Homeless Persons Memorial Day: The Longest Night of the Year

December 21, Winter Solstice - The wet sky over Salvation Army's Berberian Shelter did not dampen the spirit of the occasion as people from all walks of life gathered to remember those who died on the streets in 2009. Wonderful entertainment flowed all evening from Downey High School's Knightengales, Nick McClellan, and Joseph Hamilton. The shelter buzzed as folks hustled through intake and got settled while volunteers prepared for the distribution of blankets, clothing and shoes, and from CHS volunteers, bags that included things like toothbrushes, razors, and deodorant. Off the Streets folks handed out almost 100 blankets collected during the blanket drive, some plastic bags, and United Way 2-1-1 reference cards. Harm reduction materials about Amphetamines and Hepatitis C were also available.

It was so wonderful seeing these young people interact with others in this way without any hesitation! They really jumped right in and in turn walked away from this experience, I believe, seeing through new eyes. Pretty cool. And although some of our young people were not able to attend the event, their hard work collecting and preparing the blankets beforehand is just as important! This was truly a team effort! By the end of the distribution, many people were provided with much needed support resources. You just don't know how important the simple things are until you don't have them.

After music and refreshments, the candlelight vigil quietly memorialized those who died on the streets this year. The names of those known to have passed scrolled projecting on the shelter's wall, while a last minute volunteer played her flute softly and two students read the names aloud. The event closed with a stirring rendition of "Temporary Home" performed by Samantha Meroney. Just beautiful.

This is the 4th year of the HPMD with this group, but the first time being held at Salvation Army. Organizers and volunteers plan to meet regularly throughout 2010 to tighten up the logistics for next year at this location. This year's event was sponsored by Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and Golden Valley Health Center. If you would like to get involved, donate items, or sit on the planning committee contact Kimberlee Hamilton at khamilto@stancounty.com.

A Healthy Relationship with Law Enforcement: The Missing Link

The importance of furthering our discussion about the relationship with law enforcement is one that cannot be overstated. Up to this point in the syringe access struggle in Stanislaus County, communication between the opposing sides of the issue has been somewhat lacking. While it is still early in the process of unifying our many allies and resources at Off the Streets, it is a pressing short-term goal to begin genuine discussion between the community, experts, and law enforcement officials. We think it is one of the most critical components of work around syringe exchange advocacy - attempting to understand and reach across to everyone at the community's table. While syringe exchange activities have ceased and disease is still spreading, it is more important than ever to make progress toward authorization.

• For starters, read this article on the Huffington Post: "Syringe Exchange and Police: An Alliance in Waiting," by Allan Clear.
• More about the law enforcement component of the syringe exchange issue will come in future posts.

Tell Us Something, Anything.... We're Listening!!!

One of the most important things to come from the work of Off the Streets is the valuable 'snapshot' we will be able to formulate of Stanislaus County. We intend to take away wonderful insight over time as we continually learn more and more about various aspects of the community, our issues, and the unique people who exist here.

A critical aspect of this journey we are on at Off the Streets is talking directly with people about their life experiences. People from all over - not just drug users and treatment professionals. So many others have so much to say. We are finding that folks just want the chance to talk for a minute (or write, or draw, or sing!). If you want to share it, we want to hear it (or see it)! We want to know your side - things you have felt, heard, or seen, people you know (names omitted), how you have been affected or have seen others affected. It could be insight from your job, or your neighborhood, within your family or from within yourself. Anything at all you have to offer and feel comfortable sharing is valuable to the Off the Streets team's complete understanding of the circumstances in Stanislaus County. We really do need you. Some of you may even be interested in speaking engagements or telling your story to young people - we can arrange that too - just let us know!

Send us an email for more information if you are interested in sharing with us! We would love the opportunity to learn from you. It is a key piece of the puzzle actually. Sure, we at Off the Streets are here to educate and promote awareness for others - but you have something real to offer us too and we value that chance to hear from you firsthand. The more we can all learn from each other the better. Don't you agree??

For more details, please contact us at offthestreetsproject@yahoo.com!!!