UI Launches Unhoused Advocacy Practice
In partnership with the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center and Destination: Home SV, the UI is thrilled to announce the official launch of a new legal services practice focused on the criminalization of homelessness in Santa Clara County.
Led by Clinical Supervising Attorney, Brie Frank Mendoza, the Unhoused Advocacy Practice assists clients with legal matters stemming from their experience of homelessness – citations for quality of life crimes, property claims after encampment sweeps, and vehicle tow cases.
A KGACLC Interviewing & Advising course supports the practice. The students and Prof. Mendoza meet with clients in the community to provide advice and information and screen for full representation. Senior Public Health Capstone students will also contribute to the clinic’s work, assisting clients with claims for property lost during encampment sweeps and studying the impact of sweeps on encampment residents’ health and wellbeing.
If you’d like to learn more about the Unhoused Advocacy practice or are interested in volunteering, please email: unhousedinitiative@scu.edu!
UI Leadership Grows – new members & structure
After an overwhelming response to an invitation to join the leadership team, the UI welcomed seven new members this summer!
Joining the cohort are:
- Anna Yang, Univ. Library
- Ariana Gebauer, NCIP
- Deborah Moss-West, KGACLC
- Keziah Poole, Modern Languages
- Anne McMahon, Office of the President
- Amy Wedel, CP&E
- Long Le, Business School
Along with this exciting growth, the UI leadership structure expanded to include three committees, each with its own focus on one of the UI’s priority areas: campus engagement, community engagement, and overall vision and impact. You can find more information about our new team members on faculty page.
Where to Find us This Fall
Watch for upcoming details about these events and projects …
- Ongoing – Our stigma reduction project continues on Instagram, YouTube and our Stigma Reduction page of this website.
- Nov. 12th, Noon– The first in our UI discussion group series featuring SCU alums working in housing & homelessness.
- Dec. 2nd, 10:30-12:00 – A late fall presentation of the UI’s Works in Progress featuring student and faculty research and projects.
ICYMI: David DeCosse receives Spirit of Ignatius Award
In June, David DeCosse, UI Faculty member and Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Director of Religious & Catholic Ethics, received the Spirit of Ignatius Award. The Award recognizes SCU faculty and staff who make an impact on others through selfless acts of humanitarianism.
The Award celebrates David’s commitment to social justice and generosity with his own time in service. During school breaks, you will often find David volunteering with the Los Angeles Catholic Worker on Skid Row, serving unhoused Angelenos and being in community with them. David also rises early on the weekend to deliver hot meals to encampments in partnership with the non-profit, Bread & Roses. Congratulations, David, on your well-deserved recognition!
Further reading …
Articles, podcasts and news stories related to the homelessness crisis publish nearly every day. Below are recent stories that we recommend.
- Washington Post – Dallas ended homelessness. White house wants to change the rules.
- San Jose Spotlight – We’re triaging homelessness but not treating its root causes
- KQED – In search of home series
The Unhoused Initiative at SCU 