1 10 12 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/2d24a43b74bc48afc72afe2d1b9c5d3b.pdf 4548fe2167aac151925a7c6b2b5434e7 PDF Text Text December 2005 STREETVIBES woman direct her question to me and what was it about that Kroger she disliked so much. Was it the selection or the poor lighting, or simply as she asked “the people asking for money outside?” Yes, I would not direct my distaste for SHOP... Cont. on Page 10 photo by Kelly Carr walked out of the store thinking about the interaction. I admit the Kroger on McMillan has no by Kelly Carr selection and the building could use a facelift but I was waiting in the checkout line at I would not direct my distaste for that particular Kroger when this bubbling smiling white lady in a Kroger on the folks loitering outside. So I fur coat bounces up to me with a beaming smile wondered why did this wealthy looking white and asks, “Don’t you just hate this Kroger?” Looking around to see whom she is talking to, I realized she was addressing her question to me, the only other white woman in the store. The Kroger she was referring to is on McMillan Avenue by Peebles Corner and I was a bit taken back by her question. She asks, “Did I scare you?” I said no, but mentioned I didn’t understand her question. She then asks, “Well, don’t people ask you for money outside?” Was she referring to panhandlers? I was immediately disturbed, considering how well she was dressed and considering her disgusted facial expression as she asked the question, I was offended. I replied, “No one has ever asked me for money outside, but corporations ask me for money everyday. I feel harassed more so by advertisements than panhandlers and I would rather give an individual a couple dollars than support the exploitation of millions for cheap plastic crap.” The well-dressed white woman did not say anything to me after that and I Shop This Extreme Poverty and Homelessness in Nicaragua by John Lavelle There’s a sign on a wall just off the road as you near La Chureca, the municipal garbage dump in Managua, Nicaragua, in the heart of Central America: it reads “Prohibido Botar Basura – Alcaldia de Managua” (“It is prohibited to litter – Mayor of Nicaragua). After my friend Bill points it out to me we cannot help but chuckle a little bit. That very street is lined with massive amounts of garbage, mainly the result of being jettisoned off the trucks meant to contain it as they enter the dump. We walk down a couple of streets in the northwestern edge of Barrio Acahualinca, the impoverished neighborhood that borders the dump, taking a look at where people live and the high volume of trash and sewage running down the middle of the street, just trying to observe and soak in the atmosphere. Finally, we decide to head over to the entrance of the dump, not really knowing what to expect, but hoping for something to grasp on to. There are pockets of gangs that periodically occupy the road as we pass; I thank God that Bill, my six foot, nine inch compañero is accompanying me. Then I wonder why fear is my natural reaction. After all, I am not entirely familiar with their situation; why do I automatically assume that I am in some kind of danger? Have I already judged them and deemed them a threat to me based upon the fact that they have little money, look differently than I do, and gather together on a street corner? Isn’t that the very reaction to the people in the inner city of my home, a reaction that I have come to greatly resent? Being consciously aware of this, I try to look at the situation from a new perspective. We stop at the top of the hill leading down to the dump, unsure of how to continue or if doing so would even be a good idea. Bill and I make small talk with the guys our age, who are throwing rocks into a mango tree, trying to prematurely jar loose a few pieces of fruit, a few pieces of food. They seem pretty friendly and just carry on with us, asking us the usual questions as we exchange similar small talk with them. This is where Juan enters my life. We are talking to the security guard about his work there and his perceptions, when a young man, a resident and worker in the dump by his appearance, offers to show us around. In response to our glances of uncertainty, the guard assures us that the dump is safe – easy for someone with a double-barrel shotgun to say – and we begin to follow our new compañero to the entrance of the dump. After introducing himself as Juan Francisco, a worker in the dump Nicaragua Cont. on page 8 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Monique Little - Education Coordinator Kelly Carr - VISTA Andy Lawrence - AHA Coordinator John Lavelle - VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photography Kelly Carr, Jimmy Heath, John Lavelle Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Neighborhood Schools, Children and Citizens The idea of a new arts school than building a new structure in an Need Respect located close to Music Hall in Over­ undesirable area. Relocating the the-Rhine came from Erich Kunzel, by Jimmy Heath conductor of the Cincinnati Pops The Cincinnati Public School Orchestra and a longtime supporter board is wasting millions of local of SCPA. taxpayer dollars on Over-the-Rhine Meantime, there continues to public school relocation and land be backing by supporters and 3CDC purchases. to move the SCPA nearer to Music The latest plans call for Hall, which is pushing Washington streamlining and Park Elementary reconstruction of Overfurther away from the the-Rhine neighborhood Washington Park/ schools as part of a plan Music Hall area of restructuring headed 3CDC has said it will up by the non-profit help provide a new Cincinnati Center City location for Development Washington Park Corporation (3CDC). Jimmy Heath School south of Over-the-Rhine Liberty Street on schools need attention and our property now occupied by 22 children deserve state-of the-art buildings known as Mercer facilities. But there are problems and Commons. Police reports show that continuing conflicts. Recent plans call the Mercer Commons area is one of for another school for Washington the worse for crime. But Steven Park Elementary but not at its Leeper, CEO of 3CDC, says that he planned location on the south side of is not sure that this is a fact. The Washington Park in OTR bordering police reports for the area show Central Parkway. Last year otherwise. The stats show that this designers/architects had come up area is much more dangerous and with a plan and detailed drawing of crime ridden than the present location the new school on Central Parkway, in the Washington Park area. but now, thanks to 3CDC, this plan is Another problem with these shelved and the study has become plans, say parents and neighborhood wasted money. residents, is that all of this has gone There is over $30 million on behind closed doors, with no dollars going into the new School for public input about the future of the the Performing and Creative Arts, schools and opportunities for our (SCPA) now located in the old kids. Walter Reinhaus, president of Woodrow School on Sycamore in the OTR Community Council said, the eastern area of Over-the-Rhine “To do this right, CPS has got to now known as Pendleton. involve more voices than just 3CDC The private money raised will and they haven’t been, especially go toward the development and since they decided not to pursue construction of a combined home for fixing up Rothenberg.” the School for Creative and Presently, the old Rothenberg Performing Arts (SCPA) and Schiel School, just north of Liberty, stands Primary. The facility for 1,350 vacant. The school is quite students would include improved substantial in size and has the ability classrooms, and specialized space for to provide adequate parking. There practice, performances and displays. is room for a green space and there is The new building would replace a playground and basketball court SCPA on Sycamore Street, now nearby. serving grades 4-12 and located in The historic Rothenberg Over-the-Rhine, and Schiel, now School would require extensive rehab serving kindergarten through third but it would be cheaper for taxpayers grade and located in Corryville. school to the Mercer Commons area, as proposed by 3CDC would require the demolition of 22 historic buildings, most of which are housing, in addition to the construction cost of a new school building on the site. Rehabbing the old Rothenberg School would save taxpayers an estimated 8 to 20 million dollars. There is no reason that an historic building like the now-closed Rothenberg School should go undeveloped and made into a stateof-the-art facility for Over-the-Rhine children. But the Cincinnati School Board has committed itself to the 3CDC plan of relocating the school to the Mercer Commons area and has no plans for Rothenberg School. They are not concerned about the demolition of historic buildings and apparently no concern for the spending of taxpayer dollars. The CPS has already committed nearly 4 million dollars to the Mercer Commons relocation plan. The buildings were bought from John Barrett, Chairman of Western & Southern and a 3CDC board member. The current plans for Over­ the-Rhine schools is bad for taxpayers, bad for the neighborhood and bad for our kids. Certainly, they are not listening to the citizens – the parents of our neighborhood children. Ken Jones, an architect & OTR resident says, “They sold it [Mercer Commons] to the school board for $4 million claiming that’s the amount of money they had in it. Well that may be what they had in it, but it didn’t add anything to the value of these buildings, so in my estimation the school board paid more than it’s worth.” Pendleton residents say the school board is making bad decisions about a school relocation that will drastically change the neighborhood, ignoring citizen inputs and conducting private negotiations with private groups behind closed doors. Write Jimmyheath@yahoo.com The now abandoned Rothenberg School on Main Street in OTR Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath Madison’s newest print publication, Homeless Cooperative, has been available for about a month, its vendors working from the corners of various intersections along State Street. The paper has received quite a bit of press attention, a testament to the promotional efforts of its creators to build community awareness about their project. A Madison ordinance, passed just three months ago, essentially precludes legal panhandling in downtown pedestrian areas. There is also a rigorous regulatory system in place which restricts street vending in high-traffic downtown areas to “handmade goods.” How, then, are Homeless Cooperative hawkers able to legally distribute their paper on State Street? The panhandling ordinance was sponsored and shepherded through passage by downtown Madison Ald. Mike Verveer, who doesn’t think the ordinance “will come into play at all.” However, the city’s vending ordinances for State Street and other areas of the Mall Concourse specify that the sale of only handmade items is allowed (per a specific set of licensed conditions). According to Warren Hansen, the city’s street vending coordinator, the Homeless Cooperative doesn’t fit. “A newspaper is not a handcrafted item; it’s mass produced,” Hansen says. Hansen points to an email he sent two months ago about this issue as the best synopsis of the city’s regulations. It’s a response to a question from a State St. patrol officer regarding the legalities of selling the Homeless Cooperative on the street. “What most of our officers try to do is to try to remind people of what the ordinances are,” says MPD Capt. Mary Schauf of the Central District. “The reality is that we all have times when sometimes it’s nice to get the helpful reminder from the officer or whomever. Obviously if the behavior continues, the expectation would be that the officer takes an enforcement action. The officers have the discretion to give a warning, but in the long run we have an expectation that the public complies with our ordinances.” Beyond the regulatory specifics, Mall Concourse vendors need to be licensed by the city, as well. And “to my knowledge,” the organizers of the Homeless Cooperative “have not applied for a license,” Hansen says. Mel Motel, one of three editors in chief at the Homeless Cooperative, says the group that organized the paper “had a couple meetings with Warren Hansen. We ascertained that since we have ‘$1 donation accepted’ on the banner, as long as vendors aren’t saying anything explicitly” about selling the paper, it would be no problem. It appears, then, that the city is treating the Homeless Cooperative in much the same way as the Socialist Worker and street musicians. But will the typical State St. pedestrian view it similarly, given the marginalization of the homeless? What if someone claimed “donation accepted” is tantamount to panhandling? The Dallas City Council postponed a vote last month to hire an architectural firm to design the homeless assistance center that voters just approved. Mayor Laura Miller asked the council to delay the vote because homeless czar Mike Rawlings had to go out of town and could not attend the meeting to answer questions about the project. The council scheduled a Dec. 5 briefing on the proposed $1.6 million contract to hire Camargo Copeland Architects of Dallas to design the facility in the southeastern part of downtown. Council member Bill Blaydes said Tuesday that he would not support the contract because he wants the council to move the project out of downtown. The council voted on the downtown location in April. Council member Mitchell Rasansky said he wanted to move ahead now that voters approved $23.8 million in bonds for the facility on Tuesday. “We’ve come such a long way on this. I’d hate to see it postponed more,” he said. Ms. Miller agreed. “We’ve got to get this moving forward,” she said. In Chicago VA officials estimate there are 93,000 homeless veterans and Illinois has the nation’s third-largest population of homeless vets, about 20,000. A lot of them are there in Chicago. Last month, officials from several veterans’ organizations were trying to get as many as they can to the Chicago Armory at 1551 N. Kedzie. In Las Vegas area homeless people were offered a range of free services - from medical and dental checkups to haircuts, legal help and voter registration. The annual one-stop event was called Las Vegas Stand Down for the Homeless. About 200 volunteers, more than 40 social service agencies, and doctors, nurses and medics from the Nevada National Guard were on hand. Judges from several local jurisdictions also were there to hear misdemeanor cases and process warrants for nuisance crimes like trespassing and loitering. The event was organized by the Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition. Event Chairman Brian Brooks says he thought drew as many as one-third or more of the valley’s estimated eightthousand homeless. In San Francisco John Panzer, once homeless, sat in his room in the Empress Hotel in this city’s seedy Tenderloin district with the prince of Wales and the duchess of Cornwall, who have several homes. Talk turned from the plight of the homeless to fear of flying. “Are you going back today?” Panzer said he asked the couple. “Camilla said ‘Yes, and it’s a long flight, and I really don’t like to fly,’ “ said Panzer, 42, a former fundraiser for nonprofits who fell into the grip of crystal methamphetamine and lost his home and his job. “I said, ‘Charles, put the lady on a boat.’ He tapped me on the arm and said, ‘Well, we had a boat, but they took it away from us.’ “ Panzer grinned, still savoring his surreal moment as he stood under the awning of the Empress Hotel, so nattily dressed in a dark suit and tie that some reporters had initially mistaken him for part of Charles’ entourage. “Here I am, formerly homeless, a recovering drug addict, chatting with the prince and the duchess,” Panzer said. On a crisp sunny Tuesday, Charles and Camilla finished the West Coast leg of their eight-day American sojourn with a visit to the hotel, a 90-unit facility where subsidized rooms as well as on-site medical help and counseling have been made available to those leaving shelters. After an hour long morning visit with residents, the couple left San Francisco with their 16-member entourage and some members of the British press on a chartered 757 jet. It’s unlikely that Charles and Camilla, who spent the previous two nights staying at the Fairmont Hotel, had any encounters with San Francisco’s truly homeless, who can be aggressive panhandlers. (An anti-panhandling initiative that outlaws the practice in certain areas passed here in 2003.) About 6,200 people here are homeless, according to Trent Rhorer, director of the city’s Human Services Agency. Prince Charles, who heads up the Prince’s Charities, a collection of 16 nonprofit organizations, has been involved in issues of homelessness and has encouraged businesses to take a role in helping the homeless transition into the work force. The prince “wanted to see a cutting-edge place” designed to help the homeless, said Marc Trotz, director of Housing & Urban Health for the city and county of San Francisco. New York City and state officials announced last month that they had committed $1 billion to build subsidized housing with on-site social services for the mentally ill and other populations at risk for becoming homeless. The money will be spent over 10 years and will go toward building or renovating 9,000 apartments in the city alone, officials said. The announcement, coming one day before Election Day, appeared timed to benefit Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who has been aggressively wooing liberal supporters of his Democratic rival, Fernando Ferrer. (Bloomberg won the reelection to Mayor.) Nevertheless, the size of the commitment earned it praise from advocates for the homeless and for subsidized housing across the country. “There has never been this huge an agreement,” said Carla I. Javits, chief executive of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, Calif., that provides seed grants and technical assistance for supportive housing projects nationwide. “This really leads the nation, and we hope it will inspire others.” Streetvibes In the last two decades, supportive housing has come to be seen as a cost-effective and humane solution to keeping mentally ill and disabled people off the streets. In 1990 and again in 1999, New York City and New York State teamed up to provide money for such projects; permanently subsidized housing that includes services like mental health and drug counseling. Together, those agreements created 5,300 apartments citywide, and private-sector and other efforts added about 15,000 more. These apartments have been central to controlling homelessness in the city, advocates say, but they still do not nearly meet the demand. In June 2004, the mayor promised to reduce street homelessness by two-thirds, in part by building 12,000 additional units of supportive housing. At the time, the mayor found money for 3,000 new units; with this plan, he would fulfill his pledge. Advocates for the homeless praised Mayor Bloomberg not only for the size of the new commitment but also for its inclusive nature. Previously, supportive housing has been for single mentally ill people. The new agreement opens such housing to other vulnerable populations, like youths who are getting too old for foster care and families with one mentally ill parent. On any given day, nearly one thousand people in Sioux City, Iowa have no place to call home and until now there haven’t been any fundraisers in Sioux City supporting homeless shelters and homeless services. But homeless services have helped people like Jerri Anderson get back on her feet. Today 49-year-old Jerri Anderson lives on her own but that wasn’t always the case. Back in 1992, Anderson was suicidal and found herself homeless after the emergency shelter she stayed in closed their doors. “I didn’t have anywhere to go so I went back to Shesler Hall in 1992, if they hadn’t taken me back I don’t know where I’d be,” Anderson said. Shesler Hall is a home for women with special needs. A home that helped Anderson back on her feet. “Being there from ’92 to 2003 enabled me to be on my own now,” Anderson said. While Shesler Hall helped Anderson gain her independence nearly 1,000 Sioux Cityan’s find themselves homeless, some without anywhere to go, except the cold. Kip Aaleta, area homeless person, added, “It was real hard, I didn’t know what to think, there’d be nights I’d wake up shivering and I didn’t know what to do.” Bob Fischer of Wayzata, Minnesota doesn’t believe anyone should be forced to sleep outside in the winter so he came up with Bob’s Sleepout. “Bob’s Sleepout is an event organized about 10 years ago to bring awareness and get people involved around the affordable housing and homeless plate in the Minneapolis suburbs,” Fischer explained. The way Bob’s Sleepout works is people camp-out one night during the winter to get a glimpse into what homeless people endure on cold nights and money is raised to help homeless people through free-will donations. Page 3 �Public protest leads to u-turn on vendor’s ban from shopping center Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes by Carrie Briffett A popular Big Issue vendor banned from selling the homeless magazine at a south Wales shopping precinct has been allowed back into the center, after protests from local residents. Howard Brown had been vending at Bethel Square shopping center in Brecon for two years when the manager told him he could no longer sell there because it was “private property”. But local residents were so outraged at the decision that they began writing to their local paper, The Brecon And Radnorshire Post, and boycotting the shop at the center of the incident in protest. Brown said the dispute began last month when the center’s manager asked him to move because the bakery Greggs had objected to him selling outside its shop. But when Brown moved further down the arcade, half an hour later the manager approached him again. “He said he thought we had come to ‘an amicable agreement’. And I said, ‘We have. I’m not outside Greggs.’ He told me it was private property and to leave.” When The Big Issue contacted John Michell from King Sturge, which manages the Bethel Square shopping center, he said that the manager of Greggs had complained because of concerns that customers would be hindered from coming in and out of the shop door due to Brown’s position. But Michell added that Brown is welcome to sell inside the center anywhere where he wouldn’t be an obstruction. He said: “Only if someone is being offensive or dangerous, affecting a health and safety issue like obstructing fire exits, would we move them on. W e certainly would not have any policy against The Big Issue. In fact we encourage all sorts of local charities and so on in our centers. I would say categorically that we wouldn’t issue instructions to one of our managers to remove a vendor.” And many residents will be glad to hear that. One letter printed in the paper called Brown “unfailingly courteous” and added: “Should you choose to publish the names of the businesses who have objected to Howard’s presence we would be grateful.” Another reads: “Much as I enjoy the excellent selection at Greggs, I have decided to take my business elsewhere and hope that other customers do the same, hopefully then, the management of Greggs will see sense, apologise to Mr Brown and ask him to return.” During the dispute, Brown vended opposite the center and said that although it had not affected his sales, it meant he had no shelter from the rain and cold weather. He said: “Lots of people came up to me and said how petty it was – even people who don’t buy the Issue. My sales even picked up for a couple of days, although they are back to normal now. “I have a good rapport with the customers and even people who don’t buy the magazine. And I would like to thank those people who have written in support.” Dave Ormonde, vendor service worker for The Big Issue Cymru, added: “I’m glad that common sense has prevailed. This has shown how popular Howard is in Brecon and the good will its residents show The Big Issue. It seems one complaint was just taken too far and it should never have been a problem.” �Diamond in the Rough, a Story of Mother Who is Homeless back right before I was thrown out of all time low, I was miserable because my baby Daniel James and that’s but Hopeful the program. I could not take care of my kids the when I went to see him for the first by Janny Castillo In early 2000 I was living in a three bedroom subsidized house in Antioch. I was deep in my addiction then, cooking and selling crank. The money was good and Christopher, my 5 year old had pretty much everything he wanted. I was pregnant with my second child. My friend who was also using asked me to move in with her so she could help me stop. It didn’t work; I continued to use and on April 28th baby Jordan was born with drugs in his system. At the hospital, Child Protective Services (CPS) took him away from me. When I was released I had to lie to my older son Christopher. I told him his brother was sick and that he had to stay in the hospital. When I was pregnant with Chris, I was able to quit using until he turned 8 months old. I was very naive about my disease; I told myself that I needed the drug to lose weight only to get heavily addicted again. I was devastated and full of guilt. CPS allowed me to have supervised visits with Jordan once a week for one hour. To get Jordan back, they told me I needed to get on ACCESS; a waiting list for residential programs. I entered into a drug rehab program. I was very scared, the whole drug rehab program was new to me and I had no idea what people were talking about. I was there about 45 days. It was a rollercoaster ride of getting up at 6:00 am, doing chores and talking about my addiction all day. The light at the end of the tunnel was getting Jordan I had been assigned to escort way I was supposed to, providing a resident to court. She came back stable housing was always on my intoxicated and with a bottle of mind. It was so hard at the shelter; it alcohol. I was exited from the was like reaching a new kind of program for non-compliance. No bottom. The kid’s play area was a one had told me I had to follow folks litter box for stray cats. Ninety to the bathroom. I tested clean but I percent of my AFDC check went for still had to rent and other leave. I dues. My kids It was so hard at the shelter; it was remember how and I lived off painful it was of $100 a like reaching a new kind of bottom. to have to put month. The my son in the The kid’s play area was a litter box for shelter car that was provided one taking him meal a day and stray cats. Ninety percent of my away from me they had to AFDC check went for rent and other again. I broke feed 100 down women and dues. My kids and I lived off of $100 a emotionally. children. We From were subjected month. The shelter provided one meal there I went to to selling candy another a day and they had to feed 100 women to make residential money for the program called and children. We were subjected to shelter. If we Walden didn’t sell, we selling candy to make money for the House. were written Thankfully, one up. shelter. If we didn’t sell, we were of my friends I couldn’t was there and take it, the written up. helped me stress of living through it. The in this program was a little better; it taught environment was too much, I started me how to use recovery tools to stay to use again and moved into my clean. After 30 days CPS returned sister’s house. I had no choice, we Jordan to me. I successfully moved back to the shelter and after completed the program on awhile to back again to my mother’s. November 25th, 2001. That same Christopher was emotionally day I was able to pick up my older devastated; changing schools and son, Christopher. friends constantly was taking a We moved in with my mother tremendous toll on him. for a while but her apartment was too In October 2002, I found small so we had to go to a shelter in myself pregnant again, still using and Baypoint. My self esteem was at an living in a motel in Pittsburg with Christopher. Jordan was living with his father who had taken custody of him. Motel living was difficult; the rooms were full of other addicts. I never knew when my son’s next meal was going to come from. Welfare paid the rent for only 4 weeks. I could not see myself bringing another baby into this life. I made plans to give my baby up for adoption. I had a family picked out who could not have kids and could give him everything I couldn’t. My third son was born on July 1st 2003. He tested positive for drugs and had to stay in the hospital for the first 8 days of his life. For the first four days he could not be held because he was on an IV and in an oxygen hood to help him breathe. I had not had any prenatal care and his condition was a direct result of my use. I didn’t want to see him because I wasn’t going to keep him; I was scared of becoming attached and not being able to go through with it. I called the adoptive parents who told me they could not adopt him because they did not follow up with their attorney. Alone in my room I sat thinking, at 2:35 pm, I named Streetvibes time. I touched his little hand and caressed his foot. I knew then that I was going to keep him. I ended up back in CPS court who assigned me to yet another 90 day residential program. I had to complete the program if I wanted to have my baby returned to me. On July 21st I was arrested for being under the influence of methamphetamines. I was booked and fingerprinted and was released under the supervision of a friend. I was so scared and ashamed that I stayed away from my mom and son for four days. I realized I could not live like that any more. On August 25th 2003, I stepped into the beginning of my new life; I became a resident at the La Casa residential program in Martinez. It was hard being at that program knowing my son was less than 8 blocks away but it also made me stronger. I loved it at La Casa; finally I began to understand what people had been saying about recovery. I don’t know if they said it better or if I was finally able to listen and understand. Things began looking up. La Casa gave me something none of the other programs gave me. They gave me HOPE. I was assigned a great counselor who understood me and helped me to heal. Everyone who worked there was in recovery and I related to them all. They give me a sense of peace and strength that had been missing in my life. December 5th at 3:05 pm, Daniel James was returned to me. I waited 5 months and three days to hold my child in my arms and I vowed then it was for good. I moved to a transitional house in Richmond that was on a dope track but I did not use. Through my therapist I applied for a transitional house with BOSS which is where I am now. Daniel could not sleep in Richmond and suffered daily with asthma and colds. The first night we stayed in Berkeley he slept all night, and since being here, his health has improved dramatically. Christopher is allowed to spend weekends with me and I am able to visit Jordan often. On Thursday, April 21st I celebrated 21 months clean and sober. I have been asked to chair a meeting in a local detox center where I will share my story with beginners. I feel good about myself but I know I still have a long way to go; the difference is that I am not turning to drugs any more, instead I have hope. Mother to mother: “It took me a long time to realize that using drugs is not a way of life. I share my experience to offer you a sense of hope. I feel your pain, I know your hurt but in recovery there are always happy endings.” Page 5 �New Year Brings Hope Street Citizens around to simply avoid the…sound by Ms. Mary Gaffney Year. Things will be better in 2006. Greetings to all of you who As you begin a new way of life and have purchased Streetvibes in the to those who may vary off the path, 12 months of 2005. I bid you a Merry Xmas and a successful New get back on the path and you will find the door of Year in 2006. As you success opening for buy this little paper each you. month, maybe you did Think of the Christ not realize that the Child as we celebrate $1.00 bill helped to His birthday each feed an empty stomach, year. Mary and keep a roof over Joseph were homeless someone’s head, etc. Miss Mary Gaffney and denied a decent Regardless, it helps. room. There was no To all of you, room at the inn. A dirty stable was my homeless friends, my best His shelter. He could have been wishes to you in the coming New better over this ordeal. He went through His birth and all the ordeals 20 YEARS of his life. Even carrying His own SERVING THE cross to Calvary. But still He did NEIGHBORHOOD not know malice at the end. He did all this to save us. My homeless friends, there is a brighter day ahead. Keep the faith and keep on walking on. Remember, God loves you. The Homeless Man by Angela C. Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 A homeless man Scavenges In trash barrels And envies People who look down on him With scorn As they hurry home To their evening meals. He crouches In a rat infested corner, Content to be with creatures That don’t cringe At the sight of him. (513) 621-5514 A Call to Greater Cincinnati Poets For the 2006 annual Book of Poems and Drawings on Peace and Justice 1) Call for poems from any poet from the Greater Cincinnati area 2) Poems to relate to themes of peace and justice 3) Poet may submit up to 3 poems 4) All submissions will be considered. The editors will be looking for quality, inclusiveness, and appropriateness to the themes of peace and justice. 5) If space becomes limited, priority will be given to poets not published in previous books 6) Poems selected will be illustrated in B&W by Greater Cincinnati artists (one drawing per poet) 7) Poems and illustrations will be printed in For a Better World 2006, a book to be available April, 2006 8) Book will be launched and available for sale at SOS ART 2006. 9) Poets included in book will be invited to read their poems at SOS ART 2006 10) Proceeds from sale of book will finance publication of future similar books to accompany annual âœSOS ART events. (Note: this is the 3rd annual book) 11) Submission deadline: February 3, 2006 12) Please send submissions in full text and as a Word attachments by e-mail or by US mail (on a floppy disk) to: Saad Ghosn (saad.ghosn@uc.edu), 216 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, Oh 45229 Page 6 by George Herrell “Private Property, No Trespassing,” was the sign that greeted me at the door, however, it was raining, it was late and the fact that it was “cold” made sleeping under the bridge where I’d spent the previous night out of the question. Besides, the building had been vacant for years. And so, ignoring the sign, I entered and sought out a place to dry off and get some rest. There was no heat but the shelter from the rain and chilling wind came as a welcome relief. Empty beer and wine bottles as well as newspapers spread out in several areas to serve as padding on the concrete floors told me that I wasn’t the first person to seek shelter here, but for the time being I was alone. Soon the silence and relief combined with exhaustion lulled me into an almost comatose sleep. Does that sound like a passage from some fictional mystery novel? Well, on my behalf, as well as thousands more like myself, I wish to God it was. For us, the desperation of homelessness is only too real. Not knowing from day-to-day how or when you’ll eat or where you are going to sleep. So often, people take those basic ‘creature comforts’ for granted. For a homeless individual, going a day without a meal is not unusual and often the closest thing we can find to a comfortable bed is a park bench. Sounds delightful, huh? Of course, there are homeless shelters and soup kitchens, but only too often, the number of those in need exceed their capacities and unfortunately, those numbers are growing. Often people think of the homeless as being lazy or illiterate, but in most cases nothing could be further from the truth. Many of us are merely victims of circumstance or have simply made poor choices in the past. Some suffer from mental disorders or chemical dependency. I’ve met homeless individuals who are highly intelligent. I myself am only one semester away from having my associates degree in business management and culinary arts and was a Dean’s List student in college. I’m a hard worker and I take great pride in a job well done. I’m a poet who has aspirations of publishing a book of my works and yet, I’m homeless all because I made some poor choices and as a result, I’m now a recovering addict, an exfelon who happens to also have both physical and phsycological limitations. When I was younger, I used to shun those people who slept on park benches or in doorways along the streets, who always seemed dirty or were always begging for change. I often found myself avoiding eye contact or walking the long way Streetvibes familiar? There’s a saying that goes, “There but for the grace of God go I”, and I’m here to tell you that there’s truly no better teacher than experience. I’m a Streetvibes vendor and whenever people pass by I’ll greet them, at times they’ll simply look at me then look away. Sometimes they won’t even bother to look; a lot of times they refuse to even acknowledge my greeting, often appearing annoyed; they often seem afraid of what that acknowledgement might cost them. Don’t get me wrong. I realize that no one person can help everyone that the meet who’s in need, but it doesn’t always have to be ‘monetary.’ Sometimes a cordial greeting of a few words of encouragement will do wonders. Thank God for those caring individuals, such as Mr. Randy Sandler of the Cincinnati art Galleries, Mr. Terry Peirano, motorcycle officer of the Cincinnati Police Department, Brother Al of St. Francis Seraph church, just to name a few individuals always willing to offer a helping hand. Yet, the question which stands out foremost in my mind is why is it that large metropolitan cities with their billion dollar stadiums, five star restaurants, hotels, museums, etc, have such a problem housing their underprivileged citizens? As I walk around the city of Cincinnati I see a multitude of empty buildings just rotting away. Those whish are eventually renovated become condominiums, office spaces, (as if we needed more), etc. If they’re good enough for those uses, couldn’t a few of them be used to shelter those who have no place to call home? This is the season that we celebrate a homeless family, their child being born in a manger in a stable among the farm animals because there was no room for them anywhere else. The gifts we share are meant to represent the gifts given to that family by the three wise men who were foreigners to that land. All I’m asking is that when you’re out purchasing and delivering your gifts this season, take a moment to take a look around you and when you see those who are less fortunate than yourself, give them the gifts of love and understanding, a kind word, a smile, a moment of acknowledgement. Moreover, offer them the gift of hope. Authors Note: I wrote this story on 10/27/05, just after seeing my daughter born in University Hospital Labor and Delivery ward. I wish the world were full of more people filled with the compassion that I’ve seen in the people who work there. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them and to wish you all a safe and very Merry Christmas! �way in which certain War Made Easy things areThehammered on: that’s a Internet can be sort of a big cul-de­ sac. The capacity to reach beyond tipoff. We’re in the agenda-building that circle, even if it’s a big circle, is by Timothy Harris period with Iran, not intensively, but limited. There can be a very delusional quality to the Internet. it’s there. We need to look at the Propaganda. The word When it comes up against the tone and the frequency of brings to mind Soviet-era broader society, it doesn’t apparatchiks, deep in the bowels of references to “how there’s a bad the Kremlin, writing the “news” for country out there doing bad things,” compete. MoveOn has three million members, and that’s the good Pravda. Things are different here. If how intolerable it is. news. But it’s also the bad news, RC: I think it was Jacques jubilant Iraqis tear down a statue of because three million isn’t that Saddam Hussein in the aftermath of Ellul who said that the voice of many. It makes people feel good to “liberation,” every broadcast outlet propaganda is indignation. see stuff they agree with in their Solomon: Yeah. There is in the country can be counted on to inbox, but that’s not enough. this kind of moral high ground that air those moving images again and RC: It seems that there’s is postured upon by the mainstream again, completely of their own pundits quite often. Certainly by the this comfortable narrative that you volition. President and Vice President. It’s a can choose to believe and be part And when that image is of the mainstream. It’s very holier-than-thou, kind of “we’re staged by U.S. Psy-Ops seductive, I think. good, they’re bad, and because (psychological operations) Solomon: It’s a numbing they’re so evil we need to take personnel, that story will break as process, and the anesthetic has a action.” well, but with a much smaller lot of political utility. It’s been said RC: One reading of your megaphone. If you really want to that those who believe absurdities book might be that the people are know what’s happening, the simply easy to manipulate — that a make injustice possible. So that information is mostly available. handful of tried and true techniques there’s the layer of illogic that, you That’s the good news. know, “there are weapons of mass have worked very well for a long The bad news is that the destruction — oh, there aren’t, but time and probably always will. But major media are willing you seem a little more hopeful than it doesn’t matter.” Or, “Oh, well collaborators when it comes to the there wasn’t a connection to 9-11, that. Why? selling of war. Norman Solomon’s but just for good measure, we may War Made Easy: How Presidents as well go to war so that we don’t Solomon: Well, if we can and Pundits Keep Spinning us to have another 9-11.” analyze the scam, we can take Death (Wiley, 2005) is a sobering And then there are the emotional away some of the power, and that analysis of how we are moved to was really, in many ways, the basic walls that are refurbished constantly war. In 17 chapters with headings by the news media. You know: reason I wrote the book. I think like “America is a Fair and Noble mystification perpetuates deception. here’s a war, cut to a commercial. Superpower,” “This Is About Here’s a war, we’re telling you It does. It’s not like these people Human Rights,” and “They Are the what a war is, when actually we’re are geniuses. They just have some Aggressors, Not Us,” Solomon just giving you video images that basic techniques down in terms of explores our recent history from messages that are put out. In many convey almost nothing about a war Vietnam forward to reveal how compared to what it is. There are respects, the messages can’t stand media and government work the layers of information blockage, fear, the light of day if there’s a critical myth-making machinery to vantage point that can be brought to paralysis, and psychological simultaneously appeal to our best bear. So I think that as powerful as numbing that add up to a fantasy and worst instincts. version of war. We don’t know shit the war propagandists are, they’re Real Change caught up to also vulnerable to being debunked if about war, even though ever since Solomon when he was in Seattle 9-11 there’s been a constant flow we can directly challenge their this month speaking at the Elliott of war coverage. techniques. Bay Book Company. RC: One theme of your RC: Part of the problem is Real Change: I think a lot book is that a common thread in of Americans would be surprised to that powerful media interests often American warmaking has been an have the same perspectives and hear that they live within a expansion of empire. I’m reminded interests as powerful corporate propaganda system since, as you of Thucydides, where Pericles talks interests. Is media reform here say, the very thing that makes it so about how the demands of empire really possible, or do we simply effective is its invisibility. What are are difficult, but once held, need to build other alternatives? some of the red flags that people Solomon: Well, I think we dangerous to let go. Athens thought should look for? of itself as a benevolent empire as Norman Solomon: Well, the need to build alternatives and well. What would letting go of that directly challenge mainstream terrain is filled with red flags, but mythology, and that claim to media. We need to raise the we take them for granted. That’s empire, really mean for America? question, “Why the hell isn’t this part of the challenge. War What would that look like? information in the mass media?” I propaganda is indistinguishable Solomon: It would be a don’t think we know the limits of from routine news coverage. The redefinition of who we are, in terms essence of propaganda is repetition, creating a more democratic media. of self-concept and certainly We need to find out what’s and we live in a state of media possible, but there are pretty severe behavior. If you have your boot on siege. I think that as human beings somebody’s neck, over time there we tend to respond to what’s in the institutional constraints at a daily is — consciously or not — a real newspaper or a large network. atmosphere. It’s a sort of a disincentive to taking your boot off. RC: Some people argue constant ambient noise that makes that the Internet has the potential to They might be in a position to lash war drums sound normal as time back. You know, what’s implicit in goes on. And I think part of what’s rival television’s power to shape so much media coverage is that important in response is to see how public debate. Do you agree? Solomon: Like any medium, might makes right. And when manufactured these messages are, you’re in a country that has the that they’re not simply the result of the Internet has its limitations. Pentagon behind the policy, that’s a When you look at examples of people looking out for our best pretty comfortable position to take. Internet activism, like MoveOn, or interests. Empires don’t have limits, even the even the Dean campaign, the Streetvibes U.S. empire in 2005. And frankly, I don’t think it’s a moral constraint that is keeping the U.S. out of even greater horrific military action. There are the realities of finite numbers of troops and capacity to wage war. RC: My sense is that, despite everything, the war in Iraq has become very unpopular. You hear talk now of having reached a “tipping point.” What do you see? Solomon: Well, the war is simultaneously unpopular and quite viable politically. The Vietnam War went on for years and years after it had become quite unpopular. There were more people saying they were against it — even saying they thought it was immoral, according to some polls. And yet the momentum is very difficult to stop. And that’s where the cowardice of members of the Senate, for instance, comes into view. I mean, I live in California, and people who live in Washington, as well — we have senators who are appalling in their refusal to deal with this war. Feinstein and Cantwell and Murray are all making a lot of humanistic noises, having a kind of a liberal constituency to some significant degree. And yet, it’s perceived as easier to not push the envelope. And so there’s a lot of huffing and puffing about tactical issues on the war. Meanwhile, we have a military budget of, ballpark, half a trillion dollars a year now. We have a country being bled, literally and figuratively, and there’s very little leadership coming from people in public office. I think that progressives are too nice. Why are we letting these senators off the hook? It’s almost like we’re not existing in our own historical period and taking responsibility. We’re in Groundhog Day in many respects. I do a lot of talk shows and occasionally some people say, as though it’s a profound comment, “Well, you know, Iraq is not Vietnam.” And I say, “Okay, Iraq is not Vietnam, but the United States is the United States.” Norman Solomon is executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, which “makes frequent communication possible between independent policy analysts and working journalists. IPA promotes the inclusion of perspectives that widen the bounds of media discussion and enhance democratic debate.” www.accuracy.org Reprinted from Real Change News Page 7 �Nicaragua Cont. from page 1 Dear Friends: I have just received a letter from Dr. Lawrence E. Carter, Jr., sanitation workers having sex with of twenty-one years of age, he Dean, Martin Luther King, Jr., prepubescent girls and paying them International Chapel, Morehouse proceeds to give us the tour of the entire dump: the neighborhood that with nothing more than bottles and College, that I am to be a recipient cans. has no name, the massive mounds of the “Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award. To say that the situation in of garbage, the workers, the The award will be presented at the La Chureca is desperate would be people, his life. National Underground Railroad As we start walking around, an understatement. It is a dire Freedom Center Museum’s awards example of a neglected people I notice that Juan has several ceremony “celebrating the showing living in extreme poverty. Perhaps homemade tattoos on his body, of the Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A the saddest aspect of the situation is Legacy of Building Peace” most likely the result of gang activity. I ask him if he feels secure that the majority of the workers in exhibition on Thursday, December the dump are children. One image living in the dump. He responds 1, 2005, 11:30am-12:30pm. that stays with me is the sight of a that the gangs are generally non­ Dr. Carter writes, in part: violent, and since there is little drug child of five years old or younger “The award will be conferred upon rummaging through piles of broken or alcohol activity – no one has you for your distinguished money for either – there is not much glass, learning from his mother commitment and leadership of which ones can be sold and which violence or theft. The main drug American education for peace. I problem involves the “gluesniffers.” ones are to be discarded. would also like to recognize you for The sights at the dump are Mothers will often give their young your extraordinary effort for healing intense and filled with emotion. The and building community on the heels children cheap jars of glue when people on their hands and knees they cannot afford food because it of the civil unrest in Cincinnati.” digging for unsoiled cans. The is an inexpensive way to get high I am both surprised and honored to older men fighting with cows over a receive this award. and get rid of hunger pains. However, it expedites malnutrition, newly discovered pile of rotted In peace, tomatoes in a mound of garbage. destroys their development, and Steve Sunderland, Director, The boys in the barrio running up to Peace Village creates painful addictions. us with smiles on their faces, simple We walk among the shanties, and Juan explains that the tops in their hands, and discolored growths on their skin. Their hair dump is where you go when you straight blond, discolored from the have nowhere else to go. There, natural black because of their you can live off the land, picking extreme malnutrition. The young through the trash for income and child hunched in a doorway with a sustenance. Many sell what they jar of glue raised to her nose and find: cans, bottles, glass, wire, mouth. She looks me in the eye batteries, and even used toilet and asks me questions that I cannot paper. They sell them to the hear and don’t know the answers sanitation company for meager sums; a three foot tall bag of clean, to. I cannot help but see clear glass might sell for around 8 parallels to the systems of poverty córdobas, or 50 cents American. and homelessness that exist in the Most residents of the dump United States: people on the edge rummage for discarded food, their of society, governments that brush main source of nutrition, as well as the vulnerable aside, and the the main cause of disease. ghettoization of races and classes. Children born into this poverty begin picking through trash This article is an abridged version of a longer and more in order to support their families thorough paper written by the between the ages of 5 or 7. Juan author... tells us how young girls are For a free electronic copy, immediately thrown into please email John Lavelle at prostitution. The most stomach churning stories he recounts involve homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com. Cold Weather Upon Us: This past month has seen our first taste of really cold weather. We cracked the 200 persons served level last month and eventually reached 239! It’s also becoming more crowded in our lobby during the day. However, volunteers have been helping to keep spirits up by hosting activities, bringing in plants and serving extra snacks. Please Support Our Funding Drive: Thirty-five percent of the Drop Inn Center budget is generated by donations during our Annual Holiday Drive. If you believe in what we are doing, please help show your support by contributing to the drive at any amount you are able. We rely mainly on many small donors to help us make it through. Join in yourself by sending a check to the below address or donating online at www.dropinn.org under “Donate Online”. Thank you in advance. Drop Inn Center 217 W. 12th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 721-0643 Got The Vibe? This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. Page 8 Streetvibes �Visit the Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless website at - http://www.cincihomeless.org Visit the Streevibes archives at - http:// www.cincihomeless.org/content/streetvibes.html Streetvibes Page 9 �SHOP... Cont. from Page 1 that particular Kroger toward the folks asking for money outside. I would direct my distaste toward Kroger. Because I think it is economically racist of Kroger to provide predominately white suburbanites with a respectable building and broad product selection while neighborhoods like Corryville and Camp Washington have a Kroger of lesser quality. So, if she had asked, “don’t you just hate this Kroger?” without the statement about panhandlers, I might have said yes, but she did and I thought the question to be racist and gross. I know flower boxes on Vine Street and art on the Metro Buses does not change the fact that people are suffering economically and a better Kroger won’t change the perceptions of some of our neighborhoods. However people, all people, disserve respect and quality goods regardless of the neighborhoods’ demographic. And I do not mind loiterers or panhandlers: what bothers me are corporations like Kroger who provide the least quality of service for poorest neighborhoods and all the other corporations that do not pay their workers a livable wage. More so, what I find upsetting are rich racist bigots treating the poor like criminals who deserve less. Maybe this weekend I’ll panhandle outside the Hyde Park Kroger, cause don’t you just hate that Kroger? The Digital Dump based BAN. “We’re talking by Rosette Royale about carcinogens. We’re talking One man’s junk, the old about birth defects. We’re saying goes, is another man’s treasure. But when that one man talking about issues that are long­ term, that will persist and affect is the developed world, and another man is Nigerian, the junk the people on the ground for a — a seemingly never-ending flow long time.” And that’s the place where of largely inoperable computer the majority of e-waste resides: parts — becomes nothing more on the ground. The report details than toxic waste. piles of computer monitors, hard How much junk are we drives, and keyboards piled in talking? Every month, it’s unlined and unmonitored estimated that 400,000 dumpsites in Lagos, oftentimes computers or monitors arrive in situated near groundwater. Nigeria, with upwards of 75 Leaching from this digital detritus percent of these electronic is barium, émigrés far beyond beryllium, the point of repair. “We shouldn’t cadmium, lead, and Combine all this disproportionately mercury, all of electronic waste — burden anyone which are well or e-waste, for documented in their short — and you because of their toxicity to humans. currently have a race or ethnicity Most Lagotians, one-square-acre or status in life unaware of the mass of toxic trash with toxic toxic chemicals’ that towers 300 presence, attempt feet, rivaling the pollutants. If to eradicate this height of the Statue waste happens electronic eyesore of Liberty. And here, if we enjoy by periodically yet, except for the the product here, burning the eNigerians who waste. That glance at it every and it becomes action, the BAN day, most of the waste here, let’s report notes, world may not deal with it at makes a number of even know such ehome.” the chemicals even waste exists. more hazardous. That While “The Digital Dump” unknowing has come to a definitive end, however, thanks to may be news, the issue of toxic trade and BAN’s opposition to a recent report entitled “The the practice are not. BAN is the Digital Dump: Exporting Re-use primary watchdog group for an and Abuse to Africa.” Released international treaty called the late last month by the Basel Basel Convention on Action Network (BAN), the 43­ Transboundary Movement of page report is unflinching in its Hazardous Wastes and their assertion that the developed Disposal. Since its ratification in world’s desire to get rid of ewaste at low cost is amounting to 1992, Gutierrez says166 the highest of costs for the people countries have agreed to Basel Convention tenets. “Surprisingly, of Nigeria, especially for citizens the United States is the only in its largest city, Lagos. developed nation that has not “E-waste is toxic waste,” ratified it,” says Gutierrez. says Richard Gutierrez, toxics Agreeing to the convention policy analyst for the Seattle­ Page 10 “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” means agreeing to an amendment that stipulates, in effect, that a developed nation shall not send its hazardous waste to a developing nation. Since the U.S. hasn’t ratified the convention, it is free to send hazardous waste to any poor country it chooses without legal ramifications, a practice borne out in the fact that 45 percent of Nigeria’s e-waste comes directly from the U.S. (Europe accounts for another 45 percent; the remaining 10 percent hails from countries such as Israel and Japan.) For the U.S., ratification equals responsibility, says Gutierrez, “and right now, they don’t see that it’s profitable to be responsible.” Instead, the U.S. and others in the developed world tend to cloak their irresponsibility with claims of altruism. “A lot of e-waste is entering Africa under the guise of reuse and bridging the digital divide,” he says. With responsibility lacking on the federal level, Gutierrez says that it’s up to the states to take charge. Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation program director Suellen Mele says the process has already begun. Mele says that her organization has been working with the Department of Ecology, local green groups, and even companies such as HewlittPackard to craft a bill that centers on a concept called product stewardship. The concept binds manufacturers of products to accept financial responsibility for the recycling of televisions, desktop computers, and laptops at end-of-use, when consumers bid outdated electronic goods adiós. “There’s just a much better way of dealing with an old computer or TV. than shipping it to a developing country,” says Mele. The proposed bill, she says, will be presented during the state’s 2006 session, which begins in Jan. In Gutierrez’s eyes, such state initiatives place power firmly in the hands of U.S. consumers, while protecting citizens of foreign lands. “We shouldn’t disproportionately burden anyone because of their race or ethnicity or status in life with toxic pollutants. If waste happens here, if we enjoy the product here, and it becomes waste here, let’s deal with it at home.” Reprinted from Real Change News National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (513) 421-7803 Streetvibes �Florida: Thousands Hit by Hurricane Wilma Rush for Emergency Food Stamps (“Florida Food Program Attracts Thousands,” msnbc.msn.com, November 9, 2005) Tens of thousands of Hurricane Wilma victims in Florida applied for emergency food stamps last week. At the Orange Bowl, the line in the hot sun stretched for blocks. People actually ran to get in line, some of them pushing baby carriages, as officials started taking food stamp applications in Palm Beach County. “What’s striking is these are people who normally aren’t considered poor enough to qualify for food stamps but who now are in serious trouble.” Flora Beal of the Florida Department of Children and Families says, “This is for those people who because of the hurricane have had their financial stability pretty much destroyed.” Jenny Gonzalez, a teacher’s aide with three children whose home was damaged and who applied for food assistance for the first time in her life, is one of those people. “To recover has been really hard after the storm, so it’s really great that they are helping us,” she says. State officials report the emergency food stamp program is expected to help four million Floridians. A qualified single person is given a $152 one-time debit card that can be used at select grocery stores, and a family of four gets about $500. Op-Ed: Reducing Poverty Starts with Halting Tax Cuts for Wealthy and Preserving Programs for Poor – Not the Other Way Around (“Poverty Rising under Bush; Will He Really Take Action?” lsj.com, November 6, 2005) Donna Rich Kaplowitz, Community Advisory Board member to the Lansing State Journal, writes that President Bush “has lavishly promised to rebuild New Orleans and even acknowledged that poverty in the U.S. ‘has its roots in a history of racial discrimination.’” This acknowledgement is belated but welcome. The number of Americans below the poverty line decreased by 2.29 percent annually during the Clinton administration, but has increased by 4.33 percent annually in the Bush years. The poor have gotten poorer, but the rich have gotten richer. Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Bush administration intends to finance $70 billion in tax cuts, half of these for the wealthy, by borrowing and by cutting programs for low and moderate-income families. If the president “were truly committed to reducing poverty in the United States, he could begin by halting his tax cuts for the wealthy, and ending programming cuts for the poor.” http://tinyurl.com/eyeq2 Federal Government Must Attack Child Hunger (“Vermont Children Need Security of Food,” burlingtonfreepress.com, November 9, 2005) There are 55,000 adults and 21,000 children who are food insecure in Vermont, according to USDA. Since 1999, the number of Vermont households unable to provide food for their children has doubled. The state has experienced the largest increase in the number of households with the most severe category of hunger of any other state in the last six years. Robert Dostis of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger says, “people’s income is not keeping up with their expenses and they are averting food money to heat, rent and other things.” Many households are living on the edge, with parents who cannot afford adequate diets and skip meals to allow their children to eat, Dostis noted. It is a sign of deep poverty when children go without food at home and rely largely on breakfasts and lunches at school. To alleviate this situation, this editorial in the Burlington Free Press urges to reject the House of Representatives’ cuts to the food stamp program; to increase funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Plan; to provide nutrition education in schools; and to ensure that all 40,000 eligible Vermont students receive free school and summer meals. http://tinyurl.com/d8u8u More Than a Million North Carolinians Are at Risk of Hunger (“Poverty Continues to Rise in North Carolina,” rdu.news14.com, November 4, 2005) Poverty continues to spread in North Carolina. State food banks describe this as a situation “quickly becoming a crisis.” North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation for food insecurity. More than a million North Carolinians are at risk of hunger. “One-point-two million people statewide live below the poverty line . . . so it really could be someone next door who needs food assistance,” said Lindsey Graham, a representative of North Carolina food banks. http://rdu.news14.com/content/ your_news/raleigh/ ?ArID=76610&SecID=17 Report: Capital Gains Tax Extension Would Overwhelmingly Benefit the Rich in Every State (“IRS Data on the Capital Gains Tax Cut in Each State ,” cbpp.org, November 7, 2005) While making a decision about the reconciliation tax cut bill in coming weeks, Congress will focus on whether to extend the reduction in the capital gains tax rate that was enacted in 2003 and that is set to expire in 2008. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities published the IRS data table, “The Distribution of Capital Gains Tax Cut Benefits in 2003, by State,” to show who would benefit. The table shows the percentage of tax returns filed in each state that reported incomes of less than $50,000, and the percentage of tax returns from households with income above $200,000. The data also displays the proportion of the total tax savings from the capital gains rate cut that was received by each of these two income groups. In 2003, 70.7 percent of all filers in the nation had annual income below $50,000, but this group received only 3.2 percent of the benefits from the capital gains tax cut. In contrast, those with incomes above $200,000 represented 2.0 percent of all filers, but received 80.5 percent of the capital gains tax cut benefits. http://www.cbpp.org/11-7­ 05tax.htm Georgia: Signs of Tension between Katrina Evacuees and Local People in Streetvibes Need in Atlanta Worry Charities (“In Wake of Katrina, Some Local Poor Feel Shunted Aside,” ajc.com, November 6, 2005) Sixty-three-year old Mary Berry became homeless when her lease ran out and a car accident left her without transportation. Her placement in senior citizen housing was delayed, and she had to spend weeks sleeping on friends’ couches. Berry asked for help from more than a dozen charities, but was told that many of them were helping only Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Homeless and needy people interviewed around Atlanta “say they’re angry the evacuees are getting the kinds of help they’ve requested for years, but been denied.” They point to longer lines and closed services. They say Katrina victims are showered with sympathy and help. “It’s unclear how much the efforts to help evacuees have made life tougher for the local needy. Numerous agencies and charities say a boost in donations and volunteers have let them serve both populations, but for some longer lines.” Several local service providers say the majority of needy and homeless people have not been hurt by the evacuee relief efforts. People are still getting their food stamp and welfare benefits, and most of the homeless can still stay at a shelter if they want to. But some providers see why tension between the evacuees and local needy persons has grown. Philip Bray, president of the Safe House Outreach in Atlanta, says some days have been so crowded that some people left without getting food. The charities in Atlanta worry that the evacuees from afar may, in the long run, when special help ends, join the city’s chronically poor and homeless. “They’re going to see what it’s like to be in Atlanta with no public housing and no affordable housing to replace that, and minimum wage at $5.15 an hour,” said Elisabeth Omilami of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless. “In the long-term, we will find out what the commitment really is . . . How do we really feel about the poor?” http://tinyurl.com/ct5xb The Peace Village by Steve Sunderland The Peace Village will be back next month Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 25 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 75 Cents (75 cent profit goes directly to the vendor) Homeless Coalition 25 Cents Printing and Production: 25 cents (this cost does not cover expenses) Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Don’t be Squirrelly! Buy Streetvibes! �The Real Rosa Parks African-American activist in Atlanta named Sonya Tinsley, “when people by Paul Rogat Loeb Women’s Political Council distributed who work for social change are We learn much from how we present the initial leaflets following Park’s presented as saints—so much more our heroes. A few years ago, on arrest. Without the often lonely work noble than the rest of us. We get a Martin Luther King. Day, I was of people like Nixon, Randolph, and false sense that from the moment they interviewed on CNN. So was Rosa Robinson, Parks would likely have were born they were called to act, Parks, by phone from Los Angeles. never taken her stand, and if she had, never had doubts, were bathed in a “We’re very honored to have her,” it would never have had the same circle of light. But I’m much more said the host. “Rosa Parks was the impact. inspired learning how people woman who wouldn’t go to the back This in no way diminishes the succeeded despite their failings and of the bus. She wouldn’t get up and power and historical importance of uncertainties. It’s a much less give her seat in the white section to a Park’s refusal to give up her seat. intimidating image. It makes me feel white person. That set in motion the But it reminds us that this like I have a shot at changing things year-long bus boycott in tremendously consequential act, along too.” Montgomery. It earned Rosa Parks with everything that followed, Sonya had recently attended the title of ‘mother of the Civil Rights depended on all the humble and a talk given by one of Martin Luther movement.’” frustrating work that Parks and others King’s Morehouse professors, in I was excited to hear Park’s undertook earlier on. It also reminds which he mentioned how much King voice and to be part of the same us that Park’s initial step of getting had struggled when show. Then it occurred to me that involved was just as courageous and he first came to college, getting only a the host’s description—the story’s critical as the stand on the bus that all ‘C,’ for example, in his first standard rendition and one repeated of us have heard about. philosophy course. “I found that very even in many of her obituaries— People like Parks shape our inspiring, when I heard it,” Sonya stripped the Montgomery boycott of models of social commitment. Yet said, “given all that King achieved. It all of its context. Before refusing to from responses to talks I’ve given made me feel that just about anything give up her bus seat, Parks had been throughout the country, most citizens was possible.” active for twelve years in the local do not know the full story of her Our culture’s misreading of NAACP chapter, serving as its involvement. And the conventional the Rosa Parks story speaks to a secretary. The summer before her stripped-down retelling creates a more general collective amnesia, arrest, she’d had attended a ten-day standard so impossible to meet; it where we forget the examples that training session at Tennessee’s labor may actually make it harder for us to might most inspire our courage, hope, and civil rights organizing school, get involved, inadvertently removing and conscience. Apart from obvious the Highlander Center, where she’d away Park’s most powerful lessons times of military conflict, most of us met an older generation of civil rights of hope. know next to nothing of the many activists, like South Carolina teacher This conventional portrayal battles ordinary men and women Septum Clark, and discussed the suggests that social activists come out fought to preserve freedom, expand recent Supreme Court decision of nowhere, to suddenly take the sphere of democracy, and create banning “separate-but-equal” dramatic stands. It implies that we act a more just society. Of the abolitionist schools. During this period of with the greatest impact when we act and civil rights movements, we at best alone, at least initially. And that involvement and education, Parks recall a few key leaders—and often change occurs instantly, as opposed had become familiar with previous misread their actual to building on a series of oftenchallenges to segregation: Another stories. We know even less about Montgomery bus boycott, fifty years invisible actions. The myth of Parks the turn-of-the-century populists who as lone activist reinforces a notion earlier, successfully eased some challenged entrenched economic that anyone who takes a committed restrictions; a bus boycott in Baton interests and fought for a public stand, or at least an effective Rouge won limited gains two years “cooperative commonwealth.” Who one, has to be before Parks was arrested; and the these days can describe the union a larger-than-life figure—someone previous spring, a young movements that ended 80-hour work with more time, energy, courage, Montgomery woman had also weeks at near-starvation wages? vision, or knowledge than any normal Who knows the origin of the social refused to move to the back of the bus, causing the NAACP to consider person could ever possess. This security system, now threatened by a legal challenge until it turned out that belief pervades our society, in part systematic attempts to privatize it? she was unmarried and pregnant, and because the media tends not to How did the women’s suffrage represent historical change as the therefore a poor symbol for a movement spread to hundreds of work of ordinary human beings, campaign. communities, and gather enough which it almost always is. In short, Rosa Parks didn’t strength to prevail? Once we enshrine our heroes make a spur-of-the-moment decision. As memories of these events on pedestals, it becomes hard for She didn’t single-handedly give birth disappear, we lose the knowledge of mere mortals to measure up in our to the civil rights efforts, but she was mechanisms eyes. However individuals speak part of an existing movement for that grassroots social movements out, we’re tempted to dismiss their change, at a time when success was have used successfully in the past to far from certain. We all know Park’s motives, knowledge, and tactics as shift public sentiment and challenge insufficiently grand or heroic. We name, but few of us know about entrenched institutional power. fault them for not being in command Montgomery NAACP head E.D. Equally lost are the means by which of every fact and figure, or being able their participants managed to keep on Nixon, who served as one of her to answer every question put to them. and eventually prevail in mentors and first got Martin Luther We fault ourselves as well, for not King involved. Nixon carried circumstances at least as harsh as knowing every detail, or for harboring those we face today. people’s suitcases on the trains, and uncertainties and doubts. We find it was active in the Brotherhood of Think again about the hard to imagine that ordinary human Sleeping Car Porters, the union different ways one can frame Rosa beings with ordinary flaws might founded by legendary civil rights Park’s historic action. In the make a critical difference in worthy activist A. Philip Randolph. He prevailing myth, Parks decides to act social causes. played a key role in the campaign. almost on a whim, in isolation. She’s Yet those who act have their No one talks of him, any more than a virgin to politics, a holy innocent. own imperfections, and ample they talk of JoAnn Robinson, who The lesson seems to be that if any of taught nearby at an underfunded and reasons to hold back. “I think it does us suddenly got the urge to do segregated Black college and whose us all a disservice,” says a young something equally heroic, that would Streetvibes be great. Of course most of us don’t, so we wait our entire lives to find the ideal moment. Park’s real story conveys a far more empowering moral. She begins with seemingly modest steps. She goes to a meeting, and then another, helping build the community that in turn supported her path. Hesitant at first, she gains confidence as she speaks out. She keeps on despite a profoundly uncertain context, as she and others act as best they can to challenge deeply entrenched injustices, with little certainty of results. Had she and others given up after her tenth or eleventh year of commitment, we might never have heard of Montgomery. Parks also reminds us that even in a seemingly losing cause, one person may unknowingly inspire another, and that person yet a third, who may then go on to change the world, or at least a small corner of it. Rosa Park’s husband Raymond convinced her to attend her first NAACP meeting, the initial step on a path that brought her to that fateful day on the bus in Montgomery. But who got Raymond Parks involved? And why did that person take the trouble to do so? What experiences shaped their outlook, forged their convictions? The links in any chain of influence are too numerous, too complex to trace. But being aware that such chains exist, that we can choose to join them, and that lasting change doesn’t occur in their absence, is one of the primary ways to sustain hope, especially when our actions seem too insignificant to amount to anything. Finally, Park’s journey suggests that change is the product of deliberate, incremental action, whereby we join together to try to shape a better world. Sometimes our struggles will fail, as did many earlier efforts of Parks, her peers, and her predecessors. Other times they may bear modest fruits. And at times they will trigger a miraculous outpouring of courage and heart—as happened with her arrest and all that followed. For only when we act despite all our uncertainties and doubts do we have the chance to shape history. Paul Rogat Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, named the #3 political book of fall 2004 by the History Channel and the American Book Association, and winner of the Nautilus Award for best social change book of the year. His previous books include Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time. See www.paulloeb.org To receive his monthly articles email Page 13 �Me!! My Life by Robin Remy by Janet Sharp Me (Mother) Through my addiction I Manage to be a Mother and only by the grace and mercy of God I made sure of the essential things In my sons’ lives in order for them (1) to become men, and (2) to be able to survive. My life always changes, New details to find out, Family secrets known and unknown, My temper to keep under control. Find a way to hide from the world, Learn to listen more and talk less, Find a way to keep my mind active. Me (Friend) I’m a good listener. I have very profound advice. Always willing to share even my last. I must have been a good friend, Because my friends have been with me for the last 30-40 years. So much to do, So little time, Finding some balance in my life. One of these days I’ll find that balance. When, I don’t know. Me (Robin) I’m a giving person. I’m a no-nonsense person. I’m very strong with inner strength. I have a lot more to give from my spirit and my soul. Feel Blue by Toni Bell I feel blue. . . not like the bright pretty sky. I feel blue like the dark blue sea. Oh God, Thank You by Karen Bowman For saving me when I did not know how to save myself. For rescuing me from the grip of crack, from the grip of a rapist. For jamming the gun that was placed at my head. For keeping me alert after the blow that was placed to my jaw. For protecting me on the nights I walked through alleys And abandoned houses looking for a place to sleep. For directing me to N Street Village and placing the right People in my life. For being on earth as you are in heaven. For loving me, Oh God, Thank You. There is a rumble in me, Not a rumbling like a raggedy car, But a rumble from a distant storm waiting to erupt As soon as it arrives. I yearn to blossom like a flower When it blooms, releasing my Petals and fragrance through all My spiritual rooms. I want to bloom away the gloom That sometimes invades my soul. I want to be free to be me. by Booger Love Under an Azure Blue Sky Listen to your heart, it knows right from wrong let it guide you through all the wrong in your heart life that makes you sad and cry, listen to your heart by Andrea Hayfile Under an azure blue sky That’s so clear, not a cloud in sight I stand With the white sand hot beneath my feet Sand so fine, so soft, so clean And with the smell of the ocean All salty and sweet I think How there is such perfection in this Moment and I marvel at the beauty of this place. But, as I listen to the crashing Sound of the waves as they Find their way to the stony shore That waits My spirit is not safe. I am uneasy As uneasy as the furious ocean waves And with the rise and fall of each Sound, I long for peace and I search my soul and pray That one day I will become as marvelous as this place. . . Page 14 it will make you strong, happy everyday it won’t let you go astray, so listen to your heart everyday, listen to what it has to say, for you to do want to be sad and blue? listen to your heart, let it guide you, listen to your heart, it will make you strong listen to your heart, there are so many people Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Streetvibes will lead of astray. Your best friend can be your enemy, listen to your heart, it knows right from wrong, let it guide you, listen to your heart it will make you strong, look inside yourself and listen, listen to your heart. �Jonah in Nevada Day Walk by Michael Henson by James Morrow He did not go to Nineveh. He went instead to the west. When the bus broke down outside of Reno, he took that for a sign and hitchhiked into the city. Two beers, four beers, he watched the work of the strippers. Six beers, eight, he had become such a curse a pair of bouncers grabbed him at each arm and launched him into the street. Ten beers, a dozen and he was swallowed by oblivion and lay cramped in the belly of amnesia for three days. He woke in the desert with the sun straight above him like a spike. His skull was drumming and his mouth was caked with salt. His backpack had been stolen and some fist had gifted him with bruises above his eye and in the arcades of his ribs. His face and arms were blistered by the withering sun. He stared at the empty road and tried to conjure which way would take him back to where he had derailed. Aching, broke, and splitting with thirst, he could not then discern the working of the unreadable winds of Mercy. What now? he thought. What now? Off in the distance, jackrabbit small, a car shimmered toward him. - Daylight holds less mystery than nights beneath the moon but the sun holds inspiration and openers and light that ends too soon. The light of the sun is always now, the moon’s always secondhand it seems nighttime mysteries grow large like a retelling of a retelling. A new song is possible everyday although the night is not Evil as all things are neutral even unto the human will. Much to grow into to seek the sun when one has been one with the night to turn away from closeted secrets and walk once more in the light I never before found daylight to be so great and profound wonderful to be beneath the sun after so very long underground. A Poem by Brenda Lee It’s felt in the heart It’s felt in the soul It seems like everything’s under control It feels so good It feels so nice It feels like everything is as smooth as ice But then one day When it falls apart That’s when God will mend your broken heart. At the age of 15, Brenda s boyfriend was jumped by a group of boys on his way to her house. She felt responsible and was filled with guilt. Her cousin trying to make her feel better introduced her to drugs. Putting Down Roots by Terrance O. Edgar Sr. Let us rejoice at this breaking of the earth to build upon this ground that will house many. Shutter Speed by Jimmy Heath May all that will live here when complete live in peace and fellowship as one community. May the children that will play children’s games be safe from all negative vices that plagues so many of America’s town and cities. Putting down roots that will be a home to the homeless once housed. Housed for it is a right of all upon this earth to have a roof over their bodies. The cold, the rain, the heat the streets should not be conditions for one to be placed in without a home. Putting down roots so that memories can be made so that they may be remembered, of all the ones that will live here when the time arrives. Putting down roots, the roots that will bring forth branches and leaves. And as we are all that tree, it’s limbs, it’s leaves, it’s roots. Putting down roots. Kweisi Mfume - former CEO of the civil rights organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He stepped down from his NAACP presidency in January, 2005. In April 2001, Mfume visited Over-theRhine neighborhood of Cincinnati after the city’s civil unrest . Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel 241-5525 Mission Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House 241-2965 (Veterans) St. Francis/St.Joseph 381-4941 House 661-4620 Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 1-888-872-9259 (Toll Free) 557-2873 Bethany House 762-5660 Salvation Army Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis 859-491-3335 Center If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of 421-2437 Cincinnati Appalachian Identity 621-5991 Center 231-6630 Beech Acres Center for Independent Living 241-2600 Options Churches Active in 591-2246 Northside Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 381-4242 Contact Center 241-2563 Emanuel Center TREATMENT: Both 820-2947 N.A. Hopeline 351-0422 A.A. Hotline 381-6672 C.C.A.T. 684-7956 Talbert House Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In 721-0643 Program TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 921-1613 Prospect House 961-2256 Starting Over TREATMENT: Women 961-4663 First Step Home Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: 721-4580 CMHA Excel Development 632-7149 241-0504 Miami Purchase OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 381-1171 ReSTOC 721-8666 Tender Mercies Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge 751-9797 Services, Inc 761-1480 Caracole (AIDS) 381-5432 Friars Club 721-0643 Drop Inn Center 863-8866 Haven House Interfaith 471-1100 Hospitality Lighthouse Youth Center 961-4080 (Teens) St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 863-1445 Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door 868-3276 Pantry New Life Baptist Mission 896-9800 (Soup Kitchen) Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ 241-1064 Foodbank Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental 946-8600 Health Board Mental Health Access 558-8888 Point Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile 352-2902 Health Van House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. 271-5501 Center Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental 352-6363 Clinic 621-6364 Our Daily Bread Peaslee Neighborhood 621-5514 Center Project Connect, Homeless 363-1060 Kids St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food 471-4357 Center 721-7660 Travelers Aid 721-7900 United Way VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping 872-9259 Women December 2005 Happy Holidays! BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource December 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Shop This Extreme Poverty and Homeless in Nicaragua Pg 2: Neighborhood Schools, Children and Citizens Need Respect Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: Diamond in the Rough, a Story of Mother Who is Homeless but Hopeful Pg 6: New Year Brings Hope Street Citizens Pg 7: War Made Easy Pg 8: Nicaragua Continued Pg 9: Xavier University Cintas Center Pg 10: The Digital Dump Pg 11: Florida Thousands Hit by Hurricane Wilma Rush for Emergency Food Stamps Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes Pg 13: The Real Rosa Parks Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Monique Little Kelly Carr Andy Lawrence John Lavelle Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Susan Smith Jimmy Heath Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alison Leeuw Andy Lawrence Florida Georgine Getty Government Homeless News Digest Jimmy Heath John Lavelle Kelly Carr Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Monique Little Nicaragua Peace Village poverty Protests Rosa Parks Schools Susan Smith War Wilma Rush https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/74b3bcc609cc679a9bf26ad75db64d38.pdf b4225bbf560b30122db75a68d0031321 PDF Text Text November 2005 STREETVIBES Just Add Affordable Housing – For a Greater Cincinnati by John Lavelle On September 13th, voters in the city of Cincinnati voted overwhelmingly to nominate Cincinnati City Councilman David Pepper and State Senator Mark Mallory for the November 8th general election’s mayoral ballot. Each candidate is considered a moderate Democrat, so it will be up to each of them to distinguish themselves from each other. With both candidates receiving almost an equal number of votes, citizens expect a close race focused on the issues. Certainly, two issues on Steetvibes readers’ minds are the topics of homelessness and affordable housing. Let us take a brief look at the platforms and records of the two candidates: David Pepper When approached by the Affordable Housing Advocates earlier in the year about meeting to discuss the issues surrounding affordable housing, both candidates were eager to do so. AHA talked with David Pepper back in January, educating him on the purpose of AHA, the history of affordable housing in Cincinnati, and the current housing and wage crises. They expressed a desire to see stronger leadership and a David Pepper better relationship with citizens who all too often are unaware of their options and caught up in city bureaucracy. Pepper was receptive to the discussion and listened very openly. Certain parts of his platform reflect this, addressing the need for a living wage and more affordable housing. On his website, Pepper discusses his record on encouraging economic growth, stating that “key tasks remaining on this agenda include a comprehensive effort on affordable home ownership” (davidpepper.com/record.php). He makes mention of “affordable housing” many times throughout his “Neighborhoods Plan,” particularly on page 27, where he acknowledges citizens’ problems with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority and demands greater accountability from their leadership so that residents can be better served. It should be noted as well that Pepper supports merging different subsidized housing programs in one entity (instead of both CMHA and the county, for example), a position not supported by many affordable housing advocates who feel this may limit choice for consumers of public housing. Under the “Economic Plan” on his website, Pepper states that the city must encourage employers to pay a living wage with benefits, reaching out to ex-offenders and highschool dropouts (page 32). Pepper has a history of active engagement with groups such as the Society for the Advancement of Reformed Felons (SARF) and has been very supportive in assisting this population into stability. Not all is peaches and cream with Pepper, though. In May 2003, he voted in favor of the panhandling ordinance, ardently supporting its subsequent renewal in 2004. The panhandling ordinance requires the registration of panhandlers who must then carry a license to panhandle, legislation that homeless advocates condemn as a violation of both the 1st Amendment and individual civil rights. Pepper talks affordable housing and living wage, but does not go much further in his comprehensive plans than quick mentions. Hopefully the coming month will shed more light on his stance on these important issues. Mark Mallory Mallory met with the Affordable Housing Advocates in early August, discussing his own thoughts and ideas. During the meeting, he expressed an interest in infill building and policy that mandates that a certain percentage of housing be affordable; this is a platform long shared by affordable housing advocates. He specifically noted Potterhill Homes – a company that makes high-quality, affordable modular homes – as an example of a great option for affordable home ownership. He was also interested in more accessible housing for those in need of assisted living. Furthermore, Mallory agreed with AHA that resources be focused on the needs of renters and rental properties, recommending that emphasis be placed on treating citizens who rent as assets to the city. Finally, Mallory supported restoring the city planning department, the lack of which has frustrated advocates and developers since its dissolution. During that meeting and throughout his campaign, Mallory has stressed strong leadership and sustainable solutions to the city’s numerous problems. He appears to look beyond the surface of Cincinnati’s problems. Being able to look at the systemic problems is key to addressing a major issue such as homelessness. Mallory speaks for himself as having this capacity and the necessary leadership to boot. He cites his ten years of leadership in the state capital as evidence. In 2003, Senator Mallory worked with the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio to successfully restore $4.7 million in Emergency Shelter Grant funding and $5.5 million in Transitional Housing funding to the state budget. All that was necessary was a call to Mallory, who quickly understood how many people depended on this funding and was able to do the Mark Mallory necessary politicking to restore it within a week. Overall, it seems that each candidate would be able to have a profound effect on the city, given their qualifications and platforms. On November 8th, the citizens of Cincinnati will have the chance to decide who will lead the city for the next four years. Ohioans Need a Raise! by John Lavelle Did you know that Ohio is one of two states – the other being Kansas – with a state minimum wage below the federal level of $5.15 per hour? That’s right, Ohio’s minimum wage still remains at the level at which it was set in 1990: $4.25/hour. Some 500,000 Ohioans work for this minimum wage, the majority of them women. Most are not even the stereotypical minimum wage workers: 15 year old high school students flipping burgers for gas money. It is estimated that around 71% of these minimum wage workers are over the age of 20. Currently, there is a campaign to put a referendum on the November 2006 ballot that Email: homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com would raise the state minimum wage to $6.85/ or Phone: 513.421.7803 x13. hour, indexed to increase every year with inflation. Not only would this effect minimum wage workers, but experts expect the increase to raise pay for all low wage workers (the “rising tide lifts all boats” theory). In order for the referendum to appear on the ballot next year, proponents must collect 322,899 valid signatures from registered Ohio voters prior to August 10, 2006. Volunteers will be out at polls on Election Day, November 8th, Some 500,000 Ohioans work for minimum soliciting signatures and raising awareness. If wage, the majority of them women. you are interested in volunteering in the coming months, please contact John Lavelle, Civil Rights Advocate at GCCH, and will connect you with organizers. Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Monique Little - Education Coordinator Kelly Carr - VISTA Andy Lawrence - AHA Coordinator John Lavelle - VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photography Jimmy Heath Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Victory Won for Human Service Provider Community and the People they Serve by Georgine Getty October 19, Cincinnati City Council unanimously voted to restore Human Service funding to over 50 local agencies serving low income and homeless individuals in Cincinnati. They also voted to restore the Human Service Advisory Committee (HSAC) process. For over 20 years, human service agencies have received 1.5% of the General Fund. This funding goes to myriad groups working with senior citizens, people with disabilities, homeless individuals, families and youth. For the duration of this funding allocation, the HSAC has been the vehicle that recommends how funding is allocated. This volunteer committee evaluates all applications for human service funding and rates them based on their effectiveness at meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. In November of 2005, Mayor Luken and City Manager Valerie Lemmie cut human service funding to zero, stating that human services were not core city services and that they did not warrant city support. After an overwhelming response from citizens (over 300 people showed up to testify in favor of human service funding at each of the public hearings), Council restored partial funding at a rate of .06%. Some of this funding did not come from the General Fund, but was rather siphoned off of CDBG funding, dollars used to create fair, accessible and affordable housing. Many agencies received no funding at all and were forced to lay off employees, end programs or close their doors altogether. The “1.5% Coalition” consisting of agencies affected by these cuts as well as concerned citizens and faith groups, formed in December of 2005 to work to restore city funding to human services. They also focused on restoring the HSAC process of allocating funds, determining as a service community that this process was fair and objective. The three-party motion to restore funding was put forth by Crowley (D), Smitherman (C), and Monzel (R) on October 12 and was referred to Finance Committee, with support from Reece, Cole, Pepper and Malone. It states: * We acknowledge that that the needs of our citizens go beyond just safety, peacekeeping, and sanitation. Therefore, we are making a commitment to continue our long and proud tradition of providing support for Human Services in the City of Cincinnati. * We have a Human Services Policy that prioritizes funding based on the severity and urgency of various problems. These priorities include helping to fund programs for people who are homeless, atrisk youth, and citizens with disabilities. * Last year due to budget constraints, the Mayor and City Manager proposed eliminating the 1.5% earmarked for Human Services. Fortunately, Council was able to make some budget adjustments in order to restore half of the original amount. We want to send a clear message that funding Human Services is a priority, and that we support the restoration of the full 1.5%. The human service community commended the passage of these motions. In a letter recently sent to Council candidates, signed by over 35 executive directors of local human service agencies, the case was made for restoration, illuminating four key benefits of city funding: * It leverages millions of state and federal dollars to benefit Cincinnati. It is estimated that agencies leverage $4 from outside sources for every dollar invested in them through city funds. * Homeless, sick, victimized, hungry, hurting and often hopeless people get the help they need to move forward with dignity and hope * It alleviates the problems of caring for indigent, abused, mentally ill, and sick from the city. * Social services agencies collaborate, share resources and work for lasting and systemic change. Mayor Luken, however, was unhappy with the decision, stating that he wanted to go on record as opposing the approval of these motions. National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 16­ 22, 2005 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is seeking willing participants to organize sleepouts/shanty-towns and/or food/ clothing drives for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Below you’ll find a brief description of the event. Co-sponsored by: National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness Each year, one week before Thanksgiving, the sponsoring co-sponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. During this week, a number of schools, communities and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Schools and/or Facility members interested in participating are asked to contact their local representative. Cincinnati: Kelly Carr, Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, 513-421-7803 ext.11. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath A 37-year-old Boston homeless man was shot to death as he stood on the steps outside a Roxbury apartment Friday night, less than a day after he was released from jail. Jose Gonzalez had just rung the doorbell to Beverly Julien’s second-floor apartment on the 2900 block of Washington Street when he was shot in the chest, according to Julien, who described herself as an acquaintance of Gonzalez’s, and a Boston police officer familiar with the case. Julien said she normally looks out her front window before deciding whether to open the door, but she thought it was her boyfriend ringing so she went straight downstairs. She was at the top of the stairs when she heard the shot, she said. She cracked her door open, she said, and saw Gonzalez lying on the steps. She ran back up to her apartment and dialed 911, she said, keeping her eye on Gonzalez from the window until police and paramedics arrived at around 9:40 p.m. “I kept watching his chest and his belly” for signs of life, she said. Julien lamented that if she had looked out the window she might have caught a glimpse of who killed Gonzalez. In Coquitlam, BC Canada, homeless men in the Tri-Cities may face a tougher time getting a bed in a shelter this winter Salvation Army has had to cut back the number of temporary beds at its New Westminster shelter from about 30 to 20 to meet building codes and a spokesperson said he won’t know until later this fall whether he will be able to accommodate more Tri-City homeless people when winter sets in The Army currently picks up about four men a day from Port Coquitlam and drives them to the New West shelter and back. That number usually increases to about seven men in winter, although some people are turned away But Capt. Dave MacPherson said he’ll only be able to accept more homeless if requested to by the Fraser Health Authority and some longer term renters move out of the building “We’ll take as many as we can,” he promised Sally Ann, which used to rent space in New West’s Garfield Hotel, is now buying the building to knock it down and build a permanent facility. The Army is working with the Royal City to refine details for the project, which is expected to cost about $8 million, including land costs, and is getting support from provincial and federal governments. The army also runs the 10­ bed Stevenson House, for a total shelter bed count of 33, of which four are set aside for Tri-City people Sally Ann is also working with Tri-City churches to come up with a strategy for taking in local homeless if temperatures drop below -4 C Last year’s plan to house local homeless on mats on a church floor fell through, so the Salvation Army let them stay in the basement of its New Westminster church Still, there are never enough beds and last year the Army turned away 10 homeless a night, MacPherson said Last spring the Salvation Army closed its PoCo office after plans for a shelter, second stage housing and services fell through. In Austin Texas The Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center in East Austin looked like it was set up for any trade show last month. Booths advertising various services enticed participants with free T-shirts, nonprofits were collecting signatures and the line to get in snaked around the corner. But this was a different kind of convention. Everyone was there to help the homeless get back on their feet in some way. For the past six years, Stand Down Austin has helped homeless veterans. A “stand down” is a military term for a retreat. Now, the nonprofit is reaching out to all of Austin’s homeless community. It’s organized as a one-stop-shop with a number of different services and organizations, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, American Red Cross, Health and Human Services, Caritas of Austin, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and The Salvation Army. “This is for homeless individuals where they can come access many resources in one day, versus having to do that over the course of weeks and sometimes months,” chairman Andrew Miller said. The one-day event allows the homeless a one-stop shop to have all their needs met. Men and women received food, clothes, haircuts, health care, employment assistance, ID badges, legal counseling, pet vaccinations and housing assistance. Many of Austin’s homeless population aren’t looking for a handout, but a hand up. Alice Cooper wants to help the hungry men of London, even if they don’t want pizza. According to the U.K. website Playlouder.com, Cooper is pitching a reality TV show in which he will save a homeless man from the streets of London. “It will be about a guy who is sleeping in downtown London and life is totally gone for him,” Cooper reportedly said of his new show. “He’s just a bundle of rags. We find out how he got there and reconstruct his life. That would be great TV.” Apparently Alice will search the gritty parts of London for the “right type” of homeless man. Maybe he means the kind who wears ghoulish makeup, likes to play golf, and wants to open sports bars, just like Alice. After wrapping up a U.S. tour, Cooper heads to England for the month of November, ostensibly to tour, but perhaps to pound the pavement in search of the right “derelict.” In Alexandria, Va. Fran Becker used to daydream about how she’d spend a million dollars to fix up the homeless shelter she runs in Alexandria. Now, she gets to turn her dream into reality. A family that made its fortune in the Alexandria real estate market gave Becker one million dollars six months ago. Carpenter’s Shelter currently offers classes, counseling, tutoring and similar programs. Becker tells The Washington Post that the bequest will help her expand these programs, transforming the shelter into a comprehensive center of learning. So far, the money has been used to set up a scholarship program for clients who want more education. The shelter also has been renamed the Hubert N. Hoffman Junior Center for Homeless Families, after a member of the family that established the Hoffman Family Trust. In Bagley Twp., Michigan, police responding to a complaint of cats and dogs being Streetvibes kept in a rented storage unit on Old 27 South suspect the owner of those pets is a homeless man who also may have been living in the storage unit. State Police troopers from the Gaylord post removed two dogs and cats from the storage unit off Old 27 south of Gaylord after MSP troopers received anonymous information the domesticated animals were being kept in one of the units. Investigators indicated the 43-year-old Gaylord man who had been renting the storage space since Sept. 25 also may have been living with his pets. Although a report of the incident has been turned over to the prosecutor for review, investigators indicated they did not believe the man would be facing charges of animal cruelty. According to the MSP incident report, investigators could hear dogs barking from inside one of the units when they arrived at the scene. After opening the locked door, troopers found two German Shepherds and two cats inside the storage unit, which was reported to have had an overwhelming odor of urine and feces. Bowls of water and dog food were found inside the building, as was a couch with blankets and pillows. In Huntsville, Alabama a man Eugene Mercer, 58, described as mentally ill and reportedly armed with a knife, was shot and killed last month by police. Police searched for an escaped Madison County jail inmate and came upon Mercer’s campsite under the Interstate 565 overpass. The escapee, Bobby Ray Bickers, 36, later was captured. Police spokesman Wendell Johnson said he wasn’t sure if the city’s mental health officer had been called to help deal with Mercer. “It might’ve all happened too quickly for that. We won’t discuss further details until all of the facts are known,” Johnson said. Sherry Birney, a chaplain advocate for Huntsville’s homeless, said she had met Mercer many times at his campsite. She said when he became frightened or distressed, he would become aggressive in his speech. “He isolated himself under that bridge for years,” she said. “Herman isn’t the first and he won’t be the last paranoid schizophrenic person living on the street that police will have to deal with.” She said officers need training in how to deal with the mentally ill. “Rather than shoot him, why not back away or call the mental health officer or at least get the police dog to tend to him?” she said. Page 3 �Santa Rosa, CA council weighs homeless crackdown Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes Homeless encampments along the rail corridor and creek beds of Healdsburg are a public nuisance, police say, and the city should adopt stricter laws that will help kick people out. Over the last year, Healdsburg has seen a dramatic rise in the number of people living on public and private property where uncontrolled cooking fires, trash and the lack of sanitation are taking a toll, Sgt. Kevin Young said. At one of the most popular transient haunts on Foss Creek, firefighters have been called to extinguish numerous blazes. Last year, a homeless man died of alcohol poisoning, Young said. “The human waste and garbage we find down there fills dump trucks,” Young said. “Some of the camps are unbelievable.” Police are proposing an addition to the municipal code to make overnight camping in makeshift tents, hammocks or in cars an infraction punishable by a $100 fine, Young said. A second offense could lead to 30 days in jail. Advocates for migrant farmworkers ­ among the largest group of illicit campers - said that a more rigorous law would not solve the problem of homelessness. Nancy Palandati, an attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance in Santa Rosa, said people would merely sleep elsewhere. She said Healdsburg and other Sonoma County cities should follow the lead of Napa County, which provides housing during the harvest that draws thousands of people, many without homes. Threatening workers in the region’s key industry with fines or jail is wrong, she said. “On the one hand they say you can come here and work,” Palandati said. “But you can only seek work in this way. And by the way, once you’re done with work, we don’t want you around.” The city has been working on its overnight-camping law for several years, trying to resolve issues connected to homelessness, public safety and litter. It cleared a portion of the Russian River bank near Memorial Beach in recent years and has battled dumping on many public easements. Now, much camping appears to have moved to the rail corridor near Grove Street. There, in blackberry brambles, homeless people have erected shelters with plastic sheeting and wood floors. They wash clothes in a shallow creek and keep a small vegetable garden. Bicycle frames, old couches and beer cans litter trails. City Manager Chet Wystepek said it is illegal to camp without a permit, but the proposed law defines certain illegal activities, giving police clearer enforcement authority. For instance, it describes camping paraphernalia like bedrolls or cots, and specifies banned activities such as cooking or digging. �Katrina uncovers the forgotten queues at America’s soup kitchens It is a little past noon on a sweltering day a short ride from downtown Detroit, one of the last gasps of summer before the brutal Michigan winter settles in. Already the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, run by friars from a nearby monastery, is winding down. People tend to get in line for food early. A couple of dozen people, largely but not exclusively African Americans, finish their lunches in a clean but spare dining hall. A large wooden cross is propped up in one corner and photographs on the wall show the facility during the depression. This is a rough neighbourhood. Alison Costello, the former fine-dining chef who manages the kitchen, keeps her eyes fixed ahead of her on her way home to avoid looking too hard at the drug houses that line the street. Many of the people at the tables have the worn appearance of the chronically poor and homeless, others are younger and wouldn’t attract glares; many have lowpaying jobs and simply struggle to make ends meet, part of a swelling class of the working poor. The soup kitchen serves around 800 people daily for lunch. The summer months are the busiest. In the winter, numbers thin. Some regulars find places at shelters and would rather go hungry than lose them. Others have no proper footwear and risk frostbitten feet if they do make the trip. “I drove in here yesterday and I saw all these people streaming in to the soup kitchen, and I thought ‘there is so much suffering in this city’,” said Brother Jerry Smith, who runs the soup kitchen. “I see the abandoned buildings and factories on a massive scale. I have to keep looking for signs of hope. Sometimes it’s pretty demoralising.” This is the America most don’t see. It has taken a catastrophe to rekindle the national debate on poverty in the US. The wretched images of the poor left to struggle on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, with no means of escape, provoked widespread shock. But the conditions exposed by the hurricane are not confined to the south. After barely registering as an issue for a decade, poverty is back on the political agenda. We had all seen the evidence of “deep, persistent poverty” on television, President Bush said in an address after the hurricane struck; poverty that “has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America.” According to the US census bureau, poverty has been on the rise for the past four years, despite a robust economy. The number of people living in poverty increased last year to 12.7% of the population, some 37m people, the highest percentage in the developed world. Since Mr Bush took office an additional 5.4m have slipped below the poverty line. In 1970, the rate was 11.1%. Almost 8% of white people are classified as below the poverty line and almost 25% of African Americans. “Katrina merely blew the mask off the face of poverty,” says Agostinho Fernandes, president of the Gleaners Food Bank, which supplies food to soup kitchens and emergency food services in the Detroit area. “Why did it take a disaster for our leaders to respond?” In Detroit, 34% of the population live in poverty, including almost half the children under 17. In the neighbourhood of Highland Park, once the home of Chrysler and now all but abandoned, shops are boarded up and the bones of burnt out buildings haunt the streets. Local community workers are fighting contractors from other parts of the city using its streets to dump rubbish. Detroit’s population has plummeted from 2m to 950,000 in the past 50 years, largely because of white flight to the suburbs after race riots in the 1960s. There have been cuts in police and fire departments, the city is crimeridden and schools are a shambles. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen has become accustomed to dealing with the mentally ill after budget cuts caused the closure of local mental health facilities. Community workers are sceptical about whether America will see another “war on poverty”. “What the president says doesn’t mean much to me,” says Genevieve Clark at the Hunger Action Coalition in Detroit. “He is speaking for the moment to make people feel warm and fuzzy today and then he will move on to something else.” There is perhaps good reason for cynicism. Items on the agenda in Washington include the extension of tax cuts on investment income and repealing the estate tax, both aimed at the wealthy. Also proposed are tens of billions of dollars of cuts to services like food stamps, federal student loans and Medicaid, the health insurance for the low-income Americans. The president’s vow to pay for reconstruction in New Orleans without raising taxes means further services are likely to be cut. Democrats have also attacked the Bush administration for suspending the minimum wage requirement for companies working in the hurricane-hit region. The minimum wage of $5.15 an hour has not in any case been increased since 1997: adjusted for inflation it is at its lowest level since 1956. Rarely, if ever, has poverty continued to rise so long after the end of a recession. The median Streetvibes household income in the US has stagnated for the past five years at around $44,400, the longest period on record. Globalisation is forcing US companies to keep prices low to compete and many manufacturers are closing factories and shifting production overseas: 2.7m industrial jobs have been lost since 2001. Many of those workers are moving into lower-paid service jobs. Unions are weak. The pressure on wages at the bottom is creating a new class of the working poor. Valerie Bland, 33, a single mother, fills a supermarket trolley at a food pantry in Detroit run by a local community group called Focus:Hope, which also provides training to get people back to work. Her job as a nursing assistant doesn’t pay enough to cover the bills and buy food for her infant son. “I would be struggling without this program,” she says. “I am still penny-pinching but this takes some of the stress away.” Welfare to work reform in the 1990s tilted benefits in favour of people with jobs, leaving a less effective safety net. Healthcare costs continue to rise at doubledigit rates. The numbers without any kind of health insurance grew last year to 45.8 million people. Yet the rich continue to get richer. For the first time in the census, the top 20% of earners in the US took over half the total income. The bottom 20% took just 3.4%. Only the top 5% of households enjoyed real income growth during the year. A recent survey released by market research firm TNS said the number of millionaires in the US has reached a record 8.9 million, rising for the third successive year. Mr Bernstein says: “With the Bush re-election, it’s hard to make a case that there is a high political cost to ignoring or even exacerbating our poverty problem. Inequality promotes greater inequality because once you have disenfranchised a generation then their progeny is facing ever higher barriers and it’s that much tougher to get out.” The question for many is how long poverty will remain a topic in Washington. Katrina made New Orleans a magnet for charity. “It slammed the door shut on us,” says Mr Fernandes at Gleaners. “Organisations like ours were feeding the impoverished in the south before the storm; we were feeding them through the storm; and we are feeding them after the storm.” Page 5 �Valuable to The Family walking the streets for place they can by Ms. Mary Gaffney call home. disappointed, with outfull Greetings to my readers and time employment. Some stop here purchasers of Streetvibes each for coffee and warmth; others nap. month; and to my homeless friends, On Special Wednesday, a especially those in Over-Rhine, some wonderful lady; Susan of the residents at the Smith, visits us and Drop Inn Center, in brings a most delicious vacant buildings, dinner with all the hallways and allys. trimmings. And she While sitting here brings, on Thursday’s at my desk as usual, my and sometimes mind turns to Monday, loaves of Thanksgiving and Miss Mary Gaffney bread which my Christmas and families homeless friends are gatherings and dinners. Here at the Coalition, on my desk, is very grateful to receive, and will say Thank You. This makes you think; in a bucket of chicken, or sometimes, all of the stress and strain of their day, seafood. During the holidays, there is a they take the time to greet you and roomful of family who has shelter and thank you. Thank you Streetvibes a way to prepare their food. customers, for supporting my But what about the ones who homeless friends with your purchase. have no home. They will eat if they Until next time. can eat at regular places, but are Senate Plan to Cut Food could have meant a loss of benefits Stamps Dies Senate Republicans have dropped plans to cut the popular food stamp program, as the chamber’s leaders scrambled to assemble a $35 billion spending cut measure to implement the budget plan it adopted in April. After protests from Agriculture Committee members Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and James M. Talent (R-Mo.), panel Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-Gad.) dropped more than $500 million in food stamp cuts from a farm and food subsidy measure that came in to a committee vote in October. The cuts for 300,000 working families benefiting from more generous eligibility rules in some states. The development on food stamps illustrates the political sensitivity of the upcoming debate over the spending cut bill, which would spread the $35 billion in cuts over five years. Various House and Senate committees are conducting behind-the-scenes talks to devise spending cut plans to implement the budget. The conservative-dominated House plans to up the ante to $50 billion in cuts as it votes as early as tomorrow to revise the budget. The Senate has no such plans. A Call to Greater Cincinnati Poets For the 2006 annual Book of Poems and Drawings on Peace and Justice 1) Call for poems from any poet from the Greater Cincinnati area 2) Poems to relate to themes of peace and justice 3) Poet may submit up to 3 poems 4) All submissions will be considered. The editors will be looking for quality, inclusiveness, and appropriateness to the themes of peace and justice. 5) If space becomes limited, priority will be given to poets not published in previous books 6) Poems selected will be illustrated in B&W by Greater Cincinnati artists (one drawing per poet) 7) Poems and illustrations will be printed in For a Better World 2006, a book to be available April, 2006 8) Book will be launched and available for sale at SOS ART 2006. 9) Poets included in book will be invited to read their poems at SOS ART 2006 10) Proceeds from sale of book will finance publication of future similar books to accompany annual âœSOS ART events. (Note: this is the 3rd annual book) 11) Submission deadline: February 3, 2006 12) Please send submissions in full text and as a Word attachments by e-mail or by US mail (on a floppy disk) to: Saad Ghosn (saad.ghosn@uc.edu), 216 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, Oh 45229 Page 6 Mark Your Calendar Invitation to Justice Watch Dinner Justice Watch Saves Lives and Money Saturday, November 12th, 2005 5:30 PM Keynote Speaker G. Michael Payton, Esq., Executive Director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission St. Joseph Parish Hall, corner of Ezzard Charles & Linn Streetvibes For more information please call 241-0490 Tickets are $25 each, or $160 for a table of ight Across the country, more than 600,000 prisoners are released each year. A medium Security inmate in a conventional prison costs taxpayers about $25,000 per year and %67 return to a wasteful life of crime and prison. Justice Watch offers residential support to men coming out of prison would otherwise be homeless. A Justice Watch resident costs only $2,250 to house and only %13 return to a wasted life of crime on the road. Nearly One Third of Food Stamp Recipients Lived in Rural Areas; Cuts Would Harm Rural Poor A new analysis by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire shows that 22 percent of Americans and a full 31 percent of the nation’s food stamp recipients lived in rural areas in 2001. Three in five rural residents who received food stamps lived in the South. “Many of America’s rural families struggle to make a living,” said Cynthia M. Duncan, the director of The Carsey Institute. “In these rural communities, as in many of our cities and suburbs, food stamps provide crucial supplements to low income families’ budgets.” In 2001, 7.5 percent (4.6 million) of all rural residents received food stamps, compared to 4.8 percent of residents of urban areas. Nevertheless, 10.6 million rural residents were living in poverty. The lower number of food stamp recipients indicates that many eligible people did not participate in the program. Among other important findings, children accounted for 43 percent of the rural population that depend on food stamps, but only one fourth of rural residents. The Carsey analysis stresses the importance of Streetvibes food stamps to rural America and says that Congressional cuts would likely have significant adverse effects on the lives of poor rural Americans. 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 �75% of American Workers Lack Decent Wages and Benefits Interview with a Streetvibes Vendor Alford-44- from Columbus, OH tvib es The beverage industry will soon start a multi-million dollar ad campaign to publicize its new policy on soft drink sales in school vending machines. Pilot TV commercials will feature parents talking about the policy. Susan Neely, president of the American BeverageAssociation (ABA), said that the ads are designed to raise awareness about the industry’s efforts “to contribute to the larger societal challenge” of childhood obesity. This year, many state legislatures considered, and in some cases passed, legislation banning or restricting soft drink sales in schools. The newABApolicy allows diet soft drinks in middle schools, and up to 50 percent of vending slots in high schools to have carbonated soft drinks. The Center for Science in the Public Interest urged the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration to require the beverage industry to put a health warning on sweet carbonated soft drinks. “Neely is no stranger to issue campaigns,” reads this Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s story. ee Soft Drinks in Schools: Beverage Industry to Promote Its New Plan track. Today, he sells between 15 and 40 papers a week, for which people “very generously” contribute between 5 to 10 dollars each. What isn’t spent on rent gets invested back into more papers, keeping his business moving. When asked what he’d like to say to the public, Alford said he’d like the paper to get everyone’s support, specifically support in providing new and improved shelters for the homeless. The shelter situation as it stands now is not adequate to house the 150-200 homeless Cincinnatians per night that frequent them. Alford’s success is a great example of the difference a little bit of support can make. Through the sales of Streetvibes alone, he was able to make a living for himself with the help of a program that has aided many in getting on their feet. Your support through the purchase of this paper is greatly appreciated, and makes a real difference in reducing homelessness. of good jobs would have fallen 25 to 30 percent, despite large increases in the capital stock per worker and significant technological progress over the period. Moreover, the decline in the underlying ability of the economy to create good jobs is likely an underestimate since this calculation does not control for the larger capital stock or technological advances, both of which should have made it much easier for the economy to produce good jobs. The study also found that 26.6 percent of the workforce is in a job that pays poorly and offers neither health insurance nor a pension. This is close to the share of Americans in bad jobs in 1979 (27.9 percent). “How Good is the Economy at Creating Good Jobs?” was based on analysis of data from the March Current Population Survey (CPS). It is the first in a series to explore recent trends in job quality in the U.S. economy. Str by Neil Maclean Every day at 11AM, at the corner of 7th and Vine a smiling face greets me. I know him only by his first name, Alford, but his story is one of courage, determination, and strength. It is a story I am proud to tell. For the past 3 years now, Alford has sold Streetvibes newspapers on that same corner, in front of the CVS. It is a venture that’s enabled him to move from sleeping on the streets, and shelters, into his own apartment in College Hill. Alford’s story is one that is painfully familiar and a lesson for many of us. His story is an illustration of how a simple twist of fate can put any one of us on an unexpected path. After a car accident left him unable to drive his cab, Alford found himself homeless and wondering where his next meal would come from. It was only after he found Streetvibes that Alford was able to get his life back on Only 25.2 percent of American workers have a job that pays at least $16 per hour and provides health insurance and a pension, according to a new study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research. The report, “How Good is the Economy at Creating Good Jobs?” found that between 1979 and 2004 the share of American workers in good jobs remained unchanged at about 25 percent, despite strong economic growth over that period. (The report defines a “good job” as one that offers at least $16 per hour or $32,000 annually, employer-paid health insurance and a pension.) In the last quarter century, the U.S. workforce has become older, more experienced and better educated, but 75 percent of workers are still struggling in jobs that do not provide health insurance, a pension and solid middle-class wages. “The U.S. economy has failed to convert long-term economic growth into better jobs,” said John Schmitt, CEPR economist and author of the report. “Despite huge improvements in the average educational level our workforce, most American workers still don’t have a job that pays a decent wage and provides health insurance and a pension.” Since 1979, inflationadjusted GDP per person increased 60 percent, but the percentage of workers in good jobs remained unchanged at about 25 percent. If the workforce had not experienced dramatic improvements, the share Support Your Vendor Buy Streetvibes “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” Streetvibes Page 7 �Bush Must Keep His Promise to America of Bold Action to Address Poverty Hurricane Katrina swept America’s hidden problem of poverty into public view. Those with means by and large had hightailed it out of New Orleans before the storm hit, leaving the poor, the elderly and the infirm to cope with the subsequent floodwaters as TV cameras rolled. Their desperate plight seemed a metaphor for the needy in America - left stranded to fend for themselves amid a tidal wave of want and poverty while the more fortunate cruise to safety. A new report from The Brookings Institution reinforces the notion that many a city, Milwaukee included, can see themselves mirrored in New Orleans. The report notes the similarity among Milwaukee, New Orleans and some other big cities in the concentration of poverty. The report serves as a reminder that, in a speech from New Orleans on Sept. 15, President Bush had promised the nation “bold action” to tackle poverty, which, he said, “has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America.” It’s now four weeks later, and that bold action has yet to materialize. Instead, cruelly, Congress is talking of moving in the opposite direction, cutting programs for the poor to pay for hurricane relief. His chief tactic to date - tax cuts mainly for the wealthy - has not worked. The ranks of the poor have widened under that policy. His strategy should include breaking up concentrations of poverty, which lead to bleak neighborhoods where commerce struggles, job opportunities shrivel, crime rises, mental and physical health suffers, schools deteriorate, housing decays and hope shrinks. Before the hurricane, some 38% of New Orleans’ poor residents lived in poor neighborhoods - the second highest share in the nation. In Milwaukee, which ranks ninth on the chart, 27% of poor residents live in such neighborhoods. The 1990s did see a marked reversal in the concentration of poor people. Bush should strive to build on that trend. Among the report’s recommendations Bush should adopt ­ • Expand the federal Section 8 program, which gives the poor vouchers to use for rent in private dwellings. • Push a program encouraging tax credits to builders of affordable single-family homes. Bush has actually proposed this program. Trouble is, he hasn’t pushed it. • Aim federal affordable-housing funds at low-poverty neighborhoods. • Expand the earned income tax credit and link the amount to housing costs. Simply, Bush must keep his promise to America of bold action to address poverty. In Spirit Though you don’t live next door, though you’re five states away, You’re still here in my thoughts every week, every day. When events of the day cause this soul to despair, just the sound of your voice makes them easy to bear. When I don’t have the luxury of feeling your soft touch or taking in your scent, which I appreciate so much, I need only look back at the times we have had to wonder if I’ve any right to be sad. You’re truly a blessing. I want you to know that I care for you deeply, wherever I go. - Benjamin Heller ­ Got The Vibe? National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (513) 421-7803 Know Your Rights Brochure Available! The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition’s office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati’s homeless and covers a person’s basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a homeless person or if you work with homeless people and would like to obtain free copies of the brochure for yourself or your agency, please call 421­ 7803, or stop by the Coalition office and pick one up. Page 8 This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. Streetvibes �Visit the Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless website at - http://www.cincihomeless.org Visit the Streevibes archives at - http:// www.cincihomeless.org/content/streetvibes.html Streetvibes Page 9 �Habitat for Humanity chapter raise awareness about Pov­ erty and Homelessness to people about Habitat for Humanity. The group raised about $200, one-third of which will go to More than 20 University of local a local Habitat affiliate and the Idaho students experienced “A Night additional two-thirds will go to Without Comfort” last month at Habitat’s hurricane relief, Peton said Friendship Square in Moscow. The event began on a Friday Students from the UI campus eveninng and ended at 4 a.m. chapter of Habitat for Humanity spent Saturday when cold winds and few a night on the streets without people forced volunteers to pack up accommodations talking to passersby and head home, she said. about their organization to raise “A lot of people don’t know community awareness and provide exactly what Habitat is, so we get to educational information about poverty inform them a little bit,” Habitat housing issues and homelessness. Treasurer Levi Carter said. “Standing out here makes Habitat for Humanity is an you think about what people without international nonprofit organization any housing would do,” said Rosanne that works to eliminate substandard Peton, president of the Habitat housing and homelessness. chapter at UI. Volunteers and “partner Students spent the night families” work together to build or around an informational table, talking renovate homes. Materials are by Jason Moll provided by individual and corporate donors. Mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more houses. “It’s a hand up, not a hand out,” said Anne Buike, the group’s adviser. “We work in partnerships with families.” The Moscow chapter of Habitat for Humanity recently purchased a piece of property for development and is waiting for proper permits before moving forward. The event was coordinated with National Make a Difference Day Saturday, a day when people are encouraged to go out and make positive changes in their communities. “I think this is awesome,” said passerby Rober Revich, a UI sophomore in electrical engineering. “I was kind of involved with something like this back at home.” Peton said the group saw peak traffic between 9 and 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. The campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity at UI was formed by students in 2003. It received its official charter from Habitat for Humanity International in 2005. “I think we accomplished our goals,” Peton said. “A lot of people came by to ask questions or give donations.” The group raised more than twice what they expected. “This is a great place for people to get a little bit of information out,” said passerby Mike Hudson, a Moscow community member. “Moscow may be the most giving little town in this area.” Senate Fails Again to Raise Minimum Wage Senate proposals to raise the minimum wage were rejected last month, making it unlikely that the lowest allowable wage, $5.15 an hour since 1997, will rise in the foreseeable future. A labor-backed measure by Sen. Edward Kennedy would have raised the minimum to $6.25 over an 18-month period. A Republican counterproposal would have combined the same $1.10 increase with various breaks and exemptions for small businesses. The Kennedy amendment to a spending bill went down 51-47, and the GOP alternative 57-42. Under a Senate agreement, they would have needed 60 votes for approval. Kennedy, D-Mass., said Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the depth of poverty in the country and he pointed out that a single parent with two children working a minimum wage earns $10,700 a year, $4,500 below the poverty line. He said it was “absolutely unconscionable” that in the same period that Congress has denied a minimum wage increase, lawmakers have voted themselves seven pay raises worth $28,000. But Republican opponents, echoing the arguments of business groups, said higher minimum wages can work against the poor if they force small businesses to cut payrolls or go out of business. “Mandated hikes in the minimum wage do not cure poverty and they clearly do not create jobs,” said Sen. Mike Enzi, RWyo., who offered the Republican alternative. Kennedy noted after the vote that three of the four Republicans who supported his amendment, Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island are up for re-election next year. “Candidates that are out campaigning know the power of this issue,” he said. The fourth Republican supporting Kennedy was Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. White House spokesman Scott McClellan, asked about Kennedy’s measure, said President Bush “believes that we should look at having a reasonable increase in the minimum wage. ... But we need to make sure that, as we do that, that it is not a step that hurts small business or prices people out of the job market.” AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said minimum wage workers “deserve a pay raise “plain and simple,” no strings attached.” “It is appalling that the same right-wing leaders in Congress who have given themselves seven pay raises since the last minimum wage increase have voted down the modest minimum wage increase proposed by the Kennedy amendment,” he said in a statement. Enzi’s proposal would provide tax and regulatory relief for small business, permit tips to be credited in complying with minimum wage hikes and expand the small business exemption from the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also would have put into law a “flextime” system, opposed by organized labor as an assault on overtime pay, under which workers could work more in one week and take time off the next. Both proposals, amendments to a fiscal 2006 spending bill, needed 60 votes to pass. Kennedy, who has campaigned relentlessly for a minimum wage increase, picked up Unusually High Summer Demand for Shelter In Rutland, Vermont, homeless shelters were experiencing an unusually high demand during the summer. Occupancy usually declines in the warmer months when homeless people move to campgrounds and other outdoor areas to live. The Open Door mission in Rutland and Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Page 10 Shelter has been full for more than a month. Officials are reviewing their records to see what is driving the increased need. Rita Markley, head of the Committee on Temporary Shelter, says she’s seen a rise in the number of women who are homeless. She also has noticed a trend in the number of people who have been laid off from full-time jobs. A shortage of affordable housing also is the major problem. Lack of affordable housing contues to be a barrier for poor people, the results which is becoming homeless. Federal guidlines are that housing should not cost more than one-third of your housing. Streetvibes one vote from the 46 votes for a similar measure in March. Last month he modified his proposal, which originally called for a $2.15 increase over 26 months, in hopes of attracting more Republicans. The first minimum wage of 25 cents an hour was enacted under President Roosevelt in 1938. Congress has since voted eight times to increase it, including under Republican presidents Eisenhower, Ford and George H.W. Bush. Congress approved the last increase in 1996, with the second stage, boosting the rate to $5.15, taking effect in 1997. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have minimum wages higher than the national level, including Washington State at $7.35, according to the Labor Department. Twenty-six states are the same as the federal level; two: Ohio and Kansas are below; and six do not have state laws. Also, Sens. Jack Reed, D­ R.I., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, proposed adding $3.1 billion to the administration’s $2 billion request this year for emergency heating assistance for low income families. “We’re about see a second tidal surge from Katrina and Rita,” with rising energy costs, Reed said. The Peace Village by Steve Sunderland The Peace Village will be back next month �FRAC Nutrion and Food Report categorical eligibility (“Cat El”) for During the week of October Temporary Assistance for Need 3rd, Senate Agriculture Committee Families (TANF) households to those Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) announced proposals to cut spending that receive TANF cash payments rather than services only. The cut is for food stamps, conservation and part of the “Budget Reconciliation” commodities programs but package that the Chairman postponed an October 6th planned announced in preparation for an mark up until the week of October October 6th markup that has been 17th; USDA reported on food postponed until on or about October stamp caseload increases for July 2005; state food stamp directors held 19th. The FY 2006 Budget Resolution directs the House and their annual meeting in Greensboro (NC); western states representatives Senate Agriculture Committees to cut testified about priorities for the 2007 $3 billion in five-year spending from programs under their jurisdiction. Farm Bill at a USDA Forum in The House and Senate Budget Oakland (CA); and many people hard hit by Hurricanes Katrina and/or Committees have until October 26th to act on packages that combine the Rita sought nutrition assistance. recommendations from Agriculture Outlook: Members of and other authorizing committees. Congress will be home for a district The House Agriculture Committee work period for the Columbus Day has yet to announce its reconciliation week. Anti-hunger advocates and plans. allies are planning visits and calls to In explaining his package to urge Members of Congress to nutrition advocates and other abandon budget reconciliation and stakeholders at a meeting on October instead broaden relief for those in 5th, Chairman Chambliss did need. A Senate Agriculture underscore his support for the Food Committee mark up of the FY 2006 Budget Reconciliation could occur on Stamp Program and his intention to hold the Food Stamp Program cuts October 19th—right on the heels of to his proposed level. The the October 17th and 18th National Chairman’s package also cuts Call-In Days that FRAC and allies conservation and commodities and are sponsoring to protect the Food extends a dairy program. Stamp and other human needs Nonetheless, the Chambliss programs. Astonishingly in the wake package of nutrition and other cuts of Hurricane Katrina, conservatives proved so controversial that the may seek even deeper budget cuts October 6th mark up was cancelled than set under the FY 2006 Budget less than 12 hours before it was Resolution passed this spring. slated to start. AP reports, “Democrats are fighting attempts to Senate Agriculture make cuts in food stamps and Committee Chairman Saxby conservation programs at a time Chambliss (R-GA) has proposed cutting food stamp spending by nearly when people are coping with hurricanes and drought. ‘Right now $600 million over five years by the difference between life and death adopting the Administration’s FY for many Americans is the food stamp 2006 Budget proposal to limit start the day….Congress established the school breakfast program with a program,’ said Sen. Max Baucus, Dpilot project in 1966 that provided Mont. ‘We should not, we cannot, free or reduced-price meals to cut the very nutritional programs that children from low-income families. are literally saving lives.’” Some school systems began offering a free breakfast to all of their students “The Coalition on Human as long as 10 years ago, according to Needs, as the broad alliance calls the nonprofit Food Research and itself, sent a letter Thursday to all Action Center, a D.C.-based members of the Senate and House organization that works to eradicate urging them to ‘oppose cuts in hunger in the United States. Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other (Source: “Breakfast at school,” by vital assistance that would lead to Kathryn Sinzinger, Common reduced help for low-income people, Denominator, 10/3/05, posted at and to focus instead on policies that http:// will help people move out of poverty.’ www.thecommondenominator.com/ Spurred by conservatives lead by 100305_news1.html). Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), chairman “Many children in Evanston of the House Republican Study schools jump-started their weeks Committee, Republicans are with milk cartons and sack coalescing behind spending cuts to breakfasts. On Monday, Evanston/ pay for hurricane damage. In a Rose Skokie School District 65 expanded Garden speech this week, President the School Breakfast Program into Bush said federal relief should be six schools: Chute and Nichols accompanied by cuts and that he middle schools and Dawes, Kingsley, would work with lawmakers to Lincoln and Park elementary schools. identify offsets. Conservatives have Oakton and Washington elementary identified increased Medicaid coschools already had the program…. payments, Medicaid block grants, Recent studies support Krugly’s and increased Medicare premiums as observation that students who eat potential offsets. On Wednesday, breakfast perform better in school. House Budget Committee chairman Breakfast has been proven to Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) suggested an increase a student’s ability to focus across-the-board 2 percent cut on all and it decreases behavior problems in discretionary spending. the classroom, according to a USDA Beginning today, all students study. According to the 2004 School enrolled in D.C. public schools can Breakfast Report Card prepared by get a free breakfast if they show up the Food Research and Action for school 30 minutes early. That’s Center, 7.1 million low-income the word from school system officials, children participate in the School who say the ‘universal breakfast’ Breakfast Program. That was a 5.2 program is being launched with the percent increase from the 2002-2003 hope of replicating results of school year.” numerous studies that show academic Prepared by Food Research and achievement improves, tardiness and Action Center, 1875 Conn. Ave. truancy rates drop, and student NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202­ behavioral problems decline at 986-2200; www.frac.org schools that feed their students to Book Review: Destination Nowhere by John Siscoe The destination of choice is Molvania, a little-known and overlooked country in Eastern Europe. It is, among other things, the world’s number-one producer of beetroot and the birthplace of the whooping cough. The population staggers about, half-nauseated by industrial fumes while in the bleak countryside a band of famished goats (and criminals) rove at will. The food is inedible, the folk dancing interminable, the local customs unspeakable, and civic discipline invisible. Here is a country with no past worth remembering, a present to be avoided and a future — perhaps it’s best not to speculate about the future. In any case, a visit to Molvania will make your present woes seem paltry indeed. I was all set to pack my parody of the excellent but bags until I realized that relentlessly perky Lonely Planet Molvania does not exist. Guides (or anything by Rick However the authoritative (and Steves): “Tourists tend to be a only) guidebook to Molvania little wary of Western Molvania, does. Comprehensive, up to date, perceiving it as little more than illustrated with alarming an arc of polluted factory towns photographs and detailed maps, full of high-rise tenement housing Movania, A Land Untouched by and even higher crime rates. Modern They are of Dentistry Molvania: A Land Untouched course, contains all by Modern Dentistry right.” that you Every Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom could ever traveler’s Gleisner and Rob Sitch stand to heart must know about Overlook Press: a Jetlag warm to a Travel Guide this country where Paperback, 176 pages, $13.95 preposterous the eternal yet oddly flame at the plausible country. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Created by three burns only from Tuesday to Australians, Molvania (a Jetlag Saturday, where the famous Travel Guide) is a pitch-perfect revolving restaurant (Gastrodizzi) Streetvibes can take up to six months to complete a rotation, and where municipal buses “run frequently and can be hailed by simply waving your hand or, during peak periods, a small handgun.” Then there’s the dining experience at the renowned Tzoyczec Restaurant, where “you can sit in the garden and order roast suckling pig or lamb. Of course you’re unlikely to get it, as the place only does buttered rolls.” No, it’s too tempting to go on quoting from this superb parody. Better that you check it out yourself. For me, I haven’t laughed so hard since I lost my traveler’s checks in Ljubjana and had to walk all the way back to Trieste. In the rain. This is a wonderful book. Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 25 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 75 Cents (70 cent profit goes directly to the vendor) Homeless Coalition 25 Cents Printing and Production: 25 cents (this cost does not cover expenses) Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Don’t be Squirrelly! Buy Streetvibes! �New Orleans. Create a tour with high-profile experts on global warming, the politics of by Paul Rogat Loeb infrastructure, America’s economic audiences that would have been far series of interconnected questions: What are the costs of neglecting and radical divides. Include voices more resistant just a few months As the New Orleans America’s core infrastructure, like from the city and those now exiled. disaster recedes from the headlines, before. But like the post-9/11 the Bush administration’s $71 Challenge Americans to think again reflection, this newfound concern citizen activists face a choice. We million cuts in the budgets for about why the disaster happened, won’t continue automatically. It can focus exclusively on other maintaining and repairing the and what how we can best proceed needs a context in which to bloom. newer issues. Or we can work to levees? How do we challenge a in its wake. After 9/11, author Vicki make the disaster one of those key pervasive cronyism, where being We could also use the wake Robin and some colleagues created turning points with the potential to the friend of a top Republican up call of the disaster to take a what they called “conversation transform American politics. fundraiser places similar approach with one of the cafes” (www.conversationcafe.org), If we think back to the 9/11 the former head of the International most difficult challenges it raises-the which brought together people of attacks, which have shaped Arabian Horse Association in impact of global warming. differing beliefs to reflect on how to American politics ever since, a brief charge of America’s national Focusing just on that one move forward from the tragedy. window of critical reflection opened disaster responses? What are the overarching issue, we could hold Though their outreach was relatively up in their immediate wake. Middle high-profile local forums about the East experts critical of U.S. policies limited, the cafes offered a powerful hidden costs of choices of destroying swamps that traditionally increase in extreme climate events experience for those who had op-eds in our largest like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, acted as buffers to tropical storms? participated, and a model to build newspapers and appeared on How do we address America’s droughts and forest fires; about on. Imagine if we extended these network TV. Ordinary citizens widening economic and racial impacts on public health through the conversations on a broader scale, mourned the victims, while asking migration of disease-carrying divides, embodied by those left mixing brainstorming, exchange of what would make the attackers so behind in the rising floodwaters? insects like the mosquitoes that perspectives and emotional embittered they’d be willing to How do we rebuild a devastated carry West Nile virus; about the sustenance. In a time when it’s easy murder 3,000 innocent people. New Orleans in a way that it won’t impact on agriculture of changing to feel overloaded, paralyzed with The next day, when I spoke about just get flooded again, while weather patterns. These could “compassion fatigue,” Robin sees a possible root causes, with even honoring the right of return for feature scientists, journalists, chance to create “containers where more frankness than usual, at a religious leaders, businesspeople those outside the sleek tourist people can grieve, process, see community college in the zones? like alternative energy experts or overwhelmingly Republican suburbs deeper truths, have new creative At what level of disaster do we representatives of insurance ideas.” just north of Dallas, the companies increasingly hit by take seriously the costs of global Another model comes from response was amazingly receptive. warming, and begin joining other climate-related property casualty community discussions that But by a few weeks later nations in acting on it? Can we do losses. The goal would be to use transformed Nebraska’s tax codes visible public questioning had any of this while giving $120 billion the window of concern opened by forty years ago. In the early 1960s, largely ceased. Most Americans a year in tax cuts to the wealthy and Katrina to foster serious discussion a group of University of Nebraska accepted the Bush administration’s fighting a $100 billion-a-year Iraqi in communities that aren’t normally economists used the University’s definition of a war of absolute good exposed to it. war? And how can we keep our versus absolute evil. John Ashcroft statewide network of adult hope for change alive in a time of Finally, we can complement education extension offices to warned that anyone who disagreed so much disaster and human pain? local conversations with organize workshops, county by was an “ally of terrorism.” The coordinated national discussions. The US has never faced the county, where people could discuss space for reflection had closed. comparable destruction of one of As David Disregard Kellick writes different ways to make a highly New Orleans has revealed our major cities, so we’re all in new in The action http:// regressive state tax system more far too much about the cost of this www.thenation.com/doc/ territory. We need to resist Bush fair. The existing system had long administration’s priorities to administration proposals to lift 20051024/kallick), New York City weighed disproportionately on similarly strengthen Bush’s current wage and environmental citizen groups came together in the standing. Republican cheerleaders family farmers and low-income wake of 9/11 to create the Labor protections, give no-bid contracts residents. Now, involving local are trying their best to spin its to companies like Halliburton, and Community Advocacy Network to organizations such as the Farmer’s lessons as a mandate for even pay for rebuilding by slashing other Rebuild New York (LCAN). Their Union, Farm Bureau, and the greater mistrust of all government, members met among themselves to social programs like Medicare, as if our sole hope lies in survivalist Grange, the economists invited Medicaid, child welfare programs, determine their joint priorities, then people to see for themselves how a individualism. But no matter what and student financial aid. But if pushed, with some success, for range of approaches would affect they do, the legacy of this disaster more equitable directions for post­ we’re going to have a chance of them and their neighbors. “If creates a political liability for this succeeding in offering more 9/11 reconstruction. (Their people just really had a chance to administration, proactive alternatives, we’ll need to suggestions for the displaced Gulf look at the numbers,” one of the highlighting their lack of sound Coast communities are available at involve some of those ordinary and faculty members recalls, “we felt environmental policies and support often apolitical Americans who www.goodjobsny.org) Major they could come to an intelligent for critical infrastructure, their watched in horror as the labor, environmental and social decision. But they had to have a replacement of experience with justice groups could similarly meet floodwaters rose. context to analyze the system, and political cronyism, and their and talk out issues like where to this seemed a perfect use of heedlessness of America’s growing We could complement the generate the funding for educational networks that were economic and racial divides. The reconstruction, how to balance more intimate discussions with already in place.” danger is that the disaster’s most visible public forums. During the protection against future floods with The workshop leaders far-reaching lessons will be quickly height of the nuclear arms race, rebuilding the devastated pursued their task without laptops, forgotten, as the voices of the city’s communities, how give displaced Physicians for Social Responsibility computerized spreadsheets, exiles grow quiet and fresh crises scheduled multi-day forums residents the maximum possible interactive Websites, or any of the and issues dominate the news. throughout the country to focus voice. The more we can clarify our other tools that would now make a We can change that by own priorities, the more effectively public attention on the nuclear comparable process far easier. But helping our fellow citizen’s wrestle threat. They involved a variety of we can articulate them to others. participants examined who was with the legacy of the disaster while If we reach out broadly getting a free ride, how to make the high profile speakers, including it remains strong in common enough, progressive activists Nobel laureates, talking about the system more equitable, and the memory-to give it its due as one of impact of the nuclear arms race wouldn’t control the direction of the likely results of specific policy those iconic moments with the attack from every perspective they resulting conversations, but we’d changes. Local and statewide power to transform political life and could muster—the likely immediate have a chance to talk to others of media amplified the debates. It individual hearts and souls. For death toll in the wake of a nuclear differing views and reflect on our took a half-dozen years of follownow America is still wrestling with attack, technological escalations own. From my experience, the up education and debate, but what happened and why, with what that were reducing the margin for disaster has opened up a space Nebraska finally passed a far more it will mean for those now exiled, human error, the arms race’s where citizens ordinarily resistant to progressive graduated income tax, with how the disaster affects our economic cost, and alternatives for key questions about our nation’s which a Republican governor common future. From my own de-escalation. The events direction are suddenly far more signed into law. recent talks in the heart of red state mobilized large numbers of citizens receptive. Whether that opening The issues embodied in America, the disaster has led many and got major media coverage leads to a new wave of citizen Katrina’s destruction of New to begin to rethink core wherever they were held. They engagement or closes with Orleans are more difficult than a assumptions about this country’s played a significant role in distraction and time depends on the single state’s tax codes, but could priorities. Through the lens of New challenging the arms race. We opportunities for reflection and be addressed through a similar Orleans, I’ve been able to raise all could adopt a similar model around participation we can create. process of discussion exploring a sorts of challenging issues to Hard Conversations About the Big Easy Streetvibes Page 13 �A Broken Heart by Booger Love Up Life’s Hill with my my little Bundle When your heart is broken it leaves you sad and crying day and nightly when you love by Emily Dickinson Up Life’s Hill with my my little Bundle If I prove it steep — If a Discouragement withhold me — If my newest step Gone you walk around all alone with en empty heart as everybody can see your eyes Older feel than the Hope that prompted — Spotless be from blame Heart that proposed as Heart that accepted Homelessness, for Home — It has happened to me Happen to you from sunup to sundown, broken hearts Comes around every day it leaves you sad in every way, when you heart breaks Who Goes Home? G.K. Chesterton In the city set upon slime and loam They cry in their parliament ‘Who goes home?’ And there comes no answer in arch or dome, For none in the city of graves goes home. Yet these shall perish and understand, For God has pity on this great land. The Shearers by Henry Lawson No church-bell rings them from the Track, No pulpit lights theirblindness— ’Tis hardship, drought, and homelessness That teach those Bushmen kindness: The mateship born, in barren lands, Of toil and thirst and danger, The camp-fare for the wanderer set, The first place to the stranger. They do the best they can to-day— Take no thought of the morrow; Their way is not the old-world way— They live to lend and borrow. When shearing’s done and cheques gone wrong, They call it “time to slither”— They saddle up and say “So-long!” And ride the Lord knows whither. And though he may be brown or black, Or wrong man there, or right man, The mate that’s steadfast to his mates They call that man a “white man!” They tramp in mateship side by side— The Protestant and Roman— They call no biped lord or sir, And touch their hat to no man! Men that are men again; who goes home? Tocsin and trumpeter! Who goes home? For there’s blood on the field and blood on the foam And blood on the body when Man goes home. And a voice valedictory . . . Who is for Victory? Who is for Liberty? Who goes home? Swim at Your Own Risk The roses beauty by Jesse James by Booger Love I brok a a thousand hearts with this smile, baby But I broke my own, so many times, I can’t count. So I stay alone. Otherwise it’s pain, and suffring for you. You’l pray for rain, But it comes up Blue If you want to take a chance, just remember, I warned you. You beauty is in your smile. It shows in your eyes and when people see you they They turn their faces to the west And leave the world behind them (Their drought-dry graves are seldom set Where even mates can find them). They know too little of the world To rise to wealth or greatness; But in these lines I gladly pay My tribute to their greatness. Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Page 14 when she is far away her beauty is here to stay it doesn’t do away the beauty is deep in you heart, it shines in your eyes when you smile, it glows like They carry in their swags perhaps A portrait and a letter— And, maybe, deep down in their hearts, The hope of “something better.” Where lonely miles are long to ride, And long, hot days recurrent, There’s lots of time to think of men They might have been—but weren’t. will know that you are the beauty of the of the rose and they see it everyday even Streetvibes the sun and moon the beauty of the rose will forever shine in you �by George Ferrel Broken Glass Bless me, my father, help me to grow Don’t le me go astray Thru your Divine wisdom, help me to know Your way to Judgment Day by Evanne Fisher I’m so Angry I slam the door The glass breaks. It falls to the floor Like sleet from the sky. Like the shattered pieces of my life, The broken glass lies at my feet As I look down, I see all of my hopes and dreams Splattered there amongst The glistening pieces of glass. I reach down to pick up the pieces of my life, The glass cuts my hands, Blood everywhere Dripping Flowing into the vast darkness Where I’ve chosen to live. I have no need of riches My treasures come thru you Thru life’s pitfalls and ditches Help me know what to do In The Darkness Hiding in the darkness of the night, This is how I’ve been forced to live my life In the blackness I conceal, All my problems that are real Afraid to let my feelings show, Afraid to let anyone know The pain I have been forced to endure, Is not as easily hidden as before As the problems continue to grow, I contemplate just letting go This is a battle I can not win, So why should I bother to post-pone the end Shutter Speed Lead me to those whom I may help and those who might help me With love and understanding that is beautiful Open my eyes to see And in those times I’m tempted Forgive me should I fail Make me from Satan’s grasp exempted On Angels wins to Sail! by Jimmy Heath Where Are We Going? by Michael Henson I do not know, but there are children on the road. Some bear weapons, sleek in the barrel, solid in the stock. Some bear books. Some bear empty bowls. As they march, they grow and some grow tall and they have the strength of the willows that lean over the river and some grow frail as the cattails that line the ditch. We plod along with our housey burdens and the children run ahead and some run into the long distance remote and indiscernable as dust. Others run for a span. They drop to the side of the road. They watch us from the willows with their solemn saucery eyes. They want to know, Where are we going? Abandoned building on Race Street, Over-the-Rhine Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect, Homeless Kids 363-1060 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 November 2005 Happy Thanksgiving From the Homeless BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource November 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Just Add Affordable Housing- For a Greater Cincinnati Ohioans Need a Raise! Pg 2: Victory Won for Human Service Provider Community and the People They Serve Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: Katrina Uncovers the Forgotten Queues at America’s Soup Kitchens Pg 6: Valuable to the Family Senate Plan to Cut Food Stamp Dies Pg 7: 75% of American Workers Lack Decent Wages and Benefits Pg 8: Bush Must Keep His Promise to America of Bold Action to Address Poverty Pg 9: Xavier University Cintas Center Pg 10: Habitat for Humanity Chapter Raise Awareness About Poverty and Homelessness Senate Fails Again to Raise Minimum Wage Pg 11: FRAC Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes Pg 13: Hard Conversations About the Big Easy Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Monique Little Kelly Carr Andy Lawrence John Lavelle Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Susan Smith Jimmy Heath Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF affordable housing Alison Leeuw Andy Lawrence Bush Cincinnati Columbus FRAC Georgine Getty Habitat for Humanity Hurricane Katrina Jimmy Heath John Lavelle Kelly Carr Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Minimum Wage Monique Little Ohio Peace Village poverty Santa Rosa Schools Senate Susan Smith Wages https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/1b0c226d2a76b2337128fdaefe2720c9.pdf 3cc7dae1bd98aaba76336075dfa42581 PDF Text Text October 2005 STREETVIBES Standdown Serves Record Number of Homeless People by Kelly Carr “Standdown” is a military term that refers to a time of rest for armed forces in combat. The grassroots initiative aimed at meeting the needs of the homeless veterans’ crisis, Stand Down, originated in 1988 by two Vietnam veterans Robert Van Keuren and Dr. John Nachison. Since 1988, Stand Down events have gained popularity throughout the United States. In cities like Cincinnati, Stand Down services have expanded to include low income and other homeless populations in addition to homeless veterans. This year, Cincinnati’s Standdown was September 16th, from 9am to 2pm in Washington Park. The event offered free food and services to an estimated 600 participants. Many social service providers, event organizers, and participants had positive responses to what might be one of the best Stand Down events Cincinnati has seen in years. This year’s Standdown was exceptionally successful Participants received information about housing, Social Security, legal assistance, and information about chemical addiction and mental health. There were opportunities for participants to receive blood sugar screenings, blood pressure checks, haircuts, dental care, clothing, hygiene products, and immediate medical treatment if necessary. A variety of services in one central area made it easy for an individual to have all their needs met in one place. For example Jimmy, a participant, needed mental health assistance, legal assistance, and housing; usually would have spent an entire day or more contacting all the agencies necessary to serve him. However, because of the variety of social service providers at this year’s Standdown, Jimmy could conveniently see each agency just tables away. “I think this is one of the best Standdowns in years,” says David Knoll, Organizing Committee Chairman. “We’ve had a record number turnout of social service providers and I hope that the participants take full advantage of the social services available here today.” Not only did they take advantage of the social services but they also took advantage of the boxed lunches, complementary gifts, disco music and corn-hole. Low income and homeless persons were making connections and telling heart felt stories as they were leaving. Participants had good things to say about the event Edward had this to say, “This year was the first in fifteen years that I have been homeless again and today was the first time in ten years that I cried. I’m speechless. I’m looking at a two bedroom on Monday and their helping me to get furniture. I am speechless.” Participants were being matched with the services they needed all day. Goodwill was taking job applications and a few individuals actually had employment lined up for them by the time they left. One participant had this to say as he played a quick game of corn-hole, “I think it’s great y’all out here helping the community. Y’all are helping me. I’m meeting with a worker next week to see about getting me some housing. I think this here is wonderful, helping people get what they need, y’all should have this twice or three times a year ‘cause people need this all year.” He stopped playing for a minute to show off his gifts and he seemed genuinely tickled with his hygiene bag and new tooth brush. Another participant had this to say as he shyly danced to D.J. Andy Glover’s electric slide, “I’m glad that this is here and that workers are checking on people. I was pretty excited when they told me my blood pressure was just fine and you know what? I’m having a good time, a good time.” Stand Down Saves Lives Some participants had no idea they were in such poor health. Talk around the blood pressure and blood sugar screening tables made that obviously clear, as people were checked and then taken to the Cincinnati Health Network’s medical van for immediate treatment. For example, one individual’s blood sugar was 422 high and another individual’s blood pressure was 170 over 140; both were immediately taken to the med van for further examination and treatment. Lynn Kilbane, a service provider with Hamilton County TB control noted, “There are a lot of people here today that either need immediate medical attention or need information on attaining medical treatment. Also, this is an opportunity for service providers to get a real sense of the homeless population’s needs. We have veteran workers, retired nurses, and nursing students volunteering and learning more about better ways of caring for Cincinnati’s homeless.” “Cornhole” at the Standdown photo by Kelly Carr Now more than Ever An estimated 25,000 Cincinnatians qualify as homeless and those are individuals who are catalogued in Cincinnati’s Homeless Management Information System; that does not include individuals who have yet to contact a shelter for assistance. This year at Standdown it was easy to see the rise in low income and homeless populations, as the 550 lunch boxes were quickly distributed and more than fifty others stood waiting and wanting “We were short of lunches, meaning we were a hundred over last year’s count of five hundred participants. That’s 600 hundred folks waiting in line for a hot meal,” says Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless’ Executive Director Georgine Getty. Scores of participants received services, treatment, and information. Some folks danced and played games while more were arriving as the event closed down. The event only lasted from 9am to 2pm and there were complaints from individuals who missed the event because they were just returning to the shelter from day labor agencies. One day labor worker threw his hands up asking, “You’re leaving? I just got here. What did y’all do today? Are you coming back tomorrow?” Unfortunately that day labor worker will have to wait ‘til next year for another Standdown event. Until then he and others will go agency to agency for the variety of services they need and hopefully he and others will feel just as satisfied even without the electric slide or the corn-hole. DJ Andy Glover serves up music at the Standdown Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Day Labor Follow-Up by John Lavelle Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Monique Little - Education Coordinator Kelly Carr - VISTA Andy Lawrence - AHA Coordinator John Lavelle - VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer In the Streetvibes article from September, titled “Day Laborer For a Day,” I alluded to the lady that I worked with at the Rumpke Recycling Plant named Tasha (her name changed for the article). She had done temp labor for several years, working at Rumke on and off for six years or so. Two Streetvibes readers inquired as to why she was not hired permanently by Rumke. I do not know for sure, but I can speculate numerous reasons based upon the way many day and temp labor agencies operate. First of all, it is often simply cheaper to hire day and temp laborers through an agency. They are paid less that way, and the employer does not have to provide any health care or benefits. As stated in the previous article, the jobs contracted to labor halls tend to be the toughest and most undesirable employment that there is (such as picking through trash). High turnover rates can result in a constant flow of expensive hiring and training, a human resources nightmare. By contracting through labor halls, employers “outsource” much of their human resources burden. I am not aware of Tasha’s full employment history, and although it seems that she is a very reliable worker, some laborers may not be or may not be able to be so reliable. For example, if a full-time employee of a business such as Rumke does not show up or calls in because of child care problems (or any myriad issues), that business is without that employee for the day. By contracting though a labor hall, a business is assured that it will always have enough workers on hand. With many unskilled jobs, it is not a matter of having welltrained, skilled laborers, but simply having enough hands to do the job. The problem does not seem to be day and temp labor itself, but rather the poor way in which it is operated. Both employers and workers have a need and a desire for this type of labor. However, some people are left with no other options than temp labor and therefore no other options than poor wages and often abusive practices. That’s bad for workers. Furthermore, that’s just bad business. We are in the process of gathering more information about the problems with the labor halls, and we are researching the legality of overall practices and individual anecdotal occurrences. Regardless of whether or not some agencies are “breaking the law,” many are violating basic human and civil rights, continuing the cycle of poverty. On a final note, thank you Mary Jo and Eugene for your kind letter and great questions about day and temp labor. It gives me great hope to see such interest. If you have worked day and temp labor and would like to file a grievance, please contact John Lavelle at the GCCH: 513.421.0117 x18. We hope to soon establish some ways that all concerned citizens can take action. Stay tuned. Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographer Kelly Carr, Jimmy Heath Cover Standdown at Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Letter from a Reader Dear Mr. Lavelle We’ve often been curious about what life is like for temporary industrial workers, [cover story, September Streetvibes] and now we know – the third world is right here. Thank you for your interesting and informative piece, But, we wonder, why isn’t Tasha hired by Rumpke? And, exactly how are these labor places breaking the laws and what can be done to fix it? We’re sure we’ll find out in your future pieces. We look forward to reading more of your articles in Streetvibes. Mary Jo and Eugene Spiegle National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 16­ 22, 2005 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is seeking willing participants to organize sleep-outs/shanty­ towns and/or food/clothing drives for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Below you’ll find a brief description of the event. Co-sponsored by: National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness Each year, one week before Thanksgiving, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness co­ sponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. During this week, a number of schools, communities and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Schools and/or Facility members interested in participating are asked to contact their local representative. Cincinnati: Kelly Carr, Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, 513-421-7803 ext.11 This hand helped take care of four kids of my own, five grandkids and their mothers. It also provided for them as they grew up, it protected them from all harm and also helped them understand what it meant to have some kind of training for the future. — James M. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath In Indianapolis, on the day Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Gulfport and Biloxi, the City-County Council voted 22-6 to deny approval of a project on Indianapolis’ Near Southside. The new Care Center shelter for homeless women and children. It did not receive much media coverage and hardly seemed to make a ripple in our collective consciousness. In a week during which Indianapolis and the nation poured out their hearts, homes and money to the newly homeless from Katrina, we did not support a shelter for our homeless women. In 2004, Horizon House, the day services program for the homeless, served 4,414 individuals; 1,217 were women, a large majority of whom stay overnight at the Care Center. It’s a vital partnership that keeps many women from staying on the street at night or finding inappropriate housing options. Last year, Horizon House served 16 percent more individuals than the year before; 1,955 were newly homeless. This year will see a similar increase. Hundreds more of Indy’s own citizens live in poverty and are constantly on the edge of homelessness. The need for the Care Center and other shelters is increasing rapidly. In England, the movie production of Southland Tales just gets weirder and weirder. First it brings us images of The Rock making out with porn star Buffy, and now word comes that it somehow involves a massive encampment of homeless people. Lots and lots of actors were hired to play the homeless, complete with “dirt” on their faces and “rags” to wear. Meanwhile, cops surrounded the area to make sure that the actual homeless were unable to scavenge any scraps from the set. Nice. While some actually buy the excuse that the union contract probably had something to do with hiring professionals to pretend to be homeless, it seems like the situation could have been handled with just a little more delicacy. You know, like maybe without security chasing the homeless away from movie garbage that they might be able to use. When thousands of unexpectedly homeless Hurricane Katrina evacuees flocked to Dallas last month, their plight immediately overshadowed a long-standing debate over how to care for the city’s resident homeless population. On Nov. 8, Dallas residents will vote on whether to approve Proposition 14, which would authorize $23.8 million in bonds to fund the creation of a full-service homeless assistance facility. Early voting begins Oct. 24. But residents supporting or opposing the proposition acknowledge that acts of nature have temporarily muted their advocacy. “The storm, yes, it’s slowed us down. We’ve kind of taken a back seat,” said Larry Hamilton, who owns a Dallas real estate development company. He organized the Heart of Dallas Partnership, which opposes a homeless facility built at the City Council’s location of choice, in the southeastern corner of downtown. Council member Angela Hunt, who supports building the center on the southeastern downtown site, said, “The entire city has been focused on the Katrina effort.” But expect the quiet to soon cease, both sides say. The Dallas Citizens Council and the Greater Dallas Chamber are planning to produce brochures supporting a homeless assistance center, Mayor Laura Miller said. The chamber, for its part, just organized a homeless assistance center task force that plans to work in support of Proposition 14 immediately, spokeswoman Jo Trizila said last month. He was found unconscious on a bench on Upperhead Row in Huddersfield town centre by police last month. He was taken by ambulance to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary but was dead on arrival. A pathologist carried out a post-mortem examination and certified the cause of death as a chest infection and chronic alcoholism. Police have revealed that he suffered face and head injuries when he was pushed off a seat in a bus shelter on Westgate in Huddersfield town center. He was taken to the casualty department at the Infirmary suffering from cuts, grazes, bruises and swelling. He was allowed to leave after treatment. In Michigan, about 175 dogs and cats displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina will get new homes in the Grand Rapids area. An anonymous donation of $30,000 was used to charter a plane and fly in about 90 dogs and 60 cats that arrived early Thursday. They were transferred in their crates to the Humane Society of Kent County, where veterinarians examined them. Meanwhile, 26 dogs arrived by trailer Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary near Ionia County’s Lake Odessa. “We are going to find them good homes,” Jen Azza, director of Mackenzie’s, told the press. The animals are to be housed at the sanctuary for at least three months while their owners are sought. Erik Bauer, the shelter’s general manager, said reuniting dogs with their owners will be hard because the animals had no identification tags. Most of the dogs and cats flown to the Humane Society of Kent County will be housed in a garage area. Ten dogs and five cats are to be transferred to the Capitol Area Humane Society in Lansing. After they are treated for any medical conditions, every effort will be made to find the pets’ owners, said Karen Terpstra, executive director of the Humane Society of Kent County, which is in Grand Rapids. The animals will be scanned Again in England, a to see whether they have been homeless man died a week after implanted with identifying he was the victim of a microchips. Their photos will be motiveless attack in posted on the Internet. Huddersfield town center. Terpstra said they will be The 60-year-old man’s kept at the Grand Rapids shelter death is not linked to injuries he until Sept. 30 and then placed in suffered when he was shoved off a foster homes until Oct. 15. After seat, but police are anxious to catch that, the cats and dogs could be put his attacker. up for adoption. The man - who has not She was confident that her been named - shuffled along using a organization will find homes for zimmer frame. them all. Streetvibes In Cedar Rapids, Iowa the head of a federal homeless agency says Iowans would save money by preventing homelessness instead of reacting to it. Philip Mangano is the director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness. He visited Cedar Rapids this week and told Mayor Paul Pate that cities spend far more money hospitalizing and jailing the homeless than it would cost to fix the problem. One study found that taxpayers spend 100-thousand dollars a year on each homeless person for emergency room visits and jail stays. Pate says he wants Cedar Rapids to join about 70 other cities in developing a ten-year plan to ease homelessness. He says the city has 400 to 500 homeless people _ many of them facing drug addictions and mental illness. The plan would include community treatment teams and permanent housing programs. A plan to count the number of homeless youth in the Las Vegas area on October fifth is being postponed. No new date has been set by the groups organizing the effort. Volunteer training that had been scheduled today, tomorrow and next Tuesday and Wednesday have also been postponed. The project is a cooperative effort by the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Saint Jude's Ranch for Children, Girls and Boys Town, West-Care Incorporated and the research firm Strategic Solutions. Organizers are promising new survey and training dates soon. Children of the World Children of the world today See how they play every way Growing ghetto poor and stay Wealthy in their own sweet way Children of the world today Jumping rope play their own sweet day Let us pray in our only way Let us be what was today — Gerome Barksdale Send your letters or comments to Streetvibes, 117 East 12th Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45202, or email to Streetvibes@juno.com Page 3 �Still Covering for Wal-Mart ABC report has no space for critics ­ from Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting - www.fair.org Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes In an August 10 action alert, FAIR wondered if ABC’s reporting on corporate giant Wal-Mart was improperly influenced by Wal­ Mart’s status as a major advertiser on the network’s news programming. While ABC failed to answer FAIR’s charges, a September 20 World News Tonight report on Wal-Mart’s business practices in China once again suggests favoritism toward the network’s sponsor. Anchor Charlie Gibson began by mentioning the “kind of gold rush” happening in China, where companies “from the U.S. and beyond position themselves to grab a piece of the fastest-growing market in the world.” Gibson then turned to ABC colleague Bill Weir to show “how Wal-Mart is changing the way the Chinese shop.” Weir started in a more traditional Chinese market—”there isn’t a refrigerator in sight”—in order to contrast that kind of old-fashioned thinking to Wal-Mart: “While hundreds of millions of Chinese still shop in places like this, more and more are being lured by the siren song of onestop shopping.” Weir highlighted singing Wal-Mart workers and the “brightly-lit aisles” where “China’s exploding middle class is discovering the novelty of free samples and a wide selection of everything.” After one customer touted Wal-Mart’s stores (“It’s big, it’s clean...and you feel good here”), ABC turned to its next source: Wal-Mart Asia CEO Joe Hatfield. (“Talk about price conscious,” he says of his customers.) The only other source in the report was Jim McGregor, identified simply as the author of “One Billion Customers.” (His role as senior director of Stonebridge International, “a global business strategy firm that helps U.S. and multinational companies... seize business opportunities worldwide,” was not mentioned.) McGregor enthused about the new efficiency Wal-Mart has brought to the Chinese economy, saying that Wal-Mart’s suppliers had to “clean up their act to compete.” ABC’s Weir also praised Wal-Mart for that efficiency: “While Wal-Mart has changed the way people shop, they’re also changing the way suppliers think.... Many manufacturers were shocked to learn that if they want their products on these shelves, it’s not who you know, it’s what you know about keeping costs down.” If ABC were open to presenting critics of Wal-Mart’s business practices—who aren’t hard to find—viewers might have heard a different perspective on just how Wal-Mart is “keeping costs down. Many critics charge that Wal-Mart’s practice of pressuring its suppliers to meet unreasonable price goals results in serious labor abuses. Other outlets, like PBS’s Frontline (11/ 16/04) and the Los Angeles Times (11/24/03), have managed to present that case. And a recent lawsuit filed against Wal-Mart by the International Labor Rights Fund charges that the company maintains relationships with abusive suppliers in a number of countries—including China. Similar complaints have been levied for years by academics and advocacy groups like the National Labor Committee. But ABC apparently had no time for critical commentary about a prominent advertiser. �on the slow-burn disaster that’s been hitting America’s poorest communities hurricanes acts of God, but Katrina by Paul Rogat Loeb for decades. The wealthy and was a level 1 storm, the lowest, until We’re told the 9/11 attacks comfortable could evacuate New blistering temperatures in the Gulf of changed everything for America— Orleans and did, though their lives Mexico supercharged it to level 5. that they ushered us in to a new and were severely disrupted. But in one The storm’s virulence was likely more dangerous world, where we of the nation’s poorest cities, vast could no longer afford old illusions. If related to global climate warming, numbers of citizens had nowhere to we take its full lessons, the disaster of much like the recent forest fires that go, no transportation or money with Hurricane Katrina challenges us even ravaged Southern California, floods which to leave, and no friends or that covered much of Bangladesh, more profoundly. relatives with extra space to house and European heat waves that killed The 9/11 attacks were them. They are the people left 35,000 people two summers ago. horrific, wrenching for the global desperately trying to get out, while Ironically, Mississippi Governor community that witnessed them, the helicopters and resources of a Haley Barbour played a key role, as devastating for those who lost loved third of the Louisiana National Guard an energy lobbyist, in convincing the ones and friends. But for most in are deployed in Iraq. And they will be New York City, life quickly resumed, Bush administration to break its the ones most damaged and most campaign promise to support limits although with an overlay of loss and forgotten when the floodwaters on the carbon dioxide emissions that fear. Although the deaths in New eventually recede. fuel global warming. Orleans were fewer, most of the city We’re told we had to change This disaster was fueled by is now largely a wasteland. Its in the wake of 9/11 or face future residents are exiled from their homes, more than global climate change. terrorist attacks. I suspect there will Engineers and software writers talk of still be more attacks on American often losing everything they had. It’s “common mode failures,” where one soil, following London and Madrid, an open question whether most will ever be able to return to resume their mistake magnifies another and the and that our Iraqi invasion makes this cumulative impact is greater than all work, their lives, and their far more likely. But it’s also probable contributions to a culture that’s given the separate parts. The New Orleans that unless we change, New Orleans levees might never have been so much to the world. To rebuild will not be the last of America’s great breached had the Bush administration cities to collapse in desperation and New Orleans so it becomes more than just a raunchier Disneyland with not reversed Clinton administration ruin. Immediate relief efforts are policies prohibiting development of better music is an undertaking unlike critical, but we also need to address coastal wetlands that once buffered any our nation has ever undertaken. root crises: global warming, runaway 9/11, we were told, required the impact of storms. The levees development, deterioration of critical might have been buttressed and Americans to place unprecedented infrastructure, and a malign neglect repaired had the administration trust in their president and his that leaves more and more Americans responded to a 2001 FEMA study advisors, and to scrap longstanding poor and desperate. warning that a hurricane striking New rules of international law and A year ago, the world’s Orleans was one of the three most domestic liberties. It justified a second largest reinsurance company, likely disasters in the U.S. But instead Swiss Re, warned that the economic preemptive war against Iraq and of honoring the Army Corps of Bush’s reelection, despite all his costs of climate-related disasters failures. Of course it might never have Engineers’ request to strengthen and threatened to reach $150 billion a renovate levees and pumping stations, year within ten years. We’re already occurred if the US hadn’t supported the Bush administration cut the flood bin Laden to begin with, or if our seeing storms of exceptional virulence control budget of the New Orleans policies hadn’t so embittered the accompanying the heating of our Corps of Engineers by $71 million, Islamic world that a small number of oceans by a single degree. Given that men were willing to murder thousands 44 percent of its budget. They New Orleans may cost as much as needed the money for the Iraq war of innocent people. But we’d all $100 billion, what will be the level of and to give $130 billion a year of tax agree the attacks had a profound cuts to a tiny group of wealthy global impact. Americans. So what are the lessons of Finally, this catastrophe built New Orleans? We may call 9/11 In New Orleans destruction as global temperatures continue to increase? The development patterns that destroyed Louisiana wetlands are being repeated throughout America, with the support of an administration intent on removing all limits on private economic activity. The aging levees are part of a deteriorating national infrastructure that will take billions of dollars to address. The poverty that leaves people helpless to respond to disasters of whatever kind continues to grow, accelerated by government policies that transfer resources away from the poorest. 9/11 may have indeed changed our world forever, though the brief window of real discussion it fostered quickly closed, and we were left with false myths about how the only way to view the situation was as a war between ultimate good and ultimate evil. We now have a chance to heed the lessons of New Orleans and Katrina, with consequences potentially far worse than 9/11 if we don’t. We can start conversations, in every corner of our country, about the disasters lessons and causes, and how to move forward in a way that honors the exiled and addresses the disaster’s complex roots. We can call for accountability, from our media and political leaders. We can treat this tragedy as a call to commitment in a way that too few of us did after 9/11. It’s up to us how we respond to the power of its warning. Paul Rogat Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, named the #3 political book of fall 2004 by the History Channel and the American Book Association. See www.paulloeb.org A Call to Greater Cincinnati Poets For the 2006 annual Book of Poems and Drawings on Peace and Justice 1) Call for poems from any poet from the Greater Cincinnati area 2) Poems to relate to themes of peace and justice 3) Poet may submit up to 3 poems 4) All submissions will be considered. The editors will be looking for quality, inclusiveness, and appropriateness to the themes of peace and justice. 5) If space becomes limited, priority will be given to poets not published in previous books 6) Poems selected will be illustrated in B&W by Greater Cincinnati artists (one drawing per poet) 7) Poems and illustrations will be printed in For a Better World 2006, a book to be available April, 2006 8) Book will be launched and available for sale at SOS ART 2006. 9) Poets included in book will be invited to read their poems at SOS ART 2006 10) Proceeds from sale of book will finance publication of future similar books to accompany annual âœSOS ART events. (Note: this is the 3rd annual book) 11) Submission deadline: February 3, 2006 12) Please send submissions in full text and as a Word attachments by e-mail or by US mail (on a floppy disk) to: Saad Ghosn (saad.ghosn@uc.edu), 216 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, Oh 45229 Streetvibes Page 5 �No Room at the Inn Dear Friends of have no place to lay his or her Streetvibes: without your support head. As usual, my mind is on some of our vendors would not New Orleans and the families have food and clothing and who are homeless from the support. Katrina storm. This is a I have been blessing in disguise. approached so many September dawns and times on my way fall begins. The leaves home on the Metro will begin to turn and bus and asked why I the flowers will drop talk so much about their seeds, to be the homeless in my planted later. The monthly article. animal’s fur will begin Miss Mary Gaffney Most are very nice to grow thicker for the people. cold days ahead. My answer to them is that An old childhood saying: the homeless are God’s children the fox has a hole and the bird too, and I will remind them about has a nest, but so many of us Mary and Joseph in the Bible. Paul Allen’s Other Yacht by Paul Rogat Loeb In the wake of the New Orleans disaster, I thought of an article I read about Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen’s other yacht. The 300-foot Tatoosh carries a 30­ person crew, two helicopters, a swimming pool, a spa, a private movie theater, six other surface boats (including a separate 54-foot racing yacht and two Hobie catamarans) and a submarine. Reading about the Tatoosh and a third yacht just slightly smaller made me wonder about Allen’s yacht of choice. Did it have two swimming pools? Four helicopters? Twelve other on-board boats? And what was Allen doing with two yachts, when he could only ride on one at a time? Allen bought the Tatoosh in 2000, when it was America’s second largest. Three years later, he added the Octopus (aptly named for a Microsoft man), enabling him to leapfrog the founder of Victoria’s Secret to own the largest yacht in the world. Itself since surpassed by the yachts of Oracle founder Larry Ellison and the ruler of Dubai, the Octopus is 413 feet long, with seven decks, a 60-person crew including several former Navy SEALs, seven other on-board boats, a basketball court, the obligatory movie theater and swimming pool (just one?), and two submarines, one of which can stay two weeks on the ocean floor. Allen also owns a third megayacht it turns out, plus two personal Boeing 757’s, in case one is in the shop. We know Allen is unimaginably rich, so maybe his yacht collection comes as no surprise. But the Republicans are talking about permanently ending the estate tax in the new Congressional session. Our leaders are already lavishing more and more gifts on those who already have more than they can ever use, even in the midst of crises from the Iraq War to the New Orleans Page 6 disaster, to the shifts in global warming that, by warming the ocean, turned a routine hurricane into a cataclysmic one. Allen’s yachts remind me of our choices about what we value. As former Congressman Ron Dellums once said, you can tell a nation’s soul by the state of its budgets. Time and again we have the chance to house people, feed them, give them health care, affordable education, and a decent chance in life. Or to invest in renewable technologies to head off future climate-related catastrophes. Or at least to rebuild critical infrastructure and restore dignified lives to the wounded and displaced when tragedy hits. Each time we’re told we don’t have enough resources. Yet in the richest country in human history, we make it a point, at every turn, to help those of vast wealth accumulate more and more. Recently I saw a $3 million Brentwood house being torn down so someone could build one on the same lot worth twenty million. I’ve seen comparable extravagance throughout the country, combined with massive cuts in practically every program that serves the needs of ordinary citizens. The super-rich get infinite breaks with nothing asked in return, while more and more Americans struggle just to survive, even in the absence of unexpected cataclysm. The proponents of ending the estate tax warn of devastated small farmers and businessmen, though they can’t come up with a single case of a family farm that’s gone under in recent years as a direct result, and the handful of affected family businesses could be addressed with modest increases in the exemption level. Evidently it’s far more salable to couch these and other regressive cuts with salt-of­ the-earth images than those of Paul Allen on his yacht or Paris Hilton in her gilded video playpen. So many times they were turned away while looking for a place to take care of Mary, because of their looks, their poverty or what they were wearing. There was never room at the inn. But a man with no room but for a stable full of smelly animals offered that space to them. A child was born and at the end of this child’s life he was hanging on the cross between two thieves, eventually to rise up again. What would our lives be without this? It doesn’t hurt to respect other regardless of who they might be or where they have been That’s why I thank the people who buy Streetvibes – it is helping those without. Yes, I am very fond of the homeless. Sometimes they are hurt, and angry with problems. They always speak to me with respect and I return the respect. If I get to the office late they will be waiting. And sometimes they will be at the bus stop waiting. If I have packages, they will help carry them. Some have my home phone number. If I am out of the office they will call to check on me. When I was in the hospital they called me with concern. So it pays to treat people as you would like them to treat you. We are all God’s children in this garden of life, regardless of race, creed or color. Remember, until next month, be good and kind, for He loves you, and so do I. We might remember Dwight Eisenhower’s famed words: “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in a final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed— those who are cold and not clothed.” So is each massive regressive tax break. Permanently ending the estate tax will cost the public another trillion dollars over ten years. But we were already making things far worse before the ending of the estate tax. The top 5% of Americans now get $110 billion a year from Bush’s tax cuts, with most going to the top 1%, during a reign that’s cut child abuse prevention, community policing, AmeriCorps, low-income childcare, health care, housing, and even support for military families. Because payment of Social Security taxes is capped at $90,000, and because capital gains taxes have been cut to a maximum of 15%, self-employed carpenters making $30,000 a year already pay a higher percentage of their income than do Paul Allen and his cofounder Bill Gates. In Seattle, where I live (and in whose suburbs Allen and Gates reside), the public paid $300 million to subsidize a football stadium for a team Allen owns, and the City Council has just allocated $50 million to fund a milelong streetcar connecting downtown with Allen’s cluster of biotech companies. Meanwhile the high school my son attends recently had to lay off 11 teachers. We should debate where our government should spend the revenue it takes in. But we also need to discuss where it gets this revenue, and how to share the burden equitably. As Bill Gates Senior wrote, in opposing the estate tax repeal, “Our society has facilitated wealth-building by creating order, protecting freedom, creating laws to govern property relations and our marketplace, and investing in an educated work force. What’s wrong with the most successful people putting onequarter of their wealth back into the place that made their wealth and success possible?” That’s one key argument: those who have the most benefit infinitely more from the institutions of our society than do those who have far less. The other argument is the concept of enough, where we question whether our most important social priority really is to do everything possible to enable a tiny few to buy as many yachts and $20 million houses as they please. Do we really need to help Allen be able to fly 500 of his closest personal friends wherever and whenever he chooses on his two 757s? We might remember that there are more important goals to support with common resources, and more important things to live for. Streetvibes 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 �Goodbye, Coalition A Woman’s Touch violence, poverty, and prisoner reentry. The report was a challenge to all cities to To the people who address these issues. It echoed frequent our lobby, to the the sentiments of homeless vendors of Streetvibes, to the advocates from across the people I’ve worked with who nation. live under bridges and in our Because of the work of local shelters, to the staff of the Coalition for the Homeless, these advocates, we are seeing city officials turning now to to the Coalition’s member options that address the causes organizations, to the teachers and students I have worked with, of homelessness, rather than relying upon band-aid to the Firecats and approaches that often the Ohio Coalition of result in jail time for Homeless Advocates, homeless people. to the National There is still a Homeless Civil very long way to go Rights Organizing in order to eradicate Project, and to the homelessness. And people at the Andy Erickson while advocates in National Coalition recent years have for the Homeless: I made significant advances want to thank you all for your toward that goal, they need guidance, kindness, openness more help to make it happen. and confidence. Many legislative and economic It has been a pleasure working with all of you over the trends will have to be stopped and reversed. It will take much past three years. It’s time and effort, but it’s a continually impressive to see necessary goal to achieve. the many people who are There are 3.5 million people working together – not just in experiencing homelessness Cincinnati, but across the during just one year in these nation – to eradicate United States, and one-third of homelessness from every them are children. That’s 3.5 hidden corner of our million reasons to get involved. neighborhoods, cities and Homeless advocates states. rightfully aim for a time that is To the readers of Streetvibes, I would like to tell 100% free from homelessness – a day when all of the citizens you a little about the work that of our country are provided these advocates are doing. with the basic needs of life, They are causing some including housing. There is no important things to happen. acceptable number of homeless Because of their work, people. It’s a shame that we cities across the US are allow any of our neighbors live recognizing the importance of on the streets. increased services for people As I leave the Greater experiencing homelessness. Cincinnati Coalition for the More and more, officials are speaking out about the growing Homeless, I feel in my heart problem of homelessness – like that the work the Coalition is doing is some of the most mayor Bill Purcell of important work to be done in Nashville, who stated, “These are not simply statistics. These this lifetime. Thanks again, everyone. I feel privileged to are real people, many are families with children, who are have worked alongside you. I know you will be successful in hungry and homeless in our your mission. cities. Unfortunately…we are still far short in meeting the challenges of our neediest citizens.” Mayor Purcell is the cochair of the US Conference of Mayors Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness, which Support released a report in December Your citing as major causes of Vendor homelessness the lack of affordable housing, the lack of Buy Streetvibes treatment services, low paying jobs, unemployment, domestic from Andy Erickson by Joanne Zuhl Str ee tvib es lonely in a lot of ways, too. Yet I can’t connect to a guy yet. I have Pushing a stroller, one trust issues. So I come here all the woman can’t get through the time.” crowded room, so she calls for her Grochowski was abused by playing children to come closer to her husband, evicted, and ended up her. Another woman helps carry the on the streets where she was then toys the children are using over the attacked by other men. At Rose heads of the chatting masses to the Haven, she says she feels safe. She other end of the office, past the has bonded with friends there and seated women sipping coffee and has applied for Section 8 housing. reading books. She hands off the “I’ve been homeless for about five toy and settles back down for a years now off and on. But I really back rub from another women who feel in my heart I’m on the right hasn’t missed a beat in a path now. I’m waiting for housing.” conversation with two others as “This is where everybody they grabbed a few seats among the meets,” said another woman who throng of people, all of them didn’t want her name used. “The women, who come daily to the ladies get together and we just chit sanctuary of Rose Haven. chat and talk and get into groups For all the activity and and go off and do things together. noise, the room is inviting, filled This is pretty unique. This is a very with the conversation of women of unique spot.” all ages and abilities who come here She became homeless about for some respite from the street. two months ago, and has bounced About 85 percent of the women around in and out of temporary who use Rose Haven’s services are shelter. She started coming to Rose homeless when they walk in the Haven because it was one of the door. The others are near to it. few women-only service providers They come here to use the phones, she could find. If Rose Haven receive one-on-one counseling and wasn’t here, she said, “I’m afraid basic health care, attend the women would probably go crazier workshops and look for resources. than they already are.” Most importantly, they come here For all the women in the because it’s safe. office, there are always three more; “I come down here three homeless victims whose periodically just to get moral names have survived their deaths. support,” said Donna Drew who Lilla Moler, 28, Stephanie Russell, stepped outside Rose Haven’s 26, and Alexandria Ison, 17, were crowded office on Third Street. found strangled to death in Forest “I’m homeless right now. I’ve been Park in 1999. Their deaths raised on the streets almost four months. awareness of the plight of homeless But I get my apartment this week women and spurred efforts to and the support here helps me to develop emergency shelters for get out there and do what I need to women on the streets. A small do.” plaque, created by a woman to Rose Haven sees an honor their memory, hangs in the average of 86 women every hall at Rose Haven. It states simply, morning, Monday through Friday, “No woman should be homeless.” each of them, like Donna, looking “Our first year we had two for the strength and confidence to women in their late 60s come in. do what they need to do. They had been on the streets for Advocates at the center help the three or four days. I think it was women connect with emergency because one of their husband’s had shelter, housing, health care and died. They were on the street and it other services. It is often a struggle, was winter and it was cold. We put the staff says, with fewer and fewer them in a comfortable chair. They resources left available for had cold, cold feet, and we put emergency shelter specifically for their feet in warm water. And I women. Rose Haven’s clients are walked in and they asked if I was in all victims of extreme poverty, but charge, and they had tears running many are also living with the other down their face and they said, ‘We fall-outs: domestic violence, drug thought we’d never be warm again,’ and alcohol addictions, prostitution, and, ‘Everybody’s being so nice to and increasingly these days, human us.’” And we were able to get them trafficking. into a winter shelter. And they were “I came here because it’s a just weeping. Nobody should be on women’s place,” said Yvonne the streets, but our seniors? Come Grochowski, who is homeless. “It on. We have people in their 80s makes me feel like a person and I coming in here,” says Sister Cathie get to interact with women. I never Boerboom, Program Manager, really had girlfriends. So I’m really Rose Haven. Streetvibes Page 7 �Mississippi high court declines to hear man’s appeal in death of homeless man The Mississippi Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of a Gulfport man sentenced to 15 years for his role in the beating death of a homeless man. Roy Charles Schankin was sentenced in 2003 in Harrison County. He had been convicted of manslaughter in the 2000 death of Claude E. Cochran, 57, of Sylacauga, Ala. The state Court of Appeals in March upheld Schankin’s conviction. The Supreme Court on Thursday denied Schankin’s request to hear his appeal. Schankin was the second person convicted in the death of Cochran, who fell into the Mississippi Sound after a beating on the old Courthouse Pier. Cochran died two days later. Schankin and William “Lee” Cobb originally were charged with murder. Cobb pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in 2002 in exchange for testifying against Schankin. Cobb was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The beating, Cobb testified at Schankin’s trial, was over a fight the previous night, when Cochran allegedly assaulted Cobb and robbed one of his friends. Cobb testified that he obtained the metal pipe from Schankin for protection, then beat Cochran with it and rolled him off the pier. Homeless Who Am I? Your sister or brother, your Mother or father, your daughter or your son. I am homeless. Black or white, red or brown, I walk the streets all day looking just to make it. Through the day people look at me and stand back to their friends and talk about me, about how I look and how I smell, never knowing the real person that is inside of me. As you watch your TV and play your tapes, I try to stay warm on very cold days. When you are warm in your home, I am homeless. As you sleep at night in your nice warm bed I am trying to sleep anywhere I can: rooftops and doorways, park benches and so on. — “Homeless” National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) Got The Vibe? 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (513) 421-7803 Berta’s Art Corner This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. Time, Shadow of bricks, Peaslee Neighbor Center Page 8 Streetvibes �Visit the Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless website at - http://www.cincihomeless.org Visit the Streevibes archives at - http:// www.cincihomeless.org/content/streetvibes.html Streetvibes Page 9 �need in our city and the Gulf region. Immediately, almost every hand went up and we began to hear by Steve Sunderland the stories of what is The September Crisis: The going on in each school disaster on the American Gulf to raise money, food, Coast has caught so many by water, and support for surprise. No plan for caring the citizens of evacuation of those in greatest need Louisiana, Mississippi, has happened. The city of New and Alabama. Dr. Orleans is almost empty of Donna Mayerson Dr. Steve Sunderland everyone who wanted to go; spoke eloquently of the perhaps thousands are remaining need to recognize Cincinnati’s and due to a commitment to their city. Northern Kentucky’s needs as well. “Duckie Regatta” on the Major issues of hunger, thirst, But the momentum is clearly aimed Cincinnati’s waterfront on Labor housing and health care have been at using New Orleans as an Day when 80,000 rubber ducks so brutally handled that the stress of opportunity for both service and were released to race. Each duck viewing the abandoned is beyond learning. The youth of Cincinnati, raised about $5.00 for the words. What is necessary to say is no matter what our problems, are FreeStore, our local and regional that the poor and those living on saying: “We can help!” food bank. Students and faculty fragile existences has dramatically I was honored to talk with from the Peace Village helped with increased in every major American these teachers, many active the removal of the ducks following city, Cincinnati especially. Now, members of the Peace Village. I the race. we need to take this insight and see saw Gina Keith of McCauley, Now, we are aiming for our how we can productively help both Melanie Brinkman of Mt. Notre second annual conference on Peace our cities and the Gulf area. Dame, Craig Rush of Shroder, and and Hunger. This will be on Last month, at a meeting at several others as well from Aiken, October 22, University of the Mayerson Teacher Institute, 60 Moeller, Roger Bacon, Cincinnati Cincinnati’s African American teachers from schools all over Hills Christian Academy and many Center, 9-1pm. Teams of students, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky from schools I have had no contact faculty and members of the joined Steve Elliot, master teacher with in our programs. FreeStore will meet and hear what of service learning, and me for a I spoke about the Peace worked last year in our gathering of discussion of service learning and Village Peace and Hunger program. resources for Thanksgiving and the crisis of facing those in greatest Our year has begun with a great Xmas. Please contact me if you are The Peace Village interested in attending. You can reach me at 513.919.2538. I also spoke about the connections between what we have learned from September 11, 2001 and the New Orleans disaster and invited the group to bring teams to our 4th annual commemoration of the September 11 attack. All of these programs of reflection are open to the public and you are strongly urged to join us, share your voices and deep feelings about what has and is happening to our country and our world. We, in the planning groups, have felt that our small efforts to make peace, be peace, and create chances for people to express themselves are essential parts of showing continued concern for justice and peace. Dr. Steve Sunderland, professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati, is the Director of The Peace Village, a group of individuals from the national and interna­ tional community committed to examining all issues of Peace in the world. Dr. Sunderland also heads up Posters-for-Peace which en­ gages people in expressing their visions of Peace, in their own words through the cre­ ation of posters. FRAC Food and Hunger Report Study: Food Programs Help LowIncome Children Maintain Normal Body Weight; Do Not Contribute to Obesity. (“Obesity Rate for Low Income Children Not Higher,” newsdesk.umd.edu, September 14, 2005) A new University of Maryland study found that America’s lowest income children do not have a higher rate of obesity than higher income children. Federal food programs, such as the food stamp and national school lunch and breakfast programs do not increase the incidence of childhood obesity in households below the poverty line. Researchers wanted to explore whether media reports that portray spreading childhood obesity as a result of too much food provided by food programs are right, since evidence of that might result in program cuts. “We wanted to find out whether there is a relationship between family income and a child’s being overweight and whether participating in federal food programs is associated with child overweight, ”said Sandra L. Hofferth, professor of family studies at Maryland, who co-authored the study. Children from the poorest families were found to Page 10 benefit from the food programs. Children who eat school lunches maintain a normal body weight, whereas those who do not eat school lunches weigh less than normal. Children from families with incomes just over the poverty line – the near poor – are most at risk of being overweight, but school lunch participation was not the determining factor. “In addition to school food programs, these children in near poor or working class families may have more money to spend on food in school vending machines or the snack bar,” said Hofferth. In contrast, highincome children were less likely to be overweight, which suggests that more food expenditures most likely lead to higher quality of food rather than quantity. The study was published in the September issue of the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. Disaster Might Help Convince Congress Not to Reduce Assistance to Poor (“Hurricane May Help Advocates Protect Medicaid, Food Stamps From Planned Cuts,” mlive.com, September 10, 2005) A coalition of Michigan anti-poverty groups urged lawmakers not to allow the proposed food stamp cuts. The antihunger advocates say that the Katrina disaster has shown how essential safety-net programs – such as food stamps and Medicaid. “As we look at dealing with a disaster like Katrina, we see people fleeing to all parts of the country who have no income and no food,” said Terri Stangl of the Center for Civil Justice in Saginaw. “This is a bad time to be looking at cuts when we see that this kind of program can make a huge difference.” The advocates hope that refugees in camps across the country will be their allies in the battle to preserve – if not increase – funding for social programs. “Now there is a human face on poverty that people can relate to,” said Marianne Udow, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services. “The priorities in the budget that the president proposed and Congress is considering are not aligned with helping those most in need.” http://tinyurl.com/an4tk Will President Bush Seize Moment and Attack Poverty Rather Than Cut Taxes for the Rich? (“The Other America,” msnbc.com, September 10, 2005) Streetvibes In this Newsweek piece Jonathan Alterwrites that Katrina may offer a chance to make Washington think harder about why parts of the country seem like the Third World. While, over the past four decades, Social Security has eliminated most poverty among the elderly and food stamps mostly have eliminated severe hunger, poverty in America has gotten worse for three years in a row. The primary economic problem is not lack of jobs, but low wages for workers of all races: “For the poor, the idea of lowwage jobs’ covering the basic expenses of living has become a cruel joke.” Another problem is racism. Yet leaders in Congress give priority to estate tax repeal and are set to slash food stamps by billions, yet keep subsidies to wealthy farmers intact. Katrina could change these politics, which is not good news for those who want to reduce the government to the point where it can be, in Grover Norquist’s words, “strangled in the bathtub.” Katrina also gives President Bush an “only-Nixon-could-go-toChina” opportunity to seize the moment and undertake a correction that might change the lives of millions of poor people. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9287641/ �Community Leaders Take Responsibility by Oren Elow Black boys in Massachusetts are dropping out and away from high school and represent the highest percentage of suspensions in middle school and the largest percentage of preschool expulsions. Black boys in Massachusetts represent the single largest percentage of youth in school suspensions, expulsions and the Department of Youth Services. Foster care and the Youth Services Department appear to be the “feeder system” for the state correctional system for black men. Black leaders recently gathered together at the Fourth Annual 21st Century Black Massachusetts Conference at the Hynes Convention Center, which State Senator Dianne Wilkerson and Representative Byron Rushing convened to ask the question, “What do you think is happening to our black boys and what can ‘we’ do about it to turn it around?” The conference theme this year was The Pampers to Prison Pipeline: The Ms. Education of Black Boys in Massachusetts. This was just a fragment of the issues that would be discussed over the next two days. But because of my grandson graduating the next day from Holy Cross Cathedral High School, I could only attend the conference on one day. But by attending both functions, I had the opportunity to get two different narrations. From the 21st Century conference came questions: What is wrong with out public school system? Are white women teachers, who make up 80 percent of our public school teachers, capable of teaching black male youths? And what to do about the deadly, violent crimes in the streets, especially in the urban cities? At Holy Cross Cathedral the next day, the atmosphere was much different from that of the 21st Century Black Massachusetts Conference. Here at the graduation ceremony, no one asked why our children couldn’t learn, or whether or not white female teachers can teach black and Hispanic male students. What was going on in this great Gothic cathedral were applauds, standing ovations and shouts coming from the audience of 600 proud parents, relatives and friends cheering as each graduate got up to receive their diplomas. “That’s my boy! Hey, man! I see you!” shouted a proud father from the audience. Here the leaders and teachers of the school praised the graduates, who were mostly black and Hispanic, for the hard work they’d done over the years to complete high school. At the Hynes Convention Center, the leaders and the audience were struggling with what to do for their youths who weren’t graduating high school and why were there so many black children in special educational classes. There were many questions posed by the audience to the sitting panel at the 21st Century forum. Panelist Minister Don Muhammad, of Muhammad’s Mosque of Islam, began by asking, “Why are our black boys so angry? And most of us interpret this anger to be against society, and against white people. But the truth of the matter is that they’re angry with us.” Applauds – and a few “Amens” sounded from the audience of about 500. “Oh yes, they’re angry with us,” the minister continued. Now his voice was coming from his stomach and not his head. “They’re angry at their mothers who gave them television as a babysitter; they’re angry with their daddies for impregnating their mothers and leaving them. Oh yes, they’re angry; they’re mad at the world, and angry with themselves. And if we don’t do something, we’ll continue losing our black boys to street gangs, prison, death.” Minister Don also stated that 69 percent of black children in America’s homes are reared only by a mother. He also went on to say that the black problem lies with some of the neighborhood black leaders who are doing their own thing. “No one is working together; they don’t want to play team ball. They all want to be superstars and celebrities.” The panelists – whom also included guest speaker Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, an educational consultant; Dr. Deborah Stith, a Harvard professor; and Rev. Eugene Rivers, an old guard and who was one of the first community activists in the late ’80s to work the streets to help with the youth problems – now understand that in order for the community to develop fully, they as leaders and the community must now stop putting all the blame on The Man and put it where it belongs, back in the community. “We must take on the responsibility of seeing to it that our children are brought up in a decent environment,” Rev. Rivers stated. How to do this? The panelists suggested that community organizers get involved and that individuals who aren’t involved in community organizations get involved for this objective. In fact, they’re calling on everyone to take part in this issue. They’re calling on the lucrative black folks that have moved out of the city and into the suburbs to come back into the city as volunteers to help inner-city youths. With this kind of attitude coming out of the conference hall, things should only get better for the black youths in Massachusetts. As for the 57 Holy Cross graduates, they’d done their thing and were now looking forward to higher things, like college and higher education, while the kids in the streets were dying from lack of love. After the graduate ceremony ended and everyone had gathered outside, I had the honor of interviewing Jorge Castellanos, the student-graduate speaker who impressed the entire church with his speech on school ethics and the esteem of learning at Holy Cross Cathedral High School. I wanted to meet and interview this bright young man because he was smart, articulate and a potential leader. Thus I found him surrounded by a jam-packed crowd outside the church. And here’s what he had to say when I asked him, “What do you think is the difference between the young men and women who are graduating here today and the many young men and gang members who have given up on school and are unwilling to learn?” “Well,” Jorge said, standing tall with chin up in his black cap and gown, “basically, we’re the future, and the future depends on the youths. And those who are graduating got to get out there and give good names to our communities and the minorities out there. Our neighborhoods don’t have good names. So, that’s what I’m trying to do, set an example for my brother,” who was standing at his side, “and all my siblings. And for everyone that is young.” “What do you think of the teachers here?” “Well, you know, they’re good teachers and very supportive. I’m glad I came to this school, or else I couldn’t have done the things I’ve done. Without them I wouldn’t be going on to college.” “Most of the teachers here are white women,” I said. “Yes.” I then asked Jorge, did he believe that white female teachers can teach, plus understand the problems both black and Hispanic students confront each day in the city streets? “Yeah,” Jorge said. “I think they’re great teachers. And, like I said, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be standing here today. And about our problems – yes, I think they try hard to understand what they don’t already know. They’re not prejudiced at all.” No matter how different these two narrations, they’re both about moving forward. One is about accepting responsibility for the modification of the missing education of black boys. And the other is about moving on to high education. Both are a sign of growth and change. Streetvibes Homegrown homeless go begging Mary lived in a Cutlass Sierra with three grandchildren for six weeks. Today, they live at The Crossing, Denver Rescue Mission’s transitional facility for homeless families. Mary and her grandkids need help. If they had come from the Gulf Coast to Denver, they’d be getting it. Instead, they have languished for two months in a small room as Mary searches for full-time employment and works temp jobs to pay the rent. Mary is not a victim of Hurricane Katrina. She’s a victim of compassion fatigue. “I went to several agencies,” Mary said. “They had no housing. I don’t why they had no housing, then, Katrina happens, and you throw the doors open. If the housing is here now, it was there then.” She feels for the hurricane evacuees living in a dormitory at Lowry. She knows they didn’t choose to be victims of the country’s worst natural disaster. But she also knows she didn’t choose to be homeless with three grandkids. She’s not whining, just making a point. When resources are available to offer jobs and health care and apartments with a year of free rent to evacuees from New Orleans, Mary asked, “why isn’t it offered to women and children who are already on the streets?” Coloradans will answer the question as they follow up on their generosity for Katrina victims. Advocates for the homeless hope folks continue to donate money, time and services to local charities. “We certainly have seen people come out in massive numbers (to help hurricane evacuees),” said John Parvensky, president of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. “It’s more than we see in response to the day-to-day concerns. To some extent, we grow numb to the ongoing pain in our community.” We judge needy neighbors in ways we would never judge hurricane victims. People “can see themselves in the same situation as Katrina victims,” Parvensky said. These same people see the local homeless as ne’er-do-wells on the street by choice. Fact is, Parvensky said, most people become homeless through no fault of their own. They lose a job. They get sick. She is the face of the Denver homeless we don’t want to see. We prefer the faces we can Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 25 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 75 Cents (70 cent profit goes directly to the vendor) Homeless Coalition 25 Cents Printing and Production: 25 cents (this cost does not cover expenses) Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Don’t be Squirrelly! Buy Streetvibes! �Feel Safe or Be Safe? by Suhith Wickrema no squeegee men and panhandlers, dope peddlers will stop selling dope, Cincinnati has a real battle for gang-bangers will stop shooting each Mayor this election and the issue of other and men will stop raping women. public safety has dominated the Even discredited theories take twenty political discussion. Three of the years to come to Cincinnati! candidates have announced their Mr. Pepper’s plan to decrease Public Safety plans. Let’s examine the violent crime rate in Cincinnati is to their proposals. have zero tolerance for “quality of life Mr. Pepper and Mr. Winburn concerns” such as “noise graffiti and tout the “broken window” theory litter.” He makes an obligatory mention popularized by John Q. Wilson and of treatment, but no mention of George L. Kelling who wrote, in increasing treatment slots. He claims 1982: “one unrepaired broken that Cincinnati is “under staffed when it window is a signal that no one cares comes to its police force.” and, breaking more windows costs Mr. Winburn promises to nothing.” increase the Cincinnati Police When it comes to policing Department by 200 officers at a cost of theory this translates to zero tolerance $8.5 million. He also promises to build for “quality of life crimes.” This was a new jail. He does not say how he is the rational used by New York City going to find the money for these Police Commissioner William Bratton projects. Although Mr. Winburn claims in the 1990’s to start arresting minor that he will fight violent crime from “all lawbreakers such as “squeegee” men directions and angles” he does not and panhandlers. address treatment. Mr. Pepper and Mr. Winburn would have us believe that if there are Mr. Pepper and Mr. Winburn cite New York City as a model in reducing crime –– is it the best model? During the same period when New York City took this approach and coincidentally saw a reduction in crime rates, San Francisco took a different approach –– alternative sentencing and community involvement –– and saw a larger decrease in crime rates than in New York City. From 1995 to 1998 San Francisco’s violent crime rate went down 33%. NY City’s violent crime rate went down only 26 % in the same time period. While claiming that the CPD is understaffed, both candidates have omitted some interesting figures about the CPD compared to other cities: Cincinnati has 31 police officers per 10,000 residents while San Francisco has 29, Louisville has 27, Columbus has 25, and Lexington has 19. The salary of an entry-level officer in Cincinnati is $37,487, in Columbus it’s $30,480, in Lexington $30,274, and in Louisville $27,689. (All figures are for the year 2000) Mr. Mallory is pushing boot camps to fight crimes. Boot camps may satisfy the punitive instinct in most of us. Boot camps by themselves are purely punitive and have not shown to be effective. However, Mr. Mallory does include the after care component for boot camps that have shown to reduce crime. Having a parent in prison is a strong predictor that their child will end up in prison. Apolicy that promises to lockup people will only increase the prison population. It will not reduce crime. It will not reduce the number of victims. The ‘Lock them up’ mentality makes most of us feel safe. It does not make us safe. So, think before you vote! It is time that we got smart on crime! Anti-racism workshop organizers hit by Hurricane Katrina by Adam Hyla Its offices were flooded, its computers destroyed, its reams of paper records dissolved in the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. Its director had to fly back to the city in the face of the hurricane to extract his family; his 80-year-old mother was lifted out by an evacuation team, dangling from a helicopter. And the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, a national organization which conducts seminars on reversing the effects of racial bias, was located in the eye of a disaster — one that lifted back the curtain veiling social inequities for millions of Americans who have never been to an anti-racism workshop. The destruction of the national headquarters “has tragic significance,” says Daniel Buford, head of the group’s satellite office in Berkeley. “Our archives, print and electronic, were completely destroyed. We have been documenting racism in the United States and New Orleans for over 25 years. So it’s a tragedy on the organizational level.” And on the human level, too: “knowing your friends, people you loved had to get out of town with just the clothes on their back.” One of those people is organization director Ron Chisom, 64, whose days are now spent finding food, shelter, clothing, and a home for his mother. “You never think it’s going to happen to you,” says Chisom. And at the same time, you do; Chisom recounts how family and friends remember the flooding of the mostly African American Ninth Ward after Hurricane Betsy tore through the city in 1965, killing 75 people. Just like today, racism played a role then, he says. “There is such history and such a cultural dynamic” to racism, he says; it manifests itself differently everywhere, but it’s always the same thing. The People’s Institute has trained an estimated 5,000 people in Seattle alone in a two-day “undoing racism” workshop that tackles the malingering 500-year-old struggle with racial inequality in North America. It asks participants to take an expansive view of race in American life: it’s the system, not the people, which perpetuates inequality. No matter how healthy the relationship between individuals of different races — or, as Chisom says, regardless of “how people feel about somebody” — people of color have a very different experience with civic agencies and power centers from hospitals to high schools, bus systems to banks. Workshops trainers offer a historical analysis of how race difference were enshrined in law, provide examples of institutional racism in everyday life, and then invite participants to turn such situations into opportunities for action. The trainings continue in cities across the country, including Seattle. Satellite offices are set up here and in New York andAtlanta. Trainers will be paid for their work; Chisom says the organization is raising money to continue payments for home-office staff — who, Buford says, are displaced to seven different cities. “We’ve reverted back to our roots of being a network organization, not hierarchical or top-down,” says Buford. “Diaspora is an appropriate term.” The group is also calling for a reconstruction with justice: a living wage paid to residents of the Gulf Coast, rebuilding communities of their design. Buford says what’s happened to their home base validates the organization’s teachings.“The slow federal response, the slow state response, the unwillingness to spend money on the shoring up of the levees, it comes from an essential fact: they do not value the lives of the people who make up the majority of New Orleans, who just happen to be of African descent.” More information: www.pisab.org. We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. — Martin Luther King, Jr. Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory. — Norman Vincent Peale Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit. — Norman Vincent Peale “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” Streetvibes Page 13 �CHILDREN ENGAGING COMPASSION is a project of S.O.S. Art and Peaslee Neighborhood Center. Over the course of a week, children worked with artist C. Pic Michel and writer Andrea Nichols (WWF(a)CF) to learn about values of compassion, caring, sharing, free giving, respect and appreciation of others through the creation of art and writing. The purpose was to help instill these values and make them tangible and actively present in the children’s thinking and behavior. S.O.S. Art is an organization that promotes social/political expression. Peaslee Neighborhood Center is a peaceful place where Over-the-Rhine residents create and participate in dialogue based educational programs that foster creative expression, self-determination, personal voice, and social change. Women Writing for (a) Change Foundation’s mission is to foster a healthy writing community where the words of women and girls from all walks of life are nurtured, developed, and celebrated. Funding for the foundation is provided by the City of Cincinnati, the Ohio Arts Council, the Tomcinoh Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and theManuel D and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation. Character Development of “THE KINGDOM OF PEACE” A Book By Children from Peaslee Neighborhood Center in Over-the-Rhine All of the characters and events in the story were determined by the children. Guided by prompts, the youth focused on specific qualities as attributes (citizens, heroes, adversaries) of peace and used words, clay, and crayon colored drawings to define and develop their story. These are the characters from their story. The project was funded by The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Summertime Kids grant, the Fine Arts Fund, and Women Writing For (a) Change Foundation, with an in-kind contribution from C. Pic Michel to photo document, design and organize a book. THE KINGDOM OF PEACE An Enchanting Tale of the Qualities of Peace from Children at the Peaslee Center in Over-the-Rhine Once upon a time Miss Evil and Mr. Anger fulfilled their plan to destroy the Kingdom of Peace. Miss Evil invited all of the townspeople to a party that wasn’t really a party. Her party was actually a war. They also invited the Prince because they really wanted to lock him in prison because they knew he would do anything to save the Kingdom. All they had to do to trap him was to tell him that they didn’t like him over and over and pretend that they weren’t really going to invite him to they party because once they did this, he turned into a beast called Mr. Death. Mr. Death bit a lot of people before they locked him in the prison. Lots of the townspeople lost their lives at Miss Evil’s party that was really a war. While Miss Evil was hosting her so-called party, Mr. Anger destroyed the rest of the town. He cut the ropes to the bridge across the river so no one could get out. He kicked in the doors to homes and let dogs loose to eat everything up. All of the blue and red houses were knocked down into piles of rubble. The people tried to fight back but Mr. Anger turned the sun into fire and the thunder into rocks and they came down out of the sky to destroy everything in their way. Mr. Anger even turned the buildings into robots that smashed cars. When Mr. Anger and Miss Evil were finished the only thing left in the Kingdom of Peace were busted windows, and dead trees. Everything fell into a pile of rubble and the Prince was locked in prison. At the top of a hill on the other side of the river, Ms. Kindness and Mr. Forgiveness surveyed the damage. They felt sad for their Kingdom and had to do something to save it. Mr. Forgiveness reached in his pocket and found love and Ms. Kindness pulled some sympathy out of her purse and they began their job of fixing the kingdom. They cleaned up the rocks and stacked them in the river for people to climb on so they could get out and Ms. Kindness used her helping rope to rebuild the bridge. Mr. Forgiveness put the fire back in the clouds and gave it back to the sun. Mr. Forgiveness knew how to use rain to cleanse and put out fires. He used the old wood from the bridge to get people out of the water and to rebuild their houses. He cut down the dead trees and planted new ones. Mr. Forgiveness used lots of love to rebuild the castle. The bricks were made out of generosity and sympathy. Ms. Kindness and Mr. Forgiveness loved everyone they came in contact with to nurse them back to health. As they walked through the town loving everyone and putting lotion on their hurts they found the key of kindness to get the Prince out of prison. On their way to the prison they bumped into Mr. Anger and Miss Evil. Mr. Forgiveness forgave them right away and Ms. Kindness wished that they could have lots of friends. They invited Mr. Anger and Miss Evil to their car for a ride and to give them a drink of magic water that had flowers of truth in it. Ms. Kindness grew these flowers in her garden, and they always made people nicer. Mr. Anger took a drink and turned into Mr. Generosity and went to help rebuild the castle. Miss Evil took a drink and turned into Ms. Humor and went to plan a real party. When Ms. Kindness and Mr. Forgiveness used the key of kindness to let Mr. Death out of the prison, his first words to them were “Thank-you.” They said, “You’re Welcome.” He immediately turned back into a prince. They promised to always make him feel better whenever he felt sad so he wouldn’t turn into a beast again and all three of them helped Mr. Anger and Miss Evil stay good by respecting them and being nice to them. They all worked together to make the Kingdom better. That night they got to have a real party at Ms. Humor’s house and she served them coffee and everyone told jokes. The End Mr. Forgiveness Forgiveness wears pants and suit. On Mondays he wears a white tuxedo. On Tuesday he wears pink roses. On Wednesday he wears a tie with wheels. On Thursdays he wears grey dress clothes, and on Fridays he wears a black tuxedo with a white rose in the pocket. He is very tall. Forgiveness is giving. When you bump into him he listens when you say you are sorry. He drives people home, and helps kids cross the street. He helps moms with their babies. He wants to tell everyone to stop fighting and be friends. If husbands and wives fight he takes them to anger management. He might take kids to the principal’s office. He carries love in his pockets along with sunshine, clouds and rain. He carries a badge and tells people to give things back. He helps the poor with his money, and he donates it to Food For Thought. His house doesn’t have blinds because when people look in he forgives them. He has a big front door with no lock. It is brown because it is his favorite color. Forgiveness is friends with Miss Kindness, Ms. Truth and Mr. Tolerance. His boss at work is Ms. Patience. His enemies are Mr. Hate and Mr. Anger. (But he forgives them too) Page 14 Streetvibes �Miss Kindness Kindness wears gold bracelets with red hearts, and diamonds. She wears lucky boots because she loses things. She doesn’t hurt animals and gives back things that are lost. She takes care of hurt animals and braids people’s hair. Kindness would marry Kindness and Truth. She sends money to the president and to the needy. Kindness carries sunshine, love, tolerance, feelings, humor, sympathy, truth and generosity in her purse. Kindness is there for everyone when they are hurt. She puts lotion on ashy skin, builds poor people homes, and helps Africans get food. She can sense when people are in need. Her flowers are while and red roses made in her garden. She gives them to mothers and for birthday presents. She builds mansions for the homeless. She is 31 but you can be kind no matter how old you are. She is happy and smiles. Kindness plays with both boys and girls and protects them and keeps them safe. She makes all their hurts feel better. She helps kittens out of trees. Kindness sounds like tapping feet, beautiful singing, running water, the ocean and the seashore, the wind, whales singing, and dolphins singing. She gives people rides to work when their cars are broken down or when it rains. She wishes for everyone to have friends, for everyone to help everyone, and for kids to have good grades. She has a special ball to bounce mean people back into the river. She can see through walls to keep us away from thieves. Kindness is friends with sympathy, beauty, and honor. Her enemies are evil and disrespect. Mr. Death He needs to be forgiven. He didn’t get forgiven. He hurt a woman. He bit Mrs. Kindness, Ms. Truth and Mr. Honor. He like humans to eat and God told him not to and if he stops he will turn into a king. He has an angry face because he did not get forgiven. He has a sad face because he doesn’t get invited to parties because he is mean. People hurt his feelings. He’s trying to be nice like a prince to get invited to the party. He turns back into a beast when people tell him they don’t like him. His house is a half house and he lives downstairs. His money is under his house. His house has white walls with blood red designs Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 October 2005 Cincinnati Serves Record Number of Homeless People Standdown 2005 Cover Story BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource October 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Standdown Serves Record Number of Homeless People Pg 2: Day Labor Follow-Up Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendor Pg 5: 9/11 In New Orleans Pg 6: No Room at the Inn Paul Allen’s Other Yacht Pg 7: Goodbye, Coalition A Woman’s Touch Pg 8: Mississippi High Court Declines to Hear Man’s Appeal in Death of Homeless Man Pg 9: Xavier University Cintas Center Pg 10: The Peace Village FRAC Pg 11: Community Leaders Take Responsibility Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes Pg 13: Feel Safe or Be Safe? Anti-Racism Workshop Organizers Hit by Hurricane Katrina Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Monique Little Kelly Carr Andy Lawrence John Lavelle Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Susan Smith Jimmy Heath Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alison Leeuw Andy Lawrence Cincinnati FRAX Georgine Getty Homeless News Digest Hurricane Katrina Jimmy Heath John Lavelle Kelly Carr Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Mississippi Monique Little New Orleans Peace Village Standdown Susan Smith Wal-Mart https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/185c033b6fa2e1729c5353b12972535d.pdf 51512b77db42fb945254790463240fe0 PDF Text Text September 2005 STREETVIBES Day Laborer for a Day by John Lavelle photos by Jimmy Heath It’s 4:30 in the morning, and I’m cutting through Washington Park on my way up to the corner of Liberty and Elm. Most people up at this hour in Over-the-Rhine are not going for a morning jog, dressed in their monochromatic American Eagle sweatsuit with matching headband. I am no exception to the norm, sporting my finest blue jeans, flannel, and horribly mismatched brown plastic bag from Kroger. Like many homeless individuals in Cincinnati, I have gotten up this early to try to find work at one of the many temp agencies in the city, all for the purpose of better understanding what it is like to be homeless and have to work day labor. Day labor and temp agencies offer anyone who shows up to their labor halls a chance at performing unskilled labor for a daily check. The work is generally the dirtiest, most dangerous, most arduous, and most undesirable work there is. For a person experiencing homelessness, this is often the only option for solid work. Unfortunately, as one of the new civil rights advocates for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, I have heard I return at a quarter till noon to find a sizable group already numerous accounts of the civil rights and labor violations enacted by some huddled in the shade around the locked up labor hall. It’s the hottest day of these agencies. I figure that the next best thing to talking to day of the year so far, with the temperature in the middle nineties; I didn’t laborers is being one myself, if only for a day. So today I seek my fortune bring any water with me, and I’m really starting to worry about the fact at one of the most controversial labor halls: One Force/Labor Solutions. that there is no water fountain in the waiting area. I arrive at the labor hall a little after 4:30am and join the handful of A half-hour later two guys open up the place, and I repeat the people sitting on the curb by the building, waiting for the hall to be morning’s sign up routine. Another hour and a half of sitting and waiting opened. At 5:00am, a middle aged woman arrives and opens up the goes by before I notice one of the supervisors looking at me. “Hey place. We enter and put our names down on the sign in sheet, then sitting Archie, come here,” he says. “Let me see your ID.” I’ve been called a and waiting in what looks like seating ripped out of an old movie theater. lot of names in my day, but this is a first for “Archie.” I comply, showing The inside looks like a converted body shop, with two large him my driver’s license and waiting patiently. After a few minutes, he garage doors and a front counter that is six feet off the ground, placing the hands it back to me. “You wanna go to Crisco?” I have no clue what exactly he’s talking about, but I decide to play it cool: “Yeah, sure. I can supervisors in a significant position of power. There is no water fountain do that.” He pauses a second and responds simply, “Okay, we’ll see.” and the bathroom is locked up tight. I don’t inquire about a key. On the As I sit down, I can’t help but wonder why I, a new guy, was singled out back wall is a list of shelters and food pantries. The agency is obviously from the relatively large group of around thirty people. Racism is a aware that most of their workers are homeless. common complaint of day labor and temp agencies; I look around and Over the next hour and a half, more workers trickle in; many of notice that I am one of two white guys in the waiting area. them have return tickets from the day before, meaning that they are the Finally at 2:35pm, almost three hours after I arrived at the labor first picked for work. The rest of us are to be picked on a first-come­ hall, one of the supervisors calls out a list of names. Miraculously, my first-served basis, or so I think. Several buses come by around 6:15 and 6:30, and a list of names is called out for work assignments. Yours truly is name is called. We line up to go through the dispatch office, where we submit ourselves to a mandatory breathalyzer test and are given safety not called. The chosen ones are dispatched on the buses to their sites. equipment: a hard hat, safety By 7:00am, almost goggles, rubber steel-toed boots, everyone is gone from the waiting Kevlar gloves, and an orange vest. area, save those of us who had As I get on what very well shown up first at 4:30. When Jesus could have been the same school said that the last shall be first and bus I rode in elementary school, I the first shall be last, I don’t think realize that I hadn’t inquired as to that this was what he had in mind. where I was going. Day laborers I ask the lady in charge, and she are rarely told of their work says that there’s no more work; I assignments or how much they will should try back at noon for the next be paid; from what I understand, shift. asking doesn’t usually get you It is not uncommon for day much of an answer, anyway. laborers to wait two or three hours My answer comes when and not get any work. Those with the bus pulls into the Rumke return tickets get first crack at the Recyling Plant on Spring Grove ongoing jobs, and preferential Road in St. Bernard: I will be treatment seems to be the norm One of many Temp Labor operations in downtown Cincinnati picking through trash. We arrive among many labor hall supervisors. around 3:00pm and spend an hour in a dingy break room waiting for our Also, the word on the street is that One Force/Labor Solutions has been shift to start. There is a men’s and a women’s restroom – although both particularly dicey with their clients, so they’ve been losing contracts left and right. This means fewer jobs for those that show up. My morning has are flooded – as well as two water fountains. The city has declared a heat emergency, so I hydrate myself as best as possible. been wasted, and I am no closer to gaining work or a paycheck. I guess I’ll just come back at noon. “LABOR” Cont. on Page 8 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Monique Little - Education Coordinator Kelly Carr - VISTA Andy Lawrence - AHA Coordinator John Lavelle - VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographer Jimmy Heath Cover Day labor office on Liberty and Race street, Over-the-Rhine Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Connections by Monique Solanki Human equality is probably something most of us generally agree on. Many societies and religions are based on these principles. After all, irrespective of the age, sexual orientation, race, or socio-economic status of a person, we all share the same basic human qualities - we breathe air, eat food, and have dreams and feelings. Talk to most people and they will agree that all people are equal. But how many of us really abide by these principles? Many times, people forget this idea of equality. One place where this is perhaps most evident is by the way homeless people are alienated in our society. They are people with their own personalities and individuality, their own beliefs and likings, and yet they are so often looked upon as dirty and the scum of society. The truth is that most of us choose to ignore the very existence of homeless people instead of realizing that they could really use our help. How many people like to go out of their way to give extra change to a person who would consider those few coins a necessity? Who knows, those few quarters could buy a coffee. Better yet, a hash brown. A few quarters under the backseat of your car might mean nothing to you, but they could go a long way toward quenching someone’s thirst or feeding someone’s hunger. On a recent trip to San Francisco, I traveled with three big­ hearted people to prepare lunches and share them with the homeless. We used the lunches as an excuse to reach out to those in need - to hear their stories. One man we spoke with named Charles turned out to be a very interesting and wise person. We handed Charles a lunch and he accepted it thankfully, shifting his alcohol to hold onto his blankets and lunch, while standing in a green Billabong sweatshirt. Send your letters or comments to Streetvibes, 117 East 12th Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45202, or email to Streetvibes@juno.com Initially, he appeared skeptical with our questions. He seemed a little distrustful and a bit hesitant to answer, perhaps thinking there must certainly be some hidden motive behind this act of charity and friendliness. Soon, he let his guard down when we casually asked him, “What makes you happy?” The expression on his face seemed to say, “These people really do care.” What I realized when speaking with Charles is that homeless people are used to being ignored. They live life everyday being smirked at. To them, it’s just a fact of life and nothing more; but it obviously is hurtful. Probably as a homeless person, Charles, like so many others, is used to being treated with indifference; he is used to being stereotyped, ignored, objectified, and unseen. No one likes to be looked at as an unwanted being, but social differences have a way of highlighting it repeatedly. At first, Charles said nothing makes him happy- a knee-jerk pessimistic reaction I thought. Perhaps he was being a little cautious about opening himself up to strangers. As our conversation with him began to take on a more friendly demeanor, he changed his mind and said, “God makes me happy, because God gives knowledge.” After maybe 20 or 30 minutes of chatting, it occurred to me that Charles was not just some man on the street. He wasn’t just some bum. He was both an artist and a clever, insightful man. Just as some of us have hobbies, like collecting or playing basketball, Charles has his own hobby, or more so, a gift. He passionately spoke to us about his drawing and sketching skills. However his deteriorating eyesight prevented him from pursuing his ardor. He told us how he spent time with learned artists - guys that went to college and studied art in depth. But they all admitted their art didn’t come When someone steals another’s clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not? The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor. Basil the Great close to the art of Charles. “They drew from the head; they’d draw what they see,” he said; “My art comes from the heart.” When we asked him where his art was, he told us it was in a gallery and said that his drawings would “blow you away;” drawings of slaves, children, and themes of prisons. They even amaze him. He can’t believe that he had created pieces so moving. Unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to check out the gallery. He told us more about his artistic abilities and at one point he added that he only drew when he was on drugs. We asked him if he had tried drawing without the influence of drugs, and he shook his head saying that he was “too distracted with the stuff on the streets to draw well.” It generally takes some kind of an incident, meeting, or event to take place before a person really understands equality. When the subject is brought up, many people think of race or sex; but rarely do they think of status, when really that’s one of the most important issues, especially in big cities like San Francisco. Luckily for those on the streets, San Francisco is at least a little more accommodative toward the homeless in contrast to Beverley Hills, which shuns homelessness. Not everyone has reached that understanding, and frankly, many people probably won’t. But it just takes a small amount of people to make a difference in someone’s life. Charles was probably relieved, if not happy, that regular people took the time to talk to him, shake his hand, and listen to him (as well as offer him lunch). This experience was not just about giving out lunches, but also about understanding another person on a personal and equal level. Don’t be Squirrelly! Buy Streetvibes! Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath According to recent news from Washington DC, that “vagrant” in the subway may not really be a homeless person. The government says he may be a terrorist in disguise. An e-mail message from the U-S Attorney’s Office in Washington warns that some terrorists may be posing as street people to conduct surveillance of buildings and mass transit stations for future attacks. The e-mail stresses that there is no known threat of an attack. However, the message says homeless people tend to go unnoticed, particularly in mass transit systems. Police, fire and emergency personnel are advised to be aware of any vagrants who look unfamiliar or out of place — in a recent case in Somerville, Massachusetts, a police officer in became suspicious about someone dressed as a street person and discovered a passport from the Middle East or South Asia and a checkbook with a questionable address. McMahon, Community Human Services’ outreach coordinator. In Williamsburg, VA, from January to May, 85 homeless people asked Williamsburg-area organizations for help finding a place to stay, according to a census released last month by the Salvation Army’s Williamsburg chapter. That doesn’t include women and children who may have stayed at the battered women’s shelter Avalon, said Salvation Army Capt. Greg Shannon. He is working with United Way of Greater Williamsburg and Avalon to compare records of people requesting help, which may raise the total number of homeless people, he said. Of the 85 people already counted, more than a third - 34 ­ were single males. Children age 18 and younger accounted for the nexthighest number, 32. There were 19 adults with children and 17 single women who requested help, according to the census. Indianapolis police last month were investigating the Eastside shooting death of a Community leaders homeless man. concerned about the number of Andre White, 45, was homeless people on Pittsburgh pronounced dead last month at streets are urging the city to Wishard Memorial Hospital. Police establish an “engagement said White was one of several people center,” a concept that has who were fighting about in the 3300 reduced homelessness in Philadelphia, Columbus, Ohio, and block of East Michigan Street. other cities. Police in Muskegon are The engagement center, investigating the death of a where homeless people could be homeless man. housed and receive medical care, The man’s body was found social services and other assistance, last month, behind a shed in the 900 is proposed as part of Allegheny block of Spring Street, in Grand County’s 10-year plan for ending Rapids, Michigan. chronic homelessness. Police say 48 year-old Homeless shelters already Wilmer Martin had several injuries, exist, of course, but those shelters which lead them to believe he was don’t address all of the needs of killed, though they won’t be sure until street people. an autopsy is completed. Many homeless people, especially those who have mental In Long Beach, CA illnesses or abuse alcohol or drugs, downtown business owners want avoid staying in the shelters, feeling police to do something about the they are unsafe or have too many rules, said Bill McBride, an outreach homeless population. “I’m frustrated,” said Dr. case manager for Community Human Erwin Burke, who runs a chiropractic Services, an Oakland social service office on Central Avenue. agency. “We’ve been begging and Besides developing the pleading for 10 years and nothing center, advocates hope to move homeless people quickly into housing, happened,” he said. “It affects my with appropriate case management or business.” Burke voiced his concerns other services. They also want to during a Downtown Business improve coordination of outreach teams and compile better data about Improvement Area meeting at the Tracy Community Center. people living on the street, said Mac Joining Burke in his cry for help were other merchants who said that homeless people hanging around town scare away their customers. “We have merchants that have been dealing with it for years,” said Shawn Perry, manager of The Great Plate Bar & Grill on Central Avenue. “It’s doubled, if not quadrupled, in seven years.” Some DTBIA members said that homeless people should be arrested for loitering, but city officials disagree. “Standing around a half-hour talking isn’t loitering,” said Ellen Gripp, city housing and redevelopment manager. She said a person would have to be committing another crime, such as drinking in public or panhandling, to get arrested. Some merchants were upset that representatives from the Tracy Police Department, who had been invited, did not attend the meeting. In a later interview, Police Capt. Mike Maciel agreed with Gripp. “There are homeless people downtown,” said Maciel. “Is there a homeless crime problem? No. “They’re not accosting people. We can’t attribute thefts or vandalism to them. The crime may be drinking in public at times or perhaps trespassing.” Maciel said police would beef up their downtown presence. “We can and will step up activities and have the (Volunteers In Police Service) go down there more frequently,” he said. Gripp admitted that the problem would not be resolved overnight, but she said the merchants were taking their first steps toward a resolution. Jim Decker, downtown revitalization coordinator for the city, told the attendees to work with code enforcement and police. Decker said he’s found from talking to homeless people downtown that many enjoy their lifestyle of drugs and alcohol and being on the streets. Many of those who call the streets and alleyways of downtown their home are often seen hanging around the outside of Westside Market on Central Avenue. The store has become a gathering place for the homeless and a popular place to purchase alcohol. “The issue is not the people, it’s the lifestyle,” Decker said. “They need to know the lifestyle is not acceptable downtown.” Homeless people could not be found downtown an hour after the early-morning meeting. However, on Grant Line Road near the shopping centers, a homeless man was holding a sign that read ‘Please Help! Homeless & Hungry. Willing to Work!’ Streetvibes Michael, a 36-year-old former auto mechanic, said that although he spends his day standing at the street exit of Wal-Mart holding a sign asking for money, he would rather be working. “The majority that do this are on drugs and alcohol,” he said. “I’ve got friends like that… but I don’t drink. I don’t use dope.” Michael, who has worked off and on the last three years, said he once earned $38 an hour. Now he lives on handouts from passing motorists. In Atlanta last month about 200 people crowded into a City Council meeting on a proposed panhandling ban after homeless people and dozens of their advocates spent the night on the steps of City Hall to show their opposition. Lisa Borders, the City Council president, had to shush the crowd to start several hours of public comment on a resolution that would make it illegal to beg for money near downtown hotels or tourist sites. Among the first to speak was Elisabeth Omilami, who spent the night outside She pleaded tearfully for the council not to pass the ban. ‘’The ability to ask for alms is a Godgiven ability. You can pass laws to protect trees, but what about human beings? God help us!” Omilami said. Although there were some supporters of the ban, most of those who attended the hearing were from groups of activists for the homeless and civil rights organizations who appeared at previous meetings to oppose the measure. A vote on the proposal was delayed last month after a contentious meeting that included shouting matches and hissing from critics. The council was to debate the issue later yesterday, but it was unclear when the panel would vote on it. William Fox, 57, who is homeless, said before the session began that he never panhandled, but that ‘’forcing people not to panhandle is taking away their rights. It’s not American.” Downtown business owners say aggressive beggars are keeping people away from the central business district. Last month, Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus, who is bankrolling the $200 million Georgia Aquarium being built downtown, threw his support behind the ban, saying the success of the attraction depends on it. But advocates for the homeless are instead pushing for affordable housing and a living wage for the city’s homeless population, saying people who cannot care for themselves have a right to ask for charity and should not be criminalized. Page 3 �Youths sought in beating of homeless man Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes by Christine McConville, Police have launched a search for a group of youths who, they say, beat and seriously injured a homeless man last month in South Boston. ‘’We don’t know who did this,” said Lyndia Downie, executive director of the Pine Street Inn, the shelter in the South End. ‘’But until these people are found, we want people to be especially careful,” Downie said. The injured man, whom police would not identify because he was a victim of a violent crime, was taken to Boston Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was upgraded to serious condition, said Officer Michael McCarthy of the Boston Police Department. Word of the assault spread quickly among the homeless, who have been on alert after several recent beating deaths in the community. A 32-year-old homeless man who was outside the Pine Street Inn said violence is a fact of life among the homeless. Downie agreed. ‘’It’s a violent life on the streets,” she said. As police searched for the attackers, officers said that one of the city’s most violent homeless men, Dennis Connolly, was probably not involved. Connolly is known as ‘’The Stomper” by police and the homeless because of his alcohol-fueled assaults. ‘’There’s no connection,” McCarthy said. Connolly has spent most of the past year behind bars. He went to jail in October after Kenny Kane, 48 and homeless, was savagely beaten in a public alley between Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue. Kane died from his injuries, but police were able to gather only enough evidence to charge Connolly with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, his foot. Connolly was jailed until late July, when he pleaded guilty to that charge in Boston Municipal Court. Prosecutors requested a 2 1/2-year sentence, but the judge sentenced Connolly to nine months, the time he had spent in jail waiting for his trial. He was set free. A few weeks later, on Aug 13, Steven Neiber, another homeless man, was found dead outside St. Anthony’s Shrine in downtown Boston.. McCarthy said police have not established any link between Neiber’s death and Connolly, but they are still investigating. �wish I had known more and had realized that I was no different than has always been what I wanted to the person before me. In college, I do, but my time working at the gained more exposure to Coalition has only reinforced my homelessness and learned more passion for social justice and my about the realities of homelessness. It desire to use a law degree to work was this that led me to a year of against injustice. service and the Coalition. This year My time at the at the Coalition Coalition has allowed has been one of me to talk and interact the most with a wide variety of enlightening and people on a daily interesting years basis. Our afternoon of my life so far. receptionist, Melvin, I lived in a pretty might refer to me as homogenous “Quiet,” but I’ve had suburb between plenty of Cleveland and conversations in the Akron for most Kate McManus office, out in of my life. I say Washington Park, and it was homogenous because almost everywhere in between with many everyone who lived there was white individuals. Through research, and upper middle to upper class. I discussions, and these conversations, had very little exposure to poverty or I have learned about myself, homelessness. In the limited homelessness, major issues homeless instances when I did encounter individuals face on a daily basis, the homeless individuals, I was so politics of Cincinnati, and all the ignorant about homelessness that agencies and individuals who work unfortunately, I probably tried to hard every day to help the homeless ignore the situation. Looking back, I and low-income individuals in It’s Time to Say Goodbye by Kate McManus When I signed up for my year of service through AmeriCorps, I remember thinking, “A whole year… I’m going to be in Cincinnati for a long time and I’m going to learn and accomplish so much while I’m there.” Well, I was right about learning and accomplishing a lot, but a year ended up not being much time at all. I cannot believe that a year has passed so quickly. I feel like I’ve only been at the Coalition for a couple months at the most. But unfortunately, it has been my time at the Coalition has come to an end. I’ll be starting orientation for law school at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law a mere three days after my final day at the Coalition. Over the next three years, as I continue my education, I hope to continue volunteering in one of the shelters in Cleveland or doing pro bono legal work. My eventual goal is to focus on public interest and civil rights in my career as a lawyer. This Adieu their current situation, they would demand and expect nothing less than the utmost respect, as they should. by Rachel Lawson Unfortunately, just because “sometimes/when i wake up/in the morning/and see all the faces/i just you demand to be treated the same as others, does not mean that the rest can’t/breathe” (*Nikki Giovanni). of society feels the same way. I A year ago, I entered the learned how hard it is to receive a doors of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, unaware job, even if you only have a felony and you served your time 20 years that I would meet individuals who would not only change my outlook on prior. To the rest of the world, my own life, but change my housing proprieties, and job sites, that perspective of Cincinnati politics, felony is all that matters. I suburbanites, drug learned that even if you dealers, case once owned multiple managers, etc. houses and cars legally, if To sum it up, you have a drug addiction I received a reality that disables you, the rest check. From the of the world is not silent warriors at the sympathetic to whom you Drop Inn Center to once were. the individuals under Rachel Lawson Fortunately, I had my the bridge who are share of positive and reassuring quite content to hang out under the stories that encouraged me, even on clear sky, one cannot help but to respect and understand that there is a the most depressing days. Such as world most Cincinnatians’ have never the elderly gentleman that was barred from every shelter, who one winter heard or even thought of. day basically ran to the welcoming It’s very easy to lump arms of the PATH Team and is now homelessness into one ugly category sitting watching television in his own and avoid eye contact with the apartment. panhandler in Clifton or call up your Then there is the loyal local shelter because you want redhead who encountered major someone to come and pick up the fumbles throughout her life but who is items you’ve deemed worthy of now standing strong and determined donation. It’s extremely difficult to look to reach almost two years of sobriety. In a way the individuals that I individuals directly in their face, and have encountered have been role empathize with their situation, and at the same time, provide a voice to the models for me, teaching me patience and determination. voiceless. The most education I Threw these experiences I learned while working at the have gained an even greater Homeless Coalition came from the appreciation for those that have not individuals who took the time to sit and a regret for those that have. To down and let me enter their worlds have sometimes means that you don’t with the understanding that despite understand “why everyone doesn’t just get a job” or that you assume all panhandlers are homeless. I wouldn’t trade this year and the experiences I have had for the world. Even on the days that I stood in Washington Park and it seemed that the only guarantee in some individuals’ lives was homelessness, I learned to “breathe” and think that if that appeared to be the only guarantee, I would simply have to ignore that and look for another option. Streetvibes Cincinnati. It’s been a lot to absorb, even over a whole year, but I’m so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to talk to me or explained something that was going on in the City. And I know it’s cheesy, but I just want to let everyone know that this past year has meant so much to me and I’ve learned so much from all of you. Keep fighting the good fight and I know you will accomplish so much. I’ll work hard in law school so I can rejoin the fight stronger than ever. Thank you all for everything and I hope I’ll see you all in the future. To the rest of the Firecats: You guys are great and I’m so glad you let me join up and use my superpowers for good rather than evil. I’ll miss you and all the good times, big projects, heated discussions about blogs and Council, and, yes, even fundraising Wednesdays. Keep on keeping on and don’t forget to keep me in the loop about what’s going on in Cincinnati and with all of you. And one final thing – Extreme HoCo: It goes there… (Although the purpose of this article is to say “goodbye”, I will be starting graduate school at the University of Cincinnati, so I will be basically right around the corner and I look forward to seeing and hearing from everyone in the future.) * For further information about Nikki Giovanni or to read more of her writings please visit http:// members.tripod.com/~Raincloud771/ htm/nikki.htm. Page 5 �Our City’s Janitors Deserve Respect Cincinnati Financial Corporation: Tell Jancoa to respect janitors As support grows for Justice for Janitors throughout Cincinnati with janitors and the community, one janitorial contractor remains opposed to change Jancoa Inc. Recently, Jancoa Inc has gone as far as replacing 18 janitors at Cincinnati Financial Corporation because they participated in a delegation and a legal unfair labor practices protest. Jancoa’s actions are not isolated. Throughout the year, Jancoa has faced: 4 pending Unfair Labor Practices charges under the National Labor Relations Board for firing union activists, threatening newly hired employees who participate in Justice for Janitors, not permitting a female janitor active in the campaign to return to work from her maternity leave, and threatening to change workers into independent contractors in a effort to skirt labor & safety regulations. 6 Department of Labor charges for failure to pay overtime $5,000 in OSHA safety fines Says Marisol Morales, a janitor at CinFin for three years, “I’ve been proud to clean the Cincinnati Financial Corporation building. All I want is to be treated with respect, like a human being. But Jancoa would not do that and when we spoke out, they kicked everyone out. This is the real Jancoa. This is why Justice for Janitors is so needed.” Cincinnati should not be a place where people are punished for exercising their rights. Get active and urge Cincinnati Financial Corporation to address Jancoa’s actions. Visit http:// www.cincijanitors.org and learn about The Problem with Jancoa. Fast-Food Chains More Common Around Schools Do Fast-Food Chains Cluster Around Schools?” A Harvard School of Public Health study of 2002 data on 613 fast-food restaurants and 1,292 public and private schools in Chicago showed that nearly 80 percent of the city’s schools had at least one fast-food restaurant within a half mile of them. The number of fast-food outlets less than a mile from schools was at least three times what would be expected from a random distribution of fast-food restaurants. Previous research has shown that on a typical day, about one third of young Americans eat fast food, consuming more calories, fats and The End of Summer Brings Hope by Ms. Mary Gaffney And to the people who Greetings to my homeless purchase the paper each month friends and especially to the patrons from our vendors, thank you and who purchase papers from our may God forever bless you. Streetvibes vendors each month. Without you the paper would not I hope you have exist and my friends had a happy and would be deprived of blessed summer with the financial help they vacations and family. receive as a vendor. To my homeless As it was said, “the friends and vendors of birds have their nests, Streetvibes, I know that the fox has its den, you are doing the best but the son of man Miss Mary Gaffney has no place to lay his that you can. And as the leafs begin to fall head.” and the squirrels begin to prepare Remember, God loves you for their winter homes, my prayers regardless of your condition the each day are for my friends. problems you may have had in your There are only three months life or what you are now going left to the year! through. Don’t give up; the sun is coming up over the hill. Money read and are interested in by Linda Corey Streetvibes. God bless the vendors Money isn’t everything. I of Streetvibes, the editor and all of have no money, but I am still happy. the readers and writers. I have money to pay my bills and the dollar does not go very far. The bible says that money is the root of all evil. I remember holding a sign and being homeless; money was very hard to get. I now sell Streetvibes. I have met a lot of people who have Linda Corey Buy Streetvibes From Badged Vendors Only! Streetvibes Vendors are required to sign a code of conduct and agree to abide by all the rules of the Streetvibes Vendor Program. If a Vendor misrepresents or breaks the rules, she/he may be removed from the Program. To report a Vendor, call 421-7803. ext. 16 Page 6 sugars than when they do not eat fast food. McDonald’s Corp. spokesman Walt Riker said McDonald’s locates its restaurants “in high-traffic areas like every other business, to serve customers. It has nothing to do with schools.” The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/ 9053465/ Harry’s Story Harry was 19 years old and seemed to have it all. He was a commodities clerk for an internationally-known financial services provider. He rubbed shoulders with high-level traders on Wall Street. The generous pay helped fund Harry’s college education. Then some of Harry’s friends started cutting classes to drink. Drinking soon led to smoking pot. When a downturn in the stock market caused Harry’s job to be eliminated, he started taking more and increasingly powerful drugs to escape his disappointment. “I can’t explain it because I have a good family, I’m somewhat educated and I’m a man of reason.” Harry said. “I had a tough battle to come to terms with the fact that I was out of control.” Harry ended up working for the New York City Human Resources Administration in the shelter system. When his drug habit became too powerful to manage, he entered a residential treatment program in Harlem. But he left after six months to move in with a woman he met there. They found an apartment and she continued to get high, while Harry struggled to stay clean. “We really didn’t know who God was. We just wanted to do things on our own,” Harry said. “Out of white-knuckling it, I stayed sober for a year and eight months.” Then he succumbed to temptation and started getting high again. “It came to the point where God Streetvibes 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 allowed me to go down so I could humble myself so I could really hear Him,” Harry said. “So I started getting high and I eventually lost everything.” Harry ended up living in the city shelters while he was also working there. “There’s no real help there,” Harry concluded. “They’ll let you fend for yourself.” At some of the shelters, he said, there are 1,200 beds on a single floor. It’s crowded, noisy and the homeless are treated like numbers, not humans. Through the city shelter system, Harry found out about The Bowery Mission Transitional Center on Avenue D. He entered the residential program there but found out he wasn’t ready yet. Harry started taking drugs again and was eventually asked to leave the program. But he couldn’t forget a conversation he had with a staff security person there. Finally Harry concluded, “I need God. There’s no other way of doing it. I’ve tried everything else.” When he surrendered himself to God, Harry decided to go to The Bowery Mission, where he knew he could tackle the root of his problem, which was spiritual. “The drugs and alcohol were just manifestations of the deeper problems that I had,” he said. His long-range goal is to combine his management and counseling experience to find a job. But he wants to make sure he has a solid foundation before he makes a decision about a career. “I need God. There’s no other way of doing it,” Harry said. “There’s no other way. I’ve tried everything else.” �Know Your Rights Brochure Available! Over-the-Rhine resident Berta Lambert (left) and fellow protester from Australia. Both traveled a nuclear protest walk from Oak Ridge TN to New York City. (750 Miles plus) The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition’s office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati’s homeless and covers a person’s basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a homeless person or if you work with homeless people and would like to obtain free copies of the brochure for yourself or your agency, please call 421-7803, or stop by the Coalition office and pick one up. Healthier School Lunches Compete with Junk Food in School Vending in à la carte lines, with baked goods, services division for the Vista Machines and Stores Health Movement Has School Cafeterias in a Food Fight Chicago is one of many school districts that started replacing high calorie foods and drinks in vending machines and cafeteria à la carte lines. Washington, D.C. students will see good-for-you foods in vending machines for the first time this fall. But other schools still offer sugar-loaded vending in addition to cookies and candy sold at school stores by school fundraising groups. A Pennsylvania State University study of 228 schoolfood service directors in that state showed that high school students are surrounded by fattening and sugary foods, and not just from vending machines. The study found hamburgers, pizzas, and sandwiches to be the most popular french fries, and salty snacks close to the top as well. Some school administrators fear losing income from vending machines that supports many students’ activities. However, when Philadelphia schools instituted a nosoda policy in July 2004, it hardly affected revenues from vending, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools received an increase of $400,000 by selling water, milk, juices, and healthier snacks. Enid Hohn, director of the nutrition Unified School District in San Diego County, says “it is ridiculous” that she serves healthy food in the school lunch program and 10 feet away the school is selling unhealthy food. But she forecasts that in 10 years schools will look back and say: “Can you believe we used to sell that junk to our students?” http://www.usatoday.com/news/ health/2005-08-21-junk-food­ cover_x.htm 1,100 Affordable Housing Units Created in Boston by Jill Furumoto In Boston, nearly 1,100 units of affordable housing have been produced since the city began its second major housing initiative two years ago, according to a City Hall report. More than $13.9 million had also been raised for new affordable housing developments. The initiative, Leading the Way II, aims to preserve 2,100 units of affordable housing and raise $25 million by June 2007. Around 1,400 families and individuals who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have also been housed. “The Leading the Way II strategy is so important because we need to continue to address the cities housing needs by building more housing and preserving what we have,” Mayor Thomas Menino said in a statement. “We need to keep moving forward so that working families, the elderly and other residents have access to housing they can afford.” According to the report, 5,400 total units of housing had been permitted as of June 30, putting the city over 400 units ahead of schedule to meet its 10,000-unit target in two years. A prior plan, also named Leading the Way, permitted 7,900 units of housing over three years. “[The program is] not just about creation and preservation; it’s also keeping people in their homes and working to steer people away from predatory loans so they can keep their homes,” said DeWayne Lehman, spokesperson for the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development (DND). Leading the Way II followed the original housing strategy put forth by the mayor in 2000. The first plan called for the city’s housing agencies – including DND, the Boston Housing Authority and the Department of Inspectional Services – to create the new housing and increase the supply of affordable housing. Following the plan’s completion, the second was launched in 2003. “This is the first time the city has set very clear plans and goals to work on housing issues,” Lehman said. “The [first] Leading the Way plan was the mayor’s way of keeping the agency focused on the goal of housing. The second one was launched to keep that focus. It is a motivator to keep everyone’s nose to the grindstone. You won’t see this kind of work in a lot of other cities.” Despite the achievements of Menino’s plans, some advocates for the homeless state that recent federal cutbacks have worsened the housing situation in Boston. “The problem with subsidized housing is that there is not enough of it,” Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Associate Director Leslie Lawrence said. “There is a need for more federal funding for public housing, which serves the lowestincome people.” According to other advocates, there are no easy solutions. Boston Housing Authority spokesperson Lydia Agro said in an interview that “the subsidized housing system is a very complicated system. There are many types of housing that receive funding from different sources. The federal funds for Streetvibes Section 8 vouchers are frozen, and it looks like they will not be re-instated in the foreseeable future.” The waiting list for public housing re-opened on July 11 and will remained open until July 29,” Agro added. “During this time, all names [were ] put into a pool and a random lottery will determine their placement on a waiting list.” There are many different eligibility requirements and prioritizing factors that determine where someone is placed on a list. Meanwhile, in an interview with Boston’s Spare Change Street newspaper, a Section 8 recipient who wished to remain anonymous said his wait for housing was too long. “I am an elderly and disabled individual, and I eventually connected with the HomeStart agency, which helped me find housing,” the person said. “The wait was long, but I am happy to have a place to live and no longer be homeless.” Reprinted from Spare Change News. © Street News Service: www.street-papers.org Page 7 �“LABOR” Cont. from Page 1 By the time our shift starts at 4:00pm, I have waited well over four hours for the opportunity to be on the clock. I am assigned to the paper line with Tasha (her name changed for this article), where I stand beside a conveyer belt, picking out cans, bottles, plastic bags, and foreign objects from the tons of paper products that drift by. The work is dirty and smelly, despite the gloves and the industrial fans at our station. Mounds of cardboard caked in mud and Godonly-knows-what are the most prominent hazard, along with broken glass bottles and heaps of unused Arby’s coupons. After two hours of work on the paper line, I’m starting to feel a little faint, not so much from the odiferous fumes of wet, decomposing paper products so much as from dehydration. The work is not incredibly taxing, but the hot and humid weather has left me sweating buckets. To my relief, we take a break a little after 6:00pm. All the workers congregate in the break room, where we are given free bottles of Gatorade by the Rumke staff. I load up on Gatorade and water before we resume work after a fifteen minute rest. Once back on the line, we get barraged by a particularly nasty load, leaving my arms coated with a fine, black layer of dirt, dust, and glass particles. Tasha and I converse a bit, and I learn that she has worked temp labor at Rumke on and off for six years; for that reason she is often put in charge of new workers and special projects. That doesn’t sound like temporary work to me. Interestingly enough, we spend much of our time working alongside permanent employees of Rumke. The day and temp laborers, however, do not enjoy their higher wages and health benefits, despite the fact that they often engage in the same work. While sweeping up before the shift ends at 9:00pm, a few of the workers ask me if I plan on coming back tomorrow. I say, “We’ll see,” knowing full well that I’ll resume my normal day-to-day projects with the Coalition come morning. They just laugh and remark, “Yeah, we know what that means.” I feel the privilege that I was born with burn inside of me. It hurts more than usual as we file out at 9:00pm. The bus is surprisingly on time – definitely not the norm from the comments of those around me – and we make our way back to Over-the-Rhine as the sun disappears. Checks are distributed during the ride, causing spirits to lift a little. “Man oh man,” remarks a guy sitting next to me, “that break was one for the record books.” I ask him: “Why’s that? With the free Gatorade and all?” “No,” he replies, “we ain’t never got no break before.” I get back to my apartment a little before 10:00pm, exhausted and dirty. I’m the last one off the bus, except for a guy who is continuing to the One Force/Labor Solutions Covington office to work the third shift. I had been at “work” for ten hours, but only engaged in five official hours of paid labor. Such is the nature of day and temp labor. For my efforts, I was paid $32.50, or $6.50 an hour – not bad by day labor standards. Minus $3.17 for taxes – I kept as much as I could for myself – puts me at $29.33. But here’s the kicker: they take out $5.00 to pay for my transportation to and from the work site. That docks me down to my final paycheck total of $24.33 for five hours of labor (in which I invested five additional hours just to have the “opportunity” to work). But wait, there’s more! It is One Force/Labor Solutions policy to deduct for safety equipment rental that should have cost me an additional $3-4. For some reason I wasn’t charged, perhaps because one of the supervisors liked me or felt bad about calling me “Archie.” I should also factor in the fact that most day and temp laborers do not have bank accounts and must cash their checks at places that charge at least a dollar or two. Many labor halls cash checks, but charge outrageous fees. It is also not uncommon for labor agencies to provide a lunch to workers and charge – again, sometimes OVERcharge – for that meal. Realistically, my final pay could have just as easily been well below $20. That’s for ten hours of my time, not including the time I had spent fruitlessly waiting for work in the early morning. Many of these pay deductions, conditions, and overall practices are illegal in some states. Legal or illegal, they still prey on vulnerable populations and expedite the cycles of poverty and homelessness. These types of work with these types of conditions and these types of wages are not a sustainable way of living. No one can support themselves, let alone a family, on so little money for so much time and effort. And even if there was enough affordable housing in Cincinnati – there is a severe shortage in Cincinnati and Hamilton National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (513) 421-7803 Page 8 Streetvibes County – working day and temp labor would not even pay for it. The time has come to change this. Stay tuned. Keep your eyes on future Streetvibes for more information and developments on day and temp labor, as well as how anyone can take action. Interested in getting involved in improving day and temp labor conditions? Do you work day labor and wish to file a grievance or help organize? Contact the Cincinnati Fair Day Labor Advocates: Don Sherman @ Cincinnati Interfaith Center for Worker Justice (513)621-4336 or John Lavelle @ GCCH (513)421­ 7803. �y gn b enport i s e v D a Da i n o T Visit the Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless website at - http://www.cincihomeless.org Visit the Streevibes archives at - http:// www.cincihomeless.org/content/streetvibes.html Streetvibes Page 9 �Our first effort is focused on September 11. Many students can remember where they were on that sad day. by Steve Sunderland This year, an interfaith The summer is rapidly group, Jewish, Catholic, expanding to its last few days. I hope Moslem, Unitarian you have had a chance to recharge faiths, will be holding a your batteries. I am still savoring special meeting to each day and feeling that just a little discuss what we can do longer is necessary. to “build bridges of The Peace Village enters hope and another year with you. I am so understanding” in the Dr. Steve Sunderland pleased to be continuing to offer wake of September 11 peace programs that open doors for and all that has mosque to UC, with stops at religious our community. I expect that my happened. On September 10th, institutions and the fire house along move to the College of Education will Saturday, we will be meeting at the the way. add some joy to our work. This year Clifton mosque for a discussion at It would be great for you and the Peace Village continues to work 7pm and then moving to the Clifton your students to attend any and all of on “Peace and Hunger” programs, United Methodist Church for a these events. There is no charge; you “Interfaith understanding” programs continuation of our discussion, can stay as long as you like, and you and on tsunami relief efforts in 8:30pm-10pm. Then, On Sunday, can call me at 513.919.2538 for any Indonesia. I am open to work with September 11, starting at 1pm at the questions. We expect to have all of you on these and related Clifton mosque, we will be having our university students and faculty as well programs. third annual Peace Walk from the as others interested in thinking about The Peace Village and healing from the legacy of September 11. I am working on the final details of a Peace Certificate program for students and faculty involved in service education and reflection activities. I will be back to you with the final version later this Summer. I look forward to seeing you in this important year of peace and justice. In peace and gratitude... Dr. Steve Sunderland, professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati, is the Director of The Peace Village, a group of individuals from the national and interna­ tional community committed to examining all issues of Peace in the world. Dr. Sunderland also heads up Posters-for-Peace which en­ gages people in expressing their visions of Peace, in their own words through the cre­ ation of posters. FRAC Food and Hunger Report Food Stamp Ban for Certain ExOffenders Contribute to Recidivism (“US Churches Try to Help Exprisoners Stay Straight,” alertnet.org, August 8, 2005) According to the Department of Justice, of the 600,000 Americans released from prison each year, two-thirds return to confinement within three years after their release, which costs the country billions of dollars. Supported by President Bush and federal dollars, state and local authorities have increasingly relied on churches in dealing with this problem. One Washington, DC faithbased program for former prisoners has not yet resulted in decreasing recidivism. Other factors make it even harder for ex-felons to stay out of trouble than in previous years. For instance, the 1996 welfare law banned anyone convicted for buying or selling drugs from receiving food stamps or cash assistance for life. Tania’s story As far back as I can remember, I wanted to leave home. Eventually, I left when I was 14. Ever since then I have looked after myself and paid my own way. I am determined my baby son will have a better start than that. For the past six years, since I was 19, I have had sole custody of my sister, who was eight when she came to live with me. Often looking after her has been tough in many ways - including financially. When I contacted Hanover, I Page 10 In Indiana an Editorial Says Cuts in Number of Social Service Sites Will Hurt LowIncome People (“Don’t Sacrifice Service,” southbendtribune.com, August 7, 2005) Indiana FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob plans to reduce the number of state employees working at Medicaid, food stamps and cash welfare application centers from 2,500 to 500 and keep open between 18 and 40 centers out of an existing 107. The Secretary reasons that regional FSSA offices will be supplemented by intake processors at health care clinics and other service providers. This editorial says that Roob’s plans might harm low-income people. “The neediest people . . . are the ones with the greatest mobility limitations. . . . [For food stamps,] it will be accessibility rather than eligibility that determines whether some people get needed nutritional help.” While supporting measures to improve social service efficiency, the paper says accessibility to help had just moved back to Melbourne and was staying with my sister and her three children. Two families living in a small house was really difficult and I knew I had to move, but I had no idea where to go. Luckily, Hanover helped me move into a transitional house and I am now on the waiting list for an Office of Housing property. It is a relief to know that when I get stuck the staff at Hanover will always help me. For instance, when I first moved into this house I had no money and my case for those in needs must not be sacrificed. In the District of Columbia Combined Application for Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Cash Assistance Offered (“DHS Streamlines Eligibility for Medical, Food, and Cash Assistance,” dchunger.org, August 5, 2005) The Department of Human Services released a new, simplified “Combined Application for Medical, Food Stamp, and Cash Assistance” to make it easier and faster for Washington, DC residents to apply for these services. The new application is available in English and Spanish, with the cover page also featuring messages in Amharic, Chinese, and Vietnamese. The new form also grants DC residents the right to self-declare bank assets less than $1000 instead of imposing a requirement to obtain a bank statement, for which banks charge a fee. Here in Ohio, School Uniforms and Supplies Too Costly for practitioner, Louise, gave me money so I could buy food. Another time, when I urgently needed clothes, Louise organized a small loan for me, which I have now paid back. Hanover was also really helpful with my sister. They paid for some of her school textbooks, which I couldn’t afford, and another time they helped with some transport costs for her. I don’t think she would still be at school if Hanover hadn’t helped. I have always hated to ask for help, but at the moment there is just no other way. Streetvibes Students (“Basic School Supplies too Costly for Many Northeast Ohio Students,” cleveland.com, August 7, 2005) Some Ohio kids will go back to school in designer clothes and with new laptops, but not the children of Northeast Ohio parents who live at or near the poverty line. Shoes and Clothes for Kids, a local nonprofit that helps disadvantaged families with school supplies and uniforms, reports that they have never received so many requests for aid. Nancy Stroman of East Cleveland Neighborhood Center says, “I have families with both parents working and they’re still struggling.” Families who don’t get aid may end up going without new uniforms, and their children risk being suspended for not adhering to the dress code. Prepared by Food Research and Action Center, 1875 Conn. Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202-986-2200; www.frac.org Let us plant dates even though those who plant them will never eat them. We must live by the love of what we will never see. This is the secret discipline. It is a refusal to let the creative act be dissolved away in immediate sense experience, and a stubborn commitment to the future of our grandchildren. Such disciplined love is what has given prophets, revolutionaries, and saints the courage to die for the future they envisaged . They make their own bodies the seed of their highest hope. Ruben Alves, Tomorrow’s Child �Speaking Truth to Roberts absolute right to do so. The belief line on critical votes. But if they that a president can do whatever he by Paul Rogat Loeb really demanded moderate chooses links this nomination, the From the moment the John appointments, or stood firm against Downing Street Memo and Roberts nomination was the “nuclear option” power grab Plamegate in a common matrix of announced, the media called it a unaccountable power. done deal. NPR and the New York that threatens to end the filibuster, Roberts could certainly be Roberts is also disturbingly Times gushed over his humility, defeated. Whatever the final vote, loyal to dubious corporate interests, humor, and congeniality. With offering a critical perspective gives or at least to principles that allow Roberts’s belief system barely us the chance to help frame how these interests to run roughshod mentioned, you’d think Bush had Americans view this administration over ordinary citizens and just nominated Mister Rogers. and what we can expect from future communities. He argued that In the wake of this media lifetime appointments to a court private individuals could not sue the love fest, I keep encountering that’s our final arbiter of rights and federal government for violations of people who oppose everything governmental power. Settling for environmental regulations like the Roberts has stood for, but see no removal of mountaintops by West use in trying to stop what seems his an appointment as regressive as Virginia mining companies. He inevitable confirmation. But we can Roberts invites Bush to nominate someone still worse for next round. supported the rights of developers make a powerful impact by raising to ignore the Endangered Species the discomforting truth that Roberts Challenging him draws a line and invites our fellow citizens to stand Act. He denied the rights of may be closer to a smiling Antonin up in other ways to this immensely workers injured over time as part of Scalia. However the Senators their jobs, supported criminal vote—and it’s not foreordained, the destructive presidency. How has a seemingly nice contempt fines to force the end of a more we raise key issues and man like Roberts supported a strike, and helped a major car principles, the more they’ll echo politics of contempt for the voice of manufacturer avoid a recall of down the line around future anyone but the wealthy and dangerous seatbelts. nominations and policies. powerful? In a time when the Bush Then there’s Roe vs. Wade. Roberts is being hailed as administration acts as if granted the People of goodwill can disagree the brilliant Harvard lawyer who divine right of kings, it’s troubling about abortion, but overturning that gets along with everyone. He’s that Roberts defended Cheney’s decision would devastate the lives conservative, but reasonable. He right to refuse to name the of women forced to bear unwanted doesn’t froth at the mouth. He corporate participants in his secret children. Roberts has already barely barks. Unlike Bush’s three energy policy meeting. He advised argued, as Deputy Solicitor most recent Appeals Court Jeb Bush on the 2000 election, and General, that “Roe was wrongly appointees, he hasn’t led a right wing ideological charge. He’s being denied being a member of the ultra­ decided and should be overruled.” conservative Federalist Society, Pat Robertson endorsed him as one praised as a nomination Bush then turned up on the Society’s of his top favored choices. In the should be proud of. Washington steering committee. words of Tony Perkins of the ultra­ We need to tell a different conservative Family Research story, and do our best to get it into He’s argued that the Voting Rights Council, Bush “promised to the media, the arguments raised by Act can only be violated by nominate someone along the lines of our elected representatives, and the intentional discrimination, saying laws that incidentally discriminate a Scalia or a Thomas and that is awareness of our fellow citizens. are ok. Most damning, Roberts exactly what he has done.” The actual outcome will probably just ruled that if this administration It’s tempting to decide that depend on a small group of Republican “moderates,” who tend wishes to exempt someone from the Roberts is the best we can get, so Geneva Convention and we should simply accept him, lest to briefly question about Bush’s international law, they have the we get someone worse. But that policies and choices, then toe the traps us in a continuous cycle of lowered expectations, until we accept anyone short of Attila the Hun. I’m not expecting Bush to nominate the next Thurgood Marshall. Even Sandra O’Connor, who everyone now praises, helped put Bush in office to begin with in a decision blasted by legal scholars for its contempt for constitutional precedents, including claims of the participating justices to support states rights. Given the Republicans’ current power, another O’Connor may be the most we can expect, but we have no obligation to accept a candidate as problematic as Roberts. Instead of caving to fatalistic acceptance, we need to approach this nomination as an exercise in truth telling. We can talk, to whomever we have access, about what Roberts represents, and what a court in his image would mean for America. We can lobby our Senators to draw the line, knowing that the more they do, the more the media will question. We can hold up a vision of how America could be, while describing how profoundly our heritage of liberty and justice is being attacked. And then we can keep on, whatever the immediate result, so that we will not be faced with another Justice Roberts ten years down the line. Paul Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, named the #3 political book of fall 2004 by the History Channel and the American Book Association, and of Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time See www.paulloeb.org What Price is Marriage in the Welfare Law? by Vera Zlatkin, written as representative of Contact Center, Cincinnati Welfare Rights Coalition tvib es Streetvibes money could be better spent on other programs for the poor; programs such as jobs, housing, or child care for poor parents who are working or in school. We also fear that women living in abusive relationships will be coerced into marriage by significant financial incentive making it even less likely that she will be able to leave her abuser. 60% of women living in poverty have been subjected to domestic violence as adults. For these women and their children, marriage may not be the best solution to economic insecurity. ee factor in determining the eligibility of a person or family to receive federal assistance. More than thirty years ago, the Supreme Court held that discrimination against unmarried families is an unconstitutional denial of the equal protection of the laws. (New Jersey Welfare Rights Organization v. Cahill, 411 U.S. 619 (1973)) We are also concerned about the cost, especially at this time when our economy is in such dire straits. The budget bill that cleared the Senate includes $593 million in direct federal aid to the District of Columbia. S. 1446 sets aside $1.5 million a year for marriage development accounts. In addition, the federal government is already spending over $100 million overall on unproven marriage promotion programs. We feel that in this time of deficits and budget cuts, this Str The bill, S1446, introduced by Senator Sam Brownback, which includes a “Marriage Development and Improvement” program for the District of Columbia, we believe, discriminates against single parent families. This program would create Marriage development accounts to low income couples who set up savings accounts to buy a home, send a child to college, or start a business. The government would provide a lifetime payment of $9,000 per couple, which they would have to withdraw within three years and they would have to be married by that time. Single, childless residents of the District of Columbia, who have undergone job, education, and financial counseling, and are between 16 and 22 years of age, may also receive a federal payment of up to $4,500. Single people with children, however, are totally exempt from this program. I am wary that once Marriage Development Accounts are established in the District of Columbia, they will “spread” to other states. Indeed the Federal government is sending a “go light” to marriage promotion policies in the federal welfare law currently being debated in Congress. Some states, such as West Virginia, already financially reward single moms if they get married. Though we are in favor of assistance for low- income parents, we strongly feel that low- income families which are headed by single parents should not be discriminated against by the Federal Government. Marital status should not be a Support Your Vendor Buy Streetvibes Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 Cents (70 cent profit goes directly to the vendor) Homeless Coalition 30 Cents Printing and Production: 30 cents (this cost does not cover expenses) Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are. In every child who is born, no matter what circumstances, and of no matter what parents, the potentiality of the human race is born again: and in him, too, once more, and of each of us, our terrific responsibility toward human life; toward the utmost idea of goodness, of the horror of terror, and of God. �Cincinnati and Other Cities Tackle Chemical Transportation Security Fears over a train tanker leak combined with anger last month when Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken revealed a dangerous, leaking train tanker had been parked along the tracks for nine months. “There is a scenario where there [was a possibility of] an explosion and a dangerous chemical called styrene would be released,” Luken said after spending the morning at the scene with officials. The chemical’s smell lingered over a large part of the city’s east side. But simply smelling the styrene, which was leaking from the tanker, won’t harm you, EPAofficials said. “You can smell styrene at one part per million. So, you’re going to smell it before it has any health effects,” said EPAofficial Heather Lauer. The tanker car, which caught fire last month, had apparently been parked along the tracks for about nine months. A spokesperson for Ohio CitizenAction pledged to investigate the incident. A spokesperson for Westlake Styrene, the Texas-based company that owns the chemical inside the tanker, said that he didn’t know the tanker was sitting on the tracks for so long. “There is a system in place and it’s somewhat dependent upon the rail lines that transport this material,” he said. The material was supposed to be taken to Queen-City Terminal where it would have been “off­ loaded” and stored for future use, the spokesperson said. When a freight train accident took eight lives in South Carolina earlier this year because of unsafe and uninspected train cars carrying toxic materials, it heightened concerns about chemical security in our trains and trucks. Cities across the nation have begun addressing serious deficiencies on this so-called “homeland security” issue because the federal government has done little. Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, and Baltimore are all considering legislation to mitigate the risks of shipping hazardous materials through their heavily populated centers. In 2004, the District of Columbia became the first U.S. city to pass legislation banning hazardous shipments passing through its city limits destined for other locales. The DC Court of Appeals has since stayed the DC ordinance, following a challenge by the Bush administration and the rail industry that argued the legislation violated constitutional provisions dealing with interstate commerce. The Department of Justice asserted that rail security is the responsibility of the federal government and that local Another Vendor Attacked by Carrie Briffett Early in the morning on Christmas Day 1999 a Big Issue street paper vendor was sleeping on some steps when four drug addicts, armed with hammers, smashed in his skull. They had hoped he would have plenty of money on him from Christmas sales of the magazine. They got away with £4.50. (less than $15.00 dollars US) The vendor in question managed to crawl covered in blood onto a main street, where CCTV cameras picked him up, before losing consciousness. Miraculously he survived and is now speaking out about his ordeal. It was however a long, tough recovery. “Part of my skull splintered into my brain and damaged my cerebral cortex [which in part controls movement and sensory functions]. It took me nine months of speech therapy and physiotherapy to walk and talk again because my brain was so badly damaged,” he says. “When the camera picked me up an ambulance and the police turned up right away but I didn’t regain consciousness for 10 days. I had to have 56 operations on my brain to repair it.” His movement is still affected. “My legs are knackered and my circulation is messed up – one arm is cold while the other is hot. I have to stretch all the time to get my legs to work properly. It takes 20 minutes to get them to work in the mornings after I wake up so I can support myself and I have to do exercises that I have been shown,” he explains. The street culture is one of not ‘grassing’ and to do so can mean being ostracized. Consequently the vendor did not press charges against his attackers. And since that time he has been a victim of more attacks. Three years ago he was sleeping in the side doorway of a church and one Sunday morning three drunken students poured petrol on him and his friend, and set him alight causing third degree burns to his chest and back. “They were only arrested for common assault,” he says. “It took me six weeks in hospital to recover. The police arrested them with a jerry can in their hands and they had video evidence. The church was well funded and had cameras set up.” “Someone attacked me only last week – I was kicked in the ribs and they tried to rob me,” adds the vendor, who has been homeless since he was 16 and is now in his mid­ government has no authority in the matter. The DC government is appealing the court ruling. Despite the court decision, several cities are moving forward with their own chemical security legislation. In Baltimore, City Councilman Kenneth Harris sponsored legislation very similar to the DC ban. On May 9 in Cleveland, City Councilman Matthew Zone, introduced an ordinance, which would prohibit rail shipments of hazardous materials through the city unless the fire chief issued a special permit. Several years ago Cleveland adopted restrictions on truck shipments of hazardous chemicals. AChicagoAlderman, Ed Smith introduced legislation to reroute hazardous material shipments around the city. However, the measure was defeated in the Transportation and Health Committee due to opposition from rail corporations. After fear surrounding the London train bombings, the bill was re-introduced and is back in committee, with city officials optimistic about the legislation’s chances for passage. In Boston, City Councilmembers Stephen Murphy and Jerry McDermott recently cited federal inaction and the availability of alternative routes as key factors for submitting chemical transportation legislation. Their bill would prohibit hazardous material shipments within a 2.5 mile radius of Copley Square, a central urban location in Boston. The ordinance is now being considered by the city’s Government Operations Committee, whose members include both Murphy and McDermott. Local safety officials have repeatedly expressed safety concerns resulting from hazardous materials passing through transit systems. These concerns garnered national attention this year when two freight trains carrying hazardous chemicals collided in Graniteville, South Carolina. The resulting spill, which killed nine and injured some 250 others, was the nation’s worst from a train crash since 1978. In the South Carolina incident, a manual track switch was left in the wrong position causing a moving train that was supposed to stay on a main line to collide with a parked train on a sideline. The 11,500 pounds of chlorine released by the collision created a gaseous cloud that hovered over the city through nightfall. Residents used towels and blankets to seal off doors and windows and prevent the greenish-yellow gas from entering their homes. Official clean-up efforts focused on the chlorine release, due to its potentially deadly effects on respiratory and nervous system function; however, the hazardous chemicals cresol and sodium thirties. “Members of the public were walking past and shouted at him and he ran off.” Despite all that he has been through he still has compassion and sympathy for the victims of the Brazil attacks and murders. “What do their government stand for?” he asks. “To allow that is just brutal.” If you see good in people, you radiate a harmonious loving energy which uplifts those who are around you. If you can maintain this habit, this energy will turn into a steady flow of love “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” Streetvibes Page 13 �Forgiven Sins On State Avenue by Mike Henson At the corner, near the Mexican store, I see a poor, staggering prostitute. (I do not call her that but that is what people call her.) She has just stumbled out of some maniac’s car and her body is bent leftward in a stumbling, distorted manner like a bow or an arc bent perhasps by the moons of heroin or by the prodding of crack cocaine or by the distortions of her labor serving men in the cramped front seats of cars. She has a name, tatooed at her neck like a shackle and her teeth are gone clouded and gray and there is to her something so twisted and damaged and childlike and holy and pitiable that I cannot understand how any man would want to have her. But the men do have her. Again and again I see them leave her on the street near the Mexicn store in her little shackled body bent and staggering as if one side drives her perpetually forward and the other drags back like a child tugged down the street by an impatient hand. by George E. Herrell I had rubies, diamonds, pearls and yet I felt that I was poor for knowing not my Fathers love I felt I needed something more HOMELESS He sits alone, covered in dirt. Begging for help, as people walk by like he’s not even there. He replied back to the ones who did notice. I had dreams once too, but lost them in a flash. I was once like you, thought I new it all, thought I was on my way to success, but everything went wrong fast, before I could stop it. But the people just stared and laughed. But in spite of all the nasty comments, he just answered back as gentle as can be, and said, you judge me now, but on day you will be judge too, and said a pray for the ones who judge. One day and old man dressed in rags had asked me for a meal I held on tightly to my bags for fear my treasures he would steal I gave the poor man food and clothes and a coat to keep him warm I looked into his smiling eyes then saw he wore a Crown of Thorns! He held out wounded, bleeding hands and said, “child lay your burdens down” Take off your shoes and walk with me for now you stand on Holy Ground I learned a valuable lesson then as he led me thorough the Pearly Gates ask forgiveness for your sins if you heart is true it’s not too late! The homeless by Don Foran Ten men clamber out of the creaking van, Their sweaty bodies meeting a kiss Of cool night air. They drift, silently, sullenly Toward the darkened church. Mattresses lie, two or three to a room, Along walls decorated with children’s Drawings and almost casual crucifixions. Carl, Eddie, Jake and the others Throw their worn packs and bags Onto the makeshift beds, and John, It’s always John, is first to ask If he can have his sack lunch now, Not in the morning as we had planned. “Sure,” I say, almost as anxious as he To assuage this remediable hunger. Several echo John, and soon all Are feasting on pb and j; apples, celery, And other healthy fare remains on the table, But they’re happier now, even communicative. One thanks me for setting a new pair of white socks On each mattress. Another offers a juice cup To a friend. “Lights out!” Rick calls at ten, And no one argues, no one hesitates. Sleep Knits once more the raveled sleeve of care, Obliterates the hurt, soothes the jangled nerves. Tomorrow will be another day, Another cheerless day embroidered With small triumphs, fragile dreams. Homeless by Octavia I am hungry and cold I wonder will I get a home I hear my family laughing I see food on the table I want a nice little home I am hungry and cold I pretend to sleep in a bed I feel warm covers I touch the bed I lie in I worry will I ever get a home I cry because I don’t have a home I am hungry and cold I understand I don’t have a home I say I will get a home I dream to have a home I cry because I have don’t have a home I try to visualize a home I hope I get a home I am hungry and cold He’s Sweet, I Know by Robert Manassa There’s no money in this world that can compare To all of the things he is willing to do do your burdens will Isn’t He (God) amazing In what He can do? Whatever He has done for others, He will do for me and you You may be rich and you may be poor Whatever the case may be His love, His kindness and mercy He will always’s show Thanks be to God for what ho has done for me I was once blind, but now I see A walk with God, I’m sure you’d like to see Page 14 Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Streetvibes �by William Moore “DEAR JUDGE” ORDER IN THE COURT, I’VE BEEN ORDERED TO COME TO COURT ­ IT’S THE 3RD TIME, I’M BOUND TO DO SOMETIME ­ FOR AN OPEN CANTAINER, SLEEPING IN THE PARK AFTER DARK. AN OPEN - CANTAINER A HUNDRED AND SOMETHING DOLLARS ­ ”DEAR JUDGE” HOW CAN I PAY THIS WHEN I DONT HAVE NO JOB”? BOY, WHOS THE ONE GETTING ROBBED? One check away by James Chionsini twinkling stars can’t keep you warm when you’re sleeping in the park till he break of dawn newspaper pillow and a plastic tarp watching for he pigs that come out after dark lost your job got jacked and robbed your landlord said that’s not my prob doctor bills kill you can’t afford the pills now you’re shaking heart breaking drink as much as you spill THE PLACE WHERE I LIVE!!!! I wake up every morning to a new day. I wonder will I ever find my way. My daughter will be four on the next day. I wonder will we have a place to stay. waiting on the first to quench your thirst alleviate the discomfort of an asphalt earth trying to find a shelter to get some rest but nowhere seems safe without a knife proof vest The notice to vacate came the other day. It says we have to leave by monday. I don’t know what to do or what to say. I want to live here, I want to stay. if you could just get back to square one start to heal the disease that’s got you on the run feeling invisible going insane scowls and nightsticks fall like rain I’m tired lord of being without. My children need a home no doubt. A notice to vacate, disconnection on the phone here and the lights. I just want to scream and fight. Why is life so hard to live? Why do people take and not give? Why is it so hard to keep the place where I live? For what ever wrong I’ve done please lord forgive! Ground Zero As you certainly know by now, public awareness of the issues behind the war and the political corruption in this country is becoming mainstream. Last month, 1600+ cities held candlelight vigils in support of Mrs. Cindy Sheehan’s “ground zero” camp outside the President’s ranch in Texas. (For two weeks while he was on vacation, the President declined photo by (c) 2005, Sam A. Marshall her request to meet with him and Worthington — was pretty explain the contradictions behind the substantial, with about 150-200 Iraq invasion. But during his people in attendance. Although all four corners were full of people, I vacation, he had two hours of free time to ride his bike with bicycling could of course only get three corners champion Lance Armstrong. into the frame at any one time. But all four were pretty evenly distributed. Anyway, as I was in Columbus all week for work, I had And the reaction from passing the opportunity to attend one of nine motorists — lots of honking and vigils, and I took a few photos waving — showed strong support for myself. As you can see, this one — this gathering. in the north Columbus suburb of Sam A Marshall Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 Day Laborer For a Day Cover Story BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY September 2005 STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource September 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Day Laborer for a Day Pg 2: Connections Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: It’s Time to Say Goodbye Adieu Pg 6: Our City’s Janitors Deserve Respect Fast-Food Chains More Common Around Schools Pg 7: Healthier School Lunches Compete with Junk Food in School Vending Machines and Stores 1,100 Affordable Housing Units Created in Boston Pg 8: “Labor” Continued Pg 9: Standdown 2005 Pg 10: The Peace Village FRAC Pg 11: Speaking Truth to Roberts What Price is Marriage in the Welfare Law? Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes Pg 13: Cincinnati and Other Cities Tackle Chemical Transportation Security Another Vendor Attacked Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Monique Little Kelly Carr Andy Lawrence John Lavelle Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Susan Smith Jimmy Heath Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF affordable housing Alison Leeuw Andy Lawrence Boston Cincinnati FRAC Georgine Getty Homeless News Digest Jimmy Heath John Lavelle Kelly Carr Marriage Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Monique Little Peace Village Schools Standdown Susan Smith Transportation welfare https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/5885c09ee5e55de5954c9973c141f4d5.pdf 11f3771b83486313a9c3d0683d1dc780 PDF Text Text August 2005 STREETVIBES “Outsider Art” Provides a Voice Ron English, a resident artist of downtown Cincinnati, knows the power of his craft and the effect it has on people who view it. “My hand just starts to move and I don’t know if I am in control of it. It’s like a dream” says 50 year-old English. Ron, a Streetvibes vendor and talented artist, is like many low-income artists in Cincinnati who struggle to find an outlet for their voice and art, while making some spare change on the side. Ron collects scraps of cardboard and paper to create his portraits with pencil and pastel. The drawings he creates are stunning images of the way he sees the faces of people. (see cover) The development and recognition of so-called “naïve” art has a long and quirky history, populated by interesting and sometimes startling characters. Most of these artists are untrained in conventional art forms and use the tools of art as a way to sound their voice and experience. Some of these so-called “outsider” artists express themselves as musicians, spokenword poets, writers and painters. Peaslee Neighborhood Center, in downtown Over-the-Rhine, collaborates with musicians and artists in order to bring art to local lowincome people and children. Peaslee has worked with a professional artist from the Cincinnati Art Academy to create mosaics for public display, and there is a current project to involve aspiring neighborhood artists and children on mural projects. Also in Cincinnati, Vulcan’s Forge, a project of the Recovery Initiative, focuses on the positive and creative aspects of individuals and is a support system and a source of inspiration for low-income and mentally challenged people. The Recovery Initiative believes not only in Vulcan’s Forge but also that the process of recovery is closely linked to artistic expression. A number of studies have indicated a higher incidence of artistic expression among persons with mental illness when compared with the general population. Due to society’s marginalization of certain groups and the stigma Ron English associated with mental illness, clients of these programs have few ways to express themselves. Vulcan’s Forge and other programs represent a rare Dr. Hans Prinzhorn collected thousands of works by psychiatric opportunity for participants to not only enhance their own individual recovery patients and his book, “Bildernerei der Geisteskranken” (Artistry of the but dispel public misconceptions about persons with mental illness. Mentally Ill), published in 1922 became an influential work amongst Surrealist The list of programs in Cincinnati goes on. Yet this “outsider” art and other artists of the time. remains ‘out’ of mainstream art circles. The development of the awareness of forms of creative expression that exist outside accepted cultural norms, or the realm of “fine art,” began “Art” Cont. on Page 2 with the researches of psychiatrists early in the 20th century. Lessons from London Bombings show right was right all along, pundits say Many pundits insisted that “partisanship” should play no part in the discussion of the July 7 terrorist attacks in London. But it seemed like business as usual in the right-wing media—as commentators used the attacks to score political points for their side and promote their pet agendas. On Fox News Channel’s Special Report (7/7/05), Jeff Birnbaum seemed hopeful that the attacks would mean a rise in the polls for George W. Bush: “I think that there has been a plunging poll rating for Bush’s policies in Iraq and even for the president’s job performance overall, in part because the American people forgot that there really is a war on terror, or they didn’t believe Bush’s oft-repeated reminders from the stump that, in fact, we were in war and we had to act that way. I think this will—it takes away all of the credibility problems that the president has been having. And popular support, I think, will begin to rise for him again.” Birnbaum’s co-panelist, Bill Sammon of the Washington Times, agreed: “I think the entire conversation changes now. You know, we were talking about Gitmo and whether the prisoners had sufficient comforts.... That debate is obliterated. And now we’re back to, guess what? Good and evil. I mean, this is what Tony Blair, and Jack Straw, and all these people were talking about. They’re talking about using words like wicked and evil, the words that Bush was mocked for using by his detractors when 9/11 happened. But that’s where the conversation’s back to. We’re not talking about global warming. We’re not talking about Gitmo. We’re back to the basics. We are at war.” Oddly, Birnbaum’s response to that was to predict a dip in partisanship: “I think, in fact, partisanship, at least in the short run, will be diminished.” That would be true if one were defining partisanship merely as criticism of Bush, since praising Bush and criticizing his “detractors” is apparently not partisan. Fox panelist Fred Barnes made that point even clearer by noting an exception to the non-partisan trend: “Not for Jane Harman,” Barnes interjected— referring to the Democratic Congresswoman who had suggested that the war in Iraq was not making the U.S. or its allies safer. MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough seemed to declare (7/7/05) any and all criticism of the White House unacceptable: “Earlier today, you had Hillary Clinton, senator for New York, coming out and actually criticizing George Bush, criticizing our government, saying that we’re just not spending enough money on counterterrorism.” The clip that followed was a dry recitation of federal domestic security budgets cuts— hardly an unimaginable topic for discussion after the London attacks. Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity also lamented that the left had dared to criticize the Bush administration (7/7/05): “I have felt at almost every step of the way from the very beginning, they have often undermined the president’s war on terror. And they have accused him of targeting civilians for assassination, accused him of starting a war for political gain, accusing him of being responsible for torture policies when no such thing came true. It seems like they’ve always looked to politicize it, which has hurt our effort to unite and combat this.” “Lessons” Cont. on page 5 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Andy Erickson - Education Coordinator Rachel Lawson - Civil Rights VISTA Kate McManus - Civil Rights VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographer Jimmy Heath Cover Mural by Ron English, on display at the Contact Center, Over-theRhine Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 The Atomic City of Cincinnati by Martha Stevens We will remember for a long time the deaths of innocent Londoners on July 9, victims of the Iraq war. Some Americans also remember each August 6 the attacks on innocent civilians by our own country. This August marks the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The U. S. targeted city streets, and many thousands were instantly incinerated. Counting the deaths from the lethal fallout on the outskirts, over 200,000 were lost. We have not had an atomic bomb dropped on Cincinnati — exactly — and yet we have the distinction, among U. S. cities, of having fellow citizens die from atomic fallout. In the 60’s a basement chamber in our teaching hospital was turned into an effectual bomb site. Radiation was beamed at “Art” Cont. from Page 1 One artist who was particularly affected by the works Prinzhorn presented was Jean Dubuffet. Together with others, including Andre Breton, he formed the Compagnie de l’Art Brut in 1948 and strove to seek out and collect works of extreme individuality and inventiveness by creators who were not only untrained artists but often had little concept of an art gallery or even any other forms of art other than their own. Raymond Thunder-Sky, who displayed his work art BASE Gallery in Over-the-Rhine, was already famous, at least from one side of Cincinnati. Few knew his name, but he was a familiar figure to most persons employed downtown in the past 30 years. He was a shy, quiet, rotund man carrying a toolbox, wearing a hardhat, dressed in what seemed to be an endless array of outlandish clown costumes, each with a proper ruffled Elizabethan collar. Some called him the construction clown. You could see the construction clown wherever a new building was going up or an old one was coming down. Wherever the city’s skyline was changing, the construction clown would be there. It turned out he was making detailed drawings of what he was seeing, vividly depicting cranes and beams and riveted joints with bright markers he carried in his toolbox, adding captions to explain what was being demolished and what, exactly, would take its place. Raymond’s work epitomized Dubuffet’s concept of Art Brut, or “Raw Art.” His art was in its “raw” state, uncooked by cultural and low-income cancer patients by the U. C. College of Medicine with funds from the U. S. military. Of the 90 patients exposed, over their whole bodies or sometimes half their bodies, 21 died within about a month. Doctors wanted to find out whether troops caught on the edges of a nuclear blast could fight on, whether a pilot could still fly a plane. Death from radiation is not easy. Those who died vomited up their insides for up to 48 hours, felt like their skin was on fire, became mentally confused. Their immune systems were destroyed, and “they went steadily downhill,” as the doctors often put it, and succumbed in the end to infection. Certain patients were already in a dying state when exposed and were the most abject victims of all. An African-American woman named Katie Dennis lived only seven days after her radiation. She was 52 with four daughters still at home. The nurses on her floor wrote that before radiation, she was weak and lethargic, mostly sleeping when pain was not too severe. When they rolled her into the radiation chamber, she was so frightened of the huge machine there that she was administered shock treatment before her radiation could take place. Afterwards, her pain continued and she bled from the rectum; the next day she vomited “thick dark brown material” and complained all night of pain in her leg. On day seven she had a fever and constant pain. “Her eyes roll back in her head,” they wrote, and she could barely respond to her name. Later that day Katie Dennis died. Surely we don’t want to set off a nuclear war. Yet we read that our government is not reducing its arms but busy creating new, more “usable” nuclear weapons. Why is it, we must ask ourselves, that the U. S. does not cooperate in arms control. artistic influences. Dubuffet’ built up a vast collection of thousands of works - works which bore no relation to developments in contemporary art and yet were the innovative and powerful expression of a wide range of individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Today the increased awareness of all these forms of expression has led to a network of small organizations in both Europe, the United States and Cincinnati, devoted to the preservation of such works and the support of their creators. The diverse influence of all these forms is now apparent in the work of an increasing number of “trained “ artists who have turned their back on changing trends and fashions to try and form a truly singular reality for themselves. Michel Theo, Curator of the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne, France has written the following: ‘“Art Brut”, or “outsider art”, consists of works produced by people who for various reasons have not been culturally indoctrinated or socially conditioned. They are all kinds of dwellers on the fringes of society; homeless, low-income, or otherwise displaced by “conventional” society Working outside of the fine art “system” (schools, galleries, museums and so on), these people have produced, from the depths of their own personalities and for themselves and no one else, works of outstanding originality in concept, subject and techniques. They are works which owe nothing to tradition or fashion.” A firm distinction should be made between “art brut” and what is known as “naif art”. The “naif” or primitive painters remain within the mainstream of painting proper, even if they fail to practice its style. However, they accept the subject and even its values, because they hope for public, if not official recognition. “Art brut” artists, on the other hand, make up their own techniques, often with new means and materials and they create their works for their own use, as a kind of private theatre, like Cincinnati’s Ron English, who gathers his art materials and ideas from the street. These artists choose subjects which are often enigmatic and they do not care about the good opinion of others, even keeping their work secret. People have come to use the phrase Outsider Art to refer to the creative work of artists who are selftaught and/or those who, for a variety of reasons, are what would be considered impervious to being taught how to make art. The innocent, the self-taught, the visionary, the intuitive, the eccentric; the schizophrenic, the developmentally disabled, the psychotic, the obsessive, the compulsive. No matter how powerful and true an artwork might be, if concern for fame, cleverness, or creativity is as important a motivation for creating the work as is personal discovery and expression, then the work will be contaminated with a kind of cultural poisoning and it will not be Outsider Art. Now, as we recognize and lionize the creative individuals who are making this body of work we call Outsider Art, we run the great risk of turning what is so wonderfully outside into just another segment of the mainstream inside. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest illnesses while trying to cross the desert are counted separately. In North New Jersey, Stella Souhlakis, before she was committed to Bergen Regional Medical Center in February, she used magic marker for eye liner. Compiled by Jimmy Heath She wet her pants. She has a child “I daydream a lot, she never sees. Some homeless worrying,” Reg said during an In Tucson, James Huggins, 59, facilities won’t accept her. “If interview at the Uptown Salvation spends his days in city parks. she [goes] to the Bergen CAP Army shelter where he’s been His cart carries mostly old food Shelter on Kansas Street [in staying with his mother and two and a bag of aluminum cans, Hackensack], they’ll put her out siblings for the last month. “I was which he sells. within a day or so, for bedwetting,” worried about getting a home and At least two local shelters said Robin Reilly, a longtime coming back with my family.” are bending the rules to keep the homeless advocate. For two years, suburban more vulnerable homeless out of the Souhlakis is among the homeless families have had Project hard-core homeless, as some call blistering sun. REACH to fight for their children’s them. Many suffer from mental Marlene Moreno, outreach education. worker for Travelers Aid Society, illness or addiction. In Director Diane Nilan and drives a truck into washes in the Hackensack, the number is growing her small staff would contest school - just as the region’s overcrowded early mornings bringing water and districts that denied enrollment to sunscreen to the homeless. services become less available. homeless students based on The heat is “more Four of these people, in permanent residency requirements. fact, have died this year. After years dangerous than last year” for Last month, the Illinois State in the streets, many of the homeless homeless people, she said, because Board of Education killed the “it has been so hot for so long,” have deteriorated to the point Aurora-based program supported referring to 36 straight days of where they can no longer sustain by federal funds. Oversight was 100+ heat in Tucson. The streak themselves. transferred to regional education likely will last, according to the It’s no longer just a offices. National Weather Service. problem, some say. It’s a crisis. “We had great cooperation Not all vulnerable homeless people Public officials and mental from the huge majority of are willing to go indoors, however. health advocates and professionals superintendents and school On Jan. 31, 2000, the city are wrestling with the question: districts, but there were also made it illegal to sell or give away What are we going to do about superintendents who were not food in city parks without a permit Souhlakis and the growing number happy that the law forces them to from the city Parks & Recreation of New Jersey homeless just like accept these students,” Nilan said. Department and approval of the her? Last year, Project REACH Pima County Health Department. “I don’t want to do another helped 350 homeless children with The ordinance makes it more funeral,” said Reilly, who gave the families, and 20 homeless teens, get eulogy for William “Magoo” difficult for church groups and others who want to give food to the into schools. Schmidt in April, saluting the city’s homeless who congregate in the so-called mayor of the homeless. In Phoenix, a record heat parks. Food now must be wave so far has led to the deaths “prepackaged by the In Philadelphia a of 18 people, most of them manufacturer.” Reenie Ochoa, a homeless naked man who homeless, leaving officials parks & recreation administrator, commandeered a police car and scrambling to provide water and crashed it on Market Street said neighborhood groups shelter to the city’s transient complained that homeless people during a Tuesday afternoon rush population. brought trash, debris and “some hour has died For the first time in years, criminal activity” to city parks. The There are homeless people city also modified drinking fountains homeless shelters opened their in Philadelphia who think that so the homeless can’t wash clothes doors during the day to offer incident is giving them a bad respite from the blistering sun, in them anymore, she said. reputation, and they say there are a which has delivered above-average lot of homeless people who are not Huggins said he hopped a ride on a freight train and arrived in temperatures every day since June bad people, they’re just down on 29. Police began passing out Tucson four years ago. He lives a their luck. Robert Anderson was thousands of water bottles donated eating dinner at Chosen 300 vagabond life even though he has by grocery stores, and city officials Ministries. It’s an organization that lung disease and has to use an set up tents for shade downtown. inhaler to help him breathe. provides prayer and meals for “I don’t know why I’m not During the hottest part of people, mostly men, with no homes. burnt to pieces,” said Chris Cruse, the day, he sleeps under a tree in a Anderson says he slipped 48, after taking refuge in a shelter. city park, he says. into drug addiction and while he’s Fourteen of the victims now clean, establishing himself is In Chicago, almost 9,000 were thought to be homeless. difficult: “I made some wrong “Most of us just run from students are homeless. For choices — and the choices I made air-conditioned box to airmuch of the last two years, Reg have affected me greatly.” Benton, a soft-spoken 12-year-old, conditioned box, so it’s hard to Brian Jenkins is executive imagine how omnipresent the heat bounced among his grandmother’s director of Chosen 300: “The only really is for the homeless here,” said difference between us and them is house, his dad’s place and two Phoenix police Sgt. Randy Force. homeless shelters with his mother. that we’re about one and a half In all of last year, the state Few people knew he was paychecks away from being homeless — his clothes were clean, Department of Health Services homeless ourselves.” documented 34 heat-related deaths his hair groomed. But the signs This man who asked to among Arizona residents. were there. His grades slipped. remain anonymous says a domestic The number of illegal He stormed out of class one day. situation put him in the street. But immigrants killed by heat-related He even threw a chair in anger. you wouldn’t know it by looking at Streetvibes him: “I got a teamster’s job, so I’m not your average run-of-the-mill don’t-wanna-do-nothing type of individual.” Now he’s struggling to save for his first and last month’s rent and a security deposit: “I just looked at an apartment. It’s a thousand dollars a month.” For decades, panhandling and homelessness have been as much a part of the San Francisco landscape as the bridges and fog. But now the nation’s “Homeless Czar” is looking toward the Bay Area for possible solutions to America’s homelessness problem. In 2002, an estimated 8,640 homeless people were residing in San Francisco, often living in such decrepit conditions that their existence threatened the city’s tourism industry. However, the situation has improved. According to a study conducted by the city earlier this year, the number of homeless in San Francisco dropped by around 28 percent. City officials have attributed the reduction to a series of new programs. “Historically, [San Francisco] had the worst street homelessness problem in our country,” said Philip Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. “But it’s had some of the most innovative ideas.” The city replaced welfare handouts with initiatives such as the controversial “Care not Cash” program, which provides housing and other support services; and “Project Homeless Connect,” which enlists corporate volunteers to help the homeless find jobs. The greater involvement of the business community and the public is one of the challenges around our country,” said Mangano, a former music agent who was appointed by President Bush in 2002. That’s why ‘Project Connect’ is so important. It brings the business community and the public into that larger partnership with government to get the job done.” “It’s not only the individuals we’re serving, it’s the people that are helping serve those individuals whose lives are changing because thousands of them now feel empowered and part of the solution,” said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Mangano said that he has begun putting together an interagency council from several local, state and federal agencies to study success stories like San Francisco to help develop a national strategy to combat homelessness. Page 3 �Kansas: School-age Children Line Up in Bread Lines Hungry school-age children stand in bread lines every week in Wichita, KS, in what has become “a tradition of summer.” “You see more and more every year,” observed Wendy Glick, who runs the Lord’s Diner, which offers free supper to all who need it. “Families come in. You can tell they’ve never done this kind of thing before.” Glick says hundreds of children show up. Poor children, who stop receiving their two free school meals per day in summer, look elsewhere for food. Clinton Moss, the new director of the Bread of Life food pantry, reported that when she “drove to the pantry at 7:30 this morning, we already had families standing in line.” The pantry opens at 10:00 a.m. .But while summer food sites in neighborhoods can be more convenient than a pantry, participation is low. The Wichita school district gave out a total of only 41,000 breakfasts and 61,000 lunches over the entire 2004 summer, while 26,426 Wichita children a day qualify for free school meals. New York: Encouraging Future Success of Homeless Children Show your The Parent-Child Home Program of Eastern Suffolk BOCES has the nation’s first mobile early childhood outreach program to serve homeless families who live in shelters and other emergency housing arrangements. The first strategy the program uses for children in at-risk families is to reduce hunger and improve access to health care. The program, serving 5,000 children in 145 support! Get your STREETVIBES sites nationwide, is designed to prepare T-Shirt Today! children for school and help them overcome language and literacy barriers. Lack of Affordable Housing and Shel­ ter Demand is Major Homeless Problem in Ver­ mont (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes In Rutland, Vermont, homeless shelters are experiencing an unusually high demand this summer. Occupancy usually declines in the warmer months when homeless people move to campgrounds and other outdoor areas to live. The Open Door mission in Rutland and Burlington’s Committee on Temporary Shelter has been full for more than a month. Officials are reviewing their records to see what is driving the increased need. Rita Markley, head of the Committee on Temporary Shelter, says she’s seen a rise in the number of women who are homeless. She also has noticed a trend in the number of people who have been laid off from full-time jobs. A shortage of affordable housing also is the major problem �Two Homeless Men Burned in Prague by Jarmila Pribylova Prague, Czech Republic – Two homeless men were recently set on fire and severely burned while sleeping in public. On a night in early June, an unknown person poured oil over a homeless man sleeping on a bench and set fire to him. The victim tried to run and find people to ask for help before he collapsed. He suffered third-degree burns on most of his body. His injuries were so severe he has not yet been identified. His health state is critical. One day later, an unknown person doused and set fire to another homeless man, a former vendor of the street paper Novy Prostor who fell asleep in a tram. The tram driver used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire and called an ambulance and the police. The driver said he noticed a person run away when the tram stopped. The victim is now hospitalized with severe burns covering 20 to 25% of his body, including his left hand, belly, back, face and neck. Although the crimes are nearly identical and were committed within 24 hours of each other, police are not certain if these cases are connected. The Czech Police have recently recorded an increase in attacks against homeless people. In some cases, offenders threw flammable bottles into shacks or shelters where homeless people were sleeping. Last year groups of muscular young men routinely attacked homeless people with baseball bats. Jakub Chudomel, a therapist who works with Novy Prostor, sees these new attacks as an extension of a disturbing trend: “Violence against unarmed, defenseless people (i.e. a sleeping homeless person) is an expression of pathological violence. Verbal attacks against the homeless can be explained by a hidden fear of getting into a similar situation. Harassment and attacks by skinheads always act together, in group.” But Chudomel sees these current cases as something different, more disturbing: “Pouring a flammable liquid onto a sleeping person is something else. The offender is most probably a sadist who is also timid and introverted.” Chudomel speculates that this attack suggests cowardice, quiet aggression, and possibly sexually explained pyromaniacal tendencies. “The offender,” he said, “is a monster dangerous to his surrounding.” Chudomel predicts that if the offender or offenders are not caught, similar attacks will likely follow. Since the attacks, homeless people living in Prague are frightened and cluster together at night so that some of them can always stay awake and guard the others. Edited by Paula Mathieu, Spare Change News, Boston Reprinted from Novy Prostor instead of fighting the war of our lifetime. But, while the rock stars preach, our enemies scheme. While movie stars practice politics, suicide bombers plan on how to kill the most innocent people with a single blast. You know, our leaders may ignore antiterrorism at G8 conferences these days, but, of course, that suddenly changes when the first reports of explosions come in. Then, suddenly, that idiot Bush starts looking a little bit better than the likes of the Chiracs and the Schroeders standing next to him. And Tony Blair, well, he suddenly seems to have a more realistic grasp on global realities than, say, Bob Geldof.” Scarborough added: “We’re not a serious people. Some concern themselves more with terrorists’ rights than civilization’s future. Reporters work overtime demeaning the very troops who protect our land. And rock stars replace grim Cassandras, like Bush and Churchill, as the prophets of pop cultures. The results are almost always disastrous.” This lecture comes from a cable news host who has devoted much of his program in recent weeks to the search for Natalee Holloway, the Alabama teenager missing in Aruba. “Lessons” cont. from page 1 While Hannity was lamenting such “politicization,” he was also practicing it: “And doesn’t events like this actually prove that the president is actually right, inasmuch as we knew Saddam used chemical weapons and biological weapons against his on his own people. We knew he wouldn’t abide by the cease-fire agreement or the U.N. resolutions.” Other outlets found it an opportune time to promote White House policies. The Washington Times editorialized (7/8/05): “The London attacks, like the train bombings last year in Madrid, required a high degree of coordination and detail, suggesting a plot planned well in advance. And yet here we are arguing whether to dismantle key provisions in the Patriot Act.” On the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page (7/8/05), Daniel Henninger seized the moment to back the White House’s candidate for U.N. ambassador: “If the U.S. Senate wanted to send a signal of resolve and seriousness to whoever bombed London, Democrats would join with Republicans their first day back to dispatch proven anti-terror warrior John Bolton straight to the U.N. They won’t. They’ll keep playing political fiddles while London burns.” Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly was more hopeful that the London killings would change the minds of those he disagrees with. “My first thought was AlQaeda trying to disrupt the G-8 summit in Scotland,” explained O’Reilly (7/7/05). “My second thought was now maybe Europe will wise up. The terrorists are the evildoers, not the USA.” (In contrast, Fox’s Brit Hume said his “first thought” when he heard about the attack was: “Hmmm, time to buy” stock market futures—Media Matters, 7/7/05.) When O’Reilly wasn’t criticizing the governments of France and Germany for being soft on terrorism, he was blaming the press: “The anti-American press both here and in Europe is actually helping the terrorists by diminishing their threat.” To make his point even clearer, O’Reilly asked one guest, “Have you read The Guardian lately? I mean, it might be edited by Osama bin Laden. I mean, that’s how bad that paper is.” O’Reilly seemed to almost be blaming the victims, wondering why Islamist terrorists would even bother attacking Europe: “What good does it do to Al-Qaeda to alienate Europe when Europe has basically been, not on their side but certainly putting the U.S. as the big villain and de-emphasizing, as I say sanitizing, what Al-Qaeda has done. What good does it do AlQaeda to alienate, you know, the BBC and all of these major organizations that have basically not dealt with the threat in a realistic way?” O’Reilly’s guest, Steven Emerson, expanded on that: “In certain respects, BBC almost operates as a foreign registered agent of Hezbollah and some of the other jihadist groups.” MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough similarly lamented the lack of seriousness about terrorism: “We stop listening to the warnings of the Churchills and the Bushes and, instead, we focus on speeches by rock stars and by Hollywood actors. When our world leaders get together, they focus on global warming and the causes of the moment, Streetvibes Page 5 �Firecats Review movie. It looks terrible with the Legally Blond lady, but Napoleon Dynamite! Fire Cat Magenta: I read the book, it was cute. Fire Cat Blue to Fire Cat Clear: You’re going to see March of the Penguins, aren’t you? Fire Cat Clear: I probably will. So disappointing. Fire Cat Magenta: It looks good. Fire Cat Magenta: He used to Summer Movies make good romantic comedies. Fire Cat Chameleon: Plus you Fire Cat Blue: I so want to see can listen to Morgan Freeman for The Devil’s Rejects – scary, scary. Fire Cat Blue: No such thing! two hours. Fire Cat Chameleon: High I also want to see Charlie and the Fire Cat Black: Morgan Freeman Fidelity. Chocolate Factory. Johnny is pretty sweet. He was in Fire Cat Lavender: I’d like to Depp’s big shiny teeth – scary, retract my recommendation for Batman. He’s been doing some scary. real duds lately but Batman was Fire Cat Magenta: The rest of the Must love Dogs. good. Fire Cat Blue: No going back summer looks like crap. Fire Cat Magenta: He said he now - and High Fidelity sucked! Fire Cat Clear: What about The only did it because he got a lot of Maybe I’m too old. March of the Penguins? Fire Cat ?: I saw Barton Fink last money. Fire Cat Blue: No! Fire Cat Black: Oh, I wish I night. Fire Cat Chameleon: I want to Fire Cat Blue: I love that movie! didn’t know that. Hey! This is see the new Batman movie but I Were you so not expecting that one random, but people are boycotting read, you know, literature. Spielberg and War off the Worlds scene? I wasn’t. Fire Cat Magenta: You can do because Tom Cruise is so psycho. Fire Cat Black: What is that? both, I do both. Fire Cat Lavender: How is he Fire Cat ?: It’s those brothers. Fire Cat Chameleon: But I’m a psycho? Fire Cat Blue: The Cohen snob. Fire Cat Black: He’s just so Brothers. Fire Cat Black: It’s too much Fire Cat Lavender: Can we note psycho – he’s against all drugs. work to be a snob. something in the review about Fire Fire Cat Lavender: We should Fire Cat Lavender: Must Love make our own Fire Cat religion. Cat Chameleon’s weakness as his Dogs, but I’m so kidding. It’s a Fire Cat Clear: Wait, so we OCD disorder? romantic comedy. boycott Spielberg until he stops Fire Cat Black: Oh my god! Fire Cat Black: With John using Tom Cruise in his movies? Napoleon Dynamite is in some new Cusack? Fire Cat Black: I guess so. Fire Cat Clear: I can do that. Conclusion: 7 out of 8 Fire Cats agree – go see Devil’s Rejects 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 Thanks to a Volunteer Bush’s War Machine Must Be Held Accountable by Ms. Mary Gaffney To my Streetvibes friends, who each month are so kind and thoughtful by buying the paper that helps support low-income people and homeless individuals and families, thank you again. And to a most gracious and beautiful person by the name of Susan Smith, thank you. As a volunteer Miss Mary Gaffney here at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Each Wednesday, she brings in food and pastries to serve to our guests here at the office. As a tradition, people patiently wait for her arrival at the office. She brings in not only pastries, but full dinners and beverages for everyone who visits. The staff and everyone want to thank Susan Smith for her generosity and concern for her fellowman. by Sierra Black The Downing Street Memo tells us only what we already know: that the Bush administration planned, well in advance of the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, to invade that sovereign nation and overthrow its legitimate government in the interests of “regime change” – otherwise known as the desire to see a friendlier leader controlling the vast oil resources of Iraq. What makes it so special then? Why all the fuss and bother? Why are we hearing the word “impeachment” and the word “Bush” in the same sentence now when other damning testimony has failed to elicit such a strong response? Many critics of the Iraq war have pointed to the Downing Street Memo as the “smoking gun” in the increasingly damning case against the Bush administration and the lies it told this country in the run-up to war. The key phrase seems to be, “The intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy.” Richard Clarke and Paul O’Neill have both been lambasted in the media for asserting what the Downing Street Memo proves: that the Bush administration had made a firm decision to attack Iraq and forcibly remove Saddam Hussein from the seat of power by flexing the military might of the world’s one remaining superpower. The memo explicitly states that at the time of the writing, in July 2002, “military action was now seen as inevitable.” Susan Smith Page 6 The memo goes on, famously now, to discuss the plans being made to sell this war to the world. A military coalition had to be built to share the costs and casualties, and a legal excuse had to be created for the sake of the world court, of which Britain is a member. The United States, having disdained the world court, was much less concerned about the legal basis of its actions. It seems that in our modern age, there’s an obsession with the paper trail. These pieces of paper replace the reality of civic action and a tough press corps willing to follow not only hard leads but also hunches. The Downing Street Memo merely confirms what the American public has known all along. If the memo itself was a secret, the policy certainly wasn’t. It was clear all along that the Bush administration and hawks in Congress wanted war, and they were willing to go unusual and probably illegal lengths to get it. The press played nice with an administration, seen as sacrosanct after the horror of 9/11, and the public went along for the ride. As the Minneapolis Star Tribune stated in an editorial following the revelation of the Downing Street memo, “President Bush and those around him lied, and the rest of us let them. Harsh? Yes. True? Also yes. Perhaps it happened because Americans, understandably, don’t expect untruths from those in power.” It’s an explanation the administration is perfectly happy with. While failing to respond to John Streetvibes Conyers’ demand, backed up by the signatures of 100 of his congressional colleagues and over half a million American citizens, for a formal explanation of the memo and it’s implications for America’s foreign relations disaster around Iraq, the Bush administration has blithely suggested to reporters that the memo is simply business as usual. They know what we know, that there’s nothing new to see here, and that they won’t be called to account for it because we are too afraid to confront our political leaders during wartime. This war will not end, however, until the criminals who started it are forced to account for their actions, in a court with more authority than the informal court of world opinion, where Bush and his cronies have long since seen their reputations hung for their offenses against not only the accepted standards of legal behavior of one country toward another, but their simple disrespect for the intelligence of the people they lie to on a regular basis. Only when we truly hold this war machine accountable for its actions can we hope to see a significant change in policy and a return to peace. Sierra Black is a Spare Change street newspaper columnist and a regular contributor to “What’s Left,” a weekly radio program on WMBR 88.1 FM. Her website is www.sierrablack.com. © Street News Service: www.street­ papers.org �They Died for Their Country by Paul Rogat Loeb “They died for their country,” read the white granite memorial in the Concord, Massachusetts town square, honoring local men who died in the Civil War. Newer headstones mourned Concord men who gave their lives in other wars — practically every war America has fought — belying the recent baiting of quintessentially blue-state Massachusetts as a place whose citizens lack patriotism. I was in town, on the first anniversary of Sept 11, speaking at a local church that had lost one of its most active members on a hijacked plane, a man named Al Filipov. It was clear then — and clearer now — that these honored dead would not be our nation’s last. I thought of Concord when George Bush urged us, this past Memorial Day, to redeem the sacrifices of our soldiers in Iraq by “completing the mission for which they gave their lives.” But what if this mission (which will, of course, claim more lives) itself is questionable, and founded on a basis of lies? Forty-eight Concord men died in the Civil War, which the memorial called “the War of the Rebellion.” They indeed died for their country, turning the tide at battles like Gettysburg and helping end the brutal oppression of slavery. The World War II vets, listed on a nearby plaque, helped preserve the freedom of America — and the world. We owe a profound debt to the farmers and artisans who won our freedom in America’s Revolution, and whose sacrifices were marked, a few miles away, with an exhibit on the battles of Lexington and Concord. It’s easy for those who have lived through too many dubious wars to forget the power of their sacrifices. But not all the Concord deaths served such lofty purposes. Three Concord men died “in the service of their country” during the Spanish-American war. This war of empire took 600,000 lives alone in our subsequent occupation of the Philippines and our suppression of the first Asian republic, prompting Mark Twain to suggest that the Filipinos adopt a modified version of our flag “with the white stripes painted black and the stars replaced by the skull and cross-bones.” Five Concord men died in Vietnam joining 58,000 other Americans, one to two million Vietnamese, and four million who died after we overthrew a longneutral Cambodian government and paved the way for Pol Pot. One died in our 1965 invasion of the Dominican Republic, which helped prevent the return of a democratically elected president and installed a corrupt oligarch who would rule for nearly three decades. The American soldiers who died in these wars were as brave as their compatriots in the Civil War or World War II. They undoubtedly had as much integrity in their personal lives. But their courage and sacrifice made the world neither safer nor freer. Since my visit to Concord, the memorial has added another name, a 25-year-old first lieutenant, killed a month after our forces rolled into Iraq in March of 2003, around the time that Bush spoke under that “mission accomplished” banner on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln It’s tempting to assume that all the sacrifices of our soldiers are worthwhile. But mere courage guarantees no inherent moral rightness: German and Japanese soldiers fought bravely in World War II. The September 11 hijackers were willing to surrender their lives to murder 3,000 innocent people, including Al Filipov, whose widow would initiate the peace and justice lecture series where I spoke. Even when we’re told our soldiers are fighting for freedom, we have to look at the broadest consequences of their actions. For instance, an international Pew Center survey right after our Iraqi invasion found that we’d so embittered the Islamic world that majorities to near-majorities in countries like Pakistan, Indonesia and Egypt now said they trusted Osama bin Laden “to do the right thing in world affairs.” They now viewed him as a hero, not a murderer. Unfortunately, those who initiated the Iraq war now use each additional American death to justify the need to stay. If we challenge this war, we’re told we’re being disloyal to the troops, undermining their resolve and disdaining their sacrifices. We heard this as well during Vietnam, after which the media rewrote the history of the antiwar movement to imply, through images like protestors spitting on soldiers, that those working to bring the troops home were their enemies. By time the first Gulf War began, these images were omnipresent. Even young anti-war activists told me, “We won’t spit on the soldiers this time.” Yet when sociologists Jerry Starr and Richard Flacks, who worked extensively with Vietnam vets, tried to track down the story, they couldn’t find a single incident of a vet who said he was actually spat upon. And when syndicated columnist Bob Greene invited responses on the subject in a column that reached 200 papers, he found only a handful. The power of such useful myths may erode as military families and veterans play an increasingly visible role in the current antiwar movement, though veterans and families played a key part in the Vietnam-era peace movement as well. Every time I’ve marched against this war, I’ve ended up next to someone carrying a picture of a relative in uniform, a son or brother, husband, nephew, or niece, often someone facing the involuntary servitude of being unable to leave the military long after his or her original service term had expired. But unless we can convince our fellow citizens to separate the lives of the soldiers from the policies that place them in harm’s way, they’ll continue to be held hostage to the choices of leaders who are insulated from the human costs So let’s remember the debt we owe to those who have died for freedom as well as those who risk and sacrifice in the name of protecting us all. But not all wartime deaths advance human dignity, and not all sacrifices are worthwhile. If those who die for a worthy cause are indeed heroes to be honored, those who send our brave young men and women to die in wars of empire and dominion squander their courage, their trust, and ultimately their lives. To use their losses to justify further needless deaths is to betray the best of what the soldiers enlist to protect. For not all of America’s wars have been worth dying in, nor are those we now fight. Paul Rogat Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, winner of the Nautilus Award for best social change book of last year. He’s also the author of Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time and three other books. This piece originated on www.TomDispatch.com See http://www.theimpossible.htm for more on Paul’s work. Am I the Cause of Homelessness - a personal reflection by Susan Smith I am not an absentee landowner who makes money by profiting from poorly maintained housing and I don’t shop at certain big box retailers known for low prices and low wages. I also tip very well in restaurants. After all, most of us that work get paid whether we’re nice that day or not. Lawyers get paid even if they lose and the client goes to jail. Restaurant staff, however, must depend on there being enough customers who feel generous enough to tip them to make enough to live. I have been wondering lately whether my buying habits contribute to homelessness in this country as well as poverty throughout the world. I like to shop for the bargain stretching my dollars so I can buy more. As I have talked to many of my friends I’ve found they do the same thing. By careful shopping we can have items A, B, C, and D, rather than having to make a choice. These are rarely necessities in life such as food, but perhaps another pair of shoes when I already have a closet full. I am able to do this if the prices are low enough. But careful shopping is not the only component of a bargain. The item must also be produced for a lower cost, and it is this that makes me think I am contributing to the homeless problem. I can remember a time when people looked for the ‘Made In USA’ slogan. Now we manufacture very little in this country and many people seem to believe that products manufactured in other countries are not only cheaper, but better. These American made products seemed to last at least as long as the items we buy today whether they be toasters, refrigerators, shoes, or cars. Many of these manufacturing jobs are now done off-shore, not, I suspect, because they make better products, but because wages are lower. In order for me to get a bargain on that pair of shoes I really don’t NEED, they must be produced cheaper. By my looking for that bargain am I in a sense not willing to pay the wages for someone in this country to manufacture them? I think so. Many of you may counter this with the fact that we are creating jobs in poor undeveloped countries where the cost of living is lower. This may be true, but if the wages paid are so low that these people are kept in poverty, I don’t think I’ve helped them very much. Let’s face it – the reason I want cheap shoes, grapes, bananas, coffee and electronic products is not to help poor people in other countries, it is because I am greedy and want more. I don’ think I should have to take all the blame for my greed, however, because I am bombarded by countless images every day that I not only want these items, but need these items. This product or that product will make me Streetvibes smarter, sexier, happier, and more loved. I don’t suppose it is because these are things one must look inward for instead of outward. This thought may be anti-capitalist. I live surrounded by greed and have been greedy myself. Not only have I contributed to the suffering of others but also to the destruction of the earth. In ‘The Earth As It Is,’ Leonard Buff asks, “Is it possible to live in peace and happiness when you know that twothirds of human beings are suffering, hungry and poor? To be human we have to have compassion. This solidarity is really the defining factor of our humanity and is gradually being lost in a culture of material values. It’s not only the cry of the poor we must listen to but also the cry of the earth. The earth and human beings are both threatened. We must do something to change the situation…” Page 7 �Japan: Vendor Profile He is from Ikeda city in the Mr. Kazuhiro Tomizawa. 46 years old, selling Big Issues in Sakai,Osaka. has been selling them from the first edition, which makes his sales career one of the longest in Osaka. His sales pitch is Nakamozu station, which is at the south end of the Midosuji subway line. He used to sell at the Yodoyabashi business area, but his sales amount was decreasing there because there were many other Big Issue sellers. There are many sellers around Osaka station or around Namba. He thought, “I must go south from Tennoji if I want to sell more.” He decided to take up this sales spot far from central Osaka. He has been selling Big Issues at Nakamozu for six months. His sales pitch is at Nakamozu station the south end of the Osaka subway line where it connects to overland line. During the morning rush hour many office workers hurry by. “They pay me while they are running so that they won’t waste even one second. The customers remember me standing here for a long time. Some customers come within the first three days of the publication date of each issue, “ he said. He says that he sells fifty or sixty copies per day in the first week of the publication dates. north of Osaka Prefecture. He is the first son of a dry cleaning shop owner and he has one younger brother. He inherited his parent’s business and rented it out, but he had to close the shop five years ago because of the bad economic situation. He sold his house three years ago and became homeless. He saw a leaflet about Big Issue sales at Osaka station and he thought, ”I have to do something about my situation.” He decided to become a Big Issue seller. He commented, “I didn’t have any experience of working in another place. I don’t like working under other people and I don’t like having my time controlled by others.” This interviewer was impressed by his well-pressed checked shirt and told him that it suited him. “Well I am the son of a former dry cleaning shop owner,” he laughed. So far he hasn’t found the sales work hard. He says, “It is fortunate that from the first time there have been a lot of customers.” Mr. Tomizawa took care to answer each question sincerely. He said he does not like talking about himself, but he had accepted this interview. “My customers say that they would like to see me on this page (“From The Streets”, a page for a vendor story) soon. I guessed that my turn would come some day so I readily agreed to be interviewed. I hope my customers will be pleased,” he smiled shyly. One of the benefits of selling Big Issue is to meet many kinds of customers. He is happy that he has increasing opportunities to exchange pleasantries with many people. This interviewer asked him how he maintains good relations with his customers. He answered, “I do nothing special except to make sure I receive the money and give the correct change.” This is the essence of good business practice and he carries it out perfectly. Another point is that he has small change prepared. He always prepares thirty one hundred yen coins. There is a convenience store near his sales pitch and he goes there to buy drinks when he has some 1000 yen bills he needs to break. He has no particular plans for his future. “It is quite difficult for me to have a dream…” he murmured. He went on, “I dare to say that I would like to take a leisurely trip somewhere. I don’t like airplanes. I’d like to take a relaxing train journey somewhere in Japan. A hot spring resort would be nice where I could totally unwind.” He sometimes talks to his brother over the phone. ”My mother is somewhere in Osaka. I’d like her to see this page. There have been some good times in my life. The shop which we ran was ranked first or second place in Ikeda. These days the cleaning shop business is facing difficult times.” Now he is planning on saving money but, smiling wryly, he added that that would be difficult to do. He said that many sellers had to quit the work, but he would like to continue it as long as there are customers, “So I will not give it up,” he said. He spoke lightly but his words showed his strong will to continue this work. Reprinted from The Big Issue Japan © Street News Service: www.street-papers.org Got The Vibe? Former Mayor, Qualls again a frontrunner as head of Morning Glory ride She was the president of the by John Zeh With fellow guy and gal pals on the right track, sister and former Mayor Roxanne Qualls will help benefit the region’s Sierra Club chapter at its annual Morning Glory Ride on Sunday, August 7. The popular eco-event will begin at 6 am at Sawyer Point, the Queen City*s downtown riverfront park. Participants will ride a new route after a vegetarian breakfast prepared by Wild Oats Natural Marketplace in Norwood. Qualls was elected to Cincinnati City Council in 1991, and won most votes in the 1993 race, making her mayor. Her involvement in the Queen City and the surrounding area has been quite extensive. OKI Regional Council of Governments, director of the Cincinnati Citizen Action and its Toxic Action Project, owner/manager of Crafters painting and remodeling company, executive director of Women helping Women, director of the Northern Kentucky Rape Crisis Center, community coordinator of the Northern Kentucky Senate on Aging, and honorary chair of the Sister Cities Association. Folks able to volunteer for the ride should contact steve@steverindsberg.com or call him at 513-621-9136. Volunteers get a free breakfast. To register to ride, or to learn more, go to:http:// www.morninggloryride.org National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (513) 421-7803 Page 8 This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. Streetvibes �Talbert House’s Turtle Creek Center & Director honored with services that meet and exceed Best Warren. TCC clients begin to Halfway Houses, during the state awards Practice standards. As a re-entry support their families, pay court costs ceremony. “Because of the passion certified program, the Turtle Creek Center is a great place for an offender to begin his journey home, and stay home for good,” said Linda Janes, Chief of the ODRC Bureau of Community Sanctions, during the 13th Annual Clifford Skeen Awards ceremony. Turtle Creek, a 72-bed halfway house, opened in January 2003 as an alternative to incarceration for low-level adult male felony offenders for 15 Southwestern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Miami, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, and and provide restitution to their victims through employment. WARREN COUNTY—Talbert TCC creates a “step-down” House was honored to receive two from prison so inmates will have a awards from the Ohio Department of greater likelihood of successfully re­ Rehabilitation and Correction entering their community and become (ODRC) at a July 14 awards contributing members of society. ceremony in Columbus. The Turtle From July 2004 to June 2005, 73 Creek Center (TCC), located in percent of TCC clients successfully Lebanon, won the 2005 Clifford completed the program, a rate well Skeen Award in the Halfway House above average for halfway houses. category, and Mary Spottswood, Throughout her 26 years of Talbert House Director of Regional experience, Spottswood, a Maineville Corrections, won a Professional resident, has demonstrated her Achievement Award. commitment to the fields of chemical “In a very short period of dependency and community time, Turtle Creek Center has indeed corrections. Spottswood started at made great strides, providing quality Talbert House in 1990 as the director of the Substance Abuse/Mental Illness (SA/MI) program and has been the Director of Regional Corrections since 1996. She served as president of Ohio Community Corrections Association and has a bachelor’s in Psychology from Bowling Green State University and a master’s in Public Administration from Xavier University. She was named Talbert House Employee of the Year in 1999. “She is the Talbert House accepts the 2005 Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction consummate (ODRC) Clifford Skeen Award in the Halfway House category for its Turtle Creek professional at work,” Center (TCC) and a Professional Achievement Award for Mary pottswood. Pictured said Alicia Handwerk, left to right: Jennifer Burnside, TCC manager; Reginald Wilkinson, ODRC ODRC Deputy director; and Mary Spottswood, Talbert House Director of Regional Corrections. Administrator of Health Care Victories In Ohio State Budget by Lynn Williams, Ohio Empowerment Coalition Organizer The Ohio Empowerment Coalition, united with the Ohio Family Coverage Coalition, is resting briefly after a long & arduous Spring “fighting” to get basic health care programs for Ohio’s low-income adults back in the State Budget. We succeeded in getting a “mixed-bag” of victories. We must remember that all of these programs are just a tip of the health care system that should be available for Ohioans & all America. Just the fact that oftentimes state legislators seemed completely indifferent to the fact that there are people in our Society without basic health care, completely appalls us. Then, too, we were happily surprised by State legislators who were willing to go out “on the limb” to offer amendments on DMA and Parent Coverage, including Sen. Thomas Neihaus, Sen. Joy Padgett and Sen. Robert Spada. Of course some legislators never needed convincing as they already supported health care for the poor. Sen. Mark Mallory and Rep. Catherine Barrett are among these, and many thanks to them. Please bear in mind that the Governor, the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate did not vote to restore the Disability Medical Assistance (DMA) program in the State Budget. It took a small committee of House/Senate leaders, the “the conference committee” to partially restore the Disability Medical Assistance Program. The DMA program is a last thin thread safety net for medication dependent adults with income of $115 or less per month. (We won’t soon forget, Governor Taft, of your plan to cut off health care to the very poor & disabled, while giving millions in tax breaks to the top 1% wealthy!) We asked for $141 million to fund the DMA program; $60 million was approved. Ask yourself whether this is really a victory. Parent Coverage for working parents above 90% of the Federal Poverty Level was definitely not a victory; it was eliminated. So much for all the talk about successes of welfare reform if you make more than $14, 481 a year and have a family size of three. Families who had received welfare and along with welfare, Medicaid coverage for their families, are told they are “doing the right thing” by working, but may become completely destitute if a health care crisis hits and they lack health care insurance. We all know horror stories about this, that sadly, are reality, and directly affect members of the Ohio Empowerment Coalition. The policy as it is now punishes anyone who has earnings above 90% of FPL if they lack health care coverage on their jobs. The Good News is that partial dental and full vision programs for adults on Medicaid were restored in the State Budget. At this point, it looks like only emergency extractions will be covered in dental care. Streetvibes and dedication she has toward advancing community corrections, she is always participating in endless meetings, workgroups and always challenging herself and others to push the boundaries just a little further.” The Clifford Skeen Award is given by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to demonstrate commitment to community corrections as a viable alternative to incarceration. The award was first presented in 1993. The award is given in honor of the late, eight-term Ohio Representative, Clifford Skeen, who sponsored the Community Correction Act passed by the Ohio Legislature in July 1979. The purpose of this act was to reduce the number of non-dangerous offenders being sent to state prisons. Talbert House won its first Clifford Skeen Award in 2000 for its halfway house programs in Hamilton County. “We are honored that Talbert House received both these prestigious awards. Turtle Creek Center and Mary Spottswood are invaluable to our mission and both exemplify why Talbert House continues to be a state and national leader in the area of community corrections,” said Neil Tilow, Talbert House president. Since 1965, Talbert House’s mission is to be a progressive, multi-service, community-based nonprofit agency. Talbert House serves a broad population and develops and delivers services in mental health, community corrections, substance abuse and welfare-to-work. These services have two basic purposes: to improve social behavior and enhance personal recovery and growth. The Governor had proposed completely cutting off these programs to adults on Medicaid. This is not everything we wanted, but it does show the power of people working united together to get health care saved in Ohio. Any look at what the current health care system in America is charging can make a healthy person’s blood pressure soar. Thousands of dollars per year can be charged for life-saving treatments, such as kidney dialysis. A heart attack can cost $25,000 in medical bills, the bill alone enough to bring on a second heart attack. America has the most technologically advanced health care industry in the world and yet we have 45 million uninsured people in the U.S. That is the real immorality. Do we value human life or not? The State Budget is not the end all. For more information or to learn how you can get involved call the Ohio Empowerment Coalition at 1-877-862-5179. Page 9 �Homeless Man Gives to Haiti’s Children by Eric Alan Barton Somewhere down a maze of rutted dirt roads in a rundown Port­ au-Prince neighborhood, past the red gate that keeps out the armed thugs, and through a courtyard of packed gravel, a 23-year-old guy from Broward County, Florida steps through the doorway of the sanctuary he created. Aaron Jackson looks out of place at first. A white kid with a black ski cap, baggy jeans, and oversized white undershirt, he seems a better fit for the Aventura Mall than this concrete home in Haiti. But then he’s overtaken by a swarm of kids. As they tug on his hands, crawl onto his back, and jump into his arms, it suddenly seems as if there’s no place he belongs more. “They love to be picked up,” says Jackson, his eyes as blue as Easter eggs and his brown hair a messy mop that matches an untrimmed beard. “They love any attention you can give them.” He sits down in a folding chair, taking two, then three of the kids onto his lap. They steal his hat, and the boys wrestle for it, the oldest, 7-year-old Ritchy, soon wearing it proudly. The kids pat his hair like they’re petting a dog. “It’s soft,” 5-year-old Rico whispers in Creole. Jackson flips him over to tickle his stomach, and as Rico screams with laughter, Jackson points out the boy’s belly, which looks as bloated as an overfilled balloon. “See?” Jackson says, touching Rico’s belly button, which sticks out like a hitch-hiker’s thumb. “He’s still got this big tummy. The worms do it. Even though they’re gone, it takes months for his stomach to go down.” Eventually, the worms might have killed Rico. Back in January, Rico and his 7-year-old sister, Minouche, were living at a Port-auPrince orphanage. It had run out of food and had no medicine to treat parasites that Haitian children regularly catch from drinking and playing in puddles. When Jackson took the siblings from the orphanage, he gave them a remedy that costs about 5 cents in the United States, a pill that wiped out the worms in one day. Now, Rico has added weight to bones that once showed through his skin, and he’s rarely without a smile across cheeks that have become almost plump for the first time in his life. Rico and Minouche Morena joined five other children who share the three-bedroom home Jackson rents in Port-au-Prince. After traveling to Haiti a half dozen times over the past two years to hand out medicine and food to the poor, Jackson opened the makeshift orphanage in December. He pays for it by scraping together donations from family and friends, and by using almost every dime of money he made as a golf caddy. Jackson’s commitment to the orphanage has cost him nearly everything. He wears secondhand clothes, has a car that no longer runs, and owns almost no personal possessions. Last year, when money G8 – The Basic Facts With words like G8, GCAP and white band floating around the media, it’s little wonder some of us are a little confused about the global events that took place last month. What is the G8? The G8, or the Group Of Eight, is comprised of seven of the world’s leading industrialized nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA – and Russia. It began life in the early 1970s when an oil crisis and global economic recession prompted financial officials from France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA to meet to discuss what to do. In 1975 it was agreed that such meetings would be held annually, attended by the heads of states of the six countries. The group was known as the G6. When Canada joined in 1976 it became the G7, and with the addition of Russia, the G8. The G8 has no official headquarters or permanent staff, and the presidency of the group rotates between the member nations annually. What is the G8 Summit? Page 10 The G8 summit is the annual meeting of the group and is used predominantly to discuss providing a stable framework for global economic growth. Topics of discussion at past summits have also included global security, peace in the Middle East, the redevelopment of Iraq, and global warming. Although the G8 can form and suggest policies, it is up to the individual countries whether to adopt them. Why did this year’s G8 Summit take place in Scotland? Each year, a different member of the G8 is president and this year is the turn of the UK. As part of a country’s presidency, it plays host to the summit and Tony Blair decided to hold the UK’s summit in Gleneagles, Scotland from July 6 to 8. What did the G8 discuss? The talks themselves are secret, but we do know that Tony Blair, who headed the summit, wanted to focus on climate change and issues facing Africa. We also know that environment secretary Margaret Beckett, has pledged was tight and he either had to give up the orphanage or his own place, he moved out of his apartment. He now sleeps on the floor of a homeless shelter. Meanwhile, he’s building a school in southern Haiti and has plans to open a health clinic on the northern coast. And even more ambitious, Jackson has handed out 20,000 deworming pills since he began his efforts in Haiti two years ago. “I know it sounds crazy,” Jackson says, “but I want to deworm every person in Haiti.” Few places need the help more. Just a two-hour flight from South Florida, Haiti is the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country, where most get by on $1 a day and only one in five has a job. The seemingly endless political unrest has led to the murder of more than 700 people in the past eight months, and a kidnapping epidemic has escalated to the point where armed thugs snatch up to a dozen people a day. On a recent trip, Jackson traveled the war-torn city of Port-auPrince to hand out medicine and food in the corners of the city where few foreigners venture, where people live in squatter villages built from scraps, and where the strain between residents and thugs seems ready to explode. Those who accept his donations have no idea that, back in America, Jackson is hardly better off himself: homeless and often penniless. Jackson sits on the mattress he sleeps on at a Hollywood, Florida homeless shelter. £50,000 to sustainability projects in Africa to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial motorcades, flights and accommodation. Why is there so much anger and protest surrounding the G8? The countries in the G8 are often seen as acting only in their own interests and those of big business, rather than thinking of the millions of people who are kept in poverty by the trade barriers they set. Campaigners want them to keep issues such as fair trade, global debt and global poverty to the fore when making decisions. What is the Make Poverty History Campaign? Make Poverty History is a global campaign that was launched on January 1 2005 with the aim of eliminating poverty across the world. It is supported and funded by more than 200 charities, campaign groups, religious and faith groups, trade unions, politicians and celebrities – a coalition known as the Global Call To Action Against Poverty. It believes that economic policies, rather than natural factors, are responsible for world poverty, and hopes the UK presidencies of the G8 and the Streetvibes European Union will encourage people in the Western world to take action. How can governments help? Firstly, they can introduce ‘trade justice’ – that is, ending export subsidies that damage the livelihoods of poor rural communities across the world; introducing laws that stop big business profiting at the expense of people and the environment; and fighting for rules that ensure governments, particularly those in poor countries, can choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment, even though these might not always be free trade policies. Secondly, they can drop the debt. GCAP believes the unpayable debts of the world’s poorest countries should be cancelled in full, by fair and transparent means so that poorer countries can instead concentrate on helping their own people. The members of the G8, excluding Russia, have just pledged to cancel the debt of more than 30 countries – but campaigners say this does nothing for at least 40 other countries that also need 100 percent debt relief. �For the eight years that the kids,” says Briski in a hybridised followed her first trip to Calcutta, British-US accent. “I was Briski doled out love and concentrating on my own compassion. Beyond teaching the photography – the women and the children composition, color and depth environment – but the kids were by Ghiti Loebenstein in weekly photography workshops, Zana Briski, director of Born constantly fascinated by my camera, she tended to their welfare and and after the first trip I thought I into Brothels, spent eight years steered many of them away from an would teach them.” teaching, filming and helping to care almost-certain future in prostitution. When she returned to for the children of Indian prostitutes. “The kids are hungry to learn Calcutta, she brought gifts of point­ In the heaving rickshaw of and-shoot cameras. For much of the and share and express themselves. Calcutta’s red-light district rests the They had an awful lot of fun,” she next eight years, the city became her underbelly of India. The dilapidated says. Despite their youth, they also home. “India is a very different place; neighbourhood is cramped with grasped the significance of being able people, but there’s more than just dirt I call it Planet India,” she says. “But to record their lives on film. “Their at the same time, I felt at home there. and decay in her streets. Packed with Living in the red-light district was not pictures have now been seen around a light-fantastic of coloured saris, easy in terms of health, danger, sleep the world, so it’s very empowering spilling water, strewn shoes and the or food but it was also such an honor for the children.” perennial dance of bodies ducking Initially focused on teaching to be included in a world that most and weaving through the day, the photography, people don’t brothel-lined streets are also a Briski started have access to. I photographer’s dream. “Living in the redfilming Born Into This visual maelstrom caught have undying light district was not Brothels soon respect for these the eye of US-based photographer after beginning women and Zana Briski in 1998. She had no easy in terms of her work with the children.” obvious ties to India, and says her health, danger, sleep kids. “I was Born and decision to go there was “karmic… I or food… I have really impressed raised in London, felt called.” Calcutta’s brothels are Briski moved to filled with the children of working undying respect for by them, and I knew I needed to New York 15 women, and it was the bright-eyed these women and document what years ago to wonder of these kids that eventually children.” was going on,” captured her attention. Struck by the study she says. “I had squalor of their circumstances, Briski photography; apart from the time in Calcutta, she never even picked up a video camera spent eight years tutoring them in before, but I went back to the US photography and encouraging them to has lived there ever since. Talking about the comparisons between her and bought [one].” get an education. east and west homes, she quips that Although an amateur Her experience is filmmaker, Briski obviously has a documented in Born Into Brothels, an “New York is just another brothel.” But she sounds decidedly weary. photographer’s eye. Whereas visuals exquisite but heart-wrenching film cousually take second place to content directed by Briski and her compatriot Whether this exhaustion is from the flight she got off just moments before in documentary films, Born Into Ross Kaufmann. Created completely out of circumstance, the film went on our interview, or from the years she’s Brothels is composed of vibrant, vital imagery. It was the only creative devoted to the lives of the Calcutta to win multiple festival accolades children, is hard to say. “It’s affected outlet that Briski allowed herself including awards at Sundance, me in every way. It really took over during the eight-year project, as she Sydney and the 2005 Academy my life, and it wasn’t really anything I all but abandoned her own Award for Best Documentary. “I planned to do, I’m just recovering.”. photography. “There was no way I never really thought of working with The Angels of Calcutta could teach the kids, take care of them and [still do] all the rest of it, so now I’m really dying to get back to [photography]. Really, that’s what I do and who I am.” Determined to help redirect the course of the children’s lives, Briski threw herself into finding schools for them – a difficult task considering most schools refused to admit prostitutes’ children. Despite Briski’s near-perfect success rate, by the film’s end all but two of the children had voluntarily left or been taken out of school. Briski’s work has continued since the film’s release. The two kids that stayed in school are now both fluent in English and one of them will soon be attending high school in the US. Briski is planning to build a school in Calcutta and now presides over Kids With Cameras, an organisation set up to empower underprivileged children from all over the world by teaching them photography. In light of her exuberant commitment to a cause that she stumbled upon, it’s hard to discount Briski’s allusions to a fated calling. “On my second trip to India I was introduced to the red-light district, and that was that,” she says. “I had a very personal response to it, as if I recognised the place. I usually say I was an Indian prostitute in a former life…” If that’s the case, Born Into Brothels is a gallant demonstration of karmic duty. For more info on Kids with Cameras, visit www.kids-with­ cameras.org Reprinted from The Big Issue Australia. Selling Spare Change in a Heatwave by Edward Larsen I’m a vendor and now current writer for Spare Change Street Newspaper. I am happy to say it’s finally summertime and also one of the best times of the year for vendors to sell papers – unless of course, the weather gets too hot. Today I would like to share with you what it’s like to sell SCN. It is a full-time job for myself – and perhaps other vendors as well. On average, I work about 40 to 50 hour per week, and to be honest it’s the best job I have ever had. On an average day, I travel about 30 minutes to an hour on the T, depending if the T is running on time, to buy papers from the SCN office on Mass. Av e. just outside of Harvard Square, in Boston I have to get there at some point during my selling day, but certainly before the offices close at 5 p.m., but I normally try to get there between 2 and 3 p.m. I usually buy about 100 papers for 25 cents a piece, and that number usually lasts me about two to three days. On a typical day, I can sell around 60 newspapers. From June 10 to 12 was the first official heat wave of the summer, with temperatures well into the 90s and high humidity. I’m a very pale person, which means I really feel the heat and humidity like most people do, plus I get easily burned by the sun. I also have a chronic medical disability – Chrone’s disease and colitis, as well as an ostomy. On Saturday, despite the heat, I went to work. Sales were slow because of the transition in temperature, and people were hot and irritated. I went to one of my usual spots, the corner island of Cambridge Street, across from the MBTA near the medical complex. Very few people stopped to talk to me. Everyone was in a rush to get inside the favors of air conditioning. I had been selling the paper for more than two hours and had maybe sold, if lucky, 10 newspapers. The heat was starting to make me dizzy, so I decided to take a break, hoping for a better time later. I decided to ride the T, hoping for some air conditioning and a place to sit for a few hours. When I got on the Red Line to ride between Braintree and Alewife, I was disappointed that the temperature in the train was barely any cooler than outside. The AC was on but just not working well, and all the hot bodies soaked it up pretty quickly. But at least I was sitting for a bit. I pulled out my Walkman from my bag and tried to listen to the radio. I like to listen to Air America or the college music stations. I never listen when I sell – that would be disrespectful – only when I’m resting. Many people on the train looked unhappy and hot – small kids fussing, families with irritated looks, people coming to or from work, looking hot and tired. At one point the AC vent from above dripped some runoff water onto my head and the heads of a few other passengers. The others seemed disgusted, but for me that day, the dirty water was the coolest and best blessing. I savored it. Getting restless, I went back to my spot to try to sell for a few more hours. I pulled out all the stops. I refer to men who walk by as “young fella” and the women as “kiddo.” I think these are friendly terms, but still respectful. A lot of Streetvibes older people like to be called young or kiddo. I worked for several more hours but sold only another 10 papers. Despite the poor sales, I decided enough was enough and to call it quits around 8 p.m. By this time I was dehydrated, felling intoxicated by the sunburn. It was too hot to eat. I divorced myself that day from my typical appendage, a bottle of coke or Pepsi, and opted for Gatorade, water and juice. I walked down to the Charles River (on the Boston side) and drank my liquids while sitting on a bench and watching the evening lights come on. There I crashed my head and tossed and turned from the mugginess and stickiness. Occasionally, spotlights from the police or patrol boats on the river would shine into my eyes. With my jacket for a pillow, I tried to get a few hours sleep and hoped to do better selling papers the next day at the Gay Pride Parade. Edward Larsen is a Spare Change News, Boston vendor. His e-mail address is scnvendor@hotmail.com. Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 Cents (70 cent profit goes directly to the vendor) Homeless Coalition 30 Cents Printing and Production: 30 cents (this cost does not cover expenses) Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Just how many poor people are there in the world? 852 million people are hungry, up from 842 million a year ago. In the developing world, more than 1.2 billion people currently live below the international poverty line, earning less than $1 per day. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the poorest 48 nations (that is, a quarter of the world’s countries) is less than the wealth of the world’s three richest people combined. The developing world now spends £13 on debt repayment for every £1 it receives in grants. Seven million children die each year as a result of the debt crisis. 40 million people across the world are infected with HIV or AIDS. 104 million children don’t go to primary school, and 860 million adults (most of them women) cannot read or write. �Obese Soldiers Jeopardize National Security (’Military Says Obese Recruits Put Nation at Risk) Overweight recruits are becoming a national security issue. Nearly two out of 10 men and four out of 10 women of recruiting age weigh too much to meetArmy recruiting standards. In addition, those who become soldiers often gain weight, because all branches of the military have many sedentary jobs. AnArmy nutritionist said: “This is quickly becoming a national security issue... We’re going to have a harder time fielding anArmy.” Many already in the military who were required to shed pounds by their supervisors resorted to potentially harmful remedies such as rubber suits, appetite suppressants, laxatives, and induced vomiting. Edible Schoolyard Comes to the Capitol (“Keep These Kids From Eating Veggies? Try.” The New York Times, July 6, 2005) Alice Waters, the “queen of California cuisine,” has declared “all­ out war on the burger-and-soda school lunch.” She initiated her first battle against unhealthy eating in Berkeley, CA by creating a one-acre garden at a local school in 1995. As part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, she planted a vegetable garden on the National Mall, about 80 by 120 feet, to send her antiburger message to legislators, parents, and kids from the nation’s capital. Ms. Water plans to further promote her Edible Schoolyard concept and grow vegetables at 16 more schools in Berkeley, providing nutritious lunches for more than 9, 000 students. She hopes that it will be a pilot for the nation, citing Brillat­ Savarin’s maxim that the destiny of nations is dependent on how they nourish themselves. “We’re going to show a whole generation of kids how to cook and how to eat, and our country will be the beneficiary,” Ms. Waters said. Pennsylvania: Proposed State Budget Would Cut Food Charities Funding by 14 Percent The ACLU Probes FBI on Freedom Issues TheACLU has launched a probe to expose and prevent FBI spying on people and groups simply for speaking out or practicing their faith. As a first step, the ACLU and its affiliates have filed Freedom of InformationAct requests in more than a dozen states. Although the FBI has refused to turn over most of the files, the ACLU has obtained evidence that confirms the FBI and local police, working through Joint Terrorism Task Forces, are spying on political, Cold Homecoming by Cydney Gillis A dirty little secret is finally out: While George W. Bush has (“State considers cutting food aid for been waging war inAfghanistan and Iraq, he’s been cutting medical the hungry,” Post-Gazette.com, July services for the veterans coming 2, 2005) home. ` The state senate adopted a Or, at least, grossly budget plan from the governor that underestimating how many veterans might push more people over the would need — and be entitled to edge into hunger. If approved, the — medical services from the plan will trim $2.4 million from the State Food Purchase Program, which Department of Veterans Affairs. Last month, in a major blooper for translates into a 14-percent cut in the Bush Administration, the VA funding for local food assistance charities. Last March 500 pantries revealed it had budgeted for serving reported a 23-percent increase in 23,553 returning veterans in fiscal people using their services. For 2005 — far short of the 103,000 needy rural areas, where state funding now expected. accounts for nearly half of the food The VA said the number inventory, the proposed plan will was based on figures from 2002, dramatically curtail the frequency of when the U.S. was supposed to be food distribution and the amount that out of Iraq in six months. It’s an is provided. Pennsylvania Hunger error that’s put the VA’s Health Action Center’s Sue Mitchem said: Administration $1 billion short this “Sadly, the last resort for families with year — with estimates it will be hunger is about to be weakened.” $2.7 billion short in fiscal 2006. Last month, led by Washington Democrat Patty Murray, the U.S. Senate voted an emergency supplement of $1.5 billion for VA. The House followed with a bill authorizing $975 million. While the two bills wait to be reconciled — Congress is in recess this week — Sheila Sebron and the veterans she works with continue to wait for services. Sebron is a volunteer advocate with the National Association of Black Veterans. During her service in the Air Force between 1977 and 1984, she was injured in an auto accident — an event that left her knees permanently blown. When she’s in pain, Sebron sometimes suffers flashbacks of the accident — a symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder for which the mother of two says she had to fight the VAfor treatment. Like the Vietnam War, waves of combat vets are now “Don’ t Leave Home Without t...” I Streetvibes environmental, anti-war and faithbased groups. The ACLU thinks the public deserves to know who is being investigated and why. They have sued the FBI and the Department of Justice to get those answers. ACLU clients comprise advocates for causes including the environment, animal rights, labor, religion, NativeAmerican rights, fair trade, grassroots politics, peace, social justice, nuclear disarmament, human rights and civil liberties. When the FBI invades the privacy of political and religious groups in the name of fighting terrorism, theACLU believes that these acts are abuses and threats to our trust and freedom. returning home with PTSD, Sebron says — only to face long waits for help, if they can get any at all. At the Seattle VA, which is $11 million in the hole this year, Sebron says there are currently 18,000 people enrolled. Their wait for an appointment can range from five months to one year, depending on their disability rating. The higher the rating, the quicker the service. Sebron, who’s lower on the list but suffering from depression in the wake of losing a loved one, has had an appointment for a mental consultation she needs bumped back twice in the past two months. And that’s for a veteran with a disability rating. Sebron says anyone not currently in the system is out of luck. A current hiring freeze at the Seattle VA, which is leaving vacant positions open for now, is only making the situation worse, she says. “The reality of an exploding body and the mistakes — that you intended to kill the bad guys and it turned out to be a family in a house. They didn’t have time to process it.” The flashbacks, Sebron says, are like having images of memories superimposed over events happening in the here and now — something she describes as surreal. Despite the reports of long waits for service and care, Megan Streight, a spokeswoman for VA’s Northwest Health Network (which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska) says facilities in the region have actually had a drop in demand over the past few months — and that the VA is mostly meeting its guidelines of providing all eligible veterans with an appointment in 30 days. Reprinted from Real Change News Page 13 �He’s There by Robert Manassa I want to tell you a story - it won’t take long. You may have read about him in a book or even in a song. this man turned water into wine, Get ready people, to share in his glory divine This man was hung on the cross one day Not even one word he had to say He didn’t even fight nor did he fuss To stay there on the cross, that was a must So when your so-called friends let you down just look toward heaven’s way for a true friend Jesus – he will never-ever let you down Remember he won’t fail you – He’s always around Broken Glass by Evanne Fisher I’m so Angry I slam the door The glass breaks. It falls to the floor Like sleet from the sky. Like the shattered pieces of my life, The broken glass lies at my feet As I look down, I see all of my hopes and dreams Splattered there amongst The glistening pieces of glass. I reach down to pick up the pieces of my life, The glass cuts my hands, Blood everywhere Dripping Flowing into the vast darkness They All Asked about You by Michael Henson I went down to the city of lights, they all asked about you. The preachers, the sellers, the man with pale flowers, the police gliding by in their big white cruisers, they all asked. The prostitute sighing her continuous sigh, the girl with one eye bruised, the children of the cobbled alley, the postman with the heavy news, they all asked. They all asked about you. I went down to the city of sea, they all asked about you. The mussels and starfish, the sharks and the barnacles and the otters in their castles of kelp, they all asked. The fishermen winching at their sodden nets, the women stitching at the shore, the cold gulls above them, screening the sands, and the briny things clustered in the scuds of foam, they all asked. They all asked about you. I went down to the city of oblivion, they all asked about you. Someone mumbled through an opium haze. Someone muttered through an alcoholic mist. They all asked. The boy lowered his bag of glue and the crackhead his pipe of dreams. The needle-freak set down his shivering spike and a girl let smoke drift from her mouth. Each addled neuron knew your name. They all asked. They all asked about you. Where I’ve chosen to live. I went down to the city of poets, they all asked about you. In iambics and sestinas and in yawping free verse, they all rhythmically asked. There was one who risked all for seven broken lines, one who stood coughing in an empty tower, one who built pyramids of abstract syllables, and one whose voice was a broken trumpet. All of these and a chorus of lyrical Greeks, they all asked. They all asked about you. Don’t be sad or start to cry. Don’t think to hard or wonder why. Just walk with me for just one mile, and at its end I’m sure you’ll smile. Then I went down to the city of earth, they all asked about you. The ants and the centipedes, the pill bugs and slugs chewed out the words with their loamy mouths. Mute as the mole in their vegetal manner, they all asked. Even the dead, in their earthen cathedrals, lit their dark candles and chanted for you their continuous psalm. They all asked. They all asked about you. I was lying on a torture rack and a friend was lying on one close by. We were trying to carry on a civilized conversation, but it was rather difficult as two employees of the place were giving the two of us their full attention. Their supervisor came in. He cussed them up one side and down the other telling them what a mess the place was, how they were getting blood all over the place and how they weren’t following proper protocol. He told them that if they didn’t straighten up that he’d see about having one of us on the racks switch places with them. I said, “No way! A, these working conditions are deplorable, B, you treat your help like crap, and C, I know damn well you don’t pay union scale. by Jba The law locks up the man or woman Who steals the goose from off the common But leaves the greater villain loose Who steals the common from off the goose. The law demands that we alone When we take things we do not own But leaves the lords and ladies fine Who take things that are yours and mine. The poor and wretched don’t escape If they conspire the law to break; This must be so but they endure Those who conspire to make the law. The law locks up the man or woman Who steals the goose from off the common And geese will still a common lack Till they go and steal it back. —Anonymous Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Page 14 Streetvibes �One check away Why is there so much month left at the end of the money? James Chionsini twinkling stars cant keep you warm when your sleeping in the park till he break of dawn newspaper pillow and a plastic tarp watching for the pigs that come out after dark lost your job got jacked and robbed your landlord said that’s not my prob doctor bills kill you can’t afford the pills now you’re shaking heart breaking drink as much as you spill waiting on the first to quench your thirst alleviate the discomfort of an asphalt earth trying to find a shelter to get some rest but nowhere seems safe without a knife proof vest by JH Who is the man that staggers in the park? The old man, with gray hair… The poor gentleman that lives in a flea-bag hotel. The man that reminds me of my father, my dad… He’s tall and thin. Had an egg-sandwich for breakfast. In his tiny room, downtown. if you could just get back to square one start to heal the disease that’s got you on the run feeling invisible going insane scowls and nightsticks fall like rain This thin man, this papa, the gray-haired guy, staggers in the park, on a brutal, hot day… The homeless by Don Foran Ten men clamber out of the creaking van, Their sweaty bodies meeting a kiss Of cool night air. They drift, silently, sullenly Toward the darkened church. Mattresses lie, two or three to a room, Along walls decorated with children’s Drawings and almost casual crucifixions. Carl, Eddie, Jake and the others Throw their worn packs and bags Onto the makeshift beds, and John, It’s always John, is first to ask If he can have his sack lunch now, Not in the morning as we had planned. “Sure,” I say, almost as anxious as he To assuage this remediable hunger. Several echo John, and soon all Are feasting on pb and j; apples, celery, And other healthy fare remains on the table, But they’re happier now, even communicative. One thanks me for setting a new pair of white socks On each mattress. Another offers a juice cup To a friend. “Lights out!” Rick calls at ten, And no one argues, no one hesitates. Sleep Knits once more the raveled sleeve of care, Obliterates the hurt, soothes the jangled nerves. Tomorrow will be another day, Another cheerless day embroidered With small triumphs, fragile dreams. Harold Suicide I want to swim with the fish For all eternity Or I could fly with the birds Up in the sky so high I could also go to the doctor And get these pills filled All I would have to do Is take them all I could park my car in the garage And let the carbonmonoxide take me I could huff on house hold cleaners And let the fumes consume me I could overdoes on acid And get a trip before I die I could stand in a pit of fire And smell my burning flesh Or maybe jump off a building With the wind rushing past me I will do it today Or maybe I will wait till next week............... In The Darkness Hiding in the darkness of the night, This is how I’ve been forced to live my life In the blackness I conceal, All my problems that are real Afraid to let my feelings show, Afraid to let anyone know The pain I have been forced to endure, Is not as easily hidden as before As the problems continue to grow, I contemplate just letting go He sits on the bench, with his counterfeit friend, and he falls on the ground, with the heavy limpness of a cruel torture. On the asphalt, in the shade of the trees, this old man falls. The deception of life, and the deny of death. I feel the spirit of this man, myself, on the ground, the hot, cruel asphalt… I want to go home A place where I can be me Where warmth envelopes my soul when I open the door A place where I can be free. I can’t wait for you to love me Lord In a tangible physical way Your arms wrapped around my aching body Taking my pain and grief away I have never felt safe here Never feel like I belong I’m weary and I’m tired but I’ll keep plugging along. I just want to feel a piece of your love here In someone close to my heart but I keep getting disappointed The hurt pierces like a dart I know I’m not perfect Lord but please teach them your grace I’m so tired and weary of falling on my face. Please put it in their heart to share your love with me so I can taste just a little bit of what is meant by “free”. This is a battle I can not win, So why should I bother to post-pone the end Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 Outsider Art Cover Story BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY August 2005 STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource August 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: “Outsider Art” Provides a Voice Pg 2: The Atomic City of Cincinnati Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: Two Homeless Men Burned in Prague Pg 6: Bush’s War Machine Must Be Held Accountable Pg 7: They Died for Their Country Am I The Cause of Homelessness-A Personal Reflection Pg 8: Japan: Vendor Profile Former Mayor, Qualls Again a Frontrunner as Head of Morning Glory Ride Pg 9: Talbert House’s Turtle Creek Center & Director Honored with State Awards Health Care Victories in Ohio State Budget Pg 10: Homeless Man Gives to Haiti’s Children G8- The Basic Facts Pg 11: The Angels of Calcutta Selling Spare Change in a Heatwave Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes Pg 13: Obese Soldiers Jeopardize National Security The ACLU Probes FBI on Freedom Issues Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Rachel Lawson Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Susan Smith Jimmy Heath Ron English Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF ACLU Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Art Arts & Poetry Bush Cincinnati Georgine Getty Haiti Homeless News Digest Japan Jimmy Heath Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Mayor Melvin Williams Peace Village Pennsylvania Prague Rachel Lawson Ron English Soldiers Susan Smith Talbert House Turtle Creek Center https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/a5f207dfc8fb450c002949a3b1aab5cb.pdf d7037e1a4f7b0eda411db557f2d609a0 PDF Text Text JULY 2005 STREETVIBES GCCH Education Packet on homelessness available to local schools setting. It was open to changes the teachers can make themselves,” said Mitch Perdrix of Aiken University High School. by Andy Erickson The guide has been used in many different settings and in many Education Coordinator different ways. Greg Carpinello of Xavier University’s Peace and Justice What are the causes of homelessness? Who is most at risk of Programs even used the guide to prepare students for an Urban Plunge becoming homeless? How do the rights of homeless citizens differ from the Retreat this past April. housed population? How do we begin to solve homelessness? “Your guide was great!” said Carpinello, who was particularly excited Students in area schools have been exploring these questions in depth about the guide’s “Seeking Shelter” role-play activity. “It really helped the through the use of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless’ recently students get into different roles focused on homelessness and helped them developed Teacher’s Guide and Education Packet. These materials were start to see from a new perspective.” developed in order to help educators teach about the issue of homelessness in Like Carpinello, Mitch Perdrix found the guide’s role-playing activities an easy and effective way that students would enjoy. to be particularly useful. “The students enjoy pretending and they also found The success of the program has been exciting for [role-playing] as a way to interact without getting in trouble – they could be both GCCH and educators alike. creative in their characters,” said Perdrix. “I think what makes this teaching unit on Most importantly, teachers have noted an increase in compassion homelessness special is that it is put together, in part, toward the homeless among their students after teaching from the Education by the experts in homelessness, namely the homeless Packet. “I’ve heard several students say that they no longer just think of ‘dirty themselves,” said Pat Klus of Seton High School. lazy people asking for money’ when they think of homeless people,” stated “This teaching tool is not just up-to-date statistics; it Perdrix. has a real face. The homeless and their experience Suzette Glaab, who taught the materials to the entire junior class of Andy Erickson combined with the efforts of those in the fields of Bishop Brossart High School said, “I absolutely believe that my students have social services and academics a better understanding of the make this a really unique homeless situation. I specifically educational collaboration.” appreciated that the material The Teacher’s Guide brought national issues and contains 150 pages, over 25 problems into the local area of handouts, and numerous activities the students, making it more real designed to help students for them.” understand the complex realities Lauren Schroeder of of homelessness. When taught Mother of Mercy High School along with the supplemental also noted the impact on her materials that make up the students. “I think inroads were Education Packet, students are made in helping the students see able to learn about homelessness that homelessness is not just in a comprehensive way, and someone else’s problem, but a through a variety of media. problem that the whole In addition to the community must work toward Teacher’s Guide, the Education solving. I believe that their Packet contains Voices perspective on those who are Unheard, a 35-minute poor, marginalized, or powerless documentary on homelessness in has become one of greater Cincinnati; Through Our Eyes, a compassion and understanding.” book written by Mother of All of the teachers we spoke Mercy students about homeless with said they would recommend people they met at the Coalition; the guide to other educators. “I Homeless in Cincinnati, a 2001 will definitely use these materials study of Cincinnati’s homeless; next year and for years to come. Streetvibes, a monthly My colleagues have asked to newspaper produced by the borrow these materials from me Coalition; and a visit from the based on my high Some of the materials included in the homelessness education packet Coalition’s Speaker’s Bureau. recommendations,” said Pat “The video, speaker, internet assignments, readings, and in-class Klus. processing all contributed to a more broad-based knowledge of the homeless GCCH is currently looking for additional schools to use the Education issue in Cincinnati and the nation,” said Lauren Schroeder of Mother of Mercy Packet in their classrooms. All materials in the packet are currently available High School. for purchase. Interested educators should contact Andy Erickson, Education One of the packet’s best qualities is its flexibility. “I thought the Coordinator at GCCH. He can be reached at andrewberickson@yahoo.com lessons were constructed in a manner that could be used by any teacher in any or at 513-421-7803 x14. Teachers find materials “very useful” The Mayerson Foundation Serves to foster student Leadership This summer, the Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation supported two-one week Summer Service Leadership Programs that brought students and teachers together for a better understanding of their diverse communities, as well as, the impact of agencies serving the needs of others. Students and teachers from Aiken University, Moeller and Withrow International High Schools participated during the week of June 12-17 and students and teachers from Hughes Center, Mt. Healthy and Wyoming High Schools participated during the week of June 19-24, 2005. Some of the agencies served by the students included: Drop-Inn Center, Our Daily Bread, Peaslee Neighborhood Center, Peace Camp, Espy and LeBlond Boys and Girls Clubs, Kids Café, St. Francis Soup Kitchen, Wilson Downtown Center and Memorial, Inc. Dr. Steve Sunderland, Director of the Peace Village, led the final reflection activity during the first week, having students create posters that expressed how they were changed by this experience. Mayerson - continued page 3 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Andy Erickson - Education Coordinator Rachel Lawson - Civil Rights VISTA Kate McManus - Civil Rights VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographer Jimmy Heath Cover Artwork by Amanda Mertz Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Coalition welcomes new Staff member I have worked for the City of Cincinnati (12 years). My wife and I ran a business in the West End for about ten years, located at the corner of York and Linn streets. I was educated in West End Catholic by Melvin Williams schools. I went to Elder High School My name is Melvin Williams and Woodward in the 60’s. and I now work for the Greater I went to Elder when there Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. were only 12 black kids out of the I grew up in the West End school population of two-thousand.I neighborhood of Cincinnati, not far have been married to my childhood from this office were I now work. sweetheart for 34 years. I have four lovely children, three of them girls. One of my kids has been in the Army for 12 years. another was in the Marines and another is in her fourth year of college at Mount St. Joseph. I have one son who died in 1980, and another son is living in Alabama. Please come and visit me at he front desk in the afternoons at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. African Americans left out of Development Deals by Damon Lynch, III The Banks fiasco that occurred last month is a perfect example of the exclusionary economic practices that continues to leave African Americans out of the loop of major development. On Sunday, June 12, the Cincinnati Enquirer showed the perfect picture of what development and economic plans look like in Cincinnati: 5 five white men sitting along The Banks announcing their secretive deal that was put together by the Hamilton County Commissioners and the developers. The Banks is one of the largest, if not the largest, development project that this city has ever seen, yet, the picture speaks volumes. Now City Council is crying afoul because they were left out of the process of the long overdue development project. The irony of this is that now the City is getting a taste of its own medicine. Black developers and business owners have been left out of development and other economic projects in this city for decades. The City now knows exactly how the Cincinnati Black business community feels about being left out of the decision-making and being offered the scraps of lucrative deals. Just as Mayor Luken reminded County officials that the City owns half of the development rights before proceeding, the City and County should be reminded that Blacks have contributed to the tax dollars that are being used to develop The Banks, Fountain Square, and Over the Rhine. Without significant African American participation, including development and ownership, these projects should not proceed. Councilwoman Laketa Cole called the deal “unprofessional”. It is also “unprofessional” when Blacks and other minority contractors are not at the table making decisions about how tax dollars are going to be disseminated for public projects. This is the City of Cincinnati’s golden opportunity to bolster Black business and economics of the poor and working-class, not with mindless minority goals, but with real impactful economic opportunities. In order to ensure that Blacks will have more development, ownership, and jobs from The Banks, City Council should withhold turning over its air rights and TIF revenues until a number of Black developers and business owners are given the opportunity to participate. There is no justifiable reason why a significant number of Blacks and working-class residents should be left out of a $632 million dollar deal. The Banks would indeed help to revitalize downtown and should be carried out, but it must be done in a way that is fair and just. This is not only about business, but each of these multi-dollar projects should be used as a vehicle to improve the quality of life of the masses, not the select few. City Council continues to provide “band-aid” solutions to deep wounds that are in need of aggressive remedies. More police visibility will not stop crime from occurring, but gainful employment will. Providing opportunities to everyone will address many of the ills of this city. In 1974 Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson set an unheard precedence when he halted the $425 million Hartfield Airport development project for two years until politicians and developers agreed to provide 25% of the project to Blacks and other minorities. Recently, Toledo, OH took a bold step in turning over their school district’s development to a Black prime contractor, which is a rare occurrence. This is the type of leadership that we need in Cincinnati. Advocating for small contracts is simply not enough. As a Cincinnati City Councilmember, I will fight to ensure that Blacks and other minorities, as well as poor and working-class citizens will receive a fair share of contracts, jobs, and ownership of major public works projects. The current taste of Cincinnati development is beyond sour, it’s rotten. A new flavor is in order. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath In Holly Hill, FL Police identified a homeless man found beaten to death in the Volusia County woods. Two teens are accused of beating a homeless man because they were bored. More teens either took part in the beating death or knew of what happened inside the woods and there will be more arrests, according to investigators. Detectives said Christopher Scamahorn and 18-year-old Jeffrey Spurgeon admitted to killing 53­ year-old Michael Roberts, a homeless man. Roberts is well known to police, because he was often looking for a place to sleep. He had found one in the woods and lived there for several months without causing any problems. The boys, detectives said, went into the woods and attacked Roberts, beating him with their fists, feet, sticks and a log. They returned at least twice to continue the beatings and, detectives said, others took part, watched or at least knew of the beating death and, they too, will be held accountable. The autopsy report shows Roberts died of blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and chest. At 5’6" and 108 pounds, he was likely no match for the boys and had defensive wounds on his hands and arms. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants the city to increase homeless spending by $6 million, despite a $59 million budget deficit. The plan is part of the mayor’s proposed $5.3 billion budget which he unveiled last month. The mayor’s plan calls for cuts to HIV services. It will also lead to more layoffs. The mayor says he was able to avoid widespread cuts thanks to an expected $34 million increase in property taxes. However, Newsom expects next year’s deficit to rise $120 million. The board will vote on the budget in July. In Minneapolis a formerly homeless man who lived undetected in Apple Valley High School for three weeks last winter won another reprieve last month in his fight to avoid deportation to Mexico. “I look at all the changes in my life and realize it’s all possible,” past graduate Barbara Lynch said. After growing up in a South Boston housing project, celebrity chef Lynch broke down talking about her past life, which is far from her swanky restaurant scene. “Here is my message for you: Value yourself,” she said. “I was a bookie in high school, and my first driving lesson was in a stolen cab,” she said. Every year, hundreds pass through what could be called Pine Street’s life-skills boot camp. It’s an exercise in building self-esteem, and a saving account for the graduates. Waikiki and Ala Moana but rarely spread out to Hawaii Kai, McCully and other areas said to be targeted in this series of sweeps. In Souderton, PA the county is on its way to meeting the goal of a one-stop center for the homeless. Serrano is accused of The center, located in the immigration violations for letting a newly renovated Building 53 on the visitor’s visa expire. On grounds of the Norristown State Wednesday his attorney argued that Hospital, serves as a one-stop in the name of justice and fairness, facility to serve the needs of the his client should be given more time county’s homeless. to track down his father. The old approach of three Serrano’s father may be the hots and a cot actually facilitated key to whether or not the Mexican homelessness,” says Montgomery national can remain in the U.S. The County Human Services Director last time Serrano saw his father was Joseph Roynan. last year, in Connecticut. Spurred partly by “Homelessness is a result of Serrano’s attorney Herbert residents’ complaints, the city a variety of factors and we want to Igbanugo says it is his will start a two-month series of find those factors in each case and understanding that Serrano’s father sweeps for homeless at parks resolve them,” he said. is either a permanent resident or an from McCully to East Honolulu. In a census taken Jan. 26, actual citizen. It that is true and he Honolulu Department of the county had 607 homeless files the proper paperwork, it Parks and Recreation Director people. Three hundred of those would mean his son wouldn’t face Lester Chang declined to release were children. deportation to Mexico. details on when and where the There are some homeless When Serrano was sweeps would be, saying there is no on the streets or living out of cars discovered earlier this year hiding set schedule for the homeless or in shelters, but there is also a out at Apple Valley High School, evictions. homeless population that moves where he slept nights for nearly a The city did notify service from the residence of one family month, Minneapolis developer providers who help the homeless member or friend to the next, he Basim Sabri came to the 21-year­ and said the sweeps would be held explained. olds aid. July 8 and 21, but did not give “Homelessness is not just Sabri has let Serrano live in details on locations. the result of a lack of money or of one of his Lake Street apartments “It’s a moving situation,” alienation,” said Roynan, stating and has filed court papers saying he Chang said yesterday. “Every park that much of the “hardcore” will pay Serrano’s college tuition. is different. Every situation is homelessness is caused by Serrano says he has been different.” unidentified and under-treated accepted at Dunwoody College of The sweeps come just four mental illness. Technology where he wants to months after large homeless The new center will serve major in engineering. evictions in Waianae and Ewa the county’s entire homeless Serrano’s attorney says for Beach parks displaced more than population but will also target the now, he’d like to have his client’s 100 people and had several service chronically homeless, which include visitor status restored and then have providers calling on the Legislature those with disabilities such as drug him granted student status. But to put a moratorium on sweeps. and alcohol abuse, mental illness none of that will be decided until Lawmakers took up the and those with HIV/AIDS. the next hearing, scheduled for issue but said a moratorium would Treatment programs for those August 24. have been too broad. suffering from these problems will Police and the city regularly be offered at the center. The Pine Street Inn, sweep tourist-frequented parks in Boston’s largest shelter for the Mayerson cont. from page 1 homeless, honored one-time happen.” Quotes from students - “ guests who have worked hard to “I found out that my time Smile . . .Hugs . . . Conversations . turn their lives around. helping people was really taken to . .makes people feel equal, “I’ve been battling an sometimes a smile is all it takes.” heart and enjoyed.” addiction of drugs and alcohol for “Let people know you care “If everyone lent a helping seven years, and my mom passed about them.” hand the world wouldn’t be such a when I was 18 and my father also “One thing I learned this terrible place.” passed,” Jermol Mojica said. week is that I have the power to “Happiness isn’t measured Broken-hearted, he lived by our pockets (money) or what we change people’s lives.” between his sister’s place and the “In the beginning of this streets, but finally, at the Pine Street have . . .” week I looked at people through “Make people smile . . Inn he turned a corner. color. Now my help knows no color .feels good on the inside.” “It’s been a tough road to but finds the joy in all people” “No matter how hard you come this far,” he said. “When you “I learned any help, no fight them, stereotypes are present leave here, the fact that you came in every point of society. I learned matter how small the amount, is to Pine Street to save your behind that as a community we need to needed and appreciated. Even if it is something you should keep up front. There’s no shame is saying, seems pointless, it makes a eliminate these stereotypes. No ‘I went through Pine Street,’” matter your color, religion, or hair difference in someone’s life, like a graduate Alan Spencer said. length, you should not judge raindrop hitting still water. Even Graduation day messages the smallest drop creates a ripple.” someone until you meet them. come from those in the shadows “NO looking. See people Everyone is a person!” and in the spotlight, and from those “There are so many people for who they are, not how they who’ve had a taste of the tough working to improve OTR that may look . . .” times and the good times. “Children show so much . . never make it to the papers ahead . Education and Determination” of some shootings that may Streetvibes Page 3 �Streetvibes Letters Fountain Square Face-Lift Unnecessary Dear Editor, The idea for reconfiguring Fountain Square did not originate from average Cincinnatians. This unnecessary face-lift is a waste of tax dollars. Fountain Square has served its function just fine, the way it is, for many years. If funds are needed anywhere in Cincinnati, they are needed in the neighborhoods. The rebuilding of our neighborhoods should take precedence over the rebuilding of Fountain Square. Sincerely, Brian Garry Clifton Baltimore’s Homeless Population On The Rise Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes A new census has found an increase in Baltimore’s homeless population. A survey taken on January 30th this year, counted 2,943 homeless people in the city. That’s a ten-percent increase from a previous census taken in April of 2003. The census sought an estimate on the number of homeless people in the city on any given day. It was sponsored by the Abell Foundation and conducted by Baltimore Homeless Services, inc. and Center for Poverty Solutions. It also sought personal data and information about where individuals and families are located. The survey found that: 78 percent of homeless people are male, compared to 22 percent who are female. 82 percent are black and 14 percent are white. 40 percent did not finish high school. The average age of homeless people is 40. The average annual income for homeless people is $486. The census estimates indicate 7,023 individuals will be homeless in the city each year. The census numbers indicate that more than seven-thousand people will be homeless in the city each year. �”Back to the Streets” Humanizes the Homeless by Lauren Byrne A review in these pages of work by George Wynn is likely to be open to suggestions of bias. Wynn, a native of San Francisco, was a contributor to Spare Change News during the several years he lived in the Boston area. But read just a few pages and it’s obvious that Wynn’s work doesn’t have to rely on biased opinions. “Back to the Streets,” his collection of poems, essays and short stories, is genuinely engaging, provocative and inspiring. He humanizes the homeless, and his observations on the craft of writing about street life is as good a primer for writers of any stripe as a shelf-full of how-to books. “Be fresh. Be original. Craft is less necessary than commitment, for craft is often gimmicky, inauthentic,” he urges writers in “The Street Writer’s Manifesto.” Wynn has heeded his own advice. His first writing teacher, he tells us, was a former newspaperman, down on his luck and living in San Francisco’s Tenderloin area. It was from him that the young Wynn learned that writing, like mashed potatoes, needs a little flavoring. Wynn’s ability to breathe life into a disparate cast of characters in his fictional pieces is the gravy he brings to his work. Not homeless himself except for very brief stints, George Wynn never settles for a safe third-person A good cause is a terrible thing to waste perspective on homelessness. Montreal, he observes in even clearer Conjuring up what it feels like to be shades how the well-off despise the homeless in “It Could Happen to poor. You” and elsewhere, he brings his In “Poverty and Language,” reader uncomfortably close to the he describes what the homeless need mixture of fear, indignity, confusion to do for themselves: give expression and bitterness that convincingly sums to their unique perspectives through up what it must be like to be suddenly being involved with the arts; use homeless. “hard hitting” language “in order to In his “Street Writer’s counteract the conservative agenda of Manifesto,” Wynn exhorts street the White House.” writers not to be My only pessimistic, and he quibble is that “Back to the himself emphasizes an Wynn’s short stories Streets” aspect of by George Wynn. are just too short. homelessness It’s as if he feared he Freedom Voices. frequently overlooked. couldn’t hold his Paperback, Too often society’s readers’ attention. 80 pages. urge to house the “Lonnie’s Way” homeless is based on $12.95. about a one-time the desire to be rid of boxing trainer and what offends our sense of how things his failed fighter is as good as should be – that people ought to hold anything by F.X. Toole, the author of down stressful jobs and pay the stories on which the recent hit exorbitant rents. In “Noble Hobos” movie “Million Dollar Baby” hit and elsewhere Wynn’s shows us movie was based. people who are not lacking in dignity Through language and tone, but who have chosen not to conform. Wynn sets up the story so They prefer to lose themselves in convincingly that you’re ready to literature and to experience the spend serious time with these fleeting kindnesses that reveal characters only to have the humanity at its best. experience cut short way too early. Retaining an attitude of Wynn’s innate curiosity and his optimism can’t be easy for Wynn. wandering life have provided him with Returning to San Francisco after the kind of warehouse of knowledge several years, in a poem “Urban that the best writers have. The Planning” he describes the ever consoling news is that Wynn has a harsher conditions the city imposes novel in the works. It’ll be worth the on its homeless. On a trip to wait. recognized injustice, be it at home or far away, and they would stand for no more. But change takes more than that. It needs you to listen. Last month, hundreds of What makes a demonstration people marched in the Walk for Truth, Justice and Community successful? demanding better treatment for rural Indeed, there is the commitment, sacrifice and endurance Oregonians – to bring them home of the demonstrators themselves, but from war, to provide them access to affordable health care, to help them successful efforts do more than trigger reaction to the action, and they educate their children, to preserve their environment. There’s something spark policy changes. It’s fear that in this for everyone. The seven-day levels reactions, but it’s justice that event will bring people from their tips the scales. In the 1930s, fear dispatched hometowns across Oregon, into Salem and on to Portland to talk the military to rid Washington, D.C., about their concerns and call for because 20,000-plus World War I policymakers to act. veterans congregated there to So when this tree lands in demand their promised bonus pay for Portland, will you be there to hear it? service. Men were killed in this Will you honor the commitment and routing, and Washington authorities were relieved of their departure. But sacrifice they have made by offering your voice to the dialogue? justice ultimately vanquished their We ask because in Portland, cause and sacrifice with the GI Bill. In the 1960s, fear fire-hosed, we’re spoiled. In this city, a good cause for protest seldom goes pummeled and murdered Americans unrallied. We speak our minds freely who demanded civil rights for black and wave our banners proudly. Yet it Americans. But it was justice that seems we’re sometimes too jaded to prevailed and still continues the listen to the rest, let alone further the movement toward equality. dialogue toward solution, however Fear took the lives of four Kent State students as they protested much we might agree with the cause. And the next time housing the bombing of Cambodia. But advocates demand justice for people heard the shots and impoverished and disabled families, listen to the stories they have to tell, and then tell someone else. Because while we all know we have nothing to Streetvibes Homeless Linda Corey by Linda Corey Homeless means not having a home. One time or other, we had a home. We made some wrong decisions and that’s how I became homeless. I thank God I’m not homeless anymore. I have learned to think and be open minded before I make a decision, and I get sound advice. I was at one time a resident at a shelter here in Cincinnati. I learned real fast what being homeless was like here. Thank God I got treatment for my addiction! I have met some very nice people. I’m still friends with them today. I enjoy seeing them. They say ‘boy, you have come a long way.’ I pray that no one has to loose their home. The feeling of loosing your home is guilt; you cry; there is fear and shame. Top Wall Street businessmen have lost everything and become homeless. Some people look at you and judge you, call you rude names; tramps thieves, beggars, bum, panhandler, etc. God bless you readers and vendors of Streetvibes. fear but fear itself, it’s the silence that’s going to kill us. Reprinted from Streetroots Page 5 �Downing Street Memo; Activists “Wing Nuts,” “Paranoid” After over a month of scant media attention, mainstream U.S. outlets have begun to report more seriously about the “Downing Street Memo,” the minutes of a July 2002 meeting of British government officials that indicate the White House had already made up its mind to invade Iraq at that early date, and that “the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy” of invading rather than seeking a peaceful solution. A June 7 White House press conference with George W. Bush and Tony Blair offered the first public response from Bush to the memo, and with that came an upswing in U.S. media attention. But some in the media took it as a chance to lash out at the activists who have been bringing attention to the story all along. On June 8, Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank referred to Downing Street Memo activists— some of whom were offering a cash reward for the first journalist to ask Bush about the memo—as “wing nuts.” He also offered an illogical explanation for the memo’s low media profile: “In part, the memo never gained traction here because, unlike in Britain, it wasn’t election season, and the war is not as unpopular here. In part, it’s also because the notion that Bush was intent on military action in Iraq had been widely reported here before, in accounts from Paul O’Neill and Bob Woodward, among others. The memo was also more newsworthy across the Atlantic because it reinforced the notion there that Blair has been acting as Bush’s ‘poodle.’” Milbank had reported the same day (6/8/05) that his paper’s latest poll showed that only 41 percent of Americans approved of the Iraq war—which makes one wonder when exactly the war would cross Milbank’s threshold and become unpopular enough to make the memo newsworthy. Secondly, Milbank argued the memo isn’t news because other similar stories were once reported—a peculiar explanation, to be sure. Finally, Milbank’s third rationale—that the memo was news in the U.K. because it confirmed existing suspicions—would seem to directly contradict the second principle of not reporting familiar stories. Los Angeles Times editorial page editor Michael Kinsley opted for sarcasm over serious discussion, deriding activists in a June 12 column for sending him emails “demanding that I cease my personal cover-up of something called the Downing Street Memo.” Kinsley kidded that the fuss was a good sign for the Left: “Developing a paranoid theory and promoting it to the very edge of national respectability takes ideological self-confidence.” What does Kinsley mean by paranoid? Criticizing the Times for not giving the story much attention would be accurate: Prior to the BushBlair press conference, a Nexis search shows one story about the Downing Street minutes appeared in the paper nearly two weeks after the story broke (5/12/05), and that columnist Robert Scheer mentioned it a few days later (5/17/05). In fact, Kinsley’s mocking seemed to serve no purpose, since his fallback position is a familiar media defense: We all knew the Bush administration wanted war, so this simply isn’t news. As Kinsley put it, “Of course, you don’t need a secret memo to know this.” As for “intelligence and facts...being fixed around the policy,” Kinsley eventually acknowledged that “we know now that this was true.” So, to follow Kinsley’s logic: People who demand more Downing Street coverage have developed a “paranoid theory” that accurately portrays White House decisionmaking on Iraq. His only quarrel with what he calls a “vast conspiracy” pushing the mainstream media to take the memo more seriously is that the activists think such information is important, and should be brought to the attention of the public, whereas Kinsley—and apparently many others in the mainstream media—doesn’t “buy the fuss.” problems they may have, irregardless of there race or creed. I want to say again; thank you for buying Streetvibes, as the money you give to the vendor helps them to from Ms. Mary Gaffney survive. I didn’t In July have any idea of we will be you recognizing me celebrating from my articles Independence until I got on the Day – the 4th Metro bus where of July. But several people there is approached. I have different ways also met people on Miss Mary Gaffney that many the street. People people are not always make a Ms. Carr free. comment about my including my As I sat at homeless friends in my articles. None of these people were angry, but some home recently listening to the television, my mind began to recall of them were looking for answers. the youth of yesterday and how so These (the homeless) are my friends many things have changed since I was regardless of who they are and what raised in Cincinnati. Yes, the churches are involved in youth organizations. But we still need more for our citizens and our neighborhoods. I am very proud of four young people at my home church of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. I have known these youth since their early childhood – and they are still at St. John. There is Adrian Carr in particular, a graduate of Walnut Hills High School. She has a BS degree from Howard University in Washington, DC. She has a Master of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati and is there as a doctoral candidate from UC. She is a Chemistry teacher in the Cincinnati Public Schools. She trained under Dr. Karen Wolf, University Children’s Choir and I an adjunct faculty member at Cincinnati State. There are also three young men that I would like to point out; Ministers Henry Word and Brother Adrian Word. They with both raised in the church, and now work in the Youth Ministry in the Christian Education Department. And there is Mathew Jackson who we are very proud of. Gods be the Glory to all of you for helping your fellowman. To you Adrian Carr let the important work you are doing speak for your character. My homeless friends, as I always say, hold on and don’t give up because there is a brighter day ahead. Dear Streetvibes readers, FAIR, (www.fair.org) the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. They work to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints. As an anti-censorship organization, FAIR exposes neglected news stories and defends working journalists when they are muzzled. As a progressive group, FAIR believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information. FRAC Report: Childhood Hunger Doesn’t Take a Summer Vacation (Food Research and Action Center, June 2005) About 2.9 million children from low-income families received lunches at parks, schools, religious congregations, and other community sites through either the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) on an average day in July 2004. Unfortunately, that meant only 19 children were fed in the federal Page 6 summer nutrition programs for every 100 who receive a free or reducedprice school lunch during the regular school year. If all states did as well as the best performing states, they could get summer lunches to 3.2 million more low-income children and tap $163.7 million in added federal resources. The so-called Simplified Summer Food Program (“Lugar pilot” program) has operated in 13 states since 2001. The FRAC report ranks states and points out how many children are not being fed in underperforming states. It describes how much federal money each of these states is forgoing by underperforming in feeding children during the summer. “Hunger Doesn’t Take AVacation” also reports on a recent Congressional initiative in 13 states which, if applied nationwide, could have fed an additional 1 million children last summer. Releasing the report as summer Streetvibes programs are just getting under way across the country, FRAC pointed to proven strategies which government and community leaders can adopt to get summer lunches to more needy children in this and future summers. “There are still steps that community programs, city and state agencies, schools, advocates and others can take to boost participation in summer meals this year-and lay the groundwork for future summers as well,” said FRAC President Jim Weill. �Two-Tiered Community advocates who federal funding from the National were recruited by the UW to take Institutes of Health. by Cydney Gillis Wylie says the UW expects Miracle drugs are wonderful, part in the forum say the potential to abuse such information is enormous. the forum to draw 200 people but if you can get them. If the data is not protected, insists researchers won’t be lecturing In the world of genetic companies as much as designer drugs that’s just around the listening to “Some people are excited. They corner, people of color and the poor could use it to refuse health issues raised may not be able to — potentially say, yes, we need special drugs. insurance or by creating a genetic underclass for even jobs to participants This will be a breakthrough. whom the doors of upward mobility certain such as Maile would be permanently closed. Genetic adaptations have to do people — Taualii, It’s a scenario that a new, when, in fact, program with limited food access, stress, interdisciplinary research group at the the manager for University of Washington is working and what it means to live life as a environment Seattle’s to fight. Last month, the UW’s and lifestyle Black person in America — that Urban Indian Center for Genomics and Healthcare can play as Health Equality co-hosted “DNA, Health, will raise your blood pressure. much of a Institute. and Social Justice,” a first-of-its-kind Do we continue to subject role in A forum in which researchers are asking disease as native the public — specifically, people of people to these conditions, then genes do. Hawaiian, color — to share their hopes and make them pay for a drug to fix “It’s Taualii says fears about genetics research and not as if she wants to it?” testing. genetics dispel myths The Center for Genomics and —Makani Themba-Nixon, director — for Healthcare Equality is a new program explain everything,” instance, that of The Praxis Project, which the UW created last fall with a $4.7 Burke says. Indians are million grant from the National works for equitable access to For genetically Human Genome Research Institute, example, she prone to health care for people of color. the forum’s sponsor. The program is cites the alcoholism one of four the institute has funded susceptibility — and see to across the nation to examine the some people have to developing it that researchers at drug companies, ethical, legal, and social issues of chronic lung disease from beryllium, a in particular, don’t overlook small genomics, which is the study of chemical used in electronics populations such as hers. human DNA. manufacturing. “A lot of research is being The UW’s program is the “Should we use genetic done on populations in the majority,” only one, however, to focus specifically on healthcare parity, says testing to make decisions about what Taualii says. “Because they’re so people get those jobs?” Burke asks. small, populations like mine are of no Dr. Wylie Burke, head of the UW’s “It’s a big issue” — particularly, she value to the industry. And that’s Medical History and Ethics adds, when only 15 percent of those unacceptable.” Department. The idea behind the who might test positive would ever One new drug called BiDil, program and the forum, Burke says, get sick. which is about to hit the market, does is to directly engage the public on It’s one of many questions the target high blood pressure in African what path genomics research should forum will address in nine different Americans. It will be one of the first take. panel sessions, with topics ranging drugs to target a racial group. It’s an Doctors can already screen from “Racial Profiling and DNA idea that raises red flags for forum for a number of genetic disorders, Evidence” to “Genetics for panelist Makani Themba-Nixon, including a particular gene linked to Environmental Justice.” executive director of The Praxis breast cancer. In the future, genetic The event includes a keynote Project, a Washington, D.C.-based tests may be used routinely to screen talk by Dr. Francis Collins, director group that works with health centers for tendencies toward alcoholism, of the Maryland-based National nationwide to address equity for depression, cancer, diabetes, heart Human Genome Research Institute, people of color. disease, and immune dysfunction, to which receives $450 million a year in name a few. For one thing, as the Human Genome Project revealed, race is largely a social construct — there are more variations within so-called racial groups than in the human population as a whole. Targeting a drug at a particular group only reinforces those notions, Themba-Nixon and others say. “Some people are excited. They say, yes, we need special drugs. This will be a breakthrough,” Themba-Nixon says. But no wonder drug is going to fix the poverty that led to the condition in the first place, she says. “Genetic adaptations have to do with limited food access, stress, and what it means to live life as a Black person in America — that will raise your blood pressure,” Themba­ Nixon says. “Do we continue to subject people to these conditions, then make them pay for a drug to fix it?” she asks. That’s assuming the poor will be able to afford the new wonder drugs — something Phil Bereano, a UW engineering professor and founder of the Council for Responsible Genetics, seriously doubts. Researchers paint a rosy picture of a future improved by genetically targeted drugs and modified foods when “The reality is a vicious, class-based reality,” he says. “Academic and corporate researchers get much more money to play around with, and there’s precious few tangible medical benefits,” Bereano says. “The ones there are, the poor don’t get.” “Poor people can’t get untailored medicines today,” he says. “We’re putting our resources into tailoring [drugs] and letting other people die by the roadside.” Reprinted from Real Change News, Seattle, USA, May 2005. ©Street News Service: www.street-papers.org Asking For God’s Forgiveness The remarkable thing is that we really come out faithful and true to your by Jimmy Gipson pray and worship to your life-giving love our neighbor as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. divine will. And then I will be Generous in Love – God ways. whiter than snow, living for God. give grace! Great is you mercy – Unbutton my lips, God - I’ll We hate others when we hate Give me a song to dance wipe out my bad memory. Clean let loose with your highest praise – ourselves. We are tolerant toward others when we tolerate ourselves. and pray to heal my once broken away all my guilt. Wash out all my Hallelujah! Going through the We forgive others when we forgive bone and worship you, Lord. sins in your Goodness. I know motions does not please you – a Don’t look too close for my wrong; flawless performance is nothing to ourselves. We are prone to sacrifice how bad I’ve been; my sins are others when we are ready to sacrifice keeping me down. You’re the One give me a clean bill of health. God, You. I shattered my pride, then I ourselves. - Eric Hoffer make a fresh start in me, show me I have violated, and you’ve known can learn to worship you God. Grace and mercy from the chaos in it all – seen the extent of my evil. The homeless heartForgiveness is freeing up and putting You have all the facts before my life. Don’t throw me out to the shattered lives need your love and to better use the energy once you; whatever you decide about me trash, or fail to breath Holiness into not for a moment can they escape consumed by holding grudges, me. Bring me back from evil exile. God. Notice all. Make homeless a harboring resentments, and nursing is fair. I’ve been out of step with you for a long time and in the wrong Put a fresh wind in my behavior to place you can delight in. Repair unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering sail. since I was born. homelessness’ broken-down walls, the strengths we always had and Give me a job teaching What you are after is with acts of worship both small and relocating our limitless capacity to obedience and truth from the inside rebels your good and holy ways so large, including those that build understand and accept other people the homeless can find their way out. Enter me, then; conceive a homes. Then they can heave to and ourselves. - Sidney and Suzanne home. Commute my death new, holy, true life. Clean me in your alter for praise and healing! Simon sentence, God. And I’ll sing and you goodness and holiness and I’ll Streetvibes Page 7 �Got The Vibe? “We Do Not Speculate Here” This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. To order, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803 Berta’s Art Corner es Streetvibes tvib Page 8 ee Robin prepares for days walk, “Stop the Bombs International Peace Walk” - Oak Ridge TN to NY, NY - March 14 -May 1, 2005 PATRICK J. BROSNAN (Former New York City homicide detective): It smells very bad. 240 hours. Where is she? It’s a small island. O’REILLY: It’s either she’s held captive someplace, because there is that sex trade in the Caribbean. So there is a possibility that they didn’t do that. But if you don’t have a body, if they threw the body in the ocean, and there are a lot of sharks, you know. (6/8/05) This sort of speculation is nothing new to O’Reilly. When the story of “runaway bride” Jennifer Wilbanks became a cable news sensation, O’Reilly announced (4/ 29/05): “It’s got to be a crime. A woman like that with a long history of responsibility. She had a steady job.... She just wouldn’t bolt and not tell anybody.” As it turned out, of course, that’s just what Wilbanks did. And O’Reilly has “speculated” about far more important matters as well. Shortly after the September 11 attacks (9/14/01), he declared: “Saddam Hussein... I believe is involved with this World Trade Center and Pentagon bombing. I believe that you’re going to find out that money from Iraq flowed in and helped this happen.” No evidence to back up this speculation has since emerged. And before the invasion of Iraq, O’Reilly repeatedly speculated about how long military operations would take. “I will bet you the best dinner in the gaslight district of San Diego that military action will not last more than a week,” he challenged one guest (1/29/03). On another show, O’Reilly asserted, “Our military machine will crush Iraq in a matter of days and there’s no question that it will.” When his guest countered that the war was “going to go on for months,” O’Reilly retorted: “There’s no way. There’s absolutely no way. They may bomb for a matter of weeks, try to soften them up as they did in Afghanistan. But once the United States and Britain unleash, it’s maybe hours. They’re going to fold like that.” Str Cable news networks devoted significant time to covering Natalee Holloway, an Alabama teenager who disappeared in Aruba. But the most popular cable host has urged the media to exercise some caution. On June 9, Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly explained, “As you may know, we do not speculate here on ‘The Factor.’ We have no idea what happened to Natalee or why she left the bar with some Aruban men. I’ve heard some irresponsible media speculate about that, and it makes me angry.” For those who have been following O’Reilly’s coverage of the case, this must have been puzzling. If not “speculation,” what would O’Reilly call the following statements he has made about the Holloway case? “Looks like she’s dead because the five people, two arrested, three interviewed, are all shady characters.” (6/6/05) “I think this was a straight abduction scene. OK? Was she probably - she went to a Boyz II Men concert before she went to the bar, where she danced and partied. All right? Then she indeed and everybody saw her leave with a couple of guys. Now after that is when I— obviously, she got into trouble.” (6/6/05) “But to me, I mean, a woman like this, 18 years old, we know her background, doesn’t have sex with three guys she doesn’t know. I mean, that doesn’t happen.” (6/6/05) O’REILLY: And that, unfortunately, leaves me to believe that this poor woman, the chances of her being alive right now are not strong. CANDICE DeLONG (Retired FBI agent): Correct. Even if they weren’t drug dealers, I am with you in your assessment of what her situation may be now because if these are the five people that are most likely to have been with her, and they’re in custody or being looked at, where is she? O’REILLY: She’s at the bottom of the ocean. DeLONG: That’s what’s got me worried. O’REILLY: She’s at the bottom of the ocean. DeLONG: It’s not looking good.(6/6/05) “I think one of these sleazy thugs will flip. And we’ll probably have this solved at the end of the week — by the end of the week.” (6/6/05) O’REILLY: You have a long history investigating murder. A girl gone this long? Support Your Vendor Buy Streetvibes �never declared war. Bush had no authorization, not even a fig leaf. He was simply attacking another nation WMD capability was less than that of least six months before war was because he’d decided to do so. This Libya, North Korea or Iran.” As the declared.” preemptive war preempted our own Earlier last month, Jeremy document states, “the intelligence and Scahill wrote a powerful piece on the Congress, as well as international law. facts were being fixed around the Most Americans don’t know website of The Nation, describing a policy.” these prewar attacks ever happened. huge air assault in September 2002. The document is damning, There was little coverage at the time, “Approximately 100 US and British particularly coupled with the and there’s been little since. The planes flew from Kuwait into Iraqi testimony of former Bush ghost­ bombings that destroyed Iraq’s air airspace,” Scahill writes. writer Mickey Herskowitz that Bush defenses were under the radar for “At least seven types of was talking about invading Iraq as both the American media and aircraft were part of this massive early as 1999. American citizens. But it’s even more disturbing operation, including US F-15 Strike If coverage of the Downing Eagles and Royal Air Force Tornado as we start learning that this ground-attack planes. They dropped St memo continues to increase, I administration began actively fighting suspect the administration will try to precision-guided munitions on the Iraq war well in advance of the Saddam Hussein’s major western air- dismiss it as mere diplomatic talk, just March 2003 official attack—before inside baseball. But they weren’t just defense facility, clearing the path for both the October 2002 US Special Forces helicopters that lay in manipulating intelligence so they could Congressional authorization and the attack no matter how Saddam November United Nations resolution wait in Jordan. Hussein responded. They weren’t Earlier attacks had been requiring that Saddam Hussein open only bribing would-be allies into carried out against Iraqi command the country up to inspectors. participation. They were fighting a and control centers, radar detection I follow Iraq pretty closely, war they’d planned long before. They systems, Revolutionary Guard units, but was taken aback when Charlie just didn’t bother to tell the American Clements, now head of the Unitarian communication centers and mobile air-defense systems. The Pentagon’s public. Universalist Service Committee, Paul Loeb is the author of goal was clear: Destroy Iraq’s ability described driving in Iraq months The Impossible Will Take a Little before the war “and a building would to resist.” Why aren’t we talking about While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a just explode, hit by a missile from 30,000 feet –‘What is that building?’” this? As Scahill points out, this was a Time of Fear (Basic Books), named month before the Congressional vote, the #3 political book of 2004 by the Clements would ask. “’Oh, that’s a History Channel and American Book and two before the UN resolution. telephone exchange.’” Supposedly part of enforcing Association. See http:// Later, at a conference at www.theimpossible.org/ You can “no fly zones,” the bombings were Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base, Clements heard a U.S. General boast actually systematic assaults on Iraq’s read more about the Downing St capacity to defend itself. The US had memo at http:// “that he began taking out assets that www.afterdowningstreet.org could help in resisting an invasion at More Damning than Downing Street by Paul Rogat Loeb It’s bad enough that the Bush administration had so little international support for the Iraqi war that their “coalition of the willing” meant the U.S., Britain, and the equivalent of a child’s imaginary friends. It’s even worse that, as the British Downing Street memo confirms, they had so little evidence of real threats that they knew from the start that they were going to have manufacture excuses to go to war. What’s more damning still is that they effectively began this war even before the congressional vote. With Congressman John Conyers holding hearings, the media are finally starting to cover the Downing Street memo. This transcript of a July 23, 2002 British Prime Minister’s meeting, whose legitimacy the British government confirms, details their response to the Bush administration’s intention to go to war against Iraq, no matter how Saddam Hussein responded, and even while claiming they were still seeking peaceful solutions. “It seemed clear that Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided,” states the document. “But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbors, and his Hate Crimes & Violence Against Homeless People Increasing stabbed a disabled homeless man to death and then licked the blood from his fingers on a Denver sidewalk. More recently, on May 28th 2005, in Holly Hill, Florida, 53-year­ old Michael Roberts was beaten and punched to death with sticks and logs by a group of teenagers who admitted to beating the man just for fun, to have something to do. The autopsy report indicates that Roberts died of blunt-force trauma to the head and body, his ribs were broken, his skull was fractured, and his legs were badly injured. Defensive wounds were found on his hands. The boys returned several times to make sure the job was done. Homelessness is an issue that affects every community in America. Homeless people lack the protection of a locked door available to homeowners, leaving them in an unprotected position where they are subjected to hate crimes and violence. Sadly, the prevalence of hate crimes and violence against homeless people has risen, as well as negative stereotypes reinforced by the media and intolerant people. Through this report, NCH hopes to educate lawmakers, advocates, and the public about the problem of hate crimes and violence against homeless people, as well as call for a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study addressing this issue. This year’s report, Hate, Violence and Death on Main Street USA: A Report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness in 2004, includes data from news reports, advocates, victims’ accounts, and homeless shelters on the number of homeless victimizations that have occurred in the past six years (for the full 2004 report and previous reports, please visithttp://nationalhomeless.org/ civilrights/hatecrimes.html#8). Facts and Trends: The number of homeless deaths has risen by 67% since 2002. The number of non-lethal attacks against homeless people has risen by 281% since 2002. These crimes occurred in 140 cities in the past six years. These crimes occurred in 39 states, plus Puerto Rico. The age range of the accused/ convicted ranged from 11 to 65 years of age. The age range of the victims ranged from 4 Months old to 74 Years of age. Gender of victims: 296 Male and 44 Female. Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness 80 80 61 Number of Victims Washington D.C. – For the past six years (1999-2004), the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has tracked and reported on a disturbing increase in crimes targeting homeless people. These violent attacks on homeless people, one of our most vulnerable populations, result in injury and in many cases death. The well-documented affordable housing crisis is not the only crisis to affect the millions of people who are homeless every year. There is also an increasing pattern of civil rights abuses and violence directed at the homeless population. Homelessness is no longer simply an issue of the right to affordable housing but a matter of life and death. As the danger of living without a home increases, the lack of federal housing resources as well as the absence of the political will to end homelessness becomes increasingly more shameful. In October of 2004, three Milwaukee teens murdered a homeless man at his forest campsite. The teens hit 49-year-old Rex Baum, with rocks, a flashlight, and a pipe, before smearing feces on his face and covering his body with leaves and plastic. In August of 2004, Curtis Gordon Adams, 33, beat and Streetvibes 60 48 Deaths 42 35 40 20 12 21 17 15 25 21 Non­ lethal 9 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Page 9 �The Peace Village by Steve Sunderland of co-founding a whole area of study and practice: grief counseling. Thanks to many people, I was a part of the founding group for one national organization, Parents of Murded Children, and one city wide service for children, Fernside: Cincinnati Center for Grieving Children. I was also able to create courses that permitted study in these areas, most notably, “Grief and Dying,” and “Social Work and Spirituality.” My work has been presented on national television and I have been the recipient of wonderful awards from support groups, the Veterans As of July 1, 2005, I will be leaving the school of social work and joining the College of Education as professor of educational foundations and peace studies. I wish to share with you my deep feelings about this change and my reasons for taking this step. I came to the University of Cincinnati in 1979 to be the third dean of the College of Community Services. One of our programs was social work. The new director of the program, Dr. Sheldon Seigel, the provost, Dr. John McCall, and I worked together as a team to win the first accreditation of the MSW program. Three years later, following the close of the College of Community Services, and making Dr. Steve Sunderland sure that future university support would not harm Administration and the Cincinnati accreditation, I joined the school of Public Schools. social work as professor and Since the 2001 Cincinnati I have greatly enjoyed the last riots and the terrorist attack on the 21 years of co-teaching. U.S., I have rethought my whole The school is a voice for the approach to social work education. I social concerns of graduate and asked myself: “What could I do to undergraduate students who want to educate for peace through social professionally care about poor work?” Over the past four years, I people, minorities, and those in have created a new course, “Social greatest need in cur community. I Work and Peace,” and two service was very happy to join my own organizations, “Posters 4 Peace,” and resources with the other faculty and “Peace Village.” Through these students to meet these important activities, thousands of people have goals. I have worked over the past participated in the educational two decades with two very able process of learning how social work directors, a great group of faculty, knowledge can be translated into and an outstanding student body. peace work in counseling During my tenure I had the privilege relationships, community development, and conflict resolution. I have been privileged to build a growing and beautiful relationship with the Freestone/ Food Bank and to connect 15 high schools and UC to a city wide effort to understand the connection between peace and hunger. Understanding has led to action and this past year saw a record amount of food donations from these educational institutions. The connection to hunger issues laid a foundation for response when the tsunami hit in Southeast Asia and Africa. Again, the Peace Village community of schools and college programs responded with creative programs, generous funds, and a widespread desire to learn more about the countries most affected. Over the past few months, thanks in part to a U.S. State Department grant, and colleagues in South Asian Studies at Ohio University, I have had the chance to directly visit Indonesia and continue the planning process for Peace Village: Indonesia. I hope that we can create a model similar to what was Accomplished in Northern India when three Peace Village students, one a graduate of UC, one an UC graduate student, were critical in establishing Peace Village: India in three high schools in Ghaziabad. The work in reducing local hunger and joining in the international relief effort has strengthened my intellectual and emotional understanding and commitment to peace education and service. I believe that small acts of compassion add up to impressive results for those involved in partnerships, whether they be students, faculty or staff. The voices and faces of the hungry and homeless are necessary for a serious peace education and I am very happy that the College of Education agrees with me and wishes to encourage a deeper involvement. I have come to learn that a great educational program is made better by including those who are in greatest need. Providing such an education is in the highest service of peace. I have learned from my students, whom I call co-teachers, that each one of them who chooses to, can make a difference in peace in their own lives as well as in their work to bring peace to their clients, families, and communities. The College of Education is offering me a generous platform for personal and program development of the ideas that I believe are most central for professional education. I have been impressed with their desire to create a process of collaborative partnership, and to use candor and respect as critical values in personal and professional relationships. Finally, I leave the school of social work after 24 years will a full heart of gratitude. My co-teachers have known me very well and taught me to never take them or their intelligence for granted. I am grateful for their encouragement and I hope to keep the spirit of freedom, justice and democracy as a critical continuing part of my future teaching. They keep me strongly believing that a great university is only as strong as its many voices of compassion, intelligence and honesty. Thank you. man, working for a graphic design firm, living in a nice apartment on New York’s Upper West Side and wearing Armani suits to the office. The sudden AIDS-related death of his brother Wayne was the catalyst for the crack cocaine addiction that would soon catapult him to rock bottom. “I feel strangely relieved,” he writes in Grand Central Winter of the moment he lost his home. “Elated, even.” A bookshop audience in the well-heeled Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn will later sit attentively as he relates his relief in letting go of the “stuff” he felt was defining him. “I was frantically pursuing this track in life that I had no personal investment in, but I didn’t know what else to do,” he reflects now. “When everything was gone, I thought, ‘I don’t have to do that!’” At first, survival took the form of can collecting, a job that Stringer was as fiercely proud of as he had once been of his sales prowess. When the supermarkets and the City of New York combined to make that less profitable (in order to keep homeless people out of shops), he stumbled across Street News, a newspaper that originally inspired The Big Issue. Stringer discovered he could be listened to and respected by selling Street News and writing his advice column about street life for the paper; he realized he didn’t need “the props”, that he could define himself through the value of his ideas. It was his column that eventually caught the attention of publisher Dan Simon, Dr. Steve Sunderland, professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati, is the Director of The Peace Village, a group of individuals from the national and interna­ tional community committed to examining all issues of Peace in the world. Dr. Sunderland also heads up Posters-for-Peace which en­ gages people in expressing their visions of Peace, in their own words through the cre­ ation of posters. Made in Manhattan From marketing man to drugaddicted derelict to best-selling author, Lee Stringer has lost – and found – himself on the streets of New York. Acclaimed writer Lee Stringer once likened his appeal to a talking dog: “Here I was, a black, homeless man. ‘Look, he speaks in complete sentences!’” That was in 2000, two years after the publication of Grand Central Winter, his account of 12 years spent homeless in New York. He had been recognized on streets all over America, earned literary fame and fortune, and journeyed from homelessness and crack addiction to acting on the board of Project Renewal, the treatment programme that had helped him to dry out. Sitting before me today, slightly weary yet affably charming, Stringer has outgrown his status as a Page 10 curiosity and matured into a writer comfortable in his own skin. The deep lines carved into his face are the only outward suggestion of an extraordinary life. But to some people, the talking dog still reigns supreme. Despite its fine writing and foreword by the iconic Kurt Vonnegut, Stringer’s second book Sleepaway School (a memoir of his childhood at reform school) has received less attention than his debut. Still, Lee Stringer has come far enough and is sure enough of his own worth to unselfconsciously joke about the topic of his own slow sales and slight media recognition of late, telling anecdotes about his collision with the Bill Clinton juggernaut on last year’s book tour. “He just sucked up all the ink on anything literary,” he laughs. Before life on the streets, Stringer was a successful marketing Streetvibes Made... cont. on page 13 �“freedom.” Instead, the Panther Praxis 101 foremost, platform was built off experience. by Rosette Royale Attitude, the poster on the wall declared, is a little thing that makes a BIG difference. And before that poster sat Bobby Seale, cofounder and chairman of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, projecting attitude throughout a small classroom at the Garfield Community Center, home to last month’s Seattle Black Panther Party reunion. For over an hour, Brother Seale — as he was respectfully called— provided teachings on the topic of “Black Panther Party Theory & Ideology: The Revolutionary Theory and Ideas that led to Practice!” He was on hand to share what went down in the early days of the Panther movement. Which meant a clarification. Socialist ideology, he proclaimed, was not the impetus behind the Panther’s 10-Point Plan, a platform asking for, among other things, “an immediate end to all wars of aggression,” “free health care for all Black and oppressed people,” “decent housing,” and, first and “It grew out my and Huey’s knowledge of the history and struggle of Black and African people,” Brother Seale said, referring to Huey P. Newtown, Panther Party cofounder and Panther Minister of Defense. The knowledge of Black and African peoples became something Brother Seale sought out in 1962, when he was a 26-year old engineering student. During that year, he first heard the term AfroAmerican. “’What in the world is that?’” he remembered asking himself. He read, he recalled, books suggested to him by those he admired, learning a history never taught to him at Berkeley High School. His own self-initiated brand of home schooling had “more to do with my contribution to the ideology of the Black Panther Party” than Marxist theory, Brother Seale professed. One point he learned from Newton, he recalled, was to “capture the imagination of the people,” a recollection that led, naturally enough, to hearing from some of the 60-plus people huddled in the room. A woman — noting the Panthers were the most advanced revolutionary group she’d encountered— voiced concern over where the professed revolution was now, with the LAPD training officers overseas, with the threat of microchips being nestled within licenses. The practices of the Panthers, she said, don’t work. Breakfast programs helped to educate people who are in opposition to oppression, Brother Seale countered. As for a revolution, he said, it may have to come to that. “It will have to come to that,” the woman replied. Brother Seale, in an effort to continue connecting with young people, said that he started R.E.A.C.H in 1992, a youth empowerment program. He hasn’t time to work on R.E.A.C.H, as raising money for the program has superseded that goal. And so he borrowed a fundraising plan from a famous revolutionary from the 60s: Jane Fonda. Vendor risks death in runaway crane to save lives by Johan Schronen and Cindy Mathys, Cape Town, South Africa It took a couple of heroes to avert a tragedy: the driver of a runaway crane truck who decided to stay behind the wheel to save lives and a streetpaper vendor who ran from car to car shouting at drivers to get out of the way. But the hurtling 30-ton mobile crane, without brakes crashed into several cars before the driver could bring it to a halt just meters before the a busy intersection. Amazingly, only one motorist was injured. It happened last month after Howard January of Eerste River drove his Kumkani Crane from a building site in Sea Point. In High Level Road his brake pedal bottomed out as he came over the hill. Kumkani owner Ryan Wall said most drivers would have bailed out through the window and let the truck go, but “Howard hung on to the steering wheel”. “He told me afterwards that there were just too many people in the way and that his life was just one, so he had to do what he could.” Wall said January worked for a salary but his courage had made him a “true hero”. “Howard was able to get the truck into its lowest gear so that the engine could help slow him down, but it was still bulldozing down the hill until he stopped much further down,” Wall said. January aimed the crane to miss cars in the right-hand lane. But at the Chiappini Street intersection there were stationary cars he could not avoid. The crane smashed into the cars then hurtled on to the normally busy Buitengracht Street intersection. Wall said the suppliers of the crane were coming from Japan to investigate the malfunction. Mall incident sheds light on the true colors of apathy by Quin Richardson I often wondered why people are so involved in themselves that they don’t see what is going on around them. But then my thoughts changed. I started thinking that people weren’t so involved in themselves but maybe they just don’t care. I was at a local shopping center in Northeast Portland having a great time. I was out to buy some shoes. As I approached the escalators, I stepped on to the first step, but my foot was too close to the edge, and I wound up falling from the top of the step all the way to the bottom. I sat there in utter amazement. I could not believe that not one person in that mall stopped to help or ask me if I was OK. Even worse, the people that were standing behind me literally stepped over me and kept going. As I sat there in disbelief, and tears filled in my eyes, I felt a hand on my shoulder. A man in grungy clothing and a smell that wasn’t much to be desired bent down and asked me, “Honey, are you OK?” I said “no.” He proceeded to help me to my feet. As I looked down, I noticed that my leg had gotten cut and blood was seeping through my pants. I limped alongside this man, holding on to his waist for support as he helped me to the medical office. After receiving 12 stitches in my leg, I came out of the doctor’s office and began looking for the man that had helped me, but he was nowhere to be found. I was so disappointed because I wanted to show him my gratitude. The next day I went back to the mall to buy those shoes, this time making sure that I stayed away from the escalators. Just as I had stepped off the elevator I heard a ruckus. As I looked up I saw mall security roughhandling a man. As I looked, I noticed that this was the same man that had come to my rescue. At first I hesitated, and then I asked myself, should I get involved? I walked up to the security guard and said, “Excuse me, but what is the problem, this is my friend.” He proceeded to tell me that “this man is a bum.” I said “excuse me, a bum? What gives you the right to call this man out of his name, and what rules has he broken?” “Well he has no money.” “How do you know?” I then went on to tell him that he was violating this man’s rights and I reminded him that yesterday I had fallen on the escalators and no one helped me including him as he walked by. I reminded him that it was this man who stepped in to help me. I reminded him that I had not pressed any charges on the mall because of my fall, because I do believe accidents can happen. But if this is how this mall treats its visitors, then maybe I should get my attorney and file a suit. The guard then let go of the man’s arm and said, “No, no that won’t be necessary.” The man went on and Streetvibes “If Jane Fonda can put out an exercise tape, I can put out a cookbook,” he said. And thus Barbeque’n with Bobby Seale was born. Speaking as if past criticism he’d received for writing such a book still rubbed a nerve, Brother Seale added, “By the way, revolutionaries eat, too.” Then a man in the back spoke up. After expounding on fascist police states, the King Alfred Plan (a fictional depiction of an international conspiracy to eradicate people of African descent taken as gospel by some), AIDS conspiracy theories, and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, he distilled his emotions into one simple question: “What is an alternative to show that democracy is a fake term that doesn’t mean nothing?” Unifying people, Brother Seale answered. To what degree can people be unified? “The people must always know the objective,” he replied to the crowd. “You got to get people close-knit and tight.” Reprinted from Real Change News Nancy Nikelo, who was selling the Big Issue magazine on the corner of Strand and Buitengracht streets, said she was standing on the island when she heard a loud noise. “I knew there was big kak (trouble) coming down the hill when I heard the big crunches and crashes up there so I darted around the cars, tapping on the drivers’ widows and pointing back up the hill to warn them that danger was coming,” she said. “Most of the drivers listened to me and pulled out of the way but a man in a bakkie thought I was just adamant, trying to sell a magazine. He would not listen so the lorry took him. said, “Thank you” to me and walked in to the exit. I ran after him and told him that he didn’t have to go, but he felt that it would be better if he did. I turned and walked away. It was hard for me to fathom that this had happened just because this man was homeless and he did not fit up to the standards of our society. I was at that point very ashamed of our society. I found that I could not bring myself to buy anything from that mall, so I left. As I was walking I saw the man sitting on the sidewalk and I stopped and thanked him again for his help that he had gotten me. I gave him the $40 that I was going to use for shoes and walked away. It was the events that had unfolded in those two days that changed my whole outlook on the mall and the some of our fellow Portlanders. I believe that it is not that people are too busy to help. I believe that they are just too wrapped up in themselves to really care. Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 Cents (70 cent profit goes directly to the vendor) Homeless Coalition 30 Cents Printing and Production: 30 cents (this cost does not cover expenses) Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confu­ sion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can toler­ ate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our power­ lessness, that is a friend who cares. - Henri Nouwen �Bin Appetite by Peter Ascot Desperate measures or a taste for waste? We lift the lid on food-foraging dumpster divers. When you see someone dipping into a bin for food, it’s tempting to look the other way, to avoid facing their plight and our wastefulness. Some people scavenge for survival – they forage through piles of rubbish because other alternatives are thin on the ground. But there’s another type of scrounger, for whom it’s a political choice. Welcome to the world of the dumpster diver. According to Paul Martin, a veteran dumpster diver who works in the renewable energy industry, “long­ term dumpster divers do it for principles, not money.” Every large supermarket has bins onsite for their waste, which can include Styrofoam and cardboard packaging, plastics, broken glass and floor sweepings – and a surprising amount of good food. Some of it is out of date but still perfectly edible, while other items may be discarded due to dented tins or damaged packaging. It’s just a matter of getting it before the landfill truck does, which contributes to the thrill of the chase. “The practice of dumpster diving has reawakened the huntergatherer in me,” says Martin. “There’s definitely an instinctual and tribal feel to what we’re doing. It’s a lucky dip and it’s great for cooking because you have to think what to do with these foods, so it helps you get creative in the kitchen.” But actually plunging in? “The average supermarket will throw out about 10 cubic meters of rubbish a day,” he says. “Dumpster diving mostly consists of reaching into the dumpsters from the top. But different sections of the supermarket – dry fridge,” agrees Martin. “I put on a three-course dumpster meal every goods, the freezer section, fruit and veggies, etc – throw rubbish out as couple of weeks, typically feeding up the day goes on, creating layers to 12 mates. We have a tradition – through the bin to choose from. halfway through the meal we tell Whichever section has thrown out people who don’t know already that produce last is on top. If that’s not it’s from the dumpster. They all come what you want, you’ve got to dive in! back!” Perishable goods are the most And why not? Even fancy common to find – dairy, fruit, veggies restaurants can give you salmonella; and meats.” Martin has only ever had food On his first-ever dumpster poisoning from milk he bought in a dive, Martin uncovered a high-quality shop. “Some people think the food is smorgasbord of cheese, yoghurt and bad for you simply because it came deli meat, and was hooked. “I have from the bin, but it’s all packaged, so enough money to feed myself without it is easy to transport and clean. And hassle,” he says,”but dumpster diving the meat is also great for pets.” is fun, and we contribute to reducing Of course, it’s better to landfill at the same time.” But it isn’t minimize the risks. “Winter is better fun for everyone. Out of for dumpster diving as the food keeps consideration for those with empty better than in the blazing hot bellies and pockets, most dumpster summer,” notes Martin, who thinks divers are conscious of only taking it’s the logistical hurdles, rather than what they can use and leaving plenty the quality of the goods, that’s behind. unpredictable. “The biggest And, of course, a penny hindrances are cages and locks to saved is a penny the multinationals stop people throwing household didn’t get their paws on. “I dunno rubbish into the bins,” he says. “But whether to we leave the area mention this,” neat and even “The practice of murmurs Martin’s pick up the staff’s dumpster diving has housemate, DJ mess, just to keep reawakened the hunterShifty, “but [with the shop from not gatherer in me. There’s the money I’ve liking us.” saved] I’ve paid Martin definitely an instinctual off $1000 of my estimates that and tribal feel to what Centrelink debt about 20 per cent we’re doing.” and put $1500 of bins are towards a locked, and the biodiesel car. And I’ve tasted foods areas are patrolled by shopping and different flavors that I have never centre security guards or supermarket been able to afford in my life – beef staff. “If they are locked, just take a worth $35 dollars per kilo for shifter and pliers,” he advises. “Either breakfast. I think half the reason it’s remove the bolt that holds the kept so quiet is because us dumpy padlock to the bin or remove the bar kids are onto a serious score.” that holds the lid to the bin and open “When we have a majority of it backwards. The guards don’t dumpster divers in our share house, mind; they just want to know that we always have an abundance of you’re not damaging anything, and food, as opposed to an empty they don’t see any value in the goods anyway.” Besides, he claims, the ownership of the discarded goods is a grey area. “Legally, once you throw something in the bin, it’s the bin company’s property. If the supermarket is charged by weight, you’re doing them a favor. So there’s nothing covert about what we do. Usually we go in the afternoon, because the bins aren’t full until then.” With so much good, free food to go around, this dumpster crew is happy for anyone else to get onto their ‘serious score’. So their message is simple: have a go by all means, but don’t spoil it for anyone else. “Whatever you do, leave it the way you found it!” implores Martin. “If you make a mess or damage anything, it will wreck the good name we have created, and the bin will be made inaccessible to all. Think about your actions!” And, of course, don’t be greedy – leave enough for those who genuinely need it. Reprinted from The Big Issue Australia “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” Streetvibes Made... cont. from page 10 who had dutifully bought Street News on the subway, tucking it under his arm to be disposed of later. It still happened to be under his arm when he found himself stuck in a tunnel for 20 minutes with nothing else to do, so he pulled it out and started to read. He later told Publisher’s Weekly that Stringer’s writing immediately struck him as “electric” and “bristling with ideas”. So he called him to his office for a meeting, tentatively suggested he write a book, and the rest – as they say – is history. “My brain went this way: book, advance, money, drugs.” he says now. “Yeah! Let’s do a book!” We both laugh before he adds, “It was the right decision made for the wrong reasons.” Ironically, Stringer was halfway through his first draft when he realized he couldn’t continue taking drugs and writing. He talks about the 12-step program he successfully completed, and his belief that at the heart of any substance-abuse problem lies a desire for more out of life – a desire that is spiritual (“not religious”, he emphasizes) in nature. The writing that provoked change, and the treatment programme that allowed him to turn the corner, had one common attraction: both involved stripping off the layers and revealing yourself, something Stringer calls “the most important thing you can do as an individual”. He admits: “The process of writing a book can be very selfaggrandizing and masturbatory. I don’t like the idea of dishonesty, of dressing yourself up.” Post-treatment, he discarded his 140-page manuscript in disgust, disliking the “self-righteous son of a bitch” he found there, and started over. “The biggest change in my life is having that hole [brought about by self-awareness] filled,” he says. “But the writing part feeds into that. It’s certainly a privilege and a pleasure to make your way in the world through something that is connected with who you are. Especially when most jobs ask you to sell off pieces of yourself.” After leavingAustralia, Stringer will return to his home in suburban New York, the same town he grew up in. He will go back to serving on the board of his local library (in addition to the boards of Project Renewal and a youth-shelter programme) and planning his upcoming novel, tentatively titled The Jesus Tapes. “Growth is not something you get,” he tells me. “It’s something that you come to each day.” Page 13 �It’s Alright Thinking by Robert Manassa So you’re wondering what your next move will be? It’s too far fetched now, for you to see. You may think you’re doing the right thing you find out later you haven’t done anything It’s Alright You’ll find out somewhere down the line That sooner or later that thing will be fine you try and try with all of your heart The things you are trying to do don’t all fall apart It’s Alright when all is said and done, you gave things a spin Remember; never-ever give up on things if you don’t win Have faith as much as a mustard seed please take things you try to do slow, never speed It’s Alright by Jimmie Pryor Jr. Sitting here with all types of thoughts; like kids on a playground in my mind, the picture so huge the space so confined. Wanting to hold on to some of the good memories that are bad for me. Knowing all those things are history. My life tears always seem to trickle, simply because me life has been going in circles. Sometimes up and sometimes down but always going around. Being at one time in the fastlane, speeding into danger, without even thinking just moving in anger. My cellphone rings and I ignore it, Not wanting to talk to anyone only wanting to dig a deeper pit. Crying within my soul about all the stories that’s never been told. Inside steadily sinking, Lord, I wish I could slow down and really do some thinking. The Indonesia Burden of Oppression: The Song of the Plantations “My Motherland is Crying” Pure by Jessica Brock A dove is a pretty bird from its beak to its tail feathers You’ll only see it in Sunny Weather Like the bird, a child’s spirit is born, pure and white innocent to the eye Like a dove, a symbol of love The Motherland is crying. The tears are coming down. Gold and diamonds are only a memory For us, mountains, rice field, the ocean that belong to us. The Motherland is crying And praying. This song of protest of the Indonesian students stands ready as a weapon. When sung, the students rally, await instruction, and revolt. So, I learned on our bus trip through Java from one of the former student leaders, “M,” a bright and quiet young man, looking out of the window at the countryside of poverty, rice fields, and begging elders that raced by us as our bus pushed forward on dusty and crowded roads. “We are ready,” he said with steely confidence, “to come back if we are needed. We await the call of the song.” I listened, not really knowing what he was saying or understanding the historical role of students in bringing down the dictators of Indonesia. CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE I firmly believe that mother universe will provide all that I am in need of to sustain this life of mine. Each of us can harness the talents and energies to accomplish everything we set for ourselves as a goal. We are each in the space and place we belong in. Where we are and where we are headed is already pre-destined. It has been determined by the seeds we have sewn in this life and by those of the past. Its success depends on how well we attend to the crop we have planted within us. when in doubt we must speak truthfully.......in all matters love every one with a open hand......even when it is painful to do so ......look into tomorrow and do what is for the good of all.......including you. Great care should be taken of what you manifest. Do not speak or act anything negative into existence...Knowingly refrain from these activities. Page 14 (From Dr. Steve Sunderland) Tall Tales by Jessica Brock Mother said, pretty is as pretty does but you can’t be pretty being a thug growing up on the rough rider streets you got to be mean, not neat, not sweet To throw on a dress and say please is to no avail To put on jeans and a hoody is a tall tale Staying strong is a priority on the streets Not, sugar ands spice and everything nice Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Streetvibes �Shutter Speed by Berta Lambert As I Play by Jessica Brock A day of fun, in the sun with all my friends to play we pray we’ll be okay but only God can say Laughter and smiles are on our faces a bullet shot past, now we’re at a grave but please don’t worry, I’m okay, the kingdom of heaven is where I play Pride Parade, Clifton Untitled by Tess Henderson No food. No home. No life. “It’s his own fault he’s poor.” Those who do not know Speak that which they Don’t understand. To live, to maintain Exist from day to day, Is the greatest challenge. Hungry eyes, hungry bellies, Hungry hearts: All yearning for things So simple we take them for granted. Eating in shelters, Sleeping in cars. Broken dreams and Shattered hearts. Hardest of times and endless strife. No food. No home. No life. “Morning Prayer” by E. Lynn Clayton The glory of the morning is redeeming. The newness of the day brings hope of a fresh start. Keep my mind this day oh Lord. Allow me to live in the moment, for each moment with you is a step closer to my destiny. On this road called ‘Purpose’ there are no backward steps, Only brief pauses in a journey already for-seen. For-seen by the Maker and Creator of all. Discerned by the discerner before the fall. Stand up, continue, for new mercies He gives everyday. Forgiveness, I ask for in the sincerest way. This poem was written by a student who participated in the Mayerson Foundation Summer Service Leadership Project. Students from area high schools stayed at Hebrew Union College and served in a wide range of social service agencies in Over-the-Rhine. Sometime to myself is all I need I’m glad I’m all alone A closed in space a one room place I feel that I can call home Light blue walls Dark blue covers I have a room and it has no shutters Openness is how I fell But contained is what’s real From day one it was a new experience, meeting different people, Getting to know one another From no TV’s to small beds and wake-up calls it was It made me open my eyes and see how greatly blessed I was. Although this was just a college dorm and we are only here for a week, it was A great experience and I got a sneak peek. Now I feel I have a voice. I can make a difference. Now I can tell all my friends what they really have been missing. Constance Student, Mt. Healthy High School Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 July 2005 Cover Story Page 1 Education Program Brings Homeless Awareness into Cincinnati Classrooms BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource July 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: GCCH Education Packet on Homelessness Available to Local Schools The Mayerson Foundation Serves to Foster Student Leadership Pg 2: African Americans Left Out of Development Deals Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: “Back to the Streets” Humanizes the Homeless A Good Cause is a Terrible Thing to Waste Pg 6: Downing Street Memo; Activists “Wing Nuts,” “Paranoid” Pg 7: Two-Tiered Asking for God’s Forgiveness Pg 8: “We Do Not Speculate Here” Pg 9: More Damning Than Downing Street Hate Crimes & Violence Against Homeless People Increasing Pg 10: The Peace Village Pg 11: Panther Praxis 101 Vendor Risks Death in Runaway Crane to Save Lives Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes Pg 13: Bin Appetite Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Rachel Lawson Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Melvin Williams Susan Smith Amanda Mertz Jimmy Heath Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Activists African Americans Alison Leeuw Amanda Mertz Andy Erickson Arts & Poetry education FRAC GCCH Georgine Getty Hate Crimes Homeless News Digest Jimmy Heath Kate McManus Manhattan Mary Gaffney Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Mayerson Foundation Melvin Williams New York Peace Village Rachel Lawson Schools Students Susan Smith Violence https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/2482db3ac85e4bbe3a0adc762edc7b17.pdf 8a809c6ce16573d60cb56f11067defea PDF Text Text JUNE 2005 STREETVIBES Streetvibes Investigates: Legitimate News Story or Hoax? by Andy Erickson, Greater around town, outing them as conCincinnati Coalition for the artists who “prey on your kind heart.” Homeless, Education Coordinator Paolello first talked to a man named Larry (we don’t learn his last The issue of panhandling has name), who says he just made $24 in long been a controversial one in 90 minutes and once made $50 in 15 Cincinnati. Fueled by simplistic minutes. She asks what he does with assumptions and stereotypes about the money, and he tells her that he the poor, many Cincinnatians dismiss gives it to a diabetic friend in need. panhandlers as con-artists. At best, “But a few minutes earlier,” Paolello panhandlers are seen as reports, “we watched annoyances by the him walk across the wealthier, housed street where…he had a population that visits bottle of booze stashed downtown. The truth is in a bush.” The footage that every panhandler’s shows Larry drinking story is as complex as from a bottle of beer. anyone’s, and each “The same thing panhandler has a happens all across the Andy Erickson different reason for city,” Paolello reports. begging on the street. “Minutes after donating Unfortunately, local Cincinnati money, the recipient will take it to television station WLWT, or Channel fulfill their habit at the local liquor 5, fueled stereotypes about store.” panhandlers when they aired a This is where the report simplistic and sensationalistic news leaves Larry. Paolello’s point is story in early May called “Homeless somewhat vague, so we’re forced to or Hoax?” In this segment, reporter assume what she’s getting at. I Sheree Paolello followed panhandlers assume she meant to convey that: (1) Larry spends all of his money on booze, (2) Larry does not have a diabetic friend that he gives his money to, (3) most, if not all, panhandlers spend most, if not all, of their money on booze, and (4) by drinking from a bottle of beer, Larry is a bad person. Paolello’s attempt to dismiss Larry’s claim that he gives his money to a diabetic friend is based on the fact that he was filmed drinking from a bottle of beer. This, of course, is illogical. Larry can drink beer while panhandling and still give some of his money to his diabetic friend. Paolello makes a strong point of connecting panhandlers with liquor, but doesn’t explain why this connection is important. I think she’s possibly trying to suggest that they are misusing the donations – that they should be purchasing something more wholesome with their money. Some of the people she filmed might have an alcohol addiction, and therefore might actually physically need liquor. Sure, treatment would be better for them, but some people aren’t ready for treatment, can’t get into treatment right now, don’t know how to get into treatment, or don’t know they have a problem. I don’t think that alcoholics are necessarily bad people because they are alcoholics. I also don’t assume that panhandlers will use every cent I give them to purchase whole-grain bread and mittens. If people are surprised that some panhandlers use part of their earnings to purchase liquor, then they are naïve – as are people who believe that panhandlers only spend their money on liquor. Paolello also encounters Caroldeen Cobb, a woman who lives in an apartment, but who is seen panhandling with a sign that suggests she is homeless. Later, Paolello shows up at Cobb’s apartment, where she thrusts her finger at Cobb’s chest and accuses her of operating something that “seems kind of like a scam.” Hoax... cont. on page 2 International Street Newspaper Conference Held in Buenos Aires conference was an effort to address the growth and future of street papers around the world so the movement can stabilize and continue to grow. There needs to be a real and truthful picture of the world we all live in and through this, promote international understanding and a voice and hope for the worlds displaced and poor. The media plays an important role in these conditions. Street newspapers provide a distinctive and independent voice for issues that are usually ignored or distasteful for mainstream, corporate media outlets. One of the major accomplishments of the INSP was the recent unveiling of the Street News Service – a web-based news wire with stories and news specifically for international street papers. Members can go to the INSP website (www.street­ papers.org) and download photos and stories specific to the street paper movement and the voice of the poor. The website receives, on average, 14,000 hits a month. Conference... Cont. on Page 8 Rooftop view of Buenos Aires Report and photos by Jimmy Heath I’ve recently returned from a conference and a bit of a vacation in the South American country of Argentina in the capitol of Buenos Aires. The conference was the annual gathering of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), a 10 year-old organization that has grown to include 85 international street newspapers, from 27 countries, including Cincinnati, Ohio’s own Streetvibes. Representatives from these papers met, networked and shared meals together in the El Centro neighborhood, right in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires. The conference was hosted by Hechos En Buenos, the Buenos Aires street newspaper. The conference was an attempt to unify the world wide street paper movement and to create a pool of resources for this unique media. Most streetpapers are struggling, not only financially but also politically, mostly because of the outspoken nature of the movement. The Busy Buenos Aires street scene Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Hoax... cont. from page 1 Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Andy Erickson - Education Coordinator Rachel Lawson - Civil Rights VISTA Kate McManus - Civil Rights VISTA Mary Gaffney - Receptionist Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographer Jimmy Heath Cover Streetpapers from around the world iunite in Bueanos Aires conference Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 I know Caroldeen Cobb. We call her Carol at the office. My coworker Rachel Lawson wrote a story about her for the May 2005 issue of Streetvibes. Yes, Carol was panhandling with a sign that suggested she was homeless, and yes, she does live in an apartment. She does not drink alcohol or use drugs. She collects a small monthly income from Social Security ($564) and food stamps ($15). She supplements her income by panhandling. She has heart problems that prevent her from working at a typical job. “I have to take 14 pills just to get out of bed on a good day – and there are some days I can’t get out of bed at all,” Carol explains. She stopped by our office to talk about Paolello’s report after it aired. I told Carol I was offended by the news story and asked her what she thought. “I’m not humiliated,” she said, “I just thank God it was me and not someone with a weaker mind. If the reporter had done that to Channel 5 speaks someone who wasn’t all there, they could have committed suicide. It’s dangerous telling lies and hounding people who have mental illnesses. A lot of them wouldn’t be able to deal with that kind of humiliation.” I told Carol that I wanted to write an article on Paolello’s story and asked her to clarify why she panhandles. “It takes money to be poor,” she said. “I have to find a way to pay my phone – that’s $25 a month, and my car insurance – that’s $57 a month, and gas – that’s $30 a month...” she went on and on, listing things as specific as the cost of the soap she buys. “I don’t always have enough money at the end of the month to go buy meat at Kroger. So I work for it. I don’t go to Kroger and shoplift the meat. I work for it.” When I asked Carol about a typical day’s earnings, she said, “I made a flippant comment to the reporter that my goal is $100 a day and that’s what she reported.” Carol told me there are days when generous people give her good money, but that it doesn’t happen every day. “The other day I sat out there for hours and made $1.50.” Carol is known throughout the homeless community as someone who generously and regularly helps people in need. In the past, she’s opened her apartment to people needing shelter or a shower, she’s shown many people how to access local services, and, despite her modest income, she also occasionally purchases items like clothing and food for those who live on the streets. Paolello doesn’t really address Carol’s circumstances or generosity. She does mention that Carol has heart problems and that she uses some of her earnings to help homeless people, but it’s only a mention. Then she immediately returns to the con-artist angle, stating “Caroldeen admitted that it’s easier to sit on a corner than to get a job.” Paolello doesn’t mention that Carol’s disability makes her unable to hold a typical job. The last interview Paolello conducts is with Georgine Getty, Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless. Getty was treated to the same style of reporting that Larry and Carol experienced. “Sheree asked me if I would suggest to Caroldeen Cobb that people give to organizations rather than panhandlers. I refused to say that. I said that people should do what their heart tells them is right.” Despite this, Paolello states over footage of Getty that “Getty recommends donating to a shelter or food kitchen, instead of giving on the street where citizens can’t be sure where their money is going.” “That’s what she wanted me to say,” said Getty. “She kept trying to get me to say it, and when I refused to say it, she said it for me. “People should give to organizations,” Getty added, “but I’m not going to say that people shouldn’t give to people on the street.” Getty also recalls asking Paolello when the story would air. According to Getty, Paolello responded that WLWT wanted to air the story the following week because it was “sweeps week.” Sweeps week is a time when broadcasters measure viewership numbers in order to set advertising rates for local advertisers. It’s important for stations to record a high viewership during sweeps week so that they can charge higher rates for local advertising. In order to record a high viewership, television stations sometimes broadcast gimmick programming in order to get viewers to tune in. I can’t pretend to know exactly why WLWT decided to spin this story the way they did, but Paolello’s comment about wanting to air it during sweeps week suggests a possible motive. A sensationalistic piece about deceptively wealthy, alcoholic con-artists posing as homeless people is probably (and sadly) going to draw more viewers than an in-depth piece illustrating the lives and circumstances of Cincinnatians living in poverty. By broadcasting stories like the former during sweeps week, television stations attempt to manipulate viewership and inflate advertising fees. The truth is that many panhandlers are simply making the best occupational choice from the options that are available to them. Yes, there will be times when a panhandler might hold a sign that says he wants food while he drinks a beer. Yes, there will be times when a panhandler will advertise herself as homeless when she lives in an apartment. The ones that become good at panhandling are the ones who, like crafty television stations, figure out the best way to market themselves to the public. That doesn’t mean they don’t really need your dollar. Are there panhandlers who are con-artists? Yes. But, of course, you can find con-artists in any line of work. By painting Larry as a liar without checking the facts, by downplaying Carol’s disability and economic circumstances, by failing to illustrate the many ways that Carol helps homeless people in Cincinnati, and by speaking for Georgine Getty rather than quoting her, Paolello creates a news piece that is irresponsible and inaccurate. I would like to say that I am personally impressed with the things that Carol does to help homeless people, and I don’t feel that she’s doing anything wrong. She does wonderful things with the small income she receives from panhandling. Perhaps she was marketing herself in a way that was less than truthful, but I feel it was with good intentions. I don’t feel I could say the same thing about the people who helped craft WLWT’s “Homeless or Hoax?” story in early May. My hope is that in the future, WLWT will cover issues like homelessness and poverty in a more responsible way. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath In Philadelphia, the military gave Sharon Boyd all the things that life in Pottstown, Pa., couldn’t: economic stability, career advancement, and the chance to travel. But after 18 years in the service, Boyd was sleeping in her Oldsmobile Royale, battling posttraumatic stress disorder and a cocaine addiction. Boyd is one of an estimated 6,000 homeless female veterans nationwide, a group whose numbers are expected to rise as the number of women in the military increases. But as homeless female veterans become more visible, the reasons for their homelessness remain largely unclear. “People go into the military, on one hand, to flee from unstable social circumstances and because they think it’ll give them better opportunity,” said psychiatrist Robert Rosenheck, coauthor of a study of homeless female veterans and the director of Veterans Affairs’ Northeast Program Evaluation Center. Boyd, 47, now lives at Mary E. Walker House, a 30-bed transitional housing program for women at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Coatesville, Pa. Walker House, which opened in January, is the military’s latest tactic to support this new group of veterans in need, and is the largest facility of its kind in the country. Nationally, more than 315,000 veterans are homeless on any night, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Women make up a small percentage. Female veterans may also be dealing with the aftermath of sexual trauma, which can itself trigger posttraumatic stress disorder, experts say. “We have enough homeless women veterans to have a womenveterans transitional program,” said Marsha Four, a Vietnam veteran and the program director of homeless services at the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center, which runs Walker House. “They have specific needs different from male veterans.’” 6-year trooper with a wife and three children, is charged with seconddegree murder in connection with the April 14 shooting death of 40-year­ old Eric Williams, who was unarmed. The charge is punishable upon conviction by up to life in prison. The case marks the first time a Michigan State Police trooper has been charged with murder in an onduty shooting, officials said. Morningstar shot Williams, nicknamed Magoo, once in the chest at 12:30 a.m. in front of a bar after responding to a disturbance call. Detroit police also responded to the scene and recorded the shooting on an in-car video camera. The two departments have given conflicting details. A court file says Williams, whose family said he had mental problems, was harassing customers inside the bar and broke two windows while being escorted from the bar. Detroit police said in a report that Williams had his pants down around his knees and walked toward Morningstar before the trooper shot him. But Sgt. Mike Herendeen, president of the Michigan State Police Troopers Association, said Williams was not partially naked. He said Williams’ baggy pants were sliding down as he approached Morningstar, and his hands were in his waist area. Morningstar said: “Stop. Show me your hands,” at least twice, according to Herendeen. “This is not something he wanted to get involved in that night,” Herendeen said. “Certainly this is devastating. He’s charged with a serious crime for essentially doing his job and doing it the way he was trained to do it.” Changes to welfare payments announced in the Federal Budget will have dire ramifications for western area residents, a leading crisis accommodation provider has warned. Orana Far West Region Burnside Doorways manager Reg Humphreys has predicted an upsurge in homelessness and poverty as a Calling him a danger to the result of the Budget’s changes. Under the reforms single community, a Detroit magistrate set a $200,000 bond Tuesday for a mothers, the disabled and the unemployed will have to look for Michigan State Police trooper work or lose their benefits. charged with gunning down a From July next year parents, homeless man. both single and partnered, who A preliminary examination is scheduled for May 23.Morningstar, a receive the parenting payment will have to look for part-time work once their youngest child turns six. If they are already on the parenting payment they will continue to receive it until their children turn 16. But from 2006, newcomers to the payment will be moved to the lower Newstart allowance ($44 a fortnight less) once their child turns six, and they will be required to start looking for work. “The problem with the Government’s strategy is it is aimed at high-density areas on the coast, with little thought given to people in rural, regional and remote areas,” Mr. Humphreys said. “The Government’s plan is to cut the incomes in already impoverished households and force people to look for jobs that don’t exist. “It might work on the coast where there are more jobs but it’s only going to make life harder in the bush.” Mr. Humphreys is expecting an increase in applications for crisis accommodation as a result of the changes. Last year Dubbo Burnside Doorways provided emergency accommodation and assistance to more than 550 applicants aged 16 to 25 years. “You start doing the sums and it won’t be long before more people are forced onto the streets,” he said. “Public housing rents are going up, tenants are being charged for water and now they are taking $44 a fortnight off single parents. “All this Budget has done (in the western region) is effectively widen the gap between the haves and have nots.” Deputy prime minister John Anderson defended the Budget strategies yesterday and said the changes were not aimed at people in genuine need. “Rather than being a set of punitive measures, we are really trying to help people get back into the paid workforce,” he said. A caseworker at a homeless services center who was fatally last month by an exemployee of the center has been identified as 49-year-old Bruce Franks of San Mateo, Ca. The suspect in the shooting, 54-year-old Gregory Gray, was terminated from his position at Conard Community Service Center in September, San Francisco police Sgt. Neville Gittens said. A homicide inspector with the department said it’s likely Gray opened fire inside the center at 154 Ninth St. because he was disgruntled about being fired. Gray, a San Francisco resident, was armed with a shotgun, Streetvibes handgun and an ax when he entered the center around 9 a.m. Monday. He reportedly shot Franks in the chest and the back with a handgun, then dropped it because it wasn’t working properly, a police officer said. As Gray allegedly reached for a shotgun, another employee entered the center, saw what was happening and tried to wrestle him to the ground, police reported. A struggle ensued outside and the employee yelled for two homeless men to help. One of the homeless men helped the employee pin Gray down while the second walked away with the shotgun to make sure Gray did not get a hold of it again. About that time, an officer arrived on scene and Gray was taken into custody. He was booked into county jail on a homicide charge, police said. Officer Ian Furminger, who arrived at the scene as the Gray was being pinned down, said if the employee and homeless men hadn’t tackled Gray to the ground, it’s likely many more people would have been shot. Police have arrested a man in Seabrook, N. H. on a charge that he sexually assaulted a homeless man he reportedly met in church. Stephen Woodman, 67, is to appear on May 23 in Hampton District Court. If convicted, Woodman could face up to 15 years in prison. Police say the 36-year-old homeless man was staying at Woodman’s home when the assault allegedly took place earlier this month. They say the two had met the previous weekend at a church service in another community. Some claim San Joaquin County, Ca. homeless veterans are being shortchanged when it comes to programs San Joaquin County veterans say their homeless brethren are not being reached when it comes to Department of Veterans Affairs outreach programs. Although the VA does offer funds for homeless centers and transitional housing, county veterans say that its just not the case in San Joaquin County. County Supervisor Steve Gutierrez said he wasn’t aware of any aid the county receives from the department. “But if there is, I’d sure like to have some,” he said. Last year, some 174 veterans used the Stockton Homeless Shelter, said John Reynolds, director of the Stocktonbased center. Page 3 �Streetvibes Letters Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! My wife and I live near enough to the intersection of 13th and Reading Road that we were inconvenienced by the barricade. As residents of the Pendleton neighborhood of O-T-R, we’ve been following closely, since the beginning, the drama of the barricade going up and then coming back down. Much of what Jimmy Heath said in the article was insightful, (Controversial Anti-Drug Battier Removed, Streetvibes, May 2005), interesting and true, however he neglected the most important truth: The War on Drugs will never be won. It’s only a matter of time before a truce will be declared in this insane war—similar to Prohibition being repealed. Or the 13th Street barricade coming down. Mr. Heath said that among the best strategies for fighting crime in residential neighborhoods is that residents should believe the police are committed to a crime-free environment. That’s hard for residents—much less street people— to believe, because the War on Drugs is bread and butter to the police. David E. Gallaher, Ruthless Gentrifying Rhinarchist Marine Compleat Drug Legalizer, 1315 Spring St, Pendleton Community, already the Indian Hill of Over-the-Rhine-istan, Sinincincinnati (clothing optional), OH 45202 The Zen of Streetvibes (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes by Jimmy Gipson, Streetvibes Vendor There is a message of hopelessness among the homeless, of broken dreams, that torment us and plague our existence. We all started with a desire to be successful and to succeed. Somewhere along the way something went wrong. The regrouping of our lives should start with the spiritual guidance from God, where all blessings come from. We can no longer do it for ourselves. He cares for us and we must put him first. God can solve the needs that haunt us, cause us to stay in homelessness. We must love our self and want it bad enough. We must desire it. It comes from believing in oneself with God leading us. He knows what we need to have a real life. No matter what, He will supply your needs, for God is good. I pray this message helps to heal. Amen. God bless. �A Day in the Life concerned as long as there is by Mark Cardiff 9am I’ve been vending on and off for about a year. I woke up this morning, got everything together and came in [to The Big Issue office]. I’m staying at a hostel at the moment. It’s the next step from living on the streets but you are still officially no fixed abode, still officially homeless. I come in and see what pitches (open territories) are available on the board; I’m not too something half decent. I have three favorite spots – Morgan’s, Church Street and Orange but it could be any of those three. 9:30am onwards I find that on those pitches I’m on a direct line of people coming through and it is the same people that buy it. They will often only buy from one person and they are used to me being on certain pitches. I’m a very chatty person and ask how they are, it’s not just to sell the magazine, I’m interested in what sort of person they are. Tales from the Curb by James Shearer Recently Bread and Jams, an organization that, among other things, runs a drop-in center, was told that they would no longer be able to serve meals in a church that they have been serving meals to the homeless for 20 years. This is just one more chapter in what has become an increasingly pathetic attitude toward homeless and poor people. When a church shows you the door, there is a problem. For one reason or another, folks just don’t seem or want to care. Whatever happened to “I am my brother’s keeper”? (Hey, that was in the Bible.) You see the attitude everywhere (Spare Change News doesn’t sell the way it used to). So what’s the problem, you ask? Well, politics, for one thing. No one is fighting the good fight anymore in Washington. HUD’s budget has been torn to bits. Whatever happened to Phil Mangano? You folks remember Phil, don’t you? He was once executive director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance and was chosen by the Bush White House to head up the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Phil fought for the homeless for a long time and showed great promise now that he was in Washington. But Phil has disappeared. Poor people are at the bottom of the food chain in the Bush White House, and here in Massachusetts it’s no better. Mitt Romney could care less about the poor and homeless; he’s telling everyone within earshot that our state is in great shape. (I’m sorry, but does he live in the same state as me?) Then again, it’s all about politics. Mitt’s gearing up for his run for pres... um, re-election. Yes, that’s right. Another reason for this attitude is that no one’s fighting back. Back when Spare Change began, we belonged to a group known as HOST (Homeless Organizers Support Team). It was a group that consisted of ourselves, Solutions at Work, Bread & Jams and various other groups. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but we had a common goal: ending homelessness. We kept the subject of homelessness and poor people in the public eye Did we make a difference? I like to think so. What happened? Well, organizations change, goals become different and people drift apart. So what do we do? Well, movements start with people. The former host organizations (including Spare Change) need to get back on the same page. Forget about the past, and get back to the business of solving the problem of homelessness. They’ve got me in their head for some reason and it seems a respect thing to make an effort if they come back a few times. It’s good when you are having a bad day too and you see them and know they will buy from you. A few of them know my name and I know theirs. One gentleman came up to me the other day and said that if I needed a care of address for any post then I could use his and that his cleaner that comes in would be leaving soon if I was interested in taking over. He said not to take it as an insult but as someone who was trying to help out someone else. I was blown We need to re-educate people about homelessness – its causes and how we can stop it. We need to organize people to vote for people who just won’t give this topic lip service but will actually try to work with us to address the problem. And if they don’t come, Election Day shows them the door. We must bring together the haves and have-nots to the same table and encourage them to work together. I know sounds like a pipedream, a useless fight, but a fight nonetheless that Spare Change is willing to fight. One of our board members talks about Spare Change becoming “a voice for the poor.” In order for us to become that voice, we must join together with the other “voices” and become one with them it is only together that we can solve this problem. Then people – all people – in this country will become the priority. We will stop presidents from sending troops on missions away. There’s no exact finishing time for selling the Issue, just whenever you’ve made enough money and sold enough magazines to get the best badge you can, a blue badge [which gives you salesrelated bonuses, such as free tea and coffee]. Sometimes you don’t get near it and sometimes you do, it depends on the public really. Sometimes you have an hour or so off in the middle and the latest I’ve worked is between about seven and eight o’clock on a really slow day. Reprinted from The Big Issue Cymru/Southwest, May 2005 that are false. Politicians from other states will not be allowed to run for office in Massachusetts just to further their own agendas. Then hopefully, finally, attitudes will indeed change. People will see that we are all the same, regardless of our lot in life, and should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness – equally. In the end, isn’t that what we all want? Everyone deserves a home and the right to go to bed with a full belly. People shouldn’t have to choose between food and paying the rent; they should be able to do both. No one deserves to live in the street. Let’s get together, folks. Organize! James Shearer, a Spare Change News columnist, is a former editor and current vendor of the newspaper. Reprinted from Spare Change News, Boston, MA ­ ©Street News Service: www.street-papers.org All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies. FisherAmes Man is by nature a civic animal. Aristotle Politics are usually the executive expression of human immaturity. Vera Brittain The Duty of an Opposition is to oppose. Sir Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill There are no true friends in politics. Cicero (Marcus Tullius Cicero) Party honesty is party expediency. Steven Grover Cleveland Finality is not the language of politics. Jean Baptiste Colbert In politics nothing is contemptible. Jean Baptiste Colbert University politics are vicious precisely because the stakes are so small. Henry Kissinger Streetvibes Page 5 �Spirit Team by Mary Gaffney Hello my fellow readers and homeless friends. June is nice because it gives us the opportunity to plan our vacations. For the young children and the young parents of these children there is a new Head Start program that offers hope and safety for our kids. In the midst of violence and abuse to our children there is a silver lining in this program for everyone, including the Spirit Team for younger kids. (Please see 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 Page 6 below.) Under the leadership of Terry McFarland, Parent Involvement. Specialist, these programs are available at Union Bethel Head Start. Miss Mary Gaffney A Vendors Story Kato has been a vendor of Hecho en Buenos Aires in Argentina for about six months. I’ve been living on the streets for seven years now, after losing my automobile spare parts business, which went under when the system began to punish the pockets of ordinary workers. First people couldn’t afford cars for going to work and ended up using bikes and then the same worker was in turn replaced by a machine and ended up unemployed or on the streets. No one sells anything to anyone any more. This year there will probably be 15-20% more people on the streets as this present political system is awful. The socio-economic system destroys you as you have nothing basic- no flat, no job, no partner. Last year, I had a partner but the booze- cheap litre boxes of wine-always led to arguments. Drink and drugs do Traveling for Inspiration by Rachel Lawson Cincinnati politicians, police In the beginning of May, I officers, and the business district had the essential opportunity to are continuous expressing concern attend the National Low Income over how Cincinnati comes across Housing Coalitions’ conference, to both its citizens and other states. which was held in Washington, DC. Obviously we are on the radar and There were two key reasons that I others know about us, but what are was deeply motivated and inspired being recognized for. According to by the conference: the message the National Coalition for the delivered by our keynote speaker, Homeless, we ranked as the third Donna Brazile and the reality that “meanest” city in the United States. someone who has received Our own mayor wanted to cut attention in Washington, DC for her human services completely. School ground breaking districts all over actions and attitude is Cincinnati are having very much aware of problems passing their Hamilton County and individual levy’s who our elected because the tax payers officials are. do not want to pay any Donna Brazile more money, even it was such an effects the education of Rachel Lawson inspiration, that she has children. The very basically become my “shera” (she + Senators that we elected are hero). As the first African suggesting a bill that would make it American woman to head a major harder to vote. Recently there was presidential campaign, Donna a Town Hall Forum held to raise Brazile has accomplished what few public awareness about the can even aspire to attempt. proposed state cuts, and only one Currently the Chair of the senator arrived. Democratic Voting Rights Institute, Unfortunately, there were her message is basically a long lines during the presidential declaration of preserving and election. Another major ensuring the basic rights of all to disappointment was that a lot of vote. Not only does an individual votes were thrown out over minor have the right to vote, but also they issues. It honestly does feel as if have to use that liberty to ensure the votes are not counting. that their other rights (medical, However, as Donna Brazile pointed housing, education, etc) are being out, it’s up to the people to make a protected. difference. The Greater Cincinnati Since November, there have Coalition for the Homeless been a mixture of attitudes about dedicated its time to working at the the political structure of our polls, and every area that we country, state, and city; focused on showed a tremendous unfortunately the bottom line is that increase in the amount of voters. many have given up. Gas prices Ex-felons were finally given correct steadily increase, unemployment information and allowed to vote. rises, affordable housing (based on Homeless individuals were a realistic scale) is diminishing, and registered and steps were taken to moral issues are tearing everyone guarantee that they were not apart. Donna Brazile pointed out hassled. It is our responsibility to that this is not the time to give up, make sure our actions matter. It is regardless of what political party our duty to ensure our votes are you want to have control, continue counted. to fight for what you believe in. your head in and of course you become violent. The magazine has helped pull me away from booze, which I’ve been drinking since I was very young and left my family. The police used to be dangerous but now they’re better. In the old days they would take you from the plaza and stick you away for 24 hours, to hide you from the public. Now the dangers on the street vary. In Buenos Aires there are lots of races and attitudes and it’s a place with little prejudice, but there are still problems of marginalisation and aggression. People let themselves be sucked in to being excluded as they have no culture that tells them otherwise. The only culture they get is through media but the mass media are Streetvibes leading readers and viewers towards a kind of cult of ignorance and irresponsibility. What I see is that where there is culture, there is space for people to be accepted. But where it is missing, whether the person in question is a lawyer, doctor or street cleaner, people ignore you completely. Selling the mag is like when I had my own business as it lets me affirm something about myself. You can get a bag of food once a month- rice, pasta, beans, lentils, oil and nothing else. But to be honest food isn’t the main problem in Buenos Aires. The fast food places throw loads of food away and we collect it. Selling the magazine gives me more than just food and that is important. �people I know who have overcome drug and alcohol addiction not at a fancy Spa, but in a program at the doubt any of them has gotten to by Susan Smith Drop Inn Center. I have gotten to As a young working woman, know a homeless person. This lack know people that suffer from of knowledge does not stop them probably around the early 40’s, my depression and other mental health mother and some of her friends went from judging homeless people, issues as well as many with major generally as lazy people that just to the Smokey Mountains on health problems. I have met people vacation. This was her first trip to the don’t want to work. They resent desperately trying to get a job, at government money (taxes) that goes South and she was shocked at the Linda Corey times it seemed close to tears. I have to social programs to provide signs that indicated place or drinking seen homeless people share shelters, health care, food and fountain were for “White’s Only.” clothing. Some may see them as drug information with others regarding She didn’t realize that Coney Island where they can get clothing, a haircut, and alcohol addicted individuals that in Cincinnati where she lived did not a shower, or some of the basics that either panhandle or break the law allow “colored people” either; they most of us give little thought to. I requiring police presence (more tax just did not have a sign. Black money) to control them and make the have not seen race as a problem. people knew they were not allowed I would not recognize most of streets of downtown Cincinnati safe entrance, or if they went they soon my homeless friends as homeless if I for those with money to come found out, yet, just like my mother did not know it were true. Most are downtown. These are often kind most whites probably did not realize by Linda Corey clean and appropriately dressed, this. In her 1949 book, Killers of the people who donate to charities that We have to learn to live sober, speak correct English and serve the poor (tax deductible) or Dream, Lillian Smith talks about hoe life on life’s terms. It is a daily engage in conversations on a variety work with their church group to “Folks up North might be routine. We have to practice of subjects. The only way they differ provide a good meal at a facility that embarrassed by the signs. But if patience, tolerance humility. We serves the poor. Students in schools from my non-homeless friends is they you’re smart you can segregate have to leave people where they collect canned goods and sometimes have no money and do not have a without signs…” The North used are and spiritual principles have permanent place to live. These even do community service. to be put in front of personality. It restrictive covenants to segregate When homeless people were friends have enriched my life, given is not easy. If we take it one day without signs. The races live separate seeking shelter under bridges and one me a greater understanding, and I but parallel lives in Cincinnati. at a time all good things come to hope made me a kinder person. local columnist referred to these Racial relations and those who wait. I have 15 Most of us take for granted people as “eye sores” it move me to months clean and I look and fell a opportunities have improved for many basic aspects of life. We African-Americans although we have learn more. I have been coming to lot better. always have access to bathroom Over-the-Rhine for over a year to I’m no longer living under not achieved the dream of Martin facilities, can go to the kitchen and learn the truth about these people. Luther King. We have parallel a bridge and holding a sign and get a snack at two in the morning if Although I know this area of town is societies that exist in Cincinnati and sleeping on concrete. I am not we wake up hungry, don’t worry throughout the country and the world often very unsafe, I have never felt living an unmanageable life. I about a safe place to sleep for the afraid and have at times walked today. One of these has to do with have an apartment now and I’m night, and transportation to the too large a segment of our society around alone or with a homeless doing my meetings and talking appointments or work is fairly easy. friend. I have never met a homeless that is homeless or on the verge of with my sponsor. I pray and I person that I was afraid of although I Even having access to a simple homelessness. Many of you reading talk with my pastor. aspirin for a headache can be difficult have been saddened by the this probably live in a comfortable I have a sense of humor conditions we want them to live in. I to come by. The homeless do not section of town as I do. My friends and I try to make people laugh. have eaten at the Drop Inn Center. I need more bologna sandwiches and and neighbors give little thought to Laughter to me is the best donated bread products, they need have met some of the most courage what it is like to be homeless and I medicine. living wage jobs. My view on the Homeless Recovering from a mood, mind altering drug. Music Extravaganza A fundraiser for the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless sion ted s i Adm ugges s $10 June 17th 2005 7:00 pm on i t a don St. Mark Christian Fellowship Chruch of God in Christ 828 Ezzard Charles drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45214 Performances by local artists, praise dancers, and various church choirs including: True Praise St. Mark Christian Fellowship Samaria AGAPE Mighty Men (male chorus) ..... and more Call 421-7803 x 16 for more information Streetvibes Page 7 �Conference... Cont. from Page 1 INSP now has two full time staff based in Glasgow, Scotland; an executive director and a secretariat. Other important news is the support of the Scottish government for the INSP office and staff with partial funding for the next three years, but there are still tough years ahead. The North American Street Newspaper Association, based here in the US, (NASNA) is working with the INSP to create a collaborative relationship, hopefully, to bring strength to both groups through unity and sharing of resources. Next year’s conference will be held in Montreal in order to create easier access for north American street papers and to continue these collaborative discussions. Buenos Aires Argentina is not without its problems - recent years have been steeped in political and economic strife - but the vibrancy of the city and its people seems to thrust these issues well into the background. I climbed the fire exit to the roof of the Hotel BAUEN in Buenos Aires, where I and most of the conference attendees stayed, to get a view and some photos. The city of 9 million inhabitants seems to go on forever - sprawling and vast, as far as the eye can see, even from my bird’s eye view from the roof of the hotel. The city and this country has - although I haven’t been everywhere - become one of my favorite places. It’s the beginning of autumn there, (May) and the weather, as the Argentines say, is fantastico. The street during the day is filled with people shopping and working, crowding each other on the sidewalks. The city is easily accessible by walking or by the inexpensive and efficient subway, or by cheap taxis that crowd the streets day and night. Buenos Aires’physical structure is a mosaic as varied and diverse as its culture. There are the many inner-city neighborhoods, each serving the resident tenants but also providing a distinctive village, such as the music district – where you can buy a guitar or violin at half the USA price. There are high rise buildings, but not on the intimidating, and light blocking scale of New York City. There is the Monolith, the Plaza de Mayo and the Ricolto Cemetery, the burying grounds for the Duarte family and Evita Peron. Buenos Aires is composed of many small places, intimate details, fantastic restaurants and tiny events and interactions, each with a slightly different shade, shape, and character. Cafes are everywhere, most with tables on the street. The city’s neighborhoods are small and highly individualized each with its own Page 8 characteristic colors and forms, restaurants and coffee shops. The coffee comes from espresso machines, and the beef comes from the rich Pampas grasslands – the best beef and steaks in the world come from Argentina. The cattle are grown on the vast western plains of Argentina, and they free range on the rich grasses of the prairie, not on corn or hormones as in the US. The port city of Buenos Aires, which stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata, has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries. Portenos, as the multinational people of Buenos Aires are known, possess an elaborate and rich cultural identity. They value their European heritage - Italian and German names outnumber Spanish, and the lifestyle and architecture are markedly more European than any other in South America. The arts are an important part of Buenos Aires life. At the depth of the recession, the government still made grants to performing artists and arts programs. The Hotel BAUEN The Hotel BAUEN has an interesting history and was appropriate as a host for our conference. It went bankrupt in the middle of 2001 during the Argentine economic crisis. The hotel closed and salaries were unpaid for hotel workers for 14 months. The employees decided to join forces and they founded a cooperative with the goal of reopening the hotel. On March 21, 2003 Hotel BAUEN workers gathered at night at the intersection of Corrientes and Callao Streets in downtown Buenos Aires, a block away from the hotel. They walked the short distance to the hotel and entered the building and switched on the lights. The former hotel workers hugged each other and succeeded in the first step of their recuperation process: occupation. Yet the hotel was far from being in working condition. A lot of the materials and equipment had been sold by the previous owners or stolen. Today the Hotel BAUEN is an integral part of the center of downtown Buenos Aires - a symbol of the struggle of the worker and the poor of all the countries that the street newspaper movement represents. The workers cooperative Hotel BAUEN is considered a must for civil rights workers and human rights representatives from around the world as the place to host conferences. Hopefully, next year’s INSP conference in Montreal will again provide a reminder to all of us working in the street newspaper movement that although we speak different languages and our world cultures are different, the people and vendors we serve as advocates share the same struggles across the globe. Buenos Aires at sunrise Nobel Prize winner Aldolfo Esquivel addresses conference INSP conference attendees listen to guest speakers Homeless in Buenos Aires Streetvibes �Newsweek, the Quran and the “Green Mushroom” Following the real rules of modern journalism Newsweek was right to retract the Quran story—mainly because the magazine claimed to Newsweek ran a have “sources” for the information, sensational claim based on an when Newsweek’s subsequent anonymous source who turned out to be completely wrong. While one descriptions of how it acquired the can’t blame the subsequent violence story mention only a single source. But it’s far from clear that entirely on this report, it’s fair to say that credulous reporting like this Newsweek’s source was inaccurate in saying that U.S. investigators had contributed to a climate in which uncovered abuse of a Quran in the many innocent Muslims died. course of a recent investigation; The inaccurate Newsweek similar allegations have repeatedly report appeared in the magazine’s been made by former Guantanamo March 17, 2003 issue, on the eve prisoners (Washington Post, 3/26/ of the invasion of Iraq. It read in part: “Saddam could decide to take 03; London Guardian, 12/3/03; Daily Mirror, 3/12/04; Center for Baghdad with him. One Arab Constitutional Rights, 8/4/04; La intelligence officer interviewed by Gazette du Maroc, 4/12/05; New Newsweek spoke of ‘the green York Times, 5/1/05; BBC, 5/2/05; mushroom’ over Baghdad—the cites compiled by Antiwar.com, 5/ modern-day caliph bidding a grotesque bio-chem farewell to the 16/05). Denials by the U.S. military land of the living alongside thousands of his subjects as well as that such incidents have occurred mean little; when any government his enemies. Saddam wants to be remembered. He has the means and holds prisoners in violation of the demonic imagination. It is up to international law, and denies them access to independent counsel or U.S. armed forces to stop him before he can achieve notoriety for human rights groups, assertions by that government about how the all time.” prisoners are being treated can be Unlike a more recent Newsweek item (5/9/05), involving given little weight. Eric Saar, a former U.S. Army sergeant who accusations that Guantanamo served as a translator at interrogators flushed a copy of the Guantanamo, has accused the Quran down a toilet, Newsweek Pentagon of engaging in organized has yet to retract the bogus report about the “green mushroom” threat. efforts there to deceive outsiders: Citing a new book by Saar, the The magazine’s Quran charge has been linked to rioting in Afghanistan Washington Post reported (4/29/ 05) that “the U.S. military staged and elsewhere that has left at least the interrogations of terrorism 16 dead; alarmist coverage like suspects for members of Congress Newsweek’s about Saddam and other officials visiting the Hussein’s nonexistent weapons of mass destruction paved the way for military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to make it appear the an invasion that has caused, government was obtaining valuable according to the best intelligence.” epidemiological research available It’s certainly not the case (Lancet, 11/20/04), an estimated that the Pentagon has been so 100,000 deaths. attentive to Muslim sensitivities that such treatment of a Quran would be unthinkable. The Pentagon’s deputy undersecretary for intelligence is Lt. Gen. William Boykin, who is notorious for suggesting that Allah was “an idol.” and saying that the United States’ enemies were led by “Satan,” and would “only be defeated if we come against them in the name of Jesus.” It was Boykin who reportedly ordered the coercive interrogation methods.used at Guantanamo to be used at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib as well (London Guardian, 5/20/04). It has been repeatedly said—including by Newsweek itself, in its initial apology (5/23/ 05)—that the magazine’s source erred in saying that the Quran incident was contained in a report for the Pentagon’s Southern Command. In fact, the original report said that the incident was “expected” to be in the report—an expectation that could have easily been altered by the fact that the explosive allegation became public. Newsweek’s retraction of the Quran story, contrasted with the lack of any correction of its “green mushroom” claim and other similarly erroneous WMD coverage, is quite illustrative of the actual rules—quite different from the ostensible rules that are taught in journalism school—that govern contemporary journalism: * Anonymous sources are fine, as long as they are promoting rather than challenging official government policy. * It’s all right for your reporting to be completely wrong, as long as your errors are in the service of power. * The human cost of bad reporting need only be counted when people who matter are doing the counting. Got The Vibe? World Press Freedom Day Opens Conference World Press Freedom Day on May 3 2005, marked the opening of the 10th international conference of the INSP in Argentina. The event which brought together street paper members from all over the world including new prospective start up papers in South America. The conference which was opened by INSP president Mel Young focused on how street papers can develop a unified voice for the socially marginalised and how they can effectively bring the crucial development issues facing the world to public attention. The 4 day conference, hosted by Argentinean street paper Hecho en Buenos Aries, also saw the official launch of the Street News Service, which will now enter its second phase of operation which will include forming relationships with the ‘mainstream’ media. Vice President of the International Organisation of Journalists (IOJ), Mr Osvaldo Urriolabetia was one of the key note speakers along with Nobel Peace Prize winner, Adofo Perez Esquivel, journalists and Andrew Graham Yooll among others. The liberty of the press is a blessing when we are inclined to write against others, and a calamity when we find ourselves overborne by the multitude of our assailants. Samuel Johnson This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. To order, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803 Streetvibes Page 9 �Nuking Democracy At the height of the nuclear arms race, those who marched against it used to say that in the ashes of a nuclear war, no one could tell a capitalist from a communist. “Not necessarily,” others would joke, “Richard Perle could tell.” For Perle, even total annihilation would have its victors and losers, and he knew which side he wanted to be on. Perle has continued to preach the virtues of usable nuclear weapons while helping orchestrate our invasion of Iraq. Now he’s a key allied strategist of an administration willing to obliterate democracy itself if they don’t get their way on judicial nominees and everything else. I’m thinking of the ease with which Trent Lott, Bill Frist, and other Republicans have talked of a “nuclear option” to intimidate the Democrats into capitulating on every right wing judge that Bush sends to Congress. Although Republicans have backed off from using the phrase since it began polling negative, it may reveal more than they intended about their Party. They don’t just seek to enact particular programs, but have done their best to turn politics into total war, seeking to annihilate the opposition completely. Their talk of political nuclear strikes in fact goes further than the actual Cold War arms race. The logic of Mutually Assured Destruction was at least partly defensive, even if its brinksmanship almost destroyed the planet. The Soviets wouldn’t attack us for risk of being annihilated. We’d do the same. A precarious balance would hold. Of course the US didn’t just use nuclear weapons for nuclear deterrence: We brandished them against the Chinese in Korea and offered them to the French in Vietnam. Nixon, through Kissinger, threatened their use on North Vietnam if they didn’t surrender, then backed off in response to massive US anti-war demonstrations. But with the exception of people like Perle and Herman Kahn, our leaders mostly justified ultimate risks in the name of preventing an ultimate cataclysm. So what is the threat that merits blowing up 200 years of the Senate’s right to require more than a bare majority to confirm lifetime judicial nominees? That they might only get 95% of their nominees through? That Republican presidents would end up with just an overwhelming majority of judges already appointed, and not every single one? That someone somewhere might not bend to their will? The only threat they’re facing is resistance to their absolute power, but that now seems to be threat enough. Honorable conservatives used to warn against the raw power of the state. It was Lord Acton who wrote, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But now that the political right controls more and more of our key institutions, the love of power has become their religion, and the slightest notion of checks or balances heretical treason. In relations with the world, this administration has pulled out of every international rule and treaty from global warming, to bio terrorism, to land mines—substituting Voices of Africa to be Heard by World Leaders a rule of raw force that insists we can do whatever we choose because God is on our side. John Bolton as UN nominee just flaunts this approach. Now this administration is trying the same thing on the domestic front. Surrender or be obliterated. The filibuster hasn’t always been used for good. It was a prime tool of Southern segregationists blocking civil right bills promoted in part by moderate Republicans. But to annihilate 200 years of tradition simply because you happen to hold the reins of power is to worship this power as a God. They may not be destroying the world to save it, but they’d be perfectly content with the ashes of democracy. Paul Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear (Basic Books), named the #3 political book of 2004 by the History Channel and American Book Association, and of Soul of a Citizen See www.theimpossible.org Although millions of Africans world’s leaders. It is vital that the G8 will be affected by the decisions coalition of human rights groups – by Izzy Kaminski, Cathryn Scott made at the summit, not a single listens to the people of Africa, and The views and experiences of which also includes Oxfam and representative of the continent will be that they recognize their rights, spirit Amnesty International – pressuring millions of people living in poverty in present. Get On Board is aiming to and potential and agree a way to Africa will be heard by the leaders of governments to put an end to this. examine how issues of trade, aid and make poverty history. The coalition wants to see the world’s richest countries as part debt are affecting African people and “[The project] will take a international leaders change unjust of a new project by campaign group to provide a voice for them. trade rules that keep people locked in close look at how the daily lives of ActionAid. Brendan O’Donnell is youth men, women and children are Staff from ActionAid recently poverty; fully cancel the debts owed affected by the big issues of trade, aid campaigns manager for ActionAid commenced a 12,000km, threeby the poorest countries; and to UK and is also one of the crew of the month journey that will see a specially deliver more and better aid to people and debt and how they are bus. He said: “Get On Board is responding to the challenges of HIV adapted bus travel from South Africa in developing countries. going to be an amazing adventure. As and AIDS, conflict and education. The 16-seater bus has been to Scotland in time for the annual G8 we travel through Africa collecting Once in the UK the bus will decorated with a Make Poverty summit in Gleneagles in July. On its messages for the G8 leaders we pass through several cities including History white band and the Get On way, it will collect thousands of expect to meet incredible people with London and Glastonbury, finally Board logo and is staffed by a crew messages, photographs and stories unbelievable stories – of tragedy as arriving at Gleneagles in Scotland in from people in six African counties – of ActionAid representatives. The time for the G8 summit on July 6 to 8. well as passion and real hope.” South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, bus will meet Africans in both urban The Big Issue Cymru/South West The world’s eight richest countries – and rural areas, visiting development Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda – will be following the progress of the United States, Japan, Germany, projects, musical events and which it will present to the annual the bus with regular updates. France, Britain, Italy, Canada and demonstrations, in order to get a meeting of the leaders in Scotland. www.actionaid.org/getonboard fuller picture of the public and private Russia – will be joined by Dubbed Get On Board, the Reprinted from The Big Issue project is part of ActionAid’s ongoing realities of the lives of African people. representatives from the EU and will Cymru/South West ©Street News discuss a range of international commitment to the Make Poverty Ramesh Singh, ActionAid International’s chief executive said: economic, political, and social issues, Service: www.street-papers.org History campaign. Around 50,000 including how to address world people die each day as a direct result “ActionAid is exposing the injustice The wish to spread those poverty. of poverty and ActionAid is among a of poverty in Africa direct to the opinions that we hold conducive to our own welfare is so deeply The International Network of just three months. The concept material being made available to other rooted in our character that few of us can escape its influence. Street Papers (INSP), the behind the SNS is to share media organisations, including the Samuel Butler representative organisation for photographs and articles between mainstream press who INSP believe We want men to rule the nation publications which provide income to members of the networks, thereby would benefit enormously from news who care more for and love homeless and marginalised people creating even more readership while and features directly from the coal better the nation’s welfare than around the world, has begun to trial helping to save on costs. face. gold and silver, fame or its much talked about news service The SNS is currently available to all For more information on the SNS or popularity. called the Street News Service paid-up members of INSP and if you are interested in receiving this Brigham Young (SNS) in conjunction with the North NASNA and is being offered at wire service when it becomes more It is a general popular error to American Street Newspapers 100% discount during the six month widely available, please contact Lisa suppose the loudest complainers Association (NASNA). trial thereafter a sliding scale will be Maclean. for the public to be the most The SNS which was introduced based on the individual Contact: Lisa Maclean, SNS Coanxious for its welfare. launched with just 3 active papers has organisation’s ability to pay. ordinator at EdmondBurke already mushroomed to 10 papers in Phase 2 of the trial will see the l.maclean@street-papers.org INSP joins forces with NASNA to trial SNS Page 10 Streetvibes �Double Stigma for Gay Community by Carrie Briffett People with a learning disability who are also lesbian, gay or bisexual are almost certain to be bullied or harassed as a direct result of their sexuality, according to a new study. And researchers at Bristol University also found that a lack of specialist support was having a direct result on the mental, emotional and sexual health of those questioned, with many reporting depression and loneliness. Academics at the university’s Norah Fry Research Centre, working in partnership with Terrence Higgins Trust and REGARD – a national organisation for disabled gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people – found that significant barriers were put in the way of people with learning difficulties in consenting same sex relationships. Although many respondents said they wanted to fall in love and have more gay and lesbian friends, they felt the gay scene was unwelcoming to them and that staff working for many of the services that support people with learning difficulties were reluctant to see this work as part of their jobs. David Abbott, research fellow at the Norah Fry Research Centre, said: “Despite the very many messages telling men and women with learning difficulties that it is a problem for them to be sexual at all – never mind gay, lesbian, or bisexual – people were forging their lives and identities and striving to lead full sexual and emotional lives. “However, much work needs to be done to ensure that the human rights of people with learning difficulties who are gay, lesbian or bisexual are upheld and supported.” Sue Peters, regional manager at Terrence Higgins Trust West, said: “This research has uncovered much of what was previously hidden in the lives and experiences of people with learning difficulties. “I am sure there are more challenges ahead before this issue can be said to be properly tackled.” Reprinted from The Big Issue Cymru/Southwest, ©Street News Service: www.street-papers.org The plight and blight of homeless Kansas City - Some time ago I offered the opinion that the homeless really aren’t all that big a problem downtown. It’s a problem for them, of course, but not for most of us who live or work downtown. Well, the very next day I was sitting here in my cubicle at the newspaper. Out my window, I watched a homeless fellow stop and rummage through a garbage can in the park across the street. He was looking for aluminum cans and came up empty. But he did retrieve a takeout box of food from the trash can. And I watched as he walked on, taking bites from the box as he went. After just a few steps and a few bites, he closed the box and nonchalantly tossed it on the grass in the park. Then he continued on his way. I hate litter anyway. But this little scene also felt like a personal rebuke to my previous day’s column – right out my own window! Whatever it was, something made me jump up and hurry down two flights of stairs to catch the guy. I wanted to understand him. I caught up with him as he fished cans from the trash outside Union Station. I introduced myself, and he readily agreed to step inside for a visit. Eugene Payne and I shared a bench in the train station lobby. His clothes were shabby but neat and odor-free. I was immediately struck by how well spoken he was. Imagine Morgan Freeman playing a homeless guy. I told him right off that I was irked to see him throw trash on the ground. Almost before I got the words out, he was explaining. “That’s unusual for me. It sure was,” he said. “Usually I would look for the next trash can.” So why didn’t he? “I guess it was a little anger and resentment in me – about the situation in general that I’m going through,” he said. Oh, great – homeless Dr. Phil. He’s processing his emotions over trash-can potato salad. Eugene said he’s 43 and grew up in California, where he was a pretty good high school athlete. He has been in Dallas since 1991 and has been homeless most all that time. He said he likes collecting cans because it keeps him in shape and avoids the humiliation of panhandling. Sometimes he makes decent money delivering handbills to homes. In fact, he said he had such a job waiting in Fort Worth. I asked for his solution to the homeless problem. “That’s a tough one to answer,” he said. “A lot of these people are substance abusers, and it would really take some of their own initiative to make a change.” Gently, I asked if that included him. “Yes, that includes me,” he replied without hesitation. Though he uses drugs at times, he said, alcohol has been his downfall. “It’s a problem, but I feel like it’s something I can get on top of,” he said. Suddenly something clicked in my mind. He had mentioned Fort Streetvibes Worth and playing sports and being open to recovery. I remembered my visit earlier this year with former pro football player John Corker, who was overcoming addiction and encouraging others at the Salvation Army shelter in Fort Worth. I said: “Would you like me to take you to Fort Worth? I know a place you could stay and someone you would really like to meet.” Eugene looked a little shocked. “Right now?” he said. “Sure,” I said. “I’ll drive you over.” “Well, uh. ...” He smiled nervously. “That’s a little sudden.” He was really fidgeting now. “Well, that might be good one day,” he said. “But not today, I don’t believe.” I could see he wasn’t going to budge – and I was reminded again that there are no easy answers to homelessness. We shook hands in parting, and I wished him well. He went on with his search for cans. And I stopped back by the park and picked up his trash. Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 cents Printing and Production: 30 cents Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Let it be impressed upon your minds, let it be instilled into your children, that the liberty of the press is the palladium of all the civil, political, and religious rights. Junius The free press is the mother of all our liberties and of our progress under liberty. Adlai E. Stevenson Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost. Thomas Jefferson The press is not only free, it is powerful. That power is ours. It is the proudest that man can enjoy. Benjamin Disraeli �Bush Administration Shifts Funding from Anti-Poverty Programs to Religion-Based Groups Bush administration policies have shifted funding from traditional federal anti-poverty programs to faith-based groups. As a result, many small church- and community-based social service programs are obtaining increased funding while the President’s 2006 budget proposal includes deep cuts to public housing subsidies, food stamps, energy assistance, community development, social services and community block grants. It proposes increasing funding for religion-based programs by $385 million. More than $2 billion in grants to such programs was awarded in 2004, nearly double the amount spent in 2003. “This is going to increase the competition for available funds,” said Douglas Rice, director of housing and community development policy for Catholic Charities USA. Class Mobility Greater in Continental Europe, Canada As Gap Between Rich and Poor Widens in U.S. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened in the U.S. since 1970 while economic mobility has remained stagnant. According to recent research, a typical child born in poverty in continental Europe or Canada in recent decades is more likely to achieve economic prosperity than his U.S. counterpart. In fact, while more than 80 percent of the sons of unskilled men moved to higher-paying, higher-status occupations in the late 19th century in the U.S., only 14 percent of the men born to fathers on the bottom 10 percent of the wage ladder made it to the top 30 percent in the late 20th century. A growing body of research is finding that 45 to 60 percent of a parent’s advantage in income is passed along to children. Race is also a factor in U.S. economic mobility: 17 percent of whites born to the bottom 10 percent of families ranked by income remained there as adults, while 42 percent ofAfricanAmericans did. Report: More Than One-Third of Prime-Age Minmum Wage Workers Get Trapped in Low-Paying Jobs A recent report finds that 36.6 percent of prime-age workers (ages 25-54) in minimum wage jobs get stuck in low-wage jobs for at least three years. This is especially true during periods of higher unemployment and stagnant wage growth. Most minimum wage workers are prime-age workers. In the eight years since the last increase to the minimum wage, its $5.15 value has decreased by one-sixth, in inflation-adjusted terms. A person working full-time for minimum wage earns just $10,300, substantially lower than the $13,020 federal poverty threshold for a one-parent, one-child family. HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them.. That is why you pay him/ her. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is God. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. INSP - A UNITED VOICE AGAINST POVERTY “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” The network has been built on the back of the incredible success of street papers throughout the world. Most operate mainly as small non-profit making businesses, which give homeless vendors the opportunity to earn a living through their own efforts. Street papers have a philosophy of “a hand up, not a handout.” Homeless people buy the magazine and keep between 50% and 70% of the cover price. The core philosophy of INSP is that all post-investment profits generated by the papers should be used to provide social support for homeless people. Streetvibes INSP is a unique global organisation which links developed and developing countries that strongly believe in exchanging know-how. Partnerships and links are formed across the board, both regionally and internationally. Many members link through consultancy, training and experience exchange, which encourages better-developed social businesses. The key to all these projects is self-help and empowerment. All street papers are supported locally by businesses, local government and institutions and, most importantly, by local people. Page 13 �Thank you, too By Jesse James No words could even say, or feel The love I see In your every smile The comfort The shining feeling I get When I think, hear, or see you Please, Lord, have mercy and help me To be a better friend, To all who need me. Thank you!!! I do Love you 4 ever yours I hope and pray A Personal Darkness byJH The rising voice speaks of a dreadful past, an anger that hides. Lurking invisible, revealed by the press of a challenge. The grown man, unborn, reeling from a personal darkness. What is this presenting creature, who brings a hidden madness? Ignored? Abused? Dominated? The grown man, unborn, reeling from a personal darkness. The tattered garments, the eyes, the anger. A broken human, wanting to be heard, nothing more. The grown man, unborn, reeling from a personal darkness. The scars of a history in the hands, the broken nails. The broken voice that swells but does not speak. The grown man, unborn, reeling from a personal darkness. Bluez 4 Jesse By Jesse James To the past All those I do love Don’t be mad I’ve chose To rise above All the sad memories and dreams That I Want to forget So it may seem that why will be 4 regret That I may deem To even speak of, again So don’t cry When I sin But I, Will enjoy All my Days like a baby boy Who has received The greatest gift That could be believed Or maybe a myth? Friends, Until the end What more, Could a lonely man Hope and pray for Now, may I understand Death by Detachment by JH What is this other world on the Corner? Of violent and menacing gestures, and growling peril. And bloated pockets, filled with danger. The bulky shells, and anger gone wild, fill the street with deadly void, inside and outside the soul, with and without spirit. Clashing on the gray, the staggering limbs askew, twirling, menacing, frightened, of the blue and white shadow. Tomorrow is a hazard, out of reach, on a dusty shelf. Beyond the dream of home, and mom, and warming family. To get there is a nonsense dream, in TV land and liars, peddling another place, a vision beyond reach. The Blues 4 Josey By Jesse James Once upon a dream Freedom was meant to be But Society’s cruel reality took it away from me So, like a wounded dove I walk alone Unaware of true love Tied to the stone. These blue eyes Have see to much pain I don’t know why I like the rain. I guess the feeling Is better than nothing. Where is my dream? Page 14 On the Run By Jesse James Well, it has become evident to me, that I have come full circle Not all my thoughts were fantasies There was a feeling, I had A few smiles, I had seen that made me believe that maybe I might be onto something Way beyond, my wildest dreams So, I am humbled too. I don’t feel all alone. Anywhere I really don’t know anymore than before But I have met some beautiful people I always say, I don’t believe in luck “Luck is for losers” Well I feel very lucky Streetvibes �Shutter Speed by Jimmy Heath I’m Ready by Robert Manassa I often wonder if there is such a place as Heaven. If I’ll reach it at a Seven Eleven? If I’m lucky, homeward bound I will be My mother and father I hope to see. I’m ready No one knows the day or the hour that God will come Question is asked; will it be the morn or setting of the sun? Get ready al people here on earth Are you ready for a rebirth I’m ready He’s not only coming for the rich, but the poor too When all is said and done all will get their just due Don’t forget to pray both day and night When we do we’ll receive all that’s just and right I’m ready by Jessica Brock By the breath of life Stands a silent cry For the hopeless and homeless The weak that survive Is the Strong that stays alive The streets are fierce with Violence and gun play But all we can do is pray. Thw worlds is a vicious place But in our hearts and mionds Will be fine. The drugs are from corner To corner, block to block But we wonder will it ever stop. Woman on street, Buenos Aires, Argentina Untitled By Jesse James Dear diary, Guess who? Would you believe? That friends, Could be so true!!! What more can I say. Except, that maybe Some of dreams, may Become reality. So, thank you All my friends I’ll try and stay true, Just like you, To the end. Untitled by Elaine Whitaker Hope, my friend, Is a four-letter word, It keeps you flying, It’s the wing of a bird. Hope is the grace That keeps me goin’ I’m a bird in the sky Hope keeps me soarin’ Hope is my friends, Hope is my family, Hope is my life Hope is life. CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE I firmly believe that mother universe will provide all that I am in need of to sustain this life of mine. Each of us can harness the talents and energies to accomplish everything we set for ourselves as a goal. We are each in the space and place we belong in. Where we are and where we are headed is already pre-destined. It has been determined by the seeds we have sewn in this life and by those of the past. Its success depends on how well we attend to the crop we have planted within us. When in doubt we must speak truthfully.......in all matters love every one with a open hand......even when it is painful to do so ......look into tomorrow and do what is for the good of all.......including you. Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Great care should be taken of what you manifest. Do not speak or act anything negative into existence...Knowingly refrain from these activities. Streetvibes@juno.com Streetvibes Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 JUNE 2005 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless *Streetvibes Investigates: Legitimate News Story or Hoax? *International Street Newspaper Conference This month BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource June 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Streetvibes Investigates: Legitimate News Story or Hoax? International Street Newspaper Conference Held in Buenos Aires Pg 2: Hoax Continued Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: A Day in the Life Tales from the Curb Pg 6: Spirit Team Traveling for Inspiration Pg 7: My View on the Homeless Pg 8: Conference Continued Pg 9: Newsweek, the Quaran and the “Green Mushroom” World Press Freedom Day Opens Conference Pg 10: Nuking Democracy Voices of Africa to be Heard by World Leaders INSP Joins Forces with NASNA to Trial SNS Pg 11: Double Stigma for Gay Community Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and Streetvibes… Pg 13: Bush Administration Shifts Funding from Anti-Poverty Programs to Religion-Based Groups Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Rachel Lawson Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Africa Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Buenos Aires Bush Democracy Funding Gay Community Georgine Getty INSP International Street Newspaper Jimmy Heath Kate McManus LGBTQ+ Mary Gaffney Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Minimum Wage NASNA Peace Village Quran Rachel Lawson SNS World Press https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/22e43d3a74a47cb01b283c123b2e421f.pdf c06ffb3fd472efbdde2e0892671b3883 PDF Text Text May 2005 STREETVIBES Drug Dealing Prevention Barrier Taken Down in OTR by Jimmy Heath The controversial 13th Street barricade in the downtown neighborhood of Pendleton in Over-the-Rhine - put up on the recommendation of police and residents in an attempt to block easy access to and from I-471 for drug buyers - came down last month, 10 months after it went up. Cincinnati City Council voted 5-4 to ask the City Manager to take the barricade down. It was originally slated to be a six month “test” closing of the street, but since its erection in July of 2004 it has been a source of controversy and debate. An increasingly common technique of community policing is limiting access to a neighborhood. In many cases, the police, with the cooperation of resident leaders, erect barricades and guard posts at street intersections in threatened neighborhoods. Municipalities have become interested in the prospects for controlling crime through the introduction of traffic barriers and traffic flow controls. Cities as different as London and Chicago have begun to experiment with the use of street barriers, parking prohibitions and other impediments to traffic flow. The idea is to create dead-ends, cul-de-sacs and neighborhoods that are difficult to enter by motor vehicle in the expectation that the levels of crime on targeted streets and neighborhoods will be reduced. The Pendleton Community Council asked for the barricade at the intersection of 13th Street and Reading Road after a drug deal ended in a fatal shooting and because of speeding cars, petty crime and other dangerous activity. In 2004, there were 3 murders in this area of OTR, all drug related. Some Council members and residents said the barricade was installed without properly surveying residents’ opinions. They also said the barricade merely pushed the drug dealing a block away, to 12th Street. Complaining that it was losing business, a Pendleton car wash, Mr. Bubbles, led the opposition to the barricade. Other 13th Street business owners have complained that the effect of the barricade drove down business. The city’s Department of Transportation and Engineering also said the barricade should never have been erected because it’s designed for crime control rather than traffic control. In a report to council, City Manager Valerie Lemmie laid out a six-step process for future street closures, which will require approval of 75 percent of property owners, along with other criteria affected by a closure, along with City Council approval. The 5-4 vote to remove the barrier came after Cincinnati City Councilmember Sam Malone, who had previously voted to keep the The barricade, changed his mind. It came as a surprise to the Pendleton Community Council, who thought a decision would wait until their meeting this month, when they planned to hear a presentation on the effects of the barricade from the neighborhood’s community problem-oriented policing (CPOP) team. Police say the barricade has driven crime down by no longer allowing drug buyers from suburban areas and Kentucky easy access to 13th Street from Reading Road and the exit ramp from Interstate 471. The access provided drug buyers an easy route in and out of the city for purchases from street corner drug dealers. But opponents of the barricade, led by the Mr. Bubbles car wash, said the barricade kept too many business customers away. Meanwhile, drug dealers who were inconvenienced by the barricade took up business on other street corners in the neighborhood. Arrest statistics indicate that while there has been a decrease in the number of serious crimes in the Pendleton area, the number of less serious crimes has increased. Several barricade opponents chastised City Council, saying their predominantly black, mostly poor neighborhood had been unfairly targeted. Cincinnati City Council previously delayed a vote on whether to remove the metal guardrail that was installed by police last July. 13th street is lined with turn-of-the-century tenement buildings mostly inhabited by lowincome people of color. There is decay and poverty, but there are families and businesses that are barricade from Reading Road to 13th Street in Over-the-Rhine hoping to bring safety to this dangerous area. But residents say drug dealing is also common along the Main Street entertainment district and near bars in Mount Adams, which are frequented by affluent white customers, yet barricades aren’t used there. Laketa Cole, who heads Council’s neighborhoods committee, said police had indicated they had overwhelming resident support for the barricade when it was installed. But a recent UC study found otherwise, she said. “There were several residents who indicated the barrier should not have been there,” she said. Many of the citizens and their families feel like they have been abandoned by the police and the city. Blocking a street is not a solution to the drug problem, but it temporarily greases the squeaky wheel – it sends a message to the uneasy upper-class that something is being done to appease the new, more affluent, formerly suburban residents. It superficially addresses the concerns of neighborhood upscale developers. Sadly, drug dealers simply move on to another corner and the problem becomes someone else’s. It didn’t take long before the middle-class residents and businesses realized they had been had by this weak “solution.” There is a growing realization that the best strategies for fighting crime in residential neighborhoods are those where the police work closely with resident organizations. Such communitybased strategies require residents to believe that others in their neighborhood, including the police, are committed to a crime-free environment. Additionally, as long as the drug-buying customers keep coming to the corners in urban neighborhoods to buy drugs, there will be a willing supplier. For every drug deal that goes down, there is an equal amount of buyers. A message needs to be sent to the buyers that this is not the place to buy drugs. Coming at the drug problem backwards will not solve the problem. It is not enough to create a slight inconvenience by blocking street corner access. Most important is evenly distributed access to safety for everyone, including low-income people who have lived and worked and raised their kids on these tough neighborhood streets. It should never be a matter of economics from the standpoint of who’s “worthy” and who isn’t. It is a sad commentary on our society that money rules the day; that appearance, color and culture judges how precious you are, or aren’t. Soon, it will be necessary to block every street in the community, creating a gated urban neighborhood. We need a community that celebrates each citizen equally – and does not apply weak fixes when rich people come in and start crying. We also need a unified community that will not tolerate the use of neighborhood streets as an open-air drug market. Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Andy Erickson - Education Coordinator Rachel Lawson - Civil Rights VISTA Kate McManus - Civil Rights VISTA Mary Gaffney - Receptionist Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographers Jimmy Heath, Steve Lansky Cover Jimmy Heath photo 13th Street barricade, Over-the-Rhine Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Update with Ernie Hubbell Ernie came into the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless office (GCCH) on April 26 to give an update on what’s been happening since his last interview with Streetvibes. He had a stack of photos in his hand of people who had been helping him and wants to say a big thank you. He’s also been helping homeless folks. As he puts it, “there are always two sides to a story. That’s what causes problems between elected officials and homeless people.” People have been staying with you? Occasionally overnight. Just here and there. Just my friends. I feed them with food from the church, give them clothes and send them on their way. These are my friends who are homeless. I’d like to thank them. They give me information from the street . . . who’s died because of alcohol, how the bridge camps are doing. Sometimes they give me soda pop, they give what they can. Where do you stay now? Page Towers. I have a furnished apartment. . . my own furniture thanks to the churches. There are two ladies from the Lord’s Pantry who gave me a color TV. They serve sandwiches. Here is my preacher and his wife (Carol & Larry Bombark). They’re like a mom and dad to me. They’re self-funded. They spend their own money. Here’s a guy in a camp. He’s below poverty level. This is what it’s like, homelessness. Here’s Sharon and Debbie from Tender Mercies. They saved me. These are all my friends. These are friends to the homeless people. Some of them are homeless, they stay up under bridges. All I can do is be an example. I’m Sharon and Ernie free from drugs. I have an apartment. I abide by the law. I hope they don’t have to have a tragedy like I did before they get some help. There was a rumor that you died, what happened? Yeah. They thought I’d passed away. I just want people to know that I’m doing well. I want other people to get help too. Cincinnati Behavioral Health can help them. Anything else new? My Friend at campsite attorney is taking my case to I just want to put this in because I’m court with my Social Security. I’m helping homeless people where I can, having a few health problems. . . I have a lot of pain in my legs and they but I can only do so much. I’m getting help myself. I’m not sure go out on me. Other than my pain, what to say, but I’m speaking from I’m staying sober and healthy. I’m the heart. The Lord is helping me. going on TV. (Brian Garry’s cable show) I think. The Cost of War Americans killed since war began (3/19/03): 1572 (as of April, 2004) Since “Mission Accomplished” (5/1/03) 1435 Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 1105 Since Handover (6/29/04): 706 Since Election (1/31/05): 140 American Wounded Official Estimated - Total Wounded: 11664 Other Coalition Troops -176 US Military Deaths - Afghanistan - 166 The wounded numbers above reflect the official count as released by the U.S. military. However, there are other estimates that 12,000 soldiers have been treated for illness, non-combat injury and combat injury since March of 2002. The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has been a fixture on America’s military landscape for more than five decades, serving as midway point for wounded troops returning home for treatment. Since President Bush declared Iraq combat operations over in May 2003, nearly 3,000 servicemen and women have been wounded in action. More than half that number did not return to duty, reflecting the high number of combat casualties, and serious nature of injuries, from Iraq. As many as 1 of every 10 soldiers from the war on terror evacuated to the Army’s biggest hospital in Europe was sent there for mental problems. Between 8 and 10 percent of nearly 12,000 soldiers from the war on terror, mostly from Iraq, treated at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany had “psychiatric or behavioral health issues,” according to the commander of the hospital, Col. Rhonda Cornum. That means about 1,000 soldiers were evacuated for mental problems. The hospital has treated 11,754 soldiers from the war on terror, with 9,651 from Iraq and the rest from Afghanistan, according to data released by the hospital. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �throughout the five boroughs. According to a survey released today by the department, 592 homeless people live in Brooklyn, 587 in the Bronx, 1,805 in Manhattan, 335 in Queens, 231 in Staten Island and 845 are living in the subways. ”I spent a lot of time making William “Les” Brown, an Compiled by Jimmy Heath sure I did not make assumptions activist who helped start an In New York, a homeless (about the numbers of homeless advocacy group to fight man was busted last month for people),” said DHS commission homelessness in Chicago, has trying to smuggle a BB gun into a died. He was 64. Linda Gibbs. “While we continue to federal building so he could shoot have far too many individuals Brown was a founder of the Social Security clerks for cutting remaining on our streets, we now Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. off his benefits. The coalition’s executive director, Ed have a solid estimate of street Daniel O’Brien, 38, of Staten Shurna, says Brown died last month homelessness citywide.” Island, told investigators he brought A higher density of homeless at Rush North Shore Hospital in the weapon “so he could intimidate Skokie after a long battle with cancer. people were found near Social Security employees if transportation hubs like Penn Station, Brown was the Chicago necessary,” but added he had no Grand Central Terminal and the Port coalition’s first board president and qualms about using it. Authority bus terminal, the survey went on to become its executive “I would have shot them found. director in 1988. He also had been because I’m not getting any answers active in the National Coalition for the regarding my Social Security,” he said Homeless. An auction in Witchita, in a written confession, law Brown was born in Doraville, Kansas raised about $45,000 for enforcement sources said. the Drop-In Center and other Georgia. He earned a masters O’Brien’s name was on a degree in social work from Chicago’s United Methodist Urban Ministry Secret Service watch list because he Loyola University in 1968. services to combat homelessness. had made verbal threats against Brown is survived by a wife, President Bush in 2002, sources said. two children, a sister and two As much as the event was O’Brien, who suffers from about art, it was also about raising grandchildren. bipolar disorder and lives in a awareness on the issue of homeless shelter on Staten Island, is homelessness, said the Rev. Deann In Springfield MA, Lee being held without bail by the U.S. Smith, executive minister of the O’Brien says he survived the Bureau of Prisons pending an April winter thanks to a city-sponsored organization. She said the Drop-In 11 court date. emergency homeless shelter that Center is at capacity, averaging about He was arrested by the guaranteed him a thin mattress on 100 people each day.” Federal Protective Service and Homeless services are one of a patch of basement floor. arraigned before a federal magistrate. the hardest to fund, because people The so-called warming Law enforcement sources said he had places, operated on alternating nights have the myth of the guy that just served time in federal prison, but doesn’t want to do anything, and at two city churches, gave the 30­ details of the earlier case were not that’s not the case,” she said. year-old refuge from the blistering available. “All of us would like to think cold and an alternative to the that could never happen to us,” she Worthington House, Springfield’s In Lexington, North said, “But having worked at the main homeless shelter which many Carolina critics fear a statewide Drop-In Center and been across the say is overcrowded and unsafe. database that will track the table as I’ve served lunch, I see that But with the warming places homeless as they get help will put set to close on April 30 when the there’s so little that separates me from victims of domestic violence in program’s funding ends, O’Brien and the guy or woman that I’m serving.” danger, make fraud easier and scores of other homeless people are discourage people from getting Toronto police announced becoming anxious about where they’ll help. they have charged two people in find shelter. Starting next year, information the death of a homeless man After eating lunch at a on computers used at shelters, soup downtown soup kitchen, O’Brien and whose body was found last week kitchens and treatment centers can be some of his friends started talking near the Rogers Centre. shared with nonprofit agencies across about the need for another Sanctuary An autopsy found the victim, North Carolina. identified as Daniel Joseph O’Brien, City - the name given to the Supporters say the goal is to community of tents and plastic tarps 43, died of a blunt force trauma to his improve services, allowing workers head. that drew criticism from city officials to track whether the homeless get James Rushton, 23, of while providing a haven to the continued help. Toronto, has been charged with homeless last year. But critics charge the second-degree murder, and Tina “Hopefully there will be database will subject the homeless Marie Desjardine, 23, of Vernon, another one of those,” said O’Brien, “to a level of tracking that is normally who says he arrived in Springfield B.C., has been charged with being an used against criminals,” said Jennifer accessory after the fact. from Tennessee about four months Rudinger, executive director of the ago and found himself homeless when ACLU of North Carolina. Here in Cincinnati, a friend’s promise of a job and a The programs use names, downtown businesses and place to stay was broken. “If not, I Social Security numbers, dates of guess we’ll all just be on the streets.” property owners pay a voluntary birth and other personal data to set tax that raises $1.6 million up individual computer files. annually for various services, New York City’s Whenever a homeless person spends Department of Homeless including $50,000 for Brent a night in a shelter, sees a counselor Chasteen’s social worker position. Services said last month that or picks up food at a participating Chasteen walks through the 4,395 homeless people live on the agency, the file is updated. city streets and in subway stations downtown and tells the homeless Homeless News Digest Streetvibes about sandwich shops where they can get something to eat under deals he has worked out. He is friendly but firm as he warns the homeless of a city ordinance that outlaws aggressive panhandling. Steve Prichard, 45, has been on the streets for four years, but is now staying with friends and plans to enter an alcohol rehabilitation program. “Brent has stuck with me through thick and thin,” Prichard said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do all this without his help.” Still, many cases do not turn out as well. Sometimes people skip the meetings Chasteen sets up with social service agencies, drop out of treatment programs or rebuff his attempts to help. “I try not to take it personally or get discouraged,” he said. “I just see myself as a motivator for those who want help but may not be able to find it on their own.” A judge overruled a mobile home park’s request for summary judgment in a case involving the location of a new homeless shelter in Iowa City, Iowa. Attorneys for the Hilltop Mobile Home Court argued that Shelter House missed a deadline to extend an application period with the Iowa City Board of Adjustment. The new shelter is proposed near Southgate Avenue and Waterfront Drive. However, Judge David Remley concluded that the applicant’s request was timely filed. During a two-hour bench trial last month in Johnson County District Court, attorneys argued for and against a special exception granted in August 2004 by the Iowa City Board of Adjustment. Arguments focused on whether sufficient evidence existed to support the board’s decision, specifically whether the new shelter would hurt neighboring property values and whether parking requirements had been met. Appeals brought last summer by nearby property owners, including Hilltop Mobile Home Court, stalled the shelter from expanding from its current 29-bed center at 331 N. Gilbert St., to a facility that could house as many as 70 people at 429 Southgate Ave. Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Page 3 �If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another. - Winston Churchill I prefer the most unfair peace to the most righteous war. - Cicero. The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war. - Desiderius Erasmus I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. - Mohandas K. Gandhi Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time. - Lyndon B Johnson Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind...War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today. - John F. Kennedy Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. - John F. Kennedy At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love. - Martin Luther King, Jr. Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes In Focus: WIC Trends One half of all U.S. infantsand one in four young children in the U.S. (aged one to five)-get crucial health and nutrition benefits from the WIC Program, according to a new FRAC (Food Research & Action Council) report. “WIC In The States: ThirtyOne Years of Building A Healthier America” provides extensive state­ by-state and year-by-year data for each of the covered categories (women, infants and children) for the period FY 1974 through FY 2004. “WIC is building a healthier America,” explained Geraldine Henchy, MPH, RD, FRAC’s Director of Early Childhood Nutrition and the author of the report. “Newer research is adding to the list of positive WIC accomplishments. It helps to reduce low birth weights, decrease the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in children, prevent overweight in children, and improve the growth of at-risk infants and children. WIC investments are costeffective, preventing costly health problems that would impact federal, state and local budgets in the future.” See http://www.frac.org/ Press_Release/04.20.05.html and http://www.frac.org/WIC/ 2004_Report/index.html �chorus of conversation. Forty ounce on the move, in and out of the alley, bottles being passed around in peeking around the corners, watching between tokes of a joint. In one for the police. by Riccardo Taylor Smokers, drinkers, tricks, Ah! So here we are ready to corner you may witness a sexual act where a quickie may result in a few and crooks all paying tribute to the take a walk down the street in the dollars pay. The exchanges of alley and its happening. Huddled up life. schemes are on the lips of everyone, in a corner with a bottle, or passing Strolling the avenue, listening trying to figure away to come upon a around the crack pipe. to the sounds of the city streets. lick for the return trip back here. Between slurred Watching to see who is doing what, The empty building, their conversations of the alcoholics there how the human traffic is flowing. backs on the alley proper are as busy occurs the pronounced voice from We pass groups of people someone giving doing their thing. Drinking, swearing, as the main street. People climbing in and instructions on the talking loud about everyone else’s fine art of smoking out of once boarded business. The groups consist of the the crack pipe. street people, those of us who line the windows, or doorways that have been The alley is a sidewalk, everyone looking for reopened by the live from the first something to get into. It’s all about squatters who reside in hour of the day until trying to make a dollar. the splendor of an the last. The alley Dope fiends, alcoholics, abandoned building. has a life of its own. panhandlers, and small time hustlers Some coming out to It is the passageway all vying for a piece of the day’s pie. Riccardo Taylor start the day others from sobriety to Each one working for the moment seeking refuge from intoxication, from that they can take their brake in the their tour of the streets. mellowness to rage, from sense of alley. Arguments, the order of sanity to the pure depths of the Before entering the alley we insane. have to take a look up and down the civility in the alley are heard throughout the day. An occasional This is the place where the street to see who’s watching or who fight occurs, but generally threats fly street person is most relaxed. It is might follow. as everyone attempts to establish here that we make plans for going Upon entering the alley we their right or rank within the alley. back out on the sidewalk. are greeted by the smells of human Often you find someone who after Oh! The sidewalk. We’ll waste, urine permeating the air. reaching his or her limit of intoxicants see what’s happening out there. Let’s Every shadow conceals people has laid down some cardboard for a take a walk. ranging from one to a group. bout of sleep. Others are constantly Whispers and shouts mingling in the It is not necessary to advertise food to hungry people, fuel to cold by Jimmy Gipson, Vendor no one to trust in them. Churches people, or houses to the homeless. The message and the need and other agencies help the best way John Kenneth Galbraith continues. The cry for help is always that they can. But not enough to present for the homeless problem in bring changes to the lives of many. Cincinnati The real problem too is in the mind Streetvibes vendors and and the thinking of the homeless. writers carry this message. The need They adapt to confused and defeated for giving is great and becoming behavior. This is their reality. More greater. Mental illness, addiction, love, more support more giving is abuse, poverty, crime, lack of housing needed. You must understand what is Over the years, media – It is at an all time high with no at stake. The more you give, the owners and editors have come up solutions in sight. The depressing more you bless. Serving gives and with different explanations for the state of the homeless mind makes it a offers hope to the one who’s trying to lack of left or progressive voices plaque for everyone. They’re trying overcome their problems. across the media landscape. We’re is in vain. The homeless say, Why Thank you and continue to told those ideas are unpopular with try? No one cares or loves. support Streetvibes and the vendor the public, for example, or that leftists Many try to help themselves, so that the message can continue to aren’t as engaging or likeable as, say, just to run into a deadend. They have be carried. May God Bless Sean Hannity. Street Life The Zen of Streetvibes Don’t Get Too Worked up About Anything Homeless Woman by Linda Corey, Streetvibes Vendor A woman being homeless is very hard. I was homeless in Daytona Beach, Florida, and I‘ve been homeless here in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is a lot harder on a woman than Daytona. The men here are nice until you reject their offers and they turn on you. Most of the men I have met are OK. I leave them where they are. I was in Daytona living with a man who came on like a charm when he was sober. After a few drinks he turned into a mean, selfish, greedy and controlling person. Women are brain dead. I put up with this for 5 years. I was always wearing a black and blue face. I had him arrested and he just got worse. The black and blue increased. I had separated ribs and I tried counseling for domestic violence recovery. That did not work so well. I had nightmares. My friends told me that if I didn’t leave he would eventually kill me. I left and hitchhiked to Cincinnati. My kids are in Daytona. I miss them a lot. I hope one day to go back and see them. Congress needs to make up laws that are a lot stricter on these men who hit women and children to keep these women and children safe. We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty. Mother Teresa The new CNN President Jonathan Klein offered another theory during an appearance on PBS’s Charlie Rose Show on March 25: Progressives aren’t angry enough. When Rose asked if there could ever be a successful progressive version of Fox News Channel, Klein thought not. He explained that while Fox was tapping into a brand of “mostly angry white men” conservatism, “a quote/unquote, ‘progressive’ or liberal network probably couldn’t reach the same sort of an audience, because liberals tend to like to sample a lot of opinions. They pride themselves on that. And you know, they don’t get too worked up about anything. And they’re pretty morally relativistic. And so, you know, they allow for a lot of that stuff.” Does Klein really think progressives don’t get too worked up about anything? If he does, that Streetvibes U.S. Income Gap Among Worst of Wealthy Nations (“It’s better to be poor in Norway than in the US,” Christian Science Monitor, April 14, 2005) Even though Americans on average have a higher standard of living than those in almost all other rich countries, the poor in America fare worse than the poor people in almost all other industrialized countries. The cause is unequal distribution of income in the U.S. Among 30 prosperous nations, the U.S. ranks third from the bottom in income equality. Only Russia and Mexico have a greater maldistribution of income. America does “far less on the social side. We have not as good a safety net. The priorities aren’t there,” says Timothy Smeeding, a public policy professor at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, who compiled the inequality numbers. Poor U.S. children are at a “serious economic disadvantage” compared to their peers in other nations. Without a stronger governmental safety net, the nation faces “a rough future,” says Smeeding. Disadvantaged children “will be a drag on themselves and on our whole economy.” http:// www.csmonitor.com/2005/0414/ p17s02-cogn.html might be because he’s watching too much CNN, where centrists are often looked to stand in for bona fide progressives. But outside the CNN studios, evidence would suggest that progressives get plenty worked up. Internet organizing groups like MoveOn.org, which advocates against Bush administration policies, attract millions of members. Hundreds of thousands of Americans marched against the Iraq war, and the 2004 Republican convention in New York City provoked massive protests. The expansion of liberal talk radio network Air America, as well as the success of the Bushbashing documentary Fahrenheit 9/ 11, would also seem to suggest that there’s an audience for programming from a distinctly left-of-center perspective. As for progressives being “pretty morally relativistic,” Klein’s insult seems misapplied. One could argue that it’s the right and not the left that tends to see the killing of civilians as important only if the civilians are of the right nationality, for example, and thinks that torture may be acceptable if the right people are torturing. Presenting a skewed political dialogue that under represents progressive points of view is bad enough; but Klein’s explanation that progressives simply don’t get “worked up” makes no sense whatsoever. Page 5 �Program Important in Aiding The Second Time Around day. Completely satisfying. Or so I Senior Citizens The staff at AARP is very by Rachel Lawson thought. dedicated in helping provide help to by Ms. Mary Gaffney senior citizens, whose programs To my Streetvibes readers and my homeless friends, this month’s provide extra income. The four or article is dedicated to AARP and the five hours of employment each day are very helpful. staff headquartered at 700 Walnut I want to thank each and Street here in downtown Cincinnati. every one of the The American people at the Association for downtown AARP Retired Persons office. Your help in (AARP) is a senior aiding the senior men employment program and women helps for people 55 years provide a better life. or older. This To my program is so readers and homeless important in aiding the friends, keep on senior citizen, Miss Mary Gaffney trying, and don’t give providing job up. God loves both placement and you and I. training. The staff at the Cincinnati office is John Phillips, project director, Abdur Rashid Ali, employment specialist; Mary Dean, employment specialist; Jimmy White, community outreach specialist; Clara Miller, office specialist; Dorothy Craig, computer specialist; Dean Campbell, intake payroll; Bill Wiggin morning receptionist; Mary Ann Doyle, afternoon John Phillips, project director, AARP receptionist. Hello Future by Marieke Van Zyl Amid the litany of ‘international days’ on our calendars, World Telecommunications Day (on 17 May) stands out as one whose importance in contemporary society is steadily increasing. Celebrated as a commemoration of the founding of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), it’s an annual date on which to take stock of the state of the global digital divide, and the initiatives that have been, and are being implemented to combat this techno­ political phenomenon. In our increasingly connected global society, the issue of access to information and communication technologies plays a fundamental role in the level of interaction a country or community can achieve with its neighbors or competitors. The lack of access to such tools and systems has placed Africa at a disadvantage in relation to the international market, compounding the many economic and social problems already suffered by her countries. Catch-up has been painfully slow, with the logistics of stringing phone-lines in some of Africa’s more rural areas and harsh landscapes proving tough and expensive. It is because of these difficulties that many have turned to the world of cellular communication Page 6 to decrease the problems of connectivity on the African continent. In 1999, Uganda became the first African nation to have more cellular than fixed-line customers, an example, which some 30 other Africans countries have followed since. Cell-towers are significantly cheaper to build than kilometers of telephone wires and poles, with much lower maintenance costs. This has prompted Uganda to recently start removing some of its mostly unused fixed-line infrastructure. It is estimated that about 9,000 cellular users sign up in South Africa daily, with current statistics claiming 19 million cell-connected citizens. With the South African consumer still waiting for a second network operator to be licensed in order to break Telkom’s de facto monopoly, the ease and accessibility of cellular communication is negating or replacing the need for a fixed-line communication for a growing number of people. While the global digital divide is still felt keenly with regard to the Internet and its various communication channels, cell phones are increasingly picking up this slack in the telecommunications market. As an international initiative, the ITU has a Plan of Action to which all of its 175 members have committed themselves, the primary object of which is to extend information and communication I love all forms of creative Mr. Taylor invited me to writing. As a result I may not qualify attend his first reading, ever, on April as an expert on what is and what is 1st, 2005. Although it was pouring not “true.” I honestly believe that down raining, a group of loyal art (spoken and visual) lovers, college anything someone took time out to write is relevant and whether or not I students, etc, gathered at the Base Gallery (located on Main Street in “get it” does not really matter. After Over-he-Rhine) and listened to all there are pieces that were written various performers read and recite so certain people would not “get it,” for example, the Negro Spirituals that their creative pieces. Before Riccardo performed, he explained the guided slaves to freedom were not inspiration for his written understood by their white masters and I piece and then he went personally am pretty on to read in his thankful for that. In soothing yet gruff voice turn, I like to read Dancing in Poverty. This creative writing pieces time around however, it for what they are, works was more fulfilling. It of arts that sometimes was as if even though I Rachel Lawson let the reader into the had eaten my favorite mind, heart, and soul of the writer. meal, Larosa’s just added my favorite What impresses me the most, desert, and I was beyond satisfied, I however, about creative writing was in total bliss. It’s amazing how pieces is their ability to have a life of different things sound and appear their own, as well as your own once your perspective is broadened personal impression and beyond your own understanding of understanding of the writing and how reality. I gained insight into the and why that perspective can change. thoughts of an individual who wants Upon first reading Dancing in so much more for not only himself, Poverty by Riccardo Taylor in the but for those around him. December Issue of Streetvibes, I Riccardo’s work examines thought it was well written and that it the desire to go beyond the level of gave a unique viewpoint of the life led gaining material possession but by Homeless Individuals. Extremely instead challenging individuals to humble, reserved, intelligent, with a demand that they are treated with the spark of mischief hiding in his eyes, utmost respect. Inspite of one’s the words of Riccardo Taylor are a circumstances, we are all human and major asset to any conversation, deserve to be treated that way. poetry collection, or spoken word Although I still believe that Dancing in event. Also very direct, Riccardo Poverty was beautifully written, I does not allow anyone to know that it reaches an even deeper misunderstand the reality of his life. element, it offers the reader the In turn, my first reading of Dancing in opportunity to step into another Poverty was ironically similar to world, life, and reality and I thank eating one of my favorite meals: Riccardo, the Nikki Giovanni’s, and Larosa’s pizza with a salad, after the Maya Angelou’s for that having absolutely nothing to eat all opportunity. technologies to all humanity. For example, in 2004, the ITU initiated the installation of 100 Multipurpose Communication Telecentres in 20 African countries with primary aims to bridge geographical and social distances, as well as focusing on empowering rural women. Press releases concerning such projects use words such as “ehealth” and “e-governance,” connoting a new era of administration that could possibly bridge obstacles such as language, distance and accessibility on the African continent. In the wake of the tsunami disaster that rocked the world, the union has channeled energies on developing an early-warning disaster reduction system; what it calls a “wake-up call for technological co-operation.” Reprinted from The Big Issue South Africa, April 2005. ©Street News Service: www.street-papers.org Streetvibes GE Announces $1 Million Grant For City GE announced a million dollar grant aimed at improving race relations and other issues in Cincinnati last month. The money will go to a new group called “Better Together Cincinnati,” which is hoping to increase diversity and racial understanding in the city. The grant is part of a court ordered collaborative effort initiated in the wake of the April, 2001 civil unrest. The fund is managed by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation Part of the GE donation will go toward improving night-time lighting in Over-The-Rhine, especially around Music Hall. GE held shareholder meetings in Cincinnati last month. �Undoubtedly, the blackface minstrel hardships and cruelties that Blacks have successfully endured. Although I think Cincinnati definitely needs by Rachel Lawson random history lessons on what racial In the early 1800’s a tolerance can lead to, that’s not my comedian named Thomas Rice purpose for taking a dreary walk introduced a song that described a back in time. black stable hand. The image that A young white lady chuckled was depicted in the song gave birth to as she was assigned her role for the Blackface. The Black face minstrel day: a black coffee-colored, freeshows a type of theatrical flowing Afro wearing woman. entertainment that was extremely Smiling before her audience, she was popular in the United States, the UK instructed to imagine she was black. and even Europe. Both White and This did not happen in the early Black performers wore greasepaint, 1800’s. It didn’t even happen in the wigs, and rags for clothing in order to 1900’s. It happened March 30, exaggerate the stereotypes of Blacks 2005. UPN is one of my favorite during that time. In turn, although the channels because of their continuous minstrel shows played on the pre­ effort to fill their television line-up existing racist views, they also further with African American oriented shaped them. Although the roles that shows that focus on a variety of these Black actors played were themes: a group of single independent extremely insulting, it allowed for women to a single father raising his African Americans to at least get their college oriented daughter. As well, foot in the door. Bert Williams, America’s Next Top Model, hosted famous for his portrayal as a solo by Tyra Banks had become one of minstrel performer is even more my must see television shows, known for being the first black especially since last season the young performer on Broadway. Eva won, setting a positive example We Wear the Mask for other African Americans. For all of you that perhaps don’t watch reality shows as faithfully as I do, each week the contestants each have a test (whether it means taking a picture with a boa constrictor or hanging upside down in the air), the purpose of each test is to make sure you know how to take a good picture no matter what the circumstance. Which is why I am not sure what was the motivation behind placing a white female in what basically was modern day blackface. I thought perhaps it was just me until my cell phone kept ringing and all of my friends called me asking me what was going on. Here was our role model, an independent and beautiful Black model who was extending her hands out to all women and showing them how to be business oriented and focused at the same time. Yet as a black woman, I personally felt slapped in the face. Not only did Tyra Banks basically promote black face in 2005, but also since that week’s test was based on all the would be models becoming another ethnicity they all played into stereotypes. For example a young blond became an Italian mom and the judges berated her appearing too innocent to promote that sexy Italian image and another contestant, a black woman became Asian by placing a wig on her head and accentuating her eye shape. The stereotypical images that America’s Next Top Model promoted on March 30, 2005 were similar to the ones that were put on display during the early 1800’s. One can not forget Bert Williams, Josephine Baker, and Spike Lee and the suffering that they struggled to make known to the world. “We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides out cheeks and shades our eyes, This debt we pay to human guile; With torn and bleeding hearts we smile” Paul Laurence Dunbar. *All historical information was accessed from an online encyclopedia, for further information or if you would like to look further into the history of the blackface minstrels feel free to visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Blackface must first go to court to be assigned her court date and then she will have to go to court again. That would be two days in which she probably spends the whole day at court in addition to possibly another day in jail. For those of you who may not be aware, when you do not have the funds to pay your fine, homeless individuals and those with lower income spend days in jail depending on the price of the fine. In other words, Ms. Cobb will be left with deciding whether or not she will pay for heart medicine or even food and shelter for homeless individuals in order to not spend a day in jail. Another issue to consider is that when a homeless personal has charges on their record, no matter how small or irrelevant, it gives them an extensive criminal record. Having such a record certainly does not make it any easier to find housing or assistance. I think it is tragic that the police are targeting panhandlers, when it is legal to panhandle, but it is even more of a tragedy when there are actual crimes occurring in Cincinnati that should receive attention. Ironically, Ms. Cobb herself believes in upholding the law, which is why she educates herself on the city ordinances in order to ensure she is not breaking the laws. She even explained that if she were in the wrong, she would have no problem; unfortunately Ms. Cobb was upholding the law. As stated before, the Cincinnati Police Department has quite a few fans and that is the result of them upholding the law and protecting their citizens. Unfortunately we cannot ignore the actions of those who are giving a bad name to the Cincinnati Police Department. Those police officers that profile anyone based on the social status, race, or beliefs should be given just as much attention, to ensure that they are not allowed to violate the civil and legal rights of anyone. Especially a 60 year old woman who is raising money for homeless individuals. Upholding the Law by Rachel Lawson The responsibility of the Police Department is to protect the citizens and uphold the law; there are definitely police officers out there that go above and beyond their duty and they should be recognized and given applause. Unfortunately, there is always a bad seed in the bunch that give a bad name to the Cincinnati Police Department. Ms. Carol Cobbs is a striking woman; although she’s petite in stature, her vast knowledge of information, feisty spirit, and ‘go-get­ em’ attitude make her someone to be reckoned with, not someone to mistreat. Although she’s in her early sixties, there’s no strand of gray and why should there be? Anyone who has led the life she has and believes in her strong moral convictions is destined to always have a smile on her face. Raised in group homes at an early age, Ms. Cobbs explains, “I’ve been down some roads and I’m not a drug addict or alcoholic” although she’s definitely come in contact with her fair share. Ms. Cobb does more for others in one day than others have tried to do in a life time. Why? She says, “It gives me something to do, besides feeling sorry for myself. Occupy my time.” She went on to explain that when she first saw homeless individuals in Cincinnati, she thought that was only something that happened in New York. Deciding that something definitely had to be done, she set out to get to know homeless individuals and help them anyway she knew how. Unfortunately Carols eyes were opened to a reality that made her unhappy, “You’re playing God when you decide who can eat. If they tell you they’re hungry, you feed them.” Rather than sitting still and accepting the problems that were right in front of her, Carol tackled them head on. She began interacting with different agencies, insisting that they treat their clients the right way. She also takes in people from under the bridge into her own home so they can get a shower and shows them how to access different programs that can assist them. Ms. Cobb is not a multi-millionaire who has the funds to freely give away, but rather she does what she does because it’s right. As a matter of fact, Ms. Cobb is even a legal panhandler herself, going so far as to receive her vendor license to ensure that Carol Cobb she is not breaking any law. Ms. Cobb uses the funds that she receives to help the homeless individuals that she interacts with, for example, buying them food and blankets. Ms. Cobb is the very person the Cincinnati Police Department should be protecting, especially since she is legally allowed to panhandle. Instead, certain police officers harass the homeless and lower income people. Ms. Cobb is a perfect example of what happens when the interaction between the police and lower income individuals is not positive and understanding. Since she was given a ticket for impeding traffic while she was panhandling, she has a fine of $60 and if she cannot afford to pay Ms. Cobb must spend a day in jail. However, Ms. Cobb Streetvibes 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 Page 7 �Drop Inn Center Update Don’t be Squirrelly! Weather Impact: If you had any doubt before about the impact of weather on the shelter population, just look at a weekend in April as a case in point. On a Friday night, before the severe weather hit, we had 178 people stay the night. However, on Sunday, when the temperature hovered around freezing, we had 242 people. That’s a 40% increase! Thanks to everyone for their yearround assistance. Due to your help, we can be available whenever we are needed. Supportive Housing Update: As you may know, the Drop Inn Center has been working with development groups who are interested in moving our Supportive Housing at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets for the new Arts School Project. We had a project worked out this spring that would have used Tax Credits to pay for the construction of a new facility, but talks broke down mid-February because city leaders had concerns about the size and program for the project. We are beginning again to work on another relocation project and are re-looking at possible sites and program options. We will keep you posted on any developments. Let us know if you have any ideas! Rumors: Some of you may have heard the rumor recently that said that the Drop Inn Center was moving to Price Hill on March 15th. Obviously, that was not true. Believe me, if our location is ever threatened, you would hear about it first from us! You never know how stories will take off… Resident Handbooks: Work was completed on our first ever comprehensive Resident Handbook. This guide is given to all residents and includes all the services, schedules, rules and rights for the Emergency Shelter. It provides information on everything from how to get a locker to the hours for the laundry facilities. If you are interested in one of these handbooks, please let me know. Nursing Award: Charlene Rasche, volunteer nurse with the Southwest Ohio Nurses Association, won the prestigious Florence Nightingale Nursing Award this year. Charlene has volunteered with SONA at the Drop Inn Center since they started coming in 1994. She combines craft projects with nursing when she comes every Sunday evening. I know many residents who look forward to Charlene’s visit. Congratulations and thank you! Buy Streetvibes! This Mother’s Day, how will you show your mother that you really care? Mother’s Day is May 8. Whether she is a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, a wife, or a sister, Mother’s Day is our chance to show that special woman in our life how much she means to us. Mother’s Day is also a chance to honor the spirit of mothering. Mothers are there to make sure we are clothed, clean, fed, safe, and warm. They are there to tuck us in and kiss away the tears. They are there to read to us, to listen, and to steer us down the right path. The picture above was drawn by 9 year old Asherah, one of many participants in a state-wide Mother’s Day card contest for young people. Asherah won the contest because of her touching ability to capture the sprit of support, love and family. Asherah was a resident of a local shelter at the time she drew this picture of her family. Her family is one of 5,000 in Cincinnati who will experience homelessness this year. Nationally, 3.5 million people experience homelessness over the course of a year. Homeless families make up over 40% of that population. This year in Cincinnati alone, over 8,000 children will experience homelessness with their mothers. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless has been working for 20 years to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. We firmly believe that by coming together as a community, we can reach this goal. We need your help to erase homelessness from childhood memories. This year, truly honor the mothers in your life by making a special donation in their honor. We will send Asherah’s Mother’s Day card to the honoree, along with a notification that a donation has been made in their name. What better way to appreciate the woman who raised you than by helping other women raise themselves, and their children, out of homelessness? By sending this completed form along with your donation, Asherah’s Mother’s Day card will be sent to the person you designate below. The card will inform the recipient that a donation has been made in her name to the Coalition for the Homeless. Your name, address, and phone number Name and address of the person to whom we should send the card / For more information on how to help or for volunteer opportunities please call the Drop Inn Center at 421-7803 Page 8 Who should the donation be placed in honor of/in memory of? Who should we say the card is from? If you would like the card sent to an additional person, please indicate on another sheet of paper the same information as above. Send this form along with your donation in the enclosed envelope to: The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, 117 East 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Streetvibes �People of Faith, People of country in ways that it doesn’t in Conscience other developed nations.” by Anitra Freeman Jim Wallis, leader of the national church-based effort to address poverty, speaks often of the importance of being “people of faith.” But comparing these two books, I think a more accurate term for what he is describing is “people of conscience.” Both Susan Jacoby and Wallis describe an America that has barely begun to live out the commitment to human rights expressed in our founding documents, and has been over the past 30 to 40 years eroding what advances we had made. Both call for a recommitment to “liberty and justice for all,” and illustrate in their equal passion, and the passion of those they describe and admire, that such a commitment transcends boundaries of theism and non-theism. Jacoby shows how religious evangelicals allied with freethinkers and deists to ratify a Constitution with no mention of God or any appeal to Divine Authority. Instead of secularizing the nation, Jacoby explains, the secularized Constitution put the just-sprouting Protestant denominations on equal footing with established religions, which “has probably enabled religion to flourish throughout the 20th century in this Jacoby acknowledges the work of progressive Christians in working for the advance of democracy and civil rights, while Jim Wallis describes the providing a much-needed corrective to coalition of evangelical as well as American’s historical amnesia by liberal Protestants, Catholics, and publicizing the leadership of Jews who are secularists, now allying to including agnostics Freethinkers : A History of speak out against and atheists, in American Secularism the theology of those advances. by Susan Jacoby American While Wallis Metropolitan Books, 2004 Triumphalism that advances a very Hardcover, 432 pages, $27.50 passes for progressive Christianity on the agenda, he rarely Right, and refocus God’s Politics : Why the acknowledges the Right Gets It Wrong and the contributions of the message on Left Doesn’t Get It social justice: in atheists and particular, the by Jim Wallis agnostics, or even related issues of HarperSanFrancisco, 2005 of those religious poverty, racism, Hardcover, 416 pages, $24.95 outside of the and the Jewish-Christianenvironment. Muslim family of faiths, in advancing While Jacoby’s book the principles of conscience he celebrates the respect for reason and proclaims for a new “spiritual” rejection of “truth by decree” that is politics. essential to carrying out such a Yet both Jacoby and Wallis — commitment, Wallis illustrates how and all of the people they praise and emotional faith is not necessarily in identify with — are committed to the conflict with free reason and the criticism of tradition. In an article on racism as “America’s Original Sin,” he writes that the nation “was established as a white society, founded upon the near-genocide of another and then the enslavement of yet another.” same principles of human rights and common good; of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s vision of “The Beloved Community.” These principles seem to Jacoby to be rooted in secular values; to Wallis they seem rooted in the values of the God of the Bible, proclaimed by the prophets of the Bible — prophetic voices still lifted up today. Both regard the effort to incorporate these values into social life as an ongoing countercultural revolution. The revolution to establish liberty and justice for all may have begun in 1776, but it has never ended, and has a long way yet to go. Engaging in that effort is a profound moral commitment. Both Jacoby and Wallis say that we need a revitalized commitment to those values to even regain what we once had, and to build on it. That both books are bestsellers today demonstrates that this message transcends theism or secularism. Reprinted from Real Change News, April 2005. ©Street News Service Got The Vibe? Protesting Budget Cuts by Kate McManus On April 12, 2005, concerned citizens and action groups from across the state of Ohio met on the Statehouse lawn to let the state Senate and House of Representatives know that they do not agree with the cuts that are proposed in the 2006 Annual Budget. These cuts include the elimination of health care for 25,000 working parents, the elimination of Disability Medical Assistance to 15,000 adults, cuts in funding for Child and Family Health Services, and freezing ODH funding for HIV/AIDS health services. It also includes cuts in funding to local governments, which would result in cuts in funding to fire and police departments, libraries, and many local human service agencies. The rally was a huge success with hundreds of people turning out in support of reinstating the programs and funding that have been cut. Individuals from across the state who use and depend on the services that are in danger of being cut told their stories in hopes that the state legislators would hear their stories, see these cuts as affecting real people, and vote to change the budget. Since the rally, the House has voted to approve the budget mostly as Taft proposed it, however, due in part to this rally, full funding was restored to vision and partial funding was restored to dental coverage, as well as restoring the funding to the Bureau of Children with Medical Handicaps. This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. Kate McManus and Rachel Lawson at the State House To order, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803 Streetvibes Page 9 �Maman in Athens, Ohio was a joy, his ready and generous wit always present, his affection for creativity easily offered, and his words so friendly. We bonded quickly and I so by Steve Sunderland looked forward to seeing him and his I am back two days from school. Maman is part of a growing Indonesia, awake in the shadows of core of young civic and religious an early Cincinnati Sunday morning. leaders training for democratic I see her, a vibrant 12 year old, her methods throughout Indonesia, all so brown face glowing in the 100 degree deeply committed to rights for all, heat, her smile as wide as Jakarta, recognition of women, economic and her piercing voice, bellowing justice, anti-corruption, and directly to me: “Mista! Don’t you forget me!” As if I could. She is wearing a simple black headscarf, a gray coat, and running everywhere I walk, peppering me with question after question. She is Indonesia’s future: beautiful, energetic, highly bright, and with a great smile, and those eyes, those eyes of fervor and friendship. Dr. Steve Sunderland We met in the courtyard of the beautiful Islamic boarding school, Al- tolerance. They remind me of the Mizan, Ciboren, Indonesia, 4 hours freedom fighters of the civil rights drive east of Jakarta. She comes up movement. Something similar is to me as I stumble into the courtyard, happening in Indonesia as young past militia with rifles, and into the people, masses of students, have very warm welcome of hundreds of been responsible for insisting on children and adults standing in rows democracy, demanding the abolition to greet us. It is brutally hot, the most of authoritarian structures, replacing intense of any of our 7 days in the destruction of pseudo democratic Indonesia, but seemingly ignored by methods, and the end to sexism and children and adults. Children, in racism in the treatments of any brilliantly colored headscarfs, run to Indonesian. (Many students have us to shake hands, to stare, to smile. been threatened, tortured, and killed So many are very little ones, by the military but the movement for cautiously walking forward with one justice continues.) Teams of these hand outstretched, a little smile young leaders have come to Ohio covering their faces. University and to the Peace Village to We have come to meet with discuss the ways to strengthen non­ their delightful religious leader, violent approaches to conflicts that Maman Imanulhaq Faqieh, a surround free discussion, resolution of handsome young man who has come disputes through just practices, and to peace programs in Ohio, attended the constructive uses of emotion. peer mediation programs with us in Now, we have returned to our Jakarta, and now, standing in his friends, reconnected, and, thanks to beautiful robes and hat, we are at his the US State Department, have the boarding school. Doing posters with chance to continue our discussions. The Peace Village It became clear that we were holding a historic “interfaith conference” for this school and community. The Imam rose to give us a great welcome, to praise our coming, and to thank us for attending. A large and generous buffet dinner had been prepared for all and we were invited to line up to receive our delicious looking dinner. The heat and jet lag were combining to take away any thought of eating for me but the friendliness of our hosts made it impossible to not join in, dizzy as I was. Standing on line, my new “friend” appeared and started her questions about everything: “Do you like our school? Have you been here before? What is your name?” And so it went, as I moved down the line for food, answered questions coming so rapidly from this jewel, and tried to keep from fainting from the heat. I was so happy to meet her, almost as if we were old friends catching up on my being away, a grandfather that had returned with stories to be shared that could not wait. Our remarks were followed by a presentation of music by the school orchestra and they played the beautiful music of Indonesia. A group of a dozen teenage males came after and presented a spectacular program of magic and daring with broken glass being danced on, knives seemingly so sharp as to cut leaves in front of us but never cutting flesh and other events that seemed out of some distant and dangerous magic show. I rose to find out what these events meant and asked Maman and he stopped the program to say to all, “We are showing that violence in art is all that is permitted.” I gulped as he said this explanation, struggling to grasp all that it might mean to youth and those adults who knew that violence was always right beneath the surface. (Indonesia’s army is famous for its brutality and betrayal of human rights. Also, the separatist movements have acted violently toward army supporters in Aceh and East Timor. Millions killed. Struggles with students had also had a long tradition of violence, with violence being brutally exhibited in the failed coup in 1965 and by the Japanese in their 3 year occupation of Indonesia during World War II.) The smile on Maman’s face acknowledged that teaching about the end of violence was something that he was serious about even if the “lesson” was purposely dramatic to make his point. This “teaching” was for the sake of his school community but it was not misdirected for the adults, especially those of us from a country at war with Islamic peoples. Our Indonesian social worker colleague drove the point home with his comment about the need to explain just why we were at war in Iraq and Afghanistan and, by implication, were we to be at war with all Islamic countries? (Indonesia is concerned about this question not least because it is the largest Moslem nation in the world with more Moslems than the Middle East combined, over 200 million people, and because of recent events of some Christian relief agencies seeking to “adopt” Moslem orphans and place them in a Christian school in Jakarta.) We took pictures, her eyes looking sad for the first time as she looked deeply into me. “Do not forget me, Mister,” she repeated. “I want to see you again.” We laughed, hugged, and walked the path with dozens of children and adults back to our bus, as two old friends. Dr. Steve Sunderland, professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati, is the Director of The Peace Village, a group of individuals from the national and interna­ tional community committed to examining all issues of Peace in the world. Dr. Sunderland also heads up Posters-for-Peace which en­ gages people in expressing their visions of Peace, in their own words through the cre­ ation of posters. Kamagasaki: The City Left Behind by Kazuhiro Hieda The largest city of dayworkers in Japan is Kamagasaki, Osaka. While it has lost its primary function as a ‘Yoseba’ (the focal point of job seeking day-workers), after the rupture of the bubble economy nearly 30,000 people still remain in this area. Nearly half of all ‘roughsleepers’ in Osaka have once been day-workers in Kamagasaki, and it is the birthplace of the homeless. Professor Kazuhiro Shima of Osaka City University tells us the story. “The present job openings in Kamagasaki have declined to one third in number, compared to those in 1989 (1.87 million). The numbers of people who receive unemployment insurance benefits have also Page 10 decreased to one third, compared to its peak. Kamagasaki’s day-work labor market, which once underpinned Japan’s steep economic growth, has perhaps completed its mission,” says Mr. Kazuhiro Shima, who first brought attention to the issue of homelessness in Osaka in 1998 by conducting a field survey on the homeless. The district has continued to be his area of field work for many years. Job opportunities in Kamagasaki have decreased, after having reached a peak when the Kansai International Airport was constructed in 1993. Later, however, there was a temporary revitalization of the industry and the area during the reconstruction process following the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake in 1995. As a result, workers who could not find jobs left Kamagasaki behind; an estimated 5000-6000 of such workers later became rough sleepers- thereby originating the homeless population, he points out. Mr.Shima says, “You may consider homelessness as something that suddenly occurs to you, like someone living a decent life one day suddenly falling off a ten-storey building. That is not the nature of today’s homeless issues. The truth is people who were excluded from the safety net of the social welfare system managed to work throughout the steep economic growth period; however, they were later pushed out Streetvibes onto the streets when they lost their jobs with the breakdown of the economy.” “According to the national census of 1955, the gender ratio of men to women is about 1:1. The situation drastically changed when the Exposition was held in Osaka in 1970, resulting in a huge demand for a massive labor force necessary for infrastructure construction. As single men poured into the area, the numbers of women and children steeply declined.” Mr. Shima asserts the daywork labor market expanded to respond to urban infrastructure City... cont. next page �Nakuru story and photos by Steven Lansky After driving all day in Kenya we arrive in Nakuru as dusk falls. Peter, our Kikuyu guide, a darkskinned man in a World Safari uniform shirt and chinos, climbs out of the van and disappears into Safari.com to buy cell phone minutes for Mel’s phone. Peter is in his thirties, has worked managing sustainable farmland, and played soccer as a young man until he broke a leg during a scrimmage. He has a shaved head, wide features, with sometimes evasive eyes. Richard, our driver, has pulled up next to an open market that edges out into the wide street in front of a small hotel. Hardscrabble faces take in our arrival below machine and handmade painted storefront signs. Traffic and a crowd of people in all manner of colorful clothing block the road. A preacher speaks through a megaphone across the street in front of what looks like a mosque. As we have parked, a truck blocks our view of this pale blue building where a small crowd appears to be listening. I open the sliding left side door and step down to stretch my legs. (Richard sits in the driver’s seat, on the right side of the Nissan’s cab. He is a very happy man, who takes his work seriously. The day before when we had a flat tire on a City... from page 10 development, and was promoted as part of labor policies at the national level. “Back in those days, Kamagasaki was full of sweat shops, violent recruiters, and illegal work arrangements negotiated by street labor sharks. The local administration established a ‘Center’ so that employment arrangements would be made on a transparent, face-to-face basis, and the dayworkers’ labor trade could then also be monitored by local administration. This also meant that Kamagasaki became an obvious source of manpower for the urban development of Osaka.” Kamagasaki was not the only day-worker’s job market fostered by national labor policy. In Tokyo, workers gathered in Sanya to respond to the infrastructure development demand for the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964, and in Yokohama, Kotobukicho functioned as a labor market of dock workers after the end of World War II in order to handle US military cargo. However, when the economic boost rough dirt road, he changed it in ten minutes, sweat covering his face, and red dust thick on his forearms. In the evening he took the van from our resort hotel where my stone porch faced Mt. Kilimanjaro. He repaired the tire.) Out of the van I reach above my head and clasp hands lightly easing the stiffness in my shoulders and back. At the edge of the roadway, circled against the corner, men and women are seated on stools with piles of potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and purple eggplants stacked in front of them. A woman with an orange head wrap, a thin face, and light brown skin is drinking a steaming cup of kahawa from a white enameled cup. As she sips and grins at me a young vender offers to sell me khaki trousers. I decline. A big man, bigger than I am, with light leather boots, dark blue trousers and a heavy navy parka steps forward. I stand six-two with long gray hair and a beard. My green hemp jacket and nearly round wire-rim spectacles attract a special attention. The sky is cloudy and night will soon be upon us. The big man lifts a small child, wrapped in a blue hooded jacket as a gesture at me. The drone of the man preaching through the megaphone fades as this man sways the chortling child. The child has oval eyes that are not quite symmetrical, he reaches a hand toward me; I return the favor and we clasp hands. Sticky, soft, tiny fingers with a limp grip. The man pulls the child down, as I try to find Peter. The yellow sign of Safari.com is nestled against the far corner opposite the market. Black bicycles and a throng extend to the edge of the road. Peter is not visible. The American women in the van are talking loudly. Mel asks why Peter had to go in for her. I pull the white sliding door almost shut. The big man is a smoky color, his eyes are a bit puffy and he chats in Swahili with the woman who watches, holding her hot cup. The child away, out of sight behind the produce stands; a second child is offered up to me, this one in a pink coat and hood. Her skin is lighter. For a moment I think the man wants to give me the child. He leans closer, smelling of tobacco and beer. As her eyes focus on me she bursts into tears. The man laughs and speaks to the seated venders in Swahili. There is a chorus of laughter. Faces change shape and I am not sure if they are laughing at me. My head buzzes with tension and fear. The American passengers behind me laugh, enjoying this at my expense. The preacher’s voice drones. My hair flows down across my chest. A dark-skinned boy with a small square head and angry brown eyes approaches with an open extended hand. “Give me,” he says. “Uncle, give me.” I shake my head. “Where is your mother?” “My mother she is sick, give me.” I turn sour. “Are you a man?” I ask. “Yes,” with a pout. “What are you doing?” I ask, resentful. “I beg. I am begging.” “I have nothing for you.” An older boy leads a man with a cane. The eyes are closed, twitching above a flat van Gogh nose. The forehead is creased with tenderness. Richard tells me to get in the van, his head angled between the seats. “We have to go.” A truck is pulling toward the van from the other side as I close the sliding door and Richard revs the engine. He backs up to let the truck through. Through the window Peter reappears from the Safari.com shop, strolling through the crowd with presence and purpose. ended and industrial restructuring changed labor demands, these “Yoseba” job markets reached a similar, dim closing. “The day-workers’ issues should be considered in the context of national employment policies, as in the case of the closure of the coal industry. However, because the ‘Yoseba’ day-worker’s labor market was, in principle, not an authorized labor market, it is very unlikely that the issue will be reexamined for official labor measures to be taken,” explains Mr. Shima. Today, as Kamagasaki becomes an aged workers’ city, it has been transformed into a “Social Welfare City.” Nearly one third of the 160 privately owned temporary shelters have been reconfigured into welfare apartments and supportive housing with welfare benefits. Already, over 5000 ex-workers receive these social welfare benefits. It appears Kamagasaki has morphed into an enormous welfare facility. Reprinted from The Big Issue Japan, March 2005. ©Street News Service: www.street-papers.org Streetvibes Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 cents Printing and Production: 30 cents Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes Trying to be a first-rate reporter on the average American newspaper is like trying to play Bach’s St. Matthew Passion on a ukulele: The instrument is too crude for the work, for the audience and for the performer. Ben Bagdikian In those days, most people read newspapers, whereas today, most people do not. What caused this change? One big factor, of course, is that people are a lot stupider than they used to be, although we here in the newspaper industry would never say so in print. Dave Barry I am unable to understand how a man of honor could take a newspaper in his hands without a shudder of disgust. Charles Baudelaire �Safe and Stable Families Have Health Care by Lynn Williams, Ohio Empowerment Coalition, West Ohio Organizer Ohio Empowerment Coalition and the Ohio Family Coverage Coalition held a joint press conference Wednesday, April 6, to draw public attention to the severe impact of the health care cuts proposed by the Governor. The press conference was part of the Ohio Empowerment Coalition’s Legislative Day at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Downtown Columbus. Individuals who will be hurt by these cuts if passed were the majority of speakers. Ohio Empowerment Coalition leaders along with Family Coverage Coalition spokespersons urged the State Legislature & Governor to restore: Parent Coverage to working parents at 100% of Federal Poverty Level and higher; Disability Medical Assistance (DMA) to Ohio’s poorest adults who are medication dependent; dental and vision care to 800,000 adults on Medicaid. “Don’t balance Ohio’s budget on the backs of the poor” urged Contact Center and Cincinnati Welfare Rights organizer Cassandra Barham-Denton. “Health care for the poor is not a playing card to use; human lives are at stake here. We want our families to be “Safe and Stable. That means having health care.” Elen McKee of Cincinnati was one of the speakers. “I am here today to ask you not to cut vision and dental care from Medicaid. I am on Social Security Disability, and one of my many disabilities is diabetes. Due to this condition, I run a higher risk of macular degeneration and at the moment I am in the very early stages of cataracts. I desperately need vision care,” she said. “Due to the very restrictive limitations of my Shutter Speed budget, I cannot afford to pay for vision and dental care myself. My medications to keep me alive and healthy cost more than my monthly check.” Along with DMA and dental and vision care for adults on Medicaid, low-wage working parents are also slated to take a cut in health care. “Cutting Medicaid for lowwage working parents is Pennywise and Pound Foolish. Low-wage parents need health care to work and to raise healthy children. Eliminating their coverage will come back to bite struggling parents, their kids, their employers, their health providers and Ohio taxpayers,” stated Cathy Levine, co-chair of the Family Coverage Coalition and Executive Director of UHCAN OHIO. Afterwards, OEC members from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Blanchester and the Athens area met with approximately twenty state representatives to share personal stories of how health care had helped their families on the path to becoming safe and stable. The Ohio Empowerment Coalition is a statewide coalition of low-income people who work collaboratively to bring about economic and social justice through public policy. The annual Mobilization Day brought together low-income people and advocates to educate ourselves and mobilize for action to impact Ohio’s policies of deep concern to our families. The Family Coverage Coalition is a statewide coalition of advocates, health care providers, and concerned citizens. For more information on how you can get involved in stopping the health care cuts in Ohio, please call the Ohio Empowerment Coalition at 877-862-5179. by Jimmy Heath Worn Stereotype Tokenism does not change stereotypes of social systems but works to preserve them, since it dulls the revolutionary impulse - Mary Daly Instead of being presented with stereotypes by age, sex, color, class, or religion, children must have the opportunity to learn that within each range, some people are loathsome and some are delightful - Margaret Mead FACTS ABOUT LIFE ON TV If being chased through town, you can usually take cover in a passing St. Patrick’s Day parade - at any time of the year. All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick of French bread. The ventilation system of any building is a perfect hiding place and leads to any location in the building, including the safe. No one will ever think of looking for you in there. The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window of any building in Paris. A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will wince when a woman tries to clean his wounds afterwards. This generally leads to a sex scene. When paying for a taxi, just grab a note from your pocket and hand it over. It will always be the exact fare. AnyAmerican movie will contain a car chase, unless it was made by Walt Disney. Cars and trucks that crash will always burst into flames after they have come to a standstill and the hero is running away from it at 5 to 10 meters distance. A single match will be sufficient to light up a room the size of a football stadium. If a killer is lurking in your house, it’s easy to find him. Just relax and run a bath - even if it’s the middle of the afternoon. Medieval peasants had perfect teeth, were well-fed, wore clean clothes and make-up. Although in the 20th century it is possible to fire weapons at an object out of visual range, people of the 23rd century will have lost this technology. Even when driving down a completely straight road, it is necessary to turn the steering wheel vigorously from left to right every few moments. Similarly, when driving a curvy road, the slightest movement of the steering wheel will do the job. One man shooting at 20 men has a better chance of killing them all than 20 men firing at one. Creepy music coming from a graveyard should always be closely investigated. “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” If a phone line is broken, communication can be restored by frantically beating the cradle and saying, “Hello? Hello?” Dogs always know who’s bad and will naturally bark at them. Streetvibes Page 13 �Today Life by Ron O’Neal by Ron O’Neal Today I can honestly say that I’m glad to be alive. But recently I’ve been through Hell, and that’s no jive. Today I believe you only get out of life what you put into it. Really, life is just life, we have no choice but to get down to it. Today I’m feeling good about myself, So now I need to learn how to feel for someone else. I know it’s not going to be easy to stay in this frame of mind, But I do know it gets easier with time. So when things aren’t going your way, I suggest you hit your knees and pray. Today it’s time to give back what was so freely given to me. I can do that by becoming all I can be. Today I’m becoming the man He created me to BE! My life has taken on a new meaning. I am doing the right thing for the right reason. I now know that in order for something to grow You must feed it. I’m writing about how I feel Because I need it. I need fellowship in life, Much like a husband needs his wife. It keeps me from feeling alone. it gives me the sense that I belong. Once I felt that I had it made And my relapse was the price I paid. God gave me a gift, but not just for myself. It was to be of service to someone else. I pray for the strength to become all I can be, But I know deep inside, it’s not just for me. So if you feel the same as I do, Be careful that you share the gifts God has given you. Relapse by Ron O’Neal I was doing so well As far as I could tell. I thought I was doing all I could do, And that’s when life shows up for you. Sometimes I feel like a fool Because it’s my fault for not using my tools. All I know is, I’ll never forget How close I was to turning my life into s**t I know deep down inside That it was a blow to my pride. I really know what I have to do Because I can’t save my ass and my face too. I’m only glad it didn’t last too long. I’m so grateful to be back where I belong. The N.A. fellowship is the best thing for me. It’s my only chance to really be free. My family is uppermost in my mind I refuse to take them through this s**t one more time. My life is back on track. I’m just thankful to sever my bout with crack! His Sacrifice by Abby Grimm Dust and grime coat his lungs as the poor man heaves and coughs HE is told by the soldiers to carry his cross She falls to the ground and feels the sting of his fist HE is greeted by his mother’s lonely kiss Whiskey stirs the room, they spin out of control HE carries his cross, now alone The young man ran the streets, he was told to sell crack HE feels the soldiers whips in his back They sleep on the streets, in the winter catch flu. Page 14 We’re Not Alone by Robert Manassa Sometimes when the going gets tough Even when the road is rough Don’t forget there’s one who’s bigger than you and I He’ll fight our battle from on high We’re not alone When we’ve prayed and prayed all night long When it seems that all hope is gone Remember that there’s one with a mighty hand Cast your burdens upon him ‘because he’ll understand We’re not alone When things don’t come your way Pray a prayer, ask God for the things to say Have faith in everything you do This poem I’ve just written, all the words are true We’re not alone Love by Ron O’Neal Love is what a mother feels for her child. How she is so willing to go that extra mile. I’m learning how to love myself And Maybe I’ll be able to love someone else. Some people love to eat. Others would love nothing better than buying new shoes all week. Love is my family being there through thick and thin. Helping me to fight the fight until I win. I love to write. It helps me from staying up all night. My life has been going through all kinds of s**t But I’ll be damned if I’ll quit. I love my friends for never leaving my side, For hanging on to me for this crazy ride, And for never letting go. No matter what they never said, “no.” God puts people in your life for a reason, Not just for the season. Love can make you sad, But there’s still no reason to stay mad. I love my life today. I can only keep what I have by giving it away. May God bless you – And learn how to pray Streetvibes �The War Within To My Beloved Brother by Brian Garry War Against the Poor, The war within me The war on my inside The war rages on. Flames against the sky Yeah I’m Inflammatory I’m Hot, Hot Boy, Hot Head Yes I’m inflamed, incensed, engulfed with the flames the fire of Justice, The burning flame of Freedom pours from belly. passion compassion – to suffer with Feel the heat, it’s getting warm in here Fan the flames My guts metaphorically strewn all over the cityscapes – Some by the police, Rattle the cage Answer the door with lead. Blood visceral This is my block fighting over the block Bush wants to sell the dope on this block But I’m takin’ the block back, my block Black Block We the entrepreneurs, selling, freedom, Marketing Democracy, Peddling Justice, Liberation, Capitalism All by methods of brainwashing and mind control Democratic lullabies, bedtime stories Lulling us to sleep at night brought to us live by corporate media Whose purpose is only thought distortion, mental transfixiation to cause us to vote bush in the next election GW wants us to be perfect little American puppets, awaiting the teacher to come and teach us What is life? Life is bad be afraid here is your gas mask terrorists are everywhere. We will fly around the earth orbitin’ while you all blow yourselves up with weapons we created. Democratic lullabies sung to Saluting the flag that we burn I got dynamite in my pocket A tank rolling over my chest You got the gasoline The wick sticks out of my heart Can’t breathe. My greatest weapon is acting from my core my center. love The War Within My words, my weapon,- a double edge sword The Babylon beast,- a open legged whore The war inside me. The hungry Lion The DMZ. Over-the-Rhine is Palestine. BG, Baby Gansgta The war rages on. Battle lines drawn. Damn. Not again. Here comes the flood. The little dutch boy pulled the plug and Hitler’s army has drowned in the sands. The tanks can’t move. I’ve been so guilty of … I’m here to eliminate you, I mean liberate you and your weapons of mass destruction and create for you a puppy government I need comfort There are two wolves, which will I feed? Speak to me. Calm me down cool my heels, sooth me, U the balm for my soul Shut me down . . Save it for the ring killer. Pull my chain Speak to me. by Jesse James Dear Diary, it’s me. How sad I know I’m mad. But what can I do, except maybe enjoy these blues Through your Pen I see your heart, az the Ink Bleedz across the Paper, you show me through your eyez that are not my own but sacred, and a mind complex’d in ways I may not understand, you share a piece of you az I learn who you are and how you feel to be a man. From the wonderland to the sad misshapz in life you do reveal, as I walk through your front door and enter into your real, Now az I see you in your Happy room, I smell your motherz cookin’ in the air the aroma loomz, I see where you’ve come from though I’ve never left my seat, and I feel the pain of growing up missing thingz that make you so complete, I know not the namez of family or facez you hold so dear, but I feel love for them through you and how you may long to hold them near, You put your soul on Paper about how you love your sisterz and your Motherz, to how you’ve been abused to wrestling with your Brotherz, from the argumentz and Pain and enduring Parentz Fightz, I want to pray and tell you everything will be alright, and say you’ve tried enuf my brother Joy comez in the mornin’ so tuck your tearz in good night, Cuz Through your Pen I see your heart az the Ink Bleedz across the Paper, You show me through your eyez that are not my own but sacred… (This waz written during a Menz group creative writing session) Mozez. On the Run by Jesse James Another day, another dollar? I hope so. I thought I’d try to give a holler to ya’ll. My first story is dedicated to the River Rats. You have to really be one to know one. I met my first one in Covington, Kentucky about 4 years ago. That’s when I became homeless. Folks called their little community the “Ponderosa.” It was an exclusive club. Some may have called it a hobo village. But we all had one thing in common; we loved living on that river. Well, my old girl, the river, took one home this year – ol’ Joe. We used to call him the mayor of the Ponderosa cuz when I first got down 4 years ago he had already been on that river around 13 years or better. Winter, summer, he did it all on the river. That’s a long time. I would dare you to try one night on the river when it’s 10 degrees. It’s nasty. Joe and I became friends and he was a good friend. I’m gonna’ miss you, brother. Well, they found ol’ Joe, down on the river on a very cold morning. I walked by the spot and his cigarettes and bottle were still there. He lived on the river -he died on the river. I’m glad he died at home. All we are is dust, while we are here, we fight over dust - to become dust Streetvibes Bells and Whistles Through the hazy, fog-wisped smalltown air of my schoolday morning I hear the bells for Mass at Holy Angels and the low, asthmatic whistles of the factories near the poisoned river. My mother makes breakfast and I dress for school, but I know that men in gray work clothes will now swing lunch buckets off kitchen counters painted white. My father is gone two hours already to his window at the Post Office, but my uncle is among these men and my neighbors and the fathers of my friends. Across town and around the corner and in the next street over and in the slate-sided houses of Buckeye Terrace, men with gray knuckles clothes that smell of tobacco and machine oil and hearts thickening in their chests leave, under the call of the whistles, for Liberty Folder, LeRoy, Mack and the river-fouling tannery and the nameless foundries where my grandfather caught the red of his lungs. They do not complain. It is not in them to complain. A word to the wife a word to the kids an ear to the great solemn bells toiling in the catholic steeple and out the door and into the chill, fog-dark, bell-bespoken whistle-haunted streets to the places where they make their living and their death. Page 15 �357-4602 Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563 TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 May 2005 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Page 1 Controversial Anti-Drug Barrier Removed Casualties of War cover story BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY STREETVIBES $1 Donation � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource May 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Drug Dealing Prevention Barrier Taken Down in OTR Pg 2: Update with Ernie Hubbell The Cost of War Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: Street Life U.S. Income Gap Among Worst of Wealthy Nations Pg 6: Program Important in Aiding Senior Citizens Pg 7: We Wear the Mask Upholding the Law Pg 8: Drop Inn Center Pg 9: People of Faith, People of Conscience Protesting Budget Cuts Pg 10: The Peace Village Pg 11: Nakuru City Continued Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and Streetvibes… Pg 13: Safe and Stable Families Have Health Care Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Rachel Lawson Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Steve Lansky Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Budget Cuts Drop Inn Center Drug Dealing Prevention Ernie Hubbell Georgine Getty Grants health care Homeless Woman Jimmy Heath Kamagasaki Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Nakuru Over-the-Rhine Peace Village Rachel Lawson Senior Citizens Steve Lansky Street Life War https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/28347d59a20ceea1a28d76170aaf41fe.pdf f6885a57d4518a11346c7bb3bf625b0a PDF Text Text April 2005 STREETVIBES Casualties of War - Impact of Iraq War is Felt in Cincinnati Day Of Protests Mark 2nd Anniversary Of Iraq War and failed to uncover weapons of mass destruction — a major reason for the March, 2003 invasion. “A nation whose natural resources and reconstruction all belong to U.S. corporations can Story and photos by Jimmy Heath never truly be sovereign,” said Treven It was a chance to get their La Botz, a 17-year-old Walnut Hills voices heard as an estimated 300 High School student and a speaker at people gathered on downtown the rally. “This war hasn’t come home Cincinnati’s Fountain Square on to many people and so they don’t see Saturday, March 19, the second the great tragedy that it is.” anniversary of the Iraq conflict. Cincinnati Councilman David The rally was organized to be Crowley, speaking from the podium, one of hundreds taking place around said that the war has a high cost for the world for a “Global Day of citizens in Cincinnati, adding that he Action” against the war in Iraq. supports the troops, but not the Holding signs, braving rain policy that has them fighting in Iraq. and thunder and a cold wind, the The war affects the city’s poor, who group listened to a series of speakers are looking at a reduction in federal who urged the U.S. to pull out of Iraq aid the city usually gets. Crowley and denounced the war effort as concluded that the war is causing illegal, immoral and contrary to steep reductions in Medicaid, funding world-wide public opinion. for first responders, and money that In his weekly radio address, could be used for services for lowPresident Bush defended the war, income people. saying it took place “to disarm a Over $185 million dollars of brutal regime, free its people, and the $207 billion dollars spent so far defend the world.” on the war in Iraq could be targeted “Now, because we acted, to serve the city of Cincinnati, Iraq’s government is no longer a according to the Washington, DC threat to the world or its own based group, National Priorities people,” Bush said, during the weekly Project. (http:// radio address. www.nationalpriorities.org) But across the globe, “That’s the price we all are demonstrators congregated to protest paying to conduct this savage war,” the U.S.-led actions, which they said Crowley, a Navy veteran. assert has caused needless bloodshed Cincinnati City Councilmember David Crowley speaks at rally Walnut Hills High School student Treven LaBotz addresses protestors on Fountain Square Protests marking the second anniversary of the “shock and awe” bombing of Baghdad were held in cities worldwide; Tokyo, Istanbul, Athens, Stockholm and cities throughout the United States. More than 750 rallies were held across the globe. An estimated 45,000 people marched past the U.S. embassy in London. Two former British soldiers placed a cardboard coffin bearing the words “100,000 dead” outside the embassy. “George Bush, Uncle Sam, Iraq will be your Vietnam,” marchers chanted. About 350 people listened to speeches near the United Nations in New York before marching down 42nd Street. On the eve of the Day of Protest in Vermont, 48 town meetings voted to condemn the war in Iraq and to call on political leaders to bring home the state’s National Guard. Vermont has lost more soldiers per capita than any state, and has the second highest mobilization rate for its National Guard and reservists. (Ohio ranks 7th in the rate of fatalities by state.) More than 4,500 people marched in Tokyo during a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. In Sweden, about 300 protesters filled up Sergel square in downtown Stockholm, chanting: “USA, out of Iraq!” Media outlets also took stock of the war’s death toll. But the national newscasts undercounted the most dramatic loss of life: the deaths of Iraqi civilians. On the March 18, CBS Evening News, reporter Byron Pitts gave these figures: “Today, U.S. deaths number more than 1,500. There are no exact figures for Iraqi fatalities, but estimates are for every American killed, 11 Iraqis died.” In other words, more than 16,500 Iraqi deaths. NBC’s Brian Williams offered a slightly higher estimate: “So far, 1,513 American military personnel have been killed, 11,344 injured, and many of those are War cont. on page 8 Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Andy Erickson - Education Coordinator Rachel Lawson - Civil Rights VISTA Kate McManus - Civil Rights VISTA Mary Gaffney - Receptionist Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographers Jimmy Heath, Ben Boswell Cover 2nd anniversary of Iraq war ­ protesting on Fountain Square, downtown Cincinnati Jimmy Heath photo Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 Streetvibes Letters Dear Editor, I was shocked and confused why anyone supporting recovery of women at the Nannie Hinkston House would put that house at risk of being ripped down for a wealthy corporation and the likes of Erich Kunzel and company. These major moves have been made by people who call themselves leaders of the poor. I challenge if any poor or homeless people voted on these issues. Please think twice before collaborating with the rich! S. Williams Dear Jimmy Heath, I have been buying your paper from Randy (sic) for years at Bellermine Chapel and I have agreed on many things you have written about…this one I did not! The Taser gun is great – we have far fewer shots on citizens than ever before and that is good. The number of fatalities is small and the use of it here in town is great. It was not designed to be used against kids. It is for bad guys, and we have a lot of them. Just last week, there were four people here in town shot with a Taser…no harm was done, but they were people going after a cop with a lethal weapon and they were stopped…No harm done and no cop killed. Report with a sense of responsibility and the facts not slanted. Kinny McQuade Send your letters or comments to Streetvibes, 117 East 12th Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45202, or email to Streetvibes@juno.com Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Our View: A Victory for the Homeless by Scott Samuel J. Call it a fitting conclusion, or maybe even karmic justice. Three years after releasing the video “Bumfights: Cause for Concern” and two years after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges and receiving a sentence of community service, “Bumfights” producers Ryan McPherson and Zachary Bubeck are finally heading to jail to serve a six-month sentence. Regular readers of this paper may remember that we spearheaded a campaign in 2003 to urge Newbury Comics to stop selling “Bumfights” and “Bumhunter” videos in their local stores. The videos were made by coercing homeless individuals – including two Vietnam veterans – to perform violent acts, such as pulling out one’s own teeth or breaking another’s leg, in exchange for food or small amounts of cash. While the producers claimed that the participants all consented to the actions on the videos, this claim essentially equated consent with exploitation. If someone is desperate – with no place to stay; possibly traumatized, addicted or ill; or needing a few bucks, a meal or exploited poor men and women. But this time someone – perhaps it was Deputy District Attorney Curtis Ross or Superior Court Judge Charles Ervin – kept an eye on this case. Last month, McPherson and Bubeck asked the court to release them from their probation because they claimed they had completed the Rufus takes one for the camera community service. Ervin denied the request after shelter officials said they friendship – is this ever a fair trade? had no record of the two men Luckily, prosecutors saw completing the required work. While through the producers’ defense and the pair blamed the shelter for poor filed seven felony charges against record keeping, the judge sentenced them in 2002. The next year, them to six months in jail and put McPherson, Bubeck and two other them on probation for an additional producers of the videos – Michael Slyman and Daniel Tanner – struck a two and a half years. For the next two years, the deal and pled guilty to a lesser charge of conspiracy to incite violence. They idea of becoming beaten or humiliated for the pleasure of others were sentenced to 280 hours of may become a more personal issue community service at a homeless for McPherson and Bubeck. We shelter. All four were young men in hope this time behind bars will teach search of profits. Estimates are that them that hurting and exploiting the video has sold more than vulnerable people is no laughing 300,000 copies over the Internet, matter. And perhaps other steelygarnering the producers millions of eyed opportunists out there will think dollars. That plea bargain might have twice before seeking to use a homeless person for profit. been the end of that story – a bit of community service and a whole heap of profits for young men who The Zen of Streetvibes by Jimmy Gipson, Vendor I would love to express the need of homelessness in the Greater Cincinnati area. This is a heart warming and heart breaking thing that is happening. First of all, 30% of the homeless are children. There is uncommon suffering and pain. They are abused emotionally, physically and repeatedly. Then you have women who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. They are easily influenced because of their gender and abuse is common. Then you have the men whose lives are hopeless and to them, seemingly useless. The mental state of these people is that they will stay homeless and will spend their lives no other way. Their needs are great – greater than you can imagine. The love they need is, and should be, unconditional. Love that Jesus expresses in the writings of the bible. He will acknowledge these blessings that you give from the heart. The need is there. Streetvibes is a publication for spreading the word of giving and kindness. Vendors share monthly that the hopeless can become hopeful. Each day, Streetvibes vendors go out and sell the paper and spread the word. They need your support and patronage to become successful. Give, and be blessed for a cause well deserved. You can make a difference. Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes �Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath On the ninth floor of Miami-Dade County’s main jail, a tall, naked man with matted hair paces back and forth in his cell, bowing his head and muttering to himself. “It’s just sad,” says Judge Steven Leifman, through whose court this man has passed many times. “We’re incarcerating people in cells, and they’re sick. We still treat people with mental illnesses like criminals, as opposed to treating their illness.” Miami-Dade has the highest percentage of people with mental illness of any urban area in the United States — 9.1 percent. On any given day, 30 percent of the county’s jail population is mentally ill — and up to 30 percent of those inmates, like the schizophrenic man on the ninth floor, are homeless. Sad as it might be, the courts have become one of the key vehicles to getting people off the streets. About 45 percent of the county’s homeless suffer from some sort of chronic mental illness, substance abuse problem, or both. Leifman says that about 30 percent of the people that his courts divert to the mental health system were homeless when they were arrested. Started in 1989, this is the first and oldest drug court in the country. This day, 11 of the “clients” on the docket are being considered for the county’s HART program — Homeless Assessment, Referral and Tracking. Nonviolent offenders who are willing to fight their addiction get access to education programs, free transportation, job training and even housing loans. The re-arrest rate for successful drug court participants is 4.2 percent — five to six times lower than for defendants who refuse to participate or drop out. Home is not a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of Americans. It’s a street corner, an empty park bench or a mattress in a shelter. There are an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 homeless people in America. Some have mental illness and substance abuse problems, but others have simply been beaten down by life. A Cincinnati man said he’s lived in a “homeless camp” since his 1996 divorce. The man, who identified himself only as Jeff, said his ex-wife “took everything.” Harleigh Marsh is a former Navyman who could strip and rebuild cockpits. Now, he lives in a homeless shelter in West Virginia. He said his nursing home job doesn’t pay enough to cover child support and an apartment. In Chicago, the Rivera family has been without a home since the apartment building they lived in burned down in 1998. Eileen Rivera said when she’s sad, her four kids make her “feel like there is hope.” What do homeless people cost American society? Here are some figures from a nine-city survey done for the Corporation for Supportive Housing: In Atlanta, a bed in a shelter costs $11 a night. In Columbus, it’s $25. In New York, $54. A bed in a facility that helps people get treatment and social services doesn’t cost much more. A night in jail is much more expensive, and a night in a hospital can cost more than $1,000. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that a mentally ill homeless person can use about $40,000 in services in a year. These researchers concluded that society has two choices if it wants to help the homeless: continue to spend money on existing programs, or spend nearly the same amount to provide permanent housing. A poll taken for The Associated Press suggests the great majority of Americans think homelessness is a serious problem. Eighty-nine percent of about 1,000 adults surveyed said homelessness is a “very” or “somewhat serious” problem. Only 11 percent believe it’s “not too” or “not at all serious.” Just over half of those polled said people who are homeless for long periods of time are “victims of circumstances beyond their control.” Thirty-eight percent said those who are homeless are “responsible for their own situation,” while six percent said they were “not sure.” The poll was conducted last month for AP by Ipsos-Public affairs. Its margin of error was plus or minus three percentage points. Forty-year old Paul Hernandez spends his days overturning New York City trash cans for a living. In some ways, it’s just what he used to do when he was homeless. But since he entered a program called Ready, Willing and Able, there’s a world of difference. Some 2,000 men have come through the program. In Hernandez’ case, he gets a dormitory bed in a Harlem shelter, three meals a day and $7 an hour to empty trash cans. And though he’s working, Hernandez has strong memories of being down and out. The isolation was the worst, he said. Begging on the street, he said, you might get money. But the donor’s attitude is, “please don’t touch me. Touch the dollar.” San Francisco’s Mary Elizabeth Inn represents changing views on attacking the problem of homelessness. The inn’s approach is called “supportive housing.” More than emergency shelter, it’s intended to help its 25 resident women with the problems that have made them homeless in the first place: They get medical attention. Learn job skills. Go through drug rehab. Get help with child care. A charity has pledged $37 million toward creating 150,000 supportive housing units nationwide. That’s double what exists now. . Some South Korean homeless are dressing in style after the government gave away thousands of fake designer garments confiscated by customs agents. The Korea Customs Service distributed more than 3,500 fake pieces in the southern city of Pusan this month with the permission of the fashion houses whose designs had been pirated. A customs official declined to name the designers whose ripped-off creations are now being worn by the homeless but said both they and the state prosecutors had approved giving away the jackets, blouses, shirts and pants. “We hope this will be of some help to the poor who need practical assistance in such hard times,” the official said. Customs agents removed the labels from the clothes before giving them to a welfare agency for distribution. South Korea has a vibrant illegal market in pirated designer clothing and customs officials said there would be more handouts. Each year Staten Island comes a little closer to understanding the city’s singularly elusive homeless population. On a frigid February night last winter, it conducted the first-ever homeless count here, deploying hundreds of volunteers into the borough’s endless shadowy nooks. That night, homeless advocates were surprised to learn that an estimated 216 people sleep in the Island’s parks, abandoned cars, remote woods and marshlands, more than twice the number they Streetvibes suspected. Added to that are the roughly 120 people who bed down in Project Hospitality’s drop-in center, Island churches and the lobby of Borough Hall. To increase public confidence in the survey’s accuracy, about 150 college students, some dressed as homeless people, will act as decoys to test volunteers’ thoroughness. In Rapid City, S.D. figures from a new statewide survey of homeless people probably aren’t realistic, according to Jim Castleberry, assistant director of the Cornerstone Rescue Mission. Castleberry said he thinks South Dakota has twice as many homeless people as the 1,029 that the South Dakota Housing For the Homeless Consortium counted on Jan. 25. One-fourth were children. When survey workers went to various locations, many homeless did not want to talk with them for purposes of the survey, he said. “One of the problems we had this year is the Housing and Urban Development folks wanted us to do a survey,” said Castleberry, a member of the consortium. “So we sent teams to various locations, and we had folks that didn’t want to participate in the survey. So they didn’t get included, at least in entirety, in that count.” Numbers of homeless people would be more accurate if the counts were done more than once a year, Castleberry said. Also, survey workers would have more access to people in the summer, when it’s warm, he added. The Jan. 25 tally showed 143 homeless adults living in hotels, 240 living temporarily in shelters and 328 living in transitional housing. On a recent night in Tallahassee, FL Karu Bytth and her mother Annette Farina didn’t think they could endure another night of being homeless. The only place they could call home was a 1982 white van that served as semi-reliable transportation and a refuge from frigid nights and safety from street crime. But Bytth, 62, received word Friday afternoon she wouldn’t have to worry about which parking lot she would call home for the night. She and her mother would be two of 60 residents to move into a new familydorm facility erected by the Tallahassee Coalition for the Homeless and HOPE Community. Each room was decorated by a group, church or volunteers topped with gold-plated individual themes and names. Some of the rooms include a “Garden of Hope,” “Tranquility,” “Pink Panther” and “Omega.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony attracted more than 150 supporters, sprinkled with city and county officials and volunteers. Page 3 �“One of the main reasons that it is so easy to march men off to war,” says Ernest Becker, is that “each of them feels sorry for the man next to him who will die.” Annie Dillard There’s a graveyard in northern France where all the dead boys from D-Day are buried. The white crosses reach from one horizon to the other. I remember looking it over and thinking it was a forest of graves. But the rows were like this, dizzying, diagonal, perfectly straight, so after all it wasn’t a forest but an orchard of graves. Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature. Barbara Kingsolver There never was a good war or a bad peace. Benjamin Franklin Religion and science both profess peace (and the sincerity of the professors is not being doubted), but each always turns out to have a dominant part in any war that is going or contemplated. Howard Nemerov It is essential to know that to be a happy person, a happy family, a happy society, it is very crucial to have a good heart, that is very crucial. World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just the absence of violence but the manifestation of human compassion Dalai Lama Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people. Jawaharlal Nehru All Terri, All the Time Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes Quickly searching the “Major Papers” selection in Lexis-Nexis the term “Schiavo” in the headline or lead term produced 549 hits. Searching “Iraq” and “War” produced 597 hits. That the two issues are even close in the amount of hits is mystifying, despite the fact that the Iraq War is seemingly “old news” to many editors. Last month saw the 2nd anniversary of our invasion, largescale protest, and the announced withdrawal of troops by Italy - who have the third-largest contingent of troops in “coalition of the willing” behind Britain and South Korea, according to GlobalSecurity.org. Let’s run down some major television and radio outlets: ABC: Iraq War, 4; Schiavo, 40 CBS: Iraq War, 10; Schiavo, 36 NBC: Iraq War, 12; Schiavo, 45 CNN: Iraq War, 33; Schiavo, 121 Fox News: Iraq War, 10; Schiavo, 56 NPR: Iraq War, 19; Schiavo, 42 Basically taking at face value all of the institutional flaws that the press possesses - I can entertain the notion that the stories be covered roughly the same amount. But for the major American broadcasters to decide that a Florida woman in a permanent vegetative state, whose cerebral cortex is filled with spinal fluid, is about four times as important as the 1500 or so American troops and 100,000 or so Iraqis dead for no good reason is a grave abuse of power and responsibility. On a side note, what if Terri were black? Poor or homeless? A recovering heroin addict? Would the Bush family and it’s “culture of life” be rushing to save her? �in the same way. There are good of lies for you about how or when he intentions with some people though can have more for you etc. Few of circumstances and situations can lead those who hang in the alley are honest by Riccardo M. Taylor hustlers. It is so often that I find room a person astray. The difference is With this in mind lets take a for change, or have the opportunity to what one puts into it. As that may be I want to introduce you to the way I tour down the alley. The first thing change the way things are, or at least see things. we have to do is to get a spot. In the make the changes which I need to In this first writing in a series alley there is always trash, so we enhance my life, yet when my vision is of essays that I would like to share I have to pick up an area that we will set in the direction of this want to take you with me to hang in stand in. This is our spot. We enhancement I always seem to get the alley. This is an area where all are already know whose back here and distracted. I am very much invited, yet only some whose coming, perplexed as to how I continue to belong. It’s a place smoking dope, repeat the same mistakes over and drinking beer, or over again, it’s like I just don’t get it! where ritual, sadness, and apathy rule. It’s a urinating. Huddled I go through this scenario hustlers ground. up to one side, time after time, I look to the right I Everybody has some reaching and look to the left, I search high and I kind of scheme they grabbing, passing search low for the answers to my things. Someone’s dilemma without ever seeming to find are working, so anything goes. always talking; the direction. It’s as if I am on a Hustlers come in two “watch for the boys,” treadmill, moving forward without Riccardo Taylor distinct categories the watch yourself! getting anywhere. It’s almost Anything honest ones and the impossible to relate the feelings of goes, back here, everyone is on their dishonest ones. discouragement and I am often left own. From time to time robbery and The honest hustler is of the wondering if, how, or does it effect best. I see a guy working for potato violence is a part of the tour, yet even others the way it does me? I am the mark is a part of the game, so this chips and cans of pop. He resells talking about those who live, the quarter chips from his pay and makes can be expected. Back here where same way as I do, those who are in a few dollars! Working for quarters, only hustlers and slick broads hang the life of the street person. you have to have a mouthpiece. The Even though most of the way imagine that! That is an example of an honest hustler - still, sometimes the faster you can tell a lie the more you we live seems to me to be out of order, I realize that there are so many distinction between the two is hard to can get; that’s of whatever you’re things missing in the lives of the street figure. An easy way of putting it, here your back here for. Here’s a typical scene. Two is a guy who sells you something and person that chaos rules and the idea then before you can take your guys hustling all day with a cart, of the norm differs from what others merchandise away he’s trying to steal collecting metal, they make a dollar, see. Yet, I cannot believe that all its off to the alley, buy a small hit and street people are or can be classified it back from you, or he has a bunch Street Life it all happens. Someone followed, or was back here. They get right in the mix. Hand out for a share of the product. Constantly telling you they have a ‘lick’ up i.e. a score. Making promises without sustenance. You can always be sure that a crowd will gather. Coming out of buildings, yards, and wherever else. You always get stuck for a minute, but you can be sure that when you leave you will be broke! Then there’s the pair who are on the slick s@#*. Got one dollar between them, trying to sell you a pipe that they want back when you are done. Trying to drink up all the beer; they will get on your nerves, constantly telling you this or that or asking about your pocket. They’ll follow you until you’re broke. Too often they cannot be trusted, they will walk out of the alley with your bag if you are not paying attention. For the honest hustler the alley scene is pathetic, yet alluring. Well I’m out of the alley, back up front. Take a look up and down the street choose a direction and down the block we go. The alley has always attracted me though I know I don’t belong. So, I know that I will visit again. If you would like to go then catch the next issue of Streetvibes and we will visit there again. So until next time, be safe. St. X students help low-income families become homeowners by Grady Cook and David Hastings St. Xavier High School students volunteer once a month at the Community Land Cooperative of Cincinnati, a non-profit affordable housing provider that helps low-income families become homeowners, primarily in the West End. Students have been cleaning out and painting vacant houses, doing yard work, and performing other rehabilitation activities since the school year began. They are part of a long tradition of community service that St. Xavier students have been involved in for years with organizations like the Community Land Cooperative. Grady Cook, one of the Coalition for the Homeless’ current Streetvibes vendors, has been working with the Community Land Cooperative for 15 years. He was recently asked to supervise a group of St. Xavier students during the rehabilitation of a house on McMicken Avenue. “I was so happy to work with this group of young people from St. Xavier,” said Cook. “I think that they are a big asset to the community. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them and possibly other high school students in the area.” Matt Kemper is the Community Service Director at St. Xavier High School. Matt indicates that the Housing Rehab program “provides students with an opportunity to leave their comfort zone and serve those in need. Ideally, these types of experiences are the hallmark of transformative Jesuit education that seeks to create students who will become ‘agents of change.’ Ideally, these young men draw on their high school service experience to create systemic change for our world.” Bob, a St. Xavier senior who has been a regular volunteer with the Community Land Cooperative/St. Xavier Housing Rehab program says, “The world is a classroom, and I feel that I have learned the most through volunteering for the Community Land Cooperative. I feel that by participating in this program I have grown closer to becoming the person I am supposed to become.” The staff at the Community Students at work Land Co-op say they enjoy working with the Xavier Students. “I couldn’t be happier with the work that they’ve done,” says David Hastings, Executive Director. “They play a vital role in keeping our housing affordable for co-op families.” To find out more how you can become a homeowner through the Community Land Co-op or to volunteer, call 721-2522. Grady doing some painting Streetvibes Page 5 �Remembering a Friend Nourishment for the Soul To the readers and friends of and bereavement. She has been there when my family was going Streetvibes, I missed my article last month – sorry about that. through hard times. She has always I am dedicating this month’s served in a quiet way, involved with article to a very gracious lady whom I the church, and friends and especially have known since she was 9 years children. She can no longer participate old. She and her family had just in all of these duties that she did for so many years. I want to thank you, joined Saint John A. M.E. Church. Gussie Bell Jefferson, and God be the Her name is Gussie Bell Jefferson, also known as Mother Jefferson. glory, for all you have done for your She was honored in February by fellow man, and you will always be radio station WAIF remembered for with a benefit program. your care and love, This lady, down not only at St. John’s through the years, has but in Cincinnati too. been a friend and a I say many mother to many a thanks also to person – children and Reverend Perkins the elderly. She has for your love and worked for the concern for my dear Christian Education friend, Gussie Bell Miss Mary Gaffney Department serving the Jefferson. sick and shut-in’s. She May God has tended to all the needs of these bless each and everyone one of you at radio station WAIF. people, making sure they get to the To our readers and my doctor, etc. Her concern for her fellow man is one of her joys. homeless friends, as I have always She has been with WAIF for said, remember that whatever many years going back to the days of hardships come into your life, God loves you regardless of who you are. the Alms Hotel, working with Reverend Stewart to the present with Until next month - Peace. Reverend Columbus Perkins. Sadly, shortly after I She has been a dear friend to finished this story for Streetvibes, me and my family and has always Gussie Bell Jefferson passed been right by my side during illness away. She was 65 years old. The most fascinating story for by Rachel Lawson me was the tale of an older sibling I recently sat down to a who every Thanksgiving created a delicious meal that consisted of humus and crackers, Mississippi style feast for not only their immediate family but friends of the family as fried chicken with hot sauce, mixed well. The story was an exact bean soup, green salad, German mirrored image of my mother’s goeta, and mint jelly. family; my aunt and uncles plan a Of course that might sound huge meal every Sunday and major like a combination of dishes that holiday that allows us to come doesn’t go all that well with one together in unity and celebration. another, but in reality, that could not “Women Change America” be further from the truth. allowed me the cherished opportunity On March 10, to reflect back on my Peaslee Neighborhood own family and the Center held an event important women in my entitled “Women life who have been Change America,” beacons of light. The which celebrated the evening ended with two significance and the role inspirational written of women in our word pieces, both individual lives. Rachel Lawson encouraging the belief Each individual and understanding that through it all was encouraged to bring a dish that dignity, hope, strength, and had some significance and to later share why that dish was important to perseverance have been key factors him or her. Not only were the meals in the life and role of women. Most importantly, although women have distinctive, so were each of the come this far, we have so much individuals who provided them. further to go. While I was dining and learning about the invigorating women who created these unique dishes, I 20 YEARS was able to learn more about SERVING THE individuals in an hour than I have gathered in 5 months. NEIGHBORHOOD We were given the opportunity to not only gain nourishment for our stomachs, but also for our minds and souls. After the meal ended, we were invited to share a story or two, whether it was about the person who made your dish, or simply an individual who had an influence or empowered you in some way. Some of the stories were about a grandmother whose cooking style was as untouchable as her loving memory or a mother who enforced Empowering our not only cooking skills but also cultural understandings. neighborhood children The stories shared were more through peace, art and than just spoken words; they were education the entrance to the soul. We discussed the role of women from a Peaslee Neighborhood variety of cultural aspects, from the Center “olden” days of passing along 215 East 14th Street traditional understandings of the Over-the-Rhine “women’s role” to the current Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 position of being the provider, mother and father in the household. (513) 621-5514 Food Stamp Participation Increases to More Than 25.4 Million Persons Participation in the Food Stamp Program in December 2004 (the latest data available) was 25,487,768 persons, an increase of 2,207,685 persons from December 2003. The Food Stamp Program growth in recent months reflects continuing joblessness, state actions to improve access, and the effects of the food stamp reauthorization implementation. The number of people participating in the Food Stamp Program in December 2004 was 8.6 million more persons than July 2000, when program participation nationally reached its lowest point in the last decade. Caseloads dropped through 1998 and 1999 as the economy improved and many states failed to get food stamps to low-income families who had left cash welfare for low-paid work. Caseloads then stabilized and began rising in 2000. Increases in participation since 2001 likely have been driven by improved access to the program in states, including most recently for legal immigrants, and by the weakened economy. Participation has risen in 44 of the last 48 months. Participation in December 2004 rose in the District of Columbia and in 47 of the 50 states compared to a year earlier. Nonetheless, research suggests that nearly half of all eligible people are not receiving food stamp benefits. Looking for a Second Chance Lynda Russo I have made mistakes in my life, but I’m still trying to fight for my kids. I haven’t given up. I want you to understand my side of the story. When I was about four years old, my mother was never home. I had to take care of my little sister and myself because my mother was drinking and drugging. My oldest sister was always out. I never had any fun, and I never got to go out with my friends. I did all the things Page 6 that a mother was supposed to do, but I was just a kid. My oldest son was born in 1987, when I was 19 years old. I was pregnant when I graduated from Wakefield High. My second oldest, a daughter, was born a year later. I was raising them alone while working and going to school. I was on welfare, living off of $560 per month and food stamps. My rent was $500 per month. I spent the $60 cash on diapers. In 1991, I met “Horace,” and he moved in three months after we started dating. We were happy at first, getting along well. In 1994, we got married, and, over the next five years, we had ended up with six kids – two girls and four boys. All of my boys have Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, which is similar to Down’s Syndrome, a form of mental retardation. My son Tyler also has Stridor Syndrome, which can affect his speech. I loved raising my kids. I Streetvibes loved being a mom and had always wanted a big family. At the very beginning, Horace wasn’t working, so he helped take care of the kids while I worked at McDonalds and took classes at Charlestown Community Center. Soon, however, things began to change. One day in 1992, I was at school. Horace was supposed to get Mike (my oldest) onto the bus for the Second Chance cont. on page 9 �for those who died this year A Marathon Run candle due to homelessness and giving by Jac-Lynn Stark February 14 was a raw and chilly winter night with occasional snow flurries and periods of intermittent rain. Outside Columbus House, a homeless shelter in New Haven, Connecticut, Jeremy Weir Alderson sat in a plastic tent he called the Tabernacle of Truth. This was the temporary studio for the eighth annual Homelessness Marathon, which was broadcast from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on over 80 radio stations nationwide, as well as the Internet. In Boston, the entire broadcast was aired on WMBR 89.1. Alderson founded the Homelessness Marathon in 1988 as an offshoot of his weekly program “The Nobody Show” on WEOS, a public radio affiliate in Geneva, New York. From the beginning, the marathon broadcasted outdoors to dramatize the plight of homeless people. The number of listeners has grown each year. The webcam at the marathon’s website, for example, received over 350,000 hits during this year’s broadcast, seven times more than last year. Alderson began the broadcast by lighting a memorial listeners two call-in numbers. “This program is dedicated to getting homeless people into houses,” he said. The Homelessness Marathon includes short, pre-recorded segments on topics related to homelessness and poverty, longer discussions and interviews with experts, as well as questions, comments and stories from people who called or walked up to the broadcast location. During the broadcast, people of all ages and backgrounds told how they had become homeless. Some read poetry. People talked about living in abandoned buildings and “tent cities.” Again and again, people discussed how much they hated being looked down on or blamed because they were homeless. Maggie, whose father kicked her out at 12 when she came out as a lesbian, said, “When I was first homeless, I didn’t understand what homelessness was. Out on the street, people looked at me and crossed the street. Even a smile can make someone’s day when you have no place to go.” Katherine, a caller from Ohio, emphasized that when people say the homeless have chosen their situation, they need to think about why they made those choices. “Wondering if you’re going to be hungry is better than worrying who’s gonna climb into bed with you when you’re 12,” Katherine said. The Homelessness Marathon was a wide-angle lens that panned the broad landscape of America and focused on aspects of life that are ignored by the mainstream media. It painted a picture of an America where affordable housing is scarce to non-existent, where people who work hard are unable to afford to keep a roof over their heads, and where struggles over adversity are common. Many panelists and callers talked about the shortage of affordable housing. “I can’t afford to pay rent, but I work full time,” said Philip, a caller from a tent city in New Haven who makes $7.10 an hour. “Living in a tent gives me freedom, but I don’t want to live in a tent the rest of my life.” “The most important thing the marathon demonstrates is that the homeless are ordinary people,” said Alderson in an interview. “Politicians often portray the homeless as a bunch of crazies and drunks, but that is not true. All kinds of different people can become homeless.” The broadcast showed the wide variety of people affected by homelessness. Throughout the night, callers from all over the country made it clear that homelessness cuts through a wide swath of our population and occurs for many reasons. “There is nothing more important than low-income and poor people finding their voice,” Boston Emergency Shelter Commission acting director Jim Greene said of the program. “The marathon is an annual exercise in providing people the opportunity to speak out from their experience so decision makers in society understand their points of view and make decisions accordingly.” Alderson plans to continue the Homelessness Marathon even though it is increasingly difficult to raise funds for the show. He compared the marathon to trying to bail out a boat that is sinking. “As long as there is some hope, you keep trying,” said Alderson. The Homelessness Marathon’s website is at http:// www.homelessnessmarathon.org. Reprinted from Spare Change News, Boston, MA, March 2005 Rural Homelessness Hits Washington State by Israel Bayer Last month volunteers counted more than 1,050 individuals experiencing homelessness in Clallam County, Washington. 322 were living on the West End of the peninsula. Nearly one in four counted where children. “Homelessness is a problem in our community,” said Jackie Windle, a case manager with West End Outreach Services, an organization offering mental health, chemical dependency, and employment services. The organization also has 3 shelter locations in Forks. More than 20 people are currently on the waiting list. “I’m not sure everyone understands what a big problem it is.” Homelessness in Wasington State rural areas has seen a dramatic increase over the past decade with the loss of employment, the outsourcing of jobs, the cost of housing, and the lack of a living wage. “It’s not like the big city,” said Ruth King with West End Outreach Services. “People go into the woods and camp.” 188 individuals in the Forks area and 77 in La Push were identified as being homeless - families and veterans were the most at risk population. The state of Washington considers anyone who is living in substandard housing, shelters, or sleeping outside to be homeless. Substandard housing would include not having cooking facilities, a working bathroom, running water or heat. Domestic violence, drug addiction and mental illness have also been attributed to the surge in homelessness throughout the county. King said many people are falling through the cracks that have bad credit, a felony or are unemployed. “There are no jobs in the community right now. It’s hard out there for many people, especially families. We are seeing single mothers with young children who have no place left to go.” King went on to say that many of the individuals are from out of town. “We had one woman with a child from Arkansas who had looked up Forks on the Internet. She was in a bad situation, so she came to town hoping to find work because she thought the cost of living was lower here. The problem is there are no places to rent, no jobs and still people are coming to town looking for opportunities.” “We have a lot of people stealing from Peter to pay Paul,” said Sharon Ryan, the workforce specialist for the state in Forks. “Even people who are working can’t afford everything.” Hope is on the horizon in La Push though, according to Grafstrom, who said that the tribe is shifting its focus to economic development and building a stronger, healthier community to create more jobs. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Washington is unknown. In Seattle, more than 8,000 are experiencing homelessness. 3.5 million people are estimated to be on the streets nationwide, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington D.C. More than 500,000 of those individuals are U.S. veterans, many from the Vietnam era. “Some say Clallam County has the best services, and that’s why people are coming,” said Mike McEvoy, a veteran outreach worker in Portland Angeles. “But there are more services in other counties, so who knows.” “We are seeing a lot of people who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and mental illness,” said McEvoy. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a term used for psychotic stress caused by an event. Earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, airplane crashes, and shock during battle are common events causing what is otherwise known as “shell-shock.” “It’s hard - we have vets living in cars, living in the forest, and people in shelters,” said McEvoy. “The forgotten vets are the Vietnam vets. We need to make sure none of our vets are forgotten, and treated with respect, even those who are homeless.” Streetvibes And while the community is struggling with the current surge in homelessness, there is another kind of homelessness effecting Forks as well - caused by domestic violence. “We see people who are stressed out by their life circumstance,” said Nancy Rohde, a legal advocate with Forks Abuse, an agency in town offering shelter, advocacy, and legal advice for people affected by domestic violence. “They have no safety net,” Rohde said referring to people coming through the shelter. “They don’t have family or a place to go. Most of the homelessness we see are men and women who have to flee home because of safety, and they are homeless because they don’t feel safe at home. It’s a transition.” Advocates in the community are hoping by raising awareness about people experiencing homelessness in the region that community members will be more understanding, tolerant, and help by donating to organizations working to transition people into housing, like Forks Abuse, and West End Outreach. “We are really a giving community,” said Ryan. “We are going to have to figure something out. I think we can do it though.” Reprinted from Street Roots, Portland, OR, March 2005. ©Street News Service: www.street­ papers.org Page 7 �War cont. from page 1 amputees. Estimates of the Iraqi death toll are hard to come by officially, but the civilian toll is thought to range from 17,000 to nearly 20,000 dead and beyond.” Earlier last month, ABC’s World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings reported: “There are no official numbers of Iraqi civilian casualties, but Iraqi Body Count, an independent web-site that compiles media reports of the deaths there, says as many as 18,000 Iraqis may have been killed.” According to a study published in the respected British medical journal The Lancet, about 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the war. The majority of deaths were due to violence, primarily as a result of U.S.-led military action. One of the researchers on the project said that the estimate is likely a conservative one. It’s certainly a more scientific estimate than the Iraq Body Count figure cited by ABC, which is, as that project’s website notes, a “compilation of civilian deaths that have been reported by recognized sources.... It is likely that many if not most civilian casualties will go unreported by the media.” (http:// www.iraqbodycount.net) Recent polling indicates that the vast majority of the American public believes that U.S. casualties in Iraq are unacceptable. One can only wonder what Americans think about the level of Iraqi civilian casualties; unfortunately, the media’s count dramatically minimizes that death toll. But for certain, American death tolls are reported every night on the evening news broadcasts. A Thumbnail of US Homeless (Top) banner displayed on Fountain Square stage. (Above) Protestors gather in the rain. (Below) Protestor on the Square. Page 8 The National Law Center for Most people, including the Homelessness and Poverty reports homeless, are not inherently lazy. But that over 3 million men, women, and the US economic system does not children were homeless over the past adequately support those at the year – about 30% of them chronically lowest skill levels, even if they are and the others temporarily. In many willing to work – leading to cases people are in and out of the unemployment and millions of homeless system, which includes “working poor.” Incomes for the shelters, hospitals, the streets, and poorest Americans have not nearly prisons. It is these chronic users of kept pace with rising housing costs. the system that utilize up to 90% of Therefore, millions of hard workers the nations resources devoted to the are shut out of the private housing problem. market. Job training, education, Homelessness can be caused trade schools, and other systemic by a variety of problems. The main economic incentives and welfare cause is unaffordable housing for the disincentives should be applied with poor. Secondary causes include whatever funds are available from mental illness, physical illnesses, foundation or government sources. substance abuse, lack of incentives to This will raise income levels overall work and lack of a decent education. and make housing more affordable. This, coupled with the benefits poor On top of the 3 million who were homeless or marginally and homeless receive like homeless there are an additional 5 Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, and TANF (welfare), million poor people that spend over half of their incomes on housing, should lower the overall future level of homelessness. leaving them on the verge of homelessness. A missed paycheck, a For mayors, city councils, health crisis, or an unpaid bill can and even homeless providers it may easily push poor families over the seem that placing homeless people in edge into homelessness. shelters is the most inexpensive way It has been reported that the of meeting basic needs. This is types of assistance homeless adults deceptive. The cost of homelessness felt they needed most were help can be quite high, particularly for finding a job, help finding affordable those with chronic illnesses. Because housing, and help paying for housing. they have no regular place to stay, However, the main types of people who are homeless use a assistance they usually received were variety of public systems in an clothing, transportation and help with inefficient and costly way. Preventing public benefits. Few homeless a homeless episode, or ensuring a actually receive help finding housing, speedy transition in to stable likely because caregivers know it’s permanent housing can result in a unaffordable or otherwise significant overall cost savings. unattainable. According to figures provided by the US Departmeny of Health and Human Services up to 600,000 men, women, and children go homeless each night in the US. In New York City alone, city officials estimated that there were 30,000 people utilizing the shelter system on a daily basis, more than at any other time in the city’s history. A survey of 25 U.S. cities found that in 2000, families with children accounted for 36% of the homeless population (U.S. Conference of Mayors) Streetvibes �Second Chance cont. from page 6 special school he attends for mentally delayed children. The bus driver reported that she saw Horace kick my son’s back in the hallway of the apartment building as the bus driver was beeping his horn. At this point, I wasn’t sure what to think. Part of me felt he couldn’t have done such a thing. Part of me worried that he had. Because of his developmental delays, my son couldn’t tell me what really happened. A 51-A was filed with DSS as a result of the bus driver’s charge, which meant a social worker came out once a month for an hour to ask questions about what happened and about our parenting in general. We had to attend parenting classes, and Horace had to go to a battering­ men’s group. We were psychologically tested by a doctor. They also tested my kids for sexual abuse. We were allowed to keep our kids at that time. In 1993, Horace’s mother died, and he began drinking a lot. I also found out he was smoking dope. One day he took my daughter to school, and a teacher heard him call her stupid. Another 51-A was filed, and DSS did more research into our background. I wasn’t sure what to think. When I was around, he treated the kids like a father. He was respectful to them; he’d play with them and take them places. But then, after hearing the concerns of the teacher and bus driver, I didn’t know what to think. Over time, my worst fears were confirmed. Horace began beating, harassing, and mentally and physically abusing me. The first time it happened, he came home really drunk and began yelling at me. He pulled my hair and kicked me in the stomach. He had been in the army, so he knew how to hit without leaving marks. He told me that if I told DSS or anyone, he would hurt me and my kids. One day when I was at my DSS parenting class, a social worker took away my three kids while they were in school. They told me there was evidence that the children were neglected and abused, and that I would have to do parenting classes to get them back – even though I was going to parenting classes and had passed them all with flying colors. That same month, Horace and I lost our apartment. After a brief shelter stay, we found a new place. I continued my parenting classes, as ordered, and I collected letters of support from my counselor, the parenting class teacher, and my psychiatrist. All of them wrote in strong support of me getting my kids back. My school and work offered to write me letters, but DSS didn’t want any letter from them. They said they shouldn’t be involved. DSS allowed us to keep our younger two children – as long as we kept up parenting classes and counseling appointments. One day, I went to a friend’s to do laundry. I told Horace to watch the baby; she was about nine months old and asleep in a crib. I told him I’d be back within an hour. When I came home, I heard my daughter screaming and crying . I looked in the bathroom and the backyard, but there was no one in the house but the baby. I called Horace on his cell phone to find out where he was. He told me he was “out.” Things were calm for a while, but a few years later Horace got arrested for allegedly exposing himself in the park to a mother and a child. The day he got arrested – August 12, 1999 – I went into labor with my youngest child. Horace had to leave the house, and I filed a stayaway order against him. He had to be tested to see if he was a pedophile, and the results indicated that he wasn’t. He was staying with his brother at this time, and I was alone with my new baby and two children. A month later, Horace went to court. The judge ruled that he could return home since he had passed the test. I didn’t want him home, but the judge said he had a right to see his kids. Horace showed up at the house. I wasn’t in court. Horace said he was allowed to come home. I asked him for proof, and he couldn’t present any. I asked him to leave. He said “no,” and we got into a big conflict. My friend, Chere, was staying there, helping me take care of the kids. She asked Horace to leave, and he said, “Who are you to tell me to leave?” I called the police, and they said he had a right to stay there because the lease was in his name. I was looking for some place else to go, but I had two kids and a newborn and no place to go with them. He said that, if I left, he would hurt me and the kids. I contacted a lawyer, and she was filing motions to try to get him out. Another 51-A was filed against Horace for exposing himself again – this time to the social worker visiting the house. Because of this incident and our past history, DSS took my three youngest children away from me, even though I tried to keep Horace away. Not long after, we got evicted from our apartment. Horace said he “spent all his money on other things.” He said it was his money, and he could do what he wanted. I was working, going to school and paying all the bills. Everything I made went to my kids. I was meeting with DSS at that time, and they gave me a psychological test. They said I had a learning disability – only one side of my brain worked well. When we lost our place and DSS had my other kids, I went alone to a shelter. Horace asked me where I was going, and I said, “Getting away from you and trying to get my kids back.” He said, “You can’t get your kids back without me.” Once I got into the shelter and away from Horace, I started talking to staff and other residents about Horace’s abuse and how I might leave him. I told DSS about his violence and threats, and even though they said they suspected abuse, they blamed me for not coming forward sooner. I told them I was afraid to say something because DSS never spoke to me alone. Horace always made sure he was there and answered the questions when they interviewed us. I told DSS that I had never done anything to hurt my children – other than not get away from Horace sooner – and they didn’t believe me. Horace and I had been separated for six months when I finally met up with James, a friend at the shelter. He helped me file for divorce and make my break from Horace for good. Even though I left Horace – and even though no charges had ever been filed against me – DSS still kept my kids away. Again, I went to parenting classes, a counselor and a therapist. Now DSS said I should not be allowed to parent because I could not read or write well and wouldn’t be able to read to my kids. Today, my sister is helping me to fight for my kids. I don’t even have visitation rights, and I only get a letter once a year from foster parents. My sister is getting court records and trying to understand the paperwork. I hope she can help me get a hearing before a judge and, at least, get visitation rights for my children – and maybe someday get them back. I want them to know they have a mother. I know it was a mistake not to leave Horace sooner, but it’s a mistake I would never repeat. I would never put my kids in jeopardy again. Why does everyone else have more than one chance to raise their kids, but I can’t? It is not fair. All I am looking for is a second chance. Got The Vibe? This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. To order, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803 Streetvibes Page 9 �tell me their “oaths of office” that they took on the same day that president Bush took his oath. Their great oaths of justice, compassion, and safety were offered, one after another, with by Steve Sunderland pride, seriousness, and good feeling. While we all drew, a child would Recently, I had the great come over to me to draw with me. pleasure of visiting the library at Taft Or, hold my hand. Or, to say to Elementary School in Cincinnati to me,”thanks,” and, “I love you.” One meet with children from kindergarten asked if it were possible to walk with to the 7th grade. We have been me to the door and to say good by to meeting to do posters about Martin me more formerly. Luther King’s dream and their own These children, the youngest, hopes and dreams for were the most eager to work, to this world. Taft is a share their stories, and to draw their school made up of all pictures of King and their dreams. inner city kids, all poor, Jerome and I were overwhelmed by largely African the quiet kindnesses, gestures meant American. The for private discussion and shared with librarian is Jerome our whole group and with a stranger Madigan, long time like me. These children came from friend and master the same neighborhoods of trouble as teacher in the Cincinnati the older children, many from the school system. Jerome same families and streets. But the is a tall and imposing hopeful spirit was alive and well, free person, possessed of a flowing, and unchecked by the poison dramatic deep voice, that affected the older ones. It carrying a no nonsense Dr. Steve Sunderland seemed like two different schools, attitude toward any two different locations for the library, “foolishness” in his discussing King, learning about his life two different worlds that were being library or presence, and, as much as revealed to us. and death and beginning the process he sometimes tries, Jerome cannot Before I left the younger of finding their own dreams to follow. hide his immense love for these grades, I took some pictures of the Most of the posters were about children when they appear in his flashy cars, homes for the mother, lots kids holding their posters. You can setting. His library is not very large see the seriousness on some faces as but able to easily handle a class of 20 of money and almost none about they hold their “dreams.” Most are improving society, or going on in children. Old books, newspapers, just so eager to get in the picture, to school. The conversations that each maps, and graphs are arranged show off their energy and creativity. poster generated were valuable. throughout the borders of the library These are Peace Village kids while nine tables dot the center of the Sometimes, quite amazingly, a somehow holding onto their energy, quietness fell over the room as room. joy and strength. So, I ask myself, children really worked hard on their Our format was to bring what happens in the 4th grade to posters, concentrating on making classes of children to the library. these children, to these students, to something important. These times Jerome introduced me as someone these citizens of a failed democracy were followed by the artist standing who was in MLK’s civil rights and a callous educational system? up and describing his or her poster, movement and that wanted to share What has broken down their interest very often in a barely audible voice, stories and ideas about what King indicating a little about how private believed. After a short talk, we would all draw posters on cardboard and secret their dreams and ideas might be. The feeling of pride in the with markers about what we felt drawing, making their “mark” and about King’s dream to be still telling its story carried each speaker important. The posters would be and infected the next one ready to hung on a wall outside the library for jump up and talk in the quiet whisper all of the school to see. A class of that had become our method of students would be brought in for sharing. about an hour for the whole But my great surprise came in experience. the experiences with the kindergarten to fourth graders. One group of the Don’t be Squirrelly! youngest listened in deep attention, interrupting to tell me their details about King’s life when I seemed to omit what they knew. Eager to draw their ideas, they immediately went to work, using lots of colors, and sharing markers, and treating both interesting posters and stories. I started one group by telling them about our song sessions in the civil rights movement and asked, “Who knows the song, “This Little light of Mine?” Lots of hands went up and immediately we were into choruses of this wonderful song as a prelude to drawing and sharing the stories. Another first grade group wanted to The Peace Village We started with the upper grades and found out very quickly that neither the topic nor my teaching style could make much of a dent in the attitudes of the 7th and 8th graders. King and his ideas were not important. A few posters were drawn, several children were sent out of the session to the principal’s office, and the experience was disheartening. 5th and 6 graders were almost at the same point; only, there were more people interested in both Buy Streetvibes! Page 10 Streetvibes in dreaming of a future that holds out some of the passion and spirit that is so abundant in the early grades? Some of the survivors of the upper grades “helped” out with my classes with the younger grades, as Jerome found service opportunities that gave the older ones a chance to reflect on where they had come from just a few years ago. My “aides” took their jobs seriously and both helped the younger ones and drew their own versions of the dream they couldn’t draw just a week earlier. Whatever had been lost or uried in these “aides” reappeared for a moment, was captured in drawings of seriousness, and then, equally suddenly, disappeared as they ran out of the library. I shall not easily forget the faces of all of these children, both those caught in a trap that awaits their early escape, and those kids who have that wonderful spirit of joy, love, and hope that makes teaching and learning in the early grades such a satisfying experience. Big eyes, little faces, long smiles, unlimited energy, and a song voice that sings: “Let me dream, let me dream.” Dr. Steve Sunderland, professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati, is the Director of The Peace Village, a group of individuals from the national and interna­ tional community committed to examining all issues of Peace in the world. Dr. Sunderland also heads up Posters-for-Peace which en­ gages people in expressing their visions of Peace, in their own words through the cre­ ation of posters. �Bush Pushes Private Accounts as Public Support Drops President Bush has recently increased his efforts to sell the American public on his plan to privatize Social Security despite continuing evidence that more and more Americans are rejecting his proposals. Yet even while launching a “60 cities in 60 days” tour, the president and other administration officials have been carefully maneuvering to allow whatever reform is adopted to be seen as a victory for the administration. Congress began a two-week recess on March 18 and many Senators and Representatives will devote much of their time in their respective districts to the Social Security issue. Republicans in particular will continue to gauge their constituents’ feelings on reform options. The president’s failure to generate overwhelming support for his proposal among the general public has increasingly made congressional Republicans nervous. Recent polls have shown very weak public support for the president’s approach to Social Security reform. An ABC News/ Washington Post poll conducted from March 10–13 revealed that only 35 percent of respondents approve of the way Bush is handling Social Security, and 55 percent stated they “oppose” Bush’s proposals on Social Security. Forty-nine percent of the respondents in opposition were between the ages of 18 and 29 — a key demographic group from which Bush hopes to receive tremendous support Another poll conducted by USAToday/CNN/Gallup from Feb. 25–27 found similar results; only about 35 percent of respondents approved of the way Bush is handling Social Security. This poll shows a marked drop in support from one conducted three weeks earlier which had found that 43 percent of respondents — eight percent more — had supported the president on Social Security then. Bush continues to stress that with increased education on social security and the problems the program faces in the future, the public will come around to his plan. Reiterating his standard Social Security tagline, Bush recently said, “I’ve got a lot of educating to do to convince people not only that we have a problem, but we need to come together and come up with a solution to Social Security.” Police Abuse of Rev. Donald Tye by Brian Garry Rev Donald Tye recently suffered abuse at the hands of several Cincinnati Police officers. Tye is a well respected, middle class business owner in Walnut Hills. Reverend Tye has been very active in giving back to the community; he sat on the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, as well as the Black Male Coalition, NAACP and others. Tye runs the family-owned body shop, Tye Collision. On the afternoon of March 13th, 2004, Reverend Tye was doing business as usual at the body shop, when the Cincinnati Police showed up. The police said that there was a junk car with expired plates sitting on the street in front of Tye’s shop. They also stated that the church across the street had complained about Reverend Tye parking cars in the church lot. (The church, Christ Emmanuel, which has close ties with Rev. Tye, has since written a letter stating that they have never made a complaint against Rev. Tye.) The car in question, a freshly painted and restored 1957 Camaro belonged to another local business owner and altruistic community member Stan Beck of Beck’s Hardware. The historic car was dropped off to Rev. Tye without plates, as it was being restored and would receive plates after restoration was completed. A police officer approached Thomas Tye about the car which had only been on the street for a few minutes. At this point, the officer began calling for back up. A few seconds later, when back up arrives, the officer immediately jumps on the back of Rev. Tye’s son, Thomas Tye. Thomas, as can be seen on police cruiser video, then walks outside into the light of day with the officer on his back. During the time when the police were jumping on Thomas Tye his father, Rev. Tye, had been moving the restored car onto his private parking lot. After attacking his son, the officers then turned on the father, Rev. Tye himself. The Police officers violently slung Rev. Tye down the steps injuring him. The officers threatened to taze Tye, jamming the tazer painfully into his side but not engaging the electrodes. They also threatened to mace him. During this period, the officers threatened to taze the mailman, Postman John Vickers. Thomas, Tye’s son, was illegally detained after being attacked by two Cincinnati Police officers. After the violent incident, the officers were caught on police radio transmissions discussing how they could cover up the abuse of throwing Tye down the steps. One officer was also recorded saying that he enjoyed throwing “the old man” (Rev. Tye) down the steps. Mr. Beck’s restored Camaro and another car were towed during the fiasco. Mr. Beck, who is white, was given his car back free of charge. However, the owner of the other vehicle, a local woman who is black, was not able to get her car without paying. She was also told by the Cincinnati Police that they would help her sue Rev. Tye. Another issue brought to light as a result of this incident, is the fact that the Cincinnati Police Department Adventures in Irony with Dr. Wes Browning by Wes Browning Let’s continue to talk about people who make controversial statements in public! Larry H. Summers, research economist and Harvard University president, made a little speech (you can read it yourself at www.president.harvard.edu/speeches/ 2005/nber.html) to a conference of the National Bureau of Economic Research in January which got a few feminists more than a little angry, and now they want him to lose his job, or, failing that, be gently dismembered. Ha! I was just kidding about the dismembered part. But they ARE ticked off, mainly because Summers said that he thought that one reason why women are underrepresented in science professions is the “different availability of aptitude at the high end. “What he said sounds awfully close to “different aptitudes” and that sounds like saying women are dumb, but actually what he’s saying is that men are statistically more likely to be freaks. This theory isn’t new. It was even discussed back when I was teaching college math back in the olden days, when the internet existed mainly to pass raw data around colleges and nobody ever dreamed it could someday help make your penis bigger. The theory is based on the true observation that for a large number of measurable attributes, women’s measurements tend to be less extreme than men’s. So in any large random population most of the freaks will be men. This applies to all kinds of freakdom. In a large random population, for example, it will be the men who will exhibit most of the freakishly high IQs. It will also be the men who will exhibit most of the freakishly low IQs. So the same theory used by Summers to explain women’s under-representation in the sciences also has been used to explain why it’s also mostly men who win Darwinian Awards for dying stupidly.The important thing is he had the nerve to talk about it at all, and now because of that people are thinking about it more. Maybe the discussion will result in better ideas coming out than Larry’s, and maybe he’d welcome them. I think I have a better idea. I got my idea in 1980 when I was teaching basic algebra to a community college class that was three-quarters female. I had a problem. I was explaining algebra the way the book explained it, which generally introduced new ideas by relating them spatially. Most of the class wasn’t getting it. It occurred to me that it might make more sense to just say what algebra really is and leave the geometry out of it. So I explained how algebra is just talking about numbers. Equations are sentences, x’s and y’s are names, etc. The class had an amazing Streetvibes has a Point System, wherein officers get points for such things as getting junk cars towed and getting people cited for weeds in their yard. On the point score sheet there is specific mention of getting 30 points, the maximum number, for having cars towed from May St. in Walnut Hills, were the Tye family operates their shop. The abuse of Rev. Tye and his son is unacceptable. There was no cause for the violence against Rev. Tye and his family at the hands of the police. Rev. Tye and his son did not resist questioning, nor did they break any laws. It is clear that the treatment of Rev. Tye, his family and his business was unjust. The evidence is clear - based on police actions, their recorded words, and their point system. The Citizen Complaint Authority has confirmed that the police acted wrongly and now the final fate of this case lies in the hands of the City Manager , Valerie Lemmie. *** turnaround. Before, most of the boys understood the geometric approach and only a couple of the girls. Now, it was most of the girls who got it, and only one of the boys! I started using both approaches to try to get through to everyone. Now the bad news: a senior professor with control over my job found out what I was doing and told me to stop. His objection was, “The girls don’t need to know math. They’re just going to either get married, or be nurses.” Worse, the senior professor had co-written the book, and he was going to get me fired if I didn’t follow it word for word. So here’s my idea. I think that for about 25 centuries, math and science education has been deliberately geared to the interests and learning styles of boys, even at the cost, at times, of distorting content. I think it’s time to find out what science would look like if women did it. It could be an experiment. Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 cents Printing and Production: 30 cents Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes The side effects of Medicine by Linda Corey Heart burn, upset stomach bleeding, liver damage and breathing problems. You take a pill to cure one thing and the side-effects are worse than the medicine the doctor ordered for you. Is there really a cure for anything? I’m not a doctor as Marcus Welby says, I just play one on TV. All of us who attempt to heal the wounds of others will ourselves be wounded; it is, after all, inherent in the relationship.” -from “Healing the Wounds” by David Hilfiker, M.D �Bush Budget to Increase Deficits $1.6 Trillion over 10 Years The Congressional Budget Office released its estimates March 5 for the cost of President Bush’s fiscal year 2006 budget, showing deficits increasing by $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years. The CBO report will greatly impact the way the House and Senate budget committees write their FY 06 budget resolutions set for markup this week. CBO, the nonpartisan agency of Congress that regularly estimates the cost of legislation and policies, projects federal deficits would grow by about $200 billion annually for the next decade. It also changed its estimation of the FY 05 deficit to $395 billion and FY 06 deficit to $332 billion. CBO also lowered its estimate of how much the president’s proposed changes to mandatory spending would save in FY 06, to $26 billion from the $38.7 billion cited by the president and for savings in Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance programs from $45 billion to $27 billion — almost half of the amount projected by the White House. Because the president’s budget only considers the next five years, it hides the worst effects of his proposals. Over the next decade, the changes to all mandatory spending proposed by the president, including tax credits, will actually put the government more into debt by $16 billion, not save $70 billion as the president claimed in his budget. Perhaps the most damaging conclusion in the report for the president, coming only two months into his second term, is that he will fail to keep his promise to cut the deficit in half by 2009. CBO projects a deficit in 2009 of $246 billion, fully $40 billion short of his goal. Further, neither Bush’s budget nor the CBO report include many expensive policies likely to be enacted in the future, such as costs for overhauling Social Security ($1 to $2 trillion over 10 years), fixing theAlternative Minimum Tax ($754 billion over 10 years), increases in the cost of the 2003 Medicare prescription drug benefit (hovering around $750 billion over ten years), or supplemental military costs for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year (currently $82 billion for 2005). Despite this grim forecast, the administration and Republican leaders in Congress are steadfast in their support of making CBO’s projections a reality by extending tax cuts to the wealthy without offsets to pay for them. To that end, the House and Senate will most likely push two sets of reconciliation instructions in their budget resolutions this week, one to deal with reductions in mandatory spending and one to extend expiring tax cuts. (See Congressional Leaders Begin Negotiations on Budget Resolution). In the past, Congress has used reconciliation instructions as a deficit reduction tool — protecting legislation lowering entitlement spending, or raising taxes from being filibustered in the Senate. In recent years, the Bush administration has hijacked this process to fast-track huge tax cuts that are not offset and have consequently caused deficits to soar. It appears this process will be used again during the 109th Congress to continue cutting taxes for the wealthy and spending on programs such as Medicaid that benefit mostly low-income Americans. This misuse of the reconciliation process by a few in Congress is damaging to the federal government’s ability to meet its funding obligations to theAmerican people and should be rejected. Car Crash The following quotes are actual statements from insurance forms where car drivers tried to summarize accident details in as few words as possible. Such instances of faulty writing serve to confirm that grammer bloopers can be highly entertaining. The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intent. I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way. In my attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole. I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car. I had been driving for forty years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident. I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident. My car was legally parked as it backed into the other vehicle. As I approached the intersection a sign suddenly appeared in a place where no sign had ever appeared before, making me unable to avoid the accident. “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” t...” U.S. Ranks at Bottom for Child Poverty households with income below 50 per cent of the national median. The report emphasizes the capacity of governments to reduce child poverty rates and demonstrates that higher government spending on family and social benefits is clearly associated with lower child poverty rates. I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the road when I struck him. The indirect cause of the accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth. I was thrown from my car as it left the road, and was later found in a ditch by some stray cows. To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian. Str ee The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him. tvib es “Child Poverty in Rich Countries 2005” UNICEF, 2005 A new report published by UNICEF finds that the proportion of children living in poverty has risen in 17 out of 24 industrialized nations of the OECD over the past decade. This amounts to some 40-50 million children growing up below national poverty lines in the world’s richest countries. Denmark and Finland rank best, with child poverty rates of less than 3 per cent. At the bottom are the United States and Mexico, with child poverty rates of more than 20 per cent. The figures refer to relative poverty, defined as I told the police I was not injured, but upon removing my hair, I found that I had a fractured skull. The pedestrian had no idea which way to run, so I ran over him. Support Your Vendor An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished. Buy Streetvibes I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment. Streetvibes Page 13 �Something Like a Prayer The Homeless Are The Strongest by Michael Henson by David Cummings For whatever it is has set the stars to arc across the sky that lifts the crow over a field of corn that charges the mole to mine the lawn of the park that charts the clay pipes of the mud dauber’s nest that lends the sea its salt and fecundity that places and replaces the damp oxygen of these lungs that stirs the caddis in the gravel of the creek that fits the vegetal lances to the tips of the maples that drives the winter rains that washes the street with amber light, the light that ignites the windows of the laundromat and draws the radiant weeds out of the brick dust and broken glass of the vacant lot: All praise. All praise. The homeless are the strongest through thick and thin. Lets face the facts, this is a harsh, tormenting, world were living in a tremendous sin, what some police portray the homeless in as if all the poor is belligerent criminals, what’s wrong with them! Whether they are beggars or not, they should not be under contradiction. Many of the poor are bona fide, they need benediction, often excluded from society, and life isn’t a fair game. With no food, you get arrested for asking for spare change. Now drugs are becoming a problem, because some people are getting desperate. There are homeless shelters, but the families are getting separated. Through cruel intentions pride, some police rarely showed this. But they still overcome, that’s why the homeless are the strongest. Woman by Nikki Giovanni she wanted to be a blade of grass amid the fields but he wouldn’t agree to be the dandelion she wanted to be a robin singing through the leaves but he refused to be her tree she spun herself into a web and looking for a place to rest turned to him but he stood straight declining to be her corner she tried to be a book but he wouldn’t read she turned herself into a bulb but he wouldn’t let her grow she decided to become a woman and though he still refused to be a man she decided it was all right Off now, children! Off to war! Kill in your country’s name! For murder on behalf of kin is what allows our boys to win And rest someday in cherished lore. So off now, off to war! Off now, children! Off to war! Make your fathers swell with pride! For though you’re young, they love to hear that you’re a splendid bombardier And dodge death like a matador. So off now, off to war! Off now, children! Off to war! Bring smiles to your mothers’ eyes! They hate to lose you, sure that’s true, but if flags of red, white and blue Are at your funeral, souls will soar. So off now, off to war! Page 14 No-name Poem by Steve Kors III Coke is white and grass is green. But I liked to drink Because it made me mean. I drank from the left And drank from the right. I drank all day. And drank all night, I drank in the sun, I drank in the rain. I would get burned Or soaked with no pain. I have a shot of Beam In that stinky bar. Feels like a wet dream, Then I have to find my car. When I was drinking I got real numb! The Dayton police Knew I was dumb. I was real dirty. I had lost my pride... Sometimes I would wake up, And wish I’d died. I was like a fish. I thought I drank well. But it all turns out I was a cracked bell. The devil had owned me To where I was beat. I lost all my family. And lived on the street. I have a new family who helps me stay dry And when I’m with them I sometimes cry. Now that I’m sober And all is well I found Jesus Christ who keeps me from Hell. The Wind of a New Day by Tony Cavalli The house of racism over there Have people inside With the most peculiar stare That house not like mine It’s built to stand alone Long past it’s time… Long live the wind That blows down the divisions You can’t stop the wind That knocks down the fences, flags, and borders No matter where I go It’s the same old story… Everyone’s working for the house A house that has no foundation… If there was one thing that I prayed for In this crazy mixed up world That we somehow join together Men and women, boys and girls I want to do right Is it too much to ask I want to do right Make up for my past Better the past – better the future Riding the winds of vision We’re going to build a new house for the seekers It is a new day New day It’s a brand new day It is a new day Teacher; it’s a brand new day for the seeker… Seeker; it’s a brand new day for the teacher… Teacher; it’s a brand new day for the seeker… Seeker; it’s a brand new day for the teacher… The words of the newest CD, “New Day,” by the reggae group, Big Mountain, were twisted, and manipulated by Tony Cavalli to bring you this Poem/Song. Streetvibes �Epiphany Right Now by Robert Blanchard by Rachel Lawson You know what I honestly hate When someone gives you advice that you really don’t appreciate If you aren’t in my situation than you have no idea what I’m going through And it easy to say, “to thine own self be true” But it’s a completely different story when its something you have to do Repeatedly making the same mistakes I promised I’d never make again It’s as if I’m dragging along my old faults and thinking of new ones I can create Finding out the hard way it’s easier to be weak than to be strong And it’s harder to start over and learn to let go Advice such as let go and let God really sounds nice when you’re full of faith Unfortunately it doesn’t help when you’re unsure of your future It’s something no one knows Sometimes I’d rather be that preacher telling his congregation what to do Instead of being the indecisive follower fidgeting in the pew But what’s really ironic is when you just want to let it all out Simply have someone you can vent to Someone always wants to speak up and tell you what to do Sometimes you just need an ear to hear your pain And sometimes you want to be selfish and have all attention focused on your situation You don’t want to hear about someone else’s motivation You don’t want to hear about what they did when they faced a moment like yours Because right now they’re not, you are Dawn pinked but briefly in the eastern skies, ‘til it surrendered to the blue. Sleepy street lights dimmed and closed their eyes, it was the time to make it through. Staccato accents bleated to traffic’s roar and smoke, silencing the soft shuffle of feet. Broken men in broken shoes listened and in turn spoke, of their epiphany in the street. “I found a loaf of wheat bread,” pointing to a door, “I got us some sardines to share.” Here were loaves and fishes reverently eaten by these poor, in a communion of brotherly care. The day was slowly passing in its concession to the night, the world wound down still to rest. A single star was shining brightly as flowing light, surely, tomorrow, again would be blessed. One Day Soon by Robert Manassa Just to Justify by Fran Yeager On the campus The place we call U.C. They were in need In need of a reason To spend money Clearly now you must see The structure was ‘spose to be About moving free So, they decided to take it up racially When the truth be known It really wasn’t about black or white It was people being people Moving fast and tryin’ to be on time But, money is money And it’s all a big play So, they got to have a reason For the bills that must be paid While you and me are the puppets Left with the pain The tension from the speed And wanting everything yesterday For as much as we gain Is as much as we can lose For they’ll starve us all To take it all away Just to justify Spending money today It’s love and war And we all got to hold our own pain And keep on working together No matter what any man say They’re fighting it all On needful things! I’m trying my best to reach higher ground. In this life of mine, I’ve been up and down. Reaching for the sky, beyond the stars, I’m heaven bound One Day Soon I’ve been told; don’t put off today for tomorrow ‘cause tomorrow will bring sorrow. I’m going to a land that’s full of milk and honey I’m sure to reach that land, without any money One Day Soon God said, Come unto me, I’ll give you rest, especially when you’ve done your best. I’ve done a lot of good things down here on earth, I’m ready for God to call me home. Hoping one day for being reborn One Day Soon “Steps Closed” Streetvibes by Ben D Boswell Page 15 �TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 357-4602 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 381-4242 241-2563 Contact Center Emanuel Center Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 $1 Donation April 2005 STREETVIBES BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY cover story Casualties of War Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource April 2005 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Casualties of War Pg 2: Streetvibes Letters Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: Street Life St. X Students Help Low-Income Families Become Homeowners Pg 6: Remembering a Friend Nourishment for the Soul Food Stamp Participation Increases to More Than 25.4 Million Persons Pg 7: A Marathon Run Rural Homelessness Hits Washington State Pg 8: War Continued A Thumbnail of US Homeless Pg 9: Second Chance Continued Pg 10: The Peace Village Pg 11: Bush Pushed Private Accounts as Public Support Drops Police Abuse of Rev. Donald Tye Adventures in Irony with Dr. Wes Browning Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and Streetvibes… Pg 13: Bush Budget to Increase Deficits $1.6 Trillion over 10 Years Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Rachel Lawson Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Ben Boswell Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Ben Boswell Budget Bush Cincinnati Dr. Wes Browning education Food Research food stamps FRAC Georgine Getty Iraq Iraq War Jimmy Heath Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Peace Village police brutality Rachel Lawson Rev. Donald Tye St. X Street Life Students War Washington State https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/b90811d897839229aeb2825fca65b972.pdf 694e35215cde96169ed42431d87ca6e4 PDF Text Text March, 2005 STREETVIBES Vacant Lot Development Could Help The Homeless Lot for proposed transitional housing development, Liberty and Race Street, Over-the-Rhine class of outcasts. The Homeless Two summers ago, a group Coalition and other advocate groups of homeless individuals caught the talks and meets with homeless attention of the City for weeks by individuals on an ongoing basis and taking a stand under one of Cincinnati’s bridges. (see Streetvibes has often advocated with them for shelter and housing rights. August, 2003) While it stemmed There has already been a loss from a horrible situation, the of SRO (single room occupancy) controversy generated a lot of positive results - homeless individuals permanent housing in downtown last year - 75 units at the Fort became empowered, services were mobilized, police communication and Washington Hotel and over 100 units lost at the YMCA, relations improved. The Drop Inn Center However, the question remains… what, besides a bridge, is reported at the last Homeless Coalition monthly meeting about an a permanent solution for bridge exciting project that would attempt to dwellers and for others that HUD provide a permanent home and terms the “chronic homeless.” People who are homeless for hospitality for these individuals. The project would be part of a relocation long periods of time are familiar with sought by Cincinnati Public Schools the systems that are out there. They of the Drop Inn Center’s current are often first hand witness to the failures and cracks in the systems too housing project (not the shelter) at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets - educational, economic and mental near Washington Park in Over-thehealth services, etc. Often, the Rhine. The Homeless Coalition barriers put up by the systems member agencies were very themselves create this permanent Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine receptive to this concept and voted to endorse the collaboration. (See GCCH member agencies resolution on page 6). The proposed plan for the relocation of the Drop Inn Center’s Transitional Housing included developing a lot at Liberty and Race Streets in Over-the-Rhine for permanent housing. Unfortunately, the Cincinnati Center City Development Committee (3CDC) was not as receptive and, as of the printing of this story, was unwilling to support the idea of Permanent Supportive Housing in the areas for which they are making their own plans. Sources of funding for 3CDC development projects in the Washington Park area of Over-theRhine are still not certain. While we debate the politics, many other cities, including Columbus and Cleveland, have successfully used Permanent Supportive Housing in inner-city development plans. The shelter system of Cincinnati is very successful in moving thousands of people from emergency shelters to permanent housing each year. However, there remains a segment of the homeless population who, for myriad reasons, cannot or will not utilize the shelter system. What has been demonstrated in Columbus’ system is that when these people, the so-called “chronically homeless” are provided with safe, stable housing, it allows them to create positive changes in their lives, including but not limited to employment, mental health counseling and drug and alcohol treatment. In Minneapolis, Minnesota the Family Housing Fund assists supportive housing projects by pooling its funds with other subsidies so that housing providers can meet their costs while charging low rents that residents vulnerable to homelessness can afford. In addition to its contributions to the financing of supportive housing, the Fund works to improve the supportive housing system through advocacy. Since 1980, the Fund has invested $24 million to assist 113 projects, which have provided over 2,900 units of supportive housing, as well as rent subsidies to 1,200 households. In New York, the Corporation for Supportive Housing makes loans and grants to supportive housing sponsors from a pool of funds drawn from both public and private sectors. In Cincinnati, ReSTOC, a low-income housing provider also working in the Washington Park area of Over-the-Rhine, has created a proactive development permanent housing plan which was praised by some at 3CDC, however funding is still a critical issue. The Cincinnati community, especially 3CDC, could benefit from any collaboration, and especially lowincome housing providers who have access to unique public funding sources, but developers are skeptical about including room for permanent supportive housing in their areas of planning. The raw housing stock and vacant lots in Over-the-Rhine remain open for development. Meanwhile, the barriers to housing still exist for Cincinnati’s chronic homeless population. Said a homeless person who preferred not to be named, “If I had a place to stay, where I could get some help and call it my own, I could get back on my feet and be proud of it. I wouldn’t need the shelter and I could get back to work.” It is ironic, that for all their promises to OTR, 3CDC is content to let an empty lot remain just that, while hundreds of homeless men, women and children flood our streets. Drop Inn Center transitional housing at 12th and Elm Street, the site of a proposed new public school Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri­ State’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw -Administrative Coordinator Andy Erickson - Education Coordinator Rachel Lawson - Civil Rights VISTA Kate McManus - Civil Rights VISTA Mary Gaffney - Receptionist Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photographers Jimmy Heath, Kevin C. McHugh Cover Race and Liberty Street lot ­ location of proposed homeless permanent housing development Jimmy Heath photo Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year. Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org Page 2 What’s Really Going On? by Rachel Lawson An important part of having pride in yourself, is being able to acknowledge, with pleasure, where you came from and where you are headed. The same statement can be said about the city of Cincinnati. What does Cincinnati stand for? What do the residents represent? Most importantly, where are we headed? What does Cincinnati stand for? Originally our gracious Mayor proposed cutting Human Services completely, but in December of 2004, City Council only cut more than half of the general fund that was once set aside for human services for the past 20 years. (Let us not digress to the day when City Council cared because we have to focus on what we currently stand for). I’m not sure if anyone else understands that Cincinnati voted to cut services for HUMANS! Who else is the city supposed to be helping? Of course, one could suggest that perhaps City Council decided human services was too much of a responsibility. In turn that’s why the city has continued to work so diligently on race relations. The first step was to build The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and fly in notables such as Oprah Winfrey and Angela Basset. care. I personally am trying to become numb of the local news I really enjoyed being able to because I every time I turn on my attend that wonderful event with the television I hear about the newest many other citizens of Cincinnati, fight between the police and Roger from my television at home. As well, Owensby’s family. I cannot really comment on the actual I completely understand that Freedom Fund Museum because I legally Patrick Caton has every right do not have the freedom to spend to attempt to gain back his job. As $12 (of course you can’t forget the well a jury of his peers was dollar you pay there and back by deadlocked on finding him guilty of bus.) involuntary manslaughter of Roger However, I did enjoy the Owensby Jr. (Ironically, in 1955, a website and its notable stories about jury also found Roy Bryant and J.W. the various individuals who have Milam not guilty of the brutal murder fought for freedom in some way. of Emmett Till.) While the liberal However, I was confused once again news broadcasters continue to air when I kept finding pictures of every images of Roger Owensby’s father day White individuals and the fighting, I don’t remember hearing wonderful things they have done for anything about the Human Service Black people. Is that an attempt at Cuts. race relations? Last time I checked It’s almost as if we are in this you shouldn’t attempt to heal a third time warp where images of racism degree burn by placing a Flintstone and ignorance keep flashing across band-aid on the wound. So basically the screen and there are no other Cincinnati does NOT stand for images. It also appears that the helping to provide Human Services lovely citizens of Cincinnati have and we also stand for building remained ignorant of the activities in museums and inviting rich people here their own city. However, although it rather than dealing with the real issue seems as if we are headed in this such as race relations, lack of jobs, continued cycle of numbness, it and the lack of homes and shelters. doesn’t mean we have to actual stay The next question to ponder in that direction. After all, in on is: where are we headed? I November I will be headed for the honestly have no idea where we are voting polls. I will educate myself on headed. We could become a city those individuals running for City that became so numb to our Council. I will remember what the surroundings that we basically do not current members voted for as I vote. Michael Stoops Appointed Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless Washington D.C.: The National Coalition for the Homeless has reorganized by appointing Michael Stoops as acting Executive Director and moving its offices into the Church of the Pilgrims in Downtown Washington, DC. Molly Neck will support Stoops as the Director of Programs for the agency. Along with the other support staff this team will keep the doors open and maintain public education, community organizing activities and above all a strong advocacy presence to end homelessness for the estimated 3.5 million homeless in the United States. The geographically diverse Board of Directors remains a strong, active, working board that will continue with the core mission of ending homelessness in the United States. Activists from across the nation are members of the NCH Board and work to change the dialogue at the national level to illuminate the injustices of homelessness. Michael Stoops has been a part of the National Coalition for the Homeless since its inception in the early 1980’s. Stoops previously served as the Director of Community Organizing for NCH. He has thirty years of experience on voting rights, anti-discrimination campaigns, and defending homeless people against hate crimes/violence. Molly Neck previously worked on NCH’s National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project. In 2003, she was the editor of our two annual reports on the criminalization of homelessness and hate crimes/violence against homeless people. In 2004, she was NCH’s Director of Development. Founded in 1984, the National Coalition for the Homeless is the oldest national advocacy group with a focus on homelessness. NCH has refocused its talents and energies around a few core issues. NCH will continue to be a leader in the protection of the civil rights of homeless people by publishing research as well as, organizing local and statewide coalitions. The staff will continue to put a “face” on homelessness through its national Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau. With a great deal of support from the NCH Board of Directors, the organization intends to focus attention on local, state, and federal policies as well as funding allocations Streetvibes to ensure that homelessness is ended. The centerpiece of this campaign is the reintroduction of the Bringing America Home Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation that would end homelessness in the United States. This Act is scheduled to be reintroduced in Congress within several weeks. Writers! Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES ­ email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com Correction There was an error in the article “Morning Battle” in the February Issue of Streetvibes. The correct spelling of the two employees of the Drop Inn Center is Bobby Lyles and Tom Lee. We regret the error. �In Phoenix, AR Ahwatukee Foothills church says its neighbors have nothing to fear. Mountain View Lutheran Church says it will turn its campus classrooms into temporary bedrooms for homeless families so they’ll have a warm, clean and safe place to sleep. However, safety concerns of Ahwatukee Foothills residents concerned about homeless people posing a danger has prompted a meeting Tuesday of the homeowners association. Word surfaced in December that the church was exploring joining 17 churches in Tempe, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix and Litchfield Park. Each church plays host about once per quarter, providing housing, hot meals, sack lunches, recreational opportunities and moral support. ee tvib es Streetvibes to party. That’s a frightening situation for these people, some of who are mentally ill. We’re just trying to provide them a safe refuge, someplace to go.” Someplace nearby, but yet far, far away from the aura of the Super Bowl. We can debate the city’s purity of intentions all we want, but those sleeping on mats inside the shelter don’t really care. They just want to come in out of the rain - even if it is for just two weeks. If the end result of all this Super Bowl hype and hoopla is that they get a temporary home and a glint of hope, they’re OK with that. There may not be any chilled Cristal Champagne here as this Super Bowl get-together, but there is something just as valuable: A hot shower. “This place has been a godsend,” says Michael, an ex-con from New Orleans. “Sometimes, you just need a place to clean up and warm up so you can sort out your life.” Says James, a former postal worker who drank away his wife, his kids and his job: “I don’t have any Super Bowl tickets, but I have a bed and some food. You can’t ask for more than that.” Meanwhile, at a Super Bowl party the other night at the swanky Sawgrass Country Club, revelers were heard complaining because the boiled shrimp wasn’t peeled and the line at the chocolate fondue fountain was too long. If only they knew. Str set for the live bands that provided background music. The hosts and hostesses were ready to make every guest feel like royalty for a day. It was time for the Feast of Plenty, a 25-year tradition at Fort Lauderdale’s First Baptist Church. The homeless were the guests of Compiled by Jimmy Heath four separate grants. One grant, for honor at last month’s event, but In Toronto after a day-long $929,376, will be used to implement everyone was welcomed. debate and a flurry of suggested a new program aimed at chronic Dignity, the organizers said, changes by critics and supporters, homelessness, assisting those who are was the main item on the menu. city council last month endorsed disabled and have been homeless for “We treat our guests like Mayor David Miller’s at least a year, said Dan Williams, the what they are: our neighbors, and a controversial plan to help those coalition’s executive director. part of this community, just like us,” living on the streets find Each disabled person will be said Mike Jeffries, associate to the permanent housing. given housing along with other senior pastor. “For us, they are more “I see this as a victory for services to address the disability. than our guests. They are the guests people living on the street,” said Mr. Williams said he hopes they’ll have of Jesus. So they will be treated and Miller, after council voted 28 to 9 to the program up and running by this respected as such.” approve his plan with few major summer. Jeffries stressed that the event changes. “It gives them a real chance A $105,000 grant will help was opened to anyone who could and that is what Torontonians want.” the coalition create a homeless benefit from it, regardless of whether After the vote, Cathy Crowe, management information system that they have a roof over their heads. a street nurse with the Toronto will help local officials collect the Disaster Relief Committee, said, “I’m demographic information the federal In Jacksonville, Fl last very disappointed. We are not government requires in tracking month on the riverfront, a talking about a blueprint to end homeless populations. The grant will beautiful woman with blond hair homelessness.” be in concert with the recent count and an older man in a blue blazer Yesterday’s debate, watched the agency made of the area’s step off a $5 million yacht. They by advocates for the homeless and by homeless on Jan. 25, Williams said. walk across the street to a high-rise others in the public gallery, went off A third grant for $390,117 hotel, where the rooms are going for without a rowdy protest like the one will be used to operate 15 Place, the $500 a night and the scalpers are during a previous meeting when homeless center on St. Francis Street working the lobby, selling Super housing activists briefly stormed the in downtown Mobile. Bowl tickets for $3,000 apiece. council chamber. A fourth grant for $156,240 Meanwhile, a couple miles The $18.4-million plan will be used to provide substance away, Tom, a drug addict from includes hiring additional outreach abuse treatment for women through Roanoke, Va., is standing in the cold workers to assist the homeless, a Franklin Primary Health Center. rain outside a homeless shelter with promise to build 1,000 units a year of All of the local grants are part an old cowboy boot on one foot, a affordable housing and a prohibition of $1.4 billion in HUD funds that will discarded tennis shoe on the other. on sleeping in Nathan Phillips Square. be used nationwide to fight “If I had a Super Bowl ticket, Mr. Miller reiterated that no homelessness. I’d sell it and buy myself a good pair one will be forcibly removed from “This unprecedented level of of waterproof boots,” Tom says, Nathan Phillips Square. funds will go directly to those on the shaking his head and taking a drag Instead, with the outreach front lines, who work tirelessly every from a cigarette butt he picked up off workers and other measures, the day to bring an end to chronic the street. “But they don’t want me mayor says the intent of the new homelessness and who provide anywhere near the Super Bowl. They bylaw is to offer services to those services to the many individuals and don’t want the undesirables mingling living on the street to help them find families without a home of their own,” with the beautiful people.” permanent housing and receive HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson Welcome to the Super Bowl counselling and other support. said in a released statement. homeless shelter - a temporary Councilor Sylvia Watson said sanctuary for the down-and-out while it is far more cost-effective to find In Iowa City, Iowa a the uppercrust invades Jacksonville. permanent housing, with supports, for homeless man was sentenced to The shelter, in an old shuddered-up the hard-to-serve, than to warehouse 20 years in prison last month for a brick building, is only open for the them in overnight hostels. killing last spring. two weeks leading up to the Super “Instead, you can give them Prosecutors said Stephen Bowl. their own roof over their heads, Moore beat John Stewart to death as Although Jacksonville officials which is what we want and what they the two men fought under a bridge. claim this impermanent haven is here want, and you can do it at half the Moore pleaded guilty in Johnson for the good of the homeless, is there cost,” she said. County to voluntary manslaughter and any question it is also for the image of second-degree robbery. Judge the city? When you spend $3 million Douglas Russell ordered Moore to to illuminate the bridges for the Super In Birmingham AL, The pay restitution to Stewart’s family. Bowl, you don’t want beggars and Homeless Coalition of the Gulf Moore’s attorney said his client will bag ladies sleeping under them, right? Coast Inc. recently received $2.8 not appeal. “We’ve been accused of million in grants from the U.S. trying to get the homeless out of sight Department of Housing and In Ft. Lauderdale, FL the during Super Bowl week,” says Urban Development. First Baptist Church of Fort Wanda Lanier, executive director of The funds will be distributed Lauderdale hosted a community the Homeless Coalition of to nine local organizations, all of feast, with homeless people as Jacksonville, “but that’s not our which work with the homeless, said guests of honor. intention at all.” Cindy Yarbrough, field office director The preparations started at “These people live on the of HUD’s state office in Birmingham. midnight the day before. Tables were streets of downtown, and their home The coalition itself received set up al fresco and dressed with is being taken away from them by $1.58 million of those funds through elegant tablecloths. The stage was 100,000 people who are coming here Homeless News Digest Support Your Vendor Buy Streetvibes Page 3 �If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin. ~Charles Darwin Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that. ~Norman Vincent Peale It would be nice if the poor were to get even half of the money that is spent in studying them. ~Bill Vaughan A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money. ~W.C. Fields The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time. ~Willem de Kooning Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn’t commit. ~Eli Khamarov, Lives of the Cognoscenti Poverty is taking your children to the hospital and spending the whole day waiting with no one even taking your name—and then coming back the next day, and the next, until they finally get around to you. ~Janice Bradshaw The Homeless Show your support! Get your STREETVIBES T-Shirt Today! By Linda Corey The homeless are human beings. The Mayor, Charlie Luken, says “homeless go home.” We have this money to send space shuttles to look at the moon and the nine planets, but we can’t help the homeless! The labels are really cruel: bums, tramps, beggars. We have talents. We are writers, salesmen, singers, guitarists. People can be so mean, I think they forget where they came from. I pray for a change on this ongoing homeless issue. I pray we don’t lose any more people. 20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD (Back shown here. Shirt not actual size) Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Only $15 We will send your Streetvibes T-shirt to your door ­ All proceeds benefit the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Streetvibes newspaper. Call 513.421.7803 x 16, or come in to our office at 117 E 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Page 4 Streetvibes Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 621-5514 �How To Really Help The Homeless What should you do if a homeless guy asks you for money? A scan of a article in last month’s Minneapolis Star Tribune’s “Mindworks” section - a showcase for school-age writers - suggests that many young Minnesotans think it’s only right to be wary. Why, the students wonder, don’t these scruffy characters find work? And if a giver hands over cash, how can one know it will be well-used? Such skepticism is only natural coming from young minds, though it underscores how little most Minnesotans — young and old — really know about homelessness. They probably do not know, for instance, that most of Minnesota’s “scruffy people” are actually very sick — with mental illness, with addiction, with other medical or learning impairments. Their disabilities make ordinary self-care a challenge and regular employment a nearimpossibility. They are people almost anyone would agree deserve government help — but even those who qualify for assistance lack the knowledge and perseverance to obtain it. And while a few outreach workers make a point of keeping these lost men and women from freezing or starving, the government has long shown little concern for their plight. Until now. Though much can be assailed in the Bush administration’s proposed housing budget — the plan envisions a nearly $4 billion cut (a 12 percent drop from current spending) for already strapped public housing programs — the White House is at least offering help to the long-neglected homeless. Its new budget calls for 8.5 percent more than was spent last year on accelerating federal attempts to lure America’s unsheltered off the streets. Other spending hikes are also proposed: The Bush budget would boost the VA’s program to assure health care for homeless vets, increase unsheltered citizens’ access to health care and to addiction treatment, and seek to avert homelessness among ex-cons by investing more money in prisondischarge planning. This is the sort of communitybuilding venture Americans should expect from their government: It shows sensitivity to the immutable needs of society’s least able — even as it curbs the astonishing costs of overlooking homelessness. If such initiatives did not come at the cost of harsh cuts to other housing efforts, citizens could applaud without compunction. So perhaps they should cheer instead for Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Housing Commissioner Tim Marx, who are continuing to swim upstream in their quest to end homelessness. Turned down by the Legislature on a bonding-bill bid last session, the two have returned with a more ambitious plan than before. Their goal? To move the thousands of Minnesotans who now sleep outside or on shelter floors into long­ term “supportive housing” — an environment that keeps vulnerable people happily at home by making sure they get the monitoring and assistance they need. This session Pawlenty and Marx are aiming not just for $20 million in bonding to kick-start construction of needed housing for the homeless. They’re also seeking many new millions: $4 million for the The Opportunity For All Campaign OMB Watch The Bush Administration released a 237 page report late Friday, February 11, detailing the programs slated for elimination or substantial cuts in their FY 2006 budget proposal. The report is available at http:// www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/ fy2006/pdf/savings.pdf The report provides rationales for the Administration’s decisions to eliminate 99 programs providing services such as vocational education, literacy training, training programs for migrants and youthful offenders, juvenile justice programs, and certain medical services for children, and to greatly reduce funding for 55 programs, including adult education, housing for people with disabilities, substance abuse and mental health treatment, job training, and other juvenile justice programs. The Administration says that these cuts were made because of poor evaluations. But in many instances, the evaluations make criticisms of program operations that do not justify eliminating the services. For example, the $437 million Safe and Drug Free Schools grant program is eliminated, because its funding was judged to be spread too thin. If that is an accurate criticism, surely a more appropriate response would be to revise the criteria for grant-making, giving larger grants to fewer localities. Instead, the Administration does away with the grants, and adds only $83 million to the related Safe and Drug Free Schools National Program ­ reducing the funds available by $354 million. Over and over in this new document, the Administration opts neither to fix programs that it sees as underperforming nor to fund adequately replacement programs that would address the same need. It either eliminates programs altogether or slashes them, sometimes starting up something new to address a similar need ­ always with less money than before. An example: the Administration cuts $2.17 billion in high school programs, and replaces them with a $1.5 billion high school initiative, of which $250 million is for high school assessments (similar to assessments called for in the Leave No Child Behind act for elementary school students). Because the funding for assessments is new, there is only $1.25 billion for vocational and other high school programs previously funded at $2.17 billion ­ a $920 million cut. In addition, the Administration cuts some programs that were not rated ineffective. Substance abuse and mental health programs of regional and national significance were cut by $53 million - down from $891 million in FY 2005 to the President’s proposal of $838 million for FY 2006. These programs were rated adequate by the Administration. The evaluation did suggest moving funds from one part of this set of programs to another. The Administration did not transfer the funds, but removed them. The budget also cuts many programs for which no evaluation was available. In this case, no news was bad news. This new volume also details troubling structural changes to certain programs. It again seeks to carry out cuts in rental vouchers by choosing not to keep pace with rising housing costs. Instead of providing housing authorities with the funds necessary to support a certain number of vouchers, they will be given an allotment of funds instead. To live within the funds allocated, housing authorities would be given the authority to place time limits on tenants’ use of rental Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Streetvibes state’s Housing Trust Fund and, with help from Human Services Commissioner Kevin Goodno, $10 million for his department’s new “flexible service fund” — to finance the social services that provide the “support” in supportive housing. This is just the start of a multiyear quest, and no one should expect all homeless citizens to move inside any time soon. Though Marx’s Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has already used some of his department’s discretionary funds to move several hundred homeless families indoors, ending homelessness altogether will require many millions of dollars and many years of dedication. Ultimately, it will demand an infrastructure and a social-service approach designed especially to welcome society’s unluckiest citizens in from the cold. That offering such a welcome is less costly than withholding it almost beside the point. What should matter — to gradeschoolers and grownups, to the archest of conservatives and the most brazen of liberals — is not that ending homelessness is thrifty, but that it is right. vouchers or to ask tenants to pay a greater share of their income for rent. The report also describes Medicaid restrictions aimed at reducing the federal reimbursements paid to states. Several members of the Coalition on Human Needs have produced excellent analyses of the President’s budget. The CHN website links to many of these (www.chn.org/issues/budget/ index.html) OMB Watch has produced a number of pieces analyzing the President’s budget and they are available on the OMB Watch website: President’ Bush’s FY 06 Budget: An Overview. OMB Watch promises to update these articles where necessary to reflect the report released by the White House. Don’t be Squirrelly! Buy Streetvibes! Page 5 �The Firecat Review Resolution of the member agencies of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless Whereas, there are many individuals residing in our Emergency Shelters for very long periods of time, stuck living on the street, unable to access permanent housing because of multiple barriers. Whereas, many other cities have been successful with Supportive Housing for the Chronically Homeless as well as “Housing First” programs and Cincinnati currently lacks any of these programs. Whereas Supportive Housing has a proven track record of helping those most difficult to serve and fits in with national, statewide and local goals of addressing the “chronically homeless.” Whereas, homeless individuals need to be located within walking distance of jobs, education and services. Whereas drug and alcohol addiction is proven to be a significant barrier to finding and maintaining housing making it more difficult for some homeless individuals to find a stable environment in which to seek treatment when they are ready. Whereas it is an accepted standard of quality outreach that people be “met where they are at” and given hospitality and easy access to services. Therefore, the 45 member agencies of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless fully supports the Drop Inn Center’s plans to create Permanent Supportive Housing with rich social services as well as arts programming on site on the corner of Liberty and Race. Unanimously Approved on February 17, 2005. Firecat Magenta – I like the ones with the what’s-it stuff in the batter – sprinkles. Firecat Blue – Firecat Black made perfect cupcakes and they didn’t get all crazy. Firecat Red – This is kinda’ sexy in a way (dipping mangled cupcake in frosting) - don’t look at me like that! Firecat Orange – I like chocolate cupcakes – the icing is so good (eating cupcake) by Rachel Lawson fight and even die just so that I I was “dining in” at a local could do something as simple as restaurant and an older white eating at a restaurant, I am still gentleman approached our table being called “colored.” with a smile so big you could not Originally I kept assuring help smiling back. He went on to myself that it was simply an older invite my family to visit his church. gentleman who was raised during a In any other situation, I time when it was okay to use those would have possibly terms. Yet, I keep taken him up on the thinking about how offer, however this every time he said invitation was very “colored,” he would special. As this stutter “black” seemingly innocent man afterwards, in an went on to tell us about attempt to correct his his church, he kept faux pas. Who knows, referring to us as it may have honestly Rachel Lawson “colored.” been innocent and he As a result, all the praises may have not been trying to hurt that he gave of his church were anyone’s feelings. What I do know falling on deaf ears, because all I is that the label “colored” was used heard him say was that one word. to dictate where African Americans The irony of the situation amazed could use the bathroom, eat, and me because here I was, during even drink water. I do know the Black History Month eating in a word “colored” is recognized in restaurant that years ago I would Marriam Webster’s dictionary as not have been allowed to think being “offensive.” Most of all, I about. know it’s not okay to call someone After all the men and colored and it’s not okay to be women who were determined to ignorant. Firecat Red – So it’s about the cupcakes. Firecat Orange – There were only a few black people in this section of the theater at Kenwood. Firecat Blue – It does look bad. Firecat Clear, are you there, any thoughts? Firecat Clear – um, no. Firecat Red - What was the deal with his swollen eye, his horrible face? Firecat Orange – It was some kind of allergic reaction. Firecat Red – Crabs? Firecat Black – Just don’t do that in front of Firecat Red… Firecat Orange – I don’t think it was crabs. Firecat Red – What the hell is with this pan? (catching self, clearly lying) It’s cool! Firecat Orange – What is everyone doing for Presidents Day? I’m going to visit my gramdma and her clogged toilet. Firecat Clear – You should give the recipe and the last step should be “shake pan vigorously.” Firecat Orange – This is like a mess! It’s Not Just A Word Page 6 Firecat Blue- Here are some cupcakes, but they exploded in the pan which, embarrassingly, has my name engraved in it. They are kind of messed up. Firecat Orange – We should do a review of the movie “Hitch.” Firecat Magenta – You’re the only one who has seen it! Firecat Red – It looks awful… Firecat Blue – My great-grandma always baked a cherry pie – in honor of George Washington. Firecat Magenta – Are we seriously reviewing Presidents Day? Firecat Clear – Are you seriously going to unclog your Grandma’s toilet? Firecat Orange – No, we are going to go to the gym – you have to hold it… Firecat Black – I like Will Smith. Firecat Orange – He’s sexy. Firecat Blue – You know I cannot tell a lie - remember the cherry tree? Remembering Bill Kashersky Known by many for his sensitive photography, by others for his activism as a homeless advocate, by others for his carpentry skills, by yet others for his love of family, and by all for his generous spirit, Bill Kashersky passed on January 23 by his own hand. Bill became active in the struggle to end homelessness in the late seventies after he came through the Drop Inn Center. He was known as a very quiet person who spoke with a stutter, but he gained a voice through the camera, which he used to document the struggle for justice in Over-the-Rhine. Many will recall his Streetvibes presence at major events for justice at that time. In the nineties, Bill lived a different life with his wife Becky and a loving extended family. His nieces and nephews recall him as a fond uncle and his Mulberry Street neighbors recall him as a helpful friend. He continued to struggle with alcoholism to the end, however. At a memorial held Monday, February 7 at Nast Trinity United Methodist Church, it was his skill as a craftsman, his loving nature, and his many kindnesses that the neighbors, family members, and friends chose to remember. �A Letter to Mayor Luken Regarding Tasers indeed, could be, and so would tasers be also. The Black Fist warned Council that tasers would In December 2003, City be disproportionately used on Council paid $1 million of taxpayer African-Americans, thereby causing money to equip every police officer a further rift in police/community with a taser. As a rationale for this relations. I personally warned that, expenditure of public funds, Council without a proper use of force policy marketed this decision to the regarding tasers, we would all be community as a non-lethal means sitting in the same mess that lead to by which Police Officers would the implementation of tasers on the defend themselves in cases where force in the first place. they would otherwise use deadly Those warnings were in force. vain. For today we find ourselves Tasers were supposed to be in a situation where approximately an alternative to the force used 80% of police taser incidents during the Nate Jones arrest, force involve African-Americans. Many, that ultimately took Mr. Jones’life. if not all, taser incidents lack any Tasers, it would seem, would save threat of harm to the officers lives. Or at least, that’s how concerned or of anyone else within Councilman Crowley billed it in his the perimeter. The city faces statement to a Cincinnati Enquirer possible financial liability due to reporter on December 8, 2003 lawsuits that have been filed as a when he said, “I’m for anything result of police use of tasers. that’s reasonable that will give us Police are, obviously, no less options so that we don’t have to inclined to use deadly force (as use lethal force or even the kind of seen in this most recent case response that we saw on those involving Officer Orlando Smith and tapes at the White Castle … I think 19-year-old Devon Price), and, to the mayor’s right that we should make matters worse, it seems move as soon as we can. I think tasers are not so non-lethal after all. we should move to prevent any The fact is: the US Consumer more death while people are being Product Safety Commission has not arrested or in custody.” tested this product since the The Coalition for a Just 1970’s. Cincinnati warned Council that Recently a Grand Jury in tasers were not the solution to the Las Vegas ruled that tasers played a issue at hand. The CJC mentioned role in the February 2004 death of that the clubs used by police during William Lomax. Mr. Lomax was the Nate Jones incident weren’t zapped seven times in about ten themselves deadly weapons but minutes, and subsequently died of when wielded by uncaring, cardiac arrest. Less than four days irresponsible, racist police they, ago, 41-year-old Jeff Turner of by Amanda E. Mayes - Co-chair, Coalition for a Just Cincinnati Toledo was killed in a Lucas County jail minutes after having been tased a number of times by police. According to Amnesty International, at least 74 people have died in the U.S. and Canada in the past four years after being tased (sixteen of which were in the year 2003 alone), and human rights organizations around the nation, including the ACLU urge that taser use be severely restricted if not discontinued all together. Five states have banned the use of tasers for civilians as well as police (Michigan, Hawaii, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Massachusetts). Three cities have done the same (Washington D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis). There are still many cities that still welcome tasers. In these cities, not only has death resulted subsequent to taser use, but also tasers are frequently deployed against children and the elderly; the very populations most at risk for fatal injury. In Tucson, AZ public outcry began after police stunned a 9-year-old girl. In Kansas City, MO people were outraged at the tazing of a 66-year-old woman. More recently, a 75-year-old woman was tased by police in her South Carolina nursing home …. and so on and so on. People, I think it’s time that we take a serious look at our situation and do an in-depth analysis of what needs to occur in order to rectify our current problems and prevent possible future disasters from taking place. The system that we currently have is insufficient. Standing policies are inadequate and allow for too much discretion when it comes to police use of force. More specifically, current procedures regarding taser use are dangerous and irresponsible given the information that we have about the link between tasers and death. With all of the non-lethal options available to Cincinnati Police, tasers should be reserved only in place of a gun. Furthermore, policy should require that non-lethal force be the only option available to officers unless there is a clear and present deadly threat – rather than a perceived threat of danger. Moreover, city leaders need to be asking Chief Streicher why, after sacrificing $1 million dollars of the city budget toward the purchase of these tasers, are police unwilling to use them in the place of deadly force. It will not be until the proper changes are made that we will be able to honestly say that tragedies like the death of Roger Owensby, Nate Jones, Timothy Thomas, etc were not in vain but were, instead, a catalyst for change that would create a more just, more tolerant Cincinnati. Unless, you have resigned yourself to the idea that instances such as the shooting of 19-year-old Devon Price (in a case of mistaken identity) are acceptable, you must enforce change. Otherwise, prepare yourself for the fire next time. A focus on women’s issues by Kate McManus The performance was emotionally charged and empowering. Valentine’s Day is the commercial celebration of romantic Some monologues made me love. But at the University of Dayton laugh uncontrollably, others moved me to tears, and one in particular gave the weekend before Valentine’s Day me chills. and the week This is the following was a third annual celebration of women and a focus performance at the on women’s issues. University as a part of Women’s Week, On February 11, formerly known as 12, and 13, V Week. members of Studio Black and Theatre and SAFE and women at the pink were the University came colors of the night, Kate McManus with costumes, together to perform lighting and the the Vagina Black Box – where the performance Monologues by Eve Ensler, a took place – all fitting the scheme. collection of monologues based on interviews with women of all ages The University of Dayton’s from all walks of life. Monologues performance of the Vagina Monologues was amazing and raised range from hilarious to heart money and awareness for women’s wrenching. issues and agencies in Dayton. It is a The actors made the tradition I hope will continue for years monologues their own and put everything into their performances. to come. “Don “Don’’t Leave Home W ithout IIt...” t...” Streetvibes Page 7 �Congressional Hunger Center celebrates 10 years On Wednesday, February 9th, dignitaries, former Hunger Fellows and staff gathered at the US Botanic Garden in Washington DC for a reception to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Hunger Center (CHC). From the House Select Committee on Hunger founded in 1983, to the creation of the CHC and its fellowship programs in 1994, these projects have become a recognized platform for shaping and influencing current and future hunger leaders and social advocates in the US and around the world. The evening was dedicated to the Hunger Fellows, past and present, the founders and friends, advocates in Congress, and its board members, for having the persistence and insight to make the 10 year journey possible. The collective efforts, talent and work have positioned the CHC to be a true leader in the anti-hunger activist Tony Hall, Ambassador to the UN Agen­ community. At the reception, we cies for Food and Agriculture and coheard from the new U.S. founder of the CHC Secretary of Agriculture, the Honorable Michael Johanns. Three community servants who have dedicated their lives to the principles of the mission were honored: CHC Founder’s Award was presented to The Honorable Tony P. Hall, Ambassador to the UN Food Agencies in Rome; The Bill Emerson Lifetime National Hunger Leader Award to The Honorable Dan Glickman, President & CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) and former Secretary of Agriculture under the Clinton Administration; and The Mickey Leland Emerging International Hunger Leader Award to The Honorable Elizabeth Dole, US Senator (R-NC). Also honored were four founding CHC board members: Paul Carothers, Vice President Public Affairs, Kraft Foods, Inc.; Al Franken, actor, author and radio talk show host; David Kantor, Victory Wholesale Grocers; and Manly Molpus, President & CEO, Grocery Manufacturers of America. The Congressional Hunger Center (CHC) is a nonprofit antihunger training organization founded by former Rep. Tony Hall and located in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Rep. James P. Edinburgh to Host Homeless World Cup The Homeless World Cup, an international street soccer event, is coming to the UK for the first time in its short history. Hosted in Edinburgh from 20th-24th July in Princes Street Gardens, the event will see 32 countries participate in one of the world’s biggest socially inclusive events. Co-founder, Mel Young President of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) said “This is a unique event which has attracted significant media interest around the world in its short history. It has a genuine impact on people’s lives in what has become a global symbol of integration through sport. I am grateful to all our partners in this event – to the Scottish Executive, EventScotland, SportScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council for hosting the 2005 Homeless World Cup. The United Nations has also pledged its support in recognition of the important part the Homeless World Cup plays in the lives of the disenfranchised. The event also attracts support from UEFA and a number of large football clubs including Manchester United and Real Madrid. He added “There is much excitement amongst participating countries about coming to Edinburgh. Nations such as Brazil, Cameroon, Ukraine, South Africa, Japan, France this year.” Page 8 The World Cup is an international street soccer event that highlights the positive power of sport by creating a unique setting for homeless people and people in poverty. The concept was developed in 2001 by the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), which works on practical solutions for homelessness and poverty. Founded in 1995 the INSP today provides more than 60 street papers worldwide with a high profile networking opportunity through its headquarters in Glasgow. Streetvibes is a member of the INSP. In providing excluded people with access to soccer, the Homeless World Cup generates a new social impact for a marginalized target group. The feeling of belonging, challenge of working in a team, the process of regaining a health oriented attitude in life and last but not least the experience of nothing but just fun. Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said “The Scottish Executive is delighted to support this event. I would like to congratulate The International Network of Street Papers for establishing the Homeless World Cup and bringing the tournament to Edinburgh this year. “The social impact of an event such as this is clear and the Homeless World Cup has a strong positive impact on participants. It is also an ideal opportunity to raise awareness and challenge perceptions about what homeless people can achieve. “Sporting activity of all kinds provides ways in which we can engage with others and improve our physical and mental health and well-being. I hope this year’s event will help the players to regain lost confidence, build self-esteem and find sustainable solutions to the problems they face. “Scotland’s renowned place as a host of international events and our progressive approach to homelessness makes Edinburgh an ideal location for the international interest I know there will be in this event. I wish the organizers and all participants every success for July.” This is the third Homeless World Cup - the first tournament was launched in Graz, Austria, in July Streetvibes McGovern (D-MA) are the co-chairs of our Board of Directors and exemplify the bipartisan approach to ending hunger. The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program is a year­ long leadership development program that trains emerging leaders in the fight against hunger in the U.S. The Bill Emerson Fellows are a living tribute to the late Rep. Bill Emerson, who devoted his energies to assisting the poor and needy. The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program sends talented U.S. citizens to work alongside hungry people in the world’s poorest countries. The program is a memorial to the late Rep. Mickey Leland who led the fight against hunger in the U.S. Congress, and lost his life in Ethiopia on a famine relief mission. Streetvibes Editor and Former Hunger Fellow Jimmy Heath sidles up to CHC board mem­ ber Al Franken 2003. Backed by the patronage of the UN and UEFA the event was organized in co-operation with Graz03 Cultural Capital of Europe. The 2004 event in Gothenburg, Sweden attracted 26 teams and over 40,000 spectators during the tournament. 130 journalists from around the world were accredited, including 35 TV stations and over 600 articles were printed. Councillor Ricky Henderson, Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure for the City of Edinburgh Council said, “Edinburgh has a great reputation for hosting international events and the 2005 Homeless World Cup is coming to Scotland’s capital knowing they can expect a warm welcome. The event will bring benefits to the city through tourism and will be a fantastic spectator occasion. We’re looking forward to a memorable and successful tournament for everyone who comes to watch and take part.” David Williams, Chief Executive of EventScotland added; “EventScotland is delighted to be part of the strong partnership developed to secure this event for Edinburgh. The unique nature of the event, along with the spectacular setting of Princes Street Gardens, provides an excellent opportunity to generate national and international profile and EventScotland is pleased to be supporting this key element of the event.” �The Dismantling of Health Care Safety Net through because the open window of enrollment had already closed. She was already discouraged because her attempt to get on the program had failed the year before. She had 94 million adults in America showed us a letter of DMA denial have no health insurance. In April, that number will rise even higher. The dated Feb. 1, 2003. Later we learned that after Ohio Empowerment Coalition she had initially been denied DMA in has just learned that Governor Taft plans to completely eliminate February 2003, her health had the Disability Medical Assistance worsened. In April 2003 she had a (DMA) program in Ohio to “save stroke that resulted in an emergency room stay. After that she was in poor money,” starting April 1, 2005. health and was unable to go back to He is not even waiting for the state working. She went on public legislature to weigh in on this assistance (Ohio Works First) and termination. It appears the priority finally received Medicaid. However, for his administration is to save money without regard to saving lives, once her son turned eighteen, she was no longer eligible for cash the lives of very low-income people assistance and the accompanying in Ohio.. Medicaid. Even though her health The DMA program is a safety net of health care for very low- was poor, Saundra went back to applying for Temporary Service jobs. income, medication dependent She would often come to Contact Ohioans who somehow survive on Center and make calls seeking work, only $115 or less in income per in between making calls for the month. They have no dependent Welfare Rights Coalition. children living with them. Their She did not look ill. Saundra children may be grown or they may be childless. Because their income is was not the usual looking “suspect” so low, many of these individuals are for high blood pressure. She was very calm, quiet and mild- mannered. living in homeless shelters. The For the last year Cassandra at medication they are dependent on makes the difference in whether they Contact Center had been helping Saundra with her SSI claim. Finally are able to keep chronic health on August 15, 2004, Saundra conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, under control and be received word that she had won her claim to SSI and Medicaid. She was seen under a doctor’s care. Their very happy about this. Sadly it was health care needs include life-saving too late. We did not realize then that medication. Oftentimes DMA is a her blood pressure was already transition phase while an individual’s skyrocketing & out of control. She SSI claim is processed. Because of the stringency of SSI determination, it said she was having trouble with her may take several years for a claim to vision and needed glasses. We were working with her to get eyeglasses, go through, after being appealed several times. Once SSI is approved, not realizing that a stroke was imminent. the recipient is approved for In late October we received Medicaid. DMA is a state-funded a call from her son at the emergency health program. Medicaid is both room that she was in a coma from a federal and state. stroke. The hospital transferred her Saundra is one person who to Drake Hospital for recovery. She fell through the cracks between waiting for an SSI determination and stayed in a coma. A few days later she had another stroke and was sent trying to get help through the DMA back to University Hospital where program to receive much needed she died. We were appalled at how medication to control hypertension. Saundra died on November fast the tragedy unfolded. Saundra was a wonderful person and she is 12, 2004 at the age of 55. She was greatly missed at the Contact Center. a regular volunteer at the Contact Although Saundra fell through Center, very dependable, and it the cracks and was not able to shocked us to learn of her death. When she was not working at actually receive DMA because of the limited enrollment window for this temporary job agencies, she was program, her story tragically points either in church or at the Contact out the crucial need for this health Center. care program to be saved in Ohio Saundra volunteered with us and adequately funded to save the for at least a year before her death. lives of indigent individuals who are She spoke of her need to get medication dependent. medication to control her high blood If Taft’s plan to ax this pressure. She lacked health program is carried out, many more insurance or Medicaid to cover her medication. The temporary jobs did lives of human beings will be on the line. The Ohio Empowerment not provide health insurance, so she Coalition, along with the Family did without. We encouraged her to apply for DMA and helped her apply. Coverage Coalition, is committed to fighting back and saving this program. Somehow her application did not go by Lynn Williams Ohio Empowerment Coalition, West Ohio Organizer Human lives are at stake. Saundra, who accompanied us on many actions to fight for Medicaid coverage, would have been fighting at the forefront on this battle. She will still be with us to fight on in spirit! We urge you to call Governor Taft to express your displeasure at his plan to eliminate DMA. Call the Governor at 614­ 466-3555. Write: Governor Bob Taft, Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High St., 30th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215-6117. If enough displeased citizens call and write letters to him, surely he will find other ways to save the state money besides throwing indigent human beings off their life-saving medications. For more information on upcoming Ohio Empowerment Coalition events or for more information call 1-877-862-5179. There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. Mother Teresa Heartfelt positive feelings create far more than a healthy psychological effect. They fortify our internal energy systems and nourish the body right down to the cellular level. For that reason, we like to think of these emotions as “quantum nutrients.” Doc Childre and Howard Martin, The HeartMath Solution If your thoughts are thoughts that draw low-frequency energy current to you, your physical and emotional attitudes will deteriorate, and emotional or physical disease will follow, whereas thoughts that draw high-frequency energy current to you create physical and emotional health. Gary Zukav (as quoted in HeartMath Discovery Program) Got The Vibe? This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors. To order, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803 Streetvibes Page 9 �The Peace Village by Steve Sunderland I realize that these experiences may qualify me as a grief educator even though I have never faced anything similar to what has happened in Indonesia. Over 228,000 people have perished and a substantial number are still missing. In Banda Aceh province, the place of the epicenter of the earthquake, the following conditions prevail according to reports form the US Indonesian society: “Rebuilding Aceh’s education system is urgent. The Thanks to a grant to the Ohio University program In Asian Studies from the U.S. State Department, I will be joining a team heading to Indonesia in March for 10 days, starting 3/14. I will be meeting with many of the visitors from Indonesia that I did workshops on peaceful mediation over the past year plus some old friends from the Peace Village in Cincinnati. Rick Kraince, Peace Villager and professor from Ohio University’s South Asian program will be heading the trip. The stories coming out of Dr. Steve Sunderland Indonesia are chilling. Children left without Indonesian Embassy reports that 914 parents in large numbers, especially primary schools, 155 middle schools, very young ones. Elders left without 67 high schools, and 15 vocational any family. Food, water and medical schools were destroyed. treatment still vitally needed. The work that may need to be done right Approximately 30,000 students and 1,140 teachers have died or are now is to work with teachers and missing.” What is the competence other professionals who are coping needed to comprehend this state of with massive grief on the part of children and families. I have worked disaster? And, the relief effort is in co-founding a grief center for massive as well. Billions of dollars, children and their families in aid from so many countries pouring Cincinnati, Fernside, and have into Indonesia, and U.S. armed cooperated in helping to set up support groups for grieving parents in services providing thousands of pounds of food, and water and Cincinnati and nationally, Parents of medical treatment, saving thousands Murdered Children and The of lives each day. (At our tsunami Compassionate Friends. relief conference last month, we heard a stirring talk by Lt. Col. John Miller, USAF, and a faculty member at the University of Cincinnati, giving some general idea of the vital resources being provided on a daily basis. I hope to print a copy of his remarks in a future newsletter to provide all of us with greater knowledge of just how extensive our relief efforts, via the military, have been. And, they are continuing.) I hope to bring many puppets for the orphaned children, posters created by schoolchildren in Cincinnati’s Peace Village schools, and grief literature, hopefully translated into Indonesian in time The major work of grieving will take place within the Indonesian culture. I will consult with Indonesian students and others on the kinds of assistance young and older people might need at this time and in a few months. Of course grief is different across cultures, with different age groups, by gender, and by type of death. I have worked in schools where one child has been killed and seen the amazing emotional devastation such an event can have on children and teachers. When the number grows to hundreds and thousands, in a school and a region, I suspect that other dynamics are working. Your ideas for what might work in helping in the grief support area will be appreciated. It is clear that a support group for those going over will be helpful and a group to reflect on our experience when we return. The first impressions will be very difficult and my anticipation will be keyed to what I am learning right now. Where will children and helping professionals be by mid-March? I am gathering together some books and articles to send over as well as thinking of having some of these translated in to Indonesian. Since a lot of my grief work has been with puppets, I would like to bring puppets that can be used to help communicate. Indonesia has a great history of puppetry and some historians feel that puppetry started in Indonesia before recorded time. More exploration with puppet groups and the puppet organization will occur before I go. The tsunami shock wave has moved the Peace Village to reveal the compassionate action with our many schools, young people, teachers, staff and educators. Raising money from the sale of thousands of bracelets for relief, like collecting cans for the homeless at the Free Store/Food Bank, puts some of the event in perspective. Moving to sharing feelings through posters, cards, and perhaps videos, increases involvement and permits the touching of a human soul and life. Are there other ways you would like to creatively connect? Dr. Steve Sunderland, professor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati, is the Director of The Peace Village, a group of individuals from the national and interna­ tional community committed to examining all issues of Peace in the world. Dr. Sunderland also heads up Posters-for-Peace which en­ gages people in expressing their visions of Peace, in their own words, through the cre­ ation of posters. Surfing is latest weapon in war against South African homelessness by Cathryn Scott Homeless street children in South Africa are being helped to find accommodation – through surfing. A unique project in Durban uses the sport to interact with the children and to encourage them either to return to their homes or to find other ways of addressing their situations. The surfing scheme is an offshoot of the Umthombo Research And Action project in Durban, which works with street children and is run voluntarily by Enoch, a former street child, who rebuilt his life after finding that surfing gave him something to focus on. Now, a Swansea-based woman is raising money to buy beginner boards for the children to learn on so that they will no longer have to rely on borrowed boards. Rachel Bell, who teaches surfing at Llangennith beach on the Gower, says her ultimate aim is to establish a surf school, where money made giving lessons to tourists would be Page 10 used to give free lessons to the children. Bell, who is travelling to Durban this week to work there voluntarily for four months, said: “Although the surfing project is a small part of the work that they do, it is what attracted me initially. “There are shelters there but they are not really finding the kids, and the kids don’t always know the shelters are there, so this is a good way of meeting kids and getting them to a point where they can engage with adults.” She added that the increasing number of children being orphaned by AIDS, and the resultant breakdown in family networks, had led to an increase in the number of street children. She said: “To survive they get involved in crime. There’s a lot of child prostitution, and glue sniffing is the favourite drug in the area to abuse.” She added: “The police want to get rid of them, they want them off the streets so they don’t always deal with them in a way that is constructive to the children.” She explained that surfing could help the children in several different ways. “They have very little structured activity or structured interaction with adults, so it is a way of adults building trust. It gets rid of excess energy, helps them to relax and is a good way to be chilled and of forgetting what goes on in their everyday lives. It’s also good for selfesteem because they feel good about themselves, that they have learnt a new skill.” She said that initial work with street children in the area had found that many of them wanted to go home but didn’t know how. She said: “Some of them had a mother or something that they wanted to go back to, but they literally didn’t know how to get there, or they don’t have a phone number. “It’s amazing how they get into these situations, but with a couple of hours’ work you can sort it out for good. Taking an interest in individual Streetvibes kids and listening and finding out their different stories can make a difference.” Reprinted from The Big Issue Cymru, February 2005. ©Street News Service: www.street­ papers.org “To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feelthe breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds that have swept up and down the surf lines of the continents for untold thousands of year, to see the running of the old eels and the young shad to the sea, is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.” “Patience permits us to cling to our faith in the Lord when we are tossed about by suffering as if by surf. When the undertow grasps us we will realize that we are somehow being carried forward even as we tumble. We are actually being ­ helped even as we cry for help.” �What Progressives Should Do by Eric Weltman & Paul Lachelier In the election’s aftermath, progressives are experiencing a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, and despair. Undoubtedly, some are already applying for Canadian work visas. But there are a few reasons why progressives should be hopeful. Even as we face another four years of President Bush, tremendous political shifts can occur. During the 1950s— amidst the repression of McCarthyism—who knew that liberalism, free expression, and protest would flower in the coming decade? Of course, the Bush Administration will continue its pernicious course, but progressives can build compelling alternatives now. Many of the political decisions that affect our lives are made by state and local governments, where progressives can more easily win office, influence decision-makers, and affect public policy. The causes for which we stand—economic justice, human rights, and ecology among them—are too important. For those without health care, for those toiling for poverty wages, for our children who will inherit the earth, we cannot give up. Regardless of our political goals, the work itself provides rewards. Activism nurtures knowledge, connections, good health, and civic skills. For these reasons we propose five directions for progressive action: 1. Increase understanding and awareness of how social change is made. The history of progressive movements offers a wealth of ideas and inspiration. Other academic disciplines, like sociology and communications, can help us build powerful progressive movements. Unfortunately, too much useful research largely circulates within narrow academic circles. Progressives should build bridges with universities to establish regular dialogues, gain access to research, and engage more teachers and students in their work. 2. Make our organizations more effective. Too many progressive organizations struggle with clunky databases, poorly managed stuff, too few volunteers, or lack of money. Accordingly, progressive groups should seek more people with specific skills or experience in non-profit management, law, fundraising, and information technology. Plenty of people who work for for-profit and government entities would be willing to lend their services part-time and pro-bono to causes in which they believe. 3. Substantially increase our investment in organizing. Progressives need to spend much more time knocking on doors and less time mobilizing the same crowds for rallies in Washington and New York. We need to bring democracy to people where they are—at their homes, workplaces, malls, churches, and supermarkets. This means hiring more organizers, and keeping them in the movement by providing proper training, salaries, and sane work schedules. 4. With Republicans controlling Washington, we should make left-leaning states and cities showcases for progressive policies. States have the resources and ability to offer universal health care, require living wages, and provide a good public education to all children. To help accomplish this, progressives should focus national resources on targeted states, and nurture networks for sharing model policies and effective strategies for instituting these policies. 5. Improve fundraising. To help make these suggestions possible, we need to raise the financial commitment from progressives of all incomes, not just the wealthiest. Some Americans tithe, giving a percentage of their income to their churches, a concept progressive groups should promote to their most committed supporters. One of the most effective ways to make giving Streetvibes easy and habitual is through “sustainership,” whereby supporters automatically donate a fixed amount on a monthly basis. Progressives can lay the groundwork for building a movement, increasing our organizational capacity, and achieving the progressive promise, showing the nation that it’s a worthy aspiration. Eric is a New York-based writer and activist. Paul is a Ph.D. candidate in political sociology in Somerville. Comments welcome: Eric@EricWeltman.com. Reprinted from Whats Up, Boston, MA, January 2005. Page 11 �Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes.... 1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes. 2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 30 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers. 3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors. 4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes. 5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect. 6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence. 7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door. 8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor. that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general. 9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend. 11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand. The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada. Streetvibes Vendor: 70 cents Printing and Production: 30 cents Page 12 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs. Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness. On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers. On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati. Streetvibes is a member of the: The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people. Where Your Dollar Goes... The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support. Streetvibes We were so poor my daddy unplugged the clocks when we went to bed. — Chris Rock My father was a simple man. My mother was a simple woman. You see the result standing in front of you, a simpleton. — Chic Murray I have a punishing workout regimen. Every day I do 3 minutes on a treadmill, then I lie down, drink a glass of vodka and smoke a cigarette. — Anthony Hopkins �Political Fictions by Kody Akhavi On January 29, a Palestinian postal worker boarded a public bus in Jerusalem and detonated an explosive, killing 11 civilians and wounding many more. The bomb, strapped to his person, was packed with metal shards and nails to maximize the damage. The contained force of the backpack bomb ripped through the interior. The back of the bus was hollowed out as if a massive bullet had shot through it. The seats were bent into a twisted mass of metal. The force of the bomb projected backwards and blasted off half of the roof. I stood in front of Cambridge City Hall several months later and looked at the gutted remains of Bus 19. A man, sitting on an adjacent park bench, approached me and said, “This is what we Israelis have to deal with everyday.” He said he was in front of City Hall to protect the bus from Arabs that planned to vandalize the icon. I imagined a barbarian horde brandishing swords and thick beards descending on Massachusetts Avenue. “All the Arabs?” I asked. He got the point and said, “Extremist groups.” But the implicit meaning of his statement shook me. The American media is awash with images of Arab atrocity. In early November, The New York Times published a photo of several masked Palestinian youths brandishing toy guns and knives; the headline above mentioned the recent death of nationalist leader Yassir Arafat. In Tehran, chants of “Death to America” accompanied the 25th anniversary of the Iranian-hostage crisis. In Cambridge, a man picked up a newspaper that displayed an image of a bombed out bus and said to me, “Can you believe this? The Quran says that it’s okay to kill people and cut their heads off.” Do the remains of Bus 19 represent all the atrocities committed on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict? Does the Palestinian bomber represent every Palestinian? Does he represent every political group in Palestine? Maybe he represents Fatah, or the PLO, or Hamas (which incidentally was once funded by the Israeli government to combat the PLO). Does he represent every Arab? Is every Arab a Muslim? An image can’t ever provide the entire truth, a satisfying answer to any of these questions. But our belief that they do, and the skillful use or nonuse of images by powerful groups, keeps us thinking that we know all we need. And our understanding of the world keeps getting flattened out in the process. Let’s be honest; many of the images from the Middle East, particularly those dealing with the wars and conflict, are works of political fiction. A recent estimate of the current death toll in Iraq indicated that close to 100,000 Iraqis had died since combat operations began. But you won’t see any indication of the dirty reality of war on television. Instead, you’ll be treated to a Hollywood bonanza, consisting of the newest and most entertaining technology that the American military machine has to offer. You will quell any inclination to question what those swooping jets are actually shooting down; that they may be grinding the opposition and civilians into flesh and bone. How does the government espouse legitimacy for the military adventures upon which they embark? It is expected that the elites of this country would engage in an airtight plan to balk the public’s temptation for the “raw story.” But advanced technology provides the illusion of instant (and therefore uncensored) images and commentary from relevant locations around the world. What is not seen by the viewer, and noticed just as rarely by the reader, is the extensive preparation for a newscast and the background work that goes into any printed story. With “embedded” journalists getting all their info through a military filter, the loser in this scenario is the public. The reality is that the majority of our media outlets engage regulate information, using various tricks in order to create an image of an issue that is most favorable to the receiver. Most journalism is focused less on truth than “logical fallacy,” an error in logical argument which is independent of the truth of the premises. Utilizing the World Trade Center attacks and the “war on terror” as a justification for invading Iraq, and thereby perpetuating more terrorist activity, defies logic. And that’s just one example. Recognizing fallacies in practical arguments can be difficult since these arguments are often structured to obscure the logical connections between assertions. Fallacies also exploit the emotional, intellectual, or psychological weaknesses of the reader. By demonizing the opposition, as the conservative right does to “liberals,” as Osama Bin Laden does to “infidels,” or as George Bush, Jr. does to “freedom haters,” powerful entities can more effectively and more easily achieve their ends. Because images seem to be irrevocably true, they can bolster any argument, however asinine. Today’s war photography is very tame, almost clean. Past images put it in perspective. In a famous Nick Ut photograph, a naked Vietnamese girl runs down a dirt road crying, her village decimated by an American napalm bomb. In the background, American GIs share cigarettes and walk casually, with no regard to the obliterated space behind them. This is an unedited, un­ mediated image that spurred protest and public disapproval of the Vietnam War.Although military pundits accused the media of costing them a war they could have easily won, in that case, the media followed public opinion rather than leading it. Americans witnessed firsthand the blistering images of a miserable, violent, and controversial war, and decided that they didn’t want anything to do with it. It is not a surprise then, that during the first Gulf War, George Bush, Sr.’s administration censored photos of dead American soldiers returning home. Instead of publicly honoring them for their service, the president sought to diminish the impact of the loss of American lives. Perhaps the most memorable image of Bush Jr.’s invasion of Iraq came on the day that American tanks rolled into Baghdad. The cropped image of a statue of Saddam Hussein being destroyed in Fardus Square, to the delight of cheering Iraqis, was broadcast around the world as proof of a massive Iraqi uprising. The original photos from news wires reveal a long-shot view of the square. It’s empty save for the U.S. marines, the international press, and a small handful of civilians. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, most of the combat images came directly from military sources. If not for the public’s exposure to the Abu Ghraib prison photos, which clearly showed members of the American military abusing Iraqi captives, public disapproval might have remained at a controllable level. In Palestine, managing the media gets a low priority when faced with humanitarian demands from a population that needs health care, education, and replacement housing among other things. And we don’t see Palestinians as people anymore; only those barbarian hordes who oppose all peace. Without images that reveal their perspective on the ongoing war and occupation, the Western public is left with only Bus 19s. Kody studies economics and international relations, and usually writes about crappy racist policies and practices of local government for Whats Up. Reprinted from Whats Up, Boston, MA, January 2005. Car Crash Actual statements from insurance claim forms “A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.” U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote United States officials were surprised and heartened last month at the size of turnout in South Vietnam’s presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 per cent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong. A successful election has long been seen as the keystone in President Johnson’s policy of encouraging the growth of constitutional processes in South Vietnam. The election was the culmination of a constitutional development that began in January, 1966, to which President Johnson gave his personal commitment when he met Premier Ky and General Thieu, the chief of state, in Honolulu in February. The purpose of the voting was to give legitimacy to the Saigon Government, which has been founded only on coups and power plays since November, 1963, when President Ngo Dinh Deim was overthrown by a military junta. “I had been learning to drive with power steering. I turned the wheel to what I thought was enough and found myself in a different direction going the opposite way.” “Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.” “I thought my window was down; but found it was up when I put my hand through it.” “No one was to blame for the accident, but it never would have happened if the other driver had been alert.” “The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him.” “I saw the slow-moving, sad-faced old gentleman as he bounced off the hood of my car.” Streetvibes Page 13 �Elegy: Bill Kashersky SNAKE This silent carpenter laid down his hammer at the last, the final nail made fast. Untitled The whisper of his saw is mute. His level and his square now measure no more care. by Reggie Grissom United States of America On solid rock it was found Taking land from the Indians Beating our people down So little left, no way to read the blueprint of his pain. Only shavings from a plane, United States of America The land of the free Wearing shackles and chains Some of you can’t see some chipped and splintered memories, the blue dust from his chalk to tell the true graph of his hell. Through sawdust and shavings of a lumbered life cut short, we sift for something of a gift. We know the plumb-line truth is that he loved – the house he framed will stand. His wounded name will live in love, for of such gifting carpentry, my friend, there is no end; there is no end. February, 2005 Michael Henson United States of America Home of the Braves Smuggling drugs in Turning people into slaves Heroin and crack Just to name a few Electing the right person One thing we must do Let me tell you about this girl named Sweet and Petite From heavens above you would think She is a precious gift. But in reality, she makes me sick. See, in her mind, she says she’s a witch. But down on earth we know her as a trick. Like fire and thunder, she often makes em wonder. You know, like Stevie Wonder Calling herself Queen Bee But in reality she lied to me. She’s the devil’s child, running wild makes herself an angel to light You know, smooth, like Dolomite. But it’s out of date, she’s always late Or, her name might be Gail, she’ll put You in living hell. Post with no bail. She’s too fat, she might break her back. Thinks she goes lovey-dovey, she’ a tell-o-tubby. She’ll cut you up with her eyes. You got a date with cake and can’t be late. No, in reality, she’s just a snake. Thinking that her heart is made of steel. That girl needs to chill before somebody breaks her grill. She’s bad for your health. Get that poison off your chest and leave her to rest. He wears a shirt and tie Smiles in your face Lying to the people The entire human race These are some things That go thru my head Not consciously thinking While lying in bed. Bring Our Children Home Fear by Vera Zlatkin I fear the unknown and I also fear the known. Why is that? I say. Is it because I never followed through to see what it could be? Or is it that I’m so comfortable with just being me? Whatever it is, I know I have to change, because I’m getting no younger and I’m tired of things being the same. So until I make that full circle change, I guess I will have to just remain being the same. Re’Becca Eans 2.3.2005 I’m Thankful by Robert Manassa Thank you for two eyes to see Thank you for setting me free Thank for the victory For all of this I’m thankful Thank you for the sunshine and the rain Thank you for easing my pain Thank you for everything For all of this I’m thankful Thank you for two ears to hear Thank you for erasing my fear Thank you for always being so near For all of this I’m truly thankful Page 14 Streetvibes Someone’s heart is broken, Another daughter dies. Somebody’s father won’t come home; Somewhere a family cries. Five hundred now and counting. Today – eleven more. How many people have to die Before we end this war? Strangers in a distant land, Our children kill and die Learning hoe to hate and fear, Never knowing why. Six hundred soon will be the toll; The wounded- many more. And the number of Iraqi’s killed Is someone keeping score? A soldier draws his final breath, With comrades standing by. Along a road a bomb explodes And seven people die. One expert says, “at least three years”; Another, “nearly ten”. How long? My God, How Long! Before We bring them home again? �The Lonely Man by Reggie Grissom Elephant at the Zoo Saying to myself, I’m all alone, Thinking about the things, That I’ve done wrong. I think in my head of what I would like to be. If I was in the zoo that would be cool. Freezing cold from the night before, Looking through the holes, On the rotted door Tired and hungry I drop to my knees Covering up the holes, So I won’t freeze. I would be an elephant because they’re so big and strong. I know that nothing could go wrong. I would let the children ride on me and hope they don’t get any bruises or cuts. And afterwards they could feed me lots of peanuts. I would blow water from my trunk way in the air, and see how wet I could get their hair. I would make my elephant noise so that I would sound like one of those toys. If I was an elephant at the zoo, boy oh boy, that would be cool. Crawling on the floor, For something to eat, Not able to stand, With sores on my feet. Re’Becca Eans 2.3.2005 Going through life, Feeling these pains, “Praying to God” Before I go insane. Remembering Me at Sixteen The Meanest Thing Lawrnetta Cain 10.14.04 When I was sixteen, I didn’t do drugs, and was fresh and clean. In fact I hadn’t had sex or much of anything. Today it’s just a memory of how it used to be. Oh how I wish I was that innocent girl at the age of sweet sixteen. I want to be the meanest animal in the zoo. Out in the wild where I can run free and give people the meanest look that look at me. Make them afraid and glad that they’re not out there with me so I can eat them up: by Kevin C. McHugh yum yum smack smack I’ll eat up your flesh and spit the bones back. Lawrnetta Cain 2.3.2005 Reflections on an Image of Judith Holding a Severed Head in the Taft Museum of Art By him being 240 pounds and she was only 105 pounds, she felt he was abusing her. Maybe it had happened before. So she felt to shoot him would be the only way to stop the abuse. I had a man. He done drugs. He weighed 230, 6’4’. He used to slap me around, choke me and try to cut my throat. I only called the police to get away from him. That stopped the abuse with me. Lawrnetta Cain 10.21.04 While the novelty of the moment is what prompted me to shoot (pardon my use of the word) these critters, thinking about their reasons for their “raiding” the bird feeder just caused me to realize how hard it is for some of “us” (defined as broadly as possible – including these “critters”) just to survive. The snow and cold had driven them from the woods to look for a handout (as it were). The world can be very cold – to state the obvious. And there I was, sitting inside, nice and warm, not worrying about my next meal . . . pretty damned lucky. Streetvibes Page 15 �TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643 TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256 TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643 HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797 Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446 Need Help or Want to Help? If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below. SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335 357-4602 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth) Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services. The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 381-4242 241-2563 Contact Center Emanuel Center Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis. Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect Homeless Kids 357-5720 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259 MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673 $1 Donation March 2005 STREETVIBES BUY FROM BADGED VENDORS ONLY Cover Story Controversy Develops in Empty Lot Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2005 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource March 25 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Vacant Lot Development Could Help the Homeless Pg 2: What’s Really Going On? Michael Stoops Appointed Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless Pg 3: Homeless News Digest Pg 4: Vendors Pg 5: How to Really Help the Homeless The opportunity for All Campaign Pg 6: It’s Not Just a Word Pg 7: A Letter to Mayor Luken Regarding Tasers A Focus on Women’s Issues Pg 8: Congressional Hunger Center Celebrates 10 Years Edinburgh to Host Homeless World Cup Pg 9: The Dismantling of Health Care Safety Net Pg 10: The Peace Village Pg 11: What Progressives Should Do Pg 12: Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and Streetvibes… Pg 13: Political Fictions Pg 14: Arts & Poetry Pg 15: Arts & Poetry Continued Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Streetvibes Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 15 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Georgine Getty Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Rachel Lawson Kate McManus Mary Gaffney Jimmy Heath Kevin C. McHugh Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alison Leeuw Andy Erickson Bill Kashersky campaign Congressional Hunger Center Edinburgh Georgine Getty health care Homeless News Digest Homeless World Cup Jimmy Heath Kate McManus Kevin C. McHugh Mary Gaffney Mayor Luken Michael Stoops National Coalition for the Homeless Peace Village politics Rachel Lawson South African Surfing U.S. Vietnam Women’s Issues