January 2021 Recovery Newsletter by Project Renewal

3rd Street Beat

Art by Steven McGlothlin

Produced by Clients of The Recovery Center 8 east 3rd Street 10003 #14 January 2020

The 3rd Street Beat Mission Statement The Third Street Beat is a newsletter written by and created for people with addiction. Our mission is to validate that experience so people know that they are not alone, and to emphasize the many unique roads that we take to recovery. This is an opportunity to share our experiences to creatively support each other. We are non-political, non-denominational, multi-racial, and gender neutral. Our mission is one of recovery and harm reduction, and all experiences are welcome. All the viewpoints herein are personal in nature and related specifically to our contributors’ recovery.

The 3rd Street Beat Editorial Team Emiliano, Al, Shams, Johnny Jungle, Rose, Steven M. and Moses. The 3rd Street Beat is produced by The Recovery Center community with assistance from the occupational therapy team.

3rd Street Beat back issues can be downloaded at: www.projectrenewal.org/rc-newsletters

TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES Teach a Man to Fish by Da Homeless Hero p. 3 POETRY & PROSE

Adversity and Motivation by Moses Flores p. 4 Manifest by Johnny Jungle p. 5 Sitting in a Crisis by A.P. p. 5 The Rose and the Swamp by Rose Dudnik p. 6 Nobody Knows by David Dorsey p. 7 Washington Square Park by Emiliano D. p. 7 ART

Cover by Steven M. Beautiful Swamp Photos by Rose Dudnik p. 6 Winter Photos at TRC p. 9

Follow TRC on Instagram! @recoverycenternyc

SUDOKU (solution p. 4) The rules of the game are simple: each of the nine blocks has to contain all the numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box.

TEACH A MAN TO FISH First and foremost, Happy New Year, every one. First and foremost, Happy New Year, everyone. While 2020 may have been a very challenging year, those of us who are here today, at this moment, can be glad to have made it. For that, we are all grateful\ Many of us have lost people, or know someone who has lost someone due to the Coronavirus. We will bear the trauma of those losses, yet we remain here among the living for a reason. Although I myself almost succumbed to that dreadful virus, I’m thankful to be here on this day and in this time, to be able to present you with some words that might be encouraging, inspirational, and motivational. My objective is to begin this year on a good note with the hope that we can be off to a fresh start. That being said, I’m going to address something that is currently occupying my thoughts. I look at myself and how when in a vulnerable state, I would like to engage those who would like to do some good on my behalf. As a person experiencing homelessness, quite often we are not only devoid of shelter but we may also be devoid of other basic necessities, from decent clothing, food, and the ability to maintain one’s hygiene. What some may take for granted, we see high value in those things. A simple meal goes a long way. A cup of coffee, a coat, a hat, a pair of socks, and even a bar of soap, can make the difference between someone having suicidal ideations or feeling like there’s light at the end of the tunnel. With these thoughts in mind, and after a year of ‘staying put’ in the shelter system without losing my bed or having a history of coming in past curfew, I am left to contemplate how I would like to continue being served - and how I would like to serve. Let’s be clear, no matter what my vulnerable state may be, I feel it is still necessary to be in service to another. Being destitute of a home does not make a person destitute of humanity. As I have shown in my example last year, with nothing but a voice I could unite people to a cause, and effect positive and transformative change, for not just myself but for the many people who are in the same or similar condition that I am in. So in thinking of how I would like to be served by others or how I would like to serve others, I think of an old proverb which I’m sure many of you have heard, and it is the Proverb that says:

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Lao Tzu That quote is from the ancient philosopher Lao Tzu. Another quote that is similar comes from an African Proverb which is:

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9...

One should never fear adversity!! One should never fear failure. To be fearful of failure Is to reject potential success!! If u only choose 2 face battles that 2 feel u can win. This basically qualiﬁes u as a coward! I am not scared to lose. This is why, in my eyes, I am undefeated!!!! If u battle knowing u gave it ur all, and still lose, Then u will at least gain some experience, With this experience you will also acquire some extra wisdom!! Furthermore, if u battle hard, and come out of that battle with a heartbeat, you will have gained honor from your loved ones and maybe even your adversaries.. Let alone from the all-seeing eye in the sky!!! Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Who happens to be the only judge in which his judgement matters. Other than him, I know of no one whose approval matters to me!!! - Moses Flores SUDOKU solution

I actually believe in being motivated to think positive. When you think positive, you do positive. When you do positive, you get positive results. Basically, when you set out to do something with hard work with positive and optimistic determination, what you set your heart on will manifest into existence. I believe in myself. I don’t need you to believe in me. Yet, if you actually do believe in me, I feel as I did my job as a righteous human being... that your belief in me will add extra fuel into my already burning desire to be not only good but great in whatever I do aspire to be. I truly believe not only in myself I believe in you. We are all born with greatness, it is on us to find what it is we are great at and manifest it into reality. - Moses Flores

I’m sitting here in a crisis And my crisis has its own crisis Trying to figure out what life is I cannot die and I cannot live Trying to figure out the realm I’m in I guess life starts when I tell it to begin Begin? By A.P.

The Rose and the Swamp by Rose Dudnik

A lot of you see me around and wonder to yourself, “What the fuck?” Then, later, you get it. I’m a person of the Transgender Spectrum. I’m Queer and not what you expected to find here. It’s ok... I’ve been in your shoes. And, I live for when people look! But, it wasn’t always so. A long time ago I knew that I knew that I was certain. Yet, I could never be me. I was not what I’d expected to find. But, what ever is? It’s like wandering into a park never expecting to find a swamp, the most contradictory of places. Long ago, on the last day of one life, having failed to find my oath, I wandered into The La Costa Water Preserve, a swamp, expecting to slip the chains of my suffering. But, as I waded into the water I noticed something I’d not expected, beauty. The water there runs so black it reflects the sky finer than a mirror. Ane, the fragrance that fills the air is sweet beyond pungence. All that, coinciding with shades of color and the deafening silence, override all emotion Finding this, I knew again who I’ve always been, “The Rose.” My pronouns are She, Her, They, and Bitch, but only the most fun of Bitch. I am open to questions, suggestions, comments and laments, so long as they're not hateful or phobic. And, NO, you don’t have to approve. If I allow myself to be me then certainly I must allow you to be you. Acceptance has never been mandatory. As feelings come from the deepest reaches of the soul, one must never attempt to force themselves unto another. I’ll tell you more about my journey in coming issues. Would you take the journey with me?

Photos by Rose Dudnik

Art by itskatjas

Nobody knows how many times I have sat in my room and cried How many times I’ve lost hope How many times I’ve been let down How many times I’ve felt like I was going to snap How many times I’ve held back my tears When I’m sad, the bad thoughts that go through my mind But I think to myself, Sometimes the strongest people are the ones that love beyond all faults Cry behind closed doors And fight battles that no one knows about I keep myself together for the ones I love And when I’m not together, no one hears from me Only those who have known the darkness Can understand the true light And appreciate it By David Dorsey

As I walk through Washington Square Park in mid-November, I can’t help to notice so much hate. I went home and stayed up late, thinking on why is there so much hate. Why do we people discriminate, turn to violence, and start to fight? And expect ot think that elected officials have the remedy or cure for this overnight. Haven’t we realized that politicians - democrats and republicans, and we the people are all alike. Seriously. Think about it. You wouldn’t like to go home or a fancy restaurant and be served a nasty plate! So why do we continue to do the things that we don’t like? Let’s stop for a minute, do some personal inventory deep within ourselves until we find that missing link that will help us see the light. And one for all reunite With peace, love, prosperity. Stop the hate Don’t discriminate Keep the faith That’s worth the fight 7 Painting by Jane Wingfield

By Emiliano D.

Winter at TRC! OT: Art as

Phenom enal Ho Dinner l on 12/2 iday 5 ! Prepare d by us for us!

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TEACH ME TO FISH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3... “Give a man a fish and he won't starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won't starve for his entire life.” - African Proverb Confucius has a very interesting way of putting it. He said:

Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life. - Confucius My experience in life has shown me that while it is great to engage those in need in the way of Charity that is popular in Western culture, there are other cultures that do it a little differently. In fact, in Jewish culture, there is a concept known as Tzedakah. Tzedakah has an eight-level hierarchy of which the highest form is to give a gift, a loan, or a partnership that will result in the recipient becoming self-sufficient instead of living upon others. That is such an impactful way for one to express charity - to help others. It is not just giving something, just anything, but giving something that would enable the receiver of the gift to benefit in such a way that the receiver is able to become self-sufficient. One of the things that I don’t agree with that we who are homeless or dealing with issues such as substance use disorder, mental illness, and financial hardship, have to submit to is the City. In their efforts to help us during our time of need, they create and maintain systems and policies that, rather than empower us, further perpetuates our dependence on their help and sustenance. Instead of being people-centered, the City seems to be more profit-centered. While any and all help is appreciated, I’d rather see a change that provides us access to services that would truly empower us to ‘do for self’. Many of us, including myself, do need some help… what type of help is needed? Should it be a handout that only gets me through the day and then I have to wait until the next handout comes? Or should I see value in being mentored, being taught, how to produce for myself, how to work for myself, and how to build for myself? As I continue on this journey in the New Year, I have resolved to seek to be taught to fish so that I can survive beyond the day. I will build relationships and forge alliances that are open to providing mentorship and looking to empower me beyond the moment. In this process, I would like to encourage my peers to do the same and to look for ways that you can grow into self-sufficiency. While my advocacy will continue, I seek to push initiatives that will empower us. If you want to help me, I’m all for it, but I’m telling you to keep your fish. What I want is for you to take me out by the water and show me how to catch fish for9 myself. Teach Me To Fish.

-the end

Recovery Center Weekly Schedule for January 2020

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