61 And NO LONGER Homeless

UPDATE September 9th - All Moved In - Now one major item needed - a computer

2011-09-09T13:56:00.000-04:00

I have been in my new apartment for a week and thanks to some friends and a local furniture bank I now have many of the essentials to start life in my new home. I am most thankful.

The one thing I am lacking is a computer and I am wondering if anybody reading this has a older working laptop with wifi they are no longer using as I would be able to have an internet connection as free wifi is available in my building.

I simply do not have another penny to spare and honestly my budget will be very tight as my Social Security check only goes so far.

If anybody has one or perhaps knows who I can contact I would be very grateful.

I can be reached by email at this address

Funny thing is for the past week I have had trouble sleeping as the studio is SO QUIET....something over the past 13 months I have not been used to.

Thanks in advance for any help.

My Nightmare is over - I have an apartment!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-31T20:01:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I took possession of keys to a studio apartment in Cambridge. There have been times in the past 13 months I didn't think this day would ever come. It is a private complex that works with the Cambridge Housing Authority.

Now I have to try and assemble the little things that will make it a home.

I NEED EVERYTHING

I will be getting some furniture tomorrow ( bed, dresser, desk and couple of chairs )

Frankly I really don't know what I will need until I need an item - but I will need things like sheets, pillows, blankets, toliet paper...

I would love to have a TV and also a computer ( old desktop or laptop would be a minor miracle )

The truth is with putting up the first month and security I am a little tapped out and could use a little cash...not much but every penny would help.

If you are inclined to help me get over this final hump - my PayPal account is active..

Once I am settled in I write some more about what the last year was like - the wonderful people I have met - and the not so nice ones as well.

I am just so happy to have a home again at last.

Thanks for reading.

July 1 update - when it rains it pours......

2011-07-01T11:51:00.000-04:00

Ok - the good news is I am in temp housing until the end of Augustbut it is taking 80% of my Social security check :( - but at least I am safe

the bad news is my ankle infection keeps flairing up - I was just in Whidden Hospital in Everett for a week

Still I am thankful I am not out on the streets......it is really bad around Harvard Sq right now - some real bad people out there :(

Now.....I had a slight disaster a couple of weeks ago and I just reposted this on Craigs List

LOST/STOLEN - Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 (1012) (Central Sq Cambridge)

It is bad enough I lost the backpack - which had my passport, birth certificate and other papers....but I had gotten a very small netbook from Sprint for no money , I simply had to buy a contract for $30 a month for 2 years.... I am on the hook for that even if the puter can not be found.

The computer was my lifeline.....I am lost without it. Problem is Sprint says I replacement would cost me $450 ( might as well be $45,000)

My contact information is on the sidebar of the blog - and If anyone wants to help me out in my electronic paper cup begging for change, I would be very grateful.

But hey at least the Broons won the Stanley Cup :)

Thanks for reading

Resident of homeless shelter fatally stabbed this morning on street near Boston Medical Center

2011-05-15T19:15:00.000-04:00

Resident of homeless shelter fatally stabbed this morning on street near Boston Medical Center

Lovely

Homeless get Easter dinner in Western Massachusetts

2011-04-23T17:35:00.000-04:00

Once again the generous people of Western Massachusetts have come through for the needy.

That generosity made an Easter Ham dinner possible for hundreds of homeless, men, women and children Saturday afternoon.

100 hams were donated to feed the homeless

http://www.hope4springfield.org/

In New York -Nurse fired for trying to expose Roosevelt Hospital's neglect in death of homeless man

2011-03-28T16:41:00.000-04:00

Lovely

A Manhattan hospital refused to treat a homeless man who had taken a fatal drug overdose - and then fired a nurse who tried to expose the mistake, court papers charge.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/03/28/2011-03-28_nurse_lawsuit_fired_for_exposing_hospital.html#ixzz1HveiaK5S

BTW I haven't been blogging much as Idon't have reliable access to a computer. My situation has not changed at all.

Two tenns arrested for beating homeless man in the Back Bay

2011-03-14T20:16:00.000-04:00

charming

Marc Sico, left, and James Marino were arrested early Sunday morning for the alleged beating of two men at Back Bay Station. A third suspect was not found

Medford teens arrested for beating homeless men at Back Bay Station

The victim told police that "the three subjects were kicking him to wake him and they punched him several times with closed fists in the face," the report said. The man suffered lacerations to his face, nose, and mouth, according to police. He was treated on the scene and refused hospitalization.

March 2011 - Still plugging but I need help

2011-03-02T13:55:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone

I haven't had a chance to blog much in the past month as I was back at MetroWest Hospital in Natick with what has become a chronic infection in my left leg. My body can no longer take oral antibiotics and I must get intravenous treatments. It was aggravated by being on my feet during the day when the doctors have told me to keep the leg elevated when possible. The wonders of getting older.

My wish list for 2011 has not really changed since I wrote it 2 months ago.

If someone reading this can connect me with a lawyer that can help me deal with the red tape of getting a Massachusetts ID card I would be most grateful. That is the single biggest headache I have and it is all because of botched paperwork at the Somerville Court going back to 2004. The Court says it is a registry of Motor Vehicles issue, the Registry says it is a court issue.

Bottom line the Commonwealth wants $100 which I simply don't have to spare as my limited fixed income can not absorb that hit right now. I also want to set up some kind of payment system with the City of Cambridge so I can get my drivers license back. While I do have a valid out of state license, I can not drive in Massachusetts until it is paid.

I have the paperwork to back this up....

My short term housing problems have been solved as I was accepted into an extended stay location in Cambridge but I am still forced to be on the streets from 8 AM until 7 PM which my doctors tell me will only cause the leg to flare up again.

My contact information is on the sidebar of the blog - and If anyone wants to help me out in my electronic paper cup begging for change, I would be very grateful.

But what i need most is an advocate that can help me with the red tape that our beloved Commonwealth is known for.

GO BRUINS GO RED SOX

Homeless man finds stack of cash, turns it in

2011-02-25T21:33:00.002-05:00

Homeless man finds stack of cash, turns it in

Kavanaugh's knew he could have used the cash, but he also knows what it is like to go without.

"It could have been somebody's rent money or something, you know. They could use it. It could set you back," said Kavanaugh.

CHICAGO - Cop shootout highlights problem panhandling - Chicago Sun-Times

2011-02-25T09:52:00.000-05:00

Cop shootout highlights problem panhandling - Chicago Sun-Times

Report: Culture of theft pervades Long Island shelter kitchen

2011-02-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

What else is new?

Report: Culture of theft pervades Long Island shelter kitchen

'iCarly' Pokes Fun At Homeless, Throws 'Hobo Party'

2011-02-08T18:50:00.000-05:00

'iCarly' Pokes Fun At Homeless, Throws 'Hobo Party'

HUMOR - Homeless Person Of the Month nomination

2011-02-02T20:32:00.000-05:00

He should be able to raise a lot of cash....

Boston Globe video story on Harvard Sq shelter

2011-02-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

Can not say enough good things about the students who run this place.

The print edition also writes about the shelter

Volunteering spirit catches fire

Young adults donate time, embrace the chance to give back

At Harvard, the Winthrop Street homeless shelter is one of 86 service and social change programs associated with the Phillips Brooks House Association, which is a student-run nonprofit. Students can work with deaf children, tutor prison inmates, bring pets to nursing homes, and prepare Chinese students to become US citizens, among other opportunities.

The Harvard Square shelter provides shelter, food, and resource counseling for a minimum of 24 guests each night, as well as dinner plates for those who come to the door. The shelter also has a “street team’’ of students who go out each night to bring food and conversation to homeless people.

It is a wonderful place.

Major Worcester Homeless Shelter Shutting Down « CBS Boston

2011-01-31T15:34:00.000-05:00

Major Worcester Homeless Shelter Shutting Down « CBS Boston

A Worcester shelter, with a long history of taking in some of the cities’ most desperate and troubled homeless people, is closing its doors after supper Monday night.
A concerted effort by the city and several social service agencies has made the People in Peril shelter, commonly known as PIP, obsolete.

Homeless, they make do under Zakim Bridge - The Boston Globe

2011-01-31T11:02:00.000-05:00

Homeless, they make do under Zakim Bridge - The Boston Globe

I didn't know the Boston Night Center had closed in October. That may explain why everyother place is jammed.

A healing quiet - The Boston Globe

2011-01-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

A healing quiet - The Boston Globe

This wonderful place has saved many lives

The Barbara McInnis House

At Jean Yawkey Place

Worker at Lowell Homeless Shelter murdered

2011-01-29T16:29:00.000-05:00

People sometimes ask why people would rather live on the street than go to a warm shelter.

This is why.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/26661825/detail.html

Horrible.

1/26 - Dealing with the system......here is a roadmap

2011-01-26T15:55:00.000-05:00

I would like to expand on what I blogged about on Monday.

In Cambridge here are the available options open to men

For women there is one other option

A a last resort

Very simply, it is a game of musical beds. In July it isn't a big deal, but in January......

Here is an overview of each program
SALVATION ARMY - CAMBRIDGE

Overview of Shelter & Services for the Homeless:
We offer a Continuum of Care for the Homeless through various levels of service. Bringing a man from homelessness to home ownership is a huge undertaking. That is, however, exactly what The Salvation Army attempts to accomplish. During the last fifteen years, The Salvation Army has developed a Continuum of Care designed to break the cycle of homelessness.
The Continuum of Care has five component programs offered at our Cambridge facility:

1. Drop-In Day Shelter
2. Emergency Overnight Shelter
3. A 90-Day Therapeutic Counseling Program with Housing
4. Single-Room Occupancy Housing Program at our Wellington House property in Arlington
5. Transitional & Independent Housing
Medical and mental health care are accessible through our collaboration with Health Care for the Homeless and Tri-City Mental Health Services.

To find out more please call us at (617) 547-3400.

HEADING HOME CAMBRIDGE

The Cambridge Shelter – emergency shelter with capacity for 21 individuals that serves more than 150 annually
Women’s Drop-In Program – center that serves more than 275 women annually by providing hot meals, clothing, counseling and referrals

Housing

Homeless to Housing – apartments and intensive services provided for individuals with disabilities in Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville
Congregate Permanent Housing – supported permanent housing provided for men and women

FIRST CHURCH SHELTER - CAMBRIDGE (pictures)

Since 1987, First Church Shelter has provided a basic act of mercy to the poor and homeless of Cambridge and surrounding communities. Each evening 14 men are provided with a safe, comfortable place to stay. Our guests have access to two meals, showers and storage facilities for their belongings.

First Church Shelter also offers guests assistance with identifying and securing the resources they need to move out of homelessness and into transitional or permanent housing. Much of that assistance comes in the form of referrals to other agencies and service providers, but shelter staff are available to help guests negotiate the frequently difficult and intimidating process of applying for public benefits or subsidized housing.

CASPAR - ESC

FirstStep Street Outreach offers life saving alternatives to unsheltered homeless men and women who are affected by substance abuse, mental illness, and medical complications associated with life on the streets. FirstStep staff engage homeless people where they are and build trusting relationships. The goal - connect people with the services they need and save a life today so that recovery is possible in the future.

Through a combination of foot teams and mobile teams in vans, staff travel to known Cambridge and Somerville homeless hangouts—business districts, subway stations, parks, meal programs, drop-in centers, and building doorways— seeking homeless men and women who may need help. The staff offer unsheltered individuals access to emergency medical and psychiatric care, meal programs, shelters, substance abuse treatment, and daytime drop-in and social service centers.

HARVARD SQUARE HOMELESS SHELTER

We are a student-run homeless shelter currently operating out of the University Lutheran Church in Harvard Square that serves 24 men and women every night for the five coldest months of winter. We strive to provide our guests with resources and services that will help them successfully transition into housing. In the meantime, we hope to ensure a sense of dignity that is often absent when people have been maltreated or stigmatized because they are homeless.

ST. PATRICK'S SHELTER (WOMEN) - Somerville

St. Patrick’s Shelter for Homeless Women houses 30 women in emergency beds on a night-by-night basis as well as 10 transitional program participants each night. In addition to breakfast and dinner, the women are provided with referrals for health care, mental health services, and housing. A host of supportive and educational services are available to help families move toward a better future.

Those are the options.

The problem is long term shelters such as Heading Home and First Church are full. The Salvation Army to be blunt has left a bad taste in my mouth. I am far from alone in feeling that way.

First Church Shelter doesn't seem to return phone calls from my social worker at HSHS - other guests say the person who runs it is 'quirky'.

Heading Home - Every morning at 10 AM the answer is the same - full, try again tomorrow.

CASPAR - I am not a drunk, and sadly most of the people who stay there have simply given up or just don't care. Anyone who spends time in Central Square knows what I am saying.

Then you have the housing agencies

Waiting list - full - full - full

other options

and finally there is

Elderly/Disabled Public Housing

Elderly/Disabled Public Housing
The CHA manages over fifteen state and federally supported properties reserved just for elderly and disabled households. Applicants must be at least 58 years old to qualify for elderly housing. Elderly/disabled public housing is for low-income households with incomes not higher than 80% of of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Cambridge.

I am over 58 and I am on Social Security Disability - but I can't get anywhere with these people. This has just been so frustrating.

I need a Massachusetts ID - and I blogged about that last month

Somerville Court computer system.Back in August of 2004 I paid a fine on a simple matter and somehow it was never credited to my docket number. 30 days later the court issued a warrant automatically. I was oblivious to this until March of 2008 when I returned to the court, the warrant was removed and fee was waived by the judge. However because the court had notified the Registry of Motor Vehicles of a warrant, the Registry wants $100 which again I don't have. The Registry people were actually very nice about it but they say there is nothing they can do unless the court WRITES a letter saying there was an error. Somerville Court says it is a Registry problem. Aye yi yi.

I can fully document all of this to anyone who wants to see my paperwork.

As far as what I owe the City of Cambridge - the bulk of it is now interest - I am willing to work as many hours of community service to pay my debt. I am not looking for a free ride.

Right now my income is $788 a month from Social Security (which also gives me full medical coverage)

BTW I again want to thank the people who have sent me a few dollars to help me get by. You have no idea how much that helps me right now. If anyone else is so inclined just click on the link below.

But as much as a few dollars would help, I just need help with the system. If you know anyway I can get eyeglasses please let me know and also for some legal guru to help me with this minor snafu between the Registry and the Somerville Court.

My computer time at the Cambridge Senior Center is up ( one advantage of being over 60 )

The snow is starting to fall and while I have been lucky in getting a one-night bed at the Harvard Square Shelter the past 4 nights I have no guarantee for tonight.

Thanks for reading and wish me luck. If nothing else I hope I have given some insight to the madness of going through the system.

Boston 'Health Care for the Homeless' saves lives

2011-01-26T13:26:00.000-05:00

Somebody sent me this article today from wickedlocal.com

Dover resident helps the homeless, one foot at a time

of note

On a typical afternoon, Daggett said she sees between five and 10 men (though on occasion a woman will come in).

“We give them a warm foot bath to soak their tired and sore feet,” said Daggett. “These, of course, are homeless men who are out all day and walking no matter the weather. We examine their feet for any problems, and ask them if they are having any issues they would like to talk about. We give them foot cream, treat any conditions if needed, and sometimes sending them to the hospital with potentially serious situations.”

The more serious problems such as “trench foot” (also called “immersion foot”) are sent to the hospital.

Trench foot occurs when the feet are wet for long periods of time. It can be quite painful, but it can be prevented and treated, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/trenchfoot.asp)

I have medical insurance so I have never had to use this program, but I have met others that have and I can assure you that these people save lives.

The mission statement for the program says it all

For 25 years our simple mission has remained the same: to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all homeless men, women and children in the greater Boston area. We believe it has been Medicine that Matters.

Vulnerable Patients are kept alive with dignified care.

Shelters like Pine Street Inn and hopeFound can attend to their missions while BHCHP manages and staffs the shelter clinics across the city, consolidating services and saving dollars.

Boston's Hospitals have BHCHP as an alternative to emergency rooms and as a safe discharge place for vulnerable patients.

I just wanted to pass this along.

Chelsea Handler - 'homeless' expert

2011-01-26T07:05:00.002-05:00

Chelsea Handler had this to say on her blog about Ted Williams

While there are certainly a few people who have a run of bad luck and fall on hard times, 'for the most part', people are homeless for a reason. You don't wake up one day and find yourself living under a freeway unless you've made some pretty bad decisions in your life. Just because someone has a nice voice doesn't mean that they should automatically be able to keep their s--t together.

Read more:

http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/chelsea/chelseaness/b222435_Fifteen_Minutes_of_Shame.html

Ted Williams leaves rehab after less than two weeks

Ms. Handler - you are guilty of labeling people. Your comments are not helpful at all.

A great book about the student run shelter in Harvard Square

2011-01-24T20:54:00.001-05:00

I have blogged about the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter and it is a place I have spent many nights since November when it opened.

A Harvard student who helped out at HSHS for 3 years blogged about a book that has been written about what the students do. I spent some time at the Harvard Coop browsing through it today and it is a great read.

Here is a review.

I can not express enough gratitude to what these students do in running the shelter.

Here is a link to Amazon about the book

1/24 - Surviving the cold......

2011-01-24T17:41:00.000-05:00

It is Monday afternoon and finally getting some computer time at the library.

I was lucky enough on both Saturday and Sunday to get a 'one-night' emergency bed in Cambridge and we will see what tonight brings. I still can't re-apply for another 2 week bed until Thursday and even then there is no guarantee of getting one right away as there seems to be ten applicants for every available slot.

The 2 week bed is important not only for the piece of mind of not having to worry, but more importantly having a place to put belongings. Lugging around a suitcase all day (especially in this weather) is a chore and it makes it that much harder to set up appointments as to be honest there is a stigma attached to walking around with bags all day. Since storage lockers no longer exist it just adds to the 'fun and games'.

Logistics of these offices are almost comical.
Cambridge Housing is in Central Square at Mass and Prospect so that is easy, and some of the other housing advocate agencies are only a block or two away. No problems there.

Social Security has moved to Fresh Pond leaving their long time home in Davis Square. It can be reached by the 74 or 78 buses, and I have found the mobile website mbtainfo.com to be a life saver in catching a return bus in the winter. It is very accurate.

For services provided by the Commonwealth, one has to go to the Davis Square office, which is no longer in Somerville, it is in Revere. It is on the Blue Line and the office is at the Revere Beach Station but it is a hike.

One laughable part is that the Commonwealth gives the homeless 'food stamps' (about $40 a week) but what good are stamps if you have no place to prepare the meal? (I have $265 on my card right now - but)

California DOES allow for a restaurant to accept food stamps which would be a huge help.

Today I really didn't get much done as it was simply too cold.

Cambridge does offer services and the staff is wonderful but they are just overwhelmed...

Here is a link of what is offered by the City of Cambridge..

They also publish this

Homeless Resource Guide (PDF)

The one thing that has kept me going is just meeting others my age who have also fallen through the cracks. Men and women who have worked all their lives but for whatever reason lost the place they called home.

Anyhow my time at the library is up..... thanks for reading and STAY WARM!!!!!

At least Portland, Maine goes the extra mile in cold weather

2011-01-22T20:46:00.000-05:00

Maybe I should take a bus to Portland :(

Shelters ready for the frigid temperatures

I'm NOT kidding

1/22 - It's getting cold out there

2011-01-22T19:24:00.000-05:00

I was not lucky enought to get a bed last night at 9:30 which meant back to Logan Airport. Hopefully tonight I will be luckier.

Of course the fact that it is very cold in Boston tonight and they saying it will drop under 10 overnight would indicate that anybody who has a bed secured will not be taking a night out. The shelter in Harvard Sq at 9:30 PM gives out the beds to people calling in at 1 888 656 3414 and it is simply luck.

The worst part for me is the not knowing until 9:30 if I will be OK for the night. I can't even apply for a 14 day bed until late next week as I am on my 7 days out.

The system is just clogged right now with too many people and too few beds.

I am open to any options at this point.

Wish me luck for tonight.