West Side Homeless Outreach, Inc.

WSHO Inbox—February

Your Letters and E-mails Concerning West L.A. County Homelessness

A BIG QUESTION

I want to volunteer for West Side Homeless Outreach. What opportunities are available? And how can I get involved?

Marianne

Playa del Rey, Calif.

West Side Homeless Outreach accepts volunteers throughout the year. We couldn’t survive without them. Those interested in volunteering for us should e-mail info@wshola.org. In reply, we’ll send a questionnaire to assess your availability, interests and skills. We have a waiting list of volunteers, though, so it might take months until you’re selected. Also consider that you’ll probably be chosen sooner if you step up for tasks we need done most—food and clothing collection and fundraisers—instead of waiting to “feed the homeless.”

Verlette Franck

HER 15 MINUTES OF FAME

Thanks to your staff member for spending time with me on the phone last night. He took 15 minutes at the end of his hectic day to make sure I received help. I became homeless for the first time yesterday. I didn’t know where to turn. Placing me on the right track, you put an end to my fears. I don’t know my future, but at least I can see hope ahead.

Deanna

Via e-mail

You’re welcome. I was the staffer that handled your call. We’re always happy to assist someone who needs help, and we wish you success in getting off the streets.

Loren Franck

PUSHY PANHANDLERS

Can you help me? My 8-year-old daughter and I recently visited Santa Monica Beach south of the pier. We spent two hours enjoying the sunny day. At least four people who looked homeless approached me asking, “Got any spare change?” I didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t give anything. What should I have done? I was concerned for my daughter’s safety—and for my own.

Jolene

Via e-mail

Panhandling is a perennial issue when encountering homeless people. No single response covers every situation. Our best advice? Follow your conscience. Generally, we advise people not to give money to panhandlers, however desperate these men and women appear. Admittedly, some panhandlers are in fact homeless and need money. But many people who beg for “spare change” will use the cash for alcohol and illegal drugs. So say “no thanks.” Or briefly ask what they need. If they say food (a common response), you might buy them some, if you like. But don’t feel guilty if you say no thanks and walk away.

Loren Franck

THANKS . . . AGAIN

Mr. Franck, thank you for giving my two children (Silvia, 6, and Jorgé, 4) and me three nights’ stay at [a local] motel. As you know, we’ve had a hard time getting housing vouchers from the county. Plus the various community housing organizations I’ve contacted (including L.A. County’s and Santa Monica’s Section 8 office) have yet to do anything positive for us, but your organization did. Thank you.

Blanca

Via e-mail

You’re welcome! Chalk up another family assisted by our new M.O.M.S. Program™, which was designed to address the urgent needs of mothers with young children. Whatever our resources at any given time, we gladly use them for the benefit of west L.A. County homeless people, especially those who have young kids.

Loren Franck

A VALUABLE ASSET

I just checked out your online resources list. In terms of helping west Los Angeles County homeless people, it’s the best I’ve seen. It’s clearly a valuable asset for those living on the streets and those who want to help them. I strongly recommend this list for anyone in Los Angeles County who wants to help homeless people.

Jefferson

South Central Los Angeles

Want to submit comments to WSHO Inbox? Write inbox@wshola.org, or send your letter to WSHO Inbox, PO Box 5761, Playa del Rey, CA 90296-5761. All submissions become property of West Side Homeless Outreach and may be edited for space, clarity, grammar and spelling.

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IN-DEPTH ARTICLES

Besides feeding and clothing un-sheltered people, West Side Homeless Outreach serves as an advocate for them. Our recently updated articles page features in-depth reports about homeless-ness. Check it out today!

BLOG UPDATE

When the topic of homelessness arises, truth and error abound. What are the facts? And the fallacies? Our frequently updated blog reveals little-known facts about homelessness that everyone should know.

Homelessness Firsthand

What’s it like to be homeless? Find out in Voice From the Streets. Written exclusively by homeless people, it tells it like it is.

YOUR OPINION?

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