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Matt Lombardini
San Luis Obispo, CA
Interested in making a difference by getting involved, speaking out and helping people in a way that helps me to overcome my own prejudices and fears. This means jumping into the fire at times, unsure of how hot it may get.
Recent Activity
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Matt commented on the article |see the trailer for the Sunny Acres documentary currently in progress here:
High Definition: http://www.davidadavidson.com/sunnyacres/trailer_720p.mov
OR on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgQ56URp4kM&feature=youtube_gdata
Production info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1672874/
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Matt commented on the article |Here you see this kind of nymbism taken to a whole other level:
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Matt signed the petition | -
Matt commented on the article |Overall I thought the New York Times reporter Jesse Mckinley, did a good job of getting the message out about homelessness and how it is so ignored. I thought the video was very compelling. Dans anger shown through and Jesse and the videographer put it in just the right light. I was concerned at the time as I was standing there during all of the interviewing that the anger would make Mr. De Vaul look resentful and ornery.
Quite the opposite though. It was, I believe, representative of the disgust that many of us feel regarding the way we do things and the lack of compassion for others in an increasingly self-centered society. The bottom can not come quick enough for us all...only then will we start to work together as the brothers and sisters that we are...
go to: www.sunnyacresca.com to WATCH a complelling video of Dan and the residents of Sunny Acres talking about their experiences and what life is like for them on the ranch.
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Matt commented on the article |
Sunny Acres: A Volunteers Perspective
Whether homeless people are better off in the creek or in what modern society deems to be sub-standard structure’s not built to code is an ethical matter not a legal issue. Laws are often passed that are put forth for the benefit of the people by the people. However, there are times when extenuating circumstances exist which may override the law. I believe this to be the case regarding Sunny Acres and Dan De Vaul’s actions. Mr. De Vaul is a bit of a Renegade. It is because of this quality that he has been able to stand up to the powers to be in order to help people less fortunate then himself and others. He presents a challenge to the status quo and this is what set’s him apart from many others.
The only thing Mr. De Vaul is guilty of is acting from a place of decency and concern for his fellow man. He watched as the county condemned the campers and trailers people were living in on his property. While the county was unwilling to help with this process by simply allowing the required use and building permits to construct legal housing, he opted to build a converted barn for the formerly homeless residents to live in. Consequently, when the county condemned the building citing code violations, the residents were forced back into the campers and trailers and many left traumatized returning to the creek sides where they formerly lived.
Unless the laws are relaxed and fees are reduced for required permits, the idea of ending homelessness in our county with the assistance of non-profit agencies may never be realized. In many ways Sunny Acres represents a time gone by when it was ok for one man to help another with what he had to work with. In light of this, I believe the current system warrants serious examination of the way we address issues such as homelessness in our county and throughout the Country.
"The poor who have neither property, friends, nor strength to labor are boarded in the houses of good farmers, to whom a stipulated sum is annually paid. Vagabonds without visible property or vocation, are placed in work houses, where they are well clothed, fed, lodged, and made to labor." -- Thomas Jeff erson: Notes on Virginia Q.XIV, 1782. ME 2:184_____________________________________________________
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Matt signed the petition | -
Matt commented on the article |I have been volunteering at Sunny Acres for the past several months. I contacted Mark and invited him to come out and do this interview and story. Dan, myself and other supporters are grateful to you Mark for helping to get the word out. I have come to appreciate you for your efforts as I have indicated to you several times already.
Regarding the “Junk”: I appreciate your stance. I get that cleaning up the Ranch would likely benefit Sunny Acres politically in the long run as well as eliminate some obvious safety concerns. Mr. De Vaul has done this to a large extent but there is more being asked of him. Because of the properties proximity to the city, it seems to be more of an issue for him versus a ranch that might be located in a more remote location. This is unfortunate, but it is the reality. That being said, based on what I have observed, I do not believe that simply cleaning up the “junk” will unequivocally put Sunny Acres in a position to receive the required permits it seeks to grow the Sunny Acres program. Unfortunately politics plays is playing a huge role in all of this as exemplified by the actions of both sides involved.
Regarding the Housing: Dan has won me over in terms of defending the type of housing he has opted to provide in the interim pending permits and the ability to build legally. I feel strongly that Sunny Acres in its current state serves the basic needs of these people whose only other option was to live in the creek. And there is no denying its the only game in town of its kind where someone can easily come on board without going through the usual 5th degree or incurring the expenses required. I thought Jennifer explained it pretty succinctly in the interview you did.
People are living in unsafe conditions ½ mile down the road from where I live in county sanctioned housing. Obvious code violations are everywhere. Junk sits in front yards.I guess the reason I single Sunny Acres out as being different is because in this instance these folks are the ones who have neither the means or the where-with-all to rent a place of their own.
The Ranch gives them the opportunity to move in that direction of getting their own place or staying at Sunny Acres permanently if THEY choose to. Over the years many of the people here have come without any money at all.
The 300.00 per month is charged to those who are able to pay it. Others have an opportunity to work it off in whatever way they are capable of doing. Had you spoke with more of the residents, you would have found that all are grateful to be here and for the ‘hand-up’ rather than the proverbial hand-out that Mr. De Vaul has given them. Many of them live in fear that the county will eventually sweep through and drive them back to the creek with intimidation as it has done in the past. In fact, a couple of months ago, when this all kicked up into high gear, Mr. De Vaul [publicly] told the County he would shut down Sunny Acres and invited them to come and get the people living there. They county responded saying they were not interested in displacing these folks. And while they have deemed the current living facilities condemned, they continue to let the people reside at Sunny Acres and offer them no alternatives.
Having grown up on a farm myself and witnessing how my Uncle and father helped a man out for years by providing him with a small out building to live in and some labor to buy food, my inherent value system tells me that ‘any’ help is better than none…This man was appreciative and kind. Could my Dad or Uncle have done more, sure. They could have moved him into our home, or built him a home of his own according the codes. But I believe they did what they felt comfortable and were able to at the time to the best of their ability.
Dan started out in this same way. But as more and more people heard about him he found himself thrust into a position of being someone looked to for help that was not available elsewhere. This is when his feelings of moral and spiritual obligation really kicked in. This is evidenced by the actions he has taken.
He began the process of trying repeatedly to get a conditional use permit in order to build ‘legal’ housing and do it the way the government says you should do it. Originally Dan wanted to add on to the existing house on the property to provide adequate housing, the county would not grant him the needed permit. He jumped though hoops only to be stopped each time by bureaucracy and a local government whose actions seem to show that it didn’t want a facility in that location.
During this time Dan continued to provide housing for a growing population, at it’s height 72 people, in the best way he could, (was willing to) and felt capable of. The fact that things are not squeaky clean and he has been forced to operate outside the letter of the law does not prevent his service to his fellow man from being helpful, needed, and appreciated by many.
This does not make him a saint in my eyes, just a man who was willing to help without fear of what the government might try and do to stop him. He put the needs of the people before the law of the land.
That being said, Dan has done the best ‘he’ is capable of doing. It is easy to stand by and accuse him of not doing it ‘right’. But who decides what is ‘right’? He does not abuse these people nor is he profiting financially from them. There has never been an incident of any significance at Sunny Acres. Granted, as you said to me when we met, it only takes an earthquake, fire, etc. I submit to you that living with this kind of mentality may be one of the reasons why government as well as the private sector have in so many ways abandoned their fellow man.
FEAR rules and yes stuff happens. Whether a facility is up to code or not does not prevent this natural law of nature and man. Inherent dangers are everywhere. If we wait until everything being tried to help our fellow man is done to the letter of the law, significant change may never come and the homeless you so fervently advocate for will continue with their plight. Mr. De Vaul has tried to operate to the letter of the law and been thwarted. He has resorted to doing things ‘to the best of his ability’ by applying simple methods (that yes, are currently outside the parameters of the law)
The county simply does not provide an overnight shelter, period. Plans for a new shelter are in the works, to the tune of a projected 6 to 8 million dollars and all of the operating expenses that will come with it, but once again, do not include an overnight facility. This is the best our local government is willing to do. Throw money at the problem, follow the law and well, you get the picture.
So what are We the People to do….if a county won’t grant permission and I want to help a man or woman in the best way I am capable? Do I just say: sorry, I don’t have a building up to county code and my property is too messy so I can’t invite you in….good luck. Is this putting humanitarian needs first?
People helping people, in the best way they are able and willing to, may be our only hope to seeing more of those that are down and out given some sort of opportunity for a fresh start.
Can we honestly say that the people living at a place such as Sunny Acres whether it be in a tent, trailer or a 10x12 structure [built with brand new lumber, 2x4 framed, solid sheeting and roofing, drywall and a solid door and window (hardly a shack) ] with immediate access to good food, clean water, clothing, shelter, showers, internet, television, newpapers, bus service and most importantly a family and the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging are not better off than being outdoors in the elements?
Where is freedom of choice in all of this? Who am I, you or the government to tell people how and under what conditions they should live?
The only available resources provided by government is located on one far side of town, (which is out of sight and mind) and it is a place where one can only stay during the day and are then forced to leave come nightfall….I call that a form of abuse and neglect.
Mark, God Bless your efforts. But until we begin to advocate for those willing to stand up and work outside the box do you believe that substantial change will ever occur? Attempting to play by the rules in many cases such as Dan’s has proved to be very difficult if not impossible.
So why put the focus on the perceived negatives such as “junk” or what the government deems “inadequate” housing? This is exactly the kind of rhetoric that mainstream in the box thinkers feed on and serves to bolster the government’s position and make the little guy trying to help look bad. Make him look bad enough and he will eventually give up….you are in some ways helping to enable the means to that end.
It is interesting to note, that if I look at the blogger comments and letters to the editors regarding this issue in our county and all around the Country, most favor what Dan is doing and implore the government to give him the required permits so that the operation can be deemed legal. He can’t become legal until they (the government) allow it to happen. The code violations have become the issue and this has served to demonize a man who does good works. Sound familiar – think J.C.
The basic fundamental issue here is that every man women and child have an inherent right to be helped, as should the one offering the help in the best way they are capable of, even if the law and powers to be preclude them from doing good work within the confines of the system.
If Jesus had operated by the law of the land, would his disciples have followed? Would he have become the spiritual leader that he is today?
Matt Lombardini
Volunteer / Sunny Acres, Inc.
email me at: sunnyacres.ca@gmail.com
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Matt signed the petition | -
Matt commented on the article |
Sunny Acres [a declaration in progress]
Laws are often passed that are put forth for the benefit of the people by the people. However, there are times when extenuating circumstances exist which may override the law. I believe this to be the case regarding Sunny Acres and Mr. De Vaul’s actions. Dan De Vaul is a bit of a Renegade. It is precisely because of this quality that he has been able to stand up to the powers to be and do what he feels ‘morally and spiritually obligated’ to do in order to help people less fortunate then himself and others. He presents a challenge to the status quo and this is what set’s him apart from many others. This is a man who stands by what he believes in and does not waver.
Whether homeless people are better off in the creek or in what modern society deems to be sub-standard structure’s not built to code is an ethical matter not a legal issue. The government continues to put time, money and resources into facilities that provide services to the homeless. It is patently evidenced that because homelessness not only continues to exist but is on the rise that government solutions that work within the established statue quo are not enough. I do not mean to imply that government agencies shouldn’t keep trying and that those services don’t provide some relief, but that perhaps if non-profit facilities such as Sunny Acres we’re given special consideration, we would have far more solutions available.
Mr. De Vaul’s only request of the county is that ‘fees’ be forgiven or vastly reduced in order to see his project through and house more of the homeless with a model that has proven to be effective in reducing the number of people in San Luis Obispo county who do not have a place to live.
It is my contention that unless the laws are relaxed and fees are waived for required permits, the idea of ending homelessness in our Country for those who want the help will never be realized. In many ways Sunny Acres represents a time gone by when it was ok for one man to help another with what he had to work with. In light of this, I believe the current system warrants serious examination of the way we address issues such as homelessness in our Country.
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Matt commented on the article |
Thanks for all your comments on "Arrested fpr Housing the Homeless". I have started a facebook page for those who wish to show support and follow the story. We have been contacted by Major Television Networks and it looks like some interviews of Mr. De Vaul regarding Sunny Acres are in the works.
This is great as it will be a golden opportunity to raise awareness around homelessness and the fact that our Governments do so little and harass those privte individuals like De Vaul who do so much.
go to: http://www.facebook.com/srch.php if your already a member just type in Sunny Acres (look for the big yellow sunflower as a profile pic) and then request to become a friend. I am trying to build a large coalition quickly to rally aroung this cause...please refer us to your friends as well.
Thanks all,
Matt Lombardini
Volunteer Coordinator / Suinny Acres, Inc.
email: sunnyacres.ca@gmail.com
www.sunnyacresca.com
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