Posts Tagged ‘Homelessness’

Thursday’s Thought: Giving Back!

Posted 12 Nov 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Reed Educates, Taking a Stand

This week I’ve been sifting through my belongings, packing and such! I find that many things my family considers junk another can use! Of course, it’s time to give back. Then I think about those in need that need more then what I have sitting in my home. What can I do more to give back?

Think of the little things I buy throughout the month, a Pepsi here, a bag of chip there… I probably spend a few dollars a day on much of nothing for the kids and me. I set to do something more for another and a bit less for myself! As I think of this my daughter speaks to me about wanting to blog about a report she is doing for abused children in Africa. What better way to tie in my wanting to give more to another in need. Maybe she would like to help those she is researching.

After all this thought I was contacted by globalgiving.com (a million little earth-changing ideas)! Sky is the limit. Just about any cause you can think of from homelessness, to climate change, to children in need they have a cause listed in which we could help. You name it; there is a way to help out through their website.

I’m sitting my children down to tell them to pick a cause dear to them. When they want that little bag of chips from the corner store, I will ask them, “Chips or your Cause?” They can decide where that dollar goes. I’ll allow them to earn extra money for their cause as well. I’m excited and will keep you posted on which child of mine picked which cause and how much they were able to donate.

Sinya is thinking of helping Kenya families have clean water and Jamarae is thinking of helping Afghan boys trade guns for books. We will see what they chose and how much they earn. I’m very excited.

Check them Global Giving: Donate To Your Favorite Cause at GlobalGiving.com and Change The World Today !

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Truly Honored: Front Page of “Roots of Humanity”

Posted 29 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Taking a Stand

Reed What Matters made front page of Roots of Humanity: Am I Not Human Website! What a honor to have one of our articles highlighted by them.

The article highlighted was Am I Not Human?: Homelessness & Sacramento’s Anti-Camping Ordinances ! Please visit Roots of Humanity by clicking here!

Their website is filled with topics that call for change in human rights! Many of the topics you may find of interest, and we want to show them much love for believing in the great causes of SafeGround Sacramento! Thank you!

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Am I Not Human?: Homelessness & Sacramento’s Anti-Camping Ordinances

Posted 27 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Taking a Stand

It’s been cold out, real cold. I lay in my bed last night with the chills because my husband was hogging the covers. Don’t I have nerve? I could have turned on the heater, or grabbed another blanket easily! What if I didn’t have the luxury of shelter, a heater, extra blankets like many families who are searching for a place just to rest as the shelters fill up!

In recent news, KCRA.com mentioned Sacramento’s Mayor Kevin Johnson spoke publicly about the the city, county and federal government approving funds for Sacramento to “create 269 shelter beds.” That is great, but what is the city going to do about the many families that will still need shelter.

SafeGround Sacramento has a temporary solution and Mayor Kevin Johnson hears their voices. SafeGround Sacramento “called for a moratorium on enforcement of the city’s anti-camping ordinance.” As it stands today our homeless community is awoken when found sleeping on the streets to move or can be sited with a ticket for illegal camping. Imagine that, no place to sleep and you wake up to a ticket you can’t afford all because you have no where else to sleep. SafeGroundSacramento aims to help those who can’t just rest. Johnson hears their voices KCRA.com states he has “said he will have more to say next month about a permanent camping site for the homeless.”

Please reach out to SafeGround Sacramento and learn more about what their mission is by visiting their website (click here). You can see their flight on video by award-winning film maker, Costa Mantis as well by clicking here.

Note: Roots of Humanity ”On the 27thof each month a group of bloggers post on the subject of human rights. The Am I Not Human Campaign was designed to help bring awareness to social issues that you can help to work on solving.”

Thank you Roots for Humanity for calling for such an action! We all should take a stand and let our voices be heard!

My friends if you have a topic you like me to take a stand on with you or if you would like to give honorary mention to someone who is making a difference in a future post please comment below or use our contact us form.

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It’s Always Something

Posted 11 Oct 2009 — by Jennifer
Category Self Awareness

11227682_0f70b4e1d9Isn’t it always something? Even on the best of days, there is that unpaid bill, lack of time, a headache! Whatever it is be thankful that it’s just an issue, and not a crisis. Even the most well put together people have an issue or two that they can talk about. What would be life without a tribulation now and again? Where would we get our lessons from if there wasn’t a mishap here and there?

Our self awareness series entry by Sarah Ban Breathnach for October 11th, in her book, Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy speaks of there always being something that we can complain of. She speaks on a greater note; however, being thankful your complaints are only issues and not a crisis. Too many people start living for their true passions once a crisis hits. The crisis can be a health issue, a death in the family, a complete turnover on financial status, homelessness, anything that is life changing.

I know this pretty well, I didn’t get back into writing until recently. I had to be home from work with health issues to start writing again. I used to write poetry when Renae was small, about twelve years ago. Why did I stop? Where did I lose my authentic self?

This book was given to me by my sister in law about 5-6 years ago. The excerpt reads, “Jen, You are sunshine – do what you are meant to do! -shine- :) , D’Jne” She seen it, I had lost something. She told me one day, when I walked through the room I had a glow about me, this glow made the room brighter which made others happy. She told me I was lacking that! My husband said the same thing in other words about a year ago.

These are questions we must ask! I ask all of you to please not forget who you are! Look in the mirror and bring your authentic self back. What pleases you? What makes you the person that defines wholeness? What are you missing?

It may always be something, but it could be worse so please find who you lost, or if you haven’t lost yourself keep you alive. SHINE!

  • You can find the rest of our Self Awareness series by clicking here.
  • I know this is going to be a powerful series, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to our updates via email or feed reader by clicking here.
  • To purchase this book at a low price: Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy.
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    SafeGround Sacramento’s Rally at City Hall

    Posted 10 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
    Category Taking a Stand

    SafeGround Sacramento went to City Hall today to have a peaceful rally to speak to our Mayor, City Council and City Manager to address the anti-camping ordinance, and to ask they provide “SafeGround, a legal campground for homeless people who have signed a pledge of no drugs, no alcohol, no violence.”

    This is very touching, and needs attention. Here is a video to today’s events provided by Sacramento Loaves & Fishes:

    YouTube Preview Image

    If you would like to volunteer your time (you can do so from home if needed) or donate to SafeGround’s goals please visit their website by clicking here.

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    Peaceful SafeGround Rally at Sacramento City Hall

    Posted 09 Sep 2009 — by Jennifer
    Category Taking a Stand

    SafeGround

    Peaceful SafeGround Rally at Sacramento City Hall

    When: Thursday, September 10, 2009 10 AM

    Where: Sacramento City Hall 915 I Street – plaza

    Why Hasn’t Sacramento Provided a Safe and Legal Place to Camp?

    The number of homeless people has risen by 14% in just two years. Shelters are turning away hundreds of men, woman and children every night for lack of space. Why would we arrest people who have nowhere to go? Shouldn’t the city spend its money on housing for people rather than on jails? Criminalizing homelessness is unjust and solves nothing.
    Please support the more than 1,200 homeless people who will sleep outside in Sacramento tonight and every night.

    Come to the SafeGround Rally this Thursday at 10 AM at City Hall.

    Ask our Mayor, City Council and City Manager to act immediately to:

    1. Declare a moratorium on enforcement of the anti-camping ordinance. It is unjust to cite and arrest people who have nowhere else to go.
    2. Provide SafeGround, a legal campground for homeless people who have signed a pledge of no drugs, no alcohol, no violence.

     

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