Synchronized Chaos

Formerly homeless author/artist Katy Hughes’ mother has job, needs help with training

Would like to let the Synchronized Chaos family know that Katy and Elizabeth Hughes, the teenage blogger, writer, and visual artist who became homeless with her working-poor widowed mother over the winter and who creates the blog Destination Anywhere but Here, have found an apartment which they’ll keep as long as they can afford.

Katy Hughes, also known by her pen-name Blinky St. James, has posted for awhile searching for work for her mother. Elizabeth Hughes has now found work - if she takes a mandatory pre-employment online training course. The class is only $119 and I’d love to see some of our members here get involved helping out a fellow writer and her family. Katy joined our Facebook community and we’ve chatted - she looks forward to submitting to Synchronized Chaos soon. She’s incredibly articulate, with a witty sense of humor and a great eye for detail and ear for storytelling and surprise.

This story has been featured on CNN.com and several local San Francisco Bay Area news stations have featured the Hughes family as part of larger stories on the working poor - so they are legitimate.

People can send the Hughes family cash via PayPal at hugheselizabeth@rocketmail.com or via their Post Office box:
Katy and Elizabeth Hughes
P.O. Box 111525
Campbell, CA 95011

I would be glad to donate my copyediting or press release/resume/cover letter writing services to anyone who helps out the Hughes family. I know we have many other priorities right now - but if several of us get on board I think we can all manage to help our writer friend and her Mom get into a much more permanent, stable, financially secure situation.

The Hugheses have been ‘adopted’ by a group of suspense and mystery authors who blog about them and help raise awareness. We at Synchronized Chaos love to see community among writers and artists - so we’re getting on board.

Katy’s blog entry on the situation: http://www.destinationanywherebuthere.blogspot.com/

Uncategorized | SynchChaos Staff | March 21, 2009 3:38 am

31 Comments

By jo, July 1, 2009 @ 8:06 pm

I’m confused…she claims she didn’t get the money for the online training course so she didn’t get the job. http://elizaann914.blogspot.com/2009/03/went-through-more-boxes_31.html
By kae, July 27, 2009 @ 8:01 am

this woman is a con artist. yes she and her daughter were homeless but only because the mother won’t do anything for herself. she wants the whole world to do for her. she has begged on several blog sites for money and if she doesn’t get anything she goes on another website and calls the people names and accuses them of *hurting her feelings* to gain additional sympathy. this apartment is being rented to her a half price but she didn’t bother to tell the benefactor whose paying her rent for the next 6 months this tidbit so that person is paying the full rent which the mother is keeping. for homeless people they did things that were stupid and proved they weren’t going to do anything to get themselves out of poverty. buying hair dye?? keeping dogs?? accusing well established charities of discrimination against her when they wouldn’t help her because she won’t help herself. everyone who gave money has been scammed and this needs to be exposed
By admin, July 27, 2009 @ 6:32 pm

Thanks for your comment, and for your concern for protecting people who read Synchronized Chaos! It’s always smart to be cautious and wise with where you direct your time and energy and cash.

However, I invite you to consider how I have come to understand the family’s writing and experiences as they fit into a larger cultural context.

Our magazine staff has been following both Katy and her mother’s blogs for some time, and has found both full of humor, grace, creativity, interesting insights (noticing birds, U-Turn signs, thoughts over strangers’ graves in cemeteries, etc) and reflections of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of hard luck and constant frustration. I personally can’t speak to each and every one of Katy and her mother’s choices as I have not personally experienced their situation and don’t feel that I know them well enough one way or another. I am not saying I would make all of their same choices were I in their place, but I do not feel I know them well enough to judge.

I see their story, and the experiential process of how they document what they live through and how people respond, as an important articulation of the suffering of the working-poor and those without stable housing who have to constantly move, whether due to divorce, war, poverty, etc. Of how the economic downturn is negatively affecting individual people and changing our sense of home and place and belonging, and whether a blog or Internet community can fill all of the psychological roles of an actual home and physical neighbors and friends.

Whatever the details of the Hughes family’s particular story (and they have not given me personally any real reason to doubt what they say), I see enough deep truth reflected about the human experience and how economic and physical dislocation affect ordinary people psychologically. Their writing was in my eyes a call to awareness, action, and compassion for entire sectors of American and world society which often go unnoticed and unheard. And a very deeply truthful and ultimately life-affirming demonstration of courage, family love, humor, art, and creativity and storytelling/communication as an act of psychological survival in the face of difficult, monotonously discouraging and stark circumstances.

As for the dogs - they have been with the family for years and are family members at this point. Also they wake Liz up when Katy experiences severe bouts of dizziness and migraines from her medical disorder so she can take care of her daughter.

Again, I do not know all the particulars of their situation - however, I do know that the Hughes family has been spotlighted by Bay Area news stations who have checked into the facts.

The Hugheses have experienced cruelty online from some who read their postings (actual insults which go beyond legitimate questions about their situations) and so may have occasionally reacted out of fear, frustration, and bad memories of past internet encounters. I encourage people to show patience with them and to look deeper beyond this current exchange to try to uncover and understand all sides of the story rather than relying on suspicions and first impressions.

I will let Katy and Liz know of this post and the comments as I believe they should have a fair chance to speak for themselves and explain what they are doing and why. Everyone else has a right to their concerns, and the family also has a right to explain themselves.

Synchronized Chaos Magazine does not prescreen or select contributors - we invite and welcome any and all to speak for themselves and tell their stories or produce their art or crafts however they can and however they find most fitting and relevant. We have chosen this publication ethos as a statement of trust in the power of art and communication in themselves to uncover and represent truths of the human experience and to foster empathy by allowing artists and viewers to participate in imagining themselves in other people’s places and life situations. So, we welcomed the Hughes family as contributors and will continue to do so in the future.

What I was hoping would happen through featuring mother and daughter in Synchronized Chaos Magazine was that someone would recognize their talents and they would be hired as illustrators, writers, communicators, etc…that we could help match them up with someone looking for their skills. Also that their story would encourage compassion and empathy and humor in all of us as we navigate life’s troubles.

Hopefully something similar, whether for them or someone else, may still happen due to what they have shared with us.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to read Synchronized Chaos and to comment on this posting. I admire your concern for our readers and invite you to dialogue with others and the Hughes family.
By Carolyn, July 28, 2009 @ 3:10 pm

Katy and her moms situation is a challenge. I wanted to help and invited them to my house where I colored their hair. I dreamed of giving them smart haircuts that would help them get jobs. I have almost 20 years of doing hair and currently work in HR I was convinced that if I could give the mom a makeover it would help her confidence and her job situation. They both refused haircuts. It blew my mind. I tried to emphasize with the attachment people have to their hair but when it’s holding you back from a job then it’s ridiculous. I even emailed them later pleading with Katy to talk with her mom about her hair and never heard back from them. This basically turned me off to their situation as I feel that they are not serious about fixing their situations THEMSELVES.
By kae, July 30, 2009 @ 3:20 pm

this woman has a marketing company (it’s the address she uses when she starts begging for money) who is working with her about how to scam money using the internet.. this is important to note.. she has no intention of working.. she intends on using the internet and the news media to help her take money from king hearted people who want to do the right thing.. and I want to make sure that I get the word out on this woman to as many people as I can.. it’s shameful.. especially because I’m sure some of the people who contributed money are probably struggling themselves but felt compelled to help.. and now because they’ve been taken advantage of.. they’ll be less willing to help the next person who is NOT scamming.. I don’t doubt they’ve been homeless.. what hasn’t been looked into by the news media is that she has chosen to be unemployed since 2004.. there is NO way she hasn’t been able to find a job in 5 years.. she claims her landlord evicted her illegally and then blacklisted her.. she expected her landlord to drop/stop asking for rent once she lost her portion of the social security survivor’s income.. and blacklisting?? seriously?? what landlord do you know who would expend that kind of energy on just one person who didn’t pay their rent?? and for everything.. she blames other people.. I understand your position admin.. but.. you’ve been taken.. and used.. she’s not going to respond.. she turned and ran.. closed her twitter account.. closed her PNN.com blog and her God’s Power blog because she’s finally being challenged..
By kae, July 30, 2009 @ 3:43 pm

by the way.. katy sells her art for $150 plus.. and while I have no problem.. per se..about being paid for her talent.. that’s a lot of money for even accomplished and recognized artists.. and she’s not willing to sell for anything less.. considering her situation.. you’d think she’d be willing to accept anything right now.. it’s obvious liz is teaching her daughter to live life the same way.. everything is everyone else’s fault and take whatever you can from anyone you can..
By grace, July 30, 2009 @ 7:27 pm

There is some confusion regarding the po box. A local business directory and the company website list PO Box 111525, Campbell CA 95011 (same one as the Hughes’) as belonging to TenFour Marketing Inc. Where & who are the donations going to?
By kae, July 30, 2009 @ 8:17 pm

liz hired that marketing firm to teach her how to use the internet to scam money.. the marketing firm gets a percentage of the money she has scammed.. this is against the law.. taking money from people under false pretenses.. contact the local Campbell Police Department and report her..
By grace, July 30, 2009 @ 9:39 pm

I’m not sure the evidence warrants that conclusion. It is possible that the marketing company had the po box before them and went out of business or something. My question would be could donations meant for the Hughes be going to the marketing firm in error (i.e. forwarded to their new address). I think the PO box office (postoffice?) should check it out and make sure that the PO box is only assigned to one party. Maybe the marketing company needs to update its business listing and website. We don’t know, it should just be corrected.
By admin, July 30, 2009 @ 10:03 pm

Hi everyone - seems this post has attracted a lot of attention, glad to see a discussion! Inviting everyone here to read the rest of the magazine and peruse the work of our other hardworking, talented authors and artists…just posted some local-color Bay Area short fiction and some lovely photography, along with book reviews today…please feel free to check out the homepage at http://www.synchchaos.com while you’re here anyway discussing the Hughes family

No matter what, I hope Katy is all right and has some time now to just relax and be a normal teenager!

By the way - sometimes things can get taken out of context or blown out of proportion by accident online…so while I’m sure everyone here is well-meaning, it would be great to make sure you explain some kind of reasons/evidence to back up whatever you are saying, whatever side you’re on, especially if you’re going to say something negative about someone. Disagreement and questioning is great, just explain why you are saying what you are and how you know rather than just putting something out there.
By kae, July 30, 2009 @ 10:26 pm

Catholic Charities were called and they were prepared to assist with food.. rent.. clothing for interviews.. but liz had to call and then go in.. instead.. she went online on PNN.com and claimed they wouldn’t help her because she wasn’t Catholic.. a complete lie but liz wasn’t aware we were checking up on her.. she claimed United Way wouldn’t help her because they only help people of color.. another lie because she never contacted them either.. the reason she didn’t contact them? they can and will only help people prepared to help themselves.. liz demands that everyone do everything for her.. she doesn’t want to do anything.. she doesn’t want to work.. there’s no mistake about the marketing firm.. this firm works with homeless people.. they ADVERTISE this fact.. look it up on Google.. they teach people how to rip off folks on the internet.. I wouldn’t be posting anything if these things hadn’t already been checked out.. she is getting a deal on the rent but she didn’t bother to tell the person who’s paying the rent for the next 6 months.. liz feels entitled to the money because the guy would have been willing to pay for the complete rent anyway.. this woman is a manipulator and a user and she’s teaching katy to do the same thing.. regardless of the fact that she’s a teenager.. she knows right from wrong and is helping her mother continue the scam..
By kae, July 31, 2009 @ 6:36 pm

want more proof? she’s out on her blog telling people she can’t go to the food bank because they don’t have the *special* food she needs!!! WHO IS SHE KIDDING??? she also doesn’t want gift cards from anywhere.. and she’s got an excuse for EVERYTHING.. she just wants prepaid Visa/MasterCards
By Carolyn, August 1, 2009 @ 5:56 pm

I just can’t believe I had them in my house! They only want what they want and tuned out my attempts to offer haircuts, hook them up with organizations to help with work clothes. I even reviewed her mom’s resume with a recruiter at work! I feel good about myself as I did something nice but feel stupid for being sucked into them. They just go from person to person getting things. I was so empathetic at first!
By kae, August 2, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

carolyn.. as someone who’s been ripped off by them.. you are in a perfect position to go to the police and contact the local news agencies.. considering the attention they’ve gotten.. there are unfortunately still more people out there giving money and goods and services to them because they don’t know the truth.. you need to go to these agencies fill them in!
By Carolyn, August 9, 2009 @ 5:47 pm

The fact that they know where I live makes me not want to do that. It’s creepy and I don’t want any retaliation if they have contacts with any unsavory characters.
By CK, August 10, 2009 @ 11:33 am

Here are the faces of these ‘dangerous’ criminals
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/syndication?id=36981749
(in case the address is truncated: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/syndication?id=36981749

I find the level of harassment that is being focused on a disabled child and her mother deeply disturbing. Surely the stalkers could have helped 2 other families in need with the time spent tracking them on every website, every blog and following them on twitter.
By Carolyn, August 10, 2009 @ 5:26 pm

It’s more about the fact that they have been offered countless resources but have become complacent from the help instead of being empowered to improve their situation and keep asking for MORE $$$.
By kae, August 10, 2009 @ 6:53 pm

why would you be supportive of someome who is taking money from hard working people who want to share what they have with someone in need? why is it okay with you that they are making a LIVING out of scamming people out of their money and services?? wouldn’t you rather give to someone deserving? someone who wants to change their life? and bottom line.. what they’re doing is against the law.. don’t you understand that???
By CK, August 11, 2009 @ 11:46 am

Carolyn - I don’t know if you’re still reading the thread, but I wanted to thank you for doing personal outreach (which is never easy). Here in Silicon Valley, we need people like you. You may have heard that Next Door - our local battered women’s shelter –has lost hundreds of thousands of $ in funding with the budget cuts. With your unique skills set, you can help give women a makeover and set them on their paths to start new jobs and new lives. Plus, by working with an organization rather than just one individual, the clients will be pre-screened and more open to your styling suggestions. Next Door also needs volunteers to help women with their resumes - sounds like you’d be a great match. http://www.nextdoor.org

and if Next Door isn’t something you prefer to support, there are dozens of groups and churches here in the South Bay that need your skills
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/
By grace, August 11, 2009 @ 12:19 pm

There is a totally objective site regarding this topic if anyone cares to comment and the subject of the topic is welcome to comment, too!
http://larissalytwyn.pnn.com/articles/show/49066-the-art-of-deception
By admin, August 11, 2009 @ 3:56 pm

Thanks everyone for the comments and spirited discussion! I have only briefly talked with members of the Hughes family so am not really in a place where I can judge one way or another.

As an aside, are there copies of Liz’ resume online? People have requested that we add a link to it on the Facebook group for the Hughes family…probably the best solution all around, if she gets a decent job and can then care for herself and Katy and make her own financial decisions with her own cash.

Also - this is not really a blog, even though we use blogging software. This is an international variety, art, literary, and cultural magazine, accessible through our homepage at http://www.synchchaos.com. We have a wide variety of talented people from all over the world who would love comments and feedback on their writing, and who would love to know if you have any information on places seeking artists or on writing resources and mentors.

We also just posted a bunch of calls for charity-benefit submissions for people who would like to donate work to breast cancer research, organic farming, children in need, etc. So while this post on the Hughes family has certainly received a lot of attention, we’d like to see people look at the rest of Synchronized Chaos while they’re here and consider getting involved
By Eena, August 13, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

The mom is still on the new, whining about how she has no money for food or gas.

She has no intention on getting a job.

http://elizaann914.blogspot.com/
By bj, August 14, 2009 @ 10:11 am

Hello Admin, kudos on a really cool website. To Carolyn and to CK (nextdoor.org) Have you guys heard of this? http://www.cutitout.org/
Cut It Out provides stylists with informational material and other resources so victims of domestic violence can seek help in a safe manner. I also think it would be a cool thing if clients at Carolyn’s salon (and other Bay area salons) had the option of donating towards haircuts for women escaping from domestic violence.
By Carolyn, September 1, 2009 @ 10:46 pm

Both of those organizations look great. I actually work in HR now so I just keep my license up and do hair on the side for friends and family when I have TIME! I’ll check the organizations out when I’m ready to get involved with something again.
By Burner, October 25, 2009 @ 10:54 pm

rae the hughes are not hurting you or anyone else. she shut your bitch ass up mutha fucker!
By Burner, October 25, 2009 @ 10:56 pm

rae you think you know a lot about the hughes. if you know so much and know that they are scam artists why dont you fuckin call the cops. they aren’t scam artists for one so good luck calling cops. so shut the fuck up you lying bitch.
By admin, October 26, 2009 @ 12:10 pm

Hey everyone, thanks for commenting but let’s keep it clean, ok? Peace and love for all
By Burner, January 25, 2010 @ 1:24 am

By Eena, August 13, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

The mom is still on the new, whining about how she has no money for food or gas.

She has no intention on getting a job.

Hey Eena How about you learn how to spell news dumbass. Before you pick on someone, 1 know how to spell and 2 get your facts straight.
By Burner, February 12, 2010 @ 5:04 am

Hey Kae you said…”Catholic Charities were called and they were prepared to assist with food.. rent.. clothing for interviews.. but liz had to call and then go in.. instead.. she went online on PNN.com and claimed they wouldn’t help her because she wasn’t Catholic.. a complete lie but liz wasn’t aware we were checking up on her.. she claimed United Way wouldn’t help her because they only help people of color.. another lie because she never contacted them either..” So fag! Who’s “we” you mentioned? Are you implying you and your fat ass self sitting in a basement too fucking fat to even move from you fuckin chair? All you do all day is sit on the internet criticize people and make your little pathetic fucking self feel better? So faggot, fess up, who’s we? Who’s your source? Who’s helping you find this information? Oh that’s right no one! I forgot you’re just making shit up to make yourself feel better!
By Burner, April 6, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

By kae, July 30, 2009 @ 8:17 pm

liz hired that marketing firm to teach her how to use the internet to scam money.. the marketing firm gets a percentage of the money she has scammed.. this is against the law.. taking money from people under false pretenses.. contact the local Campbell Police Department and report her..

So Kae, you sure want to make yourself look like a dumbass don’t you. Where are your facts that Liz hired a marketing firm? I called TenFour Marketing. The PO Box is NOT the same as the one listed for Liz. TenFour has not updated their website. So retard, if you want to look for yourself call, 408-871-0576 a lady named Kathy will answer. The PO box was re rented to Liz. All you have to do is ask to verify the PO box number! So what more have you got to throw down? By the way, have YOU CALLED the police department or did you find out that you were full of shit? I WANT EVERYONE HERE TO KNOW THAT KAE IS FULL OF IT. NONE OF KAE’S FACTS ADD UP. I DID MY RESEARCH AND FOUND EVERYTHING TO BE LEGIT.