Homeless in Silicon Valley

.美街友關懷 Homeless in Silicon Valley

The economic downturn in Silicon Valley continues to place individuals and families at risk of loosing their homes. As a result, low income population from San Jose are ending up on the streets. More than 7,000 homeless people live on the streets in this area, but only 1,000 local shelter beds are available on any given cold night. For the past 12 years, Northern California volunteers have been giving food to homeless people on the street. Since 2001, Tzu Chi volunteers started a homeless breakfast program every Sunday in downtown San Jose. Every December, volunteers host a holiday party and winter distribution at the local church.

Homeless person, Matthew:"I didn't actually choose to be out here at this time. I lost my house and my job. I'm in my middle twenties and I want, man, I want a house; I want something bigger. I don't want to be here. I made a little money for me and my dogs to eat with at the nights. I'm homeless this time for about a year and a half.I just lay on top of my tarp, and lay on my sleeping bag and go to sleep; and I wake up in the morning and do it all over again. "

Sunday morning big breakfast
More than 7,000 homeless people live on the street on any given night. Some of them live under freeway overpass. Others camp out on the river banks near downtown San Jose. These are the "Outdoor citizens" of Silicon Valley.

In 2001, Tzu Chi volunteers started a breakfast program partnering with a local church to distribute food every Sunday morning in downtown San Jose.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Jennifer Kuo:"When homeless people come here to have breakfast, we give them plenty of food that can last for a whole day. However, the food is just enough for one day. They have to wait till the following Sunday for our food again. They need long-term assistance in their life, and what we can offer is limited. When we serve food for them, we follow our hearts and ask nothing in return. We give them our blessing. "

Considering different needs
Volunteers bring food to those who do not have any transportation to come to the Sunday breakfast.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Leejung Chu:"I bought these umbrellas from Daiso. Since it has been raining, I thought they might need them."

Momma has been homeless for years. She lives in a tent near the riverbank in San Jose. Tzu Chi volunteer William visits her to check her needs.

Homeless person, Momma:"These are dishes that are stacked. And, what you gonna to do in this weather? So, you'll just hope and you'll pray. When this is over, it would stop raining. Then you get a sunny day. You'd get out of here and fix it. Normally you cannot stand here and see the water this high. It goes down. But a lot of people can get flooded out down there."

Cold weather shelter program
Tzu Chi volunteer, Chen Yunnian:"One time when we came here to give them breakfast. It rained on the previous night. Their blankets were soaked, and they still slept with it. It made my heart ache seeing that. The weather was so cold outside, and even worse with the rain, and they slept outside for the whole night."

From late November to March, the cold weather shelter program will provide homeless individuals with food and housing on a nightly basis.

Homeless person, Jonathan:"I'm mentally disabled. I am paranoid, and I have delusions. The biggest problem about being mentally disabled is, it's a very complicated process to get disability."

Homeless person, Bob:"This is where I'm going to sleep tonight over here. It's warm here at night. They turn up the heat in here; it's so good. It's so cold outside. I have arthritis. So all day long I'm outside, and my legs hurt all the times."

Joy in bringing smiles to many
Tzu Chi volunteers also serve meals at these shelters.

Tzu Chi volunteer, Cai Sukuan:"When I see them enjoying my food, I am happy. "

Homeless person, Charles:"Just because people are homeless don't mean they are hopeless. Some of them just need an opportunity and somebody to give them a smile."

Homeless person, Kasandra:"I bless you guys, and God gonna bless you, because your food is really good. It filled me up and I love it. And just tell my mom, I said hi and I am ok, I love you."

Homeless person, Adell:"I pray like a witness for my lord. I pray like a witness for my lord. Wouldn't you be the witness for my lord. Wouldn't you be the witness for my lord. Come on be the witness for my lord. Come on be the witness for my lord. Won't you be the witness for my lord. Won't you be the witness for my lord. "

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Tzu Chi
• Silicon Valley

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