'Fair' give homeless free massages and other services

[Kadie]

'Fair' give homeless free massages and other services
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, April 21, 2006



(04-20) 13:39 PDT OAKLAND -- Will Rice enjoyed the first massage of his life today -- so much so that his eyes were closed and he was oblivious to the world around him for the first time in ages.

"It's beautiful. It's necessary. I mean, this is cool," Rice, 58, said, relaxing in a massage chair more commonly seen in a tony spa as Barbara Lytle, a therapeutic masseuse, worked her magic.

It wasn't a fancy spa, but the more pedestrian St. Vincent de Paul Community Center on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, where Rice and scores of other homeless men and women got some help at "Project Homeless Connect," a one-stop "fair" providing 42 services ranging from massages to dental care to drug- and alcohol-addiction programs.

There was a table for the folks from Alcoholics Anonymous, another where people could sign up for food stamps and another where homeless veterans could find a helping hand.

There also was a walk-up version of Alameda County's innovative Homeless/Caring Court in which Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco helped people clear their criminal records of minor offenses.

They even had secure shopping cart parking.

more...
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/21/MNGTVID7FT42.DTL

[converted_democrat]

1. I know I'm soft, this stuff makes me cry.. What good people, good

for them..

[Gelliebeans]

5. Pass the tissues

because I get choked up too. Can you imagine how wonderful that is for someone who would never in their dreams get a massage. When you are living on the street it is hard enough to find shelter but to get a treat like that is so cool.

[EFerrari]

2. Great story! Thanks,Kadie.

:)

[AzDar]

3. Right ON! n/t

[faithnotgreed]

4. beautiful and critical - i was just thinking of where to tithe

a little extra
this looks like the perfect organization to do that

thanks for posting

[converted_democrat]

8. Great idea.. n/t

[ThomCat]

6. I've volunteered in community kitchens where

free chiropractic care was offered. This is bigger and more organized than anything I've ever seen. I'm so impressed with this.

I wish more people would donate some of their services like this.

[Terran1212]

7. ST. Vincent De Paul immortalized in Frank McCourt's work as always helping

They helped his family when they needed it. They are what religious groups should do: reach out to the sick and suffering.

[Canuckistanian]

9. Yes, where are the "faith-based initiatives" for this?

This is the actual work that Jesus actually, specifically said to do.

Not protesting abortion clinics or boycotting companies that treat gays as human beings.

[IndyOp]

12. St. Vincent de Paul seems to be the real thing, indeed...

My parents used to volunteer with them - they cleaned the homes of elderly people who needed the help. Some elderly who very much wanted to stay in their own home got to stay because of St. Vincent and Meals on Wheels.

:hug:

[northofdenali]

10. Sorry for chiming in late - I read this and had to go get a Kleenex -

What a wonderful bunch. I googled them, here's their website for anyone who wants to volunteer or donate:

http://www.svdpusa.org/ContactUs/tabid/68/Default.aspx

Kadie, thank you for a heartwarming story to start my weekend. :hug:

[Kadie]

14. Thanks for the link to their site.

They are next on my donation list!

:hug:

[tandot]

11. AWWWW. This is so wonderful.

"...a one-stop "fair" providing 42 services ranging from massages to dental care to drug- and alcohol-addiction programs."

I wish more counties would offer a fair like this. :cry:

[AuntiBush]

13. Heartbreaking...

I remember looking around and "not" seeing homeless folks pushing carts during the Clinton era. The past year I've seen more and more popping-up here and there. All of us should try to do something about this, but how does one fight city hall, much less a too-big nation of capitalists?

A local HUGE nationally known hospital bought many working-poor's homes. They were given little money and out they went for parking lots, etc.