Another agency I just found out about

Covenant House International is the largest privately-funded agency in the Americas providing shelter and other services to homeless, runaway and throwaway youth.
One of their sites is right here in Los Angeles.

New PO Box

I have a new PO box now. It's the smallest size and will be shared with other projects, so it's important to mention this project ("Mercy and Justice") when sending anything. You can see the new address on the right column.

Documentary movie about the homeless

Today on Montel, I heard about a documentary that a 17 year old girl named Francesca Karle made about the homeless in her community. It looks like the film has already have a great positive impact. The movie is called "On the River's Edge". I want to find that movie and watch it. CBS5 has a link to a clip from the movie in this article online.

Address change

I didn't get enough contributions (or other mail for that matter) in the post office box. So contiuing that expense is not justified. Please send any future contributions to the address in the sidebar instead.

I received one contribution a while ago, by the way, but then I traveled from one place to another and it got mixed up in a big pile of postcards before I could scan it. Sorry! I'll scan it as soon I can find it again after returning from my travels.

I promise, no such thing will happen with future contributions, I will take more care to keep them in a special place.

Longing for shelter

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.

This was one of the hymn verses we sang at church today. I think it emphasizes some important things that are important in taking care of others, whether you are connected to a church or not. It's not just about the material things we can give. Shelter from the elements is necessary, but not sufficient. The hearts and attitude play a big role for both the givers and the receivers.

How to make a difference in 15 minutes

I just came across the Charity Guide which has some good information and advice. No exuse that you don't have enough time to volunteer or make a difference. Here's an article under the topic of poverty: TREAT HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN WITH DIGNITY. Head over and find out some interesting facts and how to make a difference>

Cardboard Citizen

I got a message today that a contribution has been sent to arrive soon. With it came the link to this site which I want to show you immediately: The Cardboard Citizen Campaign.
The Cardboard Citizen Campaign is located in London, Canada and improves community relationships, and solicits public opinion about the issue of Youth At Risk and homelessness. But the definitions of homelessness and things people have to say are true not only there...

Here's what one participant says: "Homelessness... someones choice is anothers inevitable fate.Has the system failed them or have they lost all hope and failed themselves? Either way, they live on our streets and in ourparks without the neccessities of life, trying to make sense of it all, trying to live a life."

Go and read more about the project: The Cardboard Citizen Campaign.

Thanksgiving

Someone posted a very powerful illustration for the topic of "Thanksgiving" at Illustration Friday today: Random Thoughts From a Random Kind of Guy: Illustration Friday: Thanksgiving: Be thankful for all you have and pray for those who have not.

Right idea, wrong answer

Right idea, wrong answer- Homelessness will persist as long as we allow 'environments of destruction' in Pasadena Weekly, By Andres Romero

I found this article in our weekly newspaper. He makes some interesting points. Here's an excerpt:

"I was unable to commit to a long-term program for two reasons.

One was I was an addict and still inside my environment of destruction. I thank God for the missions on Skid Row because they are a blessing and provide temporary services for anyone seeking help. But here's the problem: As long as they are operating in the heart of Skid Row, they will remain revolving doors for people like me. Although I sought treatment inside their gates, destruction awaited me outside.

The other reason is I was simply not ready to quit drugs. Nor was I committed to changing my life. That's because I no longer had the mental capacity to think for myself; I was too far gone in my addiction."

Read the whole article at: Right idea, wrong answer- Pasadena Weekly

Hard earned income

Often, people want to work, but this is the only "job" they can find - collecting discarded bottles and getting a few pennies for each at the recycling center.

By Swantje, Pasadena, CA.

Some ingredients for a solution

By Swantje, Pasadena, CA

Please contribute

Your postcards are most welcome for this project. We are for mercy and justice for everyone. Postcards will be scanned and posted as time allows. By sending your postcard to Swan (Mercy and Justice), you are giving your permission for your artwork or writing to be used both in the blog, and in any other projects put together by Swan about care for the homeless. If your name is included on your postcard, you will be credited by that name. If no name appears, the work will appear anonymous.

Please send your card to:
Swan
Mercy and Justice
P.O. Box 61215
Pasadena, CA 91116
USA

Rocking our world

From The Morning: On Bullshit: Part 2 writes "One morning during my run, my thoughts went back to a long run in Boston when I saw something that disturbed me. Maybe 'disturbed' isn't a good word. Maybe the words 'rocked my world' would better describe the experience. ..." Read the whole post!

I feel so helpless, too! I haven't met a homeless person who looks like me yet, though.

Welcome and shocking news

I'm starting this blog as part of my Kingdom Assignment. More details later.

For now, have a look at another blog about homelessness in Los Angeles that I found a few days ago.

I heard some shocking news on TV yesterday (I usually don't watch the news, but we happened to have them on yesterday). Hospitals dump patients they discharge and even out of county police dump unwanted people at Skid Row in Los Angeles! They showed how a confused woman had been dropped of by taxi and was walking around aimlessly. Fortunately, a worker at the Union Rescue Mission picked her up. An executive from the hospital apologized later, but I wonder how much this kind of thing is happening!