By Mike Lee
In response to an ever escalating homeless crisis Disabled People Outside and First They Came For The Homeless organized a protest with tents at the HUB (the centralized intake for those homeless in Berkeley) and subsequently, as the conditions got worse, our community grew and grew.
By default we became the only foul weather shelter available in Berkeley. The HUB themselves were bringing people to us. Severely disabled and elderly people were dropped at our feet. People called and emailed me about people that were soaking wet on sidewalks in their neighborhoods. And I went. If they weren’t completely addled on drugs, they were accepted by our camp. If they were addled by drugs we sought other alternatives for them.
The camp became their only lifeline in the community and for the first time in over 20+ years the City is looking into what we have been asking for. A legal place where people can be, can pull their lives back together without being criminalized. A legal camp ground with the common sense rules and amenities to keep it working smoothly.
Since October 1st we have been evicted nine different times. We are moved from place to place sometimes violently. (http://www.dailycal.org/2016/11/04/berkeley-police-department-dismantle-homeless-encampment-arrest-city-council-candidate/ ) and our tents and bedding been confiscated by police and City Workers in pre-dawn raids.
The current group includes the blind, disabled, veterans and just about any and every category of person you could name. We have been able to supply food and shelter so far. But as the weather persists we need your help. The holidays are a time of thinking about others and your donation could not be better spent than to help our cause.
Help us replace tents, sleeping bags, a cook stove, and the expenses involved with taking care of people. Help us convince the City that this is a cause worth getting behind and by limiting the damage that is done to a person that becomes homeless we make the road home that much shorter. Help us help people to survive long enough to pull their lives back together. Even something as small as $15.00 or $25.00 will go a long way to replacing lifesaving gear.
You can conveniently donate on-line by clicking the link below. If you prefer to donate cash in person or other material aid please visit us at our current location (Center & Milvia in Berkeley for the nonce) and ask for Michelle, Mike Zint or Mike Lee
https://www.gofundme.com/s392j3ek
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