MIAD Bridge by Sandra Leidecker

Fall 2011

MIAD BRIDGE THE URBAN ISSUE Feature articles: Step back and look at the world. Repairers of the Breach. The Hope House.

COVER

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Two months ago I stepped out of the bus at the Amtrack Station in Milwaukee and was in a completely different world. A city characterized by a patchwork of buildings from the last periods of time. Brick buildings right next to glass and steel, an open sky (not like Chicago, were you can only see slices of the sky when you’re downtown) and all kinds of people in the streets. Spending two months waiting at different bus stops to go home or buy groceries. You can get to know awesome personalities while waiting for the bus. Like one time I got to know Germany’s Emperor Wilhelm the Great, who talked to me in the middle section of the bus where you’ve got three seats next to each other. He spoke German, English, Frensh and Chinese (that’s what he said) and was living in Berlin (Wilhelm Street, what else?) a couple of years ago. He was proud of me taking a photograph of him and gave me a crumpled-up doller note and his mailbox address to send him the photographs. Another day I met a homeless guy of thirtysomething at Oriental Theatre who started talking to me about the band Rammstein, because that’s what Germans are associated with all the time. One day later I met him at the Alterra Cafe on Prospect to listen to his life story, that was all about drug abuse, religious fanaticism, tatoos and mental disturbance (pages 20–23). I just decided to make this magazine about social service, homelessness and urbanity so I got to know about places in Milwaukee that ought to help people like him, such as Repairers of the Breach (featured on page 10 –19) or the Hope House (pages 26–29). Im still wondering about seeing so many persons battled by life. What makes our social community forget about these people? Isabel Kent wrote a comprehensive opinion about what’s going on in our world in her article Step back and look at the world (pages 4–9). In two months I will step out of the airplane back home in Germany but people, places and views won’t be the same. And if it’s only about a buck or a cigarette at the bus stop. Sandra Leidecker , Editor-in-chief

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TABLE OF CONTENT LETTER FROM THE EDITOR..........................................................................2

STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE WORLD......................................4

by Isabel Kent

REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH........................................................10

by Janson Rapisarda | Photographs by Sandra Leidecker

LIVING FOR THE MOMENT.........................................................................20 Portrait by Sandra Leidecker

FACTS............................................................................................................23 Wisconsin in numbers

AID ORGANIZATIONS IN MKE..................................................................24 Info graphic

THE HOPE HOUSE...........................................................................26

by John Fitzgerald | Illustrations by Muneera Gerald

EDITORIAL | CREDITS..................................................................................31

MIAD BRIDGE

STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE WORLD. by Isabel Kent

“Every separation is a link.” — Simone Weil

It’s such a strange thing, and incredible and beautiful, but rolling across that great sphere is also turmoil. Much of existence, perceived through the eyes of a human, is sorrow and violence, manifesting itself in multitudes of particular guises - war, poverty, famine, prejudice, crime, etc. But we’re stuck here. So, for the sake of being here, of living, how do we make it better? How do we go about diminishing these problems? Where can we possibly start? Underlying most of them, when the complications and differences are for the moment, stripped away, is something simple. For whatever reason, amidst the accumulated confusion of contemporary human life, we fall into the denial or hatred of another human being. We know that humans are at once imperfect and magnificent. What is difficult is accepting the imperfect as inevitable, and forgiving it in ourselves so that we can forgive it in others. There is so much sameness, if we decide to become aware of it. Our genetic code, which means our basic anatomical structure, which means our physiological functions, are fundamentally identical. We have the capacity to empathize with one another, and we need to use this. What I am saying is obviously nothing new. But the fact

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that it has survived thus far in the course of human civilization only serves to testify to its solidarity. It is simple, but I think it has profound implications. In all the world’s major religions, the basic tenet, the “Golden Rule,” is the same. We should “Do unto others what we would have done unto us.” Although this is drawn from religion and may seem idealistic, it’s tenets are at base, human, and extend to the nature of our experience in everyday life. For example, how can we expect others to have respect for our own views if we do not respect theirs? And how can we expect to get anything out of a conversation if we don’t try to understand what the other person is trying to get across? A sense of empathy, as current research in neuroscience and psychology is finding, really does permeate our lives. Without having to will a conscious decision, we register the body language and facial expressions of those around us. We are able to base this in our own experience and realize the analogous intentions behind the behavior of others. So what happens when empathy ceases to function? On an individual scale, this can be a major component of closed-mindedness, arguments, and physical fights. Cases in point are bullying, whether at school or over the inter-

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STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE WORLD.

net, domestic violence, and gang violence. Among larger groups this is exhibited in similar ways, largely as prejudice against, and mistreatment or suppression of, another people. Extreme cases are genocide and war. Can’t these be seen as large-scale manifestations of the inability to take another’s perspective? I don’t mean to oversimplify these grand issues. There are certainly various other complications that come into play. Many of these complications, however, could be explained as themselves arising partially as a consequence of lack of understanding between people. Circumstances like these coalesce and build upon each other, eventually forming one mass conflict, which then leads to further atrocities. A clash occurs when we see an individual or group as other than ourselves, that we disagree with so fervently that it appears foreign enough to be designated as wrong or even evil. To protect ourselves we often feel the need to do something to suppress that other. If these notions push further into action, physical harm is done. The thoughts themselves however, are already silently germinating this view of the world. In turn, this obviously impacts the deeds one carries out. If one continues this way unawares, the ef* Boroditsky, Lera. “Empathy and Other Mysteries.” 2011 6

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fects will only multiply. But the human brain is malleable.* Biases can be turned around if they are brought to one’s attention. The problem is that maybe reminders are not prevalent in our everyday lives. We may see images of war on the news, but this is perhaps not specific enough. We still watch through our own tinted lenses, maybe as a proponent of one or the other of the conflicting sides. What should be emphasized is the nature of the core disagreement, how and why it exists, perhaps that it should not exist, and what the resolution may be. We also need to be made more aware of our own slant and the perspective we are missing in our repertoire. Once we can see all involved outlooks more holistically, we notice their inherent sameness, and the ensuing ridiculousness of antagonism. To illustrate a concrete example of a social issue involving the inability to take on another perspective, consider the rift between the wealthiest and poorest classes in the United States. My estimation is that much of the very wealthy are so adapted to their way of living that they are not aware of the vast struggles of the impoverished. They must know that the poor do in fact exist, but they cannot put themselves in that situation, because they have never

been there and do not relate to it experientially, and they also probably feel no reason to make attempts to do so. They are so comfortable where they are. Whatever charities may be goading them to donate are just an annoyance. The thought of taking on the vantage of the poor does not cross their mind, at least not with any great urgency. And frankly, it would just be too much effort. But if something were to make them, imagine the impact it could have. If the wealthy were made to live like the poor, or to just experience a small part of such a life, perhaps they would realize how awful it can be. To know that they personally would not want to be in a position of poverty may be enough for them to conclude that since there are other humans that are in that place, they need to be helped. The prior example becomes an issue of human rights. Throughout the world, the poor lack many basic entitlements of life because they are bound by their circumstances. In extreme conditions, there is lack of adequate shelter and nourishment to even stay alive. When the pressure of mortality is so present, anything beyond the necessities of life must seem frivolous. Furthermore, although it varies depending on the specific location, opportunities in jobs,

education, and all areas of life, are in scarce supply. Law and justice may be seen as concepts created for the purpose of treating all equally in discernment of right or wrong action, in protecting individuals from mistreatment, and overall, to keep human society as a whole in order and running smoothly. But they are also founded on an emotional groundwork. Humans are innately social, require contact with others for health and well-being, and have built society based on the ability to operate in a network. For this to function properly, cooperation between people is essential. And in order for this to occur, we need to at least have respect for the views of others. This is not to say that it will be perfect. Dilemmas will inevitably arise. The paradox is that once we acknowledge human imperfection, the dilemmas are much less common. Throughout this entire process, empathy aids us. In 2009, President Obama propounded the qualifications he deemed necessary for successors to the Supreme Court. He included everything one might expect: extensive legal experience, a spotless ethical record, and dedication to the rule of law.* However, Obama also added empathy. He stated “I will seek someone who understands that justice isn’t about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a casebook; it is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people’s lives, whether they can make a living and care for their families, whether they feel safe in their homes and welcome in their own nation. I view that quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people’s hopes and struggles, as an essential ingredient for arriving at just decisions and outcomes.” * When a predicament comes to the fore, empathy helps us determine a just solution. Yes, we do have to rely on written law as a solid standard, but we also must be considerate of the circumstances under which the individuals involved acted. Maybe someone acted wrongly, did something that is illegal, but maybe it was because they were facing such plight, that for them at that time, it was the best decision. We need to be understanding of this. A person who may endanger others cannot be dismissed, but they also cannot be punished for being human. In all cases, beyond categorization of wronged and wrong-doer, and because all of us are really both, we need to be able to see an individual’s suffering and act out of compassion in an effort to correct it. This in itself serves to connect. In it is a realization that we are all human and that we all share

* Garret, Major. “Obama Pushes for ‘Empathetic’ Supreme Court Justices.” 2011 MIAD BRIDGE

STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE WORLD the same life. The nature of how we view and interact with others has directed culture, politics, economics, and human society as a whole, which also extends to our impact on the environment. All of these things provide us with a striking image of how we participate in and create our world. This web of interrelationships has biological foundations, into which current studies surrounding the nature of the human nervous system have brought new insights. A region toward the front of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex, or MPFC, activates when we are pondering our own feelings, but also when we are thinking about or observing those same feelings in another.* More specifically, a class of cells called mirror neurons, which are located in various areas of the brain, have been found to direct our ability to read not only another person’s actions, but also the intentions and emotions behind them. In an interview with the New York Times, Dr. Giacomo Rizzolatti, a neuroscientist at the University of Parma credited with some of the first research of these structures in the 1990’s, was quoted in saying, “We are exquisitely social creatures. Our survival depends on understanding the actions, intentions, and emotions of others. Mirror neurons allow us to grasp the minds of others not through conceptual reasoning but through direct simulation.” ** Here is very real evidence of just how connected we are. In a sense we can simultaneously experience the thoughts and actions of another. This also poses the intimate connectivity of thought, action, and language. These cells fire when one performs an action, sees another carrying out that action, hears it happening, says the word for that action, or hears that word.** Mirror neurons can be seen as the meeting place of these different avenues, which all allow for understanding between people, and are essentially linked as a means of communication whose framework is emotional. It is also important to note that social emotions like shame, pride, embarrassment, and so on, are centered in a uniquely human mirror neuron system in a brain region called the insula. In a study conducted by Dr. Christian Keysers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, it was found that when people watched a hand go to caress someone and then saw another hand push it away, this region registered the pain of rejection. Moreover, he noted that humiliation appeared to be “mapped in the brain by the same mechanisms that encode real physical pain.” ** This just goes to show us that when someone is * Boroditsky, Lera. (s.o.) ** Blakeslee, Sandra. “Cells That Read Minds.” 2011 8

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suffering from emotional trauma, they are also really ailing from physical distress. When mirror neurons malfunction, an emotional level of communication ceases to occur. It is now thought that this is a major cause of Autism and Aspberger’s disease. Autistic individuals are often cited as sort of living in their own world, or being highly antisocial. It could be that the neural basis of social abilities is lacking, and they therefore are significantly unable to relate to other people. Studies show that these individuals can identify an emotional facial expression, and even imitate it, but they do not feel its emotional significance.** A similar effect is seen in individuals with Aspberger’s, who are unable to read facial expressions and vocal inflections, recognize sarcasm, and also cannot understand figurative language. They interpret everything logically and literally. For individuals with either disorder, everyday life is made extremely difficult simply because they cannot adequately relate socially and emotionally to other people. The importance of empathy is apparent. It lends us the competence to recognize that other viewpoints must be just as valid as our own. Scientific research has provided us with more clues as to how and why this phenomenon operates, and has given us greater insight into how incredible this biological capacity truly is. The complexity and social grounding of our empathy is something uniquely human. It lies behind much of our daily decisions and behavior, and is one of the key components of how we have developed as a society. Truly, it needs to exist for us to exist. All of this serves to remind us of empathy’s profundity. But what teaches us most is the face-to-face encounter in which we share a real and fathomless humanness with another.

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REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH by Janson Rapisarda Photographs by Sandra Leidecker

REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH

My placement for this course was at Repairers of the Breach, on 14th and Vliet, in the Black American District in Milwaukee. At this point, I have about 40 hours clocked into the mural project that we’ve done at Repairers. My Job at the breach was to design and paint a mural (collaboratively with the homeless) that gave a visual for all of the resources that Repairers has to offer. Shelter, food, a phone, clothing, restrooms, shower, bible study, health clinic. Their Mission statement goes as follows: “To bring forth homeless people to act collectively to change the present conditions under which they live, through advocacy/education and direct action.” Repairers fulfills it’s mission in many ways, and in all honesty, it’s hard to see any flaw on the agency itself. It provides a place to “rest/relax,” and this in itself provides the folks that visit the facility

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with a sense of slowing down, and a and willing to ask themselves questions. time to contemplate. On every occasion A huge barrier that stands in the way that I visited Repairers, the bible study with Repairers is that, realistically, they group talked about healing oneself can’t force-feed goodness and health to and one’s community, and from what the homeless, and it’s the responsibilI gather, this is a highly motivating ity of the homeless of Repairers of the discussion group that asks deep ques- Breach to change their life direction, and motivate themselves tions that can spark really into a better, happier, serious personal growth UNDERSTAND and healthier lifestyle. and healing. On multiple HOW EASY IT IS One powerful mooccasions, I’ve seen guest TO FALL INTO ment for me was when speakers come in to speak I met a woman (though HOMELESSNESS with the group about alI’m not sure that I can cohol and drug problems that they’ve experienced personally that use her real name, so I’ll call her Sara) drove them to homelessness, and this who was in and out of the homeless provided a discussion forum of sorts shelter quite often, and wasn’t able to for the homeless of Repairers to ask find housing because she was trying to questions and speak with someone of a also make sure that a space would work similar background. I’ve seen dialogues out with her boyfriend. From what I of this nature go on for hours, and the gathered, he was without a job, but homeless seemed extremely engaged Sara was usually working, not enough

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for a place to support the both of them. think about this quite frequently since Later on, I found out through another I’ve met her, I am very happy to know homeless man that Sara’s father comes that she’s found Repairers, because she’s into Repairers every day to try to take found a support system there, and she her home and support her until she can seems very happy to be a part of such a get back on her feet, but she’s unwill- healthy group. I have a hard time saying that Reing to because she doesn’t want to lose her boyfriend. The second, and more pairers could change the way that they do things. I’ve been so frustrating, experience surprised about how was when I met Katrina, a THE HOMELESS much they do for the mentally disabled woman THAT I SEE homeless, and the respect of a young age who I’ve EVERY DAY that they expect for evseen every day at RepairTHAT ASK FOR erybody that visits as well ers since I met her there. MONEY OR as every volunteer. One It’s extremely frustrating CIGARETTES thing that I think they to watch her dealing with should consider changing homelessness because I is their hours. They are only open from feel like it shouldn’t be her responsibility to find her own housing and career, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I think they should though because of her situation, she consider providing night time shelter doesn’t have the proper support sys- for the homeless. My experience with tem to keep her healthy. Although I Repairers has helped me understand

how easy it is to fall into homelessness, and how easy it is to find yourself unhappy and unmotivated. It doesn’t take much to be homeless, it can even happen if your lease is up, and you’re waiting for another apartment to open up, or you get fired from a job that you’re living paycheck to paycheck off of. It’s helped me be more understand of the homeless in Milwaukee, and more respectful to the homeless that I see every day that ask for money or cigarettes. I value the communication that I can have with the homeless of Milwaukee. This course has definitely changed my outlook on my own community, and the world around us. We asked a lot of deep questions about respect and communication. I’ve found that the more I hear from privileged Americans, the more I become frustrated with how close minded we really are, and how un-

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REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH

educated America really is on issues like prejudice and homelessness, issues that we actually see everyday. Milwaukee is a highly segregated city, and it makes living here very dangerous. Not for that reason that Black Americans are really violent people, and the Hispanic community is out of control. With segregation comes prejudice. If we can’t see each other every day, and understand each other’s cultures and cultural ethos, there is no way that we can have a sense of honest compassion for each other. We set up boundaries and lie to ourselves about our status in a society, and demand different expectations from others of communities that we don’t know or understand. My service changed me perspective on the reality of homelessness, and how easy it is to fall into it. Now, I demand a sense of respect for all homeless. By this I mean I need to appreciate the homeless for their position and their own struggles, and I don’t need to be disrespectful (whether they see it or not), and create problems for them, because the weight of their problems is significantly more daunting than the problems of my own. I’m not sure what my attachment to this perspective is costing me or going to cost me, but I know that it is changing the way I see the community around me. It helps me understand some of the things I’m doing in my artwork, and

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REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH

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provides a motivation to work off of and discuss in my work. Compassion and love is something that I discuss a lot in my artwork, and I think that working with Repairers has changed, and will continue to change the way I make art. I want to talk a little bit about my own contribution to the issues that Milwaukee faces today with race and segregation. Because of my position (I am a student), I have the opportunity to make a point to learn about race and the history of race in Milwaukee, but I haven’t made any sort of effort previously to learn and understand this. My ignorance has limited the growth of my work, and has limited the discussions I can have about issues that are larger than my own life. I’ve been keeping myself from addressing some great things in my artwork. As someone who works in the community for my artwork (public murals, graffiti, street art), it’s important that I consider working with the history of the communities that I work in. I actually feel like I’ve promised myself since this class that I’ll work with larger issues in my artwork, and it’s really motivating to realize that I can work for something larger than myself, and larger than my wants. I can’t ask anything from anyone else. I need to ask myself what I can do for the community, and push myself to make a difference. In order to make a change, I need to be the one the initiates it, and be the one motivated to make a difference. If I had to ask something from the world and communities around me, it would just be their existence and their presence while we communicate.

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THE PORTRAIT

LIVING FOR THE MOMENT. by Sandra Leidecker

I got to know Casper on a Thursday morning at the bus stop on Farwell Street. He was wearing a black jacket, a t-shirt with some kind of fractured fonts in red, a knitted hat with a stiched skull and a big leather bag, all in black, asking a woman who was waiting for the bus for a buck. Successful. Thanks, he said, the first one I asked today. He sat down next to me in the bus shelter while I was drawing in my sketchbook. He started talking about my drawings but there was too much slang for me to understand, so I had to admit that I am German. His grantparents are German, too, he said, and asked me about Rammstein. Of course, Rammstein, I said, know them. Mutter, he said, you know this song? Yes, it’s very well known. But I don’t listen to Rammstein, I said, I listen to American music. Funk and Soul, I said. Casper is sleeping outside, in a parking lot, he told me. I knew he looked fucked up, with a skin that’s beaten from cold nights and half long hair, that hasn’t been washed for a while. I was thinking about how to escape from this situa-

tion, because everyone is taught in their name. No problem, I say. Talk to me youth not to talk to strangers. But oth- about your youth. Tell me about your erwise this guy seemed so normal, and family. how can you stop talking to people, just My parents got divorced when I was because they have no home? seven, he starts to talk. My grantparents Casper (this is his nick name, but I are German. We were living in Wisgot to know him under his real name) consin, they brought me up Lutheran, lost his job as a chef because he broke sent me to a private school. But I started his hip and couldn’t work for a month. belting against Lutheran religion, goThen couldn’t afford his ing to the music, flat anymore. That’s what getting tattoos. As a I STARTED he told me. He’s clean, he child I had obsessive BELTING AGAINST said, no drugs. Just the thoughts about death. LUTHERAN RELIGION, medication. He needs a All they were talking GOING TO THE dollar sixty-five for a cofabout was religion an MUSIC, fee. Why don’t you go to death. I have a resentMcDonald’s, chipped in ment to the Lutheran GETTING TATTOOS. a guy leaning at the bus religion. We’re prayshelter. McDonald’s is crap, I can’t drink ing for you, that’s all they said. No pray that shit. There’s a coffee shop on Pros- for me, that’s fucking bullshit. pect, where you can refill for 60 cents. I started with drugs. My mom’s a And it’s good coffee. Right, I think. drug addict. She showed me how to Good coffee is important. I gave him a take drugs when I was 14. We moved buck. Then gave him my number. I’d like to Utah and stayed for four years. I took to write an article, I said. Can we meet amphetamines. I don’t know what she’s tomorrow, I asked. I’d like to take a pic- doing now. I also have no contact to my ture of you. Ok, he said, I will call you at dad. My family’s not giving a shit. nine. I will shave. He leaves our table for a moment, gets The next morning I was waiting for a cigarette from somewhere. I got marCasper to call. Nine, nine thirty, nine ried when I was 19. I have three kids, forty-five. No call. I went for a shower. two boys and a daughter. One from my Ten o‘clock. The telephone rings. It’s wife (they’re split now), two from anhim, I asked him to meet in half an hour. other girl. I used to see them a lot, but Ok, he said, do you know the Alterra now... It costs money. I need to ride the Coffee on Prospect? 30 minutes later, bus to get there. And since this hapCasper did shave, we’re standing in the pened to me... I’m 33 now. I’m smoking line, ordering two medium Coffees to go to much. for $3.60. While I’m paying, the salesI started working in the restaurant girl asks me, if this guy asked me to get when I was 15. That’s all I ever did, workhim a coffee. I invited him, I said with ing as a chef, cooking american food. I a smile. Casper adds a lot of sugar and was injured while skateboarding. I broke milk to his coffee. But principally sugar. my hip and needed a surgery. They did it, We’re sitting outside. He seems kind I mean, I came to the emergency room of nervous. Doesn’t want me to take pic- and it was broken. The could not let me tures. Doesn’t want me to use his real go like this. I’m still limping.

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LIVING FOR THE MOMENT

I also went one quarter to the Art In- addicted. But he stopped, with drugs stitute. Got financial aid. He shows me and with cutting. I was taught that my his student ID. He looks much beefier body was a temple, he says. But in my on the picture. But not necessarily hap- temple I like pictures on the wall. pier. He could draw me a I have an emotional dispicture instead of a photo, turbance, he says. I’m takI USED TO he proposes. I rip off some HAVE A LOT OF ing medication. I can get pages of my notebook. The it for free at the mental ANXIETIES lines come out easily. While health center. The SeroAS A CHILD. he’s drawing, his face starts quel makes me stay stable. I WAS ALWAYS I tell him that my mom wincing. Like there’s too A LONER. much memories coming was manic depressive. Yes, up this moment. Too much he says, bipolar disorder. mental pressure. Too much whatever. The medication also makes him hungry. I’ve got four brothers. My one year I want to know if Casper has friends, younger brother has a tattoo shop in who can help him. I used to have a lot of Milwaukee. His name is Kurt. It’s a anxieties as a child. I was always a loner, German name, I say. It’s the name of he says. What about all those places my father and grandfather, he says. Kurt where homeless people can get help? did a lot of my tattoos. He shows me his Tried that, he says. Don’t like the people. arms. They are full of dark tribals and They are all crack heads, no ambitions. drawings. His right forearm shows a na- He tries to go to school, he tries to find ked girl with a gun in her mouth. Writ- work. ten below: Make a change. Kill yourself. Casper is still drawing. It’s like faces His arms also show numerousness scars. melting into each other, full of pain, sorHe did them himself. He was cutting row, fears. his pen never leaves the coninto his arms at the time he was drug tact to the paper. My eyes are unfocused

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when I’m drawing, blurry. I try to capture the emotion with the faces. That’s what makes the difference between you and me, I think. You can draw what’s inside of you, I can only repeat something I see. I used to allow my emotions to make my choices, he says. One day I went to the bus station and left for Los Angeles. I was living there for six months. I stayed in Hollywood, it was the safest place. It was in the winter 2007/2008. We’re talking a bit about Berlin, Milwaukee, and the crime rate. This area is the best, he says, pointing at Prospect. My mother went to MIAD, he said. Really? What did she do? She did anything, photography, drawing,... but in those days it was another building, not that one you’re going to. What are your first thoughts when you awake in the morning, I want to know. I don’t know, he’s considering for a while. I guess I’m just living in the moment.

FACTS. The State of Homelessness in America report chronicles annual changes in overall homelessness and homelessness among families and other subpopulations. It demonstrates how economic risk factors, including unemployment, have increased during the recent economic recession. The report states that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeless population increased by approximately 20,000 people from 2008 to 2009 (3 percent increase). While most people experiencing homelessness are sheltered, nearly 4 in 10 were living on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation. In Wisconsin, twice as many people experienced homelessness without shelter in 2009 as did in 2008. It is widely agreed upon that there is a vast undercount of the number of young people experiencing homelessness. Underscoring this is the fact that 35 percent of all communities reported that there were no homeless youth in their communities in 2009. Conditions worsened among housing affordability for poor people, unemployment, poor workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; income, and foreclosure status. The doubled up population (people living with family or friends for economic reasons) increased by 12 percent to more than 6 million people from 2008 to 2009.*

WISCONSIN 2009 IN NUMBERS* 6,525

Total Homeless Population

716

Chronic Homeless Population

3,364

Family Homeless Population

1,060

Unsheltered Homeless Population

119,082

Severely cost burdened poor households

261,785

Unemployed people

$8,146

Average Real Income of Working Poor People

35,252

number of Foreclosed Housing Units

* National Alliance to End Homelessness: - The State of Homelessness in America 2008/09 MIAD BRIDGE

MILWAUKEE HOMELESS SHELTERS AND SERVICES.

There exist a lot of homeless shelters and services for people in need that provide help in Milwaukee. Many shelters also provide services such as alcohol and drug rehab treatment along with clinics. The Milwaukee Rescue Mission provides life skills help and shelter for homeless men. Hope House is an emergency shelter for single men over 18 and transitional housing for single women and families. Nai Imani Family Inc provides women and children with a safe family setting where they learn personal accountability, life skills, self-examination, goal setting and parenting skills. Our Safe Place provides safe and sober transitional housing for adult men. The program’s structure emphasis on accoutability to help residents develop the necessary skills to maintain long term recovery from substance abuse.

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NIA IMANI FAMILY INC 1353 N 25TH ST +1 414 933 1633 ‎ · NIAIMANIFAMILY.ORG

OUR SAFE PLACE 740 NORTH 29TH STREET +1 414 933 7689 ‎ · OURSAFEPLACEMKE.ORG

The Shepherd’s House is a Christian organization that aims to feed the hungry and to provide shelter the homeless. Repairers at the Breach provide daytime shelter and resources. These are just a small choice of aid organizations in Milwaukee. All of them rely on financial aid and volunteering to continue their precious work.

MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION 830 NORTH 19TH STREET +1 414 344 2211 ‎ · MILMISSION.ORG

C A HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAMS 1615 SOUTH 22ND STREET +1 414 671 6337 ‎

INFO

REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH 1335 WEST VLIET STREET +1 414 934 9305 ‎ · REPAIRERS.ORG

SHEPHERD HOUSE SHELTER 2046 NORTH PALMER STREET +1 414 372 4815

HOPE HOUSE 209 WEST ORCHARD STREET +1 414-645-2122 HOPEHOUSEMKE.ORG

MIAD BRIDGE

FALL 2011 — URBAN ISSUE

THE HOPE HOUSE by John Fitzgerald Illustrations by Muneera Gerald

“To end homelessness and create healthy communities.”

I served at Hope House Milwaukee on the corner of Orchard and 2nd on the southside. I served over 40 hours. Although Hope House is known primarily for its transitional living facilities, it also provides tutoring services for the children who live in the provided housing, as well as those living in the neighboring area. I served in the tutoring center (under the Shining Stars Youth Program) where I provided academic aid for students ranging between elementary and middle school. Work covered included reading assignments assigned by the tutoring center, homework covering basic subjects like math, science, and spelling, and the occasional art project (in the last few weeks, we worked on a mural for the upcoming art show at the Borg Ward on May 6). Once their homework was finished, they were allowed to make a “free time choice,” which usually included playing with the provided games/toys or playing games on the computers. Hope House Milwaukee, as an organization, is a “transitional living facility” and “community center.” Their primary service is to provide temporary housing for struggling families who need a place to stay while they get back on their feet (named the “Chrysalis Project”). Those who occupy the provided housing maintain a weekly chore and rotate

cooking duty between each other, as well as attend weekly “life skills classes which cover topics such as parenting, basic budget management, and stress management.” Additional classes are also available to adults through their Pathway to Progress Program and children have access to the Shining Stars Youth Program. Any one family can stay with Hope House for up to 2 years if necessary. In addition, Hope House also offers what is called the “Thresholds Program” which provides emergency shelter for local homeless men. They are allowed to live at Hope House for up to 60 days and work with a case manager to find permanent employment and housing. Hope House also works with The Housing Authority of Milwaukee, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Friends of Housing to provide long-term housing for adults (veterans preferred) in what is called the Surgeon’s Quarters Single Room Occupancy Program. The Angle of Hope Clinic is Hope House’s healthcare service offering medical treatment for adults and children who qualify as having low or no income. A sliding scale fee exists to provide affordable care for those who need it. Hope House also recognizes the importance of giving back to the community it resides in, so it also works to host and facili-

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THE HOPE HOUSE tate neighborhood events, forums, clean-ups, and seminars. Hope House’s Mission Statement is simple, basic, and succinct: “To end homelessness and create healthy communities.” According to its 2009 annual report, Hope House provided support for 180 single people and 65 families (which includes 130 children). Increased financial security was provided for over 40 individuals and families and 15 adults graduated from their GED program. Approximately $483,000 were saved through their healthcare services and food was provided to over 12,100 individuals. These numbers clearly state that Hope House is having an amazingly positive effect on our Milwaukee community and is succeeding as an organization. Personally, I remember about 5-10 kids who eventually stopped showing up to the tutoring services during the semester because they had moved out of the provided transitional housing (a good thing!). If there are any barriers that stand in Hope House’s way, I think the primary one would be finances. There were a couple times while serving in the tutoring center when I noticed that supplies were low (or low-quality) and we had to make due with what we had. One of the services provided in the tutoring program is a required reading assignment, which all tutees have to honor each time they come. The range of comprehension ranges between each student, but they are all assigned a specific reading level, eventually graduating to a higher level if they successfully read their assignments. One powerful thing (more of a progression than a moment) I’ve enjoyed observing is being able to watch and hear the students gradually get better at reading. Serving for an entire semester has allowed me to experience the children’s gradual acquiring of knowledge, which has been rewarding to know that my support really is helping the children work towards a better and brighter future. One thing that’s been challenging to hear is the children speak about their distressed conditions. They don’t speak about it openly often (some of them are too young to fully understand what kind of conditions they’re living in), but every once in awhile, something will slip out that points to to the acknowledgement of their unfortunate circumstances. One moment I can remember specifically was when we were painting the mural (split up into two parts). The children were tasked with painting things that indicated “here” (reality) on one and “there” (hopes/fantasy) on the other. Some

FALL 2011 — URBAN ISSUE

children painted a dog on the “here” while drawing a dragon on the “there” or a road on the “here” and a red carpet on the “there.” I remember one child in particular who knew he wanted to paint a limo on the “there” panel but was unsure of what to draw on the “here” panel as a companion. After some discussion with the other students, they decided that a city bus was the best decision. They indicated that the city bus was for “poor people” and those who couldn’t afford a car. This struck me as shocking and sort of served as a wakeup call, because I’ve always blissfully and intentionally taken the bus as an alternative to driving, a decision born out of my own environmental responsibility rather than necessity. However, it didn’t really occur to me until that day the bus was also a symbol of poverty for those who had no choice but to use the bus as transit. This forced me to be more aware of my surroundings and consider the way in which others interact within a given space. All the changes I can think of are pretty minuscule – Hope House is doing an incredible thing and it’s doing it well. Small things like newer computers or tutor compre-

HOPE HOUSE 209 WEST ORCHARD STREET 53204 MILWUKEE +1 414 645 2122 HOPEHOUSEMKE.ORG

hension tests could help improve the quality of the tutoring services, but for a volunteer-based program, I think that it is a pretty well-rounded resource. As far as how serving at Hope House has affected my outlook on community, it’s definitely reinforced my belief in the importance of voluntary service in the vitality and health of a community. There are people in need all over our city, and organizations like Hope House are working to provide for those needs; by providing volunteer opportunities, they are allowing for others to have a hand in the improvement of their own neighborhood, city, country, and world. Support is the essence of a strong community. Serving at Hope House has definitely helped me be more immediately personable with others, regardless if I already know them or not. The first few sessions I came to tutor, I was very apprehensive and felt like I was encroaching upon someone else’s territory, so I was very timid and lenient while tutoring the kids. However, after a couple sessions, I realized that these kids need firm, confident guidance, and that even if I felt unsure, I needed to be assertive for the sake of the

quality of their education. If I wasn’t self-confident, I noticed the kids would be more defiant, and thus wouldn’t learn as much. So I definitely learned to be more assertive and to understand when being so enables others to be successful. Overall, it’s been really great to be required to serve at organizations in our community this semester. I volunteered before this semester from time to time, but always considered myself too busy to consistently provide support at any given organization. This semester, I served for two hours twice a week, and while I’m not sure that I’d have enough time to continue volunteering twice a week, I could definitely continue volunteering once a week, and I plan on doing so. I definitely learned that one must make a conscious effort to set aside time for the things that one considers important. I consider volunteering and supporting those in need important, so I must make time for that. And now that I’ve volunteered for an entire semester while balancing 19 credits, I definitely know that I can continue to do so in the future. After this summer, I plan on continuing to volunteer at the tutoring center at Hope House for the fall semester.

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EDITORIAL | CREDITS

EDITORIAL MIAD BRIDGE — THE URBAN ISSUE Originated in Communication Design IV Class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, 2011 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ART DIRECTION AND BASIC LAYOUT Sandra Leidecker Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 273 E. Erie St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 sandraleidecker@miad.edu +1 414 334 3910

CREDITS Article on pages 4–9 written by Isabel Kent isabelkent@miad.edu| Article on pages 10-19 written by Janson Rapisarda jansonrapisarda@miad.edu | Article on pages 20–23 written by Sandra Leidecker | Article on pages 26–29 written by John Fitzgerald johnfitzgerald@miad.edu | Illustration on page 20 by Casper | Illustrations on pages 26, 28/29 by Muneera Gerald madamgerald@gmail.com | Front cover photograph, Type Illustration on pages 5, 6/7, 8, Photographs on pages 10–19, 30, Info graphic on pages 24/25 by Sandra Leidecker

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