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Wednesday, November 27, 2024

WHAT'S NEXT?

 


HELP IS AVAILABLE

Every time there is a change in the administration of this country, we all wonder; What's next? With this incoming administration many people especially those in the helping professions are more worried than usual about funding for their programs and services. It has been reported in the news that the new proposed head of health and human services (HHS) Robert F Kennedy has an idea to send addicts to farms "in some cases for years" so they can learn to grow organic foods. This is a radical shift from our past focus to deal with addicts. THE GOOD NEWS There are over 27,000 Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings in the United States and over 50,000 more worldwide; There are also 123,000 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in the world and many people in the 12step culture attend both. These meetings and the 12-step culture that surrounds them don’t depend on funding from anyone. They are entirely self-supporting funded by whatever money members put into the basket at area meetings. NA has been around since 1953 and AA since 1935 and they aren’t going anywhere. Contrary to what you might have heard, 12step programs are not religious. Although GOD is mentioned in the 12steps the literature speaks, and people in most meetings also speak about finding a power greater than themselves. To some members that power is the group. I’ve heard it said by AA members that GOD to them stands for Group Of Drunk’s (GOD) or Group Of Drug-addicts (GOD) for NA members. There are even specific meetings for agnostics. The point is don’t let the word GOD stop you or a loved one from getting help, and if you don’t relate with the members of one group check out another. There are specific groups that cater to the special needs of almost every culture or professional group. Below I will list some contact links to get you started for both NA and AA. I’m sure I will meet some of you as we trudge the road of recovery together.

                                     Link to Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Oregon

                                      https://www.portlandna.com/

                                     Link to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Oregon

                                     https://www.aa-oregon.org/

Monday, November 25, 2024

Public Transit’s Importance for the Homeless

 

Image from Trimet.org/photos

In the big cities especially, many homeless people are seen on public transit. These services, which most of the time charges fees in order for people to use them, are great ways to travel in these densely packed areas. Public transit also is very convenient for citizens, and many rely solely on these systems for travel. However, the homeless community depends on these services way more than people realize.

 

As for others, homeless people use public transit as a way to get from place to place. As many do not have access to their own reliable transportation, using public services helps them get to shelters, work, food banks, or other essential services they may need, such as healthcare. They sometimes also use public transit and the transit stations as shelter, especially seeking out the facilities when experiencing extreme weather conditions. Transit stations also often have free amenities, such as electricity, that homeless people use, and can have easy access to restrooms and seating (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2024). All of these factors, and more, are why public transit is so much more important than people first realize. It can provide easier access to a number of things that homeless individuals would not usually have readily available.

 

Portland, Oregon is generally known to have pretty good public transit. The huge MAX bus system and light rail lines are heavily used and navigate the city and its outskirts very well. The TriMet system, and the Portland Streetcar, are other good examples. Even taking those out of the picture, Portland has renovated its roads to be more biker friendly. However, the amount of homeless people using public transit has caused some problems, such as hygiene concerns, public drug use, and other disruptions that require responses. Oftentimes, law enforcement becomes involved, where more arrests and citations happen. These methods, however, have not shown success (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2024).

 

To have more success in taking care of these problems, transit systems have looked to use more holistic, human-centered solutions. This includes hiring people with expertise on the topic and forming partnerships with social service providers (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2024). People also need to see public transportation as a resource for everyone, not just for those that can necessarily afford it. Implementing more buses, including more languages on maps, and providing passes for low-income people are all ways to make public transit friendlier to all (Abelson et al. 2023). As an individual, donating to shelters or other social services that provide food, shelter, and clothing to homeless people is a great way to encourage positive change within the homeless community. Also working with public transit companies and encouraging them to change their practices of forceful removal of homeless individuals by implementing some of the solutions above can help work through the harmful removal system they have now.

 

Want to contact TriMet Services about their homelessness practices?

Call or Text 503-238-7433, or Email hello@trimet.org.

Want to Donate to a reliable Homeless Shelter? Click here.

Sources:

Abelson, M., GarcĂ­a, I.,S. Khan, Lubitow, A.,Puczkowskyj, N., and Zapata, M.. 2023. “Transit Photovoice Portland, Oregon & Salt Lake City, Utah” NITC-RR-1419. Portland, OR: Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC). https://doi.org/10.15760/trec.293

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. Homelessness: A Guide for Public Transportation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27248


 


Brothers and sisters, are you tired of being rejected from housing because of a prior drug related felony

conviction? In my 48 years of recovery from my own Alcoholism, Addiction and the related felonies

I picked up along the road, I encounter this distressing issue often. THE GOOD NEWS !!! Clear Clinic has helped thousands just like you get their records expunged (cleared) and it's free . . . 

I have no affiliation with Clear Clinic and nothing to gain except the hope that another criminal addict or

alcoholic (like me) can get the fresh start we all deserve. For to many years those of us that experienced

trauma in our lives and used drugs to escape the pain, have been turned into criminals by an unjust legal system.

In my personal case that pain was primarily a result of my PTSD, contracted from my two tours in the Vietnam

war; Besides the trauma I experienced from those lived experiences, I had the misfortune of being born into

three generations of alcoholism. Trying to escape trauma shouldn't be a crime . . . We all can become productive; citizens, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters again and contacting

Clear Clinic is one path towards that goal.

Don't put it off contact them today . . .  

Here is the link to their site at Portland Community College; https://www.pcc.edu/legal-resource-center/

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Pathways to Healing: Making Mental Health Accessible for the Homeless

 

Pathways to Healing: Making Mental Health Accessible for the Homeless

 

Homelessness is more than a lack of housing—it’s a deeply personal and complex issue that affects every aspect of a person’s life. From my research and personal observations, I’ve come to understand that mental health challenges are often at the core of this crisis, creating barriers to stability and well-being. Accessing mental health services can be life-changing for homeless individuals, yet many face hurdles like discrimination, stigma, and a lack of trust in the system.

During my exploration of this issue, I was struck by the dedication of organizations in Portland working to bridge these gaps. Their work sheds light on how mental health support can help individuals rebuild their lives and move toward stability. Here are three standout resources I discovered:

Central City Concern (CCC)

Central City Concern offers an inspiring example of how comprehensive support can transform lives. They integrate mental health counseling with addiction recovery and housing services, addressing the interconnected challenges that homeless individuals face. By focusing on the whole person, CCC gives people the tools to reclaim stability and independence.

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare: 

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare’s Urgent Walk-In Clinic provides immediate mental health support for individuals of all ages, including adults, children, and families, without requiring an appointment. Open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, it offers crisis assessment, stabilization, and the creation of individualized care plans. The clinic also connects individuals to long-term support services, such as ongoing counseling or community resources. Located at 2415 SE 43rd Avenue, Portland, OR, it serves as a vital resource for those experiencing mental health challenges. 

Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS)

Multnomah County’s MHAS program brings critical mental health services directly to those in need. With mobile crisis teams and emergency mental health services, they provide immediate intervention for individuals in crisis, often meeting them on the streets. This approach builds trust and ensures care reaches those who might otherwise be overlooked.

Breaking Down Barriers to Access: What stood out to me during this research is how often homeless individuals face barriers to accessing care, including fear of judgment and a lack of consistent support. Programs that focus on building trust, such as mobile crisis teams or having mental health professionals directly in shelters, make all the difference.

For more details about these resources, you can visit the websites provided at the end of the blog post.

How We Can Help

This issue isn’t just about organizations—it’s about all of us coming together to create change. Here are three simple ways we can contribute:

  • Volunteer or Donate: These organizations need support to continue their work. Even small donations or acts of service can have a ripple effect.

  • Spread Awareness: Educating others about these resources can reduce stigma and encourage those in need to seek help.

  • Advocate for Policy Change: By supporting policies that prioritize mental health services for the homeless, we can create systemic change that reaches the most vulnerable.

A Personal Reflection

Writing about this issue has deepened my understanding of how mental health and homelessness intersect. It’s made me more aware of how vital it is to approach the problem with empathy and action. These organizations are doing incredible work, but they can’t do it alone. Each of us has the power to help, whether through advocacy, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.

Making mental health support accessible to Portland’s homeless population is a goal we can achieve together. By showing compassion and offering practical support, we can help break the cycle of homelessness and create a community where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Websites:  

Central City Concern (CCC)_ https://centralcityconcern.org/

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare_ https://cascadiahealth.org

Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS)_ https://www.multco.us/



Access to safe shelter is a basic human right

Homelessness is a growing concern in Portland, affecting thousands of individuals and families, many of whom struggle to find safe and stable shelter. Through my personal research into the city's resources, I discovered that while the challenges are significant, there are several key shelters in Portland dedicated to providing immediate and long-term support for those in need. These shelters not only offer a place to sleep but also provide critical services such as meals, recovery support, and assistance with transitioning to permanent housing. This post highlights some of the most important shelters in Portland, offering individuals experiencing homelessness a chance for safety, security, and support.


Downtown Portland                  


                    Seasonal Warming Shelters 

 


Access to safe shelter is a basic human right, and Portland has a number of organizations working tirelessly to provide this vital service to those in need. After researching several local shelters and service providers, I found that many shelters offer not just emergency shelter but also comprehensive services aimed at helping individuals rebuild their lives. Here are some of the key shelters offering refuge and support:


  1. Portland Rescue Mission – Located downtown, the Portland Rescue Mission is a well-known provider of emergency shelter for both men and women. They offer overnight shelter, nutritious meals, and addiction recovery support. One standout aspect of Portland Rescue Mission is their commitment to addressing not only the immediate need for shelter but also long-term recovery through mentorship, spiritual support, and case management services. This comprehensive approach helps individuals gain the skills and resources they need to transition out of homelessness.  

  2. Transition Projects – Transition Projects offers both emergency and transitional housing options, along with services to help individuals move into permanent housing. They provide a range of support services, including assistance in securing identification, employment, and benefits, all of which are vital for individuals seeking to regain their independence. From my research, it is clear that Transition Projects takes a holistic approach to homelessness, helping individuals find stability through a combination of shelter, social services, and empowerment. Their goal is to help people secure a safe and permanent living situation.  

  3. Seasonal Warming Shelters – During the colder months, Portland operates additional warming shelters to ensure that individuals don’t have to endure dangerous temperatures. These seasonal shelters are activated when temperatures drop and provide temporary refuge to those in need. The Multnomah County Warming Center Information Line provides up-to-date information on locations and availability. These shelters serve a critical role in protecting the most vulnerable individuals from life-threatening conditions.  

You can find more information about these resources at the websites provided at the bottom of the blog. 

These shelters represent just a few of the resources available in Portland for those experiencing homelessness. Many shelters in the city also offer additional services such as mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and job training programs to help individuals achieve long-term stability and independence.

Whether you are currently experiencing homelessness or are looking to help others in need, this guide provides information about the critical shelter resources available throughout Portland. The city's network of shelters is dedicated to providing not just a place to sleep but also the services necessary to help individuals rebuild their lives and transition into permanent housing. If you are in need, I encourage you to reach out to these shelters and take advantage of the services they offer. For those looking to make a difference, consider donating, volunteering, or advocating for more resources to support those in need.

Websites :


Portland Rescue Mission –  https://portlandrescuemission.org/burnside/ 


Transition Projects – https://www.tprojects.org/ 


Seasonal Warming Shelters – https://www.koin.com/weather/list-warming-shelters-portland-vancouver-metro-area/ 


Thursday, November 21, 2024

Homeless Nutrition Education: Linking Nutrition with Healthcare


 

What are Nutrition Education Classes?


Nutrition Education Classes are the main support where they provide healthy and affordable food for their clients. These classes are different from regular nutrition programs because they offer better nutrition with lower cost and better selection of food which the clients will recognize and know how to cook. On the other hand, most pantries may not be as selective with their donations and may distribute their food culturally inappropriate to the population of clients.


In order to ensure if the clients are eating healthy, the Nutrition Education Classes will focus on how they interact with the food. Pantries can start providing their clients the nutrition classes during visits. With the food sources from the pantries, the classes encourage volunteers to prepare the curriculum of the class and also the food. The Nutrition Education Classes should be adapted to satisfy the needs of the clients. Depending on their capacity, this approach should be implemented at varying scales for all pantries.


Food Pantries with Nutrition Education Classes:


  • Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, Oak Park, Chicago, IL: The Oak Park River Forest food pantry understands that health and hunger influence one’s access to nutritious meals. To keep their customers interested, they provide "cooking demonstrations, recipes, and samples of dishes made with items" from their pantry collection.


  • Irving Park Community Food Pantry, Chicago, IL: In collaboration with Dominican University, Irving Park Community Food Pantry provides nutrition education workshops to its customers during pantry hours. The students try to find ways to involve the clients, teach them healthy eating habits, and teach them basic behavioral adjustments that they may incorporate into their daily lives.


For more information about the food pantries, visit site: Nutrition Education Classes


Linking nutrition with healthcare: On-site and mobile healthcare assistance:


One of the most straightforward strategies is giving patients access to a doctor at your program location to engage with them during client hours. A local medical facility or other health service organization could partner with a food pantry or hot meal program to assign a specialist to their pantry. During their visit, this person should preferably be able to inspect and prescribe medication to the clients. In this way, any client can arrive with a question or health need and receive immediate help.


Clients may benefit from this approach since they can visit the food pantry and receive medical care from a doctor in the same facility. This can also save clients money and possibly save their lives because they receive treatment before their health issues escalate. This strategy is suggested for smaller to medium-sized pantries with extra rooms close to the program area.


Mobile clinics, often known as medical clinics on wheels, provide healthcare services to people who are most in need. In addition to saving money for patients and providers by eliminating transportation expenses, they can enhance access to healthcare and general health outcomes in communities with limited resources.



Some medical assistant services:


  • Wesley Nurses provided by Methodist Healthcare Ministries: Wesley Nurses, who are employed by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., visit food pantries to offer minor services to clients. This service includes blood pressure and sugar check provided by the visiting nurses. 


  • Open Arms Ministry, Logan Square, Chicago, IL: The mission of Open Arms Ministry is to assist and collaborate with individuals who are facing food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness. Their activities aim toward reducing homelessness and poverty in their neighborhood and offer those who are experiencing these situations a caring and supportive community.


  • Outside In, Portland, OR (Mobile medical clinic): An organization called Outside In is committed to supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness. A mobile care unit is used by this federally qualified medical institution to offer services to members of the community who are unable to visit the facility.


For more information about the healthcare assistant services, visit site: On-site and mobile healthcare services


Resource: Congressional Hunger Center

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Food Insecurity: Places and Opportunities to Help the Homeless in Need



Why This Matters

Food is a human right and the people who experience housing insecurity and homelessness often can’t get enough food or have access to nutritious food. In Portland, there is a rising homelessness crisis. There are shelters that house homeless people but there are not enough around the city so it causes many of the homeless to sleep on the streets and unfortunately, a lot of them suffer from hunger. 


Now, while there is no precise data as to how many homeless people experience food insecurity, according to the Koin 6 News, in Portland about 11.8% or nearly 77,000 people experience food insecurity. This includes the homeless population in the city. Due to limited income and resources, the homeless are in a situation where there isn’t much access to food. The good thing is, there are shelters and other places that provide food for the homeless. We will dive deep into the resources readily available.


Some Projects in Place


  • Transition Projects is a huge provider of shelter services. On the Transitions Project website, it states, “ Our programs provide a safe, temporary home and support services for participants during their transition out of homelessness.” There are many shelters in the Portland area where the project takes place. They provide detailed information about volunteer opportunities in their program. Individuals, groups, businesses, and foundations can get involved and help the homeless community. The biggest help they need in their project is making meals! On their website, you can find information on how to get involved for this position which consists of a small group of volunteers who come together to cook a full meal for the shelter they attend. 


  • Another project that may be more accessible to the homeless and to the people who want to help is Potluck In The Park. On their website they say, “Potluck has been serving a free hot meal to anyone in need since 1991. Rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, we are feeding Portland homeless, every Sunday, in our temporary Winter location under the Hawthorne Bridge.” This is a volunteer-driven project that dedicates themselves to feeding the homeless in Portland. It’s a free meal that they provide to the people who need it. 


  • There is a newer project called Night Strike. It began in 2023 and they promote themselves as a community that gives opportunities to the homeless in Portland to hang out, enjoy a meal, receive a free haircut or shave, and many more. They meet under the Burnside Bridge every Thursday night and accept donations and volunteers. They want volunteers to take their time and create relationships with the other members and the homeless and provide food and other necessities. 


These are just a few examples of projects that are in place in Portland that are taking in volunteers and have the passion to help feed the homeless. Not only that but some provide other necessities that can greatly benefit the homeless. 


How We Can Help


We can help the homeless by donating to these organizations. We can spread awareness of how huge the issue of food insecurity is. Especially when it comes to the homeless population in Portland. We can get in touch with the projects and organizations that have the passion to help those in need. Volunteering can help tremendously as these places are always looking for people to get involved. By doing these things, we can help the homeless population of Portland. We have the power to help the people in our own community!


Here are the links to the projects above:


Transitions Project: Opportunities for Individuals


Potluck In The Park: Feeding the Homeless


Night Strike: Night Strike


Other Places to Visit:

Feed the Streets: Feed the Streets


Other Sources Used:

Koin 6 News: Food Insecurity in Portland


Saturday, November 2, 2024

Electing the Future of the Homeless




 New York City is the city that never sleeps, Portland is where you start to nod off.


How did this happen? 


         Regardless of political stance, decked out in red or blue, it is safe to say that every Portlander can agree that the homeless problem has gotten out of hand, and that something needs to change. 


What are the numbers?


Portland Oregon has a homeless population of 11,000 individuals, a steady increase of 65% since 2015. 25% of them are experiencing chronic homelessness, which is the state of being without housing for more than a year. The group itself is made up of women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and individuals facing mental health and substance abuse issues. 37.5% of people facing homelessness admit to the abuse of substances, ones with recognizable names like Fentanyl and Methamphetamine.



What are the plans? 


Kamala Harris, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, and the current vice president of the United States proposed a solution for the homeless crisis, which she plans to sweep across the nation. Focusing primarily on the ability to secure affordable housing, Harris announced new funding of $5.5 Billion, in order to boost this, while simultaneously building wealth and investing in economic growth and development. The budget is planned to be granted to 1,200 communities throughout the country, with the quintessential message that homeownership is critical in building a future for the individual, obtaining a sense of financial security, and creating jobs. 

The total sum will be split according to need, among grantees all throughout the country. A handful of them include, $1.3 Billion to support the building of more affordable housing, split among 663 grantees, $214 Million to each individual state in order to increase the supply of affordable housing, $455 million to find housing and support for those with HIV/AIDS, and $290 million to address homelessness. 

In Portland Oregon alone, the suspected cost of an adequate dent in the homeless problem is $3 billion dollars.


Since the 1980’s, the United States has implemented the ‘housing first’ approach, which is one that focuses on the roofs over the heads of individuals, before trying to help the addicted, unemployed, and mentally ill. 


Donald Trump, the presidential candidate for the Republican Party in the 2024 Presidential election has a different approach. Instead, Trump has plans to reverse the roles, and adopt a ‘treatment-first’ method, with the argument that  “Our once-great cities have become unlivable, unsanitary nightmares, surrendered to the homeless, the drug-addicted, and the violent and dangerously deranged”. His plan to do this involves large segments of affordable land, transformed into “tent-cities”, and packed with doctors, social workers, drug rehab specialists, and physiatrists. The end goal would be a steady integration back into society once the homeless are well enough to manage. 

While Project 2025 was debunked as a part of Trump’s message in this present election, similar strategies can be found there, with the overarching idea, stated by Ben Carson, the former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to “end Housing First policies so that the department prioritizes mental health and substance abuse issues before jumping to permanent interventions in homelessness.”  Trumps idea involves the criminalization of homelessness, specifically urban camping, and limit options to either arrest, or treatment and rehabilitation. 

The 2024 Presidential election has sparked the conversation around numerous policies, both offering opposing solutions designed by political opinion. Whether or not you plan to vote red or blue this coming week, or even vote at all; the future of the homeless population will be dependent on who is elected into office. Kamala Harris offers an old solution, proposed with new numbers, while Donald Trump adopts a new approach that has gone untried thus far. Both presidential parties offer different solutions, with a similar end goal. One is a mock-up of plans of the past, while one is new and unconventional. The Democratic and Republican parties both recognize the desperate need for a change, but how we do it is up to us.


https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/07/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-announces-5-5-billion-to-boost-affordable-housing-invest-in-economic-growth-build-wealth-and-address-homelessness-in-communities-throughout-america/


https://atlantaciviccircle.org/2024/07/10/trump-biden-atlanta-homeless-policy-debate/


https://atlantaciviccircle.org/2024/07/10/trump-biden-atlanta-homeless-policy-debate/


https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/agenda47-ending-the-nightmare-of-the-homeless-drug-addicts-and-dangerously-deranged