A Homeless Solution: Tried/Tested/True

A HOMELESS SOLUTION
TRIED – TESTED – TRUE
ARC
501(c) (3) 95-3855901
AssociationRenaissanceCreators@yahoo.com

I, RMN, in 1968 founded ARC, a federal/state educational/charitable nonprofit with a mission of caring/sharing, as able. ARC never applied nor ever received government/grant funding. For two decades, ARC sponsored a licensed around-the-clock day care for low-income parents and sponsored complimentary educational community seminars, which included learning materials. Subsidy was volunteer self-labor without salary and Samaritan tax-deductible donations.
In the early 1990’s Orange County, CA media was unceasingly highlighting homeless problem. My empathy peaked imagining polio crippled widowed mother and retarded sister out in the cold. I was spiritually guided first to Catholic church ministry, followed by CA alcohol/drug seminar touting loans for nonprofits and financial subsidy for homeless role modeling the Oxford Model under Public Law 100-430 educating recovery groups on congregation without formal licensing.
https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/affording-housing-models-recovery

Public Law 100-430: Fair Housing Amendments Act | The Homeless Hub
https://www.homelesshub.ca/.../public-law-100-430-fair-housing-amendments-act

The Children’s Schoolhouse had reached its zenith after two decades. It was an easy transformation to homeless refuge thereby re-focusing from `little’ to `adult’ children. Three years, I struggled academically/experientially to educate myself on the `ins and outs’ of this non-prejudicial threatening society scourge.

For a year, I subsidized efforts on credit charges before the state finally responded. Because I lived in the home, the nonprofit would not be eligible for the loans and the system for subsidy for the homeless made it impossible. Their requirements: bank account minimum of $100.00 – this to homeless that often did not have two cents to their name!!! I MADE SO MANY MISTAKES AT FIRST!

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A third mortgage loan ultimately culminated in bankruptcy three years later followed by foreclosure notice. The death of my mother/retarded sister within a month of each other resulted in a $20K inheritance that saved the home.

I now had a `grip’ in understanding. My home was becoming a role model. I learned how to `guide’ newcomer to General Relief which allocated food stamps and approximately $400.00 a month towards overhead. ARC donated a free week and then either $100.00 week donation &/or $20.per day. Food not provided, but there was `open pantry’ and guests donated food stamps into `pool’ for community eating. Home was analogous to a monastic community with strict rules in place. There were daily mandatory meetings, curfews, their choice weekly attendance holy place of worship; homework assignments, 9 to 5 (unless ill) Mon. thru Fri. – out of the house to work, job search, and/or library study. There was a minimum three-month guest contract that gave me the right for immediate termination for disrespect to any rule/regulation. The home was not a residence. A guest could leave and reapply to the `long’ waiting list. Sexes separated. Recidivism was low! It was the `home environment’ and `buddy’ system that make it so successful.

Within five years, ARC rented other facilities. Two-year sober graduates were `donated’ seed money to begin their own sober living environment. I soon realized that it was impossible for me to monitor more. The solution was to care/share with others the `success’ formula that still needed to be `tweaked’. Frankly, I knew something was seriously missing, but not exactly sure what. Alas, a decade later, other sober living environments were bringing undue attention to themselves. The city went on a `cease and desist’ campaign. The attorney I consulted stated that although ALL WAS LEGAL and PROPER, `challenging’ city hall would only result in massive sums of money used `to struggle with system’ and, of course, calling undue attention to myself. I sold, retreated, increased `covert’ help `behind the scenes’ and writing. Five years later an opportunity arose to purchase large existing B & B facility in native state. I truly missed `in vivo’ service. My home was a nonprofit legacy trust for children. With their permission, I borrowed equity and with volunteer Mon Ami set off in large moving van. He also wanted to return to Eastern Coast roots and open up second refuge. My son would continue trust home shelter. I was optimistic. I had contacted everyone: social services, licensing, veterans, sectarian, religious, media and nonprofit associations. The overwhelming response was a homeless help group would be welcomed.

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My research indicated a phenomenally high percentage of veterans in need of help. That was going to be the focus, with an emphasis on those in need of a recovery program too. Alas, instead of everything going to plan, there was one `glitch’ after another. I did not have a car to call on everyone; therefore, I had to resort to phone and emails. My kith and kin were apprehensive about me being alone. However, I had over a decade of experience; and I had informed ALL that I was unable to accept anyone with a mental disturbance or violent history. $30K was paid prior before final transactions due to roof needing repair. Monthly payments made, and insurance placed even though final contract not yet signed.

Veterans’ representatives came to call as well as hospital social worker, and religious group representatives. I began to hear the first signal of `problems’. One was a judge who had set up his own rental complex where veterans were assigned; and similar motel subsidy for homeless on relief. Yet, there was no in place living and recovery options combined. My confrere was going to come back for the holidays; as well as children were going to visit.

My first `guest’ was Army Veteran living in the woods. Referrals started to come in. However, something was `wrong’. The house needed to fill up soon. Not only would I not be able to make mortgage payments on the new home shelter, but also on the trust home, that needed assistance on the loan borrowed.

I was eager for associate to return so he could drive me around. He arrived early December 2005. We immediately set out to visit personally social services, nonprofits, and so on. I was `reassured’ that everything was in order; increased referrals would be forthcoming. A few days later, calls came in for two men. Phone interviews were satisfactory. Then there was `harried’ call answered by guest from social worker. He told her to come ahead. This one gave me `funny’ feeling which I overruled because social worker and grandfather brought him.

Three days later, he went on a stabbing rampage. The first man got away calling for help as he heard my cries. EVIL was slashing, grinning, taunting. I was stabbed 42x, lost eye/ear – in a coma for two months.

Everything was lost! Fiduciary trust was broken; but court ruled that their micro community could not afford to reimburse. There were similar precedents.

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The initial prognosis was grim. Surgeons told Mon Ami at first I could not be saved. He told them: Go…save her, I promised God 20 years of my life to save hers. They retreated to ER; came back hour later, saying arms might be amputated. Once again, he overruled asserting: I was a writer. I survived. My children arrived; advised to place me in convalescent home. Well it is now, as I write this, over a decade later. I am on the eve of my 78th; miraculous recovery. My children rose beyond, taking turns housing me. I now live in my daughter’s home; my veteran son is part-time caretaker. My combined SS/SSI is below poverty level. Yet, my blessings are exponentially gracing my life, kith and kin.

The best part is because of what happened, I now `know’ what was missing from my almost perfect formula; and what it would take to solve the American veteran and general homelessness scourge.

Surely, when average rate of veteran suicide is 20 per day; and over 553,000 are homeless, our consciousness must rise up to higher enlightenment.
https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=4074
https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-report/
As of now and prior, the best role models for recovery are Mimi Silbert’s Delancey Street juxtaposed with the phenomenal work done by the Salvation Army. http://www.delanceystreetfoundation.org/president.php
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/combat-addiction/
Numerous sober living homes follow the Oxford Mode. In addition, there are enterprising `conglomerates’ who have initiated group homes.

Here is how the power of one and/or a small group can help. Here is the `formula’ and introducing what was missing in my initial attempt that held stellar
record. Start a nonprofit. NOLO PUBLISHING is phenomenal at helping `lay people’ maneuver throughout the legal process:
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/form-nonprofit-eight-steps-29484.html The nonprofit wants to rent and/or lease option a home to buy.

The nonprofit seeks out from AA/NA meetings individual with a minimum of three years sobriety who will be willing in exchange for room/board to manage the two bedroom (bunk plus single) with `five guests’ who will be allowed to visit for a minimum of three months. THE SEMANTICS ARE CRUCIAL.

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The manager will proceed to visit AA/NA group meetings and introduce the new nonprofit…this individual will be in charge of admission; networking; paperwork; sponsorship; meetings; accountability; homework; and so on.

What was `missing’ from the formula was a manager who has `security guard/self-defense’ training. Although it is my firm belief that I did not have `insanity’ attacking, but EVIL…he confessed saying his father was `Satan’. He received maximum: 15 years for two counts of attempted murder. He has had prayers every day for the reclamation of his soul. I have learned he is now on a prison ministry. http://www.securityguardtraininghq.com/self-defense-tactics-for-security-guards/ Kith/Kin SIGNED CONTRACT HELP only w/Sponsor approval.

The nonprofit is allowed to approach nonprofits for donations and/or purchasing items at reduced prices. It also has access to food banks. I urge interested NOT TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING. Once you do, your group comes under increased scrutiny; paperwork becomes horrendous; and you graduate from an easy-to-manage micro nonprofit to macro concepts. It is not worth it.

There is a strict contract in place. Unless inclement weather and/or ill, all out of the home between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. All contribute `food stamps’ to manager to make evening meal…chores are evenly distributed. There is a weeknight curfew of 9 p.m. – weekends 11 p.m. Alcohol and Drugs are forbidden: immediate dismissal. There is no smoking within the home. There is no neighborhood or in-home disturbance. Violence is cause for immediate eviction. There are daily meetings from 7 to 8; weekends outside/signed by manager. Homework assignments are simple but thought provoking: name role models, list ambitions, goals, hopes, dreams. If you were running a sober living environment, what would it look like? Reading/studying AA/NA materials is mandatory.
I have never met anyone who does not have a relative or friend in need. What if it was your child? Please, peruse/visit A.A./N.A. – homeless shelters.###
ARC - CA Reg. No: D23701 – Hesperia License 05-06458
http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?partner=networkforgood&ein=95-3855901 (R.M.Namaste’ © 1/1/19 – please save/care/share)
https://www.guidestar.org/search 6976928800 http://arc-namaste.blogspot.com
Charitable Deductions http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf
ULC Charter 146 http://www.ulc.net/index.php?page=library&sub=home
God Bless you/yours; please help by copying w/local resource info 211: food banks/shelters/SA/ w/$1. 00: pass out to homeless/churches/nonprofits/AA-NA…