I just finished the resource list for Denver, Colorado, and it brought up a very interesting dilemma I have come across, one that I frankly had not expected.
While I sometimes have to play with the formatting on some cities to fill the brochure, on others I find there are more resources than the page permits. At that point I have to make the decision as to which resources "make the list", and which I have to delete.
Because the people who make these places happen work so hard doing what they do, this is an agonizing choice.
My first elimination criteria is resources that are listed elsewhere. If, for instance, I have a resource listed in "clothing", I usually bump that off the list for "shelters". Similarly with food pantries, utilities, etc. My reason is that one listing means people will find the resource; the organization can then let them know what services they offer.
The next criteria is to select "umbrella agencies" over some of the more specialized organizations. There are some organizations (such as the United Way) that will usually point people to other available resources. Because they serve as referrals, these agencies get priority.
The incredible difficulty of compiling a nationwide list of resources is that I often do not know the agencies firsthand. So if you see a resource that is outdated, or that no longer serves the area...or if you see an important resource we have omitted, please let us know. It is our intention to provide te best available list of resources. It's not enough to simply provide the resources; we want to know that when we send someone to an organization that they will give them the assistance they need.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
California Resource Brochures Uploaded
These last two weeks have seen pretty much just weekend work. I'm not getting to updates as frequently during the week as I would like, but we're making progress. We're now up to California on our brochure downloads going through the states alphabetically, with four cities in most states).
We have a lot of exciting plans in the works, but have to get through the work of building first. I am working on building a database with resources, as this is key to the longterm goal of building an app, but I'm not sure how to make the database usable though the website. If anyone has any experience with Godaddy's built in tools, give me a holler, otherwise I'll give Godaddy a call once I'm ready.
Keep watching the blog, website and forums. I will usually post updates on the Twitter and Facebook accounts, but you may want to keep checking back to be sure. Until then, I plan to intersperse updates with relevant news stories and interesting tidbits. Thanks for all of your support!
We have a lot of exciting plans in the works, but have to get through the work of building first. I am working on building a database with resources, as this is key to the longterm goal of building an app, but I'm not sure how to make the database usable though the website. If anyone has any experience with Godaddy's built in tools, give me a holler, otherwise I'll give Godaddy a call once I'm ready.
Keep watching the blog, website and forums. I will usually post updates on the Twitter and Facebook accounts, but you may want to keep checking back to be sure. Until then, I plan to intersperse updates with relevant news stories and interesting tidbits. Thanks for all of your support!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Twitter account setup
OK, folks, we now have the twitter account setup. Foolow @HobosList on Twitter.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Joplin: the Need is Still There...and elsewhere
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
This news article on MSNBC is a reminder that after the cameras leave, the need remains.One of the purposes of Hobo's List is to bring attention to all of the great resources out there to help those in need. While we aim to help the needy, we also aim to help those who want to help but don't know what to do.
The article does not say where to send donations, but Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) is an always available resource to help people in Joplin and elsewhere. Second Harvest supplies many food banks, and hels to ensure that the resources get to those who heed them the most.
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Face of Homelessness in America
Homelessness in America is difficult to measure, since a number of people do not readily self identify. Through the years, I've known a number of people who've squatted vacant buildings, lived on someone's couch or consensually in an outbuilding on their property, lived out of their van or in other forms of temporary housing that do ot qualify as a "fixed address". So when we're taking about homelessness, it is almost self defeating to use a number, as even the best estimates would be just an educated guess and draw heavily on empirical evidence.
But there are some numbers that have been gathered from the known homeless in America. At first glance, some of these numbers might reinforce some of the stereotypes we have of homeless (eg, the percentage of homeless men in shelters, the number of mentally ill, etc). But take a hard look at the numbers and a different picture emerges. When you look at shelters, only 4% of the residents are families; but when you look at transitional housing, the number leaps to 56%. This is almost certainly because of the priority given to families (and rightly so) for the health and safety of minors in their care.
At this point, I feel it almost necessary to put in a plug for the National Coalition for the Homeless. They've done a lot of great work in advocating for the rights of homeless, and collecting information. Most of the information below comes directly or indirectly from their site at http://www.nationalhomeless.org/ . Direct quotations are noted. Please take a look at the facts below and boil them down for yourself:
"On an average night in the 23 cities surveyed, 94 percent of people living on the streets were single adults, 4 percent were part of families and 2 percent were unaccompanied minors. Seventy percent of those in emergency shelters were single adults, 29 percent were part of families and 1 percent were unaccompanied minors. Of those in transitional housing, 43 percent were single adults, 56 percent were part of families, and 1 percent were unaccompanied minors. Those who occupied permanent supportive housing were 60 percent single adults, 39.5 percent were part of families, and .5 percent were unaccompanied minors (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2008)."
(National Coalition for the Homeless, http://www.nationalhomeless.org/)
40% are families with children—the fastest growing segment.
41% are single males.
14% are single females.
5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.
1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18.
49% are African American (over-represented compared to 11% of general population).
35% are Caucasian (under-represented compared to 75% of general population).
13% are Hispanic (compared to 10% of general population).
2% are Native American (compared to 1% of general population).
1% are Asian-American (under-represented compared to 4% of general population)
22% are considered to have serious mental illnesses, or are disabled.
30% have substance abuse problems.
3% report having HIV/AIDS.
26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted infections.
46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer.
55% report having no health insurance (compared to 27% of general population).
58% report having trouble getting enough food to eat.
23% are veterans (compared to 13% of general population).
25% were physically or sexually abused as children.
27% were in foster care or similar institutions as children.
21% were homeless at some point during their childhood.
54% were incarcerated at some point in their lives
38% have less than a High School diploma.
34% have a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
28% have more than a High School education.
44% report having worked in the past week.
13% have regular jobs.
50% receive less than $300 per month as income.
70% work on street corners, pan-handling or prostituting themselves
71% reside in central cities.
21% are in suburbs.
9% are in rural areas.
80% of those who experience homelessness do so for less than 3 weeks. They typically have more personal, social, or economic resources to draw upon.
10% are homeless for up to two months. They cite lack of available or affordable housing as responsible for the delay.
10% are so called "chronic" and remain without housing for extended periods of time on a frequent basis. They typically struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, or both.
But there are some numbers that have been gathered from the known homeless in America. At first glance, some of these numbers might reinforce some of the stereotypes we have of homeless (eg, the percentage of homeless men in shelters, the number of mentally ill, etc). But take a hard look at the numbers and a different picture emerges. When you look at shelters, only 4% of the residents are families; but when you look at transitional housing, the number leaps to 56%. This is almost certainly because of the priority given to families (and rightly so) for the health and safety of minors in their care.
At this point, I feel it almost necessary to put in a plug for the National Coalition for the Homeless. They've done a lot of great work in advocating for the rights of homeless, and collecting information. Most of the information below comes directly or indirectly from their site at http://www.nationalhomeless.org/ . Direct quotations are noted. Please take a look at the facts below and boil them down for yourself:
"On an average night in the 23 cities surveyed, 94 percent of people living on the streets were single adults, 4 percent were part of families and 2 percent were unaccompanied minors. Seventy percent of those in emergency shelters were single adults, 29 percent were part of families and 1 percent were unaccompanied minors. Of those in transitional housing, 43 percent were single adults, 56 percent were part of families, and 1 percent were unaccompanied minors. Those who occupied permanent supportive housing were 60 percent single adults, 39.5 percent were part of families, and .5 percent were unaccompanied minors (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2008)."
(National Coalition for the Homeless, http://www.nationalhomeless.org/)
40% are families with children—the fastest growing segment.
41% are single males.
14% are single females.
5% are minors unaccompanied by adults.
1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless population are children under the age of 18.
49% are African American (over-represented compared to 11% of general population).
35% are Caucasian (under-represented compared to 75% of general population).
13% are Hispanic (compared to 10% of general population).
2% are Native American (compared to 1% of general population).
1% are Asian-American (under-represented compared to 4% of general population)
22% are considered to have serious mental illnesses, or are disabled.
30% have substance abuse problems.
3% report having HIV/AIDS.
26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted infections.
46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer.
55% report having no health insurance (compared to 27% of general population).
58% report having trouble getting enough food to eat.
23% are veterans (compared to 13% of general population).
25% were physically or sexually abused as children.
27% were in foster care or similar institutions as children.
21% were homeless at some point during their childhood.
54% were incarcerated at some point in their lives
38% have less than a High School diploma.
34% have a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.).
28% have more than a High School education.
44% report having worked in the past week.
13% have regular jobs.
50% receive less than $300 per month as income.
70% work on street corners, pan-handling or prostituting themselves
71% reside in central cities.
21% are in suburbs.
9% are in rural areas.
80% of those who experience homelessness do so for less than 3 weeks. They typically have more personal, social, or economic resources to draw upon.
10% are homeless for up to two months. They cite lack of available or affordable housing as responsible for the delay.
10% are so called "chronic" and remain without housing for extended periods of time on a frequent basis. They typically struggle with mental illness, substance abuse, or both.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
More Alabama Resources Added
We are "finished" with Alabama at this point. Of course, as you may be aware, "finished" does not mean that we are even close to done; we're at the point where we will be constantly reviewing and adding resources. We have five Alabama cities; if you look at the resources we've published and find errors or resources that we have omitted, we would appreciate if you would bring it to our attention. Simply email us or let us know through our Facebook page.
As listed before, the brochures are in printable form at the main Hobo's List website, under the "resources" tab. Simply print the main PDF to side 1, then turn and copy the local list to side two. All resources are in three or six column formats, so they should format nicely to the trifold brochure.
If you have time and interest in helping, we'd appreciate knowing about it. Meanwhile, check this blog for current updates. Also, rmember to "like" us on the Facebook page, as well as the ministries that are doing such valuable work. In these trying times, we need to work together, and it is our hope that Hobo's List will provide the resources to do so.
As listed before, the brochures are in printable form at the main Hobo's List website, under the "resources" tab. Simply print the main PDF to side 1, then turn and copy the local list to side two. All resources are in three or six column formats, so they should format nicely to the trifold brochure.
If you have time and interest in helping, we'd appreciate knowing about it. Meanwhile, check this blog for current updates. Also, rmember to "like" us on the Facebook page, as well as the ministries that are doing such valuable work. In these trying times, we need to work together, and it is our hope that Hobo's List will provide the resources to do so.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Rediscovering the Basics
Ok, so I now have three brochures ready to be copied and printed. I'd like to do more, but after pulling in resources last week at a breakneck pace, I'm trying to space things out to a manageable level.
If you haven't seen the brochure downloads, they're on the "resources" tab of the homepage at hoboslist.org . The way it works is simple: you print out the PDF brochure for side one (the outside) of the brohure. Now you are ready to print out the local resources page on the inside, fold, and distribute to your heart's content. I suggest you keep several in your glove box; then when you encounter anyone who you feel can be helped with the information, you can hand it to them. Eventually, I'd like to add an app so that when you need it, you can instantly pull up the location of the nearest shelter, food bank, etc...but that's a way down the road. I need to get the resources list assembled, and do some things down the road, such as make a website that projects more of the "feel" I'm hoping for. I'm kind of hoping I'll meet the miraculous person with tons of free time, talent, and enthusiasm...but barring that, I'll have to pick it up myself.
Shameless promotion alert: have you "liked" the Facebook page yet? I'm normally above such plugs (ok, not really), but I need to get to 25 "likes" in order to have added features and functions on the page. It doesn't cost nothing, you get awesome blog posts, and I am growing the list of other resources I have "liked" through Hobo's List. Keep in mind, these are the folks in the trenches. They need our support (volunteer and financial support), our prayers, our encouragement. Without them, an awful lot more people would be struggling in this great nation.
I'm always looking for ideas, so if you've got 'em, send 'em.
One more thing, folks. Keep watching this blog. I've got some really cool ideas on the burner, and you'll see them here first. I'll post the link to the Facebook page, but this is the official news release site.
OK, I lied about the "one more thing" part. As I was writing the last paragraph, I realized I was leaving you hanging, with a massivedisconnect between the title and the content. Anyway, as I was assembling the brochures, I had a slight formatting problem when copying/pasting from the information I had gathered to OpenOffice (yes, I'm a cheapskate...and I LOVE Oo). So here I am trying to figure out a fancy way to strip the formatting, when suddenly it occurs to me to just copy and paste into notepad, then oer to the document. Voila, no code.
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best solutions.
If you haven't seen the brochure downloads, they're on the "resources" tab of the homepage at hoboslist.org . The way it works is simple: you print out the PDF brochure for side one (the outside) of the brohure. Now you are ready to print out the local resources page on the inside, fold, and distribute to your heart's content. I suggest you keep several in your glove box; then when you encounter anyone who you feel can be helped with the information, you can hand it to them. Eventually, I'd like to add an app so that when you need it, you can instantly pull up the location of the nearest shelter, food bank, etc...but that's a way down the road. I need to get the resources list assembled, and do some things down the road, such as make a website that projects more of the "feel" I'm hoping for. I'm kind of hoping I'll meet the miraculous person with tons of free time, talent, and enthusiasm...but barring that, I'll have to pick it up myself.
Shameless promotion alert: have you "liked" the Facebook page yet? I'm normally above such plugs (ok, not really), but I need to get to 25 "likes" in order to have added features and functions on the page. It doesn't cost nothing, you get awesome blog posts, and I am growing the list of other resources I have "liked" through Hobo's List. Keep in mind, these are the folks in the trenches. They need our support (volunteer and financial support), our prayers, our encouragement. Without them, an awful lot more people would be struggling in this great nation.
I'm always looking for ideas, so if you've got 'em, send 'em.
One more thing, folks. Keep watching this blog. I've got some really cool ideas on the burner, and you'll see them here first. I'll post the link to the Facebook page, but this is the official news release site.
OK, I lied about the "one more thing" part. As I was writing the last paragraph, I realized I was leaving you hanging, with a massivedisconnect between the title and the content. Anyway, as I was assembling the brochures, I had a slight formatting problem when copying/pasting from the information I had gathered to OpenOffice (yes, I'm a cheapskate...and I LOVE Oo). So here I am trying to figure out a fancy way to strip the formatting, when suddenly it occurs to me to just copy and paste into notepad, then oer to the document. Voila, no code.
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best solutions.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Downloadable resource lists for Pampa, Tx; Birmingham, AL
OK, folks, be patient with me as I am doing page updates. I am pleased to announce that we have added a "resource" list to the homepage. The resource list has a PDF download for the backside of the Hobo's List trifold brochure, and we are in the process of developing resource lists for various towns and cties. To date, we have Pampa, TX and Birmingham, AL. I plan on adding at least one a day, more as time permits. If anyone is willing to help with this part of the project, please let me know and I will assign cities to get started. This will be a very time consuming project, but we will get this done. Contact me if you have any information that might be useful, or if you are willing to help.
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