Events

Press Release: "Saints & Prophets" Return to Berkeley Council Supporting Homeless Youth Services Leveraging Proposal on Tuesday Agenda

From Sally Hindman
Sunday November 11, 2012 - 01:10:00 PM

Ten saints & prophets (giant puppets) representing diverse faith traditions including St. Martin des Porres, Our Lady of Guadelupe, Rabbi Hillel, Gandhi and others will be escorting formerly homeless youth leaders from Berkeley's Youth Spirit Artworks as they hold an interfaith prayer circle supporting their proposal to leverage existing homeless youth services to create a day time space for homeless youth. The Tuesday night event will take place at 6pm at Maudelle Shirek Old City Hall, 2134 MLK Jr. Way, Berkeley. 

The fiscally prudent $50,000 proposal would move and expand a successful S. Berkeley homeless youth jobs program so that it can be available to serve youth in need from Telegraph & Shattuck Avenue. It would be linked to existing case management and shelter services, and is being championed by Council Member Max Anderson. The proposal will be considered at the City Council meeting Tuesday night beginning at 7pm. 

This initiative seeks to to provide a positive first step addressing the challenge of homeless youth on Berkeley sidewalks, since the more punitive Measure S, "no sitting" law lost in Tuesdays elections. Berkeley currently has almost no services for homeless youth and lacks an indoor space where youth can go during the day.