Blog Posts

HCH Consumers Celebrate Strength & Resiliency of People Experiencing Homelessness in Summer Solstice Celebration 2018

9/7/2018

Homelessness Is Not Permanent! On June 21, 2018 the longest day of the year, the Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Consumer/Community Advisory Board (HCH CCAB), along with staff of the HCH Program and Lifelong TRUST health center, celebrated the strengths and success of people who are overcoming incredible barriers to gain housing, create community and support our common mission of ending homelessness.
The Summer Solstice is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. It is a day filled with light, and it is one in which we can honor the strength, resilience, and spirit of individuals who have overcome the multitude of obstacles people experiencing homelessness face in obtaining stable housing. For years we have observed the Winter Solstice, the darkest day, by mourning those who have died on the streets in homelessness. This was the first time the HCH CCAB celebrated Summer Solstice.
The HCH CCAB joined partner programs in New York City, Miami, Baltimore, Seattle, San Francisco, in their Solstice celebration, coordinated through the National Health Care for the Homeless Council’s National Consumer Advisory Board (NCAB).
The celebration included a luncheon served to some 60 homeless participants by HCH and Lifelong staff. Participants enjoyed inspirational music performed by Brenda Whitfield and Tom Rudderow. Master of Ceremonies Bennie Whitfield and other HCH CCAB members presented five community members with Local Hero Awards, and each gave a speech. The awardees included:
·       Nino Parker: Inspiring and leading all through energetic organizing for homeless-led cleanup work, self-organizing and support services to those living alongside him at the Lake Merritt encampment.
·       Janny Castillo: For year years of dedicated service, support and organizing of aging people experiencing homelessness as a beloved member of St. Mary’s Senior Center, WRAP and many community organizations.
·       Kimberlee Burks: Honored for her years of struggle to overcome homelessness and her strength and love in supporting countless persons in the Hayward area as an advocate, organizer and friend.
·       Pastor Preston Walker: Celebrated for his political wisdom, his organizing, drive and focus in meeting the spiritual and health needs of people experiencing homelessness in downtown Oakland.
·       Mavin Carter-Griffin: Saluted for her dedicated and determined organizing and leadership at the Wood Street encampment in Oakland, representing for the rights of people experiencing homelessness on an international stage.
·       Bobby Qui: Bobby has lived a full life of struggle, and is currently dedicating his work to the work of The Village/Feed The People, working tirelessly to build tiny homes and community at The Village encampment at 23rd Avenue in Oakland.

Each awardee gave a heartfelt and uplifting speech, inspiring and moving the 60+ attendees and staff. The event was followed with a raffle including prizes donated by members of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Lifelong Medical Care and East Oakland Community Project. The HCH CCAB would like to thank all our supporters, and salute the strength and resiliency of all the folks who participated this year. See you next Solstice! ck here to edit.

Health care workers act to prevent Hepatitis A outbreak in Oakland

11/30/2017

Hepatitis A outbreaks are spreading throughout Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Cruz counties—mostly among the homeless populations in those places. So healthcare workers in Oakland—a city where the homeless population has grown 26 percent over the last two years, according to a recent Point in Time survey—are acting to prevent a similar outbreak.
See this Oakland North article: https://oaklandnorth.net/2017/11/09/healthcare-workers-act-to-prevent-hepatitis-a-outbreak-in-oakland/
More info on HCH hepatitis A activities here.

Alameda County All-In Listening Sessions: Unsheltered Homeless in Alameda County

1/30/2017

During the week of 12/5/16, The HCH Consumer/Community Advisory Board carried out three "listening sessions" as part of the Alameda County All-In Initiative. A total of 46 persons experiencing street homelessness participated at three different listening sessions in Hayward and Oakland. The HCH CCAB members were impressed and encouraged by the courage and strengths of the participants, and pleased by their willingness to speak out.

Click here for the informational Poster of the event.
Click here for an in-depth report of findings from each listening session.

Below are major themes that emerged.

Major themes that emerged from All-In Listening Sessions:

There is tremendous diversity among persons experiencing street homelessness. They cannot be characterized, pathologized, or generalized.
Persons experiencing homelessness have skills, talents, experiences and input to provide to society, and feel that their ability to contribute to society is systematically denied to them, and that they are trapped in cycles of poverty and homelessness that are hard to exit.
Most participants were born and raised in the neighborhoods they in which they are now homeless.
Most participants believe homelessness is solvable, through the construction of adequate affordable housing, and that if not for the housing crisis and unaffordable rents, they would not be homeless.
They are not homeless by choice.

What is needed in communities which is not there (major themes)?

Safe, accessible warm shelters.
Legal and supported encampment spaces.
Helpful and supportive health-oriented outreach providers.
Healthy, protein-rich food in soup kitchens and food programs.
Safe places to be during the days, to rest, read, bathe, charge phones, etc.
Places to go and do work, day labor, or even volunteer.
Police and health providers who are adequately trained/interned in skills needed to protect and serve persons experiencing homelessness.

Click here for the Poster of the event.
Click here for an in-depth report of findings from each listening session.

HCH 2016 Winter Gathering

12/16/2016

HCH staff and partners came together today to celebrate the season and break bread with new and old friends. Thank you all for coming and for inspiring us with your spirit and dedication.