HOMELESS
Things My Mother Taught Me My Mother taught me LOGIC... “If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me." My Mother taught me MEDICINE... "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way." My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD... "If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!" My Mother taught me ESP... "Put your sweater on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?" My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE... "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you... Don't talk back to me!" My Mother taught me HUMOR... "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me." My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT... "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up." My mother taught me ABOUT SEX... "How do you think you got here?" My mother taught me about GENETICS... “You are just like your father!" My mother taught me about my ROOTS... "Do you think you were born in a barn?" My mother taught me about the WISDOM of AGE... "When you get to be my age, you will understand."
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am the first one to preach about not judging people, giving them a chance etc., etc.. But again I have my slice of humble pie. I don’t usually judge people on first impression, but I did this one young lady. The first time I had contact with her I got the impression that she thought “we owed her” something. Was I ever wrong! The only reason I share this is because we, none of us, know the true person until we get to know them inside. I have since come to realize that she is a pretty young lady, who has confidence in herself and has good and true feelings for others around her. Not only does she have feelings for others, she is the first person to jump in line to help others at the shelter. It is so comforting, so rewarding to see our people interact with each other. To see them not only say that they care, but to put those words into action proves they really do care. What does this have to do with the story we are about to tell you? Well, wait and see. Who are we talking about and why are we telling you the readers? We’ll start off first by letting the young lady (above) in her own
words explain why this is all important. “Often times God gives you ways to help other people in ways that you cannot even see. The other day, I was able to do a good deed for a woman, and not only got recognized, but felt great about saving her from a horrible situation. The Michelle, thank you for helping us to change other day, I was standing so we can treat each other better. at the bus stop, and a woman came up to me crying. open. She was apparently comShe asked if she could have a pletely over medicated on alcohol cigarette, and she asked if I knew and Xanax. She was scared to go where I was sleeping that night, home. We never knew why but implying that she was homeless. thought to ourselves she might be She had overdosed on pills and a victim of domestic violence. After we figured out that alcohol. So, I brought her here. Sean, Sandy, Lois and Mr. Saw- she might need medical attention, yer helped her right away. She because of the mixture of drugs was scared, and we all felt for and alcohol, Mr. Sawyer, another her, she asked me not to let her be formally Homeless person, took harmed, so, I promised her that her to Hollywood Memorial Hosthis was a safe place, and hope- pital to get treatment. That was fully now, she is clean, and much the last time we saw her. We will not forget her or better, and will think twice before doing that again.” Explained by the actions of Michelle Wards. Here our little homeless person Michelle Ward. So there you have it, Mi- Michelle Ward, who by the way chelle was just sitting there and is now self-sufficient, came to the she saw a lady who we later rescue of this lady because her found out was not really home- heart bled for her safety. Even when most think less but in a real crisis. She was hysterical and crying and at the homeless people are nothing at (Continued on page 8) same time trying to keep her eyes
(Continued on page 7)
T
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Joi Johnson with family and friends.
his year the kids at the Homeless Voice, COSAC Quarters Shelter were given a special treat. The treat was Joi Johnson and her family. They took time out of their busy schedule to stop and help brighten someone's day. Joi said that she felt a conviction in her heart that she could not refuse. She decided to take herself and
her family down to the shelter for the holiday. They brought baskets of candy, toys, and books. We, the staff here at the shelter, would like to give a special thanks to the following people for all their unselfish efforts: Joi Johnson; your daughter, Debra; grandson, Keesean; and to Jackie McNarrin. -Mark Targett
Voice
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HOMELESS VOICE
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May, 2004
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To all the mothers I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. This month’s Homeless Voice talks about “First Impressions” and what kind of impact our judgment can have on other’s lives. We all have bridges to cross, we all have to make changes. The first step is recognizing we need to change. -Mark LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Targett SEND TO:
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KERSTER’S KORNER
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oving Others Together sees the streets perpetually being as our hospital. We accept and work less than others. I'm sad that I let my therapists down with people as they are and where they are. And yes, these people are ex-cons, cur- those 15 years ago when I accepted responsibility for all of my problems rent drug abusers, prone to violence, mostly mentally “And now after 15 years and asked for their help in changing: and they gave me ill and are completely soof perpetual work t h e i n t e l l e c cially unacceptable. And what works changing and changing tual/emotional/spiritual tools to alter myself. with other people with life and changing and And now after 15 challenges, seems ineffective with chronically changing, I am nothing years of perpetual work changing and changing and homeless/mentally ill peomuch of anything: my changing and changing, I ple who prefer living on the streets to societal com- calling, to be a misguided am nothing much of anything: my calling, to be a pliance. trash collector.” misguided trash collector. This noncompliI love my chronically ill ance, resistance to authority or control, is a natural reaction to current friends of the streets -- have watched their treatment that often labels people like those therapeutic interactions and felt degraded as who are chronically homeless/mentally ill as negative responses were triggered until the somehow inferior. And even when these peo- "patient" was deemed too far gone for treatple accept treatment they are still viewed as ment and dismissed as untreatable. My question is how many must be less than others, as inferior and so reject the system of mental health/substance abuse. It untreatable before new methods of treatment seems a logical choice: no one wants to are tried? I know little but I'm not stupid: and choose to be inferior, or accept the shame of common sense is common sense: we will
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fter 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I had started to go out with another woman. It was really my wife’s idea. "I know that you love her," she said one day, taking me by surprise. "But I love YOU," I protested. "I know, but you also love her." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects
that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, then said, "I would like that very much." That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she
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work constructively with society to develop positive solutions for the challenges of chronic homelessness/mental illness. I do have many other groups of friends: people I respect and admire. But my homeless/mentally ill friends are always referred to as THEM: and are friendless. I will always be one of THEM: mentally ill, inferior and physically crippled, but not strong enough to exist on the streets: so I am less than my chronically homeless friends: I do not have their courage! I have no desire to be better than anyone else, no desire to compete, no desire for material possessions, no desire for much of anything normal. My only goal is to just learn to love God and love others. With growing love for my many, many different friends and for God, Steve Kersker, Director, Loving Others Together and Leader of Trash Patrol. (727) 823-8404 or stevenkersker@aol.com
said, as she got into the ceived an envelope with a copy car. "They can't wait to of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had hear about our meeting". We went to a restaurant dined. An attached note said: "I that, although not elegant, paid this bill in advance. I was almost sure that I couldn't be was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm there but, never-the-less, I paid as if she were the First for two plates - one for you and Lady. After we sat down, the other for your wife. You will never know what that night I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large meant for me. I love you." At that moment I underprint. stood the importance H a l f way through "How was your of saying, in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to the entrées, I dinner date?" give our loved ones lifted my eyes the time that they deand saw Mom asked my wife sitting there when I got home. serve. Nothing in life is staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her more important than God and lips. "It was I who used to have your family. Give them the time to read the menu when you were they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till small," she said. "Then it's time that you "some other time". -unknown relax and let me return the faauthor vor," I responded. During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation nothing extraordinary - but catching up on recent events of each others life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you". I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered. A few days later my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later I re-
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May, 2004
NATIONAL NEWS
White House's National Drug Control Strategy Focuses on Prescription Drug Safety
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Strategy incorporates education of medical proor the first time, the Bush Administration fessionals and consumers, outreach to businesses will carry out a coordinated drug strategy involved in Internet commerce, pharmaceutical to confront the illegal diversion and abuse manufacturers, and pharmacies, as well as inof prescription drugs. Today, President Bush's creased investigation and enforcement activities. "Drug Czar," John Walters, joined FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan, DEA Administrator New programs include: Karen Tandy, Surgeon General Dr. Richard Car• Careful consideration of labeling and mona, and Representative Tom Davis to release commercial promotion of opiate drug products; the President's National Drug Control Strategy, • Ensuring wider dissemination of eduwhich outlines the extent of prescription drug cation and training on appropriate pain manageabuse in the United States and new Federal proment and opioid treatment procedures for physigrams designed to address the cians authorized to prescribe problem. "Criminals who divert controlled substances; Director Walters said, • Increasing the number of "The non-medical use of prelegal drugs into the state Prescription Monitoring scription drugs has become an illegal market are no Programs, which detect suspiincreasingly widespread and serious problem in this country; different from a cocaine cious prescriptions and individuals redeeming prescripone that calls for immediate or heroin dealer tions from multiple physicians action. The Federal government is embarking on a comprehen- peddling poisons on the ("doctor shopping") to identify abusers; and sive effort to ensure that potenstreet corner," said tially addictive medications are • Using web crawler/data DEA Administrator dispensed and used safely and mining technology to identify, effectively." investigate and prosecute "pill Karen Tandy. Recent data indicates mills" - Internet pharmacies that prescription drug abuse, that provide controlled subparticularly of opioid pain killers, has increased stances illegally. at an alarming rate over the last ten years: "When used correctly, opioids play a very • Non-medical use of narcotic pain important role in the management of pain. FDA's job is to maximize the potential benefits that parelievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives tients receive from these drugs, while, at the ranks second (behind marijuana) as a category of same time, minimizing the risks associated with illicit drug abuse among adults and youth; • In 2002, 6.2 million Americans were these products," said FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "FDA takes its recurrent abusers of prescription drugs; sponsibility in meeting this challenge very seri• 13.7 percent of youth between the ously." ages of 12 and 17 have abused prescription drugs The Drug Enforcement Administration at least once in their lifetimes; and (DEA), in conjunction with the FDA, will imple• Emergency room visits resulting ment additional investigative efforts and enforcefrom narcotic pain relievers abuse have increased ment actions against the illegal sale, use, or diversion of controlled substances, including those 163 percent since 1995. occurring over the Internet. Many of these eMore than 10 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. The Strategy seeks to balance pharmacies are foreign-based and expose the purchaser to potentially counterfeit, contamithe need for effective pain management therapies nated, or adulterated products. with the prevention of misuse, abuse, and diver"Criminals who divert legal drugs into the sion of psychotherapeutic drugs. illegal market are no different from a cocaine or "Many Americans benefit from the approheroin dealer peddling poisons on the street corpriate use of prescription pain killers, but, when ner," said DEA Administrator Karen Tandy. abused, they can be as addictive and dangerous "DEA is aggressively working to put an end to as illegal drugs," Health and Human Services this illicit practice whether it occurs in doctors' Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "This new, coordinated Federal initiative will help us stop and prevent prescription drug abuse, and the harm it can cause." The National Drug Control Strategy brings the efforts of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal substance abuse prevention and treatment agencies, and law enforcement to bear on the factors contributing to rising prescription drug abuse. The
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teacher at a Catholic school said he was fired for offering extra credit to his seventhgraders for watching ``The Passion of the Christ.'' Stephen Hathorn, 50, said he had taught at the St. Lawrence School in North Highlands, a Sacramento suburb, for five years before being dismissed last week. The hugely popular Rrated film depicting the story of Christ's crucifixion was produced by Mel Gibson. It has been criti-
cized for its graphic scenes of torture and violence, and some contend it is anti-Semitic. Officials with the school and Diocese of Sacramento would not comment directly on Hathorn's dismissal. The school's principal, Marilyn Fleming, said it is against school policy to assign students to watch R-rated movies. The school teaches children from kindergarten through eighth grade. Hathorn called the movie ``100 percent true to the Gospel'' and said he watched it with his son, a seventh-grader.
offices or cyberspace, and ensure the integrity of our medical system." Because agencies, organizations, and individuals at the state and local level are uniquely posiSurgeon General tioned to Richard Carmona quickly identify and respond to prescription drug diversion and abuse trends, the Strategy seeks to create Linda and Mark Surks and extend spoke about the recollaborative cent loss of their son, efforts outside Jason, to prescription of the Federal drugs. government. "Drug abuse, in all its forms, is a societal issue that demands societal solutions," Surgeon General Richard H. DEA Administrator Carmona, Karen Tandy with House Government M.D., M.P.H., Reform Committee F.A.C.S., said. Chairman Tom Davis "By engaging health professionals, families, and support groups we can provide assistance to people of all ages and from all walks of life who may be at risk, and help those who have already fallen victim to an addiction recover." Congress is actively working to address prescription drug diversion, as well. "The many positive trends that Director Walters reported in this year's National Drug Control Strategy demonstrate the difference the office can make when strong and effective leadership combines with sound policy," House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis said. "I'm particularly pleased that this year's Strategy tackles the difficult issue of prescription drug abuse. I have actively followed this issue, and plan to introduce legislation soon to address the illegal and potentially deadly sale of prescription drugs over the Internet. The Internet creates an easy environment for (Continued on page 11)
Hathorn called the movie ``100 percent true to the Gospel'' and said he watched it with his son, a seventh-grader. ``For some children it is too much,'' he told the Sacramento Bee for Saturday's editions. ``But for others, in this age with all the violence we see, the violence is not too much.'' The Associated Press
Voice
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HOMELESS VOICE
Sean Cononie
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aying a weekly rent, which is always higher than monthly, is a reason why people are forced to stay in what America calls the “Poverty Cycle.” Paying higher interest on a car loan keeps that same person living paycheck to paycheck. For instance, a person who buys a $20,000 car who has bad credit will pay an interest rate of 15% whereas a person who has good credit will pay about 4.9%. The difference in the rates is a savings of about $100.00 a month. Over the course of the fiveyear loan, the person has lost $6,000 and that $6,000 could be used for their next car down payment. So five years later their new $20,000 car would be much less. They would put that $6,000 down on their new car leaving the balance to be financed only $14,000 over five years at the lower interest rate, making their new car payment $200 less a month saving them now $12,000 over the next five years on their second new car. Sad to say that in some cases the poor person will pay as much as 20 percent on a car loan or credit card balance. Never go to a car place that offers you these famous words “buy here, pay here.” It is also sad to say that people are kept from having good paying jobs because of their credit. Some potential employers will run your credit and if you have bad credit they will not give you the job, or offer you the job at a low rate of pay. There are ways to help you rebuild your credit. Here at the Homeless Voice our job is not to just help the homeless but to prevent homelessness by giving you education to help take you from the poverty cycle. So you’re credit isn’t great. It may even be bad. Don’t give up— it’s possible to bounce back and rebuild your credit history. The most important thing to remember is that from now on, any credit you keep or open must be paid on time, every time. You will begin creating a better credit picture in just a few payment cycles, a positive trend that potential creditors can use to gauge how serious you are about putting your credit past behind you. In fact, being able to repay
a variety of new accounts is a key step toward rebuilding your credit. So, devising a strategy to open and pay off as many different kinds of accounts as you can is a better objective than simply adding more debt to an existing credit card—especially if you’re working toward future goals such as a mortgage or other large loan. • Rebuilding your credit can be similar to starting over from scratch, and starting small may be the easiest option. Credit cards from department stores or your local credit union can be useful. • If you can’t qualify on your own, ask a friend or family member to cosign for a small loan or credit card. If you can stay current on a major credit card account or small auto loan, this will speed up the process of re-establishing good credit on your own. • Still no luck? Consider a secured credit card, which is guaranteed by a deposit that you make with the credit grantor. The cards offer the purchasing power of a major credit card. Just make sure the grantor reports payment histories to one of the three major credit bureaus so you’re building your positive payment history. • Use your new accounts in moderation and make payments that are more than the minimum. You can keep a small balance so that your positive payment history will continue to show up on your credit report. • Avoid carrying a balance that is more than 30% of your credit limit (creditors may view it as excessive debt that you may not be able to stay current with). If you have money set aside, you can open such accounts for the sole purpose of paying them off. It takes some time for your new credit history to gain momentum. You’ll be demonstrating that you are not depending on certain credit cards and loans for survival. That's why opening and paying down accounts may make it a little easier to get more credit. With patience and timely repayments, you will likely be able to build a new credit history that creditors will look upon favorably when making decisions about your ability to handle even more credit. Disputing inaccuracies on your credit report can sometimes be part of managing your credit. Some consumers will find the process simple and quick. For others, it may prove more complicated, as it often
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depends on the cooperation of the seriously until they have received a creditor that reported the information copy of this report. to the credit bureau. This article lays Basic Tips for Filing a Dispute out the steps you can take in either Generally, disputes must be instance. filed in writing. According to the The Fair FCRA, a credit Credit Reporting “So you’re credit isn’t bureau has 30 Act (FCRA) prodays to investigate tects consumers in great. It may even be a dispute raised dispute situations, regarding possible mandating that bad. Don’t give up— inaccuracies on a credit reporting it’s possible to bounce consumer's credit agencies (CRAs) report. The bureau must respond to back and rebuild your must then give your dispute by you the written credit history.” initiating an invesresults and a free tigation and colcopy of your relecting evidence (where possible) port if the dispute results in a from your creditors. If the informachange. tion is inaccurate, the CRA must To dispute inaccurate inforeither remove or correct the disputed mation on your Equifax, Experian, information, usually within 30 days. or Trans Union credit report, write to the bureau that supplied the informaCommon Types of tion and use the address provided. Inaccurate Information When you review your Enclose a photocopy of your credit credit report, you'll want to look for report with the item(s) under dispute information that is unusual or does circled and numbered. You can not belong to you. The types of acmake reference to these numbers in count information that are comyour letter. Also be sure to include: monly disputed include: • Your full name, first, middle • Information from someone and last and including any applicable suffixes (Jr., Sr., II, etc.) else's file - Accounts belonging to someone with a name similar to • Your complete mailing address yours can be mixed with your credit • Your date of birth information. The fact that certain • Your Social Security number information may actually belong to (this is necessary to access your someone else is not apparent from credit report) your credit report alone. If the information is negative, such as a bank• The name and account number ruptcy, this can impact your credit of the creditor and item in question worthiness. • The specific reason for your • Inaccuracies - Because credi- disagreement with the disputed item tors sometimes report incomplete Your signature account histories or don't always Disputing Information account for delays in the receipt of At The Source payments, it is possible that your It is perfectly acceptable to report may list late notations with contact your creditor directly to diswhich you don't agree. Presenting pute information they are reporting back-up documentation, such as canthat you consider being inaccurate. celled checks, can be very useful in According to the FCRA, if you tell a this situation. creditor that you dispute an item, • Outdated information - With they may not then report the item to a bureau without including a notice the exception of Chapter 7 bankof your dispute. Furthermore, once ruptcy, negative account information you have notified the creditor of may no longer be reported by your your dispute in writing, they may not creditor(s) after seven years from the continue to report the information if date of first delinquency. If the it is, in fact, an error. creditor reports that the seven-year Next Phase: cycling off period has been reached, A Statement of Dispute the credit bureau may no longer reIf you are not having luck port that account. persuading the creditor that an ac• Fraudulent Accounts - If your count is not yours or was never decredit report lists accounts that you linquent, the FCRA allows for you to didn't open, there could be a possiadd a statement of dispute to the bility of credit fraud. Unfamiliar relevant item on your credit report. If accounts opened under your name a resolution is not reached after the and Social Security number might be dispute process, you can ask the buthe work of an identity thief. These reau to add a statement of dispute to accounts can sometimes be difficult the account. A statement of dispute to dispute, so be patient. There are is a factual description of status for three steps to take immediately when the account in question, and both the you learn that identity theft has occonsumer's and the creditor's vercurred: sions are included. This statement 1. Contact the creditor(s) to close demonstrates that all attempts at all fraudulent accounts. resolving the dispute have failed, 2. Contact the credit bureaus to and communicates the details of place a fraud alert on your report. what happened to any future crediThis stops automatic activation of tors. pre-approved credit offers, and alerts Action to Take When creditors to call you first for apSettlement Cannot Be Achieved proval. Achieving settlement can Contact the police, and file a police sometimes be difficult. When settlereport. This is a crucial step, as some (Continued on page 7) creditors won't take your dispute
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May, 2004
HOMELESS VOICE
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magine not having enough strength to rise from bed in the morning. Or worse yet, to even be able to open your eyes. Picture yourself being forced to cope with an unbearable emptiness; unrelenting feelings of sadness. Add to that a lack of hope and self worth, accompanied by headaches, fatigue, and insomnia, and that is just the beginning. The beginning of what, one might question? It has been named “Depressive Illness” and typically those are just a handful of the symptoms somebody suffering from this illness is forced to cope with. This year, an estimated 17 million Americans will suffer from some form of depression, in fact, roughly a third of our population is said to suffer from mental health related illnesses, half of which will be diagnosed with Depression. That said, it is no secret that in many cases, depression and mental health precede homelessness. Life is full of ups and
downs, and most people tend to feel “sad” or “down” at some point or another. Depression is not just feeling blue, or down in the dumps, and it can rather be compared to a mental paralysis of some sort. Symptoms last for not only weeks and months, but years at a time. What many fail to recognize, or simply choose to ignore, is that somebody suffering from Depression cannot just “pull it together” or “get better”. Like any other illness, it affects the whole person, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It can affect people of any age, culture, and occupation, and is a lasting state of distress, which persists over a period of time, and because of its wide range of symptoms is often a confusing illness to diagnose. Those suffering from depression, like with any illness, can be treated into what one can only hope is successful recovery. Depression forms an isolation from within that makes it nearly impossible to deal with life’s everyday trials and tribula-
tions. It strips a person from hav- interest in recreation activity and ing an interest in life, and the lit- friends, loss of energy and contle things surrounding, that make centration, deterioration in school life so very special. People suf- or work performance, change in appetite with correfering from this disorder are inclined to Depression forms an sponding weight feel reclusive and isolation from within change, disturbed withdrawn to a point that makes it nearly sleep, and repeated thoughts of worthin which they then become inexplicably impossible to deal lessness and suicide. with life’s everyday If you are experiencsad. While often trials and tribulations. ing any or all of these symptoms, inherited, depressive consult in somebody disorders do occur in people with no family history of close to you, immediately. Copproblems. Genetic, psychologi- ing with depression, without the cal, and environmental factors proper amount of support and can easily trigger depressive dis- treatment can be mentally wearorders. Chronic illness, serious ing, and near impossible. There loss, difficult relationship, finan- is help out there for everybody, cial instabilities, and unwel- and getting a sufficient amount of come/unwanted change in life therapy is something that everypatterns (like becoming home- body deserves. Form a supporless) also trigger depressive epi- tive and positive relationship with your doctor, and undergo all sodes. It is important to identify the necessary treatment to help whether or not you are suffering overcome this painful illness. from a depressive illness. Some Nicole Darcy Settimi nicole@homelessvoice.org of the symptoms goes as follows: persistent depressed mood, unhappiness and irritability, loss of
Lets have a PEN N Y DRIVE Get together w ith your friends at w ork and church and school
ble, have your name removed from their card in case they It can be lots of fun and don’t forget become irresponsible in Those pennies add up to dollars the future. When I was younger and a mation available to you at no charge bunch of friends would go out to so you can improve your finances. dinner they would pay their share in Parents, when your children cash to me and I would place the There are many attorneys who now are getting ready to be responsible do credit repair and they are inexand live on their own, sign for a whole check on my credit card and pensive. But you can do the same as then later pay it off. This is how I small line of credit for them on a an attorney at no cost at all. If you expanded my credit. Just remember, credit card for about $500.00. See if have a computer and the ability to don’t spend the cash they give you, they are responsible and pay the bills. If they do not pay, you can pay put it away and use if for your payunderstand the methods above we ments. the account off and your only loss if would suggest you do it yourself to $500.00 and the account will still be save money. Rule Number One On Credit in good standing. When they appear -Sean Cononie Cards to be responsible again after they NEVER PAY THE MINIMUM scononie@homelessvoice.org pay you back, you can let them use PAYMENTS Most credit card companies the card again. only make you pay two percent of The first step, teaching the new adult the balance you owe. It is their obresponsibility. In most cases you jective to let you pay as long as you want to teach them that just because Things My Mother can because they make the most that they have a card they have to be able way. If you pay off the balance to pay the amount back. If they are Taught Me monthly they don’t make a cent from real responsible you can expand that card by using it for things you have you. They gamble that you will (Continued from page 1) make the smallest payment possible. cash for. For Instance, say you want My mother taught me Set a goal for yourself and try to to buy a new TV and you have the about ANTICIPATION... make double payments. If you do money for it. You can buy the TV "Just wait until your father gets their two percent game it will take on the card and then pay it off over home." about four years to pay off a $100 the next three months so the credit My mother taught me charge. Again they make money line will increase. Believe me, the about RECEIVING... based on the longest time it takes bank will increase your credit with"You are going to get it when we you to pay off your balance. out you asking for it. Once your get home." We have made this inforyoung adult shows they are responsiAnd my all time favorite thing- JUSTICE "One day you will have kids, and I remember the first day I realized it, that first moment of perfect clarity in which I hope they turn out just like I came to the conclusion that my mother had been, and always would be, right YOU. Then you'll see what it's like." about everything. Not just about the little things, but about every single thing. "The Most Unique Children's Gift on Earth!" -AUTHOR UNKNOWN (Continued from page 6)
ment cannot be reached, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau's National Consumer Assistance Center. To enter such a dispute, call the telephone number included with your credit report or complete a "Reinvestigation Request" form, which is also included with the credit report. Although you can request a reinvestigation, there is no guarantee that you will receive a different result the second time around-once an official decision has been made, you will need to come up with documentary evidence to persuade a credit bureau to delete the item. In some cases, even if you are successful in persuading the credit bureau to delete the information, it may wind up being added to your report again at the creditor's insistence. If you still get no response after continued attempts to contact the parties involved, you can contact your state's Attorney General office. If you believe the creditor or a credit bureau has violated the FCRA, you have the right to sue all relevant parties in state or federal court. If you win, the creditor or credit bureau will have to pay damages and reimburse you for attorney fees to the extent ordered by the court. You may also wish to contact the FTC to file complaints against non-cooperative creditors and credit bureaus. Although the
FTC can't act as your lawyer in private disputes, information about your experiences and concerns is vital to the enforcement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You may send your questions and/or complaints to: Consumer Response Center FCRA, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580
Voice
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NATIONAL NEWS
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ederal and local agencies are struggling to help a growing number of families forced out of their homes by an unsteady economy and quickly rising housing prices. Cities around the country are reporting record numbers of homeless people entering shelters or sleeping on the streets. As a faltering U.S. economy, skyrocketing housing prices and reduced government services force people from their homes, Hud Secretary Mel Martinez agencies are wants homelessness ended within the next ten years. scrambling to find ways to provide shelter and assistance to a growing and changing homeless population. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty estimates some 3 million men, women and children will be homeless for at least some part of 2002. "I suspect it is going to be a record increase this year, as it was last year," Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the organizaA homeless man sleeps on a tion said in a grate to try and keep warm Washington during the winter months. Post interview. "And it really does have to do with the economy, mainly loss of jobs and loss of wage-earning power." An unexpected rise The face of homelessness has drastically changed throughout the years. In the 1980s, thousands of individuals from the nation's public psychiatric hospitals were discharged, leaving many of the country's mentally ill without homes. This gave rise to a
(Continued from page 1)
all, this one woman put her cape in to action to save this lady who might have died of an overdose. Not only Michelle Ward but also all who helped on the client side were formally homeless. That statement is the best statement any one person can make. That statement makes our job worth
popular misconception, however, that led many to think all homeless people were mentally ill or suffered from drug or alcohol abuse problems. Oftentimes, homeless people were portrayed as lazy and unclean. But today, more working and middle class families face the prospect of living on the streets. The Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the federal agency in charge of housing issues, released the most complete report on homelessness in the U.S. The report, "The Forgotten Americans - Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve," revealed that some 11 million Americans have "worst case" housing needs, putting them at a high risk of homelessness. Many are either spending over half of their paycheck on housing -- often doubled up with others in overcrowded conditions -- or live in houses that are falling apart. Attempts to Diminish the Problem Local and national agencies are seeking more creative means to combat homelessness, although not all are popular. In New York, where a record number of people are homeless, a judge blocked Mayor Michael Bloomberg's request to use an abandoned Bronx jail as housing. More recently, Bloomberg proposed using retired cruise ships docked at city piers as shelters, an idea that troubled advocates for the homeless. ''It's disturbing,'' Patrick Markee of the Coalition for the Homeless told the New York Times. ''Putting outcast people offshore -- there's something punitive about it.'' A more likely solution is placing more emphasis on permanent housing. Under HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, the agency adopted a "Housing First" policy and created a federal grant initiative called the SRO, or Single Room Occupancy, program. The pro-
all the money in the world. To see the Homeless go out of their way to help another human is a Kodak moment. People make choices everyday. Some are small and seemingly unimportant, while others are vital and take a lot of thought, weighing the outcomes. Too often we make the choice to not really become involved because “It’s not our problem.” Anything that affects someone’s life and well-being, is our problem. We commend you
gram gives money to public agencies to fix single room housing units in an attempt to provide a more permanent alternative to traditional shelters. Martinez says he would like to see the end of chronic homelessness within the next ten years. "For many years, Washington focused on intervention when it came to homelessness," Martinez said. "The assumption was that intervention was more important than prevention. Until now, government was misdiagnosing the condition and prescribing inadequate medicine." One of the strongest federal attempts to end homelessness is to strengthen the already existing Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the only major federal law concerning homelessness. That act provides money for emergency shelters, health care and job training, as well as education for homeless children. This year, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island introduced a new bill, the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act of 2002, which would create a more united plan of providing increased funding at the community level. "We want to provide adequate resources, emphasize the continuity of care, and hopefully not institutionalize homelessness in America, but end it," Reed said. Politicians and social workers looking for ways to end homelessness know that there are no easy answers, especially when many Americans notice the problem only when the weather turns cold and the situation more desperate. "No one wants to see homeless people suffering in the cold, but effective solutions are not easy," Arnold Cohen, president of Partnership for the Homeless, said. By Raven Tyler, NewsHour Extra
"I suspect it is going to be a record increase this year, as it was last year," Maria Foscarinis
Micelle Ward for your heroism and the need to help others. If Michelle had not acted the way she did; if Michelle had not cared about this other human being, that girl might be dead or worse today. One last thought, “Boy did I misjudge Michelle Ward” So thank you, Michelle, for being you and for proving me wrong. Love Lois, Sean, Mark, Ginny and the gang…… Written By Lois Cross lois@homelessvoice.org
“Never judge a book by it’s cover”
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May, 2004
HEALTH
From all of us here at the Homeless Voice.
What is hepatitis C and what causes it? Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus. It is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States, affecting at least 4 million people. Other viruses, most commonly hepatitis A and hepatitis B, also can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis has many causes, including some medications, long-term alcohol abuse, and exposure to industrial chemicals. All types of hepatitis can cause. Some types can cause permanent liver damage. Most infections begin with a sudden (acute) illness, often so mild that people do not notice symptoms. About 85% of people with acute illness will go on to develop longterm (chronic) infection. Hepatitis C is considered chronic when the liver is inflamed for longer than 6 months. It is easier to catch Hep C than Aids and the Hep C blood that is on a needle or left spilt on the floor stays potent much longer than blood contaminated from HOV. If a person has Hep C they need to get a vaccine for Hep A and Hep B because if they contract either it could be deadly in a matter of days.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C infection? In cases of acute infection, young children usually have no symptoms. Older children and adults may develop some mild symptoms, such as: · · · ·
Constant tiredness (fatigue). Sore muscles. Headache. Widespread abdominal discomfort or discomfort that is concentrated in the of the abdomen. · Nausea. · Dark urine or light (claycolored) stools. · Loss of appetite or weight loss. · Aversion to some foods, particularly those that are fatty or fried or high in protein. Less commonly, yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
In cases of chronic infection… Most people, especially young children, have no symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they may include: · Constant tiredness (fatigue). · A general sense of not feeling well (malaise). Mild abdominal discomfort.
How does hepatitis C spread? How is hepatitis C diagnosed? Hepatitis C can be diagnosed with a blood test. People often don't know they have the virus until they try to donate blood. All donated blood is screened for hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. Donors whose blood tests positive for hepatitis C are notified by the blood donation center. Blood tests are done to look for signs of liver inflammation, antibodies to the hepatitis C virus, and the virus's genetic material. A liver biopsy may be done to see whether the liver has been damaged by the virus and, later, to see whether treatment is successful. People with mild to moderate liver damage tend to respond better to treatment than those who have more extensive damage.
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The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through contact with blood, most commonly by sharing needles and other equipment used to inject illegal drugs. Health care workers face a risk (although low, less than 2%) of infection from accidental needle sticks and other occupational exposures. The virus can spread through sexual contact, but the risk is low, especially for longterm monogamous couples. Risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners. Having a sexually transmitted disease or being infected with HIV may increase the risk of becoming infected with HCV. In the past, the virus was spread through infected blood used in transfusions and infected solid organs used in transplantation. However, the risk of infection from these procedures is now extremely low; since 1992, blood and organs have been routinely screened for hepatitis C. An infected mother can spread the virus to her baby at birth. The transmission rate is about 6% and can be higher if the mother also is infected with HIV.
How is hepatitis C treated? Chronic HCV infection may be treated with medications that fight viral infections. Standard treatment combines two antiviral medications: interferon and ribavirin. However, this treatment is not an option for everyone because of significant side effects. Response rates to treatment are about 40% to 50% overall, depending on individual circumstances
What are the long-term effects of hepatitis C? IT VARIES WIDELY...SO IT IS BEST TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. For general information on line, just use a keyword of Hepatitis-C. It is recommended to be tested for Hep C every year for health care workers and for people who may have risky sexual behavior.
We Need Reporters Call the Homeless Voice 954-410-6275
Voice
Page 10
UPDATE
HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE We need just 39,850 people to send in a check for $20.00, Or 15,940 people to send in a check for $50.00, Or 7,970 people to send in a check for $100.00, Or 797 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or Just one wonderful person or business to send a check for the entire $797,000.00 Remember the donation is tax deductible!! Please send your checks to:
The COSAC Building Fund P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 We do thank you
O
ur campaign still exists. If we can’t get the mortgage paid off, we would love an interest rate of about 6 percent on the outstanding balance. This would save us about $2000.00 a month. Our mortgage payment go down from $8400.00 a month to approximately $6400.00. We would need the remaining balance financed over 30 years. So, if anybody can find us a mortgage, please let us know.
S
omebody said a mother is an unskilled laborer… somebody never gave a squirmy infant a bath. Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby… somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal" is history. Somebody said a mother's job consists of wiping noses and changing diapers. . . somebody doesn't know that a child is much more than the shell he lives in. Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct… somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. Somebody said being a mother is boring… somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said teachers, psychologists and pediatricians know more about children than their mothers… somebody hasn't invested her heart in another human being. Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good”… somebody thinks a child is like a bag of plaster of Paris that comes with directions, a mold and a guarantee. Somebody said being a mother is what you do in your spare time… somebody doesn't know that when you're a mother, you're a mother ALL the time. Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices… somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child wind up and hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window. Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother… somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math. Somebody said you couldn’t love the fifth child, as much as you love the first… somebody doesn't have five children. Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books… somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose. Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother
is labor and delivery; somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten, or on a plane headed for military "boot camp". Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back… somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies. Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married; somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother’s heartstrings. Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home… somebody never had grandchildren. Somebody said being a mother is a side dish on the plate of life… somebody doesn't know what fills you up. Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her… somebody isn't a mother.
WE NEED gift certificates for Publix or Winn-Dixie Call 954-925-6466
We Need Reporters Call the Homeless Voice 954-410-6275
D r u g Te sts I n st a n t R e su lt s •
C h ild r en
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Em p lo y ees
• Talk to your Human Resource Manager about how you can donate money to help the homeless thru a payroll deduction for the COSAC Foundation
American Express Will Match Any Donation Their Employee Makes
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May, 2004
HOBO JUNGLE
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illegitimate pharmacy sites to bypass traditional regulations and established safeguards. My legislation addresses these issues and makes it difficult for unlawful prescribing to occur." The President's 2005 budget requests $138 million for diversion control programs. The National Drug Control Strategy seeks to reduce illegal drug use by 10 percent in two years and by 25 percent in five years. To achieve these goals, the Strategy employs a balanced and comprehensive approach of stopping drug use before it starts, healing America's drug users, and disrupting the market for illegal drugs. Since announcing the goals in 2002, national surveys indicate that drug use among youth has decreased 11 percent, confirming the wisdom of a balanced strategy with appropriate emphasis on prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Comments of the Homeless Voice: As you all know the Homeless Voice has been very active in the "War on Drugs.” We do more than just house people; we look at ways of preventing homelessness by investigating the reasons why people become homeless. This agency was one of the leaders who helped stop "Pill Partying Physicians" as well as "drug dealing doctors." But in reality it has not stopped. We curbed it, we made it harder but so much more needs to be done. These doctors would be set up just to pass out narcotics or to get the patients addicted to this pain medication, so they will be forced to take these pain pills all the time. Not only did we alert law enforcement of this potential problem, there were also new laws passed to stop this type of practice. I
am not saying it was all our glory the people who love them. This is so hard for the people who deal with why new laws were passed, but we substance abusers all the time. I am were an important part of why these a person who does live on pain new laws are being developed. medication, I have had surgery after We went one step further surgery and my bones, my joints, my and met with Congressman Peter muscles all hurt and Dutch in Washington and showed him “All of us receive there is no way to function for me how easy it was to email asking us to other than with the buy pain pills over the web here in buy soma, sleeping pain medication. However I am one South Florida. As of the lucky ones the Miami Herald pills, pain who have some type indicated in a story several months ago, medications etc over of control over my of these pain Tropical Rx has the Internet. It is use medications. It is been closed up because of the actions time to put these web hard. Every day I have to watch myof agencies working together. We have dealing drug stores self to make sure I not become an met with the manuout of business.” do addict. But for those facturers of the very ones who abuse the addicted pain medipain medication the word statistic is cation titled OxyContin and exjust around the corner. pressed our concerns on how addicWe at the Homeless Voice tive it was. As the manufacturer told commend the government for makpatients and doctors that this pill was not addicted we met with their doc- ing it harder to get these party type pills. We commend political leaders tors and told them it was worse than for making it difficult for doctors to heroin. Several states have filed class action suits against the manu- keep writing scripts to patients who do not need it. We commend those facturers of this pill because of the agencies that help report potential way the pill was marketed and the problems of drug dealing doctors to way the manufacturer mislead the law enforcement. And most imporpublic. tantly we at the Homeless Voice Drugs are a harsh reality of commend you the person who takes why people die. They can party for the step to adopt a drug addict and years taking some medications and work with that person so they do not pass out and they don’t die. Then out of nowhere they take some meds become a statistic. to get high, pass out and never wake All of us receive email askup. Maybe their respiration was ing us to buy soma, sleeping pills, lower because of a respiratory infecpain medications etc over the Intertion and then on top of the regular net. It is time to put these web dealdoses of pain medication and a little ing drug stores out of business. Xanax (a pill used for nerves), their When you get this email write letters respiration becomes so shallow they to your congressman and tell them die in their sleep. This is so hard for you are tired of being pushed narcot-
MY ATTORNEY
A
fter living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him. The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin." The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life -- couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person
ics over the Internet where your children can buy it, abuse it, and die from it, The Homeless Voice can’t stop the problem, law enforcement can’t stop the problem and the political system can’t stop the problem, but if you add all those up we all can be a team to let the leaders know it is time to get serious on these Internet sites that are pushing drugs on your children. What's the difference, a drug dealer living next store that sells your child a Xanax once in a while or an Internet site that sells your friend or child 90 of them for much less? The police will do their job and go after the neighbor who sells on occasion, but who goes after the ones pushing millions all day over the Internet? It is time we all take a stand on drug abuse and try our hardest to make the world safer. There is failure in our current system, but when we see failure and fail to react we have failed even worse. But when we take that failure and admit that something more needs to be done we have succeeded. How do you measurer success? When we save just one life… You will find that, when you save one life the statistics of saving others will increase. Come on friends, we owe it to that mother who worries all day long if her child will come home tonight or if she will get a call saying these horrible words. “ I am sorry Mrs. XXX, but I have some bad news…… " reportdrugs@homelessvoice.com
Your comments will be kept confidential and your information will be given to the drug enforcement administration.
who can prove otherwise." When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court. "Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished." Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine." My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy." As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all." The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips... "This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed." As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving,
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So please do not get mad at our vendors if you are holding up money and they do not come to your car. • I know this will be a big pain • We can only do medians for now • We are going to court