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Poverty

Safe Ground Kick-off March

Submitted by billl on Sat, 12/19/2009 - 9:06pm
Date: 
Tue, 12/29/2009 - 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Safe Ground
Kick-off March

Bring Signs - We will march from
Loaves & Fishes (Delaney Center)
1321 North C Street
to City Hall 9th and I Streets.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 29 • 1pm

STAND UP FOR SAFE GROUND

Elderly Homeless gentlemen beaten last night

Submitted by billl on Sun, 08/23/2009 - 5:45pm

From Tamie Dramer:

Hello all,

I went to the Safe Ground outpost this afternoon to bring the homeless pioneers a hot lunch of fried potatoes and chorizo and tortillas. I signed in and at first all seemed lovely and peaceful as usual. And It was- for the most part, except a Bee reporter was there, which always causes a little buzz, ...And then I saw them...

Two 60+ year old little old men with their heads hanging down. They were sitting side by side in cast off dining room chairs with sad swollen cut up faces. Not the kind of sad disfigured faces of your average homeless man who's face is ravaged by time, sun and living on the streets. No. These faces were ravaged by the fists of three young healthy and probably housed adults for kicks and giggles. Their faces were black and blue with their eyes swollen shut and blood from fresh cuts on their lips and the split open skin on their eyebrows. They were jumped last night on the streets of Sacramento while searching for a place to bed down for the night. It's the kind of thing that when you least expect it, hits you in the gut- like they must've been, and instantly the tears come and the rage boils up, and knowing that there's nothing you can do- no matter how many meals you cook, no matter how many days you spend trying to convince people that there needs to be a safe place for homeless people to be able sleep at night, -that there's nothing you can do to protect these little old men right now from the horrifying cruelty of people who think the homeless are less than human. It makes you feel as hopeless as these poor old men.

Attorney provides downtown Sacramento site for homeless camp

Submitted by billl on Sat, 08/22/2009 - 4:45pm

Attorney provides downtown Sacramento site for homeless camp
By Cynthia Hubert - chubert@sacbee.com - Published: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 3B

A Sacramento attorney who has championed the rights of homeless people is opening his private property to campers who need a place to sleep at night.

Mark Merin, who for years has challenged the city's and county's treatment of the homeless, is leasing a parcel of land in downtown Sacramento to an association of people seeking to establish a legal "safe ground" campsite. Three advocacy organizations are leading the "safe ground" effort.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Submitted by billl on Mon, 02/23/2009 - 2:15pm


From River City Community Services...http://rivercitycommunityservices.org/

Support Empty Bowls, Our Most Important Fundraiser (and “Friend Raiser”) of the Year!

Empty Bowls has become a beloved tradition for hundreds of people who help fight hunger by attending, volunteering or sponsoring this fun and affordable event. But this year’s event – to be held Tuesday, March 10th, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street – has a new level of urgency since almost 50 percent more people are coming to River City Community Services for emergency food assistance, compared to two years ago.

Tickets are now on sale through this website. Last year the event did sell out, so you’re urged to get your tickets early! For a list of retail locations that will have tickets, click here.

For a donation of $25, attendees enjoy a delicious soup luncheon prepared by area restaurants, and take home a handmade bowl made by students and artists from throughout the region. The bowls serve as a powerful reminder of the many empty bowls in the Sacramento community. Flyer for Empty Bowls (jpg)

Here’s how you can help support Empty Bowls:

SAFE GROUND HOMELESS MARCH & RALLY

Submitted by billl on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 9:01am

SAFE GROUND HOMELESS MARCH & RALLY

Host: Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee
Location:
Loaves & Fishes
Friendship Park
Sacramento, CA 95812 US
View Map
When: Tuesday, December 23, 1:00PM
Phone: 916-442-2156
RSVP HERE

Come MARCH & RALLY in support of the people of Sacramento who live outdoors in this cold weather! The homeless are seeking a safe and legal place to stay. Join us to show solidarity for the need of a stable place for people to pitch their tents-with port-a-potties and garbage service. All people need housing, and such a place would provide the bare minimum emergency space to erect tents- a human right that has been denied to the poorest among us for much too long! The March begins at Loaves and Fishes at 1pm and will end with a rally at Cesar Chavez Park at 2pm. Stand up and speak out! For more information please visit: http://shoc.wikispaces.com/SafeGround We hope to see you there! ---The Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee and your friends at the Sacramento Housing Alliance

GOP wants deep cuts to schools, social services

Submitted by billl on Mon, 12/15/2008 - 4:19pm

Really? Republicans want to cut funding for Public Education & Healthcare for the poor and disabled? They want to bust unions and destroy our environment? Who woulda thunk? At least they are consistently against the poor, middle-class and our environment. I'll give them that...
--Bill

GOP wants deep cuts to schools, social services
By Jim Sanders - jsanders@sacbee.com - Published: Monday, Dec. 15, 2008

Republican legislative leaders released a long-awaited plan Monday to ease the state's massive shortfall without raising taxes.

Republican Senate leader Dave Cogdill and GOP Assembly leader Mike Villines said their joint proposal would cut $22 billion from the state's projected two-year $40 billion shortfall.

The GOP plan proposes that voters be asked to approve a stiff state spending cap, and it proposes a wide range of changes to environmental and labor laws to bolster businesses.

Family Fun Day!

Submitted by billl on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 9:53pm

Sacramento Housing Alliance
Invites you to ...

Family Fun Day!
Saturday September 13th
11am-4pm at the
College Greens Cabana Club
2707 Notre Dame Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826

$10 per Person* (*$5 low-income)
$25 per Family* (*$15 low-income)

The FUN DAY includes: Swimming ! Swimming ! Swimming!

BBQ Lunch & Soda-pop (Beer & Wine $2)
* Volleyball * Tennis * Horseshoes
Sack races * Bean-bag Toss * Raffle & more!

Please RSVP E-mail Tamie@SacHousingAlliance.org
For more details & Information call SHA @ 916.455.4900

Labor Day @ Loaves & Fishes - Volunteers Needed

Submitted by billl on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 2:47pm

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LABOR DAY ACTIVITIES!

Loaves and Fishes

The next President Pro Tem, our local State Senator Darrell Steinberg, will be serving meals with us on Labor Day! Please join him!

Preparing and serving meals for the hungry on Labor Day is a very important tradition for the CLC and we hope you can assist us.

Volunteers are needed for both the preparation (7:30 am – 10:30 am) and serving (10:30 am – 1:30 pm) shifts Monday, September 1st, at Loaves and Fishes (1321 North C Street, Sacramento).

Following your shift you can join Darrell and other friends of working families at our Annual Labor Day Picnic.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Zak Ford at 916-927-9772 ext. 229 or zak@sacramentolabor.org

Labor Day Picnic - Volunteers Needed

Submitted by billl on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 2:42pm

Labor Day Picnic

Our Annual Labor Day Picnic will be held Monday, September 1st, at William Land Park’s Village Green Area (corner of Freeport Blvd and Sutterville Road). The picnic will take place from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be a BBQ, a beer garden, children’s activities, karaoke, a Texas hold-em tournament, bingo, and more.

We are looking for volunteers for various duties (set up, cooks, servers, clean up, etc.) between 7 am and 5 pm.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Zak Ford at 916-927-9772 ext. 229 or zak@sacramentolabor.org

Uncle Sam needs you!

Submitted by sgl on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 8:57am


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US slips down development index



BBC News July 17, 2008


Americans live shorter lives than citizens of almost every other developed nation, according to a report from several US charities.



The report found that the US ranked 42nd in the world for life expectancy despite spending more on health care per person than any other country.



Overall, the American Human Development Report ranked the world's richest country 12th for human development.




The study looked at US government data on health, education and income.



The report was funded by Oxfam America, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.



The report combines measurements of health, education and income into one measurement - the human development index - based on that used by the United Nations.



Health insurance



The report, Measure of America, identifies significant progress in the US in the last 50 years.


Save Public Transit

Submitted by sgl on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 7:14am


Hear the rally at the California State Capitol
 to stop funding cuts to public transit on June 17, 2008


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Speakers addressed the proposed 10% cut of transit funds by the California State Legislature:

Duration 1:04:01


City of Sacramento Affordable Housing Hearing

Submitted by billl on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 9:47pm

Join us next Tuesday (5/27) to tell the Sacramento City Council that we want an Affordable Housing Ordinance that covers the entire city and includes housing for the most vulnerable families and individuals.

1PM: Press Conference - Help us put a face on who lives in affordable housing - if you know someone that would like to share their personal story or for more information, please contact Sandra at sandra@sachousingalliance.org

2PM: City Council Meeting - Speakers cards will be circulated. If you do not wish to speak, please still come and show your support in the audience.

The City needs an affordable housing ordinance that covers the entire city and will actually help the most vulnerable among us -- including those Sacramentans who qualify as extremely low income.

Again, next Tues, May 27 at City Hall, 915 I Street.
For more info, contact Sandra at Sac Housing Alliance:

Cynthia McKinney the "Politics of Poverty" at UC Davis

Submitted by billl on Sun, 05/11/2008 - 2:03pm

Tuesday 5/13/2008
The Politics of Poverty
Cynthia McKinney (2008 Green Party Presidential Nominee and former member of the US House of Reprersentatives)
7pm Social Sciences 1100

Hear Charlotte O'Neal talk about her experiences living in Tanzania for 35 years

Submitted by sgl on Sat, 05/10/2008 - 9:16am


Hear Charlotte O'Neal, poet, musician, community activist



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Charlotte O'Neal

In Sacramento, CA on April 12th, Charlotte O'Neal, a poet, musician, community activist and former Black Panther, talked about her experiences living in Tanzania for 35 years. She and her husband founded the United African Alliance Community Center.



Some of her friends helped with the music and poetry. She was originally from Kansas City.