Several members of the Ventura Social Services Task Force (subtitle, "Dedicated to Ending Homelessness in the City of Ventura"), together with homeless and formerly homeless persons staffed a booth on December 2 at the Downtown Ventura Street Fair. Eight volunteers contributed their own personal spin to the message.
"Don't give to panhandlers" was heard often, as volunteers emphasized that most panhandlers are not homeless. In fact, most of the homeless persons inVenturaare "invisible". At any time about 500 Venturaresidents are houseless, and perhaps living in their car..
The volunteers stressed that there are more than 15,000 persons in Ventura who earn less than $25,000 annually, and thus are at high risk of becoming homeless. They are very susceptible to a personal emergency such as a layoff, or illness.
The Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund was created to help keep these persons in their homes . Donations are kept by theUnited Wayof Ventura County. Caseworkers from Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, and Project Understanding recommend payments for clients who will become homeless due to a catastrophic event, but otherwise could be expected to remain in their home indefinitely.
It is much less costly to keep people in their home, than to rehouse them after they are evicted.
Many people stopping at the table had stories to share of when they or someone close to them had been homeless. One person gave an anonymous contribution of $50. "Tell people I was very impressed by your message and the work that is going on in Ventura" he said.
One of the most effective volunteers was Melody Joy Baker, who is well known to many people downtown. Articulate and outspoken from her wheelchair, Melody spent 3 hours offering pamphlets to people and engaging them in conversation.
Melody, who has recently been homeless herself, explained the formation of a new group in town called KISS-IT. This stands for Keep It Sober and Serene In Town. The group is made up of persons who were recently homeless. They embrace the message of not donating directly to panhandlers but instead giving to organizations which help the homeless.
Melody points out that the aggressive panhandlers who are drinking and using drugs give all homeless persons a bad name. "When people see those people hassling them and asking for money, it makes them afraid of me!"
She says that several members of KISS-IT are in school or working, and all are sober and clean and trying to better themselves.
A member of the Ventura Breakfast Lions Club asked if it was possible to have a speaker come address their meeting to tell them more about the issues. The volunteers at the table jumped up and down with glee, and told them they would like nothing better!If you would like a speaker for your group or more information, call 805/212-4856.
The goal of the Taskforce is to reduce homelessness inVenturaby 50% within 5 years, in line with the "10-Year Strategy for Ending Homelessness in Ventura", which was adopted by the County and the City last June, and is posted at www.vchhc.org.
The Task Force is also working with the city ofVenturato address the problems of the chronically homeless, who are generally disabled and unemployable. While most visible, they are only about one-fifth of the total homeless population at any time.
One simple message to remember is that it has been proven to be much less costly to house people than to care for them on the street!
The eight volunteers at the Street Fair felt their time was well spent to spread this message, and to help people become more aware of homelessness inVentura, and possible solutions.