Streetvibes November 2005 Edition

November 2005

STREETVIBES Just Add Affordable Housing – For a Greater Cincinnati

by John Lavelle On September 13th, voters in the city of Cincinnati voted overwhelmingly to nominate Cincinnati City Councilman David Pepper and State Senator Mark Mallory for the November 8th general election’s mayoral ballot. Each candidate is considered a moderate Democrat, so it will be up to each of them to distinguish themselves from each other. With both candidates receiving almost an equal number of votes, citizens expect a close race focused on the issues.

Certainly, two issues on Steetvibes readers’ minds are the topics of homelessness and affordable housing. Let us take a brief look at the platforms and records of the two candidates: David Pepper When approached by the Affordable Housing Advocates earlier in the year about meeting to discuss the issues surrounding affordable housing, both candidates were eager to do so. AHA talked with David Pepper back in January, educating him on the purpose of AHA, the history of affordable housing in Cincinnati, and the current housing and wage crises. They expressed a desire to see stronger leadership and a David Pepper better relationship with citizens who all too often are unaware of their options and caught up in city bureaucracy.

Pepper was receptive to the discussion and listened very openly. Certain parts of his platform reflect this, addressing the need for a living wage and more affordable housing.

On his website, Pepper discusses his record on encouraging economic growth, stating that “key tasks remaining on this agenda include a comprehensive effort on affordable home ownership” (davidpepper.com/record.php).

He makes mention of “affordable housing” many times throughout his “Neighborhoods Plan,” particularly on page 27, where he acknowledges citizens’ problems with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority and demands greater accountability from their leadership so that residents can be better served. It should be noted as well that Pepper supports merging different subsidized housing programs in one entity (instead of both CMHA and the county, for example), a position not supported by many affordable housing advocates who feel this may limit choice for consumers of public housing.

Under the “Economic Plan” on his website, Pepper states that the city must encourage employers to pay a living wage with benefits, reaching out to ex-offenders and highschool dropouts (page 32). Pepper has a history of active engagement with groups such as the Society for the Advancement of Reformed Felons (SARF) and has been very supportive in assisting this population into stability.

Not all is peaches and cream with Pepper, though. In May 2003, he voted in favor of the panhandling ordinance, ardently supporting its subsequent renewal in 2004. The panhandling ordinance requires the registration of panhandlers who must then carry a license to panhandle, legislation that homeless advocates condemn as a violation of both the 1st Amendment and individual civil rights.

Pepper talks affordable housing and living wage, but does not go much further in his comprehensive plans than quick mentions.

Hopefully the coming month will shed more light on his stance on these important issues.

Mark Mallory Mallory met with the Affordable Housing Advocates in early August, discussing his own thoughts and ideas. During the meeting, he expressed an interest in infill building and policy that mandates that a certain percentage of housing be affordable; this is a platform long shared by affordable housing advocates. He specifically noted Potterhill Homes – a company that makes high-quality, affordable modular

homes – as an example of a great option for affordable home ownership.

He was also interested in more accessible housing for those in need of assisted living. Furthermore, Mallory agreed with AHA that resources be focused on the needs of renters and rental properties, recommending that emphasis be placed on treating citizens who rent as assets to the city. Finally, Mallory supported restoring the city planning department, the lack of which has frustrated advocates and developers since its dissolution.

During that meeting and throughout his campaign, Mallory has stressed strong leadership and sustainable solutions to the city’s numerous problems. He appears to look beyond the surface of Cincinnati’s problems.

Being able to look at the systemic problems is key to addressing a major issue such as homelessness. Mallory speaks for himself as having this capacity and the necessary leadership to boot. He cites his ten years of leadership in the state capital as evidence.

In 2003, Senator Mallory worked with the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio to successfully restore $4.7 million in Emergency Shelter Grant funding and $5.5 million in Transitional Housing funding to the state budget.

All that was necessary was a call to Mallory, who quickly understood how many people depended on this funding and was able to do the Mark Mallory necessary politicking to restore it within a week.

Overall, it seems that each candidate would be able to have a profound effect on the city, given their qualifications and platforms. On November 8th, the citizens of Cincinnati will have the chance to decide who will lead the city for the next four years.

Ohioans Need a Raise!

by John Lavelle Did you know that Ohio is one of two states – the other being Kansas – with a state minimum wage below the federal level of $5.15 per hour? That’s right, Ohio’s minimum wage still remains at the level at which it was set in 1990: $4.25/hour. Some 500,000 Ohioans work for this minimum wage, the majority of them women. Most are not even the stereotypical minimum wage workers: 15 year old high school students flipping burgers for gas money. It is estimated that around 71% of these minimum wage workers are over the age of 20.

Currently, there is a campaign to put a referendum on the November 2006 ballot that

Email: homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com would raise the state minimum wage to $6.85/ or Phone: 513.421.7803 x13. hour, indexed to increase every year with inflation. Not only would this effect minimum wage workers, but experts expect the increase to raise pay for all low wage workers (the “rising tide lifts all boats” theory).

In order for the referendum to appear on the ballot next year, proponents must collect 322,899 valid signatures from registered Ohio voters prior to August 10, 2006. Volunteers will be out at polls on Election Day, November 8th, Some 500,000 Ohioans work for minimum soliciting signatures and raising awareness. If wage, the majority of them women. you are interested in volunteering in the coming months, please contact John Lavelle, Civil Rights Advocate at GCCH, and will connect you with organizers.

Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless

Streetvibes Streetvibes, the TriState’s alternative news source, is a newspaper written by, for, and about the homeless and contains relevant discussions of social justice, and poverty issues. It is published once a month by the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless.

Becoming a Streetvibes Vendor is a great way for homeless and other low-income people to get back on (or stay on) their feet. Streetvibes Vendors are given an orientation and sign a code of conduct before being given a Streetvibes Vendor badge. Vendors are private contractors who DO NOT work for, or represent, the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homleess. All profits go directly to the vendor.

The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a group of shelters, agencies and individuals committed to ending homelessness in Cincinnati through coordinating services, educating the public and grassroots organizing.

GCCH Staff Georgine Getty - Executive Director Allison Leeuw - Administrative Coordinator Monique Little - Education Coordinator Kelly Carr - VISTA Andy Lawrence - AHA Coordinator John Lavelle - VISTA Mary Gaffney - Reception Melvin Williams - Reception Susan Smith - Volunteer Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor Photography Jimmy Heath

Streetvibes accepts letters, poems, stories, essays, original graphics, and photos. We will give preference to those who are homeless or vendors.

Subscriptions to Streetvibes, delivered to your home each month, can be purchased for $25 per year.

Address mail to: Streetvibes Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 421-7803 e-mail: streetvibes@juno.com web: http://cincihomeless.org

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Victory Won for Human Service Provider Community and the People they Serve

by Georgine Getty October 19, Cincinnati City Council unanimously voted to restore Human Service funding to over 50 local agencies serving low income and homeless individuals in Cincinnati. They also voted to restore the Human Service Advisory Committee (HSAC) process.

For over 20 years, human service agencies have received 1.5% of the General Fund. This funding goes to myriad groups working with senior citizens, people with disabilities, homeless individuals, families and youth. For the duration of this funding allocation, the HSAC has been the vehicle that recommends how funding is allocated. This volunteer committee evaluates all applications for human service funding and rates them based on their effectiveness at meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.

In November of 2005, Mayor Luken and City Manager Valerie Lemmie cut human service funding to zero, stating that human services were not core city services and that they did not warrant city support. After an overwhelming response from citizens (over 300 people showed up to testify in favor of human service funding at each of the public hearings), Council restored partial funding at a rate of .06%. Some of this funding did not come from the General Fund, but was rather siphoned off of CDBG funding, dollars used to create fair, accessible and affordable housing.

Many agencies received no funding at all and were forced to lay off employees, end programs or close their doors altogether.

The “1.5% Coalition” consisting of agencies affected by these cuts as well as concerned citizens and faith groups, formed in December of 2005 to work to restore city funding to human services. They also focused on

restoring the HSAC process of allocating funds, determining as a service community that this process was fair and objective.

The three-party motion to restore funding was put forth by Crowley (D), Smitherman (C), and Monzel (R) on October 12 and was referred to Finance Committee, with support from Reece, Cole, Pepper and Malone. It states: * We acknowledge that that the needs of our citizens go beyond just safety, peacekeeping, and sanitation. Therefore, we are making a commitment to continue our long and proud tradition of providing support for Human Services in the City of Cincinnati. * We have a Human Services Policy that prioritizes funding based on the severity and urgency of various problems. These priorities include helping to fund programs for people who are homeless, atrisk youth, and citizens with disabilities. * Last year due to budget constraints, the Mayor and City Manager proposed eliminating the 1.5% earmarked for Human Services. Fortunately, Council was able to make some budget adjustments in order to restore half of the original amount. We want to send a clear message that funding Human Services is a priority, and that we support the restoration of the full 1.5%.

The human service community commended the passage of these motions. In a letter recently sent to Council candidates, signed by over 35 executive directors of local human service agencies, the case was made for restoration, illuminating four key benefits of city funding: * It leverages millions of state and federal dollars to benefit Cincinnati. It is estimated that agencies leverage $4 from outside sources for every dollar

invested in them through city funds. * Homeless, sick, victimized, hungry, hurting and often hopeless people get the help they need to move forward with dignity and hope * It alleviates the problems of caring for indigent, abused, mentally ill, and sick from the city. * Social services agencies collaborate, share resources and work for lasting and systemic change.

Mayor Luken, however, was unhappy with the decision, stating that he wanted to go on record as opposing the approval of these motions.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 1622, 2005 The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is seeking willing participants to organize sleepouts/shanty-towns and/or food/ clothing drives for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Below you’ll find a brief description of the event.

Co-sponsored by: National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness Each year, one week before Thanksgiving, the sponsoring co-sponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

During this week, a number of schools, communities and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness.

Schools and/or Facility members interested in participating are asked to contact their local representative.

Cincinnati: Kelly Carr, Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, 513-421-7803 ext.11.

Streetvibes exists as a forum for the expression of the views and opinions of our readers and supporters. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Streetvibes staff or the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless

Streetvibes

Homeless News Digest

Compiled by Jimmy Heath A 37-year-old Boston homeless man was shot to death as he stood on the steps outside a Roxbury apartment Friday night, less than a day after he was released from jail.

Jose Gonzalez had just rung the doorbell to Beverly Julien’s second-floor apartment on the 2900 block of Washington Street when he was shot in the chest, according to Julien, who described herself as an acquaintance of Gonzalez’s, and a Boston police officer familiar with the case.

Julien said she normally looks out her front window before deciding whether to open the door, but she thought it was her boyfriend ringing so she went straight downstairs. She was at the top of the stairs when she heard the shot, she said.

She cracked her door open, she said, and saw Gonzalez lying on the steps.

She ran back up to her apartment and dialed 911, she said, keeping her eye on Gonzalez from the window until police and paramedics arrived at around 9:40 p.m.

“I kept watching his chest and his belly” for signs of life, she said.

Julien lamented that if she had looked out the window she might have caught a glimpse of who killed Gonzalez.

In Coquitlam, BC Canada, homeless men in the Tri-Cities may face a tougher time getting a bed in a shelter this winter Salvation Army has had to cut back the number of temporary beds at its New Westminster shelter from about 30 to 20 to meet building codes and a spokesperson said he won’t know until later this fall whether he will be able to accommodate more Tri-City homeless people when winter sets in The Army currently picks up about four men a day from Port Coquitlam and drives them to the New West shelter and back. That number usually increases to about seven men in winter, although some people are turned away But Capt. Dave MacPherson said he’ll only be able to accept more homeless if requested to by the Fraser Health Authority and some longer term renters move out of the building “We’ll take as many as we can,” he promised

Sally Ann, which used to rent space in New West’s Garfield Hotel, is now buying the building to knock it down and build a permanent facility. The Army is working with the Royal City to refine details for the project, which is expected to cost about $8 million, including land costs, and is getting support from provincial and federal governments.

The army also runs the 10bed Stevenson House, for a total shelter bed count of 33, of which four are set aside for Tri-City people Sally Ann is also working with Tri-City churches to come up with a strategy for taking in local homeless if temperatures drop below -4 C Last year’s plan to house local homeless on mats on a church floor fell through, so the Salvation Army let them stay in the basement of its New Westminster church Still, there are never enough beds and last year the Army turned away 10 homeless a night, MacPherson said Last spring the Salvation Army closed its PoCo office after plans for a shelter, second stage housing and services fell through.

In Austin Texas The Cantu/Pan American Recreation Center in East Austin looked like it was set up for any trade show last month. Booths advertising various services enticed participants with free T-shirts, nonprofits were collecting signatures and the line to get in snaked around the corner.

But this was a different kind of convention. Everyone was there to help the homeless get back on their feet in some way. For the past six years, Stand Down Austin has helped homeless veterans. A “stand down” is a military term for a retreat.

Now, the nonprofit is reaching out to all of Austin’s homeless community. It’s organized as a one-stop-shop with a number of different services and organizations, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, American Red Cross, Health and Human Services, Caritas of Austin, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and The Salvation Army.

“This is for homeless individuals where they can come access many resources in one day, versus having to do that over the course of weeks and sometimes

months,” chairman Andrew Miller said.

The one-day event allows the homeless a one-stop shop to have all their needs met.

Men and women received food, clothes, haircuts, health care, employment assistance, ID badges, legal counseling, pet vaccinations and housing assistance.

Many of Austin’s homeless population aren’t looking for a handout, but a hand up.

Alice Cooper wants to help the hungry men of London, even if they don’t want pizza.

According to the U.K. website Playlouder.com, Cooper is pitching a reality TV show in which he will save a homeless man from the streets of London. “It will be about a guy who is sleeping in downtown London and life is totally gone for him,” Cooper reportedly said of his new show. “He’s just a bundle of rags. We find out how he got there and reconstruct his life. That would be great TV.” Apparently Alice will search the gritty parts of London for the “right type” of homeless man.

Maybe he means the kind who wears ghoulish makeup, likes to play golf, and wants to open sports bars, just like Alice.

After wrapping up a U.S. tour, Cooper heads to England for the month of November, ostensibly to tour, but perhaps to pound the pavement in search of the right “derelict.”

In Alexandria, Va. Fran Becker used to daydream about how she’d spend a million dollars to fix up the homeless shelter she runs in Alexandria.

Now, she gets to turn her dream into reality.

A family that made its fortune in the Alexandria real estate market gave Becker one million dollars six months ago.

Carpenter’s Shelter currently offers classes, counseling, tutoring and similar programs.

Becker tells The Washington Post that the bequest will help her expand these programs, transforming the shelter into a comprehensive center of learning.

So far, the money has been used to set up a scholarship program for clients who want more education.

The shelter also has been renamed the Hubert N. Hoffman Junior Center for Homeless Families, after a member of the family that established the Hoffman Family Trust.

In Bagley Twp., Michigan, police responding to a complaint of cats and dogs being

Streetvibes

kept in a rented storage unit on Old 27 South suspect the owner of those pets is a homeless man who also may have been living in the storage unit.

State Police troopers from the Gaylord post removed two dogs and cats from the storage unit off Old 27 south of Gaylord after MSP troopers received anonymous information the domesticated animals were being kept in one of the units.

Investigators indicated the 43-year-old Gaylord man who had been renting the storage space since Sept. 25 also may have been living with his pets.

Although a report of the incident has been turned over to the prosecutor for review, investigators indicated they did not believe the man would be facing charges of animal cruelty.

According to the MSP incident report, investigators could hear dogs barking from inside one of the units when they arrived at the scene.

After opening the locked door, troopers found two German Shepherds and two cats inside the storage unit, which was reported to have had an overwhelming odor of urine and feces. Bowls of water and dog food were found inside the building, as was a couch with blankets and pillows.

In Huntsville, Alabama a man Eugene Mercer, 58, described as mentally ill and reportedly armed with a knife, was shot and killed last month by police.

Police searched for an escaped Madison County jail inmate and came upon Mercer’s campsite under the Interstate 565 overpass. The escapee, Bobby Ray Bickers, 36, later was captured.

Police spokesman Wendell Johnson said he wasn’t sure if the city’s mental health officer had been called to help deal with Mercer.

“It might’ve all happened too quickly for that. We won’t discuss further details until all of the facts are known,” Johnson said.

Sherry Birney, a chaplain advocate for Huntsville’s homeless, said she had met Mercer many times at his campsite. She said when he became frightened or distressed, he would become aggressive in his speech.

“He isolated himself under that bridge for years,” she said.

“Herman isn’t the first and he won’t be the last paranoid schizophrenic person living on the street that police will have to deal with.”

She said officers need training in how to deal with the mentally ill.

“Rather than shoot him, why not back away or call the mental health officer or at least get the police dog to tend to him?” she said.

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Santa Rosa, CA council weighs homeless crackdown

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Page 4

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Homeless encampments along the rail corridor and creek beds of Healdsburg are a public nuisance, police say, and the city should adopt stricter laws that will help kick people out.

Over the last year, Healdsburg has seen a dramatic rise in the number of people living on public and private property where uncontrolled cooking fires, trash and the lack of sanitation are taking a toll, Sgt. Kevin Young said.

At one of the most popular transient haunts on Foss Creek, firefighters have been called to extinguish numerous blazes. Last year, a homeless man died of alcohol poisoning, Young said.

“The human waste and garbage we find down there fills dump trucks,” Young said.

“Some of the camps are unbelievable.”

Police are proposing an addition to the municipal code to make overnight camping in makeshift tents, hammocks or in cars an infraction punishable by a $100 fine, Young said. A second offense could lead to 30 days in jail.

Advocates for migrant farmworkers among the largest group of illicit campers - said that a more rigorous law would not solve the problem of homelessness.

Nancy Palandati, an attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance in Santa Rosa, said people would merely sleep elsewhere.

She said Healdsburg and other Sonoma County cities should follow the lead of Napa County, which provides housing during the harvest that draws thousands of people, many without homes.

Threatening workers in the region’s key industry with fines or jail is wrong, she said.

“On the one hand they say you can come here and work,” Palandati said. “But you can only seek work in this way. And by the way, once you’re done with work, we don’t want you around.”

The city has been working on its overnight-camping law for several years, trying to resolve issues connected to homelessness, public safety and litter. It cleared a portion of the Russian River bank near Memorial Beach in recent years and has battled dumping on many public easements. Now, much camping appears to have moved to the rail corridor near Grove Street.

There, in blackberry brambles, homeless people have erected shelters with plastic sheeting and wood floors. They wash clothes in a shallow creek and keep a small vegetable garden. Bicycle frames, old couches and beer cans litter trails.

City Manager Chet Wystepek said it is illegal to camp without a permit, but the proposed law defines certain illegal activities, giving police clearer enforcement authority.

For instance, it describes camping paraphernalia like bedrolls or cots, and specifies banned activities such as cooking or digging.

Katrina uncovers the forgotten queues at America’s soup kitchens It is a little past noon on a sweltering day a short ride from downtown Detroit, one of the last gasps of summer before the brutal Michigan winter settles in. Already the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, run by friars from a nearby monastery, is winding down. People tend to get in line for food early. A couple of dozen people, largely but not exclusively African Americans, finish their lunches in a clean but spare dining hall. A large wooden cross is propped up in one corner and photographs on the wall show the facility during the depression.

This is a rough neighbourhood. Alison Costello, the former fine-dining chef who manages the kitchen, keeps her eyes fixed ahead of her on her way home to avoid looking too hard at the drug houses that line the street.

Many of the people at the tables have the worn appearance of the chronically poor and homeless, others are younger and wouldn’t attract glares; many have lowpaying jobs and simply struggle to make ends meet, part of a swelling class of the working poor. The soup kitchen serves around 800 people daily for lunch. The summer months are the busiest. In the winter, numbers thin. Some regulars find places at shelters and would rather go hungry than lose them. Others have no proper footwear and risk frostbitten feet if they do make the trip.

“I drove in here yesterday and I saw all these people streaming in to the soup kitchen,

and I thought ‘there is so much suffering in this city’,” said Brother Jerry Smith, who runs the soup kitchen. “I see the abandoned buildings and factories on a massive scale. I have to keep looking for signs of hope. Sometimes it’s pretty demoralising.”

This is the America most don’t see. It has taken a catastrophe to rekindle the national debate on poverty in the US. The wretched images of the poor left to struggle on the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, with no means of escape, provoked widespread shock. But the conditions exposed by the hurricane are not confined to the south. After barely registering as an issue for a decade, poverty is back on the political agenda. We had all seen the evidence of “deep, persistent poverty” on television, President Bush said in an address after the hurricane struck; poverty that “has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America.”

According to the US census bureau, poverty has been on the rise for the past four years, despite a robust economy. The number of people living in poverty increased last year to 12.7% of the population, some 37m people, the highest percentage in the developed world. Since Mr Bush took office an additional 5.4m have slipped below the poverty line. In 1970, the rate was 11.1%. Almost 8% of white people are classified as below

the poverty line and almost 25% of African Americans. “Katrina merely blew the mask off the face of poverty,” says Agostinho Fernandes, president of the Gleaners Food Bank, which supplies food to soup kitchens and emergency food services in the Detroit area. “Why did it take a disaster for our leaders to respond?”

In Detroit, 34% of the population live in poverty, including almost half the children under 17.

In the neighbourhood of Highland Park, once the home of Chrysler and now all but abandoned, shops are boarded up and the bones of burnt out buildings haunt the streets.

Local community workers are fighting contractors from other parts of the city using its streets to dump rubbish.

Detroit’s population has plummeted from 2m to 950,000 in the past 50 years, largely because of white flight to the suburbs after race riots in the 1960s. There have been cuts in police and fire departments, the city is crimeridden and schools are a shambles.

The Capuchin Soup Kitchen has become accustomed to dealing with the mentally ill after budget cuts caused the closure of local mental health facilities.

Community workers are sceptical about whether America will see another “war on poverty”.

“What the president says doesn’t mean much to me,” says Genevieve Clark at the Hunger Action Coalition in Detroit. “He is speaking for the moment to make people feel warm and fuzzy today and then he will move on to something else.”

There is perhaps good reason for cynicism. Items on the agenda in Washington include the extension of tax cuts on investment income and repealing the estate tax, both aimed at the wealthy. Also proposed are tens of billions of dollars of cuts to services like food stamps, federal student loans and Medicaid, the health insurance for the low-income Americans.

The president’s vow to pay for reconstruction in New Orleans without raising taxes means further services are likely to be cut.

Democrats have also attacked the Bush administration for suspending the minimum wage requirement for companies working in the hurricane-hit region. The minimum wage of $5.15 an hour has not in any case been increased since 1997: adjusted for inflation it is at its lowest level since 1956.

Rarely, if ever, has poverty continued to rise so long after the end of a recession. The median

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household income in the US has stagnated for the past five years at around $44,400, the longest period on record. Globalisation is forcing US companies to keep prices low to compete and many manufacturers are closing factories and shifting production overseas: 2.7m industrial jobs have been lost since 2001. Many of those workers are moving into lower-paid service jobs. Unions are weak.

The pressure on wages at the bottom is creating a new class of the working poor. Valerie Bland, 33, a single mother, fills a supermarket trolley at a food pantry in Detroit run by a local community group called Focus:Hope, which also provides training to get people back to work. Her job as a nursing assistant doesn’t pay enough to cover the bills and buy food for her infant son. “I would be struggling without this program,” she says. “I am still penny-pinching but this takes some of the stress away.”

Welfare to work reform in the 1990s tilted benefits in favour of people with jobs, leaving a less effective safety net. Healthcare costs continue to rise at doubledigit rates. The numbers without any kind of health insurance grew last year to 45.8 million people. Yet the rich continue to get richer. For the first time in the census, the top 20% of earners in the US took over half the total income. The bottom 20% took just 3.4%. Only the top 5% of households enjoyed real income growth during the year. A recent survey released by market research firm TNS said the number of millionaires in the US has reached a record 8.9 million, rising for the third successive year.

Mr Bernstein says: “With the Bush re-election, it’s hard to make a case that there is a high political cost to ignoring or even exacerbating our poverty problem.

Inequality promotes greater inequality because once you have disenfranchised a generation then their progeny is facing ever higher barriers and it’s that much tougher to get out.”

The question for many is how long poverty will remain a topic in Washington. Katrina made New Orleans a magnet for charity.

“It slammed the door shut on us,” says Mr Fernandes at Gleaners.

“Organisations like ours were feeding the impoverished in the south before the storm; we were feeding them through the storm; and we are feeding them after the storm.”

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Valuable to The Family walking the streets for place they can

by Ms. Mary Gaffney call home. disappointed, with outfull Greetings to my readers and time employment. Some stop here purchasers of Streetvibes each for coffee and warmth; others nap. month; and to my homeless friends, On Special Wednesday, a especially those in Over-Rhine, some wonderful lady; Susan of the residents at the Smith, visits us and Drop Inn Center, in brings a most delicious vacant buildings, dinner with all the hallways and allys. trimmings. And she While sitting here brings, on Thursday’s at my desk as usual, my and sometimes mind turns to Monday, loaves of Thanksgiving and Miss Mary Gaffney bread which my Christmas and families homeless friends are gatherings and dinners.

Here at the Coalition, on my desk, is very grateful to receive, and will say Thank You. This makes you think; in a bucket of chicken, or sometimes, all of the stress and strain of their day, seafood.

During the holidays, there is a they take the time to greet you and roomful of family who has shelter and thank you.

Thank you Streetvibes a way to prepare their food. customers, for supporting my But what about the ones who homeless friends with your purchase. have no home. They will eat if they Until next time. can eat at regular places, but are

Senate Plan to Cut Food could have meant a loss of benefits Stamps Dies Senate Republicans have dropped plans to cut the popular food stamp program, as the chamber’s leaders scrambled to assemble a $35 billion spending cut measure to implement the budget plan it adopted in April.

After protests from Agriculture Committee members Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and James M. Talent (R-Mo.), panel Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-Gad.) dropped more than $500 million in food stamp cuts from a farm and food subsidy measure that came in to a committee vote in October.

The cuts

for 300,000 working families benefiting from more generous eligibility rules in some states.

The development on food stamps illustrates the political sensitivity of the upcoming debate over the spending cut bill, which would spread the $35 billion in cuts over five years. Various House and Senate committees are conducting behind-the-scenes talks to devise spending cut plans to implement the budget.

The conservative-dominated House plans to up the ante to $50 billion in cuts as it votes as early as tomorrow to revise the budget.

The Senate has no such plans.

A Call to Greater Cincinnati Poets For the 2006 annual Book of Poems and Drawings on Peace and Justice 1) Call for poems from any poet from the Greater Cincinnati area 2) Poems to relate to themes of peace and justice 3) Poet may submit up to 3 poems 4) All submissions will be considered. The editors will be looking for quality, inclusiveness, and appropriateness to the themes of peace and justice.

5) If space becomes limited, priority will be given to poets not published in previous books 6) Poems selected will be illustrated in B&W by Greater Cincinnati artists (one drawing per poet) 7) Poems and illustrations will be printed in For a Better World 2006, a book to be available April, 2006 8) Book will be launched and available for sale at SOS ART 2006. 9) Poets included in book will be invited to read their poems at SOS ART 2006 10) Proceeds from sale of book will finance publication of future similar books to accompany annual âœSOS ART events. (Note: this is the 3rd annual book) 11) Submission deadline: February 3, 2006 12) Please send submissions in full text and as a Word attachments by e-mail or by US mail (on a floppy disk) to: Saad Ghosn (saad.ghosn@uc.edu), 216 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, Oh 45229

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Mark Your Calendar

Invitation to Justice Watch Dinner Justice Watch Saves Lives and Money Saturday, November 12th, 2005 5:30 PM

Keynote Speaker G. Michael Payton, Esq., Executive Director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission St. Joseph Parish Hall, corner of Ezzard Charles & Linn Streetvibes For more information please call 241-0490 Tickets are $25 each, or $160 for a table of ight

Across the country, more than 600,000 prisoners are released each year. A medium Security inmate in a conventional prison costs taxpayers about $25,000 per year and %67 return to a wasteful life of crime and prison. Justice Watch offers residential support to men coming out of prison would otherwise be homeless. A Justice Watch resident costs only $2,250 to house and only %13 return to a wasted life of crime on the road.

Nearly One Third of Food Stamp Recipients Lived in Rural Areas; Cuts Would Harm Rural Poor A new analysis by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire shows that 22 percent of Americans and a full 31 percent of the nation’s food stamp recipients lived in rural areas in 2001.

Three in five rural residents who received food stamps lived in the South. “Many of America’s rural families struggle to make a living,” said Cynthia M. Duncan, the director of The Carsey Institute.

“In these rural communities, as in many of our cities and suburbs, food stamps provide crucial supplements to low income families’ budgets.” In 2001, 7.5 percent (4.6 million) of all rural residents received food stamps, compared to 4.8 percent of residents of urban areas.

Nevertheless, 10.6 million rural residents were living in poverty.

The lower number of food stamp recipients indicates that many eligible people did not participate in the program. Among other important findings, children accounted for 43 percent of the rural population that depend on food stamps, but only one fourth of rural residents. The Carsey analysis stresses the importance of

Streetvibes

food stamps to rural America and says that Congressional cuts would likely have significant adverse effects on the lives of poor rural Americans.

20 YEARS SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Empowering our neighborhood children through peace, art and education Peaslee Neighborhood Center 215 East 14th Street Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(513) 621-5514

75% of American Workers Lack Decent Wages and Benefits

Interview with a Streetvibes Vendor

Alford-44- from Columbus, OH

tvib es

The beverage industry will soon start a multi-million dollar ad campaign to publicize its new policy on soft drink sales in school vending machines.

Pilot TV commercials will feature parents talking about the policy.

Susan Neely, president of the American Beverage Association (ABA), said that the ads are designed to raise awareness about the industry’s efforts “to contribute to

the larger societal challenge” of childhood obesity.

This year, many state legislatures considered, and in some cases passed, legislation banning or restricting soft drink sales in schools.

The new ABA policy allows diet soft drinks in middle schools, and up to 50 percent of vending slots in high schools to have carbonated soft drinks. The Center for Science in the Public Interest urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require the beverage industry to put a health warning on sweet carbonated soft drinks. “Neely is no stranger to issue campaigns,” reads this Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s story.

ee

Soft Drinks in Schools: Beverage Industry to Promote Its New Plan

track. Today, he sells between 15 and 40 papers a week, for which people “very generously” contribute between 5 to 10 dollars each.

What isn’t spent on rent gets invested back into more papers, keeping his business moving.

When asked what he’d like to say to the public, Alford said he’d like the paper to get everyone’s support, specifically support in providing new and improved shelters for the homeless.

The shelter situation as it stands now is not adequate to house the 150-200 homeless Cincinnatians per night that frequent them.

Alford’s success is a great example of the difference a little bit of support can make. Through the sales of Streetvibes alone, he was able to make a living for himself with the help of a program that has aided many in getting on their feet.

Your support through the purchase of this paper is greatly appreciated, and makes a real difference in reducing homelessness.

of good jobs would have fallen 25 to 30 percent, despite large increases in the capital stock per worker and significant technological progress over the period.

Moreover, the decline in the underlying ability of the economy to create good jobs is likely an underestimate since this calculation does not control for the larger capital stock or technological advances, both of which should have made it much easier for the economy to produce good jobs.

The study also found that 26.6 percent of the workforce is in a job that pays poorly and offers neither health insurance nor a pension. This is close to the share of Americans in bad jobs in 1979 (27.9 percent).

“How Good is the Economy at Creating Good Jobs?” was based on analysis of data from the March Current Population Survey (CPS). It is the first in a series to explore recent trends in job quality in the U.S. economy.

Str

by Neil Maclean Every day at 11AM, at the corner of 7th and Vine a smiling face greets me. I know him only by his first name, Alford, but his story is one of courage, determination, and strength. It is a story I am proud to tell.

For the past 3 years now, Alford has sold Streetvibes newspapers on that same corner, in front of the CVS. It is a venture that’s enabled him to move from sleeping on the streets, and shelters, into his own apartment in College Hill. Alford’s story is one that is painfully familiar and a lesson for many of us. His story is an illustration of how a simple twist of fate can put any one of us on an unexpected path.

After a car accident left him unable to drive his cab, Alford found himself homeless and wondering where his next meal would come from. It was only after he found Streetvibes that Alford was able to get his life back on

Only 25.2 percent of American workers have a job that pays at least $16 per hour and provides health insurance and a pension, according to a new study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

The report, “How Good is the Economy at Creating Good Jobs?” found that between 1979 and 2004 the share of American workers in good jobs remained unchanged at about 25 percent, despite strong economic growth over that period. (The report defines a “good job” as one that offers at least $16 per hour or $32,000 annually, employer-paid health insurance and a pension.) In the last quarter century, the U.S. workforce has become older, more experienced and better educated, but 75 percent of workers are still struggling in jobs that do not provide health insurance, a pension and solid middle-class wages.

“The U.S. economy has failed to convert long-term economic growth into better jobs,” said John Schmitt, CEPR economist and author of the report. “Despite huge improvements in the average educational level our workforce, most American workers still don’t have a job that pays a decent wage and provides health insurance and a pension.”

Since 1979, inflationadjusted GDP per person increased 60 percent, but the percentage of workers in good jobs remained unchanged at about 25 percent. If the workforce had not experienced dramatic improvements, the share

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Page 7

Bush Must Keep His Promise to America of Bold Action to Address Poverty Hurricane Katrina swept America’s hidden problem of poverty into public view. Those with means by and large had hightailed it out of New Orleans before the storm hit, leaving the poor, the elderly and the infirm to cope with the subsequent floodwaters as TV cameras rolled.

Their desperate plight seemed a metaphor for the needy in America - left stranded to fend for themselves amid a tidal wave of want and poverty while the more fortunate cruise to safety.

A new report from The Brookings Institution reinforces the notion that many a city, Milwaukee included, can see themselves mirrored in New Orleans. The report notes the similarity among Milwaukee, New Orleans and some other big cities in the concentration of poverty.

The report serves as a reminder that, in a speech from New Orleans on Sept. 15, President Bush had promised the nation “bold action” to tackle poverty, which, he said, “has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America.” It’s now

four weeks later, and that bold action has yet to materialize.

Instead, cruelly, Congress is talking of moving in the opposite direction, cutting programs for the poor to pay for hurricane relief.

His chief tactic to date - tax cuts mainly for the wealthy - has not worked. The ranks of the poor have widened under that policy. His strategy should include breaking up concentrations of poverty, which lead to bleak neighborhoods where commerce struggles, job opportunities shrivel, crime rises, mental and physical health suffers, schools deteriorate, housing decays and hope shrinks.

Before the hurricane, some 38% of New Orleans’ poor residents lived in poor neighborhoods - the second highest share in the nation. In Milwaukee, which ranks ninth on the chart, 27% of poor residents live in such neighborhoods. The 1990s did see a marked reversal in the concentration of poor people.

Bush should strive to build on that trend.

Among the report’s recommendations Bush should adopt -

• Expand the federal Section 8 program, which gives the poor vouchers to use for rent in private dwellings.

• Push a program encouraging tax credits to builders of affordable single-family homes. Bush has actually proposed this program.

Trouble is, he hasn’t pushed it.

• Aim federal affordable-housing funds at low-poverty neighborhoods.

• Expand the earned income tax credit and link the amount to housing costs.

Simply, Bush must keep his promise to America of bold action to address poverty.

In Spirit Though you don’t live next door, though you’re five states away, You’re still here in my thoughts every week, every day.

When events of the day cause this soul to despair, just the sound of your voice makes them easy to bear.

When I don’t have the luxury of feeling your soft touch or taking in your scent, which I appreciate so much, I need only look back at the times we have had to wonder if I’ve any right to be sad.

You’re truly a blessing.

I want you to know that I care for you deeply, wherever I go.

- Benjamin Heller -

Got The Vibe?

National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 homelesscivilrights@yahoo.com Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (513) 421-7803

Know Your Rights Brochure Available!

The Know Your Rights Brochure is now available at the Coalition’s office. The brochure is a legal guide for Cincinnati’s homeless and covers a person’s basic rights when interacting with the police, as well as some local laws that might be of interest to the homeless population. If you are a homeless person or if you work with homeless people and would like to obtain free copies of the brochure for yourself or your agency, please call 4217803, or stop by the Coalition office and pick one up.

Page 8

This beautiful, original artwork depicts the vibrant role that Streetvibes plays in downtown Cincinnati and neighboring communities. Created by local artist and activist Mary Ann Lederer in collage form, this colorful 18" X 10" reproduction can be yours to own for only $10. Commemorating Streetvibes 100th issue, proceeds from this limited time offer will go to support the Streetvibes Program and Vendors.

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Visit the Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless website at - http://www.cincihomeless.org Visit the Streevibes archives at - http:// www.cincihomeless.org/content/streetvibes.html Streetvibes

Page 9

Habitat for Humanity chapter raise awareness about Poverty and Homelessness to people about Habitat for Humanity. The group raised about $200, one-third of which will go to More than 20 University of local a local Habitat affiliate and the Idaho students experienced “A Night additional two-thirds will go to Without Comfort” last month at Habitat’s hurricane relief, Peton said The event began on a Friday Friendship Square in Moscow.

Students from the UI campus eveninng and ended at 4 a.m. chapter of Habitat for Humanity spent Saturday when cold winds and few people forced volunteers to pack up a night on the streets without accommodations talking to passersby and head home, she said.

“A lot of people don’t know about their organization to raise exactly what Habitat is, so we get to community awareness and provide educational information about poverty inform them a little bit,” Habitat Treasurer Levi Carter said. housing issues and homelessness.

“Standing out here makes Habitat for Humanity is an you think about what people without international nonprofit organization any housing would do,” said Rosanne that works to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness.

Peton, president of the Habitat Volunteers and “partner chapter at UI. Students spent the night families” work together to build or around an informational table, talking renovate homes. Materials are

by Jason Moll

provided by individual and corporate donors. Mortgage payments go into a revolving fund that is used to build more houses.

“It’s a hand up, not a hand out,” said Anne Buike, the group’s adviser. “We work in partnerships with families.”

The Moscow chapter of Habitat for Humanity recently purchased a piece of property for development and is waiting for proper permits before moving forward.

The event was coordinated with National Make a Difference Day Saturday, a day when people are encouraged to go out and make positive changes in their communities.

“I think this is awesome,” said passerby Rober Revich, a UI sophomore in electrical engineering.

“I was kind of involved with something like this back at home.”

Peton said the group saw peak traffic between 9 and 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.

The campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity at UI was formed by students in 2003. It received its official charter from Habitat for Humanity International in 2005.

“I think we accomplished our goals,” Peton said. “A lot of people came by to ask questions or give donations.” The group raised more than twice what they expected.

“This is a great place for people to get a little bit of information out,” said passerby Mike Hudson, a Moscow community member. “Moscow may be the most giving little town in this area.”

Senate Fails Again to Raise Minimum Wage Senate proposals to raise the minimum wage were rejected last month, making it unlikely that the lowest allowable wage, $5.15 an hour since 1997, will rise in the foreseeable future.

A labor-backed measure by Sen. Edward Kennedy would have raised the minimum to $6.25 over an 18-month period. A Republican counterproposal would have combined the same $1.10 increase with various breaks and exemptions for small businesses.

The Kennedy amendment to a spending bill went down 51-47, and the GOP alternative 57-42.

Under a Senate agreement, they would have needed 60 votes for approval.

Kennedy, D-Mass., said Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the depth of poverty in the country and he pointed out that a single parent with two children working a minimum wage earns $10,700 a year, $4,500 below the poverty line.

He said it was “absolutely unconscionable” that in the same period that Congress has denied a minimum wage increase, lawmakers have voted themselves seven pay raises worth $28,000.

But Republican opponents, echoing the arguments of business groups, said higher minimum wages can work against the poor if they force small businesses to cut payrolls or go out of business.

“Mandated hikes in the minimum wage do not cure poverty and they clearly do not create jobs,” said Sen. Mike Enzi, RWyo., who offered the Republican alternative.

Kennedy noted after the vote that three of the four Republicans who supported his amendment, Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island are up for re-election next year. “Candidates that are out campaigning know the power of this issue,” he said. The fourth Republican supporting Kennedy was Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan, asked about Kennedy’s measure, said President Bush “believes that we should look at having a reasonable increase in the minimum wage. ... But we need to make sure that, as we do that, that it is not a step that hurts small

business or prices people out of the job market.”

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said minimum wage workers “deserve a pay raise “plain and simple,” no strings attached.”

“It is appalling that the same right-wing leaders in Congress who have given themselves seven pay raises since the last minimum wage increase have voted down the modest minimum wage increase proposed by the Kennedy amendment,” he said in a statement.

Enzi’s proposal would provide tax and regulatory relief for small business, permit tips to be credited in complying with minimum wage hikes and expand the small business exemption from the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also would have put into law a “flextime” system, opposed by organized labor as an assault on overtime pay, under which workers could work more in one week and take time off the next.

Both proposals, amendments to a fiscal 2006 spending bill, needed 60 votes to pass.

Kennedy, who has campaigned relentlessly for a minimum wage increase, picked up

Unusually High Summer Demand for Shelter In Rutland, Vermont, homeless shelters were experiencing an unusually high demand during the summer. Occupancy usually declines in the warmer months when homeless people move to campgrounds and other outdoor areas to live.

The Open Door mission in Rutland and Burlington’s Committee on Temporary

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Shelter has been full for more than a month.

Officials are reviewing their records to see what is driving the increased need.

Rita Markley, head of the Committee on Temporary Shelter, says she’s seen a rise in the number of women who are homeless. She also has noticed a trend in the number

of people who have been laid off from full-time jobs.

A shortage of affordable housing also is the major problem.

Lack of affordable housing contues to be a barrier for poor people, the results which is becoming homeless. Federal guidlines are that housing should not cost more than one-third of your housing.

Streetvibes

one vote from the 46 votes for a similar measure in March. Last month he modified his proposal, which originally called for a $2.15 increase over 26 months, in hopes of attracting more Republicans.

The first minimum wage of 25 cents an hour was enacted under President Roosevelt in 1938.

Congress has since voted eight times to increase it, including under Republican presidents Eisenhower, Ford and George H.W. Bush.

Congress approved the last increase in 1996, with the second stage, boosting the rate to $5.15, taking effect in 1997.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have minimum wages higher than the national level, including Washington State at $7.35, according to the Labor Department. Twenty-six states are the same as the federal level; two: Ohio and Kansas are below; and six do not have state laws.

Also, Sens. Jack Reed, DR.I., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, proposed adding $3.1 billion to the administration’s $2 billion request this year for emergency heating assistance for low income families.

“We’re about see a second tidal surge from Katrina and Rita,” with rising energy costs, Reed said.

The Peace Village

by Steve Sunderland

The Peace Village will be back next month

FRAC Nutrion and Food Report categorical eligibility (“Cat El”) for During the week of October Temporary Assistance for Need 3rd, Senate Agriculture Committee Families (TANF) households to those Chairman Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) announced proposals to cut spending that receive TANF cash payments rather than services only. The cut is for food stamps, conservation and part of the “Budget Reconciliation” commodities programs but package that the Chairman postponed an October 6th planned announced in preparation for an mark up until the week of October October 6th markup that has been 17th; USDA reported on food postponed until on or about October stamp caseload increases for July 2005; state food stamp directors held 19th. The FY 2006 Budget Resolution directs the House and their annual meeting in Greensboro (NC); western states representatives Senate Agriculture Committees to cut testified about priorities for the 2007 $3 billion in five-year spending from programs under their jurisdiction.

Farm Bill at a USDA Forum in The House and Senate Budget Oakland (CA); and many people hard hit by Hurricanes Katrina and/or Committees have until October 26th to act on packages that combine the Rita sought nutrition assistance. recommendations from Agriculture Outlook: Members of and other authorizing committees.

Congress will be home for a district The House Agriculture Committee work period for the Columbus Day has yet to announce its reconciliation week. Anti-hunger advocates and plans. allies are planning visits and calls to In explaining his package to urge Members of Congress to nutrition advocates and other abandon budget reconciliation and stakeholders at a meeting on October instead broaden relief for those in 5th, Chairman Chambliss did need. A Senate Agriculture underscore his support for the Food Committee mark up of the FY 2006 Budget Reconciliation could occur on Stamp Program and his intention to hold the Food Stamp Program cuts October 19th—right on the heels of to his proposed level. The the October 17th and 18th National Chairman’s package also cuts Call-In Days that FRAC and allies conservation and commodities and are sponsoring to protect the Food extends a dairy program.

Stamp and other human needs Nonetheless, the Chambliss programs. Astonishingly in the wake package of nutrition and other cuts of Hurricane Katrina, conservatives proved so controversial that the may seek even deeper budget cuts October 6th mark up was cancelled than set under the FY 2006 Budget less than 12 hours before it was Resolution passed this spring. slated to start. AP reports, “Democrats are fighting attempts to Senate Agriculture make cuts in food stamps and Committee Chairman Saxby conservation programs at a time Chambliss (R-GA) has proposed cutting food stamp spending by nearly when people are coping with hurricanes and drought. ‘Right now $600 million over five years by the difference between life and death adopting the Administration’s FY for many Americans is the food stamp 2006 Budget proposal to limit

start the day….Congress established the school breakfast program with a program,’ said Sen. Max Baucus, Dpilot project in 1966 that provided Mont. ‘We should not, we cannot, free or reduced-price meals to cut the very nutritional programs that children from low-income families. are literally saving lives.’”

Some school systems began offering a free breakfast to all of their students “The Coalition on Human as long as 10 years ago, according to Needs, as the broad alliance calls the nonprofit Food Research and itself, sent a letter Thursday to all Action Center, a D.C.-based members of the Senate and House organization that works to eradicate urging them to ‘oppose cuts in hunger in the United States.

Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other (Source: “Breakfast at school,” by vital assistance that would lead to Kathryn Sinzinger, Common reduced help for low-income people, Denominator, 10/3/05, posted at and to focus instead on policies that http:// will help people move out of poverty.’ www.thecommondenominator.com/ Spurred by conservatives lead by 100305_news1.html).

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), chairman “Many children in Evanston of the House Republican Study schools jump-started their weeks Committee, Republicans are with milk cartons and sack coalescing behind spending cuts to breakfasts. On Monday, Evanston/ pay for hurricane damage. In a Rose Skokie School District 65 expanded Garden speech this week, President the School Breakfast Program into Bush said federal relief should be six schools: Chute and Nichols accompanied by cuts and that he middle schools and Dawes, Kingsley, would work with lawmakers to Lincoln and Park elementary schools. identify offsets. Conservatives have Oakton and Washington elementary identified increased Medicaid coschools already had the program…. payments, Medicaid block grants, Recent studies support Krugly’s and increased Medicare premiums as observation that students who eat potential offsets. On Wednesday, breakfast perform better in school.

House Budget Committee chairman Breakfast has been proven to Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) suggested an increase a student’s ability to focus across-the-board 2 percent cut on all and it decreases behavior problems in discretionary spending. the classroom, according to a USDA Beginning today, all students study. According to the 2004 School enrolled in D.C. public schools can Breakfast Report Card prepared by get a free breakfast if they show up the Food Research and Action for school 30 minutes early. That’s Center, 7.1 million low-income the word from school system officials, children participate in the School who say the ‘universal breakfast’ Breakfast Program. That was a 5.2 program is being launched with the percent increase from the 2002-2003 hope of replicating results of school year.” numerous studies that show academic Prepared by Food Research and achievement improves, tardiness and Action Center, 1875 Conn. Ave. truancy rates drop, and student NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202behavioral problems decline at 986-2200; www.frac.org schools that feed their students to

Book Review: Destination Nowhere

by John Siscoe The destination of choice is Molvania, a little-known and overlooked country in Eastern Europe. It is, among other things, the world’s number-one producer of beetroot and the birthplace of the whooping cough. The population staggers about, half-nauseated by industrial fumes while in the bleak countryside a band of famished goats (and criminals) rove at will. The food is inedible, the folk dancing interminable, the local customs unspeakable, and civic discipline invisible.

Here is a country with no past worth remembering, a present to be avoided and a future — perhaps it’s best not to speculate about the future. In any case, a visit to Molvania will make your present woes seem paltry indeed.

I was all set to pack my parody of the excellent but bags until I realized that relentlessly perky Lonely Planet Molvania does not exist.

Guides (or anything by Rick However the authoritative (and Steves): “Tourists tend to be a only) guidebook to Molvania little wary of Western Molvania, does. Comprehensive, up to date, perceiving it as little more than illustrated with alarming an arc of polluted factory towns photographs and detailed maps, full of high-rise tenement housing Movania, A Land Untouched by and even higher crime rates.

Modern They are of Dentistry Molvania: A Land Untouched course, contains all by Modern Dentistry right.” that you Every Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom could ever traveler’s Gleisner and Rob Sitch stand to heart must know about Overlook Press: a Jetlag warm to a Travel Guide this country where Paperback, 176 pages, $13.95 preposterous the eternal yet oddly flame at the plausible country.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Created by three burns only from Tuesday to Australians, Molvania (a Jetlag Saturday, where the famous Travel Guide) is a pitch-perfect revolving restaurant (Gastrodizzi)

Streetvibes

can take up to six months to complete a rotation, and where municipal buses “run frequently and can be hailed by simply waving your hand or, during peak periods, a small handgun.” Then there’s the dining experience at the renowned Tzoyczec Restaurant, where “you can sit in the garden and order roast suckling pig or lamb. Of course you’re unlikely to get it, as the place only does buttered rolls.”

No, it’s too tempting to go on quoting from this superb parody. Better that you check it out yourself. For me, I haven’t laughed so hard since I lost my traveler’s checks in Ljubjana and had to walk all the way back to Trieste. In the rain. This is a wonderful book.

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Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct About the Greater Cincinnati All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Coalition for the Homeless and Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 Streetvibes....

1. Streetvibes will be distributed Vendors must not tell customers earned. This program has helped for a $1 voluntary donation. If a customer donates more than $1 for a paper, vendors are allowed to keep that donation. However, vendors must never ask for more than $1 when selling Streetvibes.

2. Each paper purchased from the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) costs 25 cents. Papers will not be given out on credit. Old papers can not be traded in for new papers.

3. Streetvibes may only be purchased from GCCH. Never buy papers from, or sell papers to other vendors.

4. Vendors must not panhandle or sell other items at the same time they are selling Streetvibes.

5. Vendors must treat all other vendors, customers, and GCCH personnel with respect.

6. Vendors must not sell Streetvibes while under the influence.

7. Vendors must not give a “hard sell” or intimidate anyone into purchasing Streetvibes. This includes following customers or continuing to solicit sales after customers have said no. Vendors must also never sell Streetvibes door-to-door.

8. Vendors must not deceive customers while selling Streetvibes. Vendors must be honest in stating that all profits go to the individual vendor.

that the money they receive will go to GCCH or any other organization or charity. Also, vendors must not say that they are collecting for “the homeless” in general.

9. Vendors must not sell papers without their badge. Vendors must present their badge when purchasing papers from GCCH. Lost badges cost $2.00 to replace.

Broken or worn badges will be replaced for free, but only if the old badge is returned to GCCH. 10. Streetvibes vendor meetings are held on the first weekday of the month at 1pm. The month’s paper will be released at this meeting. If a vendor cannot attend the meeting, he or she should let us know in advance. If a vendor does not call in advance and does not show up, that vendor will not be allowed to purchase papers on the day of the meeting or the following day. Five free papers will be given to those who do attend.

11. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in termination from the Streetvibes vendor program. GCCH reserves the right to terminate any vendor at any time as deemed appropriate. Badges and Streetvibes papers are property of GCCH, and must be surrendered upon demand.

The mission of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) is to support a street newspaper movement that creates and upholds journalistic and ethical standards while promoting self-help and empowerment among people living in poverty. NASNA papers support homeless and very low-income people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada.

Streetvibes Vendor: 75 Cents (70 cent profit goes directly to the vendor)

Homeless Coalition

25 Cents Printing and Production: 25 cents (this cost does not cover expenses)

Page 12

The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) was formed in May of 1984 for one purpose: the eradication of homelessness in Cincinnati. What started out as a coalition of 15 volunteers meeting weekly in an unheated church basement has since grown into a Coalition of over 45 agencies and hundreds of volunteers dedicated to improving services for homeless individuals, educating the public about homelessness and empowering homeless individuals to advocate for their civil rights and housing needs.

Streetvibes is a tool of GCCH used to help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness.

On the one hand it is a selfsufficiency program geared towards the homeless and marginally housed individuals who are our vendors. Streetvibes vendors buy the paper for 30 cents per copy and sell it for a suggested one-dollar donation, keeping the profit that they have

hundreds of people find and maintain housing. The vendors also sign a code of conduct stating that they will behave responsibly and professionally and they proudly display their official Streetvibes badge while selling the paper. Our vendors put a face on “the homeless” of Cincinnati and form lasting friendships with their customers.

On the other hand, Streetvibes is an award-winning alternative newspaper and part of the international street newspaper movement. Focusing on homelessness and social justice issues, Streetvibes reports the often-invisible story of poverty in our community. Streetvibes is also proud to include creative writing, poetry, articles, photography and interviews written by homeless and formerly homeless individuals. Streetvibes enjoys a loyal reader base that respects the honest portrayal of the joys, sorrows, and challenges facing the people of Cincinnati.

Streetvibes is a member of the:

The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) unites street papers sold by homeless and people living in poverty from all over the world. INSP is an umbrella organisation, which provides a consultancy service for its partner papers and advises on the setting up of new street papers and support initiatives for marginalised people.

Where Your Dollar Goes...

The Streetvibes program maintains a minimal overhead cost so that our vendors can keep as much of the proceeds as possible.

Please call our office at 421-7803 for more information about the program. Many thanks for your support.

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Don’t be Squirrelly!

Buy Streetvibes!

New Orleans. Create a tour with high-profile experts on global warming, the politics of

by Paul Rogat Loeb infrastructure, America’s economic audiences that would have been far series of interconnected questions: What are the costs of neglecting and radical divides. Include voices more resistant just a few months As the New Orleans America’s core infrastructure, like from the city and those now exiled. disaster recedes from the headlines, before. But like the post-9/11 the Bush administration’s $71 Challenge Americans to think again reflection, this newfound concern citizen activists face a choice. We million cuts in the budgets for about why the disaster happened, won’t continue automatically.

It can focus exclusively on other maintaining and repairing the and what how we can best proceed needs a context in which to bloom. newer issues. Or we can work to levees? How do we challenge a in its wake.

After 9/11, author Vicki make the disaster one of those key pervasive cronyism, where being We could also use the wake Robin and some colleagues created turning points with the potential to the friend of a top Republican up call of the disaster to take a what they called “conversation transform American politics. fundraiser places similar approach with one of the cafes” (www.conversationcafe.org), If we think back to the 9/11 the former head of the International most difficult challenges it raises-the which brought together people of attacks, which have shaped Arabian Horse Association in impact of global warming. differing beliefs to reflect on how to American politics ever since, a brief charge of America’s national Focusing just on that one move forward from the tragedy. window of critical reflection opened disaster responses?

What are the overarching issue, we could hold Though their outreach was relatively up in their immediate wake. Middle high-profile local forums about the East experts critical of U.S. policies limited, the cafes offered a powerful hidden costs of choices of destroying swamps that traditionally increase in extreme climate events experience for those who had op-eds in our largest acted as buffers to tropical storms? like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, participated, and a model to build newspapers and appeared on How do we address America’s droughts and forest fires; about on.

Imagine if we extended these network TV. Ordinary citizens widening economic and racial impacts on public health through the conversations on a broader scale, mourned the victims, while asking divides, embodied by those left migration of disease-carrying mixing brainstorming, exchange of what would make the attackers so behind in the rising floodwaters? insects like the mosquitoes that perspectives and emotional embittered they’d be willing to How do we rebuild a devastated carry West Nile virus; about the sustenance.

In a time when it’s easy murder 3,000 innocent people.

New Orleans in a way that it won’t impact on agriculture of changing to feel overloaded, paralyzed with The next day, when I spoke about just get flooded again, while weather patterns. These could “compassion fatigue,” Robin sees a possible root causes, with even honoring the right of return for feature scientists, journalists, chance to create “containers where more frankness than usual, at a those outside the sleek tourist religious leaders, businesspeople people can grieve, process, see community college in the zones? like alternative energy experts or overwhelmingly Republican suburbs deeper truths, have new creative At what level of disaster do we representatives of insurance ideas.” just north of Dallas, the take seriously the costs of global companies increasingly hit by Another model comes from response was amazingly receptive. warming, and begin joining other climate-related property casualty community discussions that But by a few weeks later nations in acting on it? Can we do losses. The goal would be to use transformed Nebraska’s tax codes visible public questioning had any of this while giving $120 billion the window of concern opened by forty years ago.

In the early 1960s, largely ceased. Most Americans a year in tax cuts to the wealthy and Katrina to foster serious discussion a group of University of Nebraska accepted the Bush administration’s fighting a $100 billion-a-year Iraqi in communities that aren’t normally economists used the University’s definition of a war of absolute good war? And how can we keep our exposed to it. versus absolute evil. John Ashcroft statewide network of adult hope for change alive in a time of Finally, we can complement education extension offices to warned that anyone who disagreed so much disaster and human pain? local conversations with organize workshops, county by was an “ally of terrorism.” The The US has never faced the coordinated national discussions. county, where people could discuss space for reflection had closed. comparable destruction of one of As David Disregard Kellick writes different ways to make a highly New Orleans has revealed our major cities, so we’re all in new in The action http:// regressive state tax system more far too much about the cost of this territory.

We need to resist Bush www.thenation.com/doc/ fair.

The existing system had long administration’s priorities to administration proposals to lift 20051024/kallick), New York City weighed disproportionately on similarly strengthen Bush’s current wage and environmental citizen groups came together in the standing. Republican cheerleaders family farmers and low-income protections, give no-bid contracts wake of 9/11 to create the Labor residents.

Now, involving local are trying their best to spin its to companies like Halliburton, and Community Advocacy Network to organizations such as the Farmer’s lessons as a mandate for even pay for rebuilding by slashing other Rebuild New York (LCAN). Their Union, Farm Bureau, and the greater mistrust of all government, social programs like Medicare, members met among themselves to as if our sole hope lies in survivalist Grange, the economists invited Medicaid, child welfare programs, determine their joint priorities, then people to see for themselves how a individualism. But no matter what and student financial aid.

But if pushed, with some success, for range of approaches would affect they do, the legacy of this disaster we’re going to have a chance of more equitable directions for postthem and their neighbors.

“If creates a political liability for this succeeding in offering more 9/11 reconstruction. (Their people just really had a chance to administration, proactive alternatives, we’ll need to suggestions for the displaced Gulf look at the numbers,” one of the highlighting their lack of sound involve some of those ordinary and Coast communities are available at faculty members recalls, “we felt environmental policies and support often apolitical Americans who www.goodjobsny.org) Major they could come to an intelligent for critical infrastructure, their watched in horror as the labor, environmental and social decision. But they had to have a replacement of experience with floodwaters rose. justice groups could similarly meet context to analyze the system, and political cronyism, and their and talk out issues like where to this seemed a perfect use of heedlessness of America’s growing We could complement the generate the funding for educational networks that were economic and racial divides. The more intimate discussions with reconstruction, how to balance already in place.” danger is that the disaster’s most visible public forums.

During the protection against future floods with The workshop leaders far-reaching lessons will be quickly height of the nuclear arms race, rebuilding the devastated pursued their task without laptops, forgotten, as the voices of the city’s Physicians for Social Responsibility communities, how give displaced computerized spreadsheets, exiles grow quiet and fresh crises scheduled multi-day forums residents the maximum possible interactive Websites, or any of the and issues dominate the news. throughout the country to focus voice. The more we can clarify our other tools that would now make a We can change that by public attention on the nuclear own priorities, the more effectively comparable process far easier.

But helping our fellow citizen’s wrestle threat.

They involved a variety of we can articulate them to others. participants examined who was with the legacy of the disaster while If we reach out broadly getting a free ride, how to make the high profile speakers, including it remains strong in common Nobel laureates, talking about the enough, progressive activists system more equitable, and the memory-to give it its due as one of impact of the nuclear arms race wouldn’t control the direction of the likely results of specific policy those iconic moments with the attack from every perspective they resulting conversations, but we’d changes.

Local and statewide power to transform political life and could muster—the likely immediate have a chance to talk to others of media amplified the debates. It individual hearts and souls. For death toll in the wake of a nuclear differing views and reflect on our took a half-dozen years of follownow America is still wrestling with attack, technological escalations own. From my experience, the up education and debate, but what happened and why, with what that were reducing the margin for disaster has opened up a space Nebraska finally passed a far more it will mean for those now exiled, human error, the arms race’s where citizens ordinarily resistant to progressive graduated income tax, with how the disaster affects our economic cost, and alternatives for key questions about our nation’s which a Republican governor common future. From my own de-escalation.

The events direction are suddenly far more signed into law. recent talks in the heart of red state mobilized large numbers of citizens receptive. Whether that opening The issues embodied in America, the disaster has led many and got major media coverage leads to a new wave of citizen Katrina’s destruction of New to begin to rethink core wherever they were held.

They engagement or closes with Orleans are more difficult than a assumptions about this country’s played a significant role in distraction and time depends on the single state’s tax codes, but could priorities. Through the lens of New challenging the arms race.

We opportunities for reflection and be addressed through a similar Orleans, I’ve been able to raise all could adopt a similar model around participation we can create. process of discussion exploring a sorts of challenging issues to

Hard Conversations About the Big Easy

Streetvibes

Page 13

A Broken Heart

by Booger Love

Up Life’s Hill with my my little Bundle

When your heart is broken it leaves you sad and crying day and nightly when you love

by Emily Dickinson Up Life’s Hill with my my little Bundle If I prove it steep — If a Discouragement withhold me — If my newest step

Gone you walk around all alone with en empty heart as everybody can see your eyes

Older feel than the Hope that prompted — Spotless be from blame Heart that proposed as Heart that accepted Homelessness, for Home —

It has happened to me Happen to you from sunup to sundown, broken hearts Comes around every day it leaves you sad in every way, when you heart breaks

Who Goes Home?

G.K. Chesterton In the city set upon slime and loam They cry in their parliament ‘Who goes home?’

And there comes no answer in arch or dome, For none in the city of graves goes home.

Yet these shall perish and understand, For God has pity on this great land.

The Shearers

by Henry Lawson No church-bell rings them from the Track, No pulpit lights theirblindness— ’Tis hardship, drought, and homelessness That teach those Bushmen kindness: The mateship born, in barren lands, Of toil and thirst and danger, The camp-fare for the wanderer set, The first place to the stranger.

They do the best they can to-day— Take no thought of the morrow; Their way is not the old-world way— They live to lend and borrow.

When shearing’s done and cheques gone wrong, They call it “time to slither”— They saddle up and say “So-long!”

And ride the Lord knows whither.

And though he may be brown or black, Or wrong man there, or right man, The mate that’s steadfast to his mates They call that man a “white man!”

They tramp in mateship side by side— The Protestant and Roman— They call no biped lord or sir, And touch their hat to no man!

Men that are men again; who goes home?

Tocsin and trumpeter! Who goes home?

For there’s blood on the field and blood on the foam And blood on the body when Man goes home.

And a voice valedictory . . . Who is for Victory?

Who is for Liberty? Who goes home?

Swim at Your Own Risk

The roses beauty

by Jesse James

by Booger Love

I brok a a thousand hearts with this smile, baby But I broke my own, so many times, I can’t count.

So I stay alone.

Otherwise it’s pain, and suffring for you.

You’l pray for rain, But it comes up Blue If you want to take a chance, just remember, I warned you.

You beauty is in your smile. It shows in your eyes and when people see you they

They turn their faces to the west And leave the world behind them (Their drought-dry graves are seldom set Where even mates can find them).

They know too little of the world To rise to wealth or greatness; But in these lines I gladly pay My tribute to their greatness.

Writers!

Submit your Poetry to STREETVIBES email your writing to Streetvibes@juno.com

Page 14

when she is far away her beauty is here to stay it doesn’t do away the beauty is deep in you heart, it shines in your eyes when you smile, it glows like

They carry in their swags perhaps A portrait and a letter— And, maybe, deep down in their hearts, The hope of “something better.”

Where lonely miles are long to ride, And long, hot days recurrent, There’s lots of time to think of men They might have been—but weren’t.

will know that you are the beauty of the of the rose and they see it everyday even

Streetvibes

the sun and moon the beauty of the rose will forever shine in you

by George Ferrel

Broken Glass

Bless me, my father, help me to grow Don’t le me go astray Thru your Divine wisdom, help me to know Your way to Judgment Day

by Evanne Fisher I’m so Angry I slam the door The glass breaks.

It falls to the floor Like sleet from the sky.

Like the shattered pieces of my life, The broken glass lies at my feet As I look down, I see all of my hopes and dreams Splattered there amongst The glistening pieces of glass.

I reach down to pick up the pieces of my life, The glass cuts my hands, Blood everywhere Dripping Flowing into the vast darkness Where I’ve chosen to live.

I have no need of riches My treasures come thru you Thru life’s pitfalls and ditches Help me know what to do

In The Darkness Hiding in the darkness of the night, This is how I’ve been forced to live my life In the blackness I conceal, All my problems that are real Afraid to let my feelings show, Afraid to let anyone know The pain I have been forced to endure, Is not as easily hidden as before As the problems continue to grow, I contemplate just letting go This is a battle I can not win, So why should I bother to post-pone the end

Shutter Speed

Lead me to those whom I may help and those who might help me With love and understanding that is beautiful Open my eyes to see And in those times I’m tempted Forgive me should I fail Make me from Satan’s grasp exempted On Angels wins to Sail!

by Jimmy Heath

Where Are We Going?

by Michael Henson I do not know, but there are children on the road.

Some bear weapons, sleek in the barrel, solid in the stock.

Some bear books.

Some bear empty bowls.

As they march, they grow and some grow tall and they have the strength of the willows that lean over the river and some grow frail as the cattails that line the ditch.

We plod along with our housey burdens and the children run ahead and some run into the long distance remote and indiscernable as dust.

Others run for a span.

They drop to the side of the road.

They watch us from the willows with their solemn saucery eyes.

They want to know, Where are we going?

Abandoned building on Race Street, Over-the-Rhine

Streetvibes

Page 15

357-4602

Formed in 1984, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless is a membership organization. Our member groups serve the homeless through emergency shelter, transitional living facilities, permanent housing, medical services, social services, soup kitchens, and mental health/addiction services.

The Coalition also consists of individual citizens who want to take an active role in ensuring that Cincinnati is an inclusive community, meeting the needs of all of its citizens. Join the fight to end homelessness; contact the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at (513) 421-7803, 117 East 12th Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

SHELTER: Both Anthony House (Youth)

SHELTER: Men City Gospel Mission 241-5525 Garden St. House 241-0490 Joseph House (Veterans) 241-2965 St. Francis/St.Joseph House 381-4941 Mt. Airy Center 661-4620 Volunteers of Amer. 381-1954

SHELTERS: Women and Children YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter 872-9259 (Toll Free) 1-888-872-9259 Bethany House 557-2873 Salvation Army 762-5660 Welcome Hse. 859-431-8717 Women’s Crisis Center 859-491-3335

If you need help or would like to help please call one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless members listed below.

OTHER SERVICES: AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati 421-2437 Appalachian Identity Center 621-5991 Beech Acres 231-6630 Center for Independent Living Options 241-2600 Churches Active in Northside 591-2246 Cincinnati Health Network 961-0600 Community Action Agency 569-1840 Contact Center 381-4242 Emanuel Center 241-2563

TREATMENT: Both N.A. Hopeline 820-2947 A.A. Hotline 351-0422 C.C.A.T. 381-6672 Talbert House 684-7956 Transitions, Inc 859-491-4435 VA Domiciliary 859-559-5011 DIC Live-In Program 721-0643

TREATMENT: Men Charlie’s 3/4 House 784-1853 Prospect House 921-1613 Starting Over 961-2256

TREATMENT: Women First Step Home 961-4663 Full Circle Program 721-0643

HOUSING: CMHA 721-4580 Excel Development 632-7149 Miami Purchase 241-0504 OTR Housing Net. 369-0004 ReSTOC 381-1171 Tender Mercies 721-8666 Tom Geiger House 961-4555 Dana Transitional Bridge Services, Inc 751-9797

Caracole (AIDS) 761-1480 Friars Club 381-5432 Drop Inn Center 721-0643 Haven House 863-8866 Interfaith Hospitality 471-1100 Lighthouse Youth Center (Teens) 961-4080 St. John’s Housing 651-6446

Need Help or Want to Help?

MIDDLETOWN/HAMILTON (Butler County) St. Raphaels (Food Bank/Soup Kitchen) 863-3184 Salvation Army 863-1445 Serenity House Day Center 422-8555 Open Door Pantry 868-3276 New Life Baptist Mission (Soup Kitchen) 896-9800 Hope House (Homeless Families/Singles) 423-4673

Freestore/ Foodbank 241-1064 Fransiscan Haircuts 651-6468 Goodwill Industries 771-4800 Coalition for the Homeless 421-7803 Hamilton Co. Mental Health Board 946-8600 Mental Health Access Point 558-8888 Hamilton Co. TB Control 632-7186 Health Rsrc. Center 357-4602 Homeless Mobile Health Van 352-2902 House of Refuge Mission 221-5491 Legal Aid Society 241-9400 Madisonville Ed. & Assis.

Center 271-5501 Mary Magdalen House 721-4811 McMicken Dental Clinic 352-6363 Our Daily Bread 621-6364 Peaslee Neighborhood Center 621-5514 Project Connect, Homeless Kids 363-1060 St. Vincent De Paul 562-8841 The Emergency Food Center 471-4357 Travelers Aid 721-7660 United Way 721-7900 VA Homeless 859-572-6226 Women Helping Women 872-9259

November 2005

Happy Thanksgiving From the Homeless

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