From Cardboard Box to CNN News Anchor

The incredible story of CNN Headlines News anchor, Ron Roberson, is documented in an article by The Epoch Times. Click here to read article. The article describes how Roberson literally lived on “skid row” in downtown Los Angeles before he was “reborn” into a successful life. It talks about how he almost attempted suicide by jumping out of a seventh floor window of the Frontier Hotel.

Now, he is a national news anchor, a motivational speaker, and owns his own production company.

Not a bad success story…

At PATH, we had a graduation ceremony last week. One of the graduates was a man who also slept in a cardboard box--just a couple of months ago--before entering PATH's SOS program. Now, he is a teacher. When you look at him, you would have never guessed he had been homeless--especially not a person sleeping in a box on "skid row."

Sometimes these "rags to riches" tales are obtainable...

Current Supreme Court Nominee and Homelessness

Everyone is trying to figure out President Bush’s Supreme Court nominee, John G. Roberts Jr.—how extreme are his positions on abortion, gay rights, the role of government?

Interestingly, two Washington Post reporters mention that the nominee, as a private lawyer, represented homeless people in Washington, D.C. who lost their government benefits due to city budget cuts. Read article here.

Does that mean he will be more supportive of the rights of homeless people should he make it to the Supreme Court?

Only time will tell…

Part Two: Santa Monica’s Response To Homelessness

The Santa Monica Lookout News published Part Two of Santa Monica’s Changing Response to Homelessness. Click here to read article. It is centered on the SM Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program (HLP or “Help”). Similar to the LAPD’s response to the homeless in downtown, SMPD dedicates four officers to deal with the homeless.

The program’s two goals are: “to enforce the law and steer the chronically homeless into programs and off the street.”

When the officers encounter homeless people on private property they don’t have many options. “Legally, I cannot do anything. No letter,” explains one of the officers. Without a letter or a complaint, they have to assume the property owner doesn’t mind.

The officers, however, have more options when they encounter people on public property. Unfortunately, ticket-writing doesn’t do much. Even if a person ends up in jail, they are out in just a few days.

Programs like SOS (PATH’s Streets Or Services) that is operated out of LAPD’s Central Division could be helpful. Officers give people the option to meet with a social service worker at the police station rather than receiving tickets. It is a small carrot to entice people to get help. Click here to read about SOS.

However, the sad commentary is this… why should Police Officers have to act as social workers in our community? Chief Bratton is asking for more officers for Los Angeles to fight crime, not to deal with homelessness. With a balance of enough services and housing for those on the streets, our community should then have the right to enforce laws that keep our streets safe and secure.

Long Beach Starts Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness

Last night, I was in Long Beach as a member of their Working Group to develop their Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness—they are calling it “Within Our Reach: A Community Partnership.” Click here to read more about the plan. I was invited to be a member of this group since I grew up in Long Beach and much of my family still live there.

This large beach city has 4,470 people who are homeless. 43% of their homeless population are chronically homeless—meaning they have been homeless for more than a year or have been homeless four times in the last three years.

The Working Group represented all segments of the community. They seemed excited about developing a practical plan to address homelessness.

They immediately set up working subcommittees to address the following:

• Housing
• Review of Other Community 10-Year Plans
• Planning and Building
• Outreach
• Community Education
• Coordination of Continuum of Care System
• Funding
• Prevention Strategies
• Data Analysis
• Community Focus Groups

This community effort is organized, focused, and has mobilized key stakeholders. They are on their way…

Beach-side Community Changing Its Approach To Homelessness

Some call Santa Monica, the “Republic of Santa Monica” for its unique approach to running its city. Years ago, this world-renowned tourist resort used to welcome people who are homeless with services of all kinds.

Today, the sentiment is much different. City Council Members are feeling the pressure from the business community and residents alike. The Santa Monica Lookout News is writing a two-part series on how this city is shifting its focus on homeless services. “From service-oriented policies to providing housing and working with other cities to lift the burden from a seaside town dubbed ‘the home of the homeless.’” Click here to read article.

Some of their new approaches include:

1. Encouraging a regional approach to ending homelessness.
2. Re-examine the “Continuum of Care” model of services, where homeless people are referred from one service to another until they reach self-sufficiency.
3. Encourage a “Housing First” model, where people who are chronically homeless are immediately placed in permanent housing linked with support services.
4. Hire a $200,000-a-year homeless liaison to work with surrounding cities and the County in order to “share the burden” of homeless services.

From Catholic School Kid To Panhandling Homeless Person

The Daily News wrote a story on Sunday about a 20-year-old homeless man who ended up on the streets within a span of one year. He “went from being a student at a Catholic high school with caring parents and a promising future to being a transient, panhandling for money.” Click here to read article.

You could probably guess what the root cause of his downfall was—drugs. Specifically, methamphetamines.

Like the prodigal son, he lived a life on the streets that not even our pets would be comfortable with. He finally made it to the Tarzana Treatment Center, a drug rehabilitation center, where he is working on returning to the life he once had.

Nearly 40% of the people struggling with homelessness in Los Angeles County also struggle with substance abuse addictions. This is a significant cause of homelessness. If we can help people deal with their drug addictions, the number of people who end up homeless can be reduced significantly.

Carol Burnett Benefit Supports Homeless, Foster Youth, and the Hungry

I was at Westwood Presbyterian Church last night for a benefit in support of PATH, the Westside Food Bank, and Child SHARE. It was a night of music that ended with Carol Burnett sharing about her career.

This was the 20th annual Musicale, a fundraiser for community agencies put on by Westwood Presbyterian Church. This church helped start PATH, a regional homeless agency; Child SHARE, an agency that helps foster youth; and, Westwood Food Bank, that supports the poor and the homeless.

The church was packed with church members, supporters of Carol Burnett, and people who want to help our community. It’s nice when celebrities join the efforts to end homelessness and poverty.