Help our Homeless Residents receive shelter, housing, rental, and outreach funding! Volunteer for the Point-in-Time Count.

Let’s Make Everyone Count!
Homeless Point-In-Time Count, Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Why: This effort helps to better understand who is homeless in Ventura County and gain access to state and federal funding.
What: Volunteers canvass the community in pairs and collect survey data through interviewing homeless persons or reporting observations.
Who: Volunteers must be 18 years or older and have the ability to walk distances in designated locations. A smart phone/device will be needed to download the “Counting Us” app for the survey. More information will be shared during the training.

Please register online at http://www.volunteerventuracounty.org/need/detail/?need_id=388508 and spread the word!

or…

Join Indivisible Ventura’s team! Email us here with your name, email, phone #, and preferred shift on Jan. 22nd, either [6 am-12 noon] or [11am-5pm]. Tell us if you’re signing up with a friend. The morning shift always needs more people (6 am!!!), so please indicate if you’re flexible.

Training time options: Continue reading “Help our Homeless Residents receive shelter, housing, rental, and outreach funding! Volunteer for the Point-in-Time Count.” →

Help Ventura house our Homeless Residents! Write City Council to acquire State funds to address our Shelter Crisis & attend the Council Meeting on 9/24

First things first. Familiarize yourself with the issues, myths, and solutions in the pipeline regarding our homeless brothers and sisters in Ventura.

On Monday, Sept 24, our City Council will be deciding whether or not to ask for State funds by declaring Ventura as having a Shelter Crisis.

The City Council will be voting on the decision to declare a local emergency shelter crisis to be eligible to access California Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funding.

In order to receive these State funds, Ventura must have an official Shelter Crisis declaration for this funding to be utilized within our city. Funds are anticipated to be released by year-end 2018 and in an amount significant to really make a difference to our most vulnerable residents.

Action #1: Email our City Council (addresses below)

Talking points for emails (be sure to make it your own!):

-As a voter and concerned citizen in Ventura, I’d like your commitment to declare a Shelter Crisis to be eligible to receive California Homeless Emergency Aid Program funding.

-State funds are being allotted by year-end to help our most vulnerable residents and, in addition to the funds earmarked by the Council in June, I feel strongly that, we, as a city can make great strides in addressing homelessness in our city

-Funding will go toward homelessness prevention, emergency housing vouchers, rapid rehousing, and navigation centers.

-In addition,
Continue reading “Help Ventura house our Homeless Residents! Write City Council to acquire State funds to address our Shelter Crisis & attend the Council Meeting on 9/24” →

Help our Ailing Homeless – Urge our State Senators to support AB 1971 in its Original Form!

No fellow human being unable to make medical decisions for his or herself should die on our streets. Sadly, some people are so mentally ill that they do not know they’re sick.

We need to change the definition of “gravely disabled” to include those who cannot care for themselves medically to ensure first responders and medical professionals have the authority to direct these people to treatment.

Minimal script: I’m calling from [zip code] and I am calling to urge the Senator [___] to support AB 1971 in the form unanimously voted for in the Assembly, NOT as amended by the Senate Judiciary committee.

Contact:
State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson: (SD-19): SAC (916) 651-4019, SB (805) 965-0862, OX (805)988-1940
Not your state senator?:findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov.

Why this is so important:

Much of this text is from an exceptional op-ed in the Ventura County Star by Mary Haffner, an attorney and member of the Ventura Unified School District and Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory boards. Read the full text here

On June 26, the California Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony regarding Assembly Bill 1971, which would expand the definition of “gravely disabled” to include medical necessity. Existing law does not recognize a person’s inability to provide for his or her basic personal needs for health as an element of grave disability. AB 1971 can change this.

Homelessness and homeless encampments have become a part of the permanent landscape of California, and approximately 33 percent of these people suffer from serious mental illness. A subset of the mentally ill lack the capacity to understand that without medical intervention, they will die.

We need the tools to intervene. AB 1971 addresses this public health crisis and would give first responders and medical professionals the authority to direct these people to treatment.

AB 1971 passed with overwhelming support through two Assembly committees and the Senate Health Committee. On June 26, however, Continue reading “Help our Ailing Homeless – Urge our State Senators to support AB 1971 in its Original Form!” →

Thanks to all who came out to the City Council Meeting – THEY VOTED TO FUND THE SHELTER!

Last night, Monday, June 18, our City Council voted to fund a 24-hour, year-round shelter in front of a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters!

We heard from a long-term homeless advocate who’s been working for decades for this night.

We heard from a man who’d experienced homelessness firsthand.

Continue reading “Thanks to all who came out to the City Council Meeting – THEY VOTED TO FUND THE SHELTER!” →

TODAY! Attend City Council Meeting – HUGE Vote to Help our Homeless Ventura Residents!

First things first. Familiarize yourself with the issues, myths, and solutions in the pipeline regarding our homeless brothers and sisters in Ventura.

Today, Monday, June 18, our City Council will be deciding whether or not to fund a 24-hour, year-round shelter with the goal of transitioning folks into permanent housing.

The City Council allotted $300,000 in Measure O funds last year, and the ask is for an additional $300,000 for 2018. Zoning for a shelter was put into place last year and advocates are asking for a site to be chosen by the end of 2018. THIS IS HUGE.

This would enable our homeless residents to be surrounded with services and given the chance to gain a foothold in their lives. A year-round shelter is supported by our police, business owners and homeless advocates alike.

Action: Show up today at the Monday, June 18 Council Meeting to support this important cause!

6 pm (show up early for a good seat!) at 501 Poli Street (At the top of California Street, downtown). Parking is around back and use the door at the rear of the building.