Homeless Voice; Criminalizing Homelessness

serving our community since 1997

www.homelessvoice.org

Part of the North American Street Newspaper Association

If you received this issue of the Homeless Voice in your mailbox please go to pg 10

COSAC Foundation | PO Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 | 954-924-3571

Delray Beach to Crack Down On Homeless In Downtown “We oppose any action that targets homeless people. To now charge a fee for the free trolley in hopes the Homeless won’t ride the trolley is a very sad thing to do.

The homeless will find other ways to pay for it, such as panhandling.”

-Sean Cononie Beach Commissioner Adam Frankel.

The Delray Beach city council is conThe downtown round-about trolley services sidering cracking down on panhan- Delray Beach from the Tri-Rail station to the beach. dling downtown on Atlantic Avenue.

Council members will consider a Bus drivers say many homeless people use bill that would the free trolley to get make it more a ride.

“We have beautiful, expensive trolleys difficult for “Yes they get on that are supposed to take people around homeless to with all their stuff and p a n h a n d l e but it’s not supposed to give free rides they go to the caring downtown, and to the homeless so they can go to the kitchen,” says King are trying to Smith, a bus driver for soup kitchen,” said Delray Beach do away with the downtown roundCommissioner Adam Frankel homeless peoabout. ple riding the Smith says homeless people often times use the ride to go to a lofree trolleys meant for tourists.

“We have beautiful, expensive trol- cal soup kitchen. leys that are supposed to take people The city council is expected to address panaround but it’s not supposed to give handling and other homeless issues in the free rides to the homeless so they can coming weeks. go to the soup kitchen,” said Delray Story by Josh Repp

Trolley Poll Do you think Delray Beach should charge to ride the trolley to keep homeless people away?

Text Your Vote to 51555 Vote TYES for Yes Vote TNO for No

Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves

~Monthly Angels~

The Homeless Voice May 2014

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Addias Eugene Alicia Hernandez Amparo Penuela Angela Martinez Arturo & Amelia Rodriguez Awake Inc. Barbara DeSanto Barbara Robinson Basil & Sonja Gonsalves Bill & Laura Fash Bobbie Given Charles & Tracy Rice Christopher Caswell Coco Mindreau Corinna Frank- Sanchez

Dalal Almeida Daniel Guevara David Paradise David Summers Donald & Rose Rieth Donna Galloway Donna Jesudowich Eduardo Bovea Eduardo Gomez Ellen Heron Eva & George Gorzkowski Evelyn Correa Evelyn Giarnella Evelyn Russo Evelyn Salerno Frank & Johanna Gennuso Geoffrey & Jennie Falbey Gerard Moraly Greentree Financial Group J Hastings

Jack & Anna Hadley Jacob Slebodnik Jacqueline Levine Jaime Alustiza John Dinielli John & Linda Evans John Rahael Jonathan Fernandez Jorge Alvarez Jorge Herrera Jorge Sanchez Joseph Maiuro Juan & Antonieta Bofill Judith Temple Judith Tozzi Julio Fernandez Karen Povlock Linda Macfarlane Lizette Gonzalez Cardoso Lois Cross

Maria Ortega Maria’s Birthday Wishes for The Homeless Mark Duske Mark Targett Mary Parish Messan Benissan Michael Prokop Miguel & Mariana Mujica Mindful Music Movement Nadine Collette Nicole Leon Patrice & George Shurland Paul Christodoulou Pin Osuji PJ Carter Praxi Solutions Presbyterian Women In The Congregation Ramonita Lopez

R K Campbell R T Shankweiler Ralph Hill Ralph Wickham Reon Hilagass Richard Sczykutowicz RM Beaulieu Roanne Cobuzio Rosanne & Michael Ureneck Roy Bruno Rufino Garcia Sahily Castro Samantha Boehm Sandra Beach Scott Morey Sean Campbell Sean Cononie Shahwata Roy Barman Suzanne & Joe Matsuura

Tatiana Da Cunha Temple Aron Hakodesh Teresa Black Timothy Osborn Tjoman Buditaslim Tom Thumb Food Stores Inc. Village Quick Pick INC. Vilma Bagwandeen Victor Lanza Virginia Bailey Walton Brown William & Barbara Gentzsch Yasmin Diaz Yasmin Leiva

Thank you for your support Angels! Your support keeps our doors open!

Dear Homeless Voice Readers: We are the small non-profit that runs the #1 emergency and response shelter in South Florida. We serve, house, and care for 500 homeless every day, and have costs like any other business: water, power, rent, programs, staff and legal help.

The Homeless Voice is extremely effective.

It is a place where anyone in need will get help. It is a safe place for people to go when they have nowhere else to turn. We take no government funds. We run on donations averaging about 33 cents.

If everyone reading this paper gave the price of a cup of coffee, our fundraising would be done. If helping people is important to you as it is important for us, take one minute to go online to www.hvoice.org and become a monthly angel. $15 per month is what we need from You. Please help us forget fundraising and get back to Serving the Homeless. Thank you. Please visit: www.hvoice.org/member

Donate Online: HomelessVoice.org/Donate

Donations are tax deductable & help South Floridas Homeless

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The COSAC Foundation was originally established in May 1997 to partner with other social service agencies, in the area, that provided help to the homeless population. COSAC also independently feeds the homeless or anyone in need of food. The COSAC Foundation opened it’s first homeless shelter in 1999 and named it COSAC Quarters (the shelter money was raised by spare change). We have grown into a multifaceted agency that feeds, shelters, and arranges for each homeless person to receive the necessary access to social and noncompulsory religious services to enable a return to a self-reliant lifestyle. And for the small percentage of people incapable of living independent lives, we provide a caring and supportive environment for their long-term residency.

Our vision is to end discrimination against the homeless population and to develop such an effective network of services that we greatly reduce the time a person or family emerges out of homelessness back into self-reliance.

If you received this issue of the Homeless Voice in your mailbox please go to pg 10 We have an Emergency!

Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher Sean Cononie Editor in Chief Mark Targett

~ Cathy’s Prayer List ~ *Josh Wynn *Bianca * James * Lois * Robert Tansey * Veronica & John * Carmen Cononie * Mary Summers * Cassandra Wilson * Charlene Duarte * Rusty Columbo * Devon Bailey & Family * Maria Dragon * Vemonda Lane & Family * Charlie

Executive Editor

* Mr. Mike * Tiffany * Dvora * Ed Giampietro * Kristan David Perez * Tommy & Joe * Geralyn * Little Ryan * Earnest Bowens & Family

To add a name to Cathy’s Prayer List, call or text 954-410-6275

Home Improvement Gift Cards Always Needed Send us a gift! P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329

$

Sara Targett Contributing Editor Lois Cross www.HomelessVoice.org/contact

Items We Always Need: Coffee Coffee Cups Towels Washcloths Men’s Clothing Tooth Brushes

$

Socks

$

Hygiene Kits Publix Gift Cards Silverware

The Homeless Voice May 2014

About the COSAC Foundation

The Homeless Voice May 2014

4

We have an Emergency!

See pg 10

Looking for organized, energetic volunteers For more details and to sign up visit: hvoice.org/volunteer

5 Honest Day’s Work which will Keep You Broke creation of strong unions. Take the LaGuardia Airport for inA lot of Americans are in awe about how people livstance; it was purposely constructed to restore hope and honor ing in the richest country in the entire world have to to American workers, but today, cabin cleaners earn a miserwork for long hours and yet have nothing to show for able $8 an hour without health benefits. it.

Fast food workers: the irony presented here is that those Available report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics serving the orders are practically working for close-to-starvaindicates that in 2012, about 1.57 million Americans tion incomes. Non-managerial fast food workers make an averwere earning a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Alage of a measly $8.94 an hour. Majority of these workers are though millions more earned above the figure, several females while a considerable number of them have families to others earned below the minimum wage. More than support.

60% of those who earned minimum wage in 2012 Fishing industry workers: some of the most dangerous jobs were either in the hospitality, rein modern America are found aboard fishtail, or the leisure industry. ing vessels. They include pulling in lines, Approximately 28 million peo- The irony presented here is preserving the catch, and operating equipple will benefit directly or indiamong others. Industry wages are not that those serving the orders ment rectly if the minimum wage is subjected to minimum wage laws; instead, increased. This is because busi- are practically working for they are based on a percentage of harvest. ness owners usually adjust wages close-to-starvation incomes That notwithstanding, if you deduct the cost of workers above the minimum of equipment and gear each worker is supwage. Here are 5 jobs where unposed to buy, their wages are typically beder no circumstance should workers go broke for dislow the minimum wage. charging their honest day’s work.

Construction and mining workers: Laborers including Airport workers: American airport workers have helpers often undertake the most hazardous tasks on construcbecome disadvantaged as a result of actions by govtion and mining sites. Their functions involve explosives and ernment, employers and their proxies to prevent the scaffolding, yet they are the lowest paid. $10 an hour is the Staff Writer

average wage for a day labourer. This makes the employees wallow in abstract poverty as they virtually struggle to keep body and souls just above the minimum wage. Because of their status as casual laborers, in several states, their medical expenses are not taken care of.

Nail salon workers: The last 2 decades have seen the number of manicurists tripled in the United States.

The minimum wage earned by a manicurist or pedicurist is about $9.24 as of May 2012. Sometimes these workers are denied over time or even lunch breaks.

They are also exposed to all sorts of harmful chemicals which may have not been tested for safety.

Get Noticed!

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Place your Ad! Starting at $75 954-410-6275 HomelessVoice.org/Advertising

Our network of licensed professionals are ready to assist you!

24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week, 365 Days A Year, Even Holiday!

Call or log on now!

www.1800NeedHelp.com

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Corpus Christi, the body of Christ. One of the great feast days of the Catholic, and some other Christian churches, that commemorate the true presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. For centuries the church has celebrated this unique and wonderful gift from Jesus at the last supper. When Jesus said “take and eat, this is my body” and “take and drink this is my blood” the church came to believe that the bread and wine was truly changed into the body and blood of Christ. This body and blood was and is the bread of life and the cup of salvation. All who eat this bread and drink this cup will never go hungry and will enjoy life everlasting.

We give you thanks Lord for the gift of your son and that we can receive Him daily through the Eucharist.

What does the Eucharist do for us? Like from other food we expect nourishment, strength, the ability to grow. This food is spiritual and the benefits are spiritual. This food helps our faith grow, while at once our faith is required to maximize the benefits, this holy food gives us faith. Faith is not just believing in what we cannot see, or believing in things that others have told us, but also to be enlightened, to be given a hidden knowledge, not from books or other physical sources but from Gods mind to our heart through the Holy Spirit. It is this knowledge that causes our lives to change for the better. This knowledge that God is real how they heal themselves. When we are sick, our bodies send and that we are loved to the most incredible depths healing blood cells and certain enzymes to assist healing. Our we can imagine moves us. God’s love penetrating into body is constantly monitoring itself and our consciousness stirs a love in always trying to rebuild and strengthen. us for all of God’s creation. The there are those in our world with commandment to love God with We give you thanks Lord for When nothing to eat, all of us with food would all our heart, mind and soul, and the gift of your son and that we want to contribute. We would not allow our neighbor as ourselves bethe disparity of wealth that we have in our can receive Him daily through comes easy and desirable. world today because it would be harmful Corpus Christi will change the Eucharist. to our one body. the world. The idea that we are Is it too far of a leap then to consider that not just consuming the body of if we take and eat, take and drink, we can Christ but that we are and are become to be one body of humanity here on Earth? A place where coming the body of Christ changes our view of all we love one another and care about one another just as our own people’s. They are actually part of our own body. body.

Consider then how our bodies work and especially

The Homeless Voice May 2014

On Spirituality... Corpus Christi

Is it too far of a leap then to consider that if we take and eat, take and drink, we can come to be one body of humanity here on Earth?

Meatless Monday!

Cauliflower Buffalo Wing Bites- Serves 6 Here, cauliflower florets are doused in hot sauce and breaded with Panko bread crumbs, which stay crispy and help to deliver the same crunch you’d expect from a chicken wing. This recipe comes to us from The Saucy Southerner.

1 small head cauliflower, separated into bite-sized florets (about 5 cups) 4 tablespoons butter, melted 5 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank’s Hot Sauce 1 tablespoon white vinegar ½ teaspoon garlic powder salt and ground black pepper, to taste 2 cups Panko crumbs Preheat the oven to 375° F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, add the melted butter, hot sauce, white vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Stir to combine.

Place the Panko crumbs in a small, shallow bowl.

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Make an assembly line with the cauliflower florets, the sauce and the Panko crumbs.

Use one hand to dip the florets into the sauce then drop it into the crumbs.

Using the other hand, coat the floret well with the crumbs and place it on the baking sheet.

Once all of the florets are coated, use a very light spray of cooking oil to coat the tops. This will help hold the crumbs in place, as well as aid in their browning.

Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden brown.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven.

If you have any remaining sauce, that can be lightly brushed onto the tops of the florets.

Serve hot with Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing, carrot and celery sticks.

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Another City to Criminalize Homelessness

What I Learned About My Family and Myself From Being Homeless

Columbia South Carolina will join the list of cities that are now criminalizing homelessness. After the unanimous vote was passed by city council members, homeless individuals will have the opportunity to either relocate, or go to jail.

A 240-person bed emergency shelter will be open from September to March on the outskirts of town.

Homeless people and persons recently released from prison and jail will be all dropped off at this shelter.

In an effort to remove the homeless from the cost closer to $1.7 million. This is money that the taxpayers streets, a hotline will be set up for people to “rewill have to pony up. port” a homeless person, and police will be beefed In addition to the financial impact, homeless advocates are up to aide in this process of removal. unhappy with the proposal of this kind of shelter. Once at “This is a stopgap,” Councilman Cameron Runthe shelter, the homeless will not be yan told WISTV. “This is allowed to leave without permission going to open up a window and a guard will be placed at the enof opportunity for us to Homeless people and persons trance to the street. come together as a community to develop a long-term recently released from prison and “[This is the] most comprehensive response to this problem. jail will be all dropped off at this anti-homeless measure that [I have] ever seen proposed in any city in the This problem has plagued us shelter. last 30 years,” Michael Stoops, Difor a generation and a half at rector of Community Organizing at least.” the National Coalition for the HomeEven for supporters of this less, told ThinkProgress. “Using one massive shelter on the plan, there are many flaws that must be addressed. outskirts to house all a city’s homeless is something that has The money that has been allotted to “run” this shelnever worked anywhere in the country.” ter is about $500,000 when in reality it will likely

offered her home to the girls to finish out the year ... and my Three years ago my family and I were homeless. I heart broke as I did what was best for my girls and let them live have six children, and have been married to the love with her. They opened their hearts and home to my two oldest, of my life for 20 years. We led a good life and my but it was so very difficult for me and my family because we spouse and his occupation as an IT manager in the were such a tight-knit group. Their absence was missed at evsemiconductor industry left us doing well financially. ery dinner as we always ate together at the table.

We lived in a great home, had two cars, had kids in all That was year one of unemployment and entry into homelesssorts of activities and I busied myself with keeping ness. We took the younger kids out of their school and enrolled everything in order on the home front. We did well for them in Austin. It was a culture shock for them and they hated ourselves and listened to Suze Orman and had squirevery minute of it. The only good part was being close to famreled away money ‘just in case’ something would ever ily. My spouse found out he had relatives living in a city just happen. We had a 401k ... etc etc etc. We had friends outside of Dallas called Athens Texas. It was a 2 hour drive into in our neighborhood that we went to dinners with the city, but he felt he could do it. They allowed him to borrow and enjoyed our time out with them on weekly ‘date one of their vehicles as both of ours were repossessed. Weeks nights.’ For all intensive purposes life was good. went by and he was finally able to find a job as my belly grew Then my spouse lost his job. The six-figure income more and more pronounced. So, after about a month at his new was gone. At first we didn’t think anything was going job layoffs were announced once again. It was like he kept hitto be affected as we had saved for just such an octing a brick wall. I tried to find work also, I applied at retail casion. Then rent payments, and car payments, and places like Walmart, and Target, and even asked the manager at grocery payments, and medical bills siphoned all of our local 711 if they’d hire me. I applied for positions with corour money away as the months ticked by with no job porations online utilizing LinkedIn, they liked what they saw prospects coming our way ... things got very bleak at online, but at the interview, everyone took one look at my belly the end of that first year as our savings was almost and then it was ‘we’ll call you.’ gone. We moved into a cheaper home, cut every exI had had it. I was frustrated, and hurt, embarrassed and pense imaginable, and still shaken to my core at how judgmenno job. After moving into the tal people can be when they discover inexpensive home my spouse that you are penniless or have to utilize was able to find work, but that I was frustrated, and hurt, embarrassed food stamps to feed your family. The was short lived. Two months and shaken to my core at how judgmental looks and stares I would receive in the into the new job and our new people can be when they discover that grocery line were almost more than I lease, they let the entire team you are penniless or have to utilize food could take. So for half of a school year, go. I was pregnant with our we borrowed a car ... a 4 door car woke stamps to feed your family. sixth child at this time and we everyone up at 4:00 a.m. and drove two were in dire straits. I had no hours into Dallas from Athens to get medical care, for me or my the kids to their old schools by 7:30. other children or spouse. We decided that we would It was hard, especially on late nights when my daughter would use our last 800 dollars to move us back to Austin to play basketball until 10 p.m. and we had to make the two-hour live with family until we could find work. My oldest drive home to Athens. We got home at midnight or 1 a.m. only daughter was a senior in high school and in the middle to be up again at 4:30 the next day. We didn’t have money to of her school year and my second oldest was a sophowatch her play, just sat in the parking lot waiting for her game more. Both did not want to move and I tried to find a to finish. I’d wave at ‘friends’ who in previous years sat with way to help them stay so she could graduate with her us at dinner tables only to be ignored. Instead of lashing out, classmates of the last four years. My very best friend I took the lesson that was being administered to me and was

7 The Homeless Voice May 2014

The Homeless Voice May 2014

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Elaine Torres

Thank you for making our 4th Annual Race Home A Success!

Mother’s Day: What mom really wants SheKnows.com

Thanks to sponsors like 1-800 Need Help we were able to have another successful race! This year we remembered our fallen runner Gary Shimminger. Our volunteers did a great job encouraging the runners!

Thank you for your support!

determined to re-write the ending myself.

It was then that I made the decision to try to go back to college. I felt that deep down the only way that I was ever going to avoid those pitfalls that we have been climbing in and out of for those years was to finish school. So I sat in classrooms at the University of Texas campus in Richardson and listened, and studied social media, marketing, and technology innovation. I learned about the Kahn Academy, about YOU, about Richard Branson, about all of these people who did marvelous things for the world with their creativity and said to myself “that’s going to be me.”

I have ideas, dreams, creative thinking, artistic views and awesome ideas for applications for mobile devices that I’d like to see come to fruition one day. I have aspirations of creating a start up and perhaps someday I will. I will try my best to make them fruitful for my family because seven people living in a one bedroom

Dads: put away your checkbooks. Kids: keep the change. What mom really wants for Mother’s Day is one of those things that money just can’t buy: the gift of time.

Whether it’s spent alone or with the family, moms across the country and around the world named time as their number one “must have,” according to a recent SheKnows survey.

“All I want for Mother’s Day is a little time off,” says Karen in San Antonio, Texas. “I am at everyone’s beck and call. I want time for me.” Adds Lisbeth from Raleigh, North Carolina, “I want to be able to take a really like to get for Mother’s Day is a little recbubble bath and get both legs shaved before my child ognition for even some of the stuff I do.” Tessy in needs something. I want to go shopping alone. I want Glenside, Pennsylvania, agrees that the perfect gift to watch an entire sitcom episode without interrupwould be “just to be appreciated by my husband tion.” for being able to juggle a full-time job, and then go MORE THAN “ME” TIME home to a full-time job of being a mother to a beautiBut time alone isn’t all mom wants. Many women ful 11-month-old daughter and being a wife.” crave some quality moments with the family. Says SHOW YOUR LOVE AND Colorado mom Dana, “This will GRATITUDE be my first Mother’s Day ever, so I want it to be special. I would Whatever you give, if it’s from So what can the thoughtful family do for mom to show just like to spend the day at the park with my husband and sev- the heart -- and coupled with a gratitude? The moms at SheKen-month-old daughter and have moment of peace and quiet -- nows have these ideas to suggest: Say thanks. Give her a a picnic.” Gina in California she’s sure to be delighted. hug. Send her a card. Let her echoes this popular sentiment. take a nap in peace. Make her “What I really want for Mother’s dinner. Write her a love letter.

Day is just some quiet time with And don’t forget about some good old-fashioned my husband and daughters. No work, no running to tender loving care. Several moms mentioned their relatives or friends houses, no classes; just the four desire for bubble baths, massages, facials, maniof us.” Tee wants to “spend the day with my family, cures, makeovers and other spa treatments. “I would enjoying the three blessings I have been given.” love to feel pampered,” sighs New Yorker Tracy.

What didn’t rate highly on the list? Flowers, chocWhatever you give, if it’s from the heart -- and couolates, jewelry and clothes -- all traditional gifts for pled with a moment of peace and quiet -- she’s sure mom. Terri, a mother from Chicago, says, “My husto be delighted. “No matter what the day brings,” band tends to buy things, but I would like something says Barbara, a mom in Shreveport, Louisiana, “Kix that took a little more effort.” in bed, complete with a weed bouquet, a tissue paper While a bouquet or a box of candy may be easier, toflower card, maybe even a picnic... recognizing and day’s busy mom needs love, peace and understanding being thankful for the small things is the best way -- and don’t underestimate the value of understanding. that I know to spend Mother’s Day.” Notes Gail from Newfoundland, Canada, “What I’d

hotel alongside a highway (which is where we ended up after Athens) is no place to raise children ... but it is quite a wake up call.

I live now with a different view on life and place value on things that really couldn’t be bought. In losing everything we found ourselves. It’s true ... I think the Stones said it best with the line “You can’t always get what you WANT ... but if you try sometimes you might find ... you get what you NEED.” I look at life with new eyes and with every step I ask myself if I need it or not. It serves me well.

I have also found a new sense of humility and humanity in helping others. I hid my situation, out of embarrassment, and I know that there are others out there like me. In plain sight. I hope to be in a position someday to help families like mine who for whatever reason need to be uplifted.

Well, I left a few things out, but I think I summed up the pieces that have led me to the path I am on now. This semester I am a senior at UTD and while I still do not have a job, other than raising my children I look forward to what the future holds.

The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral—a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body...The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation... What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

—Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty

The Homeless Voice May 2014

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Florida House Passes Bill Making It Easier For People To Arm Themselves During A Natural Disaster

Donating Time vs.

Donating Money Staff Writer

BY MIKE RIVERA

“The bells of liberty are surely ringing throughout Florida today.” said state Rep. Heather Dawes Fitzenhagen (R). The cause of Fitzenhagen’s delight is a bill that would allow people with no criminal record to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in crisis or evacuation scenarios. Her bill, which applies to natural disaster scenarios such as hurricanes or forest fires and emergencies declared by the governor or local authorities, passed the state House of Representatives by a 80-36 margin.

Other lawmakers are not quite so excited about this bill. Democratic Rep. Victor Torres, a retired New York City transit police officer, opposed the bill noting that guns in places like storm shelters could be dangerous and increase tension in an already stress-

ful scenario — “[y]ou are talking about introducing concealed firearms into an environment that is already teeming with tension. I hope that tragedy will not be a byproduct of our decision here today.” The bill’s opponents also noted that it would be difficult to check whether a particular individual has a criminal record in an emergency situation such as a hurricane when many technological databases would be unavailable, and that firearms could be used in robberies or other crimes at a time when looting is widespread.

While the bill received support from the National Rifle Association, several law-enforcement lobbyists, most notably the Florida Sheriffs Association, opposed the bill. When asked about their opposition, Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford offered “We don’t want to kill the bill, we want to clarify it.

Does it mean when you’re moving out, when you check into your hotel?”

In terms of the homeless problem of today, there is really no wrong way to help and assist.

Any help is beneficial and wonderfully amazing for the community in general. It has long been debated on what is better, giving money to the homeless or giving your time to the homeless. And, the answer still remains that both are important in their own way.

Giving money to the homeless will provide them with clothing, education, food, and shelter. It will take care of the homeless in more ways than you even realize and the more money that is given, the more services and help can be provided. But, giving money is not the only way to help. You and your friends and family can also give your time to the homeless. Giving time can be just as valuable as giving money. Volunteers are able to feed the homeless, work on projects that will benefit the homeless and overall, be there as a support and anchor when times get tough. During the holidays, many people love to feed the homeless and assist with meals.

Many people look past the homeless and don’t find it their duty to help with their time or their money. The reality is that we are all different and we are entitled to do as we please.

You as an individual don’t have to sit back and do nothing. If you feel a plight or just a feeling of love, then give to the homeless, be it money or your time. It will help in more ways than you even know and you will be providing an inkling of hope to so many and to yourself. visit hvoice.org/donate on ways to help!

Each day at 3pm, say this prayer

9

It is no secret that the High Utility Bills represent a big percentage of every day’s operating cost for any organization. Utility Bills are expenses that any organization or individual cannot eliminate; therefore we JUST have to include these high costs into our budgets whether we want to or not. There are other expenses we may be able to cut off nonprofit organizations; the high cost of Utilities or reduce, like better quality print paper, recould be significantly reduced making the uphill task cycled ink, change the brand of the bottled of maintaining your organization an easier one. UB water, but never Utility Bills.

RECOVERY is dedicated to helping nonprofit orgaElectricity and water are the two main ones nizations and other types of companies reduce their we have to deal with, no matter the cost, utility bills and obtain refunds for overpayments and since there are at no upfront cost for them. not too many options We have helped hundreds of ….WE MUST PAY Churches, Manufactures and THE PRICE… NonUB RECOVERY is dedicated to other Nonprofits in Florida, profit organizations helping nonprofit organizations and making the lives of these orhave to deal with an other types of companies reduce their ganizations a little easier, just everyday struggle to by reducing their operating utility bills and obtain refunds for survive to be able procosts. There are billions of overpayments at no upfront cost vide their services, as dollars of overpayments evthey mainly depend on ery day in all areas of these so donations, the same as necessary utilities; fortunatechurches which only ly there is a team of well-trained professionals able rely on the community’s charity and good to provide the necessary tools to ease the struggle heart; this is why, looking for savings has and help keep your doors open so that you can conto be a priority, but there are not too many tinue the hard work of helping society in any area options out there that allow you to save on that your organization may provide; either if you are the utility bills, making the struggle a little a Nonprofit who gives food and shelter to homeless, harder. a Nonprofit who helps battered women, Churches, However, there are some good news for and even Manufacturers.; and at UB RECOVERY

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If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

we would be happy to chip in, by advising and obtaining reduced rates, refunds and future savings on your Utility Bills, because we know that every penny counts….

We would like to thank COSAC foundation and its good-hearted Team of soldiers for allowing us to come to you and also give you the chance to know your options. We will gladly provide you with a Consultation at no cost whatsoever and explain to you or your administrators where and how you can save, reduce your bills and even receive a refund.

Don’t postpone saving and recuperating your money.

God Bless COSAC Foundation and all of those who run a Nonprofit, because it is people like you that help make this a better world.

Susana Bach166 Hialeah Dr, Hialeah Fl 33010, Ph. (786)587 9225. www.ubrecovey.com email. info@ubrecovery.com

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The Homeless Voice May 2014

BECAUSE EVERY PENNY COUNTS……

The Homeless Voice May 2014

10

Our Struggle Continues...

You all have been hearing that we are being telling them if they want us to continue to take the taken off the streets and can’t sell our news- homeless they need to help us. That is not going so paper any longer. The cities say that they good. I have to tell you that any city that takes away care about the vendors and not getting into our funding but still sends their homeless to us is a accidents. They claim it is all about safety pretty sad thing. The cities claim that we still have but when you look at the safety report they some streets and they did not outlaw every street. used to make these laws selling a newspaper That is correct but the majority of the streets we can on the side of the street is the least dangerous do are very slow and in most cases the median can’t behavior compared to all the other types of be walked on because it is slanted. On some of the accidents. In fact riding a bike in the middle corners there is no rest room for a mile or two. The of the community is much more dangerous other corners have no median where you can’t even than selling a newspaper. However the city stand because that violates another law. did not make any laws to protect bike riders, We filed a federal law suit and the judge said there they did not say a bike can’t be driven on the are other places we can vend our paper. So we lost side of a street. Crossing the street at a cross the case.

So we are hitting those spots such as a walk is more dangerous than selling a newscounty park, city halls, or the airports. Those have paper. They have not made crosswalks like been pretty good but we are still way behind in our bridges over certain corners like they have budgets. The sad part of this is almost every city is done in the past. It is way too expensive to do going to pass the same city code. When that hapthat but yet those bridges save lives. When pens we may have to close our overnight beds which you compare selling a newspaper to high are the most important beds we have. These are the school sports you will see that many more beds that the city uses. These are the beds that clean kids are hurt or killed than us selling a newstheir city streets of homeless people. We are going paper. I’m not saying I would want them to to try everything possible to save these beds. We make sports illegal. In our 17 year history have to…. If God wants us in business then we canwe have never lost a newspaper vendor due not break the bank. to an accident. Is it dangerous? Yes it can We still have some cities. But this month we lost be like any other occupation. They claim it another two cities. For now we have half the cities is about safety, but when you get copies of we use to have. (We are getting more check donathe city commission emails, that are public tions at this time which is allowing us to cover some record, you can see that it is not about safety of our budget, and with the use of our emergency it is about not wanting a funds we are holding on but that all homeless person coming stops in a few months.) Of course up to their cars. It’s about We are going to try everything we are going to try to continue to a person not wanting to be possible to save these beds. We distribute the Homeless Voice in bothered by a homeless any area we can. However it may have to….

If God wants us in person. Some even say it become too expensive for us to is not the standards of our business then we cannot break distribute the paper if we have to the bank. community. If they were drive all over the place because so concerned about the our corners are all over the place. homeless why do the cites Plus we have to keep a driver out outlaw homeless shelters, feeding the home- there all day long for bathroom breaks. That means less, or arrest them when they are sleeping four new staff members and four more vans, insuron a bus bench? Why would a city arrest a ance and gas. For the places like city hall we would person feeding the homeless? never be able to get each vendor out in time because These same cities that outlaw us from sell- we have to go to one city hall and then the next then ing a paper did care about the homeless in a the next and we would never be able to do that unway … How did they care? They have their less we bought more vans. We will try using busses homeless taken to our homeless shelter and and that will work but the poor vendor has to add expect us to figure out how we can pay for about four hours to their day. Then we would have all of this. That is correct, these same cities to add more staff to audit and count the sales for the that outlaw us from selling a newspaper still day because of the longer day. take their homeless to our shelter. We have Here is what we need to do. You all have supbeen still taking the homeless from these cit- ported us throughout the years. Yes we do thank you ies because it is not the homeless persons for sending in those big checks because that allows fault. We are putting it back to the cities and us more time to convert from street side vending to

If everyone who bought our paper would just send in a check each and every month we would not only stay in business but we would become even bigger and better. monthly pledges. More people are sending in checks now than before. But we need more of you to help us in the mail instead of in the street. If everyone who bought our paper would just send in a check each and every month we would not only stay in business but we would become even bigger and better. I spend most of my day trying to figure out where to get all this money that is needed. The future can be spending time on serving the people we all love. You can still buy your paper when you see us in limited locations or we can even send you a paper in the mail or you can download a free paper online. If this plan works we will make the paper bigger and train some of the vendors to sell advertisement where we can bring in more money and they can keep their jobs. If everyone just sent in $1 a month we would be ok. If some sent in more we would become bigger and some of you may want to become a Monthly Angel where we would be the best there is. The time is critical … we need you now more now than ever. I can’t stress it any other way than how I am saying it…it is critical. How do you send in your monthly donations?

COSAC HOMELESS SHELTER P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 Or go to our web site and become a monthly angel at www.homelessvoice.org

COSAC’S CHURCH Come to the church that is a Church of Service and Charity Learn of Jesus & How to put God‛s words into action.

Sunday 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm 1203 N. Federal Highway Hollywood, FL 33020 954-924-3571 x316 * Free Weddings * Free Memorial Services * Alternatives to Abortion * Healing Services

The Homeless Voice May 2014

Please Support Those Who Support Our Homeless

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