This is a very good link with a lot of good information on the top 10 homeless stories of 2009. Just click on the title above as it will redirect you.
The number one story was of particular interest to me which can be seen from the above link
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas night of December 25th 2009
Christmas day is over. The presents have been opened and the excitment is over for many. The evening for those with a roof over their heads may be an evening of hooking up some of their new electronic gifts, big screen TVs, logging onto their new computers or putting away new items or clothing.
Many people in colder parts of the country will build a fire in their fireplace or turn up their heater as they lie back on a comfortable recliner, sit in their favorite chair or couch and watch television. Perhaps they will listen to music or read a good book.
For many others there is no heat (even in Los Angeles it has been in the thirties at night). Their bed is little more than a piece of carpet foundation felt on the cement in a spot that may look safe for the night.
There will be no hot coffee, no hot cocoa, no glass of wine. No shower or bath, no music and no television or DVD movie to bring an aire of excitment to the end of a special day. The excitment these folks have will be the constant concern of being found by others which may be the police or may be others that are out looking to take what they can from others.
A small percentage of people will be given a place in one of the missions or shelters. These are the more fortunate ones but are a very small number compared to those out there with no shelter for the night. This story is repeated every night, 365 days a year. Tonight on the night of Christmas the feeling, mood and situation is even more depressing for most. Many are newly homeless due to job loss and the economy. This is their first Christmas with no roof over their head. The memories of better days, a home and family being together in a safe place is quite vivid for many. Their own situation had only become this dire in the last few months or even weeks.
Below are a few videos I took last night. The low light capability of the camera worked well enough to get the point across. These video clips are all about a minute in length or less.
My wishes to all for a great 2010.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
IMG_0156
In Los Angeles all the missions and shelters are doing whatever they can. Some on a larger scale than others but all helpful.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Just a few shots from today
I am putting up a few photos from this afternoon. I will be heading out in a while for the evening to talk to some of these folks, try to feed them a bit of a snack or light meal and do what every I can do to help.
Spending time down on skid row is not complicated. Life is pretty simple for most people, make due from day to day. Choices are easy for me too. I now have a routine that I follow when somebody asks for money. If they ask for money for food and they are anywhere within walking distance of the Union Rescue Mission I take them to the entrance on San Julian Street where the intake for people is ready for them. If they say they do not want to go it is somwhat obvious to me that they just may want money for other uses. If they really need something to eat and some help from folks that can put them on a productive track then there is little reason to not take the URM up on what they have to offer.
Keeping with the concept of simplicity I will post a few photos here from today in simple black and white.
Spending time down on skid row is not complicated. Life is pretty simple for most people, make due from day to day. Choices are easy for me too. I now have a routine that I follow when somebody asks for money. If they ask for money for food and they are anywhere within walking distance of the Union Rescue Mission I take them to the entrance on San Julian Street where the intake for people is ready for them. If they say they do not want to go it is somwhat obvious to me that they just may want money for other uses. If they really need something to eat and some help from folks that can put them on a productive track then there is little reason to not take the URM up on what they have to offer.
Keeping with the concept of simplicity I will post a few photos here from today in simple black and white.
Subway to serve 2,000 Sandwiches
SUBWAY RESTAURANTS JOIN THE UNION RESCUE MISSION WITH TOY DRIVE FUND-RAISER AND HOLIDAY MEAL SERVICE FOR THE HOMELESS
LOS ANGELES CALIF. – —– On Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Volunteers from Los Angeles-area SUBWAY restaurants will once again work with the Union Rescue Mission in down town Los Angeles to serve a meal and help brighten the lives of men, women and children experiencing homelessness during the Holiday Season.
For the 13th consecutive year, Subway volunteers will prepare and serve ham and turkey sandwiches for the homeless on skid row in Los Angeles. The annual Subway volunteer effort serves approximately 2, 000 meals. To date, Subway volunteers have served over 25,000 meals during this annual giving event. This year’s Subway volunteer meal service will take place on Tuesday, December 22nd at the Union Rescue Mission. Preparations begin at 9:00 a.m. with meals served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the annual volunteer meal service, Los Angeles-area Subway store owners conducted a fundraiser and collected over $16,000 to benefit the Union Rescue Mission’s annual toy program for underprivileged children. Approximately 1,000 families will be invited to shop for Free toys and gifts for their children at the Missions 18th Annual Christmas Store. The (URM) Christmas Store is open to participants in the Mission’s programs as well as to a select group of organizations helping people who are experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Skid Row community.
The Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving people who are experiencing homelessness, providing emergency services, comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation programs to break the cycle of poverty. (URM) is the nations largest and L.A.’s oldest rescue mission. Services for women and children, in particular have been expanded to meet the needs of this fastest-growing segment of the population experiencing homelessness. On any given night, more than 10,000 families and 18,000 children are without food or shelter in Los Angeles County.
The Union Rescue Mission receives no government funding and is solely supported through the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations. (URM) is located at 545 South San Pedro Street, in Downtown L.A., 90013.
For information about URM please visit the website www.urm.org or contact: Kitty Davis-Walker (213) 673-4585 or Shaeideh Prince at (213) 347-6352.
______________________________
With any luck there will be some videos I can post as this event had a video crew shooting things. If I can get access to the videos I will publish links to them on this blog in this entry which I will update.
12/24/09 update - URM has posted some of their own photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/urmmedia/sets/72157611564878866/
LOS ANGELES CALIF. – —– On Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Volunteers from Los Angeles-area SUBWAY restaurants will once again work with the Union Rescue Mission in down town Los Angeles to serve a meal and help brighten the lives of men, women and children experiencing homelessness during the Holiday Season.
For the 13th consecutive year, Subway volunteers will prepare and serve ham and turkey sandwiches for the homeless on skid row in Los Angeles. The annual Subway volunteer effort serves approximately 2, 000 meals. To date, Subway volunteers have served over 25,000 meals during this annual giving event. This year’s Subway volunteer meal service will take place on Tuesday, December 22nd at the Union Rescue Mission. Preparations begin at 9:00 a.m. with meals served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the annual volunteer meal service, Los Angeles-area Subway store owners conducted a fundraiser and collected over $16,000 to benefit the Union Rescue Mission’s annual toy program for underprivileged children. Approximately 1,000 families will be invited to shop for Free toys and gifts for their children at the Missions 18th Annual Christmas Store. The (URM) Christmas Store is open to participants in the Mission’s programs as well as to a select group of organizations helping people who are experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Skid Row community.
The Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving people who are experiencing homelessness, providing emergency services, comprehensive prevention and rehabilitation programs to break the cycle of poverty. (URM) is the nations largest and L.A.’s oldest rescue mission. Services for women and children, in particular have been expanded to meet the needs of this fastest-growing segment of the population experiencing homelessness. On any given night, more than 10,000 families and 18,000 children are without food or shelter in Los Angeles County.
The Union Rescue Mission receives no government funding and is solely supported through the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations. (URM) is located at 545 South San Pedro Street, in Downtown L.A., 90013.
For information about URM please visit the website www.urm.org or contact: Kitty Davis-Walker (213) 673-4585 or Shaeideh Prince at (213) 347-6352.
______________________________
With any luck there will be some videos I can post as this event had a video crew shooting things. If I can get access to the videos I will publish links to them on this blog in this entry which I will update.
12/24/09 update - URM has posted some of their own photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/urmmedia/sets/72157611564878866/
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Some good videos from Andy Bales of Union Rescue Mission
You can learn more on the homeless situation or Andy Bales of Union Rescue Mission at http://www.urm.org/
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The architecture of the city
Yesterday I changed my routine a little. Normally I go downtown in the early afternoon and then go back in the later evening. Last night I had a music show to attend so I altered what has become my daily routine.
I went downtown in the late afternoon to take some photos as the sun was setting. With the modern glass buildings and their reflections things can get quite interesting. When there are two glass buildings reflecting in each other you almost get a mirror in a mirror effect. With the heat of the day rising from the street below there can be waves in the image as well.
The architecture - the old and the new, classic and modern, run down and rebuilt, torn down and in the process of being torn down or in the process of starting a new life as a changed structure.
Everywhere one looks there are stunning sights to see with not only a visual component but a historical one as well. I never cared for history when I was a child. Perhaps as we get older the desire to understand more of the past ... or what I walked by without taking more than a quick glance?
I was born and raised in this city. My grandfather owned an industrial laundry and uniform company on Grand Avenue. When I was a teenager I worked in the laundry in the summer to make a few dollars. When I was very young my grandfather would take me to places like the Central Market and the Toy District. The Toy District is now primarily skid row. Both of my parents were also born in Los Angeles. Between my parents and grandparents I saw a lot of the city with my eyes but did not process enough of what I saw with my mind. Perhaps as we age we traverse a process. Blind to apathy to what in the hell did I miss?
These days I try to open my eyes a bit wider as I walk a bit more slowly to take in the sights and sounds of the city. I try to think more and take moments each day to become involved for a few minutes in the lives of others, giving help where I am able.
Below are some of the shots of the city, Los Angeles, which I took yesterday in the afternoon. If you click on any of the photos you will be redirected to where they are kept where larger format sizes can be seen.
The contrasts are so strong.
I went downtown in the late afternoon to take some photos as the sun was setting. With the modern glass buildings and their reflections things can get quite interesting. When there are two glass buildings reflecting in each other you almost get a mirror in a mirror effect. With the heat of the day rising from the street below there can be waves in the image as well.
The architecture - the old and the new, classic and modern, run down and rebuilt, torn down and in the process of being torn down or in the process of starting a new life as a changed structure.
Everywhere one looks there are stunning sights to see with not only a visual component but a historical one as well. I never cared for history when I was a child. Perhaps as we get older the desire to understand more of the past ... or what I walked by without taking more than a quick glance?
I was born and raised in this city. My grandfather owned an industrial laundry and uniform company on Grand Avenue. When I was a teenager I worked in the laundry in the summer to make a few dollars. When I was very young my grandfather would take me to places like the Central Market and the Toy District. The Toy District is now primarily skid row. Both of my parents were also born in Los Angeles. Between my parents and grandparents I saw a lot of the city with my eyes but did not process enough of what I saw with my mind. Perhaps as we age we traverse a process. Blind to apathy to what in the hell did I miss?
These days I try to open my eyes a bit wider as I walk a bit more slowly to take in the sights and sounds of the city. I try to think more and take moments each day to become involved for a few minutes in the lives of others, giving help where I am able.
Below are some of the shots of the city, Los Angeles, which I took yesterday in the afternoon. If you click on any of the photos you will be redirected to where they are kept where larger format sizes can be seen.
The contrasts are so strong.
Friday, December 18, 2009
IMG_0209
Taking a break from the homeless subject, here is a bit of architecture information.
Many of the buildings in Los Angeles (this is in Little Tokyo) have had many business occupants. Today this building is an inexpensive hotel.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Will these photos have any more impact if I add any of my own words?
The shot directly above ... up close and personal.
Go ahead and count them; five police cars. Just a regular day. You can only see the lights going on one car due to the speed of the camera but all had lights going.
All photos in this post by Myles S. Rose
Another video on Andy Bales - the head of Union Rescue Mission
I am not generally thought of as a person with strong feelings toward religion. I will listen to any views or thoughts on religion even though they are not a strong part of my own life. Perhaps as I get older things will change.
I do have respect for the beliefs of others and always try to learn what I might be able to learn from others. Many of the missions which help the homeless are deeply rooted in religion. I suppose that just as there is a divide of Church and State in some aspects of law I too try to keep religion and my help to those less fortunate divided. In the video below there are some points on religion so I just wanted to take a moment to express some of my own thoughts so people that know me and think they understand me do not become confused. The video below has many terrific points.
Rev. Andy Bales | Stories from Skid Row from Union Rescue Mission on Vimeo.
The Union Rescue Mission along with the other missions help the homeless in many ways. I do not have their resources or a staff but do what I can do. Sometimes people help such as Mr. Win and Mr. Kim who operate produce areas in the Central Market in downtown Los Angeles. They have both given me a lot of help in the procurement of healthy things I can pass out at night to folks on the street that stay there when there is no space at one of the missions or shelters.
In these photos above you will see two pounds for $1.00 or three pounds for $1.00. I am able to get between five and ten pounds for $1.00 from some of these vendors who have helped me directly.
I do have respect for the beliefs of others and always try to learn what I might be able to learn from others. Many of the missions which help the homeless are deeply rooted in religion. I suppose that just as there is a divide of Church and State in some aspects of law I too try to keep religion and my help to those less fortunate divided. In the video below there are some points on religion so I just wanted to take a moment to express some of my own thoughts so people that know me and think they understand me do not become confused. The video below has many terrific points.
Rev. Andy Bales | Stories from Skid Row from Union Rescue Mission on Vimeo.
The Union Rescue Mission along with the other missions help the homeless in many ways. I do not have their resources or a staff but do what I can do. Sometimes people help such as Mr. Win and Mr. Kim who operate produce areas in the Central Market in downtown Los Angeles. They have both given me a lot of help in the procurement of healthy things I can pass out at night to folks on the street that stay there when there is no space at one of the missions or shelters.
In these photos above you will see two pounds for $1.00 or three pounds for $1.00. I am able to get between five and ten pounds for $1.00 from some of these vendors who have helped me directly.
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