Homelessness

This is the kitchen at the Salvation Army in the city of Compton. Also known as the "Love Kitchen", this soup kitchen began in 1980 by Mary Lawson, who still runs it to this day. This modest eatery services the homeless community every Monday for dinner, offering a meal to anyone who is hungry, often serving anywhere from 200 to 300 people. Holiday meals are also provided during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Salvation Army transforms the indoor gym into a makeshift dining room to ensure that no one is left hungry during the holidays. The Salvation Army and its Love kitchen is one of the few resources that offer services to the homeless population of Compton. According to the program director the Salvation Army acts as a "safe haven" for many of Compton's community members. Although the main function of the Salvation Army is not to cater to the homeless population, it does however serve as a preventative measure. In my opinion, this is possible through their programs such as a low cost gym membership, computer access and the upcoming recording studio/rec. room (currently being constructed). The Salvation Army's amenities allow community members to come in and utilize its tools instead of being out on the streets. Since the S.A. provides this, community members who do use this service have less of a chance of getting into things such as drugs and gangs which could ultimately lead to an unstable life and perhaps financial problems and ultimately more homelessness.
The Love Kitchen
Pictured is Bob, virtually a Compton native and a current City of Compton resident. Bob has VOLUNTEERED his time to build the new recording studio at the Salvation Army. He is very passionate about his work and holds a great sense of pride for his community.
" I am proud to be a comptonite because I have seen the changes!" - Lorain Sevantes
Many low-income people reside in the City of Compton. This is one of many houses that needs a lot of repair, but it's residents don't have the means to do so. I don't know how much the annual income is for the family who lives at this house; but I am assuming anyone who lives in conditions such as this cannot afford to make it's necessary improvements. Such low socioeconomic levels at a time when our country is already in an economic recession, poses a greater risk of becoming homeless.

Affordable housing is among the services most requested by residents. The Compton Housing Authority seeks to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunities and a suitable living environment. To carry out its mission, the Local Housing Authority operates two programs: the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program assists families in creating plans that will lead to economic independence. Families who receive assistance under the housing choice voucher program are eligible to participate in the FSS program. The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides monthly rental assistance to participants who wish to rent, but cannot afford the full monthly payments. Eligibility for the program is determined mainly by family composition and income. To be eligible, applicants must be within the “extremely low” (30% of area median) or “very low” (50% of area median) income limit for their family size. Although these programs sound promising, it was disheartening to hear from a City Council Member that once people are placed on the waiting list, it takes years until they are given assistance. Time is precious, and those are years that people just can't afford to wait.

In the courtyard of Compton court house.
A man the next day who I saw walking around in front of the City of Compton's court house.
A seemingly homeless man sitting on the bus stop in front of the court house.
When you think of a city court house many things may come to mind. To name a few, you may think of justice, trials and parking tickets. This is what normally comes to mind for me when I know that I have to step foot in that place, just to pay a ticket that I should of never gotten in the first place. But, when I was about to enter the City of Compton's Court building, something else grabbed my attention. After spending about a day and a half getting to know the city this was the first place that I had seen an abundance of Homeless People. After nonchalantly glancing around at the surrounding benches in front of the court house I quickly spotted over a dozen homeless people. Hmmmm....
Welcome to the city of Compton, a place that in previous years has held the reputation of being the Murder capital of California!