In response to the growing violence against the unhoused population, as reported by the National Coalition for the Homeless, Stop the Hate Inland Valley and Corbin’s Closet have launched a critical community initiative aimed at tackling this urgent issue. Ta Lese Morrow, publisher of Inland Valley News, recently met with Cynthia Clay, CEO of Corbin’s Closet—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to serving and supporting the unhoused—to establish a dedicated working group. This collaborative effort seeks to develop strategies to reduce hate crimes against homeless individuals and foster a safer, more compassionate community.
The alarming rise in violence targeting the homeless, with over 1,850 recorded incidents and at least 515 lives lost to hate crimes, underscores the importance of this initiative. By bringing together leaders from prominent homeless advocacy organizations across the Inland Empire, the working group will focus on a series of forums to address these tragic statistics and raise public awareness. These forums are designed not only as a platform for dialogue but as a launchpad for developing and implementing strategic solutions to protect the safety and dignity of the unhoused.
Through this partnership, Morrow and Clay hope to cultivate a robust network of support, bringing experts and advocates together to foster an atmosphere where tolerance and compassion replace violence and prejudice. The initiative emphasizes the community’s shared responsibility to reject hate and create a supportive environment in which all individuals, regardless of housing status, are treated with respect and humanity.
This project is partially funded by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. Community members are encouraged to report hate incidents and seek support through CA vs Hate, reinforcing the commitment to a safer, more inclusive community for everyone.
