SacTown Talks

#40 - Tom Armstrong

Episode Summary

Tom Armstrong is the author of Sacramento Homeless Blog. He has spent over 10 years living, as he refers to it, in "homeless world" of Sacramento. Previously a freelance writer, Tom Armstrong provides a lucid and insightful view of the goings-on in Sacramento's "homeless world." We talk how folks end up on the streets, mental health, drug abuse, panhandling, and patient dumping by Sacramento hospitals. Tom also offers his candid views on service providers that purport to help.

Episode Notes

Tom Armstrong is the author of Sacramento Homeless Blog. He has spent over 10 years living, as he refers to it, in "homeless world" of Sacramento.

Previously a freelance writer, Tom Armstrong provides a lucid and insightful view of the goings-on in Sacramento's "homeless world." We talk how folks end up on the streets, mental health, drug abuse, panhandling, and patient dumping by Sacramento hospitals. Tom also offers his candid views on service providers that purport to help.

This is one of my favorite episodes to date. Many thanks to Tom for coming on the show.

Brought to you by Cielo Acai Café in Roseville. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email gibran@sactowntalks.com.

Full talk also available on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y754xl9t

SHOWNOTES

INTRO

1:30 - Tom is critical of Sister Libby's leadership, and how is Noel Kammermann - ED of Loaves & Fishes doing?

5:00 - Christianity & faith, and how it is used as an instrument of kindness for the homeless.

10:00 - Patient Dumping

14:30 - Group homes

18:45 - Food providers over-serving obese guests

21:20 - The women have gone crazy

25:00 - Tom isn't a fan of homeless folks with animals

32:00 - How Tom wound up on the streets

40:00 - Folks with jobs who nonetheless have to sleep at the mission

45:30 - Getting into housing

46:40 - Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento (allegedly) dumping patients at the Mission

52:30 - Sister Libby (allegedly) let a pedophile stay in a bungalow near a school at Loaves & Fishes.

54:00 - The culture at Loaves & Fishes vs. The Mission

55:00 - Panhandling