If you live near one of the cities in which the NAACP has set up Voter Assistance Centers, then sign up to volunteer.

• Help voters obtain and cast absentee ballots
• Provide legal help to voters with serious problems through the Election Protection toll-free legal Hotline, 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
• Register displaced New Orleanians to vote

 [ send green star]

Hey everyone,

I know that i havent been on here a lot, but I have been kinda busy.  Anyways, I thought the MLK Walk is a great idea.  We should try and get as many people as possible.  Oh yeah and MOM (Deb) the walk is on the 16th. GOOBER!

hehe anyways if you want to we are more than happy to take more ideas. Yay!  Homeless Aid Rules!

Marcus H.

 [ send green star]

Did you mean "aluminum cans"? Sounds like a great idea! You`d need a central point where people could take their accumulated cans. Then people who would smash them if they`re not already smashed, then they have to be bagged and taken by truck to the local metal recycler where people turn in all sorts of metal. Iron, copper, steel, aluminum. They receive cash in exchange for the weight of the metal and different amounts for different types.

Cans are usually the best way to go because other things have to be "cleaned" before turning them in. Like aluminum doors, they bring a good price for their weight but have to be "cleaned" of glass. Very messy and possibly dangerous breaking out the glass.

I have a recycler neighbor who makes part time money this way so thats how I happen to know this stuff. I once collected cans at an office building for him (when he was laid up in ill health) because he couldn`t go out and get them for a period of time. Then when he was better he cashed them in. He got a couple hundred dollars from just what I collected. I got permission from the office building manager at the time but later I noticed the building manager started collecting them for his own profit which was his legal right to do so I suppose. I just gave him the idea...

Anyway, collection of cans would definitely be a great way to raise money for the Homeless in any area, especially when a lot of households are involved.

 [ send green star]

Let's Get It Started! (I like that song!)

When we get some ideas from the group, a poll will probably be in order. Until then, I'm just throwing out some random thoughts for you to ponder. I know not all of all members can participate in more physical activities, but hopefully we can find something for everyone.

• Several of our members are also members of Habitat for Humanity. We could arrange a group build day with Habitat?
• The Food Bank always needs volunteers. Group size can range 15-30, but pre-registration is required. Still something we can do as a group, with a little planning. Or on a walk-in basis as individuals.
  
• SAMM has monthly volunteer orientations, but they are usually scheduled the same week as my regular business travel. If anyone is interested in going as a group, I can make inquiries about a special orientation session just for SA HCA members.
• We could post and sponsor an online petition to the US Conference of Mayors asking that all member cities participate in the National Project Homeless Connect in 2006.
• Post and Sponsor an online version of the petition in support of the Bringing America Home Act. (With prior permission from the campaign, of course.)
  
• Patricia mentioned life skills training. The Dwyer Ave transitional housing center offers life skills training and counseling via a number of organizations. (If anyone has a particular interest or specialty, please contact the respective organization directly!)
• One of the skills training areas mentioned without an organization listed for it is Financial Education. I know that Citigroup sponsors financial education in their communities and can supply training for members of community groups who want to give classes. I could make inquiries on both sides if anyone would be intersted in doing that sort of thing.
• I love Elizabeth A's "if I were the mayor" concept of a mandatory 16 hours of community service a year. We could adopt that as a group pledge. Maybe start a blog for members to add their comments and experiences to when they participated in a community service project. If you're all up for it, we could even "challenge" other HCA groups to have their members take the pledge as well!
• I plan to participate in the MLK Memorial March on January 19th. If anyone would like to make it a group thing, we could do signs to help raise awareness of homelessness in SA. Maybe make up some fliers to hand out to the crowd, to advertise our group to the community?
  
• Would very much like to make contacts with some of the main organizations in the community dedicated to helping the homeless. If possible, would like to see a representative from each post updates to the group directly.
  

 [ send green star]