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Reaching out to the homeless
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| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman Gerald Johnson, Bratyn Hilton, Ken Brown and Jesse Richardson play dominos at Veterans Park Friday during Project Homeless Connect, a free event to connect local homeless and low-income families with services. |
By STEVE KADEL
H&N Staff Writer
Blankets, clothing, haircuts and lunch.
They were all available free of charge Friday at Veterans Park during Project Homeless Connect.
Sponsored by Klamath and Lake Community Action Services, the goal was to give items of value to those in need and to acquaint people with services available locally. About 50 participants registered as of noon for the event that began at 10 a.m. and ran until 4 p.m.
“We’re looking for a couple of hundred today,” said Donna Bowman, program director for Klamath and Lake Community Action Services. “Most of these folks are homeless.”
Bowman believes people don’t want to admit there’s a homeless population locally.
But a survey of shelters and camps the agency made last winter turned up 471 homeless people in Klamath County.
“People are struggling,” Bowman said. “There are a lot of people who are just a paycheck away from being homeless.”
Kerry Hallinan, a 54-year-old Vietnam veteran, is among those scraping to get by. He gets $635 a month in Social Security disability payments, and works maintenance for a Klamath Falls motel so he and his wife, Cher, have a place to live.
Kathy Pierce, Klamath County Veterans Service officer, told Hallinan he was probably eligible for additional payments for his military service and for health care benefits.
“It might make a huge difference for you,” she said.
Hallinan shrugged it off, even though he and Cher were homeless for four years until recently.
“A lot of it’s just being too proud to ask for help,” Hallinan said. “I’m a pretty independent cuss.”
He said he’s been diagnosed with throat cancer, and talked about the effects while rolling a cigarette. He said the biggest obstacle toward having a permanent home is putting together the money for first-month rent and the deposit, which can be equal to the monthly rent.
“We’re caught in a zone. But everything I need is right here,” Hallinan said, lifting a small backpack.
While he sat under a tree listening to live music, others were taking advantage of the free offerings. That included everything from hygiene bags with toothbrushes, combs and shampoo to bicycle maintenance. Two dozen booths were set up on the park grass.
Donna Rush and Kent Martin volunteered at the Gospel Mission table where blue jeans, sweaters and shoes were available. The merchandise — all clean and in good repair — was from the mission’s thrift shop.
“The men’s clothing is going real well,” Rush said.
“It seems like the same people who come to the mission have come here today,” Martin added.
The Department of Human Services, Marta’s House, and the Klamath County Department of Public Health were among the agencies dispensing information.
They were all available free of charge Friday at Veterans Park during Project Homeless Connect.
Sponsored by Klamath and Lake Community Action Services, the goal was to give items of value to those in need and to acquaint people with services available locally. About 50 participants registered as of noon for the event that began at 10 a.m. and ran until 4 p.m.
“We’re looking for a couple of hundred today,” said Donna Bowman, program director for Klamath and Lake Community Action Services. “Most of these folks are homeless.”
Bowman believes people don’t want to admit there’s a homeless population locally.
But a survey of shelters and camps the agency made last winter turned up 471 homeless people in Klamath County.
“People are struggling,” Bowman said. “There are a lot of people who are just a paycheck away from being homeless.”
Kerry Hallinan, a 54-year-old Vietnam veteran, is among those scraping to get by. He gets $635 a month in Social Security disability payments, and works maintenance for a Klamath Falls motel so he and his wife, Cher, have a place to live.
Kathy Pierce, Klamath County Veterans Service officer, told Hallinan he was probably eligible for additional payments for his military service and for health care benefits.
“It might make a huge difference for you,” she said.
Hallinan shrugged it off, even though he and Cher were homeless for four years until recently.
“A lot of it’s just being too proud to ask for help,” Hallinan said. “I’m a pretty independent cuss.”
He said he’s been diagnosed with throat cancer, and talked about the effects while rolling a cigarette. He said the biggest obstacle toward having a permanent home is putting together the money for first-month rent and the deposit, which can be equal to the monthly rent.
“We’re caught in a zone. But everything I need is right here,” Hallinan said, lifting a small backpack.
While he sat under a tree listening to live music, others were taking advantage of the free offerings. That included everything from hygiene bags with toothbrushes, combs and shampoo to bicycle maintenance. Two dozen booths were set up on the park grass.
Donna Rush and Kent Martin volunteered at the Gospel Mission table where blue jeans, sweaters and shoes were available. The merchandise — all clean and in good repair — was from the mission’s thrift shop.
“The men’s clothing is going real well,” Rush said.
“It seems like the same people who come to the mission have come here today,” Martin added.
The Department of Human Services, Marta’s House, and the Klamath County Department of Public Health were among the agencies dispensing information.
Reader Comments
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Mrs. Frost wrote on Aug 9, 2008 7:33 PM:
" A very worthwhile project, for those who TRULY need it. But the photo on the front page on the Harald and NO News speaks differently. Since when do needy and homeless have the means to purchase cigarettes? With the cost of Cigarettes and Gasoline at nearly the same, I find it ironic that "homeless" are smoking. That's one habit they can kick, and another would be to get off their lazy butts, make a true effort to get a job, and better their situation! "
What about working folk wrote on Aug 9, 2008 12:08 PM:
" Come on.. Here again we give, give, give to those that take, take, take. Why not make them look in the classifieds, stop jumping on trains and living the life they choose while we finance them?
I struggle to supply my family, and I work full time, go to school full time and raise a family. Maybe we should stop making it easy for the lazy and they may have to work for a living like the rest of us.
The homeless have it tough, free food, free clothing and free shelter. They only have to pay for their booze and smokes! What a life. They are homeless because they do not care and lack motivation to improve.
Get a grip world..... "
I struggle to supply my family, and I work full time, go to school full time and raise a family. Maybe we should stop making it easy for the lazy and they may have to work for a living like the rest of us.
The homeless have it tough, free food, free clothing and free shelter. They only have to pay for their booze and smokes! What a life. They are homeless because they do not care and lack motivation to improve.
Get a grip world..... "
me wrote on Aug 9, 2008 11:06 AM:
" nice pic of homeless people smoking. see the price of cigs lately... "
Barbara P. wrote on Aug 9, 2008 7:41 AM:
" I think this was a wonderful adventure for people in need and pray that more people find it in their hearts to help those less fortunate. Klamath Falls is a close net community and we need to take care of each other. You never know when hardships will fall upon you or a loved one, and the tables will turn very quickly - lets all do our part, and find out when and where there will be another Community day and help out with donations, information, and prayers.
God Bless all you all for all you do. "
God Bless all you all for all you do. "
RSS
wow wrote on Aug 9, 2008 7:47 PM:
wow! do you not have a heart? some people are not as greatful as us working people.
yeah. its true that we are all trying to suppport our families but giving and helping doesnt hurt...does it.
it doesnt take to much to help a needing hand. "