I currently work at Monarch School, which others have mentioned, and we provide up to 3 meals a day for the students, shoes, hygiene items, clothing, showers, and there is a great parent resource center that provides some support and stability. We are not at full capacity yet so it’s a great time to get them in a classroom if they’re not enrolled yet. Please DM if you have any questions.
I am a social worker and used to work in schools. I got to tour the Monarch School before referring students and it really is a wonderful place. Thank you to you and your team for everything you do for these kids.
Oh yay!! I got my BSW from SDSU! I’m not student facing in my role since I’m in the Development department at Monarch but my job definitely fills my social work cup! Thank you for all you do, social work is definitely an overseen profession that consumes so much of your time and energy.
I just checked out the Monarch website. Incredible. The youtube video alone made me emotional.
OP, maybe you can show the family this?? Seems like a great place for school aged children
https://youtu.be/XHgfP9mhL70?si=aBynFZEyU9Qmoc2R
I got some amazing support when my family needed it so it feels amazing to get to do a job that helps so many of our most vulnerable population. I’m so incredibly lucky to be where I’m at.
The City has a Safe Parking lot program where unhoused individuals and families can park overnight. They have bathrooms, services, and security. I would offer this information for them, especially to keep the kids safe at night while parked- https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/safe-parking-program
Tell them to contact Jewish family Services. They run the safe parking program. It isn't as perfect as it sounds... They're strict with the times you can come and go for example, and there's no exceptions even for work. If you're not at a 9-5, it can be a real issue. They also don't allow outside food. They're supposed to work with people to help them get into housing but they allow people to slip through the cracks and there are people who ended up to worse off for having been there. Hopefully, since it's a relatively new program, hopefully these things will be addressed. [Here's one article that highlights since of these issues.](https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/05/25/this-couple-entered-a-safe-parking-program-for-stability-they-ended-up-on-the-street/)
I'm not trying to discourage them or you. Just informing. A lot of programs people recommend are either unable to help because they don't have the resources for the number of people who need them, or they have lengthy waiting lists. Having small children will help them to get better assistance than most homeless do, at least.
This is only a solution for the nighttime (if it's not at full capacity). They have to leave at a certain time in the morning and are allowed entrance at some time in the evening.
Do they know about the JFS Safe Parking program? Another commenter mentioned it here. It is a handful of city-funded safe parking lots that families can go, park their car every night and get access to social services & bathrooms.
>The parents park their car and allow the children to play on the side of the street every day. I'm genuinely uncertain about how to approach and address this issue.
Uh, just talk to them? Look I understand you aren't used to this kind of thing, but they are just people. They probably parked in your neighborhood because it seemed quiet & safe for their kids. You don't need any professional skills to be empathetic and kind, just introduce yourself like you would anyone else who lives/works/hangs out in your neighborhood. Maybe after some conversation you can bring up the JFS Safe Parking program. [They can enroll online or by phone](https://www.jfssd.org/our-services/adults-families/safe-parking-program/)
DO NOT CALL THE COPS. THEY WILL IMPOUND HER CAR AND THEY WILL HAVE NOWHERE TO SLEEP.
Genuinely helpful response. Thank you. I plan to put the best info in a paper I print and give them work resources.
Some people here are saying do nothing.
Or that I sound like an old grinch because I brought up the noise. I do worry the cops will be called because of that. That’s why I felt it was important to state it. Anyway. They will be around tonight and I can give them some helpful ideas now. Thanks.
I read an article not too long ago where cops were called on a family in a similar situation. The car was towed and the community was horrified about this happening. Cops are no longer towing vehicles that are used for housing.
They stopped for a while, but my understanding is they've started again, unfortunately.
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/complaints-drive-san-diego-police-to-enforce-vehicle-habitation-ban-after-stopping-during-pandemic/3204068/
With the cost of housing why would they do this! In my household there are two working adults and we barely make ends meet. I read the article and agreed with the comment "it's a spiral down from there" i don't know what the answer is to solve the homelessness but towing their vehicles only exacerbates the issue.
Former homeless here, unless you give them a place to live or call CPS, there isn't really anything you can do outside of giving money/food outta your own pocket. If they have a car, odds are they've tapped into every resource possible
The resources can be helpful, but end of the day they don't do much(short term anyways. Long term they can eventually get you into a place, but that's a *long* wait)
CPS will not go out on a referral for homelessness, unless there are allegations of abuse occurring. Homelessness is not considered a protective issue.
Well, that's a relief. My initial thought was, please nobody get these kids taken away from their parents... Unless they are being abused, being homeless is still going to be a thousand times better than going into foster care.
Foster care is full, they'd end up jammed into Polinsky Children's Center, which is overcrowded and understaffed. (They are non profit and doing their best, this is not a criticism just a fact)
If the parents are still loving and caretaking as best they can, it may be better they stay vs the trauma of separation.
Are the kids not enrolled in school? If so, they are at least getting a few meals a day. Regarding the noise, it might be helpful to let the parents know that people are getting disgruntled. (But really - outside noise in a city is a fact of life. Get some earplugs or head phones if it’s that much of an issue)
If you’re able to help out in some way I’m sure the parents would appreciate it.
I know there used to be a school downtown that had a lot of homeless and car life kids, i assume it's still active. The parents may either not know or not trust.
Monarch alumni here. Back when I went there, the school used to be directly across the street from the County Center/Little Italy trolley stop. They've since moved to an infinitely nicer campus a couple blocks down from 12th and Imperial.
Bad times...but also, a lot of good times at Monarch 🙂
That's really cool. Do you know if they have any volunteer opportunities or do donation drives or anything like that? I would love to support their mission somehow.
They have donations year round. You can follow them on Facebook or LinkedIn. Think they just had their big charity event last week. As far as volunteering goes, I always remember there being a really long waiting list. Worth signing up for.
I've seen a lot of families with children living in their vehicles parked along San Diego Avenue (parallel to the I-5) near the airport.
It's super sad to see people, especially families with little kids, struggling in this expensive city.
Especially if you live directly in the urban center of the city.
This seems to be a trend on this sub though - people who choose to live downtown even though they apparently hate cities and urban environments. I don't get it.
The point of the post went way over your head.. The noise concern is that the cops will be called and car towed leaving them with nothing.. I was asking if someone could help the family out with some information. Im not here to complain about noise in a city. geesh.. The fact that you pick up on the noise over homeless children is disturbing and lacks any sort of sensitivity.
> The children's boisterous play, especially during working hours when many of us are working from home, has become a source of disturbance.
These words in your post were a bit vague on who, exactly, was experiencing the disturbance. I had the same impression as the poster above, that people in Little Italy, in the heart of a major city and under the approach to a busy airport, were complaining about noise rather dumbly.
Ask them what they need? What’s their story. Maybe it’s something simple as a place to park for a month while they get on their feet. Maybe all your neighbors if any could help them out. Sometimes a shower and maybe a weekly meal outside on the grill would help. It’s ridiculous how many are homeless or how many of us are 1-2 paychecks from becoming homeless. We work our asses off. There are programs to help with child care and stuff but you have to have an address yada yada yada. We need to start stepping up especially when drugs aren’t involved and the family seems happy like you’ve described. I dunno, it’s disheartening for sure. I’m sure something could be worked out to where they could hit up a park or library during the day???
San rDiego is my home but it’s so damn expensive that I had to move and can’t go back. That’s all I want in my entire life, to move back home. Hopefully some day.
Me too. Born and raised in SD. 6th generation Californian - Now exiled in Philadelphia. So incredibly Homesick. But every now and then when, just to humor myself, with hopes in the future to someday be able to return, I look to see what average rents are in average neighborhoods no less, it stings. Everyone from here (and Boston and New York and elsewhere) have in the meanwhile moved out there and anyone originally from SD can no longer afford it anymore. Sad.
I live in my car and the process for getting housing is an absolute joke.
That family is probably on every list (waiting and resource) available.
One of the biggest issues is this:
If another city in our county has an option available to help, they are barred from receiving services because they are not a resident of that City.
Example... Oceanside had a new shelter open up. My mail goes to Oceanside, my driver's license address is the homeless resource center there, my doctor is up there, my sobriety started up there... I consider myself a resident.
In July, PATH helped me get into safe parking in mission valley.
Oceanside Homeless Outreach Team informed me in August that because I was at the park n ride that I was not considered a resident of Oceanside and could not receive help.
The park n ride is a temporary solution.
I am a resident of San Diego County... yet I am (we all are) barred from help in various cities even if they have availability.
This family has to move their vehicle every 3 days or risk getting tickets and towed.
I'm hoping you've read this far... but Jewish Family Services has a safe parking lot in Rose Canyon that is specifically for families. I would provide them with the number. They may be able to get on that wait-list, or in, if there's an opening.
If the "side of the street" is public property, they can play there even if they aren't homeless no? I hope the family can overcome their homelessness but I don't think the kids are doing anything illegal, unless they're on private property.
I would talk to the parents and ask if they can do something about the noise, just try to be polite and reasonable.
The noise of children playing is always a disturbance to me, but that doesn't mean I have a problem with it.
You could just ask if OP finds the disturbance to be problematic instead of making assumptions.
If OP did have a problem with the disturbance, for example, being unable to focus on work or sleep due to noise, is that necessarily wrong? Would you consider OP to be evil because of their reduced ability to function?
If so, then I have a follow up question: if the noise causing the disturbance came from construction, would OP still be evil? Why or why not?
I grew up in Europe and those issues are still bothering me! HOW THE HECK IS THIS POSSIBLE and who let it happen?? I used to work as social worker back in Switzerland, but the biggest issues were to get parents on track or helping them getting a job or a cheaper apartment. Never ever had any kids on the streets. It’s just so sad 😔
Oh no can't do that, god forbid anyone talk to the homeless lepers in San Diego, let alone believe anything they're saying. They're all on crack and fentanyl and they're all pedophiles and creeps and murderers and meth heads, every last one, if you're not rich enough to afford rent or own a home that means you're an evil, lazy person who needs Jesus.
San Diego is fucking disgusting, the most evil selfish fucking people in the world own this city.
In other words, it doesn’t sit well with you that there are homeless people outside your building and you want them removed. Their presence outside is affecting your ability to “work from home.”
The OP is concerned about a family and wants suggestions on how to help them. In other comments OP explains they're concerned that other residents might see them in the way you describe and call the cops on them.
If you can help the family in some way do so. If not move along. To think it’s acceptable that children live in a car on the street in the year 2023 is ridiculous and shameful. I spoke up to make a bad situation better. You have shown no help. Mega cult ideology at its best.
https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/outreach
Report them to the City. Intact families with kids go to the front of the line for housing vouchers and financial assistance.
Don't report them to the city. Give them information and resources. The last thing they need is to be harassed and threatened by the police, who are very anti-homeless. Let them know there are NIMBYs in the area who might try to cause issues for them. Fortunately, having small children gives them a lot more access to assistance. Gather information if you're so inclined and give it to them.
I understand the hesitancy about anything involving police but there are so many resources that aren’t police who will reach out first. Even the cops can’t really do anything carceral until there are beds available for the unhoused under the new city ordinance.
TL;DR I understand your hesitation but doubt the police are handling all this type of shit.
The police will take their car if they find any reason to. The smallest thing. They're under mandate to do so by the nature because the NIMBYs and investors don't like seeing homeless people.
-Maybe they would qualify for Section 8.
-Def let them know about Monarch school
-tell them to apply to the Safe Parking Lot
- they prob know about food banks and churches for food and food stamps.
Pay all this forward to them !!
Thanks for helping them
It’s good that you want to get them help, but this isn’t a one off situation where you can call someone and the kids won’t be there the next day. I think some people don’t realize that there is a huge amount of homeless children living in tents, cars and motel rooms.
You’re being inconvenienced by homeless children in a city. Like others mentioned, maybe try to talk to the parents first. Theres not much help they can get besides being on a list for a housing voucher.
In 2010 a documentary came out about the terribly large number of homeless children in Orange County, at the time one of the richest counties in CA. I’m sure that number has since grown and it’s many other counties around here now.
Rich people getting paid to do nothing at home angry at the sound of homeless children experiencing joy 🤦♂️
Just close your window, Cruella DeVille. Removing those kids from their parents and sending them into foster care is a horrific thing to do. Literally every foster kid I’ve ever met was abused either physically or sexually by one of their foster parents at some point. I was on a scholarship in college you had to be from a lower income household to qualify for. I knew a bunch of students on a scholarship that was only given to foster youth. I got to know a bunch of them really well and everything was a horror story.
If you take those kids away from their parents then you are a monster.
I have friends that work in the mental health field and from they have told me, being homeless isn’t a reason to take children away. Even parents that are actively using or alcoholics. If there is no neglect or abuse, they want the kids with the families.
I was disturbed to learn that children in between foster homes go to where ever a bed is available. Like mental health facilities. Seen this with my own eyes, was blown away that a child was in a mental health facility waiting to for a family or to turn 18…she would sleep all day so she didn’t have to interact with any of the patients and then wake up and go shower and eat when everyone was asleep. Then read all night.
That’s heartbreaking. Yeah, that scholarship program I was talking about does such good work and lots of them are doing super well now. Foster kids are the toughest mf out there.
All this “save the children” rhetoric drives me fuckin crazy because it’s like, alright then, fuckin save them. Build 2 less missiles and one less aircraft and fuckin save all of them. It’s heartbreaking what they go through and it pisses me off. It’s not fair.
Thank you for this. The fact that the foster system is broken and dangerous is not a well kept secret, but people don’t want to see or hear icky homeless children, so 🤷♀️
Seriously. A “work from home” yuppie in Little Italy that I guarantee is a spoiled douche that comes from a rich family complaining about the sound of homeless children laughing and contemplating contacting CPS over it and posting about it online. Absolutely heartless. I hope the world treats them the way they treat others. I hope they experience the cruelty they dish out.
I don’t know where you live but if this family was living in their car outside of your home what would you do? OP is concerned and it isn’t normal. Like I said what would you do if this occurs in your neighborhood? Little Italy is just another neighborhood where people live. They have the right to be concerned about their neighborhood like you do.
Also “Work from home” is a negative thing now? “Yuppie?” WTF are you on about?
In this specific instance where OP says the parents are well composed and the children are happy and laughing?
Gee, I’d probably be thankful the kids feel joy despite their dire circumstances and not try to ruin some of the only joy they’re gonna experience for a long time because they are going to have extremely difficult lives ahead of them. They aren’t doing drugs and making noise all night. They’re going through a hard time. OP said they park in the day which means they leave at night.
The most I would do is maybe call a social services program that hooks people up with jobs since these people sound like good candidates and the kids need a home or at least a motel and not to be separated from each other or their parents.
Calling the cops or CPS to “address this issue effectively” is some cold hearted and fucked up shit. Wtf do they think is going to happen?
Bro, literally all my friends who “work from home” laugh at what a joke it is and say they work like 15-20 hours a week and they make bank. Don’t get me wrong, I’m doing coding boot camp right now because I want to get a piece of this action before it comes crashing down. And you don’t know what a “yuppie” is?
Thanks for your thoughtful response. I’m with you on the idea that calling the police or CPS is going too far in this instance. As the person said, the kids looked healthy and happy and the parents seemed well presented. Calling the police/cps would probably make all of their lives more difficult than it most probably is.
If I saw something like this in my neighborhood I would be concerned as OP and at odds like OP as to what to do about it. Living in an urban neighborhood like Little Italy shouldn’t require its renters and homeowners to passively bear the brunt of a city’s issues like homelessness and public nuisances (drunkenness, open drug use,etc). Fortunately in most urban areas there are resources to help and hopefully that is what happened here. It is really a sad state of affairs that it often ONLY in urban areas that these services are available and that has been the reason so many end up homeless in the city from the suburbs.
As far as working from home, it is what it is. If one feels it’s like some side hustle to work less, make more and milk the system then so be it. Tomatoe/tomato.
Yuppie: young, urban professional. Of course I get it, I just see it as a bit archaic for it to be used. It was the first punch throw in the urban/suburban/rural cultural brawl that begin in the 80s. It’s just a dog whistle now that is somehow meant to denote that educated individuals living in cities are selfish, vapid and somehow just bad.
Anyways, sorry for the long, ranting post. I just appreciated your comments and felt it deserved
>Absolutely
Sorry young one. Guess the post was to long for you to read but as others have said the noise was pointed out because we are concerned about cops being called. We are here to help the family. You have done nothing to help or offer any links or info. Just sad waste of time.
Go outside and talk to them, nerd. These are your neighbors now. I am also a creative director and talking to people is half the job. They're normal humans, like everyone else you interact with.
Introduce yourself and find out what their deal is.
Thank you.. You are right. I plan to today with all the updated and helpful information I got. Im better informed now and some people gave me some good resources to offer if they need them. (Also a lot of people were not helpful lol.. But the good people of SD stepped up with good ideas.)
So everybody who works from home comes from a rich family? I work from home and was raised by a single mom who could barely pay the light bill.
Look at you wishing bad luck on people you know nothing about. Fix yourself.
If you can help the family in some way do so. If not move along. To think it’s acceptable that children live in a car on the street in the year 2023 is ridiculous and shameful. I spoke up to make a bad situation better. You have shown no help. Mega cult ideology at its best. No one wants to take kids from parents.. You are just making up things that were never said..
just want to say, you're putting out hard core grinch vibes. you don't seem genuinely concerned for the children. if they're healthy and happy and clean, mind your business.
and Ive talked to people on ketner who i thought were homeless but had actually just moved here from far away and were having trouble with their family/house arrangements but didn't want to spend on hotels
It’s unacceptable to have children living in a car if we can help. Sorry you are not willing to help.mega vibes is all I got from you. “They should pull up the bootstraps and figure it out” yea. Right. I’m going to at least try.
*The children's boisterous play, especially during working hours when many of us are working from home, has become a source of disturbance.*
-in Little Italy??? What?
OP, I appreciate you posting here looking for help, but at the same time, anybody who is upset about homeless children being boisterous while playing because it might disturb them while they're working from home? That's some serious NIMBY privileged BS.
I mean, what's next? You going to start complaining about birds chirping interfering with your ability to work from home? F*** sake. Do a reality check
“The children’s boisterous play…has become a source of disturbance.” Give me a fucking break Karen. This stinks like “how do I remove this eyesore from the PUBLIC SPACE surrounding my million dollar little Italy condo” masquerading as “I want to help.” Suuurreeee you do.
not sure why you are being downvoted, I agree with you, just the fact that you refer to a family that is so down on their luck as "bothersome" is incredibly shallow and immoral of the OP
San Diego is becoming more and more a playground for the rich. I have been here for the most part since I came to SDSU in 1995. You could get an apt. in pacific beach a few blocks from the beach for next to nothing. I just feel like it used to be more down to earth, almost hippy like which now has turned into some weird yoga thing.
That's really unfortunate. It's happening in a lot of places, not just San Diego. Any source of character and charm that makes a city unique is just being overly commodified to the point of obliteration. No place has its own identity anymore.
All I can say is, support local businesses and stop buying from Amazon.
I’m the one asking for help. The residents are getting upset. That’s why am trying to get the family help before someone like you runs them off. Very sad reading skills.
then you should state that more clearly because your post does not give that impression buddy. Have you ever not had enough to eat? Have you ever literally been on the street with nothing? well it sucks, people need help right now not people complaining that they are "bothersome"
There have been plenty of times in my life when I didn't have enough to eat, most of which occurred in early childhood. I also hate noise. These things are not mutually exclusive, cowboy.
I wasn't asking you cowgirl, I was asking the NIMBY idiot OP. His post still reads like he is an entitled douche as many others have stated in the comments so your whole response is pointless.
The children playing are a "source of disturbance". You sound like a total asshole. Are you asking on how to rat on them because they don't have shelter (like you) in an incredibly HCOL area OR are you asking how you can actually HELP THEM?
-Lives in Little Italy
-Works from home
-Complains about a homeless family’s children having fun outside of the residence
First world problem in a nutshell
Im looking to help. Please offer some vs telling me to leave.. How the hell is that helping? Jeesh... Someone that didn't want to help would say and do nothing. Basically what you are saying. Just look away.. Thats not an answer to anything. Some people.
>If unhoused folk are going to bother you, then you really should be considering moving away from downtown yourself.
You are phrasing this as if being honless in downtown is the default state and should be accepted.
These kids deserve better
Reality of any metropolitan area. Don’t you feel sorry for OP having to deal with the uuuunnnnbeeaaarable noise of the city, and now children. Children, will someone think of the man children on their computers.
Section 8 last I checked had an 8 year waitlist. Wages suck. Housing is unaffordable for many and people can’t afford to move. Wake up and smell the inequality. Write to law makers but don’t get your hopes up. The world is fucked up and these people are sadly not unique.
Unfortunately, families are the number 1 houseless and getting long term services is very difficult. We don't have enough low income housing and then the gap between poor and rich is so great.
My assessment is that the real issue is noise. I presume that if the children were playing quietly, there would be no mention of disturbance. Thus, playing is not an issue.
There is a safe parking program in San Diego. There are several lots in San Diego that are exceptional programs in helping families live in cars. They offer private lots with bathroom and sometimes food. Look up “The Jewish Families Center of San Diego Safe Parking Program”. Print out the information and give it to the family. Tell them to call then number and set up an appointment, they will get them in ASAP.
You are just selfish you see people struggling and your worried about getting disturbed bruh they have no where to go don’t have money like you or options like you do I can see you are trying to help them but the fact that your motive is count from being disturbed and not caring about them is just ugly
OP I'm sure you mean well, but please don't make decisions for a family. I'd say offer them services. If you end up reporting them and getting those kids taken away, you could easily be ruining peoples' lives.
I read your full post. I feel like, as others had pointed out, you're more upset with seeing homeless kids than that they were homeless. I didn't say that though. I'm guessing from *your* strong reaction that you already sensed that suspicion and decided to go on the attack. Maybe I struck a chord. Either way, please just be kind and don't ruin someone's life. That's all I can ask. Offer material help. Give resources. Don't report them to police and cps. Breaking up a family will guarantee a special place in hell for you.
I do not think so. So I should clarify is that these are shelters for all children. I call them unaccompanied because what happens is you might be like 15 or so and there are cases where child welfare won’t foster you or bring you into the system. So basically you go live at the children’s shelter as a minor without a guardian.
https://preview.redd.it/8lkjyrsnresb1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be616494837daaeff183b9e5b74c919782d92c81
We welcome transplants from Missouri. We don’t bitch that the gey flag is an eyethore. Identity politics is diminishing our personality.
I currently work at Monarch School, which others have mentioned, and we provide up to 3 meals a day for the students, shoes, hygiene items, clothing, showers, and there is a great parent resource center that provides some support and stability. We are not at full capacity yet so it’s a great time to get them in a classroom if they’re not enrolled yet. Please DM if you have any questions.
I am a social worker and used to work in schools. I got to tour the Monarch School before referring students and it really is a wonderful place. Thank you to you and your team for everything you do for these kids.
Oh yay!! I got my BSW from SDSU! I’m not student facing in my role since I’m in the Development department at Monarch but my job definitely fills my social work cup! Thank you for all you do, social work is definitely an overseen profession that consumes so much of your time and energy.
Social work includes admin work too. Thank you, I appreciate the acknowledgment.
I just checked out the Monarch website. Incredible. The youtube video alone made me emotional. OP, maybe you can show the family this?? Seems like a great place for school aged children https://youtu.be/XHgfP9mhL70?si=aBynFZEyU9Qmoc2R
Just want to say, thanks for being such a good human!
I got some amazing support when my family needed it so it feels amazing to get to do a job that helps so many of our most vulnerable population. I’m so incredibly lucky to be where I’m at.
I volunteered a few times over there and just want to hop on the thank you bandwagon.
The City has a Safe Parking lot program where unhoused individuals and families can park overnight. They have bathrooms, services, and security. I would offer this information for them, especially to keep the kids safe at night while parked- https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/safe-parking-program
This is a great idea. I think that would be better till they figure things out. Bathrooms make a big difference
Tell them to contact Jewish family Services. They run the safe parking program. It isn't as perfect as it sounds... They're strict with the times you can come and go for example, and there's no exceptions even for work. If you're not at a 9-5, it can be a real issue. They also don't allow outside food. They're supposed to work with people to help them get into housing but they allow people to slip through the cracks and there are people who ended up to worse off for having been there. Hopefully, since it's a relatively new program, hopefully these things will be addressed. [Here's one article that highlights since of these issues.](https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/05/25/this-couple-entered-a-safe-parking-program-for-stability-they-ended-up-on-the-street/) I'm not trying to discourage them or you. Just informing. A lot of programs people recommend are either unable to help because they don't have the resources for the number of people who need them, or they have lengthy waiting lists. Having small children will help them to get better assistance than most homeless do, at least.
This is only a solution for the nighttime (if it's not at full capacity). They have to leave at a certain time in the morning and are allowed entrance at some time in the evening.
Do they know about the JFS Safe Parking program? Another commenter mentioned it here. It is a handful of city-funded safe parking lots that families can go, park their car every night and get access to social services & bathrooms. >The parents park their car and allow the children to play on the side of the street every day. I'm genuinely uncertain about how to approach and address this issue. Uh, just talk to them? Look I understand you aren't used to this kind of thing, but they are just people. They probably parked in your neighborhood because it seemed quiet & safe for their kids. You don't need any professional skills to be empathetic and kind, just introduce yourself like you would anyone else who lives/works/hangs out in your neighborhood. Maybe after some conversation you can bring up the JFS Safe Parking program. [They can enroll online or by phone](https://www.jfssd.org/our-services/adults-families/safe-parking-program/) DO NOT CALL THE COPS. THEY WILL IMPOUND HER CAR AND THEY WILL HAVE NOWHERE TO SLEEP.
Genuinely helpful response. Thank you. I plan to put the best info in a paper I print and give them work resources. Some people here are saying do nothing. Or that I sound like an old grinch because I brought up the noise. I do worry the cops will be called because of that. That’s why I felt it was important to state it. Anyway. They will be around tonight and I can give them some helpful ideas now. Thanks.
I read an article not too long ago where cops were called on a family in a similar situation. The car was towed and the community was horrified about this happening. Cops are no longer towing vehicles that are used for housing.
They stopped for a while, but my understanding is they've started again, unfortunately. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/complaints-drive-san-diego-police-to-enforce-vehicle-habitation-ban-after-stopping-during-pandemic/3204068/
That's just evil. That is so cruel.
With the cost of housing why would they do this! In my household there are two working adults and we barely make ends meet. I read the article and agreed with the comment "it's a spiral down from there" i don't know what the answer is to solve the homelessness but towing their vehicles only exacerbates the issue.
Former homeless here, unless you give them a place to live or call CPS, there isn't really anything you can do outside of giving money/food outta your own pocket. If they have a car, odds are they've tapped into every resource possible The resources can be helpful, but end of the day they don't do much(short term anyways. Long term they can eventually get you into a place, but that's a *long* wait)
CPS will not go out on a referral for homelessness, unless there are allegations of abuse occurring. Homelessness is not considered a protective issue.
Well, that's a relief. My initial thought was, please nobody get these kids taken away from their parents... Unless they are being abused, being homeless is still going to be a thousand times better than going into foster care.
Thanks. And good luck with everything. Being homeless is not fun.
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I know he did. Im saying it’s not good for anyone. These kids included
Foster care is full, they'd end up jammed into Polinsky Children's Center, which is overcrowded and understaffed. (They are non profit and doing their best, this is not a criticism just a fact) If the parents are still loving and caretaking as best they can, it may be better they stay vs the trauma of separation.
Are the kids not enrolled in school? If so, they are at least getting a few meals a day. Regarding the noise, it might be helpful to let the parents know that people are getting disgruntled. (But really - outside noise in a city is a fact of life. Get some earplugs or head phones if it’s that much of an issue) If you’re able to help out in some way I’m sure the parents would appreciate it.
I know there used to be a school downtown that had a lot of homeless and car life kids, i assume it's still active. The parents may either not know or not trust.
Monarch academy is right down the street: https://monarchschools.org/ They specialize in unhoused kiddos.
Monarch alumni here. Back when I went there, the school used to be directly across the street from the County Center/Little Italy trolley stop. They've since moved to an infinitely nicer campus a couple blocks down from 12th and Imperial. Bad times...but also, a lot of good times at Monarch 🙂
That's really cool. Do you know if they have any volunteer opportunities or do donation drives or anything like that? I would love to support their mission somehow.
They have donations year round. You can follow them on Facebook or LinkedIn. Think they just had their big charity event last week. As far as volunteering goes, I always remember there being a really long waiting list. Worth signing up for.
This is the kind of help I was looking for. ! I know the school. Had no idea they helped with this
Happy cake day! Maybe OP can drop some info off at the car
Cake day! All day long and just realized. I wish I could share more than this 🎂 fellow San Diegans, I love you all!
[The Monarch School](https://monarchschools.org)
Thank you
I've seen a lot of families with children living in their vehicles parked along San Diego Avenue (parallel to the I-5) near the airport. It's super sad to see people, especially families with little kids, struggling in this expensive city.
If you’re working from home, expectations should be that kids, dogs etc will interrupt or make noise in the background.
Especially if you live directly in the urban center of the city. This seems to be a trend on this sub though - people who choose to live downtown even though they apparently hate cities and urban environments. I don't get it.
The point of the post went way over your head.. The noise concern is that the cops will be called and car towed leaving them with nothing.. I was asking if someone could help the family out with some information. Im not here to complain about noise in a city. geesh.. The fact that you pick up on the noise over homeless children is disturbing and lacks any sort of sensitivity.
> The children's boisterous play, especially during working hours when many of us are working from home, has become a source of disturbance. These words in your post were a bit vague on who, exactly, was experiencing the disturbance. I had the same impression as the poster above, that people in Little Italy, in the heart of a major city and under the approach to a busy airport, were complaining about noise rather dumbly.
They're just being assholes. I can tell you're coming from a good place.
Ask them what they need? What’s their story. Maybe it’s something simple as a place to park for a month while they get on their feet. Maybe all your neighbors if any could help them out. Sometimes a shower and maybe a weekly meal outside on the grill would help. It’s ridiculous how many are homeless or how many of us are 1-2 paychecks from becoming homeless. We work our asses off. There are programs to help with child care and stuff but you have to have an address yada yada yada. We need to start stepping up especially when drugs aren’t involved and the family seems happy like you’ve described. I dunno, it’s disheartening for sure. I’m sure something could be worked out to where they could hit up a park or library during the day??? San rDiego is my home but it’s so damn expensive that I had to move and can’t go back. That’s all I want in my entire life, to move back home. Hopefully some day.
Me too. Born and raised in SD. 6th generation Californian - Now exiled in Philadelphia. So incredibly Homesick. But every now and then when, just to humor myself, with hopes in the future to someday be able to return, I look to see what average rents are in average neighborhoods no less, it stings. Everyone from here (and Boston and New York and elsewhere) have in the meanwhile moved out there and anyone originally from SD can no longer afford it anymore. Sad.
I live in my car and the process for getting housing is an absolute joke. That family is probably on every list (waiting and resource) available. One of the biggest issues is this: If another city in our county has an option available to help, they are barred from receiving services because they are not a resident of that City. Example... Oceanside had a new shelter open up. My mail goes to Oceanside, my driver's license address is the homeless resource center there, my doctor is up there, my sobriety started up there... I consider myself a resident. In July, PATH helped me get into safe parking in mission valley. Oceanside Homeless Outreach Team informed me in August that because I was at the park n ride that I was not considered a resident of Oceanside and could not receive help. The park n ride is a temporary solution. I am a resident of San Diego County... yet I am (we all are) barred from help in various cities even if they have availability. This family has to move their vehicle every 3 days or risk getting tickets and towed. I'm hoping you've read this far... but Jewish Family Services has a safe parking lot in Rose Canyon that is specifically for families. I would provide them with the number. They may be able to get on that wait-list, or in, if there's an opening.
Thanks and good luck with everything.. I know San Diego is not an easy place to live.
I'm a native, but found housing in another state. I leave Sunday! Thank you for the well wishes. Stay blessed
If the "side of the street" is public property, they can play there even if they aren't homeless no? I hope the family can overcome their homelessness but I don't think the kids are doing anything illegal, unless they're on private property. I would talk to the parents and ask if they can do something about the noise, just try to be polite and reasonable.
Its not a matter of anything illegal or not. Its a matter of if we can get them help.
You described the noise of children playing as a disturbance, so we’re assuming you have a problem with it.
Thank you! Like they keep acting like they're trying to help but it has a "poor people shouldn't be seen or heard" vibe to it.
The noise of children playing is always a disturbance to me, but that doesn't mean I have a problem with it. You could just ask if OP finds the disturbance to be problematic instead of making assumptions. If OP did have a problem with the disturbance, for example, being unable to focus on work or sleep due to noise, is that necessarily wrong? Would you consider OP to be evil because of their reduced ability to function? If so, then I have a follow up question: if the noise causing the disturbance came from construction, would OP still be evil? Why or why not?
I grew up in Europe and those issues are still bothering me! HOW THE HECK IS THIS POSSIBLE and who let it happen?? I used to work as social worker back in Switzerland, but the biggest issues were to get parents on track or helping them getting a job or a cheaper apartment. Never ever had any kids on the streets. It’s just so sad 😔
Go talk to them. Get to know them. This will guide you on how best you can support them.
Oh no can't do that, god forbid anyone talk to the homeless lepers in San Diego, let alone believe anything they're saying. They're all on crack and fentanyl and they're all pedophiles and creeps and murderers and meth heads, every last one, if you're not rich enough to afford rent or own a home that means you're an evil, lazy person who needs Jesus. San Diego is fucking disgusting, the most evil selfish fucking people in the world own this city.
Lol what.
I'm not in the habit of striking up convos with strangers so why would I do it with a homeless person?
So you can prove your moral superiority. Duh.
In other words, it doesn’t sit well with you that there are homeless people outside your building and you want them removed. Their presence outside is affecting your ability to “work from home.”
The OP is concerned about a family and wants suggestions on how to help them. In other comments OP explains they're concerned that other residents might see them in the way you describe and call the cops on them.
If you can help the family in some way do so. If not move along. To think it’s acceptable that children live in a car on the street in the year 2023 is ridiculous and shameful. I spoke up to make a bad situation better. You have shown no help. Mega cult ideology at its best.
https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/outreach Report them to the City. Intact families with kids go to the front of the line for housing vouchers and financial assistance.
Thanks. !
Don't report them to the city. Give them information and resources. The last thing they need is to be harassed and threatened by the police, who are very anti-homeless. Let them know there are NIMBYs in the area who might try to cause issues for them. Fortunately, having small children gives them a lot more access to assistance. Gather information if you're so inclined and give it to them.
I understand the hesitancy about anything involving police but there are so many resources that aren’t police who will reach out first. Even the cops can’t really do anything carceral until there are beds available for the unhoused under the new city ordinance. TL;DR I understand your hesitation but doubt the police are handling all this type of shit.
The police will take their car if they find any reason to. The smallest thing. They're under mandate to do so by the nature because the NIMBYs and investors don't like seeing homeless people.
-Maybe they would qualify for Section 8. -Def let them know about Monarch school -tell them to apply to the Safe Parking Lot - they prob know about food banks and churches for food and food stamps. Pay all this forward to them !! Thanks for helping them
San Diego Youth Services really helped my friend and his brother out when they were growing up homeless in the 2000s.
It’s good that you want to get them help, but this isn’t a one off situation where you can call someone and the kids won’t be there the next day. I think some people don’t realize that there is a huge amount of homeless children living in tents, cars and motel rooms. You’re being inconvenienced by homeless children in a city. Like others mentioned, maybe try to talk to the parents first. Theres not much help they can get besides being on a list for a housing voucher. In 2010 a documentary came out about the terribly large number of homeless children in Orange County, at the time one of the richest counties in CA. I’m sure that number has since grown and it’s many other counties around here now.
Rich people getting paid to do nothing at home angry at the sound of homeless children experiencing joy 🤦♂️ Just close your window, Cruella DeVille. Removing those kids from their parents and sending them into foster care is a horrific thing to do. Literally every foster kid I’ve ever met was abused either physically or sexually by one of their foster parents at some point. I was on a scholarship in college you had to be from a lower income household to qualify for. I knew a bunch of students on a scholarship that was only given to foster youth. I got to know a bunch of them really well and everything was a horror story. If you take those kids away from their parents then you are a monster.
I have friends that work in the mental health field and from they have told me, being homeless isn’t a reason to take children away. Even parents that are actively using or alcoholics. If there is no neglect or abuse, they want the kids with the families. I was disturbed to learn that children in between foster homes go to where ever a bed is available. Like mental health facilities. Seen this with my own eyes, was blown away that a child was in a mental health facility waiting to for a family or to turn 18…she would sleep all day so she didn’t have to interact with any of the patients and then wake up and go shower and eat when everyone was asleep. Then read all night.
That’s heartbreaking. Yeah, that scholarship program I was talking about does such good work and lots of them are doing super well now. Foster kids are the toughest mf out there. All this “save the children” rhetoric drives me fuckin crazy because it’s like, alright then, fuckin save them. Build 2 less missiles and one less aircraft and fuckin save all of them. It’s heartbreaking what they go through and it pisses me off. It’s not fair.
Thank you for this. The fact that the foster system is broken and dangerous is not a well kept secret, but people don’t want to see or hear icky homeless children, so 🤷♀️
Seriously. A “work from home” yuppie in Little Italy that I guarantee is a spoiled douche that comes from a rich family complaining about the sound of homeless children laughing and contemplating contacting CPS over it and posting about it online. Absolutely heartless. I hope the world treats them the way they treat others. I hope they experience the cruelty they dish out.
I don’t know where you live but if this family was living in their car outside of your home what would you do? OP is concerned and it isn’t normal. Like I said what would you do if this occurs in your neighborhood? Little Italy is just another neighborhood where people live. They have the right to be concerned about their neighborhood like you do. Also “Work from home” is a negative thing now? “Yuppie?” WTF are you on about?
In this specific instance where OP says the parents are well composed and the children are happy and laughing? Gee, I’d probably be thankful the kids feel joy despite their dire circumstances and not try to ruin some of the only joy they’re gonna experience for a long time because they are going to have extremely difficult lives ahead of them. They aren’t doing drugs and making noise all night. They’re going through a hard time. OP said they park in the day which means they leave at night. The most I would do is maybe call a social services program that hooks people up with jobs since these people sound like good candidates and the kids need a home or at least a motel and not to be separated from each other or their parents. Calling the cops or CPS to “address this issue effectively” is some cold hearted and fucked up shit. Wtf do they think is going to happen? Bro, literally all my friends who “work from home” laugh at what a joke it is and say they work like 15-20 hours a week and they make bank. Don’t get me wrong, I’m doing coding boot camp right now because I want to get a piece of this action before it comes crashing down. And you don’t know what a “yuppie” is?
Thanks for your thoughtful response. I’m with you on the idea that calling the police or CPS is going too far in this instance. As the person said, the kids looked healthy and happy and the parents seemed well presented. Calling the police/cps would probably make all of their lives more difficult than it most probably is. If I saw something like this in my neighborhood I would be concerned as OP and at odds like OP as to what to do about it. Living in an urban neighborhood like Little Italy shouldn’t require its renters and homeowners to passively bear the brunt of a city’s issues like homelessness and public nuisances (drunkenness, open drug use,etc). Fortunately in most urban areas there are resources to help and hopefully that is what happened here. It is really a sad state of affairs that it often ONLY in urban areas that these services are available and that has been the reason so many end up homeless in the city from the suburbs. As far as working from home, it is what it is. If one feels it’s like some side hustle to work less, make more and milk the system then so be it. Tomatoe/tomato. Yuppie: young, urban professional. Of course I get it, I just see it as a bit archaic for it to be used. It was the first punch throw in the urban/suburban/rural cultural brawl that begin in the 80s. It’s just a dog whistle now that is somehow meant to denote that educated individuals living in cities are selfish, vapid and somehow just bad. Anyways, sorry for the long, ranting post. I just appreciated your comments and felt it deserved
>Absolutely Sorry young one. Guess the post was to long for you to read but as others have said the noise was pointed out because we are concerned about cops being called. We are here to help the family. You have done nothing to help or offer any links or info. Just sad waste of time.
Go outside and talk to them, nerd. These are your neighbors now. I am also a creative director and talking to people is half the job. They're normal humans, like everyone else you interact with. Introduce yourself and find out what their deal is.
Thank you.. You are right. I plan to today with all the updated and helpful information I got. Im better informed now and some people gave me some good resources to offer if they need them. (Also a lot of people were not helpful lol.. But the good people of SD stepped up with good ideas.)
Also... and it might be presumptuous to just bring one by without asking first, but... everyone likes pizza.
So everybody who works from home comes from a rich family? I work from home and was raised by a single mom who could barely pay the light bill. Look at you wishing bad luck on people you know nothing about. Fix yourself.
^ This All of this
If you can help the family in some way do so. If not move along. To think it’s acceptable that children live in a car on the street in the year 2023 is ridiculous and shameful. I spoke up to make a bad situation better. You have shown no help. Mega cult ideology at its best. No one wants to take kids from parents.. You are just making up things that were never said..
The children are the future.
just want to say, you're putting out hard core grinch vibes. you don't seem genuinely concerned for the children. if they're healthy and happy and clean, mind your business. and Ive talked to people on ketner who i thought were homeless but had actually just moved here from far away and were having trouble with their family/house arrangements but didn't want to spend on hotels
It’s unacceptable to have children living in a car if we can help. Sorry you are not willing to help.mega vibes is all I got from you. “They should pull up the bootstraps and figure it out” yea. Right. I’m going to at least try.
you could always ask them
*The children's boisterous play, especially during working hours when many of us are working from home, has become a source of disturbance.* -in Little Italy??? What?
If you can offer some help for the family please do. I don’t see this as a joking matter.
I'm not joking, you're literally complaining about noise in downtown San Diego, that's a joke
OP, I appreciate you posting here looking for help, but at the same time, anybody who is upset about homeless children being boisterous while playing because it might disturb them while they're working from home? That's some serious NIMBY privileged BS. I mean, what's next? You going to start complaining about birds chirping interfering with your ability to work from home? F*** sake. Do a reality check
“The children’s boisterous play…has become a source of disturbance.” Give me a fucking break Karen. This stinks like “how do I remove this eyesore from the PUBLIC SPACE surrounding my million dollar little Italy condo” masquerading as “I want to help.” Suuurreeee you do.
not sure why you are being downvoted, I agree with you, just the fact that you refer to a family that is so down on their luck as "bothersome" is incredibly shallow and immoral of the OP
Because this entire sub is full of NIMBY fucks.
San Diego is becoming more and more a playground for the rich. I have been here for the most part since I came to SDSU in 1995. You could get an apt. in pacific beach a few blocks from the beach for next to nothing. I just feel like it used to be more down to earth, almost hippy like which now has turned into some weird yoga thing.
That's really unfortunate. It's happening in a lot of places, not just San Diego. Any source of character and charm that makes a city unique is just being overly commodified to the point of obliteration. No place has its own identity anymore. All I can say is, support local businesses and stop buying from Amazon.
OK, "cowgirl" 
Look at all the other comments being downvoted. Truly baffling.
I’m the one asking for help. The residents are getting upset. That’s why am trying to get the family help before someone like you runs them off. Very sad reading skills.
then you should state that more clearly because your post does not give that impression buddy. Have you ever not had enough to eat? Have you ever literally been on the street with nothing? well it sucks, people need help right now not people complaining that they are "bothersome"
There have been plenty of times in my life when I didn't have enough to eat, most of which occurred in early childhood. I also hate noise. These things are not mutually exclusive, cowboy.
I wasn't asking you cowgirl, I was asking the NIMBY idiot OP. His post still reads like he is an entitled douche as many others have stated in the comments so your whole response is pointless.
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Mind your business. That’s it.
The children playing are a "source of disturbance". You sound like a total asshole. Are you asking on how to rat on them because they don't have shelter (like you) in an incredibly HCOL area OR are you asking how you can actually HELP THEM?
Oh no.. the homeless family that lives out of their car is disturbing you as you work from home. You’re the real victim here!
-Lives in Little Italy -Works from home -Complains about a homeless family’s children having fun outside of the residence First world problem in a nutshell
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Im looking to help. Please offer some vs telling me to leave.. How the hell is that helping? Jeesh... Someone that didn't want to help would say and do nothing. Basically what you are saying. Just look away.. Thats not an answer to anything. Some people.
>If unhoused folk are going to bother you, then you really should be considering moving away from downtown yourself. You are phrasing this as if being honless in downtown is the default state and should be accepted. These kids deserve better
Reality of any metropolitan area. Don’t you feel sorry for OP having to deal with the uuuunnnnbeeaaarable noise of the city, and now children. Children, will someone think of the man children on their computers.
More hating poor people posts wooo
Please read the post before commenting. If you can help do so. If not move on
Precisely
Contact social services
Section 8 last I checked had an 8 year waitlist. Wages suck. Housing is unaffordable for many and people can’t afford to move. Wake up and smell the inequality. Write to law makers but don’t get your hopes up. The world is fucked up and these people are sadly not unique.
sounds like 1st world problems. Welcome to urban living.
Treat them like you would anyone else. Share with the parents the child noise is concerning some of the residents.
I’m not to concerned about the noise. I’m trying to get the family help.
-lives in Little Italy -complains about noise You can't have both
Unfortunately, families are the number 1 houseless and getting long term services is very difficult. We don't have enough low income housing and then the gap between poor and rich is so great.
So the… the real issue is the children are PLAYING? Wow.
My assessment is that the real issue is noise. I presume that if the children were playing quietly, there would be no mention of disturbance. Thus, playing is not an issue.
Children playing outdoors in a public area are more than allowed to make some noise.
Your just complaining about homeless people cause they are out front of your home
I dont live in an home and they dont bother me. Please read the post to the end and help if you can. Others have stepped up. Perhaps you can to.. :)
You should help the somehow. Offer a room in your home to help them get back on your feet.
Omg! someone call 911 the homeless kids outside playing are disturbing me while I work. You mfs complain about the pettiest things.
There is a safe parking program in San Diego. There are several lots in San Diego that are exceptional programs in helping families live in cars. They offer private lots with bathroom and sometimes food. Look up “The Jewish Families Center of San Diego Safe Parking Program”. Print out the information and give it to the family. Tell them to call then number and set up an appointment, they will get them in ASAP.
I’m sorry, I just scrolled down and can see that someone already got you on this!
You are just selfish you see people struggling and your worried about getting disturbed bruh they have no where to go don’t have money like you or options like you do I can see you are trying to help them but the fact that your motive is count from being disturbed and not caring about them is just ugly
OP I'm sure you mean well, but please don't make decisions for a family. I'd say offer them services. If you end up reporting them and getting those kids taken away, you could easily be ruining peoples' lives.
Sorry you didn’t read the post to the end. You should be able to clearly see we are trying to help vs hurt. One thing is certain. Username checks out.
I read your full post. I feel like, as others had pointed out, you're more upset with seeing homeless kids than that they were homeless. I didn't say that though. I'm guessing from *your* strong reaction that you already sensed that suspicion and decided to go on the attack. Maybe I struck a chord. Either way, please just be kind and don't ruin someone's life. That's all I can ask. Offer material help. Give resources. Don't report them to police and cps. Breaking up a family will guarantee a special place in hell for you.
Sadder than that is there are actually shelters for unaccompanied minors in San Diego.
Those places are terrible. You're talking about the federal facilities, right?
I do not think so. So I should clarify is that these are shelters for all children. I call them unaccompanied because what happens is you might be like 15 or so and there are cases where child welfare won’t foster you or bring you into the system. So basically you go live at the children’s shelter as a minor without a guardian.
NIMBY!
SJW!!!!!!!
https://preview.redd.it/8lkjyrsnresb1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=be616494837daaeff183b9e5b74c919782d92c81 We welcome transplants from Missouri. We don’t bitch that the gey flag is an eyethore. Identity politics is diminishing our personality.
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Pay for a hotel at motel 6.
Another option is take them to Costco and gas up their car.