Older Homeless Women I Know

[bobbolink]

"Jessica" was a very successful massage therapist, with much expertise in energy work when she was hit by a drunk driver and left with brain injury. It is a very slow recovery, and many days she is not able to function very well, which is typical of brain injury. It's looking like she will never make a full recovery, but Jessica hasn't yet come to the point of realizing that. She bounces from shelter to part-time housesitting and back to shelter.

"Joyce" became very ill, and was unable to work for a long time, so she lost her job. The resulting medical fees cost her the loss of everything she had. The sad state of health care in the US is causing an increasing number of homeless people, and women are more vulnerable.

"Jackie" Is homeless for the reason that so many women are.... she has experienced abuse many times, and is always set back each time. Abuse at home, abuse at work, and abuse from "agencies" she applies to for "help". Abuse is probably the principal cause of homelessness with women and children.

Many women, whose names are not known, will be homeless in the near future because women coming back from serving in Iraq are experiencing PTSD at higher rates than men. Just as with Vietnam vets, many of these women will not be able to work, and will need low-income housing. Given their service, it is certainly their right to have decent housing, and not be bounced from shelter to shelter.

"Jenn" The only reason "Jenn" isn't homeless at the age of 70 is because she made the decision to stay in a very unhealthy building that has ruined her health. In 5 years, she went from a healthy person who was looking for a job to someone who had bloodclots in her lungs from pollution in the building and now must be on oxygen at all times. Her knees have given out because of the cement floors (what do cement floors do to hip bones of elderly women when they fall??), and is no longer strong emotionally because of the atmosphere of extreme tension in the building.

None of these women need more "shelter" -- we all need safe, clean and pleasant permanent housing! THere are more and more older women who are becoming homeless, yet are invisible because people don't want to recognize just how broken the system is. HUD has been cut more than 65% in 25 years, and Section 8 housing, if it exists at all, is rundown, overcrowded, and either has waiting lists of years, or closed waiting years.

The situation is DIRE!

[AZBlue]

1. The saddest part of their stories is that they are only a tiny percentage of Americans like them.

K&R

[bobbolink]

3. Yes, there are so many homeless older women, and people just don't want to know that.

Mostly these women have come from the middleclass, and so often they feel a sense of shame for their predicament, so they don't speak up.

Invisible.

:cry:

[shugah]

70. just curious bobbolink, about these women's families?

i know that having a supportive family, whether grudging or no, is often the final safety net for a lot of people. it's not a solution - eeking out an existence in a basement corner of a relative's house is not better than a single room in a strangers house, but is often more palatable, i think, than the, as you pointed out "shame" they feel because of needing help.

so, just wondering how the family or lack thereof may be at play for these women? i guess i'm wondering what can be done immediately, as a more real and permanent solution is pursued. if such a solution can and will become the priority it should be and has to be.

it breaks my heart that there are so many forgotten people in our world. i think a part of the problem today is that there are so many people hanging by a thread - not so much a "there but for the grace of deity..." but more "i can barely help myself, how can i possibly help anyone else?"

thanks for posting about poverty, bobbolink, and providing achievable steps that everyone can take to help. i understand the "it is such a huge problem, what can i possibly do?" feeling that most people get when they really stop to consider poverty and the people that are dieing because of it. but giving a little bit of money or a blanket to a homeless person i meet is not a solution either. so, thank you for keep the subject in the mainstream discussion, and thank you for your suggestions about what people can do.

[bobbolink]

71. You raise some important points. MOST people in this situation don't have families.

Either don't have family, period, or don't have family who care.

For me, it's a very painful issue, and I don't appreciate a stranger asking it of me, so I don't ask it of other people. Unless one of these women mentioned their family at all, I didn't ask. I've come to understand the Indians around here... they don't like it when Anglos ask them personal questions. Yet, if you just BE and are considerate, they will tell you so much without asking.

The same with homeless people. We have to answer so many prying questions, and over and over and over, that I just don't do that with people. I find that if you care, they are more than happy to have someone caring to talk to, and tell their story. BUt, it's on their terms. Which is what they need.

"and providing achievable steps that everyone can take to help. "

Stay tuned. Someone suggested this today, and I'm hoping to be able to get a thread together about just that. There really are a lot of things, a long the ladder from very simple and easy to longer term and more complicated.

Really, we can do so much more, if we just put our heads and our considerable smart together!

Thanks for your kind words!

:pals:

[pitohui]

74. "about the families"

i've known of similar cases and w.out going into detail -- moving in with "family" would mean forcing the younger woman to lose her husband, who will not tolerate the older woman living in the household for any length of time

then you got two women homeless instead of one

a few months ago in my parish (county) a woman, who took in her brother, was knifed to death by her husband, as was the brother she took in and cared for, then bodies were burned by the husband, the reality is that "family" is not always an answer or a safe haven

[Chovexani]

2. K&R

I didn't know that female Iraq vets have higher rates of PTSD.

I've been saying for a while now that we're going to be facing a mental health epidemic of epic proportions in the coming years. It'll make post-Vietnam look like a Sunday picnic. And all the while the Greedy Old Pricks insist on cutting benefits and services. It's despicable.:(

[gateley]

4. It breaks my heart and makes me cry in frustration.

When I feel == but what can just one person (me) do? I remember Mother Teresa saying if you can't feed a hundred mouths, feed one.

I'm going to look into what I can do tomorrow. Thank you for helping me realize a priority I've been ignoring.

Rec!

[bobbolink]

6. What you can do--HR2895!! Please see if your rep is on the list,

then call/write to thank him/her if so, and pester them until they DO sign, if not.

^_^

[gateley]

17. Will do. Thank you. nt

[bobbolink]

5. Yes, it's a sad statistic. The guess is it's because of the sexual abuse so many experience in the

service.

That abuse ranks high in the causes of homelessness for women in general.

Yet, we can't seem to muster up the wherewithall to provide housing for all these women!!!

[Chovexani]

7. Jesus wept. (n/t)

[bobbolink]

8. Indeed. And most churches and political activists turned the other way.

:cry:

[Whisp]

35. we are only as strong as the weakest amongst us.

and that can be any of us, any time.

k&r.

[kineneb]

9. real housing is needed

I am not sure why there are not old-fashioned boarding houses for women like these. Something like the expensive senior homes, but on a smaller scale and simpler. Having one or two modest-sized rooms for $100 or so a month would be a great help. People used to take in boarders when they needed extra income.

We need to start housing cooperatives. The housing is out there, but often underutilized. Say an older woman lives alone in her large home; she could rent out several of the rooms at a very low cost to other women in need.

Sometime in the not-too distant future, I probably will be taking in a friend as a boarder. She is disabled and trying to live on $800/mo when her rent is $600/mo. I told her I could make her a much better deal.

[bobbolink]

16. Cooperatives and communities -- YES! Great!

Boarding houses are really an insult to older women who have worked hard all their lives, and who have been successful and maintained fine living quarters.

I think what you're missing is that when women like "Jessica" and "Joyce" and "Jackie" become disabled and unable to work, they may only receive a fraction of what it costs to rent a reasonable apartment. They don't need "boarding" and being shoved into a small room, and kept on a silly schedule that only benefits the boarding house... they are capable, independent women who are now simply unable to afford the market rates of decent apartments. Either we need to raise the level of Disabilty they get so that they can afford to rent a market apartment, or there needs to be low-income apartments available in numbers to house everyone. Actually, the first alternative would be the best!

Why should older women lose EVERYTHING they have, and have to squeeze into one room, when having an apartment is doable, if we only make it happen??? They've already lost enough, as evidenced by both Jessica and Joyce.

[raccoon]

43. I've thought myself that maybe boarding houses need to come back in vogue.

Besides these women, there are other working people of all ages who can't afford even a modest apartment on McJob wages.

And kudos to you for wanting to help out your friend.

[bobbolink]

56. So women who've worked all their lives can throw out everything, and live in one room?

Be at the mercy of the owner, and have to live on the owner's schedule?

Why, pray tell, aren't we even worth having our own small apartment?

[nam78_two]

10. This post brings tears to my eyes...huge K&R

Thank you for posting about these important matters Bobbie.

[Reterr]

11. k&r

:(

[undergroundpanther]

12. This angers me

WTF are we spending the BILLIONS on Killing Iraqis for again?

The American cult of callousness and fear of weakness has to stop .People who are fortunate need their just world to be ripped apart so they can see how their stubborn self serving feel good beliefs about the way the world is, it is a lie this world is just,and that lie it HURTS PEOPLE...Anyone middle class needs to stop being an enabler to the wealthy because they are waiting to retire ,they have to realize their good situation might not last long enough for their retirement and help because when they hit the cement floor like the others before them the people they once neglected ignored or worse blamed,no one will be there for them when they fall..Because they deserted desperate people who needed help when they could have helped and there is no social safety net .Nobody should be forced to live in hell on Earth to survive.
Yet many people say this is OK by their inactions.

[Chovexani]

14. We're a nation of sociopaths

"I got mine, so screw you." :cry:

(And hey, Panther! :))

[Gregorian]

19. It's a sin of the highest.

The most basic dignity in life. Abandoned. Don't worry, you have company in your anger.

It's hard to go day after day watching this sick madness of heaping money into the pockets of murderers, while common people suffer. Good people. Better people than those making the god damned guns.

I'm sorry it seems that we're almost helpless. And I'm sorry that so many Americans are blind and numbed.

I want to live in a society where people care. People think. People help. Damnit I'm so tired of arrogance and willful dumbing. I'm not poor, but I really dislike people with wealth who can't see below them.

In a way, I am also homeless. It continues to come back to me. I have a house, but I am not at home here. But that is a very big difference than not having a real place to LIVE.

[bobbolink]

28. Yes, abandoned. It hurts the soul.

Thank you for caring.

It means much!

:pals:

[raccoon]

44. Right on! This is not a just world. Anyone who believes it is has been real

lucky--so far. Or else have their head hopelessly up their arse.

Even a billionaire can get Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. My point is, bad things can happen to anybody.

[KG]

13. this country hates children and the elderly.

expect no help from either side of the aisle.

[bobbolink]

20. Then you can expect lots of deaths.

Are you willing to settle for that?

You're part of the equation.

[KG]

25. i'm part of the equation, how?

[bobbolink]

26. You have a voice.

Speak up.

[KG]

31. nobody that matters is listening. if they were, you wouldn't have to post this thread.

[bobbolink]

50. That's a fine excuse for not doing anything, isn't it?

Why are you here?

You obviously don't want to contribute to anything useful.

You've let me know that you have ZERO interest or intent in doing the one simple thing that would help.

Yet, you're so very certain that "liberals" care.

How do you hold that irreconcilable difference in your head without it exploding?

You don't want to help, you don't want to even speak up, so .... there's no point in discussing it with you.

Goodbye.

[KG]

54. this mean you'll leave me alone?

cool :hi:

[raccoon]

45. And the poor. nt

[Control-Z]

64. Don't forget

the women they hate.

[antigop]

15. thank you for your continued focus on this issue, bobbolink...here is what i am going to do

In addition to trying to get the housing bill passed, I will go to a series on social justice at a local church. I will see what we can do locally about the problem,while pushing for a national housing bill.

[bobbolink]

18. Now you have ME in tears! Thank you so very much!

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

I can't tell you just how much that means to me! YES! Speak out! And, may I suggest Jim Wallis' book, "Faith Works", especially the chapter "Listen To Those Closest To The Problem". If you make yourself very familiar with that chapter, you will understand all that I've been trying to focus on, and will create some REAL progress!

Bless you! :pals:

Oh, and pleeez try also to get other Dems to do the same!

[antigop]

21. The scenarios you described in your OP could happen to any one of us.

It would be comforting to know that there is a safety net out there.

[bobbolink]

23. Absolutely! And, I've come to the conclusion that's why so many liberals don't want to think about

it.

If they can pretend it only happens to "them", then they will feel safe.

Jim Wallis reminds us to think of all poor folk as our friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters.

What a concept. :hi:

And, yes, while I wouldn't wish this on your or anyone, I would CERTAINLY hope that you would have a safety net, should you need it.

And not just "shelter".

[PDenton]

38. Unless you are highly independently wealthy

Anybody can be bankrupted by medical or health problems.

Republicans who think we don't need a safety net, that they don't need one rather, are WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD. Sure, it is a one in a hundred chance, but when it happens to you, you will be screwed no matter who you voted for.

[bobbolink]

48. Exactly why we need to stop thinking in terms of "US" and "THEM"

We are all in this together.

We need to see homeless people as friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters, and potentially, ourselves. We would make better decisions, we would Do more, and we would treat others better if we stopped seeing them in terms of projects to be "fixed".

"Republicans who think we don't need a safety net"

I keep trying to remind everyone that seeing the problem as Republicans is missing the point, which is then exacerbating the problem. DEMOCRATS aren't taking this seriously! "Liberals" aren't taking this seriously! And, certainly, liberals and progressives aren't seeing us homeless people as "one of them". That's where it starts.

Just so you know..... in the small town where I am now, a rather conservative town, I met a woman who is proud of being "liberal". Yet, when she found out I'm homeless, she distanced herself, acting scared of me. I asked her what she was scared of in me, and she couldn't answer. At the same time, I woman who votes Republican took me into her home, has helped me out immensely, and most of all, listens and cares.

[lonestarnot]

29. Why a series on social justice "at a local Church?"

[bobbolink]

51. Why not?

Why disparage someone from doing something useful?

[Le Taz Hot]

37. THAT is a great idea!

K & R

[knitter4democracy]

22. So many stories, so much pain. We need the New Deal again.

We have empty military bases all over the country. Why can't we use those to take in families and help people? Get them up to code and get them healthy to live in--which would help with jobs, too. Why not? Who owns those? I know some in Michigan have been bulldozed--all that living space just bulldozed. That is ridiculous. We need a New Deal to get Americans jobs and to get Americans healthy, safe places to live.

[antigop]

24. Absolutely! A New Deal again. I agree. n/t

[lonestarnot]

30. Jobs and more jobs can be created improving the environment from the most technical, to the

widget manufacturer unless they get outsourced.

[bobbolink]

27. I would appreciate your help in keeping this thread alive for others during the night.

These women need to be introduced to all at DU

Thank you for your help!

:grouphug:

[LWolf]

32. A good long term solution

is one that will provide people with permanent, secure, safe housing.

The loss of dignity, the constant stress, the insecurity, of bouncing from temporary shelter to temporary shelter does not help people who are struggling get on their feet.

I was temporarily homeless once in my twenties, with 2 young children. We slept in the car and made surrepticious trips to restrooms in fast-food restaurants and gas stations to use the facilities and take sponge-baths. I remember the way fast-food employees looked at us.

Some people have just been knocked flat by life, and need some support and security while they get back up. Others never had a support network to set them up in life to begin with, and they help doing so. Still others, whether because of illness or disability, will never be able to be entirely self-supporting.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

[bobbolink]

52. "Some people have just been knocked flat by life,"

So true, and yet it's so hard for the rest of us to reach out in compassion.

"Others never had a support network to set them up in life to begin with, and they help doing so."

Again, you are right on target. Yet, the mentality now is one of being "TOUGH" with people. I guess it's so much easier than compassion.

"Still others, whether because of illness or disability, will never be able to be entirely self-supporting."

And the constant focus on "jobs" will never include these people. It's frightening to them/us to always be left out of the equation.

[LWolf]

73. All true.

The cultural lack of empathy, lack of compassion, shows up in every arena of life these days.

There may be no perfect solution, no utopia where we can make sure that every human being has the basic fundamentals of life. I'd like to move in that direction, though.

I find myself wondering if the lack of empathy in our culture stems from having too many people who aren't getting, who don't have, those fundamental needs on the bottom levels of Maslow's hierarchy. As a culture, we can't evolve upward to higher levels when the basics aren't there.

It's a closed circle; people operating on the lower "competition for scarce resources" end of the human spectrum of potential widen the gap between the haves and have-nots, increasing the number of people whose needs aren't met, and further lowering the levels we operate on.

Just an idea I'm pondering, anyway.

It seems as though, if we really wanted to consider ourselves highly advanced, we'd start by making sure that all people are treated as part of the community, secure in knowing that basic needs are met.

[Wiley50]

33. What Happens with the homeless men in equally bad health situations?

How do they fare?

I ask because I fear I am almost there.

[knitter4democracy]

40. I worked in a men's homeless shelter once.

It was awful. I would never recommend a shelter to anyone. Do anything you can to stay out of there. Is there anyone who can help you?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

34. I've noticed that a lot more people are showing up at my church's free meals

who are not the traditional long-term homeless population but are people who have obviously seen better days--and recently, judging from their clothes and demeanor.

[knitter4democracy]

41. Our local food bank and local free meals groups have all seen their nubmers go up.

It's been exponential, too. Huge numbers of families needing food and help, huge numbers of retired men and women, singles with no local family. It's really scary.

That reminds me--I need to drop some food off there.

[Greyhound]

36. Thanks again, my you've been busy. This thread more than the others, or rather the replies to it,

have made me feel more hopeful. Maybe you've chased off the the indifferent, but for whatever reason it is good to hear positive, encouraging, thoughts with intent to take action.

Just a few bits of errata; Women tend to hide, out of fear and shame, and therefore are much less visible and many do not know that they comprise the largest segment of the homeless. Jenn's situation is far more common than most will admit, especially government representatives that are supposed to be helping these people and enforcing the codes that are supposed to make these situations impossible.

Most of the time when the elderly "fall and break a hip", that is not what happens. It is the other way around, the hip breaks and causes the fall.

The casualty rate in every war is 100%. One of the consequences of our refusal to deal with this sad fact is the disproportionate number of homeless veterans. Sadly we're producing another bumper crop with this generation.

knitter4democracy - Great idea. Currently, most of this real estate is sold off to politically connected developers, unannounced, at fire sale rates. Governors, Representatives, Senators, and councilpersons or Mayors (depending on locality) are the people that can designate how these properties are used.

Wiley50 - I'm right there myself, even the temp jobs are getting fewer and further between, we've got to start banding together into our own communities for mutual support. I know we're on opposite coasts but we've got to do something, let's talk.

Thank you for your time. Greyhound is 10-7.

[knitter4democracy]

42. I've been thinking of having a neighborhood meeting.

Across political lines, just get all of us to meet and agree to help each other. Maybe set up a barter system or something.

I'm going to talk with some local politicians I know to see if we can start brainstorming our housing problem, which is huge.

[bobbolink]

72. Great ideas! If all liberals would talk to their local politicians, things would happen.

Yes, the problem is HUGE, but we are smart people.

We can change all this, if we only have the will.

Thanks for your input--this is very important!

:pals:

[MsLeopard]

39. K&R

Thank you for posting your thoughts, it's truly a wake up call. So sad, and it very well could be me and/or might be in the future..... I will contact my rep on the house bill, but he's a Thug so.... Morning kick.

[bobbolink]

55. "it very well could be me and/or might be in the future" EXACTLY!!

As I keep saying, we need to think in terms of being neighbors and brothers and sisters. It's ALL of us!

Thanks for contacting your Rep. There are several REpublicans who have co-signed, so it's always worth the effort.

Especially if you can talk to others in your district, and get them to do the same.

Or, even better, get a group together, maybe a church group, to make an appointment to speak to him in person, and let him know just how important it is. Back it up with issues from your district.

Thanks!

[Katherine Brengle]

46. What do you think the best course of action is

to deal with this? I ask sincerely, because I'm having trouble getting past the understanding and concern and translating that into action.

[Kajsa]

47. Safe, affordable housing is what we need

yet it's very hard to get.

Here in CA, land is overpriced, hence the insane
" market value" for any housing.

Mobile home parks are closing, especially those
located near the ocean. Instead, million dollar" houses"
are being squeezed into small parcels of land. The proximity
to the neighboring house is so close, you can hear your
neighbor's burp while you are both in your respective abodes.

HUD claims to offer safe housing for lower income people.
My son's best friend finally found an apartment complex that
accepted Section 8, moved in only to find it ridden with crime
and the building dilapidated. He's trying to get out of his lease, especially after
having several neighbors trying to kick down his door at midnight.
This young man has learning disabilities.

Safe, affordable housing for our veterans, our disabled and our lower income
population should be a top priority in every state.

[Cleita]

49. We seem to be the only industrial western nation in the

world that allows elderly women and men to live in the streets. Every other nation in the world has provisions in their budgets and constitutions for taking care of the elderly and housing them. We are shameful.

[bobbolink]

53. "We are shameful." Yet, where is that in the '08 candidates discussions???

Ignored.

Left out.

Then, there will be gnashing of teeth and renting of garments that people "don't vote their own best interest".

Put my interest at priority, and I'll vote for it!!

[bobbolink]

57. .

last kick

[RangerRK]

58. Can DUers help?

I know this problem is bigger than you and your friends,
but I have often pondered as people throw money at MoveOn or politicians (who use your money to give thousands to the corporate media for advertising) ...

Why don't DUers have a fund drive to help you and your friends find permanent housing? Is it crazy? What if we set up a fund to pay the rent every month? There are many DUers that have plenty of money and would like to donate and see their money provide something real, for Americans who need and deserve our help.

We need to stop giving money to the politicians and help each other out. Is this a crazy idea? DU could set a really good example for other websites and Americans everywhere. God knows we need to stand together in these times.

[undergroundpanther]

60. When I have leftover stuff

I try to arrange a ride to the city.When I do this I get out of the car, I walk and I carry the stuff in bags and when I meet homeless people,I ask them if they need any gloves or a blanket,some socks or a toothbrush and paste..I gather all this from my freinds, my folks,and anywhere else I can get it .

I just give what they ask for if I got it in the bag. somewhere...and I move on. When there is a camp I leave a bag there and let them do what they want with it,I don't say any crap to them because tons of people spew religion and pull yourself up bullshit to them. I hug them sometimes, sometimes I just cry with them and listen ,get a cup of Joe with them .I bring sternos and cans of food sometimes,or a break a bag of oranges and hand it out....sometimes I tell them I'll get back to them later,I tell them I will meet them at a certain date and a place,if I managed to score a sleeping bag or candles or a flashlight and didn't bring it because the bags would be too heavy to carry when they ask and I have, I share...
I do this like twice a year.
If more people did this, just gave away surplus not with any group or church but got off their ass and gave it away in person,through their own hands,and by putting themselves on the street with bags of stuff, they'd find when they got to know the homeless they would quickly learn homeless people are not monsters, lazy or evil. They are people too and they need to be wanted and they need help surviving in this world that does not care ,just like everyone does..
I don't let big impersonal charities tell people a message I would feel ashamed to say if I was saying it face to face,I don't want faceless charity waste and skimming off my giving,or them spending my meager donated money on ads or big salaries to the CEO.Fuck the middleman..I just go where the homeless are at,wander around for like 20 minutes and give shit away.I find it is more rewarding meeting the people than sending a check to some big faceless"charity" . If more people took the time and did this charity thing themselves in person,and encouraged others to do it too,we would ,in time, have a very different world.The surplus we have in this country is incredible, the waste to preserve profits is obscene.

[dajoki]

61. I like it...

This is far from a crazy idea. Can it be done? How? Politicians throw money around like candy, trouble is that it doesn't get to the people who need it. "We need to stop giving money to the politicians and help each other out....God knows we need to stand together in these times." That is probably the most common sense statement I have heard in a very long time. And it could set a great example!!

Thank You for that post RangerRK

[bobbolink]

76. deleted

.

[Baby Snooks]

59. The reality of HUD

The reality of HUD is that it has become a cash cow for non-profits and community development corporations to milk for themselves rather than the community they are supposedly helping and in most major cities "affordable housing" is anything but and the people who need affordable housing the most simply cannot afford it.

It is a systemic problem that is not the result of partisan corruption but simply corruption.

Even with the budget cuts of the past 25 years there is still sufficient funding to provide true affordable housing in most major cities and to offer emergency housing for the homeless of which a large percentage are women who are victims of domestic abuse/violence who are then revictimized by society.

In most major cities when a proposed facility is suggested or plans are announced to renovate an existing facility, usually an abandoned apartment complex, inevitably the community reaction is "not in my neighborhood." When it comes to the problem of homelessness in this country, Democrats are just as adept at the "out of sight, out of mind" game as Republicans.

A society that turns its back on its poor and helpless in the end turns its back on itself. And that is what we have done.

[Dukkha]

62. Here's the obvious solution

http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=207&id=323&task=view

The War In Iraq Costs
$454,903,772,625

Instead, we could have built
4,095,981
additional housing units.

[Baby Snooks]

63. HUD's solution in New Orleans...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/26/4119/

Throw them all into the streets and let them die in the gutters.

This is what America has become. Appalling.

[AZBlue]

65. Kick

[ismnotwasm]

66. Kick

I did a clinical at the women's clinic at our local VA hospital. An experience I'll never forget. Thank you.

[bobbolink]

69. Any stories you'd care to share?

[me b zola]

67. k&r

[nam78_two]

68. kick.nt

[dajoki]

75. More about homeless...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3475584

Schwarzenegger cut a $55 million-program that has helped thousands of mentally ill homeless people
California homeless program is cut

Governor signs the budget today, which eliminates a $55-million project that focused on the mentally ill.

By Scott Gold and Lee Romney, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
2:47 PM PDT, August 24, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mental25aug25,0...

The fears of advocates for the mentally ill were realized today, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eliminated a $55 million-program that has helped thousands of mentally ill homeless people break the costly cycle of hospitalization, jails and street life.

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In a letter to people who had flooded his office in recent weeks with pleas to save the mental health program, Schwarzenegger had called it "one of the few voluntary or non-mandated programs available for … reduction."

The governor signed California's budget today after using his veto power to eliminate $700 million, including this program; a spokesman did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the cut.

State Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento called the decision "unconscionable. He noted that despite the allegedly strapped conditions of the state, legislators managed to preserve a loophole allowing the owners of yachts, planes and recreational vehicles to avoid paying sales tax -- a measure that could cost the state as much as $45 million.

"A $45-million tax break for yacht owners stays in the budget," Steinberg said. "And a nationally recognized, incredibly effective program to end homelessness for those living with mental illness gets thrown under the bus."