Melissa Willis is an expert on homelessness. From News & Record: “A cold rain that sometimes turned to sleet throughout the day likely kept people away from corners where they usually panhandle, volunteer Melissa ‘Byrd’ Willis, 25, said. Willis, who was homeless when she was in her teens, said the … > read more
From a commenter: Hello: My name is David. I am 69 years old ( I have a hip replacement) and I can’t do very much! I attend Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Calif. I hope you will read this e-mail. I thought it might be of some interest to you. … > read more
I wrote about the guys on the block (and more) for the News & Record: “When there’s nowhere to go,” by Michele Forrest; published Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. It’s online here, and reposted below: My ministry partner, Audrie Keen, and I provide a street outreach to the homeless in Greensboro, … > read more
On the block: Patrol cop says guys can talk to us but then have to go. They ask, why can we talk but not wait for work? Cop: Doing my job.
Good editorial in today’s News & Record: “Clearing out The Block”: Greensboro police last week stepped up loitering enforcement and effectively cleared the place known as “The Block.” Just like that. Through a series of 30-minute patrols, officers shooed away the clusters of mostly men who routinely gather at the … > read more
Brian Clarey visited the Freeman Mill homeless camps and wrote a powerful story for the 10/07/2009 edition of YES! Weekly. Read “Street Level” online here. Some quotes, with my notes: “The tobacco has kept me from killing a couple a people,” [Cotton] says, “including myself.” When we visit the camps, … > read more
From greensboropeerpressure” “The people who rule what happens in Downtown Greensboro have removed the little greenway through the parking lot on South Elm and McGee streets downtown because they claim that nobody used it. People used to use it to eat bag lunches and watch passers-by and enjoy the breeze … > read more
UPDATE: The amendments to the panhandling ordinance passed unanimously. Tonight, the Greensboro City Council considers significant revisions to the ordinance governing public soliciting, begging and panhandling. The proposed changes would result in a de facto ban on panhandling in the downtown area, and would strictly limit panhandling throughout the rest … > read more
On Friday night, May 15th, hundreds of area youth are expected to sleep outside at Grace Community Church on Lee Street to raise awareness of homelessness, in an event sponsored by New Jerusalem Cathedral (see video). They will sleep in safety, protected by Greensboro police officers, on the same grounds … > read more
Homeless Concerned About Cuts March On City Hall Source: www.wxii12.com GREENSBORO — Several of Greensboro homeless residents are calling on the City Council to continuing funding agencies that provide assistance. Tuesday, April 21, 2009… » full story, with video, on WXII