Layout 3 - San Diego Metropolitan

S A N D I EG O S C E N ESan Diego’s Homeless Numbers Continue to GrowTwo San Diego police officers stop their patrol car to talk with a homeless manhuddled on a street corner in a dark, unpopulated area of Downtown San Diego.At the same time, a volunteer from a local church pushes past the two patrolmento hand the elderly man a jacket to which the homeless man gratefully takes andthen opts for the street rather than the offer for shelter at a local church.This is a scene at a recent “Transitional Safe Zone,” where the police hope tobring all church and volunteer organizations together to help make a difference,and ultimately, a change – together. The common goal is to get the 10,000 SanDiego homeless men, women and children off San Diego streets. “Many of thehomeless have been on the streets for 10-15 years and the transition is just toodifficult, so with comfort, they choose the streets,” said David De Witt of City ofRefuge, a nondenominational fellowship. Through the Safe Zone concept, the citywill provide 12 hours of overnight protection for San Diego’s homeless in one location,which is yet to be determined.San Diegans can help by making a donation for sleeping bags. Contributionsfor the drive can be made online through Paypal at http://fundly.com/eyeofaneedlefoundation.All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible and will go directlyto this rescue project.A volunteer hands a sleeping bag to a homelessman.2 7 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y 1 9 8 5 - 2 0 1 2 | J U LY 2 0 1 2 | S A N D I E G O M E T R O . C O M9