Some of the best videos I have seen on the homeless subject

Please feel free to re-post and share with others

IMG_0444

IMG_0444, originally uploaded by myles111us.

1100 fireproof rooms at popular prices! Million dollars? To upgrade 1100 rooms and the building? How much of this building is actually leased in this economy? The price per square foot is a bit lower than one of those porta-sheds one finds at Lowe's or Lumber City.

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IMG_0225, originally uploaded by myles111us.

I plan to spend a lot of time here in 2010.

There are a number of great missions and shelters in the Los Angeles area. I have looked into a number of them. This particular mission, the Union Rescue Mission strikes me as perhaps the most organized with the most aggressive staff when it comes to my perception regarding the resolve of the staff to help the homeless and hungry.

I intend to continue to spend most of my time in the field working with people one on one. Hopefully I can arrange my time between the street and URM where I can extend the outreach program of URM.

Here is a cool video done by Channel 7 ABC the other day.

10 Top Homeless Stories of 2009

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

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.

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IMG_0156, originally uploaded by myles111us.

In Los Angeles all the missions and shelters are doing whatever they can. Some on a larger scale than others but all helpful.

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.

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.

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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/

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/

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.