Speaking out for homeless people
UNAC/UHCP joins the conversation on how to provide housing and health
Alexis Goudeau, RN, BSN—union steward at Kaiser Sunset Registered Nurses Association (KSRNA) and founder of Highly Favored: A Blessing to Others—joined fellow RN Denise Duncan at the Commonwealth Club of California‘s Thought Leadership series last week.
“An astonishing 130,000 men, women and children are homeless in the state of California,” says Goudeau, who discovered the seriousness of homelessness simply by driving to work each day in the heart of Los Angeles. “That’s enough people to fill every seat in the San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium. Twice. As a society, we spend an average $5.2 million per year providing temporary assistance instead of permanent assistance to those that are less fortunate.”
Taking on the housing and health issues faced by homeless people, health care and political leaders gathered in San Francisco for the discussion.
Kaiser CEO Bernard J. Tyson recognized Goudeau for her work, particularly the annual Backpack Friday, a Thanksgiving care package drive. Other speakers included Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County Supervisor, and Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento, who are co-leads on California’s Commission on Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Hawaii Lt. Governor Josh Green, MD.
Watch the #HousingforHealth discussion here: https://k-p.li/cclive814
