WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By Geoffrey Ruff. © 2006, The CitizeNetReporter. All rights reserved. January 28, 2006: Today, Mr. Ruff, a homeless persons since 1994, and participant in the past in DSS programs, concludes his report that was presented to the Westchester County Department of Social Services Commissioner January 23 during a meeting a dialogue between Mr. Ruff and the Commissioner. In the final installment of this report, prepared at the Open Arms Shelter by Mr. Ruff, he makes some observations:

Proposal

Idea

The Department of Social Services is in dire need of additional, and/or change, targeting standards, and protocol in regards to the proposed.

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Eligible Resident Occupancy Support Services Program

And

Employment Support Services Program

These Programs could target the hard-to-accommodate, whether they are in the Shelter System, or in Private residence. Some of these men and women happen to be down on their luck without the need for Mental Health Service.

I propose an assistance program which provides for a very assertive, and aggressive identification of, and referral to secure permanent employment, and housing in the community sector, without special, but limited assistance – Thus creating a Reformed Homeless Intervention Program which conforms to, and is pursuant to NYS Law:

Article 2-A-Shelter and Supported Housing

Title 2  Single Room Occupancy Support

Sections 45-45g

Title 4  Homeless Intervention Program

Sections 48-52

Opinion

A majority of us at the Drop-In wish not to waste Taxpayer money utilizing the current program of Social Services. We want to work, live and exist just as all the rest of the Citizens, friends and family. The current program procedures mentioned, and the procedures unmentioned only hamper our opportunity to reintegrate back to being productive Human Beings, and Citizens.

A number of us have Criminal backgrounds which, that in itself, create and unmovable obstacle to proper employment, thus hampering our chances at securing adequate, and permanent housing, which also hampers becoming productive tax-paying citizens of Westchester County, where I was born and raised.

(Geoffrey Ruff has been homeless since 1994. He sleeps nightly at 85 Court Street in White Plains, the County's new Drop-In Shelter.

This report was written by Mr. Ruff and presented to the Commissioner of Social Services of Westchester County January 23 during a meeting with Mr. Ruff with the Commissioner, which Mr. Ruff describes to the CitizeNetReporter as positive. Mr. Ruff also notes that Volunteers of America treatment of residents at 85 Court Street has improved. Mr. Ruff tells WPCNR that a cource within DSS told him it costs $850 per person per night to provide one Emergency Bed in shelters throughout the county, enough to purchase hotel rooms for several Homeless persons at local hotels on a nightly basis.  

Mr. Ruff reports to WPCNR he spends his days looking for jobs outside the DSS program. He is looking for computer services work. He has a felony drug conviction which automatically finds most companies rejecting him on applications. He has been out of prison 12 years.  He may be reached at the Open Arms Shelter, 948-9881, or by e-mail, rugggeoffrey@yahoo.com )