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https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2016/07/02/we-have-no-homeless-services-in-menlo-park

Town Square

"We Have No Homeless Services in Menlo Park"

Original post made by Charity, Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks, on Jul 2, 2016

Today at Trader Joe's in Menlo Park there was a young very fail woman woman with a child in a stroller asking for help - panhandling in the parking lot. I stopped to talk to her, and in her broken English told me that she is from Bulgaria and speaks Italian. She said she also had an infant (no where in sight) and was living in her car. In an attempt to hook her up with social services another concerned resident called the Menlo Park police department. The 2 year old was getting out of the stroller and running in the parking lot. Not a safe situation for anyone, and Mom did not appear in good health. The dispatcher told said " We Have NO Homeless Services in Menlo Park" and they couldn't do anything to help. What sort of community do we live in where "There are No Homeless Services" and people in need with young children are left to panhandle in a parking lot? The young woman gave her name as Isbella and her phone number 916-846-6288. Since our City government seems incapable or unwilling to provide any help - even referral to an agency that can help - I am asking any community members who might be able to help to give her a call and direct her towards social services. And I urge other community residents pressure the City of Menlo Park to address the needs of homeless people and those like Isbella who are begging for help. A hotline that provides a link to social services would help. Having an officer assessing the situation to ensure that this woman and her children are okay and conduct a through "welfare check" for anyone panhandling seems appropriate. And actually developing homeless services in Menlo Park.

Comments

Posted by agreed
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jul 5, 2016 at 2:46 pm

Thank you for taking the time to write about this.

We live in one of the most expensive zip codes in the country and yet we have no services. Is that by design?

I would like to encourage us all to take action.

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Posted by not that bad
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Jul 5, 2016 at 6:01 pm

LifeMoves, formerly InnVision Network, and before that Haven House, provide homeless services in Menlo Park.

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Posted by CUT TAXES!!! save ME some money!
a resident of another community
on Jul 5, 2016 at 6:20 pm

Lifemoves does not list MP, only EPA, which tries to cover both. I've also heard that unless you are a woman with a child, there ain't no room at the inn. Waiting list.


Fair Oaks Community Center
Redwood City, CA
(650) 780-7500

El Concilio of San Mateo County
East Palo Alto, CA
(650) 330-7432

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Posted by pogo
a resident of Woodside: other
on Jul 6, 2016 at 9:02 am
pogo is a registered user.

Serving the homeless is usually done at the county level, not the city or town level. In addition to several charities, every county in California provides services and support for the homeless.

You just have to know who to call.

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Posted by POGO
a resident of Woodside: other
on Jul 29, 2016 at 7:01 am

Pure opinion.

I think the homeless generally fall into three categories. Some are there due to medical issues, mostly related to mental health, alcoholism and drug abuse. Some are there due to financial (loss of job or bad decisions) or social (divorce, family violence/criminal activity, etc.) misfortunes. And some are voluntarily homeless because it is their chosen lifestyle - they consciously reject society. (There is probably a fourth group of imposters - who are not homeless and panhandle as a way to make money.)

I suspect the largest group is the first and the smallest the last. I also suspect the second group is the one that benefits most from intensive programs.

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Posted by Hmmm
a resident of another community
on Jul 29, 2016 at 3:41 pm
Hmmm is a registered user.

Charity - have you followed up with Isabella? She's likely a victim of human trafficking, or part of a gypsy scam group. We've had both in the area in recent years. If you get better informed about human trafficking, you'll know some of the signs and can call the police when appropriate.

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