Poor People United has been active in political protest and community service since May 2003. We began our work by successfully organizing the homeless community to protest for an end to a Monroe County ID requirement that kept many homeless individuals from access to County-funded shelters. At Thanksgiving '03, we took over an abandoned storefront next to the Liberty Pole downtown, occupied it and rallied our supporters and were purposefully arrested, gaining previously non-existent attention and media coverage to the disastrous problem of homelessness in Rochester winter.

For the past three winters, Poor People United has operated an Emergency Hypothermia (EH) Bus, providing emergency shelter for up to 16 homeless men and women each winter night from November through March. We park the EH Bus, converted with 10 bunk-beds, downtown on W. Broad St. near W. Main St.

Two years ago we purchased an abandoned city property to provide permanent housing to up to four of our formerly homeless members. We provide leadership training to our members in public speaking, house repair, direct care for the guests on our EH Bus, and non-violent conflict resolution. Our members living at the Human Rights House provide most of the staff for the EH Bus. We also have spoken at many local universities, schools, churches and community groups.

Our greatest need continues to be financial support. We raise funds from grants, donations, and fundraising projects.