HOMELESS SINGLE MOM MOVES FROM CAR TO ICAC TINY HOME

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June 6, 2020 Oakland, CA – Aisha, a single mother to her 2 young children have moved from living out of their car in the Interfaith Council of Alameda County’s (ICAC) Safe Car Park program, and into a tiny home at the ICAC hub in West Oakland with a kitchen and bathroom with shower.

Despite working two jobs, Aisha was homeless before COVID-19 reached the Bay Area due to the high cost of living. Aisha has since lost both jobs due to the Coronavirus pandemic and has been living out of her car for over 6 months. She has consistently parked 7 nights a week with ICAC’s Safe Car Park Program with provided security, snacks, access to port-o-potties, a wash station, and shower & laundry services once a week. Surgical masks are also provided.

“I am very grateful to have been in ICAC’s Safe Car Park Program which has led to being able to move into this tiny home,” said Aisha. “Next step, permanent housing.”

Pastor Ken Chambers, of West Side Missionary Baptist Church and President of the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, said, “Through the COVID-19 pandemic and the global protests against police brutality and injustice in America, ICAC continues to press forward to help those who are unhoused through its Safe Car Park and Tiny Homes Programs. We are delighted to be able to help Aisha and her family.”

Two years ago, ICAC Laney College carpentry students built 2 tiny homes that have been housed at the ICAC hub, originally occupied by students. Since then, the students housed in the tiny homes have increased their GPAs and one student became student council president while the other 2 students have now graduated and are entering bachelor’s degree programs at 4-year institutions.

To learn more about the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, visit interfaithAC.org.

Contact: Rev. Ken Chambers, 510-239-6969, interfaithcouncilac@gmail.com

The mission of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County is to promote mutual respect, understanding and engagement among the diverse faith traditions in Alameda County, California; mobilize people to serve the community; support religious liberties; promote interfaith organizations and activities; and build a just and moral community.

Can tiny houses be an answer for students without a home?

In the morning, Armani Turner heads to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. He makes his bed and tidies up—he likes his area to be neat. Gets dressed. If he’s got some food, he might have a quick breakfast. But, usually, he’s rushing. He goes to Laney College, a community college in Oakland, and doesn’t want to be late to class. His routine sounds typical, but where he’s doing that routine is far from ordinary.

Turner lives in a “Pocket House,” a prototype tiny home built by his fellow students at Laney. It sits on top of a 16-foot trailer bed in the parking lot of the West Side Baptist Church in West Oakland. 

ABC7 viewers jump into action to help Oakland woman living in her car despite two jobs

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OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The life of an Oakland woman who is homeless despite working two jobs has been changed, thanks to ABC7 viewers.  ABC 7 News met Jane Parisi working two jobs and living out of her car in Oakland.  However, just as hope was beginning to fade for her, something great happened. ABC 7 News viewers responded to a call to action. "It's really important to recognize the humanity of the people who are living on our streets and sidewalks," Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland City Council Member At-Large, said. 

Kaplan watched Parisi's story, and that same night, Oakland's city council passed a measure allowing church parking lots to serve as safe spaces for people sleeping in their vehicles. That plan had been in the works for some time. Reverend Ken Chambers, Pastor of Westside Missionary Baptist Church, is now responsible for launching the program that will in turn help Parisi, and many others like her.