As you probably know, Be the Change in DC gave out cell phones to four homeless men about two months ago. We believe that over time the phones can help Marvin, Sam M., Fred and Sam W. find housing and employment and access medical services. I recall being worried initially that these men may not stay in touch with us once we gave out the phones. I could not have been more wrong. A few days ago when I was too sick to make a meeting, I received a worried phone call from Marvin. He was checking in on me, making sure that I was ok since I missed our meeting. The other guys in the program call me frequently to check in as well. I also found out that Sam M., who has been on the housing authority's list for some time now, recently received a call that he was next-in-line for an apartment in Silver Spring. Because of the phone we provided, Sam M. was accessible and able to receive this call. He just signed the lease on his new place last Friday. I can't say that we got Sam M. housing, but we facilitated his ability to get housing and made the system more efficient. Now I call that a success, especially for a trial program.
Free computer class in local DC library
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In researching ways to help the participants in our phone trial program, I found out about free computer classes at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The classes cover a variety of topics, including typing, web browsing basics, and Microsoft applications such as MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint at both the basic and intermediate levels. Additionally, these classes are meant to be "walk-in" access only so reservations are not required and seats will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as space is available. We at the Be the Change in DC are pushing the participants in our phone trial program to join these classes to make themselves more attractive candidates for jobs.
Prepaid cell phone initiative
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In early August, Be the Change in DC gave out prepaid mobile phones to four DC homeless men who are eagerly looking for employment. We had met these men previously and identified them as great candidates to use the phones to help contact employers, reach out or be reached for housing opportunities, and keep in touch with family and/or medical professionals. The idea behind giving out the phones is simple- you need a contact number in order to get a job and the price of technology has declined substantially over time. We also partnered with Community Voice Mail (www.cvm.org), a Seattle-based nonprofit, to equip the phone with an additional voicemail service that has weekly updates about local job opportunities.
Since Be the Change in DC has given out the phones, the participants have contacted me regularly and I can honestly say these are upstanding men who are really trying to get back on their feet. Some of them have resumes ready to go, most have email addresses and two are veterans. It's been a pleasure getting to know these men and I sincerely hope we can help them find jobs. But you don't have to take my word for it, check out our website, www.bethechangeindc.org, to see pictures and profiles of the participants and if you think you may have an opportunity for them, let us know and we will get you in touch with them.
Health Reform Will Help Reduce Homelessness
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Washington Post reporter Alexi Mostrous reports that new Obama health care initiative will help reduce the rising number of homeless families nationwide.
Read more at The Washington Post
News and Notes from Around the Region - June & July 2009
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In the news:
- These Boots were made for walking: In impressive and inspiring fashion 11 year old Zach Bonner walked 1,225 from his hometown of Tampa, Florida to Washington D.C. to raise awareness of homlessness. He arrived in town July 9th on behalf of Little Red Wagon Foundation with a red wagon full of letters written by children addressed to the President. He spent his time in the city on the steps of the Capitol speaking about the issue of homelessness nation wide and sleeping at the Sasha Bruce emergency shelter for kids in Northeast DC. A kid like this should be commended and supported for his efforts.
- To find out more about the Sasha Bruce House in Northeast DC click here.
- Kicking for the Goal: In Washington D.C. from July 31 - Aug 2 the organization Street Soccer USA will be hosting an event known as the 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup. They will host teams from 16 cities to determine the United States National Street Soccer Champion as well as trials for an 8 person team that will represent the United States in Milan, Italy for the Homeless World Cup. Street Soccer USA attempts to bring soccer to the most marginalized members of our society and instill in them a sense of worth and commitment.
- Street Soccer USA is looking for voluteers and donations to make this even a success. To read more about the 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup click here.
- The District has been given $7.4 Million dollars in federal stimulus money to aid the homeless population. As the Washington Post points out the number of homeless families in Washington DC has increased 20% over the past year balloning to 703 families with more than 1,400 children. The money is earmarked for families that face eviction in 2 weeks time and residents in soon to be condemned locations. It also is targeted to people whose income has decreased due to the economy and whose utility bills have skyrocketed.
