Emilio Estevez will explore the issue of homeless people and public libraries in his next movie, The Public.
The story is based on librarian Chip Ward’s Los Angeles Times op-ed piece that discussed how libraries become de facto shelters for homeless and mentally ill people in times of budget cuts.
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According to the article, Libraries balance patrons, homeless, Metro Detroit libraries have tightened security and hygiene policies in order to serve patrons. The libraries serve homeless people by making data available on shelters, mental health services and job-training programs.
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Washington, DC’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library offers music appreciation and arts classes for homeless patrons
Jacksonville Public Library teaches Internet use to homeless job seekers
San Franciso Public Library staff refer homeless people to housing and mental health service agencies
The Free Library of Philadelphia employs homeless people at their Central Library
The Los Angeles Public Library hosts a summer camp for homeless children
New York Public Library has monthly story time sessions for homeless children
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Feeding Intolerance: Prohibitions on Sharing Food with People Experiencing Homelessness , a recent report from The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and the National Coalition for the Homeless, reveals how local governments across the nation are prohibiting and restricting groups from sharing and distributing food to hungry and homeless people.
It is believed that common myths about homeless people fuels such food-sharing restrictions, namely:
Myth #1 Ease of access to food stamps
Reality- Over half of the homeless population receive food stamps because of lack of transportation, lack of shelter, lack of knowledge and proper documentation.
Myth #2 Food pantries and soup kitchens provide adequate amounts of food for hungry and homeless people
Reality- Many food pantries lack kitchen facilities and cannot cook food for people to eat. Many food pantries restrict the amount of food they give to people. There are not enough food pantries and soup kitchens to feed everyone who is hungry.
*Myth #3 Food programs enable homelessness
Reality- Food is not an addiction! People remain homeless due to lack of affordable housing, lack of transportation and lack of health care.
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The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Sodexho Inc. today released their annual report on hunger and homelessness, with survey data collected from 23 participating cities.
According to the press release:
More information and statistics can be obtained from the complete report (PDF):
http://usmayors.org/HHSurvey2007/hhsurvey07.pdf
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