1 10 7 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/637af0aeeb4befb4129a43117a09f15f.pdf be97597a9a3be49634f3cfc2ba4e2547 PDF Text Text December 18th - December 31st 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 26 (No. 319) advocating justice | Building community Hollywood filmmakers turn the spotlight on world’s homelessness crisis | 7 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Last Community Forums of 2015 | 3 Prince William: “Ending youth homelessness is achievable” | 9 Student Reflections of OTR | 6 Roll Up Your Sleeves: Volunteering at the Coalition | 5 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL We Are People JOSH SPRING Executive Director O n December 9th we had our Annual Dinner and Award Ceremony. Lots of people and organizations came out, for which we are very thankful. This dinner is quite important to us. We do not receive government funds and therefore we completely rely on the people who have passion for our mission. The dinner raises some of the funds to fund our mission. The dinner, however is very special to us. It is special because it is an opportunity for our member-organizations, donors and supporters to come, commune together, reflect, relax and have some fun. Being a part of this Homeless Coalition is wonderful. I am really thankful to look out over the large crowd and not only know that the individuals and organizations represented are our sup- porters, but to also know that they are our Coalition; not only that but the people that could not be present and the many people that our member-organizations serve collectively are our Coalition. We exist because many, many people share the same mission: eradicating and preventing Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 homelessness in Greater Cincinnati. I started thinking about the numbers of people our Homeless Coalition represents. Collectively, our member-organizations have several thousand employees, when you add in the many different people our members work within a year the number reaches close to 100,000 people. As we enter the New Year, we have big plans and we hope that you will be involved in them. Thank you! ------------------------ Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Curtis Scribner describing A Place at the Table Photo: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson, Dante Williams Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Dr. Mark Mussman, Christopher Wilkey, Marla Mackey, Aaron Hatfield, Peter Enzweiler, Emily Dones, Valeria Degutis, Kensey Harman, Jessica Willis, Erin Myers, Jason Haap, Carolyn Park, Steve Sunderland, Wayne Stump, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Justin Jeffre, Dr. Mark Mussman, google images, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Party on the dance floor at the Homeless Coalition’s Annual Dinner Photo: Justin Jeffre THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �3 LOCAL Last Community Forums of 2015 Focus on Investing In Neighborhoods and Addressing Mass Incarceration No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 BILL WOODS Contributing Writer C an a neighborhood economy comprised of locally based businesses serve as a healthy alternative to our global economy dominated by huge corporations? At the Community Issues Forum on November 19th, Kevin Jones, Co-Founder of Social Capital Markets, made the case for investing in local enterprises concerned about building community as well as making a profit. Fresh from coordinating and addressing a two day “Neighborhood Economics Conference” at Xavier University, Jones talked about some neighborhood business ventures already underway in other cities as well as several potential projects in Cincinnati. Founded in California in 2008, Social Capital Markets is “a network of heart-centered investors, entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders who believe in an inclusive and socially responsible economy to address the world’s toughest challenges.” “Its founders,” noted Jones, “saw that current financial institutions and venture capitalists were geared to making loans and investments purely based on the criteria of monetary success. They launched SOCAP to create an investment environment that aimed to support socially responsible enterprises that thought beyond their bottom lines. SOCAP-leaders, declared Jones, began to recognize that our often neglected and declining urban neighborhoods offer good places to build this alternative economy. Jones provided examples of how alternative models are emerging in neighborhoods and how people can become involved in this movement. Nearby Louisville, Kentucky is currently a city where SOCAP has invested in several businesses aimed at reviving low-income neighborhoods. “Cincinnati,” he advised, “is a new place where SOCAP will coordinate some small grants that will assist small neighborhood enterprises to launch startups.” Jones described the process of finding local people to help discover potentially successful new enterprises and to assist SOCAP in grant making. Xavier University will house the small grant making operation known as “the Accelerator,” while the city already has “a Community Quarterback” in place who is charged with finding likely candidates for receiving grants. A startup grant is usually $5000 in size. The last Community Forum on December 10th focused on mass incarceration in the U.S. and Ohio. David Singleton, Executive Director of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, addressed the harmful consequences resulting from the huge incarceration growth that has taken place in this state and the rest of the country. He also acknowledged some recent momentum to reform the legal pro- percentage of African-Americans who comprise our inmate-population. In Ohio, African-Americans currently constitute nearly fifty percent of the total. Singleton acknowledged that racism or “an implicit bias” was one factor at work that helped to generate this percentage. In an ongoing dialogue with Forum attendees, he discussed a number of other factors involved in both the total number of inmates and the very high percentage of AfricanAmericans. Putting people in prison ban courts, and Singleton declares that ill-advised poor black clients often get talked into agreeing to plea bargains that send them to prison for long terms. “Plea bargaining,” he said, “is a huge ill.” Our entire criminal justice system, noted Singleton, is badly in need of reform, and the huge incarceration rate is integrally tied to a system that isn’t working very well in terms of providing justice. Prince Brown speaking in a forum led by David Singleton Photo: Justin Jeffre cess that has led us to this situation. Singleton depicted our staggering incarceration statistics. In the U.S, that leads the world in terms of the percentage of people incarcerated, the number of prison inmates grew from 62,388 in 1982 to 2.4-million today. During this same time frame, Ohio’s number expanded from 13,256 to 50,600. Besides the overall number of people sent to prison in the U.S. and Ohio, Singleton pointed to the high Kevin Jones speaking at the community forum Photo: Justin Jeffre for non-violent crimes especially related to drugs accounts for a huge rise in the numbers. Related to this reason is the practice of mandatory sentencing that emerged since the 1980s. During this period, he explained, an attitude of “get tough on crime through punishment” prevailed in our criminal justice system. Poverty linked with race must also be acknowledged. Low-income clients often receive little or no representation in our overcrowded ur- For years, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center has been working to improve the criminal justice system in this state. Much still needs to be done in terms of creating what Singleton calls “a restorative justice system,” but he remains hopeful. “A conversation is now going on in this country about ending mass incarceration.” Singleton believes we must build from this conversation. ------------------------ Kevin Jones leading a discussion Photo: Justin Jeffre THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! The 2016 Day by Day calendar is now available online at http://cincihomeless.org/ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Roll Up Your Sleeves: Volunteering at the Coalition No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 5 DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer I often get questions about volunteering at the Homeless Coalition. I appreciate that people are so willing to help us out in our mission to eradicate homelessness. I also appreciate when people are able to give up of their own time to aid us as we complete our vision. One thing that comes up is a desire for people to see quick results of their hard work – which is understandable, but not always possible. As an advocacy organization, we know the road ahead of us is long and full of obstacles. With the political landscape in constant flux, we know that many of our opportunities have not been defined yet. We are always adapting and pushing hard to make sure that everyone is supported with basic necessities. How will federal changes to the definition of chronic homelessness affect an individual’s ability to obtain housing? Who is trying to reduce Medicaid at the state level? What changes in the city’s anti-solicitation laws will impact our Streetvibes distributors? How do we organize tenants who feel isolated and powerless in the face of disaster? None of these questions have clear answers, but bringing more people, organizations, and municipalities, to the table will bring the best possible outcome. However, the only way they will know about what is happening is through the direct mailing, emails, phone calls, social media, and outreach that we do. Helping us to spread the word is one of the most powerful ways that you can help us fulfill our mission. Talking to your friends about affordable housing, the minimum wage, The front desk sparkles as it’s put back in place. Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman A volunteer cleans the microwave and chairs. Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman and creative ways to reduce the medium income gap in Cincinnati is a powerful way to get more individuals involved, yet sometimes we just need help stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, and sharing through social media. If you haven’t had a chance to hear one of our Speaker’s tell their story, I challenge you to get a group of people together and book a Speaker through our website. This is a powerful way to learn more about the individual challenges associated with homelessness from someone who has struggled, and with the help of other individuals and organizations, may be in a better situation today. One of the themes that seems to come out of the speaking engagements is that it takes someone on the other side, perhaps on your side, the comfortable side, who reaches through the barrier and helps restore an individual’s hope. You can be that person for someone – someone’s mother, their sister, their brother, their son, their father, or their child. On occasion, we need volunteers to help us in our building on E. 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine. Recently, we put out a call for help to do a deep cleaning on our reception area. This area is important for many reasons, including welcoming guests to our offices and giving people a place to relax during the day. People who have mailboxes with us also use the space every weekday as they collect their mail. The deep THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED clean was a rousing success with several volunteers from the community who put in more than their share of sweat into the project. We moved the front desk and cleaned it from top to bottom. We scrubbed the walls and chairs, and removed piece after piece of clear tape on every imaginable surface. After we were finished, everyone commented on how nice the reception area looked and smelled – Clean and Fresh! Sometimes people with special talents also like to contribute to our mission. While it might not seem that knitting will help people experiencing homelessness, when a high school student with knitting skills contacted me about volunteering, we came up with a creative solution that will benefit the community. As you may remember from my article on Alternative Breaks, the Sarah Center suffered a fire in October. As a result, the quilts that many women had been working on were destroyed by the smoke. The Sarah Center’s fall sale is happening as I write this article, but they agreed to include the knitted headbands that the high school student created in their sale. This will help raise money for the Sarah Center as they try to rebuild their quilting and jewelry making space. I also had an acclaimed local artist, James Billiter, ask how he could help with our mission. James’ work is intimately Cincinnati as he creates posters that enliven the landmarks and culture of our great city. I am proud to say that he donated a large, framed, signed poster for our silent auction at this year’s Annual Dinner. The Annual Dinner will have already happened by the time this is published, but it is one of the most fun events of the year! There is always great food, music, and dancing, as well as moving speeches by people who have been impacted by the great advocacy work of the Homeless Coalition. We are embarking on some large projects in 2016 that you can help shape by donating or volunteering. If you are able to organize a group of people from your workplace, school, church or civic organization to book one of our wonderful Speakers, social justice walking tour, or Streetvibes Shadow, you will be helping us fulfill our mission by educating the public on empathy and inclusion while shedding light on the lived experience of people experiencing homelessness. You can sign up for an event or to volunteer (individually, or as a group) on our website. So, the next time someone asks you how can they get involved, let them know that it is only limited by their creativity and willingness to roll up their sleeves. We can do this together! ------------------------ �6 LOCAL Student Reflections of OTR Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 CHRISTOPHER WILKEY Contributing Writer The three writings in this section were written by Northern Kentucky University students and Miami University students who participated together in a servicelearning course titled Writing and Designing for Social Change. Students in the course met regularly in Over-the-Rhine over the course of a semester, and had the opportunity to meet with OTR residents and activists while learning about the ongoing stories of struggle and empowerment in an urban neighborhood undergoing gentrification. Northpointe and Cincinnati, We Need Recreation, not Re-Creation Marla Mackey, Aaron Hatfield, Royce, Peter Enzweiler It’s hard to find a quiet spot in bustling Over-the-Rhine. People are always on the move. However, right on the border of Mt. Auburn and OTR, across the street from Rothenberg Preparatory Academy, there is a little green oasis of a park which features a handful of basketball courts, some open greenspace, and a community garden. The courts give young people an opportunity to play and exercise safely and the garden allows residents to grow their own fresh produce. However, recently the NorthPointe development group has been pursuing the purchase of the land where the courts, half the garden, and neighboring low-income housing sit. This new development, which would be called “Rothenburg Row,” would have homes starting at around $500,000. While the deal is not yet final, the city of Cincinnati, which owns the public park, is negotiating with NorthPointe to sell the land at a reduced price. We believe that public space is for the public’s use, not for private development. If you look at NorthPointe’s “Company Core Values,” they are: “Integrity- always aiming to do the right thing; Commitment of Excellence- to our clients, partners and to each other; and Stewardship- mindful of our responsibility for our product and environment.” We would like NorthPointe to take a good look at their core values and decide if replacing public space with market-rate housing is really “doing the right thing” for residents and their environment. Our team believes that Northpointe should not demolish the courts because local children believe that these particular courts are safer than other courts in the area. Destroying the courts can hinder the futures and social skill development of the children that make use of them. That should matter to everyone because these children will one day be adults who represent the city of Cincinnati. Every decision that we make now that affects these childhood will affect how they contribute or do not contribute to our community in the future. Please show your support by signing the petition to “Keep our Courts” at change.org and be sure to follow us on twitter @ RAMPonVine_OTR . Transparency, Not Invisibility Emily Dones, Valeria Degutis, Kinsey Harman, Jessica Willis, and Erin Myers As Miami University and Northern Kentucky University students, we chose to take a class called “Writing and Designing for Social Change” that meets at Buddy’s Place in Over-the-Rhine. We didn’t quite understand the extent of certain problems in the neighborhood until we came into direct contact with those problems. It took us reaching out to community members to hear their perspectives on Over-theRhine to fully appreciate these individuals and their viewpoints, giving each of us new insights into a world Young kids playing basket ball on a community court Photo: Justin Jeffre with many different sides. With our project, we set out with the intention of humanizing OTR’s long-time community members and finding a way for them to feel visible in the ever-changing community. In an attempt to walk with residents who have lost their sense of community due to the developers and tourists who have taken over the neighborhood, we hoped to make sure these individuals know how valuable their opinions are. The video we created is comprised of multiple interviews from long-time community members speaking about the place that has been their home for years. There is also a photo collage of various messages to visitors of OTR, which includes posters designed to be thought-provoking for everyone experiencing Over-the-Rhine. We have both a Facebook and an Instagram page that focus on the real people of Over-the-Rhine and tidbits of their lives. Through the interviews that we’ve conducted, we’ve been able to sit down and really talk with the residents. As rare as it may be in our society today, the individuals we have encountered have been so real and honest with us. They have not tried to paint the world into a pretty little picture like the glam of Hollywood or the posts you find scrolling through a typical social media page. They have been vulnerable with us in sharing their life stories, and we cannot thank them enough for letting us into their hearts and minds. We want people to realize that OTR residents are not a part of the scenery. They are not a nuisance to the bar scene happening on Vine or the concerts taking place in Washington Park. They are not invisible. They are real people with hopes and dreams, beliefs and opinions. It’s not their fault developers decided one day that this place was suddenly of worth only to themselves, this place that has been home for years to some truly beautiful people. To access our project, visit us on Facebook at “Humans of OTR” Community garden next to Rothenberg Preparatory Academy Photo: Justin Jeffre “Breakdown Stereotypes” Social Injustice I’d like to ask you, reader, to take off your shoes. And once you’ve done that, laces unbound, I’d like to ask you to try on the shoes of your neighbor and wear those instead. Many different kinds of people exist here in Over-the-Rhine. We live our lives as well as we can; that much can be said for everyone. Yet things happen which shouldn’t. The greatest evils and the smallest unkindnesses. We often treat one another differently based on how dissimilar they are to ourselves, be it race, gender, age, fashion choice or apparent wealth – these are injustices. Shouldn’t someone be able to sit on their front steps and enjoy the day free of disdain from a passersby? Shouldn’t everyone feel welcome in the neighborhood where they grew up? Shouldn’t a person be able to ask any other person for help, without certain assumptions being made about their character and choices? When we enjoy these liberties ourselves, we tend not to notice when others don’t have them. So while you’re wearing your neighbor’s shoes, notice where they will and will not take you. These injustices shape the lives of those they affect in profound ways. It is a system of blindness and self-interest that builds our cities. Cincinnati is not one which has risen above the structure of haves and have-nots, where what is to be had is respect and equality and those who havenot are determined so by their race, gender, age, fashion choice and apparent wealth. It must be understood that a difference in culture and means does not equate to greater or lesser human beings. Follow #ThisIsOTR and the QR code below to hear directly from individuals in Cincinnati who perhaps are unjustly perceived as the have-nots. ------------------------ “Eradicate Misinformation” The Coalition for the Homeless provides Education and Service Programs that help to portray a more accurate and holistic picture of homelessness in Cincinnati. We believe an educated public can be a more compassionate public, willing to dedicate time and effort towards creating solutions to homelessness. The “Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau” program is made up of individuals currently experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness, who share their experiences. The program is designed to put a face on homelessness and raise awareness about those struggling in our community. To schedule a speaker, contact Mark Mussman at (513) 421.7803 x14 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Embracing Conflict as an Invitation to Grow No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 7 JASON HAAP Contributing Writer R ecently, I published an editorial in The Enquirer, and it became quite the adventure! Here’s the recap: the paper published a Sunday feature about the history of the phrase “Who Dey,” but they left out the potentially troublesome issue of the chant’s likely link with racist minstrel shows at the turn of the last century. My editorial was a response about this fact, and then the internet blew up! The Enquirer web-page hosted around 200, mostly hate-filled comments against me, the item was picked up by sports blogs across the country, and later that evening I was interviewed on ESPN 1530 AM by Mo Eggers, and on WLW 700 AM by Rocky Boiman. Everyone thought I was calling football fans racist for saying “Who Dey!” The Enquirer even published a follow-up to my follow-up, a rebuttal to my editorial penned by Andrew Perrin. It turns out the controversial origins of the “Who Dey” chant serve as a springboard into what’s wrong in our society right now: knee-jerk reactions, personal character attacks, blind political ideology, and a general lack of logical thinking. We can do better. We must. While some may contend we have more important topics to tackle (like the threats of global and domestic terrorism, or economic inequality), perhaps we could use practice with something that should be safe, like a simple football chant - even though (rather to my surprise) this issue stirs up severe emotional turmoil. What the whole experience emphasized for me is an inherent general chaos with regards to trying to mediate a public discussion. I think some people react to a first impression, without taking the time to thoughtfully consider details. They saw the word “racism” linked with “Who Dey,” and they got defensive, calling me an overly sensitive PC communist who needs to leave Cincinnati. That my item had nothing to do with calling Bengals fans racist seemed beside the point - they just associated words together and react- google images ed. I think this is a problem. (And for the record, I’m not a communist.) Consider the Donald Trump campaign, as just one example. Newspapers and Republicans across the country are condemning his statements, yet he continues to rise in popularity. In October, the Boston Globe reported that when Trump talks, as analyzed by the Flesch-Kincaid readability scale, it comes back at a 4th grade level. (This current article is written at about the 10th grade level.) There is little complexity of thought at the 4th grade level - just on-the-surface, underdeveloped, emotional responses. Being emotional and passionate is fine, but we must temper that with complexity and reason, too! This isn’t an issue of “political correctness,” either. So many people accused me, in my editorial, of being “too PC” before saying they were not going to stop chanting “Who Dey.” It felt like people wanted to shout me down because they thought I wanted to censor their speech. Ironically, by telling me to “shut up” and “go away,” weren’t they really trying to do exactly what they fear the “PC movement” is about - shutting down someone’s right to free expression because they don’t agree with its content or tone? (That’s not what the “PC movement” is about, but such is another matter entirely...) We need to move past this low-level of discourse. I applaud Andrew Perrin for publishing an editorial that attempted to debate my original point, but even he made some argumentative missteps - namely, how to cite and refute individual claims with counter-claims that disprove (or at least seriously call into question) the original argument. For example, Perrin claims “that Who Dey is in no way racist due to its potential connection with minstrel shows. The context of Who Dey in Cincinnati is one of brotherhood and sisterhood, of loyalty to a team, and, as Carol Mostinger wrote earlier this week, a way for Bengals players to connect with the fans. I challenge anyone to show me what could be racist about black and white fans alike sharing a bond with black and white players.” This is a red herring. Of course “Who Dey” can serve as a rallying point of community building among Cincinnati football fans of any background. That there might be something racist in the phrase’s origin has no bearing on this fact. ‘Right to work’ a tired, failed proposal CAROLYN PARK Contributing Writer W orking people have taken a beating in recent years. Our paychecks aren’t keeping up with costs that keep climbing. It’s getting harder to find good jobs that offer a living wage and benefits. Wealthy CEOs, corporations and politicians have manipulated the rules in their own favor, and the rest of us are falling behind. Ohioans have had enough with the failed policies and empty rhetoric that got us here. And we are starting to do something about it. Here in Ohio, a broad coalition of working people is mobilizing against yet another attack on collec- tive bargaining. Even though “right to work” has failed repeatedly in the past, Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Mount Lookout, is pushing a new bill in the statehouse. It’s an effort to keep middle-class Ohioans from speaking up together for wages and benefits that can sustain our families. This is clearly an idea that should be kicked to the curb, as it was in several states earlier this year and as it was when Ohio voters rejected the same scheme by a 2-1 margin in 2011. More and more, the tide is turning against this brand of corporate politics all over the country. In September, the Missouri Legislature upheld Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of a so-called right-to-work measure, which had been a top priority for out of state, big money special interests, as well as some state house leaders. Right-to-work laws make it harder for working people to band together on the job and result in lower wages for all working people, whether they are in a union or not. The working families who stand to lose when anti-worker legislation is on the table aren’t a special interest, and they don’t belong to one party. They’re ordinary Americans who live in every city and voting district. Lawmakers in Missouri chose to listen to their constituents over outside special interests, and a bipartisan THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED The reality is that it can both have something racist in its history, while not being racist any more. I’ll leave that distinction for the readers to decide. Here’s another uncomfortable fact: one of the standard ice-cream truck songs is totally racist, and there is absolutely no getting around the fact. As reported by NPR in a 2014 item entitled “Recall That Ice Cream Truck Song? We Have Unpleasant News For You,” the tune originally had words and a title: “(Nword) Love A Watermelon Ha! Ha! Ha!” There is a long period of time between the song’s composition and now (between racist minstrel songs and modern ice-cream trucks), but history is history. Am I saying people are racist if they get happy at the sound of the ice-cream truck in their neighborhood? Of course not. Am I saying we can’t allow our children to enjoy ice-cream trucks, or even that particular tune as it announces the arrival of refreshingly sweet treats? Of course not. History is complicated, but it’s not my fault this racist history exists, and sharing the fact has nothing to do with “political correctness.” History is history, and we should remember it when we can. Some history may be uncomfortable, but that discomfort is an invitation for personal reflection - whatever conclusions you ultimately draw. This kind of social discomfort, however, should not be an invitation for hatefilled, divisive speech and anger. We need to do better than that. I’m afraid we might not be able to discuss Gold Star versus Skyline without people getting extreme. If we can’t even talk about “Who Dey,” when we will ever be able to talk about the class-based prejudice in our city’s split between the East and West sides of town, or the fact that we have some of the most racially segregated neighborhoods in the country? We need to embrace these conflicts as an invitation to grow, and not an opportunity for insult and bombast. ------------------------ coalition stood with working families as they defeated the bill and upheld the governor’s veto. In the past year, citizens rejected similar legislation in Kentucky, New Mexico, West Virginia and Illinois. Last fall, anti-worker measures failed to make the ballot in a number of states, including Ohio. A proposal to seriously limit workplace rights did make the ballot in Anchorage, Alaska, where it was roundly defeated by voters. And now Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor who staked his entire political career on attacking union members and working families, has fallen on his face. Only a few days after doubling down on an extremist anti-worker platform as part of his presidential bid, he bowed out of the race. He was polling favorably with less than one-half of one percent of voters. (Continued on page 12) �8 WORLD Hollywood filmmakers turn the spotlight on world’s homelessness crisis Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 ADRIAN LOBB STEVEN MACKENZIE www.INSP.ngo / The Big Issue UK R ichard Gere is one of the most famous faces in cinema but during the making of his latest film, Time Out of Mind, in which he plays George, a homeless man living on the streets of New York, he found himself being completely ignored by passers-by. “I was invisible in New York,” he says in a report made available to the world’s street papers via the INSP News Service. “Because I was this character, people decided within two blocks of seeing me that I was homeless, and didn’t look any further. No one made any eye contact. It was confusing and profound. “If Richard Gere, who has money and fame - and in this situation everyone thinks kindly about me - if I can stand on a street corner and be treated like garbage? That’s a profound lesson for me personally but for an audience it should be as well. It radically changed my view of myself and of the social fabric around me.” Gere shared his experiences making the film during a private screening with vendors from One Step Away, a street paper based in Philadelphia. Gere believes “vendors have done something heroic. They’ve pulled themselves out of a very deep ditch, they’re survivors.” Like buses, you wait ages for a film focusing on homeless characters then several show up at once. Out now is Maggie Smith’s quirky vagabond in Alan Bennett’s cosy and quaint The Lady in the Van, which will be followed by Hector, starring Peter Mullan. “It is an important subject to tackle,” Mullan says. “When you are so disenfranchised, there’s so little you can do. You can only exist for the absolute immediate moment, and that is when you become invisible. “We all make assumptions about people on the street. You see some poor soul lying there and think he must be a junkie or an alcoholic. Sadly, we see more and more people just rubbering, as we say, the homeless, be they Roma, be they Caucasian Scots, be they the recent emergé of whatever ethnic group. They are being ignored.” The film follows Hector’s pil- grimage from Scotland to London to celebrate Christmas with his sister. “The character’s journey is the thing Jake [Gavin, Hector’s director] and I worked on,” Mullan explains. “At one point the script had alcoholism as being what pushed Hector over the edge but that was the glaringly obvious one. My sister worked with the homeless for a long time. I met a lot of homeless guys who didn’t drink and didn’t smoke but had mental health issues, be they temporary or long term. They couldn’t cope with their responsibility in the world. “Now we have this horrendous Jerry Tucker (One Step Away) and Richard Gere. Credit: Al B housing crisis, where regardless of mental abilities or addictions we are back to a Cathy Come Home situation, where we have whole families being evicted because of benefit cuts and sanctions. The next big epidemic is going to be homelessness. I feel I have to talk out. “In the ‘80s the movie industry got into ‘greed is good’ and Wall Street, which made it look incredibly glamorous. It has always been the case. And it always will be if we allow their voices to reign and if we don’t have honest, original responses to it.” Homelessness has been a big issue for a long time but rarely makes for big box office. Hector’s producer Stephen Malit describes the difficulty securing distribution. “We premiered at Edinburgh Film Festival and got good reviews,” he says. “We screened it to distributors but the nature of the film industry at the moment is you’re either big or you’re no one. We had a couple of offers but they were pretty lousy. So many will put it out but they won’t get behind it. So I got together with a cinema booker, we went to the BFI (British film Institute), who adored it, and we’re putting it out in partnership from December 11.” Hector is one of the few brave enough to battle Star Wars at the box office. “Literally everybody said you are insane trying to release a small art film at Christmas,” Malit says. “But let’s try, nobody else is going to do it! I’d like to think there’s a market for social realist films. I grew up in the ‘80s, and whether it was music or fashion shows - everything had something to say. We’ve gone bland.” In an industry that loves shiny escapist blockbusters, why have some film-makers suddenly discovered homelessness? Paul Bettany, best (Continued on page 10) Paul Bettany: “The reasons for homelessness are myriad. Who am I to judge?” STEVEN MACKENZIE I didn’t start off wanting to make a film about homelessness. I wanted to direct a movie [pictured below], and then thought I might rather like to make one about judgement. I have this worry that in a world full of increasing grey areas we’re becoming more entrenched in black and white positions. I live in New York, on the Hudson River. There is a tiny triangular park on the corner of Canal and the West Side Highway where this homeless couple lived. I passed them every day on the school run and would try to talk to them. My kids would say good morning. But more and more, I’m ashamed to say, I began not to be able to see them. Somehow they became part of the landscape of the city I live in. Then Hurricane Sandy happened. www.INSP.ngo / The Big Issue UK There was a mandatory evacuation of downtown riverside Manhattan. In the madness of getting my three kids, dog and cat and wife in the car, I didn’t stop to think where they - my neighbours - would weather the storm. I never saw them again. I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I’m sure they were fine and had moved on but I imagined what their lives might have been and they became a template for a film about judgement. Why do we treat homelessness the way we do? I think it’s got something to do with fear, a terror that one might end up (Continued on page 10) Cast member Paul Bettany poses for a portrait while promoting “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in Burbank, California April 11, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �WORLD Prince William: “Ending youth homelessness is achievable” 9 No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 SOPHIA KICHOU V ery few people can be unaware that Prince William is a father of two young children. Baby George turned two in July, while his sister Charlotte is now seven months old. And as William reveals in this exclusive interview for The Big Issue UK, getting a full night’s sleep is a luxury, even if you’re second in line to the British throne. Yet the Duke of Cambridge remains a busy man. He works as a full-time pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, based at Cambridge Airport. He also keeps on top of a wide array of royal duties and charitable work, including his role as patron of Centrepoint, the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people. Significantly, this was the first patronage he chose, back in 2005, and it was a cause very dear to his mother Diana, who was also a Centrepoint patron. In December 2009 Prince William spent a night in a sleeping bag near London’s Blackfriars Bridge for Centrepoint, to get an idea of the conditions experienced by young rough sleepers. The Duke told us why the struggles of homeless people remain important to him, and described how society needs to wake up to the scale of the problem. That’s not to say he thinks it’s a losing battle. With focus, he told us, youth homelessness is something we can fix. And he said a safe and secure Christmas for Centrepoint’s young people would be a good start. Homelessness is a subject Sophia Kichou knows all too well. She became homeless at the age of 18, sleeping in a hostel before finding support with Centrepoint. She first met Prince William four years ago and told the Duke of Cambridge about her dream of becoming a journalist. She said she would love to interview him some day. He agreed. And at the end of November he sat down with Sophia so she could interview him for The Big Issue. www.INSP.ngo / The Big Issue UK When Sophia met William at Kensington Palace for her royal appointment he appeared very happy and relaxed (if Charlotte is causing sleepless nights, her dad didn’t show any sign of tiredness). The Prince joked about the “interrogation”, asking if Sophia was going to “Paxman” him and admitting to feeling a little nervous. Hi William. Hi Sophia. It’s great to see you again. How are things with you? I’m now in my last year studying journalism, so it’s an exciting time. How’s your job? What’s it like flying a helicopter? Well, it’s a lot easier than journalism, that’s for sure (laughs). I’m really enjoying my time with the Air Ambulance - it’s fantastic. I work with brilliant people, and the medical side is truly fascinating. We’ve got some of the best doctors in the world and the job they do saving lives is quite something. To feel I’ve contributed in some tiny way to the work… it’s a worthwhile feeling I get at the end of the day. You’ve visited Centrepoint many times over the years. Why is the issue of youth homelessness so important to you? I think it goes back to when my mother first took the role when I was a small boy. I was very struck by the people I met and what they were struggling with - sleeping rough, sofa surfing, not having basic comforts a lot of us take for granted. That really struck me at a young age, bearing in mind the gulf for me, growing up in a palace, and seeing the other end of the spectrum where others were faced with huge personal challenges and were overcoming them. That was powerful to see at a young age. In today’s western world, with all the advancements and privileges we have, the fact some people don’t have a bed or a roof over their head is quite ridiculous. You’ve met a lot of young people who have been through homelessness. Have there been any stories that really stayed with you? It’s hard to pick people out. But something that did live with me for a long time was meeting an Eritrean guy whose entire family was killed in Eritrea. It was probably one of the closest times I’ve ever come to fighting back tears of emotion listening to someone tell their story. I think seven members of his family had been killed, and he found himself here with no-one in the world left to look after him. And Sophia Kichou and Prince William. Photo shot Centrepoint was the orexclusively for The Big Issue by Louise Haywoodganisation to give him the Schiefer at Kensington Palace, November 24, 2015. network of support that allowed him to rebuild his life. I was really blown away by that. And there are so many stories like that. My sister and I were young when we lost our mum. I was eight, a little younger than you when you lost your mum. I couldn’t live with my dad, so at 18 I was homeless, having to go from place to place. Do you think people understand the kind of things people go through? For me, seeing people overcoming personal challenges, the adversity you and others have fought through - it’s incredibly moving and powerful. And it’s what gives me the confidence that we can beat the problem. I think if more people can understand what you and others have gone through, and how you’ve turned your life around, they would understand more. Do you think we can ever end youth homelessness? I do think it’s achievable. There are 136,000 young people in England and Wales in need of emergency support, yet only 16,000 are officially accepted as homeless. It shows it’s still a huge problem we haven’t addressed fully. I would love the country to wake up to the issue. It’s complex, but it’s fixable. I do strongly believe that. You slept outside for a night in a London alleyway back in 2009. I heard you almost got run over by a road sweeper truck… Well, that might have been a slight exaggeration (laughs). Was it difficult? Did it show you the reality of homelessness? No, it couldn’t show me the reality. I thought it was important to spend one night doing that, but I can’t even remotely pretend that I know what homelessness is like. I had a nice bed to go home to at the end of it. It did help illustrate just how lonely it must be if you had to do that every night, and the vulnerability you are under. I had police protection, and I had Seyi Obakin (Centrepoint’s chief executive) for company, but others face the risk of hypothermia, the risk of abuse and assault on their own. So it focused your mind on the problem… It did focus my mind on how desperate young people must be to have to go through that, and some of the methods they might go to in order to get a roof over the heads - self-harming to go to A&E units, committing a crime just to be in a cell. If young people have to go to those lengths then we have to do something about that. When it comes to youth homelessness, do you feel you’ve seen progress? I think so. I think I’ve seen ups and downs, if I’m being honest. Initially, there was a feeling we - at Centrepoint and other homelessness THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED charities - had a gauge on how big the problem was and we were tackling it. In recent years the problem has got worse. Services are being stretched, as much as they possibly can be. I still believe it’s possible to end youth homelessness. Early intervention is key. The earlier we can tackle young people’s problems, the more likely we are to give them the ability to fix their own future. Can I ask you about Christmas? Yes, sure. I’m spending it with my mentor and her family, and I’m really looking forward to it. What will you be doing on Christmas Day? Well, if I get any sleep on Christmas Eve it’ll be good, because George will be bouncing around like a rabbit. I think George will be extremely bouncy this year because he’s suddenly worked out what Christmas is all about (laughs). So that will be two children, one who suddenly appreciates Christmas, which could be quite challenging. But I’m looking forward to it. And how does the day pan out? We’ll go to church as a family on Christmas Day, as we always do. Then we’ll watch George try to tackle his presents as he tries to unwrap them. It’s a very different experience at Christmas, having a family of your own. It’d be nice if we got a white Christmas because we haven’t had one in many years. What are you asking Santa for? Well, let me see… I would love everybody at Centrepoint, all the young people, to have a happy Christmas and to be safe and secure somewhere. And to have some love in their lives. I know that sounds quite naïve and romantic, but that would be the thing I’d ask for. Thank you so much for your time. Lovely to speak to you. We’ll do it again when you’re anchor on ITV or somewhere like that! ------------------------ OUR INTERVIEWER Sophia Kichou is 24, and in her final year studying for a degree in journalism at City University, London. Her mother died when she was eight and she grew up in Uganda with her aunt. At 18 she wanted to reconnect with her father in London, but it wasn’t the safe home she was promised. She had to leave and ended up sleeping in a hostel. She found support at Centrepoint, and began working towards her dream of becoming a journalist. A report on youth homelessness won Sophia ITV’s Breaking Into News competition. She was also a member of Centrepoint Parliament, a group of young people that successfully campaigned to protect parts of the Education Maintenance Allowance. �10 ADRIAN LOBB STEVEN MACKENZIE (Continued from page 8) known from Master and Commander, A Beautiful Mind and as Vision in the Marvel films, makes his directorial debut with Shelter, set against the homelessness crisis in New York. He believes the problem has become so great that film-makers can no longer ignore it. “Art is a response to the culture in which you live,” he says. “Since the crash of 2008 the homelessness crisis is crazy, it’s everywhere. You’d have to be blind not to see it. That’s why I think there are movies about it. But it’s not like Hollywood has remade The Fisher King - Richard Gere and Peter Mullan’s films, like mine, are independent. All films, any film, is welcome. To be part of the discussion is really important.” In Shelter, Bettany directs his wife Jennifer Connelly and fellow Avengers actor Anthony Mackie as a couple who have lost everything but find each other on the streets. “An agent of mine, who will remain nameless, said you can’t make a romance about homeless people because nobody wants to see them kiss,” says Bettany. “I was so shocked STEVEN MACKENZIE (Continued from page 8) there, so an absolute, resolute, this could never happen to me attitude you must have done something yourself to bring yourself so low. In New York, homelessness has spiralled out of control in the last 10 to 15 years. Social housing (I need to say public housing here because the word social gets everybody’s back up in America) has been slashed by 32 per cent. There are 60,000 homeless people in the municipal shelter system every night - and 24,000 of those are children. Last year in New York the first apartment for $100m was sold - yet thousands are in the municipal shelter system every night. That is untenable but you’d be a fool and a communist to draw a line between rising rents and the lack of rising wages… Simply providing people with legal representation WORLD Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 by the awfulness of the statement. “What I heard was how they were thinking of these people as something other. That was what I wanted to discuss and examine. To present two people who on paper are unforgivable then make you love them because people are lovable when you get to know their stories.” Films tackling homelessness is a trend set to continue into 2016. Preproduction is under way for Hampstead, starring Brendan Gleeson as a homeless man living on the Heath, and Diane Keaton as a wealthy American widow, who both take on property developers. The tale is based on a true story, as is, of course, the big screen adaptation of A Street Cat Named Bob, coming soon. But cinema has long had a fascination with homeless characters. One of its earliest icons was Chaplin’s Little Tramp, who evolved from being a rambunctious vagrant in Keystone comedies to the lovable everyman, whose poverty was played as much for tears as laughter. Chaplin wrote in his autobiography that the character “became a man with a soul - a point of view”. In more modern times there’s been a return to homeless characters being used to reflect social issues. The BBC’s feature-length drama Mr Stink was a Christmas hit two years ago, reminding an audience of more than six million about the true meaning of the season, while last year’s highest-grossing British film, Paddington, contained more heart and punch when it came to engaging with migration and how to house people than most media and politicians have dared express. Also scheduled for 2016 is a film that brings social commentary full circle. Fifty years after Cathy Come Home caused an outcry and debate in parliament, Ken Loach will release I, Daniel Blake. Like his 1966 game-changer, the film exposes those victimised and suffocated by the bureaucracy of a broken welfare system. The film’s screenwriter, Paul Laverty, wrote it as a reaction to the way poor people are often portrayed on screen, in the media and in politics. “There’s been a grand narrative created about picking on the poorest in society,” says Laverty from I, Daniel Blake’s shoot in Newcastle. “You’ll have seen endless programmes on various channels, what I call fascist TV, stereotyp- ing strivers versus skivers. There is a punitive, judgmental element running underneath all these documentaries it’s really their own fault and if they just got off their arses and found work… “These programmes often focus on people who are massively vulnerable, who have a drink problem, who are obese, who are shouting and swearing but when you talk to people at foodbanks you find many of them are in work, many have worked for many years then something has happened to them. You see the nuances, the contradictions.” I, Daniel Blake follows the struggle of a 59-year-old joiner who can no longer work after an illness. He meets a single mother of two forced to move from London to Newcastle because of the housing crisis crippling the capital. The film is a rage against the benefits machine, which hinders as much as it helps. “If you look at the speeches from a lot of government figures, strivers versus skivers is a narrative they try to create,” Laverty says. “Life’s much more complicated - we have to break down and challenge that narrative.” ------------------------ would stop a crazy amount of evictions. A homeless family is 80 per cent less likely to be evicted if they have counsel. Counsel costs the city $12,500, while the average stay of a homeless family in a shelter is $45,000. Morally it makes sense but it also makes sense politically. The state of Utah has hugely reduced homelessness by thinking outside the box [the local government worked out it was cheaper and more effective to house homeless people rather than keeping them on the streets]. That seems to be paying off. Of course, in a capitalist society people are screaming, “Nanny state!” and, “How can someone get something for nothing??” The problem is… it worked. It’s difficult to ignore that fact. The reasons for homelessness are myriad; the loss of a job, loss of a family member, a breakdown, and yes, drug or alcohol addiction. Everybody has a story. Who am I to judge? My father died recently. He was a very religious man. Whenever we passed a homeless person he would always say, there but for the grace of God go I. And I love that sentiment. It’s an admission of how close we all are to slipping by the wayside. When I was about 17 years old I had a family loss. I came down to London and ended up outside the boarding house where my sister was living. I used to throw a stone at her window and when the woman who owned the rooms was asleep, she would let me sneak in and sleep on the floor. That was a huge period of time for me. I was not in my best mind. I was grieving, I was not well. There were times I didn’t get into that room and slept on a park bench. I never thought of myself as homeless and I wouldn’t want to overstate that but it absolutely felt that my safety and situation were precarious. I busked for two years, playing gui- tar and singing. If I took sick I wasn’t able to earn my living or feed myself. It was really frightening at that age. I went from having a house with parents who did everything for me to suddenly having to work if I wanted to eat. I was lucky enough to get one of the last grants and ended up going to school to study acting. An agent of mine, who will remain nameless, said you can’t make a romance about homeless people because nobody wants to see them kiss. I was so shocked by the awfulness of the statement. What I heard was how they were thinking of these people as something other. That was what I wanted to discuss and examine. To present two people who on paper are unforgivable then make you love them because people are lovable when you get to know their stories. Shelter is out on Blu-ray and DVD on January 11 ------------------------ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Cancer Justice Require New Thinking, Leadership, and Action 11 No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 STEVE SUNDERLAND Contributing Writer 1. Introduction: Cancer deaths for poor and minorities in Hamilton County are ignored, dramatically increasing, and too readily accepted by the health establishment. The trend is clear for men and women: Cancer deaths for Black women is 186.7 per 100,000; for white women it is 158 per 100,000. For Black men the death rate is 286.5 per 100,000 and for white men it is 214 per 100,000. (2008-12 Trend Period, State Cancer Profiles, National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control.) Cancer is now the number one killer of the poor and minorities in Hamilton County. These deaths translate into twenty year life expectancy differences in Hamilton County neighborhoods. (N. Maseru and C. Jones. “Why Do We Die: Cincinnati Mortality Data Project. City of Cincinnati Health Department, 2011.) Sadly, there is no task force headed by a major health official or politician to call for a change in this reality. Our hospitals have continued to operate in a “business as usual” approach and business is “good.” But not for minorities and poor individuals. Access to timely care to be screened or treated is not coordinated by the hospitals: where is the best place to go for a screening for lung cancer, or to be treated for breast cancer, or for rapid treatment if a cancer is found is a dangerous puzzle. Explaining the cancer signals to individuals in an understandable language is a communication nightmare. Insuring that rapid and effective treatment is made available is another unknown that has seriously negative consequences. Finally, helping individuals overcome their fears of having cancer, being supported in taking the necessary steps toward treatment, and being treated with respect and compassion are sad- ly lacking throughout the health system. Changing this reality will require new thinking, leadership, and action. 2. New Thinking: Creating a New Health System for Stopping Cancer Deaths in Hamilton County. Every organization that works with poor people and minorities could be thought about as a cancer prevention agency. Right now, health concerns, including cancer, are not the major focus of these organizations. Rightly organized for food, housing, education, family and individual emergencies, these organizations that work with the poor are flooded with demands that make up Hamilton County’s “safety net.” Falling through the holes in the net are health concerns, especially a focus on cancer. The many organizations that serve the poor and minorities are trusted by the people. They have built relationships of compassion through responding to vital needs, often in times of crisis. Thought about in a county-wide perspective, these agencies make up a “critical mass” of concerned and active unique systems of care. Being focused on their own goals has prevented a broad-based approach to solving common problems of nutrition, housing, and spiritual needs. Each group works with the neighborhood or group of individuals that most need their service with some important exceptions. For example, the FreeStore Foodbank and the Homeless Coalition have found effective organizational approaches to both supporting individual agencies and developing system-wide solutions. Cancer care requires newer thinking about how to address the County-wide crisis. Can the FreeStore, the Homeless Coalition, AMOS, CAIN, Christ Church Cathedral, Santa Maria, Closing the Health Gap, CILO, and other service agencies Dear Mister WAYNE STUMP Contributing Writer M y name is John Doe and I’ve been homeless for a while. I’m sure you don’t remember me because you pretend you don’t see me when you walk by. There are some things I think you should know because you believe there is no way you could ever end up like me, but the funny thing is I never thought I would be homeless either. I’ve made a lot of friends out here and they talk about their life before they were homeless, and you really do have a lot in common. I remember what it was like window shopping and tapping my toes to the music about Old Saint Nick and riding in a one horse open sleigh. I see how excited your kids are by all of the lights and piles of toys in every store, there is no way to keep them close by holding their little hands. Your family looks like one of those Christmas cards people send out to everybody. Take plenty of pictures with them because I can tell you when they are gone Christmas is very different. Gosh, how I miss those days! Maybe someday I’ll be able to have a normal Christmas again, I would love to celebrate the holidays like it used to be and just forget about how my life is right now. Sometimes I just wish there was no such thing as Christmas, birthdays, and special holidays because when you’re home- add cancer education to their goals? Which agencies are places where the population will feel comfortable with sharing fears and realities about cancer? Who will help citizens find their ways through the maze of questions about what is cancer? Who will help with providing a serious education, print materials that are bi-lingual and in person discussion groups, to review cancer’s complexities? Once believing that cancer may be a possibility, who will coach individuals and their families to take the necessary steps in a timely fashion? Who will help with transportation logistics, meetings at health clinics, appointments at hospitals, and contact with other cancer survivors? 3. New Leadership: It might be said that health is too important to be left to hospitals and doctors. Agencies that serve the poor have the kind of leadership that is vitally needed in changing the quality of health options for their constituencies. Identifying a person within the agency to serve on a Cancer Prevention Council would start a process that could bring major results. This Council could look at each agency as a “home” for being open to education and support for each individual. Being a leader means agreeing to find support for transportation, making contacts with the American Cancer Society for coming to the agency, and creating a “road map” that gets people to screenings and treatment in a timely manner. Using Harold Freeman’s, MD, approach to lay patient navigation, with each lay patient navigator having key responsibilities for linking people to health centers and hospitals, each agency becomes a key force for reducing cancer deaths. (H. Freeman. A Model Patient Navigation Program. Oncology Issues. September/October 2004.) Eventually, the less it’s more like a fairy tale meant for other people. I would never let my family see me like this and I can’t make myself call them because they act so worried on the phone. Some of my friends out here are grandmas and grandpas, and mothers and fathers and they say the same thing. There is Christmas music playing everywhere we go, and people carrying their shopping bags are laughing out loud... we used to do the same thing too, ya know. Before we were homeless we were just like you. Let me guess... you have some terrific advice for me, and if I would have done that in the first place I would not be homeless now, right? It’s okay mister, I understand you just don’t know what to say to me so go ahead and keep walking with your family over there, most people act like I’m invisible anyway. I keep thinking someday I’ll get used to it but I know I am a decent human be- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Cancer Prevention Council will need to link to the health systems directly and to the political systems that support healthcare as well. Unified in an organization promoting rapid reduction of cancer, the Cancer Prevention Council can represent an important social force for health in our city. 4. New Action: In order to have “Cancer Justice” in Hamilton County, that is, equally high quality access to cancer screenings and treatment for all, individuals should expect that visiting a social service agency is also visiting a health agency. Agencies on board with the mission of reducing cancer deaths need to offer a set of activities that include: education about the realities of cancer: who can survive?; a place to meet a lay patient navigator: a relationship of trust to discuss possible cancer findings and action; and, action to get through any obstacles to getting rapid screening and timely treatment. With such a “home” for any individual, the chances of being screened in the early stages of cancer are strongly improved and life with cancer increased. More effective practices by agencies in educating and providing support, also provide a base for greater pressure on the health systems to take more seriously the cancer needs of the poor and minorities. Changing the status quo, the acceptance of high numbers of death due to inadequate screening and treatment, has to be a major priority for all in our community. Our health systems must face a new kind of accountability in demonstrating that minorities and the poor have just as much a chance to be successful in their cancer treatment as non-poor. Our health systems will need to change the boundaries for thinking and acting differently about who deserves full treatment. Cancer, in sum, is a moral concern: no poor person with the possibility of cancer should have a second thought about where and when they will be treated. The cancer plague can be stopped with this new approach. ------------------------ ing and we aren’t supposed to feel like we don’t even exist. Somebody called me a bum this morning just because I told him Merry Christmas! I didn’t ask him for anything and I was only being nice... he didn’t even want to know my name. Sometimes I catch myself staring at someone across the way because they remind me so much of how my life was not so long ago. Children can’t help but stare back at me the whole time they are walking by because they just can’t understand why I’m sitting here like this. I watched a mother lean down to her child with a pointing finger and I could only imagine what she must have been saying... when you grow up you can be anything you want ­but don’t you even dare become homeless! [You can contact me at homelesswayne@yahoo.com] ------------------------ �12 LOCAL Gifts donated to Streetvibes Distributors by Adath Israel congregation members Photo: Justin Jeffre CAROLYN PARK (Continued from page 7) It turns out that most people understand that strong unions make for a strong middle class. The majority of Americans – including nearly half of registered Republicans – hold a positive opinion of the labor movement. In an economy where wealthy corporations and CEOs are calling the shots while many ordinary people feel stuck, unions are a path forward. But corporations and CEOs are still finding new ways to manipulate the rules in their favor by trying to make it even harder for working people like teachers and firefighters to come together, speak up, and get ahead. And if they can’t fight us in public, they’ll go behind the scenes. In the coming months, the Supreme Court will hear a case called Fried- Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 Holiday Helpers deliver presents for Distributor Holiday Party Kathy Wise, Gilda Schwartz, Pastor Irvin Photo: Justin Jeffre richs v. California Teachers Association. If the special interests backing this case get their way, they will effectively make all public service jobs “right to work” – hurting paychecks for all working families and public services for communities nationwide. It’s time politicians here in Ohio and in Washington, D.C., got the message: Americans are tired of policies that benefit the wealthy few at the expense of everybody else. We are ready for something better. And we vote. [Carolyn Park is an executive board member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 232, representing employees of the Cincinnati Public School system.] ------------------------ For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 TWAS SIX WEEKS BEFORE IOWA Twas six weeks before Iowa and all polls were hazy. The Republican candidates were acting quite crazy. Their crowded debates that the public could see Compare to very bad sitcoms and “reality TV.” Suddenly from my set I heard so much chatter, I adjusted the remote to see what was the matter. Then what to my wondering eyes should appear, But all the contenders looking not of good cheer. Hark Texan Ted Cruz with his right wing rant, And Mike Huckabee with an evangelical chant. Let’s not forget Jeb Bush and his verbal snafus. Lines like “stuff happens” may cause him to lose. Rand Paul subs for his Dad the septuagenarian. Rand’s a chip off the old block a true libertarian. Next is Ben Carson who makes the GOP laugh, When he calls Prez Obama a true psychopath. Enter Governor Kasich with his tax cutting bio. John also brags he’s from a key state - Ohio. Senator Marco Rubio offers too many views, And his personal finances give him the blues. Gone is Scott Walker who couldn’t sell himself Despite support from the Koch brothers’ wealth. And lest we forget him in this endless parade, Out prances “The Donald” with his daily tirade. This constant bombardment of loud wacky pap Will keep us from taking our long winter’s nap. (By Bill Woods with apologies to C. Clement Moore) BILL WOODS Contributing Writer THE CAMPAIGN CAROL SING ALONG COME ALL YE CANDIDATES Your birds are amazing dear Lord Come all Ye candidates. What a wonderful sound to hear Start your advertising. your birds signing their beautiful Come let the polling start In every key state. Come Bush and Clinton, Rubio and Carson. Oh come let us deplore them. songs From all around they all join in with their little tweets and chirps The older birds work hard to help We really can’t adore them. the little ones learn to grow We ought to implore them. Teaching them how to join in on the “Go get a life!” songs the baby birds grow OH LITTLE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE So many different types of birds Some red robins, some humming Oh little state of New Hampshire, birds, some baby sparrows Once peaceful and once still, so precious with its own different But for the next two months or so, The sound bites will get shrill. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer Santa Claus The Birds Some wild, some loud, each bird is style The birds learn to fly and soar high KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Today while watching the news I heard that Santa Claus arrived in a helicopter They also talked about tax cuts and how the politicians were eating out at Red Lobster What happened to the days when the bells rang for Santa Claus, his reindeer and sled What happened to the belief in miracles and all the little children went to bed Waiting for that glorious morning to open all the presents that Santa left under the tree Asking questions about how he brought all the gifts down the smoke filled chimney Waiting day and night, trying to be good all for Christmas so we’d be granted the ultimate blessing Looking back and understanding that as a child I was tricked, Santa in a helicopter that’s a new lesson Without the holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas Day what else is there to really look forward too Without giving thanks for so many blessings and being thankful for Jesus’ birth just to name a few So for me Christmas has somehow lost the true spirit and has been misunderstood by all We must always remember God’s blessings, don’t forget to give thanks and bring back Rudolph the red nose reindeer driving Santa Claus!!!! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 84 Across 1. Mark or grade 6. Felt cap 9. Junk email 13. Gathering of witches 14. Anger 15. Solitary 16. Conform 17. Workplace for scientific research 18. Beauty parlor 19. Liberate 21. Reply 23. Illuminated 24. Equivalent 25. Pouch 28. Jump 30. Reveal a hidden identity 35. Front part of a vessel 37. Zealous 39. One of the senses 40. Chills and fever 41. Durable fabric 43. Region 44. Sweet carbonated drink 46. Rant 47. Military vehicle 48. Ensnare 50. Record of golf score 52. Hawaiian garland 53. Pulp 55. Drink flavored with juniper berries 57. Offspring 61. Indefinite number but not many 65. Large internal organ 66. Regret 68. Conjure up 69. Drama set to music 70. Employ 71. Reddish brown 72. Limited period of time 73. Standard number of strokes for each hole in golf 74. Tendency Down 1. Evidence of past injury 2. Set of rules, principles or law 3. Ellipse 4. Repulse 5. Involve 6. Steel hand tool 7. Epoch 8. African equine 9. Hit with something flat 10. Field game 11. Pulpy tropical fruit 12. Repair 15. Acquiesce 20. Lieu 22. Large flightless bird 24. Dark green leaves eaten cooked or raw 25. Surge 26. Inert gas 27. Enumerate 29. Assert 31. Castle fortification filled with water 32. Relating to hearing 33. Subdivision of the act of a play 34. Cloth used for military uniforms 36. Low dam 38. Prima donna 42. Combine 45. Photographic equipment 49. Play on words 51. Reduce or dispose of 54. Thick sweet sticky liquid 56. Not at any time 57. Storyline 58. Mature 59. Concluded 60. Microbe 61. Oracle 62. Catch with a lasso 63. Related in quality or character 64. Heavy metallic element 67. Country, initially SODOKU PUZZLE NO 218 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 318 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 83 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 217 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 319 | Dec 1 8 - D ec 31 , 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Mercy Franciscan at St. John OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 15 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 981-5800 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Shelter: Men Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 Shelterhouse 721-0643 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Parkway Center 661-4620 Starting Over 961-2256 Shelter: Both Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Housing: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 Cincinnati Health Network $100 for 26 issues 961-0600 $150 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless for 26 issues and a $50 donation 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2015 | No. 319 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MYRA WILSON RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 2015 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 18- December 31, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: We Are People Pg 3: Last Community Forums of 2015 Focus on Investing in Neighborhoods and Addressing Mass Incarceration Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: Roll Up Your Sleeves Pg 6: Student Reflections of OTR Pg 7: Embracing Conflict as an Invitation to Grow ‘Right to Work’ A Tired, Failed Proposal Pg 8: Hollywood Filmmakers turn the Spotlight on World’s Homelessness Crisis Paul Bettany Pg 9: Prince William Pg 10: Adrian Lobb Steven Mackenzie Continued Pg 11: Cancer Justice Require New Thinking, Leadership, and Action Pg 12: Carolyn Park Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 18- December 31, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Dr. Mark Mussman Christopher Wilkey Marla Mackey Aaron Hatfield Peter Enzweiler Emily Dones Valeria Degutis Kensey Harman Jessica Willis Erin Myers Jason Haap Carolyn Park Steve Sunderland Wayne Stump Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Justin Jeffre Google Images Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aaron Hatfield Adrian Lobb Bill Woods Cancer Justice Carolyn Park Christopher Wilkey Dr. Mark Mussman Emily Dones Erin Myers GCHC Google Images Hollywood Incarceration Jason Haap Jessica Willis Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kensey Harman Kim Green Marla Mackey Over-the-Rhine Paul Bettany Peter Enzweiler Prince William Steve Sunderland Steven Mackenzie Valeria Degutis Volunteering Wayne Stump Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/d599bb498b5c75a9e8213479ec86013b.pdf 5ba012fcf3e5157eb1bcd4bfe257b4bb PDF Text Text December 4th - December 17th 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 25 (No. 318) advocating justice | Building community American Non-Profit Brings Joy To Homeless Kids | 9 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Students Become the Teachers | 5 The Animal Hospital Campaign | 3 America’s first studentrun homeless youth shelter | 9 the Connections between Economic Inequality and Big Money Politics | 7 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL Justice does not come swiftly…but it should JOSH SPRING A Executive Director woman or a man will walk into a Kroger store today, pick up a specific bottle of baby formula, put it under their shirt and walk out. If caught, she or he will be charged with theft, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In the state of Ohio the judge could decide to sentence this person to up to 180 days in jail, fine them up to $1,000 or both. While certainly the judge may not give the max sentence, there likely will be some time served in jail and/or a fine. Let’s say the sentence is a fine of less than $1,000. This woman or man took the baby formula because she or he did not have enough income to feed their child. The fine will further exacerbate the families’ poverty, lead to more need to shoplift, and could lead to interactions with child protective services, etc. Now at this point, those of us reading or writing this can have the luxury of debating whether or not this action was actually stealing/ theft. I believe there is no moral or logical way to define such an action as this as theft, stealing, wrong, sinful or any other such adjective. The parent in this scenario lives in a system that allows corporations to horde massive wealth, while people suffer and babies go hungry. Morality is on the side of the parent fighting to feed her or his child. But let’s look at this from another facet. Currently we are working with hundreds of people attempting to overcome the same terrible slumlord. This slumlord company is owned by the Puretz family of New York and New Jersey as well as Steve Reinman who works for the town of Lakewood, NJ. They are represented locally by attorney Steve Rothstein of Wyoming. They own 756 affordable apartments in Cincinnati. They have intentionally neglected these many properties, leading to unhealthy and unsafe living conditions. They have treated Residents with animosity. They have done all of this while receiving a $20 million mortgage and approximately $12 million in rent from Residents and the federal government. It is suffice to say that a negligible amount of this at least $32 million, received Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 or to maintain their job in order to keep themselves and their family fed. Every day someone is arrested and or shot on the corner while selling drugs in a systematically bullied attempt to earn an income. Everyday someone is charged with fraud for bouncing a check in an effort to buy food or clothing. Everyday men and women are charged with crimes for asking for help on the street or sleeping in a public space. This list could go on and on and on. But the point is that everyday people are charged with crimes and thusly punished for attempting to simply live. Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Alms Residents’ Association and Homeless Coalition grill out, build strength Photo: Justin Jeffre over the last two years has gone into the properties. We have worked with Residents to form Resident Associations and join a lawsuit filed by the city against the slumlords. Legal Aid has been fiercely representing the Resident Associations. We go to court December 16th. We are working to receive a judgement in favor of Residents that will lead to the improvement and sustainability of these 750 affordable homes. But let’s get back to the original situation in which a parent has been jailed and or fined for taking baby formula to feed their hungry child. Sure you can say, “Well that’s one of the most heart-strings-pulling examples you could use, but what about other examples?” Let’s be clear, this example happens every day in this country in numerous, unknown quantities. Every day people are charged with a crime for driving without a license while attempting to get a job Living-room ceiling of a Entowne Manor apartment after it fell and was “worked” on Photo: Josh Spring And as this happens, companies like the one we are fighting rake in millions and millions of dollars, don’t spend them in the ways they are contracted to, force people into unhealthy living conditions, try every sleazy tactic to keep Resident voices at bay, try to stop inspections, work to intimidate Residents, lie, etc. Even with the Residents, Legal Aid, Homeless Coalition and the City of Cincinnati going after them with the support of many community organizations, the process simply to have the case heard has taken more than a year. So here is the question to ask yourself and those you know: why is it that a parent can take food for their hungry baby and our system very quickly says it is theft and renders a punishment without any inherent consideration for the situation or the systems that caused it and yet a company with millionaire-owners can receive tens of millions of public and private dollars, break legal contracts regarding those dollars, force thousands of adults and children into unsafe and unhealthy living conditions and our system has no immediate reaction other than to keep paying them? Making it such that Residents, community groups and the local municipality have to spend countless hours attempting to get the larger government to see the thousands and thousands of already visible examples of crimes committed by this company. ------------------------ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson, Dante Williams Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Dan Moore, Dr. Mark Mussman, Jason Haap, Bill Woods, Manuel Perez, Ricardo Taylor, Kim Green, Willa Denise Jones Photography/Artwork: Justin Jeffre, Josh Spring, Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, Dr. Mark Mussman, Aimee Willhoite, Bill Woods, Ron English Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �LOCAL The Animal Hospital Campaign No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 DAN MOORE Contributing Writer T he campaign started earlier in the summer when Edwin, a Peruvian immigrant and an employee at the Animal Hospital came into the CIWC with a strange wage-theft/kickback scheme campaign. He mentioned that there were several others working there, but they were Mexicans and didn’t know their rights (in a somewhat condescending way). He attempted to involve the others but was unable. So I went ahead with Edwin’s wage theft case and was shocked at how quickly and easily the company owner, Stephanie Cable agreed to pay him his wages. This caught my attention. I forget exactly the extent of outreach I did after that, but I definitely visited and talked to a few workers on site at the building. Perhaps a few months later I got a call from Jose Luis, another employee, but this time a current one. He came in and brought his two co-workers, Pedro and Salvador. They had one other co-worker who they couldn’t convince to come down. Whereas Edwin was owed maybe $600, Pedro and Jose Luis had worked for years for the Animal Hospital and were owed tens of thousands of dollars (Salvador was owed substantially less, but wanted to support his friends). They proceeded to show me every single pay stub they ever had received, and then mentioned they had a video. I assumed it was going to be a blur- ry, shaky cell phone video where they caught the boss being rude to them (or something that wasn’t going to help much). Instead what they showed me was almost a candid camera style video with perfect clarity where they each went into to their bosses office, one by one, and asked her to explain how she determines how much they must pay back. She says clear as day something like “I just multiply how much overtime you work by 4 dollars an hour”. It was shocking to see and between the workers unity, their detailed documentation and this video I felt like we had a winning fight on our hands. The first step was having the workers meet with the member committee and explain the situation and develop an escalating plan. We wanted to make sure that we had time to get members involved and grab attention before the case settled. We planned to do a delegation first, where the workers would turn in their keys and quit. The owners had threatened workers with immigration before and there was a rumor that a worker years prior had been deported during this workers comp court case - so they didn’t want to stay at the company while fighting them. We went to the Animal Hospital with Sister Mary, Ellen Dienger from UFCW and a few other community and labor leaders. The boss who greeted us, immedi- ately started lashing out against the workers making less than veiled threats about calling immigration. It was somewhat shocking how much of an ass they were, usually even the worst bosses know when to act nice. In the meantime we worked with Mark Curnutte, at that time the reporter for the Enquirer who was working on Immigration stories, who had expressed interest in the story - but wanted the exclusive. When he met the workers to interview them, after hearing their story, their bravery and the companies immigration threats, he asked them if they wanted to be public about being undocumented. He said either way he’d cover it, but if they were public about being undocumented he could get this on the front page. The workers talked and decided it was worth it, that they wanted to be motivation for other undocumented workers to stand up for themselves. They also decided to file a DOL complaint before the story ran since that could potentially provide them some legal cover if there was any immigration enforcement (the DOL had just recently announced that DOL Wage an Hour would be eligible to offer U-visas for witness’s testimony). A few days passed and we escalated again, holding a picket in front of the animal hospital. I remember 30 or so people coming out, including a significant amount of mem- Protesters speak out against wage theft Photo: Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 3 bers as well. We marched around, made some noise, leafletted and energized the folks who came about the fight. Then the next day the Enquirer article came out - the story was above the fold front page, with a link to see the online video. It generated a lot of attention. The day the story came out the boss, Stephanie Cable, called up the office and I spoke to her. She asked if we could have a cease-fire and I repeated the workers’ demands, which she was now much more interested in hearing. Ultimately she said her lawyer advised her to not settle since there was a DOL investigation. Since the case was so high profile, and since we had ongoing dialog with the local DOL folks, we were able to get commitments from them to expedite their normal brutally slow process. A year or so later they eventually won double back pay for 21 workers - including Edwin. Apparently the company was so badly beaten they didn’t want to argue that they had actually paid Edwin his back wages. The workers remained active at the CIWC for some time, and even bought several thousand dollar’s worth of computer equipment for the Center as a token of their appreciation. I think they got U-visas as well, although I’m not positive. All in all it was an exciting fight that highlighted the rampant exploitation of workers, as well as the courage of those who choose to stand up and fight. It was an honor for me to be able to work on this campaign and celebrate the victories. ------------------------ �4 LOCAL Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! The 2016 Day by Day calendar is now available online at http://cincihomeless.org/ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �5 LOCAL Students Become the Teachers: Aiken New Tech Shantytown No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer W e recently had a visit from Aiken New Tech High School before they held their Shantytown in College Hill. There were about 45 students who met us at First Lutheran Church here in Over-the-Rhine for a speaking engagement. Willa Jones, one of the longtime members of the Homeless Coalition’s Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau gave her fantastic story of loss and recovery in a short 30 minutes. Willa always does a great job of helping the audience understand the many layers of homelessness, and she does it in a creative way – with her poetry. Pastor Brian from First Lutheran talked about creative ways he has involved the community in the church, including a performance series that helped raise money for local social service agencies. The significance of Aiken’s visit is that they are the Cincinnati Public High School with the highest percentage of students who experience homelessness. Youth homelessness comes in many forms, including doubling up, couch surfing, living in shelters, and even living on the street. Aiken signed up for several events with us that day, and I believe each interaction had a lasting impact. After Willa told her story, Josh Spring, the Homeless Coalition’s Executive Director, and I took a group of about 20 students each with us on a Social Justice Walking Tour. During the tour I learned that some of the students live in Over-the-Rhine, and they were willing to share some of their own personal observations on the changes over the years. As we went through Imagination Alley, one student said how the park had been gated for so long that she could barely remember what it looked like inside. They asked why would people displace families who had lived here so long, when there are vacant buildings that could be used for new housing? I led them to Washington Park where I discussed the history and they saw where Willa had spent many of her days and nights when she was living on the street. It was powerful for them to put a face with homelessness and then see exactly where she had been sleeping during Aiken New Tech with Willa Jones after she spoke Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman cold winter nights. After the tour, the students headed back to Aiken, and Melissa Mosby and I participated in Empty Bowls at Ursuline Academy. Ursuline has always been a strong supporter of the Homeless Coalition, and their event highlight was Melissa’s touching life story. Everyone in the room seemed emotionally connected to Melissa, and the outpouring of love was evident. We left Empty Bowls with filled hearts, and headed to Aiken in College Hill. At Aiken New Tech, we met up with the students who heard from Willa and took the tour earlier. They were huddled around a campfire on the cold night, and Melissa opened up to them and told her story. Emotionally, the students connected with Melissa, and at times Melissa was overwhelmed, taking a few seconds to compose herself. Students from Aiken New Tech listen intently to Willa’s life story Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman After she spoke, the students ran up to her and gave her an unbreakable group hug. The emotions began to run high as two students shared their own powerful stories of homelessness. As one students told their story, other students remarked “I didn’t know that… I didn’t know they went through that!” which made me realize how powerful storytelling is – especially when your audience has built an understanding of such complex issues. Before we left I asked the students if they had heard of Lighthouse Youth Services, and some had, but most had not. I told them about the Crisis Center and how they have a van that will get you to safety. I let them know that there are people out there that care about them, and even many people here, including their teachers and guidance counselors, who want to see them succeed. The contrast between the two schools we visited couldn’t have been more stark, but the outcome of each was one of solidarity and respect for human dignity. Maybe we should do a program with both schools? That night, emotionally spent, Melissa and I talked about how great it was that the students felt comfortable enough among their peers to share something that made them vulnerable. As we left Aiken, I realized how no one could have left that Shantytown without becoming closer to their classmates, and effectively, how we helped build community through our education program at the Homeless Coalition. Aiken New Tech created a short film: http://aikennewtech.cps-k12. org/news/whats-new/new-tech-students-experience-shantytown ------------------------ Aiken New Tech’s short film THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL Marveling at the Weirdness JASON HAAP Contributing Writer T he other day, I wanted a Cuban sandwich, so I decided to head over the Caribe Carryout on short Vine. Disclaimer: I am not a sports fan. I had no idea my evening trip to Caribe Carryout would coincide with a Bearcats football game. The fans were out in full force, but I luckily snagged free street parking only three blocks away. I started walking towards short Vine, likely the only person on the street not plugged into the Bearcat pregame. Since I don’t go to football games, I don’t tailgate. My understanding of tailgating, therefore, is limited. I thought tailgating was where people went to hang out and party before a game, and maybe to continue the festivities after a game. Maybe some people, without tickets, stayed for the whole game but the point was to be next to the stadium, where they could hear the roar of the crowd, and just generally be part of the celebratory game day culture. About a block east of short Vine, there is a very narrow parking lot. By “narrow,” I mean there were spots on the west side of the lot, and a driving lane on the east. The lot did not have more than just that single row of parking spots. The charge to park was $25. As I walked towards Caribe Carryout, I saw people with some grills, and some beer - so I figured all these people would be headed to the football game. I ate my sandwich inside the restaurant. It was good. I had a side Holiday Charity Bash For Homeless Chldren JASON HAAP Contributing Writer T here are lots of opportunities for people to engage charitable giving during the holiday season - from swiping a few extra dollars at Kroger for the Freestore Foodbank, to attending fundraising dinners in support of a favorite local charity or nonprofit. But for William Sprankles, a Cincinnati-based associate with the Center for Transformative Teacher Training and a former administrator from Princeton City Schools, it would be even better if he could turn an evening out with friends into something with a higher purpose. Enter the “Holiday Charity Bash for Homeless Children,” taking place Friday, December 11th at the Elements Event Center in Sharonville. Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 of stew and rice, and selected the jerk chicken stew. I’ll definitely be back for the stews, and I still regret that I did not order an empanada. By the time I left, I knew the game had started, as it was on the restaurant’s television. As I returned to my car, and passed the narrow lot again, I beheld a sight I had not seen before. All of the vehicles (the first several were pick-up trucks) had tents at the back. In the trailer were flatscreen TVs. People huddled around the grill, the cooler, and the TV, standing in a Clifton parking lot to watch the UC game on television. The next stall spot down, this scene repeated. There was another truck. Another grill. Another cooler. Another flatscreen. And another set of people huddled around, in their own independent group. As I looked down the row of parked cars, that’s what I kept seeing. These people were not joining into some kind of public, parking-lot-based tailgating community. Instead, this was a narrow row of cars where people forked over $25 to park. They used their parking spots to set up grills and TV’s, huddled in groups of people who already knew each other. Maybe this is totally normal behavior for a sports fan. Maybe, were I someone who cared one bit about football, I would be excited to see this kind of spontaneous social space. But I just kept marveling at the trouble to which these people had subjected themselves. Instead of inviting some friends to their houses - where they could have a grill, and cold beer, and a flatscreen - these people packed up major household supplies, including electric generation, for the ability to pay $25 dollars to watch a college sports match in a parking lot several blocks away from the actual venue. They did this while socializing with people they already knew, ignoring the people in the next spot down, doing the exact same thing. I guess I have no real point other than to marvel at how weird people are sometimes... “The idea from the event is really generated by two purposes,” explained Sprankles. Primarily, I wanted to support homeless children during the holidays. It’s tough to imagine the thousands of kids waking up on Christmas morning not having any gifts to understand the spirit of love and giving. Secondly, I love to #PartyWithPurpose. Nothing is better than spending time with your own family, friends, and colleagues, with good music and drinks, in the spirit of giving to the less fortunate.” After thinking about how to #PartyWithPurpose, Sprankles created a Facebook event and reached out to people to help spread the word. Disclaimer: in addition to working for Sprankles when we both were at Princeton, I am one of the people trying to raise awareness of this event. For my own part, I generally like the idea of turning a night out with friends into something that also serves others. As this inaugural event continues to form, its potential scope grows. Originally, the event was going to draw area educators together - but the audience has evolved beyond teachers and administrators. The target audience is anyone willing to support a child in need, said Sprankles. “Basically, if you’re willing to give to a homeless child, then I’d love to hangout with you and engage in some dialogue and THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ (Continued on page 7) �No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 7 LOCAL Connecting All the Dots - Robert Reich Makes the Connections between Economic Inequality and Big Money Politics BILL WOODS Contributing Writer R obert Reich is one of those rare people who can connect all the dots. As a professor of economics, the author of numerous books on the economy, and a former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration, he ranks as an astute scholar of current economic trends. He is also the Chairman of Common Cause, A citizen reform organization, because he is fully aware of the connections between politics, government policy, and U.S. financial institutions and corporations. “We can’t sustain our current course either economically or politically.” Reich made this pronouncement on a recent visit to Cincinnati to promote his new book, “Saving Capitalism for the Many Not the Few.” Speaking at an event at Joseph Beth Booksellers, he outlined what he considers to be some very troubling economic trends in this country. He then related these economic developments directly to government decisions and public policies. In both his new book and his talk at Joseph Beth, Reich asserts that capitalism and representative democracy are not currently working very well in the U.S. Healthy competition in the market place, a hallmark of a capitalist system, he noted, has been greatly diminished by large corporate consolidations. He cited Cable-services, the airlines, and the pharmaceutical companies as examples of shrinking competition. These growing monopolies, he said, are a result of the government deregulation that has taken place since the 1980s. One of the causes of the financial collapse of 2008, acknowledges Reich, can be linked to the deregulation of banking institutions. Regulations to protect normal banking from financial speculation had been on the books since the Progressive Era of the early 1900s, but Wall Street lobbyists in the 1990s were able to convince Congress to emasculate this law. The former Labor Secretary further revealed that the percentage of funds controlled by the giant banks has actually increased from 25-percent in 2007 to 44-percent today. To Reich, the most harmful trend is the growing economic inequality that has emerged. “We are still the richest country in the world,” he declared, “but the riches are now very unevenly distributed.” From the 1950s through the 1970s, a balance existed in terms of levels of income, but from the 1980s to the present this balance shifted to the point where economic inequality is at an all-time high. In tracing this trend to politics and government, Reich talks about the growing influence of “big money” on campaigns. He also pointed to the decline of organized labor as a protector of average workers. Furthermore, this era of deregulation also brought major cuts in employee training programs and the safety net in general. Reich emphasized that a huge part of our workforce lives from pay check to pay check in what he called an “insecure” work environment. Minimum wage laws have failed miserably to keep pace with the cost of living. A large number of the workingpoor work full time, but their wages still put them below the poverty line. Reich asked whether it was morally acceptable that full time employment can still keep a person in poverty. The only way out of our economic and political decline, according to Reich, is a people’s movement that uses the democratic process to begin to reform both our economic and government imbalances. To reach this stage average people will have to start talking to each other about the serious public issues that confront us. Americans must overcome the polarization that keeps us separated in our little groupings that don’t allow us to see the common good. Although Reich paints a bleak picture, he also expressed optimism to his audience at Joseph Beth Booksellers. His talks with young people at colleges across the country give him confidence that the new generation of voters and citizen activists will be up to the task of responding to the trends that have temporarily caused our economy and democracy to veer off course. ------------------------ Experience as a new member of the Cincinnati Workers Center participating in my first direct action MANUEL PÉREZ Contributing Writer I was a victim of wage theft on two occasions, one of them in construction work and the other one in landscaping. Luckily I was able to count on the support of the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, an organization that over the last ten years has helped hundreds of workers recover over $1,000,000 in stolen salaries. I not only received service from the staff at that time, Director Don Sherman and Organizer Dan Moore; they also invited me to attend their activities in the Workers Center. As a low income worker and needing at least two jobs in order to provide for myself and my family, time was a limiting factor; however, they were in constant communication with me, inviting me to their activities via emails, phone calls, bulletins, etc. Being informed about the Workers Center’s activities, even if I was not able to participate, allowed me to remain interested. Eventually, the restaurants where I worked changed JASON HAAP (Continued from page 6) relationship building. Lots of educators are the first to commit to attending the event, I suppose because they see and feel this type of impact everyday in their classrooms. But overall, anyone willing to support the their schedules and I was free on of the Workers Center was the case in their paychecks. I thought that Tuesdays. This coincided with the of the workers at the Animal Hospithe demands of my companions were weekly meeting of the Workers tal on Hamilton Avenue, who were just, and I committed to participatRights Committee, so that I was able cheated out of overtime by being to start attending. forced to return to the owners the (Continued on page 11) As I started participating in overtime pay that had been included those meetings I realized how important it is for every worker to become involved in an organization that understands his or her reality and needs. Also, I learned about rights, health and safety at the workplace, and this allowed me to get to know other workers who were victims of abuse and wage theft at work just as I was. I knew my solidarity with their struggle. My first experience in a direct acManuel Stands with fellow protesters Photo: Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center tion as a new member cause is welcome.” Of course, with it being the winter holiday season, people are generally more inclined to do something charitable. While making sure children experiencing homelessness get to experience a joyful Christmas morning may be noble, there are other, more impactful needs to be met throughout the entire year. Sprankles is aware of this more expansive need, too “There is a plan evolving behind the scenes to help with the less fortunate beyond the Holiday season, concluded Sprankles. “I’m not sure, but this concept of great people, coming together to support other amazing people, has the poten- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED tial to evolve.” I agree. I love this idea of a #PartyWithPurpose, and I hope Sprankles figures out how to get people together throughout the year for a good time while also doing something good. ------------------------ �8 WORLD In photos: Our home in space Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 The International Space Station seen from above. Photo NASA STAFF WRITER www.INSP.ngo / Reuters A s the International Space Station celebrates 15 years of occupancy, we share photos from NASA depicting life on the largest man-made object in space, orbiting approximately 250km above Earth. The space station has been continuously occupied since November 2000. In that time, more than 200 people from 15 countries have visited. It functions as a microgravity laboratory in which an international crew of six people live and work while traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth every 90 minutes. The station’s solar array wingspan (240ft) is longer than that of a Boeing 777 and reflects the sun’s light as it passes overhead; often appearing as a bright, star-like object moving across the night sky. It might even be mistaken for Santa’s sleigh this Christmas, as it orbits above northern Europe on 24 December. ------------------------ Astronaut Chris Cassidy inside the Cupola using a 400mm lens on a digital still camera to photograph a target of opportunity on Earth, some 250 miles below, on June 10, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/NASA Astronaut Mike Hopkins as he participates in the second of two spacewalks which took place on December 24, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/NASA NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg demonstrates how she washes her hair in zero gravity on July 12, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/NASA THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �WORLD America’s first student-run homeless youth shelter to open in Massachusetts No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 STAFF WRITER www.INSP.ngo / Reuters A group of Harvard students will open America’s first student-run youth overnight shelter in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Y2Y Harvard Square overnight shelter will open in December. On November 6, founders Sam Greenberg and Sarah Rosenkrantz - both Harvard graduates - met with state officials, service providers and members of the homeless community at the First Parish Church in Cambridge to celebrate the creation of Y2Y. Guest speaker U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said that there is an estimated 39,000 homeless youth in the United States on any given night, 20-30 percent of whom are LGBTQ. “We’ve got people who came together and said we’re going to create the right kind of space, the right kind of place for them to be able to come,” Warren said. “The key of what I’m here today to celebrate is not anything we started in Washington. The key is about people Sarah Rosenkrantz and Sam Greenberg, co-directors of Y2Y Harvard Square homeless shelter in Cambridge. Photo: Zengzheng Wang locally saying, ‘I may not be able to fix it all, I may not be able to take on all 39,000 homeless youth, but what we can do is we can make a start right here in Cambridge.’” Y2Y will operate out of the church’s renovated basement and will give guests and volunteers opportuni- ties to “become the next generation’s leading advocates for young adultdriven solutions to homelessness,” Rosenkrantz said. “For so long, this mission statement has felt so far off. There were barriers to overcome, there were hoops to jump through and there still American non-profit brings birthday joy to homeless kids HALEY HAMILTON www.INSP.ngo / Spare Change News T he presents start at the bottom of the stairs at Episcopal Trinity Church in Newton Centre. Stacks of gift bags, brightly wrapped packages, and cardboard boxes filled with toys wind their way up from the lobby to the second floor of the church, letting everyone know that they are nearing Birthday Wishes headquarters. “Yeah, we’re usually about out of room to put things,” said Executive Director Lisa Vasiloff. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Birthday Wishes, founded in 2002 by Vasiloff and co-founders Karen Yahara and Carol Zwanger, is a nonprofit organization with a very straightforward mission: to bring the joy of a birthday party to children living in homeless shelters. What started as a family project geared toward giving Vasiloff, Yahara and Zwanger an opportunity to introduce their children to community service and volunteering - has since sprouted into a multistate organization with regional offices in Newton Centre, Northborough, Woburn and South Hadley in Massachusetts; Pawtucket, Rhode Island and in Long Island, New York. “It was clear that this couldn’t be just a hobby for me… but I never imagined it would become what it is,” Vasiloff said. With 11 paid employees and a network of nearly 500 active volunteers, Birthday Wishes works with over 200 shelters and transitional-living facili- ties in the three states. In total, 34,000 children living in shelters will have attended a Birthday Wishes birthday party by the end of the year. The idea, as signs around the 9 are. But with Y2Y set to open next month, this mission statement has never felt more real or more alive.” Former State Rep. and current Executive Director of the AIDS Action Committee Carl Sciortino said that Y2Y would offer a place for his organization to send their clients at night. “For us as an organization, this is about the intersection of public health, social justice and a basic compassionate dignity for some of our most vulnerable in society,” Sciortino said. “We know homeless youth are ten times more likely to acquire HIV, [so] we have an imperative to provide young adults the compassion, the safety net, the service access, everything we can provide and yes, a warm safe place to sleep at night.” While those in attendance took the opportunity to thank Y2Y staff and volunteers for their efforts in creating the shelter, Greenberg said that the real work starts in December. “The real work starts next month, when there are 22 meals to serve every night. When there are hundreds of dishes to wash, when there are bags of laundry to fold,” he said. “When we open next month, we’ll have a sanctuary to create. We’ll have a movement to sustain, and I think, most importantly we’ll have a future to build.” ------------------------ Newton Centre office remind volunteers, is simple: birthdays equal joy. And joy diminishes trauma. Every month the shelters that partner with Birthday Wishes send the organization a list with the names, ages and genders of resident children whose birthdays fall in that month. With that list in hand, Birthday Wishes party coordinators start planning. All items used for birthday par- (Continued on page 10) Lisa Vasiloff, Cofounder & Executive Director of Birthday Wishes, poses for a picture at the NGO’s main office in Newton, Massachusetts on Wednesday November 18, 2015. Birthday Wishes is a NGO that organizes birthday parties for homeless children in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Long Island, New York. Photo: Alena Kuzub THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 WORLD Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 HALEY HAMILTON (Continued from page 9) ties are donated either by individual donors or local organizations, like Girl Scout troops and churches who sponsor toy drives for Birthday Wishes. “Cakes can be a bit of a problem,” Vasiloff said. “We can’t just keep those in our office.” But donated cakes come from all over, too, be it from someone baking at home, a restaurant or bakery sending extra product or baking specifically for the party. “You’d be surprised at the number of CEOs and VPs who are actually fabulous cake decorators,” added Vasiloff. The Birthday Wishes model is based on the idea that you don’t have to have a lot of money or even a big space to have a really enjoyable time and give children a memorable celebration. Every party is set up with decorations, balloons, music, cake, arts and crafts, a game or activity and, of course, presents. “Each child celebrating a birthday gets about four gifts and every one attending gets a goody bag-it’s important that everyone is given something at the party,” Vasiloff said. Equality is at the forefront of every volunteer’s mind when it comes to planning and executing a Birthday Wishes party. Jill Glazer, who started volunteering with Birthday Wishes in Jill Glazer, a long time Birthday Wishes’ volunteer, assembles goodie bags for future parties at the NGO’s main office in Newton, Massachusetts on Wednesday November 18, 2015. Birthday Wishes is a NGO that organizes birthday parties for homeless children in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Long Island, New York. Photo: Alena Kuzub 2010, works to make sure every goody bag has the same toys and same number of pieces of candy and other goodies. “We joke and call me head of Quality Control,” Glazer said. “But consistency is key - when you give your own kid a party you would never not give everyone the same thing… everyone should be included.” That sense of inclusion sits at the heart of Birthday Wishes’ mission. “It’s really important that [the children living in a shelter or transitional housing] be able to maintain the normalcy of being kids,” said Risa Mednick, executive director of Transition House, a Cambridge-based shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence that has been working with Birthday Wishes for a number of years. “Birthday parties are certainly a part of that, and what Birthday Wishes creates is a festive celebration of children, of their birthdays and their lives.” According to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, roughly 4,300 families with children and preg- (Continued on page 11) Mission- We are an oasis of hospitality providing a safe and pleasant place for persons in need, to shower, shave, brush their teeth, use a toilet, have clothes laundered, have use of a phone and have a place to receive messages and mail. 1221 Main St | Cincinnati, OH 45202 | P: (513) 721-4811 http://www.marymagdalenhouse.org/pages/home.htm Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Resident Assistant - Medical Care Coordinator Health Manager - Family Service Worker - Teacher - Assistant teachers Lighthouse Youth Services lighthouse.org Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati lascinti.org Our Daily Bread ourdailybread.us - Change Court Coordinator - Disability and Mental - Legal Assistant - Paralegal - Multiple Openings - Kitchen Manager THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Shelter House shelterhousecinti. org - Shelter Director - Resident Aide - Cook Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc. org - Accounting Assistant �No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 HALEY HAMILTON (Continued from page 9) nant women were in the Massachusetts Emergency Assistance shelter program as of June 2015. Nearly a third of those families were housed in hotels or motels. “These kids live very dark, scary lives,” Vasiloff said. They’re surround- MANUEL PÉREZ (Continued from page 9) ing in a public demonstration across the street from their workplace. I was afraid of what might happen, as this was the first time I participated in a public action demanding justice, and I feared I would be repressed by the authorities, as happened many times in my country when people demonstrated. The day of the action, organizer Dan Moore came to pick me up, as I had no transportation. We arrived at the designated site with plenty of time before the scheduled activity. We looked for parking near the action so we would be able to observe when other people showed up. We were unloading posters, flyers and a megaphone from his car when a local police car came and parked next to us. The police officer got out of the car and came up to us asking, “What are you doing?” Dan greeted him very calmly and explained we would be demonstrating across from the hospital because its workers were being robbed of their overtime, and their owners didn’t want to pay them despite repeated phone calls and letters. The officer said that workers’ wage theft was unacceptable. He commented that we were right to apply public pressure. He said that as long as we respected public property, didn’t block the free movement of passers-by, and maintained order in our activity, there would be no problem. They would be patrolling the neighborhood to ensure our security and in case we needed something. Little by little other people arrived: Animal Hospital workers and their families, faith community allies, and workers, members and staff from the Workers Center. The action started with a brief 11 LOCAL ed by the repercussions of substance abuse, domestic violence; and they’re not living in safe, warm environments. When people think about basic needs, a birthday party sounds small, but those small bursts of joy are important, she said. So important, in fact, that this year Birthday Wishes has hired the Center for Social Innovation at the Boston College School of Social Work to perform a social impact study of the Birthday Wishes program. While the study won’t be released until February, the staff at Birthday Wishes eagerly await the results. “At the end of the party, when people are finishing up the cake and the kids are opening their presents - these are times that are really rare in these congregate shelters,” Vasiloff said. “You have women facing a million challenges and kids growing up in difficult surroundings, but at the parties everyone comes. People can kind of forget about … all the other stuff for a while. We know so clearly that this makes a difference.” presentation by those in attendance. Daniel, as organizer, gave the necessary recommendations for an orderly activity and asked the workers to speak. They explained the reason for their demands and the need for public pressure so they could be heard. The action had a lot of energy and dynamism from each and every participant; we had signs with our demands, gave out flyers to all those who walked by, shouted and raised our voices demanding justice for our companions. The action was successful. We received special support from some customers who came to the Animal Hospital and then joined our activity! I felt the support as well from many people who were walking by and taking our flyers, from drivers who honked for justice and in support of our brothers and sisters’ cause. At the end, one of the workers took the floor and gave thanks in the name of his companions for all the support they had received. We said goodbye, some with a handshake and others with a hug. We left the area sure that we had done the right thing. And we had in our hearts and minds the satisfaction of our accomplishment that day and the hope that, in a not too distant future, there would be justice for our brothers and sisters. The lesson I learned that day was that executing a direct action is a very powerful tool for the workers, because it’s the way of making abuses public. And also that, in most cases, it’s very effective for sharing demands forging solutions. We should not be afraid of demonstrating publicly because it’s one of our rights, and as long as we exercise them, things will change. Our companions from the Animal Hospital gave us an example to be followed: they were not afraid, they publicized what was happening, and despite the threats and retaliation on the part of their employer, justice was done. ------------------------ ------------------------ Citizens taking a stand against wage theft Photo: Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �12 The way of the Street LOCAL Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor ‘The way one lives is often, as not, a mirage’ S tanding on the block; in the middle of the street, or on the curb, it’s all the same. Street life; live like you get down, or get down like you live! Ah ha. So you don’t know? Well, take a moment to stroll with me while we take a tour. We all live with expectations, and we in accord with those expectations are looking for specific results. In the world of the street person, there is consistency of vigilance, you have to always be aware of your surroundings, and your survival mode stays on one hundred, as you know that, any missed opportunity could leave you in straits. Now the last thing we want or need to happen is a disruption in our daily routine, for that would cause both confusion and a setback in our objectives for the day! We know what time to feed, too hustle, and to retire. Any variation in those quests will result in a wasted day! It’s understood by the street individual that every scheduled event of the day is important in order to have a successful day. There is no rescheduling, or makeup in those events, the fact is if we don’t get it when it’s available we don’t get it at all! So, the first task of the day is the feeding. Stomach growling, we have to access that source of energy which allows us to resource for the day. Hunger effects the judgement, causing the mind to become pre­occupied with food, often so much so, that our other survival needs are left unattended. Fulfilling that first objective; stomach quiet, energy up its time to find a hustle! In the life of the street there is always that need to hustle. The small things that are so often taken for granted by most, become the most important in the world of the street life. The shuffling, to and fro, searching for the opportunity in order to access the daily needs; cigarettes, bus fare, what have you, becomes the highlight of your survival. You have to make a few dollars to satisfy the necessities. Finding a day’s work can be a job in itself, yet, with that sense of determination something can be accomplished. It’s that drive and determination which allows for some sense of fulfillment. When you have satisfied that need for a day’s ‘wages’ you feel a sense of accomplishment! So much so, that the small benefit of a day’s success Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite can be felt when you hold on tightly to the little you may have! Of course celebrations are short lived and the next phase of your daily routine sets you again in motion. For those who reside in a shelter we know that our time is limited and it is of importance that we make the timing so that we can secure our place in whatever facility. For the rest of us, those who live on the street, it’s the waiting game! ‘The waiting game’, so let me explain! If you live outside, a vehicle, an abandoned building, or wherever there is always that need for caution. An important rule is that you get in late and out early! One’s safety and secu- rity depends on detection! Not wanting to draw attention to that spot of one’s security, you safeguard that knowledge by following the rule of no tell or show! So, we get a glimpse of the way of the street, however, we have to realize that your chances of survival, in the sense of one day overcoming the life of the street, requires much more than the just a glimpse! We have to involve our efforts in finding both support and sustained resources! It is here where I conclude that it takes a community to relieve the ills of all our social disparities. ------------------------ For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 Ron English, Streetvibes Writer and Distributor, shares his art. Appreciation Ragga Ragga, Ragga Appreciation is a word that can be reckoned with My favorite animal friend Appreciation is something we often times consider a myth The dog that weighs 100 pounds Appreciation is something I give to God each day for my living above ground He has brown eyes and a long nose And for his blessing of putting people in my life so stable and sound The dog that likes me to rub his chin, To understand just what it is that I as a person need to honestly appreciate His head, his back, his feet, his arms and legs And to know that my mission of appreciation will not be a simple piece of cake Through being jailed and being homeless not to mention in the world all by Ragga likes to chase the deer He watches the birds when they are near He likes to take long rides all across the land He likes to go riding in Bam’s and Sharon’s van He likes to play catch ball with me He is so smart and real funny myself I’ve learned to appreciate the hand that God to me has gracefully dealt I’ve learned to never forget the past and look forward to each day even though not promised I’ve learned to forgive but not forget and stop being a doubting Thomas I recognize and therefore appreciate the changes my life have ultimately taken He reminds me of Scooby Doo I’ve learned to appreciate my faults for without them there would be no lesson Ragga, Ragga I’ve learned to recognize my short comings and now I appreciate God’s I love you! Almighty Blessings KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 83 Across 1. Desert haven 6. Batch 9. Solemn promise 13. Monetary aid 14. Self 15. Oddity 16. Measuring stick 17. Section of a journey 18. Projecting bay window 19. Transparent gem 21. Type of roof 23. Draw 24. Podium 25. A light touch 28. Story 30. Compulsory threat or force 35. Turns litmus paper red 37. Couch 39. Electromagnetic radiation 40. Single 41. Divide by two 43. Wear away by rubbing 44. Group of soldiers 46. Intuitive awareness 47. Narrate 48. Main course 50. Cot 52. Golf peg 53. Ecstatic 55. Restaurant bill 57. Obtain 61. Well-founded 65. Overhang 66. Type of tree 68. Pointer 69. Vista 70. Actor’s prompt 71. Dissonance 72. Portable shelter 73. Female chicken 74. Ire Down 1. Fiend 2. Starch resembling sago 3. Occasion for buying at reduced prices 4. Torpid 5. Narrow sea channel 6. Join together by heating 7. Mature 8. Tenet 9. Belonging to us 10. Song for solo voice 11. Grade or level 12. Ship’s cargo space 15. Diplomat 20. Tether 22. Assist 24. Turn aside 25. One of the senses 26. Fruit of the oak 27. Fly a plane 29. Be lazy or idle 31. Narrow fissure in rock 32. Bird 33. Sedimentary rock 34. Fashion 36. Room access 38. Allege 42. Selected as the best 45. Examine 49. Sensory receptor 51. Type of fruit 54. Shade of pink tinged with yellow 56. Mogul 57. Persistently annoying person 58. Speed competition 59. Kitchen appliance 60. Fractional monetary unit 61. At that time 62. Jail on board a ship 63. Misplace 64. Pitcher 67. Litigate SODOKU PUZZLE NO 217 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 317 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 82 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 216 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 318 | Dec 4 - D ec 1 8 , 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 381-SAFE 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 Shelterhouse 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 981-5800 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 St. Vincent de Paul 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House 721-0643 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over 661-4620 First Step Home 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 AA Hotline CCAT 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) 621-5300 981-5800 961-1983 961-2256 961-4663 351-0422 381-6672 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 421-0065 784-1853 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both 221-HELP 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry Mercy Franciscan at St. John 562-8841 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing 271-5501 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-1064 Prospect House 921-1613 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Talbert House Tender Mercies 535-2719 591-2246 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 621-6364 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men 241-5525 Shelter: Both Housing: 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 Parkway Center Our Daily Bread St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 15 Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS Health Center for Respite Care 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 721-4700 421-7803 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 241-2600 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 621-5514 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place Talbert House United Way Women Helping Women Off The Streets Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 351-7921 631-1114 751-7747 211 977-5541 421-5211 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Dec 4 - Dec 17, 2015 | No. 318 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MYRA WILSON RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 2015 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 4-December 17, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: Justice Does Not Come Swiftly…But It Should Pg 3: The Animal Hospital Campaign Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: Students Become the Teachers Pg 6: Marveling at the Weirdness Holiday Charity Bash for Homeless Children Pg 7: Connecting All the Dots Experience as a New Member of the Cincinnati Workers Center Participating in my First Direct Action Pg 8: In Photos Pg 9: America’s First Student-Run Homeless Youth Shelter to Open in Massachusetts American Non-Profit Brings Birthday Joy to Homeless Kids Pg 10: Haley Hamilton Continued Pg 11: Haley Hamilton Continued Pg 12: The Way of the Street Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 4-December 17, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Dan Moore Dr. Mark Mussman Jason Haap Bill Woods Manuel Perez Ricardo Taylor Kim Green Willa Denise Jones Justin Jeffre Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center Ron English Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Animal Hospital Bill Woods Cincinnati Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center Cincinnati Workers Center Dan Moore Dr. Mark Mussman Jason Haap Josh Spring Justice Justin Jeffre Kim Green Manuel Perez Massachusetts Non-Profit Photography Ricardo Taylor Robert Reich Ron English Shantytown shelters Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/f5c7038bc92cbf6c6f49b80d258bd6c4.pdf d4d3422081afe228c2a6a035c0b36598 PDF Text Text November 20th - December 3rd 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 24 (No. 317) advocating justice | Building community Streetvibes Shadow: RENT Edition | 5 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Households Endure Collapsed Roof | 2 Imagine... | 3 Revolving Neighborhoods Tale of Two Cities - Focus on Urban League Report | 7 |6 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL buddy gray JOSH SPRING Executive Director S unday, November 15th was the 19th anniversary of the day that buddy gray was shot and died at the Drop Inn Center. This week, working with Residents of the Burton Avenue apartment building whose roof collapsed after years of neglect by the owners, I thought of buddy. The owners of this building own more than 750 affordable apartments in our city. We, along with Legal Aid have been working with Residents since January. We have organized a Residents’ Association at the Alms, Entowne Manor and Burton. Consider how hard it is to organize and fight back about your home, where you live. You know the owners will illegally try to intimidate you and persecute you. They may try to illegally threaten your very home. In these difficult endeavors we have to join together to see the long picture, knowing there will be lots of struggle, and some setbacks, but never losing sight of our strategy and goal. Much of the job of the organizing coalition is to empower people to keep the goal in mind despite the uphill climb. In this I thought of the following poem written by buddy in January of 1978: buddy gray with Donald Whitehead Photo: Jimmy Heath Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 Facing New Year To My Co-Workers Our Road has been a rocky, Risky, Uphill climb And our Peoples Program is only yet an infant in its travels There Have been casualties, many hardships, many frustrations Some joy, some advances Our Enemies have marveled at our Relentlessness Our FRIENDS have Appreciated our work, rallied behind us, And EVER grown in numbers The Road Ahead is Not Clear & Simple- as far as we can see… Our Days Ahead are not merely working hard, building----------RATHER periods of Difficult STRUGGLES, Working hard, building… BUT we have a People’s Heritage to Inspire us FOR UNMISTAKABLE are testimony to our Laboring Perseverance thus far-------stronger Unity, Much Growth, And The POTENTIAL to move The Mountainsbg ------------------------ JOSH SPRING H community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson, Dante Williams Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Executive Director mainder. Puretz, Reinman and others purchased these properties for approximately $20 million outright with no debt. They then mortgaged the properties for about $18 million. Every month they collect upwards of half a million dollars in rent. In the last two years they have hired staff with a history of thievery from management companies and from vulnerable people. They have put an extremely low percentage of these tens of millions into the repair or even basic upkeep of these homes. In regard to an extremely low percentage, consider this: the potentially low approximation of $500,000 each month for 24 months equals $12 million, plus the $18 million from the mortgage equals access to at least $30 million in the last two years, all in ad- advocating justice and building Peter Kobak Households Endure Collapsed Roof While Slumlords Slip On Millionaire Row: Our Plan To Upend Them ave you ever commented, “I don’t know how they can sleep at night!”? Most of us probably have. What we are really saying is that we assume that if most people acted in a way that hurt other people, their conscience would rattle them so much that they could not sleep. Two years ago the Puretz family of New York and New Jersey, as well as Steve Reinman who works for the town of Lakewood, NJ and other “investors” purchased about a dozen buildings in Cincinnati with 756 apartments. Each of these apartments provide subsidized, affordable housing for individuals and families who cannot afford market rate housing. Residents pay 30% of their income in rent and the federal government pays the re- Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, dition to the fact that these “investors” were already wealthy before this. It is difficult for the human mind to mathematically consider the extremely low percentage of this $30 million that has been put back into the properties. As a result, for a time, these properties were managed by a known criminal who stole $100,000 “from” the owners, though they won’t press charges… He used to walk into peoples’ apartments with a gun on his hip. We worked with Legal Aid and Residents of Alms to eventually get him fired. They have “lost” unknown amounts of filed work orders and also “lost” rent payments. They have employed virtually no security at each property despite the requests of Residents for safety. Their proper- (Continued on page 3) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Writers: Josh Spring, Jim Luken, Dr. Mark Mussman, Haley Day, Bill Woods, Sharon Doering, Steve Sunderland, Ricardo Taylor, Lee McCoy, Kim Green, Willa Jones Photography/Artwork: Jimmy Heath, Iris Roley, Dr. Mark Mussman, Justin Jeffre, Aimee Willhoite, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �LOCAL No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 Imagine... nine children, deliberately wounded in an attack that had killed seven of their playmates two days earlier (1993). These were all victims of various forms of terrorism. More importantly—in the context of what happened in Paris—for many years I witnessed an entire country being terrorized by a wanton war, organized, directed, and illegally financed by the US and the CIA (Nicaragua, 1986, ‘87, ‘88). I read the CIA’s infamous “assassination” manual, which was distributed to the Contra terrorists whom Reagan called “the moral equivalent of our founding fathers.” Like all terrorism, what we did in Nicaragua was immoral, illegal, and perpetrated in order to frighten poor farmers into turning their backs on the revolutionary government that was providing them education, food relief, health care, and land reform— a chance for a better life. Thousands of teachers, nurses, lay catechists and farmers died at the hands of “our” Contras. I met some of the children and friends of several of those victims. Looking back, Nicaragua finds itself on a long list of countries whose elected governments were abused and overthrown by “the greatest country in the history of the world.” Today US drones—pilotless death machines—continue to wreak fear and terror, while creating intense anger among thousands of civilians in Muslim countries throughout the Mideast and Far East. Understandably these “accidental” casualties drive ever more desperate boys (and girls) into the ranks of Islamic radicalism. Some of these become fighters. Others, suicide bombers. Even now ISIS’s boots­ on­ the­ ground numbers are relatively minuscule. Like all terrorists, they have an agenda: to strike fear and revulsion in the hearts of huge numbers of white Westerners. With our mass media fanning the flames of hatred and revenge, their disgusting tactics are working wonders. As a people we are afraid. “What if it happens here?” we ask. “To my own children?” But the chance of any reader of this essay being the victim in a terrorist attack are similar maybe to having a car or truck crash into your home and killing a loved one. All this goes back to “the day that changed everything.” As many of you will recall, after 9/11, the US sought revenge. Where? Afghanistan, then Iraq. The Bush administration lied us into the Iraq war, claiming Hussein had abetted the plot that killed 3000 in the US. Fact: Hussein hated Al Qaeda. Fact: Not one on the 19 alleged hijackers came from either of the countries we invaded. They were from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the US’s most important client states in the Mid­east, after Israel. Osama Bin Laden sprang from a wealthy Saudi family. To this day, our hubristic grab for Iraqi oil and hegemony in the Middle East has yielded nothing...except the devastation of a once prosperous country...and ever more terrorists and suicide bombers. My point here must be obvious. America and its allies (like France and England) engage in systematic terrorism against Muslim countries. The fact that these tactics are warlike, and perpetrated by our militaries, does not make them any less gruesome. These actions—in terms of numbers, i.e., body­counts—far exceed anything ISIS has done, or will be able to do. But...1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, most of them poor and powerless, are aware of these realities. I may be preaching to the choir, but try to keep yourselves from being overtaken by fear. John Lennon instructed us to “Imagine.” Imagine the surprise and joy among Muslim people around the world if they were to see and feel the “Christian” West treating them with respect, care and love, engaging in benevolent acts of support that might make their lives better, instead of raining hell down upon them from the skies. Imagine all the people, living life in peace. Resident Associations joining the lawsuit. They own a series of properties on Burton Avenue in Avondale. Earlier in the summer one of those buildings burned, displacing the families that lived there, the company tried their hardest to provide zero support. This month another building on Burton had its roof collapse. At 4am the nearly 30 households were awakened by fire department personnel telling them they and their children had to evacuate because the roof was coming down. People on the top floor stepped out of their beds into ankle-deep water. Amidst pressure the owners agreed to keep households in a hotel for one week. Owners claim that providing for Residents is not their responsibility because according to them, the roof collapsing was an “act of God”. Residents had been filing work orders for months and months because of the many leaks. Before the roof collapsed, when it rained Residents had to take an umbrella just to walk down the hallway. These very wealthy people have jeopardized the housing of over 750 households in Cincinnati. They have threatened our community with the possible loss of over 750 affordable homes, hence our fight to save these homes. They have created environments that have led to violence. They have treated Residents with disregard and animosity. Adults and children have had to endure unhealthy living conditions, causing sickness. They have pocketed the rents families on the edge can afford to pay. They have pocketed the public dollars. And this month they forced 30 households into homelessness and then would only agree to pay for their continued stay in the hotel after 24 hours of argument, because the Residents gave up their right to reimbursement of their wasted November rent - amidst loss of food, clothing and other needed goods. All of this and the many unstated wrongdoings and sickening consequences - because there is not enough room here to state all of them - may lead you to say “How do they sleep at night!”. I know that thought has gone through my head quite a bit, but it is followed by a second thought, “I’m sure they sleep just fine at night.” I hope they don’t sleep fine. I hope their conscience relentlessly rebukes them for their evil-doings. But, honestly I don’t really think their conscience does. If they ever hear a hint of conscience, they are able to shut it up with little effort. Perhaps you could label this as psychopathy or sociopathy: a lack of empathy and conscience, the belief that you are superior to other people, the need for control, calm while manipulating and harming others to get what JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer ...there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do, nothing to kill or die for, etc.. John Lennon “T he one thing we owe absolutely to God is never to be afraid of anything.” Charles de Foucauld, French priest who lived among the Muslim Tuareg people in the south of Algeria. He was assassinated by Bedouin tribesmen in 1914. If you are a Facebook junkie, the first thing you see when you go to the site is your mini picture in a box that asks, “What’s on Your Mind?” “What’s on My Mind” this week is probably the same thing that is on your mind: The Islamic State killings in Paris on Friday the 13th. I understand your pain, and the pain of a great European city and country. Clearly you, and most everyone you encounter, are appalled by this almost inhuman, indiscriminate taking of innocent lives. Me, too. Perhaps I take it even more personally, because of several of my life experiences, e.g., I watched a man bludgeoned to death ten feet in front of me (Haiti, 1999). In an improvised Bosnian hospital, I saw dead victims of snipers, as well as JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 2) ties have roofs with major leaks, windows that won’t close, holes in walls the size children can climb in, fire hazards, leaking plumbing, mold, inadequate heat, broken locks - the actual list of infractions goes on for pages; literally. They have tried to wall off portions of buildings before inspections. There has been a notable amount of violence and even death in or on their properties because of the lack of security, lights, locks, etc. We have organized a Residents’ Association at both Alms (200 apartments) and Entowne Manor (100 apartments). Both Associations have made basic demands of the owners after years of submitting work orders and virtually none of these demands have been met. The city of Cincinnati filed a lawsuit against the owners along with our assistance, the legal representation of Legal Aid and the Alms and Entowne 3 ------------------------ (Continued on page 7) Burton Residents Association holds a press conference with the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition Photo: Iris Roley THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �4 LOCAL Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! The 2016 Day by Day calendar is now available online at http://cincihomeless.org/ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Streetvibes Shadow: RENT Edition 5 No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 DR. MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer I t seems like every week there’s something new to learn at the Homeless Coalition. Recently, I helped facilitate a Streetvibes Shadowing activity with 10 students from Anderson High School. Now, this activity was unlike any other that I’ve done for several reasons. Notably, the students are preparing to put on the Broadway hit RENT at Anderson High School this month. The play has ignited a fire within them to learn more about issues surrounding gentrification, poverty, displacement, artistry, and more. They came with passion, questions, ideas, and a video camera. During intermission, they are going to play the video they created during their time with the Homeless Coalition and several of our member organizations, including Our Daily Bread and St. Joseph/St. Francis Catholic Worker House. Before I even interacted with the Anderson High students, they spent time at the St. Joseph/St. Francis Catholic Worker House learning about their transitional housing program and the sandwich window. The students showed how compassionate they were by asking insightful questions and paying attention throughout the presentation. I took them on a small walking tour of the neighborhood before heading over to the Coalition for the Streetvibes Shadow activity. We initially stopped at the former Urban Appalachian Council’s ID Center, which was formerly known as the HUB. Standing in the parking lot, next to the community garden, with abandoned buildings on every side, we discussed several important ideas that I wanted them to keep in mind as we spent time in the neighborhood. I asked them if they knew what gentrification means, and after a couple of wrong guesses, one of the students spoke up and hit it right on the head. I used their definition and expanded upon it further to show the many types of gentrification and how it has played out in our neighborhood. I challenged them to look at the public right of way (sidewalks, streets, light poles, etc.) and notice how they vary from one era to the next. I asked them to consider how, as the environment changes, it might feel to be left out of the process. With everything changing around you, but it’s not for you, how do you think you would feel? Before leaving the lot, I challenged them to try to define other terms such as “essentialism” and ton Park or on 3rd Street. I stressed these concepts to help them to see people for who they are, rather than a stereotype or label. When we made it to the Homeless Coalition, Lee, one of our Streetvibes distributors was at the Coalition ready to give the students the basics before heading out on the activity. Lee shared a little about of two or three and began to see how many papers they could distribute. After some initial success, they were having trouble getting papers into people’s hands, and you could see that it was paying a toll on them. To keep their spirits up, several of the students decided to sing a few songs from RENT on the steps of the courthouse. At first they seemed shy, but after some people began to listen, they started to open up and interact with the small crowd that gathered. It became a performance piece with them singing and distributing Streetvibes at the same time. Knowing the story behind RENT Anderson students sing on the steps of the courthouse. Photo: Dr. Mark Mussman “zooing” which I have seen far too often in Over-the-Rhine. Essentialism is when you see a person for one aspect of their lives, whether it be their race, gender, homelessness status, or any other single attribute. This goes hand-in-hand with our goal to use person-first language, which is an easy way to start being an advocate. Zooing happens when people come to Over-the-Rhine to “interact” with people experiencing homelessness. This happens all too often with people at Washing- his life and how the Coalition, and specifically Streetvibes, has helped him both financially and socially. He shared how the generosity of Kroger employees have impacted him, including a huge bag of candy for Halloween. He relayed to them that Streetvibes is more about relationships than anything else, although the money is also very important. The forecast called for rain, but it just turned out to be a gray day. We hit the streets and the Anderson students broke up into groups and the struggles that are portrayed in the play, I felt moved by their performance. When it was time to debrief, the students talked about how it was difficult to distribute the papers. One student distributed one to a former teacher, and she commented on how great it was to know someone who was willing to help out – it is these types of relationships that Streetvibes distributors count on every week. One student shared that it was most difficult when people would just look away, try not to make eyecontact, or just ignore them altogether. The other students agreed. Lee shared that he initially wanted to give up because of people who acted like that, but he’s thankful he didn’t give up and he continues to develop relationships with people who get Streetvibes and even those who do not. When it was completed, we headed to Our Daily Bread so that the students could rehearse before doing a performance there. I left feeling that the students took more out of the experience than I had expected. I also learned more about the depth of Streetvibes and the way it changes people’s lives. Later on, we were contacted because one of the students was so moved that she wanted to share her story. If you come to our Annual Dinner on December 9th you can hear how this experience affected her life. I hope you can make it! ------------------------ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL Revolving Neighborhooods HALEY DAY Contributing Writer A juggernaut of development has been propelling across Cincinnati for some time. Say “development,” or even “redevelopment,” in economically altering Cincinnati neighborhoods like Clifton Heights, and you’re bound to hear echoes of gentrification returned. It’s something we see across the country — like the winter flu, passed from unique neighborhood to moreunique neighborhood — sprouting monocultures of $12 cocktails and commonplace chains. In 1960s London — when the term was birthed — the English upper class (i.e. gentry - etymology, get it?) remodeled rundown Georgian terraces, previously owned by the working class. Today, gentrification doesn’t just “fix” the “fixer-uppers” — it replaces them. Remember when you could buy organic groceries at Clifton Natural Foods for 30 years in Clifton Heights? Now, the former location is scheduled to be luxury student apartments. (Clifton Natural Foods moved to Ludlow Avenue.) Remember when the city’s largest homeless shelters were housed in Over-the-Rhine? Now, the buildings are owned by one of the city’s largest developers. Of course we’re told people experiencing homelessness don’t reside in Over-the-Rhine, anymore, what with today’s macaroons and yoga. They, like the lower class of 1960s London, 1980s Boston, and 2010s Brooklyn, are pushed on. By now, gentrification’s cycle is clear. Lower class neighborhoods lure creatives for affordability and diversity. They open trendy bars and house the area’s best galleries and live music. The scene lures the crowd. The crowd makes the scene “safe,” even though it was safe before. The safety lures the strollers, and then the developers, until the scene is priced out, packed up, and relocated, just like those experiencing poverty before it. The cycle is perhaps clearest in New York City, where the epidemic traveled from Greenwich Village to Soho to Williamsburg to Bushwick — sometimes othering even the wealthy, by the slightly more wealthy. Cincinnati is not immune. Infections took place in Mount Adams, then Over-the-Rhine, then Covington, Ky., and now Clifton Heights. The next victims are always predicted. First it was Northside, then Avondale. What’s eerie about gentrification, is that it starts in an area desperately trying not to be what it ultimately becomes. Gentry first moved to Over-the-Rhine The Woodward Theater first opened as a silent movie theater in 1913, before becoming a used car dealership, Kroger, and, most recently, storage for an antique dealer. It opened as a music and event venue, under its original name, last December. Photo: The Woodward Theater. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 because it’s not Mount Adams. Now they move because it could be the next Mount Adams. Immediate advantages (or so the developers call them) of the early stages of gentrification are easy for many to cheer — higher property values, greater diversity, more public and business investment — but the long-term effects of a homogeneous class and race, are not. National media doesn’t see it that way. In a city plagued with bad national attention — Jerry Springer was our mayor, after all — they see it as a somewhat refreshing change. Fortune Magazine called the city “up-and-coming”. The New York Times said Cincinnati “thrives as riots memories recede.” The later implies that the two are mutually exclusive — Cincinnati doesn’t thrive unless its supposed blighted past is forgotten. Perhaps this includes the people who started these upheavals, based on an economically disparate neighborhood and racial tensions with police. Fortunately, that’s not how it works. Cities don’t thrive, unless everyone does. Diversity, among classes and races, creates cities’ souls. Take the quintessential dive bar — Milton’s, on — you guessed it — Milton Street, near Over-the-Rhine. If you went there today, you’d probably find a banker from downtown, a server from a nearby restaurant, a factory worker who lives next door. During Happy Hour, you’d also find a $2 High Life and $4 Fireball. That’s my kind of diversity. In a city full of predictions for its next development, here’s mine — if Milton’s ever closes, first will go the neighborhood bar, then the neighborhood. (Hayley Day is a Cincinnati arts and entertainment reporter.) ------------------------ �7 LOCAL A Tale of Two Cities –The Community Forum – Focuses on the New Urban League Report No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 BILL WOODS Contributing Writer T he Community Issues Forum on November 12th focused on “The State of Black Cincinnati 2015 – Two Cities,” the recent report of the Urban League of Southwestern Ohio. The presenter, Mark Curnutte, the Urban League’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, edited this report. Curnutte not only reported the stark findings of the study, but he also personalized this data by relating it to real people and to his own day to day experiences in Avondale. The disparities confronting Black Cincinnatians is startling. For instance, the median income of Greater Cincinnati African American families is $24,272, while the median income for white families is $57,481. Furthermore, 76% of the 14,000 Cincinnati families living in poverty are African American. The report, noted Curnette, is not an easy read. Separate sections on housing, health, education, criminal justice, inclusion, and the economy were written by multiple authors with expertise on these subjects. The goal was to provide some depth and insights beyond the raw data. Curnutte confided that he added the report’s subtitle, “Two Cities.” A geography major in college, he said that he tends to think in geographic terms. The fact that Cincinnati is the fifth most segregated city in the nation gives an added dimension in contrasting the population data of its distinct neighborhoods. “Two Cities,” declared Curnutte captures the “astonishing divide” that exists today between African American and white neighborhoods. He compared Mt. Lookout with Avondale in terms of income, poverty, and other indicators of quality of life. As expected, residents of Avondale fared much worse than those living in the predominantly JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 3) you want. Certainly you can identify greed, and egocentrism. Whatever labels we put on the Puretz family, Steve Reinman and the other “investors”, it is clear that their actions are all about themselves. They only care for their own current well-being. Their goal is to accumulate as much wealth as possible. They believe that a strategic way to accumulate massive wealth is to exploit the lives of people with little financial means. In this they are assuming they are far more important and more human than those they harm. They are also assuming that those they hurt are weak and ignorant and that the community will automatically blame the Residents. Puretz and Reinman could not be more wrong. While they themselves have gotten ahead by hurting other people, the Residents they are attempting to exploit have found ways of living with less than enough; financial means and resources. Mark Curnutte speaks about the great disparities between the black and white community Photo: Justin Jeffre white east side neighborhood. One statistic particularly stood out. Residents of Mt. Lookout are living on an average twenty years longer than Avondale residents. Beyond the statistics, Curnutte wanted to spend part of his presentation refuting some of the stereotypes that are used to justify these glaring disparities. In all his time in Avondale, he emphasized that he never heard an African American say that he or she would rather be on They have done all of this while maintaining friendly, empathetic and an open community. The people they planned to exploit have done all of this without hurting other people. Residents along with the Homeless Coalition and Legal Aid have taken on the fight against these evil slumlords. Puretz and Reinman now have a united army of intelligent, wise, resourceful, supportive and very strong group of people coming after them. We will be in court in mid-December. I don’t know exactly what the full timeline will be, we have been working with Residents since January. But I am confident that hand-in-hand, we will upend these slumlords in Cincinnati. Do I hope that these owners find redemption? Yes, but sometimes people need assistance hitting rock-bottom and we, together, are going to hammer that help on them. Hopefully then people who reside in these homes will sleep better in healthy living conditions. ------------------------ welfare than working. Then there is the stereotype of the irresponsible parent. Curnutte loves to walk around the Avondale neighborhood, and he regularly sees many young men meeting their children at the close of the school day. Holding their children by the hand, they then walk them safely home. Curnutte stressed that we must do better at breaking down the racial inequality that currently exists in Cincinnati. Segregation and po- larization have made us neglect the plight of our brothers and sisters, and the Urban League report provides a wakeup call to the city. The Urban League, concluded Curnutte, is already working with diverse organizations to develop strategies to address the deep-seated problems brought about by “Two Cities.” ------------------------ Ronnie Phillips and James Brown speak at Day by Day calendar launch party. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �8 WORLD Family fallout led disabled Gulf War veteran to homelessness SKIP ANDERSON www.INSP.ngo / The Contributor What would you like to talk about today? Yes. I loved it. It taught me how to survive and it taught me a new job. My first stint, I was 11 Bravo Infantry stationed in Berlin, Germany. I loved it. The people are nice. I’d like to go back, especially since the wall came down. I was on the West Side. I got a short tour of East Berlin when I was over there-there were still buildings that had been shot up from World War II. They hadn’t done many repairs yet. Did you do a second stint in the Army? Yes. The second time I was in the National Guard for eight years. I volunteered to go to Desert StormI was around 34 at the time. I got to Saudi Arabia in July 1991 when the military operations had been going on for about a year. A bunch of us had volunteered to go over to the war, so they sent a group of us to replace 107 Maintenance Unit out of Wisconsin. We became what they called the “combat carwash.” We cleaned military vehicles before they stored them. They had us working 20 hours per day and only let us sleep for four hours. It was that way every day for the three months I was there. veteran, and he took his PTSD out on me. He told me I wasn’t the same person I was before I left. He would beat me and lock me up in my room. He never admitted to having PTSD and still hasn’t to this day. When was the last time you spoke with your father? When I came back from the Gulf War, he would always stay in his room watching TV. The only time he would talk to me was when he wanted the rent money. Veterans Day. I served in Operation Desert Storm. I’ve been homeless several times in my life. The first time was when I was 16 years old. I didn’t have a tent or anything, so I built myself a lean-to [a makeshift shelter leaning against an existing structure]. I did that for about eight months. Then I met a family who let me stay with them. I stayed there about six months until I got arrested for somebody else’s crime. Someone had snatched a purse at Harding Mall. But I didn’t do it. I’m not a thief. The judge gave me the choice of getting locked up or going into the military. So I joined the Army in 1976. Did you like being in the Army? Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 I’m sorry about that. It’s OK. I’m over it now. I think all of those years getting beaten by him made me a stronger person. Is he still around? Gulf War veteran Brianna C. Photo: The Contributor the last to leave Kuwait. Then I came back here and got out of the National Guard. I had been promoted to sergeant while I was over there, but I didn’t like it. I had wanted to get away from the people who were in that unit who had treated me badly. In what way did they treat you badly? Nobody would be my friend because I’m different than they are. I had been in the regular army and they hadn’t, and that was a problem for some of them. So I resigned my commission in 1993 and took an honorable discharge. Thank you for your service. You’re welcome. I’d do it again if I had to. But I’m 100 percent disabled. I had been fighting for years trying to get disability and finally got it in 2007. At first, I was determined to be 30 percent disabled. Then eventually they jumped me up to 100 percent. Does the VA take good care of you? Yes. They’ve taken real good care of me once I got 100 percent disabled. Before then, I had problems with them. Is there anything else you’d like to talk about today? I can’t think of anything else, except that when I came back I stayed with my family for a little bit. And I ended up homeless for a second time about three months after I got back. My dad and I didn’t get along. I left on my own accord because he was charging me rent to live there, which I didn’t think was right since I was his child returning from the theater of war. He let his other children stay there rent-free. My dad is a Vietnam Yes. He’s still alive. But I won’t speak with him again; I won’t have anything to do with him, even though he’s the only parent I have. My mother committed suicide when I was 10 years old. I’m so sorry. Are you currently homeless? No. I’ve been in housing for about three months after living on the street in Nashville for about two years. I’m glad about that. Me too. I’m in Hermitage. I’ve talked to some of the people who buy papers from me out there, and they’re behind us. They don’t like the law [Metro Councilman Steve Glover] has proposed that would outlaw selling papers to cars from the curb. That would kill my income as well as the social aspect of talking to my customers during the transaction. I don’t have many friends and those exchanges mean a lot. They put a smile on my face. ------------------------ What happened after three months? They flew us from Saudi Arabia to Kuwait. The airport was severely damaged-they only had one runway working. I saw the damage the Iraqis did to Kuwait’s infrastructure. The Kuwaiti government gave us a book with photos from torture sessions the Iraqis did with Kuwaiti citizens-they did terrible things. How long were you in Kuwait? About eight months. I was one of A U.S. Army soldier walks towards a burning oil well in Iraq’s vast southern Rumaila oilfields March 30, 2003. Photo: REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �WORLD “Laundry ministry” puts new spin on helping Nashville’s homeless 9 No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 SKIP ANDERSON T www.INSP.ngo / The Contributor he Rev. Lisa Cook drives a high-mileage Town & Country van, touring edition. It’s large on the outside and spacious on the inside, especially with all but one seat removed from the back like today. While she also provides traditional pastoral care, some days she shuttles people experiencing homelessness to and from appointments around the Nashville area. On others, she transports supplies to campsites throughout the city-propane is becoming increasingly in demand as the days shorten. Tents and sleeping bags, too. And cases of bottled water, since clean water can be especially hard to come by when you’re homeless. Cook also has a cache of coins-mostly quarters-secured in a lock box. They’ll soon come in handy. Today, a dreary, damp Wednesday morning, Cook is shuttling people experiencing homelessness to the Soap Opry Laundry on Dickerson Pike. She and two volunteers provide detergent and quarters by the fistful to the passengers she spent more than two hours rounding up and delivering to the laundromat. “Basically, I provide the money and the soap, and they bring their dirty clothes,” says Cook, whom the Cumberland Presbyterian Church ordained as a minister nearly two years ago. She operates as Sacred Sparks, an outreach ministry that has no bricks and mortar-her van, she says, often serves as her church, as do homeless camps, hospitals, and the street. Today, she’ll work out of the Soap Opry Laundry, located in a strip mall in North Nashville, not too far from the buffalo herd sculpture that demarks the spot First Street North turns into Dickerson Pike. “I don’t have a church with walls,” Cook says. “That’s really the best way for me to work with those I serve.” The Soap Opry Laundry, located in the shadow of a locally owned gas station that also sells expensive bongs and drug paraphernalia, has bars on its windows. But it’s also clean and has bright blue walls; it’s equipped with dozens of stainless-steel, coin-operated washers and dryers. The attendant on duty is friendly and the owner does what he can to support Cook’s weekly effort, including donating detergent from time to time, as well as clean clothes that have been unclaimed for plenty long to know the owners aren’t coming back. According to Cook, both are blessings. “I didn’t really expect the laundry ministry to take off like it has,” says Cook, who first started providing this unique service in April. “Even the simplest of things can be a huge challenge when you’re homeless. It’s almost impossible to do laundry if you’re homeless. Even if you have a roll of quarters, it can be hard to transport dirty laundry without transportation. And some laundromats don’t have [highcapacity machines that can wash] bedding. [The owner] has been so supportive, I just love that place.” Cook says she can’t take credit for the vision that led to the laundryministry component of Sacred Sparks. The idea came from a group of women at Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Brentwood, with which Sacred Sparks is affiliated. “Really, I took a bunch of good ideas and put them into action,” Cook says. In addition to vacation Bible students preparing homemade detergent, she stations plastic containers to collect quarters at churches. Sometimes children from the congregations will fundraise quarter-by-quarter and put them in the containers each Sunday morning that Cook’s clients ultimately feed into the laundry machines. “Part of what makes this successful is that it’s a way for people to have their hands in our ministry and to support our mission from afar,” she says. Despite being a Christian minister, she neither discriminates nor proselytizes to those she serves. She’s there for them, to be sure, should they seek her counsel or ask her to address any spiritual needs, she says. Cook wheels her van to the side of the road near a bridge that provides shelter for a homeless camp. Two people who appear to be in their mid20s -Brandy and Joey-emerge from the woods. They throw several bags of clothes and bed linens into van and climb in behind them. “Hi!” Cook says, merging back into traffic. “How are things at the camp? You guys need anything?” “We sure could use some food,” Joey says. “We haven’t had anything real to eat for a few days now.” “OK, we’ll see if we can get some food for you and the others,” Cook offers. “And we’ll have some pizza at the laundromat, too.” Cook hands them off to her volunteers at the Soap Opry, and hops back into her van to pick up others who could use a helping hand-and a clean change of clothes. “We may not take communion during the laundry ministry,” Cook says. “But we do break bread together, if pizza crust counts.” Cold-weather compassion Sacred Sparks Ministry also provides emergency shelter services during the winter months. What makes the Rev. Lisa Cook’s service unique, compared to many of the other organizations that provide emergency overnight shelter, is that she doesn’t turn anyone away. “I didn’t affiliate with other organizations because I don’t want to be restricted in any way,” she says. “When it’s cold weather, you need to let people inside-period-including couples, people with pets, and people who may be drunk.” ------------------------ Brandy and Joey load their laundry into the Sacred Sparks van. Photo: Michael Ray Nott Brandy and Joey load their laundry into the Sacred Sparks van. Photo: Michael Ray Nott Area churches donate quarters to help fund the Rev. Lisa Cook’s “laundry ministry.” Photo: Michael Ray Nott Each week, the Rev. Lisa Cook (center) helps people experiencing homelessness in Nashville do laundry. Photo: Michael Ray Nott THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 Time for Change: The Lay Navigator LOCAL STEVE SUNDERLAND SHARON DOERING Contributing Writers C hange is often stressful. Many of us grow comfortable with what we think exists as a current reality. We have habits that keep us connected to the illusion of a world that seems incapable of changing. But the world is loudly shouting: “We are changing with or without you!” Being involved in change means touching fears, sometimes superficial fears and sometimes dramatic fears. Why are we so afraid of finding peaceful ways of going a different direction? The football team and their coaches understood that changing the structure of the University of Missouri could only occur if they threatened to not play last Saturday. A president and a chancellor resigned or were forced out. Now, the question is what will other sports teams do to change the access to college for black students and faculty. Why did the situation have to get to such a point of negative stress...on a college campus...and by faculty, students, and administrators? What habits of communication blinded and prevented the faculty from stepping forward and changing the ways in which the university welcomed minorities? When it comes to resistance to access for minorities and low income individuals, the health system is second to none. Even serious diseases like cancer are not higher on the priority list. Minorities and poor people have been dying from cancer in Hamilton County at rates higher than the Ohio and the U.S. average. (2008-2012 Trend Period, State Cancer Profiles, National Cancer Institute, Center for Disease Control.) Access to early screening and rapid treatment meets one health system obstacle after another. Even individ- uals with “suspicious” findings can be delayed to the point of giving up on ever getting efficient and effective treatment. The death rate climbs and climbs with little or no mention even by those who decry the status of cancer care for everyone in Cincinnati. But the habits of compassion are coming into being in terms of cancer care. A group of social service agencies have joined with religious organizations and educational institutions to plan for a different reality: full access to screenings, more rapid diagnosis, creating smoother transition to hospital programs, and more successful outcomes in terms of longer life, better quality of life, and more efficient and timely treatment for minorities and low income individuals. The key to this success is the agent for change: lay patient navigators. A group of educated, certified, and carefully matched community citizens will form the first class of cancer change agents. Thanks to courageous leaders of institutions that serve minorities and low income individuals, the structures for welcoming Hamilton County citizens is being created. It is now possible to think about a service agency like the FreeStore, or CAIN, or a church like Christ Church Cathedral, or a school can be a crossroads for spurring people to trust that they can be helped to receive cancer care at a high level. Thanks to lay patient navigators, the central obstacles to care can be overcome through persistent and knowledgeable action. Transportation, insurance, certifications by hospitals, and personal fears can become unimportant as lay patient navigators develop timely and effective relationships with individuals who are too afraid to enter the health system. The founder of lay patient navigation, Harold Freeman, MD, surgeon and former president of the American Cancer Society, has importantly raised the standard of care for cancer victims: “No patient with cancer should go untreated. No patient with cancer should experience a delay in treatment that diminishes survival. No patient should be bankrupted by the diagnosis and treatment Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 of cancer.” (Harold Freeman and Rian Rodriguez(8/1/2011). Cancer.) Now, Cincinnati is on the edge of creating a compassionate and bold change for all individuals. We hope it is in the immediate future. [Sunderland and Doering are members of the Peace Village Cancer Project.] ------------------------ Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Resident Assistant - Medical Care Coordinator Center for Chemical Addictions Treatment ccatsober.org - Accepting ongoing application Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org - Payroll and Accounting Coordinator - Early Childhood Education Site Manager - Head Start Disability and Mental Health Case Manager - Family and Community Engagement Manager - Assistant Teacher Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati lascinti.org - Legal Assistant (Full- Time) Lighthouse Youth Services lighthouse.org - Multiple Openings Our Daily Bread ourdailybread.us - Kitchen Manager Shelter House shelterhousecinti. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED org - Shelter Director - Resident Aide - Cook Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc. org - Accounting Assistant The Exit Program theexitprogram.org - Accepting Ongoing Applications �LOCAL No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 Remembering Rememberance Day JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer “I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, Mother, what was war?” Eve Merriam F or the past four years, I have remembered “Remembrance Day” (Nov. 11, 1918) on the pages of this newspaper. After finding myself—as a journalist—in the midst of four wars, this annual ritual of writing has become quite important ritual to me, a kind of yearly catharsis. I am writing this essay on the morning of 11 November 2015, the day WW I is said to have ended (Armistice Day). At 11 minutes after 11 AM, I will observe the longtime European tradition of spending two minutes of silence, thought, respect and remembrance. You, Reader, might consider pausing for two minutes (even as you read this) to pray and/or reflect and remember the fallen and the forgotten victims of war. Even though this issue of Streetvibes will not appear until more than a week after what we in the US call Veterans Day, I am happy to remind the reader of the importance of a careful and correct way to remember, and to memorialize our veterans, as well as the ongoing US wars: the “good” wars (like WW II, perhaps) and the bad wars (Spanish­ American, Korean, Vietnam and Iraq, et al.). This year, I will focus on remembering those patriots whom most of American society would prefer to forget or to disparage, i.e., Conscientious Objectors. These are the people who—at often great personal risk and expense—refuse(d) to bow before the golden calf of war because they believe(d)—to the core of their being—that war is wrong. “i sing of Olaf glad and big whose warmest heart recoiled at war: a conscientious object­or” (These are the opening lines of a poem by American poet, e.e. cummings, who served as an ambulance driver in France during WW II.) The first thing we need to remind ourselves is that all war is an obscenity. No war was or is inevitable. Of course we must remember and respect those who have given their lives in service, but without glorifying them or the wars in which they found themselves, by choice or by conscription. Conscientious objectors (COs) have been with us for as long as there have been wars. Many of these individuals base their refusal to serve on strongly held religious beliefs, often relying on Jesus’s admonition to “love your enemies, and do good to those who hurt you.” Wikipedia describes a consci- 11 Muhammad Ali refuses draft Photo: pinterest.com entious objector as an “individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service” on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, disability, and/or religion. Such a definition could include atheists who come to their decision solely through listening to the “inner voice,” called the conscience. Current military policy has defined conscientious objection in the following way: “A firm, fixed, and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms, by reason of religious training and/or belief.” (DOD 1300.6) This is a very restrictive definition. As a result, not many individuals are granted CO status. Alvin York wanted to be a conscientious objector, was refused several times, drafted, served, and went on to become the most decorated American soldier in WW II. The famous Howard Hawks movie portrayed the life of “Sergeant York.” It is easier for a religious person to be granted the status of CO than for someone who claims no affiliation to a church. Individuals who can prove themselves to be long­standing members of so-called “peace” churches, like the Quakers and the Mennonites receive the status almost automatically. Others, like Catholics, say, have a harder time attaining the status, because their religion believes in war (“just war theory”) as a possible recourse in many instances. Many famous people have declared themselves total pacifists, without fighting outright military conscription. These include revolutionary war pamphleteer Thomas Paine, novelist Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace), the Dalai Lama, and Albert Einstein, who said, “I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war. ” The most famous CO of the Vietnam era was heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. He lost his championship belt as a result of “just saying no.” Ali felt that that particular war (Vietnam) was immoral. The military seldom grants CO status to such selective pacifists. It didn’t help his case that he was black and very outspoken against the war. If an individual does not convince the military of his (or her) qualifications for CO status, he or she often receives a lengthy jail term. We should not fail to mention another category of war avoiders: the so­called “Chicken­hawks.” These men found all sorts of ways to avoid going to war, specifically in Vietnam, then became war­ mongers during the 2nd Bush Presidency. To name a few: Ashcroft, Rove, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and Cheney. Poppy Bush got his son “W” a cushy, safe enlistment in the Tex- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED as Air National Guard, but the boy skipped duty, didn’t take his physical, was suspended from flying, then went AWOL, all this before lying us into invading a sovereign country (Iraq) that had never threatened us. I will conclude this Remembrance Day reflection with a few of my favorite anti­war quotations: • “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Samuel Johnson • “I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war.” Eleanor Roosevelt, 1947 • “Probably every generation sees itself charged with remaking the world. Ours, however, knows it will not remake the world. Its task is even greater. To keep the world from destroying itself.” Albert Camus’ Nobel Prize acceptance speech, 1957. • “You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.” Jeanette Rankin • “Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism. How passionately I hate them!” Albert Einstein, 1931 And finally, the closing lines of the e.e. cummings poem about Olaf: ...unless statistics lie he was more brave than me: more blond than you. ------------------------ �12 LOCAL Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 What We Do RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor ‘A lifetime of misery up and down life’s track, how we wish we could give some of the misery back.’ T his is not a Stephen Spielberg sequence, nor an offspring of his creation. It is indeed a view of reality for many. Living without ambition; your only concern is survival for today. Living in the moment without a plan for the future, you just exist. Misery can be no one’s best friend, but often becomes a constant companion! Awakening in an abandoned vehicle at the break of dawn, hearing that old familiar sound of birds chirping, knowing the day has started and that you must get in motion. Hitting the pavement in your run over shoes, holes in your pants pockets, your every worldly possession in the book bag you wear on your back, you start your ritual. Finding your way to the soup kitchen hoping you run across a piece of luck; a coin or two that someone lost, or perhaps an artifice you may be able to sell for a small price. Anything to shake off the familiarity of being broke with only a wish! That oh, so lonesome wish for that small piece of luck becomes the reason for living; every thought is geared towards that wishful fate, of running into a happenstance which will take away the hardship. Wandering to and fro you put your hopes in the backseat and start your scavenging for the essentials of the moment. To realize, that all that you have coming is what you had yesterday and what you will have again tomorrow becomes the totality of your existence. The only difference in a day is its formal name Sunday or Monday, it’s all the same; that constant struggle, not sure of what’s to be gained. An existence where you can only hope that that oh, so, lonesome place of refuge isn’t towed for its abandonment! Your mind stuck on the simplest, yet most important factor of being, living physically and emotionally for the security of that one place in which you can feel alive - your abandoned vehicle - you spend the whole day hoping it stays secure. The loss would be devastating! The idea, or rather the fact, that life is destined for you to always be in shambles, without the slightest chance of change becomes your nemesis, as if this is how it is supposed to be. To lose hope is to lose reason- Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite ing, so you just drift alone accepting things the way they are. Living without a past or future, you just exist! How is one to know that life exists without so much pain and pressure? How can one be free from the reality; that which they perceive to be their fate? ‘Existing, without a hope or prayer, such a miserable place to be! You tend to submit yourself to that idea of reality and continue along the life path that you are destined to. Huh? Well, it’s like they say. It is what it is! ‘Continuing along life’s track you realize that you can’t give the misery back’, so blindly you accept that position in life.’ For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 Ron English, Streetvibes Writer and Distributor, shares his art. In the eyes of Lee McCoy (Part II) LEE MCCOY Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor I Orange Barrels Orange Barrels, Orange Barrels They’re everywhere Each day the construction workers are there Putting up the construction signs Placing Orange Barrels all around From block to block, from street to street Construction work is on the streets So just sit down and take a seat Orange Barrels are what you’re gonna see KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer truly believe the more laws the less justice. You ever had that feeling that something just isn’t right? So to get right to the down to the meat of this article: to me I really think that when our Constitution was written oh so many years ago they were designing it for a certain group of people. You would have to agree with me that they weren’t geared up to protect the slaves. Now come on, let’s be real. Slaves weren’t even considered secondclass citizens. They were just somebody’s property. When they decided to free them way back then, they promised to give them 40 acres and a mule. If that promise ever came true, they can keep their 40 acres and just give me a Toyota. Now look at alcohol, it is legal but it causes so many problems and it is a leading factor in domestic violence, vehicle homicide and is one of the top killers in this country. It’s legal because our government can tax it. And when it causes problems with the individual they have a place for you called jail. Rarely do they see it as a disease, but I know it is habitforming. You can buy it in the store, but you better not get caught drinking it on the streets. It’s a Catch-22. How is it when you are charged with a crime and you have a jury trial you’re supposed to be tried by 12 members of your own peers? But if that happens to me, I look over there at the jury box and I see a banker, people who have a job, who don’t want to be there in first place and you can bet there is not a person on the jury who is homeless. If you have ever deal with our A Peaceful Place WILLA DENISE JONES ------------------------ Those Boring Democrats There’s a place I go to on different days of every week Where I can learn about making things that all kinds of people seek I learn to make jewelry, I learn how to knit and too even play with clay I learn all sorts of things and if I want, I can stay and learn all day This place is open to women from all walks of everyday life In this place you can find peace of mind from the world’s toils and strife We come together and talk to find solutions for so many different problems As we knit and make jewelry we pray for God’s help with our problems to be able to solve them This place is called the Sarah Center here in downtown on Vine Street Who would ever believe this place of peace would be located right off the downtown beat I have been blessed to find the Sarah Center and meet all the Sarah Center Girls I just wish that there were more places of this stature all over the world So I hope I can just pass the blessing on to those who may be lonely and bored And be able to open the door to those lost souls who feel their being ignored Come into the Sarah Center and meet all the many women of different cultures and pray That your day may be fulfilled by the grace of God in the Sarah Center each and everyday Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer “Justice Center”, it really needs to be revamped. I’m not saying having Sheriff’s deputies is wrong but you have to admit they are a law all to themselves who runs the jail. Some of them need to be locked up. Some people suffer from verbal abuse. It’s their way or the highway. You have no right and don’t be a person who suffers from a mental disorder. They need to be trained better to deal with these people who are being convicted of a crime. Did you know you have to pay $40 fee just to go to jail. Is that a jail or really a hotel? You tell me. And they’ll hold you while you’re waiting to go to court. And if you have a medical problem you have to pay, even for aspirin. Even if you have medical insurance. Remember you haven’t even been committed of any crime yet. And Lord knows if you have somebody send you some money while you are there and you don’t have any money to pay the $40 fee, believe me they are going to get their money one way or the other. Yeah and then on the other hand they always used to say it back in my days ‘three meals and a cot’. That is no longer true. You get two hot meals and one cold meal and that’s a bologna sandwich with a little piece of fruit and your stomach is already growling at night. I don’t understand this and it’s supposed to be nutritious, but I don’t believe that. Your stomach be making so much noise or just be so sick. You know I am so sick of this “justice” system that we have. Compared to the Republicans, The Dems are rather boring. Look at their recent debate. It left most viewers snoring. Pundits begin to speculate, That Hillary’s growing lead Will soon prompt old Bernie To call it quits and concede. Dems discuss dull issues, Like ending Citizens United. Repubs debate a new Wall, Which gets the base excited. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 82 Across 1. Subject 6. Breed of dog 10. Fit 14. Ice hut 15. Halo 16. Remunerated 17. Swiss currency 18. Toy 20. Elfin 21. Hummock 23. Cleverly humorous 24. Tournament for professionals and amateurs 25. A stratum of rock 26. Laporid 29. Musical instrument 31. Administrative division 34. Heron 35. Lieu 36. Fish eggs 37. Soil used in pottery 38. Essential fluid 39. Ring recurrently 40. Drag behind 41. Cut off 42. Taut 43. Nocturnal bird 44. Wharf 45. Leave empty 46. A great distance 47. Musteline mammal 48. Sweetner 51. Creep 53. Male title 56. Practical joker 58. Legal excuse 60. Look at amorously 61. Juicy fruit 62. Inflexible 63. Animal hide 64. Amiss 65. Impenetrable Down 1. Squabble 2. Fiend 3. Dramatic work 4. Electrically charged particle 5. Pilot enclosure 6. Male chicken 7. Body of a ship 8. Examination by word of mouth 9. Manner 10. Garden pest 11. Lure 12. Fabric used to dress wounds 13. Highly strung 19. Thick woolen fabric 22. Mesh 24. Take orders 25. Male hog 26. Right-hand page 27. Lambent 28. Free-for-all 29. Freshwater carnivorous mammal SODOKU PUZZLE NO 216 - MEDIUM 30. Alcoholic beverage 31. Structure for open-air sports 32. Cook with dry heat 33. Noisy riotous fight 35. Rescue 38. Low dam 39. Eat like a bird 41. Flicker 42. Large drinking vessel 45. By way of 46. Aspect 47. Jovial 48. Halt 49. Exhort 50. Respiratory organ of a fish 51. Cook slowly in a liquid 52. Close 53. One of the twelve divisions of the zodiac 54. Wading bird 55. Travel by horse 57. Health spring 59. Prevarication PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 316 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 81 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 215 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 317 | No v 2 0 - D ec 3, 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Mercy Franciscan at St. John OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 981-5800 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Shelter: Men Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 Shelterhouse 721-0643 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Parkway Center 661-4620 Starting Over 961-2256 Shelter: Both Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Housing: 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Nov 20 - Dec 3, 2015 | No. 317 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MYRA WILSON RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 2015 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 20-December 3, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: Buddy Gray Households Endure Collapsed Roof While Slumlords Slip on Millionaire Row Pg 3: Imagine… Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: Streetvibes Shadow Pg 6: Revolving Neighborhoods Pg 7: A Tale of Two Cities Pg 8: Family Fallout Led Disabled Gulf War Veteran to Homelessness Pg 9: “Laundry Ministry” Puts New Spin on Helping Nashville’s Homeless Pg 10: Time for Change Pg 11: Remembering Remembrance Day Pg 12: What We Do Pg 13: In the Eyes of Lee McCoy Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 20-December 3, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Jim Luken Dr. Mark Mussman Haley Day Bill Woods Sharon Doering Steve Sunderland Ricardo Taylor Lee McCoy Kim Green Willa Jones Jimmy Heath Iris Roley Justin Jeffre Aimee Willhoite Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimee Willhoite Bill Woods buddy gray Dr. Mark Mussman Haley Day Iris Roley Jim Luken Jimmy Heath Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green Laundry Ministry Lee McCoy Nashville RENT Ricardo Taylor Sharon Doering Steve Sunderland Veteran Willa Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/63e92e00b22eb73d3036f708cc533bc9.pdf 79a7cefadbb35e54fcead2ae90dd14ea PDF Text Text November 6th - November 19th 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 23 (No. 316) advocating justice | Building community History of Wage Theft in Cincinnati | 3 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Social Justice Walking Tours: Contested Spaces | 5 Housing First: Who Gets Left Behind? | 8 Hawaii, Portland, LA in State of Emergency Over Homelessness| 9 Cincinnati For Palestine Rally | 10 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL Do Human Rights Exist? JOSH SPRING Executive Director H ow many rights do you have? How many rights does another person have? Do different people have different rights? The real question is: “do human rights exist?” Because if “human rights” do exist, then they must apply to everyone who is human. I bring up this question because there are laws and societal assumptions in this city and across this country that suppose one of these two options: there are no human rights; or not every person is a human. There are those that say it can’t be that simple or that extreme. They claim there is a compromise position or middle ground. But how can that be? Let’s use a popular topic to consider this. In Cincinnati right now, three people who don’t know each other could be standing at a crosswalk: persons A, B and C. Person A says to person C, “Long day at work, headed home to the family?” Person C explains, “Yes, my boss is really on my case, can’t wait to sit down.” Person B says to person A, “Hey, I’m short a dime for the bus, any chance you have an extra one you could give me?” Person A responds, “No, I’m sorry, I only have enough for my fare.” Person B says to Person C, “Any chance you’ve got one?” Person C digs in their pocket, pulls out a dime and hands it to person B. The bus arrives, they all get on. This was a normal, human conversation. Each person asking a question or engaging in conversation. Were there any laws broken? Yes. Person B broke the law twice because he asked for a dime within 20 feet of a crosswalk. This is against the law in Cincinnati, but should it be? Why is it that in this example, person A can ask a question of person C, yet person B has broken a law because he asked for something; for help. This law either assumes human rights don’t exist, yet it is within the UN’s Universal of Declaration of Human Rights that in other locations would lead you to believe there are human rights, so this law must assume that not every person is human. Let’s be honest here, laws like this are created because one group of people feels uncomfortable or even afraid being approached by a group of people they see as differ- Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 ent. A law that bans speech based on what that speech is can never be good. Such laws inherently target specific people believed to be associated with that particular banned speech. Of course the example here is one of panhandling or as the municipal code labels it: “Improper Solicitation”. Anything that You, Me or Anyone else can do that would be illegal when panhandling or soliciting for something is already illegal in every circumstance and it need not be labeled specifically to people who are panhandling. Think about it: assault, menacing, battery, robbery, etc. There is no statistical evidence of a trend of people panhandling committing these crimes, but the fact is that if these crimes were committed, hopefully the perpetrator would be charged with a crime regardless of whether panhandling was happening or there was some other form of human interaction. To label an action wrong because it involves specific language ignores human rights and inherently targets a group of people. If there is any wonder as to if this is true in the case of panhandling, simply consider that everything someone could do wrong as a panhandler is already illegal, yet to date the local government has felt it necessary to tie it to people who panhandle. ------------------------ Making the Case for an Anti-Wage Theft Ordinance - Community Issues Forum Attendees Hear Why It Is Needed BILL WOODS L October 29th. A panel led by Brennan Grayson, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, also made the case for a proposed Panel led by Brennan Grayson Photo: Alice Schneider advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson, Dante Contributing Writer ocal wage theft received intense scrutiny at the Community Issues Forum at Christ Church Cathedral on Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, Williams anti-wage theft City Ordinance. Such an ordinance, according to Grayson, would help prevent the all too prevalent practice of cheating workers out of all or part of their wages. What is wage theft? It can take many forms, explained Grayson, but it basically involves denying employees a portion of or the entire compensation for the work they have completed. Specifically, employers often fail to pay the minimum wage or proper overtime compensation, or they concoct various ways of not paying workers their initially agreed upon wages. Recent immigrants and the working poor are primary victims of this ugly practice, and Grayson noted that among low-wage urban workers, Latinos and African Americans are the most likely to experience wage theft. Wage theft, acknowledged Grayson, takes place on a daily basis in (Continued on page 10) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Bill Woods, Curt Braman, Mark Mussman, Jim Luken, Justin Jeffre, Steve Sunderland, Ricardo Taylor, Ron English, Willa Denise Jones, Kim Green Photography/Artwork: Alice Schneider, CIWC, Mark Mussman, Jim Luken, Justin Jeffre, Aimee Willhoite, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 LOCAL History of Wage Theft in Cincinnati: Bringing the Living Wage to Rumpke Recycling CURT BRAMAN Contributing Writer I n the spring of 2007, several workers contracted from the Day Labor temporary staffing agency TLC to Rumpke’s St. Bernard Material Recovery Facility, the largest of Rumpke’s recycling sorting plants, turned to the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center (CIWC) for help. As it is for all workers paid sub-poverty wages, the practice of Wage Theft was common for those who found work through the Day Labor Halls. The Center with its partner organization The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) had founded the Day Labor Organizing Project (DLOP) over 2 years prior in the fall of 2004. During that time DLOP had helped investigate the abusive behavior of TLC and the other Day Labor Halls in the region, and organized campaigns against the unjust and often illegal treatment of workers contracted out to many of the areas well-known companies. At the time Rumpke’s St. Bernard plant, employed about fifty workers every day to sort and separate the recyclable materials that had arrived. They separate plastics from cardboard, remove glass items, pull out trash, hazardous materials and sometimes even dead animals. If the processing machines are “down” or in need of maintenance, they clean the machines. The plant is the final stop for the contents of the ubiquitous plastic recycling bins that Rumpke trucks pick up all over Cincinnati. After all the sifting and sorting is done, bails of plastics, paper and cardboard, and containers of glass leave; sold by Rumpke to vendors for reuse. 3 It’s hard and dirty work, and its work on a City of Cincinnati contract that brings Rumpke over $2,100,000 per year with additional revenue from the sale of the final products. The TLC workers share? Seven dollars per hour less a mandatory $7.00 per day transportation charge, $15.00 for a helmet and a few more dollars for safety glasses and a vest. The majority of workers at the plant were employed by TLC and supplied two shifts of manpower. Then as now, nobody wanted to work Day Labor. Issues of homelessness, lack of transportation, criminal history, use of alcohol or drugs, lack of work experience or any of the many other problems that made holding a steady job nearly impossible kept people turning to Day Labor for subsistence. Since the summer of 2006, DLOP had held open weekly meetings in a conference room at Our Daily Bread, the Over-the-Rhine ministry that serves free hot lunchtime meals to several hundred of those in need. The reason for this location was simple. Many of the people who suffered from food insecurity and came for a free meal worked Day Labor. In fact one of the critical factors in starting DLOP was that the majority of Cincinnati’s homeless population worked. The weekly meetings attracted many of them who struggled to understand how life could be so hard and so unfair to those that got up early in the morning and made their way to the Hiring Halls. So the Rumpke workers’ stories were familiar ones to the group. In fact, DLOP had launched a public campaign that forced the Tempo- rary Staffing firms contracted by the Cincinnati Reds to supply ball park cleaning staff to abandon the requirements of long unpaid waiting time and excessive transportation fees the previous summer. Shortly after this event, in the fall of 2006, there was a campaign with contract workers supplied by Labor Works to Schwan’s Foods around similar issues culminated in a successful and well publicized law suit filed in April 2007. DLOP and Rumpke workers, including Frasier Kidd, Patience Fuller and Cleve Williams, began to bring their case to the public. The first step was a small group of informational picketers displaying signs and passing out leaflets as they followed the Rumple entry into the popular Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. Their presence was noted by the Rumpke officials and sensing an embarrassing public relations problem, Rumpke quickly agreed to a meeting with DLOP. The meeting between Don Sherman, members of the clergy and Rumpke was held in early spring of 2007 at the Peaslee Community Center. The meeting almost immediately ended when Rumpke found out the dispute involved the TLC workers. Like nearly all users of Contract Labor, Rumpke refused to recognize them as employees. This was familiar ground for the DLOP activists, but then came a startling game changer. In 2006, The United Steel Workers and The Sierra Club formed The Blue Green Alliance (BGA), the first groups in a national coalition that was based in the cooperation between labor and environmental activists. Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center marching for living wages Photo: CIWC THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Shortly after the formation of BGA, Susan Knight, a local political and social justice advocate, was brought on as the Director of the regional organization. One of her first jobs was to make contact with Cincinnati Labor Groups and Environmentalists and foster relationships among them. Among the first on board were members of the Miami Group of Sierra Club, including Debbie Clarke, Marie Koloshis and Joe Bowman. They were actively working with the City to reshape its recycling program. Don Sherman and Susan Knight quickly realized that DLOP’s Rumpke campaign had the potential power to help the broader reform to recycling practices, and the Sierra Clubs efforts would empower DLOP by framing its campaign in the context of environmental justice along with its goal of worker justice. On February 1, 2003, City Council passed a living wage ordinance applying to firms whose contracts with the city exceed $20,000. The law covers any service employee of the contractor or its subcontractors. In 2007, the law required employees without medical benefits be paid $10.70 per /hour. Rumpke and TLC were stealing nearly $4.00 an hour from these workers. In 2006 and throughout 2007, DLOP had rigorously pursued the passage of a new City Ordinance that would regulate the Day Labor Halls. Current CIWC Director Brennan Grayson, then a third year law student, worked tirelessly with City Council Members and their staffs. While eventually in 2008 the law would fail to be adopted, Council and the Mayor were already aware and sympathetic to the travails of working Day Labor as a result of that effort. The basis of the partnership with the Environmentalists was DLOP would not settle its labor claim apart from the reforms demanded in the recycling system, and the Sierra Club and BGA would not accept a new recycling contract without assurances that all Rumpke employees, including contract workers, would be covered by the Living Wage Ordinance. Soon, small delegations of TLC workers, DLOP and their allies in Labor and other Social Justice organizations began meeting with individual Council Members, exposing the Living Wage Violations and asking them to recognize the workers as covered by the ordinance. Don Sherman presented this information to Rochelle Thompson, Contract Compliance Officer for the City and asked that she investigate. Thompson recommended that the workers not be regarded as covered employees, largely based on several specious arguments contained in an email sent to her on September 27, 2007 by Charla Cabe, Rumpke Human Resources Director. The most remarkable one was that they didn’t really work on the recycling lines. At the time Rumpke’s website included a video of the plant, which showed the TLC workers (they were identified as contract workers by the color of their hard hats) working all the stations as the materials moved through the (Continued on page 6) �4 LOCAL Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! The 2016 Day by Day calendar is now available online at http://cincihomeless.org/ THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Social Justice Walking Tours: Contested Spaces No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 5 MARK MUSSMAN Staff Writer I ’m sure you’ve seen big groups of tourists walking around Over-the-Rhine, following a guide talking about historical events. The tours on Vine Street include Haunted Queen City, Rookwood Pottery, and an Underground journey. This time of year there seems to be endless streams of them walking down and blocking the sidewalk as they hear about murders, scandals, and squalor. But what if you want to learn about the Over-the-Rhine People’s Movement, or if you want to really understand what gentrification looks like in a neighborhood? This is where the Homeless Coalition’s Social Justice Walking Tours fill a void. On our walking tour, we learn about the historical context of the current wave of development in our neighborhood. I like to start the tour with a deeply historical discussion about the contested nature of the land – how was this before the white man came and conquered it? How did the people here communicate and relate to each other? How did they deal with disputes? These are questions that are not answered on any of the other tours given in the neighborhood. Moving from there, I skip ahead to more contemporary times when the land was cleared, the Northwest Ordinance forced the people of native descent to leave the area, and development began at a quick rate. It’s important to discuss how the neighborhood got its name, and how the changing demographics lead to the largest German population in America at the time. There are many things about that time that people think were perfect, but the reality was much more harsh than that. As we move through the streets, I discuss how the fabric of the neighborhood has changed, and with it the Why has this building been vacant for almost a decade? Find out on a tour. Photo: Mark Mussman people. I go into how the use of buildings has changed, and what brought us to this point today. I discuss the many times that the community got together to help an organization or individual who had a grand vision. I discuss how pieces of the neighborhood were literally rebuilt brick by brick. How does this contradict the media’s portrayal of the neighborhood? How do we stick together in tough times? What future do we want to have available here? One of the most important pieces of our tour includes a discussion of the affordable housing left in the neighborhood. Affordable housing helps people from ending up in the streets or at the shelter. It encourages people to work and raise families in a way that upholds the dignity we all deserve. Affordable housing also helps senior citizens and single-parent families in our neighborhood. In Over-the-Rhine it’s no secret that rents are raising at alarming rates, which is forcing people out of the neighborhood – but what does this actually look like? As I wind down the tour, I cover the changes to Washington Park, and what those changes mean for taxpayers and neighbors. I discuss the suit that we filed to reverse the unjust rules posted by the Park Board, and I talk about the events that have affected us greatly. It’s important to look at Washington Park since it is now being used as an example for everything from the ill-designed Issue 22 to the restructuring of Ziegler Park on the east side of Over-theRhine. The issues that are covered in the Homeless Coalition’s Social Justice Walking Tour vary from discussions about history, sense of place, changing facades, the power players, social service organizations, affordable housing, privatization, and more. If you are interested in bringing a group on the Homeless Coalition’s Social Justice Walking Tour, you can easily sign up on our website under Education. I hope that you will consider coming over and taking a very interesting Social Justice Walking Tour with the Homeless Coalition! ------------------------ How important was this space for the community before this was built? Find out on a tour. Photo: Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 CURT BRAMAN (Continued from page 3) plant. DLOP responded to this tortured logic with a letter to the City Manager’s office which disputed Cabe’s claims and offered point by point arguments to refute them. The decision remained unchanged, but concern about the issue was gaining momentum throughout City Government. Another key element to the success of the campaign was the growing public and political will to expand recycling in the city. At the time, recycling was only available to single family and small rental properties. The popularity of the program caused civic leaders to want to extend it to large apartment buildings and businesses. In the summer of 2007, a new department, the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment & Sustainability (COES) hired Director, Larry Falken. Falken came to Cincinnati with an ambitious and multifaceted approach to making the city Green. He turned his attention to the Recycling Program upon arrival and was willing to listen, and perhaps even take counsel, from the local environmental activists including those from the Sierra Club. Throughout 2007 and 2008, public and stakeholders meetings devoted to the logistics and goals of expanding and revamping the Recycling Program were held. In every one, justice for the TLC workers was discussed. In the past, changes to the recycling contract with the city were largely made by amending the Rumpke contract. Realistically, Rumpke was the only local company with capacity to deliver the conditions of the contract, so the contract was renewed with a few changes, than rather awarded through a bidding process. With the City stalling on the question of whether or not the TLC workers were “covered”, DLOP and the BGA realized that a new contract with Living Wage provisions included might be the best way to di- LOCAL rect the campaign. The Rumpke workers, DLOP organizers and allies from Organized Labor continued to lobby city officials. The workers met and told their story to groups across the city. They addressed schools, church social action committees, and civic action groups; in short, to anybody that would listen. A rally at Washington Park, in October, led by Debbie Clarke and Marie Koloshis drew nearly 200 people. By the end of 2007, the City was forced to convene a hearing on the issue. On January 10, the workers went to City Hall to share their views in an informal meeting with city administrators and Council Members. Several of the workers described the process at the plant and their central role in receiving, sorting, and preparing the materials for shipment. According to the workers and DLOP, the contract was clear. It defines the term “recycling” to include the type of tasks performed inside the plant by these workers and leaves little room for misunderstanding. At the conclusion of meeting, one of the workers, Eddie, asked the city leaders, “Am I a covered employee? You’ve heard us describe the work we do. Now we want to know, do we deserve a living wage?” The city administrators answered his question by squirming and saying they would continue to investigate. City Hall continued to be unresponsive, but the idea of clearly codifying the living wage provision in a new recycling contract was floating around the building. The decision was made to, for the time being, shift the focus to Rumpke. The living wage demand was probably off the table with Rumpke, but the minimum wage violations by TLC could be ended. The workers were surprised when they were able to schedule a meeting with one of the plant managers Jeff Rumpke for February 15, 2008. About a week before the scheduled meeting DLOP organized a community dinner with a program that highlighted the state of the campaign Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 CIWC on Fountain Square Photo: CIWC and a request for solidarity. Over one hundred people attended the dinner held at First English Lutheran Church on Race Street in Over-theRhine. The February 15th meeting between 5 or 6 workers, Jeff Rumpke and a couple of line foremen went well. Rumpke management must have become all too familiar with all of the buzz surrounding both the recycling contract and the worker justice battle. Management listened and indicated that the fees for transportation and equipment might be excessive. Almost immediately, the first victory of the campaign happened. The fee for safety equipment was eliminated and the transportation fee was cut in half (it too would be eliminated in a few weeks). The next victory occurred in early May. City Council voted unanimously to reverse the Office of Contract Compliance’s decision and enforce the Living Wage Ordinance when Rumpke’s contract was up for renewal in June 2009. In addition the demands for expanded recycling capacity were included in the new contract. In an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer in June of 2009, Rumpke promised to honor the requirement. All of the exhilarating victories won during the Rumpke came at price. An article in CityBeat by Dave Malaska stated that by February of 2010 less than half of the original TLC workers still had jobs. Rumpke converted to a highly automated processing system and only four of the fourteen jobs were given to the former Day Laborers. Over time, however, the things reverted to the old system. According to a report from recent a TLC employee who worked regularly at Rumpke in 2014 and 2015 approximately 54 positions are filled at the facility 5 days a week through TLC. Using these figures as a baseline, and figuring the spread between the city’s living wage and the Ohio minimum wage over the years 2010 to 2015, it is estimated that the wage increase, across the all temporary workers from 2010 to 2015, is at least $1,484,864 and counting, in additional wages. All of which is paid to an overwhelmingly group that is black and living in Cincinnati. Was it worth it? Patience Fuller, who lost her job in the Rumpke living wage struggle said her mother, a union steward at the old Hostess plant in Queen City, “would have had it no other way.” ------------------------ Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Resident Assistant - Medical Care Coordinator Center for Chemical Addictions Treatment ccatsober.org - Resident Assistant Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org - Payroll and Accounting Coordinator - Early Childhood Education Site Manager - Head Start Disability and Mental Health Case Manager - Family and Community Engagement Manager - Assistant Teacher Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati lascinti.org - Legal Assistant (FullTime) Lighthouse Youth Services lighthouse.org - Multiple Openings Our Daily Bread ourdailybread.us - Kitchen Manager Shelter House shelterhousecinti. org - Shelter Director - Resident Aide THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc. org - Accounting Assistant The Exit Program theexitprogram.org - Accepting Ongoing Applications UpSpring upspring.org - Program Manager �7 LOCAL No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 Peter Hames: “Engaging” the Community (P2) JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer “Sometimes you gotta go a long way out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.” – Edward Albee M eet Peter Hames (again). Former President of the Over the Rhine Community Council. Retired, but always busy. Selfdescribed as: tall, analytical, witty, innovative and rigid. One of Peter’s major areas of interest these days is “Citizen Engagement.” In short, Peter would like to see citizens (you) take charge of your communities, making your own life and your neighbors’ lives the richer by engaging in the dynamic processes of governing. Not an easy task, since—according to Hames—the citizens of our fair city (you) already have two strikes against them. This, thanks to the arcane (read: “corrupt”) way Cincinnati is governed and managed. More on this later. A month ago in this newspaper, we described Peter Hames’ exciting life as a young Marine, deployed off the shores of Cuba and North Vietnam in the early to mid­sixtiees. This time, we will focus on his life after retirement. One could hardly call Hames “retired,” in the traditional sense. Recently, I spent several weeks painting the exterior of the Hames house in the Mohawk area. On many of those days, Hames drove off two or three times to attend various meetings. In addition, he works hard to stay fit, doing Pilates several times a week, exercising at the Y, and playing as much golf as possible. “I’ve been working on my golf game,” he explains. “I call it a game, but it’s really torture. Except every now and then I get a good shot.” But what about all those meetings? It turns out that Peter Hames is doing something for free that he has often been payed to do during most of his work life: He is busting his 72 year­ old patootie, trying to make life better for the residents of his adopted city. That’s you and me. How did Hames become so involved in municipal and neighborhood affairs? One might say: organically. Just out of the service, the gung- ho Marine found himself face­ to­face with more blood than he had ever seen as a soldier. He took a job at meat­packing plant and found himself on what was called the “kill floor.” He couldn’t handle all the animal death, so he quickly enrolled at the University of Minnesota. At 23 he married. The marriage lasted nine years. He has a son back home who is 50. A lifetime in city government Hames then did post graduate work at the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. His specialty was to work in policy analysis and municipal planning. After graduating he took a job as an intern at the St. Paul mayor’s office, remaining there for 13 years. Hames remembers his first big project was establishing the feasibility of implementing a citizen­based “suggestion” system. “I really love working at the local level,” Hames says, “where you can see things happen and make them happen.” He describes helping create profiles of various neighborhoods in the city, then writing a kind of “owner’s manual” for the citizens of St. Paul. He laughs. “We were big on re-inventing government, he recalls. “It was a breakthrough in customer service, a fine thing to do.” Hames spent most of his working life in various city/governmental departments in Minnesota, San Jose, and finally—18 years ago—Hamilton County. His final job before retiring was as Finance Director for the city of Montgomery. That retirement, eight years ago, brought Peter Hames into a very personal attachment to the Cincinnati neighborhood where he had chosen to live: Over-the-Rhine. He became involved in various activities here, including Neighborhood Enhancement, and National Night Out (promoting better police/neighborhood relations), Historic Conservation, and the Casino Neighborhood Working Group. A regular (and vocal) participant Peter Hames enjoying our parks Photo: Jim Luken Peter Hames at his home office Photo: Jim Luken at OTR Community Council meetings, in 2010 Peter was appointed to the Board of Directors, then voted President in 2011. His two year term ended, but he remained President for most of another year to help with the transition to an almost entirely new board. Regarding his time on the Board, Peter says, “It was a position where there was no end to the kinds of things you can do.” Citizen engagement His memories of his work on a “Better Neighborhoods” plan for St. Paul, Minnesota, led Hames to look carefully at the situation in Cincinnati. “I became aware of the absence of any kind of policy the city should have had, but didn’t.” He talked to other community councils about the situation. “We asked ourselves, ‘What could we do to enhance the quantity and quality of citizen engagement (CE) in Cincinnati?’” They decided to set up a group they named the Citizen Engagement Action Team (CETA).The team did a lot of research and work on the topic. They looked at other cities and their policies. “We came up with this report called ‘Strength in Unity,’ which is the city’s motto (although in Latin), calling for the strengthening of CE in Cincinnati. Three years ago, city council passed it. We’ve been spending the past 2 1 ⁄2 years trying to make progress in getting it implemented.” To put it mildly, things have not gone well in that regard. Progress has been more than slow. Hames blames this on the fact of changes in the administration (mayor and city manager), but mostly he believes that this isn’t their highest priority. “I’m not sure if our view of CE is congruent with their view.” Hames carefully explains what the Citizen Engagement team is trying to do. “It’s founded on several principles, THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED one of which—if you are effected by a decision, you should have a role in making the decision. And the city should be very aggressive in supporting that kind of decision making. Citizen engagement is not simply giving the citizens a notice of [this or that] meeting. It is engaging them in the decision-making process.” He continues: “And you know how corrupt they are down there [City Hall]. Corrupt is the wrong word. You know how they use those “emergency powers” all the time?” I told him I did not know about that. A “corrupt” city government. “They can use those emergency powers to put something on the agenda without notice. They suspend the rules that they had adopted, and now it’s gonna become law... immediately!” Normally very calm and collected, Hames is noticeably angry. “There’s been no notice. No citizen engagement. No opportunity for input. They do it all the time! “It’s ironic that something I used to work for when I was inside the organization [Twin City government]... for some reason, Cincinnati doesn’t value that.” I ask him why he thinks poor people in OTR aren’t more engaged in their city government, he responds, “Why should they be? They’re not listened to. If you look at the absence of citizen engagement for the white people in the city, why should the poor, black people expect more?” In the not too distant future, Peter Hames plans on returning home to his beloved St. Paul for good. Clearly, the city and our neighborhood will miss his energy and his passion. I, for one, am grateful to have known him, and to have watched as this quiet, respectful man gave his all to make things better here. I hope there will be others to fight the good fight, to continue this urban “turf war” in his absence. ------------------------ �8 WORLD Housing First: who gets left behind? ALEXANDRA PAMIAS www.INSP.ngo / Street Sense “There was a gentleman here this morning who, for whatever reason, had determined that I was a sorcerer and that I was trying to kill him,” Beau Stiles said to about ten people cramped in a small room one Wednesday morning in September. Computers lined the walls, all of them in use, but at the sound of his voice everyone pulled up a chair and turned to Stiles to hear what he had to say. Stiles is the program coordinator for Georgetown Ministry Center. He leads a community meeting like this one every week for the center’s guests. “First and foremost I assure you all: that was not the case. I was not trying to kill anyone,” Stiles went on. He proceeded to explain how the gentleman called the police, who came down to the homeless drop-in center to question Stiles and heard the man’s story. “They opted not to charge me with sorcery, which is a good thing,” Stiles said. “And he left.” His story was met with laughter, but ultimately there is a lesson to be learned. Stiles has no hard feelings towards the man. Although this situation may seem fairly comical to outsiders, it exemplifies a common problem for outreach centers: how to provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness who also have a mental disorder. Gunther Stern, executive director of Georgetown Ministry Center for the past 25 years, identified the biggest challenge he faces with one word: Anosognosia. “It is a syndrome associated with neurological disorders. About half of people with mental illness also have some degree of Anosognosia, which is the inability to understand that they have a problem,” said Stern. “So they might be yelling and howling at the wind but they don’t perceive that they have a mental illness.” This issue becomes especially deadly during hypothermia season, the period between November and March when temperatures regularly drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and endanger the lives of those living on the streets. The D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness approved it’s Winter Plan in September, which outlines how to best help people experiencing homelessness during this time. The 2015-16 plan includes a significant expansion of street outreach. In order to best help people with a mental illness that refuse help during hypothermia season, there is a process called FD12 that can be invoked to get them to safety. “If a person is exhibiting signs and symptoms of a mental illness and they are placing themselves in danger, there are police officers, mental health professionals, and a variety of people that have been trained to make that assessment,” said Dr. Tanya Royster, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health. “Then they can forcibly, involuntarily remove the person and get them to a safe situation.” Royster stressed the importance of evaluating people to make sure they are indeed experiencing metal illness. Free will is a right, and the govern- Housing First has been adopted universally, according to Stern. “The people that I work with are mostly missed by [Housing First] for two different reasons,” Stern said. “One is that they don’t get hit because they are too low functioning. Or the second is that they are too low functioning that they are unsuccessful once they receive housing.” He believes that half the people out there won’t be served by Housing First because they will refuse service. “There’s a woman, Janice, at the bottom of the street here who stays in the same place and every time I see her and ask her if she is interested in housing she says ‘I’ve got two hous- Winkfield examines an individual; he is complaining that his legs are sore. Photo: Alexandra Pamias ment can’t take that away without thorough examination. There is an ethical line drawn between forcing people to accept help and respecting their decisions as people with free will. “And that is hard for us, because we want to take care of everybody,” Royster said. “But in the end, people have some choice if they are mentally able to do so.” As a way to help people get off the street faster, District government has embraced the Housing First model. This form of permanent supportive housing is based on the concept that, first and foremost, an individual or family should obtain stable housing before they can properly address other issues such as addiction or unemployment. Stern emphasized that Housing First is a tool and not the end-all solution to homelessness. People are going to be left on the street even after es,’” Stern said. “She sleeps by the bank. And she shits and pees where she sleeps. There is not much I can do.” Stern and the Georgetown Ministry Center offer the homeless community services such as showers and laundry facilities, case management assistance, access to the Internet, phones, and medical care. Staff members, usually accompanied by medical staff, will regularly go on outreach runs to extend a helping hand to the homeless community and provide them with a friendly face and medical assistance. On a rainy Wednesday afternoon I accompanied Stern and nurse practitioner Devora Winkfield on one of these walks through the streets of northwest D.C. looking for people who might need healthcare. Medical professionals look for symptoms such as severe swelling, sores, or respiratory difficulties dur- Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 ing these outreach runs, according to Winkfield. Stern lead everyone around the area, stopping in locations where he knows people will be. Almost everyone we encountered knew him by name. The group made a brief stop at the West End Interim Library where Stern checked in to see if anyone needs help. “The library is probably the biggest day center in the country for homeless people,” he said. Just around the corner from the Foggy Bottom Metro station, Stern and Winkfield asked a man sitting on a bench whether he needed any help. While he initially refused, after a few minutes he decided to let Winkfield take his blood pressure. It was very high. Stern and Winkfield then discovered that the man is on medication and they advised him how to take it, which he had been doing incorrectly. “Same time every day, preferably with water and after a meal,” Winkfield told him. There is hope that he will listen to their advice. “We have to change the way we look at people with mental illness who decide to live on the street, and actually intervene whether they want us to or not,” Stern said. “I have been talking to the same people for 25 years. People do occasionally move up. But most of the people I talk to are still there. Or they’ve died.” There is no easy solution. People are difficult to engage in treatment, especially if they mistrust the system that is there to help them or if they deal with mental health issues, according to Tanya Royster. “So we know that there are a lot of people out there that we can continue to serve, but we could always do more,” Royster said. “Everyone could always do more.” Beau Stiles ended his opening statement at the Georgetown Ministry Community meeting by asking everyone to be sympathetic to those with a mental disorder. “It’s important to remember that we all have different perceptions,” Stiles said. “When you encounter that type of behavior, just be conscious that one - it’s probably not personal and two - it’s very real to them. And be sensitive to that.” ------------------------ One of many people experiencing homelessness in Northwest Wahington, D.C. where Georgetown Ministry Center completes outreach runs. Photo: Alexandra Pamias THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 WORLD Hawaii, Portland, LA declare state of emergency over homelessness RUPAL RAMESH SHAH www.INSP.ngo / Spare Change News I n October, Hawaii became the third U.S. jurisdiction to declare a state of emergency over homelessness, following similar moves in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon in September. This unprecedented trend makes it easier for cities and states to free up more housing and funds, as local governments struggle to combat rising rates of homelessness. On 16 October, the governor of Hawaii signed an emergency proclamation on the state of its homeless population. By signing this document and assigning $1.3 million for this initiative, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to declare an emergency to address homelessness. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hawaii’s population is approximately 1.36 million. While it may be a tropical paradise, Hawaii has the nation’s second highest rate of homelessness after Washington D.C. At a press conference, Governor David Ige declared, “The biggest deficit in the system is shelter space for families.” The governor has put a task force in place. Moving forward, the task force will only meet on an as-needed basis, but the governor stressed that there won’t be any institutional complacency in dealing with the issue. Ige added, “It is still a state of emergency in the sense that there are thousands of members in our community that continue to be homeless. It remains a serious issue in every county throughout the state.” According to Scott Morishige, the state coordinator for homeless residents, Hawaii has the highest rate of homelessness per capita of any U.S. state, at 465 people per 100,000 citizens. Morishige said, “The state has identified a little over $1.3 million that we would like to put immediately out into the community through these various contracts statewide.” The funding will initially be used to expand housing in neighboring islands, and will help to speed up the process of getting individuals and families into permanent housing. Morishige added that the funding will also assist people with their first month’s rent and security deposits. “There’s still much work to do. The alarming increase in unsheltered individuals and families over the past two years is particularly significant on O’ahu [the island home to the state capital, Honolulu],” he added. Los Angeles city council was the first to declare a state of emergency over homelessness on 22 September when it announced plans to appropriate $100 million to fund initiatives such as housing subsidies, and to keep the city’s winter shelters open for an extra two months. In Los Angeles, the number of people living on the streets has steadily increased in recent years. At a press conference, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced plans to release nearly $13 million for short term housing initiatives. He added that the bulk of that money will be dedicated to housing homeless veterans. Skid Row, located in downtown Los Angeles, has often been coined the homeless capital of the country. Los Angeles city council estimates that approximately 50% of Skid Row’s population lives under the poverty line. For the rest of the country, Skid Row elicits thoughts of trash, tents and shopping carts, but there’s a lot more to it. Against the backdrop of the large skyscrapers of Los Angeles, just a few blocks away, is a neighborhood that is “home” to the homeless. The contrast in the two populations, as well as the two drastically different sets of privileges the two groups enjoy, is striking. Connie Llanos, spokesperson for the Los Angeles mayor’s office stated, “An estimated 26,000 Angelenos are A couple walks past tents on downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row, March 7, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson homeless today, which is why Los Angeles was the first city in the country to declare a state of emergency on homelessness, a distinction that allows the city to address the crisis with urgency and demonstrating the dire nature of this issue.” On 23 September, shortly after Los Angeles declared a state of emergency, the mayor of Portland announced a state of emergency for housing and homelessness in the city, setting aside a budget of $30 million. According to a press release, Mayor Charlie Hales wants more money, more shelters, and more homeless people off the streets. The mayor added that the declaration would allow them to work with city owned buildings to convert them into shelters. He envisions working to house all homeless veterans, women and people with mental health problems. Sara Hottman from the Portland mayor’s office said, “Mayor Hales and Chair Kafoury have committed to an investment of $30 million to address housing and homelessness. $10 million of that budget will come from the county’s funds and $20 million will come from the city’s funds. The mayor’s office will work with a consortium of groups including A Home for Everyone.” Hottman stated that the county will support the city’s efforts by implementing A Home for Everyone’s strategic plan, which includes health agencies under Multnomah County’s jurisdiction. She stated that the responsibilities are divided; the city has the housing bureau and is working to find facilities to create shelters and build affordable housing, while the county’s role is to provide human services, since successful housing placement also requires mental health, addiction and medical services. Ron Arp from the Portland Rescue Mission stated, “Regarding the 9 emergency declaration, our perspective is that we’re delighted to see additional focus being placed on the challenges surrounding homelessness. It’s a complex societal, economic, and community challenge. Portland is hardly alone, and it’s going to take more people working closely together over many years to ease the homelessness pressures faced by men, women and children.” He added, “Portland leaders have placed a strong priority on housing over the past decade, so we are particularly appreciative of the expanded focus to include emergency shelter and recovery programs. The latter two are where the nonprofit, Portland Rescue Mission, has focused its energies for the past 65 years.” Arp believes that Portland Rescue Mission is capable of serving more than 350,000 hot, nutritious meals this year. The organization provides emergency beds and transitional support for about 150 men and women and has the capacity to serve another 150 men, women, and children through their long term life-restoring programs. Portland Rescue Mission is privately funded by approximately 30,000 donors and hundreds of volunteers. The actions taken in Portland, Los Angeles and Hawaii to address homelessness reflects the seriousness of a widespread crisis across the U.S. that can no longer be pushed to the sidelines. Megan Hustings, interim director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said, “Homelessness has been an emergency for thirty to forty years now. The cost of housing is increasing at a rate that people can’t keep up with. The National Coalition for the Homeless appreciates the cities and the states that are taking an initiative to seriously address homelessness.” However, Hustings stated that the root causes of homelessness need to be identified and addressed. She said, “In the short term, the emergency declaration is a reasonable solution. However, long term solutions need to be put in place.” ------------------------ People wait in a line stretching around the block as the homeless and needy are served a free Thanksgiving meal at the Los Angeles Mission on Skid Row in Los Angeles, California November 21, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Redmond THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 LOCAL Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 Cincinnati for Palestine Rally in Piatt Park JUSTIN JEFFRE Editor O n Friday October 23rd a rally was held by members of the Cincinnati Palestine Solidarity Coali- tion, Cincinnati Interfaith Workers’ Center and members of Black Lives Matter Cincinnati in Piatt Park to denounce the crackdown by Israeli Occupation forces on the West Bank. Organizers say that, “Under the banner of security, they have been harassing Palestinian youth and children, killing indiscriminately and without any accountability.” The crowd of about 30 people chanted, “Justice is our demand. No peace on stolen land. When Palestine is under attack, what do we do? free.” Fariba Nourian, an organizer said, “All of this is going on with the complicit silence of international institutions that turn a blind eye on the crimes committed by the Israeli government. The unconditional support of these criminal policies by the US government is what allows these atrocities to continue.” In a statement she said, “We must increase pressure here in the US and show up in mass to support the uprising against the unbearable conditions under which Palestinians live daily. We must demand an immediate end of the illegal and inhumane Israeli occupation!” Stand up, fight back.” And, “From the river to sea, Palestine will be BILL WOODS (Continued from page 2) Cincinnati, and local workers lose millions of dollars in pay every year. One of the primary roles of the Interfaith Workers Center is assisting workers who have been cheated, and two of these workers told their stories to Forum attendees. Salustro and Carlos Perez, a father and son who are recent Latino-immigrants, worked as framers on building projects in Cincinnati. ------------------------ Both were denied their full pay until the Workers Center intervened on their behalf. Although the Workers Center has been quite successful in helping many workers over the years, Grayson declared that it needed a greater local and public effort to prevent wage theft from taking place. He cited other city governments that have passed laws, and these examples prompted the Center to promote a Cincinnati ordinance. It launched the “Just Pay Cincy Campaign” last May, and it currently Rally at Piatt Park Photo: Justin Jeffre works with Vice Mayor David Mann to draft a specific ordinance to put before City Council by the end of the year. What would an anti-wage theft ordinance do? Although details of a final ordinance are still being worked out, it would essentially impact all entities participating in City economic development and incentive programs. These entities would be responsible for reporting all wage theft complaints and wage theft findings made against anyone they contracted or sub-contracted with. These entities would be THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED subject to specific City imposed financial penalties or fines once wage thefts are determined. The Center, concluded Grayson, is also building a coalition of religious, civic, and labor groups to support an anti-wage theft ordinance. An event is scheduled for City Hall on Wednesday November 18th. For details, call the Center, 621-5991. ------------------------ �11 LOCAL No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 Freedom Navigators for Cancer Care: Youth Teams for Cincinnati STEVE SUNDERLAND Contributing Writer 1. Introduction: Recently I spoke at an inner city elementary school and a suburban high school on health in Cincinnati. Over 90% of the children, 6th graders in one school, and high school sophomores in the other, raised their hands when I asked how many had someone in their family with cancer. We talked about a parent that died, some brother or sister with cancer, and/or some family history of cancer that seemed to just persist from generation to generation. As we talked, it was clear that the youth felt isolated about what could be done. Some suggested the best we could do was to wear pink; others spoke of raising money for research. Prayer was also noted. These responses are not different from the average person who is coping with a family member facing cancer. Add to the difficulties of caring a lack of experience with medical institutions, insurance, and welcoming health individuals and institutions, and the difficulties facing a person with cancer are multiplied beyond one’s grasp. What the cancer citizen needs is a culture of support for themselves and their families. 2. What is a culture of support for cancer citizens? Simply, every person with cancer needs one team, one caring neighborhood, and linkage to cancer hospitals. Caring involves connection. Mortality can be reduced with relationships. Fighting cancer includes dialogue with support systems with the cancer citizen at the center. Helping people survive cancer is not usually thought about as a democratic enterprise. Yet, it is clear, the more barriers facing a person in their experience with the health care system, the more likely that they will experience both isolation, poor decision making, and ignorance about how they participate in their own survival. It is still not unthinkable that a person, ignorant of the complexities of cancer, will not be told where literature from the American Cancer Society can be obtained in their own language. With the flood of information about health insurance, it is still more likely that a cancer citizen is confused just how much is paid for by the patient and by the insurance company. Even though most professional health care workers know that the diagnosis of cancer can lead to emotional and psychological confusion that is persistent, it is still normal to find most people deeply confused about medical terms, treatment options, survival chances, side effects and their risks, and the “best” method for treatment. And feeling isolated and out of touch with any knowledgeable person who can assist in explaining the basics of the disease and the potential course of treatment. Instead of leaving the doctor’s office with a clear “road map” of the steps toward the best approaches, the individual and their families are left to find their ways through a “minefield” of decisions that may deter or disrupt the person’s key decisions. 3. 5 kinds of support cancer citizens need: Thinking about the person with cancer as a “citizen” with full rights, helps focus the kind of support needed. First and foremost for many citizens, is emotional support. Facing the fears of a cancer diagnosis can take place in a compassionate relationship that is ongoing. Nothing about stepping into the cancer treatment process can be better accomplished alone. Solid, fair, necessary, and caring relationships open opportunities for the citizen to have a person, in relationship, to bounce ideas off of, share concerns that may be irrational, and have a partner in the search to find the best next steps. Secondly, cancer citizens need to be informed about the complexities of their situation and have access to the latest information that is similar or identical to their case. The Election Results Are In JUSTIN JEFFRE Editor T uesday November 3rd turned out to be an interesting off year election. The election results rolled in late because Hamilton County had polling problems. A new system had been put in place and problems emerged that compelled Judge Robert P. Ruehlman to order an extension of poll hours to 9pm. Issue 1 passed which will make it harder to gerrymander districts on the state level. The League of Women Voters and Common Cause Ohio both had endorsed this bipartisan reform. Issue 2 also passed which critics find troubling. In a statement Com- mon Cause Ohio said Issue 2 would give Ohio’s partisan Ballot Board a poison pill with which to kill citizens’ initiatives it opposes. “A careful reading shows that it’s not actually limited to monopolies. Issue 2 would apply to initiatives that create a “monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel, specify or determine a tax rate, or confer a commercial interest, commercial right, or commercial license to any person, nonpublic entity, or group of persons or nonpublic entities, or any combination thereof, however organized, that is not then available to other similarly situated persons or public entities.” The key terms aren’t Information, provided by research that is understandable, or information provided by people who have already successfully been treated, or information from those who have been subjected to difficulties, all add up to supportive elements in how a citizen chooses to act. Thirdly, every cancer citizen needs some level of assistance in overcoming “basic” barriers related to finances, transportation, child care, employer release and other necessary life situations that may be planned for with able support. Fourthly, cancer citizens need support to persist in treatments, or be accompanied to second opinions, or be helped to understand how treatment will effect life chances, as well as some help overcoming the natural discomfort with regular, and often, painful treatments. Lastly, cancer citizens need support for facing the unknowns inside every cancer case. ‘What works? Will it work in my situation? For how long will a treatment take and with what kind of acceptable result? And, with some success, will the situation relapse into another level of cancer? And a thousand other questions. Caring support, in relationship, recognizes that there are questions that never go away irrespective of treatment and that these questions represent fears that are often deep and disabling. In conversations about taboo topics as well as discussions of questions that need to be asked to physicians that are awkward, there is a need for a caring team to work together on preparation, discussion, and review. 4. Creating Youth Freedom Navigators: As I talked with the teens about their interest in helping with cancer, and listened to their experiences trying to make a difference in often harrowing situations, I thought about the youth as a potential group capable of working in teams, in neighborhoods, with hospitals, alongside patient navigators, to credefined anywhere in the measure, so it’s precise meaning and application is anyone’s guess.” Issue 3 was handily rejected. It would’ve legalized recreational and medicinal use of marijuana. The Ballot Board referred to the constitutional amendment as a monopoly in their ballot language which essentially sealed its fate from the beginning. Mayor Cranley’s Parks Tax also was defeated by a large margin. The charter amendment would’ve created a permanent tax which the mayor would have largely controlled. The plan first began to unravel when longtime parks supporter and former Vice Mayor Marian Spencer revoked her support after she read the actual charter language. The Enquirer’s reporting helped embolden a grass roots citizen effort to defeat THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ate and sustain the caring culture. We know that young people were critical in the Civil Rights Movement, working alongside community organizers in neighborhoods, assisting with the basics of protest for voting and school rights. We know that the most recent recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai, 15 years old, has organized worldwide for the chance for girls and women to receive education, and in other countries, Africa, India, Haiti, Indonesia, youth have been critical in relief operations, providing support for medical care following disasters. American youth are important factors in elections at all levels. Youth are still joining the Peace Corp. And, in many urban areas, youth have been involved in critical social justice movements. There is every reason to believe that American youth, engaged in training and supervised programs, could make a serious effort in reducing cancer through creating a culture of support. Youth in schools and religious organizations could be encouraged to take concerted action for changing health outcomes in cities that have horrible cancer realities. They would become Freedom Navigators. If the insight about early detection leads to early success in cancer is true, then Freedom Navigators could assist patient navigators in spreading information about cancer, accompanying people to health centers and hospitals, and supporting individuals, especially when there is no one else available. A directory of youth Freedom Navigator cancer support groups could be tied to the United Way phone information system with youth being activated. The cancer citizen needs special support to participate with success in survival. It is time for a partnership with youth to make a difference. ------------------------ John Cranley speaking in favor of the Park Tax Photo: Justin Jeffre it. This broad coalition included the Audubon Society, the Charter Committee, The Sierra Club, COAST, the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, CityBeat, the Green Party, Believe in Cincinnati, a majority on city council and others. ------------------------ �12 LOCAL Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 What We Do RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor “Some of them say; you gotta do what you do, but for me that ring’s so untrue!” T he life of the street person often becomes a self-created dilemma, in other words, you reap what you sow! The concept of, ‘ By any means necessary’ sometimes has some harsh or unrealistic world views for some; it becomes the anthem for many street people. We start to believe that our survival depends on how much we can hoard! The more I can get the better my chances of survival! The mindset allows us to think that what’s really important is our own needs, and we therefore reject any sense of responsibility or moral objectives, and just act according to our own whims, disregarding the rights of, or having respect for others! Self-centeredness becomes our only resource, and we tend to take on an air of self-righteousness. “I can do whatever I want,” regardless of what others think or believe! Cheating, lying, and stealing becomes the norm, and anything goes, as long as I can fulfill my needs and wants, the hell with anyone else! This conviction of mind allows the individual to act out in many cases, oftentimes to an extent that any sense of morality is cast aside. The world of the street person tends to revolve totally around self, ‘I need to do for me’, and that allows for no outside interference. The rules of society are for those who have a place in that society, but too often those who live on the edges of society IE. The street person, with feelings of dejection exclude them from that sense of obligation and their actions seem both necessary and in order. “I have to do what I have to do”! As in the words of the old Temptations song...’Dealing in debt and stealing in the name of the lord’, the street person often losses any sense of right or wrong and just acts on opportunity. ‘We do what we do’! So, I would like to conclude with some clarity, of course when I say street people I am not talking about everyone who has the misfortune to live this life style, however, in a sense to afford awareness a scenario such as this it is to me a necessity to inform those who don’t get it, what it is! Ha! Reaping what we sow is the epit- Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite ome of our actions, so the obvious isn’t quite so easy to see, in the sense of what some individuals engage in has no benefit, however, when caught up in the lifestyle all seems fair to the perpetrator of course we can understand that there is no excuse, yet, is there a remedy or an idea of re­education for those who are caught up in the what we do scenario? This we will have to see! It becomes the responsibility of a community to address and assist those who may find themselves in those orbits, however, the last line says that we are all responsible for ourselves as well as each other! ------------------------ For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 Spiritual Hope I have a dream Of a poor man’s honor Man of respect Praying for salvation Honoring hope Where legends was made Where dreams was born Saying, “I am a man amongst men” Standing tall In the eye of God For mother’s salvation Father’s respect Sister’s love Brother’s freedom May your wishes be merry May your dreams be fulfilled May your love not be conquered Out of the creation of Heaven Of love and compassion Born of spiritual blessings I say, “Peace be with you Let freedom ring May God bless you May Heaven take hold of you And Lord be with you RON ENGLISH Why the Tea Party Loves Dr. Ben Contributing Writer Ben Carson in a sound bite-wrath, Called Prez Obama a psychopath. Dr. Ben’s words of condemnation Make the Right feel great elation. Here’s a Black man being unkind About the Prez’s state of mind. If his smear ranks as the “basest,” Ben can hardly be called a racist. A THEFT IN THE ECONOMY It takes a thief to steal the people of the country’s belief It takes a thief to have the people have to change their lives, now that’s deep It takes a thief to double the price of football stadiums and fields It takes a thief to convince the county the police deserve a Las Vegas deal It takes a thief to steal channels from our children, scanning for the T.V. Whether it be for the Converter Box, Cable Box or Direct T.V. Do you understand me? For me to steal anything or to be classified as a political thief Would for me never to have believed in the Constitution and damn Democracy So now where do we go as a people in order to regain the stability we so freely lost In the future we must read every dotted line, keep the faith and let God alone be the boss! WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer BILL WOODS Contributing Writer The Ghost The Ghost behind me Firing red, hot, heat at me Lying to me Worrying me Dripping sour honey on me Expanding out at me Looking for me It wants to destroy me Having no mercy for me It wants to deceive for thee Standing on the other side of me It wants to destroy me The Ghost KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 81 Across 1. Droop 4. Saturate 8. Faction 12. Frame of a ship 13. Exhort 14. Employee organization 16. Auxiliary 17. Whittle 18. Paris subway system 19. Iron and carbon alloy 21. Portable shelter 23. Repair 24. For each 25. Double-reed instrument 27. Beam 29. Decant 30. Front part of a vessel 31. Tender 34. Appointed assistant 37. Destiny 38. Fuss 39. Precipitation 40. Back muscle 41. Type of golf club 42. Small snake 43. Matured 45. Wander 47. Hymenopterous insect 48. Cooking vessel 49. Mush 50. Body of water 51. Vocalized 52. Append 55. Redact 58. Consideration in dealing with others 60. Worship 62. Aquatic bird 64. Cultivate by growing 66. Region 67. Hard material used as an abrasive 68. Succulent 69. Asterisk 70. Window glass 71. Let for money 72. Amateur radio operator Down 1. Matching set of furniture 2. Type of tree 3. Mirth 4. Consume a little at a time 5. Speaker 6. Concur 7. Sharp 8. Total 9. Foe 10. Make reference to 11. Ripped 12. Fastener 15. Show assent 20. Plunder 22. Slow pace of running 26. Purchase 28. Wonderment 29. Play on words 30. Nocturnal mammal 31. Agressive remark 32. Object of worship 33. Finished 34. Dreary 35. Alleviate 36. Tube 37. An interest followed with zeal 40. Allow 41. Mischievous fairy 43. Simian 44. Caprine animal 45. Operate 46. Seaweed 49. Regular customer 50. Austere 51. Relative magnitude 52. Large artery 53. Aspiration 54. Having a high price 55. Female sheep 56. Slightly wet 57. Notion 59. A great distance 61. Sprint 63. Cereal grass seed 65. Encountered SODOKU PUZZLE NO 215 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 315 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 80 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 214 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 316 | No v 6 - N ov 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Mercy Franciscan at St. John OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 The Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women 2499 Reading Road, Cinti, OH 562-1980 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 981-5800 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Shelter: Men Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 1805 Dalton Avenue, Cinti, OH 45214 Shelterhouse 721-0643 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 411 Gest St. Cinti, Ohio 45203 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Parkway Center 661-4620 Starting Over 961-2256 Shelter: Both Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Housing: 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Nov 6 - Nov 19, 2015 | No. 316 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MYRA WILSON RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 2015 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 6-November 19, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: Do Human Rights Exist? Making the Case for an Anti-Wage Theft Ordinance Pg 3: History of Wage Theft in Cincinnati Pg 4: GCHC Pg 5: Social Justice Walking Tour Pg 6: Curt Braman Pg 7: Peter Hames Pg 8: Housing First Pg 9: Hawaii, Portland, LA Declare State of Emergency Over Homelessness Pg 10: Cincinnati for Palestine Rally in Piatt Park Pg 11: Freedom Navigators for cancer Care Pg 12: What We Do Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 6-November 19, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Bill Woods Curt Braman Mark Mussman Jim Luken Justin Jeffre Steve Sunderland Ricardo Taylor Ron English Willa Denise Jones Kim Green Alice Schneider CIWC Jim Luken Aimee Willhoite Bill Woods Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimee Willhoite Alice Schneider Bill Woods Cancer Care Cincinnati CIWC Curt Braman Election Hawaii Homelessness housing Human Rights Jim Luken Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green LA Mark Mussman Palestine Peter Hames Piatt Park Portland protest Rally Recycling Ricardo Taylor Ron English Rumpke Steve Sunderland Wages Willa Denise Jones https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/fd31352c46cb4fe731b3f31cf9124c78.pdf 22dd6abd93065cd61f25de9442caff2c PDF Text Text October 23rd - November 5th 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 22 (No. 315) advocating justice | Building community Pave Our Parks? | 3 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Xavier Students get the Cincinnati Urban Experience | 5 Drop Inn Center Has Moved | 2 Community Issues Forum on Hot Topics in Education | 6 Common Cause Ohio Opposes Issue 2 | 7 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL Drop Inn Center Has Moved JOSH SPRING F Executive Director riday, October 9th was the ribbon cutting of the Drop Inn Center’s new location in Queensgate. Residents and Staff have now moved to Queensgate. The women’s shelter moved to Mt. Auburn on Reading Road months ago. Writing about this topic is a bit like walking a tightrope. The Drop Inn Center is our oldest member-organization. In fact for many years, the Homeless Coalition really was an arm of the Drop Inn Center. I don’t want to make statements about the systematic issues that eventually led to this move that somehow get removed from the hands of those organizations responsible for them and re-explained as negative speak about the Drop Inn Center. So to be clear from the outset: the staff of the Drop Inn Center at all levels are focused and committed to serving single men and women experiencing homelessness. Their goal is to provide healthy shelter and the opportunities necessary to become permanently housed. Not only is this where their hearts and minds are, but they are also very good at it. The Drop Inn Center staff have fit this description for more than 40 years and continue to do so. The Drop Inn Center is always ready to step up when there is a need or a gap they can fill. Let’s be clear: far too much pressure is placed on shelters of all vari- eties. When good jobs go away and affordable housing is depleted, shelters are expected to take people in when they don’t have room. Shelters are then expected to quickly exit each person after achieving a steady income and permanent housing whether or not there are new jobs and new affordable housing. Systematically this is an impossible situation. Despite that fact that shelters and people living in them keep chugging away at each individual case. Systematically shelters were never meant to be the solution to homelessness or the end to homelessness. Shelters were primarily created or significantly expanded both in size and mission in the mid to late 1980s as the super wealthy were given tax breaks, federal programing for housing was slashed and gentrification increased. Shelters were meant to keep people alive until enough people organized, fought back and these policies were fixed. Instead governments at all levels continued to make homelessness creating policy decisions: backing big profit over people and homelessness continued to increase and become institutionalized. Instead of making the necessary overarching systematic changes, new systems have been created that put the pressure on shelters and people experiencing homelessness. We have continued to fight back across the country and have had victories but we continue to have an uphill struggle ahead of us. After years of corporate and political efforts to move the Drop Inn Center and build two new shelter buildings, instead of the systematic focus of that time and those dollars into new affordable housing, the Drop Inn Center needs more space. Needing more space does not dictate a move, but DIC needs more space. I say all of this to make this point: The Drop Inn Center, now called Shelterhouse, will continue to work incredibly hard with the many people who come through its doors. But I don’t want to see any more pressure on Shelterhouse than was already there. A new building is not what brings major change in a systematic problem like homelessness. Certainly it has more to do with the people who work in that building: Employees and Residents. It has more to do with how we strategize, organize and act. It has more to do with overcoming corporate greed, creating just polices and funding new affordable housing and good paying jobs - not to mention healthcare, education, mental health, addiction recovery, housing first, etc. The corporate elite want to seem like they have done a great thing, but the real people deserving of acco- (Continued on page 11) Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, advocating justice and building community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Mark Mussman Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson, Dante Williams Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Michael Earl Patton, Bill Woods, Mark Mussman, Michelle Dillingham, Justin Jeffre, Robert Park, Jason Haap, Willa Denise, Jones, Kim GreeN Photography/Artwork: Mark Mussman, Dylan Speeg, Bing images, LeeAnn Scherbauer, Sydney Boyer, Alice Schneider, Michelle Dillingham, Progress Ohio, Bill Woods, Ron English Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Shelterhouse ribbon cutting ceremony Photo: Mark Mussman THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �3 LOCAL No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 Pave the Parks? MICHAEL EARL PATTON Contributing Writer I t’s often the details that really matter. There are so many things wrong with Issue 22, the so-called “Preserve Our Parks” levy, that it is hard to know where to begin. I’m going to begin by pointing out that the language on the ballot when you go to vote is not the same as the language of the actual charter amendment. This is allowed in some cases where the amendment is very long and a summary is necessary, but it seems strange in this case where it could easily fit on the ballot. It’s easy to find the language that will be on the ballot; it is not so easy to find out what the change to the charter would actually be. It is possible to find it on the city’s website if one searches the “Council Online” section (assuming it is up and running), but that is one of the few places. One can also find a comparison at the local Green Party’s website, www.swohgp.org. Here’s why it matters. Where the actual change to the charter would say that the funds raised will be used for capital improvements to new and existing city parks, the language on the ballot has a whole bunch of other words added that would not be in the actual change to the charter. These ghost words would disap- pear like the morning fog, but not before possibly blinding voters to what they hide. Here are the ghost words on the ballot language which follow capital improvements: “… and capital maintenance, including the acquisition of new park lands and green space, upgrades to existing park facilities and equipment, bicycle paths, and lighting and safety improvements…” Sounds nice, and I especially like the part about bicycle paths and more lighting. Only problem is, that won’t be in the actual charter amendment. What will the city do with that money? Or more properly, what will the mayor do? The mayor and the park board (which is appointed by the mayor), not city council, will be in charge. We do know that recently an underground garage was added to Washington Park, a popular city pool was demolished, and there has been talk of a new road in Burnett Woods, a restaurant with a parking lot there, and even a beer hall in Mt. Airy Forest. These are all capital improvements. The ballot language would be at least as accurate if instead of talking about bike paths and new lighting it had said “including parking garages, paved roads, res- Mayor Cranley thinks the trees in Burnet Woods are creepy Cartoon: Dylan Speeg taurants, and parking lots.” If you think a restaurant is too far-fetched, then remember there is already one on Fountain Square – Via Vite. Another strange thing is with the city golf courses. The city has six golf courses, three of them are within city limits and three outside. Yes, Hamilton County has a park system Making Your Vote Really Count - Don’t Forget Issue One On November 3rd BILL WOODS Contributing Writer V oting for Issue I this November 3rd appears to be a no-brainer. This proposed Ohio Constitutional Amendment establishes a fair process for creating new state representative districts after every U.S. Census. Ohio is currently a text book example of gerrymandering, the practice of crafting political districts that favor one party. Issue I would essentially prevent this unfair outcome when mapping takes place to define district boundaries for General Assembly elections. Passage of Issue I, however, isn’t a shoo-in. It’s not a sexy issue with an immediate impact, and it has received very little news media coverage. Public interest and media attention remain focused on Issue 3, the legalization of marijuana proposal, and Issue 22, the City Charter Amendment that would establish a permanent tax for parks. The fear is that Issue I could be overlooked or The original Gerrymander cartoon Photo Credit: Bing Images rejected by an uninformed electorate. What are the nuts and bolts of Issue I? The proposed Constitutional Amendment establishes very specific criteria that will make gerrymandering very difficult to implement. Map makers must create compact districts that divide counties and municipalities only when absolutely necessary. Under this guideline, the priority is to keep large counties, other counties, and municipalities from being split into two or three districts, and it would put an end to those oddly shaped districts created to preserve a General Assembly seat for one of the political parties. A second criterion deals headon with partisan map making. “No district shall be drawn primarily to favor or disfavor a political party.” Having this language in the Ohio Constitution gives citizens the legal right to challenge any possible gerrymandering that should happen to occur in the redistricting process. A further guideline requires that the overall allocation of seats “corresponds closely to the statewide political preferences of the voters of Ohio,” and that preference will be measured by the average of votes cast for the major parties’ candidates over the previous decade. The Issue I Amendment proposal charges the Ohio Redistricting Commission with the job of creating new state districts every ten THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED and city residents help pay for that with their property taxes. But there are only a couple county parks inside the city limits while the city has three golf courses located basically for the county residents – who don’t pay city property taxes. Why the city doesn’t (Continued on page 11) years. Comprised of seven elected state officials, this body must include at least two members from the minority party, and two members from the minority party must approve of the final redistricting plan in order for it to go into effect for a decade. If this minimum minority support cannot be achieved, then a new plan must be drafted after four years instead of ten. Transparency is a hallmark of the Issue I redistricting process. All meetings of the Redistricting Commission will be open to the public, and public hearings are called for during and after the Commission’s work on a new plan. If citizens believe the redistricting criteria have not been followed, the Amendment names the Ohio Supreme Court as the place to file a legal challenge to the plan. If the Court agrees with a citizen complaint, the Commission must redraw the district or districts found to be out of compliance with the Amendment’s criteria. If Issue I is not in the spotlight this fall, it does have the support of a large number of organizations and groups. The Ohio Democratic, Republican, and Green Parties have endorsed it. A sampling of other endorsers includes the Ohio Council of Churches, the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, the United Auto Workers Region 2B, the Ohio Coalition on Homelessness and Housing, the Ohio Student Association, Applied Information Resources, the League of Women Voters, and Common Cause/Ohio. The mantra of these supporters is not to overlook and possibly lose this major step forward in renewing democracy in Ohio. ------------------------ �4 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 �5 LOCAL No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 Xavier Students get the Cincinnati Urban Experience MARK MUSSMAN Contributing Writer Y ou might wonder why I look so tired this week… it’s for a good reason – I am still recovering from a great experience last week with 10 students from Xavier University who chose to do an Alternative Break (AB) instead of going home or on vacation for their Fall Break. The topic of the trip was “Gentrification of a Neighborhood.” I don’t have any great quotes from them yet, but let me tell you a little about their trip and what I learned over the course of a few days. We started off the week on a low note – as you may know by now, the Over-the-Rhine Soup Kitchen caught fire on Sunday, October 4th. The community was devastated by this fire, even though it was small and contained. It knocked out power at the Sarah Center, and caused serious smoke damage to the inside of the building. The quilts, which many women have been working on for months, were destroyed by the smoke damage. These quilts were meant to be fundraisers for the holidays. I was very sad to hear this news because it’s a major setback for the Sarah Center. In addition, our Xavier students were going to be staying at the Sarah Center – I was so thankful that the students weren’t there yet, but I needed to find a new place for them to stay. Reverend John Suguitan, from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, stepped in an offered to let the Xavier students stay at the church on Race Street. I was amazed by the outpouring of support by Prince of Peace, and I was so thankful that the Xavier students had a place to stay! So, I dragged the cots over (with the help of our Xavier interns, Jai-La and Daulton) so they wouldn’t have to sleep on the hard floor. On Thursday, after staying the night at Prince of Peace, the students went to St. Joseph Catholic Worker House and learned about the history of the house and the process of helping men through recovery. They then spent a couple of hours distributing bagged lunches through the sandwich window where they came face-to-face with many people experiencing homelessness. In the afternoon, we went to Peaslee Neighborhood Center and learned about how gentrification has affected Over-the-Rhine from longtime activist and resident Xavier students visit Findlay Market on a beautiful day. Photo by LeeAnn Scherbauer Bonnie Neumeier and about current struggles from Jenn Arens, the Community Education and Volunteer Coordinator. We learned about the “We can go there” campaign to help save the basketball courts on Main Street. We went to St. Francis Seraph and learned about the history of the building, and the way that Catholics were forbidden from building in the city, resulting in their current location on Vine and Liberty. Bubs gave us a great tour of the grounds, including the crypt underneath the church, containing 6 bodies that were left when the cemetery was moved and the church was built. Since the parks are a hot topic right now, we took a park tour up McMicken, over to the community garden and courts on Main, and down to Zeigler Park, near the former SCPA on Sycamore. I discussed the process of privatization of the parks and how we are facing a changing landscape. By then, we were getting tired and hungry, so what a better way to fix that but a pizza buffet at Venice on Vine? M. Shannon, executive director of Power Inspires Progress, hosted our dinner and gave us another history lesson on the neighborhood. Our host explained the historical changes in the neighborhood and the role of Venice on Vine for those who participate in the education and employment programs. The Xavier Students Visit New Shelterhouse. Photo by Mark Mussman sense of community by the end of the day was strong, and the students were beginning to understand why we fight so hard for our neighborhood’s identity. Early on Friday, we walked from the current Shelterhouse (formerly the Drop Inn Center) on 12th street, to the new facility in Queensgate. I wanted to make sure they understood how far the move is, and what that means for someone seeking shelter. After a half an hour walk, we arrived at the former Butternut Bread facility. We noticed right away the lack of crosswalks and the dismal surroundings of the new Shelterhouse. With a highway on one side and railroad tracks on the other, it certainly seems like a far cry from the neighborhood setting of Over-the-Rhine. We were fortunate to get a tour before the ribbon cutting ceremony from a member of the staff. We attended the ribbon-cutting and I pointed out that this facility is in the shadow of the former jail. GCHC Board Member Chris Wilke gave us a more in depth history on the moving of the Shelterhouse after the ceremony. Walking back, we cut up Linn Street, through the West End, and even caught a glimpse of the carriage horse stables. Lunch at Findlay Market was an activity where each student had $1.30, roughly the amount a person on EBT (Food stamps) has per meal. The students could only afford corn dogs and they ate them while considering what that might mean for them if they only had this amount for each meal. I was happy that they stuck to the activity and some of them pooled their money together. Following lunch, we headed to the Cincinnati Interfaith Worker Center where we learned about Wage Theft from executive director Brennan Grayson and Manuel Perez, Membership Coordinator/Organizer. The Xavier students learned about different types of wage theft and looked deeply into a specific case that occurred here in Cincinnati. It was an eye-opening experience for me that employers could be so malicious and do it repeatedly. The students even played a game in the hallway to illustrate how rules are changed and things are tilted in favor of employers, even though employees outnumber them. We met up again with Bubs so that we could help serve a hot meal at St. Francis Seraph’s soup kitchen. Following dinner, students met with Brian Garry at the Miami University Center for Community Engagement on 13th and Vine. Brian discussed his role in helping to establish St. Joseph’s Catholic Worker House, the changes he’s seen in the neighborhood, and ways to get involved with affordable housing. I felt that the students were fired up after hearing Brian speak about the struggles against gentrification in the neighborhood. On Saturday, Prince of Peace was putting on a service festival called Building Hope in the City. Our Xavier students put up and took down the festival, including the bounce house for kids. The Xavier students helped to cook and pass out food, kept the bouncy house safe, and aided me with my information table for the Homeless Coalition. I met a good number of people who were thankful for what we do at the Homeless Coalition, including Streetvibes. As you can imagine, by this time we were all getting a little tired, but we were not finished! We went to the Homeless Coalition and heard Willa Jones’s story as part of the Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau. Willa read her poetry and told us about her struggles. (Continued on page 11) Xavier Students having fun after cleaning up the Building Hope in the City Festival. Photo by Sydney Boyer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �6 LOCAL Community Issues Forum on Hot Topics in Public Education MICHELLE DILLINGHAM Contributing Writer O n October 19th Christ Church Cathedrals’ Community Issues Forum hosted “Hot Topics in Public Education”. The format included an overview of the recent, local hot topics around our public schools some of which I presented as the coordinator for the Cincinnati Educational Justice Coalition. The overview was followed by an introduction to the 2015 school board candidates who are running for the CPS Board of Education this year, incumbent Eve Bolton and new candidate Carolyn Jones. Incumbent Chris Nelms was invited but could not attend. Although there is no contested seats in this election (there are 3 candidates, and 3 seats), there was a recognition that it was still important to hear from the candidates, as they will be three of the seven board members leading the third largest public school district in Ohio for the next 4 years. Also, it was an opportunity to have some open discussion around recent controversial issues the district is addressing. The “hot topics” summary included the following information; The District: The CPS district has about 30,400 students enrolled Eve Bolton speaks at forum Photo: Alice Schneider in 55 schools. The District covers 91 square miles and includes all of the City of Cincinnati, Amberley Village, Cheviot and Golf Manor; most of the City of Silverton; parts of Fairfax and Wyoming; and small parts of Anderson, Columbia, Del- hi, Green, Springfield and Sycamore townships. Public School Funding: Public school districts use a combination of state funds, local sources such as property taxes (and in some cases income taxes) and federal funds. “Breakdown Stereotypes” Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 The amount of state funds a district receives is based on a formula that includes the property wealth of the district and the number of students. The property tax is one of the main funding mechanisms school districts rely on. The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled in 1997 that Ohio’s school funding was unconstitutional, given the variance in real estate values. Charter Schools: Privately run schools funded by taxpayer dollars. They are not subject to the same regulatory oversight. Some are operated by for-profit private companies. There are no district officials to whom they answer, and are not democratically run. The Accelerator Fund: In May, 2015 the Cincinnati Enquirer reported, “A group of Cincinnati business leaders, educators and philanthropists Tuesday announced a landmark $25 million education “accelerator.” It’s a public-private partnership meant to boost the number of high-quality schools open to Cincinnati’s poorest students, and it involves some of Cincinnati’s most venerable organizations: the Cincinnati Business and Cincinnati Regional Business committees, and the Farmer Family, Haile U.S. Bank and KnowledgeWorks foundations.” There has been no new information shared publically since May. The League of Women voters recently tried to host a meeting with their CEO Patrick Herrel, however he cancelled his appearance. His for- (Continued on page 12) “Eradicate Misinformation” The Coalition for the Homeless provides Education and Service Programs that help to portray a more accurate and holistic picture of homelessness in Cincinnati. We believe an educated public can be a more compassionate public, willing to dedicate time and effort towards creating solutions to homelessness. The “Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau” program is made up of individuals currently experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness, who share their experiences. The program is designed to put a face on homelessness and raise awareness about those struggling in our community. To schedule a speaker, contact Mark Mussman at (513) 421.7803 x14 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL Common Cause Ohio Opposes Issue 2 No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 is satisfied, that board shall brand the initiative a “monopoly” (among other things) on the ballot. We can be confident that any initiative so branded would likely be defeated -- whether or not it actually creates a monopoly. Who after all will vote for an initiative with such scarysounding language? This is a scarlet letter that the Ballot Board can manipulate to exclude any initiative of which it disapproves. And here’s the kicker: the italicized language seems to foreclose judicial review. If it’s left to “the opinion of the Ohio Ballot Board” to determine which initiatives get the scarlet letter, there would seem to be no authority in the courts to remove this fatal brand. This is perhaps the most devious feature of Issue 2. It gives our highly partisan Ballot Board – no stranger to political controversy – a silent veto of citizens’ initiatives. That’s directly contrary to the core purpose of the initiative process. No one likes a monopoly. But that’s not really what Issue 2 is about. Issue 2 would give Ohio’s partisan Ballot Board a poison pill with which to kill citizens’ initiatives it opposes. Because Issue 2 would undermine direct democracy while empowering Ohio’s hyper-partisan ballot board, Common Cause Ohio urges Ohioans to vote No on 2. Common Cause Ohio takes no position on Issue 3. Common Cause Ohio supports Issue 1. [Editor’s note: I’m on the board of Common Cause Ohio.] ------------------------ must have an approving audience out there. How does the marketing of sex to adolescents fit in here along with gradients in social class and absent career prospects? This would be a conversation that would touch on all the fundamental beliefs that lead young, white, so far mainly, men, into the ideological swamp created and sustained by the GOP, some Democrats, Fox News, and all their predatory friends. Millions of young people seeing no future in the vast digital corporate universe are ill-equipped to explain their dismal prospects based on history and valid social theory. It’s so easy to blame other groups of less deserving underachievers for their own underachievement. Bernie could talk for hours on this. He would have the whole stage to him- self – are there any other candidates for President in either Party that would dare raise this or could even carry on a credible dialog about it? NAFTA, TTP, the Great Recession, the best Congress money can buy, a trillion dollar infrastructure program… it would all come up, not to mention the continuing adverse consequences of slavery or world capitalist domination. So much to say, so little time. This wouldn’t mean dismissing gun control. Given the depth of the primary problem – widespread social disease – even vigorously attacking those root causes would do little to prevent these outrages in the near term. Gun control is not the solution, it is an emergency response that makes sense only if the real solutions are implemented. ------------------------ JUSTIN JEFFRE Editor O n October 1st Common Cause Ohio issued the following statement from its governing board chair Sam Gresham regarding the board’s opposition to State Issue 2: Issue 2 on this November’s ballot is a poison pill for direct democracy in Ohio. While pretending to stop monopolies, Issue 2’s real impact would be to give the Ohio Ballot Board the power to kill any initiative it dislikes. Issue 2 would therefore undermine direct democracy in Ohio, taking power away from the People and giving it to the partisan politicians and bureaucrats on Ohio’s Ballot Board. Ohio’s citizens’ initiative is an essential component of our constitutional system. It gives ordinary citizens a voice, allowing them to enact laws that serve the public interest when incumbent politicians won’t. It’s no surprise that some of the most important political reforms in our nation’s history have been adopted through the citizen’s initiative. Oftentimes these initiatives are opposed by some career politicians, even though they serve the public interest. No one likes a monopoly, least of all Common Cause. But to understand the harm that Issue 2 would do to direct democracy in Ohio, you need to read its fine print. A careful reading shows that it’s not actually limited to monopolies. Issue 2 would apply to initiatives that create a “monopoly, oligopoly, or cartel, specify or determine a tax rate, or confer a commercial interest, commercial right, or commercial license to any person, nonpublic entity, or group of persons or nonpublic entities, or any combination thereof, however organized, that is not then available to other similarly situated persons or public entities.” The key terms aren’t defined anywhere in the measure, so it’s precise meaning and application is anyone’s guess. Issue 2 also suffers from sloppy draftsmanship. Most notably, it’s not clear what the limiting clause at the end of the sentence above (starting with “to any person…”) refers to. Does it apply only to the phrase “commercial interest, commercial right, or commercial license,“ or does it apply to everything that pre- cedes it? The last antecedent canon of construction would suggest that it’s only the former. If that’s correct, then the initiative would bar a wide range of measures, possibly anything that affects anyone’s tax rate. But it’s hard to know exactly how this broad and vague language would be construed. Issue 2’s careless language isn’t even the worst part of it. Buried deep in Issue 2 is language that expressly gives the Ballot Board the power – apparently unreviewable power – to decide whether an initiative meets its nebulous standard. Issue 2 says that if “in the opinion of the Ohio ballot board” this standard Massacre Nation ROBERT PARK Contributing Writer S ocialist Senator Bernie Sanders thinks hunting for animals is OK (they do a lot of that in his state of Vermont), he’s just opposed to hunting for people, the way all sorts of wackos and others seem to find desirable, maybe even gratifying, or at least an acceptable cost of freedom. Bernie’s pretty good at going to the opposition’s base and having a meaningful conversation. He went to that right-wing Christian university and talked about saving the planet, for example. Gun control presents an- other opportunity. Bernie should embrace the NRA’s favorite slogan “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” and then ask what is it about America today that produces so many deranged mass killers appearing on an almost weekly basis. Inspiring presidential visits to grieving families and much hand-wringing. What is driving the racist, misogynist hatred behind these young men with their little arsenals, co-conspiring mothers of limited vision, grand plans and dramatic exits. They 7 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �8 WORLD Going from homeless to hip hop with Prose and verses STAFF WRITER W www.INSP.ngo / Big Issue North hen I was young my dad was heavily on drugs and a bad alcoholic. My mum split up with him when I was really young, and married my stepdad - who was a bad alcoholic as well. When I was 17 my mum and my stepdad split up, and my mum moved to Canada with my younger sister. Me and my older brother ended up staying. We’d not really experienced living on our own, so we weren’t prepared for what was coming. The house ended up getting taken off us - we lived there right up until the point where they boarded up the windows - and then we both ended up just couch surfing, not even together. I had a few friends so I was dotting about on different couches before sleeping rough. That went on for a long time. Music was always a big thing for me even before I was homeless. I would always draw from, and write about, my personal experiences so music became the only thing to focus on. I did some stupid things, but I never really let it get out of hand and knocked it on the head quite quickly while a few of my friends around me didn’t. I didn’t want to carry on heading down that path and wanted to focus on my music. Music gave me a purpose, a reason to keep pushing on and not just completely give up, because I could have easily gone down a completely different path. I was always writing lyrics and I used to do solo rapping around Manchester. My cousin Dave used to make me some beats and produce my music. But he also used to make music with his mate Lee, who was in a rock band. We met up with Lee, made one song, and then just didn’t stop. We never really sat down and said, “this is a band”, but we just never stopped making music. It happened really naturally, and felt right. David and Lee helped me a lot as well when I was homeless. They would get me to the studio every week, and that helped me get out of that scene of just hanging around on the streets. I had something meaningful to focus on. I felt like people needed me and wanted to be involved with me. One of my friends who had a video channel on YouTube asked if he could film us. We went round and he filmed us with a little digital camera and put a song up. We got a call saying that Naughty Boy, the producer from London, had seen it and he asked us down to London to make some songs with him. We knew it was going to change our lives. We recorded two songs that sounded pretty good. Naughty Boy fell in love with the music and asked us to come down the following week. Before we knew it we’d signed a publishing deal and had some of the world’s biggest record labels saying what they could do for us. It might sound like a cliché but I always knew that I was supposed to do something with music, but beProse members Michael, David and Lee. cause of the situation that Photo Credit: Ben Parks I was in I could never see taken from it as well. how the transition was going to hapI write the music from personal pen. experience, but the best compliment I I think - I hope - that emotion could ever get is when people tell me comes through the music. But I also they relate and it means a lot to them. hope that it’s not all doom and gloom When I was young and listening to and ‘poor me’. I hope that it is hopeful rappers like Eminem, and relating to as well. If someone can achieve somewhat they said, I thought if I could give thing that they have wanted ever since someone the feeling they gave me then they were a child, despite all the other that would mean the world to me. stuff, then there is a positive thing to be ------------------------ Out of the cave and onto Facebook – the life of a modern hermit NEIL HALL AND ANGUS BERWICK www.INSP.ngo / Reuters Like any good hermit Rachel Denton rises early in the morning to tend to her vegetable garden, feed her chickens, and pray. But the former British nun, who has pledged to live the rest of her life in solitude, has another routine that sets her apart from her society-shunning brethren - she has to update her Twitter account and check Facebook. Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 Unlike other hermits, such as a man discovered in 2013 living in a wood in the United States having spent 27 years without any human contact, Denton has embraced the Internet age. “The myth you most often face as a hermit is that you should have a beard and live in a cave, none of which is me,” she said, sat in her simple red-brick house near Market Rasen, a Lincoln- shire village ringed by rolling green countryside. The 52-year-old is not as profligate on Twitter as most of its users - “tweets are rare, but precious,” she wrote on her profile - but for the modern-day hermit, she says social media is vital. “Things like the Internet make hermitage possible in a very practical way these days,” she said. “I can do all my shopping online and I can communicate with friends.” “So I am a hermit but I’m also human,” she added, clad in a dark tabard with a large silver cross hanging from her neck. Denton said she had sought out solitude ever since she was young, one of six children raised in a crowded Catholic family. What she valued most then was being able to play in her bedroom alone. “I remember practicing for hours by myself throwing a ball at the wall,” she said. In 2002, she resigned from her position as deputy head teacher of a school Sister Rachel Denton checks her Facebook page at St Cuthbert’s Hermitage in Lincolnshire, north in Cambridge and moved east Britain August 24, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Neil Hall THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED north to Lincolnshire to begin life as a hermit in an ex-council house with a garden big enough to allow her to grow her own food and keep a few chickens. “A hermit is a person who chooses to live alone, and does that with the intention of, in some sense, finding God,” said Denton, who spent time living in a monastery before teaching. She made an official commitment to life-long hermitage in 2006 at a special Catholic mass. Denton, whose LinkedIn page is immaculately maintained, earns a living through calligraphy and by designing and producing bespoke stationery and cards, although she says she doesn’t attract “hoards of customers.” She also writes for a church publication about some of the trials and tribulations of hermitic life, such as her regular attempts to defend her garden from moles. Earlier this year, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer. “The possibility of death is always there,” she said, her head shaved bare following chemotherapy. Due to her presence online, followers started a campaign to raise money for other cancer sufferers and social media helped her find support. She said this proved how valuable a tool the Internet is for those living alone. But her diagnosis has not changed her need for isolation. “It was interesting when I got cancer because you make a bucket list and my bucket list was to spend my life as a hermit,” she said. ------------------------ �WORLD Native women dig into urban farming to feed families in Bolivia No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 9 FRANZ CHÁVEZ T www.INSP.ngo / Big Issue North he hands of women who have migrated from rural areas carefully tend to their ecological vegetable gardens in the yards of their humble homes on the outskirts of Sucre, the official capital of Bolivia, in an effort to improve their families’ diets and incomes. “The men worked in the construction industry, and 78 percent of the women didn’t have work - they had no skills, they washed clothes for others or sold things at the market,” Lucrecia Toloba, secretary of “productive development and plural economy” in the government of the southeastern department of Chuquisaca, said. Her hair in two thin braids and wearing traditional native dress - a bowler hat, a short, pleated skirt called a pollera, and light clothing for the mild climate of the Andean valleys - Toloba, a Quechua Indian, is an educator who now runs the National Urban and Periurban Agriculture Programme in the region. In her modest office, she explains that women are at the centre of the programme, which brings them recognition from their families and communities, diversifies their families’ diets, and offers them economic independence through the sale of the vegetables they grow ecologically in the city, which at the same time benefits from healthy, diversified fresh produce. Five km away, on the outskirts of the city, women in the neighbourhoods of 25 de Mayo and Litoral, who belong to the Sucre Association of Urban Producers, met us with a basket of fresh produce from their gardens, including shiny red tomatoes, colourful radishes and bright-green lettuce. A total of 83 poor suburban neigh- borhoods in Sucre are taking part in the project, which has the support of the national and departmental governments and of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The initiative has 680 members so far, said Guido Zambrana, a young agronomist who runs the Urban Garden Project. The lunch we are served is soup made with vegetables grown in their backyard gardens, accompanied by tortillas made with cornmeal mixed with flour from different vegetables. Fresh produce is also grown in greenhouses built throughout the hills of Sucre, 2,760 metres above sea level and 420 km south of La Paz, the country’s political centre. The women have learned how to grow vegetables and how to improve their family’s food security, Tolaba explained. “We want to reach zero malnutrition,” she said. In Sucre temperatures range between 12 and 25 degrees Celcius. But in the greenhouses, built by the families with support from the government, temperatures climb above 30 degrees. Sometimes, the temperatures marked by the thermometers in the greenhouses spike and the windows have to be opened. The greenhouses have roofs made of transparent Agrofil plastic sheeting and walls of adobe. They are built under the guidance of technical agronomist Mery Fernández. The luscious leafy chard and lettuce in the greenhouse of Celia Padilla, who came to Sucre from an indigenous village in the neighbouring department of Potosí with her husband in 2000 and settled in Bicentenario, a neighbourhood in a flat area among the hills surrounding the city. Women from the Sucre Association of Urban Producers, who are from poor neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Bolivia’s official capital, with a basketful of ecologically grown fresh vegetables from their greenhouses, which have improved their families’ diets and incomes. Credit: Franz Chávez/IPS Padilla, who also belongs to the Quechua indigenous community like most of the women in the association, joined the project with a garden of just eight square metres last year, and is now thinking about building a 500-square-metre greenhouse. Her husband, a construction worker who does casual work in the city, is pleased with the idea of expanding the garden by building a greenhouse. Their home garden provides the family with nutritional food and brings in a not insignificant income through the sale of fresh produce to neighbours or at market. With the earnings, “I buy milk and meat for the kids,” Padilla told Tierramérica, holding bunches of shiny green chard in her hands. Water for irrigation is scarce, but a local government programme has donated 2,000-litre tanks to capture water during the rainy season and store it up for using in drip irrigation. The chance to improve the family diet generated a good-natured dispute between Alberta Limachi and her husband, who came to this city from the village of Puca Puca, 64 km away. The couple, who own a 150-squaremetre plot of land on the outskirts of the city, had to decide between a family garden or using the space to build a garage. Limachi, one of the leaders of the urban producers, won the argument. Her enthusiasm is contagious among her fellow urban farmers. “We organised as women, and now we eat without worry because we grow our food free of chemicals,” she said, after proudly serving a snack of green beans and fresh salad “I don’t ask my husband for money anymore, and we Two of the peri-urban agricultural producers of Sucre proudly show one of their greenhouses, which don’t spend anything families from 83 poor suburban neighbourhoods have set up in their yards as part of the National Urban on vegetables,” Padilla and Peri-urban Agriculture Programme. Credit: Franz Chávez/IPS said, pleased to help THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED support her family. Her garden is wellknown in the neighbourhood because she grows lettuce, chard, celery, coriander and tomatoes, and her neighbours come knocking every day to buy fresh vegetables. A committee made up of associations of farmers and consumers monitors and certifies that the fresh produce is organic and of high quality, José Zuleta, the national coordinator of the Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Programme, told Tierramérica. “The women grow their food without (chemical) fertiliser, using organic compost that can return to the soil, which means their production is sustainable,” Yusuke Kanae, an agronomist with the FAO office in Sucre, noted. Kanae, originally from Japan, offers the women technical know-how and simple practices such as converting a creative variety of containers - ranging from a broken old football to plastic television set packaging - into improvised pots for growing vegetables. “Even if it’s just 20 bolivianos (slightly less than three dollars), the women can help buy notebooks and shoes,” said Kanae, to illustrate the importance of the women’s contribution to the household, which chips away at what he described as “sexist” dependence, while putting them in touch with their indigenous cultural roots. Kanae also supports the introduction of organic vegetables in the city, and has encouraged the owners of the Cóndor Café, a vegetarian restaurant, to buy products certified by the women as organic. Visitors to the restaurant enjoy substantial dishes prepared with the vegetables from the women’s peri-urban gardens, which combine Japanese and Bolivian cooking, and cost only three dollars a meal. The manager of the restaurant, Roger Sotomayor, said that he enjoys supporting the family garden initiative. “We want to encourage environmentally-friendly production of vegetables,” he said, stressing the high quality of the women’s produce and the fact that the cost is 20 percent lower than that of conventional crops. ------------------------ �10 LOCAL Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �11 LOCAL No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 White Liberals, Legalizing Weed and Issue 3 JASON HAAP Contributing Writer A s a white liberal, I feel strange when, categorically, I have a problem with white liberals. But I just can’t understand the fauxphilosophical outrage against the so-called “monopoly” Issue 3 would create should Ohio vote to legalize marijuana. These white liberals like to assume that anyone who supports Issue 3 is some narrow-minded stoner looking for a legal high, whatever the ideological cost. Their use of words like “monopoly,” or “oligarchy,” or “legalized drug cartel” are scare tactics because they don’t want a finite number of investors making money from legalized marijuana. This notion of “wealthy investors” attempting to “cash in” on legalization drives them crazy. They take to newspaper editorials and social media, stumping against this particular ballot issue while also saying they support legalization, just not this version of it. While these white liberals (probably college educated and in the middle class) make their angry points about how the initiative would “only” allow individuals to grow four plants for personal use (apparently forgetting they can currently grow zero plants for personal use), and while MARK MUSSMAN This Cincinnati Urban Experience was one of the most exciting and meaningful things I have done with a group of college students. I am so thankful that each Xavier student acted respectfully and appropriately throughout the whole trip. They asked insightful questions and participate fully in each activity. The community members who assisted us wove the most comprehensive view of the neighborhood that I have ever known. They were gracious with their time and information, and I so thankful to each and every one of them. Although I may be tired today, I am energized by the spirit of our community. I look forward to doing more of these in the future! (Continued from page 5) ing Tour through the neighborhood which ended in Washington Park. We went to the Drop Inn Center to get a sense of what it’s like, but couldn’t get a tour on the weekend. It was good just to peak in to contrast it with the new Shelterhouse. To end our experience, we joined the Contact Center in watching Selma at Washington Park. This movie is an excellent tribute to the Civil Right Movement and shows the sheer brutality of the times. The students watched intently as the struggle played out on screen, I’m sure they were thinking about how similar struggles continue today. We huddled up after the movie and I wished them a farewell. JOSH SPRING (Continued from page 2) lades well before this move, and after this move are the many people who work at Shelterhouse and have resided at Shelterhouse, the advocates and organizers over all these many years fighting against civil rights violations, gentrification and the defunding of housing, the dedicated street-outreach workers and the go-above-and-beyond case-managers and social workers, the development personnel, the lawyers, accountants, writers, photographers, speakers, cooks, intake specialists, counselors, maintenance people, volunteers, donors, documentarians, strategists, etc. These are the people that have been and will continue to work to end homelessness on both the individual level and the systematic lev- MICHAEL EARL PATTON (Continued from page 3) the city doesn’t just sell the golf courses outside the city limits and use the money to fund bike trails, park lighting, and safety improvements was the first question that came to my mind. Now I wonder if the money is going to be used to fund capital improvements for city-owned golf courses outside the city limits. Again, you might think that is far-fetched, but then why does the city have these golf courses in the first place? In the past, it had at least been rel- ------------------------ they stump against millionaires owning all the farms (despite the fact it’s incredibly unlikely they wish to quit their jobs to enter the unpredictable market of commercial marijuana farming), they seem to forget the real lives (mostly of non-white people living in poverty) affected by draconian anti-marijuana laws. According to NORML, there were over 18,000 marijuana arrests in Ohio in 2012, and according to the ACLU, black people are four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than whites. (Here in Hamilton County, blacks are about 2.5 times more likely to be arrested than whites.) For me, this issue is pretty straightforward: I can oppose Issue 3 on the basis of some philosophical opposition to “legalized drug cartels” (to the detriment of the real lives impacted by marijuana prohibition), or I can support it on the basis of the relief it would provide to the lives that get ruined once entangled in the criminal justice system. Is the situation proposed by Issue 3 perfect? No. But if we can change from prohibition to limited investors being able to harvest farms, then we can also change, at some point, from that to a more open marijuana marketplace. I just don’t understand holding some hard line on an obscure philosophical point when actual people’s lives are in the balance. ------------------------ Xavier Students Visit New Shelterhouse. Photo by Mark Mussman el. Now some of these people will be housed in a new building. A new building in and of itself should not increase expectation beyond what progress we make systematically. This is not simply a systems issue, it is also one of emotion. Advocates, activists, organizers, volunteers, and residents had to occupy the old Teamsters hall near the corner of 12th and Elm during a blizzard in January 1978. They then had to vehemently fight off the aggression of the city politicians, officials, developers and corporate folks to stake claim to the right for safe shelter. These fights continued over the years. They also created a housing organization, recognizing the solution to homelessness is housing. As homelessness boomed out of control, they raised the necessary funds, fought the battles and expanded the shelter all the way to the corner of 12th and Elm. As more women began to experience homelessness, they took in women. Over the last 40 years tens and tens of thousands of people have passed through the Drop Inn Center at 217 W. 12th. Tens of thousands of people have been empowered to exit homelessness and move on with their lives. People were inspired to come back and work for the Drop Inn Center. High school and college students came, met people and were inspired to commit their lives to working for the end of homelessness. Court strategies, political strategies, marches, rallies, memorials, negotiations, trips…were planned inside. People cleaned, maintained, decorated and worked to make the building welcoming. People laughed, cried, argued, found solace, found empowerment, smiled, yelled, whispered, sang and listened. In a lot of ways the Drop Inn Center at 217 W. 12th has been a mother to many people; providing harbor and nurture during good times, hard times, sad times, confusing and joyful times. The lives of a great number of people have been saved within its walls and the lives of some people have ended inside its walls. It has been a bulwark in the midst of attack. It is for all these reasons and more that this is not just simply a move. Please continue to support the Drop, now Shelterhouse, in the ways your strengths and opportunities allow. The systematic struggle to end homelessness continues up hill. atively easy to do a public records request with the city and obtain the requested information, including agreements, contracts, and account ledgers. That was important to those of us who want to keep track of how our money is spent. Unfortunately, that seems to have changed. A couple Ohio Supreme Court decisions gutted the law so that it is now much more voluntary than it was before. And that is bad when the city has something that they might not want in the sunshine. It has been well over two months since I filed my last request and the city has stalled and stalled. At one point they sent me just half the pages of a document and then said they couldn’t find the rest. And they still haven’t sent the rest to me. Lawyers tell me that this is the new normal. And this is important, too, because of the strange way the money responsibility lies with the proposed charter change. It will be the mayor and the park board in charge of all this money – not the city council. I started checking the Ohio Revised Code and it looks like the competitive bidding laws pertain mostly to the legislative body. I frankly don’t know if the competitive bidding rules apply here, and there is virtually no chance of an authoritative answer unless and until the levy passes. Finally, here’s another detail that is missing: the whole campaign for the levy is based on the slogan, “Preserve Our Parks.” Preserve them from what? From the rabble (I mean the citizens of Cincinnati) who would like a say in how our parks are run? It’s our money after all. Why bypass city council on this? Why are there ghost words in the ballot language? How much paving will be done to our parks? THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ ------------------------ �12 MICHELLE DILLINGHAM (Continued from page 6) mer job was as a recruitment director for Teach For America. High stakes standardized testing: The signing of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002 ushered in highstakes testing requiring states to administer math and reading tests with harsh punishments on schools that failed to make progress. By 2011 almost half of schools nationwide were labeled as “failing” because they could not make adequate yearly progress. A study by the Brookings Institute showed states spend $1.7 billion per year on testing, up from $423 million states spent in 2001 before NCLB. Some say standardized tests present a limited view of student performance. Some worry emphasis placed on standardized tests leads schools and teachers to decide to “teach to the test,” narrowing what students are taught. Ohio spent $26 million for PARCC to provide math and English exams, both online and on paper, this past school year, according to ODE last year alone. A new provider “AIR” is now providing the tests. House Bill 70: A “takeover” bill that put into state law in July, 2015 how public schools will have their democratically elected school boards taken over by a CEO based on the state scorecard. Preschool Expansion (CPS preschools and “Preschool Promise.”): An organization called “STRIVE” has been working on a public education campaign around the importance of quality, early childhood education as LOCAL a predictor of academic success. For about 2 years they have been working on a proposal to provide preschool to every 4 year old in Cincinnati. The question for them remains, who will pay for it? Cincinnati Public Schools has a number of quality preschools, co-located in their schools already, and these are staffed by certified teachers who have a background in Early Childhood Education. CPS is looking to expand their offerings. Cincinnati Public Schools has a track record of running successful preschools and have wait lists: 1,095 kids are reportedly on a wait-list. CPS Magnet School Lottery: The district has had in place a “first come, first serve” policy for magnet school enrollment. One school, Fairview Clifton School, parents started to campout in 2008. Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 open discussion by the participants and the candidates for the Board of Education that included the future of the school on Vine Street, the State Scorecard, decisions around the Preschool Promise working with the district, and magnet schools. ------------------------ The old policy was the following order: #1 siblings #2 30% lottery for 6 lowest performing schools #3 rest, 70% first come, first serve Used to be you had to have a tour first too… The district has instituted a new policy to address the inherent inequity a campout has. Now this is the new order: #1 siblings #2 30% lottery for 6 lowest performing #3 city-wide lottery The forum ended with some great Mayor Cranley runs away from spooky trees Cartoon by Dylan Speeg For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 BETTER Better, is everyday above ground Better, is appreciation from everywhere all around... Better, is to upgrade things that are out dated Better, is acknowledging the changes with the recognition that the cost may be out rated Better, is to make downscaled areas be upscaled and look good Better, is to not to neglect the people, RICH or POOR! I thought this you understood... Better, is being able to enjoy life in the park, the library, church or just on the square Better, is when I can enjoy upscaled living in this life without my pockets going bare... Better, is to be able to enjoy and have peace of mind no matter what I hear or what the sound Better, is growing from homelessness into housing and gaining respect from all around.... Better, is for me today even though I have to pay taxes for things I may never understand Better, is knowing God is watching us all good and bad all over this land.... Today WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer The Denouncement of Speaker Boehner Little Johnny Boehner Quit the Speaker’s job. “It’s gotten too much,” He declared with a sob. “All these House factions, They give me the blues, With Tea Party zealots Who worship Ted Cruz.” Will John now retire To Country Club bars, And wait for an invite to “Dancing With The Stars?” BILL WOODS Contributing Writer Woke up today feeling insane Wondering why people take life as a game Why is life and love so hard to retain Is Good and Bad equally sweet When one is crying hurt and weak Years stopped suddenly Layered time risen up into the atmosphere Life and love not always so sweet Today is here Tomorrow may come Live your life Have some fun KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer RON ENGLISH Streetvibes Artist THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 80 Across 1. Large brass instrument 5. Type of file 9. Astern 12. Relating to audible sound 13. Malevolence 14. Average 16. Aplomb 17. Urban area 18. Group of three 19. Singing voice 20. Young goat 21. Colossus 22. Orderly 24. Number of items in a brace 26. Moose 27. Pastry item 30. Beer 31. Submerged ridge of coral 33. Recommendation 35. Assistance 36. Particle 40. Gear projections 41. Limb 42. Clan 43. Leporid mammal 44. Hard-shelled seed 45. Part of the ear 46. Miserly 48. Offspring 49. Oculus 50. Witness 53. Pertinent 54. Roman cloak 56. Mettle 58. Part of a Morse code signal 59. Hirer and firer 63. Impulse 64. Object of worship 66. Automaton 67. Roofing material 68. Misplace 69. Tusk 70. Snakelike fish 71. Sharp 72. Encounter Down 1. Implement 2. A single undivided whole 3. Large shaggy bovid 4. Hotshot 5. Narrate 6. Zealous 7. Be seated 8. Travel a route regularly 9. Not in favor 10. Part of a sword blade 11. Test 12. Health spring 15. Member of a religious order 20. Type of cabbage 21. Forepart of a hoof 23. Apiece 24. Pare down 25. Marry 27. Track 28. Notion 29. At any time 32. Cultivate by growing 34. Detail 35. Products of human creativity 37. The fourth dimension 38. Comply 39. Small pond of standing water 41. Female relative 42. Tart spicy quality 44. Short sleep 47. Consume 48. Purloined 50. Closed 51. Spooky 52. Bird of prey 55. Higher up 57. Bobbin 58. Measured portion of medicine 60. Woodwind 61. Classify 62. Pig pen 64. Kind of person 65. Female deer 66. Flange SODOKU PUZZLE NO 214 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 314 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 79 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 213 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 315 | O c t 2 3 - N ov 5 , 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter Shelter: Men City Gospel Mission 381-SAFE 557-2873 681-2365 981-5800 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 St. Vincent de Paul 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House Tender Mercies 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House Volunteers of America Anna Louise Inn Cincinnati Union Bethel First Lutheran Church 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry Mercy Franciscan at St. John 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 271-5501 562-8841 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Starting Over First Step Home Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both AA Hotline CCAT 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP Advocacy Catholic Social Action Community Action Agency Contact Center 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 961-1983 351-0422 381-6672 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 221-HELP 721-8666 621-5300 981-5800 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 421-0065 961-2256 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women 721-0643 961-4555 381-1954 421-5211 768-6907 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 661-4620 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing 241-1064 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing 535-2719 591-2246 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men 241-5525 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Housing: 621-6364 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Shelter: Both Drop Inn Center 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Our Daily Bread FreeStore/FoodBank 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Parkway Center 15 Legal Aid Society Ohio Justice & Policy Center Faces Without Places Stop AIDS Health Center for Respite Care 421-3131 569-1840 381-4242 721-4700 421-7803 241-9400 421-1108 363-3300 421-2437 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Cincinnati Health Network 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Crossroad Health Center 961-0600 381-2247 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options Emmanuel Community Center 241-2600 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 381-0111 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively The Caring Place Talbert House United Way Women Helping Women Off The Streets Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 771-4800 751-0600 579-8547 721-4811 351-7921 631-1114 751-7747 211 977-5541 421-5211 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Oct 23 - Nov 5 , 2015 | No. 315 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MYRA WILSON RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 2015 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 23-November 5, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: Drop Inn Center Has Moved Pg 3: Pave the Parks? Making Your Vote Really Count Pg 4: the Cause Cincinnati Pg 5: Xavier Students get the Cincinnati Urban Experience Pg 6: Community Issues Forum on Hot Topics in Public Education Pg 7: Common Cause Ohio Opposes Issues 2 Pg 8: Going from Homeless to Hip Hop with Prose and Verses Out of the Cave and Onto Facebook Pg 9: Native Women Dig into Urban Farming to Feed Families in Bolivia Pg 10: GCHC Pg 11: White Liberals, Legalizing Weed and Issue 3 Pg 12: Michelle Dillingham Pg 13: Street Voice Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 23-November 5, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Justin Jeffre Josh Spring Michael Earl Patton Bill Woods Mark Mussman Michelle Dillingham Justin Jeffre Robert Park Jason Haap Willa Denise Jones Kim Green Dylan Speeg Bing images LeeAnn Scherbauer Sydney Boyer Alice Schneider Michelle Dillingham Progress Ohio Bill Woods Ron English Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Alice Schneider Bernie Sanders Bill Woods Bing images Bolivia Cincinnati Drop Inn Center Dylan Speeg Facebook Issue 2 Issue 3 Jason Haap Jones Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green LeeAnn Scherbauer Liberals Marijuana Mark Mussman Michael Earl Patton Michelle Dillingham Native Women Ohio Progress Ohio Public Education Robert Park Ron English Students Sydney Boyer Voting Willa Denise Xavier https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/55cbaaff49e19510f747987d359371fb.pdf 6fddfdad0985f75ec69c3dc73f10b40f PDF Text Text October 9th - October 22nd 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 21 (No. 314) advocating justice | Building community City-Wide Shantytown: Raising Awareness and Advocacy Across the Region | 5 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Activists Rally at City Hall | 11 Fighting Olympic Eviction in Gentleman Leatherneck | 7 Rio Favela | 8-9 Code Orange for Women’s Choice | 3 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL Marijuana Criminalization and Racism JOSH SPRING F inally in Ohio we are closer than ever (since it was made illegal at least) to legalizing the possession and use of marijuana. This is good and a step that should never have never been needed, because marijuana should have never have been made illegal. In this country people had been using cannabis for a very long time. After the Mexican Revolution there was an increase in the number of people from Mexico immigrating to the U.S. People from Mexico also had used cannabis for a very long time. White people were prejudiced against people coming from Mexico. The media, legislatures, etc. played on this fear and prejudice against people from Mexico. People from Mexico were portrayed as dangerous along with their drug marijuana as people from Mexico pronounced it. There was not a general understanding that cannabis and marijuana were actually the same thing. It was assumed by whites that marijuana must be bad because people from Mexico used it. This led us to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which effective banned marijuana, local municipalities used the criminalization of marijuana as a means to detain and search people from Mexico without any real cause. In the 1930s during hearings regarding marijuana it was reported that marijuana had the ability to cause Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, Executive Director men of color to become violent and pursue sex with white women. In short, the illegalization of mar- http://www.bloomwellbend.com ijuana was directly tied to anti-immigration prejudices and racism. Hopefully after reading this brief history it makes it even clearer that it is absurd that we are debating the legalization of marijuana. In fact it is offensive, because its criminalization is the direct result of fear and hate. Marijuana should be legal. The sight of people being murdered, imprisoned, sanctioned and criminalized because of marijuana is outrageous. Marijuana being illegal doesn’t end the demand for it, it just drives the demand into more dangerous circumstances. Our prisons are crowded with people who have not committed violent crimes, leaving communities missing neighbors, advocating justice and building children missing parents, parents missing children and on and on and on. Of course we also know that both tobacco and alcohol are legal. Both of these certainly cause far more violence as substances. It is sad and frustrating that the legislation promoting our first primary chance to legalize marijuana in Ohio is tied to corporate control and would put the ability to grow and sell in the hands of very few. This certainly would mean that marijuana would still be sold on street corners at a lower rate, perhaps in less quantity. Of the people that believe marijuana should be legal, some are saying this legislation is not good because of its elitism, but it does at least legalize marijuana and that is a step forward we should not miss. Other people say we should not get ourselves into a corporate controlled situation and should push for better legislation. This is a decision we will have to weigh. It is worth saying however, that we did not just happen to get to this point. Instead people have been organizing, protesting, writing, speaking, and proposing similar legislation for years. That work got us to this point. Historical Information came from: “How Did Marijuana Become Illegal in the First Place?” by Dr. Malik Burnett and Amanda Reiman, PhD, MSW. http://www.drugpolicy.org/ blog/how-did-marijuana-becomeillegal-first-place ------------------------ Homeless Coalition Works With Alms Apartment Residents To Correct Major Problems RACHEL HARTWICK H oles in walls that were big enough for children to crawl into and windows that would not close throughout the winter were just two of the problems that residents of Alms Apartment Complex have been encountering for years. And for two years, repairs for these issues have taken a back seat. “We don’t have in and out access to community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Michelle Dillingham Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Derrick Hudson, Iolanda Barton, Patricia J. Brown, Larry Johnson, Dante Williams Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Rachel Hartwick, Kate Gallion, Mark Mussman,Bill Woods, Robert Park, Jim Luken, Jason Haap. Justin Jeffre, Lee McCoy, Willa Denise Jones, Kim Green, Ron English, Photography/Artwork: Contributing Writer the back door, [the property manager] put new locks on it that lock them down basically,” said Ronnisha Jones, a 12-year resident of Alms Apartments. “We all locked out and have to walk all the way around to the front of the [building].” Josh Spring, Executive Director of GCCH, began holding off-site meetings with Alms residents to discuss a plan of action. With the Homeless Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 Justin Jeffre, Jim Luken, Bill Woods, Coalition’s member organization Legal Aid as their legal representation, Spring joined residents in forming the Alms’ Residents Association (ARA). The ultimate goal, he said, was to shift residents from their usual defensive—defending themselves against “petty evictions, harassment” and right to clean facilities—to the of- (Continued on page 10) THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Aimee Willhoitte Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. �LOCAL No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 Code Orange for Women’s Choice KATE GALLION Contributing Writer C incinnati’s only remaining abortion provider is poised to close, leaving thousands of women in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky without access to legal safe abortion services. Abortion services will be curtailed at Planned Parenthood’s Mt. Auburn clinic and Dayton’s Women’s Med Center if the Ohio Department of Health fails to accept a “variance” (an easing of rules) to a 2013 law requiring these two walk­ in surgical centers to have patient transfer agreements with a hospital within a 30 miles radius. With a continuance order set to expire on October 12, the clock stops on October 13. Under the relentless pressure of radical anti­choice actors, such as Ohio Right To Life, their paid political operatives within the Republican controlled Ohio State legislature, and the notorious anti­choice Governor, John Kasich, Cincinnati could become the largest metropolitan area in the United States without access to legal, safe abortion. In what could result in a massive public health crisis for Ohio, women in need of abortion services will be forced to travel out of state, often incurring lost wages and lost time. Some may resort to unsafe self-induced interventions, possibly resulting in injury ­or death. When asked how dire the outcome of this current legal catch 22 is for the Ohio women’s rights to control their reproductive destinies, Planned Parenthood’s Southwest Ohio Region Director of Communications, Danielle Craig replied: “I think code orange is a great way to put it. At this time, we have a temporary restraining order that’s in place until October 13. Unfortunately, that’s all I know.” Ms. Craig continued with this guarantee to the patients of Mt. Auburn surgical clinic: “From here, we continue to focus on our patients and let our attorneys continue to fight this battle in the court room. What I can tell you is that patient safety is our #1 priority and that abortion is a very safe medical procedure. This is not about patient safety. The purpose of these requirements...is to simply make it impossible for abortion providers to operate in Ohio and to eliminate access to safe, legal abortion.” Access Without Apology In response to the critical nature of these latest attacks on women’s health, NARAL* Pro­ Choice Ohio and Planned Parenthood have joined with a group of pro-choice state leg- with a safe, licensed health care provider. This new legislation will remove these obstacles.” She continued: “John Kasich’s 16 new restrictions on reproductive health care and the closure of half of Ohio’s abortion clinics has resulted in women delaying their procedures or fleeing to other states, including Michigan. John Kasich is creating a pending health crisis for women seeking an abortion. It is wrong to endanger women’s’ health for political gain, or ideologi- Planned Parenthood rally in Mt. Auburn Photo: Justin Jeffre islators in initiating a new legislative agenda they call: Access Without Apology. NARAL Pro­ Choice Ohio’s Executive Director Kellie Copeland: “A woman who decides to have an abortion deserves access to safe and legal care for the procedure. Once she has made her decision, her health is best protected by getting an abortion procedure as early as possible. Forcing a woman to travel outside her community, delaying her procedure for a 24 hour reflection period, or forcing her to scrape together money because her insurance is banned from covering the procedure are all barriers that are designed to prevent her from accessing abortion care Planned Parenthood rally in Mt. Auburn Photo: Justin Jeffre cal reasons. That is why we support this group of legislation.” Below are the six new legislations and their pro-choice sponsors in the Ohio Legislature: Bill #1: Lift the transfer agreement requirement for public hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities. Sponsor: Rep. Kathleen Clyde and Rep. Dan Ramos Bill #2: Lift the ban on using Ohio public dollars on abortion care. Sponsor: Rep. Teresa Fedor and Rep. Nick Celebrezze Bill #3: Lift the ban on insurance coverage of abortion for public employees and for Ohioans who purchase insurance through the federal health exchange. Sponsor: Rep. Greta Johnson and Rep. Nickie Antonio Bill #4: Lift the 24­hour waiting period before women may obtain an abortion. Sponsor: Rep. Greta Johnson and Rep. Kent Smith Bill #5: Create right of action for those targeted by anti­abortion protesters’ non-physical harassment – e.g. Wright State doctors having trucks parked outside their homes and “killers among us” postcards sent to their neighbors. Create a buffer zone to protect clinic patients from harassment by anti­abortion pro- THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 3 testers. Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Howse and Rep. Michele Lepore­Hagan Bill #6: Require Crisis Pregnancy Centers that get funding through TANF­ funded program provide only medically accurate information or face sanctions. Sponsor: Rep. Emilia Sykes and Janine Boyd Kasich is Anti-Women For the record, Governor Kasich leads the nation in the number of anti-choice legislations he has signed into law. 16 separate anti women’s heath bills are the legacy of his vicious political agenda. It may take years to right the egregious affronts to women at the hands of John Kasich, but It is imperative that the newly re­ branded presidential candidate Kasich, the “good guy who wants to do good things for America” be exposed for cementing his right wing voter base at the expense of Ohio women. Since becoming governor of Ohio in 2011, John Kasich has: • Banned insurance coverage of abortions (2011, HB 79) • Added barriers to minors seeking an abortion (2011, HB 63) • Banned abortion at 24 weeks, without exceptions for women’s health, or rape/incest (2011, HB 78) • Banned abortions at public hospitals, without exceptions for women’s health, or rape/incest (2011, HB 153) • Banned local governments from offering abortion insurance (2011, HB 153) • Banned rape counselors from discussing abortion (2013, HB 59) • Defunded Planned Parenthood (2013, HB 59) • Banned public hospitals from having “transfer agreements” with abortion providers (2013, HB 59) • Required women to receive biased information before an abortion (2013, HB 59) • Required a forced ultrasound before an abortion (2013, HB 59) • Created a program to support anti­choice crisis pregnancy centers (2013, HB 59) • Required a 30­mile limit on transfer agreements (2015, HB 64) • Required an automatic denial on abortion clinic license applications after 60 days (2015, HB 64) • Eliminated coverage of a Medicaid family planning program (2015, HB 64) Funded crisis pregnancy centers with $1,000,000 of tax dollars (2015, HB 64). Sources: Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio; Naral Pro Choice Ohio. *NARAL stands for National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League. ------------------------ �4 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 �LOCAL City-wide Shantytown: Raising Awareness and Advocacy across the Region No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 5 MARK MUSSMAN Contributing Writer A s this is my first Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month at the Homeless Coalition, I’m learning a lot about different awareness events that are taking part across the region. One of the most visible events is the City-wide Shantytown, which raises awareness and is a fun, yet thoughtful, event for high school students. A big part of Shantytown is hearing from one of our Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau speakers who talk to the students about their life growing up and the circumstances that landed them on the streets. Our speakers give students the opportunity to hear about the harsh realities that exist for those experiencing homelessness. The speaker also talks about the organizations that have helped them, and what they are doing today. The speaking engagements end with a question and answer session when students ask questions about a range of topics, from the severity of homelessness to what the speaker’s family is doing today. It is a great opportunity to break down barriers between students and the speaker, and to really shed light on the realities of homelessness. Shantytown events give students the choice of sleeping outside of schools, in an attempt to raise awareness. I always caution people to not claim they are events to CHCA students with Speaker Lauren Lovett and Dr. Mark Mussman “feel what it means to be homeless” because the safety net of the school and their families is still there, even though they may be experiencing a cold night, sleeping on a hard cardboard box. If I know one thing about service learning, it’s that there are times when you feel uncomfortable, and Students at Roger Bacon High School those times are when you are actually learning Walking Tour that we give on the something. It’s great that schools history of Over-the-Rhine and the do Shantytowns, especially if they many community organizations include a speaker, so they can raise who have been in service to indiawareness and opportunities for viduals. The tour demonstrates how advocacy. We are asking everyone to use contested the neighborhood has a hashtag #GoBeyondTheBoxCincy been for more than 100 years. We when they take pictures for Shantyalso make sure to explicitly show town this year. Although October is how gentrification has affected the Hunger and Homelessness Awareresidents of Over-the-Rhine and ness Month, many schools are what developers are doing today. planning their Shantytown events If you are interested in signfor the spring – which we totally ing up for any of our educational support! We also will do speaking events at any school or community programs, please go to the Shantygroup, or even your business to help town page and use the link to regisraise awareness, understanding, ter your educational event with the and empathy towards those experiHomeless Coalition. We look forencing homelessness. ward to seeing you soon! For their Shantytown this year, -----------------------Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy also took part in our Social Justice “Breakdown Stereotypes” “Eradicate Misinformation” The Coalition for the Homeless provides Education and Service Programs that help to portray a more accurate and holistic picture of homelessness in Cincinnati. We believe an educated public can be a more compassionate public, willing to dedicate time and effort towards creating solutions to homelessness. The “Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau” program is made up of individuals currently experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness, who share their experiences. The program is designed to put a face on homelessness and raise awareness about those struggling in our community. To schedule a speaker, contact Leslie Moorhead at (513) 421.7803 x11 Forum Focuses On the Ballot Issues - Legalizing Marijuana, Redistricting Reform, And a Permanent Tax for City Park Development BILL WOODS Contributing Writer I mportant ballot issues dominate this fall’s elections. They include three Ohio Constitutional Amendments and two City Charter Amendments. At the Community Issues Forum at Christ Church Cathedral on September 30th, speakers reviewed State Issues I and III, and the pros and cons of Issue 22, the City Charter Amendment establishing a tax levy for parks, were aired. Issue I would change the process for drawing state political district boundaries every ten years. Alice Schneider, President of the Woman’s City Club, explained how this Constitutional Amendment establishes criteria that will make gerrymandering very difficult to implement. Map makers must create compact districts that divide counties and municipalities only when absolutely necessary. Schneider next cited the proposal’s wording: “No district shall be drawn primarily to favor or disfavor a political party.” The new districts, she noted, must reflect the voting patterns of Ohioans over a ten year period. Transparency of this process is assured, Schneider said, as all meetings of the Redistricting Commission will be open to the public, and public hearings are called for during and after the Commission’s work. If citizens believe the redistricting criteria have not been followed, the Amendment names the Ohio Supreme Court as the place to file a legal challenge to the plan. Furthermore, in order for new district maps to go into effect, at least two members representing the mi- nority party on the Commission must approve them. Without this minority party approval, the process must be redone in four years rather than ten. Jane Anderson, Professor of Political Science at the University of Cincinnati, reviewed Issue III, the Ohio Constitutional Amendment proposal that would legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes. Proponents, declared Anderson, believe that the time has come to accept marijuana use like alcohol consumption, while removing the legal framework that is unworkable and creates more problems than it solves. Besides the opposition based on safety and health issues, she noted, this Amendment confronts opponents who dislike the establishment in THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED the proposal of a fixed and small number of marijuana growers. In fact, members of the Ohio General Assembly drafted and put on the ballot, Issue II, a Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit monopolies from inclusion in Constitutional Amendments. If both issues pass this November, Anderson predicts either a messy and lengthy court battle or a Supreme Court decision that declares Issue III null and void. The main debate of the Forum took place between Brewster Rhoads, representing Cincinnatians for Parks, and Tim Mara, representing Save Our Parks. They took opposite sides on Issue 22, the City Charter Amendment that creates a (Continued on page 6) �6 LOCAL Socialist Nation ROBERT PARK Contributing Writer T he leading candidate in the Democratic Party primary calls himself a “socialist” and is proud of it. The masters of the universe can hardly believe it and don’t know where to start in attacking this abomination. Before asking what they might do, let’s examine what socialism means to Bernie Sanders. It probably means a highly regulated corporate capitalism where the rules are made by democratic, transparent processes, not by lobbyists and bought politicians in backrooms. It would mean the internet is regulated as a public utility, the banks are very constrained in what gimmicks they are permitted, and some limited parts of the economy are pulled back into public ownership, i.e., reversing privatization. Universal health care would be a given and so would free higher education. Enormous changes in national priorities would happen, like sustainable agriculture and energy conservation with huge programs to train and employ millions of workers in good jobs. It would become possible to make unions again to represent working people. In some ways America would resemble Sweden, Denmark or Norway, not that scary. Here’s what the fear mongers will say. “This is step one on the way to Soviet enslavement!” Clearly these people don’t believe in democracy because why would the supporters of a socialist in the U.S. (the majority if Sanders were elected), choose such a dismal future down the road? Now it’s true that with a wildly successful Sanders administration, many people may want to bring more of the economy under public control in any of a number of forms such as workers cooperatives (already being created in some cities), municipal corporations such as public power utilities and banks owned by cities (as already exists in some places, negotiating best deals from the electric/natural gas grids), and absorbing some private for-profit educational institutions into public systems. “This will destroy innovation and incentives for high productivity.” It’s the dominance of giant corporations that has clearly stifled innovation. Massive wage theft, including poverty wages throughout the economy, and absent sick leave, health care and other benefits, have caused billions of dollars in annual lost productivity. Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 (From Democratic Party bosses) “Sanders is a left-wing Trump-wacko, possibly threatening to give the election to the GOP and ruining our future.” It’s the old lesser evil theory again: vote for Hilary Clinton because the GOP is worse. Sanders should say: “Give democracy a chance; vote for the greater good, not the lesser evil. When you vote for evil, you will get evil. (From some union bosses) “We have to vote for a Democrat who can win; Sanders isn’t electable. There are viable Democratic candidates we can work with.” For a start, this is a denial of fundamental class interests and solidarity, they see their goals as different from most working people, immigrants, and minorities, or are convinced that other working people can’t figure out who’s on their side. If we don’t start voting for the greater good, we will never escape from our corporate plutocracy. ------------------------ Save the Date! The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition invites you to our Annual Dinner December 9th at The Syndicate 18 E 5th St, Newport, KY 41071 (859) 491-8000 BILL WOODS (Continued from page 5) permanent 1-mill property tax levy dedicated to Cincinnati’s public parks. Stating that Cincinnati possesses one of the finest and most extensive city park systems in the nation, Rhoads champions what he sees as an innovative way to insure ongoing funds to both preserve current parks and to build new ones. The levy would bring in approximately $5.5-million per year, and a fourth of this money must be used for park maintenance. It also calls for City Council to allocate at least $2.2-mil- lion per year for the parks. Rhoads compared the Amendment to the 1998 Amendment that established a tax to maintain the city’s infrastructure. With fiscal tough times for cities like Cincinnati and the gutting of Ohio’s Local Government Fund, he stressed the necessity of setting up a permanent alternative revenue source to improve and maintain our park system. Rhoads also talked about the prospect of a series of new park facilities for Cincinnati’s west and east side neighborhoods. Extensive bike trails are part of the initial development plans if Issue 22 passes. One bike trail goes through Western Hills along the Mill Creek, and another would go from Evanston to Hyde Park. The levy, exclaimed Rhoads, gives us an opportunity to add creative new extensions to an already great system. Tim Mara emphasized his love for Cincinnati’s parks, but he worries that some of the projects proposed if the new levy passes will actually jeopardize the natural environment of some of our parks. He cites the proposed new road through Burnet Woods that might harm this park’s natural habitat that makes it an Audubon designation for many types of birds. He also fears that many of the projected new recreational facilities such as the beer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED garden in Mt. Airy Forest will not be accessible to citizens who cannot afford to use them. Mara stressed that the major flaw is the fact that Issue 22 is a permanent tax embedded in a City Charter Amendment. Such an allocation of funds, he stressed, should not be in the City Charter. Good government calls for a regular review by City Council and the citizenry on how funds are being used. Issue 22 lacks this good government process, he concluded, while it also gives too much power to the Mayor in terms of determining future projects. ------------------------ �7 LOCAL Gentleman Leatherneck No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer W ar is like love... it always finds a way. Bertold Brecht Meet Peter Hames. Self-described as: tall, analytical, witty, innovative, rigid, a cat lover, golfer, tennis player and biker. You may already know Peter, since he seems to greet many of us down­ towners by first name. Like many septuagenarians, Peter has lived a lifetime of stories. So many, in fact, that we will need two issues of Streetvibes to do him justice. This time, we will focus on several amazing—even historic— “moments” of his early life. For the record, Hames remains a proud Minnesotan who migrated to Cincinnati 12 years ago, but—now in his retirement—longs to return to the Twin Cities. Well, to one of them. He makes it pointedly clear that he hails from St. Paul (and equally clear that he views Minneapolis as the inferior “twin”). Although he describes himself as having been a “fairly disciplined” high school student, Hames decided to follow the advice of a wise guidance counselor after graduating. The teacher had suggested that he (and other classmates) might consider putting off college for a while and let the world, so to speak, be his classroom. The year was 1961. John Kennedy was our popular young President. Vietnam had not yet been elevated to the status of a “back burner” situation. 18 year old Peter Hames heard the familiar call that the U.S. Marines were looking “for a few good men.” In the dead of a Minnesota winter, he enlisted. He was sent to do boot camp in San Diego. Boot camp was “three months of hell,” humiliating and demeaning. But being demeaned in an almost tropical environment made it all seem somewhat heavenly. Hames passed muster, graduated and—suddenly—he was a fullfledged Marine. He was sent to a month long ITR (Infantry Training Regiment), where you learn to function as a unit in a “squad.” After a two-week vacation at home, he returned to Camp Pendleton, CA to complete his training. Instead of a rifleman, the Marines had decided the young private should be a machine gunner. The Marines are part of the Navy, the part that does on the ground operations. “They do a thing called the ‘new/ old combination,’” Hames explains. The seasoned “veterans” (who have been around maybe a year) help the new kids in the unit in training exercises, called “Lock on,” preparing you to become part of a “ready” battalion. Few nineteen year-olds could be ready for what was to come. “We had all our gear packed,” Hames declares, “and we were ready to go anywhere any time.” Cuba But Hames’ unit would not be going just anywhere. Early in October, they boarded what he describes as a “banana boat” and headed through the Panama Canal for Cuba. As we old folks remember so vividly, for two weeks in late October, President Kennedy faced off against Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in what became famously known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviets had been installing ICBM missiles in Cuba. The US set up a blockade preventing additional ships from entering Cuban waters. Nuclear sabers rattled. Both countries were on full alert. Those 13 days in October would be the closest our country has ever come to nuclear confrontation (so far). If you lived through them, you remember. On board the banana boat, the young Marine and his fellows waited. If war occurred, they would be among the first wave to go ashore. For ten days, everyone sweated sleeplessly on board the ship, studying maps of the Cuban coast line and of the areas they would invade. “There was a lot of gallows humor.” Hames recalls, as the soldiers attempted to relieve some of the unbearable tension. “Finally, they announced that Khrushchev would not attempt to cross the blockade. They turned away. That was a cause of joy. They made the agreement that the missiles could be taken down. Then we got to go on liberty in Jamaica.” As re reflects on his role today, Hames remembers that “there was a lot of bravado about fighting the communists, but in your heart and mind and body you knew this was some serious stuff.” War #2: Vietnam The Marines were not yet done with their young soldier. In August of 1964, almost two years after the missile crisis, there was another crisis that occurred in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam. Several American ships were supposedly confronted by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. This became known as “Gulf of Tonkin Incident.” Most historians are convinced that this “incident,” this provocation by North Vietnam never happened. It’s an old story. The non­ confrontation was trumpeted by the press and the politicians to inflame passions here at home for a confrontation with communist North Vietnam, which the US claimed had been encroaching on our “democratic” ally in South Vietnam, thus threatening the “stability” of all of Southeast Asia. Congress immediately gave President Johnson all the “war powers” he needed in order to escalate a war in Vietnam, a war that became a devastating humiliation for the US, killing 50,000 plus of “ours,” and probably a million of “theirs.” At the time of the “incident,” Peter Hames and his unit were watching a movie at a US base in Okinawa, Japan. They stopped the movie. An announcement blared over the loudspeakers. “Go back to Peter’s High School photo your company areas. Pack up. We’re going.” After a day and half sail from Okinawa, Peter’s unit anchored three miles off the coast of North Vietnam. The scenario was eerily similar to Cuba. “We were there, sailing up and down the coast, studying the maps and ready to embark on our adventures,” he says. This adventure included an invasion of North Vietnam. As with Cuba, that invasion didn’t happen. Hames remains convinced that they had every intention of invading. The military career of the “Jarhead” (a Marine nickname) from Minneapolis—correction—from St. Paul, ended abruptly with an early honorable discharge. He returned home and found a horrible job on “the killing floor” of a huge meat packing company. Hames had been through two of most tension filled moments of modern American history, and now he was witnessing blood and death at a packing plant on the prairie. Did he feel the irony? He views his experiences in service to his country as positive. “It was wonderful. It gave me what I was looking for: Discipline. And of course it made me a man.” And quite a man. Read more about him in the net issue. In the upcoming issue of Streetvibes, we will follow Peter Hames in his career as a different kind of fighter, this time fighting on behalf of neighborhoods (and their marginalized citizens). This time some of his battles occurred on behalf of Over-the-Rhine. ------------------------ Peter Hames at home Photo: Jim Luken THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �8 WORLD Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 Photo series: Fighting Olympic eviction in Rio favela STAFF WRITER A www.INSP.ngo / Reuters s sports arenas rise up around them and neighbours’ houses are demolished, around 50 families remain in Vila Autodromo, a favela bordering the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro. About half of those refuse to leave the favela, which they describe as “paradise” because of a lack of violence compared with poor areas elsewhere in the city. With a year until the Games come to Brazil, over 90 percent of resi- dents have already left after accepting compensation. The holdouts, despite violent run-ins with police, vow to fight eviction whatever the cost. Living in a ghost town with sporadic access to water and electricity, the families have become a symbol against the use of the Olympic Games to modernize Rio, a move critics say is only benefiting the rich. Remaining residents tell Reuters why they want to stay. ------------------------ The demonstrations took place in Shibuya on August 2nd, organised by T-ns SOWL (Teens Stand up to Oppose War Law). Photo: Kazuhiro Yokozeki Maria da Penha, 50, poses for a photograph at her house in the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2015. When asked to describe the community, Penha said: “The Vila Autodromo is a piece of paradise in Rio de Janeiro, an orderly, peaceful community where I’m really happy. I hope that my rights will be respected and I can carry on living here.” Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Children play near demolished houses in the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 28, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Denise Costa, 65, poses for a photograph at her house in the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2015. When asked to describe the community, Costa said: “It’s a really good place to live, it’s a quiet, family community. This is not like other places where there are gang members. Now everybody is sad because the families got split up when some wanted to go to one place and others to somewhere else. Simply because of Olympic Games, a lot of families were destroyed.” Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 WORLD 9 An aerial view shows the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 29, 2015. As sports arenas rise up around them and neighbours’ houses are demolished, around 50 families remain in Vila Autodromo, a favela bordering the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro. Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Construction work for the Rio 2016 Olympic Park is seen from a partially demolished house in the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2015. With a year until the Games come to Brazil, over 90 percent of residents have already left after accepting compensation. Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Luisa de Oliveira, 23, poses for a photograph at her house in the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2015. When asked to describe the community, Oliveira said: “Vila Autodromo is a piece of my history which they are trying to take away from us.” Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes Children play soccer in the Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �10 LOCAL Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition would like to thank 4EG, The Lackman and Lachey’s Bar for sponsoring the 2015 Streetvibes Music Fest at the Woodward Theater! Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Resident Aid - Case Manager Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org - Early Childhood Site Manager - Disability & Mental Health Manager - Family and Community Engagement RACHEL HARTWICK (Continued from page 2) fensive against their managers. After a month of weekly meetings, on March 2, the group created a list of approximately 27 demands for Robert Griffin the property manager, including providing access to hot water, repairing elevators and cease making threats of eviction for ordinary residents. Spring said that residents deserve quality housing and when owners of affordable housing don’t respect residents or building maintenance, it creates a bigger opportunity for developers and - Head Start Teacher - Payroll and Accounting Joseph House josephhouse.com - Chemical Dependency Counselor Lighthouse lighthouse.org - Multiple Openings businesses to take over the property and displace people. “I would hear people often say, after talking about the conditions of the building, it’s like we live in a prison,” Spring said. “I think this was a battle won for the residents.” The ARA demanded the firing of the building manager, Robert Griffin. After regular tenant meetings, demand letters of securing support from City Hall, and a major inspection of the building, ARA was successful in their effort to force the owners to fire Griffin. Just because ARA is celebrating this major success doesn’t mean there isn’t Our Daily Bread ourdailybread.us/ about/connect/jobopportunities/ - Kitchen Manager - Assistant Cook Shelter House shelterhousecinti. org - Shelter Director still work to be done. The group then began putting pressure on ownership to include ARA in finding a new, trustworthy property manager. A success in this manner would be abnormal, as residents are not typically allowed to be involved in such processes. “The residents clearly identified that the only way this was going to begin to be corrected was if Robert was fired,” Spring said. “We put out a flyer that said ‘would you like to have new management’ and made it clear that’s what people in the building are talking about. That became the constant push. The city had also collected plenty of THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc. org - Residential Support Worker - Housing Aftercare Coordinator The Exit Program theexitprogram.org - Accepting Ongoing Resumes data about his history.” Jones said that she hopes a new property manager comes in with a clear conscious and compassion for residents. “It’s a bad building on the outside, but it’s all different kinds of characters in the building. We have fun. We aren’t miserable even if it is a bad situation,” said Jones. “We try to make joy out of this stuff; I hope [a new manager] brings that to the table because if they don’t, they’re going to upset people and we’re going to start all over again.” Jones added that she is happy with the (Continued on page 13) �11 LOCAL No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 The Modern Day “Meme” JASON HAAP Contributing Writer W hen Richard Dawkins first introduced the idea of a “meme,” he used his familiarity with genes to discuss how ideas can enter a culture in the same way. Dawkins is perhaps most famous for his atheist activism, and the concept of religion as a “meme” can explain how the idea of the supernatural has persisted in human culture for so long (presuming, of course, that you are not theist). When Dawkins coined the term, however, we had yet to see the birth of the “internet meme.” Internet memes are deliberately created by human agency, whereas Dawkins’ original meme was meant to explain how a concept spread naturally as opposed to by design. Human-designed memes exploit what appears to be an inherent human desire to spread ideas with which we are already inclined to agree. Perhaps this is a function of our mirror neurons, a part of our brain structure that gets activated when we see a representation of something we have enjoyed in the past - the science of the vicarious experience, so to speak. I’ve become convinced the manner by which our mirror neurons activate when confronted with certain internet memes will become the downfall of our culture’s political discourse. Have any Facebook friends freaking out about the privacy set- tings of their photos? Seen any infographics about gun deaths around the world? The truth about Big Pharma and natural remedies? Maybe you love the pope because he met privately with Kim Davis. Maybe you love him because he said he didn’t actually meet with Kim Davis. Maybe you like telling people “the truth” about the economy under Obama. Amazingly, the rates of workplace participation and unemployment, as well as the current federal deficit, all seem to align perfectly to the political leanings of whomever is communicating with you at the time. Maybe you’ve seen the video that proves Planned Parenthood sells fetal organs. Maybe you’ve seen the video that proves the existence of the North American Great Ape. Maybe you’ve heard of the people who practice CE-5 meditation to contact aliens, and seen their videos of UFO’s. Maybe the truth is out there, and if we actually take the time to research all these claims, we’ll be able, collectively, to reach reasoned and accurate conclusions. The problem is that we’re all in a hurry - and even if the truth really is accessible, it’s only accessible to those with time. The rest of us hear our soundbites through our favorite filters, and we’ve probably picked filters that make our mirror neurons feel good. ------------------------ Activists rally at City Hall and protest Mayor Cranley’s State of the City Speech JUSTIN JEFFRE O n Monday October 5th over 50 pro-choice activists gathered at City Hall to rally support for Planned Parenthood. The Cincinnati Radical Feminist Collective organized the rally and marched to Great American Ball Park to protest Mayor Cranley’s State of the City address. Cranley is an anti-choice Democrat. The Dayton Women’s Med Center and the Mount Auburn Planned Parenthood clinic could soon be closed due to a number of legal barriers Gov. Kasich and his fellow Republicans in the House have been erecting. They are the last two abortion clinics open in southwestern Ohio which combined provide over 5,800 women with safe and legal abortions a year. If these health centers close Cincinnati may become the largest metropolitan area in the country without an abortion provider. A Cincinnati Radical Feminist post on Facebook said, “With Editor sexual violence and rape increasing in our community, having no access to abortion would present yet another level of emergency if any women victims were to be impregnated by force. How long must they wait? Or will they find themselves desperate and take matters into their own hands?” They say that if the Mount Auburn Planned Parenthood is closed there could be a public health crisis for women. Many low income women would lose access to other health care services as well. These health centers provide a wide range of safe, reliable health care — and care, which helps prevent unintended pregnancies through contraception, reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections through testing and treatment, and screen for cervical and other cancers. the majority is preventive, primary Rally at City Hall Photo: Justin Jeffre THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED ------------------------ �12 In my eyes again LOCAL LEE MCCOY Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor R emembering my 63 years, I have seen so much injustice. Everywhere I look there’s a police shooting, unnecessary force – sometimes causing the death of a person. Just a few weeks ago I read in the news- Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 paper that a police officer assaulted ally needs a complete overhaul. Can his own son, of all things because he you imagine? If you have to go to didn’t like the way his son’s hair was court for anything and if you have a cut. Now that’s sad. criminal record you are more than Every time you turn on the TV likely going to go before the same it should be called Cops Gone Wild. judge every time? That’s not fair. The Even on a higher level DEA agents judge may feel like he has seen your have been acting like criminals. face enough. And then what are your Our criminal justice system re- chances? You do the math. Back in my days we used to have a system like a lotto system to have your case tried. The balls will come up and then you know who your judge will be. So I say turn around that old saying about innocent until proven guilty around. Just over the last few weeks Washington Park has had so many events where you have to buy tickets to get in. They had a fence so high you can’t even look in, but if I am wrong you tell me what other parks have events like that. Oh, maybe that’s the way 3CDC gets their investment of $50 million back into their pockets. [Editor’s note: The city put $12 million tax payer dollars for the renovation of the park and pays for the park’s maintenance.] ------------------------ Longtime Streetvibes distributor Lee McCoy Photo: Aimee Willhoite For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com AD Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �13 STREET VOICE No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 RACHEL HARTWICK A NEW BEGINNING (Continued from page 10) GOD IS GOOD, NOT SOME OF THE TIME BUT ALL THE TIME 24/7 I BELIEVE THAT BE THE REASON WE LIVE ON EARTH AND GOD LIVES IN HEAVEN LOOKING BACK ON MY LIFE AND THE SO MANY CHANGES THAT I WENT THROUGH LEARNING FROM REPEATED MISTAKES GOOD AND BAD UNTIL I LEARNED WHAT TO DO REALIZING TODAY KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT PLUS THE METHOD TO USE I SEE NOW THAT HAVING KNOWLEDGE DOESN’T DETERMINE THE ROUTE WE CHOOSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVERYDAY ABOVE GROUND IS A DAY TO TAKE HEED AND LEARN I KNOW NOW THAT MY CHOICES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER I LIVE WITH GOD OR I BURN TODAY, KNOWING, UNDERSTANDING WITH THE REALIZATION THAT YESTERDAY IS PASTED PRAYING AND HOPING MY WORDS WILL LINGER IN YOUR MEMORY MAKING A CHANGE TO LAST IF YOU HAVEN’T PAID ATTENTION TO YOUR LIFE MAY YOU LOOK BACK AND SEE THAT A NEW BEGINING IS WHAT’S UP FOR THE POLITICIANS AND THAT INCLUDES YOU AND ME WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer way ARA has succeeded and Spring’s work specifically. “He’s a real humble man and we appreciate his character in dealing with us,” Jones said. “We appreciate him. The people are happier in here now.” [Editor’s update: A new site manager has been hired and the owners of the building have also hired a new management team for all of their properties, yet there are still more improvements needed. Because of the ARA’s work the owners will have to go before a judge later this year to be held accountable and hopefully forced to make more of the necessary changes needed in order to give the residents the improved conditions they deserve.] ------------------------ Ferguson and Others Unarmed but dead Death still came Life taken by whom And for what Shots were fired Innocent men were killed Time after time Police brutality Bad judgement Racism Cops not indicted Cops not brought to trial Police guilty of policing themselves Riots for justice Police chiefs and the justice system Not being responsible for police actions Unfair killings Police should maintain To restore human dignity Of all those they are sworn to protect and serve Law enforcement is supposed to be A part of the community Not killers in the community Gardner – Dead Martin – Dead Brown – Dead Wilson – Dead The Grand Jury and Our Justice System must prevail KIM GREEN Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer The Campaign Mother Goose Hillary, dillary dock. Hillary gets a shock. Concern starts to mount About her e-mail account, And her poll numbers Drop like a rock. BILL WOODS Contributing Writer Washington Park closed to the public Photo: Justin Jeffre Spiritual Hope I have a dream Of a poor man’s honor Man of respect Praying for salvation Honoring hope Where legends was made Where dreams was born Saying, “I am a man amongst men” Standing tall In the eye of God For mother’s salvation Father’s respect Sister’s love Brother’s freedom May your wishes be merry May your dreams be fulfilled May your love not be conquered Out of the creation of Heaven Of love and compassion Born of spiritual blessings I say, “Peace be with you Let freedom ring May God bless you May Heaven take hold of you And Lord be with you RON ENGLISH Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 79 Across 1. Unit of area 5. The least favorable outcome 10. Affirm 14. Part of a hat 15. Become less in intensity 16. Stupor 17. Possess 18. Demon 19. Succulent plants 20. Open and observable 22. Shout 23. Repair 24. Consumer price 26. Official emissary 28. To the lowest degree 31. Operate 32. Female red deer 35. Civil wrong 37. Faculty 41. Metal bearing mineral 42. Indulgent 44. Hawaiian garland 45. Migratory aquatic birds 47. Strong wind 48. Encounter 49. Sensory organ 51. South American cudchewing animal 53. Floor covering 56. Type of sailing vessel 60. Stinging insect 61. Pack to capacity 64. Turn up or remove earth 65. Dull pain 66. Roof overhang 68. Inert gas 69. At that time 70. Part of a play 71. Receive something that is offered 72. Portable shelter 73. Swagger 74. Afresh Down 1. Loathe 2. Have a great desire for 3. Heavy stud fastener 4. Precious stone 5. Batch 6. Comply 7. Rant 8. Static photograph 9. Bank cashier 10. Intransigent 11. Personal attendant 12. Earth’s protective layer 13. Unwanted plant 21. Bind 25. Tardy 27. Strong current of air 29. Birdcall 30. Test 32. Sheep up to the age of one year 33. Anger 34. Indicating maiden name 36. Narrate 38. Beer 39. Charge for professional services 40. Healthy 42. Jump 43. Close 46. Ophidian 48. A dark purple-red 50. Niche 52. Indicating center 53. Hoard 54. Livid 55. Extended area of land 57. Get or derive 58. Summon up or bring into existence 59. Regenerate 60. Unit of power 62. Allege 63. Bill of fare 67. Fixed and unmoving SODOKU PUZZLE NO 213 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 313 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 78 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 212 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 314 | O c t 9 - O c t 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point 381-SAFE Bethany House 557-2873 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 St. Francis Soup Kitchen 535-2719 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 681-2365 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 981-5800 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 271-5501 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 St. Vincent de Paul 562-8841 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Shelter: Men Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Prospect House 921-1613 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Parkway Center 661-4620 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Shelter: Both Starting Over 961-2256 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both Drop Inn Center 721-0643 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 OTR Community Housing 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 961-1983 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Housing: 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 15 Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC 721-4700 Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Crossroad Health Center 381-2247 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County 351-3500 PATH Outreach 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 381-0111 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Goodwill industries 771-4800 Healing Connections 751-0600 Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. 579-8547 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels 981-4200 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Oct 9 - Oct 22, 2015 | No. 314 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER MYRA WILSON RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TINA SINCE 4/2015 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY LOTTIE MANNER NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 � 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 2015 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 9-October 22, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: Marijuana Criminalization and Racism Homeless Coalition Works with ALMS Apartment Residents to Correct Major Problems Pg 3: Code Orange for Women’s Choice Pg 4: The Cause Cincinnati Pg 5: City-Wide Shantytown Forum Focuses on the Ballot Issues Pg 6: Socialist Nation Pg 7: Gentleman Leatherneck Pg 8: Photo Series Pg 9: Photo Series Continued Pg 10: Rachel Hartwick Continued Pg 11: The Modern Day “Meme” Activist Rally at City Hall and Protest Mayor Cranley Pg 12: In My Eyes Again Pg 13: Rachel Hartwick Continued Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 9-October 22, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Josh Spring Rachel Hartwick Kate Gallion Mark Mussman Bill Woods Robert Park Jim Luken Jason Haap Justin Jeffre Lee McCoy Willa Denise Jones Kim Green Ron English Bill Woods Aimee Willhoitte Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Activists Aimee Willhoitte ALMS Ballots Bill Woods City Hall GCHC Jason Haap Jim Luken Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kate Gallion Kim Green Lee McCoy Marijuana Mark Mussman Mayor Cranley Photo Series police brutality protest Rachel Hartwick Racism Rally Redistricting Rio Favela Robert Park Ron English Shantytown Socialism State of City Speech Taxes Voting Willa Denise Jones Women Rights https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/e42a4245bcdbf20f56d3b6a6412e73e7.pdf 3fd0245dfc5576a324a51cb85e1da54f PDF Text Text September 11th -September 24th 2015 | Vol. 19 Issue 19 (No. 312) advocating justice | Building community Police Chief Blackwell discusses his termination with Streetvibes | 11 This issue sponsored by (Retired) Judge Mark P. Painter INSIDE THIS ISSUE Photo Series: The Art of War | 8-9 Are Income-Based Fines More Fair? | 7 Cincinnati’s TASER Policy Needs to Change | 5 “Me and the Grandmas of Baghdad” : A Book Review |3 Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition 113 E. 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 streetvoice | 13 �2 LOCAL The Words We Choose Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 JOSH SPRING D Streetvibes is an activist newspaper, Executive Director r. Carolyn Jenkins started the Xavier School of Social Work; bringing it over from Edgecliff College. While at Xavier Dr. Jenkins taught us many ways to process systems, look at the world and act accordingly. One of those lessons I remember often was about language. Dr. Jenkins was passionately adamant that language is of tremendous importance. The words we choose to use when talking or writing affect people and situations and therefore we should put care into intelligently and empathetically choosing them. We should consider how the listener or reader will understand those words and what they will communicate. I often find myself wishing that other folks had benefitted from this lesson as well. I think of this especially in regard to reporters, journalists, politicians, speakers, social workers, etc. I don’t mean this in a way to say that people are always saying the wrong things or that I know exactly what the right things are. I simply mean that too often it seems people choose words that over-generalize and over-dramatize descriptions of situations, not considering that some people will actually interpret the information incorrectly as a result. In the case of reporters and politicians these careless word choices advocating justice and building can lead people to be afraid when not needed or comfortable with injustice. People will say this focus on language is “splitting hairs” or argumentative. I don’t think so though. We should care about people enough to choose words that most accurately describe a person or situation and that will be received most accurately. We should be willing to think several steps beyond the words we choose to figure how they may affect the future. Fights, violence, arguments, admiration, trust, distrust, hate, anger, happiness can all be sprouted incorrectly with the carless choice of words. ------------------------ Save the Date! The Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition invites you to our Annual Dinner December 9th at The Syndicate community. Streetvibes reports on economic issues, civil rights, the environment, the peace movement, spirituality and the struggle against homelessness and poverty. Distributed by individuals experiencing homelessness or on the edge of homelessness, in exchange for a $2.00 Donation. Streetvibes is published twice a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to eradicate homelessness in Cincinnati. 113 East 12th St. Cincinnati OH, 45202 Ph: 513.421.7803 FAX: 513.421.7813 WEB: www.cincihomeless.org BLOG: streetvibes.wordpress.com EMAIL: streetvibes@cincihomeless.org Editor: Justin Jeffre Executive Director: Josh Spring Director of Development: Leslie Moorhead Director of Education: Michelle Dillingham Distributor Program Manager: Justin Jeffre Layout: Peter Kobak Reception: Chris Fowler 18 E 5th St, Newport, KY 41071 (859) 491-8000 Steve Reams Charles Carpenter Maintenance: Pete Roper CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Writers: Josh Spring, Jim Luken, Bill Woods, Janis Dutton, Jason Haap, Marian Spencer, Ricardo Taylor, Willa Denise Jones, Kim Green Photography/Artwork: Joe Wilson, Justin Jeffre, Aimee Willhoite, Bill Woods Thank You For Reading Streetvibes And Supporting Our Mission To Build Community And Advocate Justice. Streetvibes and The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless do not endorse candidates for public office. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 One Amazing Grandma - “Me and the Grandmas of Baghdad” by Martha Stephens: A Book Review JIM LUKEN Contributing Writer I first met the 78­year­old author of this book at an Occupy Cincinnati outdoor general assembly (meeting) in the spring of 2012. She was (always) wearing a foam visor, on which she had hand-printed the words: “Occupy Everything.” She was feisty then, and remains so. I wouldn’t want to cross her by writing a bad review of her 400 page book. Thank goodness, that won’t be necessary. It’s a whale of a tale she tells, with bravura, insight, compassion, and an almost withering self-deprecation, all blended with what Alice Walker (The Color Purple) might have termed “womanist” brio. Martha Stephens gave me a copy of her “memoir” to review for Streetvibes, because she knew that I carry an anti­war grudge similar to her own [We both hate war and see it as the ongoing cause for most everything bad in our country and the world]. At first, the book seemed immense, and with so strange a title, for a book against war. I’m also in my 70s. I’m impatient, and crotchety like Martha. I wondered if I could wade through it. As it turned out, my issue had nothing to do with reading the book. The problem was putting it down. “Grandmas,” as Martha refers to her book, is one heckuva trip down the rabbit hole of a remarkable woman’s life. Page after page, She ranges back and forth, between now and then, between here and there, between her patch of garden in Bond Hill and her “winter garden” in Las Cruces, NM, between her own (grandmotherly) situation, and vivid (albeit un­lived) similarities to grandmas like herself, trapped in the Mid­East country her country all but destroyed: Iraq. Born in Waycross, Georgia, Stephens spent much of her post­ graduate work­life as a professor of English at the University of Cincinnati. She has written numerous Photo: Amazon.com books, many of these published by reputable houses. A hugely important book In 1960, as a young UC teacher, Martha discovered and exposed the grotesque incidents she later detailed in “The Treatment: The Story of Those Who Died in the Cincinnati Radiation Tests” (Duke University Press, 2002). Her whistle­ blowing brought the wrath of the University and its medical community down around the slight professor whose expose had brought the experiments to a rather quick halt. But not before 21, mostly black, “patients” had died in those secret “total body radiation” tests conducted on behalf of the US military in the basement of the then General Hospital. Stephens weathered the storms, and now sees that her conscientious acts, as well as the book (written thirty years later), “probably did some good.” Indeed. “Grandmas”: a curious tale Most of this latest book is divided into short sections, often little more than a page, and often strangely titled, e.g., “Suicide of the Squashes,” or “But I Don’t Write Comedy.” Martha Stephens Photo: Joe Wilson 3 Maybe her style is not comedic, but she effects a sly, biting wittiness throughout. Critiquing American culture (one of the peppers with which she regularly spices the book), she often refers to her middle­ class, semi­pampered life as being a kind of begrudging gift, bestowed on her (and on most of her fellow bourgeoisie) by the elite folks who own our country. “I am a pet of the ruling classes,” she writes, “let it be said once more, and can afford to attend the opera and to buy almond bark at the concession.” In this memoir, Stephens gives herself free range to do just about anything she pleases, as she lays out the story of her life. “It is boring to have nothing but the present to inhabit,” she writes. She seems indifferent as to whether there is a reading audience. Often, she tells her story directly to the book itself. “On this day, I’d like to tell you, my book, a little more about my life in Waycross, Georgia.” She talks about various personal relationships with candor, good and bad. She sometimes writes, quite revealingly, of her strange and often troubled relationship with her professor husband, calling him “The Man.” In a kind of ongoing metaphor, Stephens comes back to her gardening skills again and again, often anthropomorphizing her fruits and vegetables, as if she believes they too can feel hurt, can long for life, just as people do. Martha Stephens knows that the grandmas of Baghdad have feelings as well. And she returns to them often, identifying with the hell in which she is certain they are living out their lives, comparing it to the somewhat agrarian life she lives in one of the near Cincinnati suburbs. The interior life One of my favorite passages (of many) can be found in a section (oddly) titled, “On Not Disliking St. Augustine.” Stephens writes, “...the interior life is so private, so lonely a life; but somehow we don’t care if it is lonely, we are so full of our lonely curiosity.” As I read through it, I found that “Me and the Grandmas of Baghdad” is exactly that: the story of a lonely, yet public, inner life, a living “curiosity” willing to face rejection and defeat, because — like those women in Iraq — she has little choice. THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED In this amazing book, Martha Stephens goes “public” with her inner life. She sets the story down exactly as her inner life demands it. She’s a sharp old lady who has taken many risks. So late in life, she knows that she can tell her story exactly as she chooses, without worrying over consequences. I predict that a good many folks will fall into this book as into their grandmother’s arms. Like me, they will cherish it, the way the author cherishes her grandchildren and her butter beans. She raised those beans, damn it. And she wrote this amazing, fearless book. The plot thickens In a middle section of the book, referring to the lack of a plot in one of her novels, she reflects, “...life itself we don’t see as a plot...It may be we ourselves are always the last to discover the plots of our lives, or can they only be apprehended by others after we are gone?” I had never before thought of my life as being plotted. After reading this memoir, I can’t stop thinking about so odd a notion. Am I writing my own plot? I wonder. Or is it being written by the demands of my culture, my family, and my friends? The author as activist Professor Stephens often mentions having worn her favorite visor, before and after she wore the “Occupy” edition in 2011. She still wears it daily. You will recognize her immediately when you see her at a meeting, or on the street: a thin, white­ haired gramma, wearing a plain cotton skirt, and a visor over her brow that reads: “War is Not the Answer.” I admit to not having the guts to fight war’s depravity every time I walk out the door, as Martha does. But Stephens is a wily teacher. Maybe I will learn from her book how to put more of myself on the line. To push the plot­line of my life. In an early chapter of “Grandmas,” Stephens talks about opening a textbook that she has treasured through the years [The History of the English Language, by Alfred Baugh, 1935]. Her take on this old book could be a review clip for her own strange and beguiling memoir: “I open it to reflect on the wonders of my language yet again, but also to marvel at this: that a scholar of English could unfold his story in so graceful and easeful a way, could engage even the common reader and show such a reader every courtesy and consideration.” This same unfolding, this same engagement, Martha Stephens provides us “common” readers. I suggest you consider going on line and purchasing a copy of Grandmas. It will make you feel not common, but “special.” [As this review comes out, Martha has decided to give any profits from the book’s sales to the Homeless Coalition. Martha has also generously agreed to meet with you and sign your copy. Her email address is: stephem@ucmail.uc.edu. Her blog address is http://marthastephens.wordpress.com/] ------------------------ �4 LOCAL THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED Feb.12- 25 , 2015 | No. 297 �LOCAL No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 Community Issues Forum Kicks Off Its 35th Season BILL WOODS Contributing Writer T he Community Issues Forum kicks off its 35th season of forums on Thursday September 17th. Sponsored by the Outreach Committee of Christ Church Cathedral, the Forum features presentations on critical community and public policy issues every other Thursday at noon from September to June. The opening Forum on September 17th features Mary Carol Melton, Executive Vice President of the Anna Louise Inn, in a discussion of hu- man trafficking and how “the Off the Streets Program” assists women seeking to escape from prostitution in order to forge new lives. This presentation will take place at the Anna Louise Inn and will include a tour of the Inn’s new building at 2401 Reading Road. Unlike Forums at the Cathedral, reservations are required (call 381-4994). “This session,” noted Melton, “gives us a an opportunity to better understand issues facing women who are homeless, involved in drug use, prostitution, and human trafficking in our community and what is being done to assist and serve them.” Two Forums in October will focus on state and local ballot issues and candidates running for the Cincinnati School Board. The Forum on Wednesday September 30th will review the pros and cons of three State Constitutional Amendment proposals and two proposed Cincinnati Charter Amendment. Issue 1 Bill Woods and Vice Mayor David Mann at Community Issues Forum Photo: Justin Jeffre Cincinnati’s TASER policy needs to change JANIS DUTTON Contributing Writer C incinnati Police policy defines a TASER as a “non-lethal force alternative” to assist officers in performing their duties. Some law enforcement agencies in Southwest Ohio define them as “less-than,” or “less lethal.” It is hard to imagine James Carney III, who died last week after being shot with a police TASER, being described as less dead. And, the families of Kevin Piskura, Leroy Hughes, Douglas Boucher, Kelly Brinson, Everett Howard, and Cory McGinnis-local people who have died in the last seven years after law enforcement use of TASERS--likely find little comfort that their loved ones should be less than dead. Words are important. They not 5 only reflect our thinking, they guide our actions. Cincinnati policy calls TASERS “devices.” My cell phone is a device. A TASER is a weapon. If law enforcement believes these weapons are harmless devices, like mobile phones, non-lethal and safe, they may be more likely to use them in circumstances where they might have before used more conventional and less dangerous methods to deescalate a situation. In fact, Cincinnati policy recommends the weapons to be used at an alarmingly low threshold of use compared to other local law enforcement agencies. It also allows the use of TASERS on children as young as seven years old. Barring extreme circumstances, use on young children is an unconscionable, no, an immoral, abuse of power. The United Nations Committee Against Torture has, since 2006, repeatedly expressed concerns that TASERS are used as instruments of torture, and a form of cruelty. In 2008, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child questioned the use of “Taser guns” on children and called to “put an end to the use of all harmful devices against children.” Local media cites reports from Amnesty International that claim 540 people in this country have died since 2001 after being shocked by the electronic weapons. Factoring in international deaths that number is THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED would reform the process for drawing district lines for state legislative elections every ten years, while Issue 3 would legalize marijuana in Ohio. Meanwhile, Issue 2 would prohibit the granting of monopolies in state ballot initiatives. One City Charter Amendment involves funding new park facilities on the West side of Cincinnati, while the other would change the date of the mayoral primary from September to May. At the October 15th Forum, candidates for the Cincinnati School Board will be asked to present their views on various education reform policies. The next four Forums pick up some of the strands from last season’s sessions on economic inequality and reforming the criminal justice system. On October 29th, leaders from the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center will make the case for enacting an anti-wage theft City Ordinance. The following Forum on November 12th will examine initiatives underway to lower the rate of incarceration in Ohio and the U.S. and to ease the re-entry process for former prison inmates. The preThanksgiving Forum on November 19th will feature Kevin Jones, a nationally recognized advocate for transforming urban neighborhoods into healthy economic centers with good employment opportunities for their residents. Finally, Black Lives Matter will be invited back to the December 3rd Forum to report on ongoing efforts to reform police practices nationally and locally. Forums are free and open to the public, and normally take place every other Thursday at 12:00 Noon, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 East Fourth Street. Lunch can be purchased for $5.50, or you can bring your own brown bag. For further information, call 381-4994. -----------------------much higher. Canada is facing a similar problem, with one big difference. When Robert Dziekanski died after being shocked multiple times by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Vancouver Airport in 2007, the province of British Columbia launched a full public inquiry—the Braidwood Inquiry--into the safety of TASERS and the police actions surrounding his death. The commission looked at a variety of medical research, not just that presented by, and often funded by, Taser International, Inc. The US government launched a full inquiry into the safety of Toyota acceleration systems after fewer than 50 deaths. Researchers are beginning to look into the effect of these electrical weapons on the brain function of adults. One study measured a significant reduction in cognitive functioning within 5 minutes after exposure and a return to normal 24 (Continued on page 7) �6 LOCAL “Breakdown Stereotypes” Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 “Eradicate Misinformation” The Coalition for the Homeless provides Education and Service Programs that help to portray a more accurate and holistic picture of homelessness in Cincinnati. We believe an educated public can be a more compassionate public, willing to dedicate time and effort towards creating solutions to homelessness. The “Voice of the Homeless Speaker’s Bureau” program is made up of individuals currently experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness, who share their experiences. The program is designed to put a face on homelessness and raise awareness about those struggling in our community. To schedule a speaker, contact Leslie Moorhead at (513) 421.7803 x11 The B Word What are you saying when you call someone a “bum”? All too often when we discuss the phenomena of homeslessness, we use words like “bum,” “hobo,” or “vagrant” to describe people. But what are we really saying when we label people with those words? REMEMBER: PUT PEOPLE FIRST *Always use “people-first” language when discussing the issue of homelessness. It is a misconception that those who “People experiencing experience homelessness do so out of homelessness” choice; many work long hours. Homelessness is a multi-layered issue. When we dismiss people who live in extreme poverty as being NOT lazy or deserving of their situation we are actively contributing to the problem. “Homeless people” Learn to change your language. Learn how to make a difference. To learn more about the lack of affordable housing and the inadequacy of services that force people into homelessness, contact the Homeless Coalition at (513) 421- 2701 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �7 LOCAL Are Income-Based Fines More Fair? No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 JASON HAAP Contributing Writer A t lunch the other day, a friend introduced me to the concept of “income-based fines.” I had never heard of this idea, and I became a believer right away. The short version: fines should be based proportionally on one’s daily income, rather than an amount that means nothing to wealthy people but can be devastating to people near or below the poverty line. Let’s take a traffic ticket as an example. My last traffic ticket (which was bullshit, by the way - but that’s another matter) cost $65. According to PayScale.com, the average hourly salary in Cincinnati is $16.80. Someone working eight hours would gross $134 per day. My traffic ticket cost nearly half of an average Cincinnatian’s daily gross pay. So what if these kinds of traffic tickets cost half of the offender’s daily salary? Let’s say someone makes $100,000 per year (with two weeks unpaid vacation). That person would earn about $50 per hour - or about $400 per day. This person’s ticket would cost $200. Similarly, if some- JANIS DUTTON (Continued from page 5) hours later. (Cognitive deficits following exposure to other forms of electrical shock are well documented.) What that might mean to the growing mind of a child as young as seven is a frightening prospect. Police Chief Blackwell states that the officer involved in Carney’s death followed policy. Therein lies the problem. The policy is fundamentally, fatally flawed, putting the city and its citizens at risk. Listen to the words We had a similar situation in Oxford, OH. Kevin Piskura died five days after being shot in the chest with a TASER in April 2008. After an investigation into the incident completed in October 2008, Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper also determined the local police department followed its Use of Force policy. A group of citizen activists, myself included, challenged the policy, which stated “when used inappropriately, a Taser application can result in fatality.” The activists confronted city officials with reports from Amnesty International and The Braidwood Inquiry as well as documentation challenging the manufacturer’s safety claims and target areas, which then included the chest area. We pointed out that Taser International had been sued in 2005 by law enforcement officers, who challenged the safety claims in the corporation’s marketing after they suffered serious injuries after being shocked during training exercises, and by their own shareholders who claimed the corporation obscured the truth about the safety of its weapons. one made $25,000 per year, that comes to around $12.50 per hour - or about $100 a day. This person would have a $50 ticket. Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland all have some version of this system in place. If Cincinnati were to adopt such an approach, what would happen? I think, almost immediately, police would be incentivized to patrol wealthy neighborhoods for traffic violations increasing the amount of dollars collected through fines. It’s pretty widely known that black neighborhoods, for example, are more likely to be targeted for traffic stops. What if that were flipped to a focus on wealthier parts of town? Maybe the cops would also find drugs on those Hyde Park kids, too! In all seriousness, though, when I think about the recent shooting death of Samuel DuBose, I think about why the UC police department would be patrolling for traffic violations. It seems pretty clear to me. I like thinking about what would happen if we adopted income-based fines. It might radically change the face of who gets pulled over for moving violations. A key point in our position was captured in a quote from Judge Thomas Braidwood in the Braidwood Inquiry Report: In my mind we have no idea of the relative risk of death in a large population due to TASER use. A significant risk could be being missed due to a lack of study in the real world. We really have no handle on what other injuries associated with TASER might also be important—standing fractures, falling fractures, spinal cord injury, brain injury—as these are not being routinely followed in a systematic way. At a public meeting in 2009, then Oxford Chief of Police Steve Schwein said, Kevin Piskura’s death “wasn’t supposed to happen.” The department, it seemed, relied solely on the marketing and information provided by the manufacturer, and it was unaware of the medical and human rights controversy surrounding the issue. A month later city council held a hearing, and the chief announced that Taser International revised its warnings and recommendations to avoid the chest area. The Oxford Police Department did change its police policy guiding use of TASERS in 2009, eliminating the “when used inappropriately” (because even when used appropriately TASERS can result in death) and raised the threshold of use and constraints on deployment. The City of Oxford paid $750,000 to settle a 2013 lawsuit filed by Piskura’s family alleging excessive force and failure to adequately train, supervise, and control its employees. The family also sued Taser International, and may have been one of two pre-2009 cases settled in 2013 for 2.3 million. According to the cor- This is not an “out there,” untested, fantasy concept. It works in other parts of the world, and it could work here. Local politician David Pepper made news a few years ago for his high number of parking tickets. He paid them, but then again he could afford to pay them. But what if each offense cost him a half day’s pay? Right now, wealthy people can afford to be a bit more loose with some of these laws, and police have no reason to focus on them. Maybe now’s the time to change that. I’d be interested in what might happen if Cincinnati (or the state of Ohio!) were to implement this kind of system. ------------------------ Parking meter Photo: Justin Jeffre poration’s filings with the US Security Exchange Commission for 2013, “They implemented new risk management strategies, including revisions to product warnings and training to better protect both the Company and its customers from litigation based on ‘failure to warn’ theories.” Speak the words It’s time for the people of Cincinnati to demand a new policy that, at the very least, takes into account the warnings of the company to avoid killing, maiming, or brain-damaging its citizens. Taser International once referred to their now-named Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) as devices and marketed them as non-lethal, but no longer. Perhaps amid a growing number of deaths after their use, and having to defend against an increasing stack of lawsuits, including claims they misrepresented the safety factor filed by law enforcement officers and their own shareholders, the corporation changed the language to less-than or less lethal. Today they just call them safe, which, according to dictionaries, is defined as “protected from or not exposed to danger or risk.” The warnings spelled out in the company’s “Important Safety and Health Information” document suggests otherwise, as does a growing body of research. Cincinnati’s Police Use of Force policy has changed a number of times since Taser Intl. changed its language in 2009. Yet it still labels the weapons as “non-lethal,” and places it in a non-lethal position on the continuum of force. The officer involved in the recent death of James Carney III may have THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED followed policy, but that policy--based on faulty assumptions that disregard the language and warnings of the manufacturer as well as recommendations by law enforcement groups, results of medical research, and concerns raised by human rights agencies-- needs to change. In 2005, Council member Christopher Smitherman tried to raise the age at which a child can be jolted with 50,000 volts of electricity from 7 to at least 11. In 2004, Cincinnati police had used the weapons 629 times, with 52 of those on children between the ages of 12 and 17. His efforts in the Law and Public Safety Committee failed on a vote of 3-2 with Laketa Cole voting in favor, and John Cranley, David Pepper, and Jim Tarbell voting no. Tarbell is quoted in the Cincinnati Enquirer saying, “We don’t want them to use any of these things if they don’t have to. The distinction is compared to what?” The current continuum of force options shows the “compared to what.” •Officer presence •Verbal skills •TASER /Chemical irritant •Escort techniques • Balance displacement • Hard hands (pressure points/ strikes) • Monadnock Auto-Lock baton •Monadnock PR-24 •PepperBall launcher (Non-lethal) •Beanbag shotgun (Less than lethal) •40mm foam round (Less than lethal) (Continued on page 10) �8 PHOTO ESSAY Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 Photo series: The Art of War RUETERS / STAFF WRITER Courtesy of INSP News Service A mid the rubble of bombedout buildings in the world’s most volatile war zones, politically charged murals and graffiti offer ground-level views of the conflict. This Reuters photo series captures murals and graffiti that chronicle the violence, fear and oppression felt by those trapped on the front line. ------------------------ A man walks past a graffiti, denouncing strikes by U.S. drones in Yemen, painted on a wall in Sanaa November 13, 2014. Yemeni authorities have paid out tens of thousands of dollars to victims of drone strikes using U.S.-supplied funds, a source close to Yemen’s presidency said, echoing accounts by legal sources and a family that lost two members in a 2012 raid. Credit: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah A Free Syrian Army fighter poses next to graffiti on a wall drawn by Syrian artist and activist Ahmad Jalal along a street in Kafranbel, Idlib province January 31, 2014. Jalal’s drawings have been used as banners during anti-government protests as well Credit: REUTERS/Fadi Mashan A man sits next to a wall with graffiti in a cell of the central prison in the district of Wango, in the capital Bangui, March 21, 2014. Hatred between Christians and Muslims in Central African Republic has reached a “terrifying level”, the U.N.’s top human rights official said on Thursday, warning that atrocities were being carried out with impunity. Credit: REUTERS/Siegfried Modola Pro-Houthi activists finish painting graffiti depicting Saudi-led air strikes on the wall of the Saudi embassy in Sanaa July 29, 2015. Saudi-led warplanes bombed targets in Yemen’s northerly Saada province, a bastion of Iranianallied Houthi forces, local officials said on Wednesday, and a U.N. official accused both sides in the conflict of failing to respect international law. The writings read: “I am hungry” and “Yemen”. Credit: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 PHOTO ESSAY A member of the Iraqi security forces stands guard with his weapon at Camp Habbaniyah between the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, March 12, 2015. Picture taken March 12, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani A view of graffiti on a wall in Kabul March 5, 2012. Encased in a head-to-toe burqa, the image depicts a distraught woman slumped on a cement stairwell, the work of Afghanistan’s first street artists who use graffiti to chronicle violence and oppression. The sombre depictions of Afghan women on Kabul’s rutted streets offer rare public insight into their lives, still marred by violence and injustice despite progress in women’s rights since the Taliban was toppled over a decade ago. Credit: REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 9 �10 JANIS DUTTON (Continued from page 7) •Deadly force In other words, the use of TASERS is the first use of force just after verbal demands, and long before other “less than lethal” options. Children and adults can be shocked for actively resisting arrest, defined as a subject “making physically evasive movements to defeat the LOCAL officer’s attempt at control, including fleeing, bracing, tensing, pushing, or verbally signaling an intention to avoid or prevent being taken into or retained in custody.” Perhaps we as citizens, at least those who haven’t experienced the wrong end of a TASER, have been suckered into believing the advertising and marketing safety claims of Taser International, Inc. We may also have been brainwashed by Hollywood filmmakers and other media to think Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 being shocked is funny. A new documentary called Killing Them Safely, currently making the rounds of film festivals, should force us to rethink our laughter and motivate us to speak out. Scheduled for wider release in November, the film documents the almost cult relationship between Taser International and law enforcement with local governments and police departments accepting all of the company’s claims at face value, and allowing them to have a monopoly over the training and safety of the weapon. Words are important, and Cincinnati’s police policy needs new language and a revision to its continuum of force. TASERS need to be understood as potentially lethal weapons. If the barbs were propelled by gunpowder, as they once were, instead of the gas propellant they now use, they would be considered firearms and subject to regulation. Cincinnatians should be sick and tired of hearing that another preventable TASER-induced death was according to police policy, and should no longer tolerate “That wasn’t supposed to happen,” or “oops” as an excuse. Start by contacting Mayor John Cranley, who voted to allow officers to torture seven year olds. You can email him at mayor.cranley@cincinnati-oh. gov or call 513-352-3250. On a side note: The name TASER stands for Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle. The inventor was inspired by the 1911 young adult novel Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle, or Daring Adventures in Elephant Land. In this 10th volume of Tom Swift’s adventures, young Tom uses his new invention to kill elephants, and rhinoceroses, and in battles with “tribes” of “red pygmies.” The weapon and the corporate name pay homage to this racist history. ------------------------ For tickets please call (513) 381-2273 Purchase tickets online at www.cincyshakes.com Ad Donated by Mark and Sue Ann Painter season sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �LOCAL No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 Police Chief Blackwell discusses his termination with Streetvibes JUSTIN JEFFRE Contributing Writer A fter a chaotic council meeting on Wednesday September 9th where many of Chief Blackwell’s supporters spoke, Blackwell briefly spoke to the media just outside of council chambers. He was hounded all the way down the stairs onto the street and to his car. It was a media circus where reporters were nearly practically pushing each other down the stairs. After I walked away from the circus I decided to walk to my favorite place for lunch, Skyline. As I entered the restaurant on Court Street I saw that Chief Blackwell was sitting there having lunch with two other guys. I assured them that I wasn’t following them, I just go there to eat often. After I finished eating and paid my tab I decided to give the former chief my card and told him I’d like to interview him whenever he got a chance. He said let’s do it now. So here it is: Streetvibes: Why do you think Mayor Cranley and City Manager Harry Black wanted you to go? Blackwell: “I think they’ve always been against me, from day one. I think it’s well chronicled that Cranley did not want me to be the Police Chief here. I think we’ll also be able to demonstrate over the coming weeks that Harry Black was brought in to do what he did today. It’s unfortunate for the young kids of the city who we’ve elevated and made a priority. So I’m going to miss that, I’m going to miss this city.” Streetvibes: You seem to have a lot of support in the community, do you have a message to the people? Blackwell: “I love them. I really do and I’m going to miss them.” Streetvibes: The fact that there still seems to be a need for the Sentinels (a black police union) to exist 11 suggests racial problems in the department. Can you shed some light on that? Blackwell: “In the coming weeks and months a lot will be revealed about some of the inner workings of, or un-workings of CPD. It’s unfortunate that there’s still a fracture there along racial lines internally, but there is. A very pronounced fracture. So it’s a tough place. It’s a tough place.” “This is a great city and I think we’ve demonstrated in two years that it can be a model for policing. Doing it in a way where you elevate people, where you focus on engagement over enforcement and worry about lifting people up over locking people up. I just hope that some of that continues here with my departure.” Streetvibes: Do you have anything you’d like to add? “I haven’t been given the liberty or the respect to be handed the report that I was apparently fired over. I haven’t seen it, haven’t read it, don’t know what’s in it, but I’m hearing from other people some of the salacious details put in there by people in the department. That’s disappointing to me, but more importantly I will defend my character and my reputation until the day I die. So to those individuals, get ready for depositions.” Do you think you were treated fairly by the media? Blackwell: “Mostly.” Streetvibes: Do you think any media outlets or reporters were unfair to you? Blackwell: “The Enquirer is not fair.” Streetvibes: Thank you for your time. Blackwell: “Thank you.” ------------------------ Letter to the Editor [Dear Editor], I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate Streetvibes as a great way to support people experiencing homelessness. (By the way, I learned that terminology from your recent issue!) I have purchased Streetvibes from many different vendors, and all of them have been friendly and gracious. In terms of content, the variety of stories is usually good, and I especially like the inclusion of a crossword puzzle and sudoku. In the past I have seen poems or stories written by Streetvibes vendors themselves, which I think is neat. And in this recent issue, there was a good list of resources and job openings. The color photos of vendors on the back is a nice update, too. The vendor I purchased from today even circled herself, giving it a clever personal touch. Finally, I may just be one person, but I can tell you that I look kindly upon any businesses that I see advertising in Streetvibes. For example, Lackman and Lachey’s are much more likely to get my business now. Just wanted to let you know my thoughts and thank you for all that you do. Best, Kristan ------------------------ Marian Spencer: Why the Parks Levy is bad policy MARIAN SPENCER [Local civil rights activist, former mayor, council person, and Charter Committee Board member sent this letter to Parks Director Willie Carden recently.] I t is with regret that after carefully reading the text of the Parks levy that I cannot support it. This action is difficult for me because when asked for my support last June, I was unaware that this would be a Charter amendment rather than a normal property tax levy, or that its income would be used only for capital projects. I returned to Cincinnati just this week and have spent a great deal of time studying the Parks levy. Had I known the details earlier I would have notified the campaign immediately. You need to know my decision before next Tuesday’s Cincinnatus Association luncheon. Due to the Labor Day holiday this letter will not be received before Tuesday. The primary reasons for my change of heart are: 1. As a 75-year member of the Charter Committee, vice mayor and council member I have always stood for good government. A property tax levy should not be in the city charter. Voters should have an opportunity to renew (or deny) any tax levy in future years. This one is permanent. It is bad policy. 2. My late husband Donald Blackwell outside of council chambers Photo: Justin Jeffre THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED and I always wanted the parks and all their activities to be open and accessible, free of charge to everyone. Donald fought so effectively to keep Krohn Conservatory free that they didn’t charge there until after he had died. This levy does not guarantee that new park projects will be free and open to everyone. The new carousel at Smale Park, while truly lovely, is an example. Many children cannot afford to ride, let alone have their parents pay for parking to get there. 3. This park levy should not be for capital projects only. What about personnel to manage them? Large projects such as bike trails or significant other changes to our beautiful parks should be initiated by our citizens and adopted by council through the normal budget process. I am sorry for my confusion about the content of the levy. I had not seen its content at the time I supported it, therefore I am compelled to withdraw my support. The timing is very difficult for everyone, because I have been out of the city for two months, with no local news readily available. Please discontinue to use my name in your Pro Parks levy campaign literature or any future community gatherings. ------------------------ �12 LOCAL Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 Now Hiring Caracole Caracole.org - Housing Specialist - Resident Assistant for our transitional housing facilities. - Case Manager Cincinnati Union Bethel cinunionbethel.org Our Daily Bread ourdailybread.us/ about/connect/jobopportunities/ Manager - Head Start Family and Community Engagement - Head Start Teacher - Payroll and Accounting Coordinator - Kitchen Manager - Assistant Cook Lighthouse lighthouse.org Shelter House shelterhousecinti. org - Multiple Openings - Early Childhood Site - Resident Aide Tender Mercies tendermerciesinc. org - Residential Support Worker - Housing Aftercare Coordinator DeSales Marianists Mission- We are a Catholic Parish of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati ministering in the Marianist tradition. The Society of Mary (Marianists) is a religious congregation composed of lay and religious members; Sisters, Brothers and priests. The Marianists honor Mary as a model of courage and hospitality. In their ministry, they work to bring about the kingdom of God. 1600 Madison Road | Cincinnati, OH 45206 | P: (513) 961-1945 | F: (513) 221-4907 http://saintfrancisdesalesparish.org/ I Just Don’t Get It RICARDO TAYLOR Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor I n the recent past, I was under the impression that, because of what I often witnessed of some people’s actions, that they just didn’t get It. Simple rules of civility, or minor roles of conduct just don’t seem to apply. Then all of the sudden, the reality changed and I came to see; oh, it’s really me. I just don’t get it! I’m puzzled; you see, because I don’t quite understand. For every cause there is a reason, for every action there is a reaction, or at least, so logic says. It is for this sense of logic that so often we take things for granted. Simple things, such as, if you don’t work, you don’t eat! That is to say it’s understood that if you want something, then you have to put forth some effort in order to obtain that something. Yet, there is a mindset amongst some that they are owed something from others without their own efforts...huh? Living on the second floor not wanting to traverse the stairs in order to take out the trash you just toss it out of your window? Or, riding along a street you just throw your trash out the car window? I just don’t get it! Perhaps for me it’s the question of one’s environment which leaves me in that state of puzzlement. Trashing your personal area, how, I ask does one stand in the midst of refuse that they create? Bottles and cans mixed with food and wrappers from the social gathering places which many of us often frequent, just scattered about the area, trash can a few feet away; socializing in the midst of trash which we ourselves have created and we are OK? I just don’t get it! There they are standing in the soup line every single day, demanding more than their share, believing that the kitchen has the obligation to feed them, becoming vulgar or aggressive if they don’t get their way. I just don’t get it! Using or abusing others for per- sonal benefit or for personal gain and then calling it a blessing. I just don’t get it! Listening to the clatter of some panhandlers, aggressively (Continued on page 13) Ricardo Taylor Photo: Aimee Willhoite THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED asking �STREET VOICE No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 RICARDO TAYLOR (Continued from page 12) and upon receiving a No; they become abusive often pointing out your responsibility towards them; huh? Now, I understand that sometimes we need the help or support of others and therefore we have to ask, yet, when and how do we become their responsibility? I just don’t get it! Well, there are endless examples of some people’s civility or roles of conduct which fit the, I just don’t get it scenario and I am sure you can think of some on your own. Even living in a society where anything goes, [is acceptable]. The question remains. Who is it that really doesn’t get it? Note: If you are a Streetvibes reader I would like to ask you if you have had some really outrageous encounters with the concept of I just don’t get it to send your experiences to our publication and see if we can’t get them shared. ------------------------ The Copy Cat Copy Cat, Copy Cat climbing up the Copy Cat tree The Copy Cat is always waiting, hanging around On the prowl looking for a victim in the crowd The Copy Cat scratches, bites, lies and deceives Needing attention, it’s what the Copy Cat needs The Copy Cat is a lost soul, wore out and old Bad behavior that can’t be lost WHO DO YOU LOVE TO BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THE WAY ONE HAS LIVED THEIR LIFE TO BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THEIR OWN HAPPY DAYS AND DAYS WITH STRIFE TO BE ABLE TO REMEMBER SO MUCH AFTER SO MANY YEARS TO BE ABLE TO REMEMBER MORE HAPPY TIMES THAN YOU REMEMBER TEARS TO BE ABLE TO REMEMBER SOME FACES NOT TO MENTION SOME PLACES TO BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THEN UNDERSTAND WITHOUT SUPPORT I HAVE NO BASES TO KNOW I HAVE NO POWER OVER THE WORLD BUT I HAVE POWER OVER ME TO KNOW HOMELESSNESS, TO BEG, TO PLEAD FOR HELP AND NOBODY SEES TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR YOURSELF AND LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND KNOW THAT ONLY YOU CAN MAKE YOU SHINE Copy Cat you should stop Let’s hope one day the Copy Cat can grow And ask for forgiveness and a new soul KIM GREEN 13 WILLA DENISE JONES Streetvibes Distributor & Contributing Writer Contributing Writer & Streetvibes Distributor Giving the Donald His Due Even from Trump occasional wisdom is spoken. The Donald declared “the system is broken!” THE DONALD SHOW OR THE FIRST GOP DEBATE Ten Republican hopefuls took to the stage, And toward the Prez they vented their rage. Their choice of issues showed a limited range, and there wasn’t a mention of climate change. Every one of them seemed to be quite unaware That any benefits could result from Obamacare. These guys were not even the least bit stealthy When promoting tax breaks for the wealthy. They think veering right is the best way to win, And a woman’s right to choose is labelled a sin. Did the event provide anything of value to know, Or did Fox simply produce “The Donald Show?” BILL WOODS Contributing Writer THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �14 PUZZLES Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 77 Across 1. Celestial body 5. Circuit 8. Hard kind of stone 13. Field sport 14. Female horse 15. Spooky 16. Remove from office 17. Pivot 18. Used to control a horse 19. Theatrical group 21. Molecule 23. Unit of play in tennis 24. Bird shelter 26. Female sheep 27. Solemn 29. Reclamation 34. Assistance 35. Snare 37. Clan 38. Baby bed 40. Projecting bay window 43. Sweet pulpy tropical fruit 44. Summarize 46. Way out 48. Regurgitated food of a ruminant 49. Put into the care of someone 52. Talisman 54. Jurisprudence 55. Excavation 56. Globe 59. A turn made in skiing 61. Bid 65. Herbaceous plant 67. Pleasant 69. Donate 70. Distribute 71. Trampled 72. Large woody plant 73. Shelf 74. Hankering 75. Group of animals Down 1. Blemish 2. Travel 3. In addition 4. Corpulent 5. Slack 6. Song for solo voice 7. Annoy persistently 8. Agitation 9. Sheltered side 10. Part of the eye 11. Value of Roman IX 12. Trial 14. Artist of consummate skill 20. Vegetable matter, can be used as fuel 22. Be obliged to pay 25. Rend 27. Temptress 28. Decree 30. Epoch 31. Flinch 32. Approximately 33. Give temporarily 34. Unit of area 36. Pastry item 39. Exclude 41. Set of evaluating questions 42. Restricted 45. Throb 50. Was seated 51. A score in number 53. Continuance in time 56. Ellipse 57. Irritate 58. Fearless and daring 60. Morass 62. Desperate 63. At any time 64. Part of a woodwind instrument 66. Captain’s journal 68. Swindle SODOKU PUZZLE NO 211 - MEDIUM PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ISSUE 311 CROSSWORD PUZZLE NO. 76 SODOKU PUZZLE NO 210 - MEDIUM PUZZLES from puzzlechoice.com and puzzles.ca THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED �RESOURCES No. 312 | S ept 1 1 - S ept 2 4, 2 0 1 5 Shelter: Women and Children Central Access Point Bethany House 1841 Fairmount Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45214 Grace Place Catholic Worker House 6037 Cary Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45224 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Salvation Army 131 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 381-SAFE 557-2873 681-2365 981-5800 112 E. Liberty Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 762-5660 4600 Erie Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45227 Serves area codes: 45226, 45227, 45208, 45209 St. Vincent de Paul 872-9259 Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 682 Hawthorne Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45205 Shelter: Both Starting Over 961-2256 Lighthouse on Highland (18-24 y/o) 2522 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 569-9500 Caracole (HIV/AIDS) 761-1480 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Women First Step Home 961-4663 2203 Fulton, Cinti, Ohio 45206 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Both 721-0643 AA Hotline 351-0422 CCAT 381-6672 217 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Interfaith Hospitality Network 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Crisis Center (10-17 y/o) 3330 Jefferson Ave Cincinnati, OH 45220 961-4080 830 Ezzard Charles Dr. Cinti, Ohio 45214 Joseph House (Veterans) Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board 946-8000 Recovery Health Access Center 281-7422 Sober Living 681-0324 Talbert House 221-HELP 721-4580 632-7149 381-1171 114 W. 14th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 27 W. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Volunteers of America 381-1954 Anna Louise Inn 421-5211 Cincinnati Union Bethel 768-6907 300 Lytle Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 241-2965 1522 Republic Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Talbert House 221-HELP Tender Mercies 721-8666 Advocacy Catholic Social Action 421-3131 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 1227 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Franciscan JPIC Gr. Cinti Coalition for the Homeless 721-4700 421-7803 117 E. 12th Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Food/Clothing First Lutheran Church 421-0065 1208 Race St. Food - Last Monday 12-1 Clothing - second Monday 12-1 Lord’s Pantry 621-5300 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 OTR: 1620 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Walnut Hills: 2631 Gilbert, Cinti, Ohio 45206 562-8841 2121 Vine Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1437 Walnut Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 271-5501 Treatment or Supportive Recovery: Men Parkway Center 661-4620 OTR/Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry 535-2719 591-2246 1125 Bank Street, Cinti, Ohio 45214 St. Fran/St. Joe Catholic Work. House 381-4941 CMHA Excel Development OTR Community Housing St. Francis Soup Kitchen Churches Active in Northside Madisonville Ed & Assistance Center 1419 Elm Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 Housing: 1730 Race Street, Cinti, Ohio 45202 4230 Hamilton Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45223 City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Drop Inn Center Our Daily Bread 621-6364 FreeStore/FoodBank 241-1064 Shelter: Men 1821 Summit Road, Cinti, Ohio 45237 961-1983 15 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Ohio Justice & Policy Center 421-1108 Faces Without Places 363-3300 Stop AIDS 421-2437 Health Center for Respite Care 621-1868 3550 Washington Ave, Cinti, Ohio 45229 Cincinnati Health Network 2825 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219 Crossroad Health Center 961-0600 381-2247 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED 5 E. Liberty St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Health Resource Center 357-4602 McMicken Integrated Care Clinic and Mobile Medical Van 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti, Ohio 352-6364 McMicken Dental Clinic 40 E. McMicken Ave, Cinti 352-6363 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Mercy Franciscan at St. John 981-5800 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 NAMI of Hamilton County PATH Outreach 351-3500 977-4489 Other Resources Center Independent Living Options 241-2600 Emmanuel Community Center 241-2563 1308 Race St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart 1800 Logan St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 381-0111 Goodwill industries Healing Connections Intercommunity Justice & Peace Cr. Mary Magdalen House 771-4800 751-0600 579-8547 721-4811 1223 Main St. Cinti, Ohio 45202 People Working Cooperatively 351-7921 The Caring Place 631-1114 Talbert House 751-7747 United Way 211 Women Helping Women 977-5541 Off The Streets 421-5211 Hamilton/Middletown St. Raephaels Salvation Army Serenity House Day Center Open Door Pantry Northern Kentucky Brighton Center 799 Ann St. Newport, KY ECHO/Hosea House Fairhaven Resuce Mission Homeward Bound Youth Mathews House Homeless & Housing Coalition Parish Kitchen Pike St. Clinic Transitions, Inc Welcome House of NKY 205 West Pike Street, Covington, KY 41011 Women’s Crisis Center VA Domiciliary VA Homeless 981-4200 863-1445 422-8555 868-3276 859-491-8303 859-261-5857 859-491-1027 859-581-1111 859-261-8009 859-727-0926 859-581-7745 859-291-9321 859-491-4435 859-431-8717 859-491-3335 859-559-5011 859-572-6226 �16 S Sept 11 - Sept 24, 2015 | No. 312 treetvibes is distributed by individuals who purchase the paper for 75 cents per copy and sell it for a $2.00 donation, keeping the profit they have earned. Becoming a Distributor is a great way for individuals who are financially poor to get back on (or stay on) their feet. This program provides supplemental income for those unable to secure other employment. Money earned helps meet basic housing, food and health care needs. The program is a hand up for people who are often in a place of getting only a hand out, or even no hand at all. All Distributors wear a badge and usually a vest and can be found selling the paper in Downtown Cincinnati, Clifton, Northside, Northern Kentucky and at area churches. ALMA SIMS SINCE 5/2014 ALFRED WOOLFOLK SINCE 10/2003 ASRES AYENAW SINCE 2012 BELINDA CHERRY SINCE 8/2015 BERTA LAMBERT SINCE 1997 BRANDON NELSON SINCE 4/2008 CRANDALL COBB SINCE 2004 DEBORAH POINDEXTER SINCE 9/2012 DONALD YOUNG ELMORE MORRIS SINCE 5/2014 GINA MARTIN GRADY COOK SINCE 1997 GREGORY RAY SINCE 4/2015 JAMES BROWN SINCE 3/2009 JAMES DAVIS SINCE 8/2003 JIMMIE GIPSON SINCE 2001 JONATHAN SLATER SINCE 5/2014 JOHN GAINES SINCE 12/2009 KAREN COLLETTE SINCE 7/2008 KEITH EUTSEY SINCE 2/2011 KIM GREEN SINCE 1/2010 KRISTINE HOFSKY SINCE 3/2015 MARY MUELLER SINCE 5/2005 MAURICE GOLSBY MAXINE GRANT SINCE 4/2015 JOHN HORN JOSEPHINE BASKERVILLE SINCE 9/2008 J’TORI TYMAN SINCE 5/2014 W. KENNETH BUSSELL SINCE 10/2009 LARRY FILES SINCE 6/2012 LARRY BROWN SINCE 10/2007 LEE MCCOY SINCE 7/2009 LEONARD JACKSON SINCE 2/2005 MEACO WAITE MELISSA MOSBY SINCE 9/2014 MICHAEL BEHYMER RICKY WOODS SINCE 4/2015 RICCARDO TAYLOR SINCE 2001 RONNIE PHILLIPS SINCE 10/2009 TODD HANLEY SINCE 5/2014 TONY THOMAS SINCE 3/2005 VICTOR MUMPHRY NEBRASKA SINCE 3/2015 SAMUEL JACKSON SINCE 10/2006 WILLA JONES SINCE 1/2010 LOTTIE MANNER PERVIS MENTON SINCE 8/2015 TALINA HILL SINCE 2/2015 WILLIAM BURDINE SINCE 8/2009 CLEO WOMBLES SINCE 10/2003 CRAIG SMITH SINCE 5/2014 GLENDA CANTRELL GREGORY WILSON SINCE 1/2012 JON DARBY SINCE 2/2006 JOHNNY KERNS SINCE 9/2012 LEVY RAESHAWN GIPSON SINCE 3/2009 RAYNARD JONES SINCE 10/2008 TARA HILL SINCE 4/2014 TIA CASS SINCE 11/2007 TINA SINCE 4/2015 QUEENACELESTINE WILLIAM SIMMS SINCE 4/2014 THE VOICE OF THE STREET...UNSILENCED � 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 2015 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 11-September 24, 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Cover Page Pg 2: The Words We Choose Pg 3: One Amazing Grandma Pg 4: Charity Gold Ball Drop Pg 5: Community Issues Forum Kicks Off its 35th Season Pg 6: The B Word Pg 7: Are Income-Based Fines More Fair? Pg 8: Photo Essay Pg 9: Photo Essay Pg 10: Janis Dutton Continued Pg 11: Police Chief Blackwell Discusses his Termination with Streetvibes Pg 12: I Just Don’t Get It Pg 13: Ricardo Taylor Continued Pg 14: Puzzles Pg 15: Resources 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 11-September 24, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Justin Jeffre Josh Spring Leslie Moorhead Michelle Dillingham Peter Kobak Chris Fowler Steve Reams Charles Carpenter Pete Roper Jim Luken Bill Woods Janis Dutton Jason Haap Marian Spencer Ricardo Taylor Willa Denise Jones Kim Green Joe Wilson Aimee Willhoite Bill Woods Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aimee Willhoite Baghdad Bill Woods Charles Carpenter Chris Fowler Cincinnati civil rights Income Janis Dutton Jason Haap Jim Luken Joe Wilson Josh Spring Justin Jeffre Kim Green Leslie Moorhead Marian Spencer Michelle Dillingham Pete Roper Peter Kobak Photography Police police brutality Ricardo Taylor Steve Reams War Willa Denise Jones