HHH: "50 Now" Program to Provide "Housing First"

*****Update: January 8, 2015
There is a local group called "SLO Housing Connection" that has a link to some sources for the "Housing First" model that you can read about by clicking here. The SLO Housing Connection non-profit is run by SLO locals with a wide range of experience in this area, led by tireless homeless advocate Mary Parker. I encourage you to support the group and donate to them if you can (I just wrote a check to them!).

Above (click to enlarge): An article without an image is boring, IMHO. Since I don't have any photos to go along with this article, I included an image that I took of the crystal clear ocean waters at Catalina at the Isthmus in August 2014.

*****Update: January 3, 2015
The Tribune Newspaper ran a story on the 50 Now program by AnnMarie Cornejo on January 3, 2015, which you can read by clicking here. 

A few highlights from the article. These quotes help to illustrate why I am so passionate about supporting homeless causes and creating affordable housing:
- 50 Now program provides homes for the chronically homeless
- Britta Daigneault (age 45) was homeless for 6 years before this program
- She (Britta) was previously married with 2 kids, living in a home with a job
- “But when you become homeless here, everyone sees you differently.”
- “I (Britta) was in a state of panic, anxiety and shock,” 
- She (Britta) said she was raped five times.
- “I took a beating, both mentally and physically,” 
-  “I made enemies quickly because I talked to the police,”
- She (Britta) was Dumpster diving and living in a field by the airport 
- 50 Now takes those with the greatest risk of dying on the street
- The 50 Now clients face a host of mental health and medical issues
- “The thought of losing this (program) … to me that would be a death sentence,”
You can reach reporter AnnMarie Cornejo at 781-7939.  

*****"50 Now" Survey Results: 9/25/2014 Update

The “50 Now” program collected 297 surveys in total of the “unhoused”, which have all been handed over to T-MHA (Transitions Mental Health Association), who will be doing case management for the top 50 chronically, vulnerable homeless.  They have assured us that they also plan to engage with ALL of the people who were surveyed, since all have some needs that they could use help with, besides just housing.  Below are some current statistics from the campaign.  If you are interested in helping follow through with some of the people you interviewed see the bottom of this email for ways you can help. 

Current Statistics from the 50Now Campaign (as of Sept. 16, 2014): 
10% of those surveyed were Vets.
4% of those surveyed were under 25.
The average age of those not vulnerable was 46 ½, the average of those that were vulnerable was 50 yrs. old.
7% over 65 years old, some over 70.
14% in Foster care at some point.
81% had been in jail at least once in their lives, 94% of top 50.
86% answered yes to mental health, or had signs of mental illness according to surveyor.
68% answered yes to substance abuse at some point in their lives.
78% were living in this area when they became homeless, and the remaining people had some kind of connection to this area.
60% have dual diagnosis.
520 ER visits in last 6 months.
124 inpatient visits in last 6 months.
On an average the top 50 have been homeless for at least 8 years.
Those on top 50 were spread out very evenly throughout County:  20% from North County, 26% from South County, 28% from SLO and the rest from institutions.

PERSONAL UPDATE: Remembering the Waag Family Dog - Shayna Punim

Remembering our Waag Family Dog:

Shayna Punim (RIP - April 8, 2013)

****Update 4/23/2024: In honor of Shayna, who was great with our family, but not always friendly with others!

My previous dog was not friendly to SOME dogs. Her name was Shayna. What Shayna disliked most was unleashed dogs running up to her at speed, which she interpreted as an attack, and acted accordingly. Can't say that I blame her. If some human ran up to me in such a way, I might take a defensive stance also. YOUR UNLEASHED DOG MIGHT BE FRIENDLY, BUT MY "CONTROLLED, LEASHED" DOG IS NOT. CONTROL YOUR DOG.

PHOTO: My dog Shayna (may she RIP), a beautiful but protective dog. Around 60 pounds or so. Should I never be able to take her out in public on a leash because other dog owners have their dogs running around out of control (usually illegally unleashed).

*****Update 2/11/2017: I'm updating this page in honor of the passing of brother Larry's dog Mia. These are photos taken on a camping trip between 2003 and 2004 to Arizona with the family. We love you, you crazy dog!

*****Update 8/28/2014 for National Dog Day: I vowed to continue to remember our wonderful family dog forever, and this is one way to do it: Update her tribute page. The way I'll update it is to add 3 random photos of Shayna. These were taken at Fossil Falls in Owens Valley March 2008 with some friends. Just happened across these photos, and it made me sad, but happy to remember her. 

This also gives me the chance to not only honor our family pet, but to encourage others to do so as well. We love them while they are alive, and I believe we should honor and love them after they have moved on and are gone. So here goes!

Above (click to enlarge): Shayna learned the "get up" and "get down" command rather well. She is up on the picnic table because we issued the "get up" command!

Above (click to enlarge): A few minutes after that, our oldest son Andrew is spending some quality time with his dog. We believe that Andrew loved Shayna in that special way that is shared by boys and their first dog. Shayna was Andrew's first dog; we got her when Andrew was 6 years old.

Above (click to enlarge): Nice group photo, with Shayna well-posed. Shayna was a very cooperative subject for picture taking, as can be seen here. Left to right: James (our youngest son), Brian (my brother), Sue (my wife), Douggie, Greg, Andrew (my oldest son), Bob (my Dad), Lewee.

UNIVERSAL: Love May Not Always Work, But It NEVER Gives Up!

Updated 9/23/2015. Title updated 5/6/2020.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist or related professional in any way. Please exercise all caution and consult a true professional when confronted with a situation where you are uncertain as to how to proceed in attempting to help a person at a time of personal crisis or loss.

CRISIS DEFINED: This advice is directed towards how we can best interact with people who have suffered trauma or loss. It could loss of a loved one, friend, family member, co-worker or pet. It could be a damaged or destroyed relationship, such as divorce or estrangement. It could be a traumatic or catastrophic injury or illness.

Introduction: I first drafted this article after a relative suffered a severe personal loss. Many family and friends wanted to help my relative and let them know that they were there for them. The situation motivated me to do some research on how to help people who are in emotional duress, grief and/or depression. These techniques can also apply to situations where there is severe or unexpected illness or accidents.

Many people avoid the situation because they do not know what to say or do. Though I do not avoid these situations, I've often sensed that I do or say too much. With that in mind, I found this on-topic article about this issue, titled "Talk Less, Listen More" in the Wall Street Journal. However, the WSJ does not let you read the link anymore without a subscription, so I deleted the link - you'll have to take my word for it!

Based on the article, I summarized the key points below, and then I added input from my own extensive experience in this area. Later, I added comments made by others who had suffered loss and had some helpful insights on the subject. Here we go!

People are not comforted by mere concern, but by what exactly you say and do. Often, well-meaning friends and family inadvertently say and/or do the wrong things, causing the person who is suffering to feel misunderstood, unheard and even judged. Congratulations - you have just made your loved one feel even worse. Plan what you are going to say and do in advance.