| California Homeless Resources |
| Below you will find a list of all the Cities in California. I have tried to include a very comprehensive list of resources for each City so that you can utilize them to GET HELP for your particular situation. |
| List of celebrities we would like to partner with. |
| Mark from Invisible People.TV Is making great strides for the homeless and is truly an inspiration to me. :) |
|
it. This was mistake number one. If you can or if you have family or friends that are willing to store your crap for you - DO IT! You will want this
stuff in the future and you don't want to have to buy it all over again like I had to. Don't panic but do act. Try to respond don't react to the
situation. Stop and think things through and ask for help and take it if it fits into your plan.
2. Buy a Van: The first thing I did right was to buy a VAN. (buy an insulated one if you can). This is your urban survival shelter the most
important thing that you have. It is the most important because you have to be able to seek shelter from the rain and cold. You also need this to
look for a job! If you don't have a car forget getting a good job and this will bring you down to the lowest and that is to be truly homeless all the
way. This is what you want to avoid at all costs! If you have a vehicle/shelter you have a chance to have a life again in the future. This breeds
hope and you need to keep all of that you can get. You will need a place to park the van and this is something you will have to feel out for
yourself. I signed up for a "Safe Parking Program". It did not work out though because I needed to conserve on Gas and I was having to drive
out of my way. They mean well but sometimes the services that are available are not going to fit into your plan. I ended up parking right across
the street from the gym so I could just wake up and go take my shower.
3. Keep your Pet: I know this sounds weird but I will tell you this is one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. Again it gave me
hope but more importantly it gave me the need to take care of something other than me which gave me strength. "Charby" the road kitty was
stuff because unconditional love is something you can't buy and it gives great comfort. You will think, oh this pet is better off with someone else
like I did but really it is better off with you the person who loves it the most. Pets don't care about being homeless they just want love and food..
4. Stay Incognito: When you buy a van buy a white one if you can or some other low pro vehicle color. You don't want the cops spotting you
as that "Homeless Person" you don't need to tell anyone that will blab about your condition either. Remember that you are still trying to find a job
and get the hell out of this situation. Keep your reputation in tact and stay under the radar. If you get stopped once, this could screw up chances
to park as freely as you want to in your desired location. Don't cook your food in the park and hang out with the homeless people. Just park late
at night in your desired spot and go to sleep...
5. Make sure everybody that is important to you knows you're struggling: Not always looking for a hand out but some prayers and moral
support. It is called networking people and it is vital when you are down. People need people! Take it from me I am NOT A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
but have learned that I need to be if I want true success in my life. I have realized that my Higher Power speaks through other PEOPLE! Get over
it and give yourself to the world you live in.
6. Don't Sell out: I stayed true to myself and did not "sell out". I kept being honest and going to my AA meetings, etc... Don't change your
values or beliefs because society is having a hard time. You are still you and you do what makes you happy. This is your plan for YOU and only
you. Or you and your family if you have one on the road. Don't compromise yourself and this will give you strength. Don't become a "Victim"
victims don't win or survive they loose and die. Pray and use your support to the fullest at this time cuz this is when you need to use it for all it's
worth. I used AA and went to meetings to fill up my time and to give back and get out of myself for a while. If you go to church use this and GIVE.
Giving even if you have nothing and are having a hard time will again GIVE you confidence, joy and HOPE!
7. Choose your area carefully: I chose a great area to "Camp In" city near Santa Barbara. I am not stupid and you should not be either. Don't
stay in downtown LA around the mission with crime and stuff go somewhere that can HELP YOU, and be a safe haven. I love the ocean and was
so fortunate to be able to go to the ocean and heal. I went to the ocean to have fun for free with Charby. I went to the ocean to pray and
meditate, I went to the ocean to be with God. Find a nurturing environment to stay in for yourself and your kids if you have any.
8. Keep your routine: I kept a routine. I had a 5 mile triangle that I went in to conserve gas. Also a very important thing is to find a place that
has all that you need in a centralized location. Reason: because you need to conserve your gas and future vehicle repairs. If you are living on
the razors edge the last thing you need is a major car repair. I had to sell my laptop for a car repair and was literally four days from having to sell
the van and move into the shelter. Keeping a routine is great because it gives you "purpose" and again comfort. You know what you are going
to do today.
9. Don't Freak Out: Look for a job for 2-3 hours a day and say screw it for the job search the rest of the day. Don't freak and work like 10-12
hours a day trying to find a job. Again, conserve your energy and respond don't react to this crisis. Have faith and by keeping it to 2-3 hours a
day you conserve your hope and energy to do it again the next day. Remember consistency is more important than freaking out and getting
yourself all worked up and get sick.
10. Your health is your true wealth: This is what will make you or break you. Keep yourself mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally fit.
Again lean into your support resources - Church, organizations you attend, etc... I went to the gym every day to shower. This is really step #2
after buying your van/shelter, you need to look and feel presentable. Go to the middle of the line gym if you can afford it. Pay the $ and this
becomes your "home base" There are 3 essentials to urban survival - 1. Van/shelter. 2. Gym/showers/excersise. 3. Cell phone for jobs/moral
support.
11. Get on Food stamps ASAP: This will take care of this part of your survival so you can focus on other stuff. Easy, just go down to welfare
agency in your area and make sure to have your income to expense ratio be very bad and most importantly help them help you! Have this
mindset as you go through the process of obtaining all the services you can.
12. Medical Care: I got my medical taken care of. I went to the County offices and signed up for whatever medical program they had so that I
could fill my prescriptions, etc... I take about 3 per day so it is real important to have this lined up. If you wear eye glasses make sure you have a
extra pair or at least one good one. One of the charities I list is called "SEE International" it is a wonderful charity that will help you get some
glasses.
13. Obtain FREE Money: If you go to Vocational Rehabilitation and sign up if you have any kind of disability (be creative) they will pay for your
schooling, equipment (new computer), etc... Great program! If you don't qualify for that then go down to the community College and or EDD and
sign up for a pel grant or another thousand grants they have for FREE schooling. You can find all kinds of money to do this if you want it bad
enough. Just keep pushing and I will have some resources on this site as well for this.
14. Eating good and Healthy: Remember your health is your true wealth! Eat right cuz you need your energy and health. You can do it
believe it or not. Over the 6 months I was camping I actually lost 25-30 pounds and gained muscle. I excelled in this area of my life. I got up to
swimming an hour a day because of having to go to the gym everyday to shower anyway. You don't know what kind of Blessings you will get out
of this experience so keep open and willing to learn - Humility... Anyway, I went to McDonald's a lot. Cheep and air conditioned - Free Internet.
You can eat the chicken snack wrap for instance not fried but grilled still only $1.50 and a dollar drink. Jack in the box - Breakfast Jack no sauce.
Subway footlong for $5.00, etc... Churches are a great rsource for food..
stuff in the future and you don't want to have to buy it all over again like I had to. Don't panic but do act. Try to respond don't react to the
situation. Stop and think things through and ask for help and take it if it fits into your plan.
2. Buy a Van: The first thing I did right was to buy a VAN. (buy an insulated one if you can). This is your urban survival shelter the most
important thing that you have. It is the most important because you have to be able to seek shelter from the rain and cold. You also need this to
look for a job! If you don't have a car forget getting a good job and this will bring you down to the lowest and that is to be truly homeless all the
way. This is what you want to avoid at all costs! If you have a vehicle/shelter you have a chance to have a life again in the future. This breeds
hope and you need to keep all of that you can get. You will need a place to park the van and this is something you will have to feel out for
yourself. I signed up for a "Safe Parking Program". It did not work out though because I needed to conserve on Gas and I was having to drive
out of my way. They mean well but sometimes the services that are available are not going to fit into your plan. I ended up parking right across
the street from the gym so I could just wake up and go take my shower.
3. Keep your Pet: I know this sounds weird but I will tell you this is one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. Again it gave me
hope but more importantly it gave me the need to take care of something other than me which gave me strength. "Charby" the road kitty was
stuff because unconditional love is something you can't buy and it gives great comfort. You will think, oh this pet is better off with someone else
like I did but really it is better off with you the person who loves it the most. Pets don't care about being homeless they just want love and food..
4. Stay Incognito: When you buy a van buy a white one if you can or some other low pro vehicle color. You don't want the cops spotting you
as that "Homeless Person" you don't need to tell anyone that will blab about your condition either. Remember that you are still trying to find a job
and get the hell out of this situation. Keep your reputation in tact and stay under the radar. If you get stopped once, this could screw up chances
to park as freely as you want to in your desired location. Don't cook your food in the park and hang out with the homeless people. Just park late
at night in your desired spot and go to sleep...
5. Make sure everybody that is important to you knows you're struggling: Not always looking for a hand out but some prayers and moral
support. It is called networking people and it is vital when you are down. People need people! Take it from me I am NOT A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
but have learned that I need to be if I want true success in my life. I have realized that my Higher Power speaks through other PEOPLE! Get over
it and give yourself to the world you live in.
6. Don't Sell out: I stayed true to myself and did not "sell out". I kept being honest and going to my AA meetings, etc... Don't change your
values or beliefs because society is having a hard time. You are still you and you do what makes you happy. This is your plan for YOU and only
you. Or you and your family if you have one on the road. Don't compromise yourself and this will give you strength. Don't become a "Victim"
victims don't win or survive they loose and die. Pray and use your support to the fullest at this time cuz this is when you need to use it for all it's
worth. I used AA and went to meetings to fill up my time and to give back and get out of myself for a while. If you go to church use this and GIVE.
Giving even if you have nothing and are having a hard time will again GIVE you confidence, joy and HOPE!
7. Choose your area carefully: I chose a great area to "Camp In" city near Santa Barbara. I am not stupid and you should not be either. Don't
stay in downtown LA around the mission with crime and stuff go somewhere that can HELP YOU, and be a safe haven. I love the ocean and was
so fortunate to be able to go to the ocean and heal. I went to the ocean to have fun for free with Charby. I went to the ocean to pray and
meditate, I went to the ocean to be with God. Find a nurturing environment to stay in for yourself and your kids if you have any.
8. Keep your routine: I kept a routine. I had a 5 mile triangle that I went in to conserve gas. Also a very important thing is to find a place that
has all that you need in a centralized location. Reason: because you need to conserve your gas and future vehicle repairs. If you are living on
the razors edge the last thing you need is a major car repair. I had to sell my laptop for a car repair and was literally four days from having to sell
the van and move into the shelter. Keeping a routine is great because it gives you "purpose" and again comfort. You know what you are going
to do today.
9. Don't Freak Out: Look for a job for 2-3 hours a day and say screw it for the job search the rest of the day. Don't freak and work like 10-12
hours a day trying to find a job. Again, conserve your energy and respond don't react to this crisis. Have faith and by keeping it to 2-3 hours a
day you conserve your hope and energy to do it again the next day. Remember consistency is more important than freaking out and getting
yourself all worked up and get sick.
10. Your health is your true wealth: This is what will make you or break you. Keep yourself mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally fit.
Again lean into your support resources - Church, organizations you attend, etc... I went to the gym every day to shower. This is really step #2
after buying your van/shelter, you need to look and feel presentable. Go to the middle of the line gym if you can afford it. Pay the $ and this
becomes your "home base" There are 3 essentials to urban survival - 1. Van/shelter. 2. Gym/showers/excersise. 3. Cell phone for jobs/moral
support.
11. Get on Food stamps ASAP: This will take care of this part of your survival so you can focus on other stuff. Easy, just go down to welfare
agency in your area and make sure to have your income to expense ratio be very bad and most importantly help them help you! Have this
mindset as you go through the process of obtaining all the services you can.
12. Medical Care: I got my medical taken care of. I went to the County offices and signed up for whatever medical program they had so that I
could fill my prescriptions, etc... I take about 3 per day so it is real important to have this lined up. If you wear eye glasses make sure you have a
extra pair or at least one good one. One of the charities I list is called "SEE International" it is a wonderful charity that will help you get some
glasses.
13. Obtain FREE Money: If you go to Vocational Rehabilitation and sign up if you have any kind of disability (be creative) they will pay for your
schooling, equipment (new computer), etc... Great program! If you don't qualify for that then go down to the community College and or EDD and
sign up for a pel grant or another thousand grants they have for FREE schooling. You can find all kinds of money to do this if you want it bad
enough. Just keep pushing and I will have some resources on this site as well for this.
14. Eating good and Healthy: Remember your health is your true wealth! Eat right cuz you need your energy and health. You can do it
believe it or not. Over the 6 months I was camping I actually lost 25-30 pounds and gained muscle. I excelled in this area of my life. I got up to
swimming an hour a day because of having to go to the gym everyday to shower anyway. You don't know what kind of Blessings you will get out
of this experience so keep open and willing to learn - Humility... Anyway, I went to McDonald's a lot. Cheep and air conditioned - Free Internet.
You can eat the chicken snack wrap for instance not fried but grilled still only $1.50 and a dollar drink. Jack in the box - Breakfast Jack no sauce.
Subway footlong for $5.00, etc... Churches are a great rsource for food..
| "Urban Camping" |
the worst major category - number three (3). It is the worst because you then will have to depend on Shelters and
other forces to help you survive and get up and out. If you can keep your vehicle you can remain in some control over
your situation. You can interview for a job so much easier, move locations, be in your OWN space, etc...
I will outline below what I experienced in my year of "Urban Camping". Your personal situation will be different due to
where you live, what kind of car, etc... I know you can put together a plan that will bring you up and out! I get this a lot:
Well if you are homeless you sure are not going to have a computer to utilize this list? We tend to under estimate the
power of the individual that is homeless. We have a Public Library in every City in California and most have FREE
Internet service. With the digital age we are currently in you don't have to have a house to improve your situation and
do business. This is why this website can be so powerful for you. It can literally make the difference of remaining
homeless and getting up and out. Take control of your situation and use your phone or someones phone to start
making calls and not taking no for an answer. Keep asking for help and you will get it.
other forces to help you survive and get up and out. If you can keep your vehicle you can remain in some control over
your situation. You can interview for a job so much easier, move locations, be in your OWN space, etc...
I will outline below what I experienced in my year of "Urban Camping". Your personal situation will be different due to
where you live, what kind of car, etc... I know you can put together a plan that will bring you up and out! I get this a lot:
Well if you are homeless you sure are not going to have a computer to utilize this list? We tend to under estimate the
power of the individual that is homeless. We have a Public Library in every City in California and most have FREE
Internet service. With the digital age we are currently in you don't have to have a house to improve your situation and
do business. This is why this website can be so powerful for you. It can literally make the difference of remaining
homeless and getting up and out. Take control of your situation and use your phone or someones phone to start
making calls and not taking no for an answer. Keep asking for help and you will get it.
| As I see it many individuals and families will be given two (2) harsh choices if and when they exhaust unemployment or other services that are given to them: |
| My Experience, Strength and Hope |
| 1. Live with Family or 2. Camp in there vehicle like I had to do. |
| 1105 W. Chase Ave. #45 San Diego California 92020 e-mail: tootallspottery@gmail.com Phone: (805)-765-1113 |
| Website Designed by Matthew S. Kennedy |
| Matthew S. Kennedy has been a ceramic artist for 16+ years. 20% of ALL sales Proceeds will be given to California Homeless Resources! Check out my Ceramic Tattoo Art here Ceramic Tattoo Art. |
| Tell Us what you think? |
1. Homeless that don't want help. (A very small percentage)
2. Homeless that still have a vehicle to sleep in.
3. Homeless that lost the vehicle and have to stay in shelters.
2. Homeless that still have a vehicle to sleep in.
3. Homeless that lost the vehicle and have to stay in shelters.
| As I see it we have three major categories of homeless: |
