Sharing this interesting discussion/info more widely as folks might be
looking into year-end donations. Maybe start with the second email first.
(apologies if you've seen this on the other list--felt relevant to discuss
it in this space)
happy holidays <3
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Allen Ratliff <allenratliff(a)gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 1:37 PM
Subject: ⭐ Re: Seeking Reactions/Feedback: StarBarf Miracle Fund
I wrote Phil an essay on homelessness and seasonal giving that I sent to
him separately, but I can share a TLDR here:
I believe that giving to local, front-line organizations is the best way to
provide care and support for people who need it, especially people
experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty.
As a person with extensive experience in homelessness, basic needs
insecurity, and social services (I've experienced homelessness as an
adolescent and adult, I worked with people experiencing homelessness for a
decade as a clinical social worker, and I am a social welfare/public health
researcher studying violence and youth homelessness), I have been on
multiple sides of service delivery and I believe the best way for
individual/small-group donors to address homelessness is to give
cash/unrestricted donations to local non-profits doing the work. I
recommend Daily Bread, Berkeley Food Network
<https://berkeleyfoodnetwork.org/>, the Berkeley Food and Housing Project and
the Berkeley Food Pantry. If you don't want to give just cash, ask them
what they need. Do they need socks, underwear, blankets, sleeping bags,
jackets, tampons, etc.? Do they have or know of a fund to donate toward
paying for healthcare costs or medications? Are there specific projects
that are in-progress that need donations? You can make a big impact on
long-term services by targeting your donation to maximize service delivery.
Another best way to address homelessness is donate your time! Volunteer
regularly! I'd love to see a Starbarf weekly dinner event that involves
buying/making and serving food at a shelter or soup kitchen or with an
organization that brings food to encampments. Or team up with encampment
collectives and ask them what they need and how they need it!
Love to all the love!
Allen
On Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 11:20 AM Phil Narodick <phil.narodick(a)gmail.com>
wrote:
> TLDR: Homeless person has spray painted "I NEED A MIRACLE" on their tent.
> What if we raised money to just straight up gave this person a miracle this
> Christmas? Is that a problematic idea?
>
> [image: miracle (4).jpg]
>
> Every day my bike commute brings me past a homeless encampment here.
> <https://goo.gl/maps/AcKisk9Kh4c5PMBUA> It has steadily been filling up
> because it is on caltrans land, which means that the city of Berkeley can't
> clear the camp as easily.
>
> I don't know much about the camp itself, other than they seem to be
> engaged in their struggle, they started the WHERE DO WE GO?
> <https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/11/1891652/-An-Intersecting-Tale-B…>
> in Berkeley, which has been gaining a lot of notoriety.
>
> As the weather has gotten cold (it was 39 degrees on my ride this morning,
> someone spray painted "I NEED A MIRACLE" on their tent. I don't know this
> person, I don't know how to evaluate whether someone is a "good recipient"
> for this miracle or how to evaluate that.
>
> What I know is that the homelessness crisis occupies a lot of my
> brain-space and feels totally intractable. It feels like it would be cool
> to have a direct connection to someone we are helping get back on their
> feet with a sizeable nestegg, as opposed to donating to a larger org.
>
> I'm open to critical feedback here - I can't tell if I'm being a white
> savior here (they don't need to know who donated?) or whether my money is
> better donated to people out on the front lines doing the work every day.
>
> We are part of a community that has a lot of extra money and probably
> isn't donating as much as we should (🙋) because opportunities havent been
> in front of our faces. What do we feel about creating a Starbarf++ Miracle
> Fund, trying to raise a substantial about of money in the next few days,
> and straight up going to the camp and giving this person a Christmas
> miracle?
>
> Let me know your thoughts.
> Phil
>
>
>
> --
> ---------------------------
> Phil Narodick
> 3211 King St
> Berkeley, CA 94703
> cell: 206.295.1550
>
> In the long term, economic sustainability
> depends on ecological sustainability.
>
>
>
>
--
Allen Ratliff
Pronouns: He/Him/His
(US) 402.981.9540
allenratliff(a)gmail.com