Street newspaper pioneer John Bird, founder of The Big Issue in the United Kingdom, has been named as the 2005-06 recipient of the Beacon Prize for Creative Giving. Bird joins the ranks of previous winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, chef Jamie Oliver and environmentalist Zac Goldsmith who have all been recognized for their charitable work through what has become known as the “Nobel Prize of the charity world.”
John is one of the 16 recipients of the 2005-06 prize, all of whom were chosen for their exceptional philanthropic contribution.
“For 15 years, John, through The Big Issue, has radicalized the way homelessness is viewed, challenging misconceptions about the causes of homelessness and bringing into sharp contrast the ability of disadvantaged people to effectively help themselves,” said Martyn Lewis, chair of the Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust.
John was born in post-war London, suffering privation and homelessness, and was in an orphanage at the age of 7. John later found a vocation as a printer and eventually went on to own a successful printing and publishing business. He later founded The Big Issue, which first hit the streets in 1991. Today, The Big Issue sells as many as 450,000 copies each week in Britain, facilitating thousands into secure accommodation and getting back into work.
Police in Los Angeles are asking homeless people to voluntarily comply with a city ordinance that makes it illegal to sleep on city streets, even though the law was struck down by an appeals court.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the city ordinance could not be implemented as long as there is a shortage of homeless shelter beds in Los Angeles.
In response, officers asked homeless people camped out in downtown's Skid Row to voluntarily move their tents during business hours. The LAPD reports that most of the people are willing to comply with the request.
Recently, business owners had the sidewalks in Skid Row, which are are filled with homeless encampments, steam cleaned. Homeless advocates protested the cleaning as another push by business owners to push the homeless out of the community. The cleaners were accompanied by LAPD officers. The police have announced they will be installing more lights and cameras along Skid Row to combat crime.
The Los Angeles Housing Services Authority reports that there are nearly 90,000 homeless people live in Los Angeles County and only 9,000 to 10,000 beds available in single-room occupancy hotels, homeless shelters and other facilities.
Native American Youth and Family Center to host Portland’s first Native American Housing to Homeownership Fair Portland from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, in the Mount Tabor Hall at Portland Community College SE Center. The hall is at 2305 SE 82nd Ave and Division.
The Native American Housing to Homeownership Fair is free and open to everyone. Participants will meet housing resource professionals, lenders and may be eligible to enter to win $1,500 in down payment assistance. Classes, homebuyer assistance information, and housing resources for renters with home ownership goals will be offered. Features include Native American dance performances, a guest drum, food, a Kids’ Corner, and raffle prizes.
The fair is offered in response to community need and as part of NAYA Family Center’s goal of increasing economic and housing stability in the American Indian/Alaska Native Community. The fair will provide a wide range of resources for the whole community: from renters to potential home owners. In comparison to populations of similar size, only 17 percent of Portland’s 38,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives own their home (Northwest Area Foundation).
This event is coordinated by the NAYA Family Center in collaboration with the city, community and Native American organizations. For more information, contact Sara Libby at the Native American Youth and Family Center, 503-288-8177, ext. 232 or saral@nayapdx.org.
Homeless veterans in St. Louis want voters there to pass a measure to set aside an acre of land downtown to create a homeless village modeled after Portland’s Dignity Village. City officials, however, say the plan does not fit with its 10-year initiative to end chronic homelessness.
Dignity Village was created in 2000 as a transitional tent city for homeless people who couldn't get into overcrowded shelters or were being regularly moved out of their sleeping sites outdoors.
The city of St. Louis estimates there are about 2,000 homeless people on any given day in the city.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless today and more than half a million experience homelessness in a given year.
The United Way of Columbia-Willamette has granted $100,000 to help expand the summer food program in Washington and Clackamas Counties and increase the number of summer food program sites.
The grant supports a partnership with the Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force and Oregon State University’s Extension Service in Washington County.
The Summer Food program serves a free lunch to all children under the age of 18 at local parks and community centers. The program exists in communities where more than 50 percent of children in the area are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Last summer, the Summer Lunch Program served more than 330,000 free lunches in Multnomah County. This year, there are more than 450 lunch sites throughout the state. In Multnomah County alone, participation has grown by 114 percent since 2003.
Northwest Resistance Against Genetic Engineering is seeking volunteers for the summer to for various jobs, including producing brochures and flyers, screenprinting T-shirts, research and tabling. For more information, contact Northwest RAGE at 503-239-6841.