This blog is a place for journalists to discuss their experiences covering poverty. It works in tandem with onpoverty.org, a site run by Washington and Lee University's American Poverty Journalism Center.
Archives
3/2/08 - 3/9/08 3/9/08 - 3/16/08 3/23/08 - 3/30/08 3/30/08 - 4/6/08 4/27/08 - 5/4/08 6/15/08 - 6/22/08 7/20/08 - 7/27/08 8/17/08 - 8/24/08 9/21/08 - 9/28/08 10/5/08 - 10/12/08 10/12/08 - 10/19/08 10/19/08 - 10/26/08 10/26/08 - 11/2/08 11/2/08 - 11/9/08 11/9/08 - 11/16/08 11/16/08 - 11/23/08 11/30/08 - 12/7/08 1/11/09 - 1/18/09 1/18/09 - 1/25/09 1/25/09 - 2/1/09 2/1/09 - 2/8/09 2/8/09 - 2/15/09 2/22/09 - 3/1/09 3/1/09 - 3/8/09 3/8/09 - 3/15/09 3/15/09 - 3/22/09 3/22/09 - 3/29/09 3/29/09 - 4/5/09 5/3/09 - 5/10/09 9/20/09 - 9/27/09 9/27/09 - 10/4/09 10/4/09 - 10/11/09 10/18/09 - 10/25/09 10/25/09 - 11/1/09 11/15/09 - 11/22/09
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Oklahoma homeless men document their lives
10/19/2009 MIKE AVERILL TULSA WORLD TULSA, OKLA.
Four homeless men produced a film entitled “How Sally Changed My Life,” a documentary about people living in the Salvation Army's Project Able, a two-year transitional housing program, who work or go to school while saving money. Their 15-minute documentary was shot with a camera that was bought at a pawn shop. Those interviewed told their stories of homelessness and how the Salvation Army was helping them to get back on their feet.
Original story
Monday, October 19, 2009
Four homeless men produced a film entitled “How Sally Changed My Life,” a documentary about people living in the Salvation Army's Project Able, a two-year transitional housing program, who work or go to school while saving money. Their 15-minute documentary was shot with a camera that was bought at a pawn shop. Those interviewed told their stories of homelessness and how the Salvation Army was helping them to get back on their feet.
Original story
Labels: documentary, homeless, How Sally Changed My Life, Project Able, Salvation Army
Maryland church ministers to homeless in woods, libraries, shelters
09/24/2009 ERIN JULIUS THE HERALD-MAIL HAGERSTOWN, MD.
Members of Lifehouse West church are reaching out to homeless people in unconventional locations. The members of the church often ask what the homeless need and then provide it. The mission is called Soul Food Ministries also offers prayer. Interaction with the homeless in unusual places allows Soul Food Ministries members to begin conversations with those they are serving. Some of the recipients of bagged lunches provided by the church have also attended Sunday services.
Original story
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Members of Lifehouse West church are reaching out to homeless people in unconventional locations. The members of the church often ask what the homeless need and then provide it. The mission is called Soul Food Ministries also offers prayer. Interaction with the homeless in unusual places allows Soul Food Ministries members to begin conversations with those they are serving. Some of the recipients of bagged lunches provided by the church have also attended Sunday services.
Original story
Labels: Hagerstown, homeless, Lifehouse West church, Soul Food Ministries
Syracuse, N.Y., shelter provides services to runaway, homeless teens
10/07/2009 JAMES T. MULDER SYRACUSE.COM SYRACUSE, N.Y.
The Booth House is an emergency shelter for runaway and homeless teens. Operated by the Salvation Army, the house puts as many as five adolescents in each bedroom, with no more than two teens to a bathroom. It provides services for 12-to 17-year-olds with immediate housing 24 hours a day. It also provides services such as family counseling, mediation, case management, homebound schooling, living skills training and recreation services.
Original story
The Booth House is an emergency shelter for runaway and homeless teens. Operated by the Salvation Army, the house puts as many as five adolescents in each bedroom, with no more than two teens to a bathroom. It provides services for 12-to 17-year-olds with immediate housing 24 hours a day. It also provides services such as family counseling, mediation, case management, homebound schooling, living skills training and recreation services.
Original story
Labels: Booth House, homeless, homeless teens, Salvation Army, Syracuse
Denver Mayor Seeks $2.3 Million to Aid Homeless
10/05/2009 JANE SLATER 7NEWS DENVER, COLO.
Despite the city’s financial woes, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper wants the city council to approve $2.3 million in aid for the homeless. Advocates hold that the plan to create 500 new apartments and increased welfare programs will pay back later, but critics contend that it is providing the homeless with housing isn’t a city responsibility. The city has been forced to lay off 176 employees and delay pay raises.
Original story
Despite the city’s financial woes, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper wants the city council to approve $2.3 million in aid for the homeless. Advocates hold that the plan to create 500 new apartments and increased welfare programs will pay back later, but critics contend that it is providing the homeless with housing isn’t a city responsibility. The city has been forced to lay off 176 employees and delay pay raises.
Original story
Labels: apartments, Denver, homeless, John Hickenlooper, welfare
Nashville Police Ask to Close Tent City
10/07/2009 NICOLE YOUNG THE TENNESSEAN NASHVILLE, TENN.
Nashville police are instructing the city’s Homeless Commission to limit the number of homeless people at Tent City and work on shutting down the site. The crime rate of the surrounding area has increased significantly, leading police to believe that the homeless population, which swelled from four to over 80 in the past year, is to blame. Homeless advocates, however, argue that pushing the homeless back onto the streets will keep them from necessary services.
Original story
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Nashville police are instructing the city’s Homeless Commission to limit the number of homeless people at Tent City and work on shutting down the site. The crime rate of the surrounding area has increased significantly, leading police to believe that the homeless population, which swelled from four to over 80 in the past year, is to blame. Homeless advocates, however, argue that pushing the homeless back onto the streets will keep them from necessary services.
Original story
Labels: homeless, Homeless Commission, Nashville, tent city
Local program in Oregon places homeless in apartment complex
10/05/2009 DAMIAN MANN MAIL TRIBUNE MEDFORD, ORE.
Rogue Retreat is running a program in this southern Oregon city that provides housing for the homeless. Many residents of its apartment complex are victims of unemployment, illness, or domestic violence. The organization conducts inspections to ensure that apartments are well-maintained, with no alcohol or drug abuse occurring inside the residences. Residents must pay 30 percent of their income, which includes money received from government programs.
Original story
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Rogue Retreat is running a program in this southern Oregon city that provides housing for the homeless. Many residents of its apartment complex are victims of unemployment, illness, or domestic violence. The organization conducts inspections to ensure that apartments are well-maintained, with no alcohol or drug abuse occurring inside the residences. Residents must pay 30 percent of their income, which includes money received from government programs.
Original story
Labels: apartment complex, homeless, homeless housing, Oregon, Rogue Retreat
Sex offenders in Georgia forced out of woods
09/28/2009 GREG BLUESTEIN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A group of homeless sex offenders have been ordered to leave their makeshift camp in a densely wooded area behind a suburban office park in Marietta. The perpetrators made the camp their home as a last resort after being barred from living in many areas by one of the nation’s toughest sex offender policies. The men are prohibited from living, working or loitering within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, parks and other places where children gather. Officials are uncertain where they will go next.
Original story
Thursday, September 24, 2009
A group of homeless sex offenders have been ordered to leave their makeshift camp in a densely wooded area behind a suburban office park in Marietta. The perpetrators made the camp their home as a last resort after being barred from living in many areas by one of the nation’s toughest sex offender policies. The men are prohibited from living, working or loitering within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, parks and other places where children gather. Officials are uncertain where they will go next.
Original story
Labels: camp, homeless, sex offenders
Homeless in Western Maryland seek daytime shelter in public libraries
09/22/2009 ERIN JULIUS THE HERALD-MAIL HAGERSTOWN, MD.
As unemployment rates and the number of homeless rise, some of the homeless have sought daytime refuge in public libraries, since shelters are generally open only at night. That has led to complaints from female staff and library patrons, who feel harassed by the mostly male homeless population, some of whom h ave have mental illnesses.
Original story
Thursday, May 7, 2009
As unemployment rates and the number of homeless rise, some of the homeless have sought daytime refuge in public libraries, since shelters are generally open only at night. That has led to complaints from female staff and library patrons, who feel harassed by the mostly male homeless population, some of whom h ave have mental illnesses.
Original story
Labels: homeless, homeless shelters, libraries
Soccer league provides new outlet for the homeless
04/02/2009 JULIE BOSMAN THE NEW YORK TIMES
Street Soccer USA is a 16-city network of homeless players that operates under Help USA, a national homeless services provider. The program has been credited with helping players pull themselves out of homelessness. It has strict guidelines, such as forbidding players to show up drunk and requiring them to discuss job searches with coaches. The newly formed New York team scored its first win of the season against a team composed mostly of bankers.
Original story
Street Soccer USA is a 16-city network of homeless players that operates under Help USA, a national homeless services provider. The program has been credited with helping players pull themselves out of homelessness. It has strict guidelines, such as forbidding players to show up drunk and requiring them to discuss job searches with coaches. The newly formed New York team scored its first win of the season against a team composed mostly of bankers.
Original story
Labels: homeless, Street Soccer USA
Kitchen program in Pittsburgh employs and feeds the homeless and addicts
05/03/2009 DIANA NELSON JONES PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
Springboard Kitchens employs those who are homeless or struggling with addictions and other disorders to prepare meals that are served to others in similar situations. Social service agencies refer trainees and provide services to prepare them. If trainees are voted in, they then work weekdays while receiving behavioral training to enable them to get and keep jobs. Springboard launched in mid-February and revenue has already jumped from $5,000 to $12,000, with 320 meals delivered a day.
Original story
Friday, March 27, 2009
Springboard Kitchens employs those who are homeless or struggling with addictions and other disorders to prepare meals that are served to others in similar situations. Social service agencies refer trainees and provide services to prepare them. If trainees are voted in, they then work weekdays while receiving behavioral training to enable them to get and keep jobs. Springboard launched in mid-February and revenue has already jumped from $5,000 to $12,000, with 320 meals delivered a day.
Original story
Labels: addicts, homeless, Springboard Kitchens
L.A. homeless assaults classified as hate crimes
03/25/2009 MOLLY HENNESSY-FISKE LOS ANGELES TIMES LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
As the number of homeless people increases, they seem to have become easier targets for assaults and other crimes. Advocates in Los Angeles say the attacks have become more violent, but until recently no one tracked the crimes countywide. County supervisors unanimously recommended that authorities start tracking and reporting assaults on the homeless as hate crimes. The information will be used to determine whether attacks are increasing, where they occur, and whether they can be prevented.
Original story
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
As the number of homeless people increases, they seem to have become easier targets for assaults and other crimes. Advocates in Los Angeles say the attacks have become more violent, but until recently no one tracked the crimes countywide. County supervisors unanimously recommended that authorities start tracking and reporting assaults on the homeless as hate crimes. The information will be used to determine whether attacks are increasing, where they occur, and whether they can be prevented.
Original story
Labels: hate crimes, homeless, Los Angeles
In Utah, 1 in 30 students are homeless
03/22/2009 LORETTA PARK STANDARD-EXAMINER OGDEN, UTAH
State education authorities say 10,388 of the 551,013 students enrolled in schools in Utah are considered homeless, as compared with one in 50 nationally. The typical Utah homeless family consists of a single mother with two children, who struggles to pay for housing due to low income. For almost every adult who is homeless, there is a child. But the child is more likely to experience hunger, suffer chronic health problems, repeat a grade in school or drop out of school altogether, the state says.
Original story
State education authorities say 10,388 of the 551,013 students enrolled in schools in Utah are considered homeless, as compared with one in 50 nationally. The typical Utah homeless family consists of a single mother with two children, who struggles to pay for housing due to low income. For almost every adult who is homeless, there is a child. But the child is more likely to experience hunger, suffer chronic health problems, repeat a grade in school or drop out of school altogether, the state says.
Original story
Labels: homeless, students, Utah
Homeless using cell phones
03/23/3009 PETULA DVORAK WASHINGTON POST
Advocates estimate that 30 to 40 percent of homeless people have cell phones, and some also have e-mail accounts and blogs that document their lives on the streets. Cell phones have become relatively inexpensive with pay-as-you-go phones and prepaid minutes. Some of the homeless use the phones to set up meetings, organize bills and payments, or keep in touch with family. Some also rely on phones to keep their homelessness a secret from their employers in order to keep their jobs.
Original story
Friday, March 13, 2009
Advocates estimate that 30 to 40 percent of homeless people have cell phones, and some also have e-mail accounts and blogs that document their lives on the streets. Cell phones have become relatively inexpensive with pay-as-you-go phones and prepaid minutes. Some of the homeless use the phones to set up meetings, organize bills and payments, or keep in touch with family. Some also rely on phones to keep their homelessness a secret from their employers in order to keep their jobs.
Original story
Labels: cell phones, homeless
Housing for Tennessee homeless project on hold
03/11/2009 J.J. STAMBAUGH KNOXNEWS.COM KNOXVILLE, TENN.
A task force that was to create guidelines for housing Knoxville area homeless is on hold for fear its work could violate a federal law that prohibits discriminating against disabled people, a definition that includes the chronically homeless. The task force was to recommend guidelines on where to put 400 units of permanent, supportive housing for the chronically homeless, most of whom suffer severe psychological problems.
Original story
A task force that was to create guidelines for housing Knoxville area homeless is on hold for fear its work could violate a federal law that prohibits discriminating against disabled people, a definition that includes the chronically homeless. The task force was to recommend guidelines on where to put 400 units of permanent, supportive housing for the chronically homeless, most of whom suffer severe psychological problems.
Original story
Labels: chronically homeless, homeless, Knoxville, supportive housing
Turning to motels to house the homeless
03/10/2009 ERIK ECKHOLM THE NEW YORK TIMES
More people are finding themselves facing homelessness after having lost their jobs and homes. While some end up in shelters or on the street, others are doubling up in apartments or living in garages or motels. These hidden homeless are not counted in federal data and often get little public aid. Orange County, Calif., has a large population of motel families because rents are high and public housing is scarce, while there are many older motels that once housed Disneyland visitors. Residents come from a wider demographic range than in the past.
Original story
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
More people are finding themselves facing homelessness after having lost their jobs and homes. While some end up in shelters or on the street, others are doubling up in apartments or living in garages or motels. These hidden homeless are not counted in federal data and often get little public aid. Orange County, Calif., has a large population of motel families because rents are high and public housing is scarce, while there are many older motels that once housed Disneyland visitors. Residents come from a wider demographic range than in the past.
Original story
Labels: hidden homeless, homeless, motels, Orange County
Homeless man in Houston takes to the Web
03/10/2009 ASSOCIATED PRESS COURIERPOSTONLINE.COM SOUTH JERSEY, N.J.
Until recently, Tim Edwards was like any other homeless man begging for money in Houston. Now, he has become the online face of homelessness thanks to his website, Pimp This Bum. The interactive site, www.pimpthisbum.com, is the work of an Internet marketing company that wanted to show what it could do and do some good at the same time. Visitors can ask Edwards questions about his life and his journey from a managerial job and homeownership, and allows them to donate money to help him.
Original story
Monday, March 9, 2009
Until recently, Tim Edwards was like any other homeless man begging for money in Houston. Now, he has become the online face of homelessness thanks to his website, Pimp This Bum. The interactive site, www.pimpthisbum.com, is the work of an Internet marketing company that wanted to show what it could do and do some good at the same time. Visitors can ask Edwards questions about his life and his journey from a managerial job and homeownership, and allows them to donate money to help him.
Original story
Labels: homeless, Houston, Internet, Pimp This Bum, Tim Edwards
Hawaiian Hope provides computer access to homeless
03/04/2009 NINA WU STARBULLETIN.COM HONOLULU, HAWAII
Hawaiian Hope, a nonprofit whose goal is to give the homeless computer access, plans to expand its offerings. The group already provides IT services in 10 homeless shelters in Hawaii using donated computers and strives to make technology available to everyone by refurbishing donated PCs, hardware and monitors. Hawaiian Hope is remodeling an empty space near Honolulu Community College, and hopes that the computer lab will put classrooms in homeless shelters. The group will also give computers to families that move out of the shelters.
Original story
Friday, February 13, 2009
Hawaiian Hope, a nonprofit whose goal is to give the homeless computer access, plans to expand its offerings. The group already provides IT services in 10 homeless shelters in Hawaii using donated computers and strives to make technology available to everyone by refurbishing donated PCs, hardware and monitors. Hawaiian Hope is remodeling an empty space near Honolulu Community College, and hopes that the computer lab will put classrooms in homeless shelters. The group will also give computers to families that move out of the shelters.
Original story
Labels: computer lab, Hawaiian Hope, homeless, Honolulu
Texas program credited with helping homeless men recover from alcoholism
02/09/2009 ANDREA BALL AMERICAN-STATESMAN AUSTIN, TEXAS
Project Recovery, a voluntary six-month program for alcohol-dependent men, is helping homeless men in the Austin area sober up, find housing, and be more productive. The $650,000-a-year program is funded by the City of Austin and Travis County and since 2006 has helped 92 men, some of them with mental or physical disabilities. The program is focused on males because the facility is not large enough to house both men and women, and because more men are arrested for public intoxication.
Original story
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Project Recovery, a voluntary six-month program for alcohol-dependent men, is helping homeless men in the Austin area sober up, find housing, and be more productive. The $650,000-a-year program is funded by the City of Austin and Travis County and since 2006 has helped 92 men, some of them with mental or physical disabilities. The program is focused on males because the facility is not large enough to house both men and women, and because more men are arrested for public intoxication.
Original story
Labels: alcoholism, homeless, Project Recovery
Homeless at celebrated Hawaii park prompt calls for restrictions
02/01/2009 KITV.COM HONOLULU, H.I.
Nearby residents and visitors to Waikiki are growing frustrated with the homeless camping out in the famous beachfront area’s Kapiolani Park. While the city has laws prohibiting people from setting up camp in the park overnight, the homeless have found a loophole, and now the city council is looking for a ban on using the park as a “sleeping place.” Residents of the area consider the presence of homeless people in the park to be a health hazard as well as a source of danger.
Original story
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Nearby residents and visitors to Waikiki are growing frustrated with the homeless camping out in the famous beachfront area’s Kapiolani Park. While the city has laws prohibiting people from setting up camp in the park overnight, the homeless have found a loophole, and now the city council is looking for a ban on using the park as a “sleeping place.” Residents of the area consider the presence of homeless people in the park to be a health hazard as well as a source of danger.
Original story
Labels: homeless, Kapiolani Park, Waikiki
Homeless population in Aspen strains shelter capacity
01/25/2009 THEDENVERCHANNEL.COM DENVER, COLO.
Like many other cities, the economic downturn has left Aspen with a growing homeless population. Many of the homeless turned up in Aspen after losing their jobs elsewhere, while some are locals who failed to keep up with the city’s economic dynamics. Local churches offer night shelters, granting access only to those who pass Breathalyzer test, while The Right Door, a substance abuse counseling program, offers a day shelter, as well as counseling and help with food stamp and job applications.
Original story
Like many other cities, the economic downturn has left Aspen with a growing homeless population. Many of the homeless turned up in Aspen after losing their jobs elsewhere, while some are locals who failed to keep up with the city’s economic dynamics. Local churches offer night shelters, granting access only to those who pass Breathalyzer test, while The Right Door, a substance abuse counseling program, offers a day shelter, as well as counseling and help with food stamp and job applications.
Original story
Labels: Aspen, homeless, homeless shelters, The Right Door
On Poverty.Org is organized by students at
washington and lee university in Lexington, VA.
Supervisor: Prof. Ed Wasserman.
WEBMASTER: Kat Greene. Site Editors: Kat Greene, Melissa Caron.
Marketing DIrectors: Abby SteinBock, Betsy Chaplin.
Technology Supervisors: James Dick, Ilgiz Soubanov