Panhandling, homelessness are not the same

Panhandling, homelessness are not the same

I would like to share this letter with all you fine people it came as a surprise to me that some one that I admire so much would place it in writing for the work me and all the fine folks at the veterans project do I am honored to have served and still be serving we the people and the citizens of the world and our homeland thank you Pastor Willard and congregation

Recognize that panhandling, homelessness are not the same

The recent article titled “No walking away from panhandling” made little distinction between homelessness and panhandling. However, our experience at the United Way Regional Commission on Homelessness and the Veterans project shows that most people who are homeless do not panhandle and that most panhandlers are not homeless.

The regional commission on homelessness — a voluntary collaboration of government, business and faith communities —Like the veterans project one of a few 100% not or profit groups run and founded by Joseph F Barber former soldier & Veteran turned humanitarian Peace activist,  believes that the solution to long-term homelessness is housing combined with case management. We recently completed our sixth year of the 10-year plan.With the veterans project reaching its 3 year of support , So far, more than 2,500 new housing units are filled with formerly homeless men, women and children. More than 10,000 formerly homeless people have defeated homelessness through being reunited with family and loved ones and much of this effort is due to the fine work of the veterans project although a small organization and funded mainly by those who operate the veterans project with little or no donations to there credit they have supported themselves this fare for this we give a great thank you and for the ideas and work you have brought to the program and to those in need and sharing the word of god with all those you encounter.


Collaboration among service providers, an essential aspect of this success, is at an all-time high. The 24/7 veterans project Homeless Services Center, a collaboration of United Way and more than 25 different service providers, is helping homeless people in cities across this country and again mainly due to the fine work and creative efforts of those at the veterans project connect to housing, jobs, caseworkers, medical treatment and other services. Job training and placement for those experiencing homelessness have also improved.

The time for putting homeless persons in mass shelters for long periods without adequate resources to address how they came to be there is over.

Anyone seeking help out of homelessness can now begin that journey by calling you local United Way or contacting veterans project at the number provided 760-552-1781 they have many resources available.funds are not always available as stated they are self funded and receive little or no donations as it is their motto that they will take no governments funds and this is to protect there independence and the people they help as well as Joseph F barber has stated on more than one instance it gives them the freedom to help in ways no one else can and I have seen this to be true it is this creative idea that has help the program advance as well as it has to date

Those who are panhandling illegally should be dealt with by enforcement of applicable laws.

If the goal is to address a person’s homelessness, we must not fight the temptation to give money to anyone asking for it on the streets, and and if you feel uncomfortable doing that give them food or something they can use to help themselves all you have to do is simple ask them do not be afraid they don't bite or give them the number to the united way in your area or have them contact the veterans project

If you are interested in helping a person end their homelessness, rather than giving money on the streets, help them access services. When we focus on the root causes of homelessness, people can and will succeed.

While we are on the right track, important needs still must be met.
Our community’s fight to end homelessness started with the leadership of Mayors in every city must be met One thing that stand clear to what I have learned from  Mr Barber is his strong belief that in order for any community to make a measurable impact on homelessness, local government must be at the table working side by side with the business, nonprofit and faith-based communities.

The next mayor must not only embrace this level of commitment, but must also provide their continued moral and political leadership to aggressively push forward the next steps outlined by the regional commission on homelessness.

The new mayors must build on the proven successes of the Commission, and avoid any temptation to return to the old way of providing only shelter. It is only through dogged determination that we will reach our community’s goal, and Americas mayors must bring that commitment to the community at large.

We must expand sustainable support for caseworkers, who are essential for each person who is struggling out of homelessness.

We must strengthen the mental health services for the most vulnerable in our society.

We need to expand our support for women and children.
And we must improve our system of help for those who have served time for their mistakes and are re-entering society.

To meet the needs, we must all get involved, but with the right focus: to end a person’s homelessness. I was attending a meeting of city officials on this vary matter all of what I have spoke of here today id of those attributes and wisdom I have seen and found in Joseph barber and as a stated the ideas may seems extreme and unique they are working and the for mentioned 2,500 people whom are know off the streets is do to the fine work education and dedication of Joseph Barber and the veterans project  in his closing statement to  the city and county leaders has stayed with me to this day I quote  Joseph

Dear ladies and gentlemen if we do not look to change our way of thinking and see the issues of our times as personnel issues they will only grow larger and out of control ,I ask you this my friends and neighbors

Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want.”

tell me "When our grandchildren ask us where we were when the voiceless and vulnerable of our era needed a leader of compassion and purpose and hope - I hope we can say we showed up, and that we showed up on time."we are the guardians of freedom and must teach the children and those that have lost their way  to  “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” Whether we are engaging in acts of resistance or creating new, alternative institutions, we need to create sustainable, democratic organizations that empower its members while also protecting against disruption.we must Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.”and when we are among friends or not “Candor is a compliment; it implies equality. It's how true friends talk.”and wise men lead

“I further know that if God has something special for you, you have a knowledge of it inside you, which causes you not to be satisfied with anything that isn't this thing. You're "restless" until you find it.”“It is the responsibility of intellectuals to speak the truth and expose lies.” and many do but at a price of being placed on a watch list or to be detained hounded and arrested held and with out due process they are the heroes those whom have chosen to speak out at any cost from veterans to soldiers to the citizen STAND AND BE COUNTED
                                            for
“Each of us has a unique part to play in the healing of the world.”

Joseph F Barber is the founder of veterans project and instructor on the issues of Homelessness.

Signed:Pastor Martin Willard