Homeless Voice; Cononie Appears on Dr. Phil

Cononie appears on Dr. Phil

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or those who did not see the Doctor Phil show on December 12th where Sean was a guest this story is written so we can recap it for you. (You can view it on www.homelessnewswire.net) As most of you know Sean is one of the leading advocates on Homeless Hate Crimes in the country.

Sean admits he

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learned everything off of Michael Stoops who is the director of the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington DC. According to Cononie Stoops is the ultimate authority on these crimes against the homeless.

The show was based on why these crimes occur and why are these kids hunting and killing the homeless like it was a sport. Invited on the show was the producer of the video series “Bum Fights.”

The video series is based on homeless people beating each

Teen who beat homeless man to death says videos influenced him The Associated Press

other up for just a few dollars provided by the producer of the series. The homeless are also paid a few dollars or given a six pack of beer to perform dangerous and degrading acts on themselves and others who are homeless. In one case a homeless persons’ tooth is ripped out with pliers. At first when you see the videos you don’t think it is as bad as it (Continued on page 6)

Lawmaker seeks to make beating up the homeless a hate crime

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ttacking a homeless person would become a hate crime, bringing increased penalties, under a bill filed in the Florida Legislature, a reaction to highprofile beatings of South Florida street dwellers.

A similar measure was filed last year but died without passing the Senate.

The proposal, which would mean longer sentences for those convicted of assaulting the homeless, was spurred by a series of attacks that gained widespread attention, including one beating near Fort Lauderdale that left 45-year-old Norris Gaynor dead and another shocking attack that was captured on video and broadcast worldwide.

The security video tape showed young men hitting Jacques Pierre with a baseball bat on the campus of Florida Atlantic University the same night they allegedly killed Gaynor. Another man

was also beaten that night, allegedly by the same young men.

Another four teenagers are also facing charges of attempted murder for a September attack in a Fort Lauderdale park on another homeless man, William Tee(Continued on page 11)

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida One of several teenagers who beat a homeless man to death was influenced by videos featuring homeless people brawling and performing dangerous stunts, according to a television interview transcript.

Jeffery Spurgeon, 19, expressed his first public remorse for the May 2005 killing in the interview that will be broadcast Sunday on CBS' "60 Minutes." It was conducted from a Jasper penitentiary where Spurgeon is serving an up to 35-year sentence.

Spurgeon said he and the others beat Michael Roberts, a frail 53-year-old homeless man who lived in the woods, "for fun." He said they were emulating scenes from "bum-rushing videos," according to the transcript. He mentioned "Bumfights," a video series available online, as a favorite.

The videos depict homeless men and women engaged in humiliating, self-destructive acts, including ripping out teeth and ramming themselves into doors.

Roberts died after three separate attacks with sticks, fists and logs. Justin Stearns, 19, Christopher Scamahorn, 16, and Warren Messner, 17, also were convicted and are serving prison terms from 22 to 35 years. Phi Huynh, 16, the fifth member of the group charged in connection with the attacks on Roberts, is awaiting trial.

Neither Spurgeon nor the others explained why they attacked Roberts during a weeklong sentencing proceeding in April, and Spurgeon's attorney Mitch Wrenn said the "60 Minutes" interview surprised him.

"I don't remember anything about bum fighting coming up," he said.

According to the Bumfights Web site, the videos are satire meant to call attention to the problems of poverty and violence.

The Homeless Voice Needs Volunteer Reporters Call 954-410-6275 Hospital Accused of Dumping Homeless Patients Kaiser Permanente is among 10 hospitals under investigation by city prosecutors for allegedly discharging homeless patients to the streets of Skid Row rather than to a relative or shelter.

The case against it stems from a March surveillance video showing a 63-year-old patient from Kaiser Permanente's Bellflower hospital wandering Skid Row in a hospital gown and slippers. Prosecutors describe what happened to Carol Ann Reyes in a 20-page document supporting the false imprisonment and dependent-care abuse charges.

"We seek to end the inhumane and illegal (Continued on page 11)

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

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name should appear in paper.

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The Cononie Family The Targett Family Patrick Helings John Bendor In Loving Memory of Uncle Joe & Nana Shannon Brooks Lisa Cebrat Pakita Price Nana Sullivan The Watsons Sean Cononie Sally Lister Judith Kelly 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 Corinne James The Browns Chris Sanchez Hugo DeCarpintini Mario Yuio Richard Friedman Diane Friedman Uylna Quadrino 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

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Carol Lockette Joe Golden Anna Marye Levier Magan Narduzzi Andre Johnson Antione Collins Eric Harrison

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Jessica Padilla Sheldon Jones Carlo Harrison Jason Emrik Dan Gilcert Amber Rowan

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Jackie Johnson Ricky Cambell Dorr’e Terry Samual Manery Marilyn Vokish Jenny Curic

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Amy Curic Lisa Jackson

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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

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Al and Annie Hurricane Prevention Inc Danny and George The Thompson Family

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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

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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 In Loving Memory of Isabel Grimany Dr Mary Michaela Farren Barbara N Robinson In Memory of My Good Friend Pat Gibson Fred T Verny JR Nicole Lee Nelson YOUR NAME HERE

Leah and Ray Michael & Michale Rhett

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Page 3

Volume IX, Issue 1

HOMELESS VOICE Thank you for all the extra help over the holiday season. We had a lot of success with our holiday projects; the Soap & Shampoo Drive, the Computer Lab, the Feeding Projects, and all the unexpected holiday gifts we received for the clients and their children. This will be a Holiday to remember.

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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

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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

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Blaze Kills 10 at Home for Mentally Ill Investigators Say It May Be Tied to Smaller Fire

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fire gutted a group home which was still under investigafor the mentally ill in tion when the second blaze besouthwest Missouri early Mon- gan.

Seven people in Monday's day, killing 10 people and infire were treated at Freeman juring 25, authorities said.

Firefighters brought the Neosho Hospital for smoke inhalation and reblaze at the Anderhospital son Guest House The home had 33 leased, under control just residents and two s p o k e s w o m a n before daylight, employees inside Emily Stanley said.

Conditions of the but blackened cinderblock walls when the fire was other injured were reported not known. were all that reThose treated at the mained standing.

The home had 33 residents scene were at another facility and two employees inside when operated by the home's owner, the fire was reported around 1 Joplin River of Life Ministries a.m., Highway Patrol spokes- Inc., Casey said.

The cause was under invesman Kent Casey said.

The dead ranged in age tigation, and names of the vicfrom early 20s to the elderly, he tims had not been released.

A woman who answered said. Nineteen people were taken to area hospitals and six the phone at Joplin River of were treated at the scene, Casey Life Ministries on Monday morning said it was not releassaid.

Authorities were trying to ing any information and hung determine if the fatal blaze was up the phone.

"I saw the front door blow linked to a smaller fire at the facility Saturday morning, As- open with fire," said neighbor sistant Fire Marshal Greg Car- Steven Spears, 47, who said he was up watching TV and saw rell said.

He did not believe anyone the blaze erupt through security was injured in the first fire, cameras he has outside his home. "I know most of them (the residents). I've talked to all

of them at one time or another.

It still hasn't hit me."

Inspectors from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which licenses the facility, found some deficiencies at the home in March but none related to fire safety, agency spokeswoman Nanci Gonder said.

"This is a devastating situation and we express our sympathy to the families of those who were killed or injured in the fire," Gonder said in a news release.

The facility also has a license from the Missouri Department of Mental Health that allowed mentally ill residents to live at the home and receive treatment elsewhere.

Mental Health spokesman Bob Bax said 17 of the facility's residents were receiving services from the department through the Ozark Center in Joplin.

Around the corner I have a friend, in this great city that has no end, yet the days go by and weeks rush on, and before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face, for life is a swift and terrible race. He knows I like him just as well, as in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then, and now we are busy, tired men. Tired of playing a foolish game, tired of trying to make a name.

"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim just to show that I'm thinking of him."

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, and distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away, "Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today."

And that's what we get and deserve in the end. Around the corner, a vanished friend.

Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you. Because when you decide that it is the right time it might be too late.

Seize the day. Never have regrets. And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today.

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Page 5

Volume IX, Issue 1

HOMELESSVOICE What You Should Know About Trans Fats

I

t's the sinister ingredient often glance at the nutrition facts panel overlooked in a quick scan of will reveal trans fat content right food labels. Trans fats may add below saturated fat -- unless the that extra crunch to crispy foods, product has less than 0.5 grams but they also raise your bad cho- per serving. lesterol.

W h a t Now, health Makes Them So ...health officials Bad? officials plan to explan to expose pose "hidden" trans T r a n s fats in your favorite "hidden" trans fats in fats are formed foods. when hydrogen is Until t h i s your favorite foods. added to a vegemonth, consumers had table oil, convertto seek out words like "partially ing it from a liquid fat to a solid, hydrogenated" to uncover the more shelf-stable fat (think marunhealthy ingredient, but under garine). The process allows the new rule, food manufacturers greater functionality in foods, must disclose the amount of trans making crunchy foods crispier fats in their products. A quick and creamy foods smoother.

Millions of acetaminophen pills recalled due to metal fragments

Commonly found in processed foods like cookies, crackers, baked goods and the like, these fats raise harmful LDL cholesterol levels. The result: an increased risk for heart disease.

Seemingly healthful foods, like granola bars and cereals, may also contain trans fats, surprisingly. Plus, they're a natural component of some high-fat meat and dairy products. Health officials say that making consumers aware of the damaging ingredient could prevent up to 1,200 cases of coronary heart disease and save between 250 and 500 lives over the next three years.

How to Lighten Your Load The American Heart Association recommends restricting total fat intake to no more than

"Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip."

— Robert Hastings Submitted by Zuly Gil

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way Stores and SuperValu Inc. They major manufacturer of acetatypically sell the Perrigo-made pills minophen sold by Wal-Mart, under private labels.

CVS, Safeway and more than 100 Perrigo, based in Allegan, other retailers recalled 11 million Mich., said the pills contained raw bottles of the widely used painmaterial purchased from a thirdrelieving pills Thursday after disparty supplier covering some were and affected 383 contaminated with batches. A commetal fragments. pany spokesman There were did not immedino immediate reately return a ports of injuries or call seeking illness. The recall comment. affects bottles conAcetaminophen taining various is best known as amounts of 500the drug in prodmilligram caplets ucts sold under made by the Perrigo the Tylenol Co. brand, but is The conThe 129 retailers that widely available taminated pills inin generic vercluded metal fragcould potentially be sions. The drug, ments ranging in affected by the recall along with aspisize from “microdots” to por- include Wal-Mart Stores rin and ibuprotions of wire one- Inc., CVS Corp., Safeway fen, is one of the most widely third of an inch long, Stores and used pain relievthe Food and Drug ers available Administration said.

SuperValu Inc. without a docPerrigo discovered tor's note. The the metal bits during retail market for the pain-relievers is quality-control checks after realizing worth more than $2 billion a year, the equipment it uses to make pills according to Perrigo. was wearing down prematurely, the The recall does not affect FDA said.

Tylenol. The recall should not cause A company investigation a shortage of acetaminophen, the turned up metal in roughly 200 pills, FDA said. The voluntary recall is after passing 70 million of the capconsidered a Class II recall since it lets through a metal detector, accovers products that might cause a cording to the FDA. temporary health problem or pose Consumers who swallow only a slight threat of a serious naany of the contaminated pills could ture, according to the FDA. suffer minor stomach discomfort or Consumers with questions possible cuts to the mouth and can call Perrigo toll free at (877) throat, the FDA said, adding that the 546-0454. risk of serious injury was remote.

Customers can check Anyone who suspects they have whether products they bought are been injured should contact a doctor, being recalled by checking the store the agency said. list on the FDA Web site, http:// The FDA posted on its www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/ Web site the recalled batch numbers and the dozens of chains supplied by perrigo/perrigocustlist.html, and the batch list, http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/ Perrigo, which bills itself as the firmrecalls/perrigo/ world's largest manufacturer of store perrigobatchlist.html -brand nonprescription drugs. The 129 retailers that could potentially be affected by the recall include Wal -Mart Stores Inc., CVS Corp., Safe-

eight teaspoons per day. And while there's no recommended dietary allowance for trans fats, experts claim intake should be limited. The best way to lighten your fat load: rely on whole foods, lean meats, fruits and vegetables. And when you need some fat to make foods more palatable, stick to oils like olive, canola and peanut rather than saturated and trans-fat laden butter or margarine.

-- Amy Paturel, M.S., M.P.H.

The USDA has cut off giving food to residents of shelters. Free food from the USDA is only granted for our soup kitchen. This will increase our budget by $5,000 a month, we need your help!

Have your church do a food drive once a month!!!

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The Voice of the Homeless

Page 6

HOMELESSVOICE Cononie appears on Dr. Phil first place. As we dig really is. The producer deeper we find that many states that they are educat- of these kids either own the ing the public to show the Bum Fights Videos or they world how homeless peo- have watched them time ple really act and how they after time. live day by day. However The studio flew us it is every advocate’s point out there and they provided of view that these videos a car service to take us to are nothing more than to the studio. When we arexploit the homeless who rived at the Paramount Picare desperate tures Stufor money to dios we do acts that were sent Several kids who to Sean’s most people would not do have been arrested dressing for any amount room. First of money. We for killing a homeless we got all know des- person have admitted briefed and perate people that they got their this is when do desperate we found things and it is idea off of the video out that the most advocates producer of “Bum Fights.” feeling that this the videos is the reason was also a the homeless allowed guest. This is when Sean themselves to take part in also found out that Norris these vicious videos.

Gaynor’s sister Samone Several kids who was also going to be on the have been arrested for kill- show. In case you do not ing a homeless person have remember Norris Gaynor admitted that they got their was the young man in idea off of the video “Bum January of 2006 that was Fights.”

Advocates and beaten to death while he even the general public feel slept on a park bench in that these videos do noth- Fort Lauderdale.

That ing but dehumanize the same night two other homeless person. So one homeless men were atwould think that these kids tacked but did not die. I are thinking that the home- am quite sure all of you less are not even real hu- remember this incident mans then it is not a big because the news went all deal to degrade the home- over the world because one less and kill them like it of the attacks was caught was nothing. Time after on video tape. Many protime when these kids get grams and new laws that arrested they continue to we all are trying to get say it was all for fun and passed will be titled after that it was not a big deal Norris because it hit us all that they killed them. The so hard when this happolice do their own investi- pened. To actually watch gation to convict but soci- some kids hit a homeless ologist, advocates, and re- person with a baseball bat porters go a little deeper to while they lay helpless on see what made them do the ground was so bad to these vicious acts in the most of us that we all will (Continued from page 1)

Shania

never forget it. Unfortunately for Norris and his family, Norris will most likely be the most famous homeless person who was killed simply because they were homeless. However even though Norris lost his life his legend will live on.

It was a very touching moment for Norris' sister; she told it like it was. She made it clear to the ones who kicked her brother and to prevent other attacks.

She wanted people to know that someone loved Norris and that was his family and they had no right to take him away like they did.

She was a little nervous at first but Sean kept on giving her the thumbs up that she was doing just fine.

After the show Sean told her that there was not one person in America who would have done a better job than she. Sean claimed that her interview would save other homeless people from becoming victims and also to change the hearts of others who may do such a horrible act in the future.

Doctor Phil then called on Sean several times to give his expert opinion about these attacks and also to either confirm or deny what the producers of ‘Bum Fights’ claimed.

Of course Sean could only say that truth and to him the truth was that the producers’ main reason for making these videos was to increase their personal wealth.

If you have not noticed as of yet, I have chosen not to mention the producers of ‘Bum Fights’ name in this story. I feel that they should get no credit what so ever for these videos. In a way Dr Phil felt the same way and eventually threw the producer off the stage. At first the producer did not want to leave the stage but then Dr. Phil’s security came out and removed him. At the end of the segment Dr. Phil said to Sean that it must be expensive to run a homeless shelter and handed Sean a check for $25,000 to be used to help the homeless.

Already in progress are programs being designed to help prevent these attacks in the future and we shall name them after Norris. May Norris’ family find comfort knowing that their sons’ death will make a change in America very soon. May the Lord give them comfort

Cononie reviews data on the Bum Fights video series. The Dr. Phil Show put Sean and Sean's staff in a nice hotel in down town Hollywood.

Left to Right Sara Targett editor of The Homeless Voice, Sean Cononie, and Mark Targett who brings the Homeless Voice to your car window every month. This was after the show in the studio parking lot . All three were still excited by the generous donation that the Dr. Phil Foundation gave to work on the Hate Crimes projects. This is the same time that all three of them decided to share and split the money with the National Coalition for the Homeless who does such important work to end the vicious attacks on the homeless

Mark Targett met with Drea de Matteo of the Sopranos TV show, in real life she believes that the homeless should be treated just like her and mark

at all times, may the Lord take Norris right into heaven and give him his very own park where he can relax and read in peace.

May the Lord change the hearts of those who attack others for no reason at all.

At the end of the show all the Homeless Voice staff decided that half the money should be shared with the National Coalition for the Homeless because Sean reports to them on all hate crime issues and this is a National problem as well as a local problem and the

people in DC need as much as possible trying to aid the Homeless as a protected class in the Federal hate crimes statue. We are only steps away from getting the Homeless on the already established law, making it a more serious crime if you try to hurt a Homeless person based on hate.

Written By Mark Targett

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Page 7

Volume IX, Issue 1

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 we know their prayers are with us. We are getting there and we will indeed pay off this mortgage. So we 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 we 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.

5 Tips for New Year's Resolutions From Amber J. Tresca, The best way to keep your resolution is to plan ahead.

Chances are, at some time in your life you've made a New Year's Resolution - and then broken it. This year, stop the cycle of resolving to make change, but not following through. Here are 10 tips to help get you started.

1. Be realistic: The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favorite desserts again could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable.

2. Plan ahead: Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mind-set that particular day. Instead it should be well planned before December 31 arrives.

3. Talk about it: Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better. The best case scenario is to find yourself a buddy who shares your New Year's Resolution and motivate each other.

4. Don't Beat Yourself Up: Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take them one at a time.

5. Stick to it: Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality.

Keep trying: If your resolution has totally run out of steam by midFebruary, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a "New Year's Resolution" any time of year.

Main Entry: res·o·lu·tion Function: noun Pronunciation: “re-zo-'lü-shon” Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French resolution, from Latin resolution-, resolutio, from resolvere 1 : the act or process of reducing to simpler form: as a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering : SOLVING c : the act of determining d : the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance e : the separating of a chemical compound or mixture into its constituents f (1) : the division of a prosodic element into its component parts (2) : the substitution in Greek or Latin prosody of two short syllables for a long syllable g : the analysis of a vector into two or more vectors of which it is the sum h : the process or capability of making distinguishable the individual parts of an object, closely adjacent optical images, or sources of light 2 : the subsidence of a pathological state (as inflammation) 3 a : something that is resolved <made a resolution to mend my ways> b : firmness of resolve 4 : a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted by an official body or assembled group 5 : the point in a literary work at which the chief dramatic complication is worked out synonym see COURAGE

The Voice of the Homeless

Page 8

HOMELESSVOICE

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Prayer Request: I understand the weather in Iraq is very difficult to bear right now. Our troops need our prayers for strength, endurance and safety.

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.

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

Page 9

Volume IX, Issue 1

HOMELESSVOICE Ceremony will remember Broward's homeless as deaths rise in county

T

hey died in alleys and parks.

They were shot, stabbed, beaten and burned to death. They hanged or shot themselves. Some bodies could no longer withstand the abuse from cocaine or alcohol. Some drowned. One walked in front of a train.

At least 98 homeless people have died in Broward County since late November 2005, far more than in the past, according to the medical examiner's office. And each had a story.

The baseball-bat beating of Norris Gaynor on Jan. 12 in Fort Lauderdale made national headlines. Few others prompted much media attention, let alone an obituary.

But they will be remembered tonight.

Homeless people will converge on Fort Lauderdale's First United Methodist Church, 101 SE Third Ave., at 5 p.m., to light candles, eat a hot meal, receive gift toiletries and recite the names of every person who died without a home in the past year.

"The first reason is to remember those who have died; the second is to provide some joy to those who have made it through the year," said Laura Hansen, CEO of the Coalition to End Homelessness which is sponsoring Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. But Hansen's joy is tinged with alarm because the number of homeless deaths in Broward County is mounting.

At least 67 people listed as homeless died from November 2004 to November 2005, according to medical examiner statistician Nicholas Polizos. Thirtythree died in 2003-2004 and 41 died in 2001-2002.

Similarly, some The cause of people do not carry a walthe increase is uncerlet that contains an adtain, but some groups dress, and if they are later that deal with the found to have had a home, homeless daily think they aren't always removed it reflects a spike in Often when a homeless person from the list of deceased the homeless population. dies carrying identification with homeless people.

The often-quoted "Housing is a former address, they are not figure of 3,100 homeless getting too expensive in Broward comes from a for people to afford counted as homeless, he said. census taken in the county and wages are not two years ago by Hansen's keeping pace," Hangroup and 100 volunteers. s e n s a i d .

"Homelessness is an economic when they find social service But many advocates say that condition and people can't afford agencies have no resources left, represents less than a third of said Hollywood homeless advo- those actually living on the to pay their rent." streets.

Several groups like the cate Sean Cononie.

The coalition will lead a "There's a lack of serCooperative Feeding Program in Fort Lauderdale contend more vices, obviously, in the commu- new census Jan. 24. They are people ask them for food, espe- nity so that even when homeless recruiting 500 volunteers to work people cry out for help, there is a four- or eight-hour shift intercially senior citizens.

Some families are still none," Cononie said. "One of the viewing homeless people from 7 homeless after 2005's Hurricane things they teach you [in rehabili- a.m. to 11 p.m. For more infortation training] is when someone mation, call the coalition at 954Wilma.

Even the homeless them- calls out for help, you have to 792-4000.

There is no quick fix to help them then, because 15 minselves are sensing a change.

"Yeah, I'm seeing a lot utes down the road, he might the problems reflected by the mortality figures. Hansen hopes more people, especially young change his mind."

No one has reliable num- new figures will leverage more ones. There are a lot more young ones than there used to be," said bers regarding the homeless in federal grants. Cononie wants the Arthur Scott, a Fort Lauderdale Broward. Even the medical ex- public to realize more money native who had been sleeping in aminer's figures may be mislead- must be committed to counseling, Holiday Park on Monday eve- ing, said Richard Courtney, who treatment, job training and espedoes homeless outreach for the cially medical help in hospitals. ning.

"There are people out That influx of homeless Fort Lauderdale Police Departthere dying when they shouldn't people in their late teens and ment.

Often when a homeless have to die," he said. twenties is making space scarce at some homeless shelters, Scott person dies carrying identifica- Bill Hirschman can be reached at tion with a former address, they 954-356-4513 or at bhirschsaid.

It's even worse for people are not counted as homeless, he man@sun-sentinel.com.

By Bill Hirschman who want to change their lives said.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel We are in Posted December 19 2006

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

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

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

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The Voice of the Homeless

Page 10

HOMELESSVOICE

What if the Homeless Voice earned a Penny every time you searched on the Internet? ...Well, Now We Can!!!

We Need Your Help

O

ver the last six years we have developed all kinds of fund raising plans.

We thank all you givers out there.

The last few years have been a little hard on us and it has become a pretty difficult month for us. First we had me with the Meningitis. Then we had the few storms that caused floods in our offices.

We still are five months past due on reconciling our check book as well as a few years late on tax paper work. Thank God the IRS understands and they know we are trying our best to do our paper work that is needed.

Then we just got our office back from the damage of Wilma and we still have another $600,000 worth of work repairs to do.

With all the damage we had to come up with major amounts of money. Then all you know I lost Cathy in August from lung cancer and Cathy did mostly everything for me.

And as most of you know that with all these hate crimes on the homeless it takes so much of my time away from the shelter. We all must start educating our kids that these attacks must stop.

With all these problems we are very concerned that we are going to continue to have a hard time securing donations and working on getting the mortgage paid off as well as paying the monthly bills just to stay open.

We Need So Many Campaign Thermometer Campaign Campaigning is still going on. You can show all your friends the thermometer in the Homeless Voice and ask them to send in their checks.

The Famous Friends Campaign You have seen this in the Homeless Voice, this is where you all send in your check for $15.00 per month and then we print your name in the paper every month. You can also make copies of this page in the paper and ask your church leaders and elders to allow you to speak so they too can be involved.

The Matthew Plan This is the plan that asks your church to send in a one time nice size donation. If we had about 500 churches that each sent in a check for $1,000 then we all will burn those mortgage papers and have a great feast and feed many more according to the book of Matthew.

Penny drive Last year we had a young boy at the age of 15 who collected pennies from all his friends, family, and neighbors and raised almost $3500. He collected almost 1600 lbs of pennies.

Search with Us over the Internet Go to your search engine and enter in goodsearch.com. You search the internet just like you do with Google and Yahoo and you get the same results and it is entirely free to you. It is powered by Yahoo Search. For every search you do, the Good Search Company will donate $.01 to us here at the Homeless Voice. You can also add their link to your employer’s web browser so it is in your tool bar which makes it very easy to use. After you get to your link you will see enter in the Homeless Voice and it will prompt you to the COSAC Homeless Assistance Center, verify it and then whenever you go to that page our name should be there. Here is the fun part… You can see every time you search how much money was raised for us. After you verified your charity you then go to and enter your search words. When you go to this page it will give you directions to install in your employer or other search engine so it will always be there. Basically it will become your homepage. AOL Users may have to clear your footprints or cookies every so often so it automatically can be used in their tool bars.

Please use this site honestly. Fraudulent searches will result in a charity being de-listed.

Here is the most exciting part, send this link with a little note telling your friends and families to do the same thing as you did. I ask you please help make our Holiday Season a very special one and help us until we have burned those mortgage papers. You can send in your checks to The COSAC Homeless Assistance Center, Inc P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 Or call 954-924-3571 and ask for the Campaign to pay off our mortgage department. Thank-you for keeping us in your prayers!

May the Lord Bless you!

A

s you know we always need your help and this new year will be no different. We are in the process of still trying to pay the mortgage off and trying to buy some new property. Why do we need more and more property?

Well for starters, I have never seen so many people who have worked their entire life and were part of the working class and then they are homebound. This will retired.

The problems with be a place where no matter how their retirement is that they much income a senior has they have nothing but a small social will be able to have a place to security check that in most call home.

A lot of us advocates cases won’t allow them to rent anything because their check are trying to make sure that won’t even cover their monthly every area in the country has rent let alone their move in cost affordable housing and if we such as security and first and don’t make any progress we will see our grandfathers, and last month’s rent.

And if they are lucky grandmothers living in the alenough to find a place that they leys trying to get their next can afford maybe because a meal out of a dumpster.

We all have a lot of little bigger check then comes, their rents can increase to al- work to do and that starts off by most triple when the northern- us trying to expand but it can’t ers make their way down. be us the providers who can South Florida is known for six save this nation on affordable month leases so the property housing for the seniors. It has owners can get the maximum to be us the family as well.

And this starts off by making out of their rental income.

Our current location sure our parents have what it allows us to house the ones who takes to survive on their retireneed a little extra help because ment checks.

And if we find out that some suffer from mental health issues or physical disabilities they won’t be able to make it on while others may be addicted to their own it is time we take care drugs or alcohol. But what hap- of them. Too many times we pens to the ones who simply forget that mom and dad become homeless because of changed all those dirty diapers and that does mean it is time we poverty and poverty alone?

At first we do the same for them no matter started to mix them in our regu- how busy we all are with our lar population but soon found own lives.

I will say the same as out that they really need to have their own special place where the vendors say “Care to help they can relax and enjoy their the homeless?” Please send in life after working so hard their your checks to help us pay off entire life. Some may wonder, our mortgage so we can expand ‘what happened to their own so we too can change the diapers of the ones that are forgotpersonal pensions?

Stop right here ten by their own sons and and ask yourself, does everyone daughters. we know have their own private pension funds or HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE are they relying on what We need just Uncle Sam is supposed 25,784 people to send in a check for $20.00, Or to lay out in their future? We are now look- 10,314 people to send in a check for $50.00, Or ing to expand and ex5,157 people to send in a check for $100.00, pand close by for senOr iors so they can live in a 516 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or space that does not take Just one wonderful person or business to send a check for the entire $515,670; every dollar of their We will name the shelter after you or check. A place where whomever you choose they can live, have their Remember the donation is tax deductible!! own TV, have three Please send your checks to: meals a day and a place The COSAC Building Fund where their doctors can P.O. Box 292-577 come and see them if Davie, Florida 33329 We do thank you

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

Page 11

Volume IX, Issue 1

HOMELESSVOICE Hospital Accused of Dumping Homeless Patients (Continued from page 1)

able.

practice," City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo said in Thursday's Los Angeles Times.

Delgadillo's office is also suing Kaiser under a state law on unfair business practices.

The lawsuit asks a judge to forbid all Kaiser hospitals from dumping homeless patients on Skid Row and to impose financial sanctions if the order is violated.

Skid Row has one of the nation's largest concentrations of homeless people, in part because it has a cluster of shelters and services to help them. Police have long suspected that medical centers and law enforcement agencies from elsewhere used it as a dumping ground for homeless people.

Delgadillo said the charges and lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente are a first step in holding hospitals account-

Diana Bonta, vice president of public affairs for Kaiser Southern California, said Kaiser has changed some of its practices since March.

"As soon as we heard about it, we said, 'this is not how we do business.'

And we apologized," she said.

The surveillance camera that spotted Reyes had been installed at the Union Rescue Mission the previous year because of the allegations that homeless people were being brought there and left on the street.

Reyes lived mostly in a public park in Gardena before she was hospitalized.

When she was discharged, prosecutors say, she wasn't told she was being taken to Skid Row. Hospital staff "summoned a taxicab and directed the taxi driver to transport

Lawmaker seeks to make beating up the homeless a hate crime (Continued from page 1)

ters.

Rep. Priscilla Taylor, D-Riviera Beach, said some young people appear to be specifically targeting the homeless because of who they are - which makes it a hate crime.

"Until that stops and people really get the message that it's not OK to do this, we need additional penalties," Taylor said Friday about the bill she filed late last month.

The Legislature meets for two months in March and April, but legislation is considered in committee meetings all winter.

The bill could get a boost if Gov.-elect Charlie Crist supports it, which appears likely.

"I'd be open to that," Crist said this week when asked if he'd support making attacks against the homeless a hate crime.

Under the measure, a person convicted of aggravated

assault or aggravated battery on a homeless person must be sentenced to a minimum of three years in prison and could get a fine up to $10,000.

Advocates for the homeless back the idea of tougher penalties - saying that it may serve as a deterrent because many of the beatings appear to be premeditated attacks, where people go looking for the homeless because they are defenseless and on the fringes of society.

Enhanced hate crime penalties "have certainly been a deterrent when it comes to the elderly and we think its been a deterrent when it comes to race," said Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.

"There probably isn't a more vulnerable population than the people living out on

the street."

Book said there was a need for statewide legislation because l o c a l laws can't require l o n g enough jail sentences and partly because it appears to be a growing problem although no one is certain about the number of attacks on homeless people because many likely go unreported.

"I'd like to tell you we were limited to two cases," Book said noting the two high-profile arrests in Broward County.

"Unfortunately there have been multiple cases."

ON THE NET Florida Legislature: http:// www.leg.state.fl.us DAVID ROYSE Associated Press

Ms. Reyes to Skid A Los Angeles hospital medical facility's Row, approximately and ratings accused of dumping bonding 16 miles away. ... also could be affected (She) was literally homeless patients on by any criminal findrushed out of the ing. hospital and into the downtown's Skid Row is City prosecutors said taxi even though the facing the first criminal they have examined hospital staff could more than 40 allegacharges in the city's not locate her tions of hospital dumpclothes," the docuing on Skid Row. The ments said. Reyes campaign to crack down investigation produced was eventually spot- on the practice and clean 15 potential cases, they ted by shelter staff said. up the area. and escorted inside.

The American Civil Bonta said KaiLiberties Union of ser has since stopped using taxis to transSouthern California and Public Counsel port patients to Skid Row. also plan to sue on Reyes' behalf.

Hospital officials also are instructed "This is the first case in the nation to notify Skid Row service providers in where there is a joint effort by government and civil rights groups to halt the advance if they are sending a discharged practice of hospital dumping," said Mark patient there, and drivers must escort the Rosenbaum, the ACLU's legal director. patient inside, she said.

If convicted of the criminal charges, Kaiser Permanente could be placed on probation that would limit its behavior and contain potential penalties. The

Hospital Window Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."