No Room at the Inn
Homeless Voice Plans to Beautify Shelter
An update from a previous issue
As you can see by the pictures on page 7; we are starting to complete
T
his month we have seen a severe increase in the amount of Homeless Families. Usually we get a call once a week about a homeless family. This month of July we have gotten a few calls almost every day. It almost feels like the olden days of our shelter system back in the late 1990’s when almost every other month we had a baby or a family on our cover. In 2003 we had over 40 children here for the holidays. Since the county opened up more family units there really wasn’t any need to take families anymore because there were more than enough units. Off and on we would still get a family in the middle of the night and we would house them until we got them in the proper family shelter, but overall, the county did a pretty good job of making a system work better. It (Continued on page 6)
Cathy’s Prayer List •
Jenna
• •
Brian Tommy Hollywood • Joseph • Julie • Roger’s Family • Killingsworth Family • • Owens Family New Destiny International • Christian Center of Tamarac Kerri Fitzpatrick • Maria Rosales • Joe Middleton • Cathy • Frannie • Carlos Alberto • Dominique Francis Family •
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
the outside remodeling of our shelter. We plan to bring it to the same Art Deco format along downtown Hollywood. This way it looks just like a regular Hollywood Building and not a Homeless Shelter.
imagine it cost a pretty penny to do this clean up job and as you also can see we waited and waited until we had most of the funds to do this pro-
In 2003 we had over 40 children
ject.
We still are a little short and
we still need about another $2500 to
here for the holidays.
IRS Warns Taxpayers of New E-mail Scams the word out. If asked the question, The Homeless Voice’ Intro how many Americans got scammed any people become homeless out of their last dollars, the answer for many different reasons, would be in the millions maybe ever such as health, death, substance abuse more than 100 and also simple povmillion dollars. If erty. Lately we have If you receive an you asked us how seen an increase of senemail like some of much was iors who have become the ones we have scammed from homeless due to fraud people who actuand to top it off seniors mentioned in this ally came to our who surf the Internet are story, simply do not shelter over the among the majority of even reply to it. last two years the those getting ripped dollar amount off. At times it can be would be over $50,000. the average person who only has a It starts off with an email sent little money in the bank and then gets to the person’s incoming mailbox. In hit with a scam and before you know it they are knocking at our doors. In fact t h e e m a i l , “ ‘ Y o u ’ a r e t h e lucky person who has become a lottery it got so bad with the number of cases winner.” Other emails may be diwe saw coming in to the shelter we rected to you and yes, lately these even took the time to notify the Dept. scammers have started to market not of Justice as well as asking the Social for profits telling them that so and so Security Administration to send out died and they wanted the estate valued notices to everyone on Social Security. at 25 million to go to your agency. Or Not to our knowledge did they ever do (Continued on page 5) this but the FBI has been trying to get
M
As one would
(Continued on page 7)
Palm homeless man accused of killing another over booze BOCA RATON -- A homeless man was in Palm Beach County Jail Tuesday after police arrested him for allegedly killing another homeless man during a fight over booze. Raymond Roach, 36, faces a second -degree murder charge in the killing of Carlos Reyes, 53. He was arrested Monday. Reyes was found by a jogger Saturday morning in the Camino Gardens (Continued on page 10)
Backyard Pool Safety According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 350 children under five years of age drown each year in swimming pools, many in residential pools. The Commission estimates that another 2,600 children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year following submersion incidents. Some of these submersions
How’s My Vending? Call (954)
925-6466 X101
result in permanent brain damage. Nationally, drowning is a leading cause of death to children under five. (Continued on page 9)
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 2
FRIENDS OF THE HOMELESS VOICE Mail check to: COSAC Foundation P.O. Box 292-577
For just $15.00 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day.
Davie, FL 33329 Please include on memo what name should appear in paper.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Cononie Family The Targett Family Patrick Helings John Bendor In Loving Memory of Uncle Joe & Nana Shannon Brooks Lisa Cebrat Pakita Price 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 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 Justin Rowan Mary Green Morris Grazi Marvin Shatze Ronald Shafer Vance Gunn Adam Staler Allen Yancy Jimmy Daniels Mel Blount Carol Lockette 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 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 OTD Messenger, Inc M. Smith Yorick and Bonita Parrica Lee Russ & Delores B Mordon Robert Jesus Llanes Comet Couriev Proietto Family In Memory of Billy Corwin Josh Searles Patricia Lee Russ Delores B Mordon Mrs. Jenkins Everglades Moon, Covenant of Goddess, Elibet Hanson Judy B. Pascarella John Gaeta Michael R. Prokop, Jr. Jackie M. McCarty In Memory of Charles Horton In Memory of William F. Judge
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Todd Palgon The Morabito Family Todd Palgon Holly J. Andrus Lois Cross In Loving Memory of Florence & Nat Popkin Tailored Advertising, Inc Claudia K. Tapolow Margie Jones In memory of Wesley H. Woodall Maria M. Riveiro Gottlieb & Blair Family Pioneer Middle School Youth Crime Watch Rhenals-Mei Family The Strikowski family Margie Jones & Friends Ronald Prescia In Memory of Brian Groleau Laura Flash Jacqueline M. McCarty The Herrmann Family The Monserrate Family Madeline Butera Jennifer S. Nickel Marilyn R. Smith David Thawley On Behalf of Matthew Lambert Mustafa Mehmet Gokoglu In Memory of Scott Paul Cooper Robert and Ruth Baal In Memory of Melba DeSanto In Memory of My Mother Pearl McCann, Love Teresa Barbara Desanto Leah and Ray Michael & Michale Rhett Marie Sutera Floyd and Luana Coats Doug Boucher Family Kevin Jones Dorothy Griffith Family In Loving Memory of Kris Soltan Kevin “KJ” Jones 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 N 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 Ms. Evelyn Salerno Nicole Lee Nelson Al & Barbara Liebmann In Loving Memory of Isabel Grimany Dr Mary Michaela Farren In Memory of My Good Friend Pat Gibson Fred T Verny JR Nicole Lee Nelson C.R. Gallagher Jonathan Burger In Memory of Dan Holland Sheila Holder Merav & Ezra Alexander In Memory of Maxima Oakland Park Elks Lodge # 2407 J. Coffee In Memory of Stanley Smolen In Memory of Martin Grey In Loving Memory of My Daughter Melissa Lurz In Loving Memory of Charles G. Youngman YOUR NAME HERE
In Loving Memory of Shirley Coulson
Page 3
Volume IX, Issue 7
HATE CRIMES ISSUE The below represents an estimate of an un-audited glance until final figures are calculated. Program Services, includes donations w e give to our international programs such as the orphanages in Haiti as w ell as 14 different homeless social service agencies such as our shelter system. How do w e do it? Most of the top staff are full time volunteers and w e only have a very s mall paid staff. The paid staff gets below the normal salaries in the w orld of not for profits. We had a mission to do and w e did it and w ill continue to do it living by the rules of the founding fathers.
As a lot of you know I have three beautiful little girls all given to me from God. Many families throughout the year lose their little ones from some type of accident. Please take this paper serious and make your home a safer environment, it will only take a little time and a small amount of money. -Mark Targett LE T T E R S T O T H E E D IT O R S EN D T O:
HOMELESS
VOICE
Mail to : Hom eless Voic e PO Box 292577 D avie , F l 33 32 9
Cut the certificate and send it with a check or money order f or $50 $24 NAME
ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 2 9 2-57 7 DAVIE , F LO RIDA 3 3 32 9 FAX TO : 9 5 4-9 2 6 -2 0 2 2 E M A IL : in fo @h om e le ssv o ic e .o rg AL L D ON A TIO N R E QU ES TS IN TH E H OM EL ESS VOI CE F OR AN Y CH AR IT Y AR E AD V ER TIS ED IN CON J UN C TION W I TH TH IS W OR D IN G A CO P Y OF TH E O F FI CI A L R EG IS TR A TION AN D FIN AN CI A L IN F O R M ATION M A Y B E OB T AIN ED FR O M TH E D IV ISI ON O F C ON S UM ER SER VI CES B Y CA L LIN G TO LL - FR EE IN TH E S TA T E 1 -8 00 -43 5-7 35 2 R E GIS TR AT ION D OES N O T IM P L Y EN D OR S EM EN T, A P PR OV A L, OR R ECOM M EN D ATION B Y TH E S T A TE TH AN K YO U F OR HE L PIN G TH E H OM EL ESS
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O n o u r h o m e p a g e , c l ic k o n sp o n s o rs , t h e n g o to a ff ili a te s .
Call for AD Space 954-920-1277
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Call 954-920-1277 Call our contractor referral line. Call us and we will get you the person to do the job much less!
WHY CALL A DAY-LABOR COMPANY AND SPEND LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY?
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 4
HOMELESS VOICE
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
Excellence in Radio
Generators
Phone Chargers
The use of Generators during power outages can kill your whole family. The first rule to follow when it comes
We all have the habit of unplug-
Child Safety for All Ages
to generators is to never use them
ging our phones from the end of the charger and leaving the charger still plugged in the wall. Two things can happen; the child can wrap the phone
from your house. Even carports with
Some safety hazards apply to all children. But many problems are especially dangerous for children at a particular age or stage of development. Keep the following precautions in mind for your children as they grow.
roofs can be dangerous for they may
Birth to 8 months
down on the cord and get electro-
indoors.
They must be well away
not let the poisonous gases of the carbon monoxide escape.
You
can’t smell the carbon monoxide. Only use generators outside in a well ventilated area. Tell your friends this as a reminder during hurricane season.
• • • • •
Never leave a child alone on a changing table, bed or sofa. Children can fall as soon as they can roll over. Use gates on stairways and install window guards on all windows above the first floor as soon as your baby can crawl. Never leave small objects within your baby's reach. Put your baby to sleep face up to prevent suffocation and reduce the risk of SIDS. Never carry hot liquids or food while holding your child.
cord around their necks and also bite cuted. It may not be a big time shock because most chargers have a limited amount of amps that actually get to the end of the cord but not all do. So unplug that charger and store it away from children.
8 to 12 months Grill Safety Every year there are over 6000 home fires that are started by grills and these are some of the ways to prevent fires from happening. Never use a grill inside and always use in a well ventilated area. Never use a grill that is unstable where it can tip over easily. Never allow your pets or small children to play near the grill. Never pour lighter fluid on a lit grill. Do not use a grill within 20 feet of a house or building. Do not have combustibles near grill. Do not wear loose clothing.
• • • • • • • •
12 to 36 months • • • • • •
Keep hose and fire extinguisher near cooking site. Spray your dry yard with a garden hose where you will be cooking to prevent unsuspected fires. Have fire extinguisher and hose or bucket of water near by in case you or a loved one catches fire. Do not turn on gas grill with lid closed which could allow gas to build up and explode.
• • •
6000 fires, 5 deaths, and 170 injuries are a result of improper grill use, Be Careful!
Secure doors that lead to stairways, driveways and storage areas. Never leave a child alone in a bathtub or wading pool or other body of water. Lock medicines away immediately after use. Lock kerosene, pesticides and toxic cleaning products in a safe place. Buy age-appropriate toys that are too large to swallow. Don't leave your child alone around burning fireplaces, heaters or other hot appliances. Provide constant supervision. Store dangerous tools and gardening equipment in a locked shed or cabinet. Keep matches and cigarette lighters locked up and out of sight.
• • •
Teach your child the right way to use simple kitchen tools and appliances. Teach bicycle safety rules and traffic dangers. Start swimming lessons. Never leave a child unsupervised around a pool or other body of water, even if the child has had swimming lessons.
6- to 12-year-olds • • • •
Teen Drivers How do we get them to come home? As you know the Homeless Voice not only houses the homeless who have been victims of domestic violence or others who may not be able to work because of disabilities we also try to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place. It is estimated that many families do become homeless because of the loss of a child. Sometimes after their loss they never can pull themselves out of that pit they have been in since they lost their child. So here is a tip for you to treasure and keep near to your heart especially when your teens are starting to drive, on their own. Every year at least 6,000 teens go out for a drive and
they
do
not
ever
come
home. What can we do as parents to
3- to 6-year-olds
In case you or someone catches fire always Stop, Drop, and Roll.
Keep pins and other sharp objects off the floor and out of your baby's reach. Install safety plugs in wall sockets. Remove easily overturned lamps and dangling electrical cords. Place soft adhesive bumpers on the corners of sharp-edged furniture. Place a gate across stairways to keep the baby from falling downstairs. Keep medicines and poisons in a locked cabinet. Install child locks on cabinets. Be sure baby furniture and toys are painted with lead-free paint. Buy ageappropriate toys that are too large to swallow. Never leave your baby alone in the bath; keep one hand on the child at all times.
Insist that your child wear a helmet when cycling or other appropriate times. Children should wear helmets and wrist and kneepads while inline skating and skateboarding. Teach proper use of more complex kitchen appliances. Be sure your child uses well-fitting, well-maintained sports equipment when practicing or playing a game. Teach your child basic first-aid and what to do in an emergency
get this number down? We need to check on our kids more and in the decade of electronics we can do it for under $15.00 per month with real time tracking using GPS monitoring systems. With these systems we can monitor how fast our children are driving. We can also set up a permitted area they can go with their cars and if they go beyond the boundaries that were approved by the parent the (Continued on page 10)
Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"
Page 5
Volume IX, Issue 7
HOMELESS VOICE IRS Warns Taxpayers of New E-mail Scams you are getting money orders with Uncle Sam’s Ok signature on them they tell you that Mrs. So and So and then you assume that all must from some country is in the hospital be on the up and up so when those about to die and she wanted them to money orders arrive you are excontact you so you can claim the tremely happy and you are reassured inheritance. If they say the person that you have nothing to lose, behas died they may even direct you to sides it is only a matter of days bea site with a news story of a person fore you get the big prize. Not so... who was aboard an airliner crash or As soon as those great looking “as some other type of accident. good as gold” USA money orders The next step is communiget deposited and you wire the cations with the criminal on the money out to your other side of the world so called legal repwho is going to tell you resentation the next how you will get your A good rule of thing you will get millions. They will comthumb is to in the mail is a nomunicate with you over never believe tice that you have email and they will send anything over insufficient funds you all kinds of docuthe Internet because those ments and of course they money orders baltell you that they must when it comes anced or they were trust you because someto you making stolen or even how they have to sneak it big. If it is so counterfeited. So the money out of their easy to become yes you have been country to your grubby a millionaire scammed and now little hands. over the you have a negative Things will come Internet then balance in your your way, names of their assume it is a b a nk a c cou n t. barristers better known as scam. Well not so bad, their legal advisor. Copyour Social Secuies of their passports, their rity check will be business card, a bankers deposited directly business card and of in to your checking account for course the telephone number to the safety reasons so you don’t get banker and legal advisor which is robbed by a bad guy when you cash nothing more than an Internet teleyour check that is usually mailed to phone number that can be moved you in the past. Well the safety is from location to location in a matter for your bank not for you because as of seconds. They may also give you soon as that check gets directly desomeone's number here in America posited in to your acct. the bank as your legal representation to make says to you, “I am sorry the money sure it is a smooth transaction, and that came in went to pay off your guess what? It may be an area code negative balance from the cashed 202 for Washington DC but yet it money orders that were no good.” may ring in Nigeria. By the way Now you are homeless and now you Nigeria is where these scams are being worked every day by a team have arrived to the world of being homeless. of people on the Internet making It was December 2006 and millions from unsuspecting AmeriMr. Larry Senson who was on Socans. cial Security Disability living in his It gets worse they will tell own apartment for years living off you that the money will be wired to of $1200 per month. Larry lived you and that there will be a tax to check to check never having more get the wire. Then they will tell you than a few hundred of dollars to his that they are going to send you USA name. He had Direct Deposit so he money orders to your home address could not be ripped off from a so you can pay that tax this way you would-be robber when he used to feel secure that they mean business. cash his check at the bank. Believe In a matter of a few days you will it or not the bad guys would hang receive about 4,000 in real USA out at banks on the 1st and third of money orders made payable to you. the month knowing that many peoThey also tell you as soon as you ple got their checks and walked to deposit them to wire them the same their local banks to cash them. amount back in cash so they can start the process… Well of course (Continued on page 9)
Internet Crime Prevention Tips
(Continued from page 1)
Identity Theft • • • • • • • • •
Ensure websites are secure prior to submitting your credit card number. Do your homework to ensure the business or website is legitimate. Attempt to obtain a physical address, rather than a P.O. box or maildrop. Never throw away credit card or bank statements in usable form. Be aware of missed bills which could indicate your account has been taken over. Be cautious of scams requiring you to provide your personal information. Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you make the call. Monitor your credit statements monthly for any fraudulent activity. Report unauthorized transactions to your bank or credit card company as soon as possible. • Review a copy of your credit report at least once a year.
Phishing/Spoofing • • • • •
Be suspicious of any unsolicited email requesting personal information. Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information. Always compare the link in the email to the link that you are actually directed to. Log on to the official website, instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited email. Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email to verify if the email is genuine.
Spam
• Don't open spam. Delete it unread. • Never respond to spam as this will confirm to the sender that it is a "live" email address.
• Have a primary and secondary email address - one for people you know and one for all other purposes.
• Avoid giving out your email address unless you know how it will be used. • Never purchase anything advertised through an unsolicited email.
Homeless Shelter Wish List • Clothing • Canned Foods • Medical Supplies • Diapers & Wipes • Personal Hygiene Items Call for directions 954-410-6275
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 6
HOMELESS VOICE
No Room at the Inn An update from a previous issue (Continued from page 1)
worked well up until the last few months. It seems that families just can’t find affordable housing and they are going from week to week in weekly hotels trying to make a living and providing some type of residence for their family. Take this family, and we will call this family Ms. Robinson. Ms. Robinson called my cell phone in the middle of the night telling me she was at a homeless shelter and they told her she had to leave in the morning because they had no room for her. She was outraged because according to her there was plenty of room on the floor in the cafeteria and in the intake room. She said, “How could they just throw me and my three kids out and my little one is just a few months old?” I told Ms. Robinson to plead with the shelter manager because we are a chronic shelter and I did not believe it was in the best interest for us to take small children. In 11 years we have never had a problem with taking families, however there were better family shelters better equipped to handle the needs of this family. Bottom line the shelter she and her kids were at tried to help her but got stuck because of no room at their inn. I told her to really think about her other family members because we take people right from the street and sometimes it may be a little too aggressive here with some of the mental health clients we take. At times our consumers will attempt to kill themselves right in front of everyone and there may be a chance for an incident to get out of control. Although we have never had an incident and we do have good policy to keep people safe if there is what society calls a “postal gone bad” we still have to be extra careful when it comes to the most precious thing in the world, the children. After she understood the potential dangers she called back and said it was the streets or us and she made the decision to come here and stay with us. We need to house this family until we find some way of finding her room at a local family shelter. And we will do whatever it takes to keep this family off the streets. We are a chronic shelter for homeless individuals with a lot of issues. But all in all, she has already become family
to many of the staff and clients. There are many good people here who are homeless as well who have gone out of their way to make it comfortable for her to stay here. This is going to be a hard case cause the kids are getting medical treatment as well as mom only getting $400.00 in disability benefits and can she work being on disability? The answer is yes. But what daycare do you know that will take a newborn and if they could it can take weeks to get emergency daycare from Children and Families. It is not as easy as most people think, get a job and get a place; it is hard for a single mom getting no child support to make it on their own. Can the system be fixed? What can the government do? It is simple. We need to develop little family units that are 35 by 35 in size costing just a few hundred dollars a month or at least to come up with a emergency section eight housing plan that can work in a matter of minutes and not weeks or months as our current system is. It is not hard to fix a broken system, all you need to do is find out where it is broken and fix it. If we here at Cosac can do it, there are many more experts who can do a much Ms. Robinson called my cell phone in better job. Our elected officials can do a better job than they are doing. the middle of the night telling me she I urge you to write to your elected was at a homeless shelter and they told officials and ask them and demand her she had to leave in the morning them to build these units for the poor. I lived in a 10 by 10 bedbecause they had no room for her. room with my brother for 20 years so it can be done. If we developed a would only be a need for section eight vouchers two bedroom unit with a small kitchen, small bathroom and two bedrooms each 10 by 10 with a to be used for a shorter time period because the small eat-in living room/study it can be done. You family would be able to move out and into their just need to design the unit so it can be multifuncown place. What happens next is simple, less tional where things can be converted to fit the money being spent on these long term section needs of the family. Oh yes, there is another eight vouchers. Then that means we can offer problem with our city officials in some cities. section eight vouchers faster and when that hapSome cities consider a home of $250,000 to be pens we free up beds at shelters. We also have the affordable housing. Some cities dictate the smallability to make single room occupancy units est unit that can be built in their cities therefore which is just a room with a bathroom and a leaving out the poor altogether. kitchen and a den that is a bedroom or living room Forty years ago when my mom and dad and that can be done with a room 15 by 30 giving bought their house in Pembroke Pines it was 450 square feet and it can be affordable. $16,000 and the mortgage payment was $120.00 As I try to close this story, I just got inper month on a 30 year loan. My dad had a good terrupted with two phone calls, one with a mother job too working for Eastern Airlines and having and three children and another for a mom and three kids it was still hard to make ends meet. So seven children. I had to say yes. What would Sean tell me how families do it today. They can’t Cononie like to be doing in the next few years to unless mom and dad have great jobs. If we crehelp America? I often feel that I should give up ated a system that had not for profit construction the shelter and try to become the homeless czar or companies and using interns teaching them a trade go to Washington and show them it can be done, on how to build these units it would cut the cost because I know in my heart, I and my fast thinking on labor therefore making these homes less expenhomeless staff can make a system that can work sive. After the person gets their training they too because we have done it for the last 11 years at the can be given a living wage by moving out in the emergency level. We actually started a shelter in a profit making construction business. If we did this, matter of minutes compared to the three to four it would stop all the taxes being spent on moving years of planning when you open up a government homeless individuals and families from one proshelter. gram to another. In a lot of cases it is just a viWe need your help with prayers and docious circle and most of the time the homeless go nations to help this family and the next few we from one place to the next place therefore using had to take. If you can’t donate, then say some unnecessary tax dollars. Shelters should only be prayers so we will be able to handle anything God used for people who can’t function on their own throws our way. and providers and experts just have to understand P.S. I have to thank each and every one that not all homeless can recover. We need to of you for allowing us and giving us the opportumove as many as we can who can make it out of nity to take this family, for you are the true heroes the shelter system and into their own places. This behind our work. would save all kind of money. If we did this there -Sean Cononie & Lois Cross
Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"
Page 7
Volume IX, Issue 7
HOMELESS VOICE
Over the last few months 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.
Homeless Voice Plans to Beautify Shelter (Continued from page 1)
finish the job. If you are interested in helping us pay for the balance of the project please send in Home Depot Gift Cards or checks by following the information below.
We also have to rent what they call
a Cherry Picker Truck so our workers can paint the upstairs walls.
Homeless Voice “Fix It Up” PO Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329
• • •
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
Everyone is responsible for Global Warming and if you use you should replace. By planting trees we are going to help us all out. For as little as .30 cents a tree we are going to plant, it will directly take 50 lbs of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere for the entire year. Today we at the shelter have started to plant the seeds that are going to grow into trees as big as 15 feet in one year. This tree is called the "Moringa." This tree produces a leaf capable of producing many vitamins that can be made into a drink as well. Today we planted over 50 seeds which will take 2500 lbs of carbon dioxide out of the earth's atmosphere each and every year. We also went to our homes to plant some more trees. It is all of our jobs to teach our children and others how they can help by using less gas as well as planting trees on their own properties as well as using products such as Florescent lights. In conjunction with the Homeless Voice Newspaper we will run little stories to educate the public. Vice President, Lois Cross stated, "We are going to create a network of people who travel to bring seeds to their own land in the United States of America as well as letting others take seeds to their prospective countries." Mark Targett of the Cosac Foundation stated, “We are working with Planting Peace Inc who has been working in Haiti for the last few years who is in the process of de- worming the entire country of Haiti with such groups such as the Homeless Voice and local churches.” Sean Cononie took the acronym Cosac and inserted a whole new meaning to the term COSAC by creating COSAC By Planting Trees, Inc. COSAC now has a double meaning “Coalition of Saving All Countries by Planting Trees, Inc.” Thanking You In Advance, Sean Anthony Cononie
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 8
HOMELESS VOICE
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Page 9
Volume IX, Issue 7
HOMELESS VOICE Tick Removal
Backyard Pool Safety
A
(Continued from page 1)
School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share -- And it really works!! I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soapsoaked cotton ball and let it stay on the repulsive insect for a few seconds (15-20), after which the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!" Please pass on; everyone needs this helpful hint. ......safe for pets too!!!!!
The key to preventing these tragedies is to have layers of protection. This includes placing barriers around your pool to prevent access, using pool alarms, closely supervising your child and being prepared in case of an emergency. CPSC offers these tips to prevent drowning: •
Fences and walls should be at
least 4 feet high and installed completely around the pool. Fence gates should be self -closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of a small child's reach.
IRS Warns Taxpayers of New E-mail Scams
•
attachment. Similar e-mail variations sugLarry was just starting off on the gest a customer has filed a complaint Internet and he had heard news stoagainst a company and the IRS can act ries about how many people became as an arbitrator. The latest versions apmillionaires over the Internet Boom. pear aimed at business taxpayers as well He got his email address and a few as individual taxpayers. weeks later he The IRS does not send out thought he was going unsolicited e-mails or ask to be one of these for detailed personal and Other fraudulent financial information. Adrich guys who made e-mail scams try ditionally, the IRS never it over the Internet. to entice asks people for the PIN He opened up his taxpayers to click numbers, passwords or email and he won similar secret access infortheir way to a $500,000 in the Camation for their credit card, fake IRS Web site nadian Lottery. It bank or other financial and ask for bank did not hit him that accounts. account numbers. he never bought a “Everyone should beware ticket but all he of these scam artists,” said Kevin M. Brown, Acting knew was that he IRS Commissioner. “Always exercise was now one of these rich guys and caution when you receive unsolicited ethat was all that mattered to him. mails or e-mails from senders you don’t Well he played their game and off know.” went $3200 once he got their money Recipients of questionable eorders. Of course they balanced and mails claiming to come from the IRS when his SS check came in the bank should not open any attachments or click recovered his fees. No money in on any links contained in the e-mails. savings caused him to come to our Instead, they should forward the e-mails doors where he stayed for five to phishing@irs.gov. The IRS also sees other e-mail months to save his money to once again have his own place. Larry scams that involve tricking victims into revealing private personal and financial Senson is not the only one; there are information over the Internet, a practice many more with many different that is known as “phishing” for informanames and many different scams tion. that were present because of the lack The IRS and the Treasury of warnings in a fast manner. Inspector General for Tax AdministraA good rule of thumb is to tion work with the U.S. Computer Emernever believe anything over the gency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and various Internet service providers and Internet when it comes to you makinternational CERT teams to have the ing it big. If it is so easy to become phishing sites taken offline as soon as a millionaire over the Internet then they are reported. assume it is a scam. If you receive Since the establishment of the an email like some of the ones we mail box last year, the IRS has received have mentioned in this story, simply more than 17,700 e-mails from taxpaydo not even reply to it. ers reporting more than 240 separate End Homeless Voice’ Intro phishing incidents. To date, investigations by TIGTA have identified host WASHINGTON — The Internal sites in at least 27 different countries, as Revenue Service today alerted taxwell as in the United States. payers to the latest versions of an eOther fraudulent e-mail scams mail scam intended to fool people try to entice taxpayers to click their way into believing they are under investito a fake IRS Web site and ask for bank gation by the agency’s Criminal account numbers. Another widespread eInvestigation division. mail tells taxpayers the IRS is holding a The e-mail purporting to be refund (often $63.80) for them and seeks from IRS Criminal Investigation falsely financial account information. Still anstates that the person is under a criminal other email claims the IRS’s ‘anti-fraud probe for submitting a false tax return to commission’ is investigating their tax the California Franchise Tax Board. The returns. e-mail seeks to entice people to click on Updated June 19, 2007 — In a link or open an attachment to learn another recent scam, consumers have more information about the complaint received a "Tax Avoidance Investigaagainst them. The IRS warned people tion" e-mail claiming to come from the that the e-mail link and attachment is a IRS' "Fraud Department" in which the Trojan Horse that can take over the perrecipient is asked to complete an son’s computer hard drive and allow "investigation form," for which there is a someone to have remote access to the link contained in the e-mail, because of computer. possible fraud that the recipient commitThe IRS urged people not to ted. It is believed that clicking on the click the link in the e-mail or open the link may activate a Trojan Horse. (Continued from page 5)
IR-2007-109
If your house forms one side of
the barrier to the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened. •
A power safety cover -- a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over
the water area -- can be used when the pool is not in use. •
Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a portable phone is pool-
side with emergency numbers posted. Knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be a lifesaver. •
For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured
and locked or removed when the pool is not in use. •
If a child is missing, always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing
death or disability. •
Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms
generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers. CPSC advises that consumers use remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away from the pool area. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT A DROWNING. CPSC Document #5097
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 10
HOMELESS VOICE
Home Accidents
Burns and scalds are another common type of home injury. In 2002 there were almost 37,000 hospital attendance.
factsheet
O
ver 40% of all childhood accidental injuries occur at home and in the garden. In 2001 in England and Wales, 98 children under 15 died in accidents in the home, with 66 of these being under five. In 2002 in the UK: • Almost 900,000 children under 15 visited hospital with accidental injuries that had happened at home • Nearly 480,000 of children injured accidentally at home were under five years old What are the most common types of accidents? Falls account for over 40% of all home accidental injuries to children. They are by far the most common single cause of home accidental injury. Collisions with a person or object are the second most common type of accidental home injury and the only one where the injury rates are approximately the same for children of all ages. Typically these accidents happen when children run in to objects, run in to each other or are struck by a falling object. The need to remove a foreign body that has been swallowed, inhaled or is stuck elsewhere was the second most common cause of hospital attendance for accidental home injury in 2002 with over 50,000 attendances, almost 40% being aged between 5 and 14 years. Burns and scalds are another common type of home injury. In 2002 there were almost 37,000 hospital attendance. Burns and scalds particularly affect babies and very young children with scalds from hot drinks being the most common cause. The fourth most common reason for children being taken to hospital is suspected poisonings. These happen when parents or carers think that children have consumed medicines, household cleaners, DIY or gardening chemicals. Nine out of ten suspected poisonings involve children under five years
old. Where do most accidents happen? Most accidents happen in the lounge/living/dining room – probably reflecting where children spend most of their time. The next most common places in the home for accidents to happen are: the kitchen, bedroom and stairs. What causes accidents to happen in the home? There are potential hazards within every home such as hot water, household chemicals, stairs, fireplaces, matches, alcohol and sharp objects such as knives or scissors. The design of houses can contribute to accidents. Features such as balconies, spiral or open staircases, ponds, glass doors or open plan kitchens can all increase the risk of accidents happening. Young children are not able to assess risk for themselves. They also have poor coordination and balance and need to touch and explore to learn about the world around them. As children get older they learn new skills and begin to understand what they are able to do safely but need to test out their new abilities and to feel that they are taking some risks. These factors all mean that children are particularly vulnerable to accidents in the home. What can be done to prevent accidents happening? Children grow and learn new skills rapidly. It is important that the adults who care for them know what risks each stage brings. It is impossible to ‘childproof’ a home but knowledge of the potential for accidents and of effective safety measures can reduce the risk of serious injury. The following safety tips can help prevent injuries to children by making the home a safer place for them: Falls
Teen Drivers (Continued from page 4)
system will automatically email the parent in real time so the parent can enforce their rules better. The system can also give you a print-out of every place that car went for that night and if they stop at a beer or wine store you will know by clicking that address because some systems will let you know the business name as well. You need to talk to your kids about seat belts and how they can save lives. Sometimes our children will be over the age of 18 and maybe drive a little reckless and then get arrested. Should the mom or dad get them right out of jail or should they sit there for a few days so they learn a lesson. That all depends on what type of impact your child understands. Let’s keep our kids safe and let’s pass this little story to our friends and families.
•
fit safety gates to the top and bottom of stairs • check banister or balcony railings to make sure children cannot climb on them or fall through gaps • fit safety catches on upstairs windows • keep furniture away from windows • never leave babies unattended on furniture or changing tables; they can easily roll off • wipe up spills as soon as they happen to avoid slips • encourage children to put their toys away after use • fix loose carpets and mats and do not have trailing flexes Striking and collisions • fit corner guards to sharp edges of furniture Burns and scalds • fit smoke alarms and check regularly that they are working • close doors at night to stop fire spreading • if possible install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket • keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of small children • use fireguards on all heaters and fires and do not use them to dry clothes • keep children away from ovens, hobs and hotplates • turn pan handles towards the back of the stove and use back rings for cooking when possible • never fill a chip pan more than one third full and never leave a hot chip pan unattended • use short or curly flexes with kettles and keep them out of the reach of children • do not hold a child when you have a hot drink and keep mugs and cups of hot drinks well out of the reach of young children • turn irons off immediately after use and never leave the flex dangling • fit a thermostatic mixing valve to your hot bath tap Poisoning • keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children – preferably in a locked cupboard • keep dangerous substances out of reach of children – these include household chemicals such as cleaners, detergents and bleach, as well as DIY materials such as paints, thinners, strippers, varnishes. glues
and other adhesives remember that perfumes, essential oils and alcohol can also be poisonous to children and keep them out of reach • keep all dangerous substances in original containers Drowning • always supervise children in or near water • never leave a child under five alone in a bath even for a moment – do not use bath seats as they do not prevent drowning • empty the bath immediately after use • drain or securely cover garden ponds • do not leave anything in the garden that could collect rainwater – turn buckets, wheelbarrows etc over or put them away after use Cutting and piercing • fit safety glass in low level glass in doors and windows • use safety film on glass in furniture, or re-fit with safety glass • mark large areas of glass with stickers • fit safety catches on drawers containing sharp cutlery and knives • keep kitchen gadgets and sewing materials out of reach Suffocation, strangling and choking • do not use pillows, duvets and bean bags for babies under a year old • never use strings, ribbons and ties on very young children’s clothes • strings on toys over cots or playpens should be shorter than 20 cm • never string toys across a cot or pram • stay with young children when they are eating or drinking and get them to sit still • supervise small children if they are eating small pieces of fruit or vegetables. Do not give peanuts to children under six • keep small objects like coins and parts of toys away from young children • always keep plastic bags and plastic film away from children • follow the age recommendations on toys – they are there for a reason • don’t take your baby to sleep with you in your bed or on the sofa. You may accidentally suffocated him or her while you sleep www.capt.org.uk
•
Palm homeless man accused of killing another over booze (Continued from page 1)
conservation area in the 500 block of Camino Gardens Boulevard, according to a police report.
No bond has been set for Roach's release. By Leon Fooksman Sun-Sentinel.com
Roach confessed to detectives that he and Reyes got into a fight and he beat Reyes, the report said. After the fight, Roach called paramedics to take him to the hospital to treat a wound on one of his arms, police said. Police learned Reyes' identity through a fingerprints check during his autopsy.
Advantage Communications, Inc. is a proud supporter of The Cosac Foundation "Excellence in Radio"
Page 11
Volume IX, Issue 7
HOMELESS VOICE
T
his issue of the Homeless Voice has been devoted to keeping our kids and family safe. Why would a Homeless Advocacy group care about your safety? We feel that all not for profits should do a little more in educating the public on many different topics that have nothing to do with our main focus. It is a must to educate as many as we can to limit the amount of trauma that is placed on every family when they lose a little one. We call our education campaign “Prevention Press.” We want to help limit the amount of death that occurs to families. You should also be reminded that when you are a homeless agency you deal with almost every type of social problems that exist. When you are a Charity for Autism you deal with mostly altruism clients, when you are an agency that deals with pets you deal with savings pets, however when you are an agency that deals with the homeless you deal with almost every type of problem there is from HIV to abuse in general and of course every type of disability that exists. Homeless Agencies encompass every single problem in the world. And most importantly we can never forget, when there is a severe injury to a family member or the death of one, this sometimes leads to becoming homeless. It is always hard to stay stable when there is crisis in your life. This month after you read our paper, pass it on to the next family you know to help save a heart from being severely depressed the rest of their life. Please remember the Homeless Voice does so much more than just help the poor and we need your help to keep us from drowning. In this paper
HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE We need just 24,625 people to send in a check for $20.00, Or 9,850 people to send in a check for $50.00, Or 4,925 people to send in a check for $100.00, Or 493 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or Just one wonderful person or business to send a check for the entire $492,500; We will name the shelter after you or whomever you choose 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
you will read that you must have safety flotation devices around your pool to throw to someone who may be drowning. For the last 11 years our supporters have been our flotation devices with every dollar you give to us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we ask you once again “We still need your help!” Please send in your checks to our address above. Emergency Request Besides sending in your regular donations, please help our rain budget, we are very much down for the summer based on the rain and heat and we need you very much in the next coming months. We are really hurting and we need your help. Thank-you! Love Sean
I
Letters
was just sitting here thinking about a young man I met by chance a couple of weekends ago. I had just pulled up to the traffic light at Commercial Blvd and McNabb. As I was waiting for the light to turn green, I saw this young man standing in the medium holding a plastic (looked like) a gallon milk container. Anyway, on the container were the words... HOMELESS VOICE. This young man looked at my PT Cruiser, with the front tag, "God is My Pilot" and he came to speak with me. He also saw the stickers on my front windshield for USAF and USMC. This young man who seemed very well taken care of and by his posture you could tell he did not belong in a homeless situation. However, this young man asked who I knew with the Air Force and the Marine Corp. I proudly stated… My Dad USAF and my son USMC. The young man probably about 18 or 19 years young stated that is what he wanted to do. This young man had an appearance about him with a glow on his face and sparkles in his eyes and excitement in his step. I reached down where I keep my change and grabbed a hand full and put it in his container. He thanked me and started to walk away to see if others would help him as well. The light was still red at the traffic stop. As I watched through the front windshield and my rear view mirror, no one else offered this young man any more assistance. So, I beeped the horn and this young man came running to my PT Cruiser. I asked him what he wanted to do, which service he wanted to be in. He stated he was not sure. So I asked him… do you want to fly for your country, sail on ships or be a ground pounder? He looked at me like he did not know what to say. So I simply said... If you can't tell me “exactly” what you want... how can I give it to you? The young man smiled and stated... I want to Fight! Sooooooo with that said... I pointed to the USMC sticker and told him to go there. I also continued with... and "When" not if… When you get there... please tell them... Major Mom says hello. The young man said... "Major Mom"... and I replied yes! He had the biggest and best smile on his face and I handed him a ten dollar bill and told him to go for it!!! This young man was like on cloud nine. At this point the light turned green and I had to go with the flow of the traffic. However, as I looked back in my rear view mirror he was just beaming. Just to let you know... this whole experience took approximately 3 minutes with this young man however, seemed like time stood still. When I first saw this young man... I could not believe from looking at him that he was homeless... however, I am very familiar with the Homeless Voice here in South Florida so I knew this young man was definitely homeless. I feel like, just those 3 minutes out of my life and into this young man's life made a difference in his direction of which way this young mans life will go. (I feel this young man will definitely stand tall for our Country) I wish I knew his name... (However, I do know this... this young man will go to the USMC and he will tell them... "Major Mom says hello". The Good Lord puts me where he wants me to be... and I love it! -Cindy
Please Send To: Homeless Voice Survey PO Box 292-577 Davie, Fl 33329