Homeless Helping Homeless Blog

HHH Goes to Washington!

For the fourth year, HHH returned to DC for the annual National Alliance to End Homelessness conference. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so below our some images to tell you about our trip (okay - a few captions, too).

Robert, Ramiro, Claire, Wendell, and Hannah are sporting their HHH gear after a meal in Union Station

Ramiro and Robert pose on the way to advocate on Capitol Hill

NC had one of the largest delegations at the entire conference. Much of the delegation gathered in the lobby of Russell Senate Building to meet with Senator Richard Burr.

Robert, Erin, Ramiro, Angie and Claire smile in the Capitol.

Robert and Liz had the honor of presenting a workshop at the conference about how to build the advocacy voice of "consumers" or those who have experienced homelessness.

The group poses with Sue Myrick, after a productive meeting with the Representative.

Wendell and Erin in the nation's capitol

4th Annual HHH Dance a Success!

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“That was the most fun I have had at a party in years,” declared HHH member Michael Davis as he left the 4^th Annual Homeless Helping Homeless dance held on Saturday, June 26.

The goal of the dance is not just to raise money (though we happily raised nearly $2,000 for our trip to Washington, DC). The most important goal behind the dance is in the theme “Groovin’ Together.” Homeless people know all too well the feeling of being invisible and isolated. At the HHH dance, though, music brings together community and just for a few hours the divisions between housed and homeless, rich and poor, black and white, young and old, melt away.

With 100 people in attendance, you would be hard pressed to find a more diverse dance floor in Charlotte – from 11 year-olds putting the adults to shame with their moves, to 82-Year-Old Mother Betty and her pastor cutting a mean rug, we had it all.

A huge thank you for all who came out and offered support. A special thank you to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for donating their space, Extravaganza for donating the incredible decorations, and for the HHH team for all their work to host the dance.

Way to bust a move, Carol and William!

Check out the cool backdrop, donated by Extravaganza

TV Weatherman Jon Ahrens, made an appearance!

Robert Munn ushers in Mother Betty, 82 year-old advocate

UMC Board Chair Jennie Buckner cuts a rug

City Councilwoman Nancy Carter with Dance Pioneer Rollon Washington

We can't believe Michael let Bruce wear his hat!

A true star of the dance!

A Walk to Remember

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On Tuesday, May 25th at 8:45 pm, HHH members Leslie Bradford and Robert Munn waited at “the wall,” the retaining wall on Pheiffer Street where meals are often served to the homeless. A police officer approached and ask them to leave, as is the custom after a meal is finished. “We are waiting to meet Councilman James Mitchell,” they replied. The officer, clearly skeptical, allowed them another 15 minutes.

Sure enough, City Councilman James Mitchell pulled up and met the two members for a different kind of tour of Charlotte. After meeting with Councilman Mitchell earlier this spring, he expressed his sadness at seeing dozens of people sleeping out in the cold in Washington, DC this past winter. HHH offered to show him how people live outside in Charlotte.

The group began under a bridge, where around a dozen people were gathered. Mitchell met Diane Barringer, a member of HHH, and asked her if there was one thing that the city could do, what would it be. “I want to move to a home again,” she replied – simply and honestly.

Then Leslie led the way to her old campsite, where she was sexually assaulted while sleeping outside, a story she shared with City Council members at their budget hearing. She showed him her home created from discarded pallets and how at a neighboring campsite one man had created an elaborate staircase with pallets. She took him to the river they use for washing themselves, their clothes, and their dishes.

At the end of the evening, Mitchell asked Leslie if she was scared to walk back to her campsite alone. “It doesn’t matter,” she responded, “I don’t have a choice.” Councilman Mitchell asked to set up a second tour, this time earlier in the evening so he could see even more.

The very next night he asked the City to increase the housing bond by an addition $5 million. The motion failed by two votes, but was greatly appreciated by HHH.

The Road Home?

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HHH members played a central leadership role in the Homeless Services Network (HSN) advocacy campaign to increase Charlotte's affordable housing bond, a campaign marked by bright yellow T-shirts asking, "Where is the Road Home?" The City of Charlotte will put a nearly $205 million bond package before voters this fall, which will designate $167 million for roads, $32 million for sidewalks, and only $15 million for affordable housing. The housing bond was originally set at $10 million and HSN and HHH organized the community to ask elected officials to raise the housing bond to $30 million.

As a cornerstone to the campaign, the groups organized over a dozen speakers to address City Council members at their budget hearing, including several currently and formerly homeless individuals. To hear their presentation, click http://charlottenc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1537 and fast forward to 1:50. Through their presentation, members once again showed the power of having those who experience homelessness speak out about the urgency of ending homelessness.

While the group did not meet the goal of $30 million in affordable housing bonds, we were successful in achieving a $5 million increase and learned a lot in the process. We encourage everyone to "vote yes" on the housing bonds this November.

Samari supports more $ for affordable housing!

The Community Singers serenade at the preceding prayer vigil

Wendell shares his story at a press conference following the event

HHH Participates in Criminal Justice Forum

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Half a dozen members of HHH attended the "Restoring Justice: Fairness in our Courts, Schools and Streets" summit hosted by the newly formed Charlotte Community Justice Coalition on April 30 and May 1, 2010. The conference, offered free of charge to all participants, gave members an opportunity to hear more about issues they are passionate about - like the importance of supportive measures for those re-entering "society" from prison and jail and the recognition that lacking treatment for mental illness and substance abuse are huge factors in our country's high incarceration rate. Members also had the opportunity to connect with other individuals working on these issues to strengthen the net of those working for reforms in our criminal justice system. A special thanks to the Community Justice Coalition for putting together a great panel and making it accessible to all who were interested in attending.

Homeless Helping Homeless Blog

HHH Goes to Washington!

4th Annual HHH Dance a Success!

A Walk to Remember

The Road Home?

HHH Participates in Criminal Justice Forum

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