ANDREA
A self described homeless woman, Andrea, has lived on the streets of San Francisco for five years. She used to work and recycle at HANC to subsidize her income and when she became homeless recycling was her main source of money for awhile. Now, she has a garden plot in the Kezar Community Garden and volunteers with SF Oceanedge that helps protect wildlife near the beaches. She spends her time reaching out to homeless youth, giving away PB&J’s and laundering clothes from the trash to hand out to people in need. She also enriches her life with all SF has to offer. From the Legion of Honor to Stern Grove to the MOMA, Andrea strives to keeps up with culture, too. Smart, sweet and articulate, she also has very strong opinions on the unofficial war on homeless people in our city. Listen to her thoughts in today’s video.
Andrea’s story is a classic example of the “good that happens” when the community is allowed to participate in “Resource Management.” (aka: Recycling and Redemption and Re-use…Andrea’s life quality is significantly redeemed by her ability to get involved with HANC- Kezar Gardens, where beverage containers and flowers and vegetable are “renewed, side-by-side”…. All the communities across the City should have their own “Kezar Gardens” centers.. The magic that was REA, at USF, is alive today, at Kezar Gardens. “Cogito, Ergo Recyclo” was the motto, of the community recyclers,
when the “powers that be” were preaching “Burn, Baby, Burn!”……..
Well said John! She is a poster child for why community recycling centers are so beneficial to people. “Cogito Ergo Recyclo” I think therefore I recycle
yes! i started out in 2006 just cashing out recycling at H.A.N.C. From seeing the notices about the plan to evict H.A.N.C. i was inspired to attend H.A.N.C. meetings, then become a member, then start volunteering for S.F.Oceanedge and then become a community gardener at Kezar Gardens. Now i feel more empowered than ever (look out world!) and more involved in solutions. All that pay-off from just picking through the garbage to earn a little money:-)
what an amazing community story. thank you for sharing it with us Andrea.