The issue of homelessness evokes powerful reactions in our community, as we’ve seen in the recent conversations about a possible low barrier access center in Lodi. There also remain many misconceptions about the scale and the reasons why people become unsheltered, as well as what’s to be done to address the issue.
Hoping to contribute to a more informed, and ultimately more effective, public engagement on the issue, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist in partnership with the Lodi Committee on Homelessness and the Lodi Improvement Committee will be hosting three public education events on the issue of homelessness.
Each free session will be led by community members with extensive knowledge of the issue of homelessness. The sessions will be held on three successive Thursdays, October 28, November 4, and November 11, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at St. John’s, 1055 S. Lower Sacramento Road, in Lodi.
Oct. 28 - Session I: Homelessness: Where are we? How did we get here? This evening’s presentations will outline the scale of the problem in our area and document how the problem is changing. Speakers will address the multiple reasons that people become homeless and challenge common stereotypes about the unsheltered. One of the speakers, who was formerly homeless, will share his own story to put a face to the issue.
Nov. 4 - Session II: Homelessness: What’s being done? How can I help? This evening’s presentations will highlight the creative initiatives in Lodi and San Joaquin County to address the issue of homelessness, as well as explore what is (and isn’t) working and the barriers that are preventing more from being done. Further, Lodi service providers will be present to discuss their work and offer ways for community members to become part of the solution.
Nov. 11 - Session III: Homelessness: Where do we go from here? The final session will focus on preferred futures. What are the creative initiatives that might be employed in Lodi that have proved effective in other areas? There is a lot of good news out there!
Over the three sessions, the planners hope to:

• Provide an introduction to the contributing causes for persons to become unhoused in our area;
• Put a face/story on the unhoused issue by listening to first person accounts of persons living that reality;
• Explore what’s being done to address immediate and long-term needs; and
• Provide specific ways to support creative initiatives that assist unhoused persons in their struggle for dignity and a better life.

For those who cannot attend in person, all three sessions will be live-streamed on the Facebook page of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist (@stjojnslodi) with recordings available shortly after each meeting on their YouTube channel.
All sessions are free of charge; however, we do ask that those attending bring a package of work socks or men’s underwear that will be collected at the door and distributed to local homeless service providers. Those attending must be masked inside the church.
Questions? Call Deacon Tom Hampson @ 209-402-9908 or Kathryn Siddle @209-747-2982.