Minneapolis and Hennepin County, the State of Minnesota, and the Federal goverment alone and collectively are responsible for ending homelessness. And so is every single person living in this city. Even in this time of economic hardship there is NO reason for ANYONE to be homeless especially children. The Mayor and legislators can put energy into finding tens of millions of dollars for stadiums while there are only 50 emergency shelter beds for homeless youth in all of Hennepin County. Neighborhoods can subsidize the construction of condos but can't find the money to find housing for kids living under highway brides and along the river bank. We can give millions of dollars in tax breaks (lost revenue) to Target, Block E, and just about every other major business and corporation in downtown, but we can't find money to house our own youth? Ending homelessness is the responsibility of every single person be they elected official or private individual to end homelessness.
There are times when I read this list and list to folks complain and carry on about how they didn't make quite as much profit as they did last year on the multiple properities they own. Or they cry and moan because they have to pay taxes on their multiple homes or rental units or commercial properities or suburban bungalows. Complain about something that really means something other than a hurt sense of privilege. Pick up the phone and complain to your county commissioners, city council members, state and federal representatives that homelessness is unacceptable. Complain about the homeless that die every year because of lack of care, housing, and from exposure. Complain about something that means something more than your own bottom line or the lining of your pocketbook.
I walk into work every day and see the effects of homelessness. And I also see the heights to which individuals can climb once they've been provided a place to leave and the skills necessary to provide for themselves and their futures. There is no better investment in our future than investment in the people of our communities.
-Brandon Lacy Campos -Powderhorn Park
Chair National Lavender Green Caucus Green Party of the United States
Lavender Greens: www.lavendergreens.org BrownTones: http://galileo.spaceports.com/~brandonl/ YouthAction: www.youthaction.net
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