Homeless coordinator
Last Monday, the Public Safety Committee of the Lawrence City Council met and they finally were able to interview the Homeless Initiatives Coordinator. They had requested her presence at a regular council meeting but somehow, she never came. I don’t know whose decision it was.
Mayor Dan Rivera recently sent a press release announcing how they would be handling the “homeless” population now with the COVID-19 emergency and she called in to participate at the meeting. That was very misleading because they had no intention of covering what we understand to be homeless.
Councilors have not learned how to maneuver the communication via YouTube and Facebook because the sound is awful, skips, we cannot see them while they speak and it’s really a disaster. But, something I enjoy is that people make comments that are very entertaining.
Vilma Martínez-Dominguez chimed in with, “We managed to make the necessary arrangements to have the Homelessness Initiatives Coordinator, Sandy Guerrier, join the meeting tonight.” She had to let the public know that she’s the boss but did not respond to any other comment directed to her.
Comments such as Altagracia Lopez’s who said, “You have been funded and the people are asking for an account of what exactly has been done because the local churches and groups are doing your work.”
Ms. Guerrier explained that the City has rented 80 rooms at Double Tree Hotel in Methuen for people who have been exposed, need a safe place to stay; perhaps they were living in overcrowded conditions or in shelters and they have nine people already there. She was quick to explain that this not for the “chronically homeless” who may be sleeping outside “by choice.”
“Homelessness is a very complex issue; there are many different layers to it,” she added. “We are doing as much as we can do.”
Then Sandy became irritated when Councilor Ana Levy said that they want her to come back before the council so that “people can meet her since many people in the city don’t even know we have a homeless coordinator.”
“I’ve been at this job for two years and everybody knows me,” she rebuffed. “I receive emails of people verbally attacking me.”
What was that? Is that her way to measure popularity? If anything, that told me all I needed to know about her intelligence.
Last July 22, 2019 I wrote an article about her describing her duties and responsibilities which are worth repeating.
“…focused on ending and preventing homelessness, particularly among those living in encampments and temporary shelters. The coordination will focus on health, income, employment, and housing.
“Establish and maintain productive, professional working relationships with community leaders, elected officials, City staff and other agencies. Create partnerships with private market landlords and property owners. Apply sound creative problem solving techniques to resolve difficult program issues and challenges; and create innovative and successful programs and services which integrate best practices related to ending homelessness.
“Promote and implement the “Housing First” method for ending homelessness — permanent housing opportunities matched with the right level of services – as based on research and practices published by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Participate on committees, task forces, and coalitions related to preventing and ending homelessness. Represent the city in regional or statewide forums.
“Assist in connecting homeless or at-risk individuals with an array of resources, including but not limited to SSI/SSDI, legal services, credit repair, job skills training, health insurance and health care.”
Easter Parade
I enjoyed reading the Eagle-Tribune reports on Easter Parades and celebrations in surrounding cities and towns. In the midst of worries, needs, boredom, etc. watching cars parading with the Easter Bunny and children loving it, was fulfilling and encouraging.
What a difference in Lawrence!
I want to commend Joel Chalas and Jorge Jaime for producing Facebook Lives educating the community on current issues. The information they provide is essential and very timely. Thanks.
