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Our Sponsors
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 | | Loaves & Fishes |
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 | | Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee |
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Sleeping Bags needed for
Overnight Shelter program | |
If you would like to donate , sleeping bags, tents, or any other equipment, even office equipment (old but working PCs needed), please contact us at 916-448-2448 and/or come by our office, located across from Maryhouse.
Safe Ground Office
1400 North C. St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(across from Maryhouse)
7:00AM-2:45PM
Donations of any of these items are always appreciated:
Sleeping Bags
Backpacks
Warm Coats
Rain Coats
Rain Boots
Scarves
Gloves
Long Johns (thermal underwear)
Hand Warmers (like hunters use)
Insect repellent
Donations are tax deductible. |
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Join Our Mailing List!
If you would like to regularly receive this newsletter, and don't already, please let us know at
safegroundsacinfo@gmail.com
And please feel free to forward our newletter to anyone you think might be interested in what we do. |
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Safe Ground Sacramento's
Community Bulletin
November/December 2012
Eleventh issue
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Hello and Welcome to Safe Ground's newsletter
 | | Steve Watters Executive Director |
In September we had a very successful event which introduced the Safe Ground prototype sleeping cabin to the general public and elected officials. The cabin was built locally by Habitat for Humanity with help and support of several local construction firms (see below) and many volunteers. Our Safe Ground in the Park event was visited by hundreds of local residents, state employees groups and elected officials. We were able to not only share the vision of the Safe Ground community, but to show the prototype of the actual structure that will serve as the sleeping cabin, a space providing privacy and dignity to our future clients taking the 'first-step' away from homelessness.
The cabin showed very well, getting compliments from those who evaluated it and those just looking as well. The overall green design and off-the-grid status convinced many that we have achieved the right design, one that both makes sense and can be supported by local officials when the time for permitting comes.
Safe Ground in the Park (September 2012)
Prototype Sleeping Cabin
The feedback we accumulated proved valuable in helping us make improvements to our final cabin design. For example, we determined that for a relatively minor cost we could expand the capacity of the solar system and provide a heater for the winter weather. This allows us to keep the cabins 'off the grid' while still providing for winter weather.
Currently, we are modifying the prototype cabin for easy transport so that we can schedule future events in and around the Sacramento Region. We want to share our vision for the Safe Ground community and the actual cabin design with the general public and elected officials throughout the region. In the meantime, we are continuing to work with city and county officials in a search for a potential publicly owned property that we might be able to lease for the Safe Ground Community.
See the article below for more details on the Safe Ground in the Park event. This entire process takes time and effort and we can use your continued support. We are making progress in our struggle for acceptance of this project and believe we will soon identify the right parcel of land. If you are able to help, please click on the large red "DONATE" link near the upper left, or send a donation to our address below.
SafeGround Sacramento
PO Box 1644
Sacramento, CA 95812
www.SafeGroundSac.org
Safe Ground wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season! |
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Safe Ground Prototype Cabin September Showing
The Safe Ground prototype sleeping cabin and community designs were displayed in Cesar Chavez Park September 19th through 22nd, and the event was a definite success.
The 10 x 12 foot sleeping cabin was developed by a Safe Ground Volunteer Cabin Design Team consisting of Kerrin West of Studio 81 in Folsom, Michael O'Brien of Pressey and Associates and Kyle Wicky of Mogavero Notestine Associates, both of Sacramento. Their unique design utilizes factory built, insulated panels as the major structural components. Each panel is manufactured to include predesigned electrical components, as well as windows and doors. The exterior is covered with durable hardi-trim siding and long lasting paint. The Cabin Design Team consulted with local engineering and construction expert Dan Wilson, the Construction Director at Sacramento Habitat for Humanity. Dan consulted with local colleagues on the design, and used local suppliers for the panels and other required materials and components, including solar panels for the roof. The end product reflects the expertise of these local construction experts and suppliers.
The cabin was placed in Chavez Park on the afternoon of the 19th. It arrived
on a flat bed truck equipped with a crane, and was partially preassembled at Habitat for Humanity to speed up the installation process.
Here is an accelerated video of the final assembly .
And here is a real-time video of the final assembly .
The cabin has a light outside the door, the interior has a light, a 2-way fan, and a 12 volt DC plug, all powered by the solar panel, which stores electricity in two large batteries, located in a locked box at an exterior corner of the cabin. IKEA generously furnished the cabin with a bed, chest of drawers, table and chairs, and plates and cups. There are no cooking or plumbing facilities in the cabin, these will be centrally located in the community building, which will be surrounded by cabins, with everything situated on 2-5 acres of land.
After installation, the cabin was on public display, with Safe Ground staff and homeless volunteers available to answer questions, for a total of 25 hours distributed over four days. The general reaction to the Safe Ground cabin and community design was overwhelmingly supportive. Television and press media interviews resulted in positive local coverage. County Supervisor Don Nottoli, most city council members and their staff, District 4 candidate Steve Hansen, a member of Sacramento Steps Forward's advisory board, and Captain Milo Fitch of the County Sherrif's Department all visited and expressed interest and support. Two area high school teachers are interested in having their students build cabins to our specifications as soon as we have land. Several state employee groups expressed interest in our Adopt-a-cabin program, and over a hundred new people joined our mailing list.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, and to all who attended. |
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Community Outreach & Fundraising
Since the prototype cabin and model community event, Safe Ground has taken other opportunities to tell the public who and what we are. In October, we attended charitable giving open house events for state employees at two agencies - the Department of Managed Health Care, and the Department of General Services. We displayed posters, distributed fact sheets and brochures, answered questions and gathered contact information from interested employees. We attended a similar education and fundraising opportunity at Hewlett Packard in Roseville in mid November. |
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Interesting Links
These could reasonably have been placed in the "in the news ..." section, but are worthy of their own small article -
Hangtown Haven - a Legal Encampment Solution
In July, the Placerville City Council approved a homeless tent camp, named Hangtown Haven, for a 90 day trial period. This is something Sacramento has never been able to achieve.
Here is a video on Hangtown Haven
 | | Hang Town Haven |
Recently, the City Council approved a one year extension for Hangtown Haven, subject to review every 90 days, and requiring the removal of all individuals convicted of sex offenses. Forum Town Square website
Closer to home, Forum Town Square is an interesting and informative website.
Forum Town Square It has set itself the task of visiting each of Sacramento's neighborhoods, and filing reports and podcasts. Loaves and Fishes is, imaginatively and reasonably, treated as a neighborhood. An October 2nd entry titled "Forum - A Night at Safe Ground" covers a shelter night provided by Pioneer Church. Click here . There is a podcast associated with this article. It has the same title and can be accessed in the "Podcast Player" window in the right hand column. Henry Harris' story Mr. Harris was homeless and turned his life around with help from Loaves & Fishes and Safe Ground. article here , video below -  | | From the Streets to a Home |
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Safe Ground Overnight Shelter Program awarded Grant
We have been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation for expanding and strengthening the Safe Ground Overnight Shelter Program. This program will now be funded in part by the Community's Greatest Need Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation (SRCF). The Sacramento Region Community Foundation's mission is "to serve as a leader and trusted partner in expanding philanthropy and enhancing its impact in our community." The grant is for one year and it will be used for sleeping bags, pads and cots, transportation of people, food, and water, and basic health care supplies. Our sincere thanks to the Sacramento Region Community foundation for helping us to help those in need. |
Overnight Shelter Program in Midtown Sacramento
Safe Ground would like to recruit churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, congregations, union halls and business owners in the midtown area to permit Safe Ground sponsored homeless to stay overnight on their property from 6pm to 7am the next day. This provides the homeless with a sanctuary from arrest, and also, during much of the year, gives them a life-saving night free from the cold and the rain. The SG Shelter Program provides its own staffing and cleanup. Many hosts also provide a dinner and/or breakfast, but this is not required. Those who sleep with us promise to be alcohol free, drug free and nonviolent.
We need your help with the following:
Volunteers All Ages:
* Fellowship hosts - Safe Ground sponsored homeless provide check-in. Volunteer hosts welcome people and provide information.
* Coffee host - Brew and serve
* Food supplies, paper cups and napkins - Food and paper supplies are provided by volunteers - bulk items always welcome
* Food preparation and cooking - we have great kitchen captains that would love your assistance
* Food serving - Fill those empty bellies!
* Kitchen & Great Hall cleaning
* Dishwashing
Volunteers 18 Years and older:
* Overnight/breakfast hosts - men and women
All we need is a large room and someone to open the doors. We provide the rest. Please contact Dave Coburn at 916-337-7733 or coburn180@gmail.com or Amani at 916-893-0736 or amani.sfg@gmail.com for more information if you can help.
Good News !!
We have been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation for expanding and strengthening the Safe Ground Overnight Shelter Program, which will now be funded in part by the Community's Greatest Need Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation (SRCF). The Sacramento Region Community Foundation's mission is "to serve as a leader and trusted partner in expanding philanthropy and enhancing its impact in our community." This money will be used for sleeping bags, pads and cots, transportation of people, food, and water, and basic health care supplies.
The Safe Ground Overnight Shelter Program recently added a sixth church - the House Church at 19th and Broadway. On Monday October 22nd, St. John's Lutheran Church provided a meal to 189 people and shelter to 148 people, new record counts. On Wednesday October 24th, Trinity Cathedral served food to a record 139 people. Turnouts like this demonstrate both the need for and the success of the Shelter Program. Thank you to everyone who makes it work.
Overnight Shelter Program participating churches and upcoming calendar
First United Methodist Church
2100 J Street
Sacramento CA 95816
Contact: Glenn Tilton
tilton2@comcast.net
916-446-5025
November 13, 2012
November 18, 2012 *
November 25, 2012 *
December 11, 2012
December 23, 2012 *
December 30, 2102 *
* = breakfast 8:30 - 9:30
The House Church
1901 Broadway
Sacramento CA 95818
Contact: Ashlei Baker
ashlei@thehousechurchsac.com
916-706-2337
November 05, 2012
December 03, 2012
Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ
2700 L ST
Sacramento, CA 95816
Contact: Pam Tureen
pamelat2@sbcglobal.net
(916) 442-0814
November 09, 2012
November 23, 2012
December 07, 2012
December 21, 2012
St. John's Lutheran Church
1701 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Contact: Steve Ruder
scruder@gmail.com
(916) 412-0075
November 12, 2012
December 10, 2012
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
2620 Capitol Avenue Sacramento, California 95816
Contact: Cheri Meadows
cheri.meadows123@gmail.com
(916) 601-6441
November 07, 2012*
November 14, 2012
November 22, 2012#
November 28, 2012
December 05,2012*
December 12, 2012
December 19, 2012*
December 26, 2012
* = dinner at 6
# = dinner at noon
Trinity Lutheran
1500 27th Street Sacramento, CA 95816
Contact: Church Secretary
(916) 456-8701
November 16, 2012
November 30, 2012
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Contact Safe Ground
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Location: 1400 North C. St. Sacramento, CA 95811 (across from Maryhouse)Mailing Address: PO Box 1644 Sacramento, CA 95812 Website: safegroundsac.orgLetters, Questions, Comments
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About Us
Safe Ground was founded in December 2008 by homeless leaders of Sacramento's 2008-2009 Tent City encampment along the American River near downtown Sacramento. We have been incorporated as a 501(c) 3 since January 2010. We support and assist an underserved population of unsheltered homeless adults who sign a covenant to be alcohol, drug and violence free, and who are committed to using every opportunity to reintegrate into mainstream society. We help those who are among the neediest and the most overlooked.
Safe Ground advocates for the rights of homeless adults. Our goal is to create cost effective, model communities where homeless people can live in safety and dignity, without threat of violence, addiction or arrest. We envision communities that, rather
than treating homelessness as a crime, embrace the dignity of each person, and provide supportive housing with a full range of social services. |
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