HOMELESS
VOICE J
ust two years ago I was traveling on the way to New York with the homeless for a reason we have never had before. We, as an agency under our name Helping People In America Disaster Services division, have in the past been at towns struck by tornados, hurricanes and even large fires like the ones in Orlando and Daytona area some five years ago. This time, the trip to New York was for a real special reason. The first reason was to give aid to the people of New York who had been affected by the 9-11-2001 Terrorist attacks. The second reason was to assist the homeless who were misplaced by the bombings and were forced to leave a town where they have been living on the streets for years. Let’s not forget even the homeless have their own little communities in the streets. They use the same facilities in the am, go to the same garbage bags to get left over food and they know where they can find temporary employment. And when these attacks happened it displaced them. At first New York was asking for case mangers, medical and people who have worked in big disasters before, and that was that. But when we arrived in New York just a few days after 911 we were shocked to find out there was nothing for us to do. Everybody who did not get out of World Trade Centers was dead and there was nothing we really could do for anybody other than some small support services to the emergency workers who were doing the digging. We did manage to help a few homeless who were displaced by feeding them. We helped more homeless in DC than in New York because many of them were displaced by the severe level of security at the capitol that (Continued on page 6)
Far right, Artist Victor Jonaitis who does his almost every day has put down his art supplies own personal flag. I wanted to ask him if planning to make a drawing of our 9-11 tribute so we can hang it in Arnold's Cafe where our Homeless eat and
art work to hold his he was
learn.
P
eter, Peter, Peter, it was one party too much. The party that ended your life. So many times I have told our population that drugs and alcohol lead to three places, institutions, jails and death. And for Peter it finally led to death. I have said these words so many times, when that coffin closes, it never opens up again. I said in the memorial service that, even if Peter could have banged on a coffin it would have gone unnoticed and it would not ever open back up. Tonight his good friend came to share his story of how he knew Peter, from NA. He added a word to the famous three words of institutions, jails and death, the fourth word was recovery. Peter had some recoveries but after he was clean for a while he would fall once again.
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How I met Peter. I met Peter several years ago. Peter was sent to us from Hollywood Memorial Hospital after he was in admitted for alcohol poising from drinking some Listerine. Peter was famous for drinking everything in a drug store from hair spray to cologne. I have personally sent him in an ambulance at least four times from chemical poising that he would consume when he wanted to get drunk. At times he would end up in ICU. He has been to all the shelters in the community and the best detox program such as the Share Program, but Peter could just not get it right. He did get one thing right at the time of his death; his death gave a message to the rest of his friends at (Continued on page 10)
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Page 2
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Volume 4, Issue 4
FROM THE EDITOR
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Page 4
KERSTER’S KORNER
T
hey stood quietly, t h e i r hands, wrists, forearms and ankles covered with open, infected sores, each one a quarter- to a half-inch in diameter. It looked as if their skin were being eaten away by something. I thought as I hugged him, what bizarre disease is this? What could cause such horrible wounds? But this couple, this man and woman, only have a social malady. One so hideous society sees them as scum - outcasts. These two are homeless and sleep where they can. And they'd spent the night in the dirt, near a nest of brown spiders. Each had been bitten nearly 20 times. "Have you been to the hospital?" I asked. They just shook their heads. He handed me his prescriptions for soothing salve and antibiotics. "They gave us these prescriptions, but we have no way to pay for them," he said. "She even begged - asked strangers - for money to help pay for them." But she didn't receive the kindness of strangers: She was arrested for panhandling and taken off to jail, then turned out the next day. She was sentenced to 250 hours of community service. The judge didn't see her or her suffering or her festering wounds. Instead, he saw and was blinded by labels: homeless, dirty, ragged, scum. He missed the fact that this was a suffering human being who needed his help. Unseeing, he chose to teach
her a lesson about bothering her social betters. Heaping humiliation on top of misery to come, she must find $22 to pay her Salvation Army probation officer and an additional $7 to get her community service form. She can only dream of where this money will come from. But if she doesn't find it, and in all likelihood she won't, a warrant will be issued and she'll spend more than a weekend in jail. So, they stood. And hoped that on Monday, two days away, that a social service agency would help them pay for their prescriptions. But I wonder if the police officer's salary, the time it took to book and arrest her, would have covered the cost of needed medications? Well, with today's costs, maybe if we threw in the jail's room and board? Naw, it would probably even take the judge's salary. But if even this weren't enough, I'm betting that if we just added in the salary of the probation officer then we'd surely have enough for both their prescriptions. Or if that didn't quite do it, perhaps we could just deduct the $3,000 to $4,000 costs that she'll incur when jailed again because she can't do her 250 hours of community service? Enough imaginings? I told them comfortingly, "Society sees you as bad, treats you like scum, arrests and forces you to live in complete degradation. Blames you for being homeless in our land of plenty and turns a blind eye to your misery." But as I looked lovingly
at these two sweet, mentally challenged and yes, alcoholic friends, I said, "Society got it wrong. A better way of seeing yourselves would be to reverse the image and see reality not from the top down but from the bottom up." To me, that's how God sees society. Seeing things this way, it is not these two who are bad, but society that is very bad for not helping them, for turning a blind eye on their misery. Perhaps to God, these two are loved, and it is society that he sees as lepers: outcasts from his kingdom. Maybe God sees everything upside down. If this is how God sees, than all your important activities, your wealth, your statuses, education, your church going and Bible study mean absolutely nothing to God. Buy your church a new organ or spot your minister or priest to a fine diner - again nothing. Those things are important to people, but not to God. It's how you treat the least of us - the truly weak and helpless - that God sees in your heart. And when you turn away in disgust from the beggar, then God may turn from you. What if, when you see a beggar as scum, that's how God sees you? The next time you see a couple dressed in rags and covered with sores, stop and think: "These are my brothers and sisters. I've done this to them." And if you have some
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money, consider sharing some with them. See them with love, and perhaps your eyes will open and you'll begin to see that His Kingdom is not some far off realm. But is here. Right now. Where you're standing. But our blindness keeps the doors shut. That was the end: but of course I got it all w r o n g , some right, but was mostly way off the mark: missed the target again. And talk about sadness: I'd sent a copy of the above column around for comments. And the first comment came back from a minister, a Christian liberal, who just loved my Lesson so much, that he wanted to use it to justify his attack against the Christian right: Hey, I thought, he loves and poor and needy and then turns around and hates his neighbor. I've got many more Lessons to write. But always remember. I don't write these Lessons for you. I write them as a way to help me grow in my seeming never ending quest to learn to love God. And as a wonderful byproduct of this quest: I find myself loving people more and more. Written by Steve Kersker
"They gave us these prescriptions, but we have no way to pay for them."
J
im and Mary were both patients in a Mental Hospital. One day, while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank like a stone to the bottom and stayed there. Mary promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out. When the medical director became aware of Mary's heroic act, he immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as he now considered her to be mentally stable. When he went to tell her the news, he said, "Mary, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged because you were able to jump in and save the life of another patient, you've regained your senses. The bad news is that Jim, the patient you saved, hung himself in the bathroom with the belt of his robe. I am so sorry, but he's dead." Mary replied, "He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry
Page 5
Volume 4, Issue 4
SUNDAY’S WORLD
M
ost people are afraid to smile at people who they don't know. Over the past weekend, my husband, Jim and I did an impromptu Have we, as a e x p e r i ment. Jim, nation, become who hapso cynical, so pens to be most brainwashed with the wonderful tales of murder, guy in the kidnapping, and us ne ilvde ros em, possible says "No" me. So terrorist attacks, to when I fell that we are in love with a dark forgetting to be brown gorhuman? g e o u s stuffed Teddy bear, he brought it, with the understanding that it was my birthday, Christmas, and Valentine's Day gifts combined. Yeah--right!
Sunday with Alexander the Bear waving to everyone they see at the mall.
I named my new baby Alexander Goldie, because he's a member of the Goldie family. His cousin, Edward Goldie, sits on my bed at home, along with his pals Rags and Winnie the Pooh. Sometimes I'm sure Jim wonders how he manages to sleep in Animal Kingdom, for along with me, the Goldies, and their friends are our two dogs, Amazing Gracie and Tinkerbelle, plus our two cats, Huey Lovesong and Lucy Lockets, Love in my pockets. Thank God we have a king-sized bed! Not quite ready to leave the mall I love, we settled Alexander in my lap and made our way through the stores. Heads turned as Jim rolled me along, so I started waving Alexander's paw at those who passed and saying "Hi." The reactions we got surprised us, and to be honest, saddened us a little. Kids, immediately upon spotting the bear, smiled and pointed, and most parents allowed their children to pet and speak to Alexander. The teenage group was terrific. Most of the teen girls grinned broadly and waved back openly, while most of their male counterparts gave Alexander a quick smile and a tiny wave, probably hoping no one would see them but us. It was the grownups reactions which surprised
us the most, especially senior locks for our doors and put in citizens. Many did smile, giv- security systems that God, ing a cheerful response to my Himself, would have a devil of "hi" and Alexander's wave, but a time breaking through? Yes, the media is rethe majority had fear in their sponsible; but so are we, the eyes. Why were they so people. We have brains, which afraid of sharing just a smile are capable of forming opinions and a "hi"? We weren't asking and choosing to accept or not for money or anything else. accept what the media is feedWhat is it in this day and age ing us. We can think for ourthat makes us so terrified of our selves, make our own judgfellow man that we can't smile ments, and decide for ourselves whether or not we have at one another? Have we, as a nation, anything to fear when a big become so cynical, so brain- brown cuddly stuffed bear washed with tales of murder, waves to us from the lap of kidnapping, and possible ter- another human being sitting in rorist attacks, that we are for- a wheelchair. Bless the children a getting to be human? Can we, the people of thousand--a million--times for America, afford to each live in their innate sense of knowing our own little world, trusting when a little bit of love is being only a few people around us, shared, and for enjoying a few while shutting our hearts and moments of happiness and smiles off to all we don't know goodwill. True, unfortunately, to be relatives or friends? ...continued on page 11 If this happens, if you and I-- us--allow it to happen, then heaven help us! What a sad, unhappy future we are making for our children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Who is to blame for all our fears? The media, who constantly bombards us day and night with stories on TV, in the newspapers and in movies Alexander the Bear saying that are so negative that hello to a new friend they leave us hurrying out to buy third and fourth
August 27, 1910 -- September 5, 1997 Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born at Shkup on this day in 1910. She is considered Albanian, although her birthplace was a Turkish province then and is now part of the former Yugoslav Province of Macedonia. She became a novice of the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland at age 18, and was sent to Bengal the next year where she cared for the terminally ill. She moved to Calcutta and started a leprosarium, caring for lepers. By 1979 she was known to the world as Mother Teresa, and was given the Nobel Peace Prize.
The preacher's Sunday sermon was, “Forgive Your Enemies." He asked, how many have forgiven their enemies? About half held up their hands. He then repeated his question. Now about 80 percent held up their hands. He then repeated his question. All responded, except one elderly lady. "Mrs. Jones, are you not willing to forgive your enemies?" "I don't have any."
Life Learn to make the most of life, Lose no happy day. Time can never bring thee back, Or chances swept away. Leave no tender word unsaid, Love while life shall last. The mill will never turn again, With water that has past. ~Unknown
"Mrs. Jones, that is very unusual. How old are you?" "Ninety-three," she replied. "Mrs. Jones, please come down in front and tell the congregation how a person cannot have an enemy in the world." The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, and said: “It's easy, I just outlived those old farts."
Voice
Page 6
LOCAL NEWS
came from the people I met was in place. The officials holding up pictures of their of DC did not want any- lost friends, relatives and body just sitting in front co-workers on handmade of a building as the home- posters with the words "Have you seen this perless so often do. Even though we were son?" Posters on trees, not doing much, what it did buildings and moms tired accomplish was to help re- and sitting in the same lopatronize me as an Ameri- cation for days with their can. When I saw the fire sign of their child laying on trucks and the people wav- their tired sleeping body. ing at the rescue crews One mom laid in a puddle hoping to find some survi- of water sleeping with a vors it gave me the chills. small picture of her child As more trucks of construc- who was probably over 30 tion workers came by, who years of age. I thought at were also helping with the that time, she probably still rescue workers, thumbs considered him a baby and went high in the air shout- probably remembered how he took his first walk and her changing the first diaper. I never had the courage to ask her if this was a memorial for her or if she was actually trying to see if someone knew what happened to her son. Don't forget there was such c h a o s Eddie Robinson, who has seen it among the city that the all, proudly holds his flag in remembrance of the victims and s u r v i vors had a their families of 9-11 hard time contacting ing words from their loved ones. Cell sites the crowds were busy and the local phone system was over "Our Heroes " loaded and there was a What Hit Me “fast busy” when someone attempted to make a call. The Hardest The big- As we walked we saw gest part of my more people with flyers: d e p r e s s i o n “Have you seen him?” (Continued from page 1)
Our little Volunteers, Anna (left) & Pauly (right) who for the first time got to participate in a peaceful rally as the one we did along Federal. They were real happy to hang with all the Homeless showing their support for the fallen people of 9-11
Even the “old man and the sea” remembered what is was a like to hold a flag for the importance of remembrance. Mr. William Melody holding his flag and sitting in his easy chair . Any day, drive a long federal highway and you will see this old timer who has the spirit of the young.
This feeling still stays with me today. This week when Showtime aired their 9-11 special and I saw those same types of people with their flyers, posters and small pictures I felt the same exact way. It was so painful to see a loved one waiting to see if someone they knew had made it. You have no idea how it felt. You wanted to grab that person and hug them to death and tell them everything would be all right. To just tell them that God will take care of it all and don't worry. I wanted to do that, but did not in case their person was really dead and I did not want to give that person a false hope. Sometimes when people are in a crisis and a message is delivered to them by a person saying, “God will take care of you and your son”, they may think it is all right and their loved one made it. When in fact you are just trying to tell them it is in God’s Hands. Is the Media correct for re-showing the tragic shots they have aired over and over? So many people are thinking why do they keep showing these tragic moments and these film clips. Is it to get ratings or do they continue to show it to remind us of what these people went through? I am sure ratings have got to be involved; however, the person making the complete video or movie to them it is telling the story from how they saw it to let others know.. For me, I think the press (Continued on page 7)
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Page 7
Volume 4, Issue 4
LOCAL NEWS
(Continued from page 6)
has an important role and they should continue to show America what happened. By me watching the special, I felt more pain then the actual trip. It was a way for me to understand the things that were happening that we did not see because we were busy trying to do something to help people. When I saw the 9-11 special on Showtime I felt more impact than the time when I first got out of our Emergency Disaster Command Center motor home. Lois was sleeping on the floor and I was on the make shift futon trying to get some shut-eye while watching the special and I looked at Lois and said, “This is so terrible.” Every time I watch clips from 9-11 it makes me never forget what happened the day of 9-11.
It was so painful to see a loved one waiting to see if someone they knew made it.
My Little Homeless Heroes, How Even Miss Angie, with her soft Do They Relate? spoken voice had something to This is the say while holding our Flag. second year we
T
gave up most of our buckets and replaced them with flags. We lined Sheridan and 95 for four hours with 20 vendors who said “No” to donations and “Yes” to America. In front of our shelter for the entire day, we had over 25 people and later in the day as the vendors came home early we had up to 70 people holding up their flags. As cars went by, horns honked, lights flashed, and some people just put a thumb in the air. My homeless got smiles on their faces and they knew that the local community knew that they too cared for the victims of 9-11. I was asked later that day what the homeless had to do with 9-11 and why was it so special for them to hold a flag. Too many times the homeless are left out of holidays and days of remembrance just like our homeless veterans. This way the homeless could build stronger ties to the community and prevent them from living the life of sometimes negatively impacting a community. Stronger ties to the community prevent crimes that sometimes the homeless commit to their friends and families. It was a way for the homeless to say, we are just like everybody else, we have the same problems as everybody else, and the only thing different is that our problems take the roof off our heads. Whereas the people who have money can get the help they need and their roof is there for the rain to fall on. -Sean Cononie GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY GOD GIVE THESE FAMILIES THE STRENGTH NEEDED.
h e Homeless Voice “Vendor of The Month” goes to Mr. Luther Brown. We call all our clients by their last name. Mr. Brown is 55 years old and you would never know it. He's got more spunk then half the younger vendors. Breaks are not in his vocabulary. Ginny, his boss, stated, “He works like a little machine on the streets.” He hardly takes any breaks and when he doesn’t do well he gets a little upset at himself. Here at the Homeless Voice we have corners that are better then other corners and sometimes the vendors get mad when they go to a bad corner, but not Mr. Brown. No matter what corner he gets put on, he does his work the hardest he can, and pulls what ever he can to make his day a good one. Sometimes our vendors will say "If you put me there I am not going to work it hard" and then we say to the problem vendor "If you go out with a bad attitude you will do badly." We really don't have bad corners but some you must work a little harder at. Years ago we did a story on a Mr. Harry Donald, we called him the Energizer Bunny. This man, Mr. Brown, is a little younger than Harry so we will call him the "Energizer II”. He keeps on going, going, and going. When Harry finally retires and puts up his bucket and papers, Mr. Brown will fill the shoes and continue the tradition of the Energizer Bunny Vendor. When you see Mr. Brown out in the streets shout out loud and tell him to keep his batteries in good working condition. Lois who had a lot to say about the original
Even the disabled were seen holding up the flags. Barbara Boyle who has been in a wheel chair for over a month now. was ready, able, and willing to the salute the victims of 9/11
Mr. McDonald holding Old Glory for most of the day.
Bunny, has the same to say about Mr. Brown. Lois stated, "He is kind and sweet and very orderly in all his actions. When it is time to count the money at the end of the night rain or shine Mr. Brown is always the same perfect gentleman." To you, Mr. Brown, all of Mr. Brown us at the Homeless Voice want to say congratulations, you are “The Homeless Voice Vendor of the Month” and you will receive your gifts later this month. Not only does your good vending get you this reward, your extra volunteering at the agency in the security department helps us make an impact in the community. Way to go Mr. Brown! -Staff Reporter ( in training )
“I will not turn anyone away” -Sean Cononie
Voice
Page 8
NEW LIFESTYLES
S
cott left the orphanage just before his sixteenth birthday. He had always been amused by the circus and fairs that came through his town during the summer. He decided years ago that he wanted to be a part of their magic and become a r i n g leader. He had practiced hours on end leading the pretend tigers around the "ring" and calming the audience down after an especially amazing feat. One day in late spring, Scott had the opportunity to escape the orphanage and he took it without any reservations. The circus was setting up in a town not too far from his own where they would be performing for the next two weeks. Scott found his way there by hitching rides from sympathetic people who would often provide him with a meal or two on the way. A few days later, Scott thanked the old woman who had taken him to the open field where dozens of workers
“Just as the sun was coming up the next morning, Scott was awoken by the whistle.”
were setting up a giant tent. He stood there watching for a while unable to move. Then he noticed one man who seemed to be in charge of all the others. He confidently walked up to the man and told him that he wanted to join the circus. Without even looking at him the man told him to grab some stakes and start securing the tent into the ground. Scott enthusiastically grabbed up a pile of stakes and copied what the other men were doing. A couple hours later, Scott's enthusiasm had completely faded. His arms and back were burning with pain and his stomach had been growling for over an hour. Just as he thought he would collapse, a whistle blew and all the men stopped what they were doing. They went around to the back of the tent where three long tables were covered with food. Scott ran to one of the tables and started shoving the food into his mouth without even sitting down. After dinner the men set up camp around the tent. Scott found an unoccupied spot and tried to get comfortable on the soggy ground. His first day at the carnival had not been fun at all. He stared at the blankets and pillows the other men had and he wished he was in his bed at the orphanage. He tried to erase that thought telling himself that tomorrow would be different. When the boss
saw that he had real talent then he might be asked to be the ringleader. As much as Scott wanted to still believe that, he knew that that would probably never happen. Just as the sun was coming up the next morning, Scott was awoken by the whistle. It wasn't a breakfast whistle however, it was the work whistle. They worked straight until the rest of the tent was finished being set up. They stopped for food and then worked on the inside of the tents. Every time one task was over there were five more things they had to do. Even when the circus started and the performers came, Scott was constantly busy. He would steal a ten-fifteen minute nap every chance he had. Every night people stayed awake drinking and smoking and cursing. Scott got very little sleep. This went on for the next two weeks until the circus was over. The morning that the trucks arrived to take the men to the next town, Scott snuck away. He had never been so tired and unhappy in his life. He returned to the orphanage a couple of days later. He was greeted back warmly but with some of his privileges taken away, like going to the circus. He didn't mind though. He still wanted to be a ringleader, but he realized that he might have to take other steps to get there. For now Scott was still a kid and
all he wanted to do was pretend. The message learned from this story is that a lot of people leave their home early maybe their parents have a roommate and they don’t get along so they just split one day and hit the streets. What they did was to make a move of uncertainty. We see this all the time. Mostly with a new family, a mom, dad, and a newborn leave one of their parent’s homes thinking they will have it better at a shelter. So they pick up and leave their parents home and wake up to the noise of a busy shelter with no privacy and usually stricter rules to follow. To the readers who think that their living arrangements may be rough, think about it before you just pick up and leave. For the teen who runs away and figures they will live in the streets and get a job and make it, think again. Usually when this happens the teen will become a drug addict and will have a hard time getting a job when they want be clean or have a telephone number for interviews. In this world we make decisions too fast. Be careful what you wish for, for Scott his wish became a hard reality. Sara Cunningham Homeless Voice of Ohio scunningham@homelessvoice.com
“ Solving a problem is better than running from a problem”
JUST A LITTLE REMINDER
The holidays are just around the corner. We plan so far ahead on the best deals we can get for our dollar. We plan dinners. We plan parties. And we buy lots of presents. Let’s don’t forget those who are not so lucky as some of us are. Sometimes it’s not so much the spending of the dollar as the thought that is in our heart and our head. Do a good deed for someone you may not be so fond of. If you can’t give a hand to a stranger in need, at least give a smile. It just may be the nicest thing that happened to both of you that day.
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young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish." The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in." When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined. YOUR CROSS Whatever your cross Whatever your pain There will always be sunshine After the rain Perhaps you may stumble Perhaps even fall But God's always there To help you through it all
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Volume 4, Issue 4
NATIONAL NEWS
City, group try to shield those who sleep outside from mosquito bites West Nile virus in Texas (from Texas DeSo far this summer, three partment of Health) homeless people are Dallas County Health and Human Services among the 18 reported "If you're outto be suffering from the doors at the time mosquito-borne virus, [mosquitoes] are active, your chances of being said Dr. Assefa bitten are high," he said. s the number of conNine of the county's susfirmed human cases of pected West Nile cases are awaitsevere West Nile infec- ing confirmation by the Texas tion in Dallas County grew to Department of Health. However, nine Monday, local health offi- two suspected cases, one in cials said they were increasingly Grand Prairie and another in worried about homeless people Mesquite, were ruled out as being becoming infected this year. West Nile by the state. "Our concern, of course, The one confirmed case is for the people who are sleeping this week was a Grand Prairie outside," said Rodger Jayroe, resident of ZIP code 75052. TarDallas' manager of environmental rant County also reported a third assessment. "It's hard to reach suspected West Nile case, in a 46 those people. They may not have -year-old Arlington man who access to the information we're lives in ZIP code 76010. putting out on the TV or radio." In Dallas, city workers So far this summer, three have distributed leaflets to local homeless people are among the homeless shelters that explain 18 reported to be suffering from how to protect against exposure the mosquito-borne virus, said to West Nile. The instructions Dr. Assefa Tulu, the county's include a warning to wear a chief epidemiologist. DEET-based insect repellent, West Nile long sleeves or long pants or to Special Report: What you stay inside between dusk and need to know dawn when mosquitoes are bitWest Nile Virus information ing. "The warnings don't (from CDC)
work for the homeless people who don't stay in the shelters in the summer, because it's warm enough to sleep outside," said Ben Johnson, a volunteer with the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance. Mr. Johnson, who has been homeless in the past, said he decided to go beyond educating homeless people against West Nile. Last spring, he and a fellow worker contacted two insect repellent manufacturers, seeking donated products for the homeless. Since June, the alliance has handed out 400 cans of OFF, an insect repellent made by SC Johnson. Later this week, the group will begin distributing 800 cans of Cutter Backwoods, a repellent made by Spectrum, a division of United Industries. "When I was homeless and sleeping in my car, a man who lived in a condo across the street gave me some repellent," Mr. Johnson recalled. "The mosquitoes would buzz in my ear all night, and it was too hot to sleep with the windows closed." Kelvin Lang, a 36-yearold man who said he has been homeless in Dallas for about two weeks, was looking forward to getting a free can of insect repellent. "Sometimes you have to
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homes would probably be closed, forcing staff to release 10 such people. "Our beds are full," she said. "We may only be able to offer them a space on the floor." Other providers said the clients housed through the program would be vulnerable or possibly dangerous on the street. Nancy Mahan, director of residential programs for Bay Cove Human Services, which would probably eliminate between 12 and 24 beds for mentally ill clients, said, "I tried to send a person with schizophrenia to the lab to get blood drawn. He went twice to the lab, and he came back each time saying he couldn't do it. He said: `It's pretty hushhush over there. You don't know if they're going to poison you.' " Massachusetts lawmakers took the unusual step of establishing the fund in the early 1990s, as Americans were focusing on the problem of homelessness and the fallout of emptying state psychiatric hospitals. Increasingly, psychiatrists are coming to understand
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he Department of Mental Health today will order cuts in residential services to homeless people with mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, cuts that providers warn could affect between 80 and 100 of the state's most severely mentally ill citizens and possibly force them back onto the street. The decision will cut $1.5 million in state money and $3.5 million in federal matching funds from a special account set up a decade ago to provide housing for the mentally ill, said Dr. Elizabeth Childs, the DMH commissioner. Between 80 and 100 DMH clients, often delusional people taking numerous psychiatric medications, could lose their housing, she said. "These are people that really can't survive out in the community," she said. "If they aren't housed . . . treatment is not realistic. They're very ill folks. We don't have any alternatives." Although the $22 million program was fully funded in Governor Mitt Romney's pro-
posed budget, it was cut to $20.7 million in the Legislature's final budget in July. Childs said that she had found no way to avoid ordering the cuts, but that she hopes funding can be restored in supplemental budgets. "Obviously we are hoping the Legislature understands how serious this is," she said. The fund provides housing to 2,400 citizens, many of whom have spent years on the street. Lyndia Downie, executive director of Pine Street Inn, described the five-year process of bringing indoors one schizophrenic woman in her mid-50s: For months, outreach workers would leave soup in the Leather District alley where she crouched, so delusional and paranoid that she would throw cups of hot coffee in pedestrians' faces. It took three years before she would speak to the outreach workers. Now she is living in a Pine Street group home, taking medication for her illness. If the cut goes through, Downie said, one of Pine Street Inn's six group
sleep outside because you don't have the money to get into a shelter," he said, standing outside the downtown Day Resource Center. "It can cost $7 or $10 a night, which is a lot of money if you don't have a job." Mr. Johnson said there were many reasons that people would choose to sleep outdoors in Dallas rather than stay inside a mosquito-free homeless shelter. "They'd rather live poor and homeless and free than to have to obey rules like shaving and cleaning up every day," he said. Such people still deserve protection from West Nile in the summer, Mr. Johnson said, "just like we give them a blanket in the winter to protect against the cold." "West Nile is just one more risk to the homeless on top of getting robbed and assaulted," he said. "It's one more bad thing. But, at least, we can try to do something about it." E-mail: sjacobson@dallasnews.com SHERRY JACOBSON The Dallas Morning News
“If they aren't housed . . . treatment is not realistic.� the profound effect that housing can have on a mentally ill person, said Childs, the former chief of psychiatry at Caritas Carney Hospital. Recent studies suggest that simply providing housing can improve a patient's outcomes without any change in medical treatment, she said. "It's a roof over their heads," she said. Ellen Barry, Globe staff
Voice
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SEASONAL
1. Do not allow a child to go Trick or Treating alone. Be sure older children TAKE A FRIEND and an ADULT accompanies young children. 2. Be certain to accompany young children to the door of every house they approach. 3. Be certain that parents are familiar with every house and all people from which the children receive treats. 4. Children should be cautioned that they should N O T enter any home without prior permission from their parents. 5. Children should be cautioned not to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent. 6. Make sure that all children carry a glow stick or wear reflective clothing. 7. When using facial masks, make sure that children can see and breathe properly and easily. 8. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant. 9. Children should be warned to NEVER approach any house that is not well lit and does
(Continued from page 1)
the shelter. I decided that we would create a Memorial Service that would tell Peter’s story and hopefully if one person from our population who was an addict lived one extra day, then Peters death actually saved another persons life. After the memorial service, several of the clients came up to me and said that they have learned a great deal from Peters death and they said they were going to make a change for Peter. What I knew of Peter I had had many talks with Peter and I knew his love for his ex-wife and his family meant the world to him. After he would come home from the hospital, l would try to talk to Peter to see if we could catch a sober moment and find the real reason why Peter could never stay clean. In every talk he said he just wanted
not have a porch or outside light on. 10. Children should be cautioned to remember any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents and/or the proper official. 11. Children should be cautioned to run away from people who try to trick them with special treats. 12. Children should be instructed to scream and make a scene if anyone tries to grab them or force them, in any way, to go with them. 13. Parents should inspect all treats and dispose of anything that seems to have been tampered with, has been opened, or is not wrapped. 14. A good alternative to Trick or Treating is for parents to organize parties at home, in schools, or in community centers. 15. Children should be instructed not to go into their bag for any reason in case their in razors or needles that are dropped in their bag. They should wait until parents can dump candy and contents out of a table and to be inspected in good light. 16. Children should be instructed not to eat any candy until the parents have inspected
to be normal and not to be addictive so he could be with his family. At most times when Peter was completely sober and talked of his family tears would flow from his eyes. Peter was a very masculine and husky man and to see this type of man cry for his family really proved that only real men cry. How is it, People Just Can't Get Clean? Most people think it is as easy to just say, "I will not use anymore." It is not that easy. No addict just wakes up one day and looks in the mirror and says to themselves, "I think I will become a drug addict today.” It is a real hard life to try to live. We can sit back from a spectator position and judge and say to ourselves, "I have No sympathy." Why are we saying that? Do we really believe the person has the ability to get off of drugs? Do we say we have no sympathy because we have tried over and over to help
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it. This means kids don't eat any treats while you are still trick or treating. 17. Costumes should not be long so the child can trip in the dark. 18. Make sure kids of water to hydrate themselves. 19. Adults should bring a bag of candy to a homeless person they see on the streets. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CHILD SAFETY CALL THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN AT 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Sean Cononie , Lois Cross, and Mark Targett’s next major plan for the world…… We will take a new meaning to the term …. “PAY IT FORWARD” Go get the movie and “Pay it Forward” We give you the dare of starting a “ PAY IT FORWARD” Club in your community . Email us at payitforward@homelessvoice.com
Peter, May God take you into His kingdom tonight.
that person? Or do we, the non-addicts, just don't understand why these people can't stay clean and off of substances.
How? NA and AA teach that you’ve got to get sober or clean for yourself before you can do if for others. I sometimes disagree with this theory because I say to my addicts when are we going to do it for the people who love us and the people we love. But today I understood that in order for Peter to do it for his family he had to do it for himself first. I have never met his family but I wish that I could have told them how much love Peter had for them. A lot of times the family resents the addict and they say to themselves, "How could they do this to us?" To the families out there that is not the truth. If we look at Peter, Peter loved his family dearly but he needed to be sober in order to be with his family. Peter, you taught me a lot from your death and I know I will see you in Heaven. After all with life comes death, and with death comes life, in fact life to the fullest when you are a
believer just like you were. What did Peter’s Friend Say at The Service? I refer to Peter’s friend because of the word anonymous that is used in their meetings. When his friend from NA was talking in the middle of his story, he said he had seven years clean and now he does it for others. He spreads the word of the program and helps others who are trying to stay clean. I have written about the movie, "Pay it Forward” several times. Pay it forward, what does it actually mean? It means to help others as the people in NA and AA do. Our hats go off to Peter and the people who say these famous words, "I got a meeting." To you all at NA and AA keep paying it forward and help others. Peter, May God take you into His kingdom tonight. Sean A. Cononie Scononie@homelessvoice.com I dare you to “ PAY IT FORWARD”
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Volume 4, Issue 4
VOICE UPDATES
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usan not only has helped us with the car raffle but has also been helping the homeless for 15 years. Before we get into Susan let me tell you what happened doing the raffle. It started like this. First I dressed with a sling over my head and Lois was running the video camera. Why the sling? So I could pick the tickets and not see any names on the tickets. The clients were all making fun of me for the so-called turban I was wearing. The first ticket was picked and the Winn Dixie winner won the $200.00. The next ticket was picked and the Wal-Mart $500.00 was picked and the winner was present. At first the winner wanted to donate the Wal-Mart money back but we told him to take it because it was our pleasure to have the only winner present so he finally did agree to take the $500.00. Then as I made some funny comments we all stood still to see who would be the lucky winner. As I reached into the bucket to pick the ticket I said out loud, "Lord, let the winner be someone who really needs the money.” I reached in and let my hands run wild in the white container. Out came the ticket and I read the name, it was Susan and for nothing I could not pronounce her last name. I looked at Ginny and said "Ginny, is this Susan the lady from the rodeo who helped us sell the tickets a few times in Davie." Ginny grabbed the ticket and verified. Next I picked up the telephone from the front desk and I thought for a second I was Ed McMahon calling the winner of a million dollar giveaway. I dialed the number and the phone rang and she answered. I said "Susan, it is Sean from the shelter, guess what, you won the car," She screamed and said, "Sean, I needed a new roof and this will get me a new roof." When she got here she already knew we were once again upside down on the car raffle income and she said just give me $5,000.00 and keep the car. Her words exactly were, "God bless the poor and I want to bless the poor back.” And we needed the
money just as much as she needed a new roof. I asked Susan how come she took so long to get here because she originally said she would be here in a few minutes. She said she had to tell everySusan, the winner of the raffle body that she won. What comes around goes around. Susan has spent many years helping the poor and she currently is in the process of helping a man regain his life when he lost everything in a house fire a few months ago. It just goes to show you, people who bless other people get blessed back. Susan will use the money to get a new roof as well as getting a new air conditioner for her bedroom. The car will be turned back to the dealership for a trade because we just lost an engine on one of our new vans. Susan we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and the homeless thank you as well. Written By: Sean Cononie
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they must made aware of certain dangers, but surely not to the point of being afraid to smile at a Teddy Bear. Please people, allow them some childhood memories which are good. And to you who are afraid, my heart goes
out to embrace you. If you ever see Jim, Alexander and me out and about, please give us a smile, a wave, and a "hi." And I promise, you will receive them back--with no strings attached. BY SUNDAY UHER
.T. Studd, (1860-1931) the famed English missionary who served God in China, India & Africa, once remarked: “Remember the miller’s donkey. The miller, son & donkey went to the market. The miller rode the donkey all the way & people exclaimed. ‘Cruel man, riding himself & making his son walk’ So he got down & his son rode; then people complained, ‘What a lazy son for riding while poor old father walks.’ Then both father & son rode & people then said, ‘Cruelty to animals, poor donkey.’ So they got down & carried the donkey on a pole, but folks said, “Here are two asses carrying another ass.’ Then all three walked & people said, ‘What fools to have a donkey & not ride it.’ So let’s go ahead with our work for God & not care what folks say. “Studd also said, “Had I cared for the comments of people, I should never have been a Missionary.” With a sense of God’s call in your heart there may be times when you need to do what you need to do even if the whole world votes against you. And that can be mighty tough so be sure it’s God’s call & not that of your mother, father, friend, or anyone else—or from your own mixed motives—otherwise when the pressures of opposition hammer home, you’ll crumble beneath the load.
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This Issue, Vendors should be wearing a bright yellow shirt with ‘Homeless Voice’ in black on the front and back No other shirt colors should be used. If you see any other color shirts with this issue, please call LOSS PREVENTION at 954-920-1277
Halloween Safety Tips… page 10
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pic Mr. Brown