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Mary’s Luminous Spirit Shines On Brightly

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Mary Rudge remains a luminous presence. She always championed the less-privileged, the beaten-down, and she was a vibrant peace activist who spoke against war at countless peace rallies. What a model of talent, grace and courage through adversity. We revere this poet’s ability to envision projects that enrich the human spirit.

Igniting the Fight for the Homeless Bill of Rights

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“We are not fighting for special rights but for the same rights that everyone else has. People who don’t have homes do not want to be arrested for sleeping, resting, sitting, because they have no private place to sleep, rest or sit!” — Jessica Bartholow, Western Center on Law and Poverty.

Albany’s Inhumane and Irresponsible Eviction Plans

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Even while Albany has refused to develop any housing, shelter beds or homeless services at all, for the past 14 years, homeless people have been camping on the Albany Landfill, taking care of the land, cleaning up construction debris, planting trees, creating works of art, and making it their home.

Nelson Mandela Always Focused on Building a Better World for All

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“As poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest... Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.” — Nelson Mandela

St. Mary’s Center Honors the Countless Lives Lost on the Streets

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These reflections from the Homeless Memorial held at St. Mary’s Center in December 2013, are in honor of those who died on the streets of the East Bay. We must remember the people who died homeless and poor and reclaim our awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life.

How We Found a Safe Haven at the Albany Bulb

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Once-respectable environmental activists have shown their preference for “parks over poor people” again and again. They refuse to acknowledge that pushing for the eviction of homeless people goes against their own environmental justice policy. And rather than using the “Housing First” model, the City Council has chosen the “eviction first” approach.

Is Music City Becoming the Meanest City in America?

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The homeless situation in Nashville is far worse than city leaders pretend. Music City’s lack of affordable housing, and constant police harassment of homeless people, is a disgrace. There is literally nowhere for homeless people to sit, walk or go to the bathroom without fear of being arrested for trespassing.

Mother Teresa’s Sisters Feed San Francisco’s Homeless

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The sisters find hungry people under bridges, behind buildings, in doorways and other places where the invisible poor exist. They offer hot plates of food and remind them that they are loved by someone, even though the person sleeping next to them the night before may have died from cold and neglect.

Thousands of Low-Income Tenants at Risk Due to Sequestration

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An estimated 140,000 households will lose housing vouchers because of sequestration. The budget cuts also will shred Meals on Wheels for senior citizens, homelessness programs, public housing, and AIDS and HIV services. Thousands of low-income renters now are threatened with higher rent increases, or the possible loss of their vouchers.