I became a Participant!!

by Gay Montgomery/PoorNewsNEtwork media intern

The rain and the wind practically pushed me off the street into the Herbst Theater into the vast marbled floors of the lobby. I searched for one of my co-workers from POOR Magazine, only to see grey sculptured ceilings, feeling small and alone in a room full of people.

I found my nametag on a big table. I heard voices murmuring all over the room poised to participate in workshop discussions and meetings for solutions to homelessness at the first annual San Francisco Homeless Summit on March 7, 2002. I ran into Isabel Estrada, youth in the Media writer from POOR Magazine and we found seats together in the theater. We kept turning to each other in wonder as we watched, the Po' Poets reveal some of their life experiences and at the same time rock the house. We cringed together at the comments of Supervisor Tony Hall, who outlined his seven points including throwing homeless people in jail for sleeping on the street.

My story’s assignment began in the Green Room. The room was green from ceiling to floor. Light spilled into the room from tall, arch shaped windows, on this rainy day the brightness was welcoming. Walking in hurried motions I watched attendees excitedly taking steps across the warm, green rug to sit in green cushioned chairs trimmed in gold. I met faces full of wonder, when there was eye contact among us.

The clouds had ceased for now. The room was crowded. This room held memories for me of another time. I had a corporate job. I was here with my daughter, the chairs were spaced out, and the food was catered. We were among fifty students, from low-income or 1 parent families who received $1000 scholarships from the San Francisco Maison Society in June of 2000. On this same balcony I was able to give my daughter, Kelle $500.00 and a pair of new shoes. I was a proud mother, a part of society. A bag lunch was served today

"I thought I was a part of society", says Carolyn Johnson a 64 year old African-American woman who stays in a shelter called Next Door. "Until America get right with America and help us, how can we attack someone else. "I do not deserve to be homeless." We talked about the need for low-income housing. She continued to talk to anyone who would listen.

Advocates from Shelter Outreach Project, Coalition on Homelessness (SHOUT) (COH) started the workshop without microphones and equipment, they were greeted with another shout by Carolyn saying, "Louder we can’t hear you!" There was a bit of a wait but microphones and equipment finally arrived and the workshop about Under-served Communities: Homeless Families, Youth and Seniors began.

"We advocate and educate and still our stories are not included," said Leroy Moore, Executive Director of Disability Advocates Minority Organization (DAMO). "Only in the last couple of years have people of color really been organizing, but we are here!" "We now are embarking on a campaign to get into all communities. This is very, very, new...So far it is working." He invited all participants to a meeting Friday, March 15, 2002 at City Hall about in home support services for Americans with Disabilities.

"There were times when I thought that I would almost die," said Mari Villaluna. A member of S F Youth Comission as well as a staff writer for Poor Magazine, she took us first hand into her life as a homeless youth on the streets of San Francisco. "Why don’t you have a job?" Why aren’t you living with your parents?" There are no shelters for youths 18-25 in San Francisco. "No one asked what my parent’s did to me."

"This is serious when there is only one homeless facility in Bayview Hunters Point. We serve over six thousand meals there per week", said long time advocate Mother Wright.

There are over 130 homeless families with children on the waiting lists in San Francisco for shelters. Figures regarding the decline of spending on funding for homeless programs, public housing development and Hop VI severely distressed in the year 2001 lowest point since 1979 according to figures from calculated from the budget of the United States Government. I saw my family funds reach the lowest point in my life with a budget of $520.00 per month from Cal-Works I understand budget cuts.

We were asked to raise our hands as panelists led a brainstorming session. Around the room underserved homeless people, providers and advocates of all races and genders suggested solutions raising our voices trying to make homelessness go away. Included in the discussions were seniors, trans-gender, immigrants and families with children. Ideas such as more job training, low rent housing for working people and quality childcare are some of the words that I heard around the room. Safe check cashing facilities for senior citizens was also suggested. I thought of my parent’s needs when I raised my hand and shouted "outreach programs for seniors that have been evicted!"

Sally Green of the Senior Housing Action Committee, greeted me warmly. She said "Come to a meeting Wednesday, March 20, from 1:30 to 30 at SAN, it’s at 965 Mission, Room 700." Do you think you can make it." I told her I would be spending time with my mother, who is 68, on Wednesday, but I appreciated the invitation.

I caught up with Chris Daly and asked him what he wanted the readers of POOR Magazine to know. He said, "I thought it was past time for a healthy dialogue amongst the homeless, the providers of services, and the advocates who care about them. The homeless should have a stake in this City."

The workshop ended with panelists asking for volunteers to relay the results of the brainstorms back to the general assembly. I became a participant, I did not feel alone. The rain was gone. Memories of my daughter and I recieving a gift on my last visit to the Herbst Theater filled my mind. Athough I don’t have as much money as I had before, this time when I walked out , I felt better. I was the giver, I was a volunteer, all it took was a little time.