30 10 291 https://streetvibesarchive.net/files/original/006c61bf59952308bc66fd63cfd39736.pdf d54539c390c258bcdd1c266e900194c5 PDF Text Text STRUGGLE TO SAVE DROP INN CENTER INTENSIFIES by Susan Knight, Drop Inn Center Staff The struggle for the right to self-determina­ tion escalates as plans to relocate the Drop Inn Center continue amidst a new push by Councilmember Charles Winburn to "revitalize" Over-the-Rhine. The Arts and Education board who is leading the push to create a new School of the Creative and Performing Arts surrounding Music Hall, met Tuesday, March 2nd at Memo­ rial Hall. The discussion was heated as Pat Clifford, General Coordinator of the Drop Inn Center and Arts and Education board member, demanded to know why he was not informed of the decision to relocate. The plan bypassed the facility committee in which Pat sits and went directly to the media. Bonnie Neumeier also expressed concern, "The community is upset that we have let this happen. I feel as if we are just tokens on this board, when what we were told is that we were here to represent our communi_ty. Well, we have not been treated like that. No one has asked us how to incorporate this huge arts center into the community. No one has listened to our concerns." The discus­ sion moved to anxiety over funding as the City has expressed worry over whether the Nannie Hinkston house and the other transitional housing, which has already been awarded Federal funding, but is located across the street from the Drop Inn Center, will be there in the next couple of years. Although, it is important to note, these buildings are not part of any of the proposals for the new School of Creative and Performing Arts. The board agreed that some of the actions taken, regarding releasing the proposals to the media prior to informing Pat Clifford, were inappropriate. It was agreed and voted on that the next meeting would be held at the Drop Inn Center and that all 5 proposals, one of which does not include the Drop Inn Center, would be seen. The board has since wavered on this decision to hold the May 4th meeting at the Drop Inn Center and it is unclear as to whether such a meeting will take place earlier in April or Music Hall, located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. photo by Jimmy Heath whether the board will meet as usual at Memo­ rial Hall on May 4th. The Drop Inn Center expresses the importance of community pres­ ence wherever the meeting is held and should have more information closer to the date. The hearing to discuss what to do with Over-the-Rhine's abandoned buildings is putting added pressure on the Drop Inn Center. Chris Frutkin, a for-profit speculator, testified that the Drop Inn Center and ReSTOC owned 34 of the abandoned buildings in Over-the-Rhine and that we were a major problem to positive community development. Mary Burke, director of the Over­ the-Rhine Housing Network countered, saying that although development might not be as fast as for-profit it was certainly happening and was constant, and that maintenance funds were in dire need to maintain the buildings, once rehabilitated. Moreover, non-profit development was about development for the existing commu­ nity, that community development was not about pushing out the old community and bringing in a new one. Winburn voiced support for the non-profits, saying that low-income housing needs to be protected. However, fast-track development, such as what has occurred in Columbus and historically throughout the country and what was being discussed at the hearing held, has re­ sulted in mass displacement of low-income residents. Winburn's voice of support did little to ease concern community leaders have for the future of their neighborhood and low-income housing. This hearing has subsequently created incentive for for-profit developers to support the forced relocation of the Drop Inn Center now, as the Center has been a long-time anchor and supporter for low-income housing and not-for­ profit development. The Drop Inn Center will continue to claim its right to maintain its facility and exist on its land. In the meantime, if they are any questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact the Drop Inn Center at 721-0643. African American Youth: A Preferred Tobacco Industry Customer "The horrible effects of tobacco use among children in our communities has got to be stopped at its tracks. Our role as parents is to do what we can to make sure our children grow up smoke-free." Quote from African American mo(her. These stories, and many others, are being heard during Minority Health Month, in April as designated by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health to increase understanding among African Americans living in Ohio about · the serious health risks associated with tobacco use. African Americans continue to suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease compared to white ·Americans. This includes the nation's most serious public health problem - the use of and addiction to tobacco. Of the three leading causes of death in African Americans, heart disease, cancer and stroke - tobacco use, particularly smoking is a major contributor to these illnesses. Each year more African Americans die from diseases caused by smoking than from car crashes, AIDS, homicide, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs combined. The most startling trend is the increas­ ing rate of smoking among African American kids. According to the 1998 U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, the number of African American high school seniors who smoked increased from 1992 to 1997 while declining between 1977 and 1992. In addition, the African American eighth grade students smoking prevalence increased by 106% from 1992 to 1997. 'YOUTH' cont. on page 13... The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Page 2 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 VendorPtogratn gives ou·r vendors·an oppbrtunitY 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 indivlduals 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 Gina Miller, Rapid Exit Program Photographer Jimmy Heath Writers Mary Ann Bravo Ron Carter Denise Crew Sheila Crowley Dorcy Mathew Hagerty Jimmy Heath Mike Henson Cliff Jones Susan Knight Carolyn Meszaros Gina Miller Gregory Payton Eunice limoney Ravenna E>r. Tom Somani A. Tyehimba Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Sonny 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 clo Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 4521 O (513) 421-7803 fax (513) 421-7813 e-mail: homecoal @primax.net web page: http://cinci.com/gcch by Donald Whitehead ' - observations and relations I make in my travels. This trip was filled with personal revelations. On the second night of our trip we gathered in a huge circle over a hun­ dred strong. We were given the task of explaining who we were? How we got here? And why we came? For some this was an easy task, because we had asked ourselves this question many times. For others this task was very complicated and took a great deal of introspection. I was thoroughly impressed by the diversity in the room. There were Lawyers, ex-lawyers, future lawyers, ex-legislators, ex-hippies, baby boomers, generation Xers, ex­ panthers, communists, socialists, demo­ crats, republicans, Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Christians, atheists, formerly home­ less, ex-Realtors and ex-bankers all in the same room. There were many different answers to the questions, llJOSt had the same theme. It occurred to me that this was America as it should be. Many differ­ ent people from many different back­ grounds joined together for a common positive goal. So often we get sidetracked by our own personal goals and we forget our fellow man. The more people that explained their reason for doing what they do, the more heartfelt and sincere the responses. I'm sure not all the people in the room were totally true to there re­ sponses but that mattered little because I was mesmerized by the moment. As my turn approached I wanted to think of something profound. I wanted to give them something that would help them feel the inspiration this moment had given to me. In the end I simply shared that I was trying to give back that was so freely given to me. In my travels I've learned that honesty is the most effective means of defining ones true motives. It is moments like these that revitalize a weary traveler and helps him remember exactly why travel is important. This trip once again helps me realize that regardless of your destination every trip is worth taking if you bring your heart along as a travel companion. March is a month that the traveler usually earns his wings. This March was no different from usual. The month of March began with the State Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, (COHHIO), annual statewide conference. This years conference was held March 8, 9, and 10. The conference was very informative. Workshops covered a variety of issues that are of concern to homeless advo­ cates. Workshops on welfare reform, public housing, and how to start a Street newspaper were well attended. Speakers like Sheila Crowley, President of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition informed us about upcoming legislation threatening the scarce resources that are available to the homeless population. The highlight of the conference was the legisla­ tive visits. Three groups of advocates from Cincinnati visit every legislator representing our respective areas . While its very important to visit regularly with state representatives in addition to state and federal representatives there is nothing more powerful than the collec­ tive efforts of advocates from all over Ohio visiting with representatives in force. I com­ mend COHHIO for their efforts along these lines. The only way to effectively sway political opinions in todays environment is a strong show of force or a strong show of currency. The trip for me was made even more interest­ ing by my need to be back in Cincinnati to host this months addition of Streetvibes TV. I beat the snowstorm on the way back to Cincinnati , however the trip back to Columbus was the scariest I've ever taken with between 5 to 12 inches of snow on the expressway all the way to Columbus. My next trip was a bit easier, I flew the friendly skies heading to Portland. Many of you The Traveler probably read about my last trip to Portland Homeless Disease and some of the uneasiness surrounding it. Police Predators This trip to Portland was a supervisor training FICA Rip-off workshop for the Corporation for National The Broken City Service. The Corporation for National Service is the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Arts & Poetry The Americorp Vista Programs are directed by Nationwide News the Corporation. The particular project, one of Point of View hundreds that the corporation offers is orga­ Prison News nized by the National Association of HUD HUD Funding Tenants. The project involves Vista Volunteers organizing tenants in at-risk Section-8 Housing. Welfare News Walking the Streets The program has been very successful nation­ ally, a ·pattern we hope to continue in Cincin­ Streetvibes Etcetera nati. The training was very valuable in identify­ Scramble ing new concerns about the future of affordable Letters & Editorials housing. The PSO or Pre-Service Orientation Cleveland News also helps Supervisors and Vista Volunteers Comedy Corner learn about their mission, responsibilities and CD Corner , benefits. I personally found the training very Classified Ads informative and satisfying. The training con­ sisted of position meetings on NAHT and Streetvibes Radio valuable sessions on Diversity and Equal TV Schedule Opportunity in the workplace. I personally am always more influenced by the personal • Contents Page2 Page3 Page4 Page4 Page5 Page6 Page7 Page7 Pages Page9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 11 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 15 Page 16 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine WHY AM I HERE? Why in the hell am I here in the Drop Inn Center Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program? Good question. Here's a good short answer. As the old cliche states, "I was sick and tired of being sick and tired." I [George) was physically, mentally and spiritually drained. I must admit that the initial process leading to me signing on the dotted line was one of "Attraction and not promotion." My prior living arrangements and life-style were totally chaotic and unhealthy. In the world of "crack" I was on a downhill path of self-destruction. I believe that my God lead me to "this" program for a reason, for some special purpose that is unknown to me right now. I am in recovery to regain things that I lost and perhaps to gain some things that I never had. I entered Detox on Jan. 7, 1999 with one day clean, realizing that I was totally powerless alone and that my life was definitely unmanage­ able. Since being here, I've been amazed at how far a little "open-mindedness" and "willingness" can go. Through the help of D.l.C. staff, reading, meetings and the other fellow live-in residents, I am learning quite a bit about myself. I am gradually gaining knowledge in the area of "Acceptance." That is to say that I am powerless over people, places, things, situations and even over my thoughts and feelings. But I am not powerless over how I react to these things. Some of my stress and problems are manifested by my own "self-obsession" which I have found to be the core of my addiction. God definitely works through other people. He is working on me. For these things I am truly grateful. HOME­ LESSNESS A DISEASE? by Terrine Homelessness is a mental disease, it is a state of mind. Each individual that is homeless is not able to maintain everyday living because of their mental state and/or their alcoholism. These two things feed off each other. Do you have any idea how overwhelming being home­ less is? You become paralyzed. It doesn't matter how smart you are, how hard working you are. I woke up every day nauseous and waiting for the moment when I would have enough courage to kill myself. And people walk past us. People hate us. People fear us. People tell us to go get a job. Sometimes I feel sorry for those people. They have forgotten what it is to be human. Even if I was a horrible person, lazy and didn't care about anything but myself I don't think it should matter. That is why I came to the Drop Inn Center. Because there, it didn't matter. And now I am certified and working. And I care about people. I care about people because people cared about me. Funny how people that throw money everywhere don't understand this. Plus, if you think about it, a look showing me that I am alive is free, it doesn't cost one penny, but those people in suits do not want to give that up. I know now that treating people like they are all human beings makes me feel more like one too. This is what homelessness has taught me. -- buy a brick forbudd lace b uddy's place is a community effort to h elp alleviate the tragedy of homelessness. We invite you to take p art in this community effort and provide housing to our sisters and brothers who are homeless. Thank you for your on-going support. RESTOC ;( ye5 114. W. 14th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45210 • 513-381-0954 J we would Hke to buy _ brick(s) to support t he construction of buddy's place nam e ................................ .........phone·················................................ ...........................si:hoai·c;r·or9iiiiiziiiion············· ...................... amount enclosed ($50 per brick) .................. please m ake checks payable to RESTOC. In t he space below, please indicate name you would like painted on brick Page 3 The Father's Eyes This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relation­ ship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd.get to . play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice _ and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excite­ ment and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play-off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent... Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday." Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close play-off game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in." Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His team­ mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach.noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alorie. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!" �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine POLICE OR PREDATORS? YOU DECIDE by Somani A. Tyehimba How is it that you find yourself being stopped for an alleged traffic violation and then have a gun pointed at your head? Well, just be a black man in America.. Oh, and just one more thing, make sure you're stopped by two wild­ eyed, adrenaline pumped, blood thirsty, mouth foaming predators, disguised as Cincinnati police officers. When I noticed the flashing lights behind me I pulled into the driveway at my son's school. I stepped out of my van, only to see two angry white men pointing their guns at me and shouting, "get back into the vehicle! get back into the vehicle!" I immediately returned to my van, shut the door, and placed my hands on the steering wheel. One officer advanced forward as I returned to the van and stood five to six feet outside my door with his gun aimed directly at my head. He shouted to his partner, "Go ahead, I've got him covered on this side." The other officer ap­ peared on the passenger side of the van and shined a light into the side window. Why he needed a flashlight in the daytime is beyond my comprehension. This same officer instructed me to roll down the window. I told him the window was broken and did not roll down. He then instructed me to open the door and slowly get out of the van. I slowly exited the van, with my hands in plain view. I stood perfectly still with my hands in front of me, palms up, showing the only things in my hands were the van keys. Yet the officer who held the gun t~rgeted at my head kept shouting in a very hostile voice, as he moved closer to position himself in front of me, "don't move your hands, don't move your hands." Mind you my hands were not moving: Also h·e is continually advancing toward me. I can hear incredibly well. I answered to him each time, in a very calm and nonthreatening voice, "My hands are not moving." As this exchange took place, it became apparent he was looking for a reason to shoot. My best defense was to remain calm. While Rambo still targeted the gun at my head, he leaned forward and snatched the keys from my hands. ;He asked me if I ha~ anything else on me as if the keys he snatched from my bands were some sort of weapon. I calmly replied no. By this time the other officer had come to the drivers side of the van. He ordered me to step away from the vehicle and turn around. I was handcuffed while at the same time being told, "just be calm, you're not under arrest." At no time did I exhibit any behavior other than calm. After being handcuffed, Rambo's partner patted me down while Rambo finally holstered his gun. After feeling the Money in my pocket, the officer said, "that feels like a lot of money. How much money do you have?" I replied I wasn't sure maybe $180. I asked myself what difference does it make how much money I have in my pocket? I then realized these officers must have that stereotypical view of me as a drug selling, gun toting, hostile and danger­ ous black man. And it's open season on me. Rambo asked me why I didn't stop. I replied I did stop. He then snatched my right arm and forced me across the street to the police car. Once in handcuffs to Rambo I was just another criminal. He could treat me and talk to me in any manner he pleased. I asked Rambo why they stopped me. He said I was weaving in and out of traffic and went left of center. That was a lie. When we got on the sidewalk, Rambo spun me around facing the police car. He kicked my feet apart without instructing me to do anything. Again I was searched. This time Rambo pulled money and everything out of my pockets and asking me question after question. "Do you have any weapons?" "No." "Do you have anything sharp in your pockets that would stick me?" "No." "What about a box cutter?" "No." "Do you have a job?" "I work for myself. I own a retail store in Swifton Commons Mall." "What do you do?" "I said, I own a retail store in Swifton Commons Mall, Black World Products Interna­ tional." "Well, what do you sell?" "We sell books, art... " "Get inside the car!" I asked him why he had to cuff me in the first place if I wasn't under arrest. ''This was embarrassing," I told him, "being handcuffed in front of my son's school and searched." Since he didn't have the pleasure in killing me, having an innocent black man caged in the back of his police car feeling embarrassed was his consola­ tion prize. Rambo's partner had moved my van out of the driveway to unblock someone and parked it down the street. Rambo drove me down the street by my van and his partner got into the car. They began asking another series of questions. "What's your name?" "Somani Tyehimba" "Is that your real name or did you change it?" The FICA Ripoff Page 4 "Yes it is my real name, and yes I did legally have it changed." "Where do you live? What's your phone? What's your work number?" After about fifteen minutes of sitting in the car waiting for them to complete their work I was released and cited for Improper Change of Course and Left of Center. It wasn't until later that evening I realized the magnitude of what happened. All during the ordeal I was quite calm. Being calm I know saved my life. The fact that this officer had a gun targeted at my head caused me to shudder. At the same time he was warning me not to do something that I was not doing. Was he really talking to me or setting up his alibi to the surrounding onlookers had he blown out my brains? If I had moved my hands, would my family be planning my funeral? Would my son have to grow up without his father in his life? Would I have become another statistic where an officer "thought he saw something' and had no choice but to shoot? I have to answer yes because that blood thirsty predator seemed eager to bag his kill for the day. I have always instructed my son to respect authority. Whether the authority is a teacher, another adult, his parents, or even police officers. I feel a need to modify this directive now. I will still inform him to respect authority. However, when it comes to police officers here is what I will tell him. Respect the authority that is represented by the badge. However, take the one eye opened, one eye closed approach to the person wearing the badge. He just might be a predator, looking for an excuse to kill an innocent black man. COHHIO rallies hundreds I by Gina Miller by Dr. Tom Everyone in Washington is busy trying to decide what to do with the budget surplus. No one seems anxious to admit that the alleged surplus is actually the result of embezzlem.ent from the Social Security Trust fund ... a crime aimed at the pocketbooks of America's poorest workers. · FICA contributions are figured ·on a workers gross pay up to $72,600. Income taxes are progressive, i.e. they give a break to the lowest income workers. FICA contributions are based on gross income and are the largest deduction from a low-income worker's check. They are regressive. It is criminal to even discuss using sur­ plus~s in the American workers pension funds for tax breaks for upper income taxpayers. Especially considering that by law The Social Security Trust Fund is a pension fund which is supposed to be kept separate from the general fund used to finance the government budget. In private industry and in unions pension managers who divert funds from pensions are put in prison. I was granted an opportunity to attend the annual Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio conference. It was held in Columbus, Ohio. The dates were March 8-10, 1999. The prestigious Hyatt hotel was the "stage". The State House was the "backdrop". Semi-casual to formal was the apparel. "Housing Ohio: Challenges & Opportunities" was the theme. The format appeared to be just as diverse as the people who attended the conference. Panel discussions, speakers, individual appoint­ ments as well as question-and-answer sessions provided avenues for collaboration in efforts toward ending homelessness. People traveled many miles (regardless of the weather) in order to take part in this important event. ­ I gained some valuable insi§hfs, from attending several workshops. Topics ranged from Public Housing Reform to "Organize Ohio!". The agenda included information on Welfare Reform, employment opportunities, the Fair Housing Act, and starting/maintaining a "street" newspaper. I left the conference feeling inspired to continue assisting people with obtaining permanent housing. Here are the facts about the supposed budget surplus. The Make Believe Surplus YEAR 1999 2000 2001 2002 FICA FUND OVERPAYMENTS FEDERAL DEFICIT Th1AGINARY +$113 BIL +$123 BIL +$130BIL +$139BIL -$104 BIL -$114 BIL -$102 BIL -$ 49BIL + $9BIL + $9BIL + $ 28 BIL + $ 90BIL SURPLUS - - =' ­ �STRE IBES ·The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine The Broken City... Page 5 Funeral March for b uddy g ray by Mike Henson A day of bright and bitter cold Silent, we march the stony blocks and hear only the tread of feet on the pavement thousands of feet on the stony pavement, only the banners that billow, snap, and bellow out again. Only these and the snap of the drum. We enter the park Watched by bullet-colored crows silent and alert. We pass the stone gates; the drum stops. Song overlaps the silence. Singing, we fill this small place with our small hundreds. The ground we tread was once a Potters Field. The earth beneath us is riddled with bones. ·From thei r dark porches, the dead observe us through a screen of glass. Memorial procession through the streets of Over-the-Rhine honoring the late buddy gray, neighborhood activist and founder of the Drop Inn Center. November, 1996. LIFE EVERY DAV IS BETTER by Mary Ann Bravo by Dorcy A CHANGED This story is about my stepfather 14 years ago. My stepfather was a drunk. Day and night he would hang in the bar. I just prayed to the Higher Power to help this man change his life. Well before I left town in 1990 he went into a program. I have not seen my stepfather for ten years. When I went home and saw my stepfa· ther I was so proud of him. He had stopped drinking and don't hang in bars any more. Keep up the good work no matter what happens. I will always love you. Today my father is sweet and good hearted. If you need anything he will try to do it. He feels so good about himself. He feels so different. He can see the differences that he made in his life. ROCK BOTTOM I got here because I left Cleveland and came to Cincinnati, to start over. I tried to find a place to stay, first with the Volunteers of America, where I stayed for a month. But, then I found myself living on the streets. It was hard. Lots of empty buildings, lots of drugs and lots of alcohol, everywhere. I heard people talking about the Drop Inn Center and came. The people were nice. I have stayed here for the last three months, every night. I think, however, I am leaving next month. I am moving to a place that rents rooms to disabled people. I feel good about having my own place in the next week. The homeless are people too and they shouldn't be looked down upon just because they are having a hard time. Some people are responsible for being homeless and some are homeless because of their circumstances-­ domestic disputes, loss of jobs, poor self esteem. I am an independent person and these last months have been scary but the situation is improving and all I can do is take it one day at a time. by Anonymous One of the things that has caused my homelessness is my drug addiction and myself. The people that I have chosen to be around are no good for me but as long as my money held out I was cool and life seemed to be a party. I have to, however, put the blame where the blame belongs and that is with me, not being able to hold on to a penny no matter what job came along. My house was my drug and it was all I cared about. I didn't care about myself, I lost my self-respect, my dignity. I was home· less. I was homeless not because I didn't have a home or a bed to sleep in, it was because I didn't care about the things that were good. But you know what, there is always hope at the end of the tunnel. I had to hit rock bottom before I could put this hope to use. I don't know where this hope is going to take me but today I have it and one day I am going to make it out Subscribe·to Streetvibes-:: 11 Subscriptions to Streetvibes can be purchased for $12 per year. Please send a check to the below address and the paper will be mailed to you each issue. Streetvibes 1506 Elm Street Cincinnati, OH 45210 Please make checks payable to the Great er Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless- Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. From the band shell there are speeches, more song. Around the band shell, handshakes and embraces. My small son and I sit close and listen. I ask him, are you cold? he denies it. But he shivers, so I lend him my coat. His arms are lost within the sleeves; the hem devours his knees. He is a little, shivering thimble, a haystack nipped at the ears. But he does not complain. He has march each cold and stony step. Now, he follows each word of the speeches. He sing each song, chants each chant. We are watched, in our small hundreds under the bright, over-shouldering cloak of the sky, by the cy<?loptic eye of television, by the shivering homeless at the edges of the park, by the cold, curious crows in their balcony seats among the trees, by the investors in carrion, sniffing the air (or a hint of decay, and by the dead, standing at attention in their dark ranks. And so, we are not alone. 1:1 1 1:: •t: I • 11·1111; lI I ' l I I I i·i,·i:. l " '" .11·: ,I ; i'' I I ' More poetry on page 6 ... I IH �STREETVIBES 1 The Tri-State s Homeless Grapevin'e DICI WORD ON THE TOGETHER STREET WE CAN Arts & Poetry SPIRIT OF OVER THE RHINE by Sonny Williams, 1998 Black, Latino, White 12th Street, Drop Inn Center is the peoples right Eric Kunzels' plan tried to shut it down, but the Homeless rebelled in Cincy-town. Letters of support from N. Y. C., Cleveland. Spirit of Soweto is the national call, It's right to Rebel Down With Displacement, Kunzel -Sour note of the Poor! Maria Martinez by Francisco Perez Estrada translation by Patrick Harmon She was a sister of the trees, Child, she slept by the sun in the field she cried out when birds took flight. One day the sap rose and a woman emerged. Hers steps smelled of madrono trees her blossoms filled the boundaries. Of her sex it was heard on all the roads when the Indians spoke: esta buena, esta buena. The dry branches revealed green shoots, the day that spring arrived. . J ' J ' white-faced monkeys threw branches as I brought water from the spring. by Denise Crew Our friendship is a silly one You know we are subject to fall out about anything at any time for no reason Together we can reach out and help the needy all people, man, woman and child. That we can eliminate the line of poverty and the feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, pennylessness and the condition of homelessness. Together we can stand for those who can't, we can speak for those can't say and read for those who do not know how. You say things because you can I do things because I can we lock horns because we can Our friendship is a silly one you know we are subject to fall out about anything at anytime for no reason You don't like my work I don't like your work today we fuss about who worked the hardest of course I did We are here to eliminate the pain of suffering. We are here to do the will which is not ours, but of God's we will continue to do goodwill while going uphill. We will stay focus day or night we will continue to struggle and fight. We have a plan to stand though training, treatment, and education. Our friendship is so silly You know we are subject to fall out about anything at any time for no reason Why do you page me and put H E L L 0 in when I told you I had a meeting it was cute only the first three times sometimes I think you need help We will do this together. We will do this by reaching and holding on to the flower which has not bloomed, to the Condition which has not changed. To the right which has not been given. Our friendship is silly you know we are subject to fall out about anything at any time for no good reason you want the top down I want the top up I want to get out you refuse to stop Service to others is an Action of Need Anyway is not to say but to survive one more day Volunteers, contributions, donation is the way at the Drop Inn Center Our friendship is silly but I'm glad we can fall out about anything at anytime for no good reason Gregory Song of Shelter Caesar and the Meat by ~rnesto Mejia Sanchttz (Nicaragua) , 1 translation by Patrick Harmon Her foliage did not last long ripened in nine moons of earth and wood. Her womb was large. Her children grew strong in Coajtepe, La Fuente, El Guapinol. · Now, ancient, she is only a question of stone, of silence, of shadow. Page 6 Caesar created another tax for the prosperity of his people. The butchers raise the meat to pay: the ranchers raise the cattle to pay: only the people have to kneel down to pay, because all the cattle and the meat, the ranchers and the butch­ ers are of Caesar, not the people. by Mike Henson Evening, on a day of bitter cold The wind stirs great flocks of crows above the hillside. Flecks of ash whirling in a basin. They swim in air like fish in a pond. Curb-bound, I feel the bite of the wind. I flinch. I shiver in my shoes. I fear for any unhoused creature in the teeth of such a wind. The uncountable crows breast the wind with grace and command. They soar upon it masterfully. They settle, one by one, into the black branches of the trees. Black leaves. Ornaments of ash. They call and call · and call. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Nationwide Senator Gramm Attempting to Dismantle Support for CRA Senators who support the Community Reinvestment Act are the current target of Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) in his battle to deflate and discard the Community Reinvest­ ment Act. During the week of March 8, Senator Gramm met with bank and insurance industry representatives to encourage them to put pressure on Senators to pass his version of the financial modernization bill. According to The Washington Post, one of Senator Gramm's main targets is Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). Senator Schumer just won his seat after a long, expensive campaign in New York where Wall Street interests gave him much financial sup­ port. The Senate version of the bill, which passed the Senate Banking Committee on March 4, deals several blows to the Community Reinvestment Act. If Senators who support CRA buckle to banking and insurance industry pressure, passing the bill in the Senate will be that much easier for Senator Gramm. President Clinton has repeatedly said he would veto any bill which weakens the Community Reinvest­ ment Act. We are hearing that Senators who usually support the community Reinvestment Act need to hear much more from their constituents on this important legislation in order to shore up their resolve to protect the CRA. Specifically, calls and letters need to be made immediately on the following points: *in the Senate bill, banks that are not in compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act could affiliate with other entities and engage in new powers. *the Senate bill gives a sate harbor for institutions with a "satisfactory" or better CRA rating on its most recent CAA reviews. These institutions would be automatically deemed in compliance with CRA unless "substantial verifiable information" arises. Public comment on CAA performance would be effectively eliminated; 97% of institutions 11~amined in . . . · 1997-98 received "satisfactoryJ or"t~ehJr\~ttngs~ ~ *the Senate bill has a small bani< ~ke<m~-' : tion. Banks with less than $100 million in assets would be exempted from CRA - 63% of all banks! This provision would have a devastating effect on rural communities because small banks are often the only source of credit in rural areas. You can call both of your Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121. For more information, call Linda Couch, 2021662-1530 ext. 242 or email linda@nlihc.org. Point of View by Sheila Crowley, President, NLIHC . I had the pleasure this week of participat­ ing in the training of the second class of HUD Community Builder Fellows. Some 300 people from across the country are in Washington preparing to become HUDs outreach arm into communities. They represent diverse disci­ plines and are all experienced problem solvers. They bring many years of accumulated practice wisdom to strengthening the role HUD plays in improving the lives of people in poor communi­ ties. There is some criticism of HUDs plan to add new staff recruited from the outside to take on new roles at a time when the department is downsizing and the existing staff has to take on more tasks. I, for one, applaud the move. Probably more than any other federal agency, HUD has direct contact with people working on serious social problems in urban neighborhoods. Deploying HUD staff to be purposely engaged in achieving the HUD goals at the local level is a bold and positive step. I hope that the citizens in poor communities, local housing advocates, and the Community Builder Fellows form close partnerships. My interest in the translation of federal intent into local program implementation led me to engage in research in 1995 about the inter­ pretation of federal housing policy in three entitlement jurisdictions. Using qualitative research methods, I examined the manner in which these jurisdictions responded to the concept of the Consolidated Plan. In interviews with local officials, nol')profit providers, people who receive federal housing assistance, neigh­ borhood activists, and civic leaders, a fascinat­ ing and paradoxical portrait of HUD, and by inference the Federal government, emerged. On one hand, HUD looms as an onerous force to make localities conform or risk the loss of funds. On the other hand, the Federal government is the protector of minority groups and vulnerable people, and HUD, as the hous­ ing arm of the Federal government, is supposed to assure equality and social justice in the housing system. A third view is that, in many ways, HUD is irrelevant at the local level and in the context I was studying, this view was the most accurate one. There was scant local sense of being part of a national strategy to solve serious urban problems, nor was there a local commitment to national housing goals. I would like _t~e 90f!ln;1Unity Builder Fellows to alter that dynahiiblaM:frepre§eM the ~ederal·., government as a powerful force in lmpro"img·ttle \ social and economic well-being of poor people. Secretary Cuomo speaks eloquently about the quest for social, racial, and economic justice. The Community Builders Fellows should be the ambassadors who bring tangible results of that message. There are three very concrete ways that the Fellows can quickly become engaged in addressing serious housing issues in local communities. First, identify good assisted properties in danger of prepayment or opt-outs and work with residents and other local partners to preserve their long term use as affordable p age 7 housing for very low income people. Bill Faith in Ohio reports that one of their Community Builder Fellows has done just that. Two, create effective linkages between the two local plans that are required for receipt of federal housing funds, the ConPlan and the new Public Housing Plan. This is essential to assuring a holistic understanding of the housing needs of the poor and to maximizing the use of federal housing resources on their behalf. This seems like a natural role for Community Builder Fellows to undertake. Finally, I want the Community Builders to use all. the ~ed era~ tools they have, including the analysis to 1mped1ments to fair housing, to assist voucher holders in achieving true housing choice. As the eyes and ears of HUD at the local level, Community Builder Fellows should be identifying, articulating, and calling for actions to assure that all voucher holders are successful in the housing market. I encourage our partners at the state and local level to be actively engaged with your Community Builder Fellows and to share your experiences with them with us at NLIHC. Capitol Hill Budget Resolutions: Spending Caps )l / ..,.~~9J / ~1rmi.inm}11 '·mTrtTY"'fi'T'1 ······ U.U.1.1.1.LU..U.llJ On March 17 and 18, the House and Senate Budget Committees, respectively, passed Y2000 budget resolutions. Both Com­ mittees' budget resolutions keep domestic discretionary spending caps put in place by the 1997 budget agreement. It is not too late to call Senators and Representatives and ask them to oppose keeping the caps on domestic discre­ tionary spending. Partisan and highly charged debate continues as both chambers prepare to bring their budget resolutions to their floors the week of March 22. The Budget Committees budget resolutions include a $15 billion tax cuts for FY2000 and $778 billion in tax cuts over the next 1O years. The pressure on domestic discretionary funds is further tightened by sought-after large increases for military and education spending. Democrats have stated that, with the caps in place along with tax cuts and increases for the military and education, domestic programs could see and across-the-board cut of 12%. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) is quoted by the Associated Press, saying "If it (the budget resolution) were an over-the-counter drug, it would have to say, 'Warning: Could be h~rmful to elderly, children and working fami­ lies.'" The White House has also spoken out against the resolutions. However, the budget resolution is not something the President signs or vetoes. It is, however, the omnipotent guide­ path for the work of the appropriations commit: tees. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has just issued a series of papers analyzing the Republican budget proposal. In brief, these analyses show that the proposal would require severe cuts in nondefense discretionary pro­ grams. As the Center states, the problem 'goes , ' beyond t~~ y~rr,,1arge:cui~ ~de~titiek:f iff t~e\ EI, i 1; · budget propos'al i\se~.'' By :cdnsuming· mo~r of i ~ '· the projected non-Social Security budget surplus through tax cuts and utilizing a "lockbox" measure that requires a supermajority to incur a deficit in the non-Social Security part of the budget, the Republican budget proposal likely would require further cuts in discretionary spending after 2009, and sooner if the economy 'NATION' cont. on page 14... �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Prisoner's News INJURIOUS PRISON CONDITIONS Dear Shirley Pope: I have filed a number of grievances with appeals to Columbus, spanning prior to the year 1997 and now in 1999 as well. My grievances dealing with the injurious prison conditions pertaining to denial of proper and adequate medical treatment by hospital staff. Hospital staff put the blame on Mr. Wilkinson and the funding cuts. But it is not just medical, but over all treatment towards myself, a death row inmate and others on death row. 1. have addressed this issue a number of times on different levels and the Department of Rehabilitation & Correction for which you work along side of Mr. Wilkinson. When asking for the intervention of the Chief Inspector or agen­ cies with the state of Ohio, the most famous quote is: "Your letter concerning conditions of your confinement has been forwarded to the inspec­ tor of institutional services at your institution. I am confident that your concerns will be ad­ dressed." I follow the grievance procedure and when I appeal it to Central Office, instead of them launching their/your investigation, they defeat the purpose of an appeal and send it right back to the prison institution it came from. Thus, creating more "Red Tape" and long delays in obtaining resolution. On 11/20/97 disposition of grievance for which I appealed to this office and the Chief Inspector concerning harsh physical and psy­ chological conditions on death row prisoners, No. 11-97-25, which never got a response. In this particular example, like many others. You ask the prisoner to follow the procedures under 5120-9-31, but what about prison staff's failure to follow them. I always wait in excess of the five working days before filing a Notice Of Grievance with the inspector. Most importantly, the four pages of infor­ mal complaint, I give up my record of ever filing the grievance when I submit the "PINK" copy to the llS. Numerous times I have filed kites to these persons and they don't reply. I file the Notice Of Grievance and after three weeks, a month or longer the person back-dates the grievance as if they responded within the time period and for some reason it got lost until that time. . July 13, 1998, Grievance against the Institutional Inspector Services designated by No. Cl-99-17, by Inmate Post #A183-812, the office of the Chief Inspector asked for additional time to give a fair and proper resolution, a resolution that I have no record of. Dated 8-21­ 98, Grievance No. 05-98-67, the Chief Inspector's Office affirmed the actions and investigations of the llS here at Man. C.I ..... My complaint dealing with again, the conditions of confinement for death row inmates, not provid­ ing medical care, dental care, charging for services that were not performed. Medications and treatments issued by Dr. L. Juan whom also treated me at S.O.C.F. while I was there. On August the 11th or 13th, during a shakedown, guards confiscated typing ribbons, typing paper, r made me send all my legal work out, confis­ cated medical journals, confiscated my tennis shoes that were bought by the Medical Depart­ ment, but the shakedown team stated that the prison did not issue the tennis shoes. Special boots were issued to me back in "1997" through C.M.C., these boots were taken in August and a new pair was to be issued, NOT AS OF THIS DATE. On the same date above, my typewriter was destroyed by prison staff, I have been punished repeatedly, from taking my desk and cabinet away to curb my typing, for which at this time I must sit on the cold floor. I addressed the issue that due to my large size at 453 lb .. and after a number of hunger strikes lost (100) lb.. , but still could not sit at the desk bolted to the wall. Medical staff issued me a chair to sit in (Brian Cain), but that was taken away by the new Hospital Administrator and Death Row Staff, and only certain inmates are allowed chairs. Because of the injuries I have sustained through the Department of Corrections and its agents, I have addressed my concerns to Mr. Reginald Wilkinson and to the Governor, of course they don't respond. I have tried going through the Federal Courts, but of course with taxpayers money and the unlimited access the State of Ohio and the Attorney General's Office have, I am no match for you people. Even through the Governor and agents deny me access to the law library and law books which I have also addressed with no beneficial resolu­ tion to me, with the exception of the continued harassment, continued retaliation, continued destroying of my personal property and legal work, and for the last (10) months the depart­ ment of corrections and their agents have kept me isolated in solitary confinement with no interactions with any pri~oners, only prison staff. I have been without proper clothing, no boots, no tennis shoes as supported by my medical file in over five (5) months. I have been forced to walk around in socks or put plastics bags on my feet to walk some place for medical care and outside in the freezing tem­ peratures. Dr. Juan issued medication for me that he said I would probably have to take the rest of my life. He also gave me warning signs of things to look out for as I am (PARTIALLY DISABLED) due to injuries I have sustained spanning over the past five years. The Depart­ ment of Correction and agencies cover up the injurious negligence of its doctors. I have been on "Sick Call" over two months, I have had a serious cold due to other inhumane conditions imposed on myself and others just because we are stereotyped death row or would 'scum' be more suitable? On December 9th or 10th, I turned in my medication bags for the pills I take to curb the swelling in my left leg and foot. The second shift guard said he gave the bags to the nurse, the nurse said she never got them, but would check my medical file to see if the pills or refill was issued. I have got the runaround all month telling me to see the doctor, telling me I must see the Podiatrist first. Three weeks go by and emergency intervention of a guard, I get over to the hospital. I see !he foot doctor, he sjts in the I chair and asked ''What can I do for you?" I explained about how the increased swelling in my left leg is causing veins to protrude the surface of the skin. The veins continue to rupture and expel blood. The foot doctor would not even examine me, he would not even look at my feet and legs. I asked about a pair of orthopedic boots in size 12 EEEE, or EEEEE, he said there was no money to give death row inmates special boots or shoes. He would not even examine my right foot, swotren and black and blue as it is. As I stated, it has been close to a month since I have had the proper medication. On December 30th, I awoke to a wet feeling and to Page 8 find that my bedding was soaked with blood and clear fluid. I reported it to the nurse at the morning pill call, and I reported it to the guards and stated that I needed to be seen by a doctor. I have been told that there is no doctor to see me, that only in emergencies can a doctor be called in. Profuse bleeding, clear fluid oozing out of my open wounds, stained sheets of blood and fluid; I guess that is not an emergency. Dr. Juan told me to watch out for something like this, that I could bleed to death, form- gangrene or loose my leg. I have to keep reminding myself, this is Mansfield, I am on death row and I am supposed to be treated Q..umanely. The Governor doesn't care, Mr. Wilkinson doesn't care, medical staff doesn't care, who do I turn to now, I guess nobody cares. An interview and intervention would be a welcome sight, if you can spare the time. Respectfully, Ronald R. Post A-183-812 WILFORD BERRY KILLED CRIME-211911999, 9:31PM ACCUSED - THE STATE OF OHIO By: Eunice Timoney Ravenna, lntercommunity Justice and Peace Center On Friday, February 19, mourners gath­ ered at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Evanston to mourn the ex~cution of Wilford Berry. In the words of Sutiith Wickrema, director of Justice Watch, many participated in the vigil, "to show that we are not a part of the collective decision to kill B~rry as punishment." Many people w: 10 are anti-death penalty believe the penalty does not serve: as a deterrent to violent crime. Still others were concerned that this execution is rather a sfate assisted suicide for a mentally ill man and should not be the case to resume the death penalty in Ohio. Some chose to be pr'esent at the execution and went to Lucasville that Friday ·evening. Carpools of Cincinnatians made their way from Peaslee Neighborhood Center to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility - the location of Ohio's death house. The caravan hoped to be a public witness in opposition to execution and to offer prayers for the deatH of Wilford Berry. People from throughout th'e state began to gather in Lucasville at 4prn and held vigil until the 9pm expected ~xecution. Approximately 200 Ohioans were in attendance. Due to complications in the "death house" Berry was not pronounced dead until 9:31 pm. With strained lines of communication between the prison guards and both media and mourners, those present were unaware of the difficulty officials had finding Berry's veins which delayed the lethal injection for twehty minutes. The mood of the evening was reflective, somber, and defeated for those who stood in opposition to the ex~cution. Others who favored execution (approx. 40 present) were excited about the prospect of Ohio's resuming the use of the death penalty and hoped to find peace and closure to their own loss. Such a stance is > �STREElVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine perpetuated by our criminal justice system. Many families truly feel that the execution of the man convicted in a family members death will bring about an end to their pain. This is a violation of those families imposed by our penal system. After witnessing the execution that was to bring about miraculous healing, many family members remain hurt, empty and searching. The state needs to do something different for these families - but such potential seems distant. In the clemency denial from Governor Taft, he ends with these words, "I pray this decision will allow them (The Mitroff Family) to find peace of mind and closure in the face of their loss." And we wonder how anyone can support the death penalty? And we wonder why people cheered at 9pm? Hearing a few cheers at the announced death of Wilford Berry moved me fram a saddened silent state to one of disbelief. Am I really hearing cheers? Could this get more morbid? And, I mourn all the more - for the men on death row; for the families of prisoners; for the families of victims; for the barbaric penal system; for those who cheer at death; for those who see all of this and feel helpless; and lastly for the life and death of Wilford Berry. Wilford Berry suffered greatly during his childhood years and continued to suffer during his years in the state's custody as a prisoner. Many who mourn realize that all of Ohio are responsible for the tragic life and death of this man. For those interested in getting involved in the opposition of the death penalty, the next committee meeting will be held Wednesday March 24, 7pm at the Peaslee Neighborhood Center. For more information call 579-8547. Plan to do your part. PROPOSAL TO BLOCK GRANT HUD MCKINNEY FUNDS Representative Lazio (A-NY) is planning to once again introduce legislation which would block grant HUD McKinney Homeless Assis­ tance Funds. Representative Lazio intends to skirt the customary legislative authorization process under what is called suspension of the rules. This means the proposed legislation would bypass the Housing subcommittee process, and instead would simply be intro­ duced, a hearing would be held, and it would go straight to the House floor for a vote, allowing no amendments. They want to fast track this bill by introducing it the week of March 15th, and passing it before their March break. This makes the timeliness of your contact with your repre­ sentatives in the House urgent. Under the proposed legislation, McKinney funds would be distributed on a formula basis to states and localities, based not on the merit of what they would do with the money to prevent and end homelessness, but as an entitlement, based simply on the formula adopted, except for a possible housing set aside that would be distributed at the federal level through a competitive process. Currently, there is limited, but critical, federal oversight of how McKinney funds are used, through the Con­ tinuum of Care process implemented by HUD that both insures a collaborative, comprehen­ sive process, and local decision-making in the planning and implementation of homeless housing and service programs. Block granting McKinney funds will mean that many states will lose millions of dollars they now highly effec­ tively use to address homelessness in their communities, because they will only be allowed their formula share. After extensive conversation with homeless advocates, housing and service providers from across the country, NCH believes that block granting McKinney at this time would not be in the best interest of those who are homeless because: * a recent GAO study identified 34 federal programs that serve low-income per­ sons, and could include those that are home­ less. 20% of the funding for these programs comes through block grants that states and localities have the authority to target to those most vulnerable in their communities - home­ less men, women and children. If they don't do it now, why do we think they will do it later? Even if this new block grant has the so called 'protection' of being targeted to those who are homeless, shouldn't the current federal block grants, intended for the most vulnerable, have been used to spare both individuals and families from suffering homelessness, and we as a nation from being shamed by it? Because they have not been, the 'systems' funded by these current block grants too often serve to either stimulate or prolong homelessness. Taking an increasingly effective Continuum of Care approach and adding it to this list of block grants, that may not effectively serve those who are homeless, seems too risky. * Two issues should be addressed by Congress before they consider block granting McKinney funds: (1) the large number of McKinney permanent housing programs that need 'renewal funding has grown to be a signifi­ cant problem. The individuals and families who live in this housing can now be considered permanently housed, and therefore, should not continue to depend on funding from the McKinney program. Instead, mainstream housing programs for low-income persons should be funding this housing; (2) the support­ ive services needs of those who become homeless require effective response as much as their housing needs do. To address the one without addressing the other, makes the im­ pacted homeless persons vulnerable to homelessness again. The Housing subcommit­ tee continues to want to dedicate more McKinney funds to permanent housing, without any plan for where the supportive services funding will come from. * the current Continuum of Care pro­ cess, initiated at the federal level, stimulates integration, collaboration and effective out­ comes. It gives state and local entities (non­ profits, governments, businesses, homeless persons) working collaboratively, full decision­ making authority over how federal funds for the homeless will be spent. These local collabora­ tions successfully plan, implement and evaluate the homeless housing and service programs for their communities, which would be the primary motivation for block granting the funds. If it is already happening, and also insuring limited federal oversight, why change it? * the goal of the federal government should be to bring an end to homelessness in America, not find ways to further institutionalize it, by giving money to states and localities to 'manage' homelessness in their communities. * we fear that some local communities may use homeless block grant funds to further their anti-homeless regulatory and NIMBY intentions. * the principle thrust of the original HR217 legislation was to enhance the amount of HUD McKinney funds that were used to provide Page 9 permanent housing. That stipulation was already included as a requirement in the HUD appropriations bill, it has already been done. * if decisions about how to use McKinney funds are already made locally, if 30% of McKinney. funds already have to be used for permanent housing, then what is the point of this bill? If Congress really wants to end homelessness, they need to be authorizing policies and funding programs that can ad­ equately provide (a) permanent housing for those households with the lowest incomes (instead of removing access to such housing as they did in the public housing reform bill, without any plan for where these households will live), (b) supportive services that are needed, for temporary or long-term periods of time, by some members of our society who are challenged by chronic disabilities or limitations, (c) livable incomes (both fixed and earned) so that families and individuals can afford the basic necessities, including housing, and will therefore not have to be rendered homeless. Let's get on with what we really have to do as a nation, to prevent and end homelessness. Let's fix what is really broken. Too many lives, too many futures are at stake. Please call your members in the House and let them know that block granting McKinney funds is not in the best interest of those who are homeless, and they should not do it. r-'i l IF)1 ~-lJ LFTI I i ~~( I ~$11 !Lii '-·'·-··· ·····' i I! i:i :..•........ i i : u l L.r.~~'.~~~:lJ..--···--·- - ·- -- - - --- - · · · · · · ·l FUNDING ANNOUNCE­ MENT The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced the avail­ ability of approximately $2.4 billion in HUD program funds covering 32 grant categories. The housing component of this SuperNOFA encompasses many of HUD's housing pro­ grams, including targeted housing and homeless assistance. Targeted housing programs include Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOWPA) ($22.2 million), Section 202 Support­ ive Housing for the Elderly ($434.8 million) and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities ($87.2 million). The SuperNOFA also includes funding announce­ ments for community development technical assistance for the Supportive Housing, HOPWA, and other programs. $750 million is available for Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance through the Support­ ive Housing, Shelter Plus Care and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single-Room Occu­ pancy programs. The application deadline for the Continuum of Care programs is June 2, 1999. The closing date for receipt of applica­ tions under other programs in the SuperNOFA varies. For additional information, see the Federal Register of February 26, 1999 (54 FR 9618), call the SuperNOFA Information Center at 1­ 800-HUD-8929 or visit HUD's lntemat Website at http://www.HUD.gov. • t �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Page 10 STREETVIBES Commentary on Wisconsin's Welfare News Welfare Plan, (W-2) (What Ohio should NOT Do) MYTHS by Lynn Williams VERSUS FACTS ("Women and Welfare : Popular Conceptions vs. Facts", from Back to Basics: Women 's Poverty and Welfare Reform by Dorothy K. Seavey, Wellesley College Center for Research on Women, published in Glass Ceilings and Bottomless Pits by Randy Albelda and Chris Tilly, South End Press) Myth: Cash welfare benefits constitute an adequate income for welfare recipients, giving them little incentive to work. Fact: In 1996, the maximum monthly TANF grant for a 3-person family in the median TANF state was $389, or 36% of the 1996 federal poverty level. Myth: Welfare benefits have been increas­ ing. Fac t: Over the period from 1970 to 1994, the median decline in real AFDC (now TANF) benefit levels was 47% . Myt h: Welfare benefits may be declining, but together with in-kind benefits they constitute a generous package. Fact: In 1996, the combined maximum TANF and Food Stamp grant for a family of 3 in the median TANF state was $699 per month, or $8,388 per year, an amount that was 35% below the federal poverty line of $13,267. Fact: Food Stamps and Medicaid aside, other forms of assistance are either consider­ ably smaller or received by only a minority of TANF recipients, or both. For instance, in 1995, less than one-fourth (23%) of all public assis­ tance families received any type of federal housing subsidy. Myth: Welfare recipients freeload on government programs while everyone else works hard to earn a living. Fact: Over half of U.S. families receive government transfer payments of different kinds. Myth: Welfare spending is out of control, and means-tested entitlement programs in general are burdening taxpayers and enlarging the federal deficit. Fact: AFDC (now TANF), as a share of federal spending, declined from 1.5% in 1975 to 1% in 1994. Myth: Families receiving welfare are very large. Fact: In 1995, about tfiree1.tt5ur;tkls>{'i!3%)' ~f / ~ all ,fMJil ~Eii M f\F.~.<t .~~9 1qn~ 1 or 2 children, 11 1 1 1 111 and almost 90% had 3 or fewer (;'t{irdr'e'rf. •' Myth: Most welfare recipients are able­ bodied adults who have fallen into dependency and do not want to work. Fact: Many adult welfare recipients are active in the labor market and are often part of the working poor. Research indicates that during the mid-1980's, 40% of adult recipients worked at paid jobs, either simultaneously combining work and welfare or cycling between the two. Nearly three-quarters (71 %) of recipi­ ·ents had recent work histories. Fact: Welfare is primarily a children's program: in 1995, 69% of AFDC recipients were children, and 82% of those children were under the age of 12. Fully 100% of adult Wisconsin's welfare system (W-2) has been touted by public officials across the nation as the best state welfare plan in America. This is according to what one bases their judgment on. If based on caseload reduction, it ranks extremely high. Ranked according to number of forcible, physical evictions of families with children from their homes, it also ranks very high. Since W-2 began, evictions and homelessness have skyrocketed. Before W-2 began, Milwaukee County had an average of 700 physical evictions. After welfare "reform" began, 2,389 households were physically evicted by the county Sheriff's Department in 1998 alone. These were households that had their belongings literally set out on the sidewalk. According to a report from the Workers World, "In the past, people receiving eviction notices simply moved to another apartment. Now an increasing number have no resources at all and just stay put until they, their children and their possessions are forced out onto the street." At the same time, in 1998, Wisconsin changed its law to allow children to be removed from their family's home simply because the family is poor. Before this policy took affect last summer, the law required neglect to be established. Now if the family is poor, the state welfare recipients care for children, nearly always without a spouse's assistance. Myt h: Welfare encourages women to have children outside of wedlock. Fact: The growth in never-married women who are mothers has been greater among women who are not welfare recipients. The proportion of these mothers in the general population tripled between 1976 and 1992, increasing from 12% to 36%. Myth: There is an epidemic of teen childbearing in the United States. Fact: Teen births have been declining over the last thirty years. Few welfare recipi­ ents are teen mothers : in 1995, only 6% of. adult female AFDC recipients were age 19 or younger. Myth: Most people on welfare get trapped in the system and stay on for years as welfare becomes a way of life. Fact: Monthly data indicate that, of all people entering the AFDC program, 56% left within one year and 70% left within 2 years. Fact: About half of those who exited left for employment. The majority of these, however, ended up returning (most within 2 years), ott1n .b,.~c~~sr of a lack of stable employment and ina9~~uat~:.or !Jrtd~o~qab~e •. child car~,qr j'\ealt~ jn~ur~6ce~ 1 ) , ' 1 ) • £ • r _~ r 1= 1 >! Myth: Paid employment is the solution to welfare dependency. Jobs are available and chances are good that families on AFDC can move out of poverty if they would just work more. Fact: An increasing number of jobs pay low earnings. Over the period from 1973 to 1995, the share of workers with annual earnings lower than the poverty level for a 4­ person family increased from 24% to 30%. Furthermore, women are much more likely than men to earn poverty-level wages. Fact: In recent years, the minimum wage has dropped to a near 40-year low when adjusted for inflation. At the current minimum can legally take children away from their fami­ lies! Anyone receiving welfare, anyone working small below-livable wage jobs, and especially anyone who is terminated or sanctioned on welfare is in immediate danger of having the state take their children. With this happening, will workhouses and orphanages be far behind? Instead of providing a safety net to support mothers with children to be able to raise their children adequately, the government is blaming the victim and punishing mothers & children. In Wisconsin , W-2 denies cash assistance to any welfare applicant that a caseworker judges is job ready. The cash assistance is denied even though the parent does not have a job at the time or any means to support her children. Furthermore, Milwaukee has privatized its welfare system. Companies who have contracts with the welfare department make financial profits by decreasing the caseload size. This is a monetary incentive to get people off the rolls regardless of how much hardship these families will face. It is policy like this that is leading to the high eviction rates and children being taken from their parents as families lose any means of support. (Information Resources: " Workers World") wage of $5.15 per hour, by 2000 the minimum wage will be 26.7% below its 1979 level. Fact: Other characteristics of many low­ wage jobs that create obstacles tq relying on paid employment for economic self-sufficiency include the short duration and high turnover of many of these jobs; deteriorating job mobility prospects within and across firms; the increas­ ing incidence of part·time and temporary work; inadequate or nonexistent nonwage compensa­ tion (e.g. health insurance), and ineligibility for unemployment insurance coverage. 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 Cincinnati, OH 4521 O Please make checks pay­ able to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless-­ Streetvibes. If you have any questions, call 421-7803. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Etcetera... SHAKE ITOFF AND STEP UP from Cliff Jones A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule "braying" - or ­ whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth the trouble of saving. Instead he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened ... and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shovel­ ling and the dirt hit his back ...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that everytime a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up ... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It was not long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUM­ PHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL What seemed like would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity... THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US! Remember: FORGIVENESS, FAITH, PRAYER, PRAISE, and HOPE .... all are excel­ lent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find ourselves! WALKING THE STREETS by Matthew Hagerty Out on the streets of Clifton and Over-the­ Rhine, there is a voice that cries out across the sidewalks and alleyways "Chocolate, cranber­ ries, Berta, bird, bat, read your 'Streetvibes.' That's where it's at." It is the call of Berta Lambert as he waves a newspaper over his head in front of the Esquire Theater. Lambert is 56 years-old and lives in a homeless shelter on Elm Street. He buys the 'Streetvibes' newspaper for 20 cents and then paces through the street in an attempt to sell them for a dollar. "I make enough money for pocket change," said Lambert. "If I can make five dollars I'm happy. That's all it takes for me to live on. I Berta Lambert hawks his papers near the Esquire Theater on Clifton Avenue spend 60 cents on the bus ride up and back and then the rest on living supplies and newspa­ pers." Lambert enjoys reading the news and keeping informed. He said that he buys the New York Ticnes every day, but has trouble finding the time to finish reading it. "To me, it's like getting a big piece of chocolate candy and not being able to eat it all," said Lambert. Some of Lamberts time is occupied by keeping the streets clean. As he walks down the street, he crushes cans that sit in the street gutters and along the walkways. "I can't stand to leave them there," said Lambert as he picks them up one by one and carries them. He then walks back to a gate that latches between the drug rehabilitation center and unlocks it with a key. Inside the gate are hundreds of bags filled with cans that sit organized neatly against the alley walls. "I'm an elected member of the Over-the ­ Rhine Board of Trustees," he said. "I'm the chairperson for the local cleanup campaign." Lambert also participates in many protest walks. He walked in "The Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament' in 1996. It was a walk that carried him from Los Angeles to New York and then to Washington D.C. He also partici­ pated in "The Walk for a Peaceful Future in the Middle East," and later even helped organize "The Poor Peoples Walk" that went from Cincin­ nati to Columbus, Ohio. "After you do a walk like that it builds self­ confidence," said Lambert. "You meet new people and exert yourself. We walked in extreme heat and a lot of cold." Lambert said that one of the greatest moments of his life was when he carried the Olympic Torch in the summer of 1996. "I was selected to be one of the people to carry the Olympic Torch," he said. "I wrote a paper about myself and sent it off. I was the only person from Over-the­ Rhine to do this. They gave us the option to buy the torches we carried, but I didn't have the money to but my torch from them. But that experience is going to be one of those things that's going on my obituary." Lambert says the worst days of his life are to come. "I'm getting older and don't have a family," he said. "If you look at my Page 11 life in terms of economics, I'm poor. Poverty limits you a lot. It doesn't let me do all that I want to. It makes it hard for us to keep up our health, and you don't have money to buy CD players or VCR's. We get left out." One of the things that stands out about Lambert is the pink hat that he wears. It reads "Be Kind." He said that the letters stand for ,6oost Everyone's Knowledge, Integrity, and .Qignity. Theses qualities mean a lot to Lambert who takes pride in his commu­ nity. As he walks down the streets of his neighborhood, he tells the stories behind all the buildings that sit abandoned and unkempt. "See that building," he said. "It's going- to be named after my friend Buddy Gray who was shot a while back. It's going to be a shelter for the homeless. You see that ball park over there. It used to be just a parking lot, but look at it now." Many of the buildings in Lamberts community are abandoned. Boards barricade the windows, paint chips are flaking off the brick, and trash clutters the street below. Lambert sees these places as potential homes and shelters for the poor and homeless who sleep in the muck of alleyways. Lambert is one of the lucky one's who found his way into the protection of the shelters. He writes articles for Streetvibes and sometimes takes pictures of the streets he used to call home. He takes pride in his neighborhood, and he wishes other people would too. "I think people should be peaceful planet people," he said just before he grabbed a stack of papers and walked into the street in front of the Esquire movie theater - where he would stand through the night crying out "Chocolate, cranberries, Berta, bird, bat, read your Streetvibes, that's where it's at.• .. Scramble by Ron Carter Try to unscramble these related words: ETERTSBEVSI SI NO HET SREI EESPLS LPHE SU KAET Tl EHGHRI Answers on page 15. tc.., ~'s~ ANOTHER CLASS PRODUCTION Oise.Jockey Service CLIFFORD JONES (513) 761 · 34&4 (513) 230-6353 �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine Page 12 STREETVIBES Mr. Whitehead, Dear Mr. Editorials & Kunzel, Letters I heard about your organization through Dan Cahill. He told me to write and ask to be put on your mailing list. I was born and raised in Reading, Ohio and the downtown city area. My mom died in July, 1998 and because of a few outstanding bills I had to sell the house. If I live long enough to get out of jail I'm going to need to get a roof over my head. Without it, I'll have to find a place under a bridge somewhere. I'm 61 years old and expect to be in my late ?O's when, and if, I get out. Well, see what you can do and I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. DEAR EDITOR I hope all the vengeful proponents of the death penalty feel better now that Wilford Berry has served as a sacrificial lamb for the lynch mob. In previous times, Mr. Berry would have been the witch burned at the stake in the town square to atone for all the evil in town that month. His murder by the state will not deter future killings, heal the broken hearts of those who grieve or rage at their powerlessness over life, nor will it keep us safe from crime. But like any placebo, it might make some feel better until another lamb is needed to calm the mob. His execution will save us some money, but we could have saved a lot more had we provided proper medical treatment for him thirty years ago. Those who have led the charge for this state murder; Betty Montgomery, State Senator Richard Finan, The Cincinnati Enquirer, etc., will have the blood (and souls) of innocent men on their hands because the system sucks, and mistakes (as well as railroad jobs) happen. Just think of your brother stepping into that death chamber as an innocent man! I still have a couple of questions that nobody has yet answered for me: 1. Why is Mr. Berry's accomplice not on death row too? 2. W hy is i~ that of the 20,000 homicides each year, only 250 get a death sentence? (And half of those are later overturned} 3. How come the homicides continue (and actually increase} in Texas and Virginia where they get to enjoy one execution after another? Execution is not the solution. There are no such easy answers for complex life situations, but we sure keep trying to find one as long as it is at someone else's expense. God forgive us fools. Wayne Hoevenaar, #168-223, Lebanon, Ohio Sincerely, Mary Louise Neumeier Elmer F. Neumeier Jimmy, Hi. I subscribe to Streetvibes. Very interesting paper. Especially the news from prisoners. I have a broth.er..on deatn row: Enclosed is an article on my brother. Want to know if you can put it in the next issue of Streetvibes? Thank you. Sincerely, Jackie Bowers Mr. Donald Whitehead, Mike Shryock Subject: Re: Drop Inn Center''••d'':_ --" . . I •!•112i111t11·1••111:1nt • l' . ' d .. Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless P. 0. Box 1232 Cheyenne, WY 82003-1232 (307) 634-8499 PHONE email: wch@vcn.com Subscribe to STREETV/BES! 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 Yo-el here ...Thanks for publishing my article in Streetvibes. I was brought aware of this by my comrade, Dan Cahill in Orient [Correctional Facility] . I was there over a month ago, but was transfered to Chilicothe, and my new location is on the outside. If at all possible could/would you forward me a copy of the-issue with the article I speak of. Plus, I seek ideas concerning subject matters that you feel peopte need/should know about. I have no problem whatsoever in'helping Where I'm needed. Your : ~~elP, r~Uified. fl'l'Jl from <?incinna,ti. myself, t born and !a~~ed, s~ a reply 1s requ,f:\~ted, at ~he , , earliest date possible. I'm out ort thlal rttte. I , ' I 1I Saying that I will remain strong, as I have no choice in the matter. !S I: Letters sent to all the papers [in Cincinnati protesting the closing and/or relocation of the Drop Inn Center.] If nothing else it makes them aware that what they do there is noticed in places other than Cincinnati, so maybe they'd think more?????? Virginia Sellner We are writing this letter to appeal to you and your Art and Business supporters to recon­ sider your efforts in trying to relocate the Drop Inn Center. We cannot imagine this center being any other place other than where it is. It has been a haven of rest, peace and home to so many desolate people over the years. We have visited the Center on many occasions and saw for ourselves all the wonderful things being done for the homeless, all the compassion and dedication of the volunteers and those who work there. If you and your supporters are familiar with Lenten Devotions and the Stations of the Cross, you will recall the 1Oth station, "Jesus is Stripped of His Garments" and you will immedi­ ately know that it is wrong to· 'strip' anyone of their dignity, and it is only right and just to reach out to those who cry for help, and not disrupt their lives needlessly. We appeal to you to please reconsider your plan to have the Drop Inn Center relocated. We sincerely pray that this campaign will come to a peaceful and just end, and not one that will disrupt the lives of so many homeless citizens, who are, indeed, all God's faithful tenants. . I Yo-el. Editors reply: Thank you Yo-el, for your interest and contribution to Streetvibes. We have found that prisoners are prolific writers but because of limited space we can't always print everything that we recieve from incarcerated persons. However, we are always interested in stories of hope and freedom. Also, keeping the number of words to a minimum will allow room for more writers. Peace. llqqr-,:. 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 'YOUTH' cont. from front page Even though tobacco use is less among African American youth compared to other ethnic groups, African American teens are more likely to start smoking after they leave high school. It should be noted that some kids are able to illegally purchase their own cigarettes. However most kids get their nicotine supply from their parents or other adults. The increased health problems to African American youth are also brought about by a parent's use of tobacco. The Surgeon General's Report highlighted the increased health danger of exposure to kids of second­ hand smoke at home, in cars and in public places like restaurants. Exposure of second­ hand smoke has resulted in a higher number of African American children who have asthma attacks compared to other ethnic groups. They are seen in the emergency room for asthma more than any other group and the asthma also seems to be more severe. Smoking while pregnant among African Americans can lead to serious health problems for their unborn children. Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to deliver babies with weights too low. If all women quit smoking during pregnancy, about 4,000 babies would not die each year. To ensure that it has customers for years to come, the tobacco industry is now focusing much of its advertisement efforts towards African Americans. The Surgeon General's 1998 Report mentions how studies have found a higher density of tobacco bill­ boards in racial/ethnic communities. Three major African American publications - Ebony, Jet, and Essence- had 12% more cigarette advertisements than widespread publications such as Newsweek, Time, and People. Accord­ ing to the report, the tobacco industry has attempted to maintain a positive image and public support among African Americans by supporting cultural events and by funding minority higher education institutions, elected officials, civic and community organizations, and scholarship programs. During Minority Health Month, a variety of activities such as fairs, and workshops are being offered to address health concerns among Ohio minority members. A calendar of events describing these activities is available through the Commission on Minority Health by calling (614) 466-4000. For a copy of the U.S. Surgeon General's Report, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ tobacco/sgr-min-fs-afr.htm IS FIFTH/ THIRD BANK RUNNING OUT OF MONEY? Carolyn Meszaros On Saturday, February 13, I got a long awaited refund check (not paycheck or the like, refund check). I could have gotten it shortly after January 1 if the sender had been the least bit efficient. It was drawn on Fifth/Third Bank. Since it was around 2:00 p. m. when I got the check, it wasn't possible to cash it at my favorite check-cashing place as that was closed, and, of course, the banks, too, were closed. I needed the money but not desperately enough to go out to kingdom come (there are places open Saturday afternoon and Sunday), so I decided to wait until Tuesday (Monday was Presidents' Day, so everything was closed Monday, too), and just take it to Fifth!Third (it had my name spelled very badly, anyway). Fairly early Tuesday, February 16, I went to the Fifth!Third main office since that hap­ pened to be convenient. I handed the check to the teller and she informed me there would be a $5 charge for cashing the check if I didn't have an account there or I could open an account (and of course incur any subsequent bank charges). Supposedly the policy was in effect as of February 16; they only cashed checks for their customers. I didn't go there to open an account or to pay $5 out of a belated refund; so, I pointed out the obvious, the check was drawn on Fifth/Third. That the depositor was their customer was irrelevant. The withdrawer also had to be their customer. I could talk to a manager if I liked. I sat for the manager. While I sat, maybe ten m'inutes, a couple of other people opted to sit, but I can't say for sure it was the same type situation. Same song and dance from the manager; and, we got a bit sticky in the matter, me pointing out things like they were essentially acting as cashier for said company. Made no difference, I was not one of their customers. Both the teller and the manager wanted to know where I banked, which I don't think happened to be any of their business, but I told them BenchMark Federal and I liked them. They never heard of BenchMark (this was a manager at the main branch of Fifth/Third, you under­ Page 13 stand). Well, they've been around for 150 years (I think it's really 120) and that struck me as pretty stable; and, furthermore, if Fifth/Third hadn't been closed Presidents' Day I would have been over before their rule went into effect since I got the check Saturday. According to the manager I could have cashed the check at Kroger's the day before to which I said why should I have to go to Kroger's .... Now, I, personally, had no real problem. simply went up to BenchMark, had the teller call Fifth!Third to make sure there were funds in that account, and cashed it. I can, however, see that if all the banks start charging $5 to cash a "non­ customer" check, this could be a severe hard­ ship to people working the "work today get paid today" temporary services. If such people work every other day, get four checks as a result, the net pay after taxes might be $35-$40 per day ($160) and if it's a "non-customer" situation they'd be handing over $20 just to get their money on a weekly basis-$80 or more a month out of money needed for rent or whatever. After I took care of my immediate busi­ ness, I called the federal information number and subsequently talked with someone in Texas who informed me the $5 charge was perfectly legal. They also gave me information on a deputy whatever they are in Sharonville; but, I didn't call there. I did, however, call the state legislative offices (Senator Finan's office) to report a possible hardship (I honestly don't think the girl got what I was talking about, though) and the governor's constituency office to say the same thing. Since one might conclude that neither Fifth/Third Bank nor Kroger's is in dire need of customers, I, personally, can think of only two reasons why such a policy would be adamantly enforced: 1. Cut-throat competition to knock out even large banks if possible, and 2. Fifth/ Third has so many poor-risk depositors that they hope to regain some of the money lost on bad checks issued (if company "x" w rites checks with no money to cover them in the account, and the person getting the check runs to the bank immediately-a sensible thing to do if you don't trust the thing-and it takes 2-3 days to run it through to the depositor's account, then the money given to the person cashing the check is being put up by the bank; the person is long gone, so an account there from which the bank could retrieve the money makes sense from the bank's point of view). Anyhow, considering the number of people working at places like MinuteMan, QuickStaff, Labor Ready, etc., even though their accounts may be at banks that presently don't charge, that doesn't mean such can't turn up especially if competition demands it. " H1TTHE BULL'S EVE WITH OUSING IN A HURRY! If you're in the market for a new apartment, call Cincinnati's affordable alternative ... CMHA communities are budget-fri endly, are located in neighbor­ hoods across Hamilton County, and are near the places important to you ... jobs, churches, hospitals and stores! With CMHA's Housing In A H urry Program, you can be made eligible to be housed in 5 days or less. Don't miss this opportunity! Location: 163 5 Western A venue Call CMHA at 421-8190. Comedy Corner by Ron Carter CMHA ! Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. • There once was a guy named Will Who lived on Capitol Hill He went out to have some fun with Wanda. Who drove a little blue Honda This took place a few years ago Their were witnesses who told me so He lied to his wife named Lil Now he's about to become a done deal. Just like the old TV show, Dragnet The names have been changed to protect the innocent. �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine 'Nation• from page 7 ... performs less well than predicted. Add to this the plan of many in Congress to create an expensive new entitlement - individual retire­ ment accounts - and the cuts in the nonde­ fense portion of the discretionary budget grow still deeper. Capitol Hill New Census Legislation The House Committee on Government Reform approved seven bills affecting census operations the week of March 15, mostly along party lines and despite strong opposition from Commerce Secretary William Daley. The Committee markup highlighted the ongoing disagreement between Republicans and Demo­ crats on how best to address the chronic undercount of racial minorities, children, immi­ grants and the urban and rural poor. Some of the bills require a post-census local review, printing census forms in 33 languages and Braille and mailing a second questionnaire to all households. Democrats accused Republicans of trying to burden the census process in order to prevent the Bureau from tabulating corrected numbers by the legal deadline for transmitting redistrict­ ing data to the states. Ranking Democrat Carolyn Maloney (0 -NY) called the package of bills a ''wolf in sheep's clothing." The full House is likely to consider at least one of the bills next week before Congress breaks for Spring recess. Homeless Programs Hearing On March 16, The House Banking and Financial Services Committee's Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1073. This bill was introduced on March 11 by Subcommittee Chair Rick Lazio (A-NY) and Representative Barney Frank ( D~ MA). In general, the witnesses called to testify supported the bill. Concerns addressed in remarks by some of the hearing witnesses and some members of the Subcommittee included: block granting homeless assistance funds to states and local governments; Shelter Plus Care funds being used to fund housing renewals; the amount of local flexibility in using the funds. It is unclear when the Subcommittee will mark-up the bill. Public Housing Agencies Sue HUD Organizations representing the nation's public housing agencies have filed suit .ag~inst HUD in Federal District Court for the D1stnct of Columbia. The suit charges that HUD violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to provide an adequate comment period and information during the rulemaking process on the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS), the new version of the old Public Housing Management Assessment Program (PH MAP). PHAS scores the performance of public housing authorities in four areas: physical quality, financial capacity, management ~erfor­ mance and resident satisfaction. HUD will use PHAS scoring results to determine the amount of federal funding housing authorities receive and the extent of federal regulation and over­ sight to which housing authorities must submit. According to the housing authorities, the crux of the suit is HUD's refusal to fully describe how housing authorities will be assessed and scored. The housing authorities assert that the standards must be public for the program to function, while HUD, the housing authorities say, fears they will "game" the system if they kno~ the rules. According to a fact sheet the housing authorities have distributed, HUD has likened providing the information to allowing students to grade their own papers. For more information: National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, 202/ 289-3500; Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, 202/638-1300; Public Housing Authorities Directors Association, 202/546-5445; National Organization of African Americans in Housing, 202/588-0866. · Success Stories A Measure of Success Eight years ago, Joan, a Columbus, Ohio native, found herself, her kids and her husband homeless and living out of a car. After floating for some time among abandoned buildings, relatives and parking lots, she left her husband and entered the Catholic Social Services' Holy Rosary Family Shelter. Funded by federal Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), the Holy Rosary program not only provided her family shelter, but also assisted her in setting goals, taught her how to budget her money and to keep a clean house. For the past two years Joan has been successfully employed and is currently respon­ sible for helping adolescents who are not capable of helping themselves. In addition, with the assistance of the Lutheran Social Services' Supportive Housing program, a Continuum of Care program, her hard work and perseverance have given her family the opportunity to recently move into a new apartment so that she can bring up her kids in the way she really wants. Terri Weisbrode Green with the Commu­ nity Shelter Board in Columbus believes that the comprehensive approaches to ending homelessness encouraged by the ESG and Continuum of Care programs were the key to Joan's success. Contact: Terri Weisbrode Green at the Community Shelter Board (614)221-9195. Minneapolis Private Funding The McKnight Foundation has awarded a $23 million grant to the Family Housing Fund in Minneapolis to build and preserve 5,000 units of affordable housing over the next four years in that city. Page 14 and the statewide investment/resource priorities process. You can contact your local primary care association via the web at http:// www.bphc.hrsa.dhhs.gov/bphc/stintel/st.htm or call the NHCHC at 615/226-2292. NAEHAwards The National Alliance to End Homelessness held its Tenth Annual Awards Ceremony on March 18. The multimedia program, including readings by Lee Stringer, author of Grand Central Winter, and perfor­ mances by the Washington Performing Arts Society's Children of the Gospel Choir, honors representatives from the private, nonprofit and public sectors. This year's private sector awardee was H. Wayne Huizenga of Republic Industries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The nonprofit award was given to Lakefront SRO in Chicago and was accepted by Jean Butzen, President. The public sector award went to former Portland, Oregon City Commissioner Gretchen Miller Kafoury (Ms. Kafoury introduced Portland's enacted and under-attack preserva­ tion ordinance last fall). , Department of Housing and Urban Devel­ opment Secretary Andrew Cuomo received the John W. Macy Award. In his remarks, Secretary Cuomo stated, 'We need more affordable housing .... The economy is so strong .. . now is the time to do these things .. . it's a matter of political will." Scholarship Fund NLIHC is committed to assuring that the perspective of low income people is directly represented in the deliberations and actions of the coalition. That requires providing the support necessary fgr low income people to come to Washington. NLIHC is establishing a Scholarship Fund for contributions designated to underwrite travel and accommodation expenses of low income people, who serve on our Board _-/' of Directors, who represent state coalitions, an~-----­ who participate in our conferences. e.tease-sena a donation to the NLIHC SChOtarship Fund, 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 610, Washington, DC 20005. Thank you for your help. Texas Public Funding According to the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, an agreement by Texas housing advocates and the new Director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Daisy Stiner, the Depart­ ment has committed to doubling its spending on the state's lowest income families - an increase of $15 million a year. In the Dallas Morning News, John Henneberger, of the Texas·Low Income Housing Information Services, stated "It is unprecedented." For more in-depth Texas housing information visit Texas Low Income Housing at their web site http:// www.texashousing.org. Resources The National Healthcare for the Homeless Council is encouraging all local healthcare for the homeless (HCH) projects to participate actively in their local primary care associations and primary care offices. According to ~HCHC, the Bureau of Primary Health Care provides funding to primary care associations and primary care offices. These are increasingly important agents in the devolution of health care 0 spending. They are charged to ensure "10~ /o access to preventive and primary care serv~ces and 0% health disparities in every community across the country". Being involved with the associations and the offices will help ensure your community's dollars are being effectively used. NHCHC strongly encourages health care for the homeless projects to form relationships with their primary care associations and to participate in association and office activitie~ , including the statewide market place analysis C. D. CORNER by Gregory Payton We would like for our patrons to be aware about chemical dependency. We would like to inform, educate and let you know just what maybe going on in your community, work place, or even household. Some people do drugs because, their friends do, they think it's cool, they have low self-esteem, they want to belong, want to have fun, or they're just curious. Re­ gardless of the reason, we know they were misinformed. This issue we will discuss: Huffing According to Dr. Neil Rosenberg (Medical Director, International Institute of Inhalant Abuse) huffing is when the indivdual inhal~s household products we use to fuel our engines, freshen our air, and paint our projects. When inhaled or huffed, these inhalant's provide a quick, cheap and accessible way to get high, but their effect can be deadly. This is more dangerous than Marijuana, Cocaine. The long term effects are loss of memory and brain damage. Remember that when the label says "this is dangerous" it really is to what we treasure the most~ (Freeman http://www.cbn.org./news/stories/huffing.asp) �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine STREETVIBES Announcements Live Studio Audience Wanted STUDIOS OF CINCINNATI COMMUNITY VIDEO, 2 114 READING ROAD, FROM 7 TO 8PM. STREETVIBES TV COVERS NEWS ON POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS AND RELATED ISSUES. CALL US AT THE GREATER CINCINNATI COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF OUR LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION - 421-7803 National Protest to Stop STREETVIBES TV SHOW­ the Execution of Mumia WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PART OF OUR LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE? Abu Jamal SHOW IS TAPED LIVE ON THE April 24th, 1999 Philadelphia, PA SECOND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH For More Information Call Justice AND IS BROADCAST FROM THE Watch (513) 241-0490 STREETVIBES Classified Ads Streetvibes is now accepting Classi­ fied 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, approximately ten 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 re­ ceived 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 t o 421-781 3 music Band Looking for Wor k Streetvibes (the band). We like to party. R&B, Oldies, Blues/ Jazz, Reggae. Helping the homeless to help themselves through free enterprize. Call 421-7803. position wanted Dwight Wise 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. Ca/1421-7803 for info. Support Your Local Vendor... Tell A Friend About Page 15 In Memory of "Mac" Who Believed In Hu­ man Rights For Every­ one & Who Founded Jus­ tice Watch ... Because 'Every­ one' includes Prison­ ers and Former Pris­ oners. Scramble Answers from page 11 ... Streetvibes Is On The Rise Please Help Us Take It Higher 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 Saturday, May 8th, 1999, noon to 1 pm Streetvibes! Advertise in Streetvibes! StreetvibeS Vendor Code of Conduct Each vendor has to sign the following code to b e able to sell the paper. 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 m~ke someone feel threatened. 5. I agree that I will not supply copies of Streetvibes ~o 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 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 effort, I will try to spread the word and write stories if possible. 9. I understand that 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" x 3 1/2" $10 per month ***Two Business Card Size 4" x 3 1/2" $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 4521 O �STREETVIBES The Tri-State's Homeless Grapevine OUR DEEPEST FEAR "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. You are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within you. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we uncon­ sciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence auto­ matically liberates others." Attributed to Nelson Mandella Page 16 Streetvi bes TV The Streetvibes TV Show is produced at the facilities of Cincinnati Community Video, 2114 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 MAY Schedule May's Live TV show will begin at 7PM, Monday, May 1Oth, 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. MONDAY. MAY 1Qth at 7PM. Rebroadcast Dates for Show on Chan­ nel 24: Saturday, May 1, 1999, 4 PM Friday, May 14, 1999, 11 am Friday, May 21, 1999, 11 AM Monday, May 24, 1999, 1 PM Saturday, May 22, 1999, 4 PM o Broadcast schedules are subject to change - consult your local TV directory. 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. .. Streetvi bes Wish List Streetvibes newspaper 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 Xerox machine . >Office Supplies >Supplies for Vendors Lounge (coffee, cups, etc.) >Computer for Streetvibes layout and writing ender: 80 cents >Subscribers a in-:ror Call the Greater Cincinnati Coal' ·c the Homeless at 421 -780 if you can help! 0 Printing and Production: 20 cents e r If for some reason you find yourself homeless, contact a Coalition Member Agency for Shelter, Treatment, Housing or Services. If you have any questions, feet 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) Mt. Airy Center Volunteers of America 241 -5525 241-0490 241-2965 661-4620 381-1954 SHELTER: Both 761-1480 Caracole (AIDS} 821-5100 Chabad House 721-0643 Drop Inn Center (Singles) 381 -5432 Friars Club 863-8866 Haven House (Hamilton) 244-7226 Interfaith Hospitality Network lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 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 collect­ ing for a private charity, please call our office at 421-7803. Thanks for your support. e St. John's Temporary Housing HOUSING CMHA Excel Development Miami Purchase OTA Housing Network ReSTOC Tender Mercies (Mental Ill) Tom Geiger House TREATMENT: Women O.D.A.A.T First Step Home TREATMENT: Men Charlie's 3/4 House Prospect House St. Francis- St. Joseph 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 ?• 651-6446 721-4580 632-7149 241-0504 369-0004 381-0954 639-7056 961-4555 241-7343 921-7324 784-1853 921-1613 381-4941 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 241-1 064 Freestore/Foodbank Goodwill Industries 771-4800 621-7149 Hamilton Co.Mental Health Bd. Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Resource Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 221-3679 House of Refuge Mission Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assistance Ctr. 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 Oral Health Council 621-0248 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless Program 559-6656 Women's Crisis Center 491-3335 � 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 April 1999 Subject The topic of the resource Homelessness Description An account of the resource Pg 1: Struggle to Save Drop Inn Center Intensifies African American Youth: A Preferred Tobacco Industry Customer Pg 2: The Traveler Pg 3: Homeless Disease Pg 4: Police Predators FICA Rip-off Pg 5: The Broken City Pg 6: Arts & Poetry Pg 7: Nationwide News Point of View Pg 8: Prison News Pg 9: HUD Funding Pg 10: Welfare News Pg 11: Walking the Streets Streetvibes Etcetera Pg 13: Cleveland News Comedy Corner 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 April 1999 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Photographer: Jimmy Heath Writers: Mary Ann Bravo Ron Carter Denise Crew Sheila Crowley Dorcy Mathew Hagerty Jimmy Heath Mike Henson Cliff Jones Susan Knight Carolyn Meszaros Gina Miller Gregory Payton Eunice Timoney Ravenna Dr. Tom Bomani A. Tyehimba Donald Whitehead Lynn Williams Bomani A. Tyehimba Carolyn Meszaros Cliff Jones Denise Crew Donald Whitehead Dorcy Dr. Tom Drop Inn Center Eunice Timoney Ravenna Gina Miller Gregory Payton Jimmy Heath Lynn Williams Mary Ann Bravo Mathew Hagerty Mike Henson police brutality prisoner Ron Carter Sheila Crowley Susan Knight the broken city The Traveler welfare