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Rascha Hall is the president of “Help the Homeless Help Themselves”.  She is a Palos Verdes resident and a former math teacher at Palos Verdes and Peninsula High Schools.  She was in a Fulbright Exchange in 1990-91, and taught in Nuneaton, UK.  She has worked with HHHT for 25 years.

HHHT was founded in 1987 by an East Coast couple who saw homeless people living on the streets.  The organization is staffed by volunteers and has no office space; it is run from the homes of the volunteers.  46 families in the South Bay area have been helped this year, with donations up to more than $1000.  Funds come from fundraising events, such as a balalaika dancing presentation on April 28 this year, which raised $43,000.  Another fundraiser will be held at Rascha Hall’s home this month (flyers were distributed to our members).  Grants are also received from foundations, such as the Norris Theater.

 

 

The organization’s goal is to help those who are either homeless or on the verge of homelessness.  The funds are distributed to nonprofit service organizations, which assess the needs of homeless individuals, but no funds are given directly to the individuals.  Specific donations may be used to pay a month’s rent for someone on the verge of eviction, or to help repair a car needed to get to work, or for other specific needs identified by the service organizations.

$2.24 million has been distributed in the South Bay area.  9 organizations are supported, including Harbor Interfaith, Habitat for Humanity, Rainbow Services, Salvation Army’s His House, Toberman Neighborhood Center, House of Yahweh, Friends Without Barriers, Love INC, and 1736 Family Crisis Center.  These organizations provide a variety of services such as job training and other assistance to improve their potential for return to independent living.  No alcohol or drug abuse is acceptable.  Individuals must be trying to support themselves and have a reasonable budget that will allow them to continue paying their bills successfully after receiving help.  Rascha described several anecdotes of successful cases where a small donation made a difference in helping an individual recover from homelessness and return to a productive life.