Everyone can rant but not everyone can come up with a solution. If in fact this is the case then it is vitally important to re-establish the centers with a reliable staff and better accounting controls. It is organizations like these that offer women / young girls choices that are in favor of promoting the sanctity of life. I do not believe we should abandon our government because of corrupt politicians, and bad policies. I believe in governing through education, knowledge and a vote. We live in a country and city where government is for all, not just one.
To quote me, “There is no I in Democracy”

Health, Happiness, & Long Life

what I don't understand is why the "church" reps must go begging local gov for $25k?
- Jesus never sent his people to Caesar for their bread....

You mean those 9 churches and membership can't come up with that same funding, they need City Government to pay for their project?
A sensible Christian pastor would RUN from financial marriage to government. Most churched folks know far more about funding their buildings and the weekly offering than they do about quietly meeting the needs of other folks.

You have at least three major church facilities on I street that sit empty and unused much of the week. All in non-residential areas... I found it very condescending to downplay the concerns of the neighbors with promises they cannot possibly keep.

Here is a radical idea for a Man of God, Give away your church building to a homeless ministry and let the funding that once went to support the overhead, of a church facility and paid staff go where it could meet the very needs they talked about at the meeting. (of course the ministerial lifestyles may suffer a bit from downsizing, but hey, they could still meet in homes like most Christians once did and NO overhead).

IMHO the church building is is an uneccessary dinosaur that mostly serves those who attend a few hours per week. Any church group that would give THEIR building and resources to help the needy and homeless, like the Merced shelter, we ourselves would GLADLY help with our own time and resources.

Would you rather pay a visiting minister $500-1,000 for a Sunday sermon (plus lunch, travel expeneses, and maybe a game of golf), or spend thousands on cameras and sound systems,
OR help meet the needs of someone needy, hungry, and homeless?

I believe in the separation of church and state where policy is concerned. However I believe we are a Country that was born on the very Christian principles you so eloquently show disdain for. The church building over the years has evolved yet still remains a sanctuary for like minded and those curious of mind to meet and worship God. The evolution of such meetings brought about the practice of service to mankind! Where in history can you find a better-organized system of help and welfare towards others? (Whoops you may say communism / socialism in which we will never agree.) As for the traveling ministers I say yea lets meet at Henry Miller Plaza owned by the City of Los Banos. Better yet lets advertise it as a REVIVAL
I agree a religious organization should not ask government for money, however I believe both must work together for the common good. So I am clear here. If a proposed good works can be committed by a religious organization for the good of the citizenry of a community it should have the ability to be endorsed by a democratic government either through proclamation or accountable compensation. (Facilities, underwriting, and CCR’s Convents, Conditions, and Requirements). I do not believe you or anyone else wants to turn their back on those less fortunate then ourselves!!
I appreciate your kandor and support. We should all feel blessed as God's children.

Health, Happiness, & Long Life

There is not an iota of disdain in me for Christian principals. We are alarmed at the great falling away from those very principals and morals that our founding fathers gave us. It is those very principles we seek to affirm by not hindering Christ's work by going to government.

Christians ARE called to meet the needs of others, but they are not called to fund the overhead, salaries, tithes, and buildings which all themselves "church". We have been trained to think of those buildings as churches, and they are not. The church is the body of those who are "in Christ", and the role models are read about in the Book of Acts. The facts are that the typical Christian has not learned about meeting the needs of others by sitting in a pew, and funding his group. Typically 95% of a chuches income goes to service the overhead, building, insurance, supplies, and a hired minister. -the remainder may or may not help missionarys or the needy, depending on the group.

Do you know where the money goes that you put in the plate? You would be shocked to know where some of that Sunday "offering" money goes. Believe me, I know from firsthand experience...

Our personal giving follows the model of quietly meeting the needs of others, not for show and not for recognition. as it says in Matthew 6:3 bt when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does

I am glad you agree with me on the fact that these religious organizations should not go begging government for funds.
As it says in scripture "Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?"

The Lord bless you :)

ps. this is not a personal attack on any individual or group, simply a statement of facts and my opinion.

First off I am acutely aware of where the money goes in the church I attend. I also appreciate its use here in the local community as well the apportionments towards humanitarian need. As for the brick and mortar churches being useless I will agree without the body of Christ(ians) occupying the pews they are just that (brick and mortar). However when one or more gather together that the teaching begins. So I respectively disagree in their use. These sanctuaries bring together the transfer of biblical principles from our older generation to the younger generation. I do agree in quietly living life with little fan fare, however when you can bring others together for the good of those less fortunate you should. In this I believe.

Health, Happiness, & Long Life

Not exactly clear where you were going with that, Met, but in the case of A Woman's Place, I believe the Sun-Star reported that they failed to apply for the grants they were eligible for. It wasn't a matter of government not wanting to help or putting them off. You don't get what you don't ask for when it comes to grants. They were the victim of p-poor management and oversight. That was in addition to possible embezzlement or misuse of funds they did have.

The Alpha Center was a different situation, being a unabashedly religious organization. They are eligible for less public funding as a result.

Regarding the usage of the churches on I Street, it was stated that some sites have already been rejected. Two sit with residential housing behind them and one sits with residential beside it. The city wants churches in neighborhoods, was the comment that was made by planning. Unfortunately, and who could blame them, the residents don't necessarily. There were seven pastors who are spearheading this project. The other pastors were there to show support of the need for a Rescue Mission. I'm positive solution will be found.

It's not always the big bad church and their greedy pastors that are the problem.

I am confused. Last year the council voted to give Westside Community Assistance $25,000 for a homeless shelter. Is this the same group? It wasn't very clear at the meeting except for Steve Hammond is the president of Westside Community Assistance.

A rescue mission and a homeless shelter are not the same thing, our council better pay attention and think about what they voted for the money to go to and what group they said they were giving it to.

Yup, same place. You say homeless shelter, I say rescue mission. Big Steve says "gimme da money, so I can go to Texas."

No wonder villalta asked for a break down of how they (rescue mission, steve h and company) were going to spend the taxpayers money. Heck, they don't even know for sure which group is asking for it. I think the public should be presented this budget information too. I hope the council lets us know where and how they plan on spending the money. I don't think plane tickets and a week at an "y'all come" convention would be what the citizens want or from the sounds of things at the last meeting the council wants. I think the council wants ALL the money to go to the homeless! that is what they voted for!