Homeless Voice; Cathy

Bike-riding boys beat and stab homeless man in Fort Lauderdale

“Esterina it’s so good to see you”… it was her! And she looked so different! So different. She was older, calmer, wiser, and far more beautiful than I ever remembered her.

Esterina & Cathy

Earliest Memory of My Mom

T

he earliest memory I have of my mother dates back to when I was three or four years old. I could not have been any older because the memory I have is in a home that we moved out of

when I was four. I remember waking up early one morning, and from my bedroom I heard my parents fighting in the kitchen. I heard a plate crack, more screaming, and then my father slamming the door on his way out to where I assume was work. Then I heard the sobs.

I waited until I was sure that my father was not coming back in the house, and made my way to the kitchen.

Evidence of the argument was left behind by glass on the floor, eggs splattered on the wall, and the kitchen sink running.

My mother was sitting on the floor against the left leg of the table with her head in her lap, crying loudly.

She did not hear me come in. While I can not recall the exact words that were exchanged, I remember the gist of the conversation. I asked her

what was wrong, and she told me she couldn’t stand my father. I asked her why she did not leave him (I had no concept of marriage or divorce), and she said that she never finished school and would not be able to take care of us kids on her own. I remember from that moment on I made a vow to myself to finish school and have the ability to (Continued on page 12)

Homeless Voice Prayer List

• Daysmieo • Cathy • Sage • Tommy To add a name to the list call 954 954--410 410--6275 No monetary donations needed Names will be listed in paper for 6 months

How’s My Vending?

Call (954)

925-6466 X101

L

ady was my "puppy" who was actually sixteen and a half years old. I had her for twelve and a half of those years...she came from a "free to a good home" ad in the newspaper and was filling the hole in my husband's heart after another and last of our dogs had been put to sleep.

During the past 5 years Lady filled in the holes in a lot of hearts here at the shelter. She brought out love that you would never suspect even existed in a person. She brought

FORT LAUDERDALE * A group of boys attacked a homeless man who was sitting on a bench at Esplanade Park Wednesday night, inflicting serious injuries, police said.

William Peters, 44, was stabbed several times, but he was so bloody that investigators couldn't immediately tell the extent of his injuries, said Detective Katherine Collins, police spokeswoman.

The attack happened about 9:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Southwest Second Street. Peters told officers he was reading a book when four boys on bicycles punched him in the face. One of the youths cut him on the head with a knife. When Peters ran, the boys chased him and he was stabbed in the upper back.

Peters was listed in fair condition at Broward General Medical Center, Collins said.

Esplanade Park was the scene of a fatal homeless beating on Jan. 12 that shocked the country. Norris Gaynor, 45, was beaten by three teens who police said attacked two other homeless men that same night. Gaynor died at Broward General Medical Center.

Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

During the past 5 years Lady filled in the holes in a lot of hearts here at the shelter. people out of their shells and calmed others' frustrations and anger. People who distanced themselves from everyone else would put out their hand even if only to touch her as she went by.

Her gentleness even calmed a couple of guys who were deathly afraid of dogs into

Rain Season is HERE! If you do not see your normal vendor this month because of rain, make your donation online at www.homelessvoice.org

(Continued on page 6)

Sean Cononie National Homeless Hate Crimes Investigator/Advocate stated that there has been an increase in crimes targeting homeless people based on hate. As soon as Cononie got the news he contacted Mr. Stoops of the National Coalition for the Homeless. Mr. Stoops keeps all the data on hate crimes towards the homeless for the whole country. This report is a national report. This National Report is then taken to many communities so efforts will be made to have states make crimes towards the homeless based on hate, a very (Continued on page 10)

The Homeless Shelter Needs Computers for Classes.

Call 954410-6275

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 2

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

Mail check to: Friends of the Homeless P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 Please include on memo what

• • • • • • • • • •

name should appear in paper.

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

The Cononie Family The Targett Family Patrick Helings John Bendor The Preston Family In Loving Memory of Uncle Joe & Nana Shannon Brooks Lisa Cebrat Pakita Price Nana Sullivan The Watsons Sean Cononie Sally Lister Judith Kelly Arnold Goldstein Martha Roman The Baptista Family 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 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 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 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 Douglas Boucher The Swartout's Ivonne Fernandez The Verny & Stewart Families In Loving Memory of Frances Klein The Herrmann Family John C. Burt Albert Taragowski Renato & Malika Vasconez In Memory of C.T.R. Adriana Fernandez Andrea Brown The Kunicki Family Thank you so much, Sean & Lois, for all your help.

–Joan Futscher & Kids McAvoy Family The Geise Family Richard & Margaret Martin Kenny Angela Adriana N. Quila Elizabeth P. Sublett Barbara Robinson Mark E. Johnson Adrienne and Mike Julio A. Izquierdo Ann M. Hamilton Nicole Lee Nelson Anthony Rhodes Susan P Brady Christine M Wilson K.J. Williams Renato and Malika Vasconez Christine McAuliffe In Memory of Chief George J. Hodges Real Breakthrough Solutions Hartford Property Connection, Inc. In Loving Memory of Donald Fraser In Loving Memory of Rex Lichtenberger In Loving Memory of Jose A. Estruch, Jr. Ronald & Cathy Walker Real Breakthrough Solutions Ms. Evelyn Salerno Nicole Lee Nelson Al & Barbara Liebmann YOUR NAME HERE

In Memory of Melba DeSanto

Did you know?

• You can set up payroll deduction through your employer to support the COSAC Foundation’s Homeless Voice • Your company might even match your donation • See your human resource or department manager

Page 3

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESS VOICE Dear Cathy, I cherish our Monday’s. (Every Monday, no matter what I would talk to Cathy… )You saw me at the worst of times and at the best of times. Never judgmental.

Just there. I love you and thank you.

-Love Mark LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND TO:

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 REGISTRATION 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 ENDORSEM ENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS

H OME LESS

V O IC E

Cost of paper $.25

To reach us call

954-925-6466

HOMELESS HOTLINE FOR PLACEMENT

954-491-BEDS

Need flyers passed out or other temp labor?

CALL 954-920-1277

WHY CA LL A DAY LABOR C OMPA NY AN D S P EN D LAR GE AMOUN TS OF MO NEY

Rates Start at $5.95 per hour Yards, leaf raking, painting, flyers pass ed out, car was hed and etc.

Call our c ontrac tor referral line Call us and we will get you the pers on to do the job muc h les s than calling someone else

Only $5.95 per hour

M ai l to : H o m e les s V oic e P O B ox 2 92 5 7 7 D a v ie , F l 33 32 9

Go To

C u t t h e c e rti fic a te a n d se n d it w ith a c h ec k o r m o n e y o r d e r f or $50 $2 4 NAME

A DDR E SS

24 Issues

We Need Mobile Homes for Our Disaster Relief Program: Call the shelter 954-925-6466

On our home page, click on sponsors, then go to affiliates.

F LO R ID A A UTO IN SU R AN C E IN C .

6 7 4 0 T A F T S T R E E T, H O L L Y W O O D

F RE E T A G R E N EW A L SER V IC E FEE W ITH W R I T TE N P O L I C Y

L OC A TE D A C R OS S F R O M W IN N -D I XIE O N T AF T S T R E E T

W E H AV E M AN Y TYPES OF IN SU R A N CE FO R A L L Y O U R N EED S

9 5 4 -9 6 3 -7 3 3 3

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 4

HOMELESSVOICE

ADVANTAGE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. • • •

ACI supports the Homeless Voice and the Cosac Foundation in raising awareness and providing solutions to homelessness in our neighborhoods.

ACI knows that lending aid to human beings in need is good for our souls, our communities and is simply the right thing to do.

ACI would like to thank all people who are actively engaged in helping humanity here on the blue planet.

God bless the Cosac Foundation Commercial, Industrial, & Government 2-way Radio www.advantage-com.com

Mark Lavallee, President 954-961-2642

Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right?

When can I see him?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"

The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the University."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it af-

Excellence in Radio

ter I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said: "Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day.

Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a (Continued on page 15)

How your credit score can effect your insurance premium

A

s our readers learned last month about how to save with your electric cost we wanted today to present some reason why your own car insurance may be very high. The Homeless Voices’ main focus is helping people who become homeless but any homeless agency should devote time, money, and energy helping people to not become homeless. How do we do that?

Well we give you little tips on how to save money on things we consume every month. By being a smart consumer, you can take your savings and deposit it in the bank having a little money for emergencies. So whatever you can cut from your bills, place it in an interest bearing savings account and save the money for unexpected job lay off. Having a little money for emergencies can help you keep your own roof over your head instead of our roof.

Everyone knows that if

you hit another car, your auto insurer will probably raise your premium. But you may not know this: your premium can shoot up much higher if you run into a new breed of credit score used by insurers, even if you have a spotless driving record and never had an at-fault car accident Known as credit-based insurance scores, these numbers are computed from bill-paying and loan data collected by the major credit bureaus. In recent years, the scores have become as important in determining your annual premium as your driving record and the neighborhood where you live.

An analysis by Consumer Reports found that scoring could cost many consumers hundreds of extra dollars. Here’s a typical example of how scores can hurt: a 28-year-old single male from Orlando, Fla., with a clean driving record and no accidents would normally pay State

Farm Mutual $1,251 a year for a new policy. With one at-fault accident, his premium would rise to $1,447. If the same driver instead fell into the lowest ranking in State Farm’s credit-scoring system, however, his premium would shoot up to $2,600.

Even a driver with a great credit score whom lenders would normally bless with a lowinterest mortgage could wind up with a less favorable insurance score and thus a high premium.

That’s because formulations for insurance scores weigh credit data differently from traditional lender scores. Indeed, insurance

scores can penalize consumers who use credit reasonably. For instance, Progressive Auto Pro’s Financial Responsibility Score will give premium-boosting black marks to a customer whose credit-bureau information says he opened three credit accounts within the previous year, including one credit card in the previous four months, and then made two or more additional loan inquiries without accepting the credit.

Such a system may seem bizarre, but insurers contend that there is a method to their math.

(Continued on page 15)

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 5

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESSVOICE

By Sean Cononie, “Cathy’s Boss”

Y

times to follow. ou know it is one thing The sad part comes when working with someone eight you have to let that person go behours a day. However we cause of death. You can become don’t do that here at COSAC. It is very attached to a person in our envimore like 12 hours on, two hours ronment and to let them go can be down for a nap, and up another seven hours, then napping another quite difficult. It was hard for Cathy to live in Venezuela and work full three hours, then up again to start the time for us there and before we knew day again. In most cases the days she had lung cancer we had made run into each other and it is very plans for her to come back here and easy to get confused what day of the week it is. In some cases you have work with us full time and then visit Venezuela once a month for five to ask your co worker, did I go to the days. Her husband would run the gym today to take my shower? shelter in Venezuela. Bottom line Cath our co worker, comwas that I needed Cathy here. rade, friend, family member and Thanksgiving is sister or as Cathy put it almost here… What referring to me, my little brother, had no idea what Thanksgiving is almost do I have to be kind of days we had until here… What do I have thankful for this she moved in to work to be thankful for this year? Should I be thankful for knowwith us at the shelter. year? Should I be ing Cath or should I Her first five years were from the outside going thankful for knowing be thankful that home after her work day.

Cath or should I be Cath, one of Gods Then when she moved to thankful that Cath, one babies made it to Heaven? Should I Venezuela to start her own shelter she would of Gods babies made it be thankful that to Heaven?

Cathy is out of pain come back and forth now, should I be working here and there thankful we had raised enough funds and when she was here, she then to send her in a private jet ambuknew for sure we who stayed at lance so she could get her last wish night were nuts. of dieing with her mom and her sisHer first night she went to ter and of course her children in New bed at her normal time only to be Jersey, or should I be so mad for woken up to a code blue and then God taking a 49 year old women hearing me and Lois running around who was one of us? I am so thankful the office trying to get dressed to get of all of the above and I am not mad the medical bag ready. I think it was then Cath knew it would never be at God for taking her, for He knows what is best for all of us. the same. Even though we work so Cath was a person who was many hours it can be a lot of fun. logical at all ends. Anyone who We have the option of shutting down knows me knows that I have an all the main office in what we call female executive staff. For some “closed session” and just upper staff reason I feel that I get the most out would be in the office getting caught of the girls and I love to watch them up on very late paper work. In most working at a “mans job” handling it cases between the hurricane damage even much better at times than a and my own sickness I am still way man. They have compassion and a behind on a lot of paper work so very big ear to hear the problems of these “closed sessions” are very imthe clients and at the same time even portant. Cath soon became familiar though they speak softy the clients working in her night gown or seeing treat them as if they carry a very big me in my fruit of the looms and my stick. The drunks are very easily extra, extra large tee shirt. With all handled by the gals at the office. Of the fun time of working together I course we guys stand there as back did not think there would be sad

Are you a health care provider and want to help the community?

Her first night she went to bed at her normal time only to be awakened to a code blue and then hearing me and Lois running around the office trying to get dressed to get the medical bag ready. I think it was then Cath knew it would never be the same. Even though we work so many hours it can be a lot of fun.

up in case it goes wrong. Running a homeless shelter does not mean that everyone here is in the best of moods at all times. I can tell you we have our share of bad guys checking in running from the cops or being wanted in another state. As we have found out over the years, bad guys who are running from the law use homeless shelters as a way of being free. The Virginia snipers stayed in homeless shelters.

Then of course we have mental health break downs. When these break downs occur they can be very dangerous.

Over the years we have had some real close calls when someone was in the process of trying to kill themselves. When this happens having a compassionate female staff member can be a real benefit. However, there are times it is much better to have a male standing by in case there is violence. It is not because I think the gals can’t handle it, it is out of respect that the guy staff members always make sure the gals are safe.

Sometimes those talks became a very serious threat to staff.

A few years ago it was me who was trying to disarm a gentleman who was in the process of slitting his throat with a box cutter. At times we can wait for the police department but in this case, there was no time, he was going to die if I did not start to work on him. Blood was everywhere …on him… on me and all over the floor and once I disarmed him I started to work on him but soon the logical females on my staff were protecting me by pouring bleach all over me in case the blood was infected with a virus. As one could imagine there are many people here with very serious medical issues such as HIV and other contact diseases.

Cathy was my youngest female staff member and we had our talks about what is COSAC going to be like when the others who have worked for me even longer then Cathy are in their final retirement.

Cathy would be the lead at COSAC and we would plan for projects for

the future. One of the projects we planned was COSAC Cares and a Better USA. I guess the reason why Cathy and I got along so well, was that we both believed in change. I would see a news article somewhere in the world and I would say that is not correct and I would say to Cathy “handle it.”

One of the areas of interest to all of us here at COSAC was the abduction of children. I guess for me it was when I met John Walsh as a young teenager; I remember feeling the pain he had when I shook his hand. This was days just after Adam was still missing and not reported as a homicide. A few of my friends and I hit the streets passing out posters of Adam.

Since we all felt the same way about these abductions we did a child safety program with another agency giving out information to parents on how to keep their kids safe. We even gave scholarships to kids so they could attend a program that would teach kids how to avoid abduction. It was a real neat course that even the youngest kids could attend teaching them all kinds of good stuff so if they were faced with danger they may be able to get away.

Basically stun their attacker, scream loud and run is what they have taught at this course and over the years you would see kids in all different parts of the USA who used this same knowledge to fight off their attacker.

Before we did the whole week of radio shows on “how to keep your kids safe,” Cathy did all kinds of research on sex offenders.

She came up with all kinds of ways (Continued on page 11)

Or make your donation online at www.HomelessVoice.org

COSAC has started the MRSA Task Force of South Florida Come join our task force and help your community Meetings are done once a month and most of the needs of this task force are done by email This way you can make progress and help your community and not have to spend every waking minute working on this project.

Contact Mark Targett at 954-410-6275 or email us at MRSA@Homelessvoice.org

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 6

HOMELESSVOICE

L

ast Wednesday morning, August 9, I was traveling on S.W. 152 Avenue at U.S. 1 in Miami. While I was waiting for the light to change I was putting on a special pair of earrings. I had one in place and had the other in my hand when I was approached by one of your vendors. I was fumbling for change to buy the Homeless Voice before the light changed and accidentally dropped my earring into the bucket with the change. I did not realize my mistake until a couple of miles up U.S. 1. I figured the earring was lost forever, but later that afternoon a friend suggested that I return to that intersection in the off chance that the vendor was still there. Mind you, this was about 4 hours later. I arrived and there he was! I caught his eye. I pantomimed my problem and he directed me into the Park 'n Ride lot. When I got there, lo and behold, he held up my earring! I failed to get his name, but I must express my appreciation to this gallant vendor. He made what was otherwise a bad day into a faith-restoring one. Keep up your good work. Sincerely, Joyce Cobourne Friar, Homestead, FL.

“Part of my worry was how our people would feel about losing her that way, but I had to do what I thought was best for Lady.� more healthy and towards the end he would bring not only Lady and me, but another 4 or 5 people who she was very, very special to. It was like bringing our child to the doctor and the whole family had to be there. Dr. Stello was her doc and she came to expect that there would be a troupe coming in with her.

I have been worrying about her for probably six months and struggling with the decision to put her to sleep for three of them. I loved her very much and didn't want to see her suffer and with all the things that went wrong with her, I knew she had to be very

We will miss you uncomfortable. We all saw how feeble she was becoming and how unsteady on her feet she was. She lost her voice during one of her sick spells, actually I think she had a stroke, but not being able to whine or whimper if she hurt, I had no way of really knowing how she felt. And I couldn't take the chance of her getting hurt and also I couldn't take the chance of something happening to her while I was away. I would feel bad enough, but I

Can you answer this riddle?

H

ere is a pretty neat little thing from Paul Harvey. See if you can guess the riddle at the end.

Paul Harvey Writes: We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bed-

We are in desperate need of cars, and freezers call the Homeless Voice Shelter 954-920-1277

room with your younger brother/sister.

And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/ sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom. If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your

couldn't put anyone, especially CJ in that position.

Part of my worry was how our people would feel about losing her that way, but I had to do what I thought was best for Lady.

Thank you for loving her so much. She, like Cathy is in a much better place now...no more pain and suffering and no more storms or noise to make her nervous. It's funny, but when we lived at home, Lady would spend a lot of time on my bed, but never

stayed on it when I went to bed. I slept on the floor here at the shelter for so long, and she never slept with me. The only person she ever slept with was Cathy and she would always be on the end of her mat.

Cathy missed her dogs in Venezuela and maybe Lady knew that. And I just hope that Lady knows how much I love her and miss her.

-Lois Cross

NEED TO REPAIR YOUR CREDIT? DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE? LET THE EXPERTS DO IT FOR YOU!

CALL 954-376-4122

friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hannukah/ Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.

Send this to all of your friends. We secure our friends, not by accepting favors, but by doing them.

Paul Harvey RIDDLE: When asked this riddle, 80% of kindergarten kids got the answer, compared to 17% of Stanford University seniors.!

What is greater than God, More evil than the devil, The poor have it, The rich need it, And if you eat it, you'll die?

-author unknown

Answer: (nothing)

(Continued from page 1)

actually touching her at first and later petting her. Sean called her our mental health dog.

I say she was my dog, but she belonged to everyone...she loved everyone and they loved her. Particularly she loved CJ who was her second mom. Probably in the past year she spent more time with CJ and the girls in that room than she did with me because I was always going away for some reason or another and sometimes she just went for a sleep-over.

Sometimes if I wasn't fast enough getting off the elevator, Lady would just turn left and head down toward CJ's room. Robert Lyman was always the one to take her to the vet when she was

How may I help you?

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 7

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESSVOICE Transient men hurt in brutal beating Police say teens attacked three

T

hree homeless men were savagely beaten early Thursday on Merritt Island, and two Brevard County teenagers face attempted murder charges in the attacks.

The crimes are the latest black eye on a state that last year saw the highest rate in the nation of attacks on homeless people.

Nicholas Wolkenhauer and Robert Magnon, both 16, are being held on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery in what police call unprovoked attacks that left one man with a fractured nose and eye socket and another with a fractured skull.

Patrick Collins and Clifford Lucas, described by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office as middle-aged men, were sleeping at an abandoned Texaco station on North Courtenay Parkway when the attackers approached after 3 a.m., officials said. The assailants beat the two men with an expandable metal pipe, lacerating Lucas' elbow and fracturing Collins' nose and eye socket.

A little later, police say Wolkenhauer and Magnon at-

tacked a third man near East Merritt Island Causeway.

John Silva, another middle-aged homeless man, was walking to Labor Finders in the hope of getting work. The attackers hit him on the head with a baton, and he suffered a fractured skull.

"These people were minding their own business," said Agent Jack Ehrig of the sheriff's office. "There was no specific reason for the attack."

Collins and Silva were treated at Holmes Regional Medical Center. No further information was available on their condition late Thursday.

The two juveniles -Wolkenhauer of Merritt Island and Magnon of Titusville -- were being held without bond at the county juvenile detention center.

Both teenagers have previous arrest records and expressed dislike for homeless people when questioned, police said.

"The state attorney's office will decide if the two will be charged as adults," Ehrig said.

Pat Hansen, executive director of the South Brevard

Sharing Center, often deals with homeless people and said she felt sickened by senseless cruelty.

Brevard's homeless By the numbers population is estimated to be 1,600 to 1,700, Hansen 32 Number of attacks against the homeless in Florida in 2005, including one said.

A 2005 report by death 68, 369 Homeless in Florida, the second-highest population in the nation USA Today shows Florida 195,637 Homeless in California, the state ranked second in the nation with the highest homeless population for homeless population, -- National Coalition for the Homeless, USA Today with 68,369. California has the most.

"It seems to be open seaHowever, Florida had the highest number of attacks against son for attacking the homeless," homeless people last year with 32 Stoops said.

In 2005, Forest Goff, a incidents, according to the National Coalition for the Home- homeless man in Palm Bay, was found beaten to death. The killing less, based in Washington.

"These are not instances has not been solved.

Other homeless people of homeless people attacking other homeless people," said Mi- have been attacked in Brevard chael Stoops, executive director County over the years.

Stoops also denounced a of the coalition. "These are mostly younger people in the age recent Orlando ordinance that range of 12 to 22 who attack the prohibits feeding homeless people in public parks. homeless."

"It dehumanizes them," Overall, there were 472 recorded instances of attacks he said. against the homeless in the coun- BY KAUSTUV BASU try resulting in 169 deaths, FLORIDA TODAY Stoops said.

Four friends allegedly beat a homeless man to death

A

ngry over a homeless man's catcall, four friends went on a "feeding frenzy," police said, beating the elderly man to death with a metal chair, a steel rebar, a rock and a wooden stick.

Two men accused in Saturday's attack are the sons of Christian clergymen. All four have been charged with second degree murder.

"This was pure bloodlust," said Miami police spokesman Lt. Bill Schwartz. "There was no reason for this."

According to a police report, the attack was sparked when Janice Guillen, 18, went to her car to get cigarettes. Guillen told police she heard Jose Perez, 67, who was in the building across the street, toss out a pickup line "she felt was nasty," the report said. She told

We need old cell phones!

Homeless Voice Disaster Relief Fund P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329

police she confronted Cardenas' fathers are clerPerez and punched him in gymen with the Soldiers of the Cross church based the face.

Perez allegedly in Little Havana. Neither hit her back, prompting could be reached for comMagdiel Wingfield, 28, ment on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Kevin Stone, 27, and Jason Cardenas, 19, to run Guillen was arrested on a theft downstairs from Guillen's misdemeanor Little Havana apartment. charge, according to court The four of them alleg- records. Wingfield was edly jumped Perez, arrested for misdemeanor battery in punching but and kick- “Perez was taken to 2005, ing him Jackson Memorial charges and hitHospital, where he were dropped ting him died from his earlier this with the year.

In chair, the injuries.”

1998, he rebar and the other objects. At one was also arrested for mapoint they pushed Perez licious destruction of through a glass door, property and entered a shattering it, the police pretrial diversion program. report said.

Police are trying Perez was taken to Jackson Memorial to locate Perez's relatives.

Hospital, where he died He apparently lived in the hallway of the building from his injuries.

Wingfield and where he was killed and

did odd jobs for people in the neighborhood, Schwartz said.

"He seemed to be a harmless guy," Schwartz said.

"Granted, he might not have been the most gentle or the most sophisticated of people, but he certainly did not deserve this type of torturous end to his life."

The brutal beating is part of a nationwide trend of increased violence against the homeless, said homeless advocate Sean Cononie.

Cononie pointed to the case of three teens awaiting trial in the beating death last January of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., homeless man. William "Billy" Ammons, 18, Thomas Daugherty, 17,

and Brian Hooks, 18, are also facing two counts each of attempted murder for allegedly beating two other homeless men.

Across the country, homeless people have been set on fire, decapitated and killed in other gruesome ways, Cononie said.

"These crimes toward the homeless are always vicious," he said.

"I guess people don't put a value on homeless people's lives." © 2006 South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

MIAMI

Visit the SunSentinel on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun-

sentinel.com Distributed by McClatchyTribune Information Services.

By Madeline Baro Diaz South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Notary Service 954-325-7326 $10 All proceeds to help the homeless

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 8

HOMELESSVOICE

D

ear Cathy,

You meant a lot to me, you understood about my problem with alcohol and recovery as I had slipped into another binge from time to time you would talk to me with compassion and calmness... I thought of you like a sister I never had.

The thing that always sticks in my mind is how you said I always smelled nice. I’ll never forget the last days we saw you in the hospital before you went back to New Jersey to be with your family, you had said it again and I replied “I had done it just for you!!!” Then you smiled, I gave you a kiss and hug and said goodbye knowing I’ll never see you again......you were so strong which made me think things through on how I wanted not to drink again after I almost killed myself going 120 mph on my motorcycle after a few beers and thank God how I survived!!

Giving me another chance, life is too precious and for me there is more to live for and not knowing how short it can be!

Cathy I’ll always miss and think of you!

Billy

T

he first time a person may become homeless very well may be the scariest situation a human being can face. You walk into a shelter not knowing anyone or anything about what lies ahead. That bedroom at your home you spent so many hours decorating now becomes a bunk with six other men with various ailments. That kitchen you had stocked up with your favorite foods now becomes a lengthy line at meal time in the cafeteria and as far as money goes, how will you even buy the toiletries you desperately need? Will you get mugged, beaten up, abused are all questions you ask yourself when you walk through the doors. Many of us find ourselves with our face in our hands crying from despair and fear.

That is exactly how I felt when I became homeless for the first time. Fortunately for me, one of the first people I met, or actually the first angel I met was Cathy. In a matter of minutes after talking to her most of my concerns subsided as I began to realize that maybe many people like me had fallen to unfortunate circumstance and were not the stereotyped homeless people you hear about. Not only did Cathy make me feel more comfortable she presented me to the directors of the institution and as it turned out I became an instant staff member and all of a sudden my life here became even better than what I had on the outside.

Cathy for all intensive purposes saved my life. Literally and figuratively, because I can honestly say I do not know what I would have done if I had to live the life in the direction I was heading. Cathy realized I had a certain something special and treated me with the respect and concern that you would never think you would receive at a homeless shelter. It was almost as if she put me on her wings as we flew into the future to see that things were going to get better. If you could measure goodness in distance this woman would have reached people around the world five hundred times around.

-Richard Carlish

Good- bye beloved For god has called you home And we at the Homeless Voice must be Strong For your words and love, around here, Will always roam So now I pray, that your spirit is At peace Always remembering your smile, never Seeing you frown Now remembering you, will bring a joyful Sound.

For in you love, and happiness, we Found So now I want to spell your name C- Is for the Christian heart you shared A- Is for your attitude of real peace T- Is for your thoughtfulness of others H- Is for your humbleness you showed Y- Is for you; for you gave of yourself So Cathy I thank God for you For your friendship and love here Was always true And may the angels in heaven Welcome you Ronnie Simmons

C

athy when I think of you, I immediately see you sitting in the car and I am driving you to your doctor. We had a lot of good talks while driving and waiting all those hours for the doctors to show up. We worked real good as a team all these years. When Sean was so sick you really helped take over and give myself and Lois extra help which we so much needed. We have had many services for the homeless over the years as they passed. I never would have thought we would be doing a tribute to you so early in your life. I know now you are watching over everyone and giving your guidance. Cathy thank you so much for all your wisdom and our friendship.

Love Ya Ginny

M

any times I would sit next to Cathy up in the operations department of the shelter.

We would talk about almost anything as well as our personal lives so we became very close.

Talking to her was like having a fire lit in your soul. She had a special way of energizing you when you felt your body or mind winding down from frustration or weariness. Cathy had the capability of making you see things in a positive manner even after you failed to do so from every possible angle. Many a day I wanted to pull my hair out...even the dyed roots because of things that transpired, but Cathy was my calming influence and somehow made even the most harassing of problems seem tripe and unimportant. So now when I feel that I am wasting my time or beating a dead horse I simply think of Cathy and my thoughts become gathered and pleasant and it gets me through the day.

Roxanne

C

athy was a truly unique and one of a kind lady and a true Christian. She always had a smile on her face. She loved everyone and when you got to know her you loved her too. She had a knack for knowing when you were not feeling well or just needed a big hug.

I really got to know Cathy when she was getting ready to move to Caracas to be with her husband Boris. I helped her with the moving sale at her house and we had time to talk away from the work environment and the shelter. We shared a lot in the time we spent together how much she loved Boris, her children and her family and the people here at the shelter. I shared a lot about my life with her too and we really did bond that weekend. When it was all over and we had sold most of her worldly goods she gave me the most beautiful lead crystal vase. I will treasure it always since it was hers. The morning after she died I went and bought a dozen red roses and put them in the vase in the lobby at the shelter in her honor.

I along with everyone else here at the shelter and her husband and family were shocked when we found out she had cancer. We were all so positive and optimistic when she started the chemo and the radiation. I was praying for and sending her e-cards to keep her spirit up and check on her through others and send verbal messages.

When the word came that she was getting worse and they were planning to airlift her to New Jersey to be with her children and her family I went to the hospital after working all night to see her one last time. She was very quiet and sedated when I was there. I only stayed a few minutes in the room with her and talked softly to her and let her know how much I loved her and cared for her. I had left word with Lois that if anything happened I wanted to know right away. So when she passed away I was woken up and I started praying. There was a gathering down in the lobby and we shared our memories with the rest of the staff that was gathered down there.

T

he only way I can describe Cathy is that she was passive, caring, always smiling despite her own sorrows and always willing to help anyone who needed help.

We lost Cathy here on earth, but we are now blessed with one of God's Angels, watching over all of us.

-Ron

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 9

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESSVOICE

Last month we started to really enhance our Burn that Mortgage Campaign. We did not do as good as we expected but in reality we did do good because anytime someone sends you a donation you are grateful even though you don’t make your goals. We are thankful for the people who helped us and for the people who could not help us out because I know their prayers are with us. We are getting there and we will indeed pay off this mortgage. So I ask you one more time to reach in and try to get others to help us meet our goal. In fact let’s all make a new goal. Look how much the friend’s column has grown over the years. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had to devote two whole pages to the friend’s column? Today I give you the challenge to bring five of your friends to our friend’s column so we can still keep on helping the ones who need help the most. Please remember it is going to be raining a lot during the next few months and we also need help with our rain budget. This money is saved for rainy days so when the vendors are not out there raising money for the homeless we can pull from the rain conserved funds.

Please go to page 2 and follow the directions and let’s add some of your friends to this column.

I

phone and computer buddies. We do hope so, be- cause if you even went as far as using web cams. didn’t, it’s a shame, because this You see, to understand Cath was one very special person. you needed to know that her goal in Cath was born on October life was to help people. She thought 25th, and I was introduced a few days she could solve the problems of the later; wow I thought, “I have a little world. So, while in Florida she intersister!!!!” viewed for a position at the COSAC We grew up in a very loving foundation working with the homeless. family with our older brother Jack who She was so very happy when she was kind of took care of us, we all know hired. Boy did she love her job and how older brothers are, right? Jack her boss, Sean and Cath were very close while she was “I, an outsider to the home- Cononie and her many friends and co growing up. Later in years when Jack less, did not understand why workers at COSAC married, Cath and I my sister was involving her- (Mark, Lois, Ginny, CJ and became very close. self. I thought as millions Joyce, Aaron… just to name I was the one who kept her secrets and of other people, (stupid as a few). she mine. Funny we are) why work with the I, an outsider to the homeless, did not how I taught her stupid things like homeless people who don’t understand why my want to make a change?” sister was involving shaving her legs, herself. I thought as putting on makeup, millions of other how to kiss (of people, (stupid as we course using her arm) yelling at her IN LOVING MEMORY OF CATH'S FRIEND are) why work with MARYANN KARANIKOLOS the homeless people about boys I didn’t JAN 21, 1952 - AUG 13, 2006 who don’t want to like for her, no one make a change? I was good enough thought they will for Cath. never make anything Well she out of themselves. finally got married What a waste of and had three beausomeone’s time and tiful children, Esenergy.

She sure terina, Mario & showed me how Frankie and then wrong I was. three beautiful After receiving a devastating grandchildren, Tommy, Gabrielle & call from my sister mid August of Frankie, Jr. She drove a school bus, 2005 to tell me she was diagnosed worked in real estate and finally went with lung cancer, believe me this was to college at Stony Brook in Long the worst day of my life.

Island, NY in her 40’s and was short I picked myself up and just 2 credits to graduate. But after 20 headed down to Florida to be with my some odd years of being married and sister. On my first visit I was taken to struggling with an unhappy marriage the homeless shelter and had no idea she took off for Florida to start a new what to expect. Finally I was going to life with her dog Trixie. I was so lost meet all Cath’s friends and co workers thinking my sister was moving so far in Florida. After 15 minutes, I underaway, when would I see her again with stood why Cath would tell me “you my busy schedule? So we became

know, people look at the homeless like they are some kind of disease, but they are not, they just became lost and alone for awhile” and “when they come to the shelter, they feel special again, they again have a meaning for life.” My experience at the homeless shelter was an enlightening one. I went away with a new vision for the homeless population in America and thought how wonderful of my sister to be involved with the homeless; it gave her a purpose in life.

With each of my visits I learned a lot more about Cath, more than I could have ever With each of my visits I learned imagined. Cath helped so many a lot more about Cath, more people off drugs and alcohol; many went on and left the shel- than I could have ever imagined. ter to become responsible peoshe gave a new life to and that is ple in their communities. She was so something to be proud of. proud and rightfully so. That is a great So Cath, I love you and will accomplishment. always miss you!

I continued to travel every Your big sister, other week to Florida to be by Cath’s Franie side for her chemo treatments and to be with her for some good days and some bad days. We grew so very Now at least you know something close, we cried every time I had to about Cath!!!!!! leave, but I must thank the Lord for giving me almost 1 year to learn a lot about Cath that I athy's time with us was way too short. She would never have known. did so much for the foundation and still had Some time at the end of so much more untapped. I wasn't aware of just July Cath was told there how much she did until Sean gave his eulogy for was nothing more that her at the Memorial Celebration not so long could be done for her. So ago. We usually call it a Memorial Service and did she decided to spend her so that night, but after listening to Sean and some last days up in New Jersey of the population, I would rather call it a celebrawith her family at mom’s tion...a celebration house. that someone so Cath chose to go talented, so giving, to the Lord on August 7, so understanding, 2006 at midnight, just short so sick as Cathy one year from the devastatafter helping so ing phone call I received. many, was now at But… Cath still peace with her lives on in all the people Maker. Cathy was

How to save money on energy with energy saving products.

When using link below, proceeds will benefit the Homeless Voice

C

always either at her computer researching (and she never did get to show me her secrets of finding out so much) or editing Sean’s work (this is where she would tear her hair out at all the red underlines) or they were tete a tete discussing whatever. Sean says that Cathy's main theme was "change", but I wonder if someone who was afraid of going to the doctor and suffered so much and had her life cut shorter wouldn't give advice to pay attention and get medical attention when you know or suspect something is wrong. Cathy was a trooper who in time would have put Cosac in number one place on the charts.

-Lois

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 10

HOMELESSVOICE "Vigil Held for Homeless Murder Victim"

Homeless Beating

K

A

vigil was held Monday evening near the very spot where Tyra Cole was believed to have been killed.

Police have yet to find Tyra Cole's body in the waters of the Cumberland River. The 25-yearold homeless woman was apparently pushed into the water by two men while she slept on a dock in Riverfront Park.

Lisa Monroe knew Tyra Cole as well as anyone could on the streets of Nashville. She doesn't know why Tyra was on the street.

Bobby Ellis, another homeless person, slept on the same dock that Tyra did. Over the weekend, he says he watched two homeless men throw flowers from Tyra's memorial into the Cumberland River.

Homeless advocates say there are about 300 homeless women in Davidson County. They say that half of those woman who are homeless are victims of domestic abuse and violence. It isn't known if Tyra Cole was abused, but Lisa Monroe says that she wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

Northwest Dumpster-Diving Tips Anger Workers ST. PAUL (Aug. 17) - Getting money advice from a bankrupt airline wasn't the thing that most offended some soon-to-be laid-off Northwest Airlines Corp. employees. It was the Dumpster-diving tips.

Northwest is laying off its customer service workers and baggage handlers at many smaller airports as it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection. Earlier this month it sent workers in Bismarck, N.D., Bozeman, Mont., and Austin, Texas, a handbook with tips for handling their layoffs. It included 101 money-saving ideas such as, "Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."

Other tips included using old newspapers for cat litter, asking friends and family for hand-me-down clothes and asking a doctor for free prescription drug samples.

"I realize that some person probably thought they were doing a world of good," Bryan Dalzell, a Northwest customer service agent for 27 years and a union steward in Bismarck, N.D., told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday. "It came across to us, after losing our jobs after a lifetime of work, as patronizing and rather insulting." Employee outrage prompted Northwest to change parts of its handbook, called "Restructuring Q&A and Employee Support," and remove the list of money-saving tips from its internal Web site. Northwest said an outside company assembled the information, which was first reported Saturday by the Bismarck Tribune.

issimmee Police say they have four teens in custody for apparently badly beating a homeless man early this morning.

According to police, 50-yearold Jesus Riascos, had been sleeping in his car when he says he was pulled out of the vehicle by four men.

Jesus Riascos told police he was pulled out of his car and beaten badly, at one point, with a baseball bat.

Kissimmee Police say after talking to the victim, they tracked down four teens and arrested them in connection with the crime.

Two are 19 -years-old and were booked into the Osceola County jail.

The other two are 17 -years-old.

They face charges of occupied burglary and aggravated battery.

Kissimmee Police say the victim had been sleeping in his car in the area of Monument Avenue for several weeks.

Police are not saying at this point exactly what the motive was, but say it's not the first time a homeless person has reported an attack in the city.

Jesus Riascos has been treated and released from Osceola Regional Medical Center for facial injuries.

WKRN Nashville Tennessee

“Help Feed Our Sheep�

The Homeless Voice is looking for churches to volunteer for feeding the homeless.

Please Call Mark at 954-410-6275

Sean Cononie, National Homeless Hate Crimes Investigator/Advocate (Continued from page 1)

serious crime. Cononie was requested to testify in Tallahassee in front of the Florida House of Representatives this year and gave his recommendations to the law makers so Florida develops a law that will help deter crimes like this from happening in the first place. You can go to web address below and view the entire homeless hate crimes press conference that was in Florida this year as well as when Cononie testified.

www.homelessnewswire.net -Mark Targett

$255.00 and up

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 11

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESSVOICE

high tolerance because she was on these meds for a long time. We felt to remind parents it only takes a there was no need to move her if she minute for your child to be snatched. was going to be in more pain. So During that same week we did a finally that worked out. Then, we show on drowning considering Brohad to cancel the plane once again ward Country is one of the leading because the insurance areas of the country on “Should I be company did not want children drowning. It was Cathy who told me thankful for to pay for the receiving hospital. That took two how easy it was for a child to die in a toilet left knowing Cath or whole days of fighting with them then of open or a bathroom that should I be course the jet ambuwas not secured from thankful that lance company got mad toddlers. She even found me stats on how children Cath, one of Gods at us because we had to cancel two flights. can drown in one inch of water. The tip we gave babies made it to Problems after problems but soon me and out to parents that day Heaven?” her sister Frannie got was, “don’t run to the the job done. Lois was other room to get the staying with Cathy at Broward Genphone no matter how many times eral 24 hours a day to take care of your child has been good in the tub.” her and to keep Cathy up to speed on Again Cathy wanted to make a the transfer. change preventing the loss of a little Finally all things worked one. She was so amazed in the out and it was 4:30 pm and the ampower of education and how educabulance company called me and said tion prevented all kinds of bad stuff wheels down at 10:00 PM. This from happening. meant only one thing, the wheels of Cathy’s Final Days the jet would touch down at ExecuCathy made the decision tive Airport on Commercial Blvd. that she wanted to be in New Jersey As soon as I put the phone down at the time of departure from Earth to Heaven and we wanted to give her Lois had already packed my gym bag so I could go to the YMCA to that gift. I had no idea how hard it take a shower. I promised Cathy was to get a jet ambulance and how that I would take the trip to make expensive it was to order such a sure that she was pain free. A few plane. We soon found out. It took hours later we all met Cathy at the about seven hard 12 hour days to do hospital and said our good-byes to just that. First it was the doctor who her. Next stop was from the ground did not want her to travel and told us ambulance to the air ambulance. We she would die in flight. We had to then got Cath on the plane as pain fight with her, she was a hospice free as we could. We were on the patient and the idea of hospice is to ground only ten minutes and before I make them happy. Then once that knew it the door closed and we were problem was tackled then it was the headed to New Jersey. A little over receiving hospitals who told us they two hours and we landed at the next had a bed, and then once we got the airport and waiting was the next plane they gave the bed out. Then ground ambulance to take her to the the next day we got the bed and the receiving hospital. We arrived and plane but then it was the receiving her family met Cathy in her own doctor who did not want to put hospital room and they had all her Cathy on all these pain meds bemachines waiting for her. The Criticause he thought it was too much cal Care nurse we hired to take the and he was afraid of an accidental overdose. However Cathy had a flight made sure that Cathy had all (Continued from page 5)

Computer Remote Repair Fixed in Minutes 866-727-4185

Access Your Computer Anywhere.

One Time Setup Fee.

No Monthly Charges.

Access Your Own Desktop With Your Programs And Data Free!!!

Watch Your Home Computer Watch Where Your Kids/ Workers Go.

Free

1-866-727-4185 Access Anywhere

One of the projects we planned was COSAC Cares and a Better USA. I guess the reason why Cathy and I got along so well, was that we both believed in change. her pain medication in the plane and he did not leave until the hospital was ready to medicate her correctly for the pain she was having in the room.

During the flight the nurse told me to take a rest. I had just finished helping him move Cathy on the stretcher to make her a little more comfortable and started to hold her hand and within minutes she was hearing me snore. Finally she went to sleep with the both of our hands interlocked.

Cathy’s trip was a miracle from God. After she arrived at the Hospital they double checked all the tests to make sure that all the terminal conditions were 100 percent real and told the family there was nothing else that could be done but make Cathy comfortable for the remaining days of her life. A couple days went by and Cathy was at her moms’ house where she passed in just a few days. God kept her alive until she was where she wanted to be, at home

with her mom, sister, and her very own children.

I do not know how to end this story because I can sit and tell you over and over how great Cathy was. But let me say it this way. Let me tell you how great she is now.

She is in Heaven because she was and still is a Christian. She is pain free. And most importantly she is helping God run the biggest shelter of them all and that is called Heaven.

Remember people, according to Cathy it is all about change …so if you are not a believer in the God above today can be a change in your life so one day you have the pleasure of meeting our friend, our co worker, our family by the name of Catherine.

If you have a terminal illness right now and you are reading this, I have this great big feeling our friend Cath will be there with you at the time you meet your Maker. So go ahead and educate yourself from the Bible and make that change.

Sean Cononie

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 12

HOMELESSVOICE

(Continued from page 1)

take care of myself so I would not have to depend on a man.

Growing Years with Her Over the next 15 years or so if I had to sum up my perception of my mother in one word it would be depressed. The image of her standing in the kitchen washing dishes, hunched over, with a cigarette hanging loosely from her lips, barefooted in a knee-length house dress is what comes to mind when I think of my childhood. I cannot say that there weren’t any happy times; I can distinctly remember a few. But only a few. She seemed so helpless against my father, so un -empowered, and so lonely. I could not help but NOT want to be like her when I grew up. I would fantasize about getting a job, getting her an apartment, and taking care of her so she would not have to depend on my father.

The Turning Point But on July 9, 1993 when I was 17 years old everything changed.

It was my brother Frankie’s 13th birthday and he wanted McDonalds for dinner. My parents, Frankie, and I were outside eating dinner in the backyard as a family in the early evening.

My father started an argument with me about how if my current boyfriend didn’t give me a ring by the end of the year; I would have to

break up with him. I argued that I didn’t want to get married young and that I wanted to go to school and have a job first. Well it seemed like whenever I talked what I thought was sense, my father would get mad because I didn’t agree with him. Sometimes it was just yelling, but more often than not there was violence involved and I would get hit. This particular evening it was the latter.

As usual the next few minutes would be a blur of trying to shield myself from blows, my mother yelling in the background, and my brother(s) pulling my father off of me. But this time it was different.

Only my brother Frankie was there and he didn’t pull my father off of me… he disappeared into the house. My mother tried unsuccessfully to pull him away while I cowered on the floor and was being beaten with a chair. My father just threw my mother to the ground. Then we heard Frankie’s faint voice from in the house telling us calmly that he had just called the police.

This was a monumental moment. No one had ever called the police before. A male and female officer came to the house, and my mother and I were required to go down to the police station to write a report. As a female officer was asking what happened, my

October 25, 1956 to August 7, 2006

mom was being her usual self by way home from seeing an accountdefending my father. It was at this ant who did our taxes. My father time that I think my mother’s per- was arguing with me about someception of the world changed. This thing or another, and I asked to get woman looked my mother straight out of the car. I was only a mile or in the eye and said “I don’t want to two from my house when I walked hear any bullshit, look at your home alone that night thinking daughter, he toked her”.

My about my future. There was no mother was silent and I could actu- money for college, I had no idea ally see in her the realization that what I wanted to do with my life, she had been living with a monster. and there was no way I could live On the way home that night she home any longer. The logical sotold me that she couldn’t believe lution was to join the military. she never realized until now that When the thought first came to she was not in conmind I pushed it away trol, and she prombecause I could not “After that night imagine leaving my ised me that things would change. things did change. I mother alone with my The Aftermath father and with no had a restraining other women in the After that night things did order against my fa- house. But if I wanted change. I had a remy life to be different, ther so he was straining order if I wanted money to afraid of coming go to college some day against my father so he was afraid of and be able to get a near me.” coming near me. decent job and experiThat silly piece of ence so I could take paper really helped me to feel a bit care of myself and not depend on a more secure. But still, I could not man like my mother had to, I wait to leave my house. The fight- would need to take this risk and do ing continued, but I could tell that something that no one in my fammy mother was stronger and not ily had done before… leave. quite so naïve anymore. As the My Adult Years weeks went by and turned into Every day that passed months, it came closer and closer since Frankie’s 13th birthday I to the time that I would be graduat- watched my mother grow stronger ing high school and having to and stronger. She started to have make a decision about my future. confidence; she was standing up One evening in April 1994, I was straighter, and smiling more.

(Continued on page 13) in the car with my parents on the

SPRINKLERS IRRIGATION*DESIGN*INSTALLATION*REPAIRS

JEF SPRINKLERS 1601 W. McNAB Rd. POMPANO BEACH

·New·Renovations ·Maintenance & Contracts ·Custom & California Systems ·Low Water Usage Specialists ·No Rust / No Chemicals ·Pumps & Wells ·Drip Systems ·Rain Sensors ·Liquid Fertilization ·Valves & Timers

All W ork Fully G u ara ntee d

Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 13

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESSVOICE Frankie (Cathy’s Son) & Cathy (Continued from page 12)

When it came time for me to go to boot camp I knew she was sad, but she was so much stronger and happier than she had been just one year earlier. Over the next few years she really made some changes that I was so proud of.

She lost some weight, she got dentures because she was so self conscious of her teeth, and most importantly she went back to school.

She realized that even she could be happy and it became her mission in life to help others be happy.

But her real happiness did not come until just a few years ago when she picked up her life in the end of 2000 and spontaneously moved to Florida. I was sad to see her go, but I could hear such a difference in her voice. She was a new person. My mother got a job at a homeless shelter down in Florida. Though I never really understood what she was doing, I knew she was happy. She was no longer Cathy the mother or Cathy the wife, she was Cathy – the person who is making a difference in the lives of people that could not otherwise help themselves. She had a reason to get up in the morning.

She had confidence. And I can’t say it enough, but I know that she was a lot happier than she had ever been when she lived back home in New York.

Last summer in 2005 she came up to NY and CT where I live now to visit. While I was driving down to LaGuardia airport to pick her up, I was SO excited to see her. I was imagining her getting on the plane and being just as

excited to see me. My husband my family and I had a wonderful was calling me every 15 minutes visit with her. First she came back or so from home tracking her plane to CT with me, and then we drove to let me know where it was in the her down to New York where we sky. With every passing minute visited with my brothers. She told my anticipation grew. I was so us stories about all that she was nervous and excited. When her doing in Florida and Venezuela, flight let off I watched all the pas- and all the plans she had, and peosengers coming toward the bag- ple she was helping. I didn’t ungage claim area. I was enthusiasti- derstand most of it, but I was cally looking for her when a lady proud of her and the life that she walked up to me made for herself. and said “Esterina I wondered what she was But her shoulder it’s so good to see hurt, and she had a you”… it was her! thinking, what she was re- nasty smoker’s And she looked so membering. Did she remem- cough, despite the different! So dif- ber the bad times? The day fact that she’d quit ferent. She was smoking a few I saw her crying in the older, calmer, kitchen when I was three or years earlier. I wiser, and far more pushed the beautiful than I four years old? Was she thoughts of these ever remembered remembering the people she’d odd health things her. I almost didout of my mind, helped? n’t believe this and I made a vow person in front of me was actually to myself that we should have her my mother. As we walked toward come up to visit every year. the baggage claim area and she The Cancer was talking, her voice sounded the It was the weekend when same and I realized how much she hurricane Wilma whipped into changed. I was in a complete daze. Florida last October. My husband, It took about 10 minutes or so for kids, and I were spending the me to calm down from the excite- weekend at my brother Frankie’s ment. I couldn’t wait to spend the house carving pumpkins with our weekend with her, and after she kids, and celebrating my brother grabbed her suitcase we made our Mario’s birthday a few days early. way out to the parking lot to my We ate, drank, and played the mucar. We were only walking a few sic loud. We never heard a phone minutes when she asked me to ringing that evening. Mario went slow down. She was holding her home on Saturday night and we all side and told me that her shoulder went to bed. Sunday morning hurt. At that moment my excite- Mario called really early to say ment disappeared. I had an uneasy that our grandmother had been feeling in my stomach, but I could calling us all night. I checked my not put my finger on it. messages, and sure enough she Over the next few days had. He said that my grandmother said something is wrong, and to please call my mother just to tell her we love her. Well, Mario called the homeless shelter where my mom was staying and talked to her boss Sean. Sean told him that the day before my mother went to the hospital and there was a mass on her lung. She got nervous, checked herself out of the hospital, and then got on the next flight out of Florida to Venezuela. After Mario called me to tell me the conversation he had with Sean, I hung up the phone and stood speechless in Frankie’s kitchen. The kids were running around, and my husband, Frankie, and Frankie’s girlfriend were all happily chatting away while making breakfast.

When they realized that I had hung up the phone and was just standing there, all activity in the house seemed to come to a halt. They were all looking at me… waiting for me to say something, and I blurted out “Mom is dying of lung cancer”.

It was a stupid thing to say at the time because we had no idea what it was. There was just a mass on the lung. It could have been pneumonia. It could have been

something else. It could have been a much more mild stage of cancer.

But within the next few weeks after all different types of tests in the U.S. and Venezuela we learned that she did indeed have lung cancer. It was stage IV, small-cell lung cancer. These words meant nothing to me until I looked them up on the Internet and learned that the average life expectancy of someone with this type of cancer was only a few months. I was beside myself. I cried that whole first night, and made plans within the next day or two to visit her by week’s end.

When I went down to Florida I got to see the life my mom had been living. I met all her friends, co-workers, and Sean. She was happy and surrounded by people who loved her. Though I would have liked her to be closer to the family at this crucial time, I saw that she was happy in Florida and thought there might be too many bad memories associated with staying in the New York area.

The second day I was there we took a nap in the afternoon. My grandmother was also visiting and was ironing in the next room. My mother told me right after she woke up that she had a dream that my daughter was there with us, and there were four generations of women together in the same room.

I visited her quite a bit over the next few months and each time I learned a little bit more about her life. I learned about her experiences as a child growing up.

I learned about her father (my grandfather) that I never knew. I learned about what she had been doing in Florida and the close relationship she developed with God. I got much closer to her with every visit, but each time I went down she looked more and more sick.

The last time I visited in May, I took the kids down there with me on Mother’s Day weekend. I knew my grandmother and aunt were going to be there and I wanted to make her dream actually come true where there were four generations of women in the same room. I got to her apartment with the kids while she was out at the doctor.

When she walked in she was so surprised! And so was I, but not in a good way. She had lost so much weight since the last time I’d seen her, and she had a cane. I acted normal, but inside I knew she wasn’t really getting better. Her right leg was in excruciating pain. The night before Mother’s Day we all went shopping and cooked a fabu(Continued on page 14)

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 14

HOMELESSVOICE

one picked up the phone. My lous dinner. Everyone contributed mother called my grandmother the a food item to the dinner. We next day and asked her if she could pushed the dining room table to the “come home”. It was what we all middle of the room and sat around wanted. Sean worked really hard it for what would be our last big to make her wish come true (God meal like this Bless him). I had together (though no idea how bad we didn’t know it off she was. When at the time). It I heard she was too was such a wonweak to travel on a derful, relaxing commercial flight, evening.

The and that it was dannext morning on gerous to move her, Mother’s Day my I have to say that I mom had a hard was shocked that time getting out she deteriorated so of the bed. I took quickly. After a her to the emerLOT of cajoling, an gency room air ambulance where she was flight for her to checked into the come up to New hospital. I didn’t Well to make what could Jersey was finally know that when be a long story short, she’d scheduled. I was SO she walked into spent a lot of time in the happy. But I was the ER that day nervous for her. It with my kids and hospital over the next few was only a year after months. Sometime in me, that it would the last time she be the last time mid-July her oncologist came up this way to she ever walked I was just as told my aunt that there us. on her own again. happy, but for comLast Trip back was nothing more that he pletely different reaHome sons. Again I imagcould do.

Well to ined her getting on make what could be a long story the plane and being just as excited short, she’d spent a lot of time in to see us. This was going to be the the hospital over the next few last time I would be this excited to months. Sometime in mid-July her see my mother. oncologist told my aunt that there There were a few good was nothing more that he could do. days before her body started to He expected her to last only a few shut down. She had a few good more weeks without treatment. I meals and had a few good laughs think all of our hearts broke that with us. She got here not a moday. I was afraid to call my ment too soon. In the last few days mother. I didn’t know what to say, we kept vigil by her bedside in my or how to act. I was secretly re- grandmother’s apartment. There lieved every time I called and no was a lot of time to think about her (Continued from page 13)

The Cooperative Feeding Program is in desperate need of food for the com m unity food pantry.

•

•

• •

T he shelves are empty and we need to feed our co mmunity members that need just a litt le help.

P lease get with your church, optimi st clubs, schools, or social clubs and do a food drive so our little ones, seniors and individuals get some food in their bellies.

P lease call 954-792-2E A T www.F ee dingB roward .org

Learn how to start your ow n food pantry so your ow n group can do w hat w e do to help our poorest members of our community. G o to w w w.Training.cscBrow ard.org.

Project name: The Cupboard Is Bare.

Frank, Cathy, and Mario

and her life. I feel sad that such a large portion of it was spent miserable, but I am proud of her for turning it around and helping other people. With hospice’s encouragement I talked to her a lot even when she couldn’t talk back. I was surprised with my children’s ease around her. My 9-year old son was holding her hand, talking to her and kissing her. In her last few days and hours I told her how proud I was of her. I told her how she’d shaped my life and taught me through her life that being able to take care of yourself and not depend on anyone else is important.

I wondered what she was thinking, what she was remembering. Did she remember the bad times? The day I saw her crying in the kitchen when I was three or four years old?

Was she remembering the people she’d helped? I wanted her to know that I

learned so much from her. Even when she was lying there on her last day she was teaching me that life is too short to not enjoy it, to hold grudges, or spend too much time over thinking things. I only hope that she is as proud of me right now as I am of her.

By Esterina Messeder

FOR THE HOMELESS

We need soap & shampoo, please call

Cosac Hurricane & Safety Supplies 954-923-0441 • Skake-a-lite Batteryless Flashlights $16.00 -Shake by hand 20 times and it last for hours of continuous use • Cranking Batteryless Flashlights $13.00 • No Batteries NEEDED Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"

Page 15

Volume VIII, Issue 10

HOMELESSVOICE

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

-Robert Byrne

(Continued from page 4)

little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.

Don't be sad thinking about me.

This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus Himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you goodbye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think

Gabriel is the name of the Angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm, sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

How your credit score can effect your insurance premium (Continued from page 4)

Because there is a statistical correlation between scores and claims, scoring “shifts costs from drivers who file fewer claims to those who file more,” says Robert Hartwig, chief economist for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade association.

Insurance officials say that most consumers are paying lower premiums more precisely related to risk. “Before, there were only a few rating tiers,” says Keith Toney, president of InsurQuote, a division of ChoicePoint, an Alpharetta, Ga., provider of insurance scores.

“Credit scoring allows companies to sort customers into hundreds of tiers.”

Even though scoring has been in use for more than a decade, it is a mystery to most consumers. About two-thirds of 1,578 consumers surveyed for a report last year by the Government Accountability Office did not know that their credit histories could affect their insurance premiums.

And how could they know? Few insurers routinely disclose scores or what role they play in setting premiums.

-Sean Cononie

A

n elderly Chinese woman had two pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”

The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and everyday while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But our cracks make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Always take care of not only yourself, but those around you too.

You may not have the chance tomorrow. Life is too short to always be grumpy, live life to its fullest, smile and be happy! Xoxoxox Love, Patty

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

3553 North Dixie Highway Oakland Park, Fl 33334 New Number 954-437-3776

Email: info@mycomputerpeople.biz

Make checks payable to: Homeless Voice Rain Disaster P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329

I

t is true... I can't see that clear when I attempt to do the last few months budget. The rain has hit hard this year, real hard. It has been even worse than last years Hurricane season where we were not even going out for days. We tried to not only beat the rain but we tried real hard to preserve the papers from getting wet when we were out there. It costs us about $5,500 an issue to bring the Homeless Voice to your car windows every month. The last few months we had a lot of waste therefore costing us even more in printing charges. Those papers do get wet out there when you lay them down after it has rained. We estimate that we lost over $31,000 in paper sales for the last three months. We usually take a $12,000 loss for the rain season. So if you’re doing your bills this month and you are sitting down watching a little TV while doing so and that lovely check book is there, we can always use a few extra dollars this month. Not too much per person, just a little from whomever. Please do not send any more than a few dollars each. We don't like to ask for more than we need. If you would be so kind to memo the check "Rain Disaster" so we know to put that money on the rain funding project that would be great. Of course we still have our campaign to pay off the mortgage.

HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE We need just 26,639 people to send in a check for $20.00, Or 10,656 people to send in a check for $50.00, Or 5,328 people to send in a check for $100.00, Or 533 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or Just one wonderful person or business to send a check for the entire $532,780 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