3rd Street Beat
Print Making from Art Group
By Mark R., Edward S., and Julius S.
The 3rd Street Beat Mission Statement
The Third Street Beat is a newsletter written by and created for people with substance use disorder. 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
The 3rd Street Beat is produced byThe Recovery Center community with assistance from the occupational therapy team.
3rd Street Beat back issues
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rich & Famous by D.A. pg. 3
My move by D.A. pg. 4
Love by A.W. pg. 5
Long Term Goals by T.P. pg. 6
Nov. 11 by Shah pg. 7
Blackout Poetry pg. 8-9
James Baldwin by K.H. pg. 10
James Baldwin by A.Shah. pg. 11
Perfect Day by E.M. pg. 12
My Life by D.A. pg. 13
My PUSH by G.C. pg. 14
Giving Thanks by J.S. pg. 15
Writing by D.B. pg. 16
Writings by J.S. pg. 17
Writings by W.E. pg. 18-20
Bellevue by D.A. pg. 21-22
Gratitude by A.T. pg. 23
The Holidays by D.T. pg. 24
My Room by D.A. pg. 25
For Life by D.A. pg. 26
My Goal by S.M. pg. 27
Accountability by. K.H. pg. 28 In 2025 by M.R. pg. 29
All the rich and famous people who come out of New Jersey by Darryl A.
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Sports - Keith Willis, Al “Bubba” BAker, Anthony Avent, Raphael Addison, David Rivers, Bobby and Dandy Hurley, Terry Dehare, Marvin “Marvelous” Hager, James “Hard Rock” Green, Ray “Merciless” Mercer, Shakur Stevenson, Dwight “The Camden Bussaw” Braxton, Andrew Byumn, Tony Campbell, Milt “Ice” Wagner Billy Thompson, Kenneth Faree, Bam Advoba Hasson Whitead, Ruben the Hurricane Carter, Rocky Lockridge
Music - CC Penison, Sybil, Total Faith Evans, The Five Stairsteps, Kool and the Gang, The Manhattans, Flip Wilson, PM Dawn, Chill
Rog G., Jimmy Brisco and the Little Beavers, Joe Buddens, Twanda Agee, Eugens Ebanks
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Comedians - TK Kirkland, Willie Abury, Bill Beamally Sommora, Darryl Augas
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Actors and Actresses - Gloria Hendry, Tom Murry, Ron Van Cleff, Antonio Fagars, Jermain “huggy” Hopkins Twin Hyde, Redman, Treach from Naughty by Nature, Tom Cruise, Lee van Cleef, Jack Nickelson
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My Move from Bronx to a New Borough from Harlem by
Darryl A.
Went from Harlem to the Bronx. I got to make sure I keep the bathroom clean. Because I have to share the bathroom and shower area. I had some complaints from my next door neighbor saying I had some feces on the toilet seat and the flush handle. I didn’t mean it because the light in the bathroom blew out. So I couldn’t see it was dark in the bathroom because I had the door close. So when I get my money from PA I’m going to the 99 cent store and buy two 100 watt light bulbs to put in the bathroom and shower area because my next door neighbor that live next to me think I am nasty and unsanitary and I’m doing it on purpose. He is always threatening to beat me up and throw out the building. He said he took picture on his phone and said he going to tell Steve the owner of the building. But Steve don’t care long as the rent is due and I don’t damage the property of building so I don’t have to pay for it. I don’t want to keep on going for Harlem to the Bronx or any other building that Steve own. Pretty soon I will be back on the streets and I gotta start from scratch.
Thank you,
Darryl
Explain What Love Means to You
1) Seeing my daughter for the first time after she was born. I went to Mexico and saw my wife after an 8 month separation and her holding my daughter Yazmin.
That’s love.
2) My mom sick with long Covid and suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Most of the time not recognizing me, but on this one particular day she smiled and said “That’s my son”
- that’s love
3) In Staten Island at my home group. I was celebrating my last anniversary, my family in the first 2 rows, and after all the damage I had done in the past they were there supporting me.
That’s love. -A.W.
Whatarethelongtermgoalsyouwouldliketo achievewithinthenextfiveyears?
I want to get independent in my life. First goal be financial independent so that I need a good sturdy and legal job which give sure financial income and I will not worry about. Second goal is learn English because I want to communicate with everybody I meet. Third goal is find my place to live. It does not have to be pretty or luxury. I want feel comfortable there, really love that place, not exchange this for everything. Realisation of these goals is very difficult for me, can probably take more than five years, maybe rest of my life or maybe not even happen. But anyway is good to work on these goals.
Tomasz P.
November 11th, 2023, I met my ex now girlfriend for the last time. I didn’t know she was seeing me for one last time and I was planning on proposing her on valentine’s day 2024. I took her to the bar
“Austin Ace” in Queens, she lives in long island, I lived in Manhattan, everything changed after that. I miss her, but it's best for us to end things at a right time because she is 19 years elder than me and the society, our families/friends are never gonna accept us together, but if I HAD A CHANCE I WOULD still choose Her! -Shah
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The aloneness of which I speak is much more like the aloneness of birth or death. It is like the fearless alone that one sees in the eyes of someone who is suffering, whom we cannot help.
The entire purpose of society is to create a bulwark against the inner and the outer chaos, in order to make life bearable and to keep the human race alive. A higher level of consciousness among the people is the only hope we have, now or in the future, of minimizing damage. Now, anyone who has ever been compelled to think about itanyone, for example, who has ever been in love - knows that the one face that one can never see is one’s own face. One’s lover - or one’s brother, or one’s enemy - sees the face you wear, and this face can elicit the most extraordinary reactions.
I believe, that if we understood ourselves better, we would damage ourselves less.
We become social creatures because we cannot live any other way. But in order to become social, there are a great many other things that we must not become, and we are frightened, all of us, of these forces within us that perpetually menace our precarious security.
That nation is healthiest which as the least necessity to distrust or ostracize these people - whom, as I say, honor, once they are gone, because somewhere in our hearts we know that we cannot live without them.
-Blackout Poem by Shah, based on James Baldwin’s “Notes of a Native Son”
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People general suppose streets of New Orleans battleground society working rules living safely society changes further
One’s lover one’s brother understand better live without them.
Habits fears in our himself the truth about his past is trapped Old World journey freedom
Perhaps the artist is necessarily, alone. When the chips are down, because most knowledge paralyze this world forever. Children can conquer the great wilderness to illuminate that darkness through the vast forest, to make the world a more human dwelling place.
-Blackout Poem by Steven M., based on James Baldwin’s “Notes of a Native Son”
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James Baldwin a Great Writer-Activist spoke of Real life HIstorical events and situations that Many of All Afro and Latino Families and People have had an can relate to in Experiences
-Kareem
Since childhood I have had a very bickering relationship with my father, mainly because of our different perspectives and seeing the world in a different way. But after reading James Baldwin’s stories and poems, I have come to realization that I really miss him, he is safe and sound but after being away from home probably 10 years, I have realized his ways and teachings were meant to make me a better child. I shall be, well hopefully see him before he dies someday, and I do not aspire to live that life in regretful life even after he is gone.
Katie’s Group 12/19/24 https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/07/25/opinion/25Siegel-Sub3/25Siegel-Sub3-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp
-Shah A.
My perfect day from start for me is to prepare myself the day before take care of my personal hygiene iron my clothes so that I can be a step ahead of myself and build a daily structure and get into the habit of being consistent and I won’t be late for my daily recovery process. I know how important my recovery is it allow me to gain and learn who I am and allow my feelings to not allow my behavior to dictate my actions build up my self esteem and self awareness. If I don’t follow my prescribed treatment I know that I’m doing something that I’m not suppose to be doing
My story about getting my life together through people by Darryl A.
Coming to TRC Project Renewal Program is being great to me losing my room to this homeless guy bully punk me and told me not come back to my room I was thinking being in bellevue shelter for last month. My goal is to write a book and make it a movie 5 to 10 years from now between 2030 to 2035 so that in pipeline for me down the road for me so don’t want my dreams to fail so I know it going be hard to get this guy out my room. He already got 30 days in for squatter rights I got to take housing court or HRA through public assistance or we have it going to take a lot of red tape and paper trails to cover it and Steve the owner that landlord of the building don’t really care as long as that rent money is paid every month and don’t damage the building it won’t be a problem for him so I am back in rock and hard place again. So that the end of my story so God bless the city, country, and world
Thank you
On
1989 Dec 29th my baby was born. I didn’t know she would be my motivation to get clean and stay clean. She is my PUSH now. She was my PUSH then.
She is My Melissa M.C. My Melo I love her always, Garfield C.
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I give Thx to TRC for not giving up on me and listening to me when my mind feels cluttered with depression I wish I could have a moment when I feel in control of my emotions when I feel down I try to cook food but then I’m not hungry so I’ll cook but I won’t eat right away but I enjoy cooking it’s one of great groups of TRC which I enjoy being in we make a lot of great dishes.
-Julius S.
I would gain all the information, not have sex before marriage, learn how to be responsible from what your parents would expect from you, staying focus, school, attend church every Sunday, and join a choir and an usher when I get older. Read study and learn, pass my grade by getting A and B’s, avoid pregnancy, young age pregnancy is a hazardous condition I have to educate myself as a child to be able to raise kids and work on a healthy relationships so I wouldn’t have to be a single parent. In order to have a kid that is well grounded and stable and know that it’s important to have both parents study a career that’s meaningful something that I would put my heart into in order to have a chance for advancement.
My river has rough waves and some have been calm like my emotion very up and down so I surf through my up and downs I happy to see another day praying for better days. My childhood was the beginning of being my early survival process not knowing much about my parents Dad died when I was 4 Mom died when I was 7.
39 years later I have my own apartment but still in a wild river
-Julius S.
The things I’m most grateful for is having a roof over my head. I must do my best not to get overwhelmed about my struggles I will work had on getting a job to be able to pay my bills and still have money for other things I need and not have to ask people for money
-Julius S.
(I’m proud) (To be here)
(To live Here) (To feel good about me-n-my family)
Trust in your (Heart) when Time are changing (you) (an around your life (Today) be still (will) (I’m William)
(I am I am) Cause my eyes can see, my ear can hear (That why I’m Here)
William 2024
We are Here Have No Fear
We Near - Not Far (But near)
(I was a child I saw) (U.F.O.s) (the ship (The light) I was truly (Amazed))
I still have (memories) its True! I live in a Beautiful (World) (I do not) (But I do Have)
A moment of Positive Dreams (An Memories) I Carry For Ever Inside my mind)
William https://hdqwalls.com/wallpapers/milky-way-night-sky-stars-wg.jpg
I am Blessed I’m Black Right in Lovely Colorfully way I’ve Been Through A (Beautiful Life) it was (Cruel)-n-stubibity Respect: (By) Our N An Brought up n Raise Right: To learn To Teach N Pray For Our Family-n-Kids -n-milo
Bellevue Men Shelter Where I Live at the Moment
By Darryl A
Dec 2024
Living in Bellevue Men Shelter is life changing for me. I’m dealing with all these personality and attitude guys coming from different backgrounds coming from all over the country let alone in New York City. Parts of the United States and Around the world guys being homeless and trying to get their own room, studio, or apartment. Going through the shelter system I guess a lot of guys are homeless for different reasons guys getting kick out from their wife, girlfriend, or babies mothers guys coming home from jail or prison and mandated by the courts. Wearing ankle bracelets monitor their levis young guys in their late teens or early twenty in gangs selling drugs robbing people getting in all kinds of trouble trying to run their mother and father house, apartment, room, etc. And they get kick out they should be working or in school or getting a skillet o get a good job or training school. It is hard out here with the economy and inflation and the cost of living especially in New York It is so expensive you break a 20, 50, or 100 dollar bill it is gone so that the end of my story God bless the city, country, and world
Darryl
Part II Living in Bellevue Shelter on 30 Street and 1st Ave Guys
with Personal Hygiene Problems
Guys that live in Bellevue Shelter have personal hygiene problems not washing their bodies and clothes they be smelly and funky but the cannot help it being in the streets for a long time and having that homeless mentality. They are used to it just got to pray for them. I have personal hygiene problems too remember I told you in past stories that I had a stroke in 2023 in Washington Square Park in the Village by NYU College. I fell down three times my whole right side was stiff, I couldn’t move I had to wave and flag down two cops. Policeman was in the park they call the ambulance to take me to the hospital. I stay in the hospital for two weeks. I almost die. I was scared. I was afriad for my life. Since I had the stroke my bowels don’t work I can not eat or drink too much I urine or doo-doo on myself I smell real bad I be funky. I be real embarrassed people in the program telling me to take a shower or change my clothes or take my clothes to the laundromat to wash my clothes so I know the feeling so when I get my own place a studio or a one bedroom I know to take a shower and wash my clothes in the laundromat so that the end of my story so God bless the city, country, and world.
Thank you
Darryl A.
Season of Gratitude
Today I’m grateful to wake up to another blessed day. Grateful for the opportunity to fight for my life in general. I’m grateful for the program here at TRC, also for the counselors here at TRC. Grateful for the roof that is over my head and the food that I have in my fridge. The clothes that I wear. Grateful to be able to join my cousin and brother for dinner, and just to be with each other on that day. I’m grateful to be in a good physical shape fair health. I’m just grateful to be able to see, hear, and feel in general. I thank my LORD AND Savior for blessing me in life itself. I end by saying that I’m just grateful and to express it, my attitude toward life in general -A.T. https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.ce95ef4ccc3b59f58c1da7dd8abb695d?rik=y0%2bvl63yu0sskw&riu=http%3a%2f%2fdavidandrosehill.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2019%
The Holidays have always been very hard for me So many people have left my life. Having to move on has proved most challenging. I really miss my mother. She was my everything. I’ve tried very hard to remain positive.
In so many respects I’ve grown tremendously however, its come at a high price. While I’m most thankful for all of God’s Blessings
Somethings are still hard to accept nevertheless I have finally
Arrived
Merry Xmas
David T.
The Story About This Homeless Guy Taking Over My Room
By Darryl A
I came home from my program one night around 12 or 1 Saturday night ogng into Sunday morning. This guy was in my room and said he live here. I said this is my room. He told me to get out so I been sleeping on the 6 train for about three to four days and nights. I want to call the police on him and tell him to get out my room but I don’t want to be a snitch and the whole neighborhood want to beat me up and hate my guts. I don’t know what to do I am in a rock and a hard place. I am tired of living this miserable life I just want to end it all that just the Devil Satan putting them thoughts in my head but God is in control I just keep praying to God things will get better for me. I had problems when I was living in Harlem when I had the two pitbulls the mother GG and her son Tyson. I miss them dogs. I hope they are alright. I had to let them dogs go about two months or 8 weeks ago. The former super Supreme hit me in the head with brass knuckles. Blood was everywhere in my room the former super Supreme said next time he was going to kill me it is about the dogs so that the end of my story so God bless the city, the country, the world.
Thank you Darryl A.
I Am Thankful For Life
By Darryl A.
Coming from Newark, New Jersey to New York, New York City in 1996. I been living here for twenty eight years. It been thirty years in 2026. I been living in three of five boroughs Brooklyn, Harlem, Bronx. The only boroughs two I didn’t live in is Queens, Staten Island. I been living from pillar to post. Going from shelter to shelter living with people they kick me out their house I been homeless living in the streets eating out of garbage cans living in the subway, sleeping in the trans benches that where I am living now. This homeless guy came to my room and told me to get out he punk me, bully me to get out my room. I want to call the police but I don’t want to be a snitch. The homeless want to beat me up and whole neighborhood hate my guts. So I’m in a rock in a hard place so I am happy for life.
Thank you
My goal go to work
My goal is to help homeless people get on their feet
I help people in the flower garden https://mondaymandala.com/wp-content/uploads/Wildflowers-With-Butterfly-791x1024.jpg
Accountability Accountability, A burden that Should be held on leadership first
And those that empower it
That cause social order to become worst When positions given or taken Are misused for persona gain, greed, Or desirable thirst
That violates the rights and longevity
Of human life, it’s unlawful immoral, principle and truth
It’s not right to made big profit even off the hearst
This is why accountability unseen Should be seen in every verse Until it’s returned realistically And put back into action to show It’s worth It was here since the beginning since God but humanity on Earth
K.Judah.H.
Tishri 12/26/2024
In 2025
I will Grow mushrooms microgreens create a forge to cast sculpture from found metal and plastic
Teach others thriving skills
Harvest clay Build a kiln
Produce textiles from reclaimed fabric + plastics https://images.pexels.com/photos/13933127/pexels-photo-13933127.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=pexels-tommes-frites-13933127.jpg&fm=jpg
