Homeless Voice; Dora the Explorer

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hat an exciting day ing in his office here at the shelit was for all the ter. This day, we’ll call it the kiddies when Dora Dora day, Sean woke up really the Explorer exited knowing that his two granddaughters, showed up at the shelter.

She “She brought beaming (Lily and Autumn) brought beaming smiles to the faces of the were flying in from smiles to the children as they giggled, New Jersey with their proud parents faces of the childanced, sang, and Mark and Sara, dren as they gigshouted with glee during (you know the lovgled, danced, sang, and shouted the 2 hours they spent ing couple who bring the Homeless with glee during with her.”

Voice to you.) the 2 hours they Sean wanted to do spent with her. It was exhilarating to see some of something special for his grand the adults who got in on the antics kids, as well as the children at the shelter. So he began racking his as well.

Let me back up a little bit brain for ideas. Finally, he here. You may or may not be thought about Dora the Explorer aware of this but Sean is spending and how she was the heroine of (Continued on page 7) time, while he is out sick, sleep-

K

eeping your family out of crisis helps prevent the chance of becoming homeless. Here at the Homeless Voice we want to do more than just help the Homeless, it is in our hearts to prevent all new cases of homelessness and that is why we must educate. Did you know that there is a 65 percent chance of becoming homeless if a child is abducted by a parent who does not have custodial rights? Why is this? Because the community does not respond financially like they do to a stranger abduction.

Keeping your home safe from abductors or regular burglaries is easier that one might imagine. We all want to protect our loved ones, especially the little ones, from any unnecessary harm and most of the time you can make your home safer for just a few hundred dollars. If you already have a home alarm through ADT, Brinks or another carrier it is also important to understand your alarm system fully. Today, most people think that the alarm they purchased will sound off it an intruder enters their home in any way, but in some cases it wont. National standards indicate that most people only protect their three major exit doors and only have a motion sensor by their big picture window. They often fail to protect other windows in the home and there is a good reason for this. It is because most alarm companies encourage brand new customers by offering a flat rate special of $99.00 for installation and a $19.95 monthly service charge. Fear of “losing the sale”, because most salespeople work on a commissionCall (954) able basis, make the salesperson only sell the basics to get the customer. And in most cases they fail to

How’s My Vending?

925-6466 X101

(Continued on page 8)

Dora the Explorer and Friends travel to the shelter.

G

This is something you may want to attend to:

oogle has implemented a new feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and then you will be given a map to their house. Everyone should be aware of this!!! Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked. Before forwarding this, I tested it by typing my telephone number in google.com. My phone number came up, and when I clicked on the MapQuest link, it actually mapped out where I live. Quite scary!! Please look up your own number. Read below for details. Think about it--if a child, ANYONE gave out his/her phone number, someone can actually now look it up to find out where he/ she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: www.google.com. Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your phone number. Removal takes 48 hours. If you are unlisted in the phone book, you might not be in there, but it is a good idea just to check. If your number does come up if you hit map, it will show you a direct map to your house. Please forward on to friends and family.

Most Americans are “Two Paychecks” away from being homeless. Help the shelter stay alive.

We are trying to pay the mortgage off! To help, please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation Burn That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 2

HOMELESS VOICE

FRIENDS OF THE HOMELESS For just $15.00 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day.

Please make check payable to: COSAC Foundation Friends of the Homeless.

Please include on memo what name should appear in paper.

Mail check to: Friends of the Homeless, P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329

Your Name Will Be Printed in Our Paper Every Month • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Donald Peterson The Cononie Family The Targett Family Patrick Helings John Bendor The Preston Family Jake Forest Lisa Gram The Jameson Family In Loving Memory of Uncle Joe & Nana Shannon Brooks Jose Rodrigues Lisa Cebrat The Bowe Family Pakita Price The Stone Family Nana Sullivan The Watsons Sean Cononie Sally Lister Judith Kelly Arnold Goldstein Martha Roman The Baptista Family The Whoa Family Jacob Robinson Julie Stokes De De Hupp John Criasia Daniel Harrison The Martinez Family Amanda Reynolds Dolores R. Cerra Bob Hall Tressie W. Osborne Clark Rogers The Savir Family Peter Richman Richard McHenry Stevie Nix Corinne James The Browns Chris Sanchez Hugo DeCarpintini Mario Yuio Richard Friedman Diane Friedman Uylna Quadrino Ginny Scott Arnold Reemer In Loving Memory of Peter Sullivan Maryann Springer Elaine Snaith Marshal Bugin Keith Yude Steve Murrey Young Anderson Bruce Wethersoon Isabelle J. Henry Raul Cardenas M.D. Wendy Bryan

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jacqueline McCarty Albert J Taragowski Darla King Paula King Richard Gomez Anthony Ralph Jennifer Hicky Timothy Lukehard Thomas Rua The Jackson Family Justin Rowan Mary Green Morris Grazi Marvin Shatze Ronald Shafer Vance Gunn Adam Staler Allen Yancy Jimmy Daniels Mel Blount Carol Lockette Joe Golden Anna Marye Levier Magan Narduzzi Andre Johnson Antione Collins Eric Harrison Jessica Padilla Sheldon Jones Carlo Harrison Jason Emrik Dan Gilcert Amber Rowan Jackie Johnson Ricky Cambell Dorr’e Terry Samual Manery Marilyn Vokish Jenny Curic Amy Curic Lisa Jackson Jim Johnson Bobby Neal Erica Fulton Darren Nolf Erica Sanclair Steve Dillan Dallan Michele King Bobby Ore Casandra Thomas Tara Hunter Mark Faber Nichole Faber Kevin Britt The Cable Family The Maione Family Barbara Strong Grace Marth Regla J Ferrer The Baldwin Family Horace Gracie Russell J. Ferguson Marjorie G. Rhines

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • •

Jamie F. Flores In Loving Memory Of Thomas Gasbarro Cathy and Kids The Davis Family Graham R. Mitchell Essential Oil Healthline Amparo L. Korey John’s Plumbing Service Thank You Winn Dixie Adrienne and Mike Ms. Marilyn Smith Albert J. Taragowski Ruth C Grey Mike Cross Tamara Southard Raul Cardenas MD PA Al and Annie Hurricane Prevention Inc Danny and George The Thompson Family OTD Messenger, Inc M. Smith Yorick and Bonita Parrica Lee Russ & Delores B Mordon Robert Jesus Llanes Comet Couriev Proietto Family In Memory of Billy Corwin Josh Searles Patricia Lee Russ Delores B Mordon Mrs. Jenkins Everglades Moon, Covenant of Goddess, Elibet Hanson Judy B. Pascarella John Gaeta Michael R. Prokop, Jr. Jackie M. McCarty In Memory of Charles Horton In Memory of William F. Judge Todd Palgon The Morabito Family Todd Palgon Holly J. Andrus Lois Cross

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • •

In Loving Memory of Florence & Nat Popkin Tailored Advertising, Inc Claudia K. Tapolow Margie Jones In memory of Wesley H. Woodall Maria M. Riveiro Gottlieb & Blair Family Pioneer Middle School Youth Crime Watch Rhenals-Mei Family The Strikowski family Margie Jones & Friends Ronald Prescia In Memory of Brian Groleau Laura Flash Jacqueline M. McCarty The Herrmann Family The Monserrate Family Madeline Butera Jennifer S. Nickel Marilyn R. Smith David Thawley On Behalf of Matthew Lambert Mustafa Mehmet Gokoglu In Memory of Scott Paul Cooper Robert and Ruth Baal In Memory of Melba DeSanto In Memory of My Mother Pearl McCann, Love Teresa Barbara Desanto Leah and Ray Michael & Michale Rhett Marie Sutera Floyd and Luana Coats Doug Boucher Family Kevin Jones Dorothy Griffith Family In Loving Memory of Kris Soltan Kevin “KJ” Jones YOUR NAME

HERE

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Volume 6, Issue 7

HOMELESS VOICE This month has not been a great month for the homeless. Our Volunteer Director is now in the hospital once again for his meningitis. We ask all of you to pray for his health and for God to give him the strength to finish what he has started here at the shelter. We are still working on getting our mortgage paid off so we will not have to fundraise any longer. So much effort attached with so little time does not make this easy. Thank you for all of your continued LETTERS TO THE EDITOR support.

SEND TO: -Mark Targett

P.O. BOX 292-577

DAVIE, FLORIDA 33329 FAX TO: 954-926-2022 EMAIL: info@homelessvoice.org ALL DONATION REQUESTS IN THE HOMELESS VOICE FOR ANY CHARITY ARE ADVERTISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS WORDING A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL R EGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES

BY CALLING TOLL-FREE IN THE STATE 1-800-435-7352 REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS

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The Voice of the Homeless

Page 4

HEALTH

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mpetigo is a skin infection that is generally caused by one of two bacteria: Group A streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. Impetigo usually affects preschool- and school-age children, especially in the summer months. A child may be more likely to develop impetigo if his skin has already been irritated or injured by other skin problems, such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, or skin allergy to soap or makeup.

When impetigo is caused by Group A streptococcus, it begins as tiny blisters. These blisters eventually burst to reveal small wet patches of red skin that may weep fluid. Gradually, a tan or yellowish-brown crust covers the affected area, making it look like it has been coated with honey or brown sugar.

Impetigo that is not caused

by Group A streptococcus is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This type of impetigo may cause larger fluid-containing blisters that first appear clear, then cloudy. These blisters are more likely to stay intact longer on the skin without bursting.

Signs and Symptoms Impetigo may affect skin anywhere on the body but commonly occurs in the area around the nose and mouth. Impetigo is characterized by blisters that may burst, ooze fluid, and develop a honey-colored crust.

Impetigo may itch, and it can be spread by scratching. The infection usually spreads along the edges of an affected area, but may also spread to other areas of the body.

Contagiousness Impetigo is contagious. Children can spread impetigo from one

area of the body to another when they touch themselves with fingers that have been in contact with scratched, infected skin. When someone has impetigo, the infection can spread to other household members on clothing, towels, and bed linens that have touched the person's infected skin. It can also be spread among playmates or classmates who come in contact with infected skin.

Treatment Impetigo is usually treated with antibiotic ointment. If the impetigo has spread to many areas of the body, or the ointment isn't working, your child's doctor may prescribe an antibiotic pill or liquid.

If your child's doctor has prescribed an oral antibiotic, make sure that your child takes it on schedule for the full number of days prescribed. If your child's doctor has ordered an antibiotic ointment, apply it as directed.

Gently wash areas of infected skin with clean gauze and antiseptic soap daily. If an area of skin is crusted, soak it first in warm soapy water to remove any layers of crust. It is not necessary to completely remove all of the crust but it is important to keep the area clean.

To keep your child from spreading impetigo to other parts of the body, cover infected areas of skin, if possible, with gauze and tape or a loose plastic bandage as instructed by your child's doctor or nurse. Keep your child's fingernails short.

Duration With antibiotic treatment, healing should begin within 2 to 3 days. A child with impetigo may return

“A child may be more likely to develop impetigo if his skin has already been irritated or injured by other skin problems, such as eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, or skin allergy to soap or makeup.�

to school when the infection is not contagious.

This usually is about 48 hours after treatment is started.

Prevention Good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, can help prevent impetigo. Use soap and water to clean your child's skin and be sure the child takes regular baths or showers. Pay special attention to areas of the skin that have been injured, such as cuts, scrapes, bug bites, areas of eczema, and rashes caused by allergic reactions or poison ivy. Keep these areas clean and covered.

If someone in your family already has impetigo, make sure that fingernails are cut short and that the impetigo sores are covered with gauze and tape.

Prevent impetigo infection from spreading to other family members by using antibacterial soap and making sure that each family member uses a separate towel. If necessary, substitute paper towels for cloth ones until the impetigo is gone. Separate the child's bed linens, towels, and clothing from those of other family members, and wash these items in hot water.

When to Call Your Child's Doctor Call your child's doctor if your child has signs of impetigo, especially if he has been exposed to a family member or classmate with the infection. If your child is already being treated for impetigo, call the doctor if your child's skin doesn't begin to heal after 3 days of treatment or if a fever

develops. If the affected area becomes red, warm, or tender to the touch, notify your child's doctor.

There are many diseases that people may get even when they live in a house that is clean. But this is one disease that has hit our Homeless People real hard. Too often, we see cases of Impetigo here at the shelter. People who live indoors and who have money can handle these little inconveniences very easy. However, our Homeless People have a real hard time dealing with it. In fact, when someone suffers from a case of Impetigo and is homeless it makes the chance of them getting a job nearly impossible. An employer will look at the hands of a person who may have a bad case of " Street Impetigo " and sees the sores on their hands and will not even consider giving a person a job because they are afraid of catching it. This is why communities must make sure that there are plenty of indigent healthcare services in areas heavily populated by the homeless. I hope you found this article interesting and remember not only are most people two paychecks away from becoming homeless but that there are many other reasons that keep a homeless person from being able to say " I am just two pay checks from putting a roof over my head" -WEB & COSAC Staff

SHOP ONLINE AT THE HOMELESS VOICE INTERNET MALL go to www.homelessvoicemall.com

Page 5

Volume 6, Issue 7

NATIONAL NEWS

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n 1989, Jamie Dale Goodine was married and had a baby daughter. Five years later he was homeless, sometimes sleeping in an empty garage or a Volvo station wagon.

Police say that Goodine, 43, was murdered, although they won't say how they determined he was killed. His body was found in a ditch early Monday near railroad tracks on U.S. 301.

While detectives are investigating his death, Sarasota Police spokesman Jay Frank would not comment.

Court records show that Goodine once had a family life.

A lawyer who handled his 1992 divorce remembers him as a typical client.

At the end of the divorce, Goodine was even awarded custody of his then 4-year-old daughter.

Goodine was given a year of probation after pleading no contest to a driving under the influence charge in 1996. The circumstances that led to his homelessness are unclear, and attempts to reach those who knew him were unsuccessful.

His last known address an arrest report.

Last year, he was was at a Clark Road apartment, from which he was evicted in charged criminally after an officer found him sleeping with two 2001, according to court records. others in a Volvo In “In the last two years, on 12th Street. the last two years, Goodine was arrested There has been a warrant for Goodine twice under the city's noGoodine's arrest was arsince May, when rested camping law,…” he failed to set up twice una clerk's office der the city's no-camping law, which was plan to pay court costs.

Sarasota later declared unconstitutional. In

by Mike Saewitz 2003, officers found him and a few others sleeping in a garage on Orange Avenue, according to

I

n that short time, Perry went from sleeping in plans to helm his next film himself.

Tyler Perry dresses in grandma-drag in Perry obviously likes to shake up the his car to being a major mogul in black enter"Diary of a Mad tainment. He's written and starred in seven moods in his stories. At times, "Mad Black Black Woman." stage shows that have sold out repeatedly nation- Woman" is a dark, painful story of a marriage (PHOTO: GANNETT NEWS SERVICE) wide to the tune of $75 million — in black com- gone bad, even approaching the abuse of "Sleeping with the Enemy." A few munities. Audiences are espeHe went from being scenes later, Madea is adding slapcially drawn to his most humor in the vein of Martin popular character, a pistolhomeless to the owner stick Lawrence's "Big Momma's House." packin' mama that he plays What makes Perry think he can himself. of a breathtaking challenge audiences that way?

For the uninitiated, her name's Madea, a South- mansion outside Atlanta "I've been doing this for years in front of real audiences. I've been stuff is from my life. My truth is to stay true to the ern contraction of "Mother in just six years. hearing the sighs and oohs when calling."

Dear" and is usually the con...That's the Oh, about that mansion in the Atlanta things become painful, and know science — and comedy — at suburbs: If you see "Diary of a Mad Black it's time for hysterical humor.

I'm the center of his stories.

Tyler Perry story. happy with the marriage of styles. Woman," note the immense estate that's home for Now Perry, 35, is the battling couple at the center of the story. experiencing the latest step in his success story, It's a blend that works."

In real life, that's Perry's home.

Perry also is aware that while he's a star the debut of the feature film, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," adapted by him from one of his among many blacks, he's virtually unknown Published in the Asbury Park Press

By JACK GARNER plays. Madea (Perry dressed in grandma-drag) is among white audiences.

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE "I think the film will help. Having a one of three characters Perry plays in the film.

Perry credits his Christian faith "totally," broader appeal would be great. But my stories are and, indeed, faith is part of the Tyler entertainment my stories. African Americans relate to them. This package. Some have called his shows "gospel plays," and it's not just coincidence that "Mad Black Woman" reaches its finale in church.

Perry believed he would succeed.

"If I worked hard and put everything into what I did and kept the faith. In this life, seasons change. I just had to wait for a better season to come along."

Early struggles A native of New Orleans and the victim of an abusive childhood, Perry eventually reconciled his bad memories with a series of letters that he wrote to himself. They became the core of his first play, a musical called "I Know I've Been Changed."

He moved to Atlanta and began a sixyear odyssey to attract people to stage the play or to buy tickets to see it. Broke and on the verge of quitting, Perry staged the play "one last time" at Atlanta's House of Blues — and the show sold out eight times in succession.

He moved it to Atlanta's larger and more prestigious Fox Theatre and it continued to be a smash hit. Six other plays followed, leading to his feature-film debut as a producer and writer, and a co-star with Kimberly Elise, who also starred in We are looking for churches and/or other "Woman Thou Art Loosed," (Perry rewrote the organizations to get involved by original stage play based on the novel by T.D. Jakes). Steve Harris ("The Practice"), Cicely Tystarting penny drives at your location. son ("Because of Winn-Dixie") and Shemar Call 954-924-3571 Moore ("The Young and the Restless") also star in "Mad Black Woman."

Perry also intended to direct the film, but found himself over his head, technically.

"The only reason I didn't direct was that I didn't know enough," he says. But he went to school on first-time director Darren Grant and

All it takes is One

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 6

NEW LIFESTYLES

C

For Christine Jordan this statement was one that really hit home.

provided no answers to what was wrong with her.

Her hristine had held down a management position at a well known drug store for 19 years. She Depressed and daughter was then in a very serious had a good relationship with her two brothers, two sisdistraught, car accident to ters, and her mother. Even though she divorced from she has her husband when her daughter was 4 and he wasn’t Christine’s own which fully recovered, around, she had a very good relationship with her daughter. She retired from her job and continued to pay her health began to but with it even more doctors’ monthly rent and live life like anyone else. fail her. bills.

When her mother went to the hospital for a Her boysimple procedure involving her gall bladder, the family thought nothing of it. She was supposed to be released the following day. friend of 5 years left After the procedure her mother didn’t feel right and the doctors realized she and took her dog. She had hernia. Her mother was a diabetic and Christine believes that maybe her was then finally evicted from her home in Plantation. That was in July.

Since then she has been the head housekeeper here at the shelter. sugar levels weren’t monitored as they should have been. Tragically, ChrisChristine would have never thought she would be here that long, but now tine’s mother died the night before she was to be picked up.

Claiming neglect and possible malpractice, Christine spent a lot of considers the people like an extended family. She is currently training to time and money between 6 different lawyers trying to get a lawsuit. She was work in case management.

Her answers about her mom have sadly never come, but she mainmainly concerned about how her mother died, and wanted some answers for closure. Due to her age and relationship to her mother, legally she didn’t have tains a good communicative relationship with her daughter. She eventually hopes to get her own place, but wants to continue working for the shelter. “I a case.

Depressed and distraught, Christine’s own health began to fail her. love helping people.”

-Sara Targett She began having seizures and panic attacks. Testing and various doctors

R

enata Rodriguez is not a typical homeless person.

About nine years ago she had been living with her husband and four children in Pompano Beach.

She worked at several different jobs enjoying her career as an estheti-

cian… until she began hearing voices. These voices in her head would tell her about the horrible things they had done, insult her and try to convince her to end her life.

At first she ignored them, but then she started to follow them. Her hus-

band left her and Renata decided to move in with her mother who lived in NC. There Renata went to two different institutions where doctors diagnosed her with schizophrenia.

She was given monthly injections and once on her medication she was Doll Enterprises as a Petra Fashion able to fully function again.

She attended school in NC Consultant. Renata recently held a and became a nurse. She also was a lingerie party for Petra at the shelter. counter manager for Clinique. After She had great feedback and has been working hard towards suca year at her mom’s Renata cess. was able to move into her Renata is also own place. She stayed in “She attended NC for about eight years. school in NC possibly thinking about going back to school to At that time, about a year ago, her ex-husband quit and became a become a cosmetologist.

She is working towards his job and the child supnurse.” getting her own place and port stopped. Renata decided to return to Florida and look sending for her children, whom she keeps in connect with through letfor work.

With not much money to ters. Her goals are to be financially her name, she ended up at the shel- secure, have a well meaning career, ter. With a little help she now re- and get her children. She hasn’t ceives SSI and SSD checks. She dated in a year but eventually would started working as a housekeeper at love to find someone. Renata has the shelter for about four or five had a very good experience at the months. By that time she had put shelter so far. She says it may be a together a resume and through Work little crowed but everyone is Force One, she became an Avon friendly. “It’s a good place to start, representative. She is currently sell- get on your feet, and move on.”

-Sara Targett ing Avon products and is trying to establish an income through Satin

My Computer People, Inc (954) 563-1601 Repairs • Upgrades • Service Networking • Printer Repair

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Page 7

Volume 6, Issue 7

NEW LIFESTYLES

(Continued from page 1)

most young children these days.

He knows this because everyday little Lily the angel (who will be 2 in August) wakes up and positions her Dora the Explorer lounge chair in front of the TV and screams DORA, DORA and then daddy Mark or mommy Sara run to turn the TV on to bring Dora to life.

Thinking about the joy Dora would bring to the children by visiting the shelter, Sean went on a frantic search to find her. It was actually quite comical to watch Sean trying to find Dora. Then the confusion and pain suddenly came upon him, some effects of his meningitis and he stopped looking for Dora.

At first we were not sure what to do but then Joyce came to the rescue and found her within minutes.

We were all relieved to know Dora would be here in a matter of hours.

The hours passed quickly, as they always do here at the shelter, everything was going fine, the minutes were closing in on Dora’s arrival and excitement filled the air as we awaited Dora’s appearance. Then it happened, we received a call that Dora was lost. For those who don’t know Dora, well she is an Explorer and is notorious for the Map she carries in her Back pack.

So Sean being the comedian that he is asked Dora if she misplaced the Map she carries in her Back pack. She answered him saying Swiper; (a little character on her show who is known for swiping everything) stole it. They chuckled, went over the directions and Dora was on her way again. Finally, Dora showed up. Sean’s voice came over the public address system announcing that Dora the Explorer had become homeless after the TV station did not pay her and that Dora was now at our doorstep. So Dora the Explorer now became Dora the Homeless Explorer. One of the kids came up to Lois and said Dora is just like us, she’s homeless now.

While another one said, maybe she can go out to look for a job with my mommy.

Then one of the little ones went over to Dora and asked her if she was going to go out tomorrow to sell the Homeless Voice newspaper.

The kids were ecstatic playing and dancing with Dora. Not too long of a time passed before Sean’s granddaughters arrived.

Little Autumn, who was born just this past December wasn’t fully aware what was happening but sensed something was up because she was smiling and cooing.

Lily, on the other hand, who had just woken up from a nap in the car and was in the midst of rubbing the slumber from her eyes looked a bit confused about seeing Dora. It appeared as though Lily was wondering how Dora came out of the TV and was standing in front of her.

A few minutes later we saw Lily go up to Dora and she gave her a great big hug and just wouldn’t let go.

Then something humorous happened, Lois asked Dora if she knew Lily’s Dora the Explorer toothbrush story and Dora mutely shook her head

“Then it happened, we received a call that Dora was lost!”

and Lois really believed Dora knew that Lily was not allowed to watch Dora one day because Mark and Sara wanted to help Lily learn a new life skill about routines. So Lily was not permitted to watch Dora the Explorer that day. Well this didn't go over very well with Lily and she became so angry that she went into the bathroom, got her Dora toothbrush, took it back to the living room and threw the toothbrush at the TV, and let me repeat she's not even 2 years old! After a few minutes of Lois watching Dora silently answer questions by nodding (the role children’s characters take in public so children won’t hear their

voices) she realized Dora didn’t really know Lily’s Dora the Explorer toothbrush story and was just playing her part.

As things died down, we received a message that the TV station called and they were going to start paying Dora again, so now she’s no longer Dora the Homeless Explorer. Everyone clapped, the kids said their farewells to Dora and she happily went back off to TV land again.

Rumor has it that she may be back soon with her new found friend Elmo, from another TV show, so we’ll keep you posted!

-Staff Reporter

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 8

COSAC

(Continued from page 1)

educate a homeowner about the proper protection for their home.

So, if you have a system that has motion sensors stop what you’re doing and go look right now to see if there are motion sensors in the rooms where your children sleep.

After all, we want to protect those little ones from any danger. Especially with the threats we face today from sex offenders or others breaking into our homes.

Now ask yourself, Are there extra levels of protection in your children’s rooms that will activate an alarm if someone enters their room without permission, such as through an exterior door or window? Is there any possibility that a bad guy can enter your home through a bathroom window and then enter your child’s room?

Look at the case of little Jessica just a few months ago, could it be possible that her tragic death may have been prevented if a device was installed in her room? There are some devices that really work great and cost under $10.00.

If you have motion sensors, do you keep them on when you’re at home? Will your system allow you to have motions devices on, in your child’s room

or other rooms your child spends time in (like a playroom) when you’re in another room of your house? Do you have motion sensors lights that go on when someone is near you windows or doors? If not, there are other ways to secure these areas quite simply. Then call your alarm company and say these words, “I want an alarm to sound if someone tries to come in my child’s room when we are home, when we are sleeping and when we are not at home”. See what the cost is. From what I know, in most cases it will cost about $150.00 for each extra level of protection.

Then schedule all new equipment for a one day installation. That way you will avoid several service call tickets from being rung up.

I would also recommend that you get an independent system, which is usually one little electronic part that costs under $20.00 and operates separate and independent of any other system.

This means that it is one item that you can use for every window and every room. Let’s face it; you can never be sure if the alarm company salesperson or installer is a bad guy. Yes, it is true alarm companies must run background

checks on people they hire. Yet ried about him.

Having your home conin some parts of the country a person may have no criminal figured in a way that does not background to install an alarm invite crime is the best protection but the salesperson may have a you can have. And if you want to learn more about record as long as the leader of an “Remember a child even preventing crime organized crime at 18 months can sense you can contact your local police outfit.

Think something bad.” department for about it, what if information, a he knows your systems weak and strong parts? flyer or website for tips. Many He can call in an “installer code” police departments have crime that can be used to enter your prevention departments that will home without activating or trip- come out to your house and give ping your alarm, and then what? it a security test.

Most importantly, please Let us remember that a person can’t drive without a driver’s li- keep your little ones safe from cense, but how many do it any- any harm. Did you know that way? The same is true for crimi- 57% of all child abductions are opportunity crime? This means a nals; many never get caught.

Another way to protect bad guy didn’t go out with the intension to abyour home is to go duct a child he to Radio Shack and simply found it get your own syswas an opportem; this will cost tune time to do you about $300.00. it. Even outside This system does your home a not work in conchild needs to be junction with your watched carealarm company sysfully. For intem and is constance, a bad trolled only by you. guy is driving by You can purchase portable motion sensors for about and sees your little one outside $25.00 per room that will sound with no one around looking after if there is any motion in a room. him/her. Even though dad is in It is usually a loud piercing sound the backyard mowing the lawn that will activate or deactivate by and trying to keep an eye on let’s entering a code. Yes, a bad guy say, little Johnny. The bad guy can destroy it by smashing it. But notices daddy mowing in the the trick is he first has to find it. backyard, so he knows he’s has a So hide it inconspicuously. That chance and little Johnny may beway he will not see it. The other come a target. Don’t give the bad thing is that not all of these sys- guy any opportunity to do a dirty tems have loud piercing sounds. deed just eliminate the possibility If yours can not be heard well, it is your best defense. Another you may want to install a baby important piece of information to monitor and put the receivers in know about sex offenders is other rooms as well. That way if where they live in your commuthe alarm sounds it will be trans- nity. You can go to your state sex mitted via the baby monitor and offender website to get not only information but also updates on you will hear it.

Another thing is not to let where sex offenders are residing your regular alarm installer know in your community. Some nathat you have installed the extra tional websites will send you an equipment if they come to service email update when sex offenders your alarm; don’t let them see it. move into your zip code: they are Don’t tell them what kind it is, or quite transient because they are where it is installed. It’s really often harassed by neighbors so not a hassle because they are very they move on often. Please resmall and easy to remove. But if member to also check surroundthe installer happens to see them, ing zip codes, not just the one then it would be wise to say, “I you live in for sex offenders, as installed a portable system when an added safety measure.

If you see a known sex I want some extra safety”. Tell them, sometimes bad guys know offender in your community do how to break into expensive sys- not treat them badly because you tems so I put a smaller version in may aggravate them greatly. If that works, just as good and I can it’s just one more time that the activate or deactivate when I offender commits a crime it just want”. Or you can outright lie may be your child he commits it and say, “I have a weird cousin against. Why cause any problems that is a sex offender and he used by being rude to them? They to install alarms so I put it up for have the right to walk the same him”. Whatever you say, do not streets as you and me. However, let the installer think you are wor- you can monitor them secretly.

SHOP ONLINE AT THE HOMELESS VOICE INTERNET MALL go to www.homelessvoicemall.com

Page 9

Volume 6, Issue 7

NATIONAL NEWS

(Continued from page 8)

Start a neighborhood crime watch list, pick up the phone and communicate with your neighbors.

It’s easy to do if others cooperate.

Some people work in the day and others work at night so you can have someone monitoring your neighborhood at all times. If a sex offender is walking through the neighborhood your telephone chain can begin. One neighbor can call the next neighbor and then that one can make a call to the next one until everyone knows he’s in the vicinity.

You can also post pictures up in your home of area sex offenders and even post the type of car they drive. Don’t be afraid to post pictures and show them to children. Teach then to run and scream really loud if they see one on the street or while they are in a store. Don’t withhold information about sex offenders from your children because that information may save their life. There are many good websites you can visit for information about age appropriateness and sex offender information. Remember even very young children can sense danger!

Now that I have told you about strangers who abduct children or commit sex crimes on them, let me tell you about the most likely candidates to hurt your child are. It is someone who you know. Like a, father, son, relative, coach or baby sitter.

This is unfortunate but true.

Don’t think it takes hours to molest a child because it can happen in a just a few minutes. Teach your children the bare facts about what is acceptable and what is not acceptable as far as people holding, touching and loving them.

If your child goes to day care question them about what games they play. Ask them if

your most precious commodity anybody told them to keep a se- not home or will be home late.

For every problem that and nothing can replace their cret or this or that particular secan happen there is a solu- loss, so spend some time today cret from mommy or “These systems that tion. But we often fail to without any delay and protect daddy. These alert you are about take the time to figure out your children from any dangers.

-Sean Cononie are easy ways $20.00 a year.” solutions before those problems may arise. Teachto determine that something may be wrong. If ing children about the defenses you get a gut feel or have any they can use is the best plan any doubt change day care, or school parent can have. Your child is or teachers. If you hire a babysitter put up a hidden camera or a nanny cam. A nanny cam is a toy (usually a stuffed animal) with a small camera installed in it.

They are as inexpensive as $50.00, so don’t let price scare you from protecting your child from any danger that may harm them for the rest of their life.

Have your child always take the same path to and from school and their friend’s house. Make sure they call when they arrive or leave a home they are visiting or have visited. If you do this you can monitor the time and know when to start looking for them. It is better to be known as an over protective parent then to live with the fact that your child is missing or even worse, dead. Tell your kids to stay away from cars that pull up beside them.

Teach them about the cons predators use to abduct kids.

Also monitor the websites that your kids visit to make sure they are using ones that are exclusively for children.

If you work install an additional telephone line in your home and give your child a cell phone, so you will be able to contact them if they are home alone or out visiting a friend. If One Time Fee Setup. they are at home and answer the No Monthly Charges. phone tell them not to say their Access Your Own Desktop With Your parent or parents are at work, are

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The number of transitional housing units increased overall by an average of 13 percent across the survey cities during the last year. Forty-four of the cities registered an increase in transitional housing units: Charleston, Trenton, Nashville, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Kansas City, San Antonio, Louisville Metro, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Providence.

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 10

COSAC

A

lot of great things are happening here at the agency. We are trying real hard to get our mortgage paid off so we can finally build the “Hall of Fame Wall” for our supporters.

As some of you remember we are going to be placing supporter’s names on this wall. Once the mortgage is paid off we will start to make that wall that will list the names of you the supporters. You really have no idea how many of these names are from poor people, little kids, and even our homeless who once they leave here send back a check to help us reach our goals. Not only are we expanding we are in the process of developing a very large outreach team. We also are expanding our paper in Northern Florida in the Jacksonville and Orlando area.

We feel that many homeless people will be able to pull their resources together and get off the streets by selling our paper in the North. Eventually we will expand to a small emergency shelter in the North part of the state.

Times may be exciting however it is very hard to continue our plans with Sean only coming in to make sure we are ok. I say the word coming in, which is not the truth; Sean decided to stay here at the shelter while he is out sick. He does not want to be a couch potato; he tries real hard but soon must rest because his memory is not that good.

He gets up and tries to start his day off by attempting to do some type of work but soon is reminded ( in a cute way so he is not offended) that he is making more mistakes causing a little bit more work for us. That is ok with us because we are trying to get his mind working at 100 percent. You should see him when

he forgets the names of his brand new grand kids Lily and Autumn. He gets so mad and typically punishes himself while he is calling out several names of the kids before he gets it right.

Some of you may not know but Sean almost died last year from a serious attack which should have ended his life from Bacterial Meningitis. Most people who get bacterial meningitis die within a few hours if untreated, however in his case he was sick for two whole days with a blood count of 141,000 and a fever of 107 because a doctor misdiagnosed him with the flu. The simple fact that he should have been dead is a miracle he is alive. He does have some problems because when one is untreated or delayed treatment they normally have some left over side effects.

To him, just being alive is a gift from God so he says to himself or usually reminds himself by making fun of his own disabilities to make light of the situation. I guess it helps with his depression. This should have not happened to him because he did go to the doctors but the doctor for a whole two days kept on telling him he had the flu and go home and rest and stop being a baby. Sean had all the classic signs of meningitis but the doctor missed them. A few hours after his last visit to the doctor, Sean was on life support in critical care and we at the shelter were in a total shock because without him we were scared because he has been the meat and potatoes of this place.

Mark the person who makes this paper and who has been at Sean’s side for eight years since he was a teenager remembered the golden rules Sean told him.

One day when Sean and Mark

Once the mortgage is paid off we will start to make that wall that will list the names of you the supporters.

Get your yearly subscription for the Homeless Voice. Call 954-410-6275 or fill out form on page 3 were looking at the people going to the food line and talked about how it was in the very beginning and Mark said he could not believe how much this place grew, Sean told Mark that he needed to sit down and learn some things if something should ever happen to him. Sean told Mark that this place was too important and that is should always exist no matter what. The rules were simple minded but in reality they were like a buried treasure right out of a movie so planet Earth could continue to exist. To us here at the shelter, Cosac is planet Earth. The first rule was that every person in the world deserved a place to call home and when someone is rejected by other shelters we tell them this is their home for now. Sean said to Mark, “when your nerves tell you not to take someone, when your stress tells you not to take this person, when you feel that we can’t help this person, go out of your way and let them in with a smile on your face.” Then planet Earth became reality and Sean shared the trick to existence, he looked at Mark and said, “Bring in more money than you spend so this place will never close and this way you have it for unexpected emergencies.” The third rule Mark already knew, if God wants this place to be open, it shall be open.

Lois went to be with Sean and

his parents and to see if Sean wanted an emergency policy to be made while he was very sick. (After all he is our Commander and Chief. We take that very seriously, this is a whole different world and without it being ran correctly this world could collapse in a matter of days.)

Lois had to become Sean and be a Sean that was ready for any city that wanted to remove the Voice from its streets. When Sean woke up from his coma he gave her detailed instructions in case some of the people who wanted the Voice off the street would attack us. If they knew Sean was that sick it would have been a good time for them to try to pass laws.

Without Sean calling press conferences and getting national people involved and a large staff of attorneys at his side it would have been real hard to survive.

We did not want everything to hit us at once while he was incapacitated. So Lois became the Commander in Chief and then there was Ginny who kept planet Earth open for business and didn’t forget a trick. We kept it going and he was surely proud at the outcome.

That was then and this is now and it has been very difficult for us to operate because of the economy but we are holding on. When we go to Sean and

(Continued on page 11)

SHOP ONLINE AT THE HOMELESS VOICE INTERNET MALL go to www.homelessvoicemall.com

Page 11

Volume 6, Issue 7

NATIONAL NEWS

together while it was touch and go with Sean. Since then we have been trying real hard to hold everything together. At times it is easy, which means we can take a little rest for a few hours and at other times the staff, (mostly all formerly homeless people) try their best to bring in the funds needed to keep these doors open. We have some terminology here, we have two time periods, pre meningitis and post meningitis and that is how we explain to Sean when he gets a little confused. By no way am I saying Sean is a vegetable, it is just hard with his memory, his motor skills, his eyes, sometimes he is altogether and you would not notice a change and then there are times that you can tell he has been through a very hard time. He rests most of the day in his office in the hospital bed, and lately it has gotten a little worse with his headaches and memory so he watches a lot of TV to keep his mind working. With the pre meningitis and the post meningitis terminology we really want to pay off this mortgage so we can tell Sean that we here at planet Earth developed two new terms.

HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE Pre mortgage and We need just post mortgage.

35,925 people to send in a check for $20.00, This would be a great gift to Or Sean.

14,370 people to send in a check for $50.00, There are so many things he Or wants us to de7,185 people to send in a check for $100.00, velop, all kinds of new programs Or and agencies to 719 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or make the world a Just one wonderful person or business to send better place. He lives on his own a check for the entire $718,5000 terms that he Remember the donation is tax deductible!! wished all people would live by; Please send your checks to: how we all can The COSAC Building Fund make the world a better place.

P.O. Box 292-577 How can we stop Davie, Florida 33329 the suffering if innocent children We do thank you

(Continued from page 10)

ask him a question, he now says, his brain is tired and that is a good thing that someone like you is here to run this place. He now is letting us make the decision we need to, to run this place we call planet Earth.

Sean also suffers from double vision which can become fun for all of us here at the shelter. Sometimes he comes up with some major jokes so we all can laugh. To him he does not know it is a joke but to us we find it very funny. One day we took a family in with mom and dad and they had six kids.

Sean saw the family and said, what are we going to do with this family of 12 kids? We never told him the family only had six kids. But after reading this article he sure will find out that that family only had six little children.

When Sean got sick we thought that this was the end of the agency, however many prayers came in, little notes and get well cards came in from the public and because of those prayers we the staff held our planet Earth

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How’s My Vending?

Call (954)

925-6466 X101

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Most Americans are “Two Paychecks” away from being homeless. Help the shelter stay alive.

We are trying to pay the mortgage off! To help, please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation Burn That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329

die because they can’t have access to food, water and medicine?

We would love to do more and create such an agency that can spread the word of making this Earth, your Earth a better place and when we make this Earth a better place our little planet Earth will be more secure. Please help us change to the term post mortgage. It is not difficult; see, we only owe a little money. Please go to your churches and ask them to support us. Do you know that there are many people who do not even know that this shelter exists, there are still rumors that this place is not real and that all the money goes to a bunch of people who don’t take care of the homeless? Before you give,

come see where your money goes, this place is open for any person coming in to see what exactly we do and we do it like nobody else. Investigate before you give.

-Sara Targett

W

ell, when this article was written we had certain plans. However, Sean is bored while out sick and asked the staff to create and create more and more agencies to handle problems. He said, the shelter is too small and it's time we moved to a bigger place. He said, “Something that not only can handle the homeless but something that can be a resource center for disasters so we can serve the public in a matter of minutes if a disaster strikes. Something safe, something strong, something that can put out 5000 meals three times a day, something that is practical, something that can be used for other projects when disasters are not present. " We looked at him as if he was nuts because we are running everywhere trying to fill in his shoes. He thought a little bit more and then said, “Something that could provide learning labs for kids who cant afford computers, a place where parents can bring their kids to learn how to fight off an abduction, a place that can sign people up for food stamps, a place that will give poor people the right to learn skills and to certify them to work in a kitchen through a vocational training program, a place where poor parents can learn CPR so they too can save their children if they are drowning or choking or have a sudden heart attack, a place that will teach people how to start their own not for profits so they too can help change the world, a place that might even teach a poor child how to swim”. He said, “COSAC CARES and that is what we will name the new complex”. He said, “We will need millions”. We said, “We can’t service what we have now”. He said, “It is one thing to help the homeless but there needs to be awareness and prevention services so more people don't become homeless as well”.

As he went back to his bed, where he spends most of his time since the meningitis he said, “Don’t worry, if God wants the place I just talked about to exist, it shall. We are here to make the world a better place and after we put something like this together we will go to every community and show them how to make these programs run too, with their own skills, their own support, and their own self sufficiency. This world is really the pits because there is so much heartache. Just look at all the abductions of kids and the way these killings are devastating so many parents. Kids are dying because they simply don’t have food to eat. We are going to go on a mission to teach what we have learned throughout the years to others and then they too will have a way to give something back to humankind”. This is his dream!

-Cathy Freites

We Need RV's and boats. They will be used to provide social services during an emergency for COSAC's disaster relief services.

965-920-1277

Why are we being so careful to try for this year only?

‘Cause my friends, we are running our of room. The Inn is full and has been for the longest time! We need to buy an additional, smaller complex.. SO...once we pay off the current mortgage we can expand. If you are a church you can do one special collection to send in your $1000. If you are a student .. have your school do a penny drive. If you are a big business or small business take up a collection and send in your $1000. We only need those 719 groups of people to do this. I, Sean Cononie, hereby give you permission to do your own fundraising plan to help us pay off this mortgage. Please do not get involved unless you come here and see what you are helping. I am confident that once you see what we do you will, with all your heart, help the people with our shelter. I say the word "our " because this place is not mine, it is the community’s. Thanks

WE’VE MADE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION COME JOIN US We want to pay off this mortgage this year and as a team we can do it We only need 719 people, organizations and institutions to each send in their 1000.00. We have the ability to pay off this building.

Mail your check to: Cosac Foundation Burn that Mortgage Fund!!

P.O. Box 292577 Davie, Florida 33329 Phone: 954-924-3571

The Homeless Voice sells approx 80,000 papers per month.

This month we ask you, our supporters to send in $10. If everyone participates that normally purchases a paper; we will be able to pay the mortgage off this month. Please if you can find it in your heart to help us in our endeavor.

Please send a check or money order to: COSAC Foundation BURN That Mortgage Campaign P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329