John Balderson's Homeless Assistance Center (HAC) Diary

March 14- March 20

Thank you for visiting this section of the Tent City/HAC web site. Since I moved into the Broward County Homeless Assistance Center/Huizenga Family Campus on February 1, 1999 after spending time from March,1997 at Tent City, I have had a variety of interesting experiences.

You are visitor to John Balderson's HAC Diary web page.

Below is a daily diary of my activities from the time I moved into the HAC until the time that I will be leaving.

Went to BCC to work on this web site and to help the friend with the ThinkPad add some more programs and reconfigure Windows 98.

Also plan to talk to case manager about getting bus tickets for job fair at Broward Convention Center on Monday and Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, as well as getting paperwork prepared for possible job offer at PEER center based on information provided to me by another resident.

Due to delays in working with computer customer in Plantation, I under-estimated the time involved in returning to the Center even though I had talked to my case manager and got a late slip for security.

I did not arrive back until midnight, and the slip was written for 9:30 PM, so as a result, the night resident coordinator would not let me back on the campus and I had to walk to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport to sleep for the night (what was left of it) and also because it was closer to the Broward County Convention Center for the job fair which begins at 11AM.

Went to Broward County Convention Center for job fair and used up all 15 copies of my resume that I got from security at the gate last night when I couldn't get on campus because of the "curfew violation". I spent about 2 1/2 hours at thr fair, with several companies interested in my mainframe CICS/COBOL as well as desktop (Windows 98/NT,Visual Basic,Office 97) experience for Y2K and other projects.

I talked with my case manager about the Sunday "curfew violation" and we agreed to mark times on the slip for security that are more in line with when I actually expect to return. She also asked me to do a favor for her off-campus, which I will do tomorrow.

The 500 dorm finally got a new Hitachi videotape player so I can start renting movies at the library again, as long as certain residents don't complain that we're watching porno again!!!

Went to main library to get tapes for video player and ran an errand for my case manager.

I also went to Henderson Outreach to try to get weekly bus pass after they get authorization from the Center as I have business, job interviews, and seminars on 6 days from March 17-March 24, and it would require 16 bus tickets otherwise.

With the luck of the Irish today, I came to Miami for a job fair similar to the one I attended in Fort Lauderdale on Monday. I also went to a computer seminar at the Sheraton down the street from where the fair was held and saw the fabled Miami Circle..

I am entering today's entries and this week's City Link letters from the main branch of the Miami Public Library in downtown Miami. Of particular interest this week is a letter that Arnold Abbott himself wrote to thank all those, including myself, for writing such kind words about his efforts to help the homeless.

Went to seminar presentation at Main Library called the Young Latinas Conference talking about empowerment and success for women in the future. The keynote speaker was Jackie Nespral from NBC6, and I got her autograph after her presentation.

Went to Sun-Sentinel building to talk to Jane Musgrave from City Link about an upcoming article she wants to do on me regarding this diary. I also visited Lisa Huriash from the Sun-Sentinel regarding a similar article that is to appear after I leave the Center. I have another appointment with Jane on Monday to make sure that both women are not conflicting in terms of the articles they wish to write about me.

Both women were concerned as I am as to whether my goals will be accomplished and the April 1 deadline will be extended, as I still have not found employment, although I have some leads, and my 60 days will be up on April 1.

Despite promises by staff at the Center that as long as I am making a concerted effort, each potential discharge date is handled on a case-by-case basis. I still have April 1 in the back of my mind but I will let the women do the stories on me anyway, as maybe the additional publicity will help me find a position that I may not have been able to get before.

I guess today really was a day of empowerment for women!!!

A relatively noneventful day with the residents actually acting civil and watching the March Madness basketball games without any major verbal disturbances.

Will talk to case manager regarding bus tickets for BETA interview and Microsoft seminar (3 days) at the Broward Convention Center Monday-Wednesday.

Went to library and got videos for those residents who are not suffering from March Madness.