This may get lengthy, please read and share. As everyone is completely aware, I have worked tirelessly since Monday trying to get things to happen for the folks at Tent City. I have made multiple trips, meeting people with donations, being very cautious about what wasnt needed down there, or directing people where to take certain things that WERENT needed down there. Yesterday I posted a photo of several sleeping bags that had been dropped off. I met with a man this morning, a retired Marine, who dropped off 6 cases of water, along with some canned goods and a box of handwarmers; he was going to try his best to get a military tent for down there--- Needless to say, good things were being done! After a rude encounter with a member of Kanawha Valley Collective yesterday, something felt off to me. Numbers werent adding up to what I had seen for myself. When I made a return trip this afternoon, trying to facilitate a drop off and more wood to come, I pulled in to find the Director, with her SUV, backed into the site, back hatch open, and donations from Tent City being loaded into her car. Every new sleeping bag that was donated, 5 out of 6 cases of the water from this morning, and countless other items have been taken; to distribute to other members of the homeless population and to the shelters. I was then told that after a board of Directors meeting, and talking with the city, Tent City was being demolished and torn down. That all donations were to be taken to shelters---- from a phone call from the city. First of all, I know for a FACT that these orders did not come from ANY member of the city. Not Danny Jones, not City Council, not the Chief of Police. These people made decisions on their own accord. Just because there are currently a handful of residents down there, does NOT mean there wont be 2 dozen come this time next week. I was getting totes provided for storage and organization. Just because some of the residents have been housed, does NOT give ANYONE the right to help themselves to what has been done. Furthermore, the rift raft, so to speak, and as they were referred to, will come and go in any situation; no matter where you live! Hello, go live on the Wild Wild West Side for a minute. Or sit on Washington East for 15 minutes. These items were specifically supplied for Tent City. The people in the Shelters have a voice advocating for them already; the other homeless get things distributed to them; and are AWARE they can find safe haven at Tent City. My point is, I wont be dictated to; by anyone. Our efforts will not be stopped. You cant force someone to live in housing when their lives are based around something else; something you, nor I can possibly understand. It isnt for US to understand. My momma taught me to pick my battles; well folks, youve waged a war. This is something I feel extremely strongly about. I wont be backed down and neither will the army standing with me. Dont hide behind your big words-- the City said... Get outta here. Im your Huckleberry ;)
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 03:36:32 +0000
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