Humanity For Homeless now partially funded by the homeless

Humanity for Homeless reclaims public space while providing food and a peaceful place for people to congregate and eat. We also provide cloths, all from local donations from people who simply care. The program has been running now for 41 weeks feeding weekly. We believe it is our Constitutional Right to feed any human being and we do so without permits.

It was always my dream that Humanity for Homeless would really become an organization run by the homeless. Slowly this dream is coming true. More and more the people we feed, both poor and homeless help unload, setup, break down and clean up.

Often I will receive small donations from the homeless themselves. There are several homeless that make it there mission to help their fellow bothers and sisters on the street. One such man called by many names stepped up last month and pledged 40 dollars a month out of his own small social security check. I never ask the homeless for money and even go out of the way to make sure they can really afford to donate. This man, who we have named the Goodwill Bike Fairy, already gives $150.00 a month to different things, food for some of the needier and other offerings to those he feels he can help. He approached me and expressed a desire to give part of that money to Humanity for Homeless to help us keep afloat which is a constant battle. He also helps me every Monday night if I need a hand. I applaud his efforts and help.

I would like to thank the Goodwill Bike Fairy for this kind gesture. He made his first payment promptly and in doing so insures that one week a month is paid for. He makes what we do worth all the work. Soon we will have been serving consistently for a year.

I foresee in the future a Poor Peoples Union. This is not a new idea not my idea. It has been done before with success.

The idea would be people belonging to the union would have a larger voice when demanding their rights to be protected, that they could demand in one large voice to be treated equally in this society – to work together to improve their situation by working together. A PPU could start a garden -- start a work force -- organize protests -- flood the City Council -- start an encampment like in Olympia. The point is they decided what they want to fight for, what they can create and do together -- united.

The PPU could be run like consensus democracy. Advocates and activists that support and belong to the PPU but are not homeless, would have a less powerful vote to make it so that it is truly a Union for the Poor and not what advocates and activists like me think they want to do.

I will be working with the homeless and some activists and other organizations to see if we can work together to make a PPU come true in Santa Cruz.

If you interested in helping, please email me at guitarandpen [at] hotmail.com, or you can find me every Monday in front of New Leaf from 6:00pm till 7:30pm.

I will be creating a flier and calling for a large meeting of the homeless in a public place, perhaps in front of the Court House or a public Park to discuss this idea. I will post the time and date and flier here soon.