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Homeless advocates protest outside Mayor Jack Seiler’s home Advocates say ordinance against feeding homeless in public ‘is against God’ Author: Bob Norman, Reporter, bnorman@Local10.com Fort Lauderdale police officers stood guard outside Mayor Jack Seiler’s home on Wednesday, as homeless advocates around the U.S. protested the city’s recent ordinance against feeding the homeless in public. Advocates told Local 10 News that Fort Lauderdale’s new ordinance is against God. “The second commandment in the Bible is, ‘Love thy neighbor,’ and we’re trying to help our neighbors out here,” said one advocate. They also claim the ordinance is against the law. “No state, county or municipal government shall pass, enforce, or make any law or ordinance which might tend to be discriminatory toward any of its citizens,” read protester Fred Wucher. On Wednesday morning, the Homeless Voice organization chose a personal place to protest the new ordinance -- the home of mayor Jack Seiler in the upscale Coral Ridge neighborhood. They said this was the location chosen so they could make sure he heard their message loud and clear. Seiler apparently wasn’t home, but he has defended the law in the media. But those outside his home claim the ordinance is only adding to a hunger problem in his city. “I’m stepping out to protest to continue to be able to help the people in any way we possibly can and feed them -- everybody has to eat,” said a woman protesting outside Seiler’s home. Another feeding was held on Fort Lauderdale Beach Wednesday night, led by 91-year-old homeless advocate Arnold Abbott.
Man Used Olive Garden Pasta Pass to Feed Homeless Stephanie Tuder
Olive Garden’s unlimited pasta pass has come and gone, but some are still feeling its effects. As a casual Olive Garden customer, Matt Tribe of Ogden, Utah, purchased the pass, which gave the owner unlimited pasta from Sept. 22 through Nov. 9, on a whim that turned into something else much more meaningful. “I thought it would be cool to share with other people. Everything in the world is so negative, and in my own life, if you’re having a hard time, just doing nice things you forget all about it and it brightens you up,” Tribe, 28, told ABC News. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to do random acts of pasta?’ When someone sends you food, nobody’s pissed! They’re always happy.” That’s why Tribe started to get takeout from the national Italian chain twice a day and delivered it to his friends and family while documenting it on his website “Random Acts of Pasta.” After a while, though, Tribe realized the pass’ full potential. “It was hard to find the homeless at night. But then I started finding some of their spots, and I chose a buddy of mine and he said, ‘Let’s go film this,” Tribe said. “So we spent a few afternoons just going after them and we gave it to them, and it was one of the neatest things ever.” All in all, Tribe fed 10 homeless people linguine alfredo with chicken and salad from Olive Garden, which was not involved in Tribe’s project. He found the experience incredibly rewarding. “The first lady I gave it to was like, ‘Are you serious?’ The first thing she said was, ‘I’m going to share this with my friend,’” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. It broke my heart that this lady has nothing and the first thing she says is she’s going to share with someone else. It changed my whole perspective.” Olive Garden, while not actively promoting this kind of use of the pass, still supports Tribe’s project.
hours going to Olive Garden twice daily and deliver“We applaud Matt for his generous use of the ing the meals. He also put thousands of miles on his Pasta Pass, and we’re proud to play a small part car driving around. in his powerful story,” an Olive Garden spokes“The whole thing start to finish person told ABC News. “His changed my outlook on life in several actions align with our harvest It broke my heart that this ways, but I think I got more out of program, which allowed our restaurants to donate more than lady has nothing and the first this than anyone else who got pasta. 4.2 million meals to local food thing she says is she’s going I understand now why people devote banks last year.” to share with someone else. their lives to serving others,” he said. “It’s hard to feel bad, sad or depressed Tribe fed another 135 friends, when you’re helping other people. It family and strangers the same meal, and managed to eat from Olive Garden helps a lot. I hope this translates into someone doing himself 14 times. He said he spent hundreds of something nice for someone else.”
Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
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Addias Eugene Alicia Hernandez Amparo Penuela Angel Porras Angela Martinez Arelys Pod Arturo & Amelia Rodriguez Awake Inc. Barbara DeSanto Barbara Robinson Basil & Sonja Gonsalves Bill & Laura Fash Bobbie Given Charles & Tracy Rice Coco Mindreau Dalal Almeida Daniel Guevara David Reiff Deco Illusions Inc Donald & Rose Rieth Donna Galloway
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Tatiana Da Cunha Temple Aron Ted Wynne Hakodesh Teresa Black Thomas Payne Timothy Osborn Tjoman Buditaslim Tom Thumb Food Stores Inc. Village Quick Pick INC. Vilma Bagwandeen Victor Lanza Virginia Bailey Verne Trusko Walton Brown Wilhelm Schaugg William & Barbara Gentzsch 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
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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 4 We have an Emergency!
Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher Sean Cononie Editor in Chief
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The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
About the COSAC Foundation
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
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We continue to lose street corners where we collect all of your generous donations. The cities are banning us and we need your support now more than ever. Please donate today at homelessvoice.org/donate
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Meatless Monday! Holiday Edition Going meat free this Holiday season? With so many vegetarian sides you can still get stuffed without eating a bite of a bird! A lot of traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dishes are already vegetariangreen bean casserole, stuffing with vegetable stock, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie to name just a few! Gravy is one staple I need for my mashed potatoes. Here’s a vegetarian option that will deliver on taste but not on the guilt. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 medium onion, quartered 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon vegetable oil Kosher salt 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms (about 1 heaping cup) 6 sprigs thyme 2 sun-dried tomatoes 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce 1 dried bay leaf 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 6 fresh sage leaves 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Freshly ground black pepper Recipe from Food Network
Directions Position an oven rack in the top position in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Toss the onions, celery, carrots and garlic with the oil and 1 teaspoon salt on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the vegetables are charred in some places, 25 to 30 minutes. Bring the roasted vegetables, 1 cup water, mushrooms, thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, soy sauce, bay leaf and 1 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is gone, 8 to 10 minutes. Add 6 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring back to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and gently simmer until reduced by about one third, about 45 minutes. Strain the stock through a strainer into a large liquid measuring cup, use the back of a ladle to squeeze all the liquid out of the solids (there should be about 4 cups of stock). If not making gravy right away, let the stock cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To make the gravy, warm the stock slightly in a medium saucepan if it has been refrigerated. Melt the butter in another medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sage leaves, and stir for 30 seconds; remove and set aside. Add the flour to the saucepan, and stir until smooth and lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the warm stock while whisking constantly until smooth and thick, 8 to 10 minutes. Chop up the fried sage, stir it into the gravy along with the parsley and season to taste with pepper.
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The art of giving thanks may be the most distinguished way to tell we humans are different from all the other animals. Consider what our lives might be like if we never said thank you. One of the easiest and perhaps best prayers we can pray is thank you. I believe our sense of gratitude is one of the best examples of us being created in the likeness and image of God. It is God that inspires us to give thanks to those people that help us along the way. It is God that makes it feel good when people thank us for giving of ourselves. Giving thanks is a holy and healthy thing to do. As the people of God, in all of our religious services we give thanks and praise to our God. The American celebration of Thanksgiving gives us all a day to consider how blessed we are, how good our God is, regardless of our current status. It also provides a time for us to examine our own giving. In the words of Saint Francis, “it is in giving that we receive”. Happy Thanksgiving to all, peace and love Deacon Bob
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
On Spirituality...Giving Thanks
I believe our sense of gratitude is one of the best examples of us being created in the likeness and image of God.
This Is America, The Ted Williams Story "This is America" featuring Ted Williams, the homeless man with the golden voice from Columbus, Ohio. Ted narrates his debut single in his unique style to one of the most comprehensive songs ever written about America, by Fort Lauderdale songwriter David Hutchinson, entitled “This Is America”. Ted Williams, the man with a golden voice, a homeless man for 17 years, served his country in the Army and was honorably discharged. He rose to fame after being discovered on a street corner in Ohio. He made his way to TV with appearances on Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman, Dr. Phil and The Today Show with Matt Lauer, where he became as immediate sensation. Ted is managed by Scott Anthony and is ready to tour around the country with David Hutchinson promoting the song and bringing awareness to the plight of the homeless nationwide. He is quite possibly the most famous homeless man in the world. Today Ted speaks about issues of addiction, mental health, and homelessness. In 2014, after talking with David, Ted and David teamed up together to record the tribute called "This is America". Ted narrates this inspirational number about the county of his birth, with the strong lyrics that tell the tale of America from Columbus to 9/11, and the homeless to the White House. Hutchinson has also written and recorded tributes to many iconic people and places with numbers about Elvis Presley, called “The King is Callin Back Again”, and a tribute to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial called “Washington Wall”, for which he received awards from veterans organizations nationwide. Having written about iconic American people and places, David, a Brit by birth, then turned his attention to America, writing the song called "This is America", the world’s most powerful nation. He wrote & recorded a tribute to the land he lives in. Then, on the internet he came across a man called Ted Williams, a homeless man with a sensational voice. What a spin we could put on this song was the reaction. A homeless man, narrating a song about the richest nation on the planet could only happen in this country. To listen to a clip and download this song visit www.CDBABY. com, or www.Amazon.com or www.apple.com/itunes. Search for "This is America Ted Williams" on any of the 3 above websites.
Homelessness in Fort Lauderdale: A city’s tortured history By Tonya Alanez, Sun Sentinel
They once wanted to round them up and bake them in “paddy wagons;” nowadays they just don’t want them fed publicly or outdoors. Fort Lauderdale’s current battle with a 90-year-old veteran over feeding the homeless has drawn global scrutiny, placing what some have branded “Fort Haterdale” in a spotlight of infamy. But nearly 35 years ago city officials were proposing far less sensitive ways to deal with the homeless. Back then, city commissioners were dead serious when they suggested hosing them while they slept, dumping them in the swamp and poisoning garbage cans. Commissioner Robert Cox came up with an even more creative idea: “We don’t have to beat them or anything. We can just put them in a nice hot paddy wagon and let them bake.” Fort Lauderdale officials have a long, tortured history of battling street vagabonds that goes back decades. Before the current showdown over public feedings, there were the so-called bum sweeps of the ‘80s, a tent city in the ‘90s and an influx of homeless brought on by the recession of the 2000s. Fed up with “deadbeats and dropouts,” “food-scavenging vagrants,” and “beggars and toughs cruising the battered beach strip,” city commissioners began brainstorming “beach-bum antidotes,” according to media reports from the early ‘80s. In an October 1980 city commission meeting, Vice Mayor Virginia Young suggested busing homeless to the Everglades. “It would at least take them a while to get back,” she said. A year later, Cox came up with a novel idea: pouring kerosene in beachside trash cans to prevent Dumpster diving. “The way you get roaches and vermin out of there is to take away their food supply,” Cox said. “How do we get rid of the garbage cans — the food supply? Spray kerosene in the cans?” Cox would later become mayor. For the better part of 20 years beginning in the late ‘70s, police took to the beach before dawn to conduct “bum sweeps,” remembers Scott Russell, a former Fort Lauderdale cop. Russell worked with the agency’s special problems unit from 1999 to 2006. “You’d clean up before the tourists got up and the businesses opened,” said Russell, now a pastor at Church by the Glades and a captain at the Broward Sheriff’s Office who oversees homeless and crisis outreach efforts. “But we’ve learned from our past experiences that you cannot arrest your way out of homelessness. It will never work.” The tent city era- They never did bake them in “paddy wagons.” Nor did they douse garbage cans in kerosene. But city officials did confine the homeless to a tent city for more than five years. The tent city was spawned as a “safe zone” not long after a Miami federal judge’s 1992 ruling that said cities must provide places for the homeless to congregate without threat of arrest. The first encampment was set up in July 1993, just west of Parker Playhouse in Holiday Park near downtown. In a space no bigger than a basketball court, an estimated 100 people per night crowded onto bedrolls and into tents. It didn’t take long to degenerate into violence, prostitution, and drug and alcohol use. About four months later, the camp was relocated to a half-acre parking lot on Andrews Avenue across
(Continued on pg 6)
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Protestors came out in droves to support Arnold and the right to feed the homeless
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
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Arnold Abbott brought documents from a previous court case he won to feed, and then went about to do just that
The government should never be able to tell us we can’t give food to someone.
Homelessness in Fort Lauderdale: A city’s tortured history As a result, the city for many years was wary of pressing forfrom City Hall. The situation did not improve. Campward with restrictions. But then the recession hit. The ranks of ers broke out with infectious skin diseases. The stench the homeless swelled. Citizen complaints ramped up. Pressure of overflowing portable toilets overpowered the air. from downtown business owners intensified. The place became so wretched and crowded, two maIn 2006, homeless vendors who hawked newspapers on busy jor homeless agencies urged the city to shut it down. medians began to disappear. Two state laws banning pedestri“The way it was before, when people lived on the ans from soliciting business in the roadway went into effect. street, is better than that encampment,” Capt. Ron A 2009 city law regulated where panhandlers could beg on Busroe, of the Salvation Army, said at the time. “The Fort Lauderdale beach. conditions in that encampment were just horrible.” In 2012, city officials planted abundant foliage, some of it But it would linger on. For more than five years, tent prickly, to make it impossible for the homeless to gather in city was a fixture. Then, Stranahan Park, a favorite hangin February 1999, Broout. ward County opened its They’re not coming up with solutions, A tally by the Broward Housing first homeless shelter, Council shows that the homeless they’re coming up with ways to get rid population hit a high of 3,801 and the camp finally folded. The Homeless of the homeless,...From my standpoint, in 2011. It has steadily dropped Assistance Center — at and the count for 2014 it’s an ulterior motive to make them so since, the corner of Northwest stood at 2,766. Seventh Avenue and uncomfortable that they’ll want to leave ... Despite those declining numSunrise Boulevard in bers, the regulation pace quickFort Lauderdale — funcened in 2014. In the past six tions on a policy of findmonths the city also has imposed bans on sleeping in parks, ing homes, jobs and social services for the homeless panhandling at busy intersections, storing possessions outdoors rather than simply providing cots and meals. and defecating or urinating in public without proper disposal. Feeding frenzy- Arnold Abbott, the 90-year-old di“They’re not coming up with solutions, they’re coming up rector of the nonprofit group Love Thy Neighbor, has with ways to get rid of the homeless,” said Father Bob Caudill, long been a protagonist in the city’s struggles with who since 1990 has run a soup kitchen out of All Saints Caththe homeless, giving away meals at a beachfront park olic Mission in neighboring Oakland Park. “From my standsince 1991. And during the tent city era, he delivered point, it’s an ulterior motive to make them so uncomfortable food there twice a day, seven days a week. He sued that they’ll want to leave ...” the city and won in 2002 after the city tried to shut On Oct. 22 of this year, things came to a head when the city down his food distribution at the beach. (Continued from pg 5)
limited where outdoor feedings can occur. City officials prefer indoor feedings at houses of worship. For outdoor feedings, the city now requires permits and mandates portable toilets, hand-washing stations and foods maintained at specific temperatures. Abbott and some others who feed the homeless have balked at the new restrictions. Recent skirmishes have taken place at a downtown park, the beach and in front of the mayor’s house. Abbott has been cited three times — on Nov. 2, 5 and 12 — for defying the new ordinance. Three volunteers with Food Not Bombs were handcuffed and taken into police custody. On Wednesday, protesters picketed the mayor’s house with signs that said “Elect Jack for mayor of Fort Haterdale” and “How many homeless did you starve today?” Mayor Jack Seiler says there’s no anti-homeless agenda afoot, but rather a move toward safer, cleaner, healthier locations. “There is an absolute right to feed a hungry person,” he said. “We’re saying, ‘You can feed them at any one of 100 locations in the city.’” From afar, the city is being viewed as callous and uncompassionate. “It’s just seen as mean-spirited,” said Jerry Jones, executive director for the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. “Folks are getting arrested for feeding hungry people; that’s just hard to defend.”
Mayor’s claims about daily homeless feedings in Fort Lauderdale called false Author: Bob Norman, Reporter, bnorman@Local10.com
When the homeless feeding ban controversy in Fort Lauderdale began making headlines around the world, Mayor Jack Seiler embarked on a media push to assure the public that the city wasn’t a villain but had actually added feeding locations to take care of the homeless. “We have set up alternative locations for feeding,” he told Local 10 News. Seiler has also defended the city in interviews with CNN and the SunSentinel. “We actually expanded the number of feeding locations in the city of Fort Lauderdale,” the mayor told CNN. “The media’s ignoring the fact that there are daily feedings taking place in the city of Fort Lauderdale in full compliance with the law,” he told the Sun-Sentinel. He reiterated it Sunday on “This Week in South Florida.” “We’re working with some 70 churches (and) some 20-plus organizations,” Seiler said. “They’re all feeding on a daily basis.” The problem? There are only church feedings available four days out of the week, according to local clergy. That’s the same number of feedings that were available prior to the ban. They said there are no feedings available in the city for three days of the week, days that previously were handled by outside groups that the city has now outlawed feeding in public. Pastor Frank Pontillo, who provides one of the weekly feedings at a Fort Lauderdale church, said the mayor is simply not telling the truth about services being provided to the homeless. “That’s only four,” Pontillo said. “There’s not hundreds. There’s not dozens and dozens. This is just not a true story.” Seiler has claimed that non-profit Hope South Florida has organized the additional feedings, but the group’s volunteer di-
passed, citing part of the land-use code applying to rector of food sharing, Rev. Perry Cannon, also said they don’t social-service organizations. exist. Cannon said that because of the feeding-ban ordinance, Pontillo said the mayor has been “underhanded” durmore people are now hungry. ing the entire process, including when the city passed “I think (the city) put the cart before the horse,” Cannon said. the law about 3:30 a.m. He said he and other homeless “It would have been nice to have all this network of churches advocates were never consulted. He also mentioned set up (before the ordinance was passed).” other so-called “homeless hate laws,” making it illeCannon said he “strongly supports” the idea of suspending the gal for homeless to store ordinance until churches can fill goods in public and go to the void left behind by volunteer groups that fed at places like Stra- There are no feedings available in the the bathroom, despite the nahan Park until being outlawed city for three days of the week, days fact that Fort Lauderdale does not provide public from doing so by the city. “I don’t keep a list in my pock- that previously were handled by outside facilities. et of feedings,” Seiler said when groups that the city has now outlawed Cannon said he supports the ordinance in questioned about where the daily feeding in public. theory but has seen the feedings take place. hunger problem in the The mayor said he would send a city rise after numerous well-meaning groups were list. However, when asked for the list, he didn’t provide one outlawed from supplying food. and wrote that he does not maintain such a list. Seiler did eventually concede that there are only four orga“They’re hungry. They want to be fed,” Cannon said. nized feedings, but said the city has now “sanctioned” every “So I’m hoping we can step it up and get these addichurch in the city to conduct the feedings whether they choose tional locations.” to do so or not. Pontillo said he wants the mayor to stop misleadPontillo said the mayor is again being untruthful, as there ing the public and sit down and really try to solve the were no prior restrictions on churches conducting feedings problem. within their doors prior to the ordinance being passed. “Bring these people in and have a conversation,” “It has never been illegal in any church in Fort Lauderdale to Pontillo said. “That’s all I’m asking.” feed people, or in any church in the United States,” he said. “It Follow Bob Norman on Twitter @NormanOn10 makes your head spin the way (Mayor Seiler) describes this.” Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10 Seiler said there were zoning issues that may have kept cerWatch Local 10 report at: http://www.local10.com/ tain churches in residential neighborhoods from being allowed news/mayors-claims-about-daily-homeless-feedingsto feed people within their doors prior to the ordinance being in-city-called-false/29786364#
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
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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
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway
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
Gals On The Go!!!
Succeed anyway
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway
Help people anyway
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People really need help but may attack if you help them. Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth.
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Sandy Weinz Owner Miami Beach, Florida 305 469 9699 SWEI5700@aol.com
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
BECAUSE EVERY PENNY COUNTS……
The Homeless Voice Holiday 2014
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5th Annual Race Home Around the Corner
Who is my neighbor? Fr Daniel Medina, CJ The most difficult material for me to write about is homelessness. I feel so humbled and ashamed that I am unable to even begin to plumb the depths of the experience of living homeless anywhere on this planet. It is inconceivable for me. Yet, I feel called to write on this subject. Although I cannot relate to the reality, I can and I must, by nature of being a Christian and a human being, to empathize with my neighbor. “Neighbor” is often reserved for the description of any individual living in close proximity to someone. As an example, if you live down the street, next door, across the street, or the apartment one down from me, I’d call you “my neighbor”. The real determining factor of “neighbor”, i.e., who is and who isn’t my neighbor, therefore, honestly depends on whether an individual has a physical address or not. Does the address point to a dwelling of some sort with a post box? If this is the case, then a homeless individual doesn’t “qualify”. He/She doesn’t meet the standard of “neighbor”. In fact, the homeless, according to expectations of who is and who isn’t my neighbor amounts to possessions which in turn determine an individual’s status, dignity, and identity. No address, no neighbor. No neighbor, no body.
These “invisible” and “undefined” persons are our neighbors according to God’s standards, though. God doesn’t define humanity or who is or who isn’t my neighbor by the accumulation of wealth or possessions; rather the definition of an individual is rooted in the principle that we are all created by the very same God. In the image of God we are all created and we have our being. According to God’s worldview, everyone is my neighbor despite material goods or social status. The nature of who is my neighbor is therefore not determined by any physical address, but addressed in the presence and image of God in each of us. The next time we ask ourselves the typical and stereotypical questions we do when we see a homeless person approaching us, let’s refocus. The “us” and “them” manner of thinking shouldn’t be entertained. Our encounter shouldn’t be predicated on they have nothing and we have something which can foster antagonism, fear, or defensiveness. Rather, let’s embrace the truth; we have the same Creator and divine parent. We are all neighbors. In all actuality, we are all family. In this context, we will no longer have the need of determining who we are and who others are by what we don’t have; but by what we all have in common.
Our encounter shouldn’t be predicated on they have nothing and we have something which can foster antagonism, fear, or defensiveness.
This year give the gift of fitness and sign yourself and someone you love up for a race! And not just any race, but the best race on the Hollywood Broadwalk! Join us at 8 am Sunday April 19th for our 5th Annual Race Home (formerly the Race to End Homelessness.) Our certified flat and fast course runs along the beautiful beach on Hollywoods Broadwalk. Besides the beautiful scenery, local band Curbstone also provides the perfect soundtrack. Stick around afterwards for some free breakfast and one of the most inclusive awards ceremonies! Medals for overall 3 male/female, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in 5 yr age groups! Register early to guarantee a tech shirt! For more information, including sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please log on to www.homelessvoice.org/5k
Thanksgiving Was a Success! Thank you to BJ’s for their Turkey Donation! Thank you to Sean Tamami & Company for your help and service and Thank you to all the volunteers that made this Thanksgiving possible!!!
We’re Stuffed!!!
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 Holiday 2014
Please Support Those Who Support Our Homeless
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