Carts for the Homeless
Submitted by ElliotGoldstein on Sun, 10/28/2007 - 18:40.
Last updated on Sat, 03/07/2009 - 19:23.
Vital Stats
ongoing project
09/01/2007
12
15
$500
Project Photos
Project Video
The Problem
The Silent Epidemic
Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the nation; there are over 80,000+ that sleep on the streets of LA nightly. (That�s more then most cities of the world!) At least 10,000 homeless youth sleep on the streets of L.A. 79% go unsheltered at night. 19% have been homeless for less than two months. 31% have been homeless for between two months and one year. 50% have been homeless for more than one year.
Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
Why It's Important
Unlike many homeless help centers, which aim to mainstream these individuals into society, CFTH realizes that this goal is not always the best option for some homeless individuals.
At Carts for the Homeless, our vision is to create a cart capable of making a significant difference in the life of a homeless person, by providing them with reliable solutions to all the basic needs that are so difficult to meet when living on the streets.
The Plan Of Action
Carts for the Homeless is going to make one dozen carts, and subsequently distribute these carts to twelve homeless people. By doing this we hope to make the lives of people living in the homeless community easier.
How Can Others Get Involved?
www.cartsforthehomeless.org
We need sponsors!
Project Updates
09/10/08
Update: Since we won the Take Action Grant, the CFTH project has moved on quite nicely! We are now in prototype stage!
CFTH has partnered with an already established nonprofit company aiding homeless individuals in Los Angeles, SOVA. Carts for the Homeless is now considered an umbrella project under the SOVA organization, and we benefit from their 501(c)(3) coding.
The next step was getting a foundation for the prototype cart. To do this, we contacted MOD Roto; a Michigan based Plastics Company, and they donated a large plastic bin (formerly an industrial recycling bin) to CFTH.
We have refined the designs to the cart as well, and are currently building the first fully functioning mobile shelter and storage pushcart designed to meet the needs of a homeless person in Los Angeles! 
Location
Related Causes:
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Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the nation; there are over 80,000+ that sleep on the streets of LA nightly. (That�s more then most cities of the world!) At least 10,000 homeless youth sleep on the streets of L.A. 79% go unsheltered at night. 19% have been homeless for less than two months. 31% have been homeless for between two months and one year. 50% have been homeless for more than one year.
Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
Why is it important to you?: <p>Unlike many homeless help centers, which aim to mainstream these individuals into society, CFTH realizes that this goal is not always the best option for some homeless individuals. </p>
<p>At Carts for the Homeless, our vision is to create a cart capable of making a significant difference in the life of a homeless person, by providing them with reliable solutions to all the basic needs that are so difficult to meet when living on the streets.</p>
What's your plan of action?: <p>Carts for the Homeless is going to make <u>one dozen carts</u>, and subsequently distribute these carts to twelve homeless people. By doing this we hope to make the lives of people living in the homeless community easier.</p> How Can Others Help?:
We need sponsors!
Start Date: 09/01/2007Money Raised: $500
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Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the nation; there are over 80,000+ that sleep on the streets of LA nightly. (That�s more then most cities of the world!) At least 10,000 homeless youth sleep on the streets of L.A. 79% go unsheltered at night. 19% have been homeless for less than two months. 31% have been homeless for between two months and one year. 50% have been homeless for more than one year.
Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
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Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
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Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the nation; there are over 80,000+ that sleep on the streets of LA nightly. (That�s more then most cities of the world!) At least 10,000 homeless youth sleep on the streets of L.A. 79% go unsheltered at night. 19% have been homeless for less than two months. 31% have been homeless for between two months and one year. 50% have been homeless for more than one year.
Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
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<p>At Carts for the Homeless, our vision is to create a cart capable of making a significant difference in the life of a homeless person, by providing them with reliable solutions to all the basic needs that are so difficult to meet when living on the streets.</p>
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Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the nation; there are over 80,000+ that sleep on the streets of LA nightly. (That�s more then most cities of the world!) At least 10,000 homeless youth sleep on the streets of L.A. 79% go unsheltered at night. 19% have been homeless for less than two months. 31% have been homeless for between two months and one year. 50% have been homeless for more than one year.
Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
Why is it important to you?: <p>Unlike many homeless help centers, which aim to mainstream these individuals into society, CFTH realizes that this goal is not always the best option for some homeless individuals. </p>
<p>At Carts for the Homeless, our vision is to create a cart capable of making a significant difference in the life of a homeless person, by providing them with reliable solutions to all the basic needs that are so difficult to meet when living on the streets.</p>
What's your plan of action?: <p>Carts for the Homeless is going to make <u>one dozen carts</u>, and subsequently distribute these carts to twelve homeless people. By doing this we hope to make the lives of people living in the homeless community easier.</p> How Can Others Help?:
We need sponsors!
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[#children] => Start Date: 09/01/2007Money Raised: $500
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[#children] => Is this a...: ongoing projectWeb site link: cartsforthehomeless.orgVideo (optional):
DoSomething Award Winner?: NoHow many people are directly involved in your project? : 15How many people has your project helped? : 12Location(s)
Los Angeles, CA, 90066See map: Google MapsWhat's the problem you are trying to solve?: The Silent Epidemic
Los Angeles is the homeless capital of the nation; there are over 80,000+ that sleep on the streets of LA nightly. (That�s more then most cities of the world!) At least 10,000 homeless youth sleep on the streets of L.A. 79% go unsheltered at night. 19% have been homeless for less than two months. 31% have been homeless for between two months and one year. 50% have been homeless for more than one year.
Chronic Homelessness
When a person has been homeless for atleast one year, or has had three episodes of homelessness in the past three years, then they are considered chronically homeless. Thirty-three percent�of the homeless population is chronically homeless! there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 chronically homeless individuals nationwide.
The System is Broken!
Chronically homeless individuals are inefficiently served by the systems they interact with, including emergency shelters, emergency rooms, hospitals, and police departments.�
�Shelter network programs and services are a rainbow in the clouds for homeless children and adults.� Maya Angelou
Shelters take away homeless persons freedoms. They are over crowded, understaffed, and under funded. Because of this, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) of single adult shelter users enter the homeless system only once or twice, stay just over a month, and do not return!
Instead they sleep on our streets, and use stolen shopping carts to transport all of their belongings. They sleep on the ground and have inadequate shelter.�
Shopping Carts Suck!
Homeless people are inadequately served by shopping carts.�Their little wheels get clogged and squeaky; their mesh baskets don�t keep things dry, and the volume of space is so limited because of the bottom rack! We hate to shop in them for an hour! Imagine having to use one as your chief mode of transportation.
Why is it important to you?: <p>Unlike many homeless help centers, which aim to mainstream these individuals into society, CFTH realizes that this goal is not always the best option for some homeless individuals. </p>
<p>At Carts for the Homeless, our vision is to create a cart capable of making a significant difference in the life of a homeless person, by providing them with reliable solutions to all the basic needs that are so difficult to meet when living on the streets.</p>
What's your plan of action?: <p>Carts for the Homeless is going to make <u>one dozen carts</u>, and subsequently distribute these carts to twelve homeless people. By doing this we hope to make the lives of people living in the homeless community easier.</p> How Can Others Help?:
We need sponsors!
Start Date: 09/01/2007Money Raised: $500
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This is AWSOME!!
wow, great project.
Please get in touch with me if you are interested in getting a new - FREE - website and hosting. george(at)dosomething.org
Thats really cool sounding...Make sure its rain proof!
<--Brittany-->
I'm happy to see this idea in action. I have a friend who is homeless, I thought about building him a portable shelter. My design has a sleeping area, storage shelf, and improved wheels over the shopping cart option. I did an internet search and your site came up, SO COOL!I am encouraged to talk with Bob and see what he thinks about an option other than stolen shopping cart.