ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A spring cookout was hosted Thursday afternoon in Sheridan Park, as part of “Project of Survival” by the National Union of the Homeless, and co-sponsored by the Capital Region NYS Poor People’s Campaign and the Nonviolent Medicaid Army. It comes as seasonal Code Blue shelters across the Capital Region prepare to close as warmer weather rolls in.
Lorelei Brazil is disabled and has been experiencing homelessness, but spent the day helping others by handing out food at the spring cookout.
“By doing all this, we bring our community together to show that, even though we’re poor and we’re homeless, we can still enjoy life through a barbecue,” Brazil said. “I believe everybody deserves a chance in life.”
Organizers said that the cookouts are about education, as seasonal Code Blue shelters prepare to close in the coming weeks. Adam Shekerjain, organizer of the Poor People’s Campaign- Albany Chapter, explained the impact.
“The weather can get real bad going into May. Every year there are people who die living out in the streets due to the weather and the environment,” Shekerjain said.
“We’re not just calling for year round shelters,” he added. “We’re calling for housing reform.”
“We see dozens, if not hundreds, folks get pushed back out into street homelessness once those shelters close,” said Bebhinn Francis, co-organizer with the National Union of the Homeless- Albany Chapter.
Organizers have been pushing for the Housing Access Voucher Program, which helps people afford permanent housing. The state set aside $50 million for the pilot program. Advocates are now calling for $250 million in the state budget.
“The county of Albany got 22 of those vouchers with the pilot program, and that’s the entire county. And we know that in the city of Albany we have 200 plus unhoused, street homeless folks,” Francis said.
Shekerjain spoke on how having a stable living environment can make all the difference.
“Once people have a stable home to live in, they’re able to actually invest in themselves. And then, they can start contributing to the world around them a lot more,” Shekerjain said.
“After being in the military, I experienced homelessness twice and it’s just, it becomes a part of your life and a part of your identity. Like when you’re dehumanized on that level, it’s not something you can take out of yourself,” Shekerjain shared.
Brazil spoke about her own need of a place to live.
“[Unhoused people] need a home, they need a stable home. They need to know that there’s people and landlords out there that care, that will open their hearts and their houses to people like us in need,” she said.
Organizers said that these cookouts will continue through the summer at Corning Park on the fourth Thursday of each month. There will also be a weekly breakfast and meeting held on Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
For more information on resources through the National Union of the Homeless Albany Chapter, the Capital Region NYS Poor People’s Campaign, and the Nonviolent Medicaid Army, head to this website. For immediate help, call the NYS Homeless Hotline at 1(800)771-7755.