Recognize that panhandling, homelessness are not the same

Recognize that panhandling, homelessness are not the same

I would like to share this letter with all you fine people it came as a surprise to me that someone that I admire so much would place it in writing for the work me and all the fine folks at the veterans project do I am honored to have served and still be serving we the people and the citizens of the world and our homeland thank you Pastor Willard and congregation

The recent article titled “No walking away from panhandling” made little distinction between homelessness and panhandling. However, our experience at the United Way Regional Commission on Homelessness and the Veterans project shows that most people who are homeless do not panhandle and that most panhandlers are not homeless.

The regional commission on homelessness — a voluntary collaboration of government, business and faith communities —Like the veterans project one of a few 100% not or profit groups run and founded by Joseph F Barber former soldier & veteran turned humanitarian believes that the solution to long-term homelessness is housing combined with case management. We recently completed our sixth year of the 10-year plan.With the veterans project reaching its 3 year of support , So far, more than 2,500 new housing units are filled with formerly homeless men, women and children. More than 10,000 formerly homeless people have defeated homelessness through being reunited with family and loved ones and much of this effort is due to the fine work of the veterans project although a small organization and funded mainly by those who operate the veterans project with little or no donations to there credit they have supported themselves this fare for this we give a great thank you and for the ideas and work you have brought to the program and to those in need and shareing the word of god with all those you encounter.

Collaboration among service providers, an essential aspect of this success, is at an all-time high. The 24/7 veterans project Homeless Services Center, a collaboration of United Way and more than 25 different service providers, is helping homeless people in cities across this country and again mainly due to the fine work and creative efforts of those at the veterans project connect to housing, jobs, caseworkers, medical treatment and other services. Job training and placement for those experiencing homelessness have also improved.

The time for putting homeless persons in mass shelters for long periods without adequate resources to address how they came to be there is over.

Anyone seeking help out of homelessness can now begin that journey by calling you local United Way or contacting veterans project at the number provided 760-573-4096 they have many resources available.funds are not always available as stated they are self-funded and receive little or no donations as it is their motto that they will take no governments funds and this is to protect there independence and the people they help as well as Joseph F barber has stated on more than one instance it gives them the freedom to help in ways no one else can and I have seen this to be true it is this creative idea that has help the program advance as well as it has to date

Those who are panhandling illegally should be dealt with by enforcement of applicable laws. If the goal is to address a person’s homelessness, we must not fight the temptation to give money to anyone asking for it on the streets, and-and if you feel uncomfortable doing that give them food or something they can use to help themselves all you have to do is simply ask them do not be afraid they don't bite or give them the number to the united way in your area or have them contact the veterans project

If you are interested in helping a person end their homelessness, rather than giving money on the streets, help them access services. When we focus on the root causes of homelessness, people can and will succeed.

While we are on the right track, important needs still must be met.

Our community’s fight to end homelessness started with the leadership of Mayors in every city must be met One thing that stand clear to what I have learned from  Mr Barber is his strong belief that in order for any community to make a measurable impact on homelessness, local government must be at the table working side by side with the business, nonprofit and faith-based communities.

The next mayor must not only embrace this level of commitment but must also provide their continued moral and political leadership to aggressively push forward the next steps outlined by the regional commission on homelessness.

The new mayors must build on the proven successes of the Commission, and avoid any temptation to return to the old way of providing only shelter. It is only through dogged determination that we will reach our community’s goal, and America's mayors must bring that commitment to the community at large.

We must expand sustainable support for caseworkers, who are essential for each person who is struggling out of homelessness.

We must strengthen the mental health services for the most vulnerable in our society.

We need to expand our support for women and children.

And we must improve our system of help for those who have served time for their mistakes and are re-entering society.

To meet the needs, we must all get involved, but with the right focus: to end a person’s homelessness.

Joseph F Barber is the founder of veterans project and instructor on the issues of Homelessness.

Signed:Pastor Martin Willard