OF CONTINUOUS WEEKLY PUBLISHING
YEAR 43 NO. 1
%AST #ENTRAL &LORIDA S "LACK 6OICE
EE FR
40 YEARS
CELEBRATING
JERROLL M. SANDERS: WE CAN’T ALLOW 2016 FEDERAL ELECTIONS TO STAND PAGE 4
EDWARD WATERS PRESIDENT TO LEAD PALM COAST WORKSHOP SEE PAGE 3
JANUARY 4 - JANUARY 10, 2018
www.daytonatimes.com
PROVIDING SHOWERS AND HOPE God’s Bathhouse, started by a local couple, is trying to make sure the homeless get their basic needs met.
less via a mobile unit run by husband-and-wife team Elizabeth and Elgia Glass. The Glasses are assisted by Richard Jenkins. God’s Bathhouse operates multiple days a week at locations in Daytona Beach, DeLand and New Smyrna Beach.
Clean clothes too
BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
It was 51 degrees, cloudy and windy on Tuesday afternoon. Still, a few people gathered outside of Hope Fellowship Church in Daytona Beach to take a shower. The hot showers were courtesy of God’s Bathhouse of Volusia County. God’s Bathhouse is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides showers for the home-
God’s Bathhouse’s critical mission is to provide a service for the homeless even when it’s chilly outside. “They slept on the ground last night, so we can come out and give them a shower and some clean clothes. We got hot-shower capability. I think it’s necessary to give them a shower any time they need it,” Elgia Glass, president of God’s Bathhouse, told the Daytona Times on Tuesday. “Some people go two or three weeks without a shower or even
more. They really want to take a shower.’’ God’s Bathhouse’s website explains the importance of the services offered: “A shower goes beyond having the chance to get clean. It provides a sense of dignity and the confidence in the face life’s daily challenges. Without the ability to get clean, how can anyone successfully pursue relationships, employment, or even permanent housing?’’
A good combination Every Tuesday, the mobile unit is parked outside of Hope Fellowship – located at 869 Derbyshire Road – from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The shower service runs simultaneously with the church’s “We Feed” program that provides hot meals for the homeless and See HOPE, Page 2
DAYTONA TIMES / 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Chisolm dies, Gibbs turns 108
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
The refitted truck includes two bathroom facilities. Each has a shower, toilet, sink and mirror.
‘Suffering through’ Cold weather taking its toll on homeless BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
On Wednesday, some of Volusia County’s homeless were desperately seeking shelter and social service organizations were trying to help them. A young Black homeless male who would only identify himself as Dave was huddled up with a group at a park. He was afraid to tell his full name in fear that law enforcement would seek him out. “We’re just suffering through. Most of us will sleep in parks under pavilions and gazebos. We really need help. We need more shelters. Over in front of HUM (Halifax Urban Ministries) on North Street, there was over 100 people waiting in line to sign up for shelters. They don’t have enough beds.”
‘No other options’ Chad Dodge stood outside HUM’s Daytona Beach location at 215 Bay St. on Wednesday around noon, shivering from the cold and rain. “I’m not going to the shelter
because it was too many people waiting in line to sign up. I have no other options for shelter. I’m soaked and wet, and it’s freezing cold. I don’t know what we are going to do to night. Tonight and the next couple of nights are going to be brutal,” Dodge told the Daytona Times.
‘Rough out here’ Covered with a blanket, Justin Russell sat outside of HUM’s location at 340 North St. in Daytona Beach around lunchtime. He said, “It’s so cold out here. We need shelter. We need a big one. That’s all I got to say.” Brad Clerkin also was outside of the North Street location covered by a blanket sitting next to his friend, Justin Russell. Clerkin was anxious but still upbeat and thankful for any help. He said, “We’re grinding. It’s extremely cold. It’s rough out here. These people at HUM are very gracious and helpful. They are doing the best they can. They are shorthanded. They are giving us blankets and food. We need help. We also need to help ourselves. We’re trying to stay warm and dry. God bless us all. We need more shelters. Some of us See COLD, Page 2
Joneses celebrate 40 years of marriage SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES
High school sweethearts Thomas Jones and K’Netha (Laws) Jones returned to Daytona from Houston, Texas with an entourage of friends and family to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary during the New Year holidays. The couple presided over four days of activities in the Daytona Beach area, including a dinner and karaoke night on Dec. 28, and a Black history tour from Daytona Beach to St. Augustine on Dec. 29. On Dec. 30, celebrants enjoyed
Thirteen years ago, the Daytona Times reported on the death of the nation’s first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, who lived in Volusia County at the time of her death, and recognized the 108th birthday of longtime resident Margaret Alma Keys Gibbs.
ALSO INSIDE
a tour of Daytona International Speedway, a golf outing at Daytona Beach Golf Club, a downtown tour and outlet shopping, and a pre-anniversary party at the Chart House. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church was the site of 11 a.m. church services on Dec. 31, followed by a jazz and dance brunch. The group brought in the new year with a toast and party at the Hilton’s Oceanview Room, and concluded the celebration with a New Year’s Day brunch at the home of Walter and Jennifer Jones.
CHARLES W. CHERRY II / DAYTONA TIMES
The Jones family includes (l-r) son Thomas Nathan, K’Netha, Thomas, and daughter Jessica.
ADVICE: ASK ALMA: VETERAN AND WIFE CAN’T AGREE ON THEIR BURIAL PLANS | PAGE 5 PERSONAL FINANCE: HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MONEY AND FINANCIAL LIFE THIS YEAR | PAGE 7