Link: No ID on the streets
Mark Horvath interviews Jacquie Dowd at Huffington Post at a site providing assistance for Florida residents unable to get proper papers needed for State Identification. Question is how do you get this going in Jacksonville?
Jacqueline Dowd has been involved with homeless advocacy and rights since before we originally became homeless here. Check her blog at this link.
6 comments:
Forgive me, this isn't regarding the article you posted.
Also hailing from Jacksonville, FL.
I've been studying what I'd do if I were homeless, as this Great Recession just keeps on coming and my family may be jobless and homeless.
One thing homeless might try is to check out books from the library on wild edibles, animal trapping, water purification, general survival, and organic gardening. If I were suddenly homeless, I might deposit seeds and edible plants around town in various places, from domestic plants as well as wild ones, particularly those which are not easily recognizable (e.g. potatoes instead of tomatoes, dandelions, cat tails, etc.). There are a number of survivalist documents, articles and movies free for viewing online, as well as books in the library. Education can be a big step in being self-sufficient.
Some of (not all) of the problems homeless face may be reconciled simply with knowledge. Lack of knowledge breeds a lack of hope. With the right knowledge and experience, I think our family would be OK if we had to hit the streets. We'd be uncomfortable, but not starving.
"[The righteous] is not afraid of bad news..." (Psalm 112:7 ESV)
The folks from IDignity can teach you how to do it. We're doing three different cities now.
You need a fairly large pool of committed volunteers (who are willing to learn and then come back to use what they've learned). Each event costs about $5,000; average cost per client is about $65 for ID and other documents.
IDignity began with volunteers from five downtown churches.
Chris,
Won't work in Jacksonville. Private lands, location, shelter, the demographics are too much...believe me, I know of a couple of single guys that have tried doing what you're saying...and with a lot of effort.
"If" you were out in the countryside, by all means...yes. Very possible, and in my opinion with being able to build a sod-house, a person wouldn't 'be' homeless.
If you're in a situation like you're talking, best recommendation is for you to contact the Sulzbacher Center to see what's available. Salvation Army at 900 West Adams Street as well. Those two after you speak with your leaders/mentors at your church if you are a member of one.
Regarding lack of knowledge...I know and have met leaders of industry and PhDs on the streets and shelters with my family during our time there.
It's more often a situation of wisdom and belief systems that homelessness develops...regardless of level of mental health.
Thanks, and blessings to you and your family, Chris.
Jacqueline,
About six months ago I spoke up at our local Homeless Coalition meeting regarding some of the states that are moving to remove ID/License fees for people confirmed homeless via forms filled by providers such as shelters.
Do you know if the reality level of this occurring or developing in Florida?
If we could get the State Fee waived for IDs, then there's the potential for Florida Vital Statistics (if picked up at local offices), as well as getting State Compact agreements for other States moving in the same direction and level...
...does that make sense or am I seeming manic? :) Wonderful to see your comment by the way. :)
Hey, John, today at our IDignity planning session, someone mentioned that a group from First Methodist of Jax was sending a team to our next event in Orlando to see how its done. Don't know who the contact person is, but I will try to find out.
It seems we've had several contacts from Jax folks.
As far as the cost of IDs changing, I honestly don't see that happening. Too tight a budget, not enough money to go around ...
It's a big need here in Jacksonville. As a CRPS-A, I've seen numerous people having to replace everything multiple times, and the staff of agencies really condescending regarding 'return applicants'.
Funny thing...the same agencies that have done this for years DO NOT provide them the option of certified copies and archiving the original documents.
Worse, the Social Security administration has limits regarding duplicates issued...if memory serves me, there's a lifetime of ten times as well as not being able to make an additional request after receiving a copy.
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