Friday, August 17, 2012
Richard B., a 57-year-old resident of the Cochran House homeless shelter in Hastings, writes about his experience living in a homeless shelter and looking for work.
- OPINION
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Friday, August 17, 2012
Being a 57-year-old, I’ve learned patience and acceptance in my life. At Cochran [House], I appreciate having meals, a bed to sleep in and a place to live. It’s hard to establish goals at my age because I'm not sure what my options are. I’ve learned to get by on my $92 a month, but I have no incentive to get a part-time job as the earnings from it have to go right back into the house. As sad as it sounds, it’s easier to read, do crossword puzzles and do volunteer work, [than it is] to look for a documented (taxable) part-time job. Hastings is a nice town but it’s a tough place to find a full-time job. I feel I'm at a disadvantage because of my age, lack of driver's license and no vehicle. None of these three things look good on a job …
The story of Richard, 57, who became homeless for the first time last year.
Richard's whole life has been distilled into two suitcases and a trash bag. That's all the 57-year-old has in the world after 10 months of homelessness. But he makes no excuses. When asked how his life led him from the safety of a home in a small southern Minnesota town to the Cochran House in Hastings, he keeps it simple. "Mistakes I made in my past," he says. A casual observer would not know that Richard is homeless. He is clean-shaven, with a trim haircut and a business-like demeanor. His T-shirt is impeccably white and neatly tucked in to his blue jean shorts, which have clearly been pressed. The only small hint is a hole in one of his white sneakers. Otherwise, it would be impossible to know just how far his fortunes have fallen. …
These organizations provide resources for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Find the right group for you, whether you need assistance, or want to donate or volunteer.
Want to give your time, money or energy to Dakota County nonprofits and organizations fighting to end homelessness? Or do you need assistance in your own struggle to stay afloat? Look no further than our guide to local shelters, social services and advocacy groups. Find the right group for you, whether you need help, or want to donate or volunteer. Administrative Offices 501 East Highway 13, Suite 102 Burnsville, MN 55337 Phone: 952-985-5300 360 Communities is an organization that uses community engagement to positively shape the future of our communities. It employs data-driven research to identify trends, strengths and vulnerabilities, and then works with key community partners to build and implement action plans. At the same time, 360 …
The public doesn't always understand why and how someone becomes homeless, according to Dakota Woodlands Executive Director Beth Bromen.
- OPINION
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Friday, August 17, 2012
Dakota Woodlands is a homeless shelter with supportive programming for single women and families located in Eagan, Minn. It is the only women’s homeless shelter in Dakota County and serves over 100 households each year. It is a common reaction for Dakota County residents to be surprised that there is a homeless shelter in Eagan. Perhaps it's even more surprising to learn that Dakota Woodlands' residents are from Dakota County! People have pre-disposed beliefs about who is homeless and don’t realize it may be their co-worker, neighbor or even relative. There is a general lack of understanding of why people become homeless and solving the problem relies too much on the certainty that it is all about economics and not the underlying issues …
44.832563
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Dakota Woodlands
3430 Wescott Woodlands, Eagan, MN
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-homelessness-deserves-a-unified-response
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/locations/7623818
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Anna Richardson's descent into homelessness began when she got hooked on methamphetamine as a teenager.
Anna Richardson needed a wake-up call. For 10 years, Richardson had been hooked on methamphetamine—only stopping for brief periods when she was pregnant with her two daughters. In all that time, she never held a job, preferring to sell the meth made by her live-in partner. But when police raided her home in 2010, Richardson's life came crashing down. What followed was a spiral of court dates, continued drug use and meetings with a social worker that ultimately culminated in the loss of the 26-year-old Apple Valley resident's child-custody rights. Richardson, unable to make more money selling drugs or collect child-support payments, couldn't afford to pay rent. In September 2010, she became homeless. “Once they told me I couldn’t get my …
Hearth Connection spokeswoman Amy Brix defines the new face of suburban homelessness and explains why homelessness is increasing.
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Thursday, August 16, 2012
For those who imagine homelessness as cardboard signs and people loitering on streets, homelessness in the suburbs can be a completely different picture. Housing programs and shelters stretched beyond capacity leave the majority of struggling households to move in with friends or family, in a less visible form of homelessness known as “couch hopping” or “doubling-up.” Homelessness in Dakota County is reportedly up 20 percent from last year; a point-in-time count conducted last January found over 1,000 people experiencing homelessness across the county. Over half were families with children. Home foreclosures and rent affordability have only exacerbated the problem. While homelessness in the county is at an all-time high, the vacancy rate …
Neighbors, Inc. spokesperson Daniel Zhu believes the root causes of homelessness—and homeless individuals themselves—are often misunderstood.
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Thursday, August 16, 2012
From the perspective of Neighbors, Inc., it seems that the problem of homelessness is larger than many people in the community realize. A lot of attention is given to metropolitan areas, but the suburbs of the Twin Cities also have a rather large homeless population as well. The problem tends to be less visible in the suburbs because homeless individuals tend to float from one shelter to another or stay with friends. In the suburbs “doubling up,” a situation where many individuals or families stay in the homes of others, is prevalent. These people are not always counted or recognized as homeless, but since they lack permanent or consistent shelter, they are still technically homeless. Over the years, it seems like homelessness has grown. …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
From housing assistance to skill building. How are government agencies and local nonprofits taking the fight to homelessness?
Dakota County officials say as many as 1,000 men, women and children may be experiencing homelessness on any given night somewhere within the county. That could mean sleeping in a car, on a friend's couch, or worse. And officials acknowledge the problem of homelessness is not only growing in Dakota County, but it's far less visible than in a place like downtown Minneapolis. How does the county combat an issue that has so many contributing factors, including loss of employment; failure to complete basic educational goals; physical, mental, and chemical health issues; and unstable family structures? As part of the county's new Heading Home Dakota initiative, a 10-year plan to end local homelessness, officials like Dakota County Housing …
How is the county planning to address rising homelessness rates? Review their strategies and findings here.
Editor's Note: Homelessness rates in Dakota County and other suburban communities in Minnesota have risen substantially in the last five years. This letter to the editor is part of a Patch series exploring that trend. Click on the links below to read other articles on the topic.
District 51A Rep. Diane Anderson (R) reviews the government programs available to help the homeless.
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Having a safe and affordable place to live is an essential component for people to be stable and greatly improves their ability to get a job. Since her election in 2010, Rep. Diane Anderson has been working on obtaining state funding for homelessness with an emphasis on prevention and helping people get back on their feet as soon as possible. There are many nonprofit organizations that do a great job helping people who are homeless. The state of Minnesota also has several programs to help people who are homeless. The Emergency Services Program provides short-term shelter and support services. The services include self-sufficiency case management, employment counseling, job placement, and help accessing permanent housing. Emergency …
linda
9:13 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012
This article makes me think about what programs we have as a society to help people like Richard get incorporated back into a job. We do need programs as life circumstances are different for everbody - some by choice, some not. more ›