Streetvibes
STREETVIBES Page 1
Cincinnati Homeless Man Shot to Death for Panhandling by Streetvibes Staff On monday night August 7, Donald Francis was shot for asking for a quarter, resulting in Cincinnati’s first documented homeless hate crime in two years. According to District One Police, Donald Francis was asking for money outside the Marathon station at Eight and Linn Streets on that Monday night. Geraldine Beasley became so annoyed when
hate crimes against homeless people, with 189 of those resulting in death. This year has again shown that homeless people continue to be the victims of hate crimes. Homeless individuals and advocates point out how dangerous it is to live on the streets. In addition to facing hate crimes and the threat of violence, many homeless individuals must do their living out in the open, exposed to society and the weather. Another “This crime is a tragedy h o m e l e s s and absolutely appalling” individual, Glen Watson, died last -Georgine Getty, Executive month as a result Director of the Greater Cincinnati of heat exposure. Coalition for the Homeless In an effort to asked for a quarter that she prevent another weather allegedly shot and killed him. related death, the Greater “This crime is a tragedy Cincinnati Coalition for the and absolutely appalling,” says Homeless is collecting bottles Georgine Getty, Executive of water and sports drinks so Director of the Greater that outreach workers, Cincinnati Coalition for the shelters, and the police can Homeless. “Unfortunately, it’s distribute them to those all too common that homeless people who need them the people are the victims of most; people without homes. crime.” Those interested in According to the National donating are welcome to drop Coalition for the Homeless’ off water bottles to the report, “Hate, Violence, and Greater Cincinnati Coalition Death on Main Street USA,” for the Homeless, 117 E. 12th there were 142 reported Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, attacks on the homeless 45202 (9:00am – 5:00pm, nationwide in 2006. Monday through Friday) or to This included 5 rapes, 6 the Cincinnati Police people set on fire, and 20 Department, District One, murders. The amount of 310 Ezzard Charles Drive, attacks in 2006 was up 65% Cincinnati, Ohio 45214. from those reported in 2005. Thanks to all those who From 1999 through 2006, already donated water. there were 614 documented
A Clean Victory for Cincinnati Janitors
by Greg Olkhovsky smiling. appointed to a four hour Justice for Janitors, a The first issue evening shift will soon obtain a nationwide campaign started by addressed was an increase in seven hour shift in the first two the Service Employees higher wages. Currently, and a half years. Over the next International Union, unites to janitorial wages are set at $6.85 five years most janitors will end poverty wages and the lack an hour, equivalent to the Ohio acquire an estimated 129 of healthcare that is affordable. state minimum wage. Over the percent increase in their income SEIU works to create jobs for next five years, six raises have as a result of these three extra the working class the hours per shift. Overall, provide dignified living “Cincinnati won big today. workers currently and healthcare for receiving the minimum They said we couldn’t do themselves and their $6.85 an hour will families. They also work it but we stood strong with ultimately see a 150 towards better wages and percent income increase. our families, our more hours. Janitors will supporters, and our On July 28th, now be able to afford Cincinnati’s janitors were neighborhoods. I’m proud health insurance as a result successful in winning of the new contract. At to say we won a better higher wages, more work $20 a month janitors may future for hard-working hours, and health opt for individual health th people in our city.”- Linda insurance. In the 11 hour insurance. A family insurance is also available representatives for nearly Watson, Cincinnati janitor in Price Hill at a cost of $198 a month. 1,200 Greater Cincinnati janitors and the city’s eight been implemented. The first These affordable health largest cleaning companies one occurring on October 1, insurance benefits will become (ABM, Jancoa, Professional 2007 as workers will receive CONT. ON PAGE 5 Maintenance of Cincinnati, $7.05 an hour. next Aetna Building Maintenance, The Scioto Corp, NSG, One increases are Source, and GSF) agreed to set for $7.55 on terms with area cleaning firms January 1, for the very first city-wide union 2008, $8.15 on January 1, contract. This monumental 2009, $8.35, achievement prevented a January 1, metropolitan area strike. Linda 2010, $8.85 Watson, Cincinnati janitor in January 1, Price Hill said, “Cincinnati won 2011, and lastly big today. They said we couldn’t $9.80 an hour do it but we stood strong with on January 1, our families, our supporters, and 2012. Increased our neighborhoods. I’m proud to say we won a better future hours are the for hard-working people in our second benefit city.” Four critical focal points that janitors will were addressed in the union r e c e i v e . contract leaving local janitors W o r k e r s
Drop Inn Center Secures New Transitional Housing Location by Pat Clifford Three years ago, August of 2004, Cincinnati Public Schools expressed interest in acquiring our four transitional buildings at 12th and Elm Streets for the relocated SCPA. Since then, the Drop Inn Center has been looking for creative ways to both accommodate the needs of the new school and at the same time to find ways to use the occasion to preserve and improve services for our homeless residents.
As a result, the Drop Inn Center is partnering with the City of Cincinnati and OTR Community Housing to relocate our Transitional Housing Program to a new site on McMicken St. in Over-theRhine. Why are we doing this? In order to preserve and improve services for our residents in recovery. In addition, this relocation will accommodate the SCPA’s interest in using that corner as part of their new campus.
How will this project benefit the neighborhood? It will renovate a run-down, vacated property with no on-site support into a newly renovated, attractive facility with full-time counseling staff. The new site will feature: 12 newly renovated apartments, a single secure point of entry in rear of building, an on-site counseling office, a laundry facility, security cameras and courtyard/garden access. We would like to thank the Model
Group for all their assistance in this effort. The Drop Inn Center and our supporters feel that this cooperative step can be an example of neighborhood collaboration — where injustice and miscommunication has often been the practice. We also believe that those who experience homelessness should be welcomed back into the community and supportive services are often an essential component.
We also acknowledge that there are current and future lowincome and middle-class residents who need development that is affordable to them and further encourage City and private funds being used to help residents maintain and obtain housing not only new ownership options which are out of their reach.
Published by The Greater Cincinnati Coaltion for the Homeless
For more information contact the Drop Inn Center at 721.0643.