Homeless Voice; Strong Women, Homeless Women

The Homeless Voice is owned by the COSAC Foundation, a multi-faceted non-profit agency that feeds, shelters, and arranges access to social and medical services to every homeless person that enters its shelters. We aim to enable them to return to a self-reliant lifestyle, but for the small percentage of people incapable, we provide a caring and supportive environment for long-term residency.

Originally made by a team tasked to raise money from the streets for the shelter, the Homeless Voice was born from the knowledge that freedom of press was a way to raise awareness. We started as a flyer, then a 4-page newsprint, then finally becoming the voice of the homeless with the Homeless Voice newspaper and website in 1999.

In this newspaper we hope to present the problems that the homeless population faces day-to-day, the problems these people personally face, and the ways that laws can help and hinder them.

Visit us at to read past issues, see online-only content, and a full map of where you can find this paper.

Many of our vendors are clients of our shelters, brought to different major cities to vend this paper in return for a donation. Based out of Lake City — where our Veterans Inn shelter and Motel 8 is located — or Davie, they are always brought out in groups of four to help each other stay motivated and keep each other company. They’re given plenty of food and water for the day and don bright shirts to distinguish them as our vendors.

Depending on their specific job in vending this newspaper, all vendors take in about 75% of donations that day, with the remaining 25% put back into the paper.

We distribute in all major cities throughout Florida, including Tallahassee, Lake City, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and now Gainesville.

Strong Women, Homeless Women

How being homeless, as a women, can be abusive, embarrassing and empowering

By Mary Stewart

To Weather a Hurricane

Hurricane season is upon us. With it comes the dangers of homelessness in a storm

By Mary Stewart

The Unhoused Need Phones too

From getting shelter to applying for jobs, cellphones are a necessity

By Mary Stewart

Lose If You Do, Lose If You Don't

The unhoused have needs that they fight businesses and the average person to fulfill.

By Mary Stewart Michael Cohen

Losing one of our own at the COSAC Foundation

By Justin Brovenick

To Weather a Hurricane While Homeless

Hurricane season is upon us. With it comes the dangers of losing your home, and figuring out what to do when you never had one.

By Mary Stewart

Istill remember Hurricane Wilma as clearly as if it had blown through Palm Beach County yesterday. The news predicted that the storm would lose strength after making landfall on the West Coast and moving across land. No one was prepared for a Category 3 direct hit. However, my natural inclination to worry and overreact led me to spend all my food stamps on bottled water and non-perishable foods. Even so, I remained in my mobile home instead of going to a Red Cross shelter.

My trailer shook violently as I listened to the radio, drank Starbucks Frappuccino, and prayed. I heard the whistling of the wind and the pounding of the raindrops against my tin roof. Then, all was quiet. I stood at my kitchen window and watched the calm eye of the storm pass right over me. The radio newscaster warned that the second band would be much worse. My life hung in the balance as my trailer tipped to the side and slammed back down on the concrete blocks. I was petrified. My kitchen window

broke and palm fronds blew inside along with rain and other debris. Finally, it was over. I had survived. My trailer was badly damaged. There was a gaping hole in the roof over my hallway closet and the pipes had come loose. I reported the damages to FEMA. They agreed that my home was no longer livable but said the damages could be repaired. They only compensated

me for the loss of personal property.

I didn't know about escrow accounts or my legal right to temporarily withhold rent. My boyfriend insisted that I shouldn't continue to pay to live there. I wanted to stay, but I was a foolish and naive young girl who followed behind my wayward older boyfriend.

I moved to a motel and spent my FEMA money on a room. Housing instability made it impossible to focus on college and I ended up not meeting the standards of academic progress that semester. As a result, I lost my financial aid. Since I had a work study position, I also lost my job. After my FEMA money was gone, I slept on the floor at the Westgate Tabernacle Church with the countless others who had also become homeless as a result of hurricanes that hit that year. My very first cardboard sign said, “Just became homeless due to Wilma. Please help.” That was in 2005. I was only 24 years old. My initial episode of homelessness may have been avoidable had I made better decisions following the storm. Looking back, I should've consulted Legal Aid rather than rely on the wisdom of an ex-con who I was madly in love with.

I was very happy living in that mobile home park and going to college. My landlord had previously been good about purchasing materials for repairs and my neighborhood truly came together to support one

another after the storm. But I gave all of that up and became accustomed to street life.

Many people across the country have faced the possibility of homelessness due to natural disasters. 7.5 million people have been displaced due to storm damage since 2008 according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center — an international organization consolidating displacements within a country. Wilma damaged more than 4,000 single-family homes and about 2,500 mobile homes, with over 250 being heavily damaged and 15 being destroyed according to a report by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection. While we cannot control the storm tracks nor can we guarantee that we won't lose our homes, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of becoming chronically homeless.

Of course, storm shutters are a given and mobile homes should be properly strapped down. Floridians should also stock up on recommended supplies beforehand, including flashlights, batteries, water, nonperishables, a radio, a portable battery charger and more, according to FloridaDisaster.org. But there are some things that are often overlooked.

I remember the FEMA agent asked me if I had renter's insurance. I responded that I was a college student who could barely even afford my rent. However, renter's insurance would have helped a lot for replacing my water-logged belongings. I also should've spent my FEMA money more wisely.

I learned many years later that rent money can be withheld if a landlord doesn’t make repairs in a timely manner. If a judge approves an application to do so, rent can instead be put into a special account called an escrow pending repairs. Different states, counties, and towns have different renters rights though, so you should check what actions you can take where you live.

Hurricane Wilma struck shortly after Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana. Most of the federal resources were going elsewhere. It's important to be as prepared as possible, especially now when the cost of living is high and it may not be easy to find another rental or obtain the assistance you need.

And, speaking from my own experience, the longer a person is homeless, the more likely they'll become comfortable with that lifestyle. After Hurricane Wilma, I subsequently remained homeless on and off for the next twenty years.

If you become homeless after a storm, promptly seek housing, jobs, and resources. Find a solution and establish a plan for recovery. Don't let yourself lose hope and get stuck in a rut like I did.

Although weathering a hurricane in a trailer was terrifying, it doesn't even compare to the level of fear and safety risks involved with attempting to survive a storm while homeless. I went through several hurricanes, including Irma and Nicole, while living on the streets.

As a native Floridian, hurricanes have become normal to me. During one tropical storm, my husband and I stored our belongings in plastic tubs in one tent and took the other tent down, securing it with concrete blocks.

Our friend received help with getting a motel room, so we stayed with him and were even brazen enough to panhandle in the storm once the worse bands had passed — which I don't recommend. Aside from ending up soaked, those storms are unpredictable and can spawn tornadoes. Anyway, few people were willing to roll their windows down.

We were initially fearless when we heard Hurricane Irma coming through, but once the rain bands moved in, reality hit home. I flagged down an officer to take us to a shelter. The first shelter refused to accept us and told the officer that they weren't “hobo express.”

The next shelter accepted us, but segregated the homeless our second night there. If possible, I'd advise not sharing homeless status when going to a hurricane shelter.

Although I seriously doubt that the Red Cross is biased towards the homeless, there may be some volunteers who don't understand. At the very least, they may have been trying to make the shelter feel safe and comfortable for other evacuees.

Since we left our camp in a hurry, we didn't bring any belongings. As a result, we were freezing cold on the floor of the high school. I'd recommend bringing a blanket, sleeping bag, phone charger, and a couple changes of clothes.

There aren't any showers at Red Cross shelters, but you can freshen up in the bathroom, so you may want to bring minimal toiletries. You can always refer to the Red Cross website or call the shelter ahead of time to find out which items are allowed.

Last year, Hurricane Nicole hit. My friends decided to stay at their camps, but I called the cops for a ride to a shelter. Once again, I admitted my homeless status, and this time, the officers bypassed the nearest shelter in

favor of one that was designated for the homeless.

I didn't face segregation, but was once again soaking wet and freezing cold. I realized the next day that blankets and snacks were only being provided for residents of the federally funded Lewis (homeless resource) Center. If you are homeless in Palm Beach County, I strongly suggest bringing your own supplies with you to the hurricane shelter.

However, you don't need to pack up your entire camp. While there, I noticed that many homeless people brought everything they owned and struggled to fit it all in the buses the next day.

Just take what you need and secure the rest at a friend's house or in a storage unit. If you don't have those options, you should keep your extra belongings in plastic tubs secured with concrete blocks. And always take your tent down and secure that as well.

If you have a substance abuse disorder and are worried about withdrawing in a shelter, I'd suggest going to your local detox or emergency room. My friend, Cowboy, once weathered a storm in a shopping plaza to avoid alcohol withdrawal. Miraculously, he survived, but he took a chance with his life.

Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida. However, they can be the cause of homelessness and a lifethreatening event for those already living on the streets. Fortunately, there are precautions that can be taken to help you survive this hurricane season.

Hurricane Ian and Official Tips

By Andrew Fraieli

Up to 15 foot water surges and 165 mph winds blasted Fort Myers Beach last year, causing about 150 direct and indirect deaths, with more than 19,000 structures destroyed or severely damaged. The source, as Florida enters hurricane season once again, was hurricane Ian.

According to estimates by the state Office of Insurance Regulation, more than 100,000 insurance claims are still open and unpaid or paid but not fully settled as of June. Many of these people are in limbo, displaced by the hurricane and struggling to find a place to stay, a way to eat and even shower.

“There’s a lot of us like me that are displaced. Nowhere to go,” Michael Cellura, 58, told the Associated Press in May next to his older Infiniti sedan where he’s been living since. “There’s a lot of homeless out here, a lot of people living in tents, a lot of people struggling.”

Hurricane Ian is not the first hurricane in Florida to lead to enormous displacement and homelessness, and it won’t be the last.

PBS reported in Bay County Florida in 2018

that tents and makeshift shelters were still abundant six weeks after Hurricane Michael hit with 98,000 people asking for government help, and almost 8,000 residents were still homeless months later. Dennis Myrick, AP reported, had no home insurance, so he slept in the front yard of his Panama City home in a tent until he was able to get a FEMA hotel voucher in mid-January.

“It’s pure hell, man,” Myrick told AP. “The wind blows, and you get wet. I had to hold the tent down with my hands. It was about to blow away.”

From 2008 to 2022, 7.5 million people were displaced in the U.S. due to storms, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, with almost half a million being in 2022 alone.

If you are experiencing homelessness, or do not have immediate shelter available, the Florida Attorney General suggests checking FEMA.gov or floridadisaster.org/shelters for an index of shelters available by county. These sites also include maps of evacuation zones and flood zones.

Why Homeless People Need Smartphones too

By Mary Stewart

I've often been judged for being homeless with a cell phone, but the fact is that cell phones are a worthwhile and necessary investment for the homeless.

While most of the outreach ministries insist that you go to their location to seek services, many of them only provide services on certain days at specific times, or otherwise require you to make an appointment.

It's usually wise to call ahead of time to find out their hours and whether they ask for documentation so you don't make a wasted trip. In order to do any of this, you need access to a phone.

In Palm Beach County, almost all homeless services are funneled through the Lewis Center. A few months ago, I called them to try to line up shelter for my friends who were being run out of their camps.

I was told that they would have to call and leave a message and a navigator would return their call within 48 hours to assess them. I was also informed that the Lewis Center had no beds available and that — if approved for shelter — they would receive an additional call once the center had a bed.

The frustrating part is that most of my friends didn't have a cell phone and I don't hang out in that area much. The ones who did have a phone struggled to find an outlet to charge it. So, how can they possibly obtain homeless services?

Obviously, a cell phone and access to an outlet.

I'm currently working with the Rapid Rehousing program, which provides funding for move-in costs and a short-term rental subsidy. At my initial intake appointment, I had to sign papers acknowledging the program requirements. One of the requirements is to

have a working phone throughout your participation in the program.

If a homeless person doesn't have a cell phone, they can still go to Boca Helping Hands for a free meal, or head down to St. Ann's place for a bag lunch and a shower. They can still check themselves into detox at the Drug Abuse Foundation or go to a hospital if needed.

But even though homeless people can survive on a day-to-day basis without a phone, there are few options for obtaining shelter and overcoming homelessness in the absence of one.

Many people feel as though the answer to homelessness is a job — and that is true in some cases. However, it's common for homeless people to be disabled or struggle with other issues, such as mental illness, substance abuse or domestic violence, that need to be addressed.

Regarding those who are willing and able to work, they need to have a contact number for employers to reach them. Even if they are placed in a shelter or halfway house, they need to get a job to maintain housing as the Lewis Center, for example only provides 90 days of shelter and Changing Lives funds a mere 60 days in a halfway house.

Day labor is the only other option, but many homeless people don't camp near the labor pool and you have to be there very early. You also need to have an ID, Social Security card, and work boots. Although day labor income definitely helps, job availability is limited, and the work isn't steady enough to maintain housing.

As for those with disabilities, they need a working phone to keep in touch with doctors and the Social Security office. Phone interviews are often required

From getting shelter to applying for jobs, cellphones have taken over as the way to get basic services — and get out of homelessness

Phone interviews are often torequired obtain benefits, including food stamps and SSI.

to obtain benefits, including food stamps and SSI. They also need a phone to schedule doctors appointments and call 911 in the event of a medical emergency or behavioral health crisis.

If a homeless person struggles with drug addiction or alcoholism, they need a phone to be contacted when a bed is available in a treatment program and to keep in touch with members of 12 step programs. It's strongly suggested at recovery meetings that those seeking sobriety get phone numbers and call supportive people before picking up a drink.

Safety is another reason why it's important for homeless people to have a cell phone. Florida has one of the highest rates of homeless victimization,as previously reported by the Homeless Voice. If a homeless person is in imminent danger, they need to be able to call for help. This is especially true for homeless domestic violence survivors.

Some of the uses of cell phones may sound frivolous or unnecessary, but they make homelessness more bearable. Homeless people don't have televisions, and portable radios have become almost impossible to find. Cell phones offer a source of entertainment for homeless people.

You really don't need a subscription to Netflix or Hulu to enjoy movies or TV shows online. Homeless people can stream their favorite movies or shows for free with Tubi or Pluto. They can also jam out on YouTube or IHeart radio. Everyone needs to have a way to relax and unwind — even a homeless person.

If you live indoors, most likely, you mainly use your phone as a way to connect with others. Although cell phones are now used for every purpose under the sun,

their primary purpose is still human connection. Nowadays, much of that connection is done through social media and text messages, but phones are still a means to connect with loved ones, doctors, employers, and even those overseas Facebook friends who you've never met in person and probably never will.

And it's no different for a homeless person. Many of us are estranged from our families but may still talk to that one relative who refuses to give up on us. If not, we use our cell phones to keep in touch with each other. Some of us even use social media apps — just not to post selfies or brag about our great life. When one of our friends relocates, gets off the street, or loses their phone, we often use social media to keep in touch.

We'll also sometimes look up the profiles of loved ones who we haven't seen in years just to see their picture and find out how they're doing.

Even though we use our phones to watch TV, listen to music, Google resources, and connect on Facebook, these few things can be done without a phone, thanks to our public library system.

For some homeless people, the library is their go-to hang out spot, while others never reap the benefits of the library system simply because reading really isn't their thing.

But the library is a great place to submit online applications, create a resume, check your Facebook, or even watch a movie on YouTube while your cell phone charges. Most libraries do have outlets and will let you sit there as long as you need to provided you're quiet.

If you don't camp near a library, I'd recommend taking the bus or riding your bike to one and stay for a couple hours. You can relax in the air conditioning, read a

magazine, go online and apply for jobs and benefits. Even if you don't have a contact number, you can always list an email address, so employers have a way to reach you.

Although homeless people can still enjoy a hot meal at a soup kitchen and use the computers at the library without having a cell phone, the lack of one places them at a disadvantage. The Lewis Center requires phone interviews, and they don't email you when they have a bed. They call.

While many employers email applicants to schedule interviews, listing a contact number is mandatory on some online applications. If you try to skip over that question, you'll usually get an error message saying that it's a required field.

If you're homeless and looking for a way to obtain an affordable cell phone, you can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You will need to either provide proof of receiving SSI, Medicaid, or food stamps or obtain a copy of your SEQY from your local Social Security office as proof of income or lack thereof. Alternatively, you can go to Walmart and shop for a reasonably priced prepaid phone. Metro PCS has started to get relatively expensive for a homeless person's budget, but Boost Mobile has started advertising $10 basic plans.

If you aren't homeless and happen to hear the ringing of a phone coming from a panhandler's backpack or purse, please don't judge them. Having a cell phone doesn't necessarily mean that they're a fraud.

On the contrary, it means that part of their panhandling money is going towards a valuable investment that's needed for them to better their life.

first became homeless in 2005 after Hurricane Wilma destroyed my mobile home. Soon after, my daughter's father left me, and I, a spoiled young girl from North Palm Beach, landed on the streets alone and scared to death.

It was actually a rebound fling in the woods that saved my life.

I fell in love with a drifter from Georgia who taught me how to survive. I built a hut out of pallets, plywood, and tarp. I even created an outdoor shower by running a garden hose through PVC piping and draping it over a fence.

While homelessness can be especially challenging for women who are out there on the streets alone, it can also make women stronger as they learn how to survive outdoors and persevere through the challenges of homelessness.

Once I met my husband though, my survival skills went out the window, and I began to rely on him for strength and security despite the domestic abuse — that was, until I became friends with Sally and Kitty.

Both women are about sixty years old, yet they were managing to make it on the streets. Sally is terminally ill and in and out of hospitals, outside on her own ever since her former boyfriend was beaten half to death and placed in a convalescent home.

I used to hang out and drink beer with Sally whenever my husband would go into a rage and I needed an escape. I’ve always admired her strength.

She carries heavy bags with her wherever she goes in spite of her age, weight, and health issues. A few times, I had to call paramedics to take her to the hospital. Once discharged, she'd return to the streets, more vibrant than ever.

Sally has seven kids and 13 grandkids, including a daughter around my age, so she knows how to give motherly advice. Although she was tough on me, she made me realize that I had the strength and courage to survive without my husband.

I'd often complain about mistreatment, and she'd tell me to leave my husband. Many times, I'd protest and use the excuse that I needed his help to survive. After having been raped, beaten, and robbed repeatedly while homeless, I felt safer being in an unhealthy relationship than on the streets alone. But Sally would hear none of it. "What are you talking about," she'd reply. "I have liver cancer and just got out of the hospital, and I'm out here on my own."

I must say, she had a point.

Eventually, my husband and I separated, and I set up my own camp. I attended college and worked as a freelance writer while homeless — all without a man. I'll always be grateful to Sally for helping me recognize my inner strength. If she can make it on the streets alone, any woman can.

Kitty is now in a long-term relationship and recently got off the streets, but she knows the challenges of homelessness all too well. She admits that substance abuse was the reason that she became homeless. She's thankful for her boyfriend and new home, but will never forget what it was like to live on the streets alone as a woman.

"It was scary," Kitty told me. "I was raped and beaten up several times, but the worst part about it was losing custody of my kids over drugs and homelessness."

Motherhood can be difficult for homeless women. I also lost custody of my children due to lack of stable housing and was pregnant a few times too while

homeless. Once, I went into labor in a tent. Since I was financially incapable of caring for my children, I gave my youngest two up for adoption.

Sally, who preferred to not give her last name, sits in her tent in Palm Beach, Florida. | Photo by Mary Stewart for her. She managed to find true love while homeless.

Both Kitty and I have had the humiliating experience of our kids seeing us panhandle. I remember the time when I was holding a sign and suddenly saw my teenage daughter waving at me. Her friend handed me a dollar. Kitty had a similar embarrassing moment.

"I was panhandling in the median when a car window rolled down, and it was my daughter. She said, 'Really, Mom? Get in the car. I'll give you some money.' I was so embarrassed," Kitty said. Fortunately, there was a light at the end of the tunnel

"I met my boyfriend, Bigfoot, in the woods,” Kitty explains. “He was looking for a girl. I'm not that type but agreed to at least hang out with him. The next time I saw him, he protected me from the alligators in the canal."

I have personally been propositioned by men on multiple occasions while homeless and am not that kind of girl either. Sadly, most men don't want to associate with homeless women who refuse sexual relations. That can exasperate feelings of loneliness for a woman on the streets.

Aside from a few homeless men who became surrogate brothers, uncles, and fathers, most of my male friends

Photo illustrations by Andrew Fraieli

Kitty and

boyfriend Bigfoot, who preferred to not give

last

had ulterior motives. Bigfoot was a better man than that, though. He simply enjoyed Kitty's companionship. They fell in love, and their relationship continues to blossom.

"Bigfoot loves me, protects me, and provides for me. I love him so much," she said with a lovestruck look in her eyes.

Kitty and Bigfoot have been together for 15 years now, with some of that time spent homeless. Although Bigfoot is an experienced contractor, the couple still struggled financially.

They had housing through one of Bigfoot's clients until their rental was foreclosed on without notice, leaving

—

both them and their cats with nowhere to go. For four years, they lived in the woods in a makeshift home that Bigfoot built for them.

Like all fairy tales, Kitty and Bigfoot's story has a happy ending. With hard work and sacrifice, the couple managed to save enough money to move into an RV. When asked what she liked most about living indoors, Kitty's first response was, "Everything!"

After some thought, she amended her answer: "I like the fact that my grandkids can come visit me. I also like to lay in bed, watch TV, and take a shower."

Despite the hardships she faced, Kitty was also able to identify some positive aspects of homelessness.

her

their

names

and real name. | Photo courtesy of Mary Stewart

"I liked the spiritual feeling of homelessness and having the opportunity to help others who were struggling,” she said. “I found true friends while I was homeless."

Sally and Kitty's stories illustrate female strength in the face of adversity and the hope of one day having a home and finding true love. However, Jessica is perhaps the most inspiring woman that I've met while homeless.

Jessica first became homeless when her ex- boyfriend, whom she was living with, went to jail. She doesn't drink, smoke, or use any drugs. Rather, her downfall in life has been falling in love with the wrong men. Many of her boyfriends have been strung out on drugs and financially and physically abusive. She keeps trying to help them get their lives together, but instead, they have continuously dragged her down and held her back from reaching her goals.

Jessica faces the same challenges as most women on the streets.

"The hardest part about being homeless is finding a safe place to sleep and being tried by men," she told me. However, she's very goal-oriented and determined to get her life back together. Jessica set a weight loss goal and reached it while homeless. Her gym membership also provides her with a way to take a shower before work.

Jessica's next goal was to find a job and purchase a vehicle, and she accomplished that as well. She was hired at a restaurant, saved her paychecks, and managed to buy a used car to have a place to sleep and transportation to work.

Overcoming homelessness has been her primary source of motivation.

"I'm finally doing something for me," she said. "I don't want to be homeless anymore so I'm doing what needs to be done to better myself and get off the streets."

Jessica feels that substance abuse and unhealthy relationships are two of the biggest barriers for homeless women. When asked to give advice to other women on the streets, she replied, "get off the drugs and stay away from the men out there who are only going to pull you down."

Her ultimate goal is to get her own place to live, determined to keep pushing forward until she has a place to call home.

Jessica's secret to success is simple, yet powerful. "I never give up and I don't take no for an answer," she said. With an attitude like that, the possibilities are endless.

Mary Stewart sits with Kitty at her old camp. |

Photo by Kitty

A portrait of Sally, who preferred to not give her last name. | Photo by Mary Stewart

Lose If You Do, Lose If You Don't

I've always felt self-conscious about being seen with my cell phone, especially while panhandling. There have been numerous times that I've been in the median holding my sign when the phone in my handbag would start to ring. Maybe it's just me, but I was always afraid that motorists would view me as a fraud for being out begging for money while owning a cell phone.

However, the truth is that basic utilities such as cellphones, running water, and garbage services are necessities for homeless people too.

I've never met a homeless person with an expensive IPhone, though. Most of us have free government phones, prepaid disposable phones, or basic monthly plans with companies like Boost Mobile or Metro PCS.

In Palm Beach County, homeless people seeking shelter need a phone to call the Lewis Center — a homeless resource center — and leave a message to obtain services. A navigator returns the call within 48 hours to assess them for shelter and place them on the waiting list. Then, they need to receive another return call for when a bed is available.

We also need to provide a contact number to potential employers and the food stamp and social security offices. Additionally, cell phones can be lifelines for the homeless in the event that we're in danger or experiencing a medical emergency.

Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to find outside outlets to charge our phones. Many restaurants have even disconnected indoor outlets presumably to deter loiterers and homeless people. Even if we have a cell phone, we are often unable to use it without a place to charge.

I'll admit that some homeless people have made it bad for others by leaving trash around businesses, stealing, or panhandling in the parking lots. I can't blame business owners for not wanting us to hang around their stores. But it still leaves the homeless with a very real dilemma of needing to charge our phones to get off the streets.

One homeless friend of mine, Dilo, has proposed a solution to the problem.

"There needs to be charging stations where we can sit and charge our phones. Each person should be allowed thirty minutes at a time and needs to watch their phone and be responsible for it while it charges," he told me.

By

I attended Palm Beach State College while homeless and the Lake Worth campus provided a charging station for students, similar to the one that Dilo suggested. Students would be required to set a combination lock to secure their phones and return to retrieve them once they were charged.

I personally believe that such stations

Photo illustration by Andrew Fraieli

From hygiene to charging phones, people who are homeless have needs that they have to fight businesses and the average person to fulfill.

Mary Stewart

should be provided for the homeless, so we would be able to charge our phones without loitering or taking the chance of our phones being stolen while charging.

Theft presents another huge communication barrier for the homeless. On the streets, cell phones are a huge commodity and not everyone has the means to get one, even though they need one. Often, when a homeless person has a cell phone, they won't have it very long. If they take their eyes off it for one minute, it gets stolen.

The Lewis Center requiring homeless people to have phone access prevents many of us from being able to obtain shelter. If our phone is stolen or we're unable to charge it, we may miss the call back from the homeless resource center and have to start the process over again, returning to the bottom of the waiting list.

Affordability is an even bigger issue. A person needs to receive SSI, food stamps, or Medicaid to be eligible for a free government phone. This renders many able-bodied homeless people who are under the age of fifty ineligible for this benefit.

However, they may be able to get around this rule if they have proof that they are low-income. Since most homeless people are unemployed, this documentation would need to come in the form of an income statement from Social Security. This is a catch twenty-two situation as you need a phone number and email account to log into My Social Security online services.

Inflation has made it more difficult for homeless people to afford phones from places such as Boost Mobile and MetroPCS despite the low cost of basic monthly service. Alternatively, many homeless people have resorted to buying prepaid phones from Walmart and convenient stores, but even that cost is hard to afford on a panhandler’s budget.

I think it's ridiculous for PBC Homeless

Outreach to expect a homeless person to have a working cell phone. Although some of us do have one, most of the homeless people I know struggle to obtain a phone and struggle even harder to hold onto it and charge it.

Dilo has had numerous phones stolen.

"I need my phone. I don't know why people keep taking my phone, but I need it back," he adamantly told me — and everyone who would listen — the last time his phone was stolen. He literally begged me to help him get his phone back, but there was little that I could do. His friend, who preferred not to be named, thought that it was cruel for someone to steal his phone: "What if there was an emergency back here and he needed to call for help? That phone could save someone's life."

Sometimes that scenario does happen amongst the homeless population. I've called 911 a few times when someone overdosed on drugs or had a medical emergency. Just a few months ago, the woods caught on fire and I had to call for help. Thankfully, my phone still had four percent charge or else the fire could've spread to nearby homes.

Although cell phones are the primary public utility that homeless people are in need of,

outside water spigots are also becoming increasingly scarce in spite of summer approaching and temperatures rising. This doesn't make much sense to me as most outside water spigots are on the backside of buildings, thus their usage doesn't contribute much to loitering.

Dilo thinks that the cost of electricity and water is a factor in this, explaining that people take advantage of it, and the stores are “tired of paying a higher bill for us using their lights and water.”

This could very well ring true even though water bills are typically not as high as electric bills. Nevertheless, homeless people need to have access to water to prevent dehydration and practice good hygiene. While there are homeless ministries that provide showers, most of them are only open on certain days except for St. Ann's Place — and you need to catch the bus to get there, another monetary barrier.

It goes without saying that you need to look — and smell — presentable to get a job, but in Palm Beach County, I’ve known people to be denied bus service if their hygiene wasn’t up to par. This can sense especially in light of the pandemic, but it can inhibit homeless people from being able to get to ministries that provide food and showers.

I'm not saying that local businesses need to tolerate loiterers or provide utilities for the homeless, but the lack of access to phones and running water is only further contributing to that homelessness. We truly need charging stations, public restrooms, public water spigots, and even public trash cans.

Many businesses and property owners complain about homeless people littering, but at the same time, some business owners are strangely protective of their dumpsters. Recently, a store manager came out the back door with a baseball bat because I was placing a bag of garbage in his dumpster. It seems like we can't win either way because someone would have surely complained had I left the trash laying around.

There's already an issue with limited services for the homeless in Palm Beach County — the Lewis Center is the only place for homeless services that the county website points to — and the lack of cell phone access makes it nearly impossible for homeless people to obtain those few services.

Although some restaurants and convenient stores will give people a glass of water for free or as little as fifty cents, the lack of access to running water impedes proper hygiene and further inhibits the homeless from applying for jobs or even getting on a bus.

As far as garbage disposal goes, we either need to be allowed the free usage of dumpsters or be left alone about the litter. The world can't have it both ways.

Homeless people need food, shelter, and a few bucks in their pockets, but until they're able to get into a shelter or transitional housing, they also need access to basic public utilities in order to ever overcome homelessness and obtain a job and a place to live.

It goes without saying that you need to look — and smell — presentable to get a job, but in Palm Beach County, I’ve known people to be denied bus service if their hygiene wasn’t up to par.

Michael Bryan Cohen 1975 - 2023

Losing One of Our Own

By Justin Brovenick

In early April of this year, we said goodbye to a longtime member of The COSAC Foundation: Michael Bryan Cohen.

Michael came into this world in the New York area and was raised in the borough of Staten Island. When Michael was entering his teen years, his family decided to relocate to Coral Springs in sunny South Florida.

During his formative years and into adulthood, Michael discovered his love of animals — specifically horses and dogs. Beginning with mastering the art of grooming dogs, and then horses, his path was apparent. He was able to channel this passion into several opportunities involving living in, and managing, facilities dedicated to the care and well-being of his furry friends.

Life intervened and Michael began to struggle with issues that are common to many. Instead of letting these obstacles define him, he began a successful transition to a life serving the homeless and those in need. As a valued member of The COSAC Foundation, Michael worked in outreach towards the homeless community in South Florida. Helping out at the shelters, especially during the pandemic, will be part of his legacy.

This experience landed him in charge of a COSAC shelter and motel, the Veterans Inn in Lake City, where his abilities earned him the respect of the local area. In the last six months of his life, Michael experienced a shift in his priorities that would have defined his future. He discovered he had a grown son, Jeremiah. Immediately proud of his son’s military career, Michael was able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2022 with his new found family. Early in 2023, they even enjoyed a snowboarding trip together that foretold a future of special moments.

But this was not to be. The humans in his life — his family and colleagues — will miss him, and his beloved animals Puddin’, Lucy, Sushi and Anubis will remember him always.

Michael Cohen with his son Jeremiah in 2023. | Photo courtesy of Justin Brovenick

Do you want to keep a homeless family off the streets for only 83 cents per day?

BECOME A

MONTHLY ANGEL

Donate today by mailing a check using the form below.

Or, donate $25 per month at

HOMELESSVOICE.ORG/DONATE