Ben Ferencz speaks about the Nuremberg Trials and how the world has not learned from the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 1 ONE STEP AWAY VOLUME 9 ISSUE 8 #ICYMI PHILLY * WISTER HOUSE * DISPLACEMENT * WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU $ 5 ONE STEP AWAY IS A PROGRAM OF RESOURCES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 2019MuseumMizel©
PERSECUTING EVIL
at Broad & Arch Streets
BECOME A AMBASSADOR:SHELTER Want to get your organization or shelter involved with One Step Away? We are looking for shelter ambassadors. If you are interested, email osa@rhd.org. WRITE FOR ONE STEP AWAY: Submit article, poems, stories, artwork, or puzzles via email to osa@rhd.org. CONTACT US OSAphilly.org@OSAphillyosa@rhd.org DONATE! Return the coupon on page 4 with a check, money order, or cash to invest in OSA. online at: osaphilly.org by mail: One Step Away, P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703,PA 19147 OSAPHILLY.ORG
What does One Step Away's future look like? We are focused on remaining a no-barrier income opportunity for anyone in need, while supporting vendors and providing them with the skills they need to succeed. We plan on creating internal vendor positions and promotions, while building our community and business partnerships, with the goal of finding stable employment opportunities for our vendors. A from 10am-1pm (55 N. Broad Street)
Why did you change to a magazine?
While we are moving to a new format, we will still continue to provide the solutions oriented, community focused, and vendor driven content that you have come to expect. While adding some new sections to engage more of the community.
Over the past nine years, basic living expenses have increased, and 75 cents does not get you very far these days. We want to help provide our vendors with the best opportunities for success, and stay current in our constantly changing society. To do this we created the One Step Away magazine. We hope you enjoy the new format, and will continue to support us as we prepare for the future.
Every day our vendors put on their yellow vests and hit the streets distributing One Step Away. Our vendors work hard to earn the money they need to support themselves, to meet their basic necessities, to overcome homelessness, or to afford rent so they do not experience homelessness again.
The new price allows our vendors to continue to benefit from selling the magazine throughout the city, and allows the program to grow and continue to be an open opportunity and second chance for our neighbors in need. Vendors purchase each magazine for $1.50 and distribute them on the streets for $5 — earning $3.50 for each magazine.
WHY
Is One Step Away’s content changing?
SUPPORTING OUR VENDORS
Why is One Step Away now $5?
MAGAZINE? WANT TO BECOME A VENDOR? Visit our Vendor Site: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday,
In honor of our nine years as Philadelphia's street paper, we wanted to celebrate all of our accomplishments and create a magazine to help our vendors earn more money so they can truly break the cycle of homelessness. As a newspaper, vendors earned 75 cents from each paper sold.
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OSAPHILLY.ORG 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS #ICYMI: PHILADELPHIA 6 PERSECUTING EVIL: BEN FERENCZ 9 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 15 VOTE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T 20 WHEN ANTI-DISPLACEMENT MEANS 22 LEGALIZATINGSEGREGATION MARIJUANA IN PA 24 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 25 THE HOUSE ON WISTER STREET 27 UNCOVERED ISSUES 28 PUZZLES 31 THE MAGAZINE VENDORS BUY EACH COPY FOR $1.50 AND DISTRIBUTE THEM FOR $5, KEEPING ALL OF THE PROFITS! Every time you purchase a One Step Away Magazine you create meaningful income and personal growth opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty. JOIN US AND HELP OUR VENDORS WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. 96
case.EisatzgruppentheduringspeakingFerenczBenRHD
One Step Away is a proud member of Broke in Philly, a collaborative news initiative among 22 local news organizations to provide in-depth nuanced, solutions-oriented reporting on issues of poverty and push for economic justice in Philadelphia. OUR AFFILIATIONS Creating Jobs, Advocating
One Step Away is a program of Resources for Human Development (RHD), a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Wewww.rhd.org.areamember of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), helping 20,500 vendors earn an income each year. www.insp.ngo
for Social Change 20
people's talents in order to help them create income to find a home. I try to help people in need. I think it’s good to help the less fortunate. People develop a relationship with the vendor. We are all One Step ToAway.—Bernettegivepeople the tools to become self-sufficient.
— Angela To help empower people to leave homelessness behind and make better lives for themselves. To learn more about homelessness and how I can help be part of the solution.
I believe in the mission and want to see the program succeed. One Step Away helps end homelessness through providing economic opportunity for homeless and housing insecure individuals. I believe my support of the program has had a positive impact.
AWAY!
Utilizingprogram.—Suehomeless
O
It's a great opportunity to help people get their lives back in order. I was one of the first people that an article was written about in OSA (Jason Mercado, Just Cookies).
I WANT TO INVEST IN ONE STEP
4 ONE STEP AWAY HELPING PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES.
One Step Away is a sustainable solution for homeless people to find employment, re-find purpose, and serve their community. — Brittany I support One Step Away because I believe that every contribution helps in the battle against homelessness. It is God's work. So much thought and compassion goes into the
I am compelled to help those less fortunate than me. I have heard vendors speak about how they have benefited. — William We were there the time the Pope was...and were so very impressed with the concept and how upbeat the vendor was and how passionate he was about what he was doing. In our opinion you were making more of an impact than the Pope with what you are doing. Your program is real and needed, but uplifting, and uplifting for both sides of the transaction. We were so very impressed.
— Mark I believe that OSA is a very positive and effective way to address homelessness and enable people to become self-sufficient.
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— Jason I think it is a very worthwhile program ~ it warms my heart. Helping the homeless get back on their feet and to feel better about themselves. It provides a way for vendors to receive income. Thanks to One Step Away, I learn more about the degree of homelessness in Philadelphia. — Constance
I want homelessness to end in this city, and also believe we have a long way to go in showing fellow humanity to our brothers and sisters who are homeless.—Hannah
YOUR SAY: WHY DO YOU SUPPORT ONE STEP AWAY? CONTACT US OSAphilly.orgosa@rhd.org@OSAphilly DONATE! Return this coupon with a check, money order, or cash to invest in OSA. by mail: One Step Away P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703PA19147 online at: osaphilly.org I AM AN INVESTOR: O $25 O $50 O $75 O $100 O $150 O $200 O $250 O $500 O $750 O $1,000 O City,Address:Name:$State, ZIP: OEmail:Phone:I’dlike to be a monthly donor.
O To create opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness. My vendor is: To advocate for social justice. To learn more about what is happening in my community and around the world. To support independent media. To read first-hand perspectives about homelessness, housing, and poverty.
O To One Step Away is a program of Resources for Human Development, Inc. (RHD), a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations go directly to support individuals experiencing homelessness through One Step Away’s magazine, vendor, and community programming.
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“I was injured and in need of a way to create income without begging.”
81% OF OUR VENDORS, REPORT ONE STEP AWAY IS THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME.
100% OF OUR VENDORS, REPORT ONE STEP AWAY HELPED THEM SUPPORT THEMSELF. “OSA has helped me support myself and my family. This organization has helped me get out in the community more along with build connections with others. As well as take control over my life and overcome personal hardships.” — Edward Johnson “OSA has helped me gain affordable housing, allowed me to support myself, feel more confident in myself, and allowed me to overcome personal hardships.”
— Maria James “One Step Away has changed my life.”—Kevin Wieshner
VENDORS'
— Randall Blakeney “I heard about this opportunity when I became homeless myself.”
— Edward Johnson “I was ill for 6 years, once I got better, I wanted to maintain employment to be able to pay for my housing and “Itnutrition.”—MariaJamesmakesmefeel great about myself because I do not like to beg. With me doing this, I have gained a sense of confidence and pride...”
— Neal Mclaurin “OSA has helped me afford medical treatment and get better nutrition & hygiene. I am no longer homeless, and my health and nutrition are better!”—Maria James
35% OF OUR VENDORS, REPORT ONE STEP AWAY HELPED THEM AFFORD HOUSING. “OSA has given me a chance to make some money and find a place to—live.”Jerry Ellis “One Step Away saved my life by helping me off the street.”
TAKE CONTROL OF MY LIFE BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY OVERCOME HARDSHIP AFFORD HOUSING MYSELF
— Roger Bowman “I needed to earn extra income because of the loss of my job.”
— Chester Wilczysnki
“The fact that it gives people with very little voice in the community an outlet.”—Edward Johnson SAY: HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE YOUR IMPACT Because of you, I can:BUILD CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN MYSELF
SUPPORT
100 % 73 % 70% 62% 58 % 46 % 35 %
Article by Max Marin at BillyPenn.com. Councilmember Allan Domb introduced legislation that he hopes will put more money back into the pockets of struggling Philadelphians.Thebillproposes to give wage tax rebates from $360 to $1,700 to families living in poverty. Philadelphia’s wage tax is the highest of its kind in the nation — and the city leans on it for 44% of its annual revenue. The legislation would impact about 60,000 households who live below the poverty line in Philadelphia. Domb argues the city budget has boomed in recent years, and the city should not be tapping its poorest residents for tax dollars. Councilmembers Maria QuiñonesSánchez and Jannie Blackwell support the legislation. Others in Council said they need to take a deeper look at the numbers. The real hurdle will be whether Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration will sign off on letting go of that money from the tax rolls.
PHILADELPHIA’S 2018 POVERTY RATE LOWEST SINCE 2008 Article by Larry Platt ThePhiladelphiaCitizenat.com.
Some social scientists also point to the introduction of federal Section 8 housing vouchers in the mid-1990s, relocating low-income residents from North and West Philadelphia to the Northeast.
The wage tax sits at 3.88% for Philly residents and 3.45% for non-residents who work in the city. Right now, the city reimburses 0.5% from those deductions to some low-income taxpayers. Domb’s bill proposes bumping that reimbursement to 2.36% — with hopes to eventually bring it up to refunding the full levy.
A $43 MILLION TAX BREAK FOR PHILADELPHIANS IN POVERTY
The U.S. Census Bureau released its annual poverty data, stating Philadelphia’s 2018 poverty rate declined to 24.5%, down from 25.7% in 2016. This is the lowest our poverty rate has been since the recession hit in 2008. Last week’s report showed that Philadelphia’s poverty rate—an income of all of $21,000 for a family of three—was 24.5 percent, down from 25.7 percent two years prior, the lowest since 2008’s Great Recession. That meant that some 14,000 Philadelphians had been lifted out of poverty the last two years, most of them justOurbarely.cityremains the most impoverished in the nation, with the highest child poverty and deep poverty rates (people living at 50 percent of the poverty rate or below) among big cities. But why compare 2018 to 2016 data? Turns out, last week’s report included an #ICYMI: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT WITH SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE NEWS, YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED SOME LOCAL STORIES THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY. HERE, BROKE IN PHILLY BREAKS DOWN FIVE IMPORTANT STORIES FOR PHILADELPHIANS. READ MORE AT THE LINKS LISTED.
MUNICIPAL PHOTO ID CARDS
Full article by Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC Philadelphia. In a September 2019 3-2 vote, the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) voted to lower the financial burden for 2 million Pennsylvanians enrolled in Customer Assistance Programs throughout the state. Customer Assistance Programs, or CAP, provide monthly and long-term bill payment plans so people with limited financial means can maintain their utility service. Since 1992, PUC’s CAP policy meant lowincome customers getting assistance might spend up to 17% of their income on energy costs — with some families spending up to 20% of their income. People making 51% to 150% of the federal poverty income guideline would pay up to 10% on energy bills, while those making even less would pay only 6%, according to the PUC. The changes will go into effect by Jan. 1, 2021, according to the commission.
An Inquirer analysis of U.S. Census figures shows how the number of those living in poverty in the Northeast has expanded — in some cases, by astonishing amounts — within 27 years. For a family of three, the federal poverty line is $21,330.
Domb estimates the rebates would total $43 million a year. Workers below a certain income would still pay the city’s wage tax from their regular paychecks, but the city would send them a refund at the end of the tax year, and would vary based on income levels and the number of dependents you claim on your tax return. Applicants would have to apply. Domb argues the infrastructure is already in place for quick implementation. Qualifying workers already receive a wage tax reimbursement — Domb just wants to increase the amount.
POVERTY INCREASING IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA
Starting in April, Philadelphia began issuing municipal identification cards. The PHL City ID provides a secure and affordable photo identification card for anyone living in Philadelphia, age 13 and older. PHL city IDs cost $5 for teens and $10 for adults; individuals 65 and older can receive free IDs. The ID card helps people who have a hard time obtaining other forms of identification because of cost or other barriers. The PHL City ID displays the cardholder’s name, address, date of birth, and selfidentified gender. It assigns a unique identification number to each Philadelphian and displays an issue and expiration date on the card. Each cardholder may include emergency contact information or medical conditions for safety purposes, space permitting.
6 ONE STEP AWAY HELP WITH ENERGY BILLS FOR PENNSYLVANIANSLOWER-INCOME
Full story by Alfred Lubrano, Inquirer.com. 300,000 residents have seen poverty become a burgeoning and unwanted feature over the last generation as people age into fixed incomes, immigrants move in, and poor families leave gentrifying neighborhoods elsewhere in the city for more affordable environs.
PHILADELPHIA NOW ISSUES
Learn more at GetPhlCityID.com.
CENSUS ERROR WRECKS 2017 PHILLY DATA ON POVERTY, INCOME
#ICYMI
TOGETHER, WE CAN End homelessness
admission that last year’s data for Philadelphia had been flawed; 2016’s numbers are the last accurate ones we have. Which means we’ve only lifted some 7,000 Philadelphians above the poverty line per year these last two years; at this rate we’ll eradicate poverty by 2076, at the earliest. The 1.2% difference means that nearly 15,000 Philadelphians are no longer living below the poverty line. What’s more, our city’s median income rose to $46,116, up from $43,153 in 2016.
Last month, the U.S. Census Bureau explained that it identified a massive error in data it collected on Philadelphia’s populace in 2017, including aspects of poverty, income, employment, health insurance, rent, and more. The bureau now has issued a statement on how we should regard all those 2017 statistics and numbers in its American Community Survey (ACS) document released in September 2018.In2017 alone, residents of 2.1 million U.S. houses and apartments were contacted and interviewed by 3,820 interviewers for information, according to Pennsylvania State University Professor John Iceland and a Census Bureau spokesman. In Pennsylvania, people living in 108,450 residences were contacted and interviewed, either by phone or in person, Iceland added. Philadelphia residents answered the questions of 68 interviewers for the ACS in 2017, the Census spokesman Governments,said.antipoverty advocacy agencies, and private firms use these numbers to plan their years and figure out how to allocate resources based on changes in poverty, health insurance, employment, family size, rent payments, and other factors.Eachsurvey looks backward at the previous year to compare how numbers rose or fell, thus teasing out trends and changes. The 2018 survey, then, described life in 2017. This year, when the 2019 ACS was released on Thursday, it looked at 2018. But because the 2017 data were bad, people reading the newest survey could not contrast information between 2017 and 2018. When he first saw the 2018 numbers in comparison with 2017, economist Paul Harrington, director of the Center for Labor Markets and Policy at Drexel University, was suspicious. For example, Harrington saw that the 2018 ACS said that the median household income in Philadelphia that year was more than $46,000, when the 2017 ACS said that the median income was $39,000. Median household income zooming from $39,000 to $46,000 in a year was too big a change. “There are no quantum leaps,” Harrington said. “Only coding errors.
Full story by Alfred Lubrano, Inquirer.com.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 7
#BROKE IN PH ILLY is a collaborative news initiative among 22 local news organizations to provide in-depth nuanced, solutions-oriented reporting on issues of poverty and push for economic justice in Philadelphia. Learn more at BrokeinPhilly.org Everybody deserves a place to call home.
From shelters and safe havens to supportive housing and nationally-renowned case management services, Resources for Human Development helps people of all abilities attain and maintain their own housing. RHD is a national leader in pioneering innovative strategies to support people as they work to break they cycle of RHDhomelessness.founded
Find out how you can help at www.rhd.org
One Step Away in 2009 as a voice of advocacy and social justice, and as an innovative way to solve gaps in social services that would help people achieve self-sufficiency. A national human services nonprofit with the broadest possible service mission, RHD supports tens of thousands of people each year in caring and effective services addressing intellectual disabilities, behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery and much more.
Together we’re better. Together, we’re RHD.
Willis Towers Watson is a proud supporter of Step Away and Resources for Human Development
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One
NUREMBERG LEARNEDTHEPROSECUTORCHIEFSAYSWORLDHASNOT
PERSECUTING EVIL
OSAPHILLY.ORG 9
By: Adam Sennott, Courtesy INSP.ngo Ben Ferencz continues to plead for peace and justice seven decades after ‘the biggest murder trial in human history’ saw him prosecute 22 Nazis for crimes against humanity. He spoke to Street Roots in Portland about his experiences and how some of his grandest achievements, such as being part of the creation of the International Criminal Court, have been denigrated by the sitting US president. Mug-shot of defendant Otto Ohlendorf at the Einsatzgruppen Trial. Ohlendorf was the Commanding Officer of Einsatzgruppe D. [Photo from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Ben Ferencz.}
“THE WORLD HAS NOT LEARNED FROM THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED AT THE HANDS OF THE NAZIS.” — BEN FERENCZ.
DEDICATED
“I have dedicated all of my life to trying to prevent war-making because war makes mass murderers out of otherwise decent people,” Ferencz said.
Ferencz’s parents did exactly that and immigrated to New York City. There they were greeted by the Statue of Liberty and its call to “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, YOUR POOR.... Ferencz was born in 1920. His parents lived in Transylvania, which was dissolved after World War I, with the territory divided between Hungary and Romania. Ferencz and his sister were both born in the same bed, but she was Hungarian, and he was Romanian. Both countries persecuted the Jews, according to Ferencz, so “it was prudent for my family to try to get out.”
In 1947, Ben Ferencz prosecuted 22 Nazis for crimes against humanity in what the Associated Press called “the biggest murder trial in history.” But in the 72 years since, Ferencz said, the world has not learned from the atrocities committed at the hands of the Nazis.“Instead of spending the money to help the legitimate concerns and complaints of many people who cannot find employment, who need help in different ways: instead of spending the money on helping them, we spend the money on building better weapons to kill more (people),” Ferencz said. “That’s just crazy. It is insane. It’s genocidal, it’s suicidal, and it’s just plain stupid.”
His life story was recently the subject of the Netflix documentary Prosecuting Evil.
10 ONE STEP AWAY
THE BIGGEST MURGER TRAIL IN HISTORY
“Those were the good old days: when that had significance in this country,” Ferencz said. His family settled into a basement apartment in the notoriously poor and crime-ridden Manhattan neighborhood known as Hell’s Kitchen. His father was able to find work as a janitor to support his“Youfamily.could hardly have a lower start than what was my start and my parents’ start in the United States,” Ferencz said.
PEOPLE.” — BEN FERENCZ, 2019.
Ferencz, 99, is the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trials. At 27, he served as chief prosecutor in the Einsatzgruppen trial, which charged Nazi officers who led roving extermination squads responsible for killing more than a million people of Jewish and Roma descent, and other civilians, with what The Washington Post described as “a banker’s efficiency.” He was also instrumental in the formation of the International Criminal Court, established in 2002, and headquartered at The Hague, Netherlands.
It was during his time at Harvard that he began helping a professor with research on war crimes, Ferencz said: HAVE ALL OF MY LIFE TO TRYING TO PREVENT WAR-MAKING BECAUSE WAR MAKES MASS MURDERERS OUT OF OTHERWISE DECENT
THE BIGGEST TRIALMURDER IN HISTORY
A LAWYER NOT A CROOK Despite their rough beginnings, Ferencz did well in school and earned a scholarship to Harvard Law School. Although he grew up surrounded by crime, he “wanted to be a lawyer rather than a crook.”
“I
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At the crematorium, there were “bodies piled up outside like cordwood waiting to be burned,” Ferencz said. “The [German] SS are trying to flee, and some of the [prisoners] who could were chasing them, and the [US] Army is also chasing them — [prisoners] who caught some guards beat them to death.”
The experience, he recalled, was “horrifying.”“Deadbodies lying all around, pleading with their eyes for some help,” Ferencz remembered. “Everybody’s starving to death, grumbling in their piles of garbage, seeking for something which could be edible.”
“All of that I have seen,” Ferencz said.
BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS
“I’d read everything that had ever been published on that subject.”
He came back to the United States after the war but was quickly recruited to participate in the Nuremberg war crimes trials. The International Military Tribunal was already in the process of prosecuting prominent Nazis, including German minister Hermann Goering. Ferencz was charged with collecting evidence for the twelve subsequent trials [the Nuremberg trials] that were led by General Telford Taylor, the American attorney who served as counsel for the prosecution.Ferenczwas able to gather irrefutable evidence that the Einsatzgruppen, the German SS death squads, had murdered more than a million people with Jewish and Roma backgrounds, communist The overhead shot at Nuremberg: The Eisatzgruppen Case underway in the Nuremberg Courthouse in September 1947.
While he was studying, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Ferencz then tried to enlist in the intelligence service but he was rejected because he hadn’t been a citizen for the 15 years that was required to qualify. Instead, he enlisted in the US Army. During his time in the service, Ferencz landed on the beaches of Normandy [France] and fought in the Battle of the Bulge [in Belguim].
“I was given five battle stars for not being killed in any one of those major battles of World War II,” Ferencz said. He was later transferred to George S. Patton’s war crimes branch, where one of his jobs was to go into the Nazi concentration camps as they were being liberated and collect evidence.
Ben Ferencz, the lead prosecutor, is the first person at the left corner in the lower center table. [Courtesy of benferencz.org]
While he got the convictions, Ferencz made it clear in his opening statements to the court that “vengeance is not our goal.” Instead, he asked the court “to affirm by international penal action man’s right to live in peace and dignity regardless of his race or creed.”
The case, Ferencz told the court, was “a plea of humanity to law.”
When Taylor asked him if he could handle the case in addition to his other work, Ferencz said yes.
“Their assignment was to go out and kill without pity or remorse every single Jewish man, woman, and child they could lay their hands on,” Ferencz said. “They believed that the Jewish blood was inferior, and they didn’t want it mixing with the pure Aryan blood…it was one of the justifications for this kind of mass murder.”
“So I became the Chief Prosecutor in what was the biggest murder trial in human history,” Ferencz said.
When Ferencz approached General Taylor with his discoveries, General Taylor told Ferencz that if he wanted these Nazis prosecuted, he would have to do it himself.
THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR IN WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST MURDER TRIAL IN HU M AN HISTORY .” — BEN FERENCZ functionaries, and Soviet intellectuals.
“I took that to General Taylor and I said we have to try these guys,” Ferencz recalled, “He said, ‘We don’t have any senior staff anymore, the Pentagon is not going to give us additional appropriation for this, they’ve lost some of their enthusiasm for it, and everybody’s already assigned.’”
“And I said, ‘You just can’t do this. I have in my hand mass murder on an unheard-of scale,’” Ferencz said.
“The victims (had) been murdered because they didn’t share the race or the ideology of their executioners, and I thought that was horrible,” Ferencz said. “And if we can get a rule of law which would protect everyone in (the) future, making it a crime, a crime against humanity, to do what they did — to kill people because of their color or their race — that itself would be a great step forward in the advancement of criminal law.”“And that’s what I asked the judges to do, (and) they followed my guide on that, and they did condemn the people for crimes against humanity,” Ferencz said.
“I rested the prosecution’s case in two days,” Ferencz retold. “I convicted all of them, and thirteen of them were sentenced to death.”
THE ROME STATUTE After the Nuremberg trials, Ferencz went into private law practice. Then, as the United States became entangled in the Vietnam War in the 1970s, he began dedicating his efforts toward advocating for world peace. In the ensuing decades, he wrote several books on the issue and the need for an International Criminal Court.In2002, his goal became a reality when the Rome Statute, formally creating the International Criminal Court (ICC), was ratified in the United Nations General Assembly by more than 60 countries. The United States signed the statute, but Congress has never ratified it.Since then, the US relationship with Ben Ferencz during the time of the Nuremberg trials, 1947.
Ferencz’s goal was to get the court to recognize crimes against humanity.
A PLEA OF HUMANITY
12 ONE STEP AWAY “SO, I BECAME
According to Ferencz, it was the first case he had ever prosecuted.
REPEATING THE PAST Ferencz has also taken issue with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.“TheUnited States’ immigration policy today is a crime,” Ferencz said. “It’s absolutely criminal. What we have done in the name of the United States is shameful.”“It’savery narrow-minded inhumane policy, and I’m ashamed that it’s done in the name of the United States,” Ferencz said. “I hope that some of the other people will share my point of view because it’s a great country. We can air our differences of opinion — that’s as it should be — but if they get to be so inhumane that you’re taking it out on babies and on poor people that all they want to do is live in peace…that was my family.”Ferencz referenced the poem at the Statue of Liberty welcoming immigrants, the same poem that once welcomed him and his parents.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 13 the ICC has deteriorated. In March 2019, the Trump administration imposed visa bans against ICC staff due to a potential investigation in Afghanistan that might have included the conduct of US officials.
While the ICC’s relationship with the United States has been rocky, it hasn’t stopped Ferencz from criticizing US officials when he believes they are violating the crimes-against-humanity laws he helped establish.
“THE UNITED IMMIGRATIONSTATES’POLICYTODAYISACRIME.”“IT’SABSOLUTELYCRIMINAL. WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE NAME OF THE UNITED STATES IS SHAMEFUL.”
— BEN FERENCZ Ben Ferencz speaking at the Atlanta Jewish Center to commemorate the International Holocaust Rememberance Day, Jan. 25, 2015. A picture of him during the Nuremberg trial is projected on the screen. [Photo by Mark Alberhasky / Courtesy of benferencz.org]
“The light on that lamp went out with this administration,” he said. He took issue with Trump’s policy of separating undocumented children from their parents at the US southern border with Mexico, which Ferencz said is “a crime against humanity for which those responsible should be brought before a criminal court.”
In 2011, Ferencz wrote a letter to The New York Times, questioning whether Osama Bin Laden was actually killed in self-defense as US Seal Team 6 raided his compound in Afghanistan. The raid was ordered by President Barack Obama.“Jubilation over the death of the most hunted mass murderer is understandable, but was it really justifiable self-defense, or was it premeditated illegal assassination?”, Ferencz wrote. “The Nuremberg trials earned worldwide respect by giving Hitler’s worst henchmen a fair trial so that truth would be revealed and justice under law would prevail. Secret nonjudicial decisions based on political or military considerations undermine democracy. The public is entitled to know the complete truth.”
— BEN FERENCZ
Courtesy of Street Roots / INSP.ngo
SELF–DEFENSEAWAY
Ferencz also said he was horrified after Trump stood before the United General Assembly in 2017 and threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea. He said that Trump was using self-defense as justification for making the threat, which is the same justification the Nazis used for their crimes.
“He said, ‘Look, we thought we were going to be attacked, so we attacked first,’” Ferencz said. “And the judge said, ‘HangFerencz’shim.’”motto is “law not war” and he’s worried about future generations.
“He threatened to do the same thing for which I, as the chief prosecutor for the United States, arranged to hang my top defendant, German General SS man Otto Ohlendorf, father of five children,” Ferencz said. “That was his defense.”
Ben Ferencz [Photo by Mark Alberhasky / Courtesy of benferencz.org]
“My concern is not with me. I’m a hundred years old, a five-star survivor of World War II,” Ferencz said. “I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you.”“I’m worried about the young people because it’s much more dangerous today than it (has) ever been because of our capacity to kill,” Ferencz said. “Forget the idea of using armed force to settle any dispute. It’s much too dangerous, for you, not for me.”
“I’M WORRIED ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE IT’S MUCH MORE TODAYDANGEROUSTHAN IT (HAS) EVER BEEN BECAUSE OF OUR CAPACITY TO KILL.”
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TAKE OUR SURVEY online: OSAphilly.org by mail: One Step Away P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703PA 19147
18. How often do you think One Step Away should publish the magazine? 19. Would you use Venmo or other cashless payment apps to purchase One Step Away on the street? Yes, app: ___________ Yes, Venmo. No to using an app. No, I don’t know how to.
Away? (Select all that apply) I support vendors on the street I donate to the One Step Away organization I read the magazine I volunteer with the organization I visit the website, OSAphilly.org I am subscribed to the e-newsletter I follow @OSAphilly on social media
Away vendor interactions: KnowledgeableCheerfulPoliteProfessional&Friendly about the program Informed about the magazine and content Rude or Misleadingaggressiveaboutthe program Other: 12. What is your familiarity with One
22. If you had one piece of advice for journalists in Philadelphia and One Step Away, what would it be?
MAGAZINE/EDITORIAL INFORMATION Help us improve the overall content of Philadelphia media outlets
17. Would you advocate for the homeless by liking, following, & sharing @OSAphilly on social media? Yes! No, thank you. I don’t use social media.
23. What are the top issues currently facing you or your community or neighborhood?
How do you
Twitter, or Instagram) I attend OSA events or fundraisers I listen to the podcast “Heard” 13. How would you describe One Step Away’s 14.mission?Which One Step Away’s programs or activities are you familiar with? Our Vendor Program Our Magazine Program Our Volunteer Programs Our Corporate Activities and Sponsorships Our Champions Celebration Fundraiser Our Vendor Representative promotions 15. Why do you support One Step Away?
your
Yes, I listen to the podcast. Yes, but I have not had a chance to listen to the podcast. No, I do not listen to the podcast nor have I heard of it. No, I do not care.
21. What would you like to hear in the second season of “Heard,” a One Step Away Podcast?
our vendors, and our community?
24. Have you seen those issues represented in the media? Yes No Explain:
11. feel One Step Step (Facebook,
20. Did you know that One Step Away launched a podcast featuring our vendors called “Heard”?
16. How much of an impact do you feel that support has on One Step Away,
about your
16 ONE STEP AWAY 10. I donate $_______ on top of the $5 cover price.
what ZIP code do you 41.live?What is your age? 17 or 70+60-6950-5940-4930-3921-2918-20younger
32. How would you rate the One Step CommunityInformativeRelevant
Away magazine?
you prefer reading? (Select all that apply) Vendor submitted pieces Philadelphia specific news International stories Investigative homelessnessHomelessnessreportingandhousingHealth&wellnessProfilesofcommunityleadersProfilesoflocalorganizationsNonprofitspotlightsSocialjusticearticlesbeyondArtfeaturesandphotospreadsTravelarticlesCookingarticlesorrecipes.SportsarticlesCommunityeventsCelebrityprofilesArticlesunrelatedtosocialjustice
33. How would you rate local in Philadelphia?
other kinds of stories would you like to see local media outlets covering?
you would recommend One Step Away to a friend or colleague? 0 5 10 wouldn’t neutral extremely recommend likely recommendto DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Help us get to know you!
39. Where do In
you live? SuburbPhiladelphiaofPhiladelphia (Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Delaware County) OtherDelawareNewPennsylvaniaJerseyState/Country: 40.
36. What 37. What would
UnbiasedUniqueQualityTrust-worthyFocused/drivenJournalismContentReporting
35. do
journalism
Which topics
34. When you were answering the above which did you have in mind?
news outlets
you like OSA to cover in the magazine?
OSAPHILLY.ORG 17 25. If so, what did you think about how those issues were 26.represented?Haveyouever spoken with a reporter about an issue affecting your community? Yes No Were you satisfied with the results of that conversation? (Please explain.) 27. Was there a time that the news media positively affected you or your community? Yes No Please explain: 28. Was there a time that the news media negatively affected you or your community? Yes No Please explain: 29. Have you ever given feedback to a news organization? Yes No Please explain: 30. Did you feel your concerns were addressed? Yes No Please explain: 31. Where do you currently get your news in Philadelphia? (Check all that apply.) Television: _______________ Radio: _____________ Social Media: _____________ Print Podcasts:Websites:DigitalMedia:_______________Media:_________________________
38. How likely is it that
42. What is
your gender? Non-binaryTransitioningFemaleMale
UnbiasedUniqueQualityTrust-worthyFocused/drivenJournalismContentReporting
CommunityInformativeRelevant
questions,
18 ONE STEP AWAY 43. What best describes your level of formal education? Currently a student Some high school High school graduate/GED Some higher certificationTechnical/vocationaleducationAssociate’sDegreeBachelor’sDegreeMaster’sDegreeProfessionalDegreeDoctoralDegree 44. What is your current employment status? Employed, working full-time Employed, working part-time Not employed, looking for work Not employed, not looking for work Disabled,Retired not able to work 45. In what ZIP code do you work or attend school? _________ 46. What is your annual household income? Less than More$101,000-$200,000$86,000-$100,000$66,000-$85,000$41,000-$65,000$30,000-$40,000$18,000-$29,000$18,000than$200,000 47. How often do you want to hear from our organization? 48. What would you like to hear from our organization? (Select all that apply) Organizational updates Vendor HowVolunteerupdatesopportunitiestodonate(OSAphilly.org/ donate) Advertisement options Business ServingCollegeHighYouthCorporateHowEventsSubscriptionsSponsorshipsopportunities&fundraiserstobecomeavendorteam-buildingvolunteeractivitiesschoolvolunteeractivitiesvolunteeractivitiesonOSA’sAdvisoryBoardOther: 49. I’d like to learn more about One Step Away through: (Select all that apply) The One Step Away Magazine Social Media Website:EventsMailPhoneEmail OSAphilly.org Heard Podcast Broke in Philly 50. I want to be entered to win “A Legit Jawn” Tote Bag, T-Shirt, or Magazine Subscription! Tote T-shirt:BagSize_______________ One Step Away Magazine SubscriptionNo,thankyou. In order to be entered to win “A Legit Jawn” tote bag for participating in this survey, please provide contact information so you can get your prize and show your support for One Step Away! EMAIL:PHONE:ZIP:STATE:CITY:ADDRESS:NAME:
51. Would you make a taxdeductible donation to One Step this I’d love to invest in One Step Away at this time. No, but I would like to invest in theNo,future.Idonot want to to the One Step ONE
Away at
Away organization. My gift of $_____ is in honor of: My preferred method of contact is: TO ME,
STEP AWAY IS.... Thank You for your time!
time? Yes!
donate
OSAPHILLY.ORG 19 We provide the technology and the support you need to move into the future. PROUD SUPPORTER OF ONE STEP AWAY CANON BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. 1650 Market Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215-567-0303 www.solutions.canon.com
IN PA: You can vote if you are on probation or parole. You can vote with an absentee ballot if you are:
20 ONE STEP AWAY
• being held in jail while awaiting trial.
Get an absentee ballot by:
IN PA: You do not need to have or show an ID to vote (unless you are a first-time voter or new at your polling place).
• More than 6 million Americans can’t vote due to a past criminal conviction.
• Already registered to vote? You don’t need to do anything to regain your rights.
• on parole or probation and living in a halfway house or community corrections center: (You cannot use the halfway house address as your registration address. You MUST use a previous or future address.) You can’t vote if you are:
• Contact the ACLU of Pennsylvania at 877-745ACLU (2258).
Vote for those who can't Barriers to
• under house arrest.
Voter ID • 35 states have voter ID laws enforced in 2019.
• PA Voter ID law is no longer in effect. Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard McGinley deemed PA Voter ID law unconstitutional on January 17, 2014, entering a permanent injunction against the enforcement of Voter ID at the polls: o “[The in-person voting requirement in the Voter ID law] is invalid and unconstitutional on its face as the provision and issuance of compliant identification does not comport with liberal access and unreasonably burdens the right to vote.”
• 1 in every 13 voting-age African Americans has lost their right to vote, which is four times more than all other Americans.
Trouble registering or voting?
Voting Criminal History
• in jail or prison & convicted of misdemeanors.
• in jail or prison because of a felony conviction and won’t be released before the election.
• convicted of violating PA election laws within the past 4 years.
• Then return the ballot to the county elections board by 5pm on Friday, November 1, 2019.
• People with past convictions can’t vote in 34 states and 3 states permanently ban people with a felony conviction from voting — Kentucky, Florida, and Iowa. (Florida has a measure on their November 2018 ballot to change this.)
• Sending the application form to your county board of elections by 5pm on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.
• Minority voters disproportionately lack ID. Nationally, up to 25% of African-American citizens of voting age lack government-issued photo ID, compared to only 8% of whites.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Know your rights when it comes to voting. This election guide includes information from: Ballotpedia, The Brennen Center for Justice, the ACLU, the Committee of Seventy, VotesPA, and the City of Philadelphia. Visit votespa.com for all of your election needs.
• 11% of U.S. citizens – or more than 21 million Americans – do not have government-issued photo identification.
2. “Noncitizen” Voter Purges
1. “Challenge Purges” and Other Misuse
• Groups have targeted more than 250 jurisdictions in 2017 alone, and more than 400 jurisdictions across the country since •2014.The counties contacted typically have limited resources to defend themselves. In some cases, these “voter fraud” groups have convinced or forced jurisdictions to implement voter removal practices that are problematic.
Voter Purges
Voter Purge Vulnerabilities
• Crosscheck contains records for 26 states and nearly 100 million voters.
A process of cleaning up voter rolls by deleting names from registration lists, can prevent eligible people from voting.
• Most states have “challenger” laws allowing officials, or even private parties, to question voters’ eligibility at the polls on Election Day.
• Crosscheck data is not secure, making it easy to hack or access data.
• 4 states engaged in illegal purges, and 4 more states have implemented unlawful purge rules.
• 16 million voters were removed from the rolls by states between 2014 and 2016.
3. Interstate Crosschecking
• Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, remove voters if they declined jury duty on grounds of non-citizenship. Even if the individual gained citizenship after their jury duty.
• SAVE can be helpful in proving individual voters are eligible. For example, when Colorado ran suspected noncitizens’ names through SAVE, 88 percent were found to be can be used to purge voters who didn’t check the citizen box on their driver’s license application or renewal like in Virginia and Maryland.
•citizens.SAVEalso
• 15 states have challenges to voting but also to registration.
• Crosscheck is easy to confuse two different individuals as the same person, matching name and date of birth — leading to purging the “duplicated” records.
• Voter fraud alarmists are increasingly focusing their efforts on the registration rolls, mainly in minority counties.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 21
4. “Voter Fraud Vigilantes”
• In the past, states’ access to federal immigration information has been limited to use of the Systematic Alien Veri fi cation for Entitlements (SAVE) program. SAVE works as follows: The user submits a name and an Alien Registration Number (for example, for someone who showed a Green Card when getting a driver’slicense). SAVE then attempts to verify the person’s current immigration status by checking that record against multiple federal immigration lists. When using SAVE, there are mandatory subsequent steps to verify the information.
To combat displacement in areas concerned with the rapid gentrification of many of their neighborhoods, and the potential displacement of low-income residents that may accompany it, cities across the United States have been looking at ways to help long-term residents remain in place while housing markets change around them. “Development without displacement” has become a rallying cry for advocates from Philadelphia to San Francisco. Cities like Austin and San Antonio have begun to create their own antidisplacement strategies, while the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development has published a policy toolkit to help cities protect residents from being pushed out. But at what point does an effort to keep existing residents in their neighborhoods look too much like an attempt to keep outsiders out?
This summer, after Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed an executive order directing city departments to find ways to increase housing affordability and prevent displacement, the Seattle City Council approved a new set of housing funding policies. Among them is a practice called Community Preference, which, in Seattle’s case, will give affordable-housing developers the option to set aside a portion of units in new buildings for people who are already living in the surrounding neighborhood.“Weknowthat there have been people who have been residents of Seattle for a long time, and as the city has grown and as there is increasing prosperity, there is also an interest in allowing people who were a part of the fabric of communities to be able to stay in those communities,” says Emily Alvarado, acting director for Seattle’s Office of Housing: “Displacement is happening, and it is harmful to people when they are unable to stay in their communities.”
SegregationMeansDisplacementAnti-WhenWhenAnti-DisplacementMeansSegregation
To combat displacement in American neighborhoods, new ‘community preference’ policies have been introduced, which gives affordable-housing developers the option to set aside a portion of units in new buildings for people who are already living in the surrounding neighborhood. But, some housing rights activists say that the scheme has become segregationist.
By Jared Brey, Next City
For Craig Gurian, the executive director of the Anti-Discrimination Center and lawyer representing three women who are suing New York over the affordable housing lotteries, community preference policies are so clearly segregationist that even the name is deceitful. The Trump administration could label its immigration policies as “community preference,” Gurian says, but the effect — keeping immigrants out of the country — would still be the same.
It’s offensive, he says, for the city to suggest that what low-income residents want more than a range of housing opportunities is to stay in the racially segregated neighborhoods where they live. “It is absolutely a worthwhile goal to make sure that everybody has a genuine chance to exercise the choice to stay in the apartment or house they are currently living in or to move.”
Seattle is trying to overcome its history of racial segregation in housing, Alvarado says. And one of the ways it’s hoping to avoid the potential pitfalls of community preference policies is to only allow it to be implemented in neighborhoods that are already racially diverse. She says that the city learned from San Francisco’s dispute with HUD that it would need to draw the boundaries for local preference in such a way that it would avoid entrenching segregation. Seattle's Office of Housing will be able to help shape every use of the community preference policy, she says, and it plans to monitor its use over time to make sure it isn’t making segregation worse.
The policy in Seattle will be implemented on a case-by-case basis. Any time a developer is using a city subsidy to build affordable housing in a neighborhood that has been identified as a “high risk for displacement”, the developer is required to “affirmatively market” the units to people who are already living in the neighborhood, and has an option to hold some of the units aside for a lottery open to applicants from the surrounding area. For each project, the developer may submit a plan for a local-preference lottery to the Office of Housing for approval. Alvarado says the Office is also expecting to issue community preference guidelines later this year.
Seattle has tried to learn from similar policies in New York, San Francisco, and Portland, Alvarado says, because in some cases, “community preference” policies can run afoul of fair-housing laws.
Gurian continues, “The way you do that is you have actual, concrete, vigorous, aggressive antidisplacement and anti-harassment policies, and pro-tenants and prorent-regulation policies. You do not do that by locking in segregated housing patterns.”
“I think that policies can be designed in ways that they have unintended consequences,” Alvarado says. “Our goal is to make sure that a portion of rental units in affordable-housing developments are set aside with a preference for applicants who have local ties. It is not intended to undermine our prevailing priority for affordable housing, which is to provide housing choices in as many neighborhoods as possible.”
“These policies are outsiderrestriction policies,” Gurian says.
In 2015, Robert Schwemm, a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law, wrote an essay for The NYU Furman Center suggesting that community preference policies were often an “unnecessary barrier to minorities’ housing rights.” Even when localpreference rules weren’t explicitly being used to keep people of color out of white neighborhoods, they could be subject to challenge under the “disparate impact” doctrine of federal fair housing law, Schwemm wrote.NewYork’s policy is still problematic, Schwemm states. But providing opportunities for people to remain in gentrifying neighborhoods is a good goal, he says, and there may be ways to create community preference policies that don’t reinforce racial segregation.“Citiesthat
OSAPHILLY.ORG 23
I tend to think of as progressive cities are trying alternatives,” Schwemm says. “And I think that should be encouraged.”
This article was originally published by Next City, a non-profit news organization whose journalism amplifies solutions and helps spread them from one city to the next city. Visit nextcity.org.Photo by Jon Tyson, Unsplash
Gurian cited statistics suggesting that some 85 percent of applicants for New York City’s affordablehousing lotteries applied for housing multiple times, and most frequently outside of their own neighborhoods.
San Francisco, for example, became involved in a dispute with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) over a policy giving neighborhood residents a first shot at some new affordable housing, because HUD said it could entrench racial segregation patterns in the city. And New York City is currently involved in a lawsuit related to its own community preference policy, which has been in place for decades, and sets aside half the units in affordable housing lotteries for neighborhood applicants. In July, the city was forced to release a study that suggested its policy locks segregation in place.
24 ONE STEP AWAY Are Pennsylvanians ready?
By: Martin Sakansong
Legalization for Pennsylvania A Step in The Right Direction
Photo by Marco Jimenez, Unsplash
MarijuanaLegalizing
For The Conversation, Rachel Adams of the Human Sciences Research Council explains how the design of virtual personal assistants — AI built into phones, such as Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri — reproduces discriminatory stereotypes.
By: Rachel Adams
OSAPHILLY.ORG 25
Artificial Intelligence has a gender bias problem
Just ask Siri
Growing up in North Philly, Neal was constantly drugs and alcohol. Being raised in such an environment caused Neal to develop PTSD and he later turned to alcohol as a way to cope. Through his alcoholism, Neal ended up homeless. Neal began working out again and joined a theater group. Then he became a One Step Away vendor, using his background to distribute the paper, even citing Shakespeare to those who listened. By working with One Step Away, Neal overcame homelessness. In August 2019, Neal was promoted to a Vendor Representative at One Step Away. He will work with training and outreach, letting more people know about the opportunities One Step Away has to offer. He also works as a personal trainer and is hoping the skills he learns with One Step Away, as a Vendor Representative, will help him build a personal training business. Neal continues to raise awareness about the issues of homelessness and constantly encourages people to overcome their situations. Neal is featured in One Step Away’s podcast “Heard” if you’d like to learn more about Neal and his struggle and triumph over homelessness visist stiticher.com or access the podcast in your Apple or Android app.
ON “HEARD”, ONE STEP AWAY’S PODCAST SERIES.
NEAL MCLAURIN Neal McLaurin grew up in North Philly. At an early age, Neal was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects how the brain processes language. Neal struggled in school, because his school didn’t have the supports needed to properly help Neal with his dyslexia. Neal took up boxing to learn how to defend himself and build his confidence up. To this day, Neal uses physical activity as a way to overcome his situation.
26 ONE STEP AWAY WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT NEAL? LISTEN TO NEAL TELL HIS STORY
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT:
— Michelle
THE HOUSE ON WISTER STREET
Six months before she left Wister Street, Raquel went to court to address the custody issue. She began visits with the daughter and eventually was able to leave Wister Street and move into her own housing. Three months later, the courts awarded Raquel full custody of her daughter. Today she’s working, living independently, and credits her success to the support she received at RHD Wister Street. “Wister Street gave me the motivation, encouragement and support to keep going and to keep fighting for my daughter,” Raquel said. “The people at Wister Street are my family. Even though I’m no longer there, they continue to support me whenever I need help. Because of Wister Street, I’m in a good place mentally and physically and my daughter is healthy and happy.”
To stay focused on recovery, individuals at Wister Street engage in meaningful daytime activities, such as school, work, recovery programs and family visits.
“The passion our teams bring to the recovery process is unique,” Brown said. “We meet people where they are, validate them and treat them with respect and dignity at all times. This is our charge. We want them to transition to a place where they are going to be successful and manage their recovery and understand how to be independent to their fullestWhenability.”clients first arrive at Wister Street established peers help them get acclimated. Then new residents develop a vision statement and set recovery goals with care coordinators.“Igotasecond chance here,” said Yvonne. “They give us freedom and treat us with respect.” “Wister Street gave me a helping hand,” said Michelle. “Without Wister Street, I may not even be here. They cared when I needed it most.”
OSAPHILLY.ORG 27 PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: WISTER STREET
“People come here having lost everything. We want to make their stay something they can take with them forever, and they can reflect on as a good experience,” Brown said. “We are proud of the work we do at Wister Street. It’s been my passion, and the team’s passion, to serve others.”
NEEDEDWITHOUTWISTERSTREET,IMAYNOTEVENBEHERE.THEYCAREDWHENIITMOST.”
When Raquel came to RHD Wister Street, she suffered from depression and had lost custody of her four-year-old daughter.“Everyday, we had to get Raquel out of bed and work to motivate her,” Program Director Nicole Brown said. “She started working hard toward her recovery and going to programs. She wanted to start doing better for herself to get her daughter back. She even paid money out of her limited resources to get a psychological evaluation to present to the court for the custody case.”
RHD Wister Street provides responsive and traumainformed services to men and women with mental health and criminal justice histories to help them realize new possibilities and support them on their journey to return, reintegrate, and contribute to their communities. RHD Wister Street is the only co-ed re-entry program in Philadelphia with 24-hour care. “Part of our mission is to instill our clients with dignity and to show them whatever they lost, they can get back,” Brown said. “As they go through the process, it’s amazing to see them achieve their goals and reclaim their lives. “Almost a decade ago, RHD started plans to execute the transformation model throughout its behavioral health care-focused services. We wanted to make Wister Street more like home and more safe and secure. We are very proud we have been able to achieve this. We are continually tweaking what we do to respond to the unique journey each resident experience.”
Wister Street is home to fourteen residents. Eight men and six women receive services for a minimum of two years, but in some cases, residents are there as long as four years.
So what does it mean to stay prepared
He found a way to channel lightening
A whole world full of opportunity Not past the clouds, not past that tree But so close to me it seems to breath on me, If opportunity can breathe Does that mean it has a nose? Can I use mine to sniff it out? Guiding me on where to go If opportunity can knock Does that mean it has a fist? Is it just a figure of speech? No easier to grab than mist
Born black, so I’m born to feel nothing but blues Born to feel agony born to where they follow no Bornrules to be hung born for jail Born to be told you will amount to younothingwillalways fail Born with all this pain and butstruggleyou continue to live for God You cry as you watch many blessings appear because you persevered through the ride Now you born to be a lawyer born to be a doctor Born to accept your position in andlife not worry about who’s the most popular born to love God born to put God first Born with the gift of writing attemptingpoetry to touch a life in every verse Born to be a leader born to be a teacher Born to deliver the word of God where ever you go so the streets nick-named you Bornpreachertogo against the grain born to demand respect Born to remove the foot from where it has always rested My Bornneck…..
OPPORTUNITY BY: KAREEM JONES
It is the latter I don’t have to guess Up working earlier than all the rest Taking advantage of every chance
And always having the will to try It means that opportunity will never Get a chance to pass you by.
17TH & BEN PARKWAYFRANKLIN VENDOR NOVEMBERSINCE2013
IBornwas born to a drunk born to a drug abuser Born to have the doctor stamp on my forehead born loser Born to witness tragedy born to close your mouth in Bornsilencefor police brutality born for domestic violence Born to be dragged from a borntruck to be raped Born to be called nigger, monkey, ape Born to have a low self-esteem born to hold on to nothing but a Borndreamtobe chalked and bagged never escaping the crime scene
Or empty when the inner is searched
Left still like a bird that’s perched Are birds lazy for being in their nest
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kareem is a One Step Away vendor, who began writing poetry this year and wrote his first article “No Child Left Unprotected” published in One Step Away Magazine’s Issue 2. He is going to continue to submit monthly. Kareem can often be found in Old City distributing the OSA Magazines.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR William is a One Step Away vendor and writer who uses his writing to keep in touch with all of his supporters.
How are you? This is William Powell. I am glad to hear the great news about the tiny homes for the youforprogress.helpingonemagazinethatOneovercome,justandisfromdirectiontothingIday.intohouses?onetoWouldn’thomeless.itbegreattakeoffandownofthosetinyIwouldlovetakeoffandlandoneofthoseanyAssoonasIcanamgoingtotrythismyself,Iwantheadrightinthattorecoverallthismess.Itrealencouragingdon’tforgetstaywithitanditworks.otherthingiswecanbuyoneandgetfree,sothatisusmakeThat'sallnow,thankstoguys.
Certainly a tough act to follow Making many ideas feel hollow
UPDATE BY:POWELLWILLIAM
Franklin did contain something Something many find frightening Up in the sky on rainy days
I look out the window and what do I see?
BORN BY: RICHARD RAMSON
Richard Ramson is an author, poet, spoken-word artist, vendor, and father. Ram uses his poetry and writings to express his feelings through the good times and the bad. He can be found in Chestnut Hill distributing One Step Away Magazine when he isn’t with his daughter Symphony. Ram recently obtained housing for him and his daughter. He hopes to continue to vend One Step Away, support himself and his daughter, and work on his next goal in life.
28 ONE STEP AWAYUNCOVERED ISSUES GIVES OUR VENDORS AND WRITERS A VOICE. IT IS A CHANCE FOR THEM TO SHARE THEIR STORIES — AND CONNECT WITH YOU, OUR READERS. VENDOR VOICES: UNCOVERED ISSUES
Or taking yet a well deserved rest
Keeping their bodies as busy as ants
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’ve spoken in the past, were weak with no love. It was all about me, with no love from above. I tried to explain to the mothers of my kids. Of this awful tree deal for the things that I did. I wanted to make it all up, in just one day. But this particular tree told me there wasn’t no way. So on my lips went the uttering of words. So many words the people never heard. I tried to explain that if I talk I could die. I did my best with a tear in my eye. But they thought of me as shallow, selfish and low. An enemy of theirs, a darkened old foe. I wish I could explain and share much insight. Of my life in the past, the things that wasn’t right. But no one understand,couldthey thought I lost my mind. I just couldn’t die now, and leave love ones behind.
ELECTION
If you registered by the October 7 deadline, you're all set to vote. You can check your registration status online at the PA voter services website. The date of the election is November 5, 2019. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. If you're not sure of your polling place, you can also find that online at the PA voter services website. If it is the FIRST time you vote, you must bring a photo or non-photo ID. You will also want to go online if you'd like to view a list of the candidates for city council, or view a sample ballot for your district. These can both be done on the Philadelphia votes websites: pavoterservices. pa.gov and philadelphiavotes.com.
Voting for City Council members
Oh please Lord forgive me, for all of my wrongs. Bless me once more, and give me life to live long. So God reached out with power from above. Said son what you need to do, is show others more love. Cause when you love others, you’re really loving Me. I’m opening your eyes so that now you can see. But this time only three leaves were left. My previous talking had fallen all the rest. Three leaves that’s all of God that’s left on this tree. My final three words, Father what could they be? A mighty voice roared, saying this thing to do. Turn to your neighbor and utter, “I love you”. Three words, three leaves, I’ll obey His voice. And my old life has died, for the new to rejoice. Oh what goodness the Lord has given. A dying tree to die, to place me among the living. I thank you Lord for my life, family and friends. To learn a lesson like this, is worth being in You again. LAST WHAT
There are a total of 17 seats up for election, and a total of 36 candidates. 20 candidates are up for 10 district seats. Your ballot will have only your district on it. There are 16 candidates running for 7 “At Large” seats up for election. Each voter may vote for 5 making a total of 6 votes for city council members. Why I Am Voting For Joe Cox for City Council I am voting for Joe Cox because I have personally seen how much he truly cares. I’ve witnessed him feeding the hungry, including myself, thousands of pizzas all over Philadelphia. I have protested side by side with him in the streets for multiple equitable causes. Joe has been to every single city council meeting since announcing, and has been to our capital several times fighting for equitable causes. A vote for Joe is a vote for diversity on our city council. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Caia is a vendor and site representative for One Step Away. Caia can be found distributing magazines on South Street. She writes for OSA and her article on Tiny Homes for Philly’s homeless was featured in the last issue. Caia is also featured in the season finale of our podcast Heard which can be found online on stitcher.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 29
C A R B O N N E U T R A L Q C W A T E R S U P P L Y U P Z S W E S C M A C I D R A I N T E E G A O Q W G V E X T I N C T M H N S P O L L U T I O N M E I V D Y X D C Q T I D P R G W S E S S J Y S S M O G A A N X S L T T C K O A O C F W S I Y I N O E T P N L I D E S B L W O I R M M U F N N S D C B V Z N N M O S R A I N F O R E S T S O C T F G W C W E A T H E R D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N W C Q O R R E C Y C L I N G H E A R T H D A Y Q B A M B O O WORD SEARCH 2 9 1 8 7 3 6 4 5 3 5 8 6 4 9 2 1 7 7 4 6 2 5 1 3 8 9 8 7 5 9 6 4 1 2 3 4 3 2 7 1 8 9 5 6 1 6 9 5 3 2 8 7 4 5 8 7 3 2 6 4 9 1 6 2 4 1 9 7 5 3 8 9 1 3 4 8 5 7 6 2 SUDOKU 1 6 5 2 3 1 4 8 9 7 3 7 4 8 9 2 6 1 5 8 9 1 5 6 7 4 3 2 4 1 5 6 8 9 7 2 3 2 8 7 4 3 5 9 6 1 9 3 6 2 7 1 5 8 4 7 2 9 1 4 6 3 5 8 1 4 8 9 5 3 2 7 6 5 6 3 7 2 8 1 4 9 SUDOKU 2 A G A V E S I D E L A P P L A M E R I C O N O N E S P U B L I C R E L A T I O N S S L O U C H D O M I N A N T M A A M R O T C B O D S L A P R E L E T S A P E R E G I S R O B O T D E P A R T M E N T S T O R E G R O V E A C A I H O S E E A T I N G E K E D K I D S N A P E P I C I S C H E M I A I N U R E S S P L I T I N F I N I T I V E M A I N N O R M N I T E R S M O G S T O P G E E S E CROSSWORD
BY: BRYANT E. CULPEPPER SR.
There was once a tree that was full of leaves. A tree that was dear and hard to please. It told me that every word my mouth should speak. A leaf would fall from the mercy seat. So I went about life without uttering a word. Society thought that this was so Theyabsurd.couldn’t understand the words I didn’t say. They thought this was some sort of play. So I spoke one word, two, three, maybe four. A couple leaves fell from the tree, and then some more. My family and friends couldn’t understand why. I spoke no more, I was afraid to Thedie.words
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bryant overcame homelessness and now advocates for others through his writings. Here he is pictured reading an original poem at the 2018 Homeless Memorial Day in front of a sign listing the 270 names of individuals we lost that year due to homelessness.
THE DYING TREE
ISSUE’S PUZZLE SOLUTIONS HOW TO VOTE IN PHILLY BY: CAIA IGLEHART
YOU NEED TO KNOW TO VOTE IN PHILLY’S NOVEMBER 5
30 ONE STEP AWAY insp.ngo /inspstreetpapers@_INSP 1,850 volunteers support our global movement Over 100 street papers Published in 25 languages Our network in numbers is made up of: Our global network Every month, collectivelyvendorsearn Million$2.78,750 vendors sell street papers at any one time 20,500 vendors earn an income by selling street papers each year Million4.6 readers worldwide in 35 That’scountriesagrand total of $32.4 Million in the pockets of vendors every year 19.4 Million street papers were sold across the world in the past year
OSAPHILLY.ORG 31 PUZZLES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 CROSSWORD FOR ANSWERS PICK UP OUR NEXT ISSUE OF ONE STEP AWAY! CONTRIBUTED BY STREET ROOTS, PORTLAND, OREGON. 2SUDOKU 9 8 7 5 5 2 8 7 6 6 9 7 5 1 9 2 7 8 9 3 1 5 3 5 4 5 3 7 1 1SUDOKU 5 6 3 1 7 9 9 5 4 6 1 6 7 1 7 9 6 8 3 2 2 5 8 3 5 9 4 8 4 7 1 2 6 2 WORD SEARCH B E L L O W S A C U T A N C E W M S S N A P T N T B L U E E P A N N I N G B O G U F A C F K S S J O R W O I P L R P C L I K U H E O H D A R B E V R A E F Z P K S T Y S O I D L B S V O A F M O D E C N S S I E H G P S S I J G T R N D T B N S T O N E T L O T E R U I A B Y R C A N O N L L W E R E S O N I Y R P A P D I R D S G E O C P A A S H O T A N E T L K G Y O N A Y O P T I C Y F I L M S D K O D A K L U M E N T I N T E L I T E N R T M A X Z A P S BenboBellowsBaseASAAPSAPOAngleStieglitzAlfredAcutance EliteEktarDurstDINCyanCobraCanonBulbBodyBlue KievISOIrisGoldFujiFlashFilmsFill-inFastEOSsync OrwoOptimaOpticNikonNiepceModeMaskLumenLensKodak StopSnootSnapSLRShotShootScrewRedeyePaperPanning WashTTLTripodToneT-MaxTLRTint The object of a Sudoku puzzle is to fill in the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Good luck! ACROSS 1. Dash lengths 4. 40.precedence36.worker34.33.32.31.academy27.26.shoes25.24.23.22.20.18.17.16.15.poet14.9.religionMuhammad’sBlock“TheBells”AffirmCorpulentWaysidestopFeelingfaintMechanic,sayEyepartAngerFarmmeasureGoodytwo-GlasgowgalManyanStetson,e.g.HitaflyDeclineMailroomTakeoverBalloonfiller 41. “Better Call ___” (“Breaking Bad” spinoff) 42. “___ we having fun yet?” 43. Pair of gears in a 48.46.mechanismsteeringNotusFrosts,as a 49.cakeStrange, in Scottish slang 50. Farm layer 51. “___ bitten, twice shy” 52. Dorothy, for container62.date61.Live”“Saturday60.59.58.season57.54.oneImperiling“___the...”FishhooklineBlackteaGasteyerofNightBeforethedueTrucking 63.allowancesBowwood DOWN 1. 29.28.26.25.novel)(ChaimIs21.19.13.12.center,11.10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.dictatorship2.inscriptionsTombstoneBelieverinMexicanMissCapri,e.g.AdoDelayEagerKindofunitBucks’matesAttorneys’org.Neartheinanatomy___manualFeet,toOvidBigwig“MyNameAsher___”PotokJuicyfruitBrainareaJelliedgarnishBooty-shaking 30. Daggers 56.55.time53.52.51.tattoo47.needslike46.for45.credit44.43.41.woodworkingtool39.anesthetic38.37.stock36.35.manuscriptsin“Yes,___”Stationer’sMastsupportDentist’sPrecisecuttingusedinLipcurlerSupplyHonor,asacardMotherTeresa,one“Withfriends___,whoenemies?”TemporarydyeSoleBowLong,long100%Mamie’sman
32 ONE STEP AWAY 2 One Step Away ● OCTOBER 2017 OSAPHILLY.ORG Tell Us How We’re Doing! TAKE OUR SURVEY ONLINE OR IN THE MAGAZINE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
