Open Letter the The Governor of California
Hello Governor:
I hope that this letter finds you well, rested and happy.
My Name is Father Luke Miljevich. I am a homeless man, living,
literally, on the streets of Fresno, California. I sleep on a bridge on the outskirts of town.
I am typing this from the Workforce Connection offices on the Downtown Fulton Mall Offices in Fresno. They have computer resources available for job seekers.
I have employment through Kelly Temporary Services in Fresno. Last year I made approximately $6,000. Maybe a few hundred dollars more. Maybe a few hundred dollars less. Either way, that kind of money is barely sufficient to survive in today’s economy.
A friend of mine went through Workforce Connections and received assistance to go to Truck Driving School. He was so sure that this was something that would also work for me, he told me about it. He is doing fine now, in a career which suits him and in which he is happy.
When I applied at The Workforce Connection, I was told that, because I am Homeless, I will not qualify for any Educational Assistance. But I may use the resources to look for work.
I have work.
I have always worked.
I will always work.
What I was hoping for was training so that I might also have the
chance to have a career where I could make more than minimum wages.
My hopes have been routinely discarded before they had a chance to begin.
I can earn the money to go to Truck Driving School by myself. I was not looking for a handout. It will take one third of a year. Perhaps a little more.
Can you read my upset?
Can you ascertain the hopelessness afforded to the least of us in the land of the brave and home of the free?
Can you see the never ending slow walk to a bitter and hopeless end afforded to those of us who desperately need help and need it the most?
Surely there must be some compromise for others in my situation.
I would appreciate any personal response you may deem appropriate.
My best to your lovely wife, and would it be inappropriate to ask if we will ever see you in any movies again? I like the job you are doing as Governor (I can’t vote being homeless), especially when you hollered at The President about money for the the levees here in Fresno, I think pretty much everyone in the whole town of Fresno enjoyed all that, but I would like to see you in at least one more movie before everything is said and done.
Thank you, Governor, for your time.
—
Okay,
Father Luke
Sent to:
Governor@Governor.Ca.gov
Tuesday, June 27th, 2006 10:09 am
To date there has been no personal reply.
In July, the Governor vetoed a Budget bill, and federal funds earmarked for employment training opportunities in California will drop from $28 million last year to $23 million for the year which began July 1. About 15,000 people will be served this year, down from 20,000 last year.
