November 9, 2009
I first showed you Tommie in 2006. 
I loved this man and was went searching for him every time he “dissapeared”. The last time he went missing was in 2007. I was told, on Saturday, that hehas been found. Dead.
I don’t know any details about how he dies, but I can tell you about the man who lived. He was friendly and sweet and funny and as good a friend as you could have on the row.
I had seen him over looked and written off, but he never wrote himself off. He worked at night guarding the apartment building where he lived, and though he could barely read or write: he wrote hourly logs which he turned in with pride.
If you needed to ride the bus somewhere, Tommie would come with you and show ytou where to get off.
If you wanted to get a bite to eat: Tommie would come with , and not ask you to buy his food too – although I often did.
He had been homeless, lived in parks and on the beaches and he knew every free food kitchen and shelter in town.
Tommie could be bought off with a trip to get his toenails done or an action movie. I often found myself scrunched between him and Carl and looked down to see his big hand in my popcorn and an impish grin on his face.
Tommie was not perfect, he had a seriousl drug problem, mental health issues and he and his wife fought so loudly once that I stopped the van in the middle of the street to kick him out.
But he lived and loved, and was lovable. And now he is gone, but not without notice.
November 9, 2009
Medi-Cal doesn’t cover your dental issues – now what?
USC School of Dentistry has been my “go to” pick for years. It is not free, but it is excellent and affordable. They are also active in the community and hold clinics at the Union Rescue Mission in Skid Row.
Here is the link for URGENT DENTAL care. Arrive more than 30 minutes before the clinic opens because they can only see 14 clients a day.
Call (213) 740-1576 with your questions.
PS: if you are a child or under the age of 20 years old – your MediCal should still be paying for your dental care. For more information about this – read the FAQ’s.
November 9, 2009
Utility payments in Glendale. Handy!
I took this picture and posted it on my homeless blog becasue we need to remember that it isn’t a luxury that there are no utility bills for homeless folks. It means they don’t have heat, or light in the evenings or warm water for bathing in. It also means that once they are housed, they need help re-learning how to budget and pay for these ame utilities.
And, I just thought it was cool!
November 8, 2009
The Cal Tech team asked me to throw down their challenge for next year: who will have the bigger team AND where was JPL today?
November 8, 2009
We put the “US” in Maximus! We are there for the East San Fernando welfare families.
November 8, 2009
These, my favorite, teens, gave up cartoons and sleeping in. They put the well being of others as a priority and walked for a cause. Their questions were good. Sadly: I did not have answers to:
1. Where do people sleep if they are homeless, have no friends and the shelters are full
2 why isn’t “low income” housing more available
3. Where can homeless families get free meals
4 where do homeless families shower?
5. Is it illegal to be homeless?
November 8, 2009
Jax was wearing her t-shirt, a Maximus Polo, and the Homewalk T-shirt as well as her sweat shirt. Thank you Patty for the backpack!
November 8, 2009
Workers gathering for the walk
November 8, 2009
Before all the walking! That’s Magda in the background with her camera
November 8, 2009
Turning the corner
