HUFF takes a pause for breath this week, skipping its March 2nd Thursday meeting, and planning to resume chairwarming and coffee-quaffing next Thursday at 10:45 a.m. at the usual time and place.
In the meantime….
HUFF Suggestions for Between-Meeting Activity
++++ Shelterwatch: the City is spending lots of $$ on shelter for a minority of the folks outside. HUFF has been receiving mixed reports of the Armory/LookOut shelter—which does provide meals and transport, but bans visiting (even within the encampments) and some feel maintains a “prison-like” atmosphere. It was created as a go-to excuse for police to demolish the Benchlands (whose demolition funding that was transferred from a “homeless benefit” grant). Please report both the positive and negative reports or experiences from 1220 River St., 150 Coral St., and the Armory/Overlook shelters. Call 831-423-4833 and leave a brief report or your contact info.
++++ Cold and WetWeather Warning: With weekend rainstorms and four days of more rain beginning next Thursday, the City’s token nighttime-only Warming Center is slated to close next Monday, March 6th, runs from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. unless ousted by Vet’s Hall events—according to Union of the Homeless activist Alicia Kuhl. Come early, advises Brent Adams, in order to assure a place since its “capacity” is 60 people with only 30 of them getting beds. It’s at 846 Front St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Call (831) 454-0478.
++++ WarmingCenterwatch: Footbridge Services has been shutdown through volunteer burnout and City Council/Supervisor ostracism. However Brent Adams still offers blankets, clothing, toiletries and other necessities on Warming Wednesdays noon to 2 p.m. Call 588-9892 or 246-1234 for a recorded update.
++++ Santa Cruz Union of the Homeless now slated to meet Wednesdays 4-6 p.m. at the conference room of the Resource Center for Non-Violence at 612 Ocean St. Call Alicia at 431-7766. The Union reportedly doing Mutual Aid, and provides meals at its social meetings.
++++ No new updates from the Mountain Community Resource Center [MCRC] in Felton, though no word it has changed its policies regarding exclusion of people from under the outside of its eaves during cold and wet weather and arresting those who stay. To find out more info from MCRC, call 335-6600 .
++++ Food Not Bombs is still the only regular provider of daily meals noon to 3 PM at the Town Clock without ID cards, locked gates, or requirement that you get into bogus “a pathway to housing” fund-magnet program.