January 2007
STREETVIBES
Homeless Memorial remembers the Homeless and those who have died Cover Story
Cincinnati, OH – The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless remembered those homeless individuals who have passed away this year with the Annual Homeless Memorial Day, in an effort to shine a spotlight on the continuing tragedy of homelessness in our community. This year’s Memorial was held in Cincinnati’s Washington Park. The event, which featured a burning barrel to commemorate the suffering of homeless individuals who often struggle to stay warm, was held on the shortest day of the year, December 21st, 2006. “Many times, homeless individuals pass away with no one to remember them or mourn their passing. This event celebrates the lives of these often forgotten individuals,” stated Georgine Getty, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, the sponsor of this event. Getty added that the memorial takes on added importance this year due to the recent and tragic increase in “hate crimes” that target the homeless population. Homeless Memorial Day is also a chance to mourn the national tragedy of homelessness in general and bring awareness to the suffering of the 25,000 men, women and children who experience homelessness each year in Cincinnati. Dozens of people listened as the names of the deceased were read aloud. This year, cities across the nation sponsored events, which included candle light marches and vigils, graveside services, plays and
other performances and special religious services. For over 20 years, concerned citizens, religious persons, students, homeless advocates and people experiencing homelessness have gathered on the Winter Solstice in December for the Homeless Memorial Day Every year over 30 homeless or recently homeless individuals die in Cincinnati. Often these deaths are the result of years of harsh living, lack of medical care and exposure to the elements. The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the
Homeless is a unified, social action group, fully committed to the eradication of homelessness with respect for the dignity and diversity of its membership, the homeless and the community. The coalition performs three areas of work: coordinating services, educating the public, and grassroots organizing and advocacy. To learn more about The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and this year’s Annual Memorial Day contact Georgine Getty at (513) 4217803*13, or (513) 295-8969.
An Over-the-Rhine Christmas Story by Michael Flood One exceedingly cold morning in early December, with the temperature just above a single digit, I left home for work. My normal commute is a walk of two short blocks. This particular morning took a few extra minutes because I needed to remove a few items from the trunk of my car. As I rounded the corner to approach the car, I walked past the usual crew of entrepreneurs with whom I have a relationship that amounts to no more than exchanging an occasional pleasantry. These young men are always on the corner; rain, snow or sunshine, blazing heat or bitter cold, no matter the weather conditions, they are on the job, ready to sell their pharmaceutical products to their customers from all over the tri-state region. This particular morning a customer was waiting, cash in hand, to buy whatever it was he felt he needed to make it through the day, or at least the next few hours. This sorrowful, droopy eyed, slack jawed individual was standing on the corner with no shoes. The only things on his feet were some summery sandals with open toes. He was shivering uncontrollably from the cold with only a light jacket and no hat. This sad scene was brightened by the fact that as the drug dealers not only refused to take his money for their product, they admonished him to use whatever money he had to buy a pair of real shoes. Normally, I would have missed this entire exchange because I would have walked past them and gone directly to work. My delay, caused by taking a couple of trips between the car and the
house, enabled me to witness not only the honorable act of the dope boys refusing the sale, but that one of them walked around the corner to a store on Vine Street and bought this gentleman two pairs of new socks. They instructed him to put them on his feet before he left the corner. He proceeded to put on one pair, throwing the other in a garbage can. This last act did not escape the attention of the drug dealers, who retrieved the socks from the garbage and promptly told him to put them on over the first pair. I have often thought about and marveled at the way of life of the drug dealers. Though much maligned, they have an amazing work ethic. They show up every day of the week, without regard for the weather conditions. They have developed a devoted clientele, who, judging from the license plates that flow by each and every day, come from far and wide. I have noticed customers from the teen years, to people who appear to be well into their seventies. The drug dealers are there because there are people in need. Something in their lives needs attention, so, just as some people attempt to resolve a medical condition with a prescribed drug from their family doctor, some others need to fix what ails them with a self-prescribed drug. The people who come are from every walk of life. Some appear to be homeless; others appear to be working class, driving up in every imaginable type of work vehicle. Others seem to be quite well off financially, arriving in late model cars, well dressed, on their way to work downtown. Just like a drive-
up coffee establishment offering the latest latte, the drug consumers can drive up and leave with their drug of choice and be sent on their way with a friendly smile. I was heartened to see that these young men, manning their posts under brutal circumstances, had the good and common sense to care about their customers more immediate need rather than his next fix and their bottom line. His life was in danger and they did something to help him, they clothed him against the bitter cold. How many of us would have even noticed this poor person’s feet, let alone do something about it.
Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless