mind you, we're not having floods, or hurricanes, or tornado's or earthquakes, or wild fires and for that, I am very grateful.

The fabulous donations are from:

Melinda G, Emily K, Sandie P, Sandra R, Connor W, Karen S, and Joy D.  Not necessarily in that order folks, just reading from notes.

Please know all your donations are very much appreciated.  AND please keep coming back to the blog to see the blog posts with your goodies.

Again Thank you all for your patience.  AND again, if you didn't read yesterday's post PLEASE do.  I want you all to be informed.

Also folks, thought it was time for a new look so have changed the layout, and theme/color of the blog a bit.  Hope you like it.


2016 Donations:

HATS: 318

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves) 257

MITTENS: 60

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 45

AFGHANS: 33

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Helping Homeless Interrupted, Hacked

If you've been a regular viewer of this blog, you've probably wondered what's happened over the last 10 ish days with no posts.  I was hacked in the answer.  After blogging for YEARS!  I do mean years, Bridge and Beyond has been around 9 years and I blogged prior to that.  I've gotten emails from all over the world, as you know from how wide spread our donations are.  I've NEVER had problems.  

However, there's a first for everything.  I wasn't hacked due to on line searches, nor a variety of emails, nor chatting on line in various groups with people I only know via the net.  NOPE, I was hacked my initiating a phone call.  My initiating a phone call for help with my Skype Account.  Doing a google search I found a 1-800 help line and called.  Things started out fine and dandy, or at least things seemed appropriate in terms of the questions they asked etc to get to the bottom of my problem.  This 800 number appeared in several different places on the net, but it was not a help line for Skype.  At some point during the conversation, a red flag went off in my head...got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and so, I said (thankfully), I'm not comfortable with this conversation and am ending it.  he got a bit nasty.  I hung up.  In checking out my account, he used a program called Supremo.  Supremo, appears to be a legitimate program like Team Viewer and the like whereby someone else can see you computer to help you............it however, is a program favorite of hackers and scammers.

I had taken back control of my computer as I ended the call, and I looked to uninstall the program, which I couldn't do.  Googling indicated I could just delete said executable file and so I did.  Computer continued to work normally, so thought I was fine.  Noticed the logo for said program was still on my shortcut toolbar area and preceded to delete it, and couldn't.  My logic at that point, was to reboot, thinking perhaps the delete didn't take hold until a reboot, as often changes/updates etc don't.  

AND now the trouble begins.  Couldn't reboot, turned off the computer and waited about 15 minutes and tried again.  Ultimately I unhooked the internet from the computer (rather hubby did when he came home for dinner), and left the computer off for multiple days.  During that time, I did research via my ipad and found the info about the program Supremo (luckily I had written stuff down as they had me doing things), and did a search for the 1-800 number I had called...............TONS of reports about that number being a scam.

After calling several computer fix it places and getting estimates both about costs to fix and time to repair, I was rather discouraged.  Continuing my research, and something my neighbor told me convinced me I should try to fix it myself.  S L O W L Y, doing one thing at a time I was able to reset my computer, did a variety of virus scans with equipment/programs on windows 10.  My files seemed to be there and be ok, so then braved re-connecting to the internet...........getting excited, it hadn't blown up or anything.  Found additional virus protection, purchased it and loaded it, and did 2 more specific scans.

At this point, there was dancing in the street.  I was sooooooooo relieved, and happy, and excited to have fixed it. I was talking to myself throughout the process.

I'm posting all of this in case it might be of help to anyone else out there.  My neighbor that gave me the one piece of advice was a result of something similar that happened to him at work.  I did not give the guy on the phone any personal info, and thankfully shut things down before he asked for a charge card, which would probably have been the ultimate goal from him, based on everything I read during my research, as well as what my neighbor told me.

Additionally, I like to reinforce something I knew (no doubt you all do too), always keep you computer programs current, do your updates, run regular virus scans, AND trust your gut!

**I still have not resolved my Skype problem, and may not try for some time to come.  While researching that, I came across more than a handful of stories of people who've had issues because of Skype.  Microsoft has purchased Skype and so getting help shouldn't be that hard, but.............it is.

Thank you for bearing with me through this problem.  I had pictures both on the computer and on my camera, but one can not load pictures from a camera to an ipad in order to do any posts here.  I couldn't access the photo's here on the computer to do posts either.  So, will be playing catch up.

PLEASE be careful with all your on line activities folks.



2016 Donations:

HATS: 318

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves) 257

MITTENS: 60

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 45

AFGHANS: 33

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Helping Homeless,

This is a wonderful article from The Washington Post by Colby Itkowitz.  Hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Republican Mayor Richard Berry was driving around Albuquerque last year when he saw a man on a street corner holding a sign that read: “Want a Job. Anything Helps.”

Throughout his administration, as part of a push to connect the homeless population to services, Berry had taken to driving through the city to talk to panhandlers about their lives. His city’s poorest residents told him they didn’t want to be on the streets begging for money, but they didn’t know where else to go.

Seeing that sign gave Berry an idea. Instead of asking them, many of whom feel dispirited, to go out looking for work, the city could bring the work to them.

Next month will be the first anniversary of Albuquerque’s There’s a Better Way program, which hires panhandlers for day jobs beautifying the city. In partnership with a local nonprofit that serves the homeless population, a van is dispatched around the city to pick up panhandlers who are interested in working. The job pays $9 an hour, which is above minimum wage, and provides a lunch. At the end of the shift, the participants are offered overnight shelter as needed.

In less than a year since its start, the program has given out 932 jobs clearing 69,601 pounds of litter and weeds from 196 city blocks. And more than 100 people have been connected to permanent employment.

“You can just see the spiral they’ve been on to end up on the corner. Sometimes it takes a little catalyst in their lives to stop the downward spiral, to let them catch their breath, and it’s remarkable,” Berry said in an interview. ”They’ve had the dignity of work for a day; someone believed in them today.”

Berry’s effort is a shift from the movement across the country to criminalize panhandling. Arecent National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty report found a noticeable increase, with 24 percent of cities banning it altogether and 76 percent banning it in particular areas.

There is a persisting stigma that people begging for money are either drug addicts or too lazy to work and are looking for an easy handout.

But that’s not necessarily the reality. Panhandling is not especially lucrative and it’s demoralizing, but for some people it can seem as if it’s the only option. When panhandlers have been approached in Albuquerque with the offer of work, most have been eager for the opportunity to earn money, Berry said. They just needed a lift. One man told him no one had said a kind word to him in 25 years.

Kellie Tillerson, director of Employment Services at St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, the organization that facilitates the city’s program, said the way to dispel people of the negative associations with panhandlers is for them to do what the mayor did and engage on a human level.

“Genuinely ask why they are in the predicament they are,” Tillerson said. “Many have medical conditions, they don’t have the proper identification — you can’t get a job without one. They don’t have a Social Security card. Those little things we take for granted prohibit people from getting a job. Don’t assume they are lazy.”

The There’s a Better Way van employs about 10 workers a day but could easily take more. When the van fills, people have begged to get a spot next time, she said. That’s why the city has increased funding for the program to expand it from two to four days a week. And it inspired St. Martin’s to start its own day labor program, connecting the jobless to employers in the area who could offer side jobs.

Tillerson said a lot of the people who get picked up by the van were not aware of all the services available to them. One man who recently got out of prison returned to St. Martin’s the day after taking one of the city’s jobs. She said it enrolled him in the day-labor program, told him about behavioral health services and are helping him get an ID.

“He now has a support system he didn’t know he needed and definitely didn’t know existed,” she said. “It’s life-changing for them. He was one that said, ‘I would much rather earn my money than have someone hand it to me.’ ”

Dozens of cities around the country have reached out to Berry wanting to copy the program. It’s a testament, he said, to the work mayors do regardless of political party.

.He was the first Republican mayor elected in Albuquerque in 30 years, he said, and he’s proactively tackling homelessness.

The program hasn’t weeded out all panhandling in the city, and supporters say that’s not really the point. It’s connecting people who would otherwise not seek help to needed services. And it’s showing them when they are at their lowest that they have real value, and that others are willing to show them kindness to help them have a better life.

“It’s helping hundreds of people,” Berry said, “and our city is more beautiful than ever.”

2016 Donations:

HATS: 318

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves) 263-6=257

MITTENS: 60

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 45

AFGHANS: 33

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knit, Crochet for the Homeless or do Housework?

Thought you all might appreciate the above.  Spotted this on Facebook a few days ago and wanted to share.  Naturally this works just as well to insert Crochet.

Though we're inching on up Spring, we've had snow twice in recent days, temps still below freezing in the evening and early morning, so I do hope everyone is still busy working with their yarn, knitting needles, and or crochet hooks........the need truly does continue, and will for some time yet.  Spring here in Central Ohio is still quite chilly, and wet usually, so plenty of time left to get your donations finished and donated to someone in need.

Thank you.


**Still looking for a Jane B from Minnesota

2016 DONATIONS:
Hats:  318
Scarves:   158
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers:  97
Slippers: 77
Rain Poncho's:  105
Cotton Washcloths:  414
Afghans:   18
Socks:  189
Cowls/Hoody Combo's, headbands:  9
Shawls and shrugs, ponchos, sweaters & vests etc 0
Misc: items like personal care, headbands etc and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted

Please note the category of shawl, shrugs, ponchos etc has reached our little goal, same as last year of 1.........but please please please.........don't let that stop you from making more of these items.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.