Thread by @MtnShepherdess

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno Great job on covering the importance of free bus fare in Fresno, CA. I'm a 58 yr old unemployed homeless paralegal in Fresno. Sleep in car in long wait for gov apt & benefits after sick, hospital 3 yrs ago. No substance use or crimes. -Michaela /1

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno 2/ I've used my paralegal education & SF Bay Area law ofc experience in conservatorships to help get homeless off the sts of north Fresno. -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno 3/ The biggest obstacle that they and I have faced is there was NO one to cover bus passes/fare for them. They could not get to vital and essential services that they were entitled to. -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno 4/ The @FresnoCountyCA requires that homeless people meet with a case manager in south Fresno. Miss 2 appts, and the county closes your housing case. -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA @threadreaderapp unroll , please.

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA 5/ I asked my team @FresnoCountyCA for a bus pass or gas voucher, as I hadn't been approved for Social Security disability & I didn't have income, needed to get to my appts. County said they didn't do that! -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA 6/ The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities told me they didn't give out bus passes or gas vouchers. -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA 7/ A *Christian* group on Shaw Ave called Love Inc tells churches to not help people like me, to give funds to Love Inc - which also REFUSED to provide bus passes and gas vouchers! Vile people. -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA 8/ Calling local Fresno churches gets a person like me refused for help, told they don't give cash aid, and you're on your own. County case workers DO NOT come to meet those in housing process, at fast food place or coffee house. -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA 9/ The @FresnoCountyCA closed my housing application case for missing two appointments with my case worker: one due to no funds to get to south Fresno as I TOLD them, and the other for being sick in the hospital! -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA 10/ As a former paralegal who earned A's in college, paralegal degree, worked for top SF Bay Area law firms, I had to threaten to sue @FresnoCountyCA to reopen my housing application 🤨. Cc: @SoniaMDLR @JerryDyerFresno @MiguelArias_D3 @Esmeralda_Soria @esparza_nelson -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA @SoniaMDLR @JerryDyerFresno @MiguelArias_D3 @Esmeralda_Soria @esparza_nelson @fresnoland

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA @SoniaMDLR @JerryDyerFresno @MiguelArias_D3 @Esmeralda_Soria @esparza_nelson The other thing that Fresno needs (thank you for the upcoming free buses so that we can access essential services and appts) is water fountains/water bottle fillers near bus stops. Dangerous not to be able to access water in heat! Go, Team! 💯 -Michaela

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA @SoniaMDLR @JerryDyerFresno @MiguelArias_D3 @Esmeralda_Soria @esparza_nelson At this point, I've completely given up on @FresnoCountyCA ever getting me SAFE housing. Shelters are vile and full of rape and murder threats, thefts of medication, and untrained, unethical, and abusive staff. Grade for the system: F. -Michaela PS I'm looking at cargo van build.

@taniahlthplce @bmocfresno @FresnoCountyCA @SoniaMDLR @JerryDyerFresno @MiguelArias_D3 @Esmeralda_Soria @esparza_nelson I am too young at age 58 for the 62 yr old affordable housing apt buildings, and I'm too healthy (no drugs, alcohol, or crimes) for transitional housing programs. I was sick, not morally bankrupt. I can run my own life folks, zero problems!!!