News and Views—February
Our Commentary on Late-breaking News About Homelessness
WEST SIDE HOMELESS OUTREACH LAUNCHES V.I.P. SERVICE
By T.G. Sanders
PLAYA DEL REY, Calif. — As part of its continuous compassion to homeless U.S. military veterans, West Side Homeless Outreach rolled out its new V.I.P. service on February 1. V.I.P stands for “Veterans Inclusion Program.”
He routinely meets veterans during the outreach’s food, clothing, sleeping bag, and personal-hygiene deliveries. “These men and women come from all branches of the service,” Franck added. “It’s an honor for West Side Homeless Outreach to serve these men and women. After all, while in the military, they served our country—and served it well.”
REQUESTS FOR HELP CONTINUE TO INCREASE AT WSHO
By Phil Westphal
PLAYA DEL REY, Calif. — A recent internal analysis revealed that West Side Homeless Outreach received a record number of requests for help July 31–January 1. WSHO is based at the extreme western edge of Los Angeles County, but homeless people countywide are contacting the outreach for assistance.
“Unfortunately, many homeless people contacting us during that time aren’t on the West Side, our geographical service area, or they’re seeking a homeless shelter,” said Loren Franck, president and executive director of West Side Homeless Outreach. “We have to explain to new clients that we’re not a homeless shelter, but rather, a charity that reaches out to the West Side’s unsheltered. So, when approached about shelters, we refer people to appropriate emergency housing facilities.” Franck added that West Side Homeless Outreach refers homeless men and women who live outside west L.A. County to agencies in their areas.
“We’re not sure why we received an influx of requests for help from July through January,” Franck continued, “but I can offer some conjecture that makes sense.” First, he said, the sluggish economy has increased homelessness throughout west L.A. County, so more people require assistance. Second, the WSHO president noted, word of mouth is helping West Side Homeless Outreach become better known. This allows more people to approach the organization for help. And finally, Franck said, West Side Homeless Outreach is expanding and intensifying its Internet presence. “We’re primarily a Web-based organization,” Franck explained, “so our growing Internet profile means more homeless people can find us and receive the help they need.”
If you know someone who’s homeless, please contact West Side Homeless Outreach at info@wshola.org.
FEDS BEEF UP FUNDING FOR U.S. HOMELESS
By Loren Franck
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced nearly $200 million in new grants to assist community-based homeless assistance programs nationwide. The funding will support some 600 projects that will offer critically needed housing and support services to 20,000 homeless people. The funding, enabled by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is part of an unprecedented federal strategy to prevent and end U.S. homelessness.
In past efforts, HUD awarded nearly $1.4 billion through its Continuum of Care programs to re-fund 6,445 existing local homeless-helping endeavors. The recent additional grants, which total $190 million, build on that investment by funding new projects. The $200 in new grants is congruent with the Obama Administration’s plan to end homelessness in America.
West Side Homeless Outreach applauds the additional HUD funding and the Obama administration’s efforts to ease American homelessness.
NO KIDDING
By Loren Franck
NEW YORK — Amid the anemic U.S. economy, CBS news reports a staggering increase in homeless U.S. schoolchildren.
“Although it's difficult to get exact figures,” the CBS document said, “nationwide schools reported an 18 percent jump in homeless children in the 2007–2008 school year. School districts in California and Florida report an even bigger increase this year.” In alarming degrees, schoolchildren lack food, clothes, medical care and homes, the report continued.
West Side Homeless Outreach finds the increase in homeless schoolchildren alarming. It’s bad enough that men and women, forced to sleep on cold and harsh streets, must struggle to survive without shelter. But boys and girls consigned to that fate strongly reinforce the message that the homeless need assistance urgently. You can help by contacting West Side Homeless Outreach today.
©2012 West Side Homeless Outreach, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
WSHO RADIO INTERVIEW
On December 16, West Side Homeless Outreach exec Loren Franck was a guest on L.A. Talk Radio’s “Rare Women” program, where he discussed crucial aspects of homelessness. To hear the show, click here.
SEVEN REASONS TO HELP HOMELESS VETS
Need
Hundreds of homeless West Side vets need compassion, care and permanent housing. Don’t let them down.
Payback
Homeless vets served us; it’s time to serve them. Join us!
Opportunity
Local homeless vets provide excellent service opportunities. It’s time well spent.
Satisfaction
It’s extremely rewarding to help homeless vets. You’ll feel great for days.
Community
Local communities grow stronger when all their members thrive—including homeless vets. No vet should be excluded.
Common Sense
It makes no sense to let homeless veterans fall by the wayside. All of them deserve a hand up.
Instant Karma
Good things happen immediately to those who help homeless vets. I know from experience.
—Loren Franck
BLOG UPDATE
When the topic of homelessness arises, truth and error abound. What are the facts? And the fallacies? Our frequently updated blog shares little-known facts about homelessness everyone should know. Click here for a quick visit.
Lives We've Touched?
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WSHO’s V.I.P service addresses short- and long-term needs of homeless west L.A. County veterans.
The effort, which will collaborate with the VA medical and services center in West Los Angeles, has three dimensions: first, to identify and contact local homeless veterans; second, to assess their needs and the VA’s ability to address them; and third, to match veterans that West Side Homeless Outreach contacts with services offered by the West L.A. Veterans Administration facilities.
“This program is a long time in coming,” explained Loren Franck, president and executive director of West Side Homeless Outreach. Franck is also an honorably discharged former U.S. Marine. “As a veteran, it’s painful for me to see so many former service men and women become homeless after honorably serving their country,” Franck explained.
