“Our Pet Pantry relies on in-kind donations of dog and cat food to enable families who are struggling financially to keep their pets rather than relinquishing them to a shelter. Your help is needed! Any unopened bags or cans of dog or cat food donated to the Richmond SPCA are distributed directly to families and individuals in this program.”
See link for details on how to apply for aid and how to donate.
Kate Bornstein - artist, educator, author of Gender Outlaw and other great queer important life-affirming books - has lung cancer. The good news is, it is curable. The bad news is, cures are expensive.
Auntie Kate has helped a lot of people stay alive. You can help her stay alive by donating here.
Save the date: the trial of Ashley Williams, a Richmond mother erroneously accused of murdering her child and viciously pursued by courts unwilling to hear evidence proving that the child died of a genetic disease, will resume May 20th.
The trial will be held at 9am, at the John Marshall Courts Building (400 North 9th Street, Richmond VA). A strong show of public support is vital.
Updated instructions regarding Black Panther organizer Rashid Johnson, who is behind held in an Oregon prison. Reports from other inmates indicate that he is grievously ill and being refused medical care, after guards poisoned him. See the full situation in yesterday’s post: http://devilsknob.tumblr.com/post/43618340730/emergency-just-read-from-the-supporting-prisoners-and
From SPARC (Supporting Prisoners and Acting for Radical Change):
“UPDATE: call the following numbers to demand medical care for Rashid.
Snake River Health Services office staff phone numbers:
Betty Wilson: Office Manager (541)-881-4943 or (541)-697-0044.
Amy Huges: Assitant Manager (541)-881-4994.
Ashley “for emergencies” is extension 4959.
Oregon Health Services:
Tanya Fly at (503)-378-5512.”
The Barton Heights Mobile Food Pantry, at the parking lot of North and Dove streets in Northside, needs extra hands today, as soon as possible. If you’re free, get on down. It’s not complicated work, but they need more bodies to get it done.
Richmond folks, more info about where you can go if you need help or don’t have shelter in this cold weather. Please help others find out this info as well, and see a previous post for phone numbers to call in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. These temperatures can kill.
“City’s Cold Weather Overflow Shelter Open Throughout Weekend
Richmond, VA – The city’s Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will open tonight, January 25, Saturday, January 26, and Sunday, January 27, as overnight temperatures are forecasted to remain at or below 40 degrees during this time period. The overflow shelter is located at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, 14 West Duval Street. The shelter opens at 7 p.m. and closes the following morning at 6 a.m. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.
Residents in need of overnight shelter are asked to report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities Central Intake by 5 p.m. for a comprehensive intake and referral to the appropriate shelter. Commonwealth Catholic Charities Central Intake is located at the Freedom House Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way, next to the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the Richmond City Jail. A referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will be provided to individuals who are not eligible for an existing shelter or if all available beds have been filled.
The city’s Department of Social Services (DSS) will accept Crisis Assistance applications through March 15, at 900 East Marshall Street, Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This program provides assistance with furnace repair or replacement and security deposits on a primary heating source. Residents may also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046. DSS also provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for residents who qualify.
Elderly or residents with disabilities should contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CITY OF RICHMOND
News Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Wallace
Friday, January 25, 2013 (804) 646-2772
Michael.Wallace@Richmondgov.com”
Saw this being shared around on Facebook:
“DC/MD/VA Residents: Its very cold with wind chills it feels between 7-10 degrees. If you see a homeless person sleeping or just cold with nowhere to go, please take note of the cross streets and what type of clothes they are wearing, and call 1-800-535-7252. The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness will pick them up and transport them to a free shelter. Help a stranger in need and share this info!”
The number above (1-800-535-7252) for The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness is ONLY for the greater DC area. In MD there is a crisis hotline at 301-662-2255 that can provide information on shelter location based on zipcode. They did not know of a transportation option.
In VA, 211 is the number for resource information. Again, they can provide information on shelters based on zipcode. They did not know of a transportation option. After calling multiple shelters, I learned of the 2nd Responder Unit (804-646-3618) in the City of Richmond program, described as follows:
“Social workers are located in the Richmond Police Department’s precincts and respond to any call when dispatched by 911 operators or when requested by officers at a scene. Second Responders provide citizens with on-scene support in critical situations and determine what services are needed. They may refer the citizen to a specific Social Services program or assist the citizen with connecting to community resources.” More here.
Also note, number provided (804-646-3618) is supposed to be for after-hours (between 3PM and 8AM) but I have been unable to get a person as yet.
If you yourself are homeless and in need of shelter in cold weather, you can call the above numbers for yourself, also.
If you see anyone out in the cold who is exhibiting symptoms of hypothermia, speak to them to see if they need assistance. If they are unable to speak coherently or use their hands, or are unresponsive (unable to speak at all, unconscious and not able to be woken), call 911 and ask for an ambulance.
Please share widely.
Food Not Bombs could very much use a truck or van tomorrow, to transport food and groceries from 2005 Barton Avenue in Barton Heights to Monroe Park.
Please message this account if you have a large vehicle and are available from 3:30pm-5:00pm tomorrow, Sunday the 13th.
The anti-drug-war November Coalition is trying to arrange a screening of the documentary “The House I Live In” here in Richmond, but they first need to demonstrate to the producers that there is sufficient interest. Please fill out this form, and make sure to include that you are writing in support of the 2/16 November Coalition screening.
