Dear Editor,

The failure of the City Council to support the We Care program is very disappointing and short-sighted.  Homelessness in our community has been difficult challenge for many years.  In 2003 the founders of the program came to my office to seek my assistance in providing the legal services necessary to create an organization to assist our community’s homeless during the winter months.  I have continued to provide pro bono legal services since that time.  A couple years later, I also assisted in the formation of the Turlock Gospel Mission.  In each case the purpose was to deal with an existing problem.  Contrary to the opinions of some the creation of these programs are the case of homelessness in Turlock.

I and my employees have also experienced the impact of homeless occupying the areas around my office. Since the establishment of We Care those issues have gradually been reduced as the program has been able to extend its operation from just the colder winter months.  We must recognize that the homeless issue is not going to completely be solved when so many are victims of serious mental health issues.

Putting up to 49 men back on the street each night is a step in the wrong direction.  Further, recently the Council failed to fulfill its prior agreement and commitment to provide a usable facility for the homeless assistance program of Turlock Gospel Mission.  An important part of that project was a 24-hour restroom that would serve the homeless.  As my employees have learned over the years, the lack of such a facility results in undesirable cleanups around my office. 

It is just naïve to believe that if services for the homeless are reduced the problem will disappear.  Furthermore, both We Care and Turlock Gospel Mission have over the last 20 years changed for the better the lives of countless individuals.  

— Ron Hillberg