dustineichler’s posterous

A few people have balked at how personal I can be and to their credit they're just protecting me. I see life sometimes as such an impersonal exercise that it bothers me. I miss the Real real. Despite being ever so connected in multifaceted ways, we're broaching the collapse of communities as if it were hyperbolic problem. If we're not in it (this life) together, then we're no better off than ourselves. At least, that's how I choose to see my life from here on out. It's inadmissible in other cultures to not work together to solve these problems I'm not sure why it's not more prevalent here. Maybe we're to busy finding 'ourselves' to look up and recognize. Regardless, It's a sustainability issue for me and I can't sit idly by.

I'm curious if I'll always feel this way or if increased isolation for one reason or another will grip me from connecting with societies social ills. Nevertheless I choose to participate and volunteer as a combatant for underdogs however I found it somewhat difficult this morning to relate or 'connect' at Project Homeless Connect. In it of it self, it's a wonderfully coordinated effort to help out homeless families in San Francisco. I had no idea it lent itself to communities (families) and not the individual, but I'm now realizing I sound like that which I hate; "naive".

About Project Homeless Connect and Project EDAR, the hope is as I learned this morning to utilize this platform as a launch point for social change in SF. Project Homeless Connect is about families, not the individuals as I mentioned. It's also not typically what you think about in reference to the homeless. They're normal people quiet frankly as I saw first hand. These people just need help. A commenter recently criticized me and this effort as another California Boondoggle (a waste of money), then so be it. I'd rather flush money down the drain for a cause than irrelevant ear-marks. Humanitarian effort shouldn't be marginalised to the point of partisanship. When those of us need help, hopefully someone will be there to do so.

Project Homeless Connect is about many things to many people. From their website, they cite 6-12 thousand people experiencing homelessness yearly. That's a staggering number, but incredibly the resources pulled together are equally impressive. In the hall hosting the event, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium; Project Homeless Connect participants obtain services from general Medical check ups to Employment to Legal advice. Most volunteers were practitioners in their respected fields as you'd expect. It was collaboratively nice to witness this alone. Motivating too, a catalyst for reflection. It's also an impressive effort and thought provoking so many were willing to give their time.

I guess what bothers me though in the eyes of service is feeling useful, let alone being useful. It can be very dissatisfying, but EDAR hopefully through Project Homeless Connect or other is a vehicle from which I can point my passion. We're ramping up for Volunteers and if you're interested in being apart of something pretty cool get in contact. Checkout Project EDAR while you have a minute too. I hope it's something I'll be talking more about in the near future.

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In the service of others is a compelling way to live your life, engineering alone is not enough for me. While extremely rewarding and beneficial, finding something other than what I make a living at is equally important. Defining what that looks like, I've never been quite sure. All I know is, in combination with my of technical skills I can't help anyone let alone myself if I'm not using what I know vehemently. (I love what I do, engineering is my life)

From an early age, probably influenced by the Church and growing up in a small community I've felt it's my duty as a citizen to volunteer, or find philanthropies to join. Giving back is an important part of appreciating your success and the values my parents instilled in me. I feel very blessed despite how hard reality is hitting home right now. See earlier posts on why this is so.

Every day on the streets of San Francisco I walk past a countless number homeless. It seems like more and more arrive on the streets of this city. In my neighborhood especially, it's hard not to notice. I love it here despite it's problems and I've done a lot of growing up, more so than anything other suburb since coming to California almost 10 years ago now. As a local, I find myself asking ways I can contribute. Rather recently, Architecture has been an important notion of discovery for me. I'm actively noticing what's plainly in front of me everyday and choosing actively to be aware and in someways affect me. It bothers me to no end sometimes when I see zombies on the BART. I want more than anything to be actively apart of this life and not be a reluctant participant.

I've talked briefly with friends about the homeless situation in San Francisco. While the majority believe as I did, it's mainly economical, you may or may not be surprised to know it's conditional behavior that keeps many in the shadows or arches of your buildings. I assumed for a long time, many of these individuals choose this life. It didn't take much to convince me otherwise despite seeing obvious signs of mental anguish. While I can't help or understand everyone. You do what you can where you can.

Combining interests is something I do well. It also saves time ironically enough and I'm all about not wasting a second of it. In the back of mind, where I churn ideas this problem of epidemically solving homelessness is a big one. It's certainly bigger than me, bigger than all of us. I did manage to put a coherent thought and apply terms to what I was thinking architecturally only to find someone is already on the problem.

Takepart, is a nonprofit for social change. I love what I'm seeing and will probably try to connect the dots, bridging a gap between wherever they're at and San Francisco. Why? Because of EDAR. This stands for Everyone Deserves a Roof; it's short simple and concise. It descriptively details a problem with what I believe to be a basic human right. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. It may not mean much to you, but means a world of comfort... even if a little bit to others.

EDAR was a prize winning architectural selection. So too was another by a 12 year old. His design seen here.

Take a look at this video below. It's pretty cool. From a architectural point of view, it's functional but looks costly. Donations run high even for a wheel selection which baffles me. I'd imagine anyone who be remiss to use these, but there is no one solution to a dynamic problem. Nevertheless, it's an idea I want to build on and either 1. bring EDAR or the like to SF or try to building my own tapping the Architectural subculture here where I've already see an awesome amount of creativity.

Europe is pervasive with bicycles, why can't we be innovative with this?

I know I'm not the first to have thought of this idea, I'm just choosing to be an active part in this continuum of service or life there of.


EDAR Homeless Shelter from takepart on Vimeo.

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