Broken Beaks is a new children’s book written by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer. It tells the story of an injured sparrow that is befriended by a homeless man.
In the words of one reviewer:
“The image of the broken beak is well chosen, as it is a simple flaw, easily explained, but still mysterious. Something just snaps, and the bird’s life is never the same again. Watching this perfect bird become broken, dirty and homeless prepares us for the introduction of the man experiencing homelessness and allows the reader’s identification with the sparrow to easily empathize with the equally broken man. Broken Beaks is about the strength of the human spirit and is rich in detail and gentle simplicity.”
Lachenmeyer previously published The Outsider, an award-winning chronicle of his father’s struggles with schizophrenia and homelessness. Library Journal called it “highly recommended.”
Lachenmeyer also maintains the Web site Exile on Main Street, featuring information about mental health and homelessness.
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The Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty Task Force announces two important additions to its Web site (www.hhptf.org).
The new Resources section compiles links to documents, publications, and tools in the following categories:
The new Organizations section features a variety of agencies, institutes, and nonprofits that assist low-income people and address poverty:
The task force welcomes feedback and invites resource tips. For more information, e-mail jgehner@hhptf.org.
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The University Daily Kansan notes that students from the University of Kansas recently utilized the Lawrence Public Library as a survey site for local homeless people.
The survey, conducted under the social welfare class Advanced Communication and Advocacy Practice, focused on the options that Lawrence provides for the homeless …
Part of the reason why the survey was conducted was because [of] a report that named Lawrence the second “meanest city” to the homeless in the United States. The title was given in an annual survey, which was released in January 2006, conducted by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty ...
The class … brings with them various items to give the homeless after they fill out the survey. Items include socks, batteries, radios, bus passes and water bottles.
At first the incentives were a concern because they wanted to give participants something they would use. “We wanted to give them choices and provide things that maybe the shelter doesn’t have for them,” [said] Krista Lee, [a] Topeka graduate student.
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The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that a program in Escondido, Calif., is providing free books to local children in low-income families and isolating environments.
The book giveaway and project were part of Project Success, a collaboration between the Escondido Public Library and the Escondido Union School District. The program is designed for children in transitional living situations.
The program is funded in part by the district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grant, and the library’s Reading Is Fundamental fund …
The grant benefits children awaiting foster care placement, those whose families are sharing housing due to economic hardship and children whose families are living in hotels, motels, trailer parks or shelters.
Close to 50 percent of the homeless population in the country are families with children …
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On April 23rd, The Daily Times of Salisbury, Maryland, published a piece by Monique Lewis titled “Homeless Are Welcome at Public Libraries.”
The article profiles the relationships between homeless patrons and library staff in Salisbury, Glen Burnie, Pocomoke City, and Baltimore City.
A sample:
A homeless person may need help with a job interview or is leaving a bad situation, and may simply need a bus schedule, said branch manager Kathryn Breithut of the Pocomoke Public Library.
A homeless woman who visited the library for two weeks got a job in Ocean City, she said. Another family found work and child care for their daughter after nearly two weeks, she said.
“There are probably more that are private and didn’t talk (about their successes),” she said. “My staff is very people oriented. They enjoy success stories and helping people whether they’re homeless or not.”
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