Sunday, December 26, 2010

Greetings From Skid Row Vol.2 No.3


 
Hello,                                                                                             
My name is Michael Hubman. I operate the charity Watercorps http://www.watercorps.net/ . I lobby on behalf of the human and civil rights of homeless people. I also lobby government concerning the right to share food and economic justice issues. The above issues are the subject of this and subsequent newsletters.

                                      
                                                 Four Years of Service
Watercorps has been in continual operation since our founding on October 15, 2006. That makes four years of continuous service.  We have consistently carried out our basic mission of providing bulk drinking water to the homeless people of Skid Row Los Angeles.  
                                          
                                                     Innovations
With the help of our network partner, The World Agape Drop-in Center, we are now capable of doing water operations without a vehicle. That is right; we are now able to provide drinking water to the homeless people of Skid Row Los Angeles with a shopping cart. We keep the Catholic Worker Shopping Cart at the World Agape Drop-in Center at 5th and San Pedro Streets. World Agape also keeps the water in their cooler. Using the shopping cart enables Watercorps volunteers who don’t have cars to perform water delivery.  This is also important during times when I have vehicle issues. Watercorps’ water operations without a car are a nearly zero carbon endeavor (very green).

Watercorps now has a web site http://www.watercorps.net/. There is also a very nice article about Watercorps in the LA Activist.http://www.laactivist.com/2010/07/26/water-man-provides-oasis-for-downtown-homeless/ .
                                                
                                                  Milestones and Progress
Watercorps has had some significant milestones in 2010 that make us proud. Besides providing drinking water to the homeless people of Skid Row Los Angeles, we also gave away drinking water at community events. This summer, we provided drinking water to the people who were lining up at the Los Angeles Sports Arena to get free medical, dental and vision care from Remote Area Medical (RAM).  We provided drinking water for the (RAM) event the year before, but this time was special. Because we had good vehicle access to the lines, we were able to give out 48 gallons of water in 16 ounce cups in less than two hours-a Watercorps record!  When the Nazis came to town to demonstrate at the Los Angeles City Hall, we provided 48 gallons of water to the people at the counter-demonstration. Watercorps also provided 48 gallons of water at the Right to share food Extravaganza (picnic).
The latter two events we did with the shopping cart.
                                        
                                                           Adversity
In 2009 and 2010 we have had some transportation issues. When Watercorps is hitting on all cylinders, we have two cars. When there is one car is parked at Union Station in Los Angeles, I can commute by train, and still have a vehicle to do water operations.  In the summer of 2009 the Isuzu Trooper which I kept in Los Angeles died. That fall my Ford Taurus also died. I did not have the resources to buy another car. Because Watercorps is a charity, I felt justified in reaching out for help. I got out the electronic version of my rolodex and started calling my friends and friends of Watercorps. My calls for help were answered when I reached out to James Shaw of Arts District Healing Center (ADHC). ADHC has been a Watercorps network partner from the beginning. ADHC is a water filtering site for Watercorps, and also provides other charitable assistance. Just before Christmas of 2009, James provided me / Watercorps with a nice 1999 Volvo.
                                                   
                                                         Please Help
Unfortunately the Volvo is experiencing maintenance issues and is out of commission, at least for now. I am again getting out my electronic rolodex and asking for help. If you have a vehicle which you don’t need any more, Watercorps could surely put it to good use.

 Watercorps has been operating with funds from my own account along with some generous help from my girlfriend’s custom bridal gown and alterations business http://www.lmodebridal.com/ ,and a few other benefactors. Well, funding is not what it used to be. If Watercorps were ever in need of help, now would be the time to contribute.  All donations go to water operations. You can send donations to my pay pal account. Michaelcirclewider@yahoo.com.

Watercorps Address:        Watercorps 
620 East First Street Los Angeles CA 90012
       
                                                          
                                           Telephone        714-746-1203 

Watercorps is also looking for help from another charity or community group who would serve as an umbrella for us under their 501-C3 nonprofit corporation.

Watercorps is looking for volunteer help with our web site, e-mail list management and publicity.

Watercorps would especially like to meet people who are interested in giving water to homeless people on Skid Row in Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

Michael Hubman 
 

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