A new program spearheaded by Calvary Episcopal Church is housing about 20 people each night in a variety of churches. A Sanctuary Campground proposal is being hammered out by Brent Adams and others at the same time as there is rising hysteria against homeless people in a political “anti-crime” wave mounted by Take Back Santa Cruz, The Clean Team, and other “clean up our town” groups.
The Coral St. Open Air Shelter (1993-5)–a tolerated campground at River St. and Highway 1–was shut down by pressure from the Citizens Committee for the Homeless, and then-Mayor Mike Rotkin. Rotkin also moved against Father Mike Marini’s Holy Cross Shelter subsequently in the summer of 1996 by (according to the recollection of Becky Johnson) inciting the neighbors against the shelter. Under his leadership (with Cynthia Mathews a loyal second), the Sherry Conable/Barbara Riverwomon State Parks Sanctuary proposal for the homeless-under which homeless would be bused to state parks to camp–was
vetoed.
Religious leaders, who were otherwise reactionary, have also played a role in standing up for homeless people by sheltering them in their church. See, for instance, http://www.huffsantacruz.org/
Kalihi church puts faith in action to help homeless
Posted: Feb 25, 2013 7:22 PM PST Updated: Feb 25, 2013 10:57 PM PST
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/21348165/kalihi-church-houses-homeless
“God brought us to this place,” Kaleo said.
Since December, the Pakeles have been staying on the church’s property, along with about 40 other homeless people.
“I believe everybody needs a second chance. That’s why I call this program that we’re running, ‘A Second Time Around,'” pastor Henry Baxter said.
The church feeds them, and lets them use the showers and bathrooms. There are rules to follow. You either have an outside job or do church chores.
“The rules are very important in our lives. Discipline and rules,” said Antonio Hernandez, who lives with his wife and young child in the tent next door to the Pakele’s.
“Their labor is working in the parking area, the grounds, in the kitchen, the dining room, in the church itself,” Baxter said.
The church offers some job training. Adults pay about $100 a month per person to cover utilities. Pakele said that teaches them responsibility.
“It is a stepping stone for me from here to transition out,” Kaleo Pakele said.
In March, the church starts a new program. Some of the homeless will plant and harvest vegetables at the church’s farm in Waianae.
“We’ll actually be paying them $8 an hour, more than the minimum wage. They’ll only be working four hours a day, but that will be something to get them started,” Baxter said.
Most of the homeless living at the church were on drugs. Baxter said there is counseling and consequences.
“We have drug testing,” he said. “We have zero tolerance on drugs and alcohol.”
Violators are evicted.
Baxter estimates 120 families have been helped in three years, and half are now in housing.