Sleeping Bag for Ukrainian Soldier

 Bought a sleeping bag for a Ukrainian Solider through Armstreet, a company in the Ukraine that makes historical clothing and armour.

Link here

Birthday Present for unhoused 6 year old.

Sometimes I pick up birthday presents for kids whom Doors of Hope are helping. They are in transitional housing. I got a gift card for Target and wanted to get something solid and real that a 6 year old would like. Not to big, preferably useful and hopeful.  I found the perfect present, a small lockbox with a unicorn that says 'Follow Your Dreams'.

 

Showing people where resources are. Haters not believing the homeless

 I just found a young lady on YouTube who is currently living in her car here in California. She escaped an abusive situation across the country and is here without family or friends support. I sent her links to SafeParking LA  and to the Hope Navigation Center which is a cool app that shows where a lot of resources for the homeless are, including safe parking. 

This girl is funny and beautiful and seems very much like most you tubers/tick tockers. She's dealing with haters who don't even believe she is homeless. Adding insult to injury when you're in a really crappy place and people don't even believe you.

I remember decades ago at the beginning of facebook finding out that many people I know are the type to discredit homeless. I made a post about helping a family who was living in their car with gas; while I was filling up at the gas station the guy behind me asked if I could put some gas in his car.  There was no money exchanged, I just gave gas to a guy who was obviously living in his car with his family (who I could see in the car).  But some of my friends got up in arms.  Several told me I was being scammed. I heard stories of panhandlers who became millionaires. I remember someone I won't name saying she personally knew a guy who made millions panhandling up and down highway 5. No, that never made sense to me. I was shocked at this attitude but it opened my eyes to how some people thought.

I don't see those kind of comments anymore. I hope it's because my acquaintances have wised up, but I think it may be because I confront their beliefs and I have worked enough with the homeless in the area to have data to counter their misconceptions.  

I do think people can be divided into those who would rather feed a few extra people who don't need it to ensure everyone is fed and those who want to make sure only the really needy get anything even if it means a few people go hungry.

Helping feed animals in the Ukraine

Bought a picture from an Etsy seller in the Ukraine. He used to make and sell leathergoods but now he's also selling pictures and using the money to buy pet food for animals left behind.

 https://www.etsy.com/.../ukraine-shops-ukrainian-sellers...

Loan to help weaving in Peru

 Nilda runs the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, a non-profit organization that employs more than 340 artisans to promote the empowerment of weavers through the revitalization and sustainable practice of Peruvian ancestral textiles in the Cusco region of Peru. For more than 25 years, Nilda has led the Center in its revival of traditional weaving practices and natural dye techniques. The Center has greatly suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic due to lack of tourism and not generating income from textiles sales. This loan will help Nilda reopen the Center and rebuild it after a year of lockdown. 

https://www.kiva.org/lend/2135083

Regenerative Collective

Made a donation to a friends group that has been doing good work. I met him through other activism and have been following his progress on facebook. Lots of people learning how to urban garden.

 

Money

 I sent 6 of my friends $500 through paypal.  Friends with kids and friends in the entertainment business. I told them the truth, my socialist heart wanted to make up for my capitalistic brain that likes to make money and I made a lot of money on the stock market this month.  

I'm a self-made millionaire, I came out of school $55,000 in debt in 1996. 

Shower of Hope

I made a donation to the Shower of Hope today, to support my friend who organizes the volunteers. One of the incredible people in the world.

I was contacted by another friend who was writing a grant proposal with her church to help the homeless and wanted to include the shower. I passed on the contact info of the founder. They connected. Hopefully the grant will be funded.

I need to document my connections more. This is a good place for it.

Public Health Interns

Today I became the Director of Field Studies for Masters of Public Health students summer internship.  I think helping young Epidemiologists will help the world. 

Its apparent we need more Epidemiologists about.

Breadmaker

I bought a breadmaker for a friend who lost her job this week. Her husband lost his too. They have an autistic son. I'm sure he'll be making a lot of bread. 

Cookies for troops

I bought Girls Scout cookies and sent them to the troops today.

For some reason it reminded me of this blog.
So long since i've posted.

But I always do try to change the world every day.

Help Boliva

I spent most of tonight thinking of ways of fundraising for Help Bolivia.  That's my sister and her husband's new non-profit.  Please consider being a monthly donor, they could really use the help their first year.

Kiva

Made 6 kiva loans today, to new agencies

Housed a homeless person

Today I invited one of the clients from the Shower of Hope and her dog to come live with me.  Last week she had black eyes and a split lip and she needs to get off the street.
I have a friend/ex-employee staying here also stitching Halloween orders for me. She's unemployed and living in her van.
 And with the girl I brought in last year, that makes 3 I'm providing homes for.  But only 2 will stay for a while.

Shower of Hope - Steven the CPA

Today at The Shower of Hope I met Steven. He approached us with a look I am becoming familiar with, apprehension, need, disbelief, and a bit of shame. He had one of our flyers in his hand, so I welcomed him. He told me he had just become homeless a few days ago. And he hadn't eaten in 2 days. He hadn't showed in a while and had no clothes to change into. He had worked as a CPA for over 20 years at a place within walking distance. His family was all killed in a car accident by a drunk driver and, as he said, he just 'checked out' for a while and lost it all. He cried a bit. And he got Hope at the shower. He got kindness and clothing and food and toiletries and hugs and a shower. It put a noticeable spring in his step. #Hope

Shower of Hope. Helping the homeless with a mobile shower.

Helped 34 clients at The Shower of Hope today. There were a few new people. A married couple came by who have been living in their car. I think one lost a job and they couldn't afford the rent on only one salary. They still had a bit of the 'I can't believe this has happened to me and I have to accept charity' look in their eyes. They really enjoyed their showers and they both got haircuts.

Kiva loan to Farmline

Made a kiva loan to Farmline.  Farmerline is a global social enterprise using mobile technology to connect farmers to information and vital services that increase profit. ​ Through Farmerline’s 399 service, farmers are able to dial the USSD code “399” on a mobile phone in Ghana and are presented with options to access affordable, genuine inputs, financial literacy education, weather forecasts, as well as weekly updates on market prices, all in their local languages. Farmerline is presented with viable data which is used to connect the farmer to the nearest Famerline in-field workshop, community agent, or distributor. At this point the farmer has the option to obtain the input through a layaway wallet program or input credit scheme. As a result, Farmerline is able to provide the high quality inputs that farmers need to protect their crops and the resources to purchase other services to support their livelihood. Watch and learn how Farmerline's 399 Service is impacting farmers

Shower of Hope

I volunteer each week at the Shower of Hope, a mobile shower for the homeless.

Today at The Shower of Hope I met Eric. It was his first time at the shower. He just became homeless a month ago. He left an abusive relationship of 7 years. His ex was also his business partner so he lost his job too. His family won't help him because he's gay. He has his stuff stored at a friends parent's place and he is trying not to overburden his friends by couch surfing. He has a degree from UC Santa Barbara and good job experience. He doesn't expect to be homeless long. He said several times that he never, ever thought he would end up where he was. I hear that a lot. Most people don't plan to be homeless.

Eric had the first shower he had in days and a very stylish haircut, a wonderful lunch (including a salad donated by Trader Joes), and he got to spend a few hours in a space with people he could talk to.

Kiva loan for a modern sewing machine

https://www.kiva.org/lend/1506856

Kurbonoy is really grateful to Kiva lenders for their support and understanding. Only thanks to your support, she could realize her plans and continue her animal husbandry business. It helped her improve her family's financial situation and solve her problems.

Kurbonoy always seeks to advance in life and doesn't want to be complacent about the achieved. Currently she is planning to start an additional business. She learnt how to sew and decided to provide seamstress services. However, to implement her plans she needs your assistance once again. She will use the amount of the provided loan to buy a new sewing machine and will start her new business.

Gold and Drum Bugle Corp

Made a donation to a friends gold and drum bugle corp. Not real sure what it is but he likes it and it makes his world a better place.