Tag archives: homeless community

Dinner for 300
By Richard Mineards   |   December 10, 2020

Having volunteered at the Rescue Mission for the past 13 years, I had to miss acting as a waiter at the Rescue Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Feast this year because of the pandemic restrictions. However, as the 55-year-old shelter is designated as “an essential service,” 40 homeless at a time were allowed in to nosh on […]

Homelessness Update: Montecito Leading the Way
By Sharon Byrne   |   December 3, 2020

The Hands Across Montecito initiative got off to a great start this September. We did a census count with a terrific team of Montecito volunteers, our fire chiefs, sheriffs, and members of Behavioral Wellness, organized by City Net. We hiked all over Montecito, interviewing, and finding out more about who is living unsheltered here, and […]

Joining Hands Across Montecito
By Eileen Read   |   October 21, 2020

In the middle of another heat wave, it’s 95 degrees near the beach in Montecito and everybody has moved indoors. Everybody except our small group trailing behind Luis Alvarado, a determined homeless outreach specialist with the Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Department who has come to Montecito to make contact with as many homeless people […]

Support Sharon Byrne and City Net for a Montecito Homeless Solution
By Jim Witherell   |   October 13, 2020

Solving tough community problems requires committed people coming together to build effective coalitions. Congratulations to Sharon Byrne, executive director of the Montecito Association, for her courage in launching “Hands Across Montecito,” a community-based homeless outreach project, scheduled to roll out this month in Montecito. Homelessness in Our Area The State of California leads the nation […]

Hands Across Montecito Performs Census Count of Homeless
By Sharon Byrne   |   October 1, 2020

Monday morning at 6 am, a crowd of 30 gathered at a church in Santa Barbara’s Eastside to perform a homeless census count. This is part of the Hands Across Montecito Project, started by the Montecito Association in response to concerns of large encampments growing along the tracks, encounters on Coast Village, thefts, and fires. […]

The Multi-Jurisdictional Problem in Montecito – Hammond’s Trail
By Sharon Byrne   |   September 24, 2020

At the Montecito Association, we often work with neighbors on specific issues. Who is responsible for the tree dropping bowling ball-sized pinecones in the street? Who handles the trash at Highway 101 and Hot Springs Road? What do I do if my neighbor’s hedge becomes infested with rats? These types of questions often require calls […]

Organic Soup Kitchen Unveils New Helpline
By Nick Schou   |   August 6, 2020

Since 2009, the Organic Soup Kitchen has been the only organization in Santa Barbara County to deliver nutrient-rich soup meals to low-income families and homeless individuals. What started as a homespun effort to provide healthy meals to the homeless in local parks, has gradually become a successful, self-sustaining enterprise with its own kitchen that works […]

Montecito Association Discusses Homelessness
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   July 16, 2020

At their monthly board meeting on Tuesday, July 14, the Montecito Association Board of Directors voted to approve a pilot program to help homeless people in the Montecito area get the help and resources they need. The program includes partnering with outreach coordinators from City Net, an organization comprised of a team of nonprofit professionals […]

Smile-Worthy Moments from Big Cities
By Montecito Journal   |   April 23, 2020

L.A. hotel opens its doors to the homeless during COVID-19. Communities around the world are under shelter in place orders, but staying home is not an option for homeless populations. A Los Angeles hotel is hoping to protect the health of its community’s most vulnerable residents by opening their doors to those living on the […]

Organic Soup Kitchen Expands Delivery Service During Coronavirus Scare
By Nick Schou   |   March 19, 2020

In the past several days, the so-called coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic has spread into California and registered its first infection in Santa Barbara. On March 13, Santa Barbara’s Organic Soup Kitchen announced it is expanding its delivery service to help people stay in and stay healthy during the health scare. “We produce soup and deliver […]

Santa Barbara Rescue Mission
By Zach Rosen   |   December 3, 2019

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this time of year is when giving is on the mind. The winter season brings with it thoughts of donated gifts or providing hot meals to those in need or without a home. Since 1965 the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission has been giving to the homeless of the area, acting as […]

New Beginnings
By Lynda Millner   |   November 21, 2019

Everyone Deserves a New Beginning… New Beginnings Counseling Center held its annual fundraiser in a new way with an evening of theatre at the New Vic. It was a stage reading production with award winning professional actors including a wonderful nine-year-old girl, Hope Dekkers, and Stephanie Edwards, who co-hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade with […]

New Beginnings Counseling Center
By Zach Rosen   |   November 21, 2019

All too often the amount of people living on the street in the area is referred to as the “homeless problem.” While there is a negative connotation to the word problem, problems also have solutions and New Beginnings Counseling Center (NBCC) is one of the nonprofits in town working to provide solutions. Their range of […]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Montecito Journal   |   October 17, 2019

“Problem Solvers” Do It Again We had it all: the beautiful ocean along our coast, the great weather, the clean land and the beautiful new and growing economy. We could walk to school, to the store by ourselves and never thought anything would go wrong. We had new shopping centers and movie theatres that sparkled. […]

Homelessness in Montecito
By Bob Hazard   |   October 3, 2019

According to the Wall Street Journal, California has 12% of the nation’s population, but accounts for half of the homeless population. San Francisco is only a few degrees cooler than Orlando in January, but the homeless rate in the City by the Bay is 30 times higher than Orlando. In the last year, homelessness in […]

The Clean-Up Bandits
By J'Amy Brown   |   September 5, 2019

Q: In August you wrote about a less-than-perfect clean-up at the 101 Cabrillo off-ramp. This week I noticed a big improvement, but trash is still entwined in branches. This clean-up is like a Dalmatian dog – spotty! What gives? A: It’s true: this ramp clean-up puppy is being attacked by diminutive nips, not big-dog bites! […]

Oops, You Forgot Something
By J'Amy Brown   |   August 15, 2019

Several weeks ago, Caltrans closed the Hot Springs 101 offramp, causing huge traffic delays. The intention for the closure was to clean out a homeless encampment – but it seems Caltrans forgot a few things. It’s nice to have the brush cut back – but really Caltrans, finish what you started! Come back and pick […]

Coast Village News
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   July 25, 2019

Earlier this week drivers may have been caught in heavy traffic in lower Montecito, as Caltrans crews closed the Hot Springs exit at Highway 101 in order to clear out a long-term homeless encampment located under the freeway bridges.  The massive encampment had not been cleared in over three years. The Coast Village Association, the […]

Grilling Out
By Richard Mineards   |   July 11, 2019

Hamburgers and hot dogs ruled the menu when the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission held its 11th annual Independence Day barbecue in the parking lot at its newly renovated property on East Yanonali Street. More than 300 homeless guests enjoyed 560 hamburgers and hotdogs, and 27 pounds of macaroni and potato salad, while quaffing hundreds of […]

Rescue Mission Revamp
By Richard Mineards   |   June 27, 2019

After more than two years and a $12 million budget, the 33-year-old 40,000 sq. ft. Rescue Mission is ready for its closeup. The extensive project represents five years of planning, permitting, fundraising and rebuilding the facility, which has served more than three million meals and provided 1.6 million stays for the homeless since 1986. The […]