[vrba44070]

i started a blog about a drop-in center that serves mentally ill homeless people to bring attention to how hard life is for them. I go there once a week to run an art workshop so they have someway to express themselves. i report on what was discussed, but i omit their names and any info that would identify them. I post their artwork and about their discussions weekly. i just started doing this 2 weeks ago.
i used to work at this drop-in center as general manager for 2 years. Not only do they have the stigma of mental illness, they also are shunned for being homeless.
most mental health books and blogs are written by higher functioning people. i'm trying to raise awareness.
the drop-in center provides meals, showers, computers w/ internet access, a phone, TV, a place to sleep for the duration of the drop-in center's hours of operation, crafts, washer and dryer.
Ever since the financial meltdown in 2008 they've received less and less funding. they used to serve 2 meals a day, but now they serve only one. for some of the members that's their only meal for the day.
The blog's name is Word Salad World. a word salad is when someone speaks incoherently w/ arbitrary words that have nothing to do w/ each other. Some of the members there can't even get it together enough to apply for social security.
they have no voice in politics and so in my state, FL, funds for the disabled have been severely cut.
Please check it out. I think it will make you feel grateful for what you have.

[Leed]

I checked it out, and it's great! Thank you for doing this. Hugs, Lee

[Hellion]

That's a good idea, people should be more aware of what mentally ill people struggle with, especially those struggling with homelessness and such...its got to be a hard place to be. Hell its even what I am looking at since I can't stay at my moms house forever, and its questionable whether I will be able to get on SSI. I hate that when there's issues with the economy it seems the first thing that gets funding cut is help for those who need it the most.....I mean they could cut military spending or probably cut some other area than funding to help keep such drop in centers open or keep other help available.