To the editor,

Over the last several years I have attended the annual Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill benefit dinner. I enjoy the event because so many different people, from so many different corners of Peekskill turn out to support the efforts of a dedicated group of people who have helped for the last two decades get people back on their feet. I have met lawyers, judges, clergy, teachers, doctors, and just plain old folks at this event. The greatest thing about it is meeting and hearing from some of the former residents who have successfully moved on, gotten jobs, found homes, and found a new sense of purpose.

For years, the Jan Peek Homeless Shelter has existed in Peekskill. It was established when Peekskill had a Republican Mayor and complete Republican control of the common council. Most people of Peekskill don’t even know it exists, because it is tucked away far out of sight, on the farthest end of Water Street. Unfortunately, some local politicians have decided to bring a great deal of attention to it in order to get votes.

A significant portion of the Jan Peek House’s residents are veterans and an overwhelming majority of residents are from Peekskill- 80% to be exact. This is an institution that has done nothing but positively contribute to those in our community who have fallen on hard times. To suggest that homelessness is someone else’s problem is absurd. Anyone who lives in Peekskill knows it’s a Peekskill problem.

Like it or not, we have homeless in Peekskill. I am certain that most residents would rather have our homeless population in a safe and secure environment where they are given an opportunity to get their lives back together, find jobs, learn new skills, and receive the support they need to get back on their feet. What is the alternative? We shut the shelter down and have them sleep in the streets of our downtown?

I am bothered to my core that ex-councilman Bill Schmidt would turn the homeless in Peekskill into a political target to win the mayor’s office. I think its wrong and runs against the values most of us have been raised with. I commend the North County News for holding him accountable in their editorial and for giving him their Salvo of the Week. His behavior certainly merits it.

I would like to see the former councilman join the rest of our community and support the efforts of their dedicated men and woman, and our faith community, in caring for the homeless of Peekskill, instead of kicking them around. The annual benefit dinner for Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill is coming up in the next few weeks. I hope Mr. Schmidt will attend and open his heart, and his wallet, and join us in helping people get their lives back together.

Sincerely,
Christina Favilla-Morey