Some topics have a way of bringing on a tidal waves of thoughts and feelings. Danielle Steele writes " dealing with homelessness feels like emptying the ocean with a thimble". The author has worked 10 years helping the homeless in Los Angeles. Concerned about funding cuts, she published as article to give a voice to the people she has come to know.
In King County there are 8,000+ individuals who are homeless on any given night . This number includes 400+ children or youth and 2,400+ individuals in family groups. In 2003 there were 42 individuals who died out-of-doors and homeless. This is a typical year.
Various organizations, coalitions, and local governments in King County form The Committee to End Homelessness. Dan Brettler, CEO of Car Toys, Inc. and Vice Chair of the Committee to End Homelessness, states "we should never surrender to hopelessness. If our community is to be truly strengthened we must end homelessness and not merely manage it"
Homelessness is costly, financially ,socially and morally. Emergency rooms, jails and institutions are high dollar services. Housing reduces use of high end services. Sound Housing provided transitional housing coupled with case management and referral services. This led to permanent housing and improved children's educational stability. David Wertheimer, Senior Program Officer, Pacific NW Initiative, shares his optimism." We are very exited today to be much more involved in a new set of activities. Trying to end -not just manage- homelessness."
Homelessness can be an overwhelming conversation. However, the solution may come from people putting their heads, and thimbles, together.
sources:
"A Roof Over Every Bed in King County, our Communities Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness", by the Committee to End Homelessness-King County , 2005
"A Secret Mission" Danielle Steel, Newsweek June 23,2008
"The Evaluation of the Sound Families Initiative" ,prepared for The bill and Melinda Gates Foundation by The NW Institute for Children and Families, University of Washington School of Social Work, 2007
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Favorite Room
This is, in reality, one of my favorite spots in my apartment. I guess because it is represents several things. It reminds me to celebrate my space in whatever way suits me . I am grateful for that luxury. It reminds me to have fun and share fun with others. This is the bathroom. This is a tiny space . All the monkeys and animals don't fit in the picture.There are glow in the dark monkeys and elephants. For manic fun, there is a slingshot monkey that screams as he shoots through the air. I am a "mature adult" so a little fun goes a long way. My monkey room makes me smile. I hope you smile too.
Strange Bedfellows
What does The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , The
Committee to End Homelessness- King County, and the author Danielle Steel
have in common?
The answer is that they have each made considerable investments
in assisting and finding solutions for individuals who have no personal housing.
According to "A Roof Over Every Bed", The Committee to End Homelessness Ten Year Plan , King County has at least 8,000 persons who are homeless on any given night.
This 8,000 breaks-down into 5,000+ single adults, 400+ single youth,
and 2,400+ individuals in family groups.
Danielle Steele is the founder of Yo! Angel!, an outreach team that brings supplies
and hope to homeless individuals in SanFrancisco. After a decade of anonymity she
is making her work with the homeless public. She published her article "A Secret Mission on the Streets" in Newsweek magazine June 22,2008 edition in an effort to solicit interest and funds for her work with people who are homeless . Her narrative gives a human face and voice to the homeless.
Homelessness increases costs in high end services, such as emergency rooms,
incarceration and institutional facilities. Data collected from by the University of Washington on the Sound Family Initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation showed
the transitional housing/case management program increased employment, stable
education for children and led to permanent housing.According to one participant,
"In terms of my family, the stability of housing was the key to every other successful
endeavor."
In King County alone 42 people died out-of doors while homeless in 2003. That is a
typical year.You could picture that as one person dying almost every week somewhere in King County.The Committee to End Homelessness maintains "not acceptable to have people dying on the streets ". You might agree.
Sources:
A Roof Over Every Bed In King County-Our Communities Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness , by the Committe To End Homelessness-King County 2005
"Evaluation of The Sound Families Initiative-Final Finding Summary:A Closer look at Families Lives During & After Supportive Transistional Housing. by the Northwest Institute for Children &FamiliesUnivercity of Washington School of Social Work 2007
A Secret Mission On The Streets by Danielle Steel , published Newsweek Magazine June 23,2008
Committee to End Homelessness- King County, and the author Danielle Steel
have in common?
The answer is that they have each made considerable investments
in assisting and finding solutions for individuals who have no personal housing.
According to "A Roof Over Every Bed", The Committee to End Homelessness Ten Year Plan , King County has at least 8,000 persons who are homeless on any given night.
This 8,000 breaks-down into 5,000+ single adults, 400+ single youth,
and 2,400+ individuals in family groups.
Danielle Steele is the founder of Yo! Angel!, an outreach team that brings supplies
and hope to homeless individuals in SanFrancisco. After a decade of anonymity she
is making her work with the homeless public. She published her article "A Secret Mission on the Streets" in Newsweek magazine June 22,2008 edition in an effort to solicit interest and funds for her work with people who are homeless . Her narrative gives a human face and voice to the homeless.
Homelessness increases costs in high end services, such as emergency rooms,
incarceration and institutional facilities. Data collected from by the University of Washington on the Sound Family Initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation showed
the transitional housing/case management program increased employment, stable
education for children and led to permanent housing.According to one participant,
"In terms of my family, the stability of housing was the key to every other successful
endeavor."
In King County alone 42 people died out-of doors while homeless in 2003. That is a
typical year.You could picture that as one person dying almost every week somewhere in King County.The Committee to End Homelessness maintains "not acceptable to have people dying on the streets ". You might agree.
Sources:
A Roof Over Every Bed In King County-Our Communities Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness , by the Committe To End Homelessness-King County 2005
"Evaluation of The Sound Families Initiative-Final Finding Summary:A Closer look at Families Lives During & After Supportive Transistional Housing. by the Northwest Institute for Children &FamiliesUnivercity of Washington School of Social Work 2007
A Secret Mission On The Streets by Danielle Steel , published Newsweek Magazine June 23,2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
My Favorite Room
No. This isn't a favorite room in my apartment. It may, however, be the next best thing.
It is the Supreme Court Reading Room. I chose it for several reasons. The deep rich wood tones are comforting with a sense of warmth and stability. The high vaulted ceilings creates a sense of awe. Things so vastly bigger often solicit a feeling of humility. It's the reality of being very small in a very big universe. It is a feeling of being protected and watched over. This room, the ocean, the stars in the sky inspire that feeling.
Okay. It's just a room. But aren't those huge tables just perfect for reading a book at
all day long? There is one more reason I chose it. I think it that it would make the most wonderful dance floor if you pushed all those tables to the perimeter and placed a band on the balcony. Of course, the Supreme Court would have to give permission for this.
-note: I did take pictures a favorite spot in my apartment . The saga continues, however. I purchased a new cord for my camera. My computer flashed "Malfunction" and rolled text like
ticker tape for an inordinate amount of time.Nothing I clicked slowed it down or stopped it. I 've never seen anything quite like it. So in result , I am substituting a "wish list" room. The source of the Sumpreme Court Reading Room was unidentifyed. I certainly hope this does not constitue plagerism.
It is the Supreme Court Reading Room. I chose it for several reasons. The deep rich wood tones are comforting with a sense of warmth and stability. The high vaulted ceilings creates a sense of awe. Things so vastly bigger often solicit a feeling of humility. It's the reality of being very small in a very big universe. It is a feeling of being protected and watched over. This room, the ocean, the stars in the sky inspire that feeling.
Okay. It's just a room. But aren't those huge tables just perfect for reading a book at
all day long? There is one more reason I chose it. I think it that it would make the most wonderful dance floor if you pushed all those tables to the perimeter and placed a band on the balcony. Of course, the Supreme Court would have to give permission for this.
-note: I did take pictures a favorite spot in my apartment . The saga continues, however. I purchased a new cord for my camera. My computer flashed "Malfunction" and rolled text like
ticker tape for an inordinate amount of time.Nothing I clicked slowed it down or stopped it. I 've never seen anything quite like it. So in result , I am substituting a "wish list" room. The source of the Sumpreme Court Reading Room was unidentifyed. I certainly hope this does not constitue plagerism.
What I want to know and learn about writing
I would like to improve my ability to write cohesively with confidence.
I need to be able to edit my thoughts before I commit them to paper.
My employment obligates me to write assessment summaries, case notes,
letters the courts,probation and attorneys. Although I enjoy writing I often
experience decision distress. I am challenged by what to include, what to omit
and how to organize it. I cross out way too much, which is certainly not
conducive to the flow of what I'm trying to convey.
I believe I will benefit from learning to structure my writing
on both the micro and macro levels . Practicing writing in an organizational
format will help me develop skills needed to communicate
clearly and accurately . The confidence gained will enable me to write decisively. This will likely help me to manage my writing time.
I need to be able to edit my thoughts before I commit them to paper.
My employment obligates me to write assessment summaries, case notes,
letters the courts,probation and attorneys. Although I enjoy writing I often
experience decision distress. I am challenged by what to include, what to omit
and how to organize it. I cross out way too much, which is certainly not
conducive to the flow of what I'm trying to convey.
I believe I will benefit from learning to structure my writing
on both the micro and macro levels . Practicing writing in an organizational
format will help me develop skills needed to communicate
clearly and accurately . The confidence gained will enable me to write decisively. This will likely help me to manage my writing time.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Chasing pieces
Eureka! I believe I have found the posting place. I also think I found the posting- the -link spot on blackboard.
So it appears I've found two things.
Make that three.
I found the digital camera.
However, it seems I cannot find the cord to connect the camera to the computer. Therefore, I cannot download the pictures.
Win a few, lose a few. The score today is three to two. Three things found.Two things lost.
The second thing lost is my mind. I will look for it in the morning when I look again for the camera cord.
Life is good. Right now, from my perspective, the good part is a good nights sleep.
Good night,
Patricia Moore
So it appears I've found two things.
Make that three.
I found the digital camera.
However, it seems I cannot find the cord to connect the camera to the computer. Therefore, I cannot download the pictures.
Win a few, lose a few. The score today is three to two. Three things found.Two things lost.
The second thing lost is my mind. I will look for it in the morning when I look again for the camera cord.
Life is good. Right now, from my perspective, the good part is a good nights sleep.
Good night,
Patricia Moore
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