ONE STEP AWAY VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2A Program of Resources for Human Development PHILADELPHIA 10 YEARS THEN & NOW • PHL PRE-K • MAYOR KENNEY’S GOALS MAYOR JIM KENNEY : WHY CHILDREN ARE AT THE HEART OF HIS LEADERSHIP$ 5
Last issue this section was titled “New Year, New Us” and we spoke about our move from newspaper to magazine, as well as what we have planned for the year. However, since homelessness is not a singular issue, we also have to factor in our ever-changing society: locally, nationally, and globally. While we focused on topics that were discussed both nationally and globally in the past two editions (#MeToo, Mental Health in Communities of Color, Sexual Assault in Football, Refugees in America) — many of these topics also have a local focus. Unfortunately, no community is immune to sexual abuse, mental health, homelessness, displacement, or preventable deaths.
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. Is One Step Away’s content changing?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
Why is One Step Away now $5?
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.
WHY A MAGAZINE? WHERE ARE WE GOING & WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?
Why did you change to a magazine?
This month we want to focus locally to see what topics are important to Philadelphia, and how our city and communities plan to address them. We will start with a section entitled #ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) covering the city’s 2019 goals. Next we’re joining the #10YearChallenge, Philly style by comparing then (2009) and now (2019). (What do you see? Do you agree with the city’s goals? Let us know for next month’s “Your Say: From Our Readers.”) Finally, Philadelphia’s Mayor Kenney will speak on many of these issues and more. In a unique photo essay submitted by Ted Goldman we will follow the mayor for two years at events across the city including: Passport PHL: Olney, Love Your Park Day, World Refugee Day, and the 2nd Anniversary of PHL Pre-K. Ted then sits down with Mayor Jim Kenney to discuss his humanity rather than his politics, giving us an insightful, if not vulnerable, picture of our Wheremayor.arewe going as a community and a society? What is Philadelphia’s future? Most importantly, who is part of this future? What do you want to see for Philadelphia and our community? And will you be part of it? Do you feel part of it now? Is your voice being heard? One Step Away has always worked to bring communities together. As a magazine we hope to bridge the gaps between various communities, and raise the voices of our most vulnerable neighbors, reaching new audiences. We also want to hear from YOU, our readers and our community. Since debuting our One Step Away Magazine, our vendors have doubled or tripled their earnings. With higher earnings vendors can spend less time on the streets or in shelters — and can ultimately decrease the amount of time spent homeless, and the negative health effects and social stigmas that accompany homelessness. At One Step Away we are committed to create jobs and opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness. We hope you will join us as we work to improve our lives and our community.
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. 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.
SUPPORTING OUR VENDORS
2 ONE STEP AWAY THE PHILLY EDITION
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.
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.Asanewspaper, vendors earned 75 cents from each paper sold.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS #ICYMI: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 5 PHILLY’S 2019 GOALS #10YEARCHALLENGE: 6 PHILLY THEN & NOW INSP: VENDOR CITY GUIDE 7 FEATURE:PHILADELPHIAMAYOR JIM KENNEY 8 LEADERSHIP FROM THE HEART LOVE YOUR PARK WEEK 10 WORLD REFUGEE DAY 12 PHL FREE PRE-K 14 INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR KENNEY 18 UNCOVERED ISSUES 27 POETRY 29 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. HELP OUR VENDORS WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. 514 18 One Step Away is a program of Resources for Human Development (RHD), a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. www.rhd.org. We are a member of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), helping 20,500 vendors earn an income each year. www.insp.ngo OUR AFFILIATIONS
Well done! — Bill GOVERNMENT: A LESSON WORKERS ARE ONE STEP AWAY
ONE STEP AWAY YOUR SAY: FROM OUR READERS
One Step Away P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703PA19147 osa@rhd.org @OSAphilly osaphilly.org
�� Keep up the good work.
I want to end homelessness and help people get back in their feet. I want them to feel hopeful and give them the opportunity to work which isn’t always easy in their position.
— Laila REALISTIC SOLUTION I support OSA because it is a realistic solution to combating social injustice and homelessness. — Ursula
I have worked at multiple housing organizations in the Philly area and think that OSA has a unique role in providing a voice for its writers, as well as provides a positive experience for those less familiar with homeless/formerly homeless folks. — Anabel THE DIFFERENCE OSA MAKES
HOMELESSNESSHUMANIZING
A VOICE & EXPERIENCEPOSITIVE
As this is written, the government shutdown is in its 25th day. The news is filled with stories about government workers who live paycheck-topaycheck. One commentator made the point that many of these workers are often unable to cover unexpected expenses. In fact, they are one step away. This crisis makes it so clear that the threat of homelessness is not limited to any segment of the population. Many people who get up every day to go to work to feed their families are one step away. They can be forced to take that one step for any number of reasons, including those that are not their fault, as in the government shutdown. Once this tragedy ends, hopefully they will be one step away from getting back on their feet! — Ted
I think the magazine is informative and gives me insight about the lives of people I don’t usually interact with but who are part of my community. I think the goals of the organization are important and though it’s small it is a way I can participate in them.
First let me say my first issue of One Step Away was from a vendor standing outside of Trader Joe’s on 22nd Street. My interest was piqued when he told me the paper helped homeless persons. This social cause is something I support.
CHANGE PEOPLE’S LIVES It is a program that I believe in to really help people change their lives. — Kerri SUPPORT & LISTEN TO PEOPLE It’s important to support (and listen to!) those who are working hard to improve their lives in a tough economic and political time.
FIXING PROBLEMSTHE Independent media is important. Affordable housing is a crisis. Homelessness and the availability of quality social services and the funding for them is a real problem that needs to be fixed.
As someone with a journalism background long ago, I appreciate the effort it takes to create a community paper and so I respect your project and the people who make it work and the workers who are struggling to get their lives back on track. — TashaMaria
PART OF COMMUNITYTHE
From Our Readers submissions must be 100 words or less, contain the writer's full name and home address, and may be edited for clarity or space.
BLOWN AWAY I was just given a copy of the first edition of your magazine and I have to say that it was excellent. I was really blown away. So much so, that I’m writing this email, which is something I don’t normally do.
Homelessness is often ignored — I love OSA because they put a face to homelessness and humanize the problem. I think OSA is doing great work for their vendors, but also educating Philadelphians about the major issue of homelessness. I also love the empowerment of having the vendor that is selling to me share their article/poem — that they have a voice and want to be heard!
4
GIVE PEOPLE WORKOPPORTUNITYTHETO
When I read your paper, I was very impressed by both content and information. Many of us have known hard times, been without a home, been hungry, and have been afraid. Many of us have been up against the injustices of the legal, governmental, and policing systems. This country is fraught with disparity. Helping others help themselves is a solid approach to changing these circumstances and creating a better future for all people.
I am happy to have found your good service and will go forward to support its cause.
HELPING OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES
Happily, I found your Poetry Section and praise you for the inclusion. As an active, lifelong poet, transplanted to Philadelphia over 40 years ago, writing about sociopolitical issues, I enclose my work (pg 31). Thank you for your consideration of including my voice in your publication.
I have seen what a difference One Step Away can make in the lives of individuals. It is an excellent program that allows the homeless, or near homeless, to earn an income while building experience that will help them in finding future employment. RESPECT PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT WORK
We want to make “From Our Readers” a permanent section. Please help by submitting your thoughts and feedback!
Information provided by the Office of the Mayor, Linda Huss on January 10, 2019 at phila.gov.
5. Achieve long-term goals of the Philadelphia Resilience Project, #ResilientPHL.
#ICYMI: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT PHILLY’S 2019 GOALS MAYOR KENNEY REMAINS COMMITTED TO HIS VISION OF ENSURING PHILADELPHIA WORKS FOR ALL RESIDENTS. THAT’S BEEN THE FOCUS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, AND IT REMAINS THEIR FOCUS IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. Here are seven big goals The Mayor’s Office is looking forward to achieving in 2019.
1. Add 1,000 PHL Pre-K spots To provide free, quality pre-K to more of or city’s kids.
For the past several years, Philadelphia’s job growth rate has outpaced the national average, thanks, in part, to our small local businesses. In 2019, we’ll invest more in our neighborhoods with CDC Economic Development Support Grants. The program will provide operational funding to community development corporations so that they can create and retain neighborhood businesses and jobs. We are dedicated to an inclusive approach to economic growth, and programs like this one are part of that strategy.
In the 2019-2020 school year, PHL Pre-K will grow to serve 3,300 Philadelphia students — up from 2,250 this year. This essential early education program is possible thanks to funding from the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. Know a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2019? Enrollment begins in June.
2. Start 40 improvement projects For parks, recreation centers, and libraries as part of the Rebuild program. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s July ruling that upheld the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, 2019 will be the first full year that Rebuild has the resources to contribute significant new investments in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, andRebuildlibraries.will launch at least 40 projects this year to improve community facilities that serve residents across Philadelphia.
3. Add new community schools to support students, families, and communities. We’ll add to our current total of 12 community schools in the new school year. In these public schools, full-time coordinators (City of Philadelphia employees) work with the entire community — students, parents, teachers, administrators, service providers, and neighbors — to bring more programs and services into the school and ultimately improve attendance and support learning outcomes. Looking ahead over the next several years, we’ll grow to 20 total community schools. Related to schools, we’re continuing to work with the School District of Philadelphia, which returned to local control in 2018. This year, we look forward to working closely with superintendent Dr. William Hite, the new Local Education Board, and City Council to improve school facilities, operations, and educational outcomes for all children.
6. Continue to support job growth with new grant program.
In 2018, the City established a new emergency response to tackle the opioid crisis. Some of our progress so far: regular cleanups, safer corridors around schools, the closure of major encampments, and reduced homelessness. We look forward to continuing this innovative effort and bringing much-needed resources to the Kensington area.
4. Launch street sweeping pilot in the spring. The Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet, in coordination with the Streets Department, will begin a neighborhood street sweeping pilot in multiple locations around the city. We’ll use the Litter Index, which maps areas of the city with the highest concentrations of street litter, to implement the pilot and measure the success of the program. Look for an announcement about the specific neighborhoods in the coming months. After the pilot, which will run through December, we’ll determine the best way to roll out the program to more neighborhoods. This move complements the other Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet efforts to tackle Philadelphia’s litter problem. Most recently, we hired new environmental crimes detectives focusing on illegal dumping and are installing new cameras in illegal dumping hot spots throughout the city.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 5
7. Expand six-day service in all Free Library neighborhood branches. All 54 branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia will offer Saturday hours by the new school year. This expansion and our improvement efforts through the Rebuild program will ensure that our libraries continue to serve our communities.
6 ONE STEP AWAY #10YEARCHALLENGE: PHILADELPHIA THEN & NOW THE #10YEAR CHALLENGE IS A SOCIAL MEDIA TREND WHERE PEOPLE POSTED THEN & NOW PICTURES OF THEMSELVES. SOON ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND ACTIVISTS JOINED IN, POSTING PHOTOS OF POLLUTED OCEANS, MELTING POLAR ICE CAPS, DEAD BARRIER REEFS, AND MORE. AT ONE STEP AWAY WE WANTED TO TAKE THE #10YEARCHALLENGE A STEP FURTHER TO SHOW PHILLY THEN (2009) & NOW (2019). THEN 2009 NOW 2019 Information gathered from The Pew Charitable Trusts’ “State Of Philadelphia” Report 2009 & 2018 and the HUD point-in-time counts. RENT $1,190$1,008 (median rent for 1 bedroom) $7.25 per hourMINIMUM WAGE$7.25 per hour $12.20/hour for city workers; $13.25/hour starting July 2019Federal minimum wage raised from $6.55 on July 24, 2009 SEPTA $1.45 per token $20.75 Weekly Transpass $2 per “Travel Wallet” $25.50 Weekly Transpass GAS$2.35 per gallon $2.50 per Gallon POVERTY RATE24% 26% POPULATION1,547,297 1,580,863 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE10.3% 6.2% PEOPLEHOMELESSNESSEXPERIENCING6,304 5,788 DRUG OVERDOSES427 1,200
01 Why I like living in Philadelphia
02 My favourite cafe/restaurant Ruby Tuesday
04 To escape city life South Philly and the Poconos I ride the city bikes from Center City to South Philly, which is where I come from. If I get tired, I’ll put the bike on the bus for the rest of the way. It is relaxing, peaceful. Or people can visit the Poconos – go gambling, see a show and there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. My favourite time of year is the summer because you don’t have to wear heavy clothes. I can flex and sell the paper. It is nice out, and there are a lot of people out and about.
05 Only locals know about Bingo I go to bingo at 18th & Chadwick with the seniors. Then there’s Rittenhouse Square, an old spot where you can people-watch.
06 My favourite song Just Like You by Keyshia Cole This song talks about growing and teaches me not to be stagnant, to keep moving and pushing. The song talks about looking into the mirror and finding out who and what you are in life. When I was using drugs, I couldn’t look in the mirror. I used to run past, back and forth, back and forth, I couldn’t look because I looked like a hot mess. But now that I look good and feel good – spiritually, physically, and mentally –that song helps me to grow. osaphilly.org Street secrets revealed by the people who know them best
03 Everyone should visit The Rocky Steps off Benjamin Franklin Parkway You can take pictures there, run up and down the steps and see the statue of Sylvester Stallone from the Rocky movies. There are a lot of places down there at The Parkway. The steps lead up to the Art Museum, the Roman Catholic Church is right there too as well as the Rodin Museum. The Parkway will have parties, festivals, and concerts throughout the year, including fireworks during the Fourth of July.
Philadelphia GUIDECITYVENDOR
Everything is right here As soon as you walk out of your door there is something there for you to do. Reading Terminal Market is the best place to go. That’s where I sell my homeless paper. I meet a lot of people from across the world. They might have struggles with homelessness or addiction. The struggle is real right now. The food stamps are about to be cut. Reading Terminal Market is free to explore and inexpensive if you want something to eat. I also like to go to the waterfront. You can look out of the windows and see the water. You can window-shop around there too. You can meet people and talk to people.
|CULTURE
OSAPHILLY.ORG 7 #INSP: INTERNATIONAL STREET PAPER FEATURE 11-17 FEBRUARY 2019 BIGISSUE.COM | 39
The all-you-can-eat buffet at Ruby Tuesday is my favourite. Also, at Reading Terminal Market, you can get any food you want. You can get a drink, watch the games, everything you desire is there.
Our guide this week: South Philadelphia born and raised, Sylvia Williams, 57, spends her days selling One Step Away, a street paper based in one of the most historically significant cities in the US. “When I started doing it, I liked it a lot,” she says. “It really helps me. It keeps me busy, hopeful, powerful, and stress free – it keeps me calm.”
Illustration: BrenchTaaryn
FROM THE MAYOR JIM KENNEY
8 ONE STEP AWAYLEADERSHIP
PREFACE I’ve lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia for more than forty years. I’ve never followed city politics, but rather national politics and for the last two years it’s been almost a full time job. Caring for people seems to have fallen off of the agenda for many politicians. I was not looking to be interested in Philadelphia’s 99th mayor who came into office on January 4, 2016. This interest found me as part of two photo essay projects — “Olney Advocates: Diversity’s Power To Change and Unite People” and “Finding the Humanity of ThisRefugees.”storyis not about politics or evaluating Mayor Jim Kenney’s job performance — that’s not my skill or interest. This story is about understanding the compassion that I’ve seen in him and that is often missed in typical political coverage — the human experience. It captured my interest and I hope it will capture yours.
INTRODUCTION In June 2017, while I was working on the Olney project, “Passport PHL” came to Olney: “to encourage more Philadelphia residents to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods and immigrantowned businesses.” I was there to photograph the event for my friends at the North 5th Street Revitalization Project. Mayor Kenney came to Olney to sample great food at five diverse eateries. A photo essay by Ted Goldman at TGoldmanPhotography.com
OSAPHILLY.ORG 9 THE HEART
But there was a moment that was unplanned. As we walked towards an eatery, the mayor noticed three children hiding behind a parking meter.
As we went from eatery to eatery the mayor was very friendly to each staff and readily posed for pictures that would surely end up on their walls as mementos of a special visit. There was no way to judge if the mayor was being genuine or just doing what was expected of him.
I have no idea if they knew this was the mayor, but he was wearing an intimidating business suit not typical of Olney and was followed by an entourage. While he didn’t have to do this, he broke ranks and extended a friendly hand.
When I reviewed my images later in the day, I thought: “Who is this man?” This question would remain unanswered for a year until I next saw Mayor Kenney in action. WHO IS MAYOR KENNEY?
“I just want to say regarding our issue of equity.... We need to fix our schools, our infrastructure, and our institutions.”
In addition to changing our poverty issues, we need to be sure that young people in our neighborhoods understand that we care about them and that there is a future in the city for them. I know that the beverage tax annoys people every now and then [this tax pays for Philadelphia’s free pre-K program], but when you have other governments like Washington D.C. which is a total mess, Harrisburg which is less of a mess but still a mess, not wanting to invest in people or invest in education, invest in our population, we have to do it ourselves. So let’s fund our schools, let’s take care of our parks and recreation centers, and fix up our libraries, and let’s have an equitable society for all of our kids!”
MAYOR KENNEY: EQUITY
LOVE YOUR PARK WEEK “Love Your Park Week” was celebrated at MayorinFisherOlney’sParkMay2018.Kenney attended wearing a bright sweater.“Phillies”blueWhen he stepped to the podium to supportoffer for the parkPhiladelphiasystem, he did something that appears to be his aftersignature:reading prepared remarks, the glasses come off and he speaks from the heart.
By the time you’re 18-20-years-old you have no feeling of equity in your life — you become cold, become cold to life, cold to interactions with people and that’s what we need to stop.
10 ONE STEP AWAY
If you are a 10-year-old little boy or girl living in a struggling neighborhood, you go to a struggling school and are not getting the education you are supposed to. You leave at 3:00 or 3:30 in the afternoon and go to a recreation center or library for after-school help or computer access and everything is a mess, the ceiling is falling in and rain is coming through the windows.
“I just want to say regarding our issue of equity, and this is really important for this administration, we need to fix our schools, our infrastructure, and our institutions.
One answer to the question is that he is a man who sees investing in children as critical for the future. Not doing so means at-risk kids leading to an endless cycle of poverty, lawlessness, and declining cities. His hand always goes out to children.
INVESTING IN CHILDREN
“So let’s fund our schools, let’s take care of our parks and recreation centers, and fix up our libraries, and let’s have an equitable society for all of our kids!”
OSAPHILLY.ORG 11
12 ONE STEP AWAY WORLD REFUGEE DAY One month later I went to the speechextemporaneousaofftheglobally.intheytheofaboutpreparedKenneyCitycelebrationRefugee“WorldDay”atHall.MayorreadhisremarksthevaluerefugeesandchallengesfaceboththeU.S.andThenglassescameandhegaveremarkablewhich seemed byinfluencedtheTrump administration’s actions at the southern border.
MAYOR KENNEY: HYPHENATED AMERICANS
OSAPHILLY.ORG 13
I tell you these stories because when you are a ‘hyphenated American’ and you’ve been here for a long time you sometimes forget your heritage and history. You have to remember your history so you don’t push other people away who are trying something similar to what your own ancestors did, and that goes for every ethnic group in this country. My religion, and all others if I’m not mistaken, teaches us to be kind to the stranger, to feed the hungry, to visit those in prison. And I can assure you that the people who are directly involved in this debacle — in this terror we’re seeing in Texas with these babies and baby prisons — they are going to answer to God when they present themselves for entry into heaven and He’s not going to be happy at all. They may have the capacity to brush this off and lie their way out of it, but there’s no lying in heaven — they will have to answer for themselves. So God bless you all — let’s stick together as a city so we can get through this terrible time in our country.”
CITY COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE PARKER:
As part of the Olney Advocates photo essay I had the privilege to interview City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker. Like Mayor Kenney, she has tremendous compassion for people and it shows in her leadership. And she has great respect for Mayor Kenney: “What we’re seeing in this nation is a desire for authenticity which is what you get and what you feel when you hear Mayor Kenney. He tells the truth knowing that it’s going to make some people uncomfortable when you speak truth to power!”
“Let’s stick together as a city so we can get through this terrible time in our country.”
Because they were being starved out of their homes and farms, they decided they had no other choice but to leave. They got on what were called coffin ships and they sailed across a terrible ocean in the northern part of the Atlantic — many of them died in the crossing and were buried at sea. When we got to Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, we literally crawled off those coffin ships and went on with our lives. We had no papers or documents — Ellis Island didn’t open until 1892 and most of us came here in the 1840’s.
We were told: ‘Get the hell out — we don’t want you here — your presence here is a plot from the Catholic Church and the Pope to take over America!’. Sounds similar to what they say about Muslims today; these know-nothings were the Donald Trump followers of the 1840’s; they felt it was necessary to harass, to start riots, to burn down churches — two were burned to the ground in Philadelphia: one in Kensington (St. Michael’s) and the other in Old City (St. Augustine’s). People were going after St. Philip Neri in Queen Village but they were fought back by the Pennsylvania Guard and twelve people lost their lives.
“I would just like to say, my own history in this country is one of a refugee, not me personally — but my ancestors...”
PHL PRE-K
The celebration was held at “Your Child’s World,” a pre-K school in the Elmwood section of Southwest Philadelphia. The building is a fortresslike brick structure that was actually a skating rink when the mayor was growing up. While not very inviting from the outside, the inside reveals a warm and fun learning space for young children — this is a wonderfully noisyAttendeesplace. learned that the pre-K program offers benefits beyond getting children off to a good start. It builds businesses such as Your Child’s World and creates
PHL PRE-K: A MOTHER’S STORY CELEBRATING 2 YEARS
14 ONE STEP AWAY January 4, 2019 was the second anniversary of the initiative probably most valued by Mayor Kenney — free high-quality pre-K. This comes from his deep belief that if a child is not reading by the 3rd or 4th grade their future will be at great risk.
A relative recommended that I go on the website for PHL Pre-K. I came in and they made enrollment very easy for me. I visited a couple of times to see the kids and make sure the facility runs smoothly. My son had a good adjustment — the first couple of days he whined and cried, but after that he was okay. I love his teacher — she’s a sweetheart. He’s going to be here for at least two years to learn reading and writing by the time he is finished. So I’m really comfortable with the program and everything that it’s done for me and my family, especially financially.”
thanksHePhiladelphia’sawithyearsreviewingKenneyWiththePhiladelphia’pre-Kopportunities.employmentPHLisakeypartofsfuture.Afterseveralspeakers,mayorwasintroduced.glasseson,Mayorbeganbythefirsttwooftheprogramthrivingchildrenandsignificantimpactoneconomy.directedparticulartoparents:“…who have faith in us and faith in this program.
— Ms. Margaret Cobb “I’m going to start by talking about where my son was before he got here. He went to a daycare and initially I was able to get financial support from CCIS (Child Care Information Services of Philadelphia), but once I stated my new job with SEPTA I made too much for CCIS support, but not enough to pay for daycare out-of-pocket.
“So, I’m really comfortable with the program and everything that it’s done for me and my family, especially financially.”
“I’ve seen it myself. I went to an opening day of kindergarten last year. Opening days are a little rough — kids are hanging onto their mom’s ankles and necks, and crying. There were five children sitting erect at their desks, I stayed for the class and asked: ‘How many of you children have gone to pre-K?’ and those five raised their hands. I knew then and there they were ready for the work and will make great strides to reading by the 3rd or 4th grade on their way to high school, college, CTE (Career Technical Education), whatever they want to do to become contributing members and solid citizens of our city — and they can’t do it without an education.”
OSAPHILLY.ORG 15
As Mayor Kenney rose from this little table, I asked: Mr. Mayor, how does it make you feel when you see this?
MAYOR KENNEY: THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EDUCATION
And if you didn’t do this, what would happen to them?
“...Whatever they want to do to become contributing members and solid citizens of our city — and they can’t do it without an education.”
“It makes me feel happy. I’m not often happy in this job, but this makes me feel happy. It makes me feel like we’re actually getting something done, and these lives are going to be changed — not changed, but their potential will be reached as much as possible.”
“I don’t know what would happen to them. I’m sure they would survive or be unfulfilled, or not meet their potential, or maybe end up incarcerated or in some place bad where we don’t want to see them. I was just telling a teacher: ‘You can see how proud they are when they’re on task — doing the task gives them a sense of pride and that builds their belief they can do things.’”
A student demonstrates the impact of successfully completing a task. In this exercise, students select a card with a number on its face. The reverse side has a hook-and-loop fastener. A nearby wall has corresponding numbers with a fastener on their faces. The student’s task is to find the matching number on the wall and to attach their card. Appearing to be in deep thought, she spots the “7” on the wall which is the number on her card. She looks back at her card to check.
16 ONE STEP MATCHINGAWAY NUMBERS
Student & Family Enrollment: Students on waitlist: 59 Average age of student: 3.5 years Percent of seats filled: 95% City-funded seats: 2,250 Household income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level: 41% Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level: 75%
OSAPHILLY.ORG 17 PHL Pre-K Providers & Teachers: Her lucky-7! She’s developing pride in her abilities just as the mayor said: “You can see their physical and facial reaction to the fact they are in a quality setting, learning and being reinforced in their own minds about their abilities, and being reinforced by their schoolmates!” PHL Pre-K classrooms: 158 New PHL Pre-K positions: 278 PHL Pre-K teachers: 241 Neighborhoods that are no longer Pre-K deserts: 5 PHL Pre-K providers: 85 Providers that are minority and/orbusinesses:women-owned 55
18 ONE STEP AWAY THE INTERVIEW: MAYOR KENNEY
I explained as quickly as I could about my work to create photo essays on topics of social justice and explained what I had seen in him during the last two years — I made the point by showing the picture of him reaching out to the children in Olney. He was very attentive and appreciated the opportunity. I made it clear that I was not there to discuss policy, but rather to understand his humanity.“WhatIneed to know is — How did Jim Kenney become Jim Kenney?” He sat in front of a Presidentinspiringanhim.veryathavingaboutandwhatOctaviuswhentheimmediatelytheappearingphotographtobefrom1800’s.Ididn’trecognizemanuntillaterIrealizedthatitisCatto.GivenIalreadyknewwhatIwastolearnMayorKenney,OctaviusCattohisbackisprobablyreassuringtoAboveCattoisimageofanotherleader—Obama.
Octavius Catto (February 22, 1839 - October 10, 1871) was a civil rights activist in Philadelphia who was murdered on election day 1871 over issues of suffrage for African Americans. Mayor Kenney was instrumental in having a sculpture of this unsung hero produced and placed at the south side of Philadelphia’s City Hall. He began this effort fifteen years earlier while on the city council. In September 2017 he unveiled the sculpture, the first monument to an African American on city property, Mayor Kenney said: “It’s my hope that every child in Philadelphia and America will know as much about Catto as they do about George Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr.”.
HOW DID JIM KENNEY BECOME MAYOR JIM KENNEY?
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: OCTAVIUS CATTO
“The Jesuits literally indoctrinate you with the idea that you are never truly happy until you are in service to other people.”
“That was my first ‘protection;’ my second protection was when my parents literally forced me to go to St. Joe’s Prep [or “The Prep”. An urban, private, Catholic, college preparatory school founded in 1851 within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is run by the Jesuits]. I didn’t want to go, I wanted to go to Bishop Newman High School with my friends. They said you have to go for a year and if you don’t like it you can leave, but within 3-6 months I was “Thehooked.”Jesuits literally indoctrinate you with the idea that you are never truly happy until you are in service to other people. So you can be successful, you can be wealthy, you can be famous, but you are never going to experience inner happiness until you are helping people with their lives.”
“It was a wonderful brotherhood — the only regret I have about The Prep is that it wasn’t coed or there wasn’t a female version of the school even if it was separated. My son went there and graduated in ’07, and I would have loved to have my daughter go.” You were thinking inclusion even as a teenager? “Oh yeah, and the other thing that The Prep did for me — and this is thanks to the Fisher Family and Gino’s Hamburgers at the time. Mr. Lou Fisher provided scholarships for African American kids to go to The Prep to more diversify the school, and that’s where I met people of different color that I became friendly with. Before that I didn’t have any friends that were African American, Latino, or Asian because I grew up in a white Irish Catholic enclave and all my friends were white Irish Catholics.So, The Prep and Fisher’s generosity allowed me to interact with people I would never have interacted with, and make friends that I still have today. That was a great experience.”
“My parents and the Jesuits for the most part. I lived in a neighborhood growing up in the 60’s and 70’s that was not a very open-minded diverse group of people. The N-word was not uncommon, but was absolutely forbidden in our home. My mom especially would not allow that kind of language in the house and would tell people: ‘You said it once, if you say it again you are going out the door — you don’t speak that way in front of my kids — I don’t want them having those ugly images and attitudes about people!’”
MAYOR KENNEY: THE JESUITS
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Mr. Mayor, how did you become the person you are today?
Your commitment to equity and the belief that everybody should have equal access, where does that come from?
Do you think it’s unusual for a politician to feel that way in today’s world?
MAYOR KENNEY: TEACHING CHILDREN
“I’ve had access to politicians that I admire: I think [Senator] Bob Casey is a thoughtful caring empathetic person. He has Jesuit roots too, in fact he was thinking about becoming a Jesuit at some point so he has that type of thinking. I think [Governor] Tom Wolf is that way — a thoughtful decent person who doesn’t look for conflict. I think the key is that if you aren’t so full of yourself that you need all of the attention, then you have the ability to be empathetic and sympathetic.”
Isn’t it hard to be a politician and not be full of yourself?
“I just don’t like bullies and nasty mean people who pick on people because they think they can.” Is that what is happening in our society today?
“I teach kids that you don’t have to beat up the bully — all you have to do is to shelter the one being bullied. So when a person eats lunch at a table by themselves all year long and are susceptible to that kind of bullying, just say: ‘Come on over and sit with us.’ That’s all you have to do; just bring someone into the mix and make them feel like they are worthwhile, that they are sheltered in some way and they have a group of people who have their back — truly that’s what it’s about!”
“No, for me it’s the thing I enjoy about it — doing things that people don’t expect. People don’t expect you to stand in line waiting for a table or for a cup of coffee at Dunkin’. They don’t expect you to do the things that they all do.”
“I teach kids that you don’t have to beat up the bully — all you have to do is to shelter the one being bullied.”
“That’s what our president is — he’s a man who represents the height of bullying — he’s just a bully through and through. At some point the bully gets his, and the bully ends up a coward in the end. I think most bullies are cowards. There are lots of reasons why people become bullies — things happen in their lives, maybe they were battered around or bullied themselves.”
20 ONE STEP AWAY
“It is... They would have killed you down south for teaching a slave to read — why? In Ireland the Hibernian Society was established to protect priests from being murdered by the British because the priests taught people to read. When you teach the peasant to read they now have the ability to say: ‘Wait a minute, I know what this is about!’. It allows people to come together to overthrow you.”
OSAPHILLY.ORG 21
“People don’t want to hear this but the original sin of America is slavery — that I don’t think we ever make up for. And the issue of equity for me is that the black people who are experiencing discord, discomfort, poverty — it goes back to that and no one wants to hear it. If you had nuclear families that weren’t torn apart where the wife wasn’t sold and the kids weren’t sold, you would have had more continuity within those families.”
“And another thing I find on the equity side, especially with African Americans, is that they fought in every single war in this country’s history and they never gained any freedom or benefit from their contributions. The most patriotic people I see are African American WWII veterans who still dutifully wear their Marine Corp hats and Navy Hats. They fought in a war that potentially sacrificed their lives for this country and then came back to Jim Crow — really?
MAYOR KENNEY: SLAVERY & SEGREGATION
Education for you is the ballgame?
“People don’t want to hear this but the original sin of America is slavery, that I don’t think we ever make up for...”
White people don’t want to acknowledge that it was wrong. I don’t know what you can do about slavery and segregation now, but in my opinion the biggest thing this country could do is to make public universities and colleges free for everybody — if all of our kids were able to go to college for free we would be the greatest nation in the world.”
“I don’t know what you can do about slavery and segregation now, But in my opinion the biggest thing this country could do is to make public universities and colleges free for everybody.”
“If instead of fighting a civil war to end slavery they had agreed at the Constitutional Convention that in ten years slavery would be abolished — we wouldn’t have the poverty we have and the addiction we have. People would have been able to build their own wealth, as opposed to building someone else’s wealth — forced labor for free makes some people pretty wealthy. The President of the United States owned slaves. The man who wrote the greatest democratic document in the history of the world owned six hundred people. How do you balance that with “… all men are created equal…” when you own six hundred people? To me that’s something that needs to be explained because I can’t figure it out!”
The conversation turned very serious as Mayor Kenney railed with indignation about slavery. His feelings about equity may be influenced by this human tragedy.
In terms of equity and wanting everyone to reach their potential, do you have the wind at your back?
MAYOR KENNEY: EDUCATION & THE SODA TAX
That’s what reasonable people do, but then others say that their store closed because of the soda tax and then they open ten new stores in Philadelphia. It’s bizarre to me.”
What is the public’s reaction to the beverage tax? “The public gets torqued up by social media efforts — it’s almost like a Putin-Trump effort to make people angry about it. Here’s the bottom line with the soda tax: You don’t need to drink it, I choose to drink it and pay the tax — drink water, it’s better for you. And what’s disgusting is that for generations the soda companies have marketed in poor neighborhoods and neighborhoods of color — they slop people up with sugar and give them diabetes and obesity, and they say we’re not being fair to those communities.”
“...But why are you standing in the way of that child — because of a soda tax?”
“Not all the time. What frustrates me, for example, is when a group of extremely wealthy men use the court system, the airwaves, and social media to eliminate critical programs from kids who, unless we have these programs, aren’t going to make it — and they don’t care. They live high and that’s fine, and most of them have earned it, but why are you standing in the way of that child — because of a soda tax? I had the CEO from Giant sitting here, they are opening ten supermarkets in Philadelphia in the next two years. I said to him: ‘Did you consider the beverage tax’ and he said: ‘It’s meaningless in terms of the bottom line and I’m not going to raise soda prices.’
22 ONE STEP AWAY
MAYOR KENNEY: OPPORTUNITIES When people speak about the accomplishments of Jim Kenney’s career — what do you hope they will say?
“But I don’t think anybody should have an unlimited amount of money while people are lying on street corners — I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
To deliver opportunities for people to do great things themselves — everybody is capable. Could you imagine if we were running on all cylinders from a human capital standpoint — it would be wonderful. I’m not a socialist necessarily or a communist, I don’t know what those words mean.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 23
But I don’t think anybody should have an unlimited amount money while people are lying on street corners — I don’t think that’s Ifappropriate.youlookat some of the wealthy people in the country who are philanthropists, they are giving it away. If you look at the philanthropists in this city like Gerry Lenfest and Ray Perelman, who just passed away, they gave a lot of their money away. You can’t spend all that money. Frank Rizzo, who I don’t quote very often, said: ‘I’ve never seen a Brink’s truck in a funeral procession,’ so you’re not taking it with you, so what good is it?” What keeps coming through Mr. Mayor is that you have a deep caring for people — it’s palpable: “I look at people and try to see the good, but sometime they don’t let you see the good, they are so angry and so mean. That’s why kids are so much easier. That 3 or 4-year-old in pre-K, I don’t care what color they are, they’re not spoiled yet. I’m a fan of Irish literature and of Oscar Wilde who said that everyone is born perfect and then they learn to speak.”
“That he did people.”aboutcaredthatbesthisandhe
“That he did his best and that he cared about people.” Did your best to deliver what to society?
There’s something else in this picture — a mayor who is also succeeding: “In all honesty, I have a hard time with self-appreciation — it’s the Irish in me.
MAYOR KENNEY: SUCCESS
“Look what’s in the picture: a child that’s succeeding and happy to succeed. A woman who is a high-quality teacher who was probably not employed before the beverage tax — that’s what we’re supposed to be about!”
There’s always that maudlin: ‘Don’t celebrate too much because it could go wrong any minute and don’t pat yourself on the back too much because you might break your arm.’ If I didn’t have that personality I would probably be a little happier than I am. I don’t take enough bows about what we’re doing because honestly I’m just a part of the process. It’s the people who work here who do all the hard work.”
24 ONE STEP AWAY
“I feel it in my heart every time I walk into one of these places.”
The mayor watches as a pre-K student gets his high-5 for matching a number. Mr. Mayor, you feel this in your heart don’t you?
But you as mayor set the direction of the ship — that’s what leaders do: “The most important thing a leader can do is to allow other people to lead. I’m not the smartest person in any room and when you think you are the smartest, you’re not that smart because there are people who know a lot more than you do and you need to enable them to bring that out.”
AUTHOR’S FINAL THOUGHTS
OSAPHILLY.ORG 25
“Who is this man?” is best answered by listening to his words and seeing his deeds. What I have experienced over the past two years is a humble man whose very roots are founded in justice for all, not leaving anyone behind, and building human capital to the fullest extent possible.
On this day of service, I think about the poverty and homelessness that mars the streets of Philadelphia and is mirrored across the country and the world. The tendency is to think about programs to help people experiencing poverty and homelessness. As valuable as these programs are, they are a band-aid on a wound that has already been inflicted. While wellmeaning, these efforts are part of the unending revolving door of poverty- the poor who die off are readily replaced. Every year on the first day of winter Homeless Memorial Day is held in Philadelphia and in major cities around the country, knowing full well that the list of those lost will probably be longer next year.
Mayor Kenney’s approach is systemic to eliminate the problem before it starts- give everyone an education. Start as early as possible to give children the power of knowledge and the confidence to build a life they will be proud of and that will contribute to society. And he wants every child to know that Philadelphia cares about them… Philadelphia was named by William Penn from Greek words that translate to the “City of Brotherly Love.”
I write this on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2019 at a time when 800,000 federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay and with countless other businesses being impacted, all for a political agenda. Nothing could be further from “Leadership from the Heart!”
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TOGETHER, WE CAN End homelessness Together we’re better. Together, we’re RHD.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 27
First of all, the President is wrong for making America’s tax payers suffer for his border wall that’s leading to Mexico. Not only is he trying to make Americans pay for a wall that he originally said Mexico will pay for, he shut our government down and it really doesn’t seem to be Americans problem. This is going to be a big problem. If people don’t receive paychecks how can they pay bills and take care of their families? Does President Trump even care? Now it seems instead of finding another alternative he has decided to stop other government programs, so many people are already without income. Why does he take everything away from Americans? Even if the border wall gets built, I will always wonder if this can happen to Americans again, and if so, how many more people will suffer?
But getting back to the wall issue. Although I do think that it’s a very good power move to alleviate the crime that add on to our already heightened crime rate we’re currently experiencing ourselves here in the U.S.. but still I ask. Why does this president risk the humanitarian welfare of many, many Americans regarding this wall issue? Is the safety of our country the mainstream of his plea? Or is it the sole fact that this is the way to have a type of monument built, honored and remembered in his name? I personally agree with the latter. Just as the scripture talks about above. Beware of deceivers. They’re forms of what we might call the anti-Christ. They often come in a type of long awaited glory. Sure they speak eloquently and assuring. They may even bless Israel as to fulfilling the prophecy. But all the while in their minds they plan deceit and betrayal. They may even act as if they understand your type, while planning and counting your vote prematurely. Oh yeah, they talk a good game. They’re cunning, baffling, and yes, very powerful. But what they don’t know is that the authority belongs to the one who possess true love and care in their hearts genuinely for mankind. And so I ask. Do we, black, Hispanic, white, red, yellow, or brown, really want to endure another four years of this present administration? Power, respect, and dictatorship is truly what this administration is seeking. Let me tell you that destruction happens gradually. But at its maximum, it’s all of a sudden. We have the power to fight this tyranny. Even unto those that greet them and share in their evil deeds. Pray my people, pray. So in closing my fellow Americans. America will indeed win the war on poverty, on economics, and on faith. But before all of that, we as an American society should question and strive to eradicate the hypocrisies our current leaders possess. We do serve a very patient GOD…but a leader with a negative, reprobate mind-set could indeed hinder our progress to a slower reform. Thank you and God bless. (2 John 7-11)
UNCOVERED 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
CREDO BY: ERIC HAMELL
The Universe that began as a moral nullity has, by evolving us, given itself meaning and purpose. That’s the miracle of reality. And it will complete its redemption through us as we fulfill our potential as a species-being.
STATE OF THE UNTOLD UNION
Because you featured those as well as other minority individuals in your address to the nation? But what about all the minorities, blacks as well as Hispanics mainly, that are still lock down in our city jails on minor drug offenses just sitting in jail awaiting a very long court date. And bails that cannot be paid?
ABOUT AUTHORTHE Bryant towenamesofMemorialtheaniswritings.othersnowhomelessnessovercameandadvocatesforthroughhisHerehepicturedreadingoriginalpoemat2018HomelessDayinfrontasignlistingthe270ofindividualslostthatyearduehomelessness.
BY: BRYANT E. CULPEPPER SR.
As I sat listening to president Trump delivering the state of the union speech. He spoke on several important issues. Mainly the wall subject. In my opinion, I kind of agree with the wall proposal. But only to the point where it may actually provide safety from the animalistic homicides that America suffer from the hands of foreign illegal criminals that slither their way into our country. But as far as that goes, that’s it Mr. president. Sorry, but I do believe that you job is done. There’s no need in trying to platform African Americans such as Alice Johnson, and Matthew Charles by pardoning them on non-violent drug charges. All in lure of swindling the minority vote to your favor. So I guess now all minorities suppose to dance a jig?
MY OPINION ON THE BORDER & DONALDPRESIDENTTRUMP BY: MARIA JAMES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Of course, we have to start with our own kids, but what we do for our kids we need to do for all kids. We need to make sure they are well taken care of and protected at all times. If you’re concerned about the welfare of a child, then nobody can any longer tell you to mind your business. There’s a lot of parents out here beating their kids senseless. Hitting them in the head with blunt objects, burning babies with cigarettes, biting babies, starving babies. Then you have other adults who just want to have sex with kids, even their own. That is bullying at it’s worse to do this to innocent little children and I am outraged at the actions by these adults. So now every kid in our community is our business. Kids have to be watched and so do the parents. Some parents have done things so bad to their kids that I can’t even go into details.
28 ONE STEP AWAY NO CHILD LEFT UNPROTECTED BY: KAREEM JONES
William is a One Step Away vendor and writer who uses his writing to keep in touch with all of his supporters. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When a person is forced to deal with such acts as a child it can easily change their mental state. It can lead to anxiety, depression, lack of confidence, anger issues, abusiveness, drug use, P.T.S.D; which can lead to trouble at work, trouble finding work, which can ultimately lead to being homeless. Kids are not a punching bag; they are an extension of our families, an extension of our kingdoms, future leaders of our community. What part do you want to play in a child’s life? Jesus once took a child in his arms and said, “anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes my Father who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37. Jesus taught the disciples to welcome children. This was a new approach in a society where children were usually treated as second-class citizens.
Two-thirds of people in a national study of homelessness suffered physical or sexual violence as children or had been neglected or emotionally abused. About one-third had been sexually assaulted. Those exposed to violence or abuse as children are much more likely to experience longer periods of homelessness over their lifetime. This is also true for people who have been in foster or residential care as children. Childhood abuse has a lot of negative impacts on lifetime development. Such as higher levels of psychiatric problems, in particular personality disorder and substance abuse. The effects can be longlasting and heavily influence the life course of the abused individuals. Also, histories of abuse were found to be associated with being female and with having been raised in local authority care. When I found out that the number of women who suffered sexual abuse as a child was a lot more than I had imagined I started asking questions. I had a chance to talk to about ten homeless women, some were in shelters and some lived on the streets. I asked them all the same question, which was: “when you were a kid were you ever sexually abused?”. Do you know how many of them said yes? Every last single one of them. 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse. The No Child Left Behind Act was to make sure all children were properly educated. I think we need a No Child Left Unprotected Act to make sure these kids are safe before and after school. We must be the voice for those who will not speak, the muscle for the small and weak, and the courage for the timid. One person can change a community. Let us all stick together and protect our children.
There are a lot of people willing to help the homeless; some give food or money, some give clothes or volunteer their time. Those are generous acts and badly needed actions to help a person who is homeless. But how can we play a bigger role in homelessness before it happens? It starts with children, we have to help these kids as much as possible. If a kid is getting abused physically it will affect them mentally. Sexual abuse affects a person mentally. Verbal abuse and living in fear will affect a person mentally.
VIOLENCERALLYINGAGAINSTGUN BY: KEVIN JAMES Good Philadelphiaday this is Kevin. Last month my fiancé and I went to Harrisburg to rally against the gun violence. The violence that has happened in Philadelphia, and all over the world. Keep us in prayer. God bless you all. Peace out and have a blessed day.
UPDATE BY: WILLIAM POWELL Hello, and how are you? So how have you been? I know that you are asking the same thing about me, I am doing fine thank you. I now have my school in on this illegal lock out situation. I found that it was better to have them in on it first, and then the Legal Services to follow through. I believe that I was backwards, I just came around to the school raid situation not so long ago and I want them to handle this thing for me, so it will be a little while and I want you to be patient with me until this thing is resolved. Sometimes it takes a while to recover, you just have to be a little patient a bit and take your time with that kind of nerveracking situation, the school is it and I am happy about that and thanks.Whatdo you think about this month’s write-up? It should be an exciting one. How have you guys been enjoying the new Magazines? Alright, I suppose. They are just great news for recovery — they have been a tremendous help for me. What do you think about the price $1.50 that I pay for each Magazine? I like the price, but I like 2 or 3 Magazines for that price, it goes a long way. Now this other thing that I discovered just recently, the Dalmatian that is heading our way, you know that they then chose you and I for that position, and I am happy about that and what a way to recover. I got my school in on it and we are working on that project right now. You keep your eyes open and I got some good people and supporters out there just awaiting to hear the good news about the Dalmatian. Thanks.
Kareem is a One Step Away vendor, who began writing poetry this year and then submitted “No Child Left Unprotected” as his first article submission. He can often be found in Old City distributing the magazine. He wants to hear your feedback on his article, and asked you to email osa@rhd.org with “Kareem’s Article” in the subject line with your thoughts.
BefallWhatOrOrOrTheyAnytimeTheyBeforeAndTonight,WhereWaterWithoutWithoutInTonight,thecold,apenny,food,forthirst?dotheywander,thenightcouldrememberwerenotcold,hungry,thirsty,unafraid,wouldthem…
WHAT IF BY: KEITH BARBOUR
POETRY: UNCOVERED ISSUES
Just who am I, Besides rejection cuts It’sinsidebetter I don’t try. Letting all these feelings Justdie like cadavers, Quietly I step aside. The next man can have her So long Mrs. right and I’llwrong,take another on the chin And put to rest what could have Or never have been.
WHAT IF — The sky was always blue, and every day was sunny too, and the seas were always calm, and there never was a war in Viet-Nam.
IF YOU LOOKED INTO MY EYES BY: CARNITA WASHINGTON Today is the tomorrow, That I dreamed about yesterday. Now I walk with my head held up high, Unafraid of what negative people have to say. I have overcome many difficult obstacles, I’ve broken down barriers with my Iresilience.evendecided to invest in myself, So, I chose to tap into my brilliance. I’ve had experiences in my life that would be shocking to some, I mean how can you know where I’m at, If you ain’t been where I been, Do you dig where I’m coming from? My life is a continuing journey, No longer a destination or a surprise But the only way you would understand anything about me Is if you looked in to my eyes.
OSAPHILLY.ORG 29
WHAT IF all my WHAT IFs came true, this world would be a better place I think so don’t YOU???
WHAT IF — Everyone was all one color, and there was no prejudice against each other.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Celebrating 8 years clean and sober.
I had a dream About you and I Holding each other And nothing could pry. Pry us apart Cuz it would be wrong, Embracing all our time Eventogether,seconds seem to be long. In my arms is where you Feelingbelong so right it couldn’t be wrong. I’d better get back to reKnowingalluh-tea that she’s just too good for me, Plus, I got issues that couldn’t be fixed, And love and friendships it shouldn’t be mixed. How could I change that?
WHAT IF — There was no need for greed and power and living like animals, that have to devour.
SAD FACE CLOWN BY: BRYANT CULPEPPER
WHAT IF — You respected me and I respected you, and we loved each other like we’re supposed to do.
GOING WHERE BY: LALIA WAH And where are they going
WHAT IF — There were no cancer, HIV, AIDS, or illegal drugs, no gangsters, criminals, or even thugs.
LOVEINCOMPLETELETTER
WHAT IF — There were no starving children, and the elderly didn’t have to live in senior citizens buildings.
Two weeks into sobriety As I sit here on a gloomy wet day, I was rereading the Winter magazine for OSA. I wanted to share with you what I hope will one day be published in your magazine. It’s just a few lines that I wrote that I use to inspire myself. It keeps me going on a daily basis. I have also submitted two photos one is at the very end of my active addiction in that photo I had about two weeks clean, and the other photo is me just right?aandeightcelebratingyearscleansober.Whatbigdifference
I used to enjoy acting goofy, made animals from balloons. Did cartwheel after cartwheel, while strumming a looney tune. My nose was rosy red, my face was painted blue. I’ve done all those goofy things, all just to amaze you. But why am I so gray, with smile turned upside down. I’m from the greatest show on earth, but yet the sad faced clown. There were times I walked the tight rope, tamed beast in the center I’vering.done all I could possibly do, yup for the five minutes of fame. A clown brings buckets of fun, in hope of meeting a friend. If this clown has to repeat himself, this clown shall do it again. So get your candy and popcorn fast, I mean get them now. Because this is the greatest show on earth, that features the sad face clown.
BY: KAREEM JONES I tossed and turned, Burning with desire As my heart burned. Burned with desire to hold you tight My knees are weakened Losing it’s might.
YOU R HERO FOR THE HOMELESS Every day, people throughout the city of Philadelphia work to make life a little easier for those in need. Whether at a homeless shelter, government agency, meal-sharing or community-building program, or simply through friendly interactions in public places, there are countless compassionate individuals working to help those who have come upon hard times. So often, these actions can go without appreciation, recognition, or thanks.Each year, One Step Away dedicates our April issue to recognizing our Heroes for the Homeless and honoring those who commit themselves to working to end homelessness and bettering the lives of those currently without homes. We accept nominations for our “Steppy” Awards from our readers and community members as well as from our vendors —many of whom choose to highlight someone who has helped them overcome homelessness in their lives, or who offered them a hand up when they needed it most. Whether through a career dedicated to fighting homelessness, a volunteer commitment, or a generous gesture that can turn someone’s day around, each of us can play a role in making homelessness rarer, and a little easier when it does occur. In the words of one of our vendors: “You have no idea how mean people can be—even a smile can change someone’s day.”
30 ONE STEP AWAY 2 7 1 4 9 5 8 3 6 8 4 9 3 6 1 5 7 2 3 5 6 7 2 8 4 9 1 6 2 8 9 7 4 1 5 3 1 3 7 8 5 2 6 4 9 5 9 4 1 3 6 2 8 7 4 8 3 6 1 7 9 2 5 7 6 5 2 4 9 3 1 8 9 1 2 5 8 3 7 6 4 SUDOKU 1 2 4 5 1 9 6 3 8 7 9 8 6 5 7 3 1 2 4 7 1 3 8 2 4 9 6 5 6 5 7 3 1 8 4 9 2 4 3 8 9 5 2 7 1 6 1 9 2 4 6 7 5 3 8 8 2 4 7 3 1 6 5 9 3 6 9 2 4 5 8 7 1 5 7 1 6 8 9 2 4 3 SUDOKU 2 C O R N M I L L W A S T E P M F S I O V E N T W B K D M A A F I W L P D W P I D I A R P S T L T I F E R G U E L M K I E S K U H T U B E B T N C O L R B M V S K C A S E H A R D E N O I E C H E H L U R O A O O C L L A L T U B I N G E S I H O T L I F T B D N I R G H E C M S G E E I I D G T C C O G A P O T C K K E Y E D N E P L M U V A I S A G A F A L E W I S T U A K L L E F T X O O N I S E H F N U L A S A R C H U E R R F U S E M R G P N K D T Y R E WORD SEARCH P I C T T B A R D I S C S A C A I E R I E A S C O T L E S T S O L A R F L A R E C H A R T D E T E R G E A R E N A U R E A P I P N E W S P A P E R M A N D A N L O B D A C E M U L T I N A T I O N A L S T A R T I C N I B H Y S T E R E C T O M Y D A L T I D E G E N I E E P I T H E T T I E I N V A C U U M T U B E O C A S I C I N G E K E D F A T E L E T G O R E D S F L E E CROSSWORD LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTIONSPUZZLE
Include their name, organization, and contact information, as well as why you think they deserve a 2019 Steppy.
NOMINATE
Please help us recognize community members who work tirelessly to improve the lives of their homeless neighbors. We are grateful for each of these Heroes and are proud to recognize them with a “Steppy” Award.Toallour Heroes out there — both those recognized and those not — we give our heartfelt gratitude to you for all that you contribute to building a compassionate Philadelphia where all are cared for. Thank you for your passion, your perseverance, and your kindness. Nominate someone as a Hero for the Homeless via: - email us at osa@rhd.org - on social media @OSAphilly - mail: One Step Away, PO Box 63703, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
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 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 ACROSS 1. Literally, “for this” 6. 10.“Eh”Mosque V.I.P. 14. Jungle climber 15. Figure skater’s 16.jump“Buona ___” (Italian greeting) 17. Artist’s stand 18. Try for a part 19. “Don’t bet ___!” 20. One who doesn’t go with the flow 23. Batman and Robin, e.g. 24. 25.ingredientDressingStaplefor every teenage boy’s room 30. Deposit on teeth 34. Action film 35.stapleLargest pelvic 37.boneElectron tube 38. Expert 40. Capital of Pasde-Calais 42. Baby holder 43. Blow 45. Watch 47. Former French Neil70.predecessor69.68.ami”67.66.65.63.62.61.55.Thin54.52.discourage420one50.48.coinOverlayIdahochangedofthesefromto419.9totheftSonata,e.g.“WalkingonIce”singerFrosh,e.g.SmalloxLeaveportAdditionsymbolBagpiper’swear“Aeneid”figure“Farewell,monBridgetollunitAshcroft’sRush’sdrummer DOWN 1. A pint, maybe 2. “Buenos ___” 3. “And ___ thou slain 29.28.27.26.Olympian25.22.21.13.12.11.chemically10.9.8.7.subcontinentfromcolorful6.5.language4.Jabberwock?”theIroquoianKidneystonesOftenstunning,garmenttheIndianBeastsofburdenKeistersBehindthetimesRelatedChildren’s___Bone-dry“Welcome”siteAussie“bear”“Goodgrief!”WinterBluehueComputerwoeAnICBMJewishfestival 31. Bit of statuary 32. “Bye” 33. Disprove 36. O. Henry’s “The Gift of the ___” 39. Current 41. Grain storage 44.containerBinge drink 46. It gets taken off before a photo gets 49.takenBaby bottle 51. Hair ointment 53. Close call 55. Alternative to 56.WindowsFormer Steelers coach Chuck 57. Animal with a 58.mane“Not to mention 59....” “Mi chiamano Mimi,” e.g. 60. At no 64.61.poeticallytime,Alias“Forshame!” CROSSWORD FOR ANSWERS PICK UP OUR NEXT ISSUE OF ONE STEP AWAY! CONTRIBUTED BY STREET ROOTS, PORTLAND, OREGON. 2SUDOKU 8 7 8 6 3 8 4 2 4 7 1 9 9 5 2 1 9 2 5 7 8 5 3 9 1 3 7 1SUDOKU 1 9 3 7 2 1 7 6 4 9 8 1 5 3 2 6 6 7 3 4 1 2 3 1 7 4 9 6 2 5 WORD SEARCH U N I X G S M T P V I R U S Y S R W I F I Q T L K E D T A G P P L X G G F M I V A 3 B U L Y S A C P N X W R M P E G S I W J S M O A W E B M P B D N S A S Q L R T S T S O C A B M D R H I T T U I R P O S T I O N E W O R A R P O D C A S T D N S W H S L E A L J T P L M E P P W T S T B D L P L A I A M E I N T E R L A C E D C N P T R D C P A V O I P G B H K I B L E F V C A C H E P L E S I M P R A T W K K E Y W O R D T S H J Q P P L O G I N G C H A T P DNSChatCGICacheBlogBitmapASPAppApacheAjaxADSL ISDNIPadInterlacedHTTPHTMLHostHitGIFFTPFAQE-Bay PHPPerlMPEGMP3ModemLoginLinkKeywordJPEGJavaISP SpamSMTPSiteBlockSignatureServerRSSPostPortalPOPPodcast VirusUserURLUnixTrollTLDTagSSLSQLSpywareSpider XMLWWWWikiWi-FiWebVOIP 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!
32 ONE STEP AWAY Friday, May 10, 2019 6 pm Champions Celebration 5 pm VIP Wine & Beer Tasting COCKTAIL PARTY | SILENT AUCTION | AWARDS CEREMONY | CELEBRATION THE PYRAMID CLUB PHILADELPHIA 1735 Market Street, 52nd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 FROM THE STREETS TO THE 52nd FLOOR… Join us for an evening to celebrate One Step Away ’s Champions Overlooking the City of Philadelphia from the 52nd Floor, One Step Away ’s Champions Celebration will feature a silent auction, raffle prizes, hors d’oeuvres, slider station, pasta station, and an open wine & beer bar. Proceeds support One Step Away ’s mission of creating economic opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty through our monthly street paper. One Step Away is a program of Resources for Human Development (RHD), a 501(C)3 nonprofit.
