Summer's End: AWESOME EBSD for Homeless Vets (9/11 to 9/14/14)!!

Posted:  9 Jun 14

1.  Purposes

To give you a "heads-up" and reminder that the amazing East Bay Stand Down (ESBD) is coming again, 9/11/THU through 9/14/14/SUN -- plus a week before (set-up) and a week after (tear down). (Facebook)

To announce a fundraiser for TODAY, from 5 to 9 pm -- in San Ramon (flyer below). (Sorry for the short notice.  I didn't receive the included announcement, at the end of this bulletin, in time -- but it's an excellent excuse to begin alerting you.)

Volunteer registration begins on 1 July 14 -- Be sure to sign up as soon as possible.  These coveted positions fill fast. You've got to see this to believe it.  The registration form will be posted on the website a little before then.  I'll let you know when the form becomes available.

2.  Background

Every two years, this happens at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.  Thousands (civilian and military) eagerly volunteer to help (including me, in 2010 and 2012).  Many hundreds of veterans-in-distress (and their little families) live there for four days in huge tents and have virtually ALL of their life-needs met, for rapid resumption of normal, productive lives.

It is such a beautiful, compassionate thing to witness and be a part of -- and it works! You should see the smiles on all the faces during the whole thing.  And hear the success stories rolling back.  You'd be proud of your nation at this further proof of the great goodness of her people.  It sure gives my spirits a huge lift which lasts me and warms my heart until the next such eagerly anticipated, privileged event.

What it's Like!

My own actual experiences 

For the  2010 and 2012 events, I published after-action reports to describe some of what I saw and got to do.

In the Organizers' Own Words

"While its primary goal is helping homeless Veterans access the resources needed, including housing, to regain their highest level of independence; its secondary goal is to bring our community and service providers together in a collaborative format that can build relationships throughout the year that positively benefit homeless Veterans. 

Ultimately, it is our hope that such events can bring forth the awareness, political/community will and consistent data necessary to assert the on-going resources it will take to end Veteran homelessness once and for all.

More...

3.  Requested Actions

1. Please attend tonight's fundraiser, if you can
2. Please volunteer, if you can (as soon after 30 June as you can)
3. Please mark your calendars (1 July and second week of September)
4. Please keep an eye out for chances to help the cause -- wasted lives need not be.  We all matter to the Great Human Chain-Reaction.
5. Hope to see you there (if I can get in, again).

David Nelson

The VA's declared goal is 
to END veteran homelessness, ENTIRELY,

by 2015!

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All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.

EVENT: East County Homeless Services ~~ Fairgrounds ~~10/6/SUN (8 am to 4:30 pm)

Posted:  1 Oct 13

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to help publicize a one-day, one-stop event -- which is to provide immediate healthcare, social services, and housing resources -- to persons -- experiencing homelessness -- in Contra Costa County.

The event is being conducted by the Contra Costa County Health Service / Project Homeless Connect

The event rotates among the east, west, and central sections of the County.

Allow a few seconds for the pdf to load

Release Homeless connect

A SIMPLE GOOD ACT that can ricochet along the chain..

Posted:  15 Aug 13

1.  Something rather beautiful happened tonight, on our way home from a lovely dinner at our favorite Chinese Restaurant (Double Dragon [click here], across from Macy's, on Somersville Road, Antioch -- boy, are they fast and pleasing -- and no, they don't know about this little plug).

2.  Anyhow, at the stoplight at the Highway 4 west entrance, my wife and I spotted a presumably homeless man, seeking a little kindness.  As we were reaching for our wallets, we noticed a person in the car ahead of us hand him a bottle of water -- which he promptly and happily got to work on -- with many thanks. What a great idea, in all this heat!

3.  We immediately resolved to keep a few bottles in the door-pockets, up front, for this purpose, ourselves. (Hint: We do keep an emergency water supply in the trunks of all the family cars, however -- which is perfectly safe [and wise] to do - click here)  

4.  Earlier, we had spotted a familiar lady in distress, near the BART station, who looked like she could have used a little water, herself -- but, this aspect of her plight just didn't register in our minds then -- next time, we'll be ready for her.

5.  That driver may never realize the effect their act of kindness had on the great human chain-reaction.  But, here is a perfect example of the contagious nature of the good act, "cast upon the waters."  Other thirsty fellow humans stand to gain from it, I'm quite sure.

6.  My wife and I thought we'd push this idea along the "chain," for we know there are others who will take this ball and run with it, too, now that this great idea is in play.  And, sincere thanks to that anonymous good Samaritan.

7.  Another thought I had from all of this.  I have tons of baseball caps (and only one head, alas), so I plan to pass those out to those poor souls, sweltering in the summer sun.


David Nelson


All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Senator Boxer: Helping to End Veteran Homelessness - 1/23/13

Posted:  23 Jan 13


On Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 6:09 PM, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer <barbara.boxer@boxer.enews.senate.gov> wrote:

ABOUT THE SENATOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES ISSUES & LEGISLATION PRESS CONTACT - - - - - NEWS FROM BARBARA BOXER, UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM CALIFORNIA - - - - - January 23, 2013 Dear Friend: Yesterday I introduced legislation to help end homelessness among our nation’s veterans.  The Check the Box for Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 offers taxpayers the opportunity to help keep those who served our country off the streets by making a voluntary contribution on their federal income tax return to support programs that prevent and combat veteran homelessness.  To read more, please click here. It is inexcusable that tens of thousands of homeless veterans spend their nights on the streets, and this new check-off box would give Americans a simple way to give back to those who have given so much for us. Sincerely, Barbara Boxer United States Senator To respond to this message, please click here.  This link will take you to a webpage where you can reply to messages that you receive from Senator Boxer’s office. Share on Facebook Tell a Friend E-mail: E-mail: E-mail: E-MAIL UPDATES Yes, please periodically send me e-mail updates.* Click Here *By subscribing to my e-mail updates, you are authorizing me to send regular e-mail updates from my office to your e-mail account.

SERVING VETS: EAST BAY STAND DOWN 13 - 16 Sep 2012

09/11/12 Update:  No more volunteers needed, but thank  you.  I'll try to write another summary for you on this year's event, once it's over.  I'll try to take photos this time.  It is such an inspiring thing to see and know about yet another thing that is going on to make our world even better. All it takes is for people of good will to TRY to do good things.  What better thing can we do, than to leave our world far better than we found it?

First published : 8/7/12
This is a crude "screen-grab" of the first page of the organizing website for this event.  An earlier blog-posting -- entitled "HEROES: Speaking of Heroes!  "EAST BAY STAND-DOWN" Strikes a Mighty Blow!" -- gives a personal account of this wonderful event.  If you are interested in volunteering, please note the 31 August deadline, referred to below.

Helping Veterans in Nine Bay Area Counties

Follow Us

	Plans are coming together! EBSD 2012 will be September 13 - 16, 2012 Alameda County Fairgrounds Next Meeting August 21, 2012, 6pm Danville Veterans Memorial Bldg 400 Hartz Ave, 2nd Floor Danville We appreciate all our wonderful Volunteers! Our Volunteer Registration Site is OPEN No Walk-In Volunteers Can Be Accepted This Year. All Volunteers MUST Register By August 31, 2012. EBSD 2012 Tri-Fold to Hand Out to Your Organizations! EBSD 2010 Daily Newsletters: Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday EBSD Videos http://cbs5.com/video/?id=68040@kpix.dayport.com http://cbs5.com/video/?id=68006@kpix.dayport.com http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=92280 EBSD Photos 2010 2008 2006 http://www.flickr.com/photos/myarmyreserve/sets/72157624673779570/	Executive Boardfor EBSD 2012 Denver Mills, Chair Jerry Yahiro, Director Jason Deitch, Program Mike Weber, Logistics Skip Benz Martin De Venuta Barbara Droher-Kline George Gibbs Dan Helix Ron Hyde Nathan Johnson Ron Lowe Cindy Pieslak Laura Rigney Capt. Tara Vaughn

Tag: "Homelessness, Veterans Admin, HEROES, Human Crises"

HEROES: From the Crises Line /211 Director

Judi Hampshire, LMFT*, Crises Line/211 Director, Contra Costa County Crises Center, sent us this information --- to expand upon the blog article, here, entitled, "TO SAVE THIS WORLD, WE NEED EVERY HERO WE CAN GET -- 211."  Thank you, Judi Hampshire-- for everything!

*LMFT = Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
[A gentle profession to grace the world]

2-1-1:

People know to call 911 for emergencies, 411 for directory assistance, and 511 for traffic information. Now, you can call 211 for assistance when you need help or a friend needs help, and you don’t know where to turn. 211 is information and referral for health and human services.

Available 24/7 in 150 languages, the 211 referral line connects callers with programs to aid in accessing food pantries, food stamps, shelter, affordable housing options, employment programs, treatment for addiction, health care, senior services, child care, legal aid, volunteer opportunities, and more. The support callers receive from trained specialists empowers them to more easily navigate a confusing maze of services. 

Instead of multiple calls leading nowhere, with one call to 211, people can reach a trained specialist who will assess a caller’s full scope of needs and explore what services might be available to address those needs in their community.

211 is also there during times of disaster, providing critical information about evacuation routes, food, and shelter. As of October 2011, 211 serves over 260 million Americans (more than 86.6% of the entire population) in all 50 states (including 37 states with 90%+ coverage) plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.  In Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa Crisis Centerruns the 211 program for the community. Our website is www.crisis-center.org. More information can be found about 211 across the US at www.211us.org.

**********************

David-You may wish to add a separate section for the Crisis Center and the crisis lines-24/7 access for people coping with overwhelming problems and stress, relationship issues, mental health and physical health concerns, grief and loss, thoughts of suicide. Trained and compassionate staff and volunteers are available to provide support, explore problem-solving options, and enhance safety and connectedness when the burdens of life feel intolerable.

Yes, Judi, I certainly shall!

Tags: "Homelessness, Human Crises, Philosophy, MENTOR"

HEROES: To help save this world, we need EVERY HERO we can get & 211

First posted: 7/1/12

EIGHT THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING 

ABOUT THREE LITTLE NUMBERS
2-1-1
HELP For Self, Friends, Strangers, ANY FELLOW HUMAN In CRISES!  
Not just the homeless.... ANYONE!

A reasonable way to overcome this life's greatest injustices and profoundest pain is by settling the smaller, more manageable, miseries that comprise them ... once and for all... non-stop... till there's nothing left to do.  The generations (present, future and, in a sense, past) are counting on US!!

1.  THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU DIDN'T KNOW (AND IT COULDN'T BE SIMPLER)
that if you tell homeless people (or anyone in need - anyone in crises) to call "211" -- from most any place in our nation -- you are also telling them exactly where to find the nearest free CLEAN:

• water, 
• food, 
• shelter, 
• clothing, 
• warmth and light, 
• safety and security,
• information, knowledge, and ideas, 
• skilled counseling and support,
• other barest necessities for achieving normalcy in this life, 
• finally, some realistic first and second chances,
• AND adoption into the system -- on the way to their permanent rescue.
• NICE, HUH? Souls are worth saving. We all know this.  Now we have another practical tool to help get the job done.
• This is an exciting find; comments (below) from those in the know (and, of course, others), most welcome; the 211-network can use as much material assistance as it can get -- for resources are surely limited; but this is a re-start and a re-awakening; long may it last, till it's no longer necessary.)
• Along that line, if you are so moved, you can make one-time or recurring donations to Contra Costa County's 211 service (see their site).  Or, if you live elsewhere in the Bay Area, see this site.  Google will lead you to the rest of them.

PLEASE SPREAD THIS WORD, FAR AND WIDE, ACROSS THE ENTIRE NATION, EVEN -- and, if you can give the homeless (or others in crises) nothing else, give them this!!

If you're in your car, with no time to stop, you might (if safe) even shout something like: "Call 211, they'll help, big-time."  It may take repetition from many of us, for it to really sink in.  Fortunately, many (but certainly not all) of our unfortunate friends (and future friends) can get to cell phones.  And, as you'll soon see, even the lack of a cell phone is "fixable."

"211" IS ALSO A NUMBER THAT CAN ASSIST ANY ONE OF US IN TIMES OF AREA-WIDE DISASTERS!!!

2.  IF YOU LOOK
about 1/3 of the way down the "Quick Access" page (elsewhere on this blog), you'll see some more pertinent details. ALSO, PLEASE SEE THIS BLOG's ARTICLE, ENTITLED "From the Crises Line/211 Director."

3.  ANYONE AT ALL 
might need something from the various forms of assistance available at 211 and is welcome to it. Truly, there is much magnificence to be found in the human spirit (and on the other side of that phone number).

4.  THAT "QUICK ACCESS" PAGE
also explains about the availability of FREE CELL PHONES (along with necessary services) for those in need.  These mobile phones are no longer a "luxury" -- they are indispensable. PUBLIC PAY PHONES ARE VITUALLY NON-EXISTENT, NOW.  How can we save anyone, if they can't connect with us -- and us with them?

5.  THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS; A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH for individuals and well-being for the rest of us.  

• And all of this, very reasonably, promises a favorable chain-reactive effect on other social illnesses.  

• There are many social ills that will never be fully resolved until this one is.  WE CAN FIX THIS.  Never have we had such an intelligent, tightly-connected human network as we now have.  AND, SINCE WE CAN FIX IT, WE MUST.  Anything less wouldn't be what we pride ourselves in being -- HUMAN.

• We are wasting enormous resources in at least three massively harmful ways: (1) the human material that never gets enough chances to prove its worth; (2) the increased social costs necessary to sustain the unproductive weight; and (3) the unknowable, but certain, opportunity costs of unrealized human potential.  How many "Einsteins," "Michealangelos," and "Mozarts" are we losing, every second?

6.  PEOPLE SIMPLY MUST STAY FULLY CONNECTED  with at least the most basic of our human sub-networks or they are DOOMED "lost souls," destined to perish, untimely and largely unnoticed, at the hands of a complicated, brutal, uncaring world (as it surely must seem, when connections to it are faulty or non-existent).  

7.  People just can't prosper without other people -- nor are they likely to survive as long as they could have.  So, if you're not connected with the rest of us, you are in, perhaps, the worst possible human situation (and escape is inconceivable, without a lot of help).  Quite likely, if you are in this condition, you are constantly:

• Isolated and alone, no reliably stable place to keep life organized and secure for a safe, productive existence in a dangerous, stingy-seeming world.  No sure way to bounce back from life's heavy blows.
• Tormented by the desire for things one can never hope to have and by all the heart-breaking evidence of a better life, always out of reach. 
• Subject to bullying and unrequited criminal abuse, from which there is little escape.  Injustices small and large abound.
• Unable to reliably produce anything that yields even close to a fair day's wage.  Good feelings of self-worth, forever denied. 
• Unable to reliably promise to one's children and spouse and other kin or fellow human beings ANYTHING GOOD.  
• Always feeling like so much debris, cluttering up life's playing fields.  
• Looked down upon as so much trash.  Nothing to point to, with pride.  
• Ridiculed and insulted, more often than not.  Never taken seriously.  Shunned like pestilence.  Every door closed.  Rudeness unbridled.
• Movements restricted to the radius in which one has energy to walk -- limited by how far one is willing to distance himself from his scant possessions.  Or hers.   
• Living from a grocery cart -- sleeping on any horizontal surface or on the move or vertically.  
• Much darkness. Much filth.  The beauty of life hidden -- never to be known or fully appreciated.
• No certainty as to the timing (or occurrence) of the next wholesome meal, or the smell of clean air, or the feel of peaceful slumber, or .... 

8.  THERE, BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, GO I
Yes, the outlooks are dim, indeed, for those poor, unhappy souls -- until enough "compassion-power" is fully applied.  No one should ever miss out on the basic joys of a good life -- to anxiously await erasure from a horrid world -- glad to leave. 

Certainly, even the meanest among us is often spared all the misery and suffering possible. What, then, about the innocent?  The victims of something over which they have so very little control?  The extremely unlucky? Perhaps those not very well-equipped for this complex world?  Perhaps the sadly, badly mistaken; un-informed as to how to best proceed -- no one to tell or show them -- no sufficiently "productive-life-model" nearby or available long enough to understand and copy?  Failed, perhaps, by one's own family limitations.  People who lack the security and stability of a personal support system to allow them to make (and recover from) mistakes? (They pay a heavy price for their errors.) And, of course, the mentally or physically ill or deprived.

• If we put ourselves into those smelly, worn-out, old, occasionally available shoes, it becomes very easy to want to do something about it, yes?

• It could have easily been any one of us crushed by similar misfortune.  Just by a slender margin of chance good fortune, we were not.  A coin toss. I imagine anyone in their situation would see a world of things and experiences they can never have and feel profoundest sorrow over the cruelest of fates which entraps them.

• They need heroes to come to the rescue! NOW, not later!  We all do.  We would surely want that, were we in those saddest of shoes -- suffering such misery, in a bountiful land, largely because, first, they didn't have the information or guidance -- and second, some shortage of persistent (even heroic) and cheerful moral and material support.  But then, we are a nation of heroes -- a whole world of them -- once enough candles light the dark corners so we can all see what needs doing.

• HOW VERY SAD THE PRESENT CASE IS -- BUT NOW, THERE IS GREATER HOPE -- if we share three simple little numbers -- and do the other needful things.  We're talking about a very sound investment in the future of our entire species -- the return on investment will be enormous -- AND THAT'S UNDENIABLE!

End of sermon --  If this is a sermon, it's also a sermon to myself.  For life sometimes makes me forget that this is going on, right now -- and needs regular attention.  Must not forget that many are enduring these very horrors, this very instant -- and will continue until we have fixed this.  Who else is going to?  Who else can, better than we?  

With the advent of the internet and other technologies (like cellular telephony) -- and the new level of public consciousness these help us nurture -- the chances have never been better -- in all of human history -- to spread freedom from such bitter want, which has stolen so much from human destiny.

David Nelson

"The life you save may eventually be your own"

PLEASE PASS THE WORD, FAR AND WIDE (I know you will -- and, if enough of us do this, perhaps our net will save them all)

SPEAK THREE LITTLE NUMBERS AND CHANGE THE WORLD!!!

FOR MORE DETAILS, ALSO SEE THIS BLOG ARTICLE, ENTITLED "From the Crises Line/211 Director" AND THE "Quick Access" PAGE

Tag: "Homelessness," "Human Crises," "Philosophy," "MENTOR"

HEROES: Speaking of Heroes! "EAST BAY STAND-DOWN" Strikes a Mighty Blow!

Posted:  1 Jul 12

Brought forward: 7 Feb 13 -- (to raise awareness and, perhaps, to help inspire more volunteerism, consistent with Pittsburg Mayor Nancy Parent's 2013 theme -- next EBSD event will be 2014 -- but many others are awaiting our help, now)

EAST BAY STAND-DOWN!
A Very Big Humane Act That Makes One Even Prouder to Be Human

I didn't hear of this magnificent event, the "East Bay Stand-Down," until two years ago, when I had the privilege of volunteering and seeing for myself.  The inspiration carries a long way -- I can't wait to do it again.  Here is the Google-link which accesses their website (and a whole lot more).  And here is the direct link to the actual site, which says it all, much better than I ever could -- but, I needed to add a personal testimony (a work-in-progress, with more to be added, as circumstances permit -- just didn't want to hold off telling, until I perfected my statement).  Maybe you'll help pass the word?

THE 2010 STORY 

Every two years, toward the end of summer, the Alameda County Fairgrounds is taken over by more than 1,000 professionals and us "ordinary" volunteers -- under auspices of the Veteran's Admistration.   Denver Mills, the dynamic leader of the Concord Vet Center, orchestrates and energizes this HUGE, compassionate undertaking, masterfully.

NOTE:  This is not unique to the East Bay.  It is a Veterans Affairs system-wide service, as can be seen at this link.  We are blessed to belong to a compassionate nation.  You'll note a glaring over-sight not to see the Eastbay event listed there -- but, believe me, it happens like clockwork -- and here is their local site to prove it.  (We're working to correct the record)

A TINY GLIMPSE AT ITS PURPOSES

It is a way to save the human future -- nearly 1,000 struggling veterans (usually homeless) at a time.  I know it's sad to have to exclude anyone, when you consider that EVERYONE has much value -- and EVERYONE who stumbles is worthy of the effort it takes to get them sorted out.  But the Veterans Administration has to stay focused -- and is counting on others to take care of the rest of our people (like passing the word TO EVERYONE IN CRISES about dialing "211" to begin their rescue process).  We all should know about this -- because it's a beautiful, inspiring story which shows what is being done -- AND WHAT CAN BE DONE -- to make a HUGE difference.  

THEY THINK OF EVERYTHING

Huge tents, equipment, and supplies are set up, everywhere.  Then, hundreds of veterans, down on their luck -- often with little families in tow -- are bused in, to spend four productive days, living in many of those tents -- hot showers, clean beds, good food, new clothes, service to most every significant aspect of life, entertaining fun, and more.  The attention to virtually every detail is almost super-human -- and gets better, every single time!

Lots of active military, retirees, veterans, fire and police officers, medical teams, chaplains, civilian volunteers and more -- all good-hearted souls -- take part to render needful, individualized aid -- at kiosk type tents and all around the grounds.

Of course, there is a full range of physical and mental health services provided -- including a mobile dental office; even acupuncture, massage, and the holistic panoply!  Hair cuts and beauticians, of course.

The children and parents are taken to local shopping centers to equip the little ones with new clothing and school supplies, and much else they need.

Retired judges are gathered in one of the big tents and are authorized to review and clear up all sorts of misdemeanors which hinder the "clientele" from making an unfettered new start.  THEN, in the very next tent, the DMV helps them get vehicular licenses, often so crucial to normalcy and employability.

In the evenings, there are live entertainment and singing, relaxing, and communing together around bonfires.

At the end, each "client's" photo is taken, to add to the great album.  Smiles abound.  The record of success is astounding.  Lots of lives turned around.  Absolutely breath-taking and pleasing.  You'd be proud of the whole, wonderful thing!

And many, many of the rescued return, each time, as volunteers, to help pull their remaining "brothers and sisters" forward -- to "give back" -- to keep the great human chain-reaction rolling onward, favorably, toward the best possible future.  Goodness is contagious!

There's so much more -- but, you almost have to see it to believe it.  It seems especially appropriate to do this on the fair grounds, for a fair is exactly what it feels like -- a fair to end all fairs!

David Nelson

Tag: "Human Crises, Homelessness, Veterans Admin"