Miracle On North C Street
by Dr. Bob LaPerrieré
by Dr. Bob LaPerrieré
"...For many years Sacramento has been known as one of the main centers for homeless men and migratory workers in the United States..." Little has changed since this statement in a report by the State Relief Administration of California in 1935. The primitive structures of those fortunate enough to have some shelter, the hunger, the struggle to live from day to day, and the frustrations encountered in trying to obtain the very basic and minimal essentials of existence seem unchanged over almost 70 years.
What has changed is the face of North C Street. From a small dining room created out of a skid row bar, restaurant and adjacent apartments in 1983, has come a village known as Loaves & Fishes. It has developed from the sensitive of Chris and Dan Delany to the hunger of the homeless, who started by providing hot noontime meals in the early 1980's to the homeless in a park. They have both continued their chosen ministry and in a special way have touched the lives of tens of thousands of homeless and needy Sacramentans. Further evolution over the past almost 20 years has led to a large complex providing numerous services to over 2500 different guests monthly. From renting the original dining room to later purchasing it (1986) through private contributions with no governmental assistance, then later remodeling a perfume factory, building a new dining room and kitchen (1991), and purchasing a number of small cottage left from the 1930's, this unique and wonderful complex on North C Street was born and matured. By providing a haven for these homeless other than the streets and alleys, a situation where the neighbors initially disliked these intruders of good will ha evolved into a positive relationship.
As you turn onto Ahern from North B Street, you will see the street lined with the type of vintage cars you may expect to see in an abandoned yard. Yet these provide a shelter and home, and transportation, for about 2% of the guests...the slightly more fortunate. As you approach, you may meet one of the Street Monitors in a green cap who welcomes guests, volunteers and donors. The monitor also assists with parking, unloading, answering questions, giving directions and daily neighborhood litter cleanup. In Friendship Park you will see an area where shopping carts and bike trailers, bulging with the entire belongs of some, are parked while their drivers socialize. it is not unusual, especially during the lunch hour, to see well over 700 people, primarily men, taking refuge in this park. There are also telephone available, a continental breakfast is served and housing placement interviews are done here. It is peaceful. The guests, in the rare incidents which occur, will themselves intercede and monitor those that may cause problems.
As I walked through Friendship Park, I was 'the minority'. Despite the fact that it is safer than being on the streets, I did feel uncomfortable. I was able to have some realization of how these men and women feel when they are the minority...on the streets. Guests, as all are referred to in the Loaves & Fishes facilities, are approximately 55% Caucasian, 30% African-American and the others of Hispanic, Asian and Native American heritage. They live in single room, flats, motels and in nature along the river, and other area uninhabited by us and our peers.
The guests may begin their day in the Park with a cup of coffee and day old pastry. By early morning they are lined up to obtain their free lunch tickets. Lunch is served 363 days per year. Friendship park also provides free telephones, locker storage and recreational opportunities. The Service Center in Friendship Park provides assistance in signing up guests for services including free showers in the wash house, laundry vouchers, toiletries and community referral services. Adjacent to the park is the Library...A library reading and reference room for guests including daily newspapers and current magazines, with a capacity of 90.
Our Daily Bread, a job referral services, takes sign up daily for jobs. There are many applicants but very few jobs. They must be hired for a minimum of four hours, served lunch, and paid at the end of each day. Earnings begin at $7 per hour. Most end up doing manual work. At times, if funding is available, Loaves and Fishes will hire guests as "blue hats". Of course, mental health and hygiene are determining factors in jobs.
Guests are generally not here by choice. Many have had a misfortune or made a mistake...others are here due to whatever neurological dysfunction creates that split from reality which our society is unable to cope with or care for in many instances. Others have simple lost their jobs due to the economy.
Sacramento Self Help Housing, an affiliate program, provides in depth personal interviews with homeless persons, landlord contracts, and other practical assistance to find affordable housing.
Clean and Sober, an affiliate program, sponsors twelve step meetings, performs intakes and referrals, and manages recovery and transitional housing for guests in recovery from alcohol and drug addictions.
The largest complement of volunteers work in the Kitchen and Dining Room, with some 36 different crews, each working one day per month. They represent various religious communities and community organizations...again demonstrating the true ecumenical nature of this village. USDA surplus food and Senior Gleaners food are purchased, an d Gleaners, bakeries and grocers also may donate items such as fresh produce. The guests feel that the food is tops...the best meal around. This is due to the dedication of the crews, and the fact each crew tends to cook different dishes. A typical meal consists of bread, salad, vegetable, fruit, a hot dish of rice, beans or pasta with meat, and dessert. Guest enter the Dining Room from Brother Martin's Courtyard, a beautifully landscaped outdoor patio with a peaceful fountain. Guests are served in bright clean surroundings seating 120. Women and children have their own dining room which seats 43. Rarely is there a problem.
Basic rules -- 1) no drugs, 2) no alcohol, 3) no violence, and 4)no threats of violence. By enforcing these rules the 600-1000 daily diners eat a noontime meal in friendship and peace. The Warehouse provides 5000 square fee of storage of food and supplies donated to programs of Loaves & Fishes. The Dining Room is the best area to experience the spectrum of the homeless. The hungry guests are generally polite, appreciative and grateful.
Through most people think only of the dining room when they hear of Loaves & Fishes, this service is only the tip of the iceberg. Not only are the nutritional needs of the guests attend to, but also their medical, emotional, spiritual and physical needs.
Disadvantage women, some from abusive surroundings, find their haven at Maryhouse, a daytime hospitality site which allows them to get away from men that may be negatively affecting their lives. At Maryhouse, in addition to shelter, women receive counselling in self-help, assistance in finding a place to stay, and they are able to shower and obtain laundry vouchers. A room for pre-schoolers gives mothers a break from their children, and staffed by volunteers. A phone is available, and just as important, a phone number which these women can utilize to be reached. Maryhouse coordinates special classes in anger management, women's empowerment, parenting and crocheting. The stay at the facility is quite variable and indefinite. Some not fortunate enough to have a home to return to find solace and rest, and spend the night at St. John's Shelter which houses 40 women and children overnight. St. Johns' was originally found by St. John's Lutheran Church and is now administered by and independent Board of Directors.
Children certainly are not neglected in this village. Mustard Seed, a school for homeless children and "motel kids" has a class size of 4-50, obviously varying from day to day. Hours are 8:30-11:45 and 1:00 to 2:30, and students range in age from 5-14. When a transfer to a public school is appropriate, often after about three weeks, they are given assistance in placement and, in fact, perform quite well. Loha's Garden, a 4000 square foot complete playground for homeless children living in motel rooms, automobiles or in vacant buildings and brings them into the school. There is a Montessori preschool, and Mustard Seed also provides field trips for both fun and education in addition to a summer enrichment program.
Low income housing is available in the form of historic cottages of approximately 500 square feet, remnants of the 1920's-30's. A few of these are available for rent at $200 per month, a potentially affordable rent for those on welfare. This safe housing is so appealing that vacancies generally exist only through the death of a renter.
Loaves & Fishes proposed a bond issue of $40 million to build 1000 such cottages to be rented at a base price of $200 monthly. That effort generated a new program, Sacramento Cottage Housing, Inc., which has built and operates 60 transitional housing units - the Bishop Francis A Quinn Cottages - on North A Street. Sacramento Cottage Housing continues to pursue its goal of eventually providing 1,000 cottages in the Sacramento Area.
Advocacy for shelter and affordable housing is a priority for Loaves and Fishes. A new Loaves & Fishes position has been created to direct our advocacy efforts, and a new Loaves & Fishes program, called the Golden Day Project, seeks to secure sites and permits for the development of affordable housing. Several of the historic cottages have been reserved for other services. Three are occupied by Mercy Clinic, a free medical clinic open Monday through Friday. Approximately 24 patients are seen daily. The building is supplied by Loaves & Fishes, the physician by the County and the staffing (secretary and nurse) and supplies by Mercy Hospital. An additional registered nurse, paid for by Loaves & Fishes, is responsible for the Guest Health Outreach which provides medical screening, health education and medical triage for Loaves & Fishes guests. Loaves & Fishes services are indeed comprehensive. The Mercer Veterinary Clinic provides free food and medical care for the pets of the homeless. It is sponsored by U.C. Davis veterinary students and is open on the second Saturday morning each month.
Genesis, one of the newer programs, is a free mental health clinic for the homeless. Counseling, medication management and other resources are offered to help the mentally ill take care of themselves and assimilate more successfully into society.
Programs are not limited to North C Street. The staff involved in the Jail Visitation Program is totally dedicated to the guests who may end up in jail. They are true advocates and feel that many of the prisoners are ordinary people who made a mistake, and are plagued with the fears and loneliness which most would feel in a similar situation. Those in jail need someone to listen, someone to talk about the potential of a better future, someone to contact others for them. The volunteers are there to provide clothing for those released in nothing but the paper garments issued to them in jail. They reminded me that, in general, it is the poor who spend time in jail...the woman who was ordered to have her cat spayed but could not afford the cost of the spaying or a fine...the woman with 6 children jailed for traffic violations because she could not afford the fine. Others who can afford bail and fine have the luxury of remaining home. Jail visitation also sponsors a monthly legal clinic in which attorneys are available to help guests with legal problems. An alternative sentencing program also been developed for minor offenses like camping violations and light rail offenses.
Programs are not limited to North C Street. The staff involved in the Jail Visitation Program is totally dedicated to the guests who may end up in jail. They are true advocates and feel that many of the prisoners are ordinary people who made a mistake, and are plagued with the fears and loneliness which most would feel in a similar situation. Those in jail need someone to listen, someone to talk about the potential of a better future, someone to contact others for them. The volunteers are there to provide clothing for those released in nothing but the paper garments issued to them in jail. They reminded me that, in general, it is the poor who spend time in jail...the woman who was ordered to have her cat spayed but could not afford the cost of the spaying or a fine...the woman with 6 children jailed for traffic violations because she could not afford the fine. Others who can afford bail and fine have the luxury of remaining home. Jail visitation also sponsors a monthly legal clinic in which attorneys are available to help guests with legal problems. An alternative sentencing program also been developed for minor offenses like camping violations and light rail offenses.
Another affiliate program, the Wind Youth Center, is a daytime hospitality safe haven with showers, laundry facilities and counseling for homeless and runaway teenagers.
The Adopt-A-Family Program organizes persons and organizations to provide Christmas for destitute families.
The Volunteer Orientation for new volunteers in provided every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the first Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friendship Park has recently dedicated a memorial fountain and wall which lists the names of deceased guests, sometimes which no known relatives or friends, whose lives often ended with a violent death. Loaves & Fishes proved flowers and the memorial services, and our guest attend to remember a friend.
Life for those benefitting from the Memorial Services has ended. But the chance for a new and renewed life for thousands of others starts daily at Loaves & Fishes.
The Adopt-A-Family Program organizes persons and organizations to provide Christmas for destitute families.
The Volunteer Orientation for new volunteers in provided every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the first Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friendship Park has recently dedicated a memorial fountain and wall which lists the names of deceased guests, sometimes which no known relatives or friends, whose lives often ended with a violent death. Loaves & Fishes proved flowers and the memorial services, and our guest attend to remember a friend.
Life for those benefitting from the Memorial Services has ended. But the chance for a new and renewed life for thousands of others starts daily at Loaves & Fishes.
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