Activities and Opinions

We have a lot to be proud of as we enter 2010. When you read what we’ve accomplished so far in 2009, we think you will agree that PUSH: People United to Stop Homelessness, formed in January 2007, has been successful in its three main goals of our mission statement: Advocacy, Education and Outreach. Read on and feel good about all your hard work.

January

PUSH Presents National Church Programs for Homeless to Memorial Lutheran Church

Two members of PUSH, Sumner Gray and Mary Lawrence, presented a brief history of PUSH, highlighting events of 2008 and two well known faith based programs for churches to address the problem of homelessness, in their communities, and at levels that are comfortable for the individual congregation.

PUSH Members Attend ESHC Homeless Count Training and Participate in the Count

Four members of PUSH were present at a meeting at United Methodist Church on King Street to learn survey and counting techniques in order to volunteer in the 09 Point in Time Homeless Survey for St Johns County. They assisted in numerous areas through out the day of the count on Jan 27th.

February

Mayor’s Commission to End Homelessness, 02/10/09

Prior to the meeting, the mayor immediately indicated to PUSH members that they needed to re seat themselves in a separate area from the commission table. He made clear this was not a “stakeholder’s” meeting but an informational and business collaboration meeting. Mary indicated PUSH was aware of the composition and purpose of the commission and wanted to take notes. Boles asked what PUSH did exactly and Mary gave him a brief outline of our mission statement.

PUSH Meets with Pastor Laws from Mt Zion Church in Hastings

On February 25th, Al Deinhart and Mary Lawrence met with Lorenzo Laws to initiate a connection between PUSH’s efforts which have largely been concentrated in St Augustine and the distinctly different problems facing the Hastings community. Although still in seminary with limited time, Pastor Laws agreed such a connection would be beneficial and to devote some time to this effort.

PUSH Participates in Nationwide Homelessness Call-In

PUSH members articipated in the first two hours of the National Homelessness Marathon on February 23, 2009 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the First United Methodist Church

March

No events except ongoing gleaning efforts which take a huge amount of time and energy.

April

PUSH hosts Commissioner Ken Bryan for an Open Conversation on Homelessness in St Johns County

About 15 people turned out at the Galimore Center to have an open and frank conversation with County Commissioner Ken Bryan on the issue of homelessness and affordable housing in St Johns County. The meeting opened with musician Eli Grimes playing two of his songs: “The Homeless Dance” and “Nobody knows her Name” and had CDs for anyone to take. It set the tone for the meeting which was relaxed and instructive. Commissioner Bryan suggested PUSH present information to the entire Board of County Commissioners.

May

PUSH Presents “WhoWe Are And What We Do” on MAYDAY

PUSH member Mary Lawrence gave a speech on May Day in La Plaza de la Constitucion outlining PUSH’s mission statement, goals and achievements and current status of homelessness planning in the county.

Central Florida Veterans For Peace Supports PUSH and St. Augustine Food Not Bombs

Central Florida Veterans For Peace Chapter 136 begins acceptiing doantions on behalf of PUSH and Food Not Bombs as part of its Impoverished Veterans and Other Victims of War Project. Veterans For Peace is a 501(c)(3) non profit educational and humanitarian organization.

June

PUSH Presents “Outdoor Living In St.Johns County” to the Board of County Commissioners

Eight members of PUSH turned out at the June meeting of the County Commission to present a program on homelessness. Alongside a three minute video presentation documenting camps and migrant housing conditions, as well as grassroots efforts at alleviating some of the problems of homelessness, members stood individually and told riveting stories of their personal interactions with homeless people. Mary Lawrence summarized the presentation with a plea for the county to take the lead on a solution.

July

PUSH Follows-Up with County Administration on the June Presentation

PUSH members spent over an hour with Assistant County Administrator Jerry Cameron, following up on the prior month’s presentation. PUSH volunteers to do an accurate homeless count and history is about to be made

August

PUSH Contacts Other Local Officials

PUSH sends out copies of the presentation to officials at St Augustine Beach City Commission, the Department of Health and Human Services, the St Johns County United Way, the Hastings Town Manager and the Community Resources Center in Hastings in an attempt to reach out and collaborate with them on the up-coming count.

September

PUSH Presents to the St. Augustine Beach Civic Association

About a dozen community members attended a presentation by PUSH regarding the planned Homeless Count held at the St. Augustine Beach City Hall after the regular Civic Association meeting. Eight PUSH members also attended to be available for any questions by the association. PUSH received support from the Civic Association on the project.

PUSH Meeting - 09/24/09

About twenty people turned out for the PUSH monthly meeting at the Galimore Center on 09-24-09.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES UPDATE:

Terry noted all the meetings that took place over the summer:

- Presentation at the County Commission meeting

- Meeting with Jerry Cameron, Asst. County Administrator

- Meeting with Town Manager in Hastings

- Meeting with Mission House in Jacksonville Beach (Mary)

- Meeting with St. Augustine City Commissioner Leanne Freeman

- Meeting with St. Augustine Beach City Commissioner Andrea Samuels

- Presentation to St Augustine Beach Civic Association

Terry also noted the success of Family Promise in Jacksonville mentioned in the Folio a few weeks earlier. Only one year in existence, the collaboration of churches has helped 25 homeless families. Mary noted PUSH had presented this to 5 area churches with no results but had handouts for members to take back to their churches/organizations as suggestions.

PUSH Announces the County-Wide Homeless Count

Approximately 30 representatives from various agencies attended the IST meeting at the SJC Health Department on Friday September 25.Where PUSH announced that the count would be conducted 11/4-11/14 by PUSH volunteers and affiliates, that a simplified survey form would be pilot tested for annual point in time survey to be conducted officially in January 2010. Goal was to provide a map of known camp locations with numbers of residents. Agencies were encouraged to take our business cards with email address for reporting tips on locations of homeless people (camp or otherwise) and to take CDs of the “Outdoor Living in St Johns County” presentation that was given to county commissioners in June. All of the CDs and business cards were snapped up.

October

PUSH Rides with the HOPE Van in Jacksonville Beach

Mary spent the first half of Monday October 5, 2009, riding with Doug and Kathleen from the outreach office’s HOPE van to learn about their outreach techniques and camp locations in the Ponte Vedra area. In three hours, we hit numerous locations and Doug and Kathleen were approachable, respectful and competent in dealing with a myriad of issues for their clients.

Planning for the Homeless Census Begins

With assistance from St Johns County United Way, the Center for Community Initiatives at UNF, members of Food not Bombs and affiliated homeless outreach groups, PUSH acquires mapping data and sets up two training sessions for volunteers to conduct the pilot homeless survey scheduled for November 4-14, 2009. Trainings occurred on Oct 20 and Oct 24 with location assignments and map/forms packets to be picked up November 2nd.

November

qqqqqq

December

qqqqqq

YEAR LONG, ONGOING ACTIVITIES OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF PUSH

Gleaning opportunities listed on website: Last year members of PUSH and Food Not Bombs worked with other local groups in bringing back over 90 tons of fresh fruit and vegetables to NE Florida. The new gleaning schedule will be posted on the website. It’s a great way to get some exercise and meet some wonderful people.

US Census liaison: PUSH has been invited to be on the county’s Complete Count committee as homeless liaison. There are opportunities to be paid to go out and survey homeless people this spring. Visit the US Census bureau website and take the test. If you have no record, have ID and pass the test, you can work in this capacity.

Education, outreach and advocacy: Last year members wrote and had published numerous articles and letters to the editors concerning all aspects of homelessness. We got great press on the Homelessness Issue in 2009 as a result of all your hard work. Several reporters have now committed to following the story of St. Johns County’s approach to ending homelessness. We’ve expanded our mission to encompass the impoverished and working poor. There’s a lot of work to be done in 2010 and we need everyone’s help. All of these are important:

• collecting/making items to supply poor people with clothes, shoes, hygiene kits or blankets

• helping out at Food Not Bombs with serving or food donations

• writing articles, letters to officials or newspapers, or blog about current and ongoing homeless issues

• attending monthly PUSH meetings and bringing like minded friends

• checking in on the website and signing up for our mailing list for activities your groups can work on and spread the word about PUSH

• attending every open meeting on homelessness you find and submit report to here

• attending every Emergency Services Homeless Coalition monthly meeting. These are usually over the lunch hour at First United Methodist on King and Riberia on the third Thursday. All the agencies involved in funding are supposed to attend. You can learn a lot.

• finally, and most importantly, TALK TO SOME HOMELESS PEOPLE.

After 3 years on the ground, doing the hard work, PUSH has achieved credibility both in the homeless community and among many organizations. We have momentum going into 2010. Let’s do what we can to take it up a notch.

As always, anything and everything you do is so appreciated by us. Here’s to another year of making a difference.