2 10 12 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/d83d3c88e8f0d6983c6372be19ac38ff.pdf f1dd8b225c16a47423bbfee344a59eec PDF Text Text MORE DEMOLITION PROPOSED IN THE WEST END Photo by Jimmy Heath by Tyrone Smith Last year Cincinnati's homeless advocates agonized at the loss of 800 units of housing slated for demolition in the Hope VI application for the tincoln Courts Housing Project. Little did they kn.ow it was just the tip of the iceberg. This St;eetvibes reporter has learned that a proposed plan to renovate the laurel Homes project, a so­ called Master Plan put together by Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and a few member.s of the Laurel Homes community, was conceived back in 1996. The plan would actually · eliminate 500 units of public housing located in Laurel Homes in Cincinnati's West End. The plan .. . . was signed off and endorsed by Laurel Homes resident Ms . Shirley A. Colbert and the Director of CMHA, Mr. Donald Troendle. The Hope VI plan for Lincoln Courts, a·lso in the West End, and the plan for Laurel Homes would bring the total loss of housing in the neigtlborhood to over 1300 units. If this sounds bad to you, then guess what? The numbers have just gone up. On January 26th, 1999, Donald Troendle, Director of CMHA, asked the City for $9 million 1o demolish Laurel Homes. As many Streetvibes readers know, in 1987, the Laurel Hornes Community was placed on the Federal Historic Register, as the first public housing community built in the country. Who knew that Donald Troendle would show up some day with a plan to displace more of the people in the West End? Where is this going, and what is being done about it? Since last year community leaders and organizations have had the opportunity to discuss this displacement and the consequences of the Master Plan with the Assistant Secretary of HUD, Eleanor Bacon. When she came to our city Ms. Bacon met with and discussed the Hope VI Plan with the Lincoln Courts residents and community leaders . The Baptist Ministers Conference, CMHA, representa­ tives of the local Catholic Parish Church, Donald Whitehead of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, and myself, were just a few of the community leaders involved in these discussions. At the end of the discussion Ms. Bacon said, '~hat the project is not a done deal, that there is a level of distrust between the community and CMHA and I recommend that the community, their leaders, and CMHA continue to meet and discuss their differences." Additionally, Ms. Bacon added that she would be back for another visit in a couple months. If you are wondering why you did not read or hear about this prominent government officials' visit to the Laurel Hornes community, it is because she wanted to be here without a lot of publicity. After all, she is the one who granted the infamous Hope VI proposal - the plan that would eliminate homes for 800 families in our community. A community which is neither 'DEMO' cont. on page 1.4 Marchers Celebrate the Life and Work of Martin Luther King Jr. January 18th - Cincinnati's Fountain Square was the focal point for today's celebration in . remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.. Dignitaries from around the city spoke from the Fountain Square stage honoring the work and life of Dr. King. Afterwards, hundreds of the Fountain Square program particippnts took to the streets to march from Fountain Square to Music Hall. The line of marchers at times stretched for more than six city blocks. Police escorts led the marchers through the blocked-off streets to their final destination at Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. In Music Hall , parade participants were treated to music, by the Martin Luther King Choral, and speeches presented to celebrate the work of Martin Luther King Jr. The gathering at Music Hall and Fountain Square was only one of several events held in the city. Many churches and civic groups honored the memory of King including the annual King Day Breakfast at downtowns' Hyatt Regency Hotel. King is remem­ bered as the voice of justice for the rights of African­ Americans and all oppressed people during the 1960's. But his work and his words still ring true today. On January 17th, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. would have celebrated his 70th Birthday. Thousands of marchers gathered for a parade from Cincinnati's Fountain Square to Music Hall. Photo by Jimmy Heath The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Streetvibes, the Tri-State's Home­ less Grapevine, is a newspaper written by, for and about the homeless, social justice and poverty related issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. Vendors buy the paper for 20 cents and then sell it for a dollar donation. The Streetvibes Vendor Program gives our vendors an opportunity to get back on their feet. All vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a badge. A file is developed on each vendor so that we may track and help facillitate thier move from poverty to self­ sufficiency. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing. The Streetvibes Planning Commit­ tee meets monthly to plan our issues and increase circulation. If you are interested in helping or have a comment, story or editorial that you would like published please call 421 -7803. Staff Donald Whitehead, Director Jimmy Heath, Coordinator Ron Carter, Vendor Support Photographer Jimmy Heath Writers Tom Billman Ron Carter Denise Crew Brian Davis Dave Dietz Jimmy Heath Cliiford Jones Farshid Kamali Susan Knight Mary Ann Lederer Vikki Lynn James Pryor Rodney Sutton Daniel Thompson Vampire Donald Whitehead Lyn n Williams Editorial Policy: Streetvibes accepts all letters, poems, comments or editorials. We will print everything we have room for, giving preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Please send all material to the following address: Streetvibes c/o Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 O (513) 421-7803 fax (513) 421 -7813 e-mail: homecoal@prim ax.net web. page: http://cinci.com/gcch Page 2 longer resent them but I wholeheartedly resent what they do. On this night I have pity for them. What drives a person to stand on a street corner night-in and night-out peddling destruction one rock, one pill, or one bag at a time? What kind of society do we live in? Could any amount of money make a person stand on a corner all night when its too cold to cry because your tears freeze. I realize that they have fallen through the cracks too. There destiny may have been shaped by inadequate education, single parent homes and exploitation. These young. men have a future that is all to predictable; prisons or cemetery's. Again, I ask what if? What if their hero's wore lab coats instead of $180 dollar gym shoes? What if MTV and BET and Country Music TV gave way to the Discovery Channel? From one traveler to another I just hope that since so many have fallen through the cracks that the cracks don't get so wide that we all fall through. The Traveler by Donald Whitehead This months traveler is once again not a very long trip. it is a trip of both mental and physical nature. This trip begins with a trip that all of us take at one time or another in our lives. This trip can be effected by rewards as well as punishment to ourselves and to others. This trip is commonly known as a 'guilt trip'. . As I travel slowly through the streets of downtown Cincinnati I can still hear my wife's words "You can't save the world, Donald''. I know this to be true but I still am driven to try and save just a few of its occupants and attempt to give back what was freely given to me. Every night for the past three days I have driven the snow covered streets of Cincinnati hoping not to find anyone. A few days ago a man froze to death less than a mile from our office. Intellectually, I know there's probably nothing I could have done. Spiritually I feel personally responsible . It may be incredibly egotistical to think I or any other human being can somehow prevent what is inevitable, but I can't help but agonize for this human being who must have suffered tremendously. There's a lot of people that do not realize that there are some people that are possessed by evil forces they we cannot attempt to understand. One such man is a man I will call Isaac. I have tried on several occasions over the last three days to convince Isaac that his shelter, a heat grate in the central business district is not adequate for his physical well being, especially on this night when temperatures have dipped below zero. Isaac is oblivious to the temperature because his mission, as he tells me, is to fight Satin. I offered Isaac some hot coffee which he gladly except because he needed to stay up all night to fight Satin. On my second visit to the grate, Isaac had a companion who was fast asleep. Isaac and his friend had somehow fallen through the cracks; I do not remember ever seeing either of these men throughout my time working with the homeless population. For some reason outreach had not reached these two. Isaac was not the only person I encountered out in these terrible conditions. Other people I would encounter on this night also had fallen through the cracks somewhere along the way. Two gentleman getting their last drink before the 10:00 P M curfew at the Drop-Inn-Center Shelter walked down 12th Street unaware that the overflow shelter was in operation. Gratefully, they rode with me to the Center, happy that their judgment hadn't cost them more than a few minutes more than usual. These two gentleman were also unaware that the Drop-Inn-Center has a very flexible curfew in the winter time. There were ·several others I approached on this frigid night who had braved the bitter cold for other reasons. Because of the slow speed at which I traveled to make sure.there wasn't people who had stopped moving in the many doorways and alleys I passed I was often mistaken·tor a customer. Several young women approached me to offer company for the night. Their plight to me was just as sad as Isaac's. The demons they battled can be defeated with a little intervention. Those that think addiction is not a disease need only see the men and women who stroll the streets on a night that no human being should be out. One can only wonder what might they be able to accomplish if we built more treatment centers and fewer stadiums; would these men and women be compelled to risk life and limb for that next high? Others are possessed by demons of a different nature. I am the last person to defend drug dealers - I have grown in my spirituality to a point were I no Cin'cinnati Chose.n as a Federal Empowerment Zone. Submittedby the. Over-the-Rhine Community Council Cincinnati is one of 15 cities nationwide to be chosen as a Federal Empowerment Zone, receiv­ ing $3 million in funding. Over-the-Rhine was chosen as one of nine neighborhoods in the city to receive this funding for neighborhood improve­ ments. The Cincinnati Empowerment Corporation will oversee how the money is spent for each neighborhood. This agency has a 33 member board consisting of 11 representatives of govern­ ment and nonprofit agencies, 11 business repre­ sentatives , and 11 community representatives. The University of Cincinnati Institute for Commu­ nity Partnerships and the Evaluation Services Center will serve as watchdogs over decision­ making. It is important that members of the Over-the­ Rhine Community Council get their voices heard about what the funding should be used for in Over­ the-Rhine. When the $3 million is split up be­ tween the nine city neighborhoods, the funding will not be enough to fund all the improvements necessary. However, Congress may fund addi­ tional millions in the future for the Federal Empow­ erment Zone program. Responses from 20 members of the Over­ the-Rhine Community Council and residents of the neighborhood comprised a wish list of the follow­ ing: "more affordable housing," "fix up the vacant buildings so poor people can live in them," and "use money to keep our neighborhood schools open." Other responses included money for small business start-up and job training programs . Also, a majority of residents were critical of t~e decision­ making process . One person stated that "the powers that be will make the decisions over who gets the money. It won't be made by the people of Over-the-Rhine." It is up to the citizens to partici- ·· pate and make their voices heard and to make our opinions count! For more information call 381­ 2956 or 381-4242 �~------------------------------ ~-~----- STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine National Coalition for the Homeless Releases Report: Lack of Resources for The Chemically Dependent The National Coalition for the Homeless recently released a comprehensive report entitled " No Open Door: Breaking The Lock On Addic­ tion Recovery for Homeless People". The report reissues the call for serious action regarding addictive services and recovery supports for homeless persons, launched by the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) and others as early as the 1980's. The publication is arranged in · four parts . Part one: Addictive Disorders and Homelessness highlights the difficulties in obtain­ ing an accurate national estimate of the percent­ age of the homeless population with addictive dis.orders. Part Two; Community Profiles is a comparison of the addictive disorder treatment and recovery continuums for homeless people and gaps therein in thirteen communities across the nation. The Community Profile provides an opportunity to make observations about the current state of ~ffairs of homeless persons with addictive disqrders in those locations and by extension, the nation. Part three of this well researched study: Environmental Assessment explores both program-level obstacles within the existing treat­ ment and recovery continuum and more vexing system level hurdles that deny's the homeless and other individuals from access to addictive disorder treatment opportunities . The fourth and final part of the study: Policy Recommendations lists a number of recommendations by the National Coalition for the Homeless that call on the federal government to take several concrete actions to end perpetual homelessness for persons with addictive disorders. Open Door: Breaking the Lock On Addiction Recovery For Homeless People is available for $10.00 (plus $1.50 for shipping and handling.) To purc hase copies , contact NCH at 202/737-6444 (Phone); 202/737-6445 (fax); nch @ari.net (E-Mail), or NCH, 101214th St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C 20005-3406. Contact Bob Reeg, Health Policy Analyst. Contents The Traveler Welfare News The Broken City Arts & Poetry Nationwide News Jail Facts Prisoners News School of Americas Letters & Editorials Streetvibes Etcetera Scramble buddy's place Cleveland News Martha's Woodshop Announcements & Classified TV Schedule Page2 Page4 Pages Page6 Page 7 Pages Page B· Page9 Page 10 Page 11 Page11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 ------- Page 3 COLD DRIVES HOMELESS TO MISSION sweatpants, adidas running pants, a T-shirt, a flannel shirt, a sweater, another flannel shirt, a gray hooded sweatshirt and finally, a black stocking cap. "I'm a pretty hardy individual," said Alan, 29, who moved to Eugene from Portland four years ago. "And it's good practice. We may all have to b e out Copyright © 1998 The Register­ here sometime." Alan shares the enclosure with his black lab Guard mix , Digger, and three to five other men at any given By ANNE WILLIAMS The time. A couple of those men, he said, had decided to move indoors until things warm up. While tarps, Register-Guard blankets and sheets keep out much of the wind and rain, they have no heat source, other than a small As the temperature on Monday plunged to a cookstove and candles. But Alan, an unemployed frigid 12 degrees, Tammi Hilliard counted her screen printer who used to follow the Grateful Dead blessings to be indoors in the cozy, Christmassy on tour, said he'd take chilly temperatures over rain mothers-with-children shelter of the Eugene any day. When the rains come, the ground -rock­ Mission. Meanwhile, her friend, "Alan ," put on a hard on Monday - turns to muck and the carpeted few more layers and hunkered down for another floor turns soggy. "There's no way to keep things night outside. dry," he said. "But you can always put on another Hilliard, 35, had been living out in the brush layer." with Alan and other friends in what she calls "The Should Alan or others like him ever decide Tarp Palace" -an elaborate warren on the outskirts they've had too much , they'll be welcome at the of Eugene filled with rug scraps and furniture Mission, Simmons said. "No one is turned away," he recovered from trash bins. But three weeks ago, said. Even if all 400 beds were full, he said, they'd Hilliard took the pelting rain and a windstorm that haul mattresses out to the floor of the common blew away her tarp as a message from God to get room. The nonprofit mission serves 650 meals a inside. For others , it took the weekend's subfreez­ day, more during cold snaps, he said, and - unlike ing temperatures to persuade them to seek many other missions - offers all-day access to a shelter. The mission saw one of its biggest crowds common room. of the year Monday, as more than 30Q men, St. Vincent de Paul Society also houses the women and children sought refuge from the cold homeless, through its car camping program with the and the possibility of snow. "There's definitely city of Eugene and its Interfaith Shelter Program, more people here than would be on a normal, 40­ which hosts homeless families in churches through degree Oregon day," said John Simmons, mission fall and winter. At its First Place Family Center and spokesman. Eugene Service Station, men, women and children But even under extreme conditions, when the can find donated items and a range of social possibility of hypothermia or even death becomes services. very real, more than a few independent types such Both St. Vincent and the Mission said dona­ as Alan opt to stay where they're most comfort­ tions of blankets, boots , socks, mittens, gloves, able - under bridges, by the river, in the woods. "I haven't set foot in the mission since I came coats and hats are especially welcome in the winter months . "It's always this time of year that people here," said Alan, who asked that his real name not rememberthe homeless," said Jake DuDell, St. be printed. He also asked that the location of his Vincent de Paul's emergency service director. "But encampment not be disclosed - such camping is it's a year-round problem, and it doesn't go away illegal in Eugene, and he already has been ousted after Christmas. It doesn't go away after the cold from a previous camp. weather." John "Mac" McFadden of St. Vincent, who "I've heard good things about it, but I don't is coordinating the program to place vehicle camp­ know - I've got friends in town and my own situa­ ers in city-sanctioned sites, said propane is also tion here." badly needed. "People are freezing their butts off On Monday afternoon, Alan emerged from out there" in school buses, vans and trailers, he one of several individual tents in the tarp-covered said. enclosure to greet Hilliard, who's now working at the mission as a night floor supervisor. He wore sneakers, two pairs of socks, lon·g johns , MORE MINORITIES TO HELP BUllLD CINCINNATI'S STADIUM By Andrea Y Carter, Cincinnati Herald Staff Reporter Hamilton County commissioners released new figures Tuesday [ 1/19/99} regarding the increased participation of minority workers in helping to build the new Bengals stadium. Approximately 25 percent of the labor on the public works project are minority while 7 percent or $16.4 million of $219 million in awarded contracts go to women or minority firms , according to the commissioners. 'We are very pleased with the workforce participation numbers," Hamilton County Commis­ sioner Bob Bedinghaus said. "Quite honestly, we continue to struggle to get much beyond the 7 or 8 percent minority contracting." Bedinghaus believes the limited number of contracts awarded is due to a limited number of minority companies in the construction industry. "We are working with some people in town to see what we can do to address this issue," he said. Bedinghaus noted even if the problem is addressed and new companies come forward they may not be able to participate in building the Reds stadium. Hamilton County's figures so far exceed the goals established in the 1995 agreement with the city, officials said. The agreement established a 15 percent participation of minority and women­ owned companies and a number of minority work hours with the stadium project. 'We have been confident in the approach we 'STADIUM' cont. on Pg. 16 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Third Annual STREETVIBES Empowerment Welfare News Coalition Conference Set For April In "The Cincinnati Enquirer" (Dec. 29, 1998) editorial, the editor paints a picture of how well "welfare reform" is working. The mea­ sure of the s uccess appears to be the caseload reduction numbers and how much money Ohio has saved by not spending it on Ohio'. s poorest families. The editor goes on to report that the success is nationwide, not just for Ohio. He then urges people to pay no attention to advocate­ types who portray a different picture. However, for citizens who have a sense of community responsibility, we should be paying attention to reports from advocate groups. Recently, the National Coalition forthe Homeless and the National Children's Defense Fund re­ leased a preliminary report on their national monitoring project, Welfare to What?. While the report shows that some states are creating innovative programs to assist recipients to find good jobs (and not just any job), the picture the preliminary report shows is dismal. The report states some of the following findings: "Only a small fraction of welfare recipients' new jobs pay above-poverty wages; most of the new jobs pay far below the poverty line." "Extreme poverty is growing more common for children, especially those in female-headed and working families. The number of children living below one-half of the poverty line (or less than $6,401 for a three-person family in 1997) grew by 400,000 between 1995 and 1997. Although this increase was small, it is startling at a time of strong economic growth ... when extreme poverty should have been declining. Extreme child poverty is a more appropriate indicator of welfare impacts than is overall child poverty because most children on welfare are already poor." *"Ma ny families leaving welfare report struggling to get food, shelter, or needed medical care; many are suffering even more hardships than before." "Many families are not getting basic help (such as child care, medical coverage, food, or transportation) that might enable them to sustain work and care for their children on very low wages." "Many families a re denied cash assistance through little or no fault of their own; states often penalize families without assessing their ability to complete required activities." Caseloads have fallen by 64 percent in Ohio since 1992. However, this is a very simplis­ tic way to depict a success if we genuinely care about the lives of human beings, including children. Sanctioned (punished) households are also included in caseload reduction numbers . These families with children are thrown off unwillingly, losing all their cash assistance. Monitoring studies, including the report cited above and a more local monitoring project in Montgomery County, show that oftentimes these sanctions are imposed having nothing to do with whether or not a recipient is willing to work. Until we know that the majority of families are moving into jobs that not only get them off of w elfare but out of pove rty will we truly.be able to say that "welfare reform" is a success. Submitted by Lynn Williams, Over-the-. Rhine The Ohio Empowerment Coalition's third annual statewide welfare conference promises to be the best OEC conference yet. Mark your calendars now to attend April 14th & 15th at the Lenox Inn, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Day One will be Lobby Day with meetings with our state legislators, and Keynqte speakers & Reception in the evening. Day Two will offer a variety of educational workshops to select from, including Ohio Works First, Recipients' Rights, Sanctions/ Terminations, Child Care, Medicaid, Disability issues, and Education & Job Training. Trainings will include Coalition & Organization Building, Alternative Media, and other informative presentations on leadership/ organizing skills. Cost to attend the Conference is free to low-income individuals; hotel rooms are $55 with potential scholarships. One to four people may share a room. Cost is $25 for non-low-income to attend the Conference plus $55/hotel room. For more information on the Conference and/or to register, call the Contact Center (Katy Heins or Lynn Williams) at {513) 381-4242. MEDICAID: A Necessity For Welfare Transition Ann, who left welfare (including Medicaid coverage) for a job, shared her thoughts about her job versus being on welfare. "I don't know what I'll do if I get really sick and need hospital care. Or how I'll afford even routine screenings. It's so expensive. Fortunately, I've been in good health so far but now I'm getting older. It worries m e what I'll do if a health emergency hits. My job doesn't cover health insurance and I can't afford to pay for it out of my low salary." Approx imately 50% of the low-income working poor !ack health insurance. These numbers could be reduced if Ohio would make changes in conjunction with the Medicaid rule changes brought about by the 1996 federal welfare law. The federal law now permits states to allow low-income individuals to be eligible for Medicaid. The 1996 federal law separated the. link between Medicaid and welfare. States can now allow individuals to apply for Medicaid even if they are not applying for welfare cash assistance . However, in Ohio, this federal policy has not been implemented. We ask, why not? Page 4 In Ohio, Ohio Works First (welfare recipients) are automatically eligible for Medicaid. After they leave welfare for a paid job, they are eligible for one year of Transitional Medicaid, depending on their income level. For the first six months on Transitional Medicaid they are eligible regardless of income level. After six months on, they can remain eligible for another six months of Transitional Medicaid if their income is below 150% of the poverty level. Federal law allows up to 185% of poverty level. After twelve months of transitional Medicaid, former recipients are no longer eligible for Medicaid in Ohio. Considering the three year time limit in Ohio, almost all recipients will lose their Medicaid eligibility. This does not need to happen. Other states are extending the Transitional Medicaid period and allowing low-income working people, both welfare and non-welfare recipients, to be eligible for .Medicaid . Ohio needs to change current policies and seize this golden opportunity to allow more poor & low-income adults to have health insurance. Because federal law has separated eligibility requirements for welfare and Medicaid, it should be easier to get Medicaid . This is one good thing that came out of the 1996 federal law. Also, within the last year, the d iscriminatory policies against two-parent families to get Medicaid were ended. This is another victory at the federal level for welfare & health care advocates & recipients. Because of the federal Medicaid changes, children of low-income parents can now receive health care under CHIPS. In Ohio children can be eligible in households with incomes up to 150% of the poverty line or approximately $20,000 per year for a family of three. Pregnant women are also eligible for Medicaid up to 133% of poverty. Federal Medicaid changes now allow both children and pregnant women to be covered at even higher income levels. However, it's up to the states to accept these changes. It makes more sense to assist people with preventative health care than having them later show up at emergency room doors because they couldn't afford early-stage treatment. Health care should be a basic right for all people, not just the affluent. It is basically an issue of valuing human lives. Information Sources: Families USA Foundation and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Subscribe to Streetvibes 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 Month. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cin cinnati, OH 45210 Please make checks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for t he Homeless--Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421 ­ 7803. �- . - --··- ----- --- STREETVIBES --~----------~---- -------.._- -------------~ The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine The Broken City... by Jimmy Heath Page s automatic, "Not important." His next question was, "You got a man?" I kept my cool with "You ask too many questions." After t hat he offers his phone number. My retort was, "I'm not interested." Then I turned my head to look him straight in the eyes to make sure he got the message. Finally he got in line to play his number(s) and mumbled something under his breath. Often too many men come at women the wrong way and then wonder why we walk · away or look at you like you're aliens. If she doesn't smile when you approach her, please consider that it might not be her day. Everyone likes a comment or lite flirts but don't wear it out with what, why, where, and how many? Take note when you are told to take a hike. She obviously has good sense enough to know you are not the one, and be on your way, or you may end up licking your wounds later down the road. Thank you. Tony's Story by Susan Knight BLIZZARD OF '99 by Clifford Jones I drove with my Mother, sister, nieces and nephew to Chicago on the 1st of January. The snow fell and kept on coming. With prayer we finally made it to our destination. Once there, we rejoiced and visited with my brother. As time grew late and the snow continued to fall we felt it necessary to return home. 21.6 inches of snow and we're driving around in it. Well as fate would have it the van got stuck. Looked like there was no way out the stress and frustration compounded. But then all of a sudden a homeless man came by and ask if he could help. How did I know he was homeless? During the process of asking about and providing assistance all he said was help the homeless. With his boots and hands he cleared a path for the van to travel, we broke free. Telling this story to some friends they say that was an angel. In a community were no one knew me it was a miracle. This brought to mind, several years ago in my'community on a cold winter day my car would not start. A neighbor noticed my distress came to my rescue so I thought. Once he gave me a jump to start my car he said that would be ten dollars. Well of course I was dumbfounded. That just goes to show you don't need a home to have a heart nor does being homeless diminish yqur care and concern for mankind .. Thank you who ever you are. tearing of fabric. Only yards from where I stood, a woman was being attacked. Should I get involved? I was frightened for my own ·safety, and cursed myself for having suddenly decided to take a new route home that night. What if I became another statistic? Shouldn't I just run to the nearest phone and call the police? Although it seemed an eternity,- the deliberations in my head had taken only seconds, but already the girl's cries were growing weaker. I knew I had to act fast. How could I walk away from this? No, I finally resolved, I could not turn my back on the fate of this unknown woman, even if it meant risking my own life. I am not a brave man, nor am I athletic. I don't know where I found the moral courage and physical strength-but once I had finally resolved to help the girl, I became strangely transformed. I ran behind the bushes and pulled the assailant off the woman. Grappling , we fell to the ground, where we wrestled for a few minutes until the attacker jumped up and escaped. Panting hard, I scrambled upright and approached the girl , who was crouched behind a tree, sobbing. In the darkness, I could barely see her outline, but I could certainly sense her trembling shock. Not wanting to frighten her further, I at first spoke to her from a distance. "It's OK," I said soothingly. "The man ran away. You're safe now." There was a long pause and then I heard the words, uttered in wonder, in amazement. "Dad, is that you?" And then, from behind the tree, stepped my youngest daughter, Katherine. TESTING THE Courage Pays THEORY by Pat Box by Vikki Lynn God has a way of allowing us to be in the right place at the right time. I was walking down a dimly lit street late one evening when I heard muffled screams coming from behind a clump of bushes. Alarmed, I slowed down to listen, and panicked when I realized that what I was hearing were the unmistakable sounds of a struggle: heavy grunting, frantic scuffling, and I would to write to you guys who don't really know how to talk to women properly. What ever happened to the one liners? Like, "It's a lovely day?" Or "Where's that bus at?" Something polite and not personal. The olher day I was in a hair shop getting hair supplies and this guy walks in and starts his rap, "Hey baby, what's your name?" My response was Amidst the noisy urgency of the Drop Inn Center exists, often times between the lines, personalities. Tony Brown sits quietly on the edge, absorbing much of his new surroundings but always apart from the somewhat ·chaotic bustle that overwhelms the Drop Inn Center in the evenings. Originally Tony was confined to a chair because of his bad foot. Now, however, he sits, able to move, but not without pain. So instead, Tony chooses to absorb his surroundings, growing and reflecting upon his new title of homeless and all that now means to him. Tony grew up in Avondale. Like many, Tony did not know what he wanted in life. His mother died when he was 2 and his grandmother, off of a social security check, raised 10 children. Tony never had the opportunity to "know what he wanted from life" because his grandmother became very ill and Tony was not able to stay in school. The state intervened, and Tony was sent to live in Forest Park as a foster child. This was his first taste of the middle class. Tony grew up like many of us. He met his wife through a mutual friend, had a good steady construction job, moved to College Hill, and the next thing he knew, found himself middle class and celebrating 15 years of marriage. Then the work stopped. Tony severely injured his foot in an accident and found himself out of work and physically unable to look for another job. The tensions between him and his wife mounted as Tony began to deal with the realities of the situation and the impending financial crisis. Unable to provide for his wife and her children and unable to work through growing tensions and stresses, Tony and his wife sepqrated. Ashamed, feeling as if he failed, Tony refused to look to family for help. Instead, he has come to Over-the-Rhine and the Drop Inn Center. Until, however, the human spirit dies, a person continues to grow and to learn. And although Tony does not know why fate has left him here, he is still trying to heal his foot and his pride, and is still alive, learning and growing from this experience. He observes a world of addic­ tion, pain ridden and angry, but he is also seeing many men and women who need special atten­ 'Tonys Story• cont. on page 14 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine . THE LIFE WE WORD ON THE LIVE ... STREET Farshid Kamali Arts & Poetry BACK-ALLEY BEGGAR Living in a North Side Chicago hotel ­ $40 a week, lobby TV by the quarter. Social Security Income is a chain tying me to an empty room- to wait - for death, insanity or the first of the month, whichever comes first. So I cram a change of clothes into a pack, sling my $15 guitar over my shoulder and heaq for - some place, where some thing - anything, is moving. I build a tent out of packing plastic on top of the remains of an ancient river wharf..... watch the fresh Lake Michigan tide displace the dirty sludge-muddy Chicago River water. Watch moss grow on the river bank. Make pets out of mud-dauber wasps that come to gather mortar. Summer is fever, for a recluse, a tramp hiding from the tenuous trap of social insecurity. I am too weak to say "howd'ya do" to the lily­ white daytime Loop walkers, 40-hour-a-weekers. They are slaves to dubious corporate occupations. I am a slave to the remnants of respectability that keep me from scrounging food in broad daylight. So I starve in the light, and indulge to excess in evening's shadows. And fever keeps me running ........ ...... t. bi/Iman SOLIDARITY by Denise Crew Speak quietly to our hearts With thoughtful acts and deeds Listen as we sing to you our song Want no more from us than we give Give to us freely without condition that which we are w illing to accept Join in, sing our song of freedom, struggle and woe Stand with us, to d efend the ground where we stand, we do stand strong. Band together, h and in hand to protect this our land. Share with us our labors, in your leisure Come break community bread at the peoples table. ~ We wear this mission upon our brow, but never lightly is its touch The raging waters of struggle, makes for different wading. though the deadly undercurrents threaten our existence We take the leap of faith for love, for tomorrow, for our lives We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts , but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbo~. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes; but lower morals; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, 'but have less communication; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are the times of fast foods and slow · digestion; tall men and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. · These are the days of two incomes , but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one­ night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom. Indeed it's all true. Think about it...read it again. JUDGMENT DAY Page 6 . NAKED HEARTS by Daniel Thompson When my mother Sunbathed on the roof Planes would sometimes Buzz the house On an afternoon At home after her operation She was proud Vacuuming the rug Naked Of her lone breast And her scar Out of her mind In a time of violence (0 forgive me, Mother My brutality) She ran from the trailer Out of the camp Without a stitch on In time To wrestle home The angel of death A tree Or a whole forest May have fallen The night no human woke To hear her dying breath After that My life in pain­ Wounded, aggrieved - Oejavued by love again A breakup Leading to a breakdown To my endless Manic panic· pacing In the empty apartment Suddenly I found my mother In the dark Cave of sorrow And spoke to her Naked heart To naked heart Help Wanted Social Services/Cheinical ependency Program Weekend Monitor (Part Time, II shifts.) needed at by Vampire esidential program for hemical dependent women. Race, sex, and religion; or be it my personal favorite; 'the handicapped.' egin a career in social Let me give you a prime example, ervices or make extra $. a man or woman who has been called to ust be supportive and war, their butt on the line! otivated with High School Some come back, or some just die. Those that have made it back, iploma or equiv., min. one may not look the same, ear relevant experience & an arm, a leg lost to war. river license with auto ins. You look at them and it is all you see. IF YOU WRITE POETRY AND ax resume & letter ASAP to They are the same men and women, and this is how you repay them , WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR iz Hughes at 921-2375 or making them handicapped! WORK IN STREETVIBES, CALL ail to FSH, 2118 St. Michael That is just like you. 421-7803 OR FAX US AT 421­ t., Cinti, OH 45204. EOE. I'm sick of all the pointing and taunting. 7813 What a shame, a pity. It is coming, your day of judgment! �- : STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Nationwide PANHANDLER ­ RIGHTS ADVOCATE DIES Copyright <C> 1998 The Register-Guard By JANET FILIPS The Register-Guard A homeless Eugene man who in 1996 won the constitutional right to panhandle along roadways died Saturday in his pickup camper. Rick Aquizap, 46, died while living in a city-sanctioned parking spot at Alton Baker Park. The medical examiner performed an autopsy and ran toxicology tests Monday, said Don Major of Major/Fredericksen Springfield Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements . The cause of death was not yet known. Aquizap told friends he suffered from leukemia and had been in remission until a few months ago when he began undergoing chemotherapy. He smoked and drank heavily, friends said, and for the past few months often stood at the intersection of Coburg and Belt Line roads to beg. "I think he probably just wanted life to be OK, and it never really was for him," said Tom Musselwhite of Eugene's Homeless Action Coalition. "His life was very much a tragedy." Aquizap will be cremated and his ashes sent to his family in Hampton, N.H. Despite the difficulties of his own life, Aquizap made a lasting mark on homeless rights. He had been in Eugene since at least 1992, and often was at the center of public issues related to Lane County homelessness. His most visible battle began in 1994 over the right to solicit for work and contributions while on roadways - at the time, a violation of an Oregon statute. In 1996, the Oregon Court of Appeals agreed with Aquizap -represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and attorney Edmund Spinney - that a state law forbidding the solicitation of work or money while on a highway violated freedom of speech as guaranteed in the Oregon Constitution. Spinney, a Eugene criminal defense lawyer who volunteered to represent Aquizap, remembers him well for "his commitment to persevere and do what he felt was right and what he felt was going to help other people in similar situations." Aquizap had been cited in January 1994 at Pioneer Parkway and Q Street in Springfield, where he regularly held a sign that read: "homeless, willing to work for food, gas, money." In November of that year, an Oregon State Police trooper -responding to a complaint about a panhandler - cited Aquizap for displaying a similar sign in the window of his motor home while parked at a rest stop on Interstate 5 in Linn County. Lower courts found him guilty of both violations . The appeals court overturned those convictions. His angry views about society's mistreatment of homeless people were regularly reported in issues of a one-time street newspaper, Houseless Journal, written and produced by a former partner, Bridget Reilly. When news crews covered homeless camping controversies, Aquizap "was the one who was always right there in front of the · camera, quick to let you know if you were homeless, by golly, you'd have a different attitude," Musselwhite said. "And by golly, you probably would." Aquizap, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era, was among the first in Lane County to be registered to vote as a homeless person, said homeless advocate John "Mac" McFadden. McFadden met Aquizap in 1992, during the conflict over homeless people camping on the McKenzie River across from Armitage State Park. "The first time I ever saw Rick, he was standing on a corner holding a sign saying, 'Where are we supposed to go?' I guess he got his answer." Aquizap was born in Kittery, Maine, on Sept. 1, 1952. He told various reporters, friends and his lawyer that he previously lived in Massachusetts and Portland, worked in the shoe industry, had a degree in history and an associate's degree in oceanography and was last employed at Harvard University, where he grossed $1 ,200 a month. He is survived by his parents, Bruce and Patricia Aquizap of Hampton, N.H.; sister Victoria , also of Hampton; and partner Daisy Putnam, of Eugene. A memorial service will be held in New Hampshire. Copyright CO 1998 The Register­ Guard Page 1 Please Support Our Advertisers ANOTHER C L ASS PRODC'CTIO=" Oise-Jockey Service CLIFFORD JONES (513) 761·3464 (513) 230"°353 George E. Ferguson Typin2 Service By Appo intme nt Only 7 East University Ave. Cincinna ti, Ohio 45219 (513) 559-9908 Cfjnj cal Trja] ·{' Schizophrenia / Schizoaffective Disorder The Psychotic Disorders Research Program is currently conducting outpatient clinical trials with an investigational atypical antipsychotic. Persons who have been outpatient for at least two months and have been on a stable dose of an oral antipsychotic for one month or longer may be eligible lo participate. Those who are en­ rolled in the study will receive medication and follow-up at no cost. Please contact Monique at (5 13) 558-6195 for more information. Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority Looking for a place to call home? Subscribe to Streetvi bes Subscripti ons to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a check t o the below address and the paper wi ll be mailed to you each issue. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnat i, OH 4521 O Please make checks payable to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless--Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. Call the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority ... Affordable rent that never exceeds 30°/o of your income ... Many bu!ldings . equipped with security systems ... Units located on buslines and near stores, schools, hospitals, banks Rental units are available in these family and senior communities: Avondale Hopple Street/Fairmount West End Winton Place For more information, call 421-8190 today. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Prisoner's News TO STREETVIBES from D. Hi bro! I just went up in front of the Parole Board again yesterday, and my records were still screwed up! So, the Parole Board gave me another 60 flops to get the records straight. This is the second 60 day flop I've gotten over my records being messed up. I should have been released this week! If my records hadn't been falsified back in November of last year. Now the earliest I can get out is the first week of May - if I'm lucky! I already have more than twice the maximum amount of time called for under my guideline - but they won't let me go. This is just one form of retaliation. Mess up a prisoners records so I can't make parole. Raymond Capots of the Parole Board called the administrative assistant, Ms. Stasha Doty, before I left the building, and determined that my records were wrong! But, instead of correcting my records right there and then and giving me a parole - I have to wait another 60 days! These new parole guidelines don't mean anything - because they aren't going by them. Being a prison activist, I expect retaliation from prison officials and the parole board. But the general public doesn't believe, or doesn't care, that reprisals take place frequently in here. We got the Ohio EPA reports on our drinking water here and discovered that our drinking water has actionable levels of lead and copper in it. Even worse than that, they've been exceeding the maximum contamination levels for coliform for years. Coliform indicates fecal pollution in our drinking water. No wonder none of the guards or staff drink the water here. But, we have .no choice but to drink it. Then when we get sick and go to the hospital we're charged $3.00 for medical treatment. But, since it's the drinking water that's causing the problems t here's very little the medical staff can, or will, do for us. In Struggle. WHAT TYPE OF CORRECTIONAL STAFF DOES DORC EMPLOY? The Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (DORC) is a branch of the state criminal justice system designed to house Ohio prisoners. Yet, one must question what type of correctional staff DORC employs to maintain security at its numerous prisons. The reason I ask this question is because of the continuous abuses and neglects of duties I've witnessed in my time incarcerated at Orient Correctional Institution (OCI), one of the most mismanaged correctional institutions in the State of Ohio. I was recently witness to incidents by correctional staff in the dining hall, behavior that was sexual in nature and in clear violation of the rules forbidding obscene gestures or comments toward another employee. These behaviors and others are a regular occurrence here at OCI. I reported this incident to the Deputy Warden of Operations here at OCI. His response, nearly a month ago, was that he would contact the investigator of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. However, like other ignored incidents of abuse and neglect of duty, an investigation never materialized. So, the Deputy Warden himself, has failed to carry out his duty. Sexual misconduct, though one of the main abuses carried out by correctional staff - others include bringing in drugs, sleeping on the job and allowing security issues to be ignored. Just as recently as October 26th, 1998, a nurse at Frazier Health Care Center located at OCI was charged in the Pickaway County Court with smuggling marijuana into the prison. A similar incident occurred on October 8th , 1998 when a correctional cook was arrested at London Correctional Institution after accepting 20 grams of marijuana and advance payment to smuggle drugs into the prison. These are surely not isolated incidents, and are prevalent within the prisons throughout Ohio, mainly OCI. Since my incarceration here, I've witnessed so much neglect of duty by correctional staff, that it would take forever to write about. The sad part is that it goes unchecked by the DORC's administration. Not only do these incidents of abuse and neglect threaten security at the institution, but it threatens society also. Society entrusts the DORC with maintenance of its correctional institutions, and puts forth billions of dollars in taxes for a system that is in trouble. In struggle, James W. Pryor DEAR STREETVIBES My name is #####. I am currently housed at the fairly new supermax prison in Youngstown (Ohio). And I want to describe an incident that occurred to me last night. Around 9:00 PM, I began to complain about getting the shower that I was told I would receive earlier. Shortly after I had complained to the officers upstairs in the control booth, a 2nd shift Lt. Carter came storming into B-3 pod to go into B-5 pod for me to take a shower (this is not normal procedure). And when I.got over there with Lt. Carter and 5 other guards, instead of being given a shower, he (Carter) began to spray me with his mace container for no reason at all. Furthermore, he then had my two escorts walk me upstairs towards the upper range shower in 8-5 pod, and halfway up the stairs, he then pushed me down the stairs so that I fell on the bottom landing and sustained a cut to the back of my head. (There should be a medical report to indicate this injury). Again , on the floor, I was maced for the second time. And afterwards was taken to the unit strip cell and was made to stand in there with mace in my eyes for around an hour. Then I was taken back to my cell in B-3. I must explain how this incident was not a usual use. of force occurrence. Firstly, the use of mace may be used to subdue a prisoner but truthfully, I offered no resistance to my escorts at no point between walking from 8-3 pod to 8-5 pod . So, in this,case, Lt. Carter spraying me with mace was unjustifiable. Secondly, I know for a fact that under no circumstances whatsoever is an inmate to be pushed down a half-flight of stairs in handcuffs. Lt. Carter did Page a push me and I did fall with an injury. Therefore, his actions constitute making the incident last night very unusual. I've just written a formal complaint to Major Ishee here, and it is pending. I have in mind Jo start a civil action against Lt. Carter for violating my rights. Would you please advise me about the issue after you review this letter? Will my federal complaint stand up in District Court? STREETVIBES PRISONERS NEWS JS THE WRITINGS OF PERSONS INCARCERATED IN OUR NATIONS JAILS AND PRISONS. SEND YOUR COMMEN TS OR QUES TIONS TO STREETVIBES @JUNO.COM Facts What Role does Jail Play in Present Day America? Jails are becoming America's new mental hospitals. Increasing numbers of seriously and chronically mentally ill persons are detained in jail each year. Alarmingly high numbers of severely mentally ill persons are steadily causing our nation's jails to replace public mental hospitals as primary mental health service providers. * Approximately 670,000 mentally ill people· are ad".'itted to US jails each year. * As many as 13% of the individuals arrested each year suffer from severe mental illness, compared to less than 2% in the general population. • In Seattle's King County jail, approximately 8% of the inmate population is severely ·mentally ill, making this correctional facility King County's largest institution for the mentally ill. * Miami's Dade County jails house more mentally ill persons than any single institution or hospital in the county. • Suicide is the leading cause of death in jails. * Over 50% of suicides are committed within the first 24 hours of incarceration; 29% are committed within the first three hours. * Over 95% of those who commit suicide in correctional facilities have a treatable mental illness, 75% communicate their intent in advance, and 30% have made previous attempts. • The rate of suicide among those inmates who have made previous attempts is more than 100 times the rate in the general population . Compliled from Research Brief, The Center on Crimes, Communities and Culture �1 STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS: The ultimate union buster. Why should unions work to close the SOA? The U. S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) , located at Fort Benning, Georgia, is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers. In its 50 year history, the SOA has trained 60,000 Latin American troops in commando tactics , military intelligence, psychological operations, and sniper fire. These soldiers are taught to make war against their own people. They have massacred entire villages of women, men, and children. SOA graduates target grassroots leaders for assassination, torture, rape and intimidation - especially religious workers, student organizers, and local union leaders. The School's unstated mission is to silence leaders who organize for the rights of working people and the poor. Our tax dollars train Latin American union busters at the SOA. Union members in the U. S. know that an attack on workers anywhere is an attack on the rights of workers everywhere. U.S. workers must speak out and join in solidarity with those trying to close this ~nti-uni on, anti-Ameri~an institution. SOA "Muscle" enforces NAFTA in Mexico Workers on both sides of the border know that NAFTA is anti-labor. NAFTA puts U. S. jobs in jeopardy and guts the bargaining power of both Latin American and U.S. workers. When transnational companies can hire Latin American workers for shamefully low wages and get away with inhuman shop conditions, U.S. plants close to chase higher profits in the South. Workers in the U.S. and Latin America suffer. Hours after NAFTA went into effect, Mexican indigenous workers rise up to say "NO!" and they have paid a dear price for their opposition. The Mexican military moved in immediately with troops, !ielicopters, and artillery. At least 13 of the high level officers who planned the repression campaign trained at the School of the Americas. The elite few in the Mexico and the U. S. who benefit from NAFTA acted quickly to bolster the military "muscle" to silence the opposition. Shortly after the initial uprising, Mexican soldiers began to pour into the School of the Americas for training. Mexico now sends more soldiers to the SOA than any other country. Page 9 SOA Training Manuals Advocated Targeting Those Who ... Report: "Nunca Mas" ("Never Again'') • "do union organizing or recruiting" • pass out "propaganda in favor of the interests of the workers" • "sympathize with demonstrations or strikes" • "make accusations that the government has failed ...to meet the basic needs of the people" This 1998 report from the Archdiocese of Guatemala chronicles the violence during the 36 years of civil war. Numerous military officials cited in the report were SOA graduates. For example: * 3 directors of the notorious 0 -2 intelligence agency • 2 of 3 cited for the murder of, Myrna Mack • 3 officers cited for cover-up of Michael Devine murder Columbia: A Case Study of SOA Terror Tactics against Unions Consistently, the countries in Latin America with the worst human rights violations against labor leaders and others have received the most SOA training. Columbia, for example, has sent over 10,000 military personnel to train at the School of the Americas - more than any other single country. Tragically, the training has worked. Colombian SOA grads have left a trail of blood and suffering in their home country, and union members have been a prime target. In the early 1990's, one Colombian trade unionist was killed every other day. 180 a year. By 1996, the number increased to 253. Of every 10 trade unionists killed in the world in recent years, 4 were from Columbia. SOA grads are trained to help lead the campaign of terror intimidation against union members. SOA Graduates Cited in United Nations Truth Commission Report The UN Truth Commission Report on El Salvador, released March 15, 1993, cited over . 60 Salvadoran officers for the worst atrocities during that countries brutal civil war. Over two thirds of those named were alumni of the U. S. School of the Americas. For example: • 3 of 3 cited for the murder of union leaders • 2 of 3 cited for the assassination of Archbishop Romero • 10 of 12 cited for the El Mozote massacre of 900 villagers • 19 of 26 cited for the massacre of 6 Jesuit priests 'T his institution costs millions of dollars a year 2nd identifies us with tyranny and oppression." -Rep. Joseph Kennedy (MA) According to recent Pentagon figures, the SOA costs U. S. taxpayers almost $20 million a year. "The money spent on the SOA could be put to much better use in programs that support working people." -Basil "Buzz" Hargrove, President, Canadian Auto Workers "For 50 years the school has participated in the training of foreign despots and mercenaries operating well outside the bounds of freedom, democracy and decency." -Veterans for Peace, National Convention Resolution "...the SOA n,ms contrary to the very principles of humari rights and democracy for which our nation's veterans have sacrificed ..." -Veterans of Foreign Wars, Santa Cruz chapter, Resolution to Close the SOA "Be it resolved that the 40th Constitutional Convention of the Minnesota AFL-CIO go on record to join with others to call the close of the U. S. Army School of the Americas ." -submitted by UAW MN State CAP Council, passed 1997 'The School of the Americas is a cold war dinosaur and should be closed." -Maj. Joseph Blair, U. S. Army, Ret., former SOA instructor Unions are· "Enemy" targets In 1996, the Pentagon was forced to release training manuals used at the SOA up until 1991. These manuals advocated interrogation techniques such as torture, execution, blackmail , and arresting the relatives of those being questioned. Lab9r organizers were one of the groups singled out in these groups. ''!need you to look depressed Imagin e you \rorked in the sweatshop that 1\!!ADE those clot/res." �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine 11 STREETVIBES •Kudos to the Editorials & Coalition Letters Oonald, Dear STREETVIBES "Unacceptable Racism " My name is Shana Owens and I was compelled to write you all. You see, the article on page 10, "Unacceptable Racism" really hit home deep in my heart. You would think in 1998-99 th e world would. now be over that racism bullcrap, but as we all see, hatred seems to have a way of rearing its ugly face over and over again. As a human it really hurts to think someone could be so cruel as to attack another human, I will never understand. We sometimes forget that on Judgment Day the Good Lord will see no color, only our earthly deeds. I pray that he will see me as one of his children and not judge me by my color, but by my deeds. If we all live as Christ and learned to love one another by our ways and deeds, not by our color, then we would all be much happier. Sincerely, Shanna Owens I just read Bill's copy of Homefront newsletter (I snatched it from the trash). Just wanted you to know how much I admire and appreciate the work that you are doing. I was amazed to see all that GCCH is doing! Of course, I was most moved that you continued to have a critical, authentic voice about economic and social justice. On those dark days, please know that I send out my spirit and warm wishes to you to uplift and comfort. Keep keeping on! Mac and buddy look down and smile (I know that some days they smile on me, too). Page 10 At that time, my undocumented Mexican migrant worker siblings brought to my home our Black brothers and sisters they found in the streets in Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate the holiday of Our Lady of Guadalupe, our common mother. And walking back to Africa this year, our every step was a prayer for our own liberation that will only come when Leonard Peltier, the Puerto Rican prisoners of conscience and Mumia Abu Jamal are set free. Please read Peltier's statement, and send it to all your friends. Let the world know that both of them , Peltier and Jamal, as all the prisoners of conscience in the jails this empire and its allies have, are at the center and the very reason for our own small struggles, no matter how dissimilar or contradictory the causes may appear. Hasta la victoria! Pio. Celestino In awe, Barb STREETVIBES Dear FRIENDS 'Opens Eyes• Talking with some of you we concluded that we can not say we stand for justic~ if we do not join our cry and our actions to actively protest and refuse to accept the fact that the best of our people are either in jail for crimes they did not commit, or, worse yet, they are set to be killed for simply refusing to be mockeries of themselves. It is with a great sense of responsibility that I ask you to read the following statement that Leonard Peltier, the unjustly jailed son of our lands, writes on behalf of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Black poet who is to die for refusing to be the ideal "little N@#$&*#" this system expects all of us to be. Praying in front of the Marion, Illinois prison, where this government had Leonard Peltier, many years ago, I met some of you. I just finished reading the January 1999 edition of Streetvibes. Thank you for such thorough and high quality writing in each and every edition. Streetvibes makes an effort to cover many of the issues that have an effect on, and in turn, are effected by homelessness. There are no easy answ~rs to resolving any of the issues covered by Streetvibes, but by writing about and hopefully opening peoples eyes to issues that are often hidden, such as prison labor, more people will ·have the information they need to remove the blinders we all wear to the injustice around us. Thank you, Michael Flood t> Months ~ . . later: ,.. ·­· . \ Lost ff'i"( Job~ ,I I �STREElVIBES, The Tri-State's - . l.. 4.r - }; ">' '. ,~'.. STREETVIBES~" Etcetera ... DOES SPEAKING O.U TEVER WORK? by Mary Ann Lederer On Monday, January 4, 1998, Sonny Williams was watching the Channel 5 evening news. A man, Isaac Miller, had frozen to death in the hallway of an apartment building on Race Street. The Channel 5 News team was broadcasting f rom the Over-the-Rhine Community Center, a heat center which provides shelter in freezing weather to people whose furnaces are broken or where power lines are down or for those just needing shelter and warmth . Sonny noticed, from the broadcast , that people in the Over-the-Rhine Center were sleeping on the floor. Appalled by these conditions, Sonny began his own campaign to obtain cots for the heat centers. The following morning, Tuesday, Sonny called WCIN radio, Lincoln Ware's show, and put out a plea for citizens to call the city council representatives and request cots for the heat centers. On Wednesday morning Sonny went to council person Minette Cooper's office and spoke with her aide , Andrea Johnson. She said she would see what she could do. Sonny continued lobbying on WCIN WORDS FROM THE EVANGELIST... ACJmet~ss Grapevine throughout the week. On Thursday morning Sonny visited council member Paul Booth's office and spoke with his aide, Diana ·Fry. According to Diana Fry, she made a number of phone calls to try to get cots for the centers. Then Sonny went to Tyrone Yates' office and spoke with his aide, Samantha Herd. On Friday, he visited Charles Winburn's office and spoke with his aide about the matter. Sonny Williams also called the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and the Cincinnati Health Department. On Monday morning Sonny phoned the new heat center at the McKie Recreation Center in Northside. Sometime between Friday and Monday morning 50 cots had been delivered. Then Sonny called the Over-the Rhine Community Center. Again, 50 cots ha~ been delivered there also. Now people seeking warmth and shelter no longer have to sleep on the floor.. Thanks Sonny for making a difference. Page 11 Scramble by Ron Carter Try to unscramble these related words: (Names of GCCH Members) NKTONISH FILDFROC EITHWEDAH EBRUK SIENH NOJSE TEHAH ERNIUMEE RAMWCIKE SN HJ ONO Answers o n page 15. Notice $300 in Gift Certificates will be paid to mothers with children, ages 6 to 8, to participate in a National Study. -Mothers must be currently in Treatment for Substance abuse or have completed treatment within the past 12 months. Sonny Williams And I, Pastor/Evangelist Rodney L. Sutton, Sr. will close on February 3, 1999 at 7:00PM. This will be an event you will not want to miss, because·God is doing great work and He has a special blessing for all who will attend this Winter Revival; which will be held in South Cumminsville at 1810 Powers Street. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED . It is now the year of our Lord 1999 and _ _ _ _Yo11 will have the opportunity to hear the who knows, but our Lord when He shall return. life changing word of God from several anointed Yet we are exhorted to watch and be ready ones, and praise and worship from the Whole (Matt. 24:42). Lite Choir and some special selections from In the 24th Chapter of the Gospel of Jane Woods of the House of Joy, and other Matthew we are given answers by Christ musical guests; plus you will have the Himself about the signs of the end of the age opportunity to learn more about Helping Hands and tlie sign of His coming. Outreach Mission Ministries social service I bring this to your attention because there programs. So come on out and fellowship. is a spiritual awakening taking place in HHOMM is sponsoring a Sweetheart Cincinnati and throughout the whole world. If Bowling event on February 6, 1999 at 3:00PM. you are a child of Go I'm sure you have noticed This event will be held at Delfair Lanes at a cost this spiritual awakening among the Brothers and of $7.00 per person. If you are interested in Sisters in your church body. coming out and fellowshipping, call Elder It is because of this spiritual awakening Leonard Williams, Jr. (542-6837) for details. that Helping Hands Outreach Ministries is HHOMM is still receiving donations for our hosting a "Winter Revival" titled "Preparing for food pantry and other outreach ministries the Millennium." The revival will begin on (clothing, furnishings, etc.) Please mail Sunday, January 31 , 1999 at 4:00PM with monetary contributions to 1810 Powers Street, Brother Jim Nune, and his wife Prophetess Cincinnati, 45233, and call 681-2400 for delivery Sandy Nune from Bowling Green, Kentucky. or pick-up of other donations. On Monday, February 1, 1999 at 7:00PM I look forward to seeing you at the Winter we will have Evangelist Cordelia Nowell of Revival. In His Service, Rodney L. Sutton, Whole Life Church of Christ. Sr. '-----~---- · CALL GLAD HOUSE FOR MORE INFORMATION 641­ 5530 or 636-591 7 Subscribe to STREETVIBES! For only $12 per year you can have STREETVIBES delivered to your home every month. National and Local Stories on Issues regarding homelessness and the poor. News, Information, Personal Stories and more, written every month by homeless and formerly homeless persons... Send Check or Money Order for $12 to: Streetvibes C/O Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 4521 O ------ �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Page 12 BUDDY'S PLACE: A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IN CINCINNATI ... Submitted by ReSTOC, a low­ income housing co-op in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine community It is one of the first of its kind, if not the first. buddy's place - 20 units of permanent housing for homeless individuals is serving as a national model in the effort to address the causes of homelessness and not just its ramifications. buddy gray was always known for his innovation and for his tireless commitment to ending homelessness. He was one of the founders of ReSTOC and the Drop Inn Center and was nationally recognized as a voice for low-income and the homeless. Now, over two years after his death, 1300 Vine Street, in Cincinnati's Over-the­ Rhine neighborhood, is being given new life. buddy's place was slated for demolition in the late 80's, having been vacant and ne­ glected for over a decade. With city shelters already at capacity and low-income housing in Over-the-Rhine being destroyed at alarm­ ing rates, buddy realized the potential of this "old building''. Amidst the decay, the burnt walls and missing floors, he saw housing that was safe, decent and affordable. The principle of ReSTOC is that housing is a human right, not a privilege. Many people work at day labor jobs at minimum wage or less. They cannot afford market rate hous­ ing. And so buddy's place, 1300 Vine Street, will stand as an opportunity for men and women to take control over their lives and experience a sense of freedom and self that life on the streets strips you of. It has taken many donors - individuals, public and private - and hours upon hours of volunteer labor, but buddy's place is nearing completion. It will be 20 furnished single room occupancy apartments. There will be an elevator, community room, tenant court­ yard, parking and a roof deck. The first 1O apartments are completed and applicants are being interviewed. The final 10 will be completed this month. Exterior improve­ ments will be completed in the spring. In order to complete these final improvements, we still need to raise $10,000. The "Buy a Brick for buddy's place" campaign will help us reach this goal. A brick can be pur­ chased for $50. Individuals or groups who "Buy a Brick" will have their names painted on a brick in a permanent mural on the side of the building at buddy's place. The obstacles seem insurmountable at times, the numbers of homeless grow every year and housing is continually being lost to demolition and gentrification. Life, however in Over-the-Rhine continues to thrive and continues to build community. buddy's spirit and outspoken voice lay in the completion of the buddy's place project as it represents, like virtually no other community in this country can offer, a solution to ending homelessness. *Individuals interested in applying for housing at buddy's place may contact ReSTOC at 381-0954. buddy's place, at 1300 Vine Street nears completion Photo by Jimmy Heath res t oe buy a brick ·~ tor budd 's lace ,:. b uddy's place is a community effort to help alleviate the tragedy of homelessness. We invite you to take part in this community effort and provide housing to our sisters and brothers who are homeless. Thank you for your on-going support. RESTOC 114. W. 14th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 • 513-381-0954 -··- - - - -•-•u.•-••-.-••-•••••--•••o•H-•-·--·-•••••••••-••••••••••••-·•••--••••---""'-·-·•••.--...-0...0...•••·•••••••••-•-•••-••••••oo•••..••••--•.o••-•••,.••••••••-•••-••••----•-••-•·•-•-••••-•-•---•-•­ - \ yeS \ .J 7 I \ we would like to buy_ brick(s) to support the construction of buddy's place gr' .......................................................................................... name ·········································i>f-ian·e················································· ···························sc'fioo1·c;·;·c;;·9aiiii"iiili:iii··································· amount enclosed ($50 per brick) .................. please m ake checks payable to RESTOC. In the space below. please Indicate name you would like painted on brick �STREETVIBES I The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine News From. Cleveland's Grapevine Cleveland Vendor Profile: Marguerite Perdue By Staff of Grape vine, Cleveland's Street Newspaper - Page 13 Homeless Grapevine vendor Marguerite Perdue has a message for Cleveland. She wants you to know that there is an urgent need to increase the housing options specifically for single women who are struggling to make the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Growing up in Cleveland, Marguerite had "a pretty good child life." She was adopted into a loving family when she was five months old, and has younger brother. Marguerite went to area schools, went to community college for three years , and became a Certified Nurses Assistant and a Home Health Aide. She has two grown sons and a grandson. Although, her father was killed in an accident at the PepsiCola Bottling Company when she was eight, Marguerite is proud that her family was never on Welfare. She has never lived in low-income housing, has always had her own house, own apartment, own car. About ten years ago, Marguerite lost her Nurses Assistant license, and began attending school and working at factory jobs through some of the area temporary employment agencies, while waiting to become eligible for recertification in 2000. She was self-sufficient, living at the Jay Hotel where she was renting her own room which she obtained with the help of a social worker at the Salvation Army and either AEA or CEOGC . And then everything fell apart. Marguerite became homeless about a year and a half ago. On a day that her rent was due, she called the landlord to let him know that she was at work and that she would pay him at the end of the day when she got home from work. But when she arrived back at the hotel, she found a lock placed on her door. Paying $35 rent for the day (because the room could have been rented that day) , a $15 fee for packing up her possessions, and a $1.50/day storage fee was more than she cou ld manage, so she left and the landlord kept her possessions. "I don't understand how [the landlord] took all my stuff like that. The Jay is really not a bad place. It's the best place there is, but I had just got everything together. He knew I was working." Marguerit e moved back in with her mother until her mother got sick and was unable to walk, which made it necessary to let a cousin buy the family's house. Marguerite's mother went into a nursing home, her brother moved to Detroit, and Marguerite moved to Akron, where she stayed at the Haven of Rest Center shelter. She was able to make arrangements to move into an apartment for single women next door to the Haven of Rest, but shortly before she was to move in, her mother went into respiratory failure. Marguerite immediately came back to Cleveland to be with her mother. "Since my cousin got the house, ever since I came back here from Akron, I've been homeless. I mean, I called all the shelters. There's nothing for a single woman. No where. nothing, ever. No rooms. No nothing. and that's basically the way it is" Marguerite has explored most of the . housing options avaihl:>le to her. She has b"'en ui · der to get shP 11 to three Oh1c now 11 is imperative 1or Marguerite to sta} , 1 Cleveland; she needs to be near her mother at the nursing home. Marguerite is afraid that away unless she is living close enough to the nursing home to stop in every day, she won't be contacted immediately if her mother passes. Because she committed a felony some years ago, CMHA housing is not an option. An outreach worker found Marguerite a room at a three-quarter-way house run by the Community Reentry program (prison reform) but, although the rent was only $125/month, she didn't feel that it was appropriate for her to have to follow the mandatory regulations and programs designed for the rest of the residents who were recently released from prison, on parole or on probation. Marguerite also tried getting a room at a hotel on Detroit and West 65th street. She went to the hotel one Thursday with $85 for rent in hand only to learn that the weekly rental cycle went from Saturday to Saturday, and she would have lo pay $35/day for the two extra days. After having walked all the way carrying all her bags she was discouraged and left, realizing too late that she could have paid for the week and then spent Thursday and Friday nights in the womens' shelter. It is difficult to get into the hotel, and having the money at the right time is hard for Marguerite. Finding trustworthy roommates to share housing expenses in rented situations has been difficult, also. Twice Marguerite has lost apartments because roommates didn't work out and the expense was more than Marguerite could manage on her own. Last summer, Marguerite went through a 30-day program for drug rehabilitation at the Hitchcock Center for Women. A week before coming out, Marguerite was promised housing at Transitional Housing, Inc., but two days before she was released, she was told there was no space available. She made an arrangement to room with another woman who had been in the treatment program with her, but that didn't work out either. At that point, Marguerite began staying at Project HEAT site C, the womens' emergency shelter at the First Methodist Church, (East 30th at Euclid) . When she has the money, she also has paid a couple of friends $10 or $15 dollars to sleep at their places for a night. Marguerite believes that if she had dependent children, finding housing would be possible. "Women with children , they've got it made," she says. "But I'm not going to have kids just to get someplace to live.". She also observes that too many people are no longer able to cope with societal pressures. "Half the population is taking psyche meds because they can't cope with life. You just have to cope. That's all." Marguerite refuses to let that happen to her, even though she admits that she has considered giving up and signing herself into a psych ward just to have a place to live and convenient meals. Lately, Marguerite has been selling the Homeless Grapevine, and working for $6.50/hr as a machine operator at a factory in Strongsville-a job that she got through MinuteMan. Work there has been slow, however, because of the holidays and the recent bout of inclement weather. Although her training is for the health care industry, Marguerite can do any kind of factory work. She can drive a tow motor and weld, or do any kind of assembly work. But what she likes to do is the nursing. 'Without a permanent residence," she points out, "how can you find a permanent position? I can get a job, but I need a place where I can take a shower. You can't, being homeless, deal with all that and be expected to get up and go to work everyday." Marguerite hopes to find her way out of this Catch-22 by landing a live-in position as a e close recently, but home health aide. She c lost the opportunity bee, 1se she didn't have I enough money for the required uniforms, shoes and a stethoscope. "If I could just find a room for myself­ an efficiency- I do not make enough money. Mostly, the landlords want first month's rent and a deposit. I can't come up with that. I have to eat every day to survive. Wash my clothes. There's no way I could do it." "They should open up something, a rooming house for women just like they do for men, you know what I mean? Because it's really hard. A single woman can't get a place to live." Marguerite would like to see someone open up a house , rooming house or boarding house for women. Even a three-quarter way house like the Community Re-entry ones would be of help, but one without the mandatory rules and restrictions that are necessary for the residents in those situations who are making the transition from prison to lite in the community. "The housing-that's the main thing," Marguerite insists. "Somebody needs to-not needs to, but it would be appreciated if somebody could try to come up with some kind of solution that would help single women. The single men have everything. They've got VOA, they've got St. Herman's ... there is no place that is suitable for single females." 'Community Voice Mail' Awarded Murphy Family Foundation Grant By Todd Neumann at NEOCH, (Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Cleveland) (216)241­ 1104. Cleveland Community Voice Mail was awarded a grant by The Murphy Family Founda­ tion to support the introduction of a Community Voice Mail System in Cleveland. Community Voice Mail(CVM) is an innova­ tive concept designed to assist the homeless, jobless, domestically abused, and other at risk clients in facilitat ing improvements in their lives. The premise is simple. People can not find housing or jobs without a number where they can be reached. Community Voice Mail gives them that. CVM contributes to the self-esteem of its users by taking away the stigma of their homelessness or phonelessness. Community Voice Mail empowers people by giving clients control over retrieving messages, allowing them to stay on top of their job or apartment hunt. Community Voice Mail (CVM) was pio· neered by the national non-profit, Community Technology Institute (CTI) . The organization was founded in 1991 when it set up its first CVM system in Seattle, WA. Since then the non-profit has been honored with the "Innovations in State and Local Government Award' by Harvard's Kennedy School of Govt. & The Ford Foundation. The Coalition through the work of AmeriCorps"VISTA's organized 19 local social service agencies to participate in Cleveland's Community Voice Mail System. The goal is to be operational by the end of summer 1999. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Page 14 Martha's Woodshop Provides Income and Pride for CTR Community By Dave Die tz Combining the ideals of environmental sustainability and social justice is a challenging task. The Buckeye Forest Council is working toward this goal through our 100% recycled wood craftshop. If someone asked me, "What are the most important things Over-The-Rhine needs?" high on my list, along with housing and shelter, would be a dignified source of income for current residents in the community. Martha's Woodshop is accomplishing this goal we employ a technical director and two apprentices. Even the small amount of money our shop provides has an impact on the lives of people who are meeting the basic needs of a roof over their heads and food on the table. Martha'.s Woodshop is in this way a homeless prevention program. The job helps maintain a sense of dignity and a source of income. We have been blessed with a technical director who is an artistic genius. Victor Siffel learned wood carving from his father while growing up in the Over-The-Rhine 'Tony·'s S~ory• from page 5 ... tion, who are mentally and physically challenged. His stereotypes about the label of homelessness that he now bears the burden of, are being broken. But still, he worries about what people will think of him. What if somebody recognizes him, standing in a soup line, or worse still, will people think differently of him, when he does finally leave here and they know of his past. Tony struggles with such thoughts on a daily basis, as the day he can work comes closer and closer. He says, however, he will not forget the Drop Inn Center or its residents although you can see he has difficulty reconciling this time in his life. Tony is not alone. .....•·· Working in Martha's Wood Shop... and West End area. Mr. Siffel currently works as a free-lance artist doing sculpture and historic restoration work for many individuals and busi­ nesses including The Wooden Nickel. Victor is involved with our program because he sees the urgent need for forest protection when he thinks of his children and their future. He also sees the · shop as an opportunity to pass along his skills as a wood carver to future generations. Martha's Woodshop is at an exciting phase of development. Our apprentices have been learning carving skills for a few months and we have been selling our crafts since August. Christmas was a busy time and we all worked extra hours to get the orders out. Now we are in the process of reaching out to the greater Cincin­ nati community with our line of 100% recycled Photo by Dave Dietz wood crafts. If you enjoy beautifully carved wooden crafts and jewelry or are part of a busi­ ness that would be interested in carrying our line don't hesitate to contact us. We have a flyer with photos and prices of our craft line. We can also custom create any type of wooden object that you describe. Contact us by mail or telephone and we will send you a flyer and any other inforn:iation you need. Thanks for you support! Buckeye Fo rest Council 1542 Elm St. Cin. Oh. 45210 Attn: Wood Crafts Ph. # (513) 665-4900 Steve or Dave OVER-THE-RHINE COMMUNITY ---­ COUNCIL T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!! Be Proud to be a Member of the Over-the­ Rhine Community Council. T-shirts are in Large Size; Colors Available P urple or Burgundy Cost: ORCC Member $4 Resident, non-ORCC Member $5 Others $10 Call 381-2956 or 381-4242 for information 'Demo' from page 1 ... run-down or dismal - the major impetus for the awarding pf the Hope VI Grant. This is why we must be ready as a commu­ nity. Ms. Bacon needs to be reminded that homelessness in our community is unacceptable. We know that the Hope VI Plan would add to the homeless problem in our city. And to add to the irony, with the loss of 1300 units of low-income housing, where is the so-called economic mix? So pleasP keep your ear to the street ahd be ready to stand for the p eople in this city when Ms. Bacon returns. on where T-shirts are sold. You can also purchase them at the monthly ORCC meeting. OVER-THE-RHINE COMMUNITY COUNCIL The creative design is by Jimmy Heath �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Announcements Live Studio Audience Wanted STREETVIBES TV SHOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PART OF OUR LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE? SHOW IS LIVE ON STREETVIBES Classified Ads Streetvibes is now accepting Classified Ads for items such as Help Wanted, Items for Sale, Apartments for Rent and other non-personal items. The rate is only $1 per line, approxi.mately four words per line. Classified ads are due by the 20th of the month. ­ People below the poverty level will be allowed five free lines for six m_onths to advertise their skills or products to our readers. Otherwise, payment must be received before the ad will run. No refunds will be made. Also, if there is an error, notify us after the first printing. You will be given an extra month of ad time. Mail the ad copy to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati , OH 45210 or fax it to 421-7813 THE SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AND IS BROADCAST FROM THE STUDIOS OF CINCINNATI COMMUNITY VIDEO, 2114 READING ROAD, FROM 7 TO BPM. STREETVIBES TV COVERS NEWS ON POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS AND RELATED ISSUES. CALL US AT THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS FOR MORE INFORMATION-421-7803 music Band Looking for Work Streetvibes (the band). We like to party. R&B. O ldies, Blues/ Jazz, Reggae. Helping the homeless to help themselves through free enterprize. Call 421·7803. Dwight Wise 1. Streetvibes will be distributed for a $1 voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for donations more than $1. I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. Future issues of Streetvibes will be purchased from the Homeless Coalition for 20 cents. 2. I agree that I will never distribute Streetvibes while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 3. I agree that I will not ask for donations after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat others with respect. I will not use abusive language or force someone to give a donation. I will not give a "hard sell" or make someone feel threatened. - jI Scramble Answers from page 11 ... • Jones Heath Neumeier Wickrema Johnson HVAC Technician for hire. 24 Service! Call 751-3182. Thank You! ••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • STREETVIBES provides Classified Ads free to low income job seekers. Others may place ads for only $ 1 per line. Call 421-7803 for info. Support Your Local Vendor... Tell A Friend About Streetvibes Radio Hour On WAIF 88.3 fm The Homeless Coalition has a live radio program which can be heard on WAIF radio on the second Saturday of each month at -noon. The show is co-hosted by Mary Burke, Donald Whitehead and other monthly guest hosts. The show mixes talk focusing on the stories in this paper and eclectic musical selections. Here are the next show dates; WAIF 88.3 fm Satutday, March 13th, 1~99, noon to 1 pm Streetvibes! Advertise in Streetvibes! Streetvibes Vendor Code. of Conduct Each vendor has to sign the following code to be able to sell the paper. 1s In Memory of "Mac" Who Believed In Human Rights For Everyone & Who Founded Justice Watch ... Because 'Everyone' includes Prisoners and Former Prisoners. Hinkston Clifford Whitehead Burke Heins position wanted Page 5. I agree that I will not supply oopies of Streetvibes to persons who are not registered distributors. 6. I agree not to deceive the public by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity dr that I am collecting for the "homeless" in general. I will be honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes will go to the individual vendor. 7. I agree that I will not contest territories with other distributors. 8. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a self supporting paper created by people who are homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this effort, I will try to spread the word and write stories if possible. 9. I understand that the failure to comply with any of the above statements will result in me no longer being able to distribute Streetvibes. ' . Advertising in Streetvibes is a chance for businesses to help a good cause while promoting themselves to over 5,000 concerned people each month. The rates are shown below. ***Business Card Size 2 11 x 3 1/2 11 $1 O per month ***Two Business Card Size 4 11 x 3 1/2 11 $20 per month A check or money order must accompany the ad copy. We reserve the right to deny any ad, especially those which promote alcohol or tobacco products. You will receive a full refund should your ad be denied. For larger ads, call the number below. Ads are due by the 20th of each month. If you need assistance in preparing your ad or have any other questions, call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803. Mail ads with payment to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati , OH 45210 .. �f_ f STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine 'STADIUM' cont. from page 3 ... .... had taken from the beginning," Bedinghaus said. The commissioners' approach incurred the wrath of ,many city and community leaders when they decided not to meet the 25 percent goal because of a court ruling that struck down minority set-aside programs. Bedinghaus said the commissioners' strategy included meeting with people who would work constructively toward a better situation. He explained that he continu­ ally meets with Or. Milton Hinton, president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP, and Jonathan Holified, first vice president of the NAACP, to discuss the stadium issue. The commissioners' also created a new position to assist minority and women-owned business participation on the stadium projects. Jonathan Railey, on loan from Cinergy, who served in that capacity, left the position last week. Reprinted by permission by the Cincin­ nati Herald. STREETVIBES, Streetvibes TV TV Schedule The Streetvibes TV Show is produced at the facilities of Cincinnati Community Video, 21 14 Reading Road. If you would like to be a part of our live studio audience please call the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 421 -7803 for more information. Streetvibes TV MARCH Schedule March's Live TV show will begin at 7PM, Monday, March 8th, and will be broadcast from the Reading Road Studio. The new show format includes a studio audience along with a guest panel discussion. Channel 7 LIVE CALL-IN SHOW. March 8th at 7PM. Rebroadcast Dates for Show on Channel 10: Saturday, March 6, 1999, 4 PM Friday, March 12, 1999, 11 am Friday, March 19, 1999, 11 AM Monday, March 22,1999, 10 PM Saturday, March 27, 1999, 4 PM Broadcast schedules are subject to change - consult your local TV directory. l Page 16 Vendor: SQ cents Printing and Production: 20 cents Where Your Dollar Goes Streetvibes has a minimal overhead cost so that the vendors can keep as much of the proceeds.as possible. · If anyone selling Streetvibes claims to be collecting for a private charity, please call our office at 421­ 7803. Thanks for your support. If you have any ideas for future STREETVIBES TV shows please contact our office at 421-7803. We always enjoy hearing from our viewing audience. Ideas should address subjects related to homelessness and poverty in our city. We are always interested in viewer ideas, so please give us a call... Streetvibes Wish List Streetvibes is published monthly on a shoe­ string budget. We depend heavily on the goodwill of many volunteers and donors. If you can help out with some of the items on our wish list please give us a call. .. >35 MM Film for Streetvibes photo's >Laser Printer >Advertisers to help support the paper > Good used or new Photo Copier >Office Supplies >Supplies for Vendors Lounge (coffee, cups, etc.) ;:-Computer for Streetvibes layout and writing >·Subscribers Call the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 421-7803 if you can help! • Need Help or Want to Help? If for some reason you find yourself homeless, contact a Coalition Member Agency for Shelter, Treatment, Housing or Services. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803. SHELTERS: Women and Children 241-2757 Alice Paul House (abuse) 281-5770 YWCA Transitional Living Prog. 557-2873 Bethany House 762-5660 Salvation Army 431~8717 Welcome House SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission Garden Street House Joseph House (veterans) St. Francis- St. Joseph House Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of America 241-5525 241-0490 241-2965 381 -4941 661-4620 381-1954 SHELTER : Both Caracole (AIDS) Chabad House Drop Inn Center (singles) Friars Club Haven House (Hamilton) Interfaith Hospitality Network 761-1480 821-5100 721-0643 381-5432 863-8866 244·7226 Lighthouse Youth Center St. John's Temporary Housing HOUSING CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTA Housing Network ReSTOC Tender Mercies Tom Geiger House TREATMENT: Wom en O.D.A.A.T First Step Home TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House Prospect House Starting Over TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline A.A. Hotline C.C.A.T. Talbert House Transitions, Inc. VA Domiciliary OTHER SERVICES AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati Appalachian Identity Center Beech Acres 961-4080 651-6446 721-4580 632-7149 241-0504 369-0004 381-0954 721-8666 961-4555 241-7343 921-7324 784-1853 921-1613 751-3260 820-2947 861-9966 381-6660 684-7956 491-4435 559-5011 421-2437 621-5991 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241 ·2600 591-2246 Churches Active in Northside 961-0600 Cincinnati Health Network 569-1840 Community Action Agency 381·4242 Contact Center 241-2563 Emanuel Community Center 241-1064 Freestore/Foodbank 771-4800 Goodwill Industries 621-7149 Hamilton Co.Mental Health Bd. 632-7186 Hamilton Co. TB Control 357-4602 Health Resource Center 352-2902 Homeless Mobile Health Van 221-3679 House of Refuge Mission 241 -9400 Legal Aid Society Madis.onville Ed. & Assistance Ctr. 271-5501 721-4811 Mary Magdalen House 621-0248 Oral Health Council 621-6364 Our Daily Bread 621-5514 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 721-7660 Travelers Aid 721-7900 United Way 559-6656 VA Homeless Program 491-3335 Women's Crisis Center � 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 1999 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 February 1999 Vol. 3, issue 26 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: More Demolition Proposed in the West End Marchers Celebrate the Life and Work of Martin Luther King Jr. Pg 2: The Traveler Pg 4: Welfare News Pg 5: The Broken City Pg 6: Arts & Poetry Pg 7: Nationwide News Pg 8: Prisoners News Jail Facts Pg 9: School of Americas Pg 10: Letters & Editorials Pg 11: Streetvibes Etcetera Pg 12: buddy's place Pg 13: Cleveland News Pg 14: Martha's Woodshop 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 February 1997 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tom Billman Ron Carter Denise Crew Brian Davis Dave Dietz Jimmy Heath Cliiford Jones Farshid Kamali Susan Knight Mary Ann Lederer Vikki Lynn James Pryor Rodney Sutton Daniel Thompson Vampire Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Brian Davis buddy gray buddy's place civil rights Clifford Jones Daniel Thompson Dave Dietz Denise Crew Donald Whitehead Farshid Kamali James Pryor Jimmy Heath Lynn Williams Mary Ann Lederer panhandling prisoner ReSTOC Rodney Sutton Ron Carter Susan Knight the broken city The Traveler Tom Billman Vampire Vikki Lynn welfare West End https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/14daa7fa1f9cf8e722ba1fc054132747.pdf 5a911cbb287dc5105077583726b6aa11 PDF Text Text HOMELESS MEMORIAL HELD AT WASHINGTON PARK Homeless Advocates Remember Those Who Have Died by Jimmy Heath On December 21st, 1998, friends , family, shelter workers and advocates for the poor gathered together in Cincinnati to remem­ ber the homeless or formerly homeless who have died during 1998. A candlelight procession began at the Drop Inn Center Shelterhouse and proceeded to Over-the­ Rhine's Washington Park where a barrel fire burned in memory of those who have died. About 40 persons, braving, the rain and the cold, participated in Cincinnati's memorial After participants moved to the park ga­ zebo, Donald Whitehead, Director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Home­ ~ less remarked, "that while we are able to ~ get out of the rain and seek comfort in our E' own homes, lets don't forget about the E :.:; ~ Continued a. Participants of the Homeless Memorial gather to remember those who have died. The event was sponsored ·1oca//y by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and was observed nationwide. on page 2... URSULINE ACADEMY VOLUNTEERISM by Stephy Wang, 10th grade As I take my first glimpses of Over the Rhine from the window of a truck, I imbibe the scenery and surroundings with startled sincerity. This is a world beyond my clean quiet suburbia. Here, litter rules the ground, shady alleys stare insidiously between crum­ bling dilapidated buildings. and large assortments of glass bottles lay everywhe re the eye can see. I ask myself: how can anyone live here? The truck halts to a stop in the parking lot and I realize my jaw has been slack since I set my eyes on OTR. Closing it quickly. I step outside the door onto the asphalt parking lot. I take a deep breath in the morning chill and I'm mildly shocked to find that the air smells and tastes the same as the air in my neighborhood. Mr. Forman, the Student Activities Director, gathers up t he rest of the Ursuline volunteers and steers us to a tiny building that looks like a motley of wood boards, brick, and glass. It's not until we go across the street and get close enough to the building that I discover it's t he ReSTOC office building. Strike my mental picture of a small, but nea t and tidy build­ ing. proudly boasting a sign t ha t says: Re­ STOC. My view of the world is getting a good dose of r e ality here . All of us push our way into a crowded office an d after signing in, we wait for the jobs to get distributed . Most of the Ursuline girls turn around to talk to the person behind them except me, so I keep myself busy investigating the room. It's cluttered, but organized, and filled with newsletters, magazines and infor­ mation on homelessness , evic­ tions, politics, and other subjects. Pictures dot the walls, and many are of Buddy Gray. You can tell the reverence the people in the office hold for him , the ma-n who _ founded Re-STOC. A striking pencil picture of Buddy hangs above the entrance adjoining ·chis r oom; t he image rem inds me of a guardian angel w atching over t he office. At the appropriate time, I spy a Bible on the magazine rack, and I sit down on the floor to r e ad it. Almost imme d iately, a woman comes out and exp lains w hat is going on and what jobs need to be done. She asks for volunteers for each task, and I raise my hand high when sh e mentions scaffolding. It turns out I have vo lunteered to pull Ursuline volunteers working on ReSTOC bldg. nails out of a ceiling on the scaffolding. My group walks about half a block to Buddy's Place, w here the nail pulling needs t o be done. On this walk I supplement my educa­ tion about the life here around me by gazing at the buildings, people a nd str eets. Continued on page 12... �- - - - -- - - - - -- ---- - - - - STREETVIBES - - -- -- - - - - - - 1 The Tri State s Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES THE TRAVELER 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 do llar 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 homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organiz­ ing. The Streetvibes Committee meets monthly to plan o ur issues and increase circulation. If yo u are interest ed in helping o r have a comment, please call 421 -7803. Staff D onald W hi tehead , D irector Jimmy H eath , Coo r dinator Brett Zwo lins ki , Vendor Support Ron Carter, Vendor Support Photoir aph e r Ji mm y H eath Writers D a n Cahill Ron C a r ter Denise Crew Bria n Davis D wigh t G ive n Iola Green Barry G rossh eim Patr ic k H armon Henry H a rtsock J im m y H eath M u ldoon Gr e g Payton Aaro n Pitchfo rd Ja mes W. Pryor Valerie Tayl,o r Stephy Wa ng Don a ld Wh ite h e a d Lynn W ill iams Ro b e rt Woo dman Brett Z w olinski Editorial Streetvibes accepts all le tters, poems, comments or editorials. We will print everything we have room for, giving preference to those who are homeless or vendors. Please send a ll mate ri a l t o the follow ing addres s: STREETVIBES I 506 Elm Street The newest version of Cincinnati City Council is increasingly conservative in its decisions. If the current trend continues " The H ei m l ic h Zon e" scenario, while perhaps a stretch, is not totally improbable with the pull yourself up by your boot straps era we are now facing. On the front-line in the City' s unequal treatment is Councilman Phi l Heimlich. Councilman Heimlich who co ns iste ntly outspends most candidates in the race for council sea ts champions the cause of wea lthy cam paign contributo rs eve ry time he votes. While Mr. He imlich is a r ing leader he has pl e nty o f company. C ouncilwoman Jeanette C iss e ll and un-electe d ap pointed council member Jim Tarbell. 45 2 I 0 (5 13) 421 -7803 fax (5 13) 421 -78 13 e-mail: ho me coal@ primax.n et ht t p :// c in c i.com/g cch FACT OF THE MONTH: * 40% of shelter residents work full-time. Sub mit ted fo r your approva l; Ci ncin nati 2015, a city out of control. Streets are littered with peop le wandering a imlessly, cold, tired and hungry. They are moved along with angry shouts by the city's two million man police force. Many citizens head for shelter in the long aband c:>ned s ubway tu nnels, a good hiding place. In fact, the only hiding p lace w here one can ' t be dete cted by t he I OOO' s of surveillance camera' s o n every corner in t he city. Since there a re no shelters or soup kitchens o r food pantry' s many people ar e heading for t he river banks to fish . Tumorous fish are the catch of t he day. Those that are lucky can work at one of the two beautiful new stadiums fo r minimum wage which has now risen to a- w hopping s ix dollars . T hose people can afford a lmost t hree meals a week after taxes! If only they w ere CEO's, they w ould be exem pt from taxes. Sounds like some thing from George O r well's 1984 but all of th is could happen soon, because a ll these citizens have stumbled into Th e Heimlich Zon e. Most of the Trave ler st ories have been . filled with pleasant journey's and exper i­ ences. One of the most unpleasant journeys that I am forced to take _on a q~gu lar -basis is a journey down t o Cincinnati di:y Hall. Each trip is met with a growing sense of disappointment with city government. Cincinnati City Council has constantly voted against minorit/s, children, poo'r neighbor­ hoods a nd t he middle ~lass. In ' the same breath the city can complain about subsi dy for low-income residents an d in the next fo rgive taxes on st o ck options t o CEO's of majo r co rporations. T he City Government can o n one han d complain a bout subsidi z­ ing low-income housing and at the same t ime pour millions and millions of dol lars into upscale housing in the central business district. I have witnessed the City cut fund­ ing for innovative and much needed job programs like the Over-the-Rhine Housing Netw o rk Job Program and in the same breath complain about the loss o f city tax dollars. Polley: Cincinnati, O H by Donald Whitehead Th ere have been some good proposals at City Ha ll recently; Councilwoman Minnett e Coope r introduced legislat ion to do uble th e C ity' s stag nant human ser vices budget. Councilwo man C oope r's prop osa l was met w ith the same cynicism as most proposals t hat would benefit low- incom'e or disadvantaged individuals . Usually I give travel advice in this column , my advice for this month is simple; GET INVOLVED. Cincinnati's strange e lectoral process is r ipe for manipulation by the well to do. D ecis io ns Page 2 are constantly made that negatively effect the majority of citizens who are not t he affluent in our city. If we are t o avoid the scenario at the beginning of this story w e must fight back. T he He im lich's, Tarbel l's and Cissell's of this City will co ntinue t he war on average c itize ns until t hey a r e made ac­ countabl e. If you did n't like t he cond it io ns described in my vers ion of " Th e H eimlich Zone" please help us to change t hem . Unti l we start to fight back the year 20 15 scenario, conditi.ons are closer than you th ink. HOMELESS cont. from front pg... perils of living outdoo rs in this kind of weather, tha t some people in C incinnati don ' t have a home to go t o ." A poem , w ritten by the late homeles s advocate buddy gray was r e ad by Ma ry Burke, o f the Housing Network. Sister Mary Grafe, of Peas lee N eighborhood Center, lead the grou p in pr ayer. Dr. Bob Donovan, Hea lthcare for the Homeless physician, read the list of names of tho se who had passed away. The list was compiled fr om health care workers and the various shelters located in the Greater Cincinnati area : Warren Cook, of the Drop Inn Center, sang a gospel tribute to the memory of those who have died homeless. Before concluding, the group was lead in song by homeless advocate Bonnie N eume ier of Peaslee N eigh bo rhood Center. Held every year on the winter solstice, homel ess advocate s gat hered in unity in c i't ie s nationw ide in a n attempt to bring ay.tareness to the hazards of living outdoors on the streets, without shelter, without protectio n fro m t he el em ents . This year, em phas is was placed on bringing awareness to the lack of affordable substance abuse treatment centers for poor and homeless persons. Lack of affordable substance abuse treatment is one of the leading causes of homelessness in this country. O the r reasons includ e lack of living w age jobs, lack of affordable housing, welfare reform and domestic violence. Shelter w orkers and advocates are keen ly aware of these defi­ ciencies in our local and national goverr­ mental systems. In the shelters, workers ' deal with these challenges on a daily basis. ~n an attem pt to put a human face on this cri.sis , t he Homeless Memorial serves as a reminder of the countless who die needlessly every year in this country. The following is the list of names read at Cincinnati's Hom.eless Memorial: Martiniqu e Kemp Cha rlene Meyers M ichlene Wi lliam s Linda We r o n Ron To r ch C hicken Ge o rge Ra ymo nd C l endenon Addie Swa i n Cocrel Ha rold Watkins M ada ly nn Br ambl e Al Cl ay L o u is Col ston M ike Lofinnig Skeet er K amitz John Starr Paul Hill er Rodney D err Mary. Edmondso n Ron Brady Naomi Ma ssing Tracy Harris Tom Be ringer �STREETVIBES ' The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 3 COHHIO AMERICORPS* CLOSING CEREMONY by Brett Zwolinski and Emmanuel Green George Niles and Emmanuel G r een from ReSTOC with Brett Zwolinski from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless attended the COHHIO (Coalition on Hous ing and Homelessness in Ohio) AmeriCorps* Closing Ceremony on Decem­ ber I 0th. The event was held at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, about 40 m iles northeast of Columbus. Local AmeriCorps* members Cindy Fowler and Mindee Hedr ick were instrumen­ tal in the coordination of events for the COHHIO AmeriCorps* Closing Ceremony. Accompanied by small tokens of apprecia­ tion , staff members and leaders were lauded for their great efforts and volunteerism that went beyond the call of duty. CO HHI O AmeriCorps* staff members Cathy Johnston (Directo1r), Angela Lariviere (AmeriCorps* Leader), and Mary Scott (Ad­ ministrative Assistant) were honored for their diligence and unique contributions to the eradication of homelessness in the State of Ohio . Emmanuel Green and Valarie Evans received awards for their demonstration of outstanding leadership in the New York Service Project held earl ier in the year. In her appreciation for COHHIO AmeriCorps* member volunteerism, Cathy Johnston administered Certificates of Na­ tional Service to each member present. The Certificate reads... "ln recognition of your service to our communities and our country Writing to STREETVIBES Send your letters and comments to STREETVIBES LErrERS AND EDITORIALS: c/o GCCH, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 Or send your emall's to: streetvlbes@/uno.com We reserve the right to edit stories or letters for clarity and content. Contents Welfare News Broken City Arts & Poetry Nationwide Prisoners' .News Cleveland News N. Kentucky News Letters & Editorials STREETVIBES Etcetera El Salvador Remembers AVOC Announcements Classifieds Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page7 Pages Page 9 Page9 Page10 Page11 Page13 Page14 Page15 Page15 Left to right: Robert Freklng (ReStoc), Cathy Johnston (Director COOHIO Amer/Corps*}, and Emmanuel Green (Amer/corps * ReStoc) as a member of AmeriCorps," signed, Harris Wofford (Chief · Executive Officer, Corporation for National Service) and Peter Heinaru (Director, AmeriCorps* State/National). Robert Freking of ReSTOC left a day early with his host Emmanuel Green. After checking in a~ the Universal Hotel, local AmeriCorps* members Cindy Fowler and Mindee Hedrick showed Emmanuel and · Robert around the town. Mr. Freking had the opportunity to meet and network with COHHIO AmeriCorps* members and staff at the event (see photo). "The food was gooood ," seemed to be the unanimous response to the delectable cuisine of the Cherry Valley Lodge ... the type of food us AmeriCorps* members rarely embrace. Reflecting upon the 1998 year of Na­ tional Service, Emmanuel Green stated that, "The Laughter of AmeriCorps* as a whole really emphasiz.ed the unity of AmeriCorps* and what we stand for... Helping the H ome­ less in the State of Ohio." HOMELESS VErERAN WITH PJSD'FINDS HELP Introduction by Iola Green, HCHV Program Coordinator About one-third of the adult homeless population has served their country in the armed services . On any given day, as many as 250,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters, and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other veterans are cons idered near homelessness or at risk because of poverty, lack of support from fam ily and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in over­ crowded or substandard housing. Homeless veterans are eligible for a variety of benefits, health care, and other supportive services from VA programs. VA offers an array of programs and initiatives specifically designed to assist homeless veterans . One of these programs is the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Program. This program is designed to help veterans live with the events of war. David Snow is in the PTSD Program and is learning how to live sober. The following is one veteran's story of his experience in dealing with PTSD. was a medic at that time and became exposed to the death of many of my com­ rades and that was something I never could get out of my mind. After the war I found myself drinking heavily to forget the past, disregarding help for a normal future. Soon my s ituation overwhelmed me. Homeless, suicidal, and frustrated with my life, I turned to treatment at the VA hospital in Cincinnati where I was diagnosed with PTSD because of my experience in the war. Since my diagno­ sis, I realized w ith treatment my life might become manageable again with the right help. I'm currently in treatment at the Droege House in Dayton, KY and learning to deal with the battle in my mind. I know this may never go away altogether, but with help I know I have a chance to learn how to deal with this problem and learn to lead a normal life again . I encourage any veterans who are having problems in dealing with experiences from the war or who are home­ less to contact the VA Hospital to try to get help. DAVID SNOW I was in Army EVAC in 1966 in the Viet­ nam War and that changed my life forever. To talk with a member of th e Health Care from Homeless Veterans Team please call 572-6226! �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 4 STREETVIBES OFF OF WELFARE BUT NOT Welfare News OUT OF POVERTY by Lynn WI/I/ams STATES UNITING TO FIGHT TIME LIMITS by Lynn Williams At the NWMAP Conference in Ft. Worth, Texas Nove(Tlber 20-22, organized by the National Coalition for the Homeless and National Children's Defense Fund, a woman spoke with urgency in her vo ice. "We don 't have time to sit around and debate whether or not we want to design a na­ tional welfare policy fo r this country. People have already been cut off because of time limits and they and their children are hurting. We need to take action now! " At the NWMAP Conference, (National Welfare Monitoring & Advocacy Par tnership), welfare advocates and recipients agreed that the major battle we face in the short­ term is time limits for receiving TANF ( Temporary Assistance to Needy Families o r welfare assistance to families with ch ildren .) Current ly t here is a five year federal limit to receive TANF, with states having the option to shorten the time limit. Many states have rest rict ed it to less than five years. An advocat e rep resenting re cipi ents in Massa­ chusetts spoke on how recipients in her state face the time limit cut-off in Decem­ ber of t his year. Children and families in Massachusetts face a very cheerless Christ­ mas season . She stated, "Thousands wi ll be left destitute in my state, including infants! America's welfare policies wi ll t ake a deep toll." High points o f the conference includ ed agree ing to focus ou r efforts o n combating t ime limits, ge.t ting t he states t o spen d their TANF money, and pus hing fo r e ducation to be counted as the work requ irement. The conferen ce participants agreed to a reso lu­ t ion calling for a moratorium on time limits across the United States, including restoring welfare ass istance to families who have already been cut-off due to time limits. Actions that a re being planned to stop time limits include: *Holding a "Stop the Clock" Cam ­ paign with actions in cities across the U.S. at New Years' Eve events , inc luding Watch Night Vigils in chu rches. *Holding a National Call-In Day or Week to get people, including recipients, to call their U.S. Congress legislators *Mailing smashed watches to U.S. Congress legislators as part of the "Stop the Clock" campaign. 1998 by the National Priorities Project and Jobs With Justice, shows just how hard it is for welfare recipients to escape poverty after leaving the welfare roles. The report reveals an alarming reality about what kind of jobs are out there for recipients without a college degree, not to even mention those without a high school degree or G.E.D. The majority of jobs, including those with the fastest job growth, are retail salespersons , waiters & waitresses, nurse aides, orderlies-, attendants, and cashiers. None of these jobs pay more than $15, 496 a year, and few provide health care or pensions. One member of the Welfare Rights Coalition who transitioned off of welfare through a nurse aid training program told us that even though she works in a health care setting, around doctors & hospital patients all day, she cannot even go to a doctor because she doesn't have health insurance! Her . health care job does not provide hea lth care! ' In Ohio, a living wage is defined as a salary of $30,038 a year for a family of four. The report states that the majority of welfare recipients are getting jobs that pay only $5 .50 and $Z,.OO an .hour, averagjng $1 1,410 and $14,560 a year. Only 28.8% earn above $14,500 for a family of three. • •,I' The majprity of livable wage jobs require a co llege edu cation . W elfare reform laws have cut- fa r back . on .the- .q,J lo wance of time recip ie nts can count college classes as a work activity. However, if recipien ts are going to get liva ble wage jobs ~nd pu ll their famili es out of poverty, they wi ll need college degrees . According to research done at the CUNY (City University of New York) Graduate Ce nter, the li kelihood t hat a person with a college degree will be po o r is less than a I in 50 chance. W ithout a coll ege degree, the like.lihood inc reases to I in 5. If legislators are serio us about getting recipients off of welfare fQr life , they shou ld be promoting higher education as a work activity & reward recipients for taking this initiative to study! The report states that at the same time that the most job growth is in belowJlivab le wage jobs, CEOs are reaping in record salaries! Incredibly, in 1995, CEOs made 115 times the salary of the lowest paid worker. For example, the CEO of Provident Financial Group, Allen L. Davis, earned as much in two hours as the lowest wage worker did in a whole yea r. Mr. Davis makes an above­ livable wage of $123 per minute or $15,366,000.00 annually. It would take a low­ wage worker 1,023 years to make that much money! It took CEO John B. McCoy of Banc One only three hou rs to earn what his lowest paid worker made in a whole year. Mr. McCoy enjoys a salary of $85 per minute and $I 0,569,000.00 annually. His lowest paid worker would have to toil 704 years to earn McCoy's annual salary. At a press conference held on Dec. 8th, a spokesperson for the Ohio Empowerment Coalition said they are committed to fighting for livable wage jobs for recipients. Anyone who works full-time should auto­ matically be able to provide adequately for their children . Welfare recipients who attend college, job training or G.E.D. classes should be rewarded, not punished by the welfare system. In addition, along with advocating for livable wage jobs and more ­ allowance for education, the OEC is part of a growing national movement to fight for a safety net for people who are unemployed and those who have no way to provide for their fam ilies and themselves without gov­ ernment help. · (For more information about the report " Working Hard, Earning Less:, call Jobs With Justice at (202) 434-1106 or the National Priorities Project at (413) 584-9556.) OHIO EMPOWERMENT COALITION MEET~ JANUARY13th WEDNESDSAY 10:30AM at Sullivant Gardens 955 Remick St. Columbus, OH ELECTRONIC FOOD STAMPS? by Brian Davis The Cuyahoga County Office of Health and Nutrition reports that by the middle of February 1999 all recipients of Food Stamps will need to convert to the Electron ic Benefits card or they will no longer receive the stamps. The electronic benefits card is sim ilar to a bank debit card and can be used in many grocery stores t hroughout the city. Cuyahoga County has begun the process of changing from paper based system to an electronic system. Many homeless people have not made the switch and are in danger of losing their benefits next year. Cuyahoga County officials are try,ing to urge homeless peop le to sign up before the deadline so t~at they do not go hungry after February of 1999. Homeless people interviewed said that the food stamp benefits are so small that it is not worth the t ime and aggravation of switching. One homeless man who wished not to be identified said, "What am I going to do with food stamps if I don't have a kitchen to cook the food!" Many homeless people traded or sold their paper stamps for cash to buy fast food or other items that they deemed necessary in their life. �STREETVI BES 1 The Tri Stote s Hom eless Grap evin e The Broken City... by ll••T He•tb -- . While the building falls apart, the owner guards his property with a gun .•. KINGS' STRUGGLE SURVIVES TODAY by Jimmy Heath 1999 will mark 30 years since the assassi­ nation of Martin Luther King Jr. at his hotel room in Tennessee. Many people realize that the struggle that eventually took King's life still goes on today and the challenges facing human rights advocates today are even greater than ever. Even as we move into a new millennium, racism and bigotry is alive and well in this country. We war with countries against people who are not like "us." The fight for fair and livable wages, affordable housing, and the rise of hate crimes against citizens of our country; those who are d ifferent, pose new moral and philosophical challenges every day. These are the battles of in justice that King would be fighting if he was still alive today. King is remembered as the voice of justice for the rights of African-American people during the 60's. But we know that poverty and justice is not an all-black issue. Even 30 years after his death, King is consid­ ered by many to be a hero for the rights of a ll poor people - people that are left in the wake of so-called present day economic vitality, stuck in low wage jobs and poverty and homelessness. The goods and services that allow products to be affordable to the beneficiaries of todays economic blessings rely on the cheap labor of ill-paid wage earners . Then there is the quiet hate - the bigotry and racism that goes on behind the closed doors of corporate boardrooms and in our living rooms. The simple and insidious kind of racism that grovels in the dark because we all know that it is wrong and cowardly. A malice that seeks to blame som eone less fortunate and removed. As a "baby boomer" I feel the yearning to succeed and feel the pull of selfishness that drives my generation. We know how to take care of ourselves and we close our eyes to the pain of others. And we blame. Kings' powerful character taught us things about the sp irit and the inherent goodness of human nature. During the holidays and the winter months most people recognize the struggles of the homeless and the poor and the spirit of giving is found. But the struggles continue long after the holidays. Somet imes hope can not be found during the warm and friendly summer months. The battle for human justice needs to be fought everyday through the generos­ ity of our spirits, our hands and our hearts. It takes a commitment and patience to realize this calling of the human spirit. As the holidays pass, will the spirit of giving fade away? Will we forget about the suffering beyond our own walls? Will we learn to honestly confront our own intoler­ ance! In 1963, King said at the March o n Washington for Jobs and Freedom; "Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children." 35 years later, the struggle continues. Pages drinking, or using drugs, and had no major mental problems. They were broken and beaten down spiritually. They were young mothers with little children. They were men who had skills in plumbing, carpentry, etc., hard-working men who had become displaced workers for one reason or the other. All of these people had known abuse of the physical and emotional type in past relationships. They all spoke of the sadness of the breakup of their families. I discovered that being in this environ­ ment, and being an active participant and not a casual observer, has given me some valuable insights into the realities of rural homelessness. Some of the experts have concluded there are no rural homeless people. That is a sad untruth. The folks met at Blue Creek shared w ith me their life stories. They have dreams and aspirations of good jobs and security. They spoke of well-rounded relationships. Their human dignity spoke of spiritual fulfillment and of their desire to share their lives' experiences with others. " When you're on the bottom there's nowhere to go but up," one lady related to me. Yes, being there with my new friends at Blue Creek, sharing the household cheer chores, telling our stories to each other; that was deeply spiritually rewarding. As life would have it, I now am a community organizer here in Brown County, in addition to teaching and performing my music part-time. One of our grassr oots · priority issues now is building a homeless shelter here in Brown County, Ohio. Some­ times we blindly stumble into the arms of . grace ... FIRST NIGHT AT THE SHELTER by Greg Payton DO RURAL AREAS HAVE HOMELESS PEOPLE? by Wiii Henry Hartsock When we think of a homeless person, we often see in our mind's eye a person pushing a shopping cart with all their earthly possessions, along a city street. Also, we view this person as being dependent upon alcohol, drugs. or being in need of mental health care, or a combination of all three. don't know the statistics, but only speak from my own personal experience. In January of 1998, I abruptly became homeless, due to my wife forcing me to leave our home. In respecting her wishes, found myself watching the snow fly all around my head, as I left our house, with $20 dollars in my pocket ... then the real shock. Brown County Ohio has no homeless shelter. I called the local social services director. I explained that I worked part-time as an ethnomusicologist at a local rural college, but had not started the spring semester yet. I told him I had no money nor did I have a place to sleep, except in my old car. His reply was, "I do not consider you homeless . . ." These words stung in my ears as I politely stammered, "Well, thank you sir,'' and hung up the phone. After exhausting all my leads, I found a shelter out in Blue Creek, Ohio, near Ports­ mouth. A rather long way to drive just to sleep in a warm place. After having stayed there for a month, I came to a gentle realization; these folks with me were not Now that I'm here I ask myself, "What can I do? Who can I trust? And who can I talk to?" The sun went down, and I was out of the weather, thank God . First, I listened when they told me th e rules. Then, I got a chance to eat, and I w as thankful too. I asked someone for a smoke who was just like me . I looked around and asked for one of those lockers I cou ld see while I relaxed and watched big TV. Then someone said, "Showers," and I stood in line. They said, "You need an l.D. for a towel." And I said, " I lost mine." So they said, "See the advocate in the morning." I said, "I don't have any money." They said, " Follow instructions and it might be free, sonny." I laughed, something I haven't done in awhile. I got soap , toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo with that towel. When I finished , I gave them their towel. They gave me deodorant and a comb for my style. I went back to the bench to watch TV and smelled food again, coming from the kitchen I couldn't see. They said, "We have snacks this evening." And I smiled, remem­ bering and thanking God because I walked so many miles. I thanked them for having something to eat. They smiled and said, "Thank you, but please have a seat." I looked around an figured I was one of many they had to meet. I was back in line, but for a mat this time. I was clean , and I was full , and I was thankful most of all. The door, yes the door, was open for the poor. In my prayer tonight, I must recite... Thank you God for another day. Thank you D rop Inn Center for a new way. �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri Stote s Homeless Grapevine WORD ON THE STREET Arts & Poetry THE SHADOW CHANGES HIS NAME TO "THE TRUTH" Making His Book, The Odd Cookie, A Collector's Item! by Dwight Givan The author changed his name from The Shadow t o T he T ruth because he was un­ aware of the old radio show, The Shadow Knows, when he first selected his pen name. Because he is a dee p complex writer who writes from the heart and always the truth, it was only fitting to call himself The Truth. Mary Sibler of Wentworth Gallery in Kenwood Tow ne Centre Mall; Mr. Shane of The Next Generation in Cleveland, TN, and Ms. Karen Wilson of Authentic Autographs in Pigeon Forge, TN are in the business of buying and selling collectibles. They have all agreed that The Odd Cookie is a collector's item. When the author, known as The Shadow, changed his name on Octo ber 19, 1998 to The Truth, any book bear ing the name The Shadow became a collector's item. There will be no more books printed with t he pen name The Shadow. only be availa ble for purchase during Kawanza and Black History Month. At all other times, the book is only available when the author is hosting a book signing. All books will be autographed in gold lettering. Mark Pastor, co-owner of BWPI (formerly Artistic Appa r el) and co-founder of the Cincinnati Black Book Fair thought so highly of the book that he promoted it on BET during Black History Mo nth. The Truth has remain e d a headl ine r at the C incinn at i Black Book Fair for t he last three years. He's a lso appea red a the Los Angeles Black Expo as a guest of Dr. Ros ie Milligan with Black W riter's On Tour. Ar t galleri es are wa iting for the release of prints from pictures in the book. There has been so much t hat has emerged fo r m th is bo ok and I expect th at we have not se en the last of much more to come. The r eviews were grea t and it so ld o ut both Saturda y and S.unday nights. Channe l I 9's Fox News in the Morn ing did a segment o n the play. Donn ie McFinley, who wo r ked o n ·t he sm ash hit mo vie, Sha ws hank Rede m ption , d ire c ted the play. There was a cast of 17 child r en and teens. Furthe rmore, Mr. Bond, a t ea cher at Bond Hill Elementary School, co llabQr a ted with The Truth to create The Odd Cookie Awards . The awards recognize children who e xcel in the arts. the 2nd Annual Odd Cooki e Awards will be held at Hoffman Elementary School on February 6, 1999. The children will r.eceive awards and prizes in the areas of reading, writing, and acting. There will be a chance for the children afterwards. the Truth's vision is to see The Odd Cookie Awards on national television hosted by children celebrities. When you support The Odd Cookie book, you support The Odd Cookie Awards. To purchase The Odd Cookie Book, contact the publisher, Children 's Clas sics at (513) 221-5114 NOT FOR LOVE OR MONEY by Denise Crew The Odd Cookie book is a survival. Mr. Jerry Moore, a White principal at Anderson Place Elementary School , on Channe l 9 news stated that The Odd Cookie teaches blacks not to listen to white folks . The Truth, formerly known as The Shadow, in the same interview stated that his book_ is about peer pressure and that it has no color. the controversy created an Odd Cookie mania in Cincinnati causing sales to skyrocket. This is the last year during the holidays that the book will be sold. After 1998, it will You keep telling me how lonely you are feeling . No one calls you, no one visits you at hom e . You only care about making t he quo ta and b ringing in the money. You aren't fearful of me, you don't let a thing get by you. Finally my spiritual equal a challenge to work on. Too bad you don't have a social clue as to what the hell is going on. You worshi p a G o d, that controls your e x travagant life styl e. Dinner on the Diners' C lub- no prob lem Ja cket on the Gold Car d- no problem P r oblem? It was a disturbing place to visit and I wouldn't want to live there . ~ Page 6 WHEN THE FINGERS POINT . ATME by Rick AKA Vampire Wben the fingers point at me Because I dare to dream To be what I am . When the finge r s point at me , A smile gently caresses my face , And I know they can n e ve r Hurt, t ouch , bend o r br ea k me To their rules. There are others o ut there like me, Who choos e to ru n, to hide , to flee But I say to you now Rise, rise, rise up Into glory, an d stat e what you are, And wh o you are, Beca use it is people like myself, An d man y othe rs That give them t he aut hority of exist­ ence, Because without us, who or what would they have to taunt, O r point at? If I would rather to be anything, It would be; not to be like them VENDOR: AARON PITCHFORD N ot this message, that message. I decided to write because I can't talk. I wanted you to know I'm Chicago's old best street ve ndor. I sold big red and peppe r mints to prepare myself in the future. I'm like the old street vendor Charles Deve raux on Race Street who had licenses here, Cleveland, and Chicago. Now he is driving a yellow cab as opposed to Aaron who had licenses here, Milwaukee, Chicago and Dayton [and uh], A comment from the peanut gallery or Ron Carter's comedy corner. What's the best way to keep milk from getting sour. The correct answer is not this message. Ron, that ain't it. Well how you expect me to get up there to leave it in the cow[do dat doom]. COMEDY CORNER ~ by Ron Carter WAS I ~RUEL? As I awoke this morning a brigh t new day was born A Robin perched upon my window sill To signal the coming, the dawn The bird was gracefu l young and gay And sweetly did it sing T houghts of joy and happiness within my heart did ring I smiled at his cheery song Then it paused for a moments lull So ·1 gently closed the window And accidentally crushed his little skull �STREETVI BES ' STREETVIBES Nationwide ANOTHER TOUGH YEARI by Brian Davis, Cleveland's Grapevine On a local and national level, we have seen another tough year for those without a home. From an alarming number of com­ munities we have seen legislation making it illegal to be homeless to a local church that set up barriers for homeless people to keep them away from the door. For every step forward (an increase in the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget) we have taken two steps backward (in­ creased welfare sanctions, and continued losses in housing). Three years ago before welfare reform and before we started seeing large scale reductions in housing, I had hope that with better coordination of services we could begin to reunite large numbers of people with a stable lifestyle. Now we are at a point that it will take a large scale commu­ nity effort just to maintain the status quo. In late 1997, the City of Cleveland won the right to license our vendors when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of the Grapevine vendors. The City of Cleveland has as yet chosen not to enforce their licensing privileges. However, in other cities we have :seen Pandora's Box thrown wide open. The city of Miami has a new paper, Street Views, which is facing litigation by the City of Miami to force their vendors to get a license. We have heard rumblings of Los Angeles, a Chicago suburb, and Cincinnati debating the issue. We do not know how many cities without a street paper will not see a newspaper spring to life because of the threat of licensing. On the positive side, we did see an increase in the HUD budget, which is no where near the need, but one has to ac­ cept the victories no matter how small. What we have seen across the country is a con t inuing decline in affordable housing. In many communities huge public housing by Brett Zwolinski An Unrhymed Japanese verse fo rm of three l i nes containing usually 5,7,5 (or 7 , 5 , 7) syllables r e spectively. Please submit your suggestions for mon t hly Haiku to Brett Zwolinsk i at STREETVIBES, 1506 Elm Street , Cincinnati , Ohio 45210 Massood Rahimi' s Homeless Grapevine projects are being destroyed. On its face this is an attempt to de-concentrate poverty in the inn er city, which is a worthy goal. But the underlying result is a destruction of ex is t ing communities and a reduction in affordable housing. There will not be a one to one replacement of the properties that are being taken down . HUD has reported a huge gap in the amount of affordable housing and yet we are reducing the opportunities for stable living arrangements for poor people at the same time. Haiku: i rea11y don't know this crap too damn exhausted shh... the neighbor is s1eeping Page 7 Please Support Our Advertisers WILLIAM R. WALLACE, D.D.S. 5258 MONTGOM ERY RO. NORWOOD, OH 452 12 1999 Actlrlty: The National Coalition is looking for another increase in the HUD budget and the Health and Human Services budget. Advocates at the state level are looking to find a stable source of funding for the Housing Trust Fund, a program to build affordable housing and services to place people in housing. Locally, advocates are working on three initiatives to strengthen oversight locally, improve homeless people's access to affordable housing, and build stronger links with the health care community. The most important work will be to continue to amplify the voice of the homeless. THE OLD WHITE GUY Submitted by Brian Davis, Cleve/ands Grapevine A published report in the St. Petersburg T imes details the marketing campaign of the network of rescue missions throughout the country and how "The Old White Guy" tugs on the heart strings of readers to donate to the missions . During the holidays, missions throughout the country (City Mission in Cleveland and Rescue Mission in Young­ stown) put advertisements in the local daily newspapers to raise funds for their ~helter and meal programs. These advertisements are based on years of focus group studies and marketing analysis according to the St. Petersburg Times. One advertising executive told the paper that "the Old Guy" sells. While minor­ ity people or mothers or children do not have the same appeal. Officials of the Missions in Florida claim that the stereotypi­ cal vision of a homeless person works best in fundraising because people think that homeless people are older alcoholic men. The paper also reported discrepancies in the price of a Thanksgiving meal. The Subscribe to Streetvlbes HAIKU Now, 1 The Tri State s Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be pur­ chased for $12 per year. Please send a check to the below address and t he 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 Home less--Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. Telephone 1513) 531· 2338 ~~ ~ PRII\'IERICA Financial Senices Clifford Jones R1p11sentatlvt 8075 Reading Rd.• Suite 1 • Cincinnati. OH 45237 Res. (513) 761·3464 • Bus. (513) 821·3332 Voice Mail: (513) 230-6353 A MemberofTravelersGroup All llMltPtndut rtprtulltllln of Prlmerlo FIHnclll Strmes Rtpresenting: Primerica Ute Insurance Company/£xeculJVe Ottices: Duluth, Georg.a ~ ~, $si A N OTHER CLASS PROD U ' TIO~ Disc-Jockey Service CLIFFORD JONES (513) 761·3464 (5 13) 230-6353 advertising agency used in St. Petersbu rg and Tampa said that meals cost $1.57 which is repeated throughout the United States while a local hunger organization reported that a meal costs $1 . 79 for one Thanksgiving dinner. 79% OF NEW JOBS IN OHIO PAY LESS THAN A LIVABLE WAGE . . . *3 9% of these jobs pay below ha l f t he l i vable wage . *I n a dd i tion , many of t hese l ow wage j o bs are part time or temporary and f ew provide health insurance o r oth e r benef its . *Most j obs held by former Wel f a re rec ip ients pay between $5 . 50 and $7 . 00 a n hour : Only 28 . 8% earn above the $14 , 500 poverty level for a family of three . *A living wage for a family of four in Ohio is $30,038 per year . *In 1995, CEO's made 115 times the salary of the l owe st paid worker . �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Prisoner News THEACA ACCREDITATION FRAUD by Dan Cahlll, Muldoon, James Pryor, and Robert Woodman Orient Correctional Institution For more than five years prisoners in Oh io and throughout the nation have been condemning the American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditation program as a sham and a fraud. In 1933, prisoners at the Madison prison in London, Ohio, issued the Ohio Prisoners' Rights Union (OPRU) position paper on the accreditation pro­ gram. It stated: · *ACA accreditation lends credibility to fraudulent claims by prison officials, and is used as a defense aga inst lawsuits through fa lse documentation. Prison offic ials claim that accreditation demonstrates a "good fa it h" effort to improve prison conditions. In reality it's an attempt to mis lead the public into thinking pri sons have better living co nditions than t hey really have. *Prisoners don' t have access to the ACA acc reditation stan da rds and aren ' t involved in the accr ed itation p roces s, and have no way to com pel priso n official s t o com ply with those standa rds . *Until prisoners are actively involved in the ACA accre ditat ion process and ha ve access to the ACA sta ndards - the accredi­ tation program m ust be recognized for the sham that it is. Prisons and their outside support groups must fight the ACA accredi­ tation program." The OPRU position paper was distrib­ uted to all of CURE's (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Erra,nts} state chapters by Eunice McAllister of South Carolina - CURE (Now the Prisoner Advocacy Network- PAN). Mrs. McAllist er also sent evidence and reports from prisoners across the nation to National CURE exposing the accreditation program as a fraud. The evidence compiled was presented at a workshop at CU RE's national convention . In the Journal of Pr isoners o n Prisons, Vol. 6, No. 2 ( 1995), "Little Rock" Reed and Ivan Demsovich condemned the ACA accreditation program as a fraud in their article, "The American Correctional Assoc: A Conspiracy Of Silence." However, in National CURE's Fall 1998 newsletter, CURE clearly supports and promotes the accreditation program ... CURE's continued support of the ACA lends credibility to the entire fraud prisoners have been attempting to expose for years... Prisoners who litigate on prison issues know first-hand how detrimental fraudulent ACA accreditation can be. W hen a prisoner sues an accredited institution, they are faced with a mountain of documentation as counter-evidence in the court. To win, the prisoner must prove that the documenta­ tion and accreditation is false or irre levant. If he/she fails to win, the prisoner loses the case , and the conditions wh ich led to the lawsu it remain unrepaired. In Reception Perceptions Uuly/ August 1998) a newsletter for the Correctional Recept ion C e nte r, t he r e was an article titled "W hat Is ACA?". The article sa id accred it a­ ti o n is " .. . a defense against law su its t hrough the documen t ation of a ' go od faith' effort to improve condit ions of con­ finement, ... and enhanced public credibility fo r administration and line staff ... " It doesn't seem to matter that the en tire process is a sham, or that t he documenta­ tion is false. The current president of the ACA is also the Director of the Department of Rehabili­ tation and Correction (DORC) , Reginald A. Wilkinson. Considering how much of tax­ payers ' money DORC spends with the ACA each year through the accreditation pro­ gram and the purchase of ACA literature, this appears to be a serious conflict of interest. The ACA is a special-interest group which represents those whose livelihoods depend on federal , state , and county prisons and jails. Is it any wonder that they lobby for larger prison budgets to c.ontinue expanding the prison systems? On October 5-7, 1998, the Orient Cor­ rectional Institution (OCI) underwent an ACA audit for accreditation. Prior to the ACA inspection, prison officials had more than 60 dump-truck loads of what they called " junk and clutter" taken to the dump and thrown away. This "junk" consisted of hundreds of chairs , couches, filing cabinets, wooden a nd steel desks, unused office supplies and cleaning supplies, computers, keyboards, tape players, TV's, unused medi­ cal supp lies, etc... Now prison officials are in the process of purchasing s.u pplies and equipment to replace what was just re­ cently thrown out! The audit team consisted of 3 individu­ als, who spent 2 1/2 days at this prison. Most of their time here was spent reviewing pol icies and procedures to ensure compli­ a nce wit h ACA standards. No effort w as made t o verify tha t polici es a nd procedures were actually carried o ut! They ignored broke n w indows which were covere d in plastic, and made no effort to dete r mine if showers, toilets, sink fixtures, fire alarms, or lights really wo rked. T hey ignored sew age dripping fro m pipes in a dorm se t aside fo r disabled prisone rs ...and extreme overcrowd­ ing. They ignored t he condemned dorms with their crumbling foundations. cracking and buckling floors, and leaking roofs... It was predetermined months before this audit the OCI would be accredited. For months guards and pri son staff spoke openly in front of prisoners saying, "The fix is in; we'll pass the ACA inspection." This wasn't hard to figure out since the DORC director is also the ACA president... The purpose of this audit was to ensure t hat necessa ry documentat ion is in order. The ACA was not concerned about the fact that OCI doesn ' t actually comply wit h the ACA standards, so long as there's plenty of documentation which SAYS they ar.e in compliance... Did someone cook the books? Or were the auditors just not look­ ing? THIS is the documentation prisoners must disprove in court if they attempt to bring about any improvements th rough litigation. Legislators won't force any reforms on a prison system that is ACA accredited; that's the enhanced public credibility the DORC refers to! A prisoner who once possessed a copy of the OPRU position paper on the ACA accreditation program was charged with possession of contraband and gang activ­ ity, placed in isolation for almost two months in 1993, and has suffered many forms of reprisals over the past 5 years. Exposing this fraud is necessary if we ever hope to see any positive changes made in the prison system. We know that by writing this article we may be subjected to reprisals. That fear Page B keeps most prisoners fro m spea ki ng out. O ur efforts to expo se t his fraud, and to educate the publ ic about intole rable living conditions are crippled so long as CURE, and people like them , buy into the ACA's lies and cooperate in perpetuat ing t he accreditatio n dece it. Can we eve r hope to convince t he publ ic? CURE is the nation 's largest prison reform organization , and part of their mission is educating the ge neral public and legislators about t he inhumane conditions and corruptio n wh ich is in herent in the prison system . In supporting and promoting the ACA accreditation program CURE participates in the oppression of more than 1.7 million people. CURE is out of touch with the prison reform movement, and should give some serious thought to the concept of "solidarity." CURE needs to condemn the ACA accreditation program for the fraud it is, help expose such activities , and stop working against prisoners . OCI will be accredited, along with all Ohio prisons. We stand by what we've written and challenge the ACA to prove otherwise! We also ask all thoughtful people on the outside of the fences to contact their legislators and ask them to stop accepting the accreditation lies from the ACA cover up serious problems with a bl izzard of fraudulent paperwork? PRISON SLAVES FOR SALE By Dan Cahill In Big Brother's continuing effort to ex pl o it prison slave labor, it has deve loped the C omputer Aided Drafti ng (CAD) Pr o­ gram here at the Orient Correctional (OCI) (at Orient, Ohio, near Columbus). CAD is part of t he O hio Penal Industries (OPI), which is supposed t o sell services and products directly only to th e gove rnm e nt agencies. However, this CAD program has done work for t he American Ele ct ric and Power, Kroger (supermarke ts), Muns el Inc., Key Blue Prints Inc., Pro Repro (now Franklin Imaging) and Trans Map Inc. CAD charges t hese companies $8.00 per hour per man on most jobs -approxi­ mately half of what outside CAD companies would charge. Prisoners receive 21 cents to 47 cents per hour, with an average pay of 35 cents pe r hour. Outs ide companies cannot compete because the government has an unfair advantage: slave labor. CAD has t urn ed out t o be such a profitable enterprise t hat t he State o f O hio has allowed a private contractor to open an OSSI (Ohio Offshore Services and Indus­ tries) CAD program at the Marion Correc­ tional Institution - in direct competition with outside companies. . Computer skills necessary in CAD require a lot of training and cold provide prisoners with valuable, marketable skills which would be helpful in finding meaning­ ful employment upon their release. How­ e ver, the demand for this type of work on the outside is diminishing as CAD programs inside prisons continue to expand. On May 5, 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice convened the first National Prison Industries Forum. Moderator Warren Cikins stated that 70,000 prisoners (out of a total of almost two million) produce $1.4 billion in Continued on page 12... �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri State s Homeless Grapevine Page 9 News From Cleveland's Grapevine ANOTHER TOUGH YEAR Ohio: In Ohio, we have sadly marked the one year anniversary of welfare reform with one­ fourth of the total population no longer receiving benefits. Again, not a bad thing if these families were living in a more stable lifestyle, but we actually have no idea. Studies have shown that only 25-50 percent of those moving off the welfare roles move to employment and even fewer move to meaningful employment. It will take a crisis before our elected "leaders" realize that we need to mobilize every resource to make the first three years of our children's lives the most nurturing and free of stress of their life. We have seen a growing gap in service to homeless people as a result of changes in the medical service delivery sysc.em. With managed care the homeless do not fit in a health organization's bottom line, and the state has done nothing to protect the health of those who stay on the streets. It is increasing difficult for a single homeless person to gain access to health care through Med icaid and even more difficult to gain access to care that treats an individual back to good health. We have managed care r ules based on saving money and are set in stone. They make no special protocol or rules for those who ca.n not recuperate in a stable environment. That is the opposite message we deliver when we sanction a Mom un der welfare reform. A surprising level of anger came out of this State and manifested itself in the No­ vember election. The governor of Ohio refused to accept money from the federal government to put people in jobs. He refused to allow people who cannot find a job a waiver from the Food Stamps rules as is allowed by the Federal government. Then in the November election, Governor Voinovich boasted of the number of people who are no longer receiving welfare assis­ tance. He did not mention the number of people working who were on welfare last year, because no one knows how many people are working. As has been said many times in these pages there is an increasing level of anger toward poor people. From championing the death penalty to support of the end of the social safety net in the political campaign was alarming. Cleveland: In Cleveland, we have seen a larger number of people who are having a difficult time finding access to health care. We have featured detailed stories in the Home­ less Grapevine which show how people on the streets have a difficult time accessing health care with the new Health Mainte­ nance Organization's rules which are di­ rected at people with homes. Recently, we saw the organization that was entrusted with assisting those who are medically indigent expand their focus at a time when we need a health care for the homeless people most. We have seen a net decrease in afford­ able housing, but because of ,Jhe vigilance of a number of organizations like the Cleve­ land Tenants Organization and the Alliance of Cleveland HUD Tenants who have drawn a line in the sand we have seen a temporary stay in future reductions. With the appoint­ ment of former Community Development Director Terri Hamilton to the position of Executive Director of the Cuyahoga Metro­ politan Housing Authority we look for a brighter futur·e and closer communication with the homeless community. We see some of the problems with the Section 8 vo ucher program beginning to be ad­ dressed, and we look for continued im­ provement for 1999. On a political front, the citizens of Downtown Cleveland voted in a former outreach worker in the homeless commu­ nity, Joe Cimperman, to Cleveland City Council. He in turn sponsored legislation that would require homeless service provid­ ers to be appointed to local homeless service provider's Boards. We have gone another year and still have not been ·able to close Project Heat, the overflow shelter system. The Heat shelters are mats on the floor in the evening and are a beneath the dignity of a human being. They are worse than the conditions at the jail, and yet people enter them voluntarily every night. It is no wonder that there is a lot of anger and distrust of the system. Then we have the unfortunate situation of a Catholic church putting up barriers to prevent homeless people from sleeping outside the church's door without the permission of the city. The City of Cleveland has as of December taken no action on this act of hatred. Two other positive developments in 1998 were the forum with City Council member Frank Jackson which allowed over I00 people ·who stay on the streets to express themselves and have their thoughts recorded and acted upon by an elected official. And we held a unifying event called the Homeless Stand Down which featured services and workshops for homeless people, but most importantly two days of respite for over 1,000 people on the streets. Northern Kentucky Housing and Homelessness Coalltlon (NKHHC) HOMELESS DAY CENTER by Barry Grossheim The Nort hern Kentucky Housing and Homeless Coalition (NKHH C) has long been concerned about the lack of facilities to assist homeless individuals in meeting their basic needs. For several years the NKH HC has researched ways to fund a day center for the homeless. This seems likely to be the year to make this center a reality. W ith Transitions Inc. acting as the lead agency, the NKH HC is hopeful that Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will approve the initial funding before the end of December. If so, it will be the culmina­ tion of efforts by the Coalition and several of its member agencies over the last five years. The proposal calls for a drop-in day center and transitional housing units. The day center w ill house outreach workers from a variety of Northe rn Kentucky mental health, substance abuse, job training and placement, and social service providers. The center will offer homeless individuals a place to spend time during the day, to escape from bad weather, and to Informally interact with volunteers and professionals from the community. The center will include showers, locker space, telephones, mail and a message center. Outreach workers will be available to assist individuals as they identify their specific needs in accessing available shelter, housing and services. Even with HUD funding the center is a long way from being a certainty. More than $400,000 will need to be raised locally to match HUD funds. Plans are being made to bring togeth e r all interested agencies to address the additional funding needs for this project. All concerned are hopeful t hat HUD will agree with the need for this facil ity and will present Northern Kentucky's homeless population w ith a very real Christmas present this holiday season. / �STREETVI BES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Editorials & Letters WORDS FROM THE EVANGELIST•.. by Rodney L. Sutton, Sr. As I sit at my desk, this warm, yet wet, December day, I reflect on this year of our Lord 1998. January began for me w ith uncertainty, because although I was gain­ fully employed I was once again moving to a new residence; and t his brought to my r emembrance the feeling of homelessness. February came , a nd with it the dread of income tax time. March brought the possibility of war m weather, but also a time of decision mak­ ing. April came and went so fas ~ I hardly knew what hit me. With May came a revelation from God that for a certainty I was to quit my job and return to full t ime ministry. As Ju ne tu rned into July, I pushed faithfully onward. Sometimes hungry and on the brink of homeless ness once again . Then came August, and while some scoffed, others prayed and gave words of encourage m ent . But when September came, and the guiding hand of the Lord was revealed many were amazed , because I met Rever­ end Leonard W ill iams , Sr.• Pastor of the W hole Life Church o f Jesus C hrist , and founder of He lping Ha nds O utrea ch Mis sion Ministries. By October, w hat had been A W ay O f Life (AWO L) Ministries had emerged u nde r t he umbrella of HHOMM , because the L.:ord had brought togeth e r t wo men of God whom He had give n a si milar vision. A vision t o help t he less fortunate and disad- · van t ag ed , who me ver and however t hey might be found. Th e n the Lord p rovided me with a job which would not inte rfer e with His work. So when November cam e it was no surprise to me that the Women of Vision Program, under the W hole Life Church of Jesus Christ, had sponsored its first Gospel Skate Night at the Fun Factory, and with the ' planning to assistance of HHOMM was sponsor its .first Bowling for Jesus Night at D~l-Fair Lanes. Both youth and adul t s had a joyful and blessed time of fellowship and fun at these events. November and D ecember were a time when · the. outreach of HHOMM was very effective in reaching out to families and individuals who were less fortunate or disadvantaged . Thanks to grou ps such as Buskens Bakery, City Cur e (Christmas Store), Toys For Tots, T he Findley Market, and too many individuals to name, HHO MM was able to bless over 2 00 individuals and families with food and gifts for the ho liday season. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! The children of the Whole Life Church of Jesus Christ planned and performed their first Chr istmas play, 'T he W ish," unde r the direct orship of Evangelist C ord elia Nowe ll. De ce mber also saw for the first time a uniting o f r e lig ious bod ie s and ind ividuals in So uth C umminsville to hold a candl e light vig il an d C h r ist mas caroling in t he co mmu­ nity. On December 3 I st, at 9:00p.m. myself, Evangelist Rodney L. Sutton , was ordained as a minister of Whole Life Church of Jesus Christ. For a year that began w ith such uncer­ tainty it has ended with my faith being rewarded by the one who said, "Lo, I am with you always. even unto the end of the world (Matt.28: 20) The year of our Lord 1999 is a time for fresh beginn ings, and He has given me one; for on January 3, 1999, I shall be installed as Pastor of Helping Hands Outreach Mission Ministries. The ceremony will take place at The Whole Life Church of Jesus Christ at ' 4:00p.m. This date, unbeknownst to Pastor Williams (when given to him by God), is my natural birth date. It shall also now be a spiritual rebirth. The Lor d has also blessed us to begin a transportation ministry, so if you do not have a church home or just wish to come a nd fellowship please call the church at 681-5537 no later than 6:00p.m. on Saturday evening and we will make arrangements to pick you up Sunday morning. May God keep you and sm ile upon you this new year. UNAACEPTABLE RACISM by Dan James Today, Monday, I w as confro nted by a punk w ith a Michelin Tire jacket. I was wal ki ng t o t he heal t h department: for trea tment for my panic d isor der. Puffy- boy confro nt ed me with , " Whatcha got for me? Muthaf@#!?" Strik­ in g hi s mos t macho po se he con t in ue d, "G ive me your money !" " Hey look, b ud , I' m hom e less and p r obably have le s s cash t han you. It ' s t im e for you t o bac k o ff. See this American fl ag on my coat. It says that as a citizen, I have a right to go whe re and when I desire. You want to f#@! with a Marine, and I'm ready!" As he appr oached me. sprouting gang signs, I became prepared for a fight that I probabl y co ul d n't win -(I've had three cervical fusions and suffer from chronic pain). But I wasn't ·going down without a fight. Moving closer, he flashed his lower­ educated gang signs and challenged . It was time for action, otherw ise I'd get my a@# kicked for sure. As he moved closer, I kicked him hard in his measily gonads, but it was wit hout effect. He came back swinging: not like a trained boxer, but more like a rab bid, crack­ infected streetfighter. We traded punches and t hreats , too. I ad vised him, "You may be able t o hurt me, b ut 'it's not before I do some very permanent damage upon yo u r f@#!in' ass !" He retreated, shouting that, "If you come back to my street, N !@#@!, I'll kick your f#@!in' ass!" I let it slide, not wanting to get into another further hassle. He walked and strutted away, thinking, 'Tm all that, and probably more!" Page Io I left thinking t hat the world is fu ll of fools . Good rid dence , Miche lin Punk. T he next time I meet you my blade is going for your thro at. Please people, le t's let pe o ple alone who mind t heir own bu siness. No one has a nything ove r an other. We 're all peop le ; we have problems , and to use a famous phrase from one of the all -time greatest losers, " Can't we just all get along?" He had a point... DEAR STREETVIBES: As a former homeless person, I have been very lucky ... Mansfield, Lebanon, Ohio Penitentiary, London Prison Farm , and County Jail were my homes for I0 years or so. Seeing the mis-treatment of inmates all those years and going through both p rison riots in 1968 w ith a parole in my pocket was tough times. I ended up having to travel to Columbus, Oh io to court because of the prison riots. Still not through w ith the law, I shot someone in 1972. I wa s ordered to leave Cincinnati, Oh io ... to not drag the story out, ended up in Knoxville, Tenn. Five years of homelessness was enough, though at times found it hard to cope with society. In prison , I was placed on psychiatric medica­ tion throughout the duration. I stayed at a mission in Knoxville. I worked there and got an opportunity to attend Temple Baptist College in C hattanooga, Ten n. I r etu r ne d to that mission as director. buddy gray and Maurice Mc Crac kin were very clos e fr iends of mine. I have gone on to other things ... now I'm a business man, but still haunt cit y officials. The hardest peo ple I have ever dealt w ith are Bigot C ity Offi cials. I am mo r e at ease at Over t he Rhine where I grew up than at t he court house or city hall. I rea lly sti ll enjoy talking to Sonny Williams , Gordon , and Berta my lo ng t ime fr iends. I will continue to help fight for the rights of humanity unt il I m eet bud dy and Mau r ice at " T he Other Place." Frie nd of the homeless, Charlie Mattingly 1958 State Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45204 phone: 921-1231 P.S. If yo u need a fri e nd to t alk to cal l me from 9:00am-3:00pm Monday- Friday. DEAR STREETVIBES: Drugs and alcohol is the biggest reason for homelessness. Mental illness, and just wanting to live on the street, is another problem . No problem, no bi lls, don't have to cook, don't do nothing but be homeless. There is no way in this world, would I waste my t im e - either way. If the streets has ca lled th e se people, and this is what they chose then so be it. Let it go, force all homeless people to work, just like the welfare is forcing us to w ork. And by the way. we don't have a choice, or we could just be homeless . Whatev e r, Vickie Will iam 1529 Vine Street Box 15 0 Cincinnati, OH 45210 �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri State s STREETVIBES Etcetera••• Press Conference Emphasizes Living Wages On Dece mber 8, the Great er C incinnati Coalition for the Homeless along wi t h the Welfare Rights Coalition held a joint press conference to publicize " Working Hard, Earning Less". The report was a joint venture between Jobs with Justice and The National Priorities Project. The report focused on the lack of livable wage jobs being produced in the United States. The press conference used inform ation pertaining to Ohio specifically. In Ohio, 79% of new jobs pay less than half the livable wage. Welfare recipients who must find jobs are especially impacted . Studies by both the National Governor's Association and the Census Bureau find that most jobs held by former recipients pay between $5.50 an~ $ 7.00 an hour, averaging $1 1,41 0 .an d $14,560 a year. Only 28.8% earn above the $14 ,500 poverty level for a family of three. Studies have also fou nd that 40% of those in homeless shelters wo r k eve ry day. The panel also included a homeless man that works full-time and is still not able to find hous ing. According to a study by the National Coalition for the Homeless in 1997 titled Un abate d and Increasi ng, the cost for a one bedroom apartment is $7.63 an hour and the cost of a two bedroom is $9.37 an hour on average. Many cities across .the country have started. successful living wage campaigns. It was the hope of organizers of the press conference that there would be renewed interest in a livable wage campaign in­ dexed to the cost of housing. Subscribe to Streetvl bes Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purcha sed for $ 12 pe r year. Ple ase send a che ck t o the below address and the pape r will be m aile d t o you e ach iss ue. Streetvibe s 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 Ple ase make checks pay­ able to the Greate r Cincinnati Coalition for the Home le ss-­ Stre etvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. Homeless Grapevine HUD Announces Continuum of Care Grant Awards The department of Housing and Urba n De velopment recently a nnounced its fisca l Year 1998 Continuu m of Care Home less Assista nce Awa rd Recip ients. The C ity o f C incinn ati an d Hamil ton Coun ty recently learned from HUD t hat $5 ,277,384 dollars will be allocated to the area to provide mu ch need e d s ervi ces t o th e hom e less po pulatio n. The Greater Cin cinnati a rea received fundi ng fo r nine in novative proje cts t hat will help expedite move m ent fro m homeless ness to perma­ nent housing. The G ra nts covered a ll facets of the continuum fr o m ho melessness to permane nt ho usi ng. Greater Ci ncinnati pr ograms inclu ded an expansion of the Shelte r Plus Care pro­ gram that provide dollars for much needed permanent housing. Included in the program was also new jobs programs at the YWCA and, th·rough a collabora­ tion betwee n the Greate r Cincinnat i Coalition for the Homeless, the money will also help expand dental services, services for the disabled, mentally ill and people suffering from HIV/AIDS. This highly com­ petitive process has now helped to pro­ vide ove r $ 13 million dollars in fu nding fo r muc h needed housing an d services for the homeless in the past three years. In re­ lated news, t he City of Cincinnati a lso received $591 ,000 for ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant) funds for FY99 this figure repre~ents $1 41,000 more t han the City's Economic D epartm e nt anticipated. HOMELESSASSISTANCEAWARDS: ($) 385, 000 First Step Home Independent Living Op's 124,687 2,098,020 City of Cincinnati Drop Inn Center 297,000 349,125 Chabad House (GCCH) Caracole 591,240 682,651 Oral Health Council YWCA 460,911 Tender Mercies 288, 750 Community . Celebration. Live Music! Every Sunday -6PM Free of Charge Nast-Trinity United Methodist Church 1320 Race St. Cincinnati 721-7339 Page 11 ScrambI e by Ron Carter Try to unscramble these related words: EKAM SIHT RAEY HTE TBSE NOE FO MEHT LA L ANSWERS ON PABE 1 S. WORKSHOP SERIES: RETURNING TO WORK by Valerie Taylor, LSN On Wednesday, January 6, AIDS Volun­ teers of Cincinnati (AVOC) is very pleased to be starting a ser ies o f presentations about re turning to work. The ser ies will be held e very W ednesday evening form 1/6 / 99 through 2/3/99 at Clifton United Methodist Church. It w ill be held from 6:00 until 8:30 and r efreshmen t s w ill be provide d. Present­ ers will include Ken Skahan, MD speaking about managing medication while work­ ing, and attorney Al Gerhardstein who will add r ess discrimination in employment and related issues. Concerns about how Social Security eligibility would be affected by earned income will be addressed by Scott Knox, an attorney and huge supp~rter of AVOC programs. This program was developed in re­ sponse to concerns about returning to work. New medications and treatments have resulted in many people living longer with a better quality of life overall. There is an 'eagern ess to return to work but also enor­ mous fears about giving up the relative safety of disability. What it if I take a job and then find after four months that I'm getting too tired to work full time? What do I tell a prospective employer about what I have be en doing the last three years? Should I tell them I am HIV+ ? Can I get in surance? W ill I be able t o afford my medi cations ? Infor matio n abo ut ed uca­ tional and trai ning opportunit ies will also be ava ilable. Case managers Mike Angeline and Megan O'Day have done a tremen­ dous job of planning topics and speakers to address these and many other issues . y./e are also very interested in hearing from employers who might be willing to work wit h AVOC and/or a local train ing program on assisting those who are HIV+ in re-enter­ ing the work fo r ce. For more information, call either Mike or Megan at 421-243 7 or your case manager if you have one. �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri State s Homeless Grapevine 'URSULINE' Continued from front page... Most of the buildings are abandoned and give me the impression of jails; their win­ dows are covered with metal bars, and occasionally wooden boards. Covering the streets, and most of the ground, are candy wrappers, paper, glass bottles and other debris. Loud music and the shouts of people echo from the apartment floors above. People stroll down the sidewalk, apparently not noticing the trash and filth around them as I do. We reach the door of Buddy's Place and enter into a dark gloomy room. Light filters through the cracks in the boarded windows and we are able to discern the dust rising from our shuffling. We are ush­ ered to an inner room. My eyes have ad­ justed well enough to note the old, cracking blue and green floral wallpaper that peel from the walls. We are told to try to · remove all the nails from the ceiling. I stare at the expanse of ceiling above me for a second and feel a -little faint. The scaffolding scrapes across the floor as we drag it to a good position to pull nails from. Three of us finally clamber up the metal bars and begin to swing our hammers and tug at the rusted nails. Problem: Old wooden ceiling, nails, dust and hammers. Each time a hammer missed its target, a shower of fine wood dust flies into our face, nose, eyes, and mouth. I am in a very bad situation; I am allergic to dust and today I have my con­ tacts in. My e yes are getting dried out and rubbing t hem threatens to make fall out. Afte r half an hour of sneezing and getting blinded, we each take turns pulling nails as the rest of us cower from the dust. We quickly perceive this isn't going to help finish removing the ceiling's nails. We explained the problem to our volunteer coordinator. We're promptly given eye protection and the job is finished about three hours later. After we have put everything away I pull off a couple patches of the wallpaper to keep as souvenirs, and we trudge back to office. Mr. Forman greets us as we all dropped onto a nearby couch from exhaus­ tion and wait for the others so we could get lunch at the Drop Inn Center. The rest of the Ursu,l ine volunteers appear and we leave the ReSTOC office building to saunter off in the "This Is a world beyond my clean . quiet suburbla... My view of the world is getting a good dose of reality here. ,, direction of the Drop Inn Center. On the way we pass the park, it seems like a tiny patch of land to me compared to the fields and woods the park near mx house is comprised of. In the green grass, the chil­ dren laugh and carouse while the homeless nap on benches or on the grass. It seems so n.atural, no one thinks it's odd that the children and homeless are intermixed together on the park lawn. Even more, the homeless appear peaceful and natural as they nap, but I know that there is much more going on in their minds than a leisurely nap. At the Drop Inn Center, benches are .· filled with people waiting for a meal. One particular old man in an overcoat catches my eye. He is bent over and his shoulders are hunched forward at an alarming angle, what really gets to me is that he is wearing swim shoes. His whole outfit is mismatched and patched, and is almost ludic: ous, except I can 't laugh, or even smile about it. I am saddened by his appearance and disgusted at my inability at this moment to help him, or at least give him socks. I felt a nudge from behind me and get pushed into the food line. I pick out some of the food they dole out to us, mostly vegetables . I pick at my food for a while ~nd begin to slowly chew it, while I muse deeply a~out all I have seen. A group begins forming its way to the back of the cafeteria door for a tour of the Drop Inn Center, and I follow. Dorothy, our tour guide, leads us to an inner room and explains the significance of the Drop Inn Center for her. We follow her to the women's room where we see almost two dozen neatly made beds for helping homel~ss women in the process of rehabili­ tation. Many of us are surprised to see mother and children rooms and some sigh "aww ... " over the rooms with special baby items in them. In the kitchen, the sea of sunflowers that serve as decoration amazes us. (More aww .. .'s can be heard from within the group.) Here in the kitchen, "It seems so natural, no one thinks It's odd that the children and homeless ~are Intermixed together on the park.lawn.,, Dorothy tells us her story as an ex-homeless women and drug addict. We are drawn into her narrative of how she got to where she is now. Tears begin to fall from her eyes and many of us become emotional. After Dorothy's last sentence, we reach over and give her a hug. I am affected by her words and deeply touched by the bravery she has to tell us about her past. After we say our goodbyes to her, we are shuttled off to tour the men's quarters. Our guide shows us up a stairway and shouts at the top floor through a door, "Women on the floor! Women on the floor!" We are then led through the corridors and shown the enter­ tainment room and exercise room, which consists mai nly of a row machine. Having little time left, our guide hurries us down the stairs to a huge echoing room lined with many plastic covered pallets. The homeless can sleep on them at night and in the wintertime when it is especially cold, · he explained. Even though the room is enor­ mous and filled with these pallets, I still can imagine the lack of space they must have when the temperature gets to freezing level. At the end of the tour, as we stream out the door of the Drop Inn Center, I notice that I feel different. It is a strange feeling, the sense of having to go back to a place where there is no litter on the ground, no bars on the windows and a no glass bottles. I almost feel like a hypocrite, mingling and helping for a while for the less fortunate and then going home to a place where I have everything a person needs. It's as though I am abandoning all the people I have seen and met who need help more than I do. While boarding the truck, I know I never expected to see anything like this before in my life. My parents would have tried to prevent me from seeing all of this and would have kept me sheltered if they had the chance . But I'm glad I finally know about life outside 'my' world, including the litter, glass bottles and barred wi ndows, because now that I do know .. . I can help. .· . ·. , _. :. Page 12 Prison Slaves from page 8... goods annually. The potential for increasing their profits is staggering, and the potential abuse and corruption concerning the use of the prison slave labor is just as great. Prisoners have no protection from unsafe working conditions, and in one documented case, prisoners were knowingly exposed to deadly toxic waste with abso­ lutely no regard for their health . (See Pris­ oner Legal News, "Worked ~o Death-Ohio's Work Release Program," October 1995) There was never any follow-up by the government to render medical assistance to former prisoners who were exposed to toxic waste. Prisoners are the perfect expendable, transient workers. In the past several years the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correc­ tions (DORC) has been loaning prisoners to "Community Services," and one such project is renovating asbestos without any protective clothing. Prisoners here at OCI are also gutting dormitories in preparation for renovation, and part of their job assign­ ment includes removing .asbestos - again, without any protective clothing. Commu­ nity Service work crews have only one or two supervisors, and no safety inspection to ensure such abuses don't occur. Any pris­ oner who complains is removed from the job site and may be subjected to disciplinary action for failure to perform his job assign­ ment. There are no safeguards to protect prisoners from this sort of tragedy and no independent monitoring agency to ensure their safety. Over a hundred years ago, the exploitation of prison labor was discontin­ ued in Ohio because the same type of corruption and abuse which resulted from marketing prisoners as slaves. Now history is being repeated. In promoting the use of prison labor in 1990, Chief Justice Burger stated, "This isn't for the benefit of the criminal community [prisoners]. This is for the benefit of you and me [status quo]." Prison labor is being regarded as a national economic asset, to the detriment of the U.S. Labor Movement and prisoners. Representafr"es from National CURE (Citizens for the Rehabilitation of Errants) attended the National Prison Industries Forum . In CURE's national newspaper, they briefly mentioned putting together some position papers, and one of the issues will be prison labor. It gives me reason for concern that CURE never mentioned attending this forum and did not pass on any of the materials and reports generated by the forum to the prisoners. It would almost appear as if CURE may be "representing" prisoners without notifying them of what exactly is taking place - and with little or no input from prisoners. To my knowledge, no Ohio prisoners were contacted by CURE requesting infor­ mation specifically on labor issues. Surely CURE wouldn't attempt to represent prison­ ers on the issue without contacting prison­ ers ... or would they? CURE often claims to represent the interests of the friends and families of prisoners, and not the interest of prisoners themselves. It is our labor which the forum discussed; so who was CURE representing? It is time for prisoners across the nation to establish a dialogue among ourselves on prison labor to determine what our position will be. It is our labor, our futur~. and our lives at stake: �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri State s Homeless Grapevine EL SALVADOR REMEMBERS by Patrick Har!f1on in El Salvador today, with few jobs and little hope for positive change; the youth often turn to gangs for support. The two largest gangs (maras) which are at war with each other are the 13th street gang and the Salva trucha ( 18th street} gang. Both of these gangs originated in Los Angeles and came back to El Salvador through deportation of illegal immigrants. The gangs are attractive to street youth chat perhaps didn't under­ stand the civil war in political terms, but rather in terms of the violence they grew up with. Children's parents were sometimes raped and murdered in front of them, bodies often strewn in the street at dawn, and the government bombed poor and working class communities that sided with the guerillas. Citizens of the United States, much like the Salvadoran people, were divided during the war. Under the Reagan administratio~'s "war against communism." Up to two million dollars a day was given to the El Salvadoran military during the worst parts of the war. This provided arms, training, state of the art technical assistance, and advisors from both the armed forces and the C IA. US foreign policy was not affected by reports of Page /3 concerns, to surrender to too many de­ mands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in every­ thing is to succumb to violence . More than that, it is cooperation in violence. The frenzy of the activist neutralizes his or her work, because it kills the root and inner wisdom which makes work fruitful." - Thomas Merton He handed It to me not long after got back from an extensive stay in Central America. It seems fitting t hat another friend , · Matthew Eisen, saw it two years ago before he left for El Salvador and still refers to it today. The following story is as much about Matthew as it is about El Salvador, Over the Rhine, and life as an activist... El Salvador, a mountainous country of roughly 9 million people is the smallest and most densely populated natio n in Central America. El Salvador (T~e Savior) is · a land of sharp contrasts between heaven and hell. Its small size and large population push the violence of sustained social inequalities and sharp divisions between classes to­ gether in a dangerous way. During the Cold War, the right wing governments of El Matthew grew up in Delhi Townsh ip, Salvador had their genesis in " Las Catorce," right down the street from where his mother, the famous 14 family oligarchy which con­ Eisen worked at the College of Mt. St. Betty trolled over 60 percent of the land holdings Joseph. Matt attended Elder and Oak Hills in the country. The majority of the popula­ high schools, where he first got involved with tion. who are peasants, were forced to the human rights organization "Amnesty work for slave wages on huge plantations Though his interests in human International." of coffee, sugar cane or cotton, or migrate rights have lead him to many places in this to inner city ghettoes to find whatever work will tell you that Over-the-Rhine world, he they could . Attempts at organizing for remains in his heart. Matthew presently works change through peaceful means was with at-risk youth and gang members in El repeatedly met with repression by the Salvador. He works at a center called the landowners, government and military, and XX/ Youth Movement." I in­ "Generation through this civil war erupted. tended to write a feature story about the The civil war in El Salvador lasted 12 speaking tour which Matt and his two friends years, roughly from 1980 to 1992 when the Tara had come to give. Juan Carlos and government and the guerillas (FMLN} down is simply a What I wrote signed peace accords. The war cost Photo by Jimmy Heath conversation we had at two in the 80.000 lives and created hundreds of morning at a friend's apartment on thousands of refugees. Though both Elm Street... sides committed abuses of human ''The spring of 1990 was a time rights, the vase majority of abuses of major transition for me. I got to were committed by the Salvadoran know a woman through Amnesty military. Soldiers were known to gun named Veronica de Negre. She was down entire villages in the moun­ from Chile but she fled to the US tains, and in the cities pull people after the coup in 1973. She had a out of their homes at night never to son named Rodrigo who was born be seen again by there family and while she was in the States, and in friends. he decided to go visit Chile in 1990 Right wing Death Squads w ith order to see his country w ith his own names such as the "White Warriors" eyes. He was taking pictures of would target progressive church some protest in Santiago when the workers, unionists, teachers, critics of police grabbed him, dumped the government and their families gasoline all over him and set him on for torture rape and execution. fire. He died a few days later in the Many public schools in the capital hosp ital. lost almost their entire student body, In 1992 I went to Europe for 6 and each day, mutilated corpses months to discover my roots. As a would show up, on the roadside or white male from the States I feel as in garbage dumps. Left to right: Juan Carlos Hernandez, Tara Mathur, Matthew Elsen though I have no roots, but I need During the war, many thousand to overcome that. All of us in the US Salvadoran refugees fled co the United have history, for good or bad, and we need States. Some received political asylum , human rights violations, "death squads," or to recognize it, we need to honor it. Maybe most did not and were subject at any time even US Church Workers and Human Rights all those thoughts about roots lead me to to be picked up off the streets of Los Ange­ Workers who were put to death at the think about my own city of Cincinnati. Here les or Chicago and sent back by the Immi­ hands of Salvadoran Mil itary. I was studying all these big important gration and Naturalization Service (INS). Contrary to US foreign policy, a grow­ international issues about Human Rights, Upon arrival in the States, many young ing number of US citizens who began to and I wasn't even in tune to what was refugees with no papers found that jobs hear about El Salvador felt called to action happening inside my own country. So in the were hard to come by. In cities such as Los to oppose their own government and help fall of 1993 I moved down to Over-the-Rhine Angeles, many Salvadoran youth adopted the Salvadoran people who were being and became an intern for ReSTOC (Race the gang lifestyle as a means of survival. In persecuted; Church groups, doctors, human Street Tenant Organization Cooperative). recent years, as the US government has rights workers and people from many walks lived there till the summer of 1994 when I been getting tougher on illegal immigra­ of life devoted much time and effort to went out to San Francisco to work with tion, INS officers are now a more frequent spreading the word about El Salvador, Survivors International, an organization that sight in Latin barrios, constantly checking for pressuring congress to vote against aid, works with survivors of torture from all over documents. The result is that along with providing funding for refugee communities, the world. In the fall of that year I was deporting undocumented immigrants, the and risking prison sentences to smuggle again in Over-the- Rhine, then in the spring of US is now exporting gangs. refugees to safe communities in the United 1995 I finished my senior year of college in States. Many Salvadorans today say that their Nicaragua through a program at Xavier country is worse now than it was before the A few years ago a friend of mine gave University. In the summer I was back in war. There is no organized group fighting me this quote and I stuck it up on my Over-the-Rhine, living on Pleasant Street in the armed forces, but the daily murder rate refrigerator... an apartment I was fixing up for ReSTOC. is higher now than it was during the war "There is a pervasive form of contem­ years ( 18 persons murdered each day during porary violence to which the idealist fighting the war compared to 23 today). The peace for peace by nonviolent methods most accords signed with the guerillas have easily succumbs - activism and overwork. shown very little progress and the intellec­ The rush and pressure of modern life are a tual authors behind institutions such as the form , perhaps the most common form, of its "death squads" have yet to be prosecuted. innate violence. To allow oneself to be The situation for today's youth is a hard one carried away by a multitude of conflicting 'El Salvador' next page... �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Hom eless Grapevine 'El Salvador' from page 13... That fall I went off to DC to work for a year as membership coordinator for the Mid-West Regional office ofAmnesty International. I knew that after that year I was going to follow the dream of mine to go back to Central America, but I still didn't know where I was gonna go. After Buddy's murder I came back to Over-the-Rhine in December of 1996, then went to El Salvador with CRISPAZ (Christians for "/think that now, more than ever we should be lending a hand to El Salvador to help them to build peace." peace in El Salvador). I chose to go to El Salvador because I wanted to honor the commitment that so many people in the States had toward the people of El Salvador during the war. I think that now, more than ever w~ should be lending a hand to El Salvador to help them to build peace. Even though there is not a war going on the same conditions that brought about the war exist, and some say that it is even worse now than how it was before the war started. The history of the youth movement I am involved with is this... Back in 1987 there was an earthquake that destroyed a large part of San Salvador. Because the school in my neighborhood was damaged, the government built two little garages where students would go to classes till repairs on the old school could be completed. A few years ago the same youth who now form part of the movement got together and wanted to start something that would be an alternative to the gangs, they wanted to get together and talk and do activities but they didn't have any place to do it in. They went to the school board and asked if they could have one of the small "He was taking pictures of some protest In S~ntlago when the police grabbed him, dumped gasoline all over him and set him on fire." buildings that the government built for the school to have classes in after the earthquake, and the board said they didn't know anything about it and that it was all under the municipality. So they went down to the municipality and nobody down there knew anything about it, so the youth just took it over. Now it's a meeting place, complete with a big mural on the inside that the youth painted. We have guitar classes there. and folk dance classes, all kinds of stuff... And the youth did it, it was their idea and they did it all on their own initiative. We have a public library. the only public library in a community of 260,000 people. It started off when some of the youth at the movement decided to have a party. and instead of charging admission they told everyone to bring a book. We also have a scholarship program that helps youth go back to school. in some cases to finish high school; and in others to go to college. We fund it through donations from delegations. churches. and even people in Over-the-Rhine. There are former gang members from the two riyal gangs. the 13th street gang and the 18th street gang (Mara Salva Trucha). who are looking for something more to do than tag walls. Some of the movement's youth from these two gangs were hired out to paint a mural and they called it the "Meeting ofTwo Worlds". It was about the conquest of the Americas and it had an indigenous poem painted on it. I completely believe that the only way out of the crime, delinquency and violence in El Salvador that exists today is not through English and math classes. The problem was born in the US, first by shipping down guns for war. We created the refugees to come up here, their children pick up gang activities in the US, then we deport them back. Then (we) as good hearted Christians or leftists or whatever, and I include myself in this too, become arrogant enough to think that O.K. we created the problem, we can solve it, so we send gringos like myself down to teach English or bring down comput­ ers. We send down our culture, and youth are walking around in Jordan jerseys with Nikes and • Hillfiger shirts, and we think we can introduce them into this economic -system that we have, but just like the youth in OTR. they can consume but they will never be incorporated. They see everything on TV or in magazines and they get resentmen~. In inner city US or urban Salvador, there is no room for them ... So the whole idea is that classes and cultural exchange can help, but their path out has to be indigenous, from their culture and their language. whether in OTR or in Mejicanos, El Salvador... Their liberation, their path out of violence comes from them, their spirit to respect their roots and culture. One of my favorite quotes was from Steve Biko from South Africa went something like ... "Western culture in the 19th and 20th century gave the world the industrial revolution, but the great gift still has to "You don't have to go all over the world to see poverty. You can be In solidarity with the poor and the oppressed in your own communities." come from Africa, which is to give the world a more human face." I think that you can say the same thing about Latin America. In western culture we rely so much on gadgets and technology, but we are so disconnected from the earth as a spirit. There is noting good about poverty or oppression, but whether in Africa, Latin America or Over-the- Rhine, there still exists community and solidarity from one neighbor to another. That's where-the human face of the earth exists, that's where love exists ... Even my conservative republican brother-in-law who builds decks for rich homes that are heated in the winter and air-conditioned in the summer is saddened because there is no community. People don't know their neighbors ... They have cell phones, cars, and big wooden fences for privacy. Even though we disagree in our politics. there is some commonality. we are both human and we all want friends, family Page 14 and community. You don't have to go all over the world to see poverty. You can be in solidarity with the poor and the oppressed in your own communities. And I would recommend that you not go into these communities with the arrogance of problem solving. but with the attitude of being ruined. We always talk about the activists that come down to El Salvador. or the activists that come down to Over-the-Rhine and get ruined, we remember back to the universities and all those ideas and plans we had, and we got ruined. You need to have the art and the skill of listening and accompaniment. .. And we can come in with computers and pump in money, but these people need to be heard and respected. This is not some­ thing you can fix and forget about. These people have an experience to teach us, and it has to be told and taught." STREETVIBES Sweats & T-Shirts! Only $5 for T's, $10 for Sweats. T~!Rfri Elt~'~sES Homeless Grupc.. 11e 100% White Cotton Shirts and Long Sleeve Sweat Shirts XL Purple logo T-shirts and Sweat Shirts are available at our office at .1506 Elm Street. Please stop by and see us. Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority Looking for a place to call home? Call the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority Affordable rent that never exceeds 30°/o of your income .. . Many buildings equipped with security systems ... Units located on buslines and near stores, schools, hospitals, banks Rental units are available in these family and senior communities: Avondale Hopple Street/Fairmount West End Winton Place For more information, call 421-8190 today. �' STREETVI BES 1 The Tri State s Homeless Grapevine Page 15 CONGRADULATIONS CLIFFORD STREETVIBES JONES of The Greater Cinc innati Oral Heal t h Council Announcements Program Coordinator FREEPOLlnCAL PRISONERS of The re are seve ral political priso ner s in O hio's prisons. If you are interest ed to w rite t o t hem, like Jame s Pr yor o r Da n Cahi ll, please c ontact: lNICN' of Coord.inatingCommittee "LITTLE ROCK" REED of The Executive arrl · JESSICA DIANE 'WALLACE Board DENTAL HYGIENISTS' I ASSOC. Band For Hire Band L ook i n& fo r Wo r k Streetvibes (the band). We like to pa rty. R&B. Oldies, Blues/)aJ:z, Reggae. Helpi ng the homeless to help themselves th rough free e nt e rprize. Ca ll 42 1-7803 . Writing to STREETVIBES Send your letters and comments to HVAC Service OWllJHT WIS E HVAC SERVICETtt::HNIOAN n:JR HIRE. 24 HOUR SER\llc:E!ll STREETVIBES provides Classified Ads free to low-income job seek­ ers. Others may place ads fo'r only $1 per line. Call 421-7803 for info . In Memory of "Mac" Who Believed In Human Rights For Everyone & Who Founded Justice Watch...Because 'Everyone' Includes Prisoners and Former Prisoners. Scramble Answers from page 11.•. OF THEM All . .. . Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct I. Streetvibes will be dist ributed for a $ 1 voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for donations more than $ I. I also understand that I will be able to keep 80 cents of each dollar collected. Future issues of Streetvibes will be purchased from the Homeless Coalition for 20 cents. 2. I agree that I will never dist ribute Streetvibes while under the influence of d rugs or alcohol. 3. I agree that I will not ask for donations after 12 midnight. 4. I agree to treat othe rs with respect. I will not use abusive language or force someone to give a donat ion. I will not give a "hard sell" or make so meone feel threatened. 5. I agree that I will not supply copie.s of 01 DB:EMBER 23 1998 of OHIO Each vendor has to sign the following code to be able to sell the paper. ct BREIT ADAM ZW)LINSKI HAS BEEN ELECTED TREASURER THE BEST ONE PRXlAIMThG GCCH Member ON HIS FREEDOM AND PAROLE THANKSFORALLTHESUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY TO FREE HIM MAKE THIS YEAR OUR LORD JESUS GffiISI' tl:e !CONGRATULATIONS! Streetvibes is now accepting Classified Ads for items such as Help Wanted, Items for Sale, Apart­ ments for Rent and other non-personal items. The rate is o nly $1 per line, approximately four words per line. Classified ads are due by the 20th of the month. People below the poverty level will be allowed five free lines for six months to advertise their skills or products to our readers. Otherwise, payment must be received before the ad will run. No refunds will be made. Also, if there is an error, notify us after the first printing. You will be given an extra month of ad time. Mail the ad copy to: Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 or fax it to 42 1-7813 aE The Homeless Dental Program Ohio Prisoner's Rights Union P.O. Box 1746 Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-1746 STREETVIBES Classified Ads BY THE GRACE Streetvibes to pe rsons who are not registered distributors. 6. I agree not to deceive the public by saying that I am collecting for a not-for-profit charity or that I am collecting for the "homeless" in general. · I will be honest in stating that all the profits from the sale of Streetvibes will go to the individual vendor. 7. I agree that I will not contest territories with other distributors. 8. I understand that Streetvibes strives to be a self supporting paper created by people who are homeless or formerly homeless. To help in this effo rt, I will try to spread the word and write stories if possible. 9. I understand that the failure to comply Y<ith any of the above statements will r esult in me no longer being able to distribute Streetvibes. STREETVIBES LETTERSAND EDITORIALS: c/ o GCCH, 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 We reserve the right to edit stories or letters for clarity and content. Streetvlbes Radio Hour 1· On WAIF 88.3 fm The Homeless Coalition has a live radio program which can be heard on WAIF radio on the second Saturday of each month at noon. The show is co-hosted by Mary Burke, Donald Whitehead and other monthly guest hosts. The show mixes talk focusing on the stories in this paper and eclectic musical selections. Here are the next show dates; WAIF 88.3 fm Sat., Jan. 9th, 1999, Noon to I pm Advertise In Streetvlbes I Advertising in Streetvibes is a chance for businesses to help a good cause while promoting themselves to 5,000 concerned people each month. The rates are shown below. ***Business Card Size 2" x 3 I /2" $10 per month ***Two Business Card Size 4" x 3 112" $20 per month A check or money o rder must accompany the ad copy. We reserve the right to deny any ad, especially those which promote alcohol or tobacco products. You will rece ive a full refund should your ad be denied. For larger ads, call the number below. Ads are due by the 20th of each month. If you need assistance in preparing your ad o r have any other questions, call the Home less Coali­ tion at 421-7803. Mail ads with payment to: Streetvibes I 506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 I .t �STREETVIBES The Tri State's Homeless Grapevine Page 16 Streetvlbes TV The Streetvibes TV Show is produced at the facilities of Cincinnati Community Video. Some viewers might not see the show appear at the right channel or time during the next couple months as Warner Cable changes programming and channels. Streetvibes TV January Schedule Cha nne l 7 LIVE CALL-IN SHOW. Mond a y. !a nuary 11th. 199 9 a t 7PM . Re broadcast Dates for S how o n Cha n­ ~ nel 10: I Saturday, January 2, 1999, 4 PM Friday, January 8, 1999, 11 AM Friday, January 15, 1999. 11 AM Saturday, January 23, 1999, 4 PM Monday, January 18, 1999, I 0 PM r. Donald Whi tehead, as Santa Claus, leaves t he Coalition office on his way to visit Cincinnati shelters for children. Broadcast schedules are subject to change - con sult your local TV d irectory. If you have any ideas for future STREETVIBES TV shows please contact our office at 421-7803. We always enjoy hearing from our veiwing audience. Ideas should address subjects related to homeless­ ness and poverty in our city. We are always inter­ ested in viewer ideas, so please give us a call... Streetvlbes Wish List STREEV/BES is published monthly on a shoe­ string budget. We depend heavily on the goodwill of many volunteers and donors. If you can help out with some of the items on our wis~ list please give us a call. .. >Adobe Photoshop Software for IBM to save scanning costs >Adobe Illustrator Software for IBM > Adobe Pagemaker Software for STREETVIBES layout >35 MM Film for STREETVIBES photo's >Laser Printer Vendor: 80 cents Where Your >Good used photocopier >Office Supplies >Supplies for Vendors Lounge (coffee , cups , donuts , etc.) >Computer for STREETVIBES layout and wr i-t~A--ga--- Printing and Production: 20 cents n 0 If for some reason you find yourself homeless, contact a Coalition Member Agency for Shelter, Treatment, Housing or Services. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Homeless Coalition at 421-7803. SHELTERS: Women and Children Alice Paul House (abuse) 241-2757 YWCA Transitional Living Prog. 281-5770 557-2873 Bethany House 762-5660· Salvation Army Welcome House 431-8717 SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission Garden Street House Joseph House (veterans) St. Francis- St. Joseph House Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of America 24 1-5525 241-0490 241-2965 38 1-4941 661-4620 381-1954 SHELTER: Both Caracole (AIDS) Chabad House Drop Inn Center (singles) Friars Club Haven House (Hamilton) 761-1480 821-5 100 721-0643 38 1-5432 863-8866 CALL THE STREETVIBES DFTIC E A T 421 • Streetvibes has a minimal overhead cost so that the vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible. If anyone selling Streetvibes claims to be collecting for a private charity, please call our office at 421-7803. Thanks for your support. 7 803 IF' Y O U CAN HELP! e Interfaith Hospitality Network Lighthouse Youth Center St. john's Temporary Housing HOUSING CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTR Housing Network ReSTOC Tender Mercies (Mental 111) Tom Geiger House TREATMENT: W o m en 0.0.A.A.T First Step Home TREATMENT: Me n Charlie's 3/4 House Prospect House Starting Over TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline AA. Hotline C.C.A.T. Talbert House Transitions, Inc. VA Domiciliary OTHER SERVICES AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati Appalachian Identity Center 244-7226 961-4080 651-6446 721-4580 632-7149 241-0504 369-0004 381-0954 721-8666 961-4555 241-7343 921-7324 784-1853 921- 16 13 751-3260 820-2947 861-9966 381-6660 684-7956 491-4435 559-501 1 42 1-2437 62 1-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for lndep_endent Living Options 241-2600 591-2246 Churches Active in Northside 961-0600 Cincinnati Health Network 569-1840 Community Action Agency 381-4242 Contact Center Emanuel Community Center 241-2563 241-1064 Freestore/Foodbank 771-4800 Goodwill Industries 621-7149 Hamilton Co.Mental Health Bd. 632-7186 Hamilton Co. TB Control 357-4602 Health Resource Center 352-2902 Homeless Mobile Health Van 221-3679 House of Refuge Mission 241-9400 Legal Aid Society Madisonville Ed. & Assistance Ctr. 271-5501 721-4811 Mary Magdalen House 621-0248 Oral Health Council 621-6364 Our Daily Bread 621-5514 Peaslee Ne ighborhood Center 721-7660 Travelers Aid 721-7900 United Way 559-6656 VA Homeless Program 49 1-3335 Women's Crisis Center � 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 1999 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 Janurary 1999 Vol 3, issue 24 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Homeless Memorial Held at Washington Park Ursuline Academy Volunteerism Pg 2: The Traveler Pg 3: COHHIO* Corps Closing Ceremony Homeless Veteran with PTSD Finds Help Pg 4: Welfare News Pg 5: Broken City Pg 6: Arts & Poetry Pg 7: Nationwide Pg 8: Prisoners News Pg 9: Cleveland News N. Kentucky News Pg 10: Letters & Editorials Pg 11: Streetvibes Etcetera Pg 13: El Salvador Remembers Pg 14: AVOC 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 1999 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Dan Cahill Ron Carter Denise Crew Brian Davis Dwight Given Iola Green Barry Grossheim Patrick Harmon Henry Hartsock Jimmy Heath Muldoon Greg Payton Aaron Pitchford James W. Pryor Valerie Taylor Stephy Wang Donald White head Lynn Williams Robert Woodman Brett Zwolinski Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <span>This work is licensed under a</span><span> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a><span>.</span> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Aaron Pitchford Barry Grossheim Brett Zwolinski Brian Davis Dan Cahill Denise Crew Donald Whitehead Dwight Given Greg Payton Henry Hartsock Iola Green James W. Pryor Jimmy Heath Lynn Williams memorial Muldoon Patrick Harmon prisoner Robert Woodman Ron Carter Stephy Wang the broken city The Traveler Valerie Taylor veterans welfare welfare reform