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Simi Valley Task Force on Homelessness has put out a "call to action" with some steps to reduce and prevent homelessness in Simi Valley. Homelessness affects all of us and solving homelessness will take a collective effort of individuals, businesses, service clubs, non-profit organizations, the faith community, and government working together. Those who are at risk of homelessness are our friends, our neighbors, or co-workers, and our associates.
Steps to Reduce and Prevent HomelessnessCommit to making a monthly donation to a local non-profit that directly serves the homeless - With financial contributions, organizations like the Samaritan Center, Free Clinic of Simi Valley, and Salvation Army are able to assist individuals and families to become housed by providing case management, health care, services, and temporary housing. Host a fundraiser such as a charitable event and contribute the proceeds to a non-profit that serves the homeless.Share your strengths - Identify resources that you, your organization, or your business can offer to help the homeless or those who are at risk of homelessness (such as services, material goods, or expertize). Contact local service providers, congregations, or non-profits to match your strengths with community needs. Contribute to a fund to provide rental assistance - Provide assistance to those at risk of homelessness through emergency shelter, hotel vouchers, and rental assistance. Your contribution can provide families or individuals with emergency shelter, help them to obtain permanent housing, or help to avoid eviction. Conduct food drives - Local food banks such as Simi Valley's Care and Share (805-522-5676) are in serious need of contributions to meet increased demands. Help provide food to struggling families by donating food or conducting a canned food drive, especially outside of the peak food donation months of November and December. Provide for transportation - Buss passes are needed to provide transportation to and from employment opportunities, health care appointments, dinner sites, PADS sites, or other services. A book of 42 bus passes may be purchased for $40 and donated to the Samaritan Center. Transportation fund donated to the Samaritan Center can also help pay for auto repair costs to help keep family members employed or reunited homeless individuals with their families in other areas. Volunteer - Volunteer to work to reduce and eliminate homelessness within the community by contributing your time to organizations such as the Samaritan Center, Free Clinic of Simi Valley, Salvation Army, or Care and Share. Educate - Provide learning opportunities for your organization or business to understand the most effective ways to assist the homeless and those at risk of homelessness and to dispel misconceptions about homelessness. Employ - Assist the homeless by offering job and training opportunities in you business or organization.
A Call to ActionPreventing homelessness is cost-effective as well as morally compelling. It costs far less to prevent homelessness than to help a family that has become homeless.The Simi Valley Task Force on Homelessness has adopted a goal of working to reduce homelessness by 10% annually. According to a recent street count there are and estimated 300 homeless individuals in Simi Valley. 43% of the homeless counted in Simi Valley are women and children.
Homelessness... Myths and TruthsMyth: Giving to panhandlers reduces homelessness.Truth: Supporting services for the homeless will contribute to ending the problem; giving money to panhandlers only maintains the problem. Myth: The homeless that we see on the streets represent how many are homeless in Simi Valley. Truth: For every person that is visibly homeless, there are many more that are at risk of becoming homeless, or homeless at some time throughout the year. Myth: It is too expensive to help people obtain or stay in housing. Truth: It is much more cost effective to help a person stay in housing or obtain housing than it is to pay for the services used by a person who is already homeless. Loving our NeighborsMother Teresa said that poverty is not only "being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared-for is the greatest poverty."
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