Human Services Commissioner Jimmy Palmieri is a man with a heart. A big heart. The founder of the Tweakers Project and long-term Human Services Commissioner continues to work for and lift the spirits of those less fortunate and in need.
WEHOonline highlighted Palmieri’s story in 2021, and found out how he ended up in West Hollywood and what motivates his work to help others.
For the past ten years, Palmieri has been putting together gift bags. It’s very grassroots. A simple Facebook post with a goal of 25 blankets. But people responded to Jimmy’s request, well, because it’s Jimmy, and you can trust he is doing something for the most needy.
A bunch of friends stepped forward and Jimmy was able to buy 100 blankets. Thirty blankets went to Being Alive’s Harm Reduction Center for their visitors in need. Every resident at the Holloway House Transitional Homeless House received a blanket and a box of candy.
Palmieri noted, “I was able to chat with a very caring staff of employees that were so very grateful.” Other blankets went to unhoused on the street.
He says, “I get the gift of some of them smiling and being so grateful. Some are obviously using. They are always grateful because their circumstance has them living on the street, in the parks, behind buildings, etc. It is cold at night, and they appreciate them.”
He goes on to say, “As a resident, I know the people. It definitely makes my holidays worthwhile. If anyone reading this is in need, simply say hi as I’m walking around giving them out, many times after dark.”
Jimmy Palmieri is one of the outstanding citizens of WeHo. He was the driving force behind #BOOM, the sober New Year’s Eve, along with Robert Gamboa, and I was glad to serve with them on that initial event alongside the Institute for Public Strategies. He is the founder of the Tweakers Project that has helped place over 300 addicts into services.
Unbeknownst to Mr. Palmieri is that I once nominated him for a CNN Hero Award. The man continues to strive to do good despite personal health setbacks.
Merry Christmas to Everybody!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperously Peaceful New Year.
The west hollywood homeless industrial complex sends contracted outreach workers,out to the streets,just to collect people’s names,so the agency/employees get paid,while most homeless people remain on the streets indefinitely. The reason is because California has made it so expensive to Renovate a building let alone build one,and that goes for rehabs,homeless shelters,mental facilities ect.So you can cater to the homeless in the streets and make money off of them,but the end result of getting them completely off the street,is blocked by building cost,and regulations,it’s all a scam on the backs of the homeless..!
Be very clear…. I never have and never will do any of my advocate work for money, stipend, anything in kind. Just wanted to clarify that. Also what I do on my own has nothing to do with the city. They tend to put up roadblocks and I don’t need the stress.
I was very clear in my message. I Didn’t mention anything about you handing out blankets ? In association with the Holloway homeless shelter picture in the article..! I’am talking about how the California homeless industrial complex makes it look like homeless people don’t want to get off drugs and get off of the street..As i stated regulations and the cost to build rehabs,shelters,ect.is keeping homeless people on drugs out in the streets,homeless people use drugs to cope with being left out in the streets..!
do you accept used, clean blankets?
I’m sorry but we cant
Mr. Palmieri is an inspiration. It is heartening to see good people do good work without drawing attention to themselves. Where can we contribute?
The state of California has spent $39 Billion on homelessness since 2019. And every year it gets worse.
We need to look at Japan’s solution. They made it impossible to live on the streets…..with strict enforcement. Those needing help were moved to government facilities and it wasn’t an option. Support was given to get them jobs and housing.
We continue to make drugs and gambling……and everything we know destroys lives….readily available. This is the logical outcome.
It’s never been about affordable housing. That’s a myth. Things cost what the market will bear.