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Hints for Someone Forced To Live On The Streets
ARC sponsored homeless shelters for over a decade. Alas, unable to do so directly now. But following are some of the `hints’ that were shared by those sanctuary was provided for.
Each city is supposed to have a 211 emergency call resource center. http://www.infoline-la.org/
If fortunate enough to have a car, park and sleep around hospitals that have 24 hour security.
Catholic Churches have mass daily…6:00 a.m. mass is the best time to use rest room to clean up.
If you don’t want to be picked up as a vagrant, make sure you keep yourself clean. Do not urinate in public areas – be very careful – latest is to charge someone with indecent exposure.
Libraries are still safe for public bathroom use, but move around – try to get library card. Become computer literate. Most librarians are class act people; will show you the basics on how to get on-line, open up email account.
Some churches are sensitive to situation; let you park – sleep in lots. One church on the East Coast lets homeless sleep in their pews at night.
Some churches have active homeless outreach offering food, clothing, and meals. There are some nonprofit groups that truly help like S.O.S., 1550 Superior Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627-3653 (949) 650-0640 http://www.shareourselves.org and even have free medical clinic.
Each city is supposed to have a 211 emergency call resource center. http://www.infoline-la.org/
Applying for General Relief is a must for food stamps and remittance for shelter. Norms change. Find out what they are. Usually you can not own a home, assets, bank account, or vehicle over certain amount. Also, they may have work program that requires you to seek work daily and report back.
Orange County General Relief, 2020 West Walnut Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703-4315 (714) 834-8969
http://www.egov.ocgov.com http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/general_relief/default.cfm
http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Social%20Services%20Agency/Cash%20&%20Food%20Stamps
Pray, Pray, Pray…for the most part, unfortunately and sadly, most social workers treat clients with disdain. They are disrespectful, rude, and arrogant. Keep records of name and all incidents. What people who are like that can’t stand is to be exposed; convict them by sending letters administration, political representatives and copies to the media. Try to get other signatures and letters of testimony by peers too. And, conversely, when you get that rare wonderful angel of mercy who truly is living up their job description which is social (the public is the social) and services (public taxes pay their jobs), let them, superiors, media know that too.
You need an address! If you are on the streets, see if a relative or friend will let you get and receive mail there and/or see if you can get a postal box. http://www.usps.com/receive/businesssolutions/poboxservice.htm?from=receiveyourmail&page=poboxservice
Find sober living homes to live in: most have programs that are wonderful to participate in even if you don’t have a problem. http://www.soberhousing.net/orange_county.html
Catholic Charities have outreach programs that help; as well as Catholic Worker: http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1174
http://www.occatholicworker.org 316 Cypress Avenue, Santa Ana, CA (714) 835-6304
Salvation Army has phenomenal programs: 1300 S. Lewis St., Anaheim (714) 758-0414 http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
There are food banks and church/nonprofit outreach programs that give food/meals. http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Emergency/Getting%20Immediate%20Assistance/Food%20Banks
Community Action Partnership, 12640 Knott St., Garden Grove, (714) 897-6670 http://www.capoc.org
Orange County Rescue Mission
The Orange County Rescue Mission serves the homeless by providing services such as residential housing for up to two years, medical and dental care, meals, ...
http://www.rescuemission.org/
Someone Care Soup Kitchen http://www.someonecareskitchen.org
720 West 19th Street, Costa Mesa - (949) 548-8861
There is an `underground network of caring/sharing’ like the slaves had…best resources are homeless at soup kitchens – rescue missions. Ask, ask, ask – find out who is helping, where best safe places to sleep are, where to eat, etc. Make copies of your entire ID info. Find safe place to hide copies and valuables – behind brick someplace – ask homeless, they’ll know.
Talk to them about Orange County Mental Health – indigents oftentimes have disabilities – eligible for Supplemental Security Income – SSI – SSDI – receive income plus medical plus other needs. There is also court affiliated program and volunteer network to do community service instead of jail time for minor infractions, sometimes addiction problems. http://www.occourts.org 341 The City Drive South, Orange (714) 935-6061. Disabilities might be related to manic/depressive mood swings, insomnia, eye deterioration vision, inability to focus, difficulty in remembering, attention deficiency, hearing loss, stress, anxiety, paranoid et al http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm
Excellent Source of Help: Legal Aid Society of Orange County, 2101 North Tustin, Santa Ana, CA 92705-7819 (714) 571-5204 http://www.legal-aid.com
God Bless All…prayers are daily for all universal kith & kin. AssociationRenaissanceCreators@yahoo.com
