Homeless Voice; Vulnerable to Hate

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

Vulnerable to Hate: A Survey of Hate Crimes & Violence Committed against the Homeless in 2013

COSAC resident Robert Cassito, 55, was attacked 5 years ago with a 20 pound ax by another homeless man, who was jealous that Cassito had money. Cassito has been victim to other hate crimes including burglaries and other beatings. Excerpt from Violent Attacks on Homeless People Not Uncommon run in HV October 2012- to read full story, visit HVoice.org under archives

Chelsea Boozer Rose Marie Yale, weighed down by four grocery bags, made her way across the Family Dollar parking lot with the $150 she had to her name tucked inside a leather pouch slung around her neck. A heavyset man who was watching approached her with a crowbar in hand, shoved her to the ground and beat her for 10 minutes before snatching the pouch and running away. Yale, 57, a diebetic with seven herniated discs, has lived at the COSAC homeless shelter, a private-run facility in Hollywood Fl, for the past two-and-a-half years. Attacks, like the one that happened to Yale, occur to about 113 people every year nationwide, according to the latest data released by the National Coalition for the Homeless. “The things I’ve been watching on TV and reading

about in the Homeless Voice about how people are beating up In another instance, two men pinned him to the on people, I don’t know, there is something in their heads.” ground and hit him before taking the $100 he collected Yale said. “They get thrilled. They get off on doing it. You from panhandling. know what I’m saying? And it’s wrong.” Such attacks are “believed to be motivated by the Sean Cononie, COSAC founder and director, said there are a perpetrators’ bias against homeless individuals or number of reasons why the homeless are easy targets for viotheir ability to target homeless people with relative lent attacks. ease,” according to the NCH In general, the homeless carry their study. belongings and whatever cash they That was the case with Yale, have on their person. Those who sleep ...people are beating up on people, who may have been an easy outside have little resources available target that day at the Dania I don’t know, there is something in FL Family Dollar store about to them to protect what they have. “They don’t have that window-that a year ago. She doesn’t own their heads. They get thrilled. door-that you and I have,” Cononie a car, so she walked with her said. belongings from the store COSAC resident Robert Cassito, to the bus stop- alone and 53, was attacked 3 years ago with a 20 pound ax by another unprotected. homeless man, who was jealous that Cassito had money. Cassito A talk with a few COSAC residents indicated such has been victim to other hate crimes including burglaries and attacks may be more common that the NCH study other beatings. indicates.

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


The Homeless Voice August 2014

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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 Florida’s 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 14 We have an Emergency!

Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher Sean Cononie Editor in Chief

~ Cathy’s Prayer List ~ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bob Michael Loffredo Natacha Lewis Steven Green Josh Wynn Bianca James Lois Robert Tansey Veronica & John Carmen Cononie Mary Summers Cassandra Wilson Charlene Duarte Rusty Columbo Devon Bailey & Family

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Mark Targett Executive Editor

Maria Dragon

Sara Targett

Vemonda Lane & Family

Charlie 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

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The Homeless Voice August 2014

About the COSAC Foundation


The Homeless Voice August 2014

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We have an Emergency! See pg 10

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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.

Sean’s Tips on Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Airplane travel, especially flights longer than 8 hours, may increase the risk for blood clots, also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE). You are at increased risk for DVT/PE if you: Have had DVT/PE in the past, Have had recent surgery (especially abdominal or orthopedic surgery), Are pregnant, Are a smoker, Are taking hormone replacement therapy, Have cancer, restricted movement, or a blood-clotting problem If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor before traveling. People at higher risk for DVT/PE may be prescribed medication during travel. To prevent DVT/PE during flight: Stay hydrated, Wear loose-fitting clothing, Make an effort to walk and stretch your legs and arms at least once an hour Your doctor may recommend that you wear special stockings that reduce leg swelling and encourage blood flow. Also note if you take a long trip in a car or bus you must also try to prevent blood clots. For me if I am in a car for a long trip I either stop and take a one minute walk or shift positions every 30 minutes and move my feet and legs as much as I can. Stay healthy and we love you.

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Meatless Monday!

Why is there evil in the world? There seems to be as much violence in the world as there ever was. That may not be accurate however considering the world wars, and some incredibly horrible civil wars, but without a doubt our world is a violent place and the perplexing thing to me is that most people want peace. So the question is, why is there so much evil and violence when the vast majority of us don't like it and don't want it. Is all of this hatred and discord the result of a few, small percentage of us? Philosophers and theologians have pondered these questions for centuries. I would defer to them in many instances but for last Sundays gospel. I think Jesus sheds much light on the origins of evil in the world when He talks in parables about the weeds and the wheat. When the disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable, He tells them that the weeds are evil and that they are planted by the devil, or the enemy, Mathew 13:24-43; The servants of the master want to pull up God Almighty that will ultimately rid the world of the weeds, but the master tells them no, you hatred and violence. God knows the world needs might pull up the wheat as help, and God will help in Gods' well. At the end when it is time and in Gods' own way. harvest time we will pull So you and I can have the peace The servants of the master the weeds first and tie them that Jesus promises and know in bundles and throw them want to pull up the weeds, but that we are wheat, the beloved in the fire and then we will the master tells them no, you children of God the good shepgather the wheat into my might pull up the wheat as well. herd who will gather us not barn. I believe the message into His barn but into His arms. for you and I here is one of Peace be with you as you spread hope. While we should always be instruyour peace to those around you. Deacon Bob ments of peace, we must remember that it is

Spicy Cilantro Corn on the Cob Serves 4 4 ears of corn, husked 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon spicy paprika salt and pepper Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Lay all the corn cobs out on a big sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with the olive oil. Coat each ear in the chopped cilantro. Season with the spicy paprika, salt and pepper. Bring the edges of foil up around the outside of the corn to form a packet of aluminum foil which contains all 4 ears of corn. Transfer the packet to a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until the corn is tender. Remove from the foil and enjoy! Serve as the perfect compliment to your favorite bean burger and sliced watermelon!

Lois’ Lessons on Internet Safety 5 Things Parents Should Do During Internet Safety Month NETSMARTZ

June is Internet Safety Month! Kids are gearing up for summer vacation and they’ll be spending plenty of time online. This is a great opportunity to make sure you’re doing all you can to educate them about Internet safety. Here are five things you can do this month to help protect them online. 1-Review privacy settings and friends/followers – If your teens use sites or apps like Twitter, Snapchat, or Kik, find out who they’re talking to and who can see what they post. Remind them that nothing is ever really private online. 2-Play games with them – The best way to learn

about the games your kids are playing is to play with them. 5-Learn how to report – Many sites and apps have Explore the settings to see if there are safety or privacy ways to report cyberbullies and potential predafeatures you can use. If they’re using voice chat to talk to tors. Find out where the report features are and other gamers, listen in to make sure it’s show your kids so they know age-appropriate conversation. what to do if they have a prob3-Encourage them to be upstandlem. You can also make a reers, not bystanders – Cyberbullying Tell your teens to avoid these port to the National Center for doesn’t take a summer break. Talk to kinds of pictures – Don’t take Missing & Exploited Children your kids about reporting cyberbullythem. Don’t ask for them. atwww.CyberTipline.com. ing when they see it and standing up School is out soon, but we’ll Don’t forward them. for victims. be around all summer. Stick 4-Talk about sexting – Most teens around for more online safety aren’t sending or receiving sexual imtips and resources. Have a safe ages, but those who do can be humiliated or get in serious and fun summer! trouble. Tell your teens to avoid these kinds of pictures – Don’t take them. Don’t ask for them. Don’t forward them.

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The Homeless Voice August 2014

On Spirituality... the Wheat

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Vulnerable to Hate: A Survey of Hate Crimes & Violence Committed against the Homeless in 2013 Multimedia Exploitation: An Explanation

ME

WA ND

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California 33 Florida 13 Ohio 7 Texas 7 Tennessee 5 Hawaii 4 Illinois 4 Connecticut 3 Massachusetts 3 New Jersey 3 Oregon 3

Washington 3 Arizona 2 Arkansas 2 Michigan 2 Missouri 2 Nevada 2 Virginia 2 Delaware 1 Georgia 1 Louisiana 1 Maryland 1

New York 1 Pennsylvania 1 Puerto Rico 1 Rhode Island 1 South Carolina 1 No Violent Acts Against Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Were Reported In Other States

Multimedia exploitation of the homeless population is a severe growing problem. When videos involving the victimization of people experiencing homelessness have been posted to popular websites, it has often led others to mimic what they have seen. Many incidents are thus repeated against other innocent homeless victims. About a decade ago, NCH mounted a campaign against a group of videos that were listed under the the name, “Bum Fights.” These videos included homeless men beating each other up and performing dangerous stunts like banging their heads through glass windows and going down stairs in a shopping cart. Rufus Hannah, Jr., now a NCH Speaker, and others, who participated and were compensated with a few dollars or a six pack of beer, suffered severe injuries as a result of the videos. These videos continue to degrade and stigmatize homeless persons by perpetuating the stereotype that people living in a state of homelessness are “bums” and that they have no other worth than to provide entertainment to the rest of society by causing themselves or others bodily harm. “Bum Fights,” has now been viewed more than 7.7 million times, garnering about 6,490 likes by YouTube users. It is the decision of the National Coalition for the Homeless to include such videos in a report on hate crimes and violence against the homeless, as there have been documented cases that show the immediate correlation between watching videos that display violence toward homeless individuals, and committing “copycat” crimes against that population. These videos ae foul, hateful, and unbecoming of a modern progressive society.

No Incidents Reported

PR

Over the past 15 years the National Coalition for the Homeless has documented over 1,400 crimes committed against homeless people by housed individuals. These violent attacks have cost 375 homeless people their lives. In this 2013 report, NCH has documented 109 violent attacks against homeless individuals. 18 of these incidents resulted in death. This is the same number of deaths as in 2012. 17 percent of attacks against the homeless resulted in death in 2013 compared to 20 percent in 2012. This may signal a slight decrease in the brutality of crimes, but there were 30 percent more recorded non-lethal attacks, as well as a nearly 24 percent increase in the total number of attacks reported. Perpetrators are continuing to commit these heinous crimes a young ages. This year, 85 percent of perpetrators were under the age of 30. Most commonly, teenage boys lead the attacks. Teenage boys are often caught due to the fact they document their attacks or do not take measures to eradicate evidence that would lead back to them. In most states, a teenager will be tried as an adult if the homeless person is in serious condition or murdered. That leads

to many young lives in prison that could have been saved with effective education. Any curriculum that teaches young adults the rights and human qualities of a person experiencing homelessness could decrease the amount to which the homeless community is victimized by teenagers and young adults. In light of these recent trends, it is important that the government focus on how to prevent such attacks, rather than enact policies that criminalize the homeless simply for existing. VULNERABLE TO HATE: A Survey of Hate Crimes Committed against Homeless People in 2013 has the main objective of educating lawmakers, advocates, and the general public about the problem of hate crimes and violence against homeless people. The hope is to instigate change and ensure protection of civil rights for everyone, regardless of their economic circumstances or housing status. Although some communities are taking positive steps toward protecting homeless individuals, NCH believes that violence against the homeless is a trend that will continue to grow unless there is true accountability for crimes committed, established effective methods of prevention, and positive action taken by advocates, legislators, and community members.

These violent attacks have cost 375 homeless people their lives.

85% of the perpetrators were below thirty years old. This year, the youngest known perpetrator was thirteen years old.

Vulnerable to Hate In 2013:

Purpose Statement

Florida Lethal Attacks on the Homeless

85 % of all perpetrators were under the age of 30

The main objective of this report is to educate lawmakers, advocates and the general public about the problem of hate crimes and violence against homeless people in order to bring about change and ensure protection of civil rights for everyone, regardless of their economic circumstances or housing status. As part of its mission, the NCH is committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to end homelessness. A major component of these changes must include the societal guarantee of safety and protection, as well as a commitment by lawmakers to combat hate crimes and violent acts against people who experience homelessness.

New Port Richey Homeless man died following a brutal attack by three teenagers June 26th: Frank Rudolph, a 54-year-old homeless man was attacked by three teenagers on the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Congress Street. The suspects beat Rudolph with sticks and their fists, leading to Rudolph’s death four days later at North Bay Hospital. The victim suffered injuries to his collarbone and blunt force trauma was deemed the cause of death. Allan Youngerman, 16, and a 15-year-old boy have been charged with his death. They were both known by police for getting in trouble in the past. Tarpon Springs A shooting leaves one homeless man dead, another in critical condition August 5th: Two homeless men, Brian Kennedy, 56, and Larry Schuff, 54, were shot by suspect Myron

Farley, 32. The attack occurred near a bank on 710 E Tarpon Avenue. A bank employee heard the gun fire and called police, however she was only able to see the perpetrator running away. Kennedy died of his injuries and Schuff was listed in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center. The suspect was later apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. (Suspect also responsible for attack on September 16, 2013 in Clearwater, Florida.) Clearwater September 16th: John Austin Lloyd, a 61-year-old homeless man was found dead outside a gas station in Clearwater. Police found that 32-year-old Myron Farley, who was charged in another shooting in Tarpon Springs could be suspect. After a thorough investigation, police recovered two shell casings near Lloyd’s body that matched those from the Tarpon crime scene. A 9mm gun was found at Farley’s resi-

dence. Charges are being added to Farley’s sentencing to include the murder of Lloyd. Dania Beach Homeless woman died of a broken neck December 28th: Lacy Michelle Woolridge, a 49-yearold homeless woman, was found dead lying in the road. She died of a broken neck and suffered injuries to her face. Experts claim that “Woolridge had facial injuries that may have come from beating and a sexual assault that ruptured her colon.” Suspect Raul Armando Serrano, 28, was arrested after police found Woolridge’s cellular phone in his vehicle. He was taken to the BSO jail and faces first-degree murder charges.

93 % of all perpetrators were male 65 % of all victims were 40 years old or older 90 % of all victims were male 18 % of the attacks resulted in death

7 The Homeless Voice August 2014

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8 Ways to Minimize Your Sun Exposure, Skin Cancer Worries Apply sunscreen correctly. Be sure to put on enough Did you know that the most common type of cancer disunscreen. The average adult needs about one ounce agnosed in the U.S. is largely preventable? It is estimated to cover their body. It works best when it’s applied that one in five Americans will have skin cancer over the thickly. Apply it 30 minutes before going outside. course of their lifetimes. Fortunately, being sun-savvy Apply sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your may help keep this often-preventable cancer at bay. ears. Put lip balm with SPF 15 or more on your lips. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects us against Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimheat, sunlight, injury and infection. The ultraviolet (UV) ming or sweating. rays from the sun and from tanning beds can cause skin Environmental awareness. Be extra careful around damage that can lead to cancer. While there are many water, sand, cement and snow because the sun’s rays types of skin cancers, the three most common are melacan reflect off these surfaces. Note that UV radiation noma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. is stronger at higher altitudes and in warmer, southern Melanoma begins in your pigment cells, or melanocytes. climates. Of the three cancers, it is the most likely to spread to othTiming is everything. Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. er parts of your body. Squamous cell skin cancer begins to 4 p.m. This is when the sun is at its highest and in your squamous cells, and sometimes its rays are strongest. If your shadow spreads in the body. Basal cell skin cancer appears to be shorter than you are, reOld burns, scars, begins in the basal cell layer of your skin, treat to the shade. but rarely spreads. Know your UV numbers. Check the ulcers, or areas of There are many risk factors common to UV index reported by the U.S. Weathinflammation on the er Service through your local media. these cancers. Sunlight is the most important risk factor for any type of skin cancer. skin may be a risk The UV index measures the amount Your lifetime exposure to UV rays is anUV light reaching the ground and factor for skin cancer of other factor. Also, tanning, or having fair depends on the amount of cloud cov(pale) skin that burns easily, ups your risk er, time of day, time of year and elevafor any type of skin cancer. tion. The UV index ranges from 1 (low) to 11 (high). Some risk factors are specific to skin cancer types. For Be extra careful outside when the UV index is high. example, one risk factor exclusive to melanoma is havCover up. Wear sunglasses with wraparound lenses ing many common moles — 50 or more. And old burns, that block UV rays. Wear protective clothing when scars, ulcers, or areas of inflammation on the skin may be you’re outside, such as long sleeves, long pants, shirts a risk factor for both basal cell and squamous cell skin with collars, and a hat, preferably with a wide brim. cancers. Loosely woven fabric (you can see light through it) is Following these eight tips may minimize your sun exponot as protective as tightly woven fabric. sure to help reduce your risk of some types of skin cancer: Avoid the tanning booth and sunlamps. Ultraviolet Put lotion in motion. Choose a broad-spectrum sunlight from tanning beds can cause skin cancer. If you screen that protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultrawant to look tan, consider using a self-tanning prodviolet B (UVB) rays. Your sunscreen should be SPF 15 or uct or spray, but continue to use sunscreen with it. higher. If you will be swimming, use a waterproof type. Watch yourself. If you notice any new or changGenerously apply it to all exposed skin. The sun can harm ing spots on your skin, see your doctor promptly. In skin in as few as 15 minutes. Be sure to use sunscreen on general, the earlier skin cancer is detected, the more cloudy days, too, because UV rays can go through clouds. likely it is to respond to treatment. Aarrmedicareplans.com

Donating Time vs. Donating Money Staff Writer

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


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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 August 2014

BECAUSE EVERY PENNY COUNTS……


The Homeless Voice August 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.

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The Homeless Voice August 2014

Please Support Those Who Support Our Homeless

11



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