2 10 11 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/bf612dd08effa7583c1a8f5a841383c7.pdf 4ad7b1feb71074e67c73ae351605bb26 PDF Text Text e s emorial Remembers ineteen Letter Gives Thanks for ac• Fr1endshi by Bonnie Neumeier Dear Mac, by James Heath On the celebration of your 90th birthday we knew that each day you were here with us it was a gift we treasured. Over the years we slowly witnessed your body, legs, eyes and heart giving you troubles. But you would not let these troubles trouble you. Your determined will reached out even to befriend the pain so that it would not control your life. It was not going to stop you. The energy you mustered up to put your ailing body at places your spirit wanted to be amazed us. We won't forget the day you shocked us at buddy's memorial march. We were not expecting you for you were so sick and flat on your back the night before letting us know your regrets you could not make it. When you wheeled into the park in your chair, covered with a blanket, with face pail and thin, your presence was a healing soothing salve which moved us deeply. I remember the night just after Easter in '93 we carried you up the dark staircase, to keep watch through the chilly night, getting a few winks of sleep, to be awaken by the sound of the bulldozer, already spraying forceful water hoses up to the second floor where we were holding out to make our last attempt to save the housing owned by Phillipus Church from being turned into a parking lot. Mac, you so much understood our fight to save low Income housing. You believed what happened In Over-the-Rhine was a thermometer of what could happen in other low income communities. You held up our effort as a lightening rod, wanting it to spark the hearts and minds of citywide people, preservationists and politlclans to do the just .a nd right thing for the poor and oppressed. In the midst of sound principled actions we would risk together, there were always those moments of sweet support. On that day when we were carried off to jail. The sexes were held In separate holding cells. Four men and one woman. I won't forget how I called out to you, buddy, Wilbur Page 3: Page 4: Page 5: Page 12: Page 13: Page 14: News: City of Miami Settles Homeless Dumping Case Whal Is Your New Year's Resolution Santa Lands at Local Family Shelters Freedom loses Its Meaning tor Cleveland Homeless Working Poor Trapped in Homelessness Announcements and Classified Ads Rev. Maurice McCracken attended the Homeless Memorial Day Vigil on December 21, 1997. He passed away on December 30th. Photo by James Heath and Berta. and you responded in kind with singing voices. That sweet support lifted me. Mac, you gave our effort such consistent support over the years. Your friendship felt very special. We knew you held us In a speclaJ place In your heart. You were with us at City Hall time and time again. Your voice for the homeless and 111­ housed was relendess. You fasted so that we might win negotiations with the City in regards to replace- See "McCracken" Continued on page 2 Memorial Service for Rev. Maurice McCracken Saturday, January 17, 1998, 2 PM, Mount Aubum Presbyterian Church. On Sunday, December 21st, advocates for the homeless, shelter providers and neighborhood activists gathered in Over-the-Rhine's Washington Park to commemorate homeless and formerly homeless men and women who died on the streets of Cincinnati in 1997. Mourners gathered around a barrel fire as the names of the people who died were read. Everyone who knew an individual who died was provided with the opportunity to relate a personal story or anecdote. The symbolic and somber nature of this gathering was also on the minds of the participants: How can human beings die on the streets poor and homeless, in this, the world's richest nationl It Is dearly a quesdon of misplaced morality. As this country experiences an economic gold rush, poor folk freeze in alleys, die because of the lack of proper health care or even destroy themselves out of desperation. As each year passes, and the list of names read at this memorial grows longer, we must begin to look in our hearts for solutions to these problems. The solution does not come from money or government but from humans taking care of, and really ca.ring for, each other. These are the names of the persons who died homeless or were formerly homeless: Willie Hudson, William Waddell, Vernon "Chico" Stanford, Henri Robinson, Ronnie Smith, Eddie Edwards, "Lee Ann", Alan "Chief' Lynch, Ray Worst, Dale Lyons, Vanessa Fisher, Jackie Bamer, Antoinette Slaughter, John Quinn, Beth Ann Hill, Tony Shaw, Eric Gagnon, Rob West. and Sandra Lewis. Will Cincinnati Nuke Its Children? by Tom Mulroy In its off-handed, nonchalant way the City of Cincinnati has allowed yet another atrocity to be committed against its poorer dtizens..'.in this case the 500 over-the Rhine and Mount Aubum children attending classes at the Rothenburg elementary school. Recently the city issued a permit for the construction of a microwave relay tower about fifty feet from the comer of the Rothenburg school. My first thought was that the people trying to. run the city would have to have been living in a vacuum to be unaware of the intense ongoing debate in the scientific community about the health effects linked to microwave exposure. Lawsuits are pending filed by cell phone users who have come down with brain tumors. Some years ago the Soviets were able to sicken much of the staff of the U.S. embassy in Moscow by beaming microwaves through the building. All evidence suggests that children are the most susceptible to the harmful effects of microwave exposure. Surprisingly the fault is not entirely with the city. Councilman Todd Portune's office was quite helpful on the subject. The major culprit in this case is the Federal T elecommunicatlons act of 1996. Prior to the federal law City Council had voted a moratorium on new microwave towers. The federal law however specified that local govemments could not take health considerations into account when deciding on the placement of microwave towers. This seems like the functional equivalent of the tobacco industry pushing through legislation preventing local governments from taking health into consideration in deciding whether to make schools non-smoking areas. There are notification requirements for the zoning variance required by microwave towers. One requirement is that adjoining landowners be notified. The adjoining landowners are primarily absentee owners and didn't complain. Since Rothenburg Elementary is across the street the school was not notified. The appropriate Community Council was also required to be notified. There is, however, some question about the border of the Over-the-Rhine border. I have seen maps issued by the planning commission that show the site well within the OTR area. All the OTR Community Council members I have spoken to believe the site to be within the OTR area. The Zoning Commission however states that the area in question is in the Mount Auburn area and so the Mount Auburn Community Council rather than the far more activist OTR Community See "Will Cincinnati Nuke Children" Continued on page 2 �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 2 STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvibes, the Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine, is a newspaper written by, for and about the homeless. It is compiled by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Home­ less. Vendors buy the paper for 20 cents and then sell it for a dollar donation to get back on their feet. All vendors sign a code of conduct before being given a badge. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending home­ lessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. The Streetvibes Committee meets monthly to plan our issues and increase circulation. If you are interested in helping or have a comment. please call 421-7803. Staff Donald Whitehead, Coordinator Frank Corrino, Vendor Support Ron Carter, Vendor Support Carolyn Meszaros, Vendor Support Photographers James Heath Writers Ron Carter Pat Clifford Denise Crew Brian Davis Ron English Alex Grabtree Tom Hayes James Heath Richard Kiefer Aaron Lawrence Carolyn Meszaros Tom Mulroy Bonnie Neumeier Gregory Payton Sue Watlov Phillips Shelley Rothenbusch Mark Salter Elizabeth Shockley Don Stark, Sr. Streetvibes Inquirer Two Bit Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Volunteer Editors Pat Clifford James Heath Bonnie Neumeier Editorial Policy: Streetvibes accepts all letters, poems, com­ me nts or editorials. We will print every­ thing we have room for, giving preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Please send all material to the following address: Streetvibes do Greater Cincinnati Coalition for thP. Homeless I 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 (513) 421 -7803 fax (513) '421-7813 e-mail: homecoal@primax.net http://cinci.com/gcch Quote of the Month "Be Kind" Microwave Tower Located Right Next to Rothenburg School in Over-the-Rhine. Photo by James Heath. Will Cincinnati Nuke Children C·ontinued Continued from page I Council was notified. Mount Auburn had no objection to the tower. The debate over the harmful effects of micro­ waves resembles in many ways the debate over the . harmful effects of tobacco. Microwave exposure is defended by scientists in the pay of a multi-billion dollar Industry. Industry sponsored studies are insidiously skewed to defend the industry that subsidizes the studies. Those underfunded critics of microwave exposure who are not stifled by the industry still present convincing statistical evidence. Why then would the city allow the building of a microwave tower so close to an elementary school without protesting loudly or better yet challenging the constitutionality of the telecommunications act's ban on discussion of health questions? The con­ spiracy minded among us would like to blame the City Council for having a genocidal attitude toward the poor. Possibly the same office in the defence department that sponsored the Infamous U.C. Hospital whole-body radiation tests in the I950's is paying off the city for the right to study the effects of harmful radiation on small children. Unfortunately the answer is much simpler...apathy. Except for vigorous protests against microwave towers in the Columbia-Tusculum area there seems to be very litde awareness of or interest in the issue. There is no requirement that the city council or the school be Informed of the erection of a tower near a school. Councilman Portune's office only knew about the tower because some concerned parents called his office when they saw the tower going up. I haven't seen any mention of the Rothenburg elementary school microwave tower in any other publications. Greed is another Important element in the equation. The towers can only be situated on commercial or church property. The typical lease pays between one and five thousand dollars a month and runs for fifty years. So lucrative are the leases that some churches are said to have allowed the building of microwave towers disguised as bell towers. McCracken: From Page One ment housing when we lost the Milner. You helped us evict the Governor's furniture from his office in Columbus so that we might make a point about the mean spirited cut off of General Assistance. You always stood with us when Drop Inn Center and ReSTOC were under political attacks. The list is long. You were always there for us. Your presence was powerful. You possessed a gende strength. We listened to your stories and learned from your long life. We marvelled at your memory and how you could pull up so many quotable quotes. Your mind so sharp, taking every opportunity In circles you encountered to put the challenge out there that we need to work for a kinder, gender nation where all people could live free and with dignity. You humbly ... -:cepted the St. Francis Xavier medal on December 7th at Xavier University and spoke so eloquendy and challengingly on so many of the issues that were dear to your heart and life. We from Over-the­ Rhine were so happy to celebrate with you that day. We felt proud of you, but somehow you made us feel proud of ourselves, too. For when you speak you call up the long history of struggle and freedom which connects us to a spiritual source that deepens our conviction that someday justice will roll down like the rivers. When many of us last saw you, on December 21st in Washington Park for the annual remembering of those persons dying homeless on the street, we were not thinking that you, MAC, so soon would be joining your sisters and brothers whose names we called out that day. Thank you for being with us around the fire barrel . I shall not forget that hug. And I know that when you went from this world to the spirit world on December 30th, our Over-the-Rhine effort e mbraced you with welcoming arms with a hug from buddy. We trust you are resting in peace but be assured your spirit is in our hearts. And we know our lives and our neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine benefitted a hundredfold from having you sojourn with us. We shall not forget you. Many of us are graced with poems that you wrote on occasions of our birthdays or special anniversaries. We enjoyed singing and partying with you. And thanks too for all the phone calls and visits you made to check in about our health or our families lives. Most of all, Mac, thanks for your years of friendship, personally and commu­ nally. You were always there for us. with love, Bonnie Neumeier For the Over-the-Rhhe Peoples Movement �. STREETVIBES 1 The Tri State s Homeless Grapevine Ohio ·Empowerment Coalition Resists Food Stamp Cuts by Lynn Williams Cincinnati members of the Ohio Empower­ \ ment Coalition left early in the morning of December 16th, in a last effort to stop the JCARR Uoint Committee on Agency Rule Review) from voting through acceptance of an Ohio Department Of Human Services policy to cut off the adult portion of food stamps when sanctioned. We went knowing that the JCARR was heavily in favor of this sanction. H.B 408, Ohio welfare policy for families that was signed into Law in July, made no mention of cutting off food stamps to children or adults if under sanction, only that food stamps would not increase. We already had a partial victory. JCARR had voted to not cut food stamps for an assistance group under sanction. Arnold Tompkins, Director of the Ohio Department Human Services (OOHS), un­ happy about the JCARR members not supporting him in cutting off food stamps for children designed a compromise. Even though we lost this issue, it was very close. The final vote was a tie: 4-4. It required another vote to overturn the OOHS policy of sanctioning adults with the loss of food stamps. What was very encouraging for us was the fact that the legislators who sided with us stated they did so after hearing testimony from our side. Senator Greg DiDonato made the motion to overturn the OOHS policy, saying he has changed his mind after listening to our testimony! We had enough influence to sway four legislators to vote against the OOHS policy!! The vote was 4-2 with 4 for us when the JCARR hearing en~d at 12:30. The four legislators who voted for us were Senator Greg DiDinato, Represen­ tative J. Donald Mottley, Senator Leigh Herington, and representative Michael Verich. When a reporter questioned Rep. Joan Lawrence about how the last two committee members would vote, she retorted, "They aren't here , but I know they will vote on my side." (That is, with OOHS policy). The final two deciding votes were from non-present legislators who had until 5:00 PM to vote. Cassandra Barham a WRC member later commented, " It was like (Cincinnati) City Council, with legislators walking out on us while we were testifying!" Right before the vote, the J~RR chair asked the representative of OOHS if she had any final comments on our testimony. She had the final say and refuted nearly all the truths we had spoken out about. Even though 374 assistance cases of single­ parent households and 14 2-parent households HUD Starts a National Homeless Hotline by the Slreetvibes Inquirer You've read or heard of the new national "homeless hotline," 1-800-HUD- I0 IO? Forget it. According to the information we were able to obtain (some may or may not still arrive in the mail), the number is to be used primarily for volunteers calling in and donations, although it can possibly be used as an emergency number for services by a homeless individual at a loss somewhere in the United States. The number is for the Homeless Outreach Information Center in Maryland (suburban Washing­ ton). Reportedly, there is someone on duty to answer the telephone after 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (which, of course, is much earlier in the day according to Pacific Coast Time). According to the information given, if a homeless person calls the number, the individual answering the telephone will connect that person to an organization that will help the homeless person find an organization close to the area the person is in. If anyone wishes to write to this gro~p. the address is as follows: Homeless Outreach lr1forma­ tion Center, Post Office Box 7189, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20898-7189. (after a massive termination's oftwo-parent families) occurred in Hamilton County in October alone of this year, she testified that no loss of food stamps had occurred in Ohio during October or November due to sanctions. She also refuted our testimony that many recipients do not know they can win a hearing if they appealed. She did not understand our testi­ mony. We had stated that many times recipients do knot know when caseworkers make mistakes on policy rules. Cassandra Barham had testified, "People are coming to us who have been sanctioned by mistake, but how many people are out there who don't know their caseworker made a mistake? They don't think they could win an appeal against the authorities. So they don't bother to try." One of the legislators questioned the OOHS Legal Advisor who testified. Why, If OOHS knew the federal government did not require children to lose their food stamps under a sanction, did OOHS adopt such a harsh policy? If the Feds did not require it, did OOHS initially wa.nt to cut off children from food stamps? The OOHS official was at a loss for words. Welfare ·Rights Coa.lition members believe OOHS officials knew full well what the government require­ ments were, but OOHS wanted to use as large a stick as possible to punish recipients into compliance (or submission). Other members of our statewide welfare rights coalition, the Ohio Empowerment Coalition, testified at this hearing, Including Logan Martinez of the Miami Full Employment Council (Dayton) and Mark Stansberry of Columbus. They spoke out on the effects that food stamp cuts (and all the sanctions) would have on Ohio's poorest citizens. Gregory Page J STREETVIBES News Payton of the Ohio Empowerment Coalition and staff at Cincinnati's largest shelter, spoke fervently against the cutting of food stamps and the other sanctions, as well. "At the Drop Inn Center, I see mothers and children coming in who are on the streets with no place to go. What do we do about them? The family shelters are·full and have waiting lists." The Drop. Inn Center is a shelter for single men and women without children. Margaret Hulbert of United Way and Lisa Hamler-Podoloski of the Ohio Food Policy & Anti-Poverty Action Group testified strongly against the food stamp cuts. The Ohio Empowerment Coalition held a successful Press Conference before the Hearing in the Statehouse Atrium. At least three TV stations, the Associated Press, and two major newspapers did interviews with members of OEC. The TV stations filmed our skit, "The Christmas Carol" with Cassandra Barham starring as Scrooge (Mr. Tompkins). "The Columbus Dispatch" reported on our play depicting Arnold Tomkins as Scrooge. Even though we didn't "win" a complete victory on the food stamp sanctions, the Welfare Rights Coalition and Ohio Empowerment Coalition made a powerful impact. Recipient voices were heard, and swayed the vote to a tie. Because of our united testimony on this issue, and the many calls and letters from our supporters to JCARR, sanctions have been softened. Families will not lose all of their food stamps. We will continue to monitOr these sanctions and work for policy changes that are a hand up, not a big stick to beat down. City of Miami Settles in Homeless Dumping Case from the Homeless Grapevine On December 18 Mayor Xavier Suarez signed a resolution approving a settlement with the Ameri­ can Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ending a nine-year lawsuit filed on behalf of a class of 5,000 homeless persons who sued the city of Miami In 1988 for violations of their civil based on their homeless status. The Settlement Agreement is the result ofthe collective efforts of ACLU Attorneys on behalf of the homeless plaintiffs, the City Attoneys' office, and numerous other community leaders, homeless activists, and homeless persons over the last two years. The Agreement provides for: (I) police training regarding the circumstances a.nd rights of homeless people; (2) a protocol for law enforcement contracts with homeless be arrested for merely living in public; (3) the creation and maintenance of records regard­ ing police contracts with homeless persons that ensures that people without shelter cannot be arrested for merely living in public; (4) an advisory committee to monitor compliance with the Agree­ ment; (5) a $600,000 compensation for homeless persons who were injured by the unconstitutional conduct that was condemned by the federa.I courts; (6) attorney fees for the plaintiffs' lawyers. The Agreement must still be approved by U.S. District Court Judge C. Clyde Atkins after all affected plaintiffs have an opportunity to be heard. "This is a landmark settlement recognizing that homeless persons cannot be denied fundamental constitutional rights simply because they are homeless," said cooperation ACLU attorney Ben­ jamin S. Waxman, who has worked on the case for the past nine years. The settlement reached showed the best of what can be accomplished when two sides of a dispute work together to find common ground to accomplish a mutual goal and may serve as a model for how other cities treat the homeless. The lawsuit Pottinger v City of Miami Charged that the city's policy was to arrest and harass involuntarily homeless residents of Miami based on little more than their public presence, for the purpose of driving them out of the city or otherwise rendering them invisible. The case was tried in 1992 before the honorable Federal District Judge C. Clyde Atkins who found that the city of Miami's mistreat­ ment of homeless persons violated various provisions of the bill of rights and ordered that the city estab­ lish two safe zones·· (sleeping. sitting. standing. eating. etc.) without fear of arrest or police harassment. The city appealed the ruling to the eleventh circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Adanta which sent the case back to Judge Atkins for a determination whether, based on projects undertaken by the newly formed Dade county community homeless trust to assist homeless persons circumstances had changed to render the court's injunction unnecessary. Following another extensive hearing In 1994, Judge Atkins concluded that while the homeless trust's programs had certainly improved conditions for homele.ss persons in Dade County, there were still involuntarily homeless persons living on the streets who were being arrested based on nothing more than their homeless status. The city appealed this rl!ling. This time the court referred the case to the eleventh circuit Mediator and directed the parties attempt to negotiate a settlement. This is similar to a City of Cleveland policy that was challenged in 1993. The three homeless people settled this lawsuit in I997 with the named plaintiffs each receiving $3 ,000 from the City. �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 4 Streelvibes Asks: What Is Your New Year•s Resolution? STREETVIBES Services Interviews by Mark Saller Photos by James Heath This month, Streetvibes writer Mark Salter interviewed three homeless or formerly homeless people and asked them what their plans were for 1998. Don Sawyer Program Coordinator for the Live-In Drug Treatment Program atthe Drop Inn Center Q. How are you today, Don? A Tired. Q. Where are you from? A I was born in Cincinnati. Q. Tell us a little about yourself. A. I used to work at the Milner Hotel. When they tore it down, they tore down my job and home. I am an alcoholic. I came to the Drop Inn Center and went through the program (live-in alcohol and drug rehabilitation program). I had been drinking for 40 years; I thought it was about time I quit. I made it through in seven months, graduated, then started working here. I worked as a floor worker, then cook, and now program coordinator. Going on four years, clean and sober; it works if you want it to work. Q. What would you like for people to know about you? A That I'm a good guy and I try to help others if I can. Q . Name one thing you do for yourself. Tony Smith (Mark's note: This interview was done the day after his 45th birthday.) Q . How do you feel, Tony? A. I feel alright now that I have a purpose; that is, to save money. I came here (to the Drop Inn Center) by myself, a choice I made to get my life in perspective. I consider this a safe haven. My fiance uses crack. I chose not to, so I left home. Q . How do you feel about yourself? A. I have mixed feelings about myself; also, I have things I know I need to do, but never seem to have enough time to do it, like see my kids. Q . Where are you from? A. Originally from Newark, New Jersey (East Orange). I visit there once a year; but, I prefer Cincinnati because it's laid back, a slower pace; and, not to mention, I need to stay away from old people, places, and things, bein' that I used heroin; I don't use any more. Q. What would you like for people to know about you? A Basically, I'm a good guy and a hard worker, and that I would do anything for anybody within reason. I had a good marriage and came from a good family; my wife is my best friend. Q. Name one thing you are doing for yourself and others. A Staying clean and working as much as 70 hours a week. For others? I help them get jobs. Q. What are your dreams? A I have dreams of remarrying a woman who's not In active addiction or simply does not indulge. Also, one who wants something more and someone good out of life. Q. What is your New Year's Resolution? A. My New Year 's Resolution is to move into my own apartment and keep working with the blessing of God. M. S. Thanks, Tony. Don Sawyer, Coordinator for the Live-In Drug Treatment Program at the Drop Inn Center. for all. A Help others help me. Q . And, finally, what is your New Year's Q . Name one thing you are doing for others. Resolution? A.. Working at the Drop Inn.Center Live-In A. Stay clean one day at a time and have all Program. my guys graduate. Q . Do you have a dream? Thanks, Don. A. No more hunger or homelessness, and jobs Faye Palmer (Mark's note: Faye is a Drop Inn Center resident who smiles and says "Hello" to everyone). Q . How are you today, Faye? A Fine. - Q . Where are you from, Faye? A. I'm from Nancy, Kentucky. (A small town Faye Palmer some distance away.) Q. Will you tell us a little about yourself? A. I am 61 years old, divorced; I have one son and six grandkids. I had a 4-way bypass in July of this year. I like playing pool, watching TV, and I like to walk. I work at Frisch's, and I love it. I've been there off and on for four years. I love helping other people. It makes me feel nice. I used to be [in nursing] and am certified as a nurse's aide. I am waiting for my health to get better so I can continue in my field. Since my surgery, I can't lift anything heavy, and sometimes a nurse's aide is required to lift heavy things. I like the Drop Inn Center because it gives me a chance· to see how people live(d), when I never knew or experienced homelessness until now. Living here teaches me to not take life for granted. I came here because of a disagreement with my roommate, then the surgery, and ended up here. Q. Name one thing you are doing for yourself. A Working. Q. Name one thing you are doing' for others. A Being a friend and trying to be a friend to all the girls here. Q. Do you have a dream? A My dream is to be as healthy as I can be and as happy as I can and hopefully to get myself a nice used mobile home. Q. What is your New Year's 1 Resolution? A. Be the best I can be at whatever I do whether I'm a waitress, cook, or nurse's aide. Just be the best. Thank you, Faye. �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 5 Santa Lands at Local Family Shelters by Shelley Rolhenbusch As you reflect on the past year; what are the memories that you most cherish? This year I have memories which will last a life dme. Just before Christmas, with bells in hand and Santa at my side I went with the Project Connect T earn and U. C. volunteers to deliver gifts to twelve shelters for the homeless. Pencil boxes filled with school supplies, food coupons and books; Then wrapped with care and lovingly held by a big fuzzy bear. The children giggled as Santa pulled up; His big red truck was spattered with Cincin­ nati muck. That didn't discourage the children a bit; As they run to his side waiting to sit. "Oh, Santa," they cried, "We're so glad that you're here. We've been good little children all through the year." The children waited patiently all in a row; As parents stood by absorbing their glow. As Santa said good-bye we saw a tear in his eye. The children were homeless yet they still believed; This the reason Santa and his helpers strive to succeed. I am lucky. Helping homeless children in need is part of my job. I work for Project Connect which provides educa­ tional services for homeless children and youth. With the help of many communit)' volunteers and donated Items, we were able to provide presents for almost two hundred children living in shelters for the holiday. The project Connect Team was also able to enjoy a.Christmas dinner with children at Over-The­ Rhine Community Center. Children were dressed in their best and were dazzled by the magician who provided entertainment before the dinner. Protests Launched· Regarding Public Assistance by Carolyn Meszaros Protests and rallies objecting to the curtailment of public assistance continue both locally in Cincinnati and In the Ohio capital city, Columbus. Verification of client compliance with new proposals, among other things, has renewed public actions by both individuals and organiza· tions who frequently defend public assistance recipients. Only a percentage of homeless individuals and low income individuals are affected. Social and economic fluctuations make It impossible to determine what, if any, repercussions might be. But, with enough reductions in cash In hand among affected public assistance recipients, It is assumed that there will soon be an Increase in the numbers of homeless people and others needing help from non-public sources. Among the key issues is the "verifying" aspect of the matter. Protesters believe there is sufficient poor casework - lost papers, Inaccessible personne~ etc. ­ to warrant public action, there being enough govemmen· tal mismanagement to cause unnecessary hardship In many cases. On the other hand, some caseworkers and social service organizations have long held the idea that the original grants themselves are insufficient to meet essential needs (proof being in band-aJd welfare pro­ grams). As a result of this most recent action, welfare rights officials have been told by at least two of the legislators, including the committee chairman, that they have changed their positions from the more hardline approach toward the clients (public assistance recipients). Although the Ohio Legislators were not scheduled to be In session until January 6, 1998, committee meetings were still being held in December of 1997, notably in this regard the Joint Committee on Agency Rules and Regulations OCARR), with a meeting scheduled for December 16. (One of the committee members is from the Greater Cincinnati area; see below.) In anticipation of the hearing/meeting. the Welfare Rights Coalition and friends planned a "Street Action" in Cincinnati for December· 12 and a group trip to Columbus for the 16th. The Ohio Empowerment Coalition, Ohio's statewide welfare rights organization, scheduled a press conference at the statehouse for December 16. The scheduled public activitie.s also included street theater and carols. In general, the essence of the matter involves several points, Including some new procedures in the human services department, a thing called sanctions a~d food stamps, as well as verifications and compliance. Reportedly, policy has been in effect since December I. Reportedly, it is statewide administrative policy, in which case information should be readily available in human services departments in all 88 counties as well as district human services offices In both "communications" offices and in the information offices of at least the appropriate elected officials. A check with the Hamilton County Human Services Department as well as the state district office (on 8th Street) and the governor's constituency services office on December 16 (the day of the scheduled welfare rights activities in Columbus) found no information readily available on a simple Inquiry about an explanation regarding the "sanctions." A call to a number given for a legislative member of the committee netted a message recorder. The available Information on the committee lists five state· representatives and five state senators from various parts of the state, Including both northeastern and southwest.em areas. The person listed nearest to · Oncinnati geographically Is Rep. George Terwilleger (722­ 33+4, a local call from Cincinnati). The committee chairman is listed as Rep. Donald Mottely of West Carrollton (Dayton), and the nearen state senator is listed as Sen. Merle Grace Kearns of Springfield. Current lists distributed are not necessarily up to date as state legislature Information personnel have a replacement name for one of the senators, who reportedly resigned December 6. The other committee members are listed as Gary Suhadolnlk, Larry Mumper, Greg DIDonato, Leigh Herington, Joan Lawrence, Dan Brady and Michael Verich. All state government individuals can be reached with local telephone calls by calling state Information. In Cincinnati, state information is 852-3 I 00 (in the telephone book at the beginning of the State of Ohio listings). Support Your Local Vendor Tell A Friend About Streetvibes Children thrilled with Santa at Tom Geiger Guest House. One of twelve stops at shelters made by Project Connect, Cincinnati Public Schools Program for· the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. After dinner Santa took the time to hand out presents to all the children and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. As you begin the year remember to take time and reflect on the memories you are creating for yourself and those around you. American Dream Eludes Homeless Woman in Ohio by Richard Kieler Mindy Menton is trying to survive a divorce. When she developed psychological problems • her husband asked for a divorce. Since she was in treatment, he told her to trust him and he handled everything legally. She lost her home and her money In the divorce proceedings. She has been homeless for six months now because she followed her former husband when he moved north from Forida with their children. Menton is 37 years old , 5'7 tall and has blond hair and blue eyes. She likes children. She used to own and operate a successful day care center down in Florida called "Mindy's Munchklns." Because of her psychological problems she Is no longer able to run a day care business. She had the American Dream. Her husband worked in sales for General Motors. She was a suburban wife and mother and she was a self-employed business woman. Her worst nightmare has come true. She lives life in hell. But things don't always necessarily get better. She remarried recendy. Menton thought she was moving to greener pastures. Her new husband woke up one day and decided to rob a bank. Now he is in jail. Menton said , "This is a riches to rags story. This a woman who should be being paid $1 ,000 dollars a month in alimony wandering around sleeping in front of churches." "My husband wanted the woman in the long evening gown with the long glass of champagne on his arm at the business functions. He didn't want to have to be visiting the mental hospital and he used it (my psychological problems) to his advantage." �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 6 WORD ON THE Heaven's Grocery Store STREET Arts and Poetry Life's Meaning Cleo's Dream by Denise Crew One day while I lay praying The Lord did speak to me A message filled with so much love It brought instant peace to me I was walking down life's highway a long time ago. ~ne day I saw a sign that read, " Heaven's Grocery Store." As I got a little closer, the door came open wide, and when I came to myself, I was standing inside. I saw a host of angels: they were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, "My child, shop with care." Everything a Christian needed was in that grocery store, and all you couldn't carry, you could come back the next day for more. by Ron Carter Listening & learning Engaging in positive thinking Finding the way to succeed Enjoying what you have accomplished Winter Winds by Denise Crew The winter is my foe yet you embrace it as a friend; you've come to me for reasons I don't understand. Should I stop, or accept this as wonderful? What is the attraction Or is it infatuation? Do you intentionally enter my secret spaces opening doors of forbidden places to bring about the pounding of a resounding echol I know all too well Winter is my foe further isolating me from me but most of all putting distance between me and you. Hey, Mom and Dad, Look--No Life!! (The tide of. this a rticle is to be sarcastic.) . To be nice is to be stupid because o bviously being nice ls not working. This story is about drugs: not just o ne drug. but all drugs. In a survey that was taken the later part of the year 1997. It's a fact, seniors in High School, high schoo l. I re peated High School thre e times to get your attentio n. Your future is testing drugs. All drugs: Alcohol, Mar ijuana, Stimulants, Cocaine, and Herion. Oh, and it's O K to start with cigarettes, because their use is increasing too. Hey Mom and Dad, we use to ask, do you know where your children-are? Now we w ill ask, do you know what your children are doing? O K, guess what? They are not doing drugs in classrooms. So let's ask: where are they do ing it? I can see it now - a future president saying he lit his crack pipe , but he didn't inhale. He put LSD in his mouth, but he didn't swallow it, or a judge who o nly had one double before he heard a murder trial. I think you understand, so I won't keep going. In your busy schedule, can you make time to go see your child in jail? Or maybe a mental institu­ tion? Or even a grave yard? Mom, Dad - Drugs don't just kill the user. It kills us all... Streetvibes Online http: cincy. com/gcch We have just added a searchable interface for our Streetvibes articles. Websurfers can index our stories by date or subject. Volunteers needed for updating stories. I could not see beyond it Even when I looked around So clean, so smooth I walked it without my feet on solid ground For two who love and care for He always found a way To keep a watchful eye oe'r them While I earned my daily pay First I got some patience; love was in the same row. Further down was understanding; you need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of wisdom, a bag or two of faith. I just couldn't miss the Holy Spirit, for it was all over the place. I stopped to get some strength. and courage to help me run the race. By then my basket was getting full, but I needed some grace. I didn't forget salvation, for salvation that was free, So.... I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me. My life's near complete I am so satisfied He kept a watchful eye oe'r me and placed a good friend by my side She is like no other I've met in my whole life So strong and independent I feel her zest for life I worry and I wonder Yet the truth the blind can see She too is a blessing A gift for only me Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill. for I thought I had everything to do my Master's will. As I went up the aisle, I saw prayer and I just had to put that in. Fo r I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin. Peace and joy were ple ntiful!; they were on the last shelf. So ng and praises were hanging near, so I just helped myself. Then I said to the angel, " No w, how much do I o wel" He just smiled and said, "J ust Take t hem e ve rywhere you go." Again, I smiled and said,"How much do I r eally owel" He smiled asin and said, " My child, Jesus paid your bill a long time ago" STREETVIBES Sweat and T-Shirts! Author Unknown Only $5 lor T's, $10 for Sweats. Subscribe to Streetvibes STREETVIBES if,,· I r1 ',1u :· , Homeless Gt .1pevme Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a check to the below address and the paper will be mailed to you each issue. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 Please make checks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless--Streetvibes. Ifyou have any questions, call 421-7803. ;_ .. The voice said please be patient For with great power - I am here To smooth out the rough road you walk And clear a path right here .· ....,.... - . . . -:·· 100% While Collon Shirts and long Sleeve Sweat Shirts XL Purple logo T-shirts and Sweat Shirts are available at our office at I506 8m Street. Please stop by .and see u~. . ·t ,, . -· '· ~ �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 1 Union Donate·s a Roof Over Some Heads Story and Photos by James Heath On a recent cold and windy Saturday morning. Butch Stockelman, Business Agent for the Roofers Local #42, along with his crew of roofing appren­ tices, donated materials and time to Install a new roof on a ReSTOC apartment building in Over-The­ Rhine. The Roofers Union conducts an intensive 3 year training program that allows apprentice workers to work full time in the roofing industry during the week. On weekends, these apprentice roofers and Butch and his instructors bring their expertise to a building that serves as an opportunity for "real world" training. Also, this is a way to give some­ thing to a community in need. Thanks to Butch Stockelman and his crew, the benefits of this project extend to both the Roofers Union #42 and ReSTOC: apprentice roofers gain experience and training and ReSTOC receives a badly needed new roof free of change for a low­ Income apartment building. The crew of three instructors and six appren­ tice roofers completed the project at 1424 Republic Street in OTR in one day, installing a new roof that will last for up to 20 years. Roofer Butch Stockelman helps lead a crew to roof 1424 Republic Street In Over­ the-Rhine. Photo by James Heath. The Henchman by Johannes Van Din/er A Short Story from Spare Change: New England's Journal of the Streets-Of and For the People . (Editor's Note: This Is the second work of fiction we have published by Van Dinter. He is currendy residing at the 17 Court Street Shelter and writes from the heart about what it is like to be without a home.) It was a perfect weekend for late August in the Northeast. A cloudless sky, bright sun and tempera­ tures in the upper seventies. In Boston, throngs of people were filling up the Common. They knew that the summer was nearly gone and the cool and windy fall days would seen be here. The schools would soon be open, a nd life would become more serious. So on this weekend all they wanted was to enjoy their free days outdoors. The last tourists of the season were also in the park, patiently walking in large groups, following their guides, the Park Rangers, who (boringly) were explaining the history of the Common, the statues and surrounding buildings. Most of these tourists however didn't seem to be much Interested in lectures, rather they seemed to want to explore the Commons on their own. The majority put their focus on several old Vietnamese women, who were poking into garbage cans with short tree branches, trying to find empty bottles and cans between the debris. When found, they put their prey into large garbage bags slung over their tiny shoulders. When one of these bags was filled to capacity, they deposited that bag Into a shopping cart to be transported to a nearby supermarket and cashed Into nickels. These old women were not the only persons searching through the garbage cans. Many times per day an array of characters from the silent and somber homeless to the mentally disabled went through them. The Commons has hundred of different sized benches, which on this weekend were occupied to capacity by thousands of people from different backgrounds. There was an exception to this; however, several benches were occupied only by a single person, mosdy the homeless, simply because ~one of the general public wanted to be seen sitting next to a person who was poorfy dressed, mentally disabled or simply depressed. In other words, not looking or acdng like the main stream of the population. Somewhat strange in a so-called equal and classless society, with exception for the different economical classes. Money after all rules our society. More or less like a religion and success in life is all that it's about today. The people, most of whom were simple minded, were partly brainwashed by the old American saying. "You see wh!lt you get and you get what you seen." The media in this country for instance, rarely mentions the so-called lost classes. The near invisible people, the outcasts of society as they seemed to be looked at by them. Only a handful of stories are emerging now and then. Mainly for humanitarian reasons. The fail ure of success and total poverty, seem to be major sins. No one ever speaks about these classes and when they do it usually isn't done in a friendly or brotherly way­ Even for those who have been in the main stream of society and who are now bankrupt or impoverished by bad luck, divorce, drugs or alcoholic addictions. They are not able to climb back up the economical ladder out from the hole in which they had fallen Into. One of these, a man In his early fifties was sitting by himself on a bench he had occupied every day since the beginning of the summer. He had chosen this particular bench because no trees were near-by and so he did not have to worry about the flocks of birds and treir droppings. Pigeons he disliked the most. In his mind they were the lowest IQ'd birds in the Common. Once he fed them bread and the sparrows would be between them and every time the sparrows would be able to get the pieces .first, fly off with the pieces, only to return In second to grab more from the pigeons who were sdll looking around trying to find the pieces he had thrown at them. He also liked his bench, because from Its position he faced the sound of the bells from the State Street Church. however, he was a bitterly depressed man, not just because he was in this awful situation, but also because he had started to hate society in general. He had observed the crowds everyday and the more he watched them, the more they seemed to look like herds of animals in his eyes. They totally ignored him, he felt as if he was nonexistent. Yes he was homeless, now but was sdll better dressed, better educated, and had lived a more exciting life than most of the general population had. He was mad at the crowds because they were so dumb he thought, to fall prey to all the slick tricksters taking advantage of chem. There were dozens of gypsy women from Eastern Europe making bundles of money, by approaching couples handling the male flowers, then when that person thanked her, asking for a two dollar contribution to help American Indian children. In order not to embarrass his date, the majority of males gave or handed out money to the gypsies. When they took breaks they talked in their foreign tongue, laughing and counting the money they had made every few minutes while smoking at the same time. It sure was a gold mine for them, he thought. He was also annoyed at the perfume sellers with their bottles of fake perfumes and colognes ripping the public off at an amazing speed, and because everyday there were other sellers, they would approach him several times a day. You also Please See "The Benchman" Continued on page 14 Please Support Our Advertisers Jimmy Heath Photography Cincinnati • (513)564-9856 E-Mail. jimmy_heath@iuno.com Friends and Neighbors ot Over-the-Rhine An Organization Seeking Justiae for People in Cincinnati's Most Endangered Community �STREETVIBE.S . ' . The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Finding Myself a New Life And How To Live Again by Elizabeth Shockley You couldn't have told me five years ago that I would have ended up at the door of the Drop Inn Center for any help. Not me. You see, I was out partying with some so­ called dear friends. However, when the money, the alcohol, and the drugs were gone, they had no use for Liz, so they put me in the street in the middle of the night. I a complete mess. I was only going to stay overnight at the shelter; it was around the Christmas holidays in 1995. And, you know - I ended up staying for five to six months. Buddy (Gray), Gail (Holley), and Kathy (Nolan, more recently working at a shelter in Kentucky) talked to me as if they had known me all my life, and I give a lot of gratitude to them for helping me find myself and getting in touch with my Higher Power and AA anti NA programs once again. After staying for almost six months, I worked and went to AA and NA meeting$; and I saved my money through the 50-50 plan at the Drop Inn Center while I was staying there. I was able to accept responsibilities and get on with my life. I got an apartment through ReSTOC, a low-income housing corporation connected with the Drop Inn Center (which helps with the homeless.) You see, I was not only homeless, per se, but also "lost." So, I want to thank my so-called friends for that night and for my new life - for throwimg me out in the middle of the night. There is more in me to be forgiven than in any of you. I think I must be rather like the woman who loved much because she was forgiven much. And, as my grandma always says, "God loves you and so do I." I'm going on two years of recovery today, "one day at a time." And, by the grace of God, I truly want to thank God, whom I choose as my Higher Power, the Drop Inn Center: ReStoc, AA a.nd NA, and the prayers and love from my mother and grandmother for my new life today. Happy New Year. Thank you. Trying to be Domestic! In the Midst Of Confusion I Am My Brother•s Keeper was by Aaron Lawrence I was twenty-five years old. Having been on my job for only six months, I was promoted to head of the Maintenance Department. They gave me a gas card and put me in charge of a crew of six, with access to two company trucks and unlimited time. I could get a truck and come and go as I pleased. That made the job very easy. During this time with the company I got a few small contract jobs. I met a young lady who had three kids, a girl and two boys. Our relationship was great even though the kids weren't mine. She worked a part time job when she wanted to. As time went on, she moved in with me; the kids would come and stay on the weekend. We started doing more and more family-oriented things, meeting more ofeach other's families, becoming a bigger family. I never knew why we could only have the kids on the weekend. We moved one more time and the kids came home. She would go off and stay for one or two days at a time. This became very disruptive and confusing. In the midSt of ;di of this, I met a couple more people in her family, and one of them was famous and prestigious. During these meetings, there were disruptions and confusion. Duffie bags with something in them were being moved in and out of the house. Nice sums of money were changing hands. She won custody of the kids, and we moved one more time. I spent many a night sleeping and waking up to :>. peculiar smell in a smoke filled room, not knowing what "crack" was or what an addict was. Opening up one of the duffle bags, I found out what crack was. Not knowing she was addicted, waking up to see her take a hit would make me fascinated as to what made her so fascinated with it; this would make me take that first hit. That's how I became an addict, with my drug of choice as crack. Over the next few years, often in treatment centers, I found out about AA and NA. I am learning about a program that will help me work to get clean, stay clean, and deal with the disease that allows certain issues in my life to lead me back to this drug. by Ron English To Abraham Swanson and Reverend Davis and to Bibleway Church of God in Christ and to Calvary Methodist. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I have had a dream of hope for freedom, ·of love of man rejoicing, of salvation against devil's sin and temptation of not having peace, of trying to find peace and love with Jesus the Almighty Saviour, of people praising their souls so they won't go to damnation, of preacher's respect, for honoring the Almighty Saviour, God, Lord, Kings of kings for all mankind. ....Of gracefully develop respect for leadership, of Adam's sin and the devil's hatred for Eve to bear Adam's child and to live in the garden of Eden. ....To find love and happiness and to build a world of peoples living together worshiping almighty God, Continued on page 9 . Page 8 . Looking to lmpr,ove in 1998 by Gregory Payton I look back at 1997 and tha.nk God because I feel as if I let Him come into my life once again. I knew it was a God, because everybody told me it was one. I went to church and prayed before last year. But, last year I needed Him more than I ever did in my life. I've been struggling all my life; but, I struggled with life itself last year. I had some close calls, and I came through them. I didn't struggle with anything ma~rially. I struggled as I tried to live without dope - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Dope, for me, was some­ thing I needed to alter my mind so that I could face life, as I saw it through my eyes. I also struggled with the dope I could hear; this is something you could only understand if you did the stuff. In 1997 I met people like myself, and I got help from them because they listened to me when I told them about my struggles. Besides the m, I think God was liste ning, too. I learned how to pray because I took the time to do it. However, I must say, it was easy because I prayed for the things I wanted and God gave me the thing I needed. I know you wonder why I use the word "easy." I can only reply that I paid attention, waited, and prayed; and, He sent or put someone or something in my life. All I had to do was seek f:lim and desire Him, and God was there. I never saw God, but God allowed me to see and feel His messages. After this happened, my struggles became mere events or challenges. All I had to do was remember who was with me. After feeling God's presence and seeing His works, I now feel as if I have a whole lot of trust in God. One of the things I learne d in 1997 was that I was not the only one who needed God. There are more people to think about than just me. I learned about an idea called "selflessness." Selfless people have no regard for themselves or their own interests. I le;i.rned that it's okay to think, help with, share in, and care about the needs of other people. Some­ times I just listened, like someone once did for me. On every first day of the year, it's a tradition to look back and remember the past year, while at the same time making a resolution for the new year. My resolution for 1998 is as follows: I want to be a better listener; I want to pray a little more; I want to reach out and help more people. I want to continue to reach my goal and dream: to end homelessness in a drug free city called Cincinnati. I thank God for 1997 and for helping me make it to 1998. Happy New Year. PS: I'd like to lose another thirty pounds, too. Th~ MINlM\1\frt WAGE CookBool< �STREETVIBES The ~ri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 9 Addiction and a My God's Gift: Call to Life An Instinct of by Don Slark, Sr. Faith STRE-ETVIBES , Addiction, to me, is a call to life identical to the experience of being born. At birth, nature in her loving relationship with us answers a whole and decisive "yes" to the invitation of life. In addiction we answer for ourselves. If the answer is no, we continue on the path of the living dead. If we say yes, we recover our lives, the gift of gifts, and we grow. The disease of addiction is not a physical or mental disease. It is much more a spiritual disease ­ a disease of life -with various components attached to it. These components are physical, mental, psychological, social, financial - the list is unending. Nothing is left untouched once this disease establishes itself in the human spirit. It's a discon­ nection from within that with time effects a discon­ nection with everything that the diseased person touches and loves. I said very little throughout of what we now call co-dependents: the family and friends of the addicted person. Yet, these wonderful people are present throughout. Since this is a spiritual disease, the method of transmission is also spiritual. It is transmitted through love. The-spouse, the lover, the child, the parent, the relative, and the friend do not need to have a physical contact with the disease or with the diseased person. To become a co-dependent, all that one needs is to have a loving relationship, a caring relationship, with the addict. In fact, it is my experience that the co­ dependents' pain is greater still than that of the physical alcoholic and drug addict. It is greater · because it is all spiritual and, therefore, deeper. Another significant factor that maximizes the pain is that the co-dependent finds no relief from it. The alcoholic and the drug addict can always get high and, in that fashion , experience temporary respite from the pain. The co-dependents of this addict would have, without a doubt, paid their dues. As a result, they, perhaps more than the addicts themselves, have a right to recovery. Efforts to procure treatment for the families and friends of addicts are being made. We can only hope that opportunities of treatment for them become greater still. If our society is to become more humane and loving, we must find some way to offer treatment In a caring and effective way. One thing is for sure: caring attention to the treatment of this disease will contribute to the preservation of the addict's life. At the same time, it will tum a sometimes sick and tarnished world to health and brilliant gold. Blessed are the addicts.... Brother's Keeper Continued from page 8 praying for the joy that they go to heaven so that they won't go to hell. I am my brother's keeper. ....Of miracles because I believe in them, of their honor and their respect for sister's love and their mother's respect, of understanding what is wrong them 'cause my heart is a pain of wondering ·about them, of my hopes of salvation, freedom of speech one brother to another, of wishing all the happiness for them, in the world peace be with them, let freedom ring, marriage of brothers and sisters of God in Christ Bible, peace be with you, let freedom ring. ....Of temptation overcoming, having peace of job, worhsipping nothing but your love and your loved ones here on earth, so that you may grow stronger, having your eyes on nothing but Jesus Christ for him to come down and take us to heaven away from damnation and not to die. Soul2Soul by Don Slark, Sr. It is a fact as old as life itself that we first become aware of the outside of things before the inside. The baby, once again, is a good example of this phenomenon. As the process of growth take,s place, the baby, little by little, turns inward to contemplate himself. He first discovers his body ­ his outside self. He then connects with his feelings, his imaginings, and his thoughts. Lastly, and only if fortunate enough to reach a desirable maturity, he discovers his soul - the part of him that is spirit. , Again, the disease of addiction is very much a spiritual disease. It's a disease of life. Consequently, its devastation is centrally located in that place where life is found in us. To reverse its direction - that is, to recover - one must replay the experience that takes place from birth on. In the beginning, the process was unconscious. With time, it surfaced into consciousness. In the recovery from addiction, the same process takes place. The instinct of love is an unconscious experi­ ence, not conjured up by the individua.I. It occurs spontaneously, independent of the addict's will and intention. The consciousness awakens, and the It is a truth that penetrates be­ yond anything that the human being could ever know... hopeless addict asks for help. The response, indirect as it sometimes may be, is inevitably loud and clear. It is a promise of help and a guarantee of hope even for him - th~ addict - who considered himself hopeless. With that, we embark on the third stage of recovery. This is where the addicted person is told the truth about himself. For the first time in his life, he is told that he is powerless over alcohol and drugs. In the beginning of the recovery process, the addict establishes first a communication and a connection with God - life inside of himself, for those who don't believe In a God. Second, he connects with the world around him, with life outside of himself, another human being. Now, he is ready to establish a deep spiritual connection with himself. This connection is beyond any other the addict has ever known. It is a knowledge that surpasses all previous knowledge - of his name, his way of being, his taStes, his dislikes, his way of feeling, or his way of thinking. The addict now receives, as a gift for the connections he made with life and with his·peers, the knowledge that he is powerless. It is a truth that penetrates beyond a.nything that the human being could ever know about himself. He receives the communication and the impetus to admit, to accept, that he is powerless over drugs physically, mentally, and spiritually. He is powerless physically because his body can't take drugs; they have become a poison to his system as it Is constituted. He is powerless mentally because his mind and his feelings cannot handle drugs; the addict becomes nonfunctional or, rather, falsely functional, not only when the drug is ingested, but even when the drug is merely contemplated prior to ingestion. And, finally, he is powerless spiritually because the drug disconnects the person from his very spirit after it enters the body, from the thing in him that makes him alive and that gives him life - his very self. Yet, there ls still more. As a direct consequence of making the first two connections - with life and-then with a human Don Stark, Sr. Photo by James Heath. being - the recovering addict is told a still deeper truth about his ·nature. The addict is told that he is not only powerless over the drug, but that he is also powerle.ss over God and life, over others, and over things. Finally, he is told that he is powerless over even himself. In learning this liberating truth, he is urged, with love and caring, to admit it and make it his own, to connect with it as he connected with his pain. Why is the concept of powerlessness so essentia.I to the struggle toward spiritual recovery from addiction? Very simply stated, powerlessness is so important for spiritual recovery because it is so essential to physical recovery. We can't know spiritual realities. They are beyond our grasp. Our only access to the spiritual is through the physical ­ the only level of reality that we can know by seeing and touching. Remember, the disease Is not in the drug. Rather, the drug is the symptom, the outward and visible sign of the real problem, which is found within the individual. Since the addict becomes physically sick from use of the drug, he finds out that he is sick from something else. In the caSe of the drug, the addict begins to recognize that It is a tool that allows him to exercise power and control. If the addict gets up In the morning and fears the day, all he has to do is pop a pill or down a drink, and the problem is fixed for the moment. Eventually, the addict begins to recognize that as long as he attempts to fix his life - that is, to exercise control over It - he rapidly begins to lose it. The addict feels that God has given up on him. Yet, all the great religion.s say that mankind's prayers are, in fact, always answered: "Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him." In brief, the relationship that life and God have with us is one of love and caring. It is a gift that makes us precious and, as a result, all the more fragile and powerless. In time; provided the recovering addict is willing, the gift of the God of his understanding will be revealed to him. Not only will he know a relief, but, he will be healed and at last be made able to live. May the God of your understanding walk with you throughout the new year. " ...Just for Today...." �STREETVIBES The 111 \tot(:.'s Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Editorials and Letters Cincinnati Should Save Washington Park and Gazebo by Two Bil - As I walk past the gazebo I think, "That's all they have." In fact, that's about all "they" will ever have unless some rather Ignorant and ruthlessly forceful Individuals manage to flatten the rest of "the old city," in which case there won't be any "they," either. The statement Is not meant to be snooty. I come from Dayton, which through some obscure but quite possible logic was started where three smaller rivers and a creek meet. all of which natu­ rally overflow in a good rain onto some portion of the flood plain. The community did have the good sense to build reladvely litde on the most immediate parts of the flood plain, letting that sit, instead, as parkland. There's quite a bit of parkland near downtown Dayton and beyond, maintained and prettied up now and then out of practicality rather than out of any wise social or archltectual planning. And, In many cases the expanse of green space is ofdefinite sociological and psychological benefit. The same thing is not readily possible in or near downtown Cincinnati for several reasons. Consequendy, every inch of "green space" apart from the few blades of grass growing between the cracks in the sidewalk here and there is valuable. Trees and flowers don't naturally grow in pots; they merely manage to survive to some extent that way, and while some life is better than no life, it is an unnatural view of nature, no matter how well kept. The gazebo is a pretty thing in a pretty setting with enough pigeons and squirrels around to make Washington Park at least a reminder of the natural world that is fast disappearing from the entire area. To stir up everything with construction Is of ques­ tionable value, like a bandshel; this is not a social benefit. And, I speak knowledgeably about "bandshell": Dayton maintained a bandshell, a big one, for years on a part of that flood plain described above in an area called Island Park. And, people have gone to events there, such as Fourth of July celebrations, by the thousands. But. several things need to be kept In mind 1n regard to the activity; namely, things like the fact that the park Is part of a flood plain. People have sat on the river bank to fish or meditate; the connection to the natural world remained. Admittedly, Cincinnati has avallable some marvelously arranged notions of the natural world, provided one wants to get on the bus or in the car and travel to'them as If they were something apart from the real world that's the foundation of our existence. Why I'm In Cincinnati Is beside the point here. The fact is, I am here, and there are only three small areas of "green space" In my immediate area: the patch of grass and shrubs that runs down the middle of Central Parkway for a couple of blocks, the suburban type atmosphere around the police station, and Washington Park. To someone who spent a lifetime In a big city where people sat on the riverbank and fished, stood on a woody, grassy hill and watched the fireworks across the river, and took "nature pictures" almost downtown, the three patches of grass around are precious jewels. And, I can leave, but some people won't Page 10 Citizens Should Start Now to Capture City Hall by Tom Mulroy This past election the people of Cincinnati got precisely what they deserved...the same o ld city council. However this time the most pro-develop­ ment and anti-people members of council banded together to strip Mayor Qualls ( the biggest vote getter in the election ) of all chairmanships and other powers. Under the leadership of Phil Heimlich (whose vote per dollar ratio slipped considerably this election ) and a majority assured by the two lowest vote-getters in the election The City Council Gang of Five have declared themselves anointed by some higher power to run the city. Never mind that their combined vote counts fail to Indicate that they represent a majority of anything but the nine­ member city council. This is business as usual in a company town like Cincinnati. People figure that big money will determine everything. What use is there In working for candidates? This sheep-like thinking eXtends even to the people who work everyday to improve the condi­ tions of the poorest citizens of Cincinnati. Prior to the last election I asked around among people who I know care about the poor and the homeless. The only candidate who everyone agree upon as being worth election was Forest Buckley. A tour of Over-the-Rhine the day before the election showed a whole lot of posters for Tarbell, the bald headed darling of the developers. didn't see more than one or two posters for Forest Buckley. And this was in the heart of the area that would benefit most from having a friend on city co uncil. During the ave rage year activist in Over­ the- Rhine spend hundreds of man hours testifying before and protesting against a city council which contains no one who is unashamedly friendly with their concerns. If the same amount of effort had been spent working in the last campaign there might be one person on council who would work with the advocates of housing for the poor and related issues. With the gang of five fi rmly entrenched, activists for the poor face the worst two years in Former Student Remembers buddy gray by Eric Fryxell Today marks the anniversary of the passing of Buddy Gray, one of our city's great leaders, killed by a mentally ill man he had helped. Although the headlines he created In this newsoaoer were often controversial, It is clear that he was motivated in his successful activist career by the highest visions of justice and compassion. Buddy has influenced me gready for many years since we met in April 1981 on my first day of exploring Over-the-Rhine for Mr. Powers' 12th grade government course. (No one else in that big Indian Hill class chose Over-the-Rhine for their neighborhood project.) The first person I met that sunny day was Dan O 'Connor as he posted block club meeting announcements around Old St. Mary's Church. He referred me to the neighborhood office, the Drop Inn Shelter, and to Buddy, whom I later followed along Republic Street and nearby alleys to the Voices newspaper office, through the Drop Inn, around that part of town familiar to me only from attending concerts so often ~t Music Hall. But this was different. Even now in Minneapolis years later, I remember emerging from suburbia Into the vivid sounds and smells, the crowded cluttered pathways, the closeness of the beautiful run down brick apartments, the bustle of human activity - all recent memory. There will be plenty of reasons to go down to City Hall and protest. He re's a novel idea - How about we start acting like we have good sense. Let's at least try to get a sympathetic city council. The time to start is now. W e nee d to set o ur sights o n the 1999 elections. There is a prece dent for such early action. In Washington D.C. in 1978 an organization called Target '80 was formed by conservative Republicans. Their goal was to assure that the most liberal Democratic senators were not reelected. They targeted I 0 senators and seven failed to be re­ elected. The organization supported people they liked and brought out all the negatives they could dig up o n the targeted enemies. You may not like conservatives but that doesn't mean you can't steal their ideas...especially the ones that work. Target '80 eliminated tJ\e ability of the Democrats to over­ ride vetoes in the Senate and led to the eventual Republican majority. We need our own organization. If we're in the mood to steal let's call it Target '99. This is a perfect time to start Four members of Council will be forced to retire under the term limit law, so there should be four relatively easy targets right there. Liberals who lost last time should be interested in participating. Forest Buckley intends to run again and his staff intends to stay together. Some ener­ getic new people should be encouraged to run. Even a small informal group such as Target '99 should be able to get some new names in the news and Into the mind of the electorate. And when electio n time comes we may be able to tum out the o ne thing that can win elections that money can't buy...volunteers...election workers...foot soldiers. Meanwhile Target'99 can be researching and exposing the machinations of the Heimlich Gang. Two years of negative advertising may have a wonderful effect. making me excited and a bit apprehensive. But within that first day I was at ease, having met so many stimulating. friendly neighbors working hard for their vision of a better place to live, a purpose that seemed to bring diverse people together into a vibrant community. (How different from growing up in Indian Hill, where although I knew many good people, I had never witnessed such fervor outside of a school football game, nor had been drawn Into something larger than life, like the concepts of justice and community, like the work of political activism and running a shelter.) Alone with his colleaeues Bill Kasherslcv. Bonnie Neumeier, uerald, and many others, Buddy was a beacon all over his neighborhood. Through his Invitation, I served supper at the Drop Inn, learning to be comfortable with "street people," engaging in many conversations while doing the dishes, teaming the rocky history of the place. (At Stengers' on Vine Street, I watched the first landing of the Space Shutde on TV.) Buddy and Bonnie spoke to my class later that spring; and I joined them for my first political rally, holding hands and singing for the TV cameras, protesting the closing of Peaslee School. Buddy's spirit touched everyone and Infused passion Into his fellow workers. His ability to speak and organize against the status quo for the cause of his community was a refreshing example of the democratic Ideals of our city and nation actually in process, rather than just engraved In another mission statement or Statue of Liberty. Since moving from Cincinnati In 1981, I kept in touch with Buddy, who was always dose to me In Continued on page 16 �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine by National Coalition for the Homeless SlaH by Two-Bil Word Search R A E y w E N "Too many holidays" is certainly not a rare thought. An example of an attempt to do something about the matter has already been made into a law ­ namely, the creation of "Presidents' Day" out of the minor holidays of Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday to commemorate (as a matter of justice, perhaps) all of the U. S. Presidents. Enterprising local public officials could also carryout some small actions toward such an end. Even if they're not interested, systems could be devised (let's pretend it might start to happen) where there could be consideration for things that are now "celebrated" without there being a declared "closed" day. One way to approach the matter would be to enact something either officially or legally to make "holidays" amatter of "time periods" - the official term would be "holiday time period" or "holiday time" rather than "day." I.e. "Thanksgiving Time" rather than "Thanksgiving Day." · The "time periods" would consist of different designated lengths - two days, half day, etc. - that would be appropriately determined. Again, there's a notion that's already been established in regard to such things as "moments of silence" and "long weekends." If someone wanted to become picky or fancy, there might even be special designations such as "Meditation Time" (referring to an hour to be set aside to commemorate or remember a certain event.) Such a system (and the ruling or enactment of it) would require some clarification of "time off." Presently, there are often distinctions such as authorized unpaid as weH as authorized paid sick leave and vacation time. This refers to time off from work, calculated at different percentage rates. Sometimes one must use a week of vacation in place of sick leave, making it impractical to even consider using vacation for something of choice, like an important, yet short, religious holiday. Regardless, all of this seems to be a matter deserving at least some thought, if not action. E D N E L A s E p 0 T A B c s B E E T E p c E T ...... \ u x H Good Luck Streetvibes Dear Streetvibes: I'm so glad to see that there's a Cincinnati version of this paper and this concept. It's one that I support mightily. I was in Chicago recently and found the enclosed article. May you find the same success. Sincerely, Christopher Harris, MD (Editor's Note: Dr. Harris enclosed material from Reader, Chicago's Free Weekly. Dr. Harris is affiliated with Children's Hospital Medical Center in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology.) E p H x u B E A y K 0 R R 0 L w c s T E N 0 A I I 0 I D p s s L s M I L w 0 R K E E E y R A u N A H G I E w E s 0 .. •' .' . B I L L s J L This year marks the I0th anniversary of the signing of the McKinnney Act. It is an occasion worthy of our reflection. This article examines how we have fared in our efforts to address homeless­ ness, what we have learned, and where we need to go to close this grim and shameful chapter of this nation's history and to ensure that homelessness is not part of America's future. This was written to jog the memory of those who have forgotten and to educate those who never knew, to combat the short­ sightedness of current policy-making. and to renew the call for a national response to end homelessness. The massive increase in homelessness that this report documents is a stinging indictment of a failed approach. The research and interviews presented here remind us that homelessness is neither inevi­ table nor acceptable. In Cincinnati, as across the nation, homeless­ ness has its roots in the simultaneous decrease in affordable housing and increase in poverty. Cincinnati affordable housing shortage emerged in the mid- I970s. In 1975, Cincinnati had a surplus of 12,700 low-income units: by 1986, that surplus had turned Into a shortage of 16,900 affordable units (Center On Budget and Policy Priorities, 1992). Between 1970-1980, the number of SRO's in downtown Cincinnati dropped from 2, I04 to 994 (Community Ministry Committee, 1987). At the same time, stagnating wages and the erosion or reduction of public assistance put housing out of reach for many poor households in Cincin­ nati. Between !975 and 1992, the value of the average welfare grant (AFDC) for a family of three In Ohio decreased by 37% (Center on Social Welfare Policy and Law, !993). In 1997, the average welfare grant (TANF) for a family of three in Cincinnati fell $170 short of the amount needed to rent a two­ bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent (Nationa.I Low Income Housing Coalition, I 997) The reduction in the va.lue of public assistance is one of the ~ontributing factors to the areas increase in poverty: between 1980 and 1990, the poverty rate of the Cincinnati area doubled from 12% to 24% of the population (Applied Information Resources, 1993). In 1990, 42% of Cincinnati's children under five years of age fell below the poverty line. Public assistance in Ohio has also been sharply reduced for low-income individuals. In 1991, Ohio cut its General Assistance program in half by reducing benefits by 32% for most single individuals and time-limited benefits to six months out of a 12­ month period. In 1992, 18 months after the GA reported an increase in demand, 83% of the shelters reported an increase in demand, and 63% of the rent assistance programs reported an increase in demand (Applied Information Resources, 1993). Scramble by Gregory Payton J 0 Page 11 10 Years Of McKinney There Are Too Many Holidays!! "The food pantry will be closed Tuesday­ Legal Holiday." And, what, exactly, is the exceptional reason behind the great commemoration of whatever legal holiday it is? · For example, why, exacdy, is anyone celebrating New Year's Day? St. Patrick's Day...? At least there probably WERE some very good reasons for the assorted doings about such and such a day at one time; but, are those reasons still valid? For example, since New Year's was mentioned: Ancient Chinese proverb (it seemingly is/was) says, "Pay all debts before New Year begins." Well, if, as of January I someone has managed to pay all debts, that's a lovely reason to be celebrating. However, that really doesn't seem to be very close to any sort of universal condition. If the notion involved has some relationship to notions about "getting rid of the past," that's not possible. One can easily substitute the words "office", "school", and "important services" for the words "food pantry" in the opening statement. The point is that the· "holidaying" of others can become an actual matter of life and death for the homeless - a grave situation to many, and a sizeable inconve­ nience even to the well-to-do people. This seems to be an excellent time to take a good look at the whole matter of holidays. Now, some people may disagree with the following analysis, and everyone is certainly free to disagree. But, if anyone has a better idea, the rest of the world should certainly be advised of it. As a people, as a nation, we really should not be dealing with any more than perhaps three or four "holidays" a year. That's plenty if one accounts for all of the personal interest days one may have: vacations (which are considered to be holidays, too) and religious meditation days (i.e. Easter), not to eQ~ time off for snow days and sick leave. The latter, wlilch are not-exactly "holidays", are also legitimate reasons for the pantry to be closed.. It is in the best interest of society as a whole (since there are hundreds of millions of Americans believing in the importance of various events) that, apart from our own personal interests, none of us should be expected (or inclined) to keep in mind, look to, figure in, plan on, etc., anything except three or four exceptional "celebrations." These events should be more or less common to all of us. How­ ever, there should be opportunity to commemorate privately things important to us both individually and as members or "parts" of groups. Obviously, my few paragraphs will not redesign calendars, alter established activities, or even persuade the food pantry or office to open on "holidays." I cannot change thoughts about issues such as holiday pay; but, as individuals we can act according to this concept as much as possible. . by Ron Carter Find these .words in the puzzle: NewYear Broke PayBills LoseWeight School Work Overtime Diet Exercise Help Sales Taxes January Calendar Debt Job Returns Listen Hope Try to unscramble these holiday words: WNE ERASY TYRAP MESIT ERSQUA DIM GHTIN ONUTCWOND STSMERREA ROUWC SAOTT IONTOSERLO BRAELECITON Answers on page 15. ·. � 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 1998 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 January 1998 Vol. 2, issue 12 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Issue covering:<br />Homeless memorial<br />Rev. Maurice McCracken's passing<br />Food stamp cuts<br />Washington Park<br />Public assistance protests Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Streetvibes Archive Project (curated by Katelyn Lusher) 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 January 1998 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Ron Carter<br />Pat Clifford<br />Denise Crew<br />Brian Davis<br />Ron English<br />Alex Grabtree<br />Tom Hayes<br />James (Jimmy) Heath<br />Richard Kiefer<br />Aaron Lawrence<br />Carolyn Meszaros<br />Tom Mulroy<br />Bonnie Neumeier<br />Gregory Payton<br />Sue Watlov Phillips<br />Shelley Rothenbusch<br />Mark Salter<br />Elizabeth Shockley<br />Don Stark, Sr.<br />Streetvibes Inquirer<br />Two Bit<br />Donald Whitehead<br />Lynn Williams Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Newspaper Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-sa/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a<span> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a>. Aaron Lawrence Alex Grabtree Bonnie Neumeier Brian Davis Carolyn Meszaros Denise Crew Don Stark Donald Whitehead Elizabeth Shockley food stamps Gregory Payton James (Jimmy) Heath Lynn Williams Mark Salter memorial Pat Clifford protest public assistance Richard Kiefer Ron Carter Ron English Shelley Rothenbusch Sr. Streetvibes Inquirer Sue Watlov Phillips Tom Hayes Tom Mulroy Two Bit