The Lakeside public library will be moving to a new location in town shortly, and the space is perfect to be used in the service of the individuals in our community experiencing homelessness and poverty. Whether as a day-time resource center, or an overnight shelter, our community members need a place to help them meet daily needs such as showering, shelter from heat/rain, restrooms, and access to internet and job search tools.

Currently many of these individuals are denied jobs due to their inability to arrive to interviews showered and groomed. Many face the choice between a good night's sleep (which requires travel to El Cajon or enough money for a motel) or eating that day, as both cost roughly the same amount. Many are unable to and are fearful of sleeping in public locations, lest they be given illegal lodging tickets that they will be unable to pay, resulting in the additional stressor of arrest and possible jail time. As we begin to address the long-term needs concerning jobs and housing for these individuals, we must have the means to provide for our community members' immediate daily needs and dignity as well. Without such resources, we are not able to set either ourselves who seek to aid our community members, nor those individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness up for lasting success. A space for a resource center would be a critical step in aiding our impoverished community members in Lakeside.