Comments on: The Homeless Occupation https://www.heartsoffireproject.org/?p=1486 Empowering homeless people Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:20:22 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 By: Roslyn Scheuerman https://www.heartsoffireproject.org/?p=1486&cpage=1#comment-58 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:20:22 +0000 http://www.heartsoffireproject.org/?p=1486#comment-58 Besides having the honor and privilege of being the Hearts of Fire Assistant Director, I am employed as a Case Manager and Homeless Outreach Worker in Santa Barbara with two distinct programs assisting individuals who are without homes, at least in the traditional sense we are normally accustomed to. New Beginnings Counseling Center’s Safe Parking Program assists people who dwell in their vehicles. We currently have 22 lots with 120 spaces that serve approximately 150 men, women and children. The other program I work for is WillBridge of Santa Barbara, Inc., where I help individuals referred with drug/alcohol addictions, mental and/or physical disabilites. I have been involved in this type of work since the 1980’s when I began people-to-people initiatives to take care of our own. Given that there are more individuals becoming homeless daily in our nation and the numbers are growing still, shouldn’t we be looking more at the root causes of homelessness rather than just dealing with the effects of it? That is why I have been such a staunch supporter of the Hearts of Fire Project since its inception. This project is about valuing human beings, loving people for who they are, and caring enough to bring out the best in them. One of the women who we recorded at a shelter in Santa Barbara almost four years ago recently contacted me. She has turned her life around and now helps other struggling musicians produce their music. Helping other people succeed in living productive, prosperous and fulfilling lives by expressing their passions and talents is one of our greatest results as a social-profit organization. While I was only at Freedom Plaza a few days, Bob’s dedication to remaining there has allowed him to make a vital discovery about what it means to be a human being at a whole new level at this time in history. Our nation’s consciousness is being reborn out of the Occupation Movement by the people who have the courage it takes to step out of the economic, social, political and cultural patterns that have caused so many people to become homeless.

]]> By: chris parenti https://www.heartsoffireproject.org/?p=1486&cpage=1#comment-57 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:06:33 +0000 http://www.heartsoffireproject.org/?p=1486#comment-57 WOW,WOW,WOW !!!!!!

What a statement and message.I will continue to donate whatever I can in the future.Would like to meet the members of this great group of people at some point.Sooner than later I hoping.Good luck.
Peace and Love
Chris Parenti

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