June 2007
STREETVIBES
Cover Story - OTR, KIDS, AND SUMMER by Linda Pittman Cincinnati - Almost all schools are out by now or will be out by the second week of June. With no more classes, parents have to find something for their kids to do. Every summer provides the same dilemma, but there are organizations and programs out there to help everyone enjoy the warmer months. There are parks for kids and adults alike to hang out and enjoy themselves. There are summer programs or camps for kids to enjoy. There is something for everyone even if they are homeless or poor. One place that kids can go is to Peaslee Neighborhood Center. Peaslee used to be a CPS school, but it was closed down. Neighborhood residents rallied together and raised enough money to save the school and turned it into a neighborhood center. This summer Peaslee Neighborhood Center offers a 12 week summer program running from June 11th – August 24. The program is geared towards kids between the ages of 5 and 12. These kids will take field
trips, go swimming, and work on academics. Some of the special ideas already planned are creating a “passport”, cooking ethnic food, visiting a farm, making a travel box, and creating art and music. This summer camp will also include two weeks of Peace Camp in conjunction with the Center for Peace Education. If you are interested in more information contact Telisha at 521-5514 ext. 11. Also available to kids this summer are programs at Project Connect. Project Connect keeps children experiencing homelessness connected to their education by providing supplies, transportation,
uniforms, and enrichment opportunities in summer, afterschool, and shelter tutoring programs. They have an allday program from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. which includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. The goal is to teach academics, enrichment, and coping skills. This is an 8-week program for children ages 5-12. A permission slip must be filled out by the parents and the child must have attended kindergarten. The Center is located at Hayes Elementary School, 940 Poplar. You may call Rhonda Lewis at 363-1060 for further information. Another summer camp takes place at the Emmanuel Community Center, located on Race St. across from Washington Park School. The center has the Destiny Summer Enrichment Program from June 7 to August 17 for children from kindergarten to 8th Grade and early childhood children ages 18 months to 5 years. Destiny is a quality, fun-filled 10-week summer enrichment program for learning and adventure. Activities include: fine arts enrichment activities; academic adventures; arts and crafts and field trips to expand the experiences. If you are interested in more information please contact Carol or Janet at 241-2563. The Center for Peace Education is holding four two week long free day camps. CPE was founded in 1979 to produce systemic change in Cincinnati neighborhoods. It does this by providing training for youth and adults in areas of conflict management, effective communication, and appreciating differences in others.
The camp will be led by trained staff in activities focused on conflict management, diversity appreciation, cooperation and effective communication. The program is designed for children ages 6-12. Peace Camp will be held at the following centers on the following dates: The first camp is from June 11th to June 22 and will be held at Peaslee Neighborhood Center.
The second camp is from June 25 to July 6 and is being held at the Avondale Boys and Girls Club. The third peace camp will be held from July 9 to July 20 and will be held at the McKie Center in Northside. The last camp will take place from July 23 to August 3 and is being held at the New Thought Unity Center. If you need more information or would like to register your child please call 221-4863. No matter what you decide to do this summer we should all take time to enjoy the warm weather and the time we spend with family and friends at home or on vacation.
Ziegler Park
GCCH welcomes new intern – Leigh Tami Protestant Catholic Worker House dedicated to serving homeless individuals and eliminating systemic social injustice.
ee tvib es
Atlanta while in college, I have discovered within myself an urgent and unyielding passion for advocating social justice and serving those who are generally treated as the dregs of society- the homeless. I am excited to be an intern at the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, and hope that my experience here will educate and equip me so that I am more prepared to fight systemic poverty and homelessness. My hope is that after working here, I will be more prepared to achieve my long term goal: to open up and run a
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As a graduate of Walnut Hills looking forward to working in the High School, I am currently working historic Over-the-Rhine community. After volunteering in various on my bachelor’s in Religious Studies and Social Justice at Agnes Scott homeless shelters and communities in College in Atlanta, Georgia, while pursuing a minor in Human Rights. I have worked on issues of homelessness in Atlanta, and participate in the living wage campaign and the fair trade movement on my college campus. I love Cincinnati, and having grown up here, I feel dedicated to working toward systemic change and transformation of the city that I Leigh Tami proudly call home. I am particularly
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Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless
Streetvibes Streetvibes, the Tri-State’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. 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 John Lavelle - Administrative Coordinator Andy Freeze - Education Coordinator Lynne Ausman - VISTA Matt Cohen - AHA Staff Melvin Williams - Receptionist Linda Pittman - Receptionist Susan Smith - Volunteer Leigh Tami - Intern Streetvibes Jimmy Heath, Editor, Layout and Design Photographers Andy Freeze, Jimmy Heath, Berta Lambert, Cover OTR Playground soon to be populated by neighborhood kids - Photo by Andy Freeze 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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Criminalization of Homeless Individuals An Important Issue for Cincinnati Taxpayers by Lynne Ausman Cincinnati - On May 15, 2007, The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless released its study on the Criminalization of Homeless Individuals in Cincinnati. This study proved what social service providers have long known and understood that about 10% of homeless individuals get caught in a vicious cycle of streets, jail, shelter, streets, jail, shelter. The study showed that in some cases, homeless individuals had been arrested once a week or more! These homeless individuals fuel ideas that the homeless are criminals who deserve to live in poverty and on the streets. However, when one looks at the types of crimes that homeless individuals are charged with, it is clear that homeless individuals are not often violent criminals. The study proved that about 80% of the crimes committed by homeless individuals are misdemeanors. In fact, 44% of the charges were for “homeless crimes” – crimes which are only committed by homeless individuals or crimes for which no one else is arrested but homeless individuals. Examples of these crimes are: possession of open containers, public indecency due to public urination, loitering, littering, disorderly conduct, sitting on the sidewalk, spitting in a public place, dumpster diving, solicitation charges, and trespassing charges. These crimes are rarely menacing to society. However, homeless individuals are simply not able to survive without committing these crimes. When shelter beds are full, loitering and trespassing are the
only options. When living wage employment is not available, “improper solicitation” or panhandling is the only source of income. Overall, the study found that 53 individuals could have cost Hamilton County $4.2 million dollars in one year! $4.2 million could have been spent to provide homeless individuals with permanent supportive housing. Housing would end this vicious cycle. With bathrooms available, homeless individuals would not be forced to relieve themselves in public. With housing, homeless individuals would have a place to go and they would not be forced to loiter: combined with supportive services, homeless individuals would not be forced to panhandle to purchase food. Recently, this study has caught quite a bit of publicity. To release the report, a press conference was held in which Channel 5, Channel 19, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati Post and CityBeat attended. Following this press conference, Channel 12 invited the Homeless Coalition to present the study on Newsmakers. The report has stretched across the United States – the Columbus Dispatch printed a story and the Associated Press has expressed interest in developing this story nationally. In addition, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the New York Office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing asked for copies of the report. Hopefully, all of this publicity will help politicians, businesses, and the national community to support permanent supportive housing as part of the solution to an overcrowded justice system.
Go Figure.... May 16, 2007: Homeless woman arrested for public urination 30 - The number of days in jail that a homeless woman received for public urination. $1,950 - The amount of money it cost the city to house this lady in jail. $87 - The amount it costs to rent a portable toliet from Rumpke per month. 22 - The number of months the city could place a Portable toilet so that homeless people are not arrested for public urination. April 30, 2007: Homeless woman arrested for possession of an open flask 30 - The number of days in jail that a homeless woman received for carrying an open flask. $1,950 - The amount of money it cost the city to house this lady in jail. 4 - The number of months this lady could have been housed in a Fair Market Rent apartment instead of jail.
Firecats Review Summer, Vacations
New Firecat: What’s my color going to be? Is Opal a color? Firecat Silver: Yes. Firecat Opal: Good. Anti-Cat: I have no vacation days left. Firecat Chameleon: You squandered them all already. Silver: I’m going camping. Anti-Cat: You know what’s “intents?” Silver & Anti-Cat: CAMPING! Opal: I hate the beach. Chameleon: Why? Opal: I get sunburnt. Anti-Cat: I wish I had vacation days left. Silver: There’s weird things in the ocean, like jellyfish. It would suck to get stung by one. Chameleon: Yeah, then you’d have to pee on yourself. Anti-Cat: There’s weird things on the west side.
Opal: Like people hanging out on dumpsters watching people. Silver: Whatever. There’s weird things on the east side… like people… playing softball… Anti-Cat: I know westsiders who are going on vacation… to MILFORD. Opal: I think I’m still sunburnt. Chameleon: Did you go to the beach recently? I thought you hated it. Anti-Cat: How was the weath? (weather) I’m good at “abreves.” (abbreviations) Chameleon: I hate you. Anti-Cat: Was there a Starbs (Starbucks) at the beach? Chameleon: I hate you. Silver: What are you doing this summer, Chameleon? Chameleon: I’m heading to Montreal and doing a delightful tour of Canada.
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Anti-Cat: Do you know how Canada got its name? Opal: C, eh? N, eh? D, eh? HA! Chameleon: That’s lovely. What about you, Opal? Opal: Going to Atlanta. Anti-Cat: I wish I had vacation days. Opal: My birthday is this summer. Chameleon: That means we get pie! Silver: Pie is good. Anti-Cat: Tell the pie story. Chameleon: One time we got an apple pie from Big Boy and they accidentally put a bunch of garlic powder in it. It was disgusting. It ruined the pie. Opal: I don’t think you can ruin pie. Anti-Cat: I wish I had vacation days left.
Homeless News Digest Compiled by Jimmy Heath
Des Moines, IA - One homeless man hit another homeless man in the head with an ax, Des Moines police reported. Kenneth Raymond Roy, 56, was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center by fire department medics. Officers said Roy was in serious but stable condition. Michael Fox, 48, was arrested on a charge of willful injury following the assault in a wooded area near the 1300 block of Vermont Street. Police said Roy and Fox apparently became involved in a heated argument and Fox allegedly took a double-bladed ax and struck Roy in the head with the “back” of it. The men had been “hanging out drinking a little beer,” according to a police report.
Glen Burnie, MD - Anne Arundel County police have arrested a man in connection with the death of a homeless man found in Glen Burnie earlier this month. Michael Walter Evans Sr., 54, was found by police lying on an air conditioning unit at 514 Crain Highway N. on April 5, officials said. An autopsy showed he died from blunt force trauma. Police arrested Allan Jake Clark, 22, another homeless man. He was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and robbery in connection with Evans’ death. Police said they believe the two got into a fight that caused Evans’ death. Clark then stole money from Evans and fled the scene, police said.
Miami, FL - The Miami-Dade public school system along with the Homeless Trust have set up a program to humanize homelessness by teaching it in the classroom. This has all been prompted by the recent rise in violence against homeless people. The school superintendent Rudy Crew unveiled the campaign at a Miami middle school with the head of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust. Nationwide, attacks against the homeless have risen, nearly doubling from 1999 to 2003. In the past six
years, at least 156 homeless people have been murdered, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Most of the assailants are young men in their teens to early 20s. On the campus of Florida Atlantic University, about a year ago, people watched as three homeless men were attacked with baseball bats; one died. The education plan, which has already been set in motion, includes the following: A homeless awareness video called “It Could Happen To You”, introduced by Alonzo Mourning. It’s shown in elementary, middle, and high schools regarding who homeless people are: families, people in poverty, people with mental illness, statistics related to violence against the homeless. A poster and essay contest from each school, winners will receive an allexpense paid 3-day, 2-night vacation to Disney World. “It is important for students to have an understanding of homelessness and show compassion,” said Superintendent Crew.
Granite City, IL - Local authorities in Granite City have closed down a homeless shelter called Jesus’ Place, which has been operating in a local church for the past ten years. Granite City Mayor Ed Hagnauer, accompanied by the police and fire chiefs, building inspectors and police officers entered Jesus’ Place last week and condemned it for building and safety violations. Pastor Larry Gibson says he feels civic officials are trying to drive him out because his shelter doesn’t fit their idea of what downtown should look like. But Hagnauer says the top two floors of the building are covered with pigeon droppings. He also says he warned Gibson four months ago that homeless men could not be allowed to sleep overnight in the church because it had improper door locks that couldn’t be opened from the inside and no sprinkler system.
Los Angeles, CA - Bakersfield police are investigating a homicide last month, and witnesses said the victim and suspect are homeless men.
Police said one man stabbed another man just after noon. It happened inside a fenced yard on Sumner Street in East Bakersfield. “The victim was down with a wound to the neck bleeding badly, the suspect was also on scene and we took him into custody without incident,” said Sgt. Greg Jehle, Bakersfield police. Police said the suspect is 51year-old Calvin Jones. The name of the victim has not been released, he died shortly after arriving at Kern Medical Center.
Tarpon Springs, FL - Police in Pinellas County have charged two men with killing a homeless man. Tarpon Springs police say the body of the man was found on a vacant plot of land on U.S. Highway 19. The property is owned by Wal-Mart, and a transient in the area reportedly discovered the man’s body. Detectives believe the victim, who is a white man, lived in the area near the Anclote River. Investigators detained and questioned five homeless people in connection with the crime before arresting two of them. A third man was charged with battery and trespassing. So far, police haven’t released the name of the victim, or the names of those who were charged with the crime. They also have not given details of the crime, or any possible motive.
Miami Beach, FL - Thousands laced up their running shoes for a good cause on a recent Sunday morning. They took part in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida’s Celebrity 5K to benefit the Community Partnership for the Homeless. The run, which started near the beautiful blue waters of Biscayne Bay and wound its way through South
Beach, is one of the largest events of its kind in the nation. Celebrities up early for the race included CBS4’s Jill Martin, Emilio Estefan, artist Romero Britto, and Indy car champ Emerson Fittipaldi.
Tampa, FL - Although volunteer census takers found 1,491 fewer homeless people this year than two years ago - the last official count - they reported about 660 more women and girls. The total count this year was 9,532. Rayme L. Nuckles, chief executive officer for the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, said Hillsborough ranks near the top in the number of homeless compared with other counties in Florida. “Whether there are 11,000 or 100 homeless in our community, it is too many,” said Lesa Weikel, a Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County spokeswoman. “No one should be homeless in our community.” Nuckles said that agencies providing services to the homeless haven’t seen a drop in demand. Another blip in this year’s data showed that fewer people reported having a source of income. Weikel said the coalition doesn’t know why. The numbers came from counting people found living on the street or in shelters, figures from the Department of Children and Families, the school district and people in jail who said they have no home when they get out. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires agencies that receive federal funds for homeless programs to do a census every two years. The Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County expects $3.8-million from HUD this year.
“Son, I Think We Need to Have a Talk About STREETVIBES...”
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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
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TARGET: Global Warming
denial activist Frederick Seitz also by Paul Rogat Loeb had strong tobacco industry ties, With over 1400 local events, drawing $585,000 from RJ Reynolds the April 14 National Day of Climate between 1979 and 1987 before Action, www.StepItUp07.org, going on to the George Marshall offered a national wakeup call, with Institute. Exxon jumped in to support citizens in every state raising their these efforts early on, as part of a voice. But even as we build on this more general assault on government powerful day to move forward, we regulation and action. As the scientific need to talk about why it’s been so consensus around global warming hard for Americans to recognize the began to solidify, they began funding climate issue’s urgency. a series of studies and spokespeople As recently as July 2006, the to insist that mainstream scientific acknowledgement of the crisis by ordinary Americans lagged behind not opinion was sharply divided. only our counterparts in Great Britain, Between 1998 and 2005 the company has invested over $16 Germany and Japan, but also behind million in challenging the those polled in China, India, overwhelming consensus among Argentina, Nigeria and Indonesia. climatologists, spreading the U.S. citizen awareness has increased resources among significantly in the wake of this past at least 43 winter’s massive storms (even before different the latest East Coast disaster) and institutions to give coverage of the international scientific the appearance of reports. But though between 77% a broad chorus of and 83% of Americans now dissent. Whether acknowledge that global warming poses a serious problem, only 55% in the Heartland Institute, Alliance a January Pew poll say the issue for Climate requires immediate government Strategies, Center action, and only 47% in the same for the Study of Pew poll say that they believe it’s human caused. This means there’s still Carbon Dioxide and Global serious denial. And to dismantle its Change, or the architecture means taking on the key Competitive role of ExxonMobil. Enterprise Institute Those who dismiss global and George warming’s threat have embraced a Marshall Institute, series of arguments, retreating from they all got major Paul Loeb one to the next as they’re trumped by Exxon support for their role in arguing reality. The planet isn’t really that no global warming crisis existed. warming, they say. If it is, it’s due to Until recently, the efforts to sow random fluctuations or sunspots, not doubt have worked, with the help of human-created greenhouse gases. a compliant media and the Bush And even if global warming is real, it presidency. And though a number of will bring more benefits than other energy companies also problems. Wherever I go, people participated, ExxonMobil was the offer up the same rationales. Some critical initiator, and remained firmly even rattle off the names of dissenting denying the crisis even as other oil scientists, websites, or journal companies, like BP Amoco and Shell, articles. They dismiss the 99% acknowledged the gravity of the unanimity of international climate threat. scientists and scientific associations Solving global warming will by saying those sounding the warning be hard are all on the enough, even take and without probably also “Solving global orchestrated personal opposition. hypocrites. warming will be hard And off course As we need to part of creating enough even without focus on that doubt, where we APCO’s orchestrated need to go, Steven Milloy like StepItUp’s founded Junk opposition.” call for an Science.com, 80% reduction which would later become a key website for global in CO2 emissions by 2050. But if we only do that and ignore the warming denial. Milloy also became counterattacks, our efforts will associated with other key climate continue to get Swift Boated, and it change denial organizations, like the Competitive Enterprise Institute will be far harder to build the (which has called the Kyoto accords necessary political will for them to “a power grab based on deception succeed. Targeting Exxon pressures and fear”), and later become a them and other corporations to stop columnist for Fox. Major climate
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trying to undermine the scientific consensus and to stop blocking attempts to rein in greenhouse gas emissions—as in a recent Competitive Enterprise Institute ad that proclaimed about CO2, “they call it pollution, we call it life.” It also highlights the roots of why so many Americans have resisted the reality of the crisis—how what many of us think this is just our personal skepticism is product of a deliberate disinformation campaign. Some questionable companies are hard to boycott—where do you start with Halliburton? But ExxonMobil has a presence in every city in this country. Their gas stations are accessible for rallies and picketing. Every dollar that their
stations lose and every bit of adverse press coverage will create further pressure. Imagine if enough organized effort was focused so that Exxon had to sell or close some of their stations. Or if enough Americans understood their manipulative role so that both the company and the groups they’d supported lost all media and political
credibility. Think about how INFACT (now the Corporate Accountability Campaign) ran their largely successful campaigns against Nestle and GE. Or how the United Farm Workers conducted their grape boycotts. Or the successful recent campaign of Florida’s Coalition of Immokalee Workers to get Taco Bell and McDonalds to require their subcontractors to pay higher wages to tomato pickers. These efforts didn’t just call on individuals not to buy specific products from the problematic companies. They actively organized, in communities, in congregations, and on campuses. They convinced their fellow citizens to withhold their dollars in a way that created the maximum public attention. Global warming solutions exist, and we need to forge the political will to enact them, building on existing programs like California’s “million solar roof” legislation and the climate change initiatives of the European nations. But even as public attitudes begin to shift, and major corporations like GE, Dupont and BP Amoco are at least talking about taking the issue seriously, Exxon continues to impede political progress. To prevent a future of endless climate-driven disasters, we’re going to have to keep talking about their role. Paul Rogat Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, named the #3 political book of 2004 by the History Channel and the American Book Association. His previous books include Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time. See www.paulloeb.org
Crimes Against Homeless Upgraded To Hate Crimes Tallahassee, FL - House lawmakers unanimously passed a bill Friday that would add the homeless to other hate-crimes categories currently enshrined in law, such as crimes based on the victim’s race and religion. An identical Senate bill (SB 1458) is in its last committee stop, but the chamber will likely take up the House bill. The bill (HB 11) is a response to a rash of assaults in the state against the homeless. If a crime contains the evidence of prejudice, it could be bumped up to the next most stringent charge. For example, a third-degree felony on a homeless
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person, with evidence the crime was committed because the victim was homeless, would be charged as a second-degree felony. South Florida has been the setting for several brutal attacks on the homeless, several of them caught on camera. In 2006, Florida ranked the most dangerous state in the nation with 48 attacks against the homeless. It was the second year Florida ranked first in the nation, partly because of the beatings of three Fort Lauderdale homeless men by three teens using baseball bats and a golf club. One man died, and the teens have been charged with his murder.
Former Drug Addict Helps Others Through Poetry by Andy Freeze Cincinnati - After nearly two years of serving time in jail, Daryl Jackson is out and ready to help others overcome their addictions. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Daryl attended Hughes High School. He starting drinking and using marijuana in the 9th grade and his drug of choice eventually turned to crack in the early 90s. In 1998 his drinking and drug use caught up to him when he was incarcerated for robbery. Since 2000 Daryl has been out of jail and fighting his addiction. While in jail from 1998 – 2000, Daryl joined a recovery program and began to write poetry. For him it was a way to cope with his disease. It was like he was beginning a new life. Recently Daryl has compiled his poetry from the last six years and put it into a book entitled “Enlightening Spiritual Recovery Poems.” “My writings provide spiritual awareness for those thinking about using drugs for the first time, letting them know that soulless grave that awaits them,” Jackson says. “I break drug addiction’s barricade and build a loving foundation.” His goal is to use his poetry to help others with the disease of addiction. He has been to most of the social service agencies here in Cincinnati to see if there are people he can help. His dream is for his book to be in all schools, clubs, and libraries. He seems to be on his
“My writings provide spiritual awareness for those thinking about using drugs for the first time, letting them know that soulless grave that awaits them.” Daryl Jackson
“The Window” by Daryl Jackson Man! What a feeling – I have one year clean I’m riding my “Pink Cloud,” you know what I mean As I phone my best friend, I’ve got so much to tell And let him know that all is well. Hello partner it’s me, at the meeting I shared “Let me open up the Window,” to let in some air Oh! Look there’s Joe dressed nice wearing his brim As he goes down the alley to shoot his heroin. Oh! Look there’s Billy staggering, taking his time As he goes into the corner store, to buy him some wine. Oh! Look there’s Debbie, she’s just left her trick As she runs down the dope boys, looking for a crack hit. The more I looked, the more I was dazed And in the pit of my stomach, I started to crave. My heart was pounding right up to my ear But that wasn’t the only thing that I had to fear. My body was hot and felt very wet A whole pint of fluid I started to sweat. My legs were trembling and my hands began to shake My whole world around me, felt like an Earthquake.
Andy Freeze shows his support for Daryl Jackson’s book way. His book is in 41 local libraries and used to help clients in countless agencies. If you are interested in Daryl’s book go to a local library or email mr_daryl_jackson2006@yahoo.com to purchase a copy.
I felt I was drowning, yet there was no lake “Oh, God, Please help me,” for goodness sake “Oh Buddy,” I feel so much confusion Because deep in my soul, I’m think about using. And what he told me, I’ll never forget Just simple advice that was heavenly sent. Living spiritually ain’t simple, and complicated are we The next thing he said set my whole soul free. “Listen my son to a meeting you go” And just stop looking out “That Damned Window!”
“Soulless Grave” by Daryl Jackson Virgins of dope pull up a chair active abusers lend me your ear those currently in recovery gather around this poem speaks of dopes hell bound An addict shares from beyond the grave sentenced here, my remaining days my chosen lifestyle full of dope everlasting torture hasn’t hope Indescribable grave, I feel within torments my soul without end the comfort of death is a coffin bed I walk around, I’m addicted dead. A living corpse lacking pride moral standards, long ago died drug addiction is careless about my name shattering my fortune – maiming my fame Reaching out with a calloused hand help arrives weakly from mortal man my only exit from my grave is through God’s love, that constantly saves The cover of Daryl’s book
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Agency Spotlight: Ohio Justice and Policy Center by John Lavelle This month, Streetvibes focuses on one of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless’ newest members, the Ohio Justice and Policy Center. Cincinnati - The Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC) was founded in 1997 under the name of the Prison Reform Advocacy Center (PRAC). The organization officially changed its name in 2005 to reflect that they were serving both prisoners and exoffenders. The name change was also intended to pave the way for future projects on broader scales. Their mission focuses on representing people in the justice system, reintegrating individuals into society, and eliminating racism. OJPC is perhaps best known for its “Second Change Community Legal Clinic,” which frequents Our Daily Bread in Over the Rhine and other locations throughout Cincinnati.
Staff attorneys and advocates at the clinics provide free legal services to formerly incarcerated women and men. Major issues that they address at the clinics include: record expungement for “first time” offenders, child support, unfair parole conditions, and termination of employment because of a criminal record. Other programs work to ensure voting rights for ex-felons and human rights in prison. Their case, Fussell v. Wilkinson, was settled in 2005, resulting in greatly improved health care in Ohio prisons. Their newest effort is the “Race and Justice Project,” which focuses on racial disparity in
sentencing, the composition of juries, and in the justice system in general. They are also looking at the lack of African American males graduating from Cincinnati Public Schools, a phenomenon that directly impacts the justice system and the community. Executive Director David Singleton points out that significant improvement is also needed in indigent criminal defense. Shortcomings in the pubic defender system affect minorities and lowincome individuals. OJPC’s work is also education-based. They offer a clinic for Northern Kentucky University and University of Cincinnati law students that teaches students about civil rights
Drop Inn Center: Partnering Against TB by Pat Clifford , General Coordinator, Drop Inn Center
Cincinnati - The Drop Inn Center and Hamilton County TB Control are long-standing partners in the fight against Tuberculosis. We have been fully cooperative with TB control efforts, including sharing our resident and volunteer data freely. They have, with our help, taken the responsibility to contact both residents and volunteers. We are both encouraging
and providing opportunities for people to get tested and are educating people about TB. Among the actions the Drop Inn Center has already taken; · Contacting all residents and urging them to get tested either at Hamilton County TB Control or the City of Cincinnati Homeless Medical Van · Utilizing our Client Database (HMIS) to target those most at risk and placing messages urging them to get tested in their client files.
· All at-risk clients still staying at the shelter were individually contacted and given a deadline to get tested To make the testing process more efficient in the future,staff at the Drop Inn Center are scheduled to be trainedby the Cincinnati Health Department to administer and read TB Skin Tests. The Drop Inn Center is on the front lines of the fight for a healthier community. We work tirelessly to feed, clothe and shelter those who fall
Mr. and Ms. Homeless Downtowner Mr. Homeless Downtowner
Ms. Homeless Downtowner
Name: Michael Lee Hometown: Detroit, MI Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine I can’t stand it when: people get annoyed by seeing you homeless, and get an attitude I can’t resist: chocolate Place I’d most like to visit: Mexico Person I would most like to meet: President Bush What I like most about Cincinnati: the library If I won the Lottery, I would: buy a house and a car My Life Philosophy: the Bible Happiness is: being self-secure financially
Name: Joyce Ramsey Hometown: Middletown Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine I can’t stand it when: when you speak to someone and they don’t speak back- also, when people don’t take action I can’t avoid: feeling the pain homelessness Place I’d most like to Visit: hometown (Middletown) Person I would most like to meet: Denzel Washington What I like most about Cincinnati: the historic buildings and hills If I won the Lottery, I would: buy a house and give back to the community My Life Philosophy: Whatever you ask God for, in His Son’s name, you will receive Happiness is: unconditional love
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and prison advocacy. The mission is to fill the need for attorneys that will work with the disenfranchised and often despised members of society. While OJPC has many, varying programs, Singleton sees them as “many parts working together toward systemic change.” On many of their publications is a quote from Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, famous for Notes From the Underground and The Brothers Karamazov: “The degree of civilization in a society is revealed by entering its prisons.” Dostoevsky was an ex-offender himself, being exiled to Siberia for being part of an intellectual political group that challenged the ruling authority. The Second Chance Community Legal Clinic takes place most Tuesdays from 10am to noon at Our Daily Bread in Over the Rhine. More information about OJPC, their programs, and cases can be found at www.ohiojpc.org
though the cracks. Without our efforts, the community would be defenseless against the spread of a myriad of health problems, including TB. Thanks to our coordination with TB Control, we were able to handle this outbreak in an organized and responsible manner. The good news is that few who contracted TB, are taking medication and are no longer infectious.
Homeless Couple Beaten, LETTERS From Readers It was refreshing to see so The Coalition has tracked a Dog Stolen many local news articles and editorials series of attacks against homeless by Sarah Valek, NEOCH
Cleveland, OH – Six men beat a homeless couple with baseball bats and then stole their dog the night of May 11th at a campsite near the Flats where the couple were staying. The two victims, “Bonnie” and “Gene,” described the men as white, young and clean-cut. The men were driving a black 2002 or 2003 Pontiac Trans Am. According to the victims, the men initially asked to buy their dog. The couple refused, but suspected a problem. Later that night, the men returned. First, one of the men attacked Gene, beating him with a baseball bat. Gene suffered many bruises on his head. Next, one of the men started beating Bonnie with a baseball bat, breaking her collarbone. He also pulled a knife on her. The attackers stole their dog, a fourmonth-old pit bull terrier and boxer mix named Train. The dog is a brown female with a brindel pattern. The couple desperately wants her back. Two nights later, the same group of criminals returned with twenty people this time. The mob surrounded the campsite and threatened to burn their camp down. The couple has since relocated, but are available for an interview through NEOCH.
Peace Village by Dr. Steve Sunderland Cincinnati - The weather of Winter melted away and beautiful Spring arrived with light breezes, brilliant sunshine, and over 120 participants for our second annual conference on “Peace or Hunger?” We met on Sigma Sigma Commons with the 100 college students from UC and Wilmington College and the 22 faculty and students of Shroder Paieda High School. Conference director, Keara Mullen, welcomed everyone. Keara is a graduate student in Educational Studies, UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services. Then Jonathan Price, junior, CCM, and president of the Peace Village chapter, offered his thoughts on the meaning of the conference. Steve Sunderland, faculty advisor, Peace Village, commented on the Virginia Tech tragedy and we had a moment of silent reflection. Our goal was to take part of the conference to provide service and learning to every participant. The way we chose to do this was by sending a large group to the FreeStore Food Bank’s warehouse for a discussion of hunger and for the experience of sorting food. Over 600 boxes were organized. Another group, led by Jeanne Smith, Wesley Foundation, UC, went to Lower Price Hill to meet with religious and civic leaders engaged in providing services to a community devastated by years of
people over the last few weeks. All incidents have occurred on the Near West Side. In one case, two men beat a homeless man with a 2x4. In a separate incident, four young, white men punched and kicked a homeless man. Each victim suffered injuries—one was hospitalized. Attacks against homeless people are on the rise throughout the nation. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, attacks increased 65 percent from 2005, and more than 170 percent since five years ago. The National Coalition’s report, Hate, Violence and Death on Main Street USA, documents all hate crimes occurring across the nation in 2006. “The causes and solutions to these hate crimes is too complicated to sum up in a single sentence,” said Joshua Kanary, who works with civil rights at NEOCH. “For the moment, it is important we first focus on ensuring everyone’s safety.”
North East Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
poverty and neglect. The group heard from Dr. Kay Clifton, Mt. St. Joseph College, Rev. Santiago Samms, State Avenue United Methodist Church, Mike Howard, Greg Beauchamp, and Fred Stuckey with Justice Watch walked the neighborhood, and worked to clear some land for a future park. The third group led by Mark Nicolas, graduate Dr. Steve Sunderland student, educational studies, UC, went to the Freedom Center and met with Rev. Doug Ervin, Freedom Center interpreter, and began to see the clear ties between slavery, hunger, poverty and the problems of inequality on a world wide scale. The groups returned in the late afternoon to build the Peace Village Shanty Town on Sigma Sigma Commons. With giant size cardboard boxes provided by Roecker and Berger stores, the conference participants built amazing structures. Some people built horizontal homes, others built two story creations, and some people connected their homes to other structures.
Jailing Homeless Wastes Time/Money So our cash-strapped county is spending $4.2 million to jail homeless people for “Crimes” seldom charges against non-homeless people. What a waste of money and police time. People too poor to pay for housing can’t possibly pay even small fines, so they clog our jails and get an arrest record that makes finding a decent job even harder. Why don’t we take the cheap route of providing safe, affordable housing and unburden our jails of these non-violent offenders? Then they can join the rest of us who are not arrested for standing in one place (loitering), littering or having an open flask. Can you imagine that last one being enforced at Bengal’s tailgate parties? Kathy Helmbock Oakley
Following was a dinner of rice, beans and water provided as a gift from Aramark and water from the FreeStore Foodbank. After dinner, we gathered to reflect on the experiences in the city and to hear the stories of what had most impressed each team. Everyone had a story of interest, of a major point of learning, and of some aspect that really surprised them. The staffs of the FreeStore and the Freedom Center made deep impressions. Lower Price Hill’s welcoming for the participants made a lasting impact as well. The evening program involved a three hour set of workshops to see the connections between hunger in Cincinnati and around the world. Our evening ended with a brief concert and then we retired to our Peace Village Shanty Town. Sunday started with breakfast at 8, Posters 4 Peace sessions highlighting the next steps to be taken by members of teams, an evaluation
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in the May issue of Streetvibes. I very much enjoyed Lynn Ausman’s and Jason Haap’s in-depth critical pieces that scrutinized Cincinnati politics and how they directly affect the lives of our citizens that experience homelessness and poverty. These are stories that need to be shared with the Greater Cincinnati population and that are hard to find in the traditional media sources of our city. The research and reporting—though not performed by folks with journalism degrees or political pedigrees were professional and thought-provoking - a rare find in a community paper. I also enjoy reading Georgine’s editorials. Her words often express the thoughts and emotions that I can’t find a way to voice, and her commentary on the Reds Day Parade was right on once again. I know it is tough work to keep a paper running and looking good, and I want to commend the staff and volunteers at GCCH for a job well done. Keep it up; Cinci needs you! Jessica Becher Norwood
of the conference, another moment of reflection on Virginia Tech; and those who were victims of slavery, and we ended with a large and happy circle of peacemakers. The team from Shroder high school, led by Craig Rush, teacher, presented an unexpected gift of several hundred dollars in contributions to an Indonesian foundation helping with the education of children affected by the tsunami. Shroder’s gift touched me very deeply. Shroder is the first high school to participate in our conference and they have created a standard of involvement, and compassion that is most beautiful. Overall, we learned how to create a Peace Village community capable of linking learning about hunger and peace to the service of helping promote justice. We shared with Nobel prize winner, Eli Weisel, the belief that “... (a)s long as one child is hungry, our life will be filled with anguish and shame. What all these victims need above all is to know that they are not alone; that we are not forgetting them, that when their voices are stifled we shall lend them ours; that while their freedom depends on ours, the quality of our freedom depends on theirs.”
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Cincinnati Youth Empowerment Day a Huge Success
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SUDOKU Puzzle Fill in numbers so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes contains the digits 1 to 9. There is only one solution! The ANSWER is on Page 15 Crowd watches as the band plays.
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was a huge success and the Cincinnati YEP looks forwarding to organizing its next big event! Youth also are planning to work in the adult shelters in Cincinnati in hopes of circumventing the adult system.
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Band plays for YEP celebration. in Burnett Woods
Group of youth watch as the band plays ST
by Lynne Ausman Cincinnati - The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) was still forming when the youth initiated a meeting with Mayor Mark Mallory about homeless kids in Cincinnati. Impressed with the presentation, Mayor Mallory proclaimed April 20, 2007, as Youth Empowerment Day in Cincinnati! A celebration in Burnett Park featuring two local bands followed. The event was no small feat, given the challenges of organizing the entire event, including finding a location, securing the bands, promoting the event, and finding refreshments. Burnett Woods, a park in the Clifton area of Cincinnati was secured. It was the perfect
spot due to its location – near the Youth Crisis Center and Anthony House (a youth day shelter) – unfortunately, there was no electricity for the event. The youth pulled together and secured a donated generator for the event. Anthony House provided refreshments. To finish off the event, youth raffled off for $25 Target gift certificates which were donated by the Coalition for Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO). Raffle participants were asked to complete a short survey describing their individual situations and priority issues. The most frequently mentioned issue was drug and substance abuse, followed closely by food and shelter, and education and employment. Other issues included homelessness awareness, interaction with housed youth, mental illness, lack of adult caring and support, police stereotyping, and general safety. Overall, the experience
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Poverty and Addiction
the first test. He knows this is the by Mike Henson This is the fourth is a series on procedure but something in him rankles at the notion and he refuses poverty and addiction. the backup test. He stands at his full Cincinnati - A tall man comes to the height. “I blew a point-one five.” He duty office of a halfway house for men shrugs. “Why I got to blow again?” The woman explains that this released from jail or prison. He is returning from work or from is the rule. He argues. He probably searching for work or from an knows he already has a sanction that appointment with a doctor or case could send him back to jail or prison, manager. He knows the procedure but still he balks. A second staff and the woman at the desk knows the person gets involved and still he procedure. He signs in and he tests argues. I step in at this point and pull for alcohol. On occasion he must him aside. He reeks of alcohol and he weaves above me –I am short so he peers down at me through his swollen eyes. I ask, “What’s up?” He explains that he has blown a .15 and that’s all he needs to do. “What’s the problem with blowing again?” “It’s demeaning.” Here is a man who faces serious consequences for drinking, yet Michael Henson he is willing to put himself at further drop urines, but that test is expensive risk because he sees a process and the results take several days. The designed to protect him from false alcohol test is cheap and the results accusation as demeaning. To my mind, his whole life in this halfway house is are immediate. He is a good-looking man, demeaning. He is a grown man who neatly dressed. To my eye he must ask permission to leave the resembles a Cincinnati Reds house, who must do his chores when ballplayer I remember from my youth. staff tells him and he must follow rules He is tall, as I say, so he must lean he has no say in making. Yet he finds down to reach the device the woman this particular procedure demeaning. holds up. He places his elbows on the It could make me crazy if I thought sill of the duty office window and he about it long enough, but I don’t have blows into the plastic tube fixed to the the time. Instead, I ask, “Did you top of the device. The woman checks drink?” “Yes, I did.” the screen — .015. He has blown “And are you drunk right now?” numbers; he is positive for alcohol. “Yes sir.” He knows what’s next and so He does not mind calling me does the woman at the duty office window. If you blow numbers, then sir and he does not mind sitting in the you blow two more times to confirm chair where I ask him to sit, for I tell
the duty office staff they can skip the backup test and he is satisfied I let him keep that little scrap of dignity he has chosen to claim. This man can pack all his worldly possessions into a pair of plastic garbage bags. He is mentally ill, chemically dependent, and a convicted criminal. Outside his family, no one waits for him to be released. He lives in an over-crowded dormitory with others just like him. Yet he strives for dignity and he rejects what he sees as demeaning. It may not be the line in the sand that you or I might draw and it may not be the line this man might draw if he were sober, but he has set this border from which he defends what he sees as his dignity. It is a fractured dignity, impaired by alcohol and rendered almost comical and certainly injurious to himself. But in spite of all the injuries his dignity has sustained, he must have felt he still had something left to defend. So he stood in the lobby and refused the second test... Men and women will die for what they perceive as dignity. Dope boys and saints will go down for the juice. We cannot live comfortably without some measure of it. What is dignity to the human person? What does it mean to the poor? To the addict? Michael Harrington, in The New American Poverty, says, “To be poor in American is to be unable to afford your pride.” By this, I assume he means that poverty keeps a person from ever catching up with the Joneses. It means to be constantly demeaned. Your clothes are shabby, so you get mocked at school. Your car is a hooptie. Everything you own is cheap, is “ghetto.” You’re a bum, a redneck, a whatever else they call people who are less than everyone
else. Everything about you is deficient in some way. . But you can, I believe, have some dignity. For pride and dignity are not the same. A person can still hold onto some dignity even when the elements of pride have been stripped away. For dignity, in this context, means the refusal to be demeaned in demeaning circumstances. You hold your head a little higher, your back a little straighter. You remain on your path in spite of the petty –and not so petty- impediments that poverty puts in your way. There is an internal element and an external element to dignity. Internally, within the person, there is this refusal to allow the demeaning world outside to invade the soul. The person will not let the world define him or set her standard. Externally, it shows in that uplifted head, that unbent back, that clear eye. You can beat down that head, that back. You can make a person avert his or her eye. But as long as the demeaning does not enter within, then dignity lives. What happens when we add alcohol into the mix? Or heroin or crack cocaine? I think that under this weight, dignity comes close to shattering. The lies, the manipulation, the shame all conspire to break down the barrier between the demeaning world and the soul. The addict begins to demean the self. And in this process, the poor are particularly vulnerable. Why? Because the assaults on dignity are so much more frequent and intense and the poor have so few defenses. Their wounds are greater and the world offers little in the way of healing. So does my man in the halfway house have dignity? He has, I think, a scrap of it. Maybe no more than a scrap, but let him keep it. If he hopes to recover, he will need it.
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Day Laborer Critically Injured at Rumpke Recycling by Lynne Ausman
safety equipment at the time of the accident.” Cincinnati - In late April, day “We are concerned with the laborer, Scott Johnson, 56, was health and safety training that day critically injured while shredding tires labor workers receive,” said Don at Rumpke Recycling. Johnson is Sherman, executive director of the officially employed by TLC Industrial Interfaith Workers Center in OverTemporary, a day labor hall which is the-Rhine, “safety should be of known among homeless advocates upmost concern to both the and those who work with lowemployers who have day labor income workers for its questionable workers and [to] the day labor practices. halls.” Johnson had been sent to the This terrible Rumpke Tire incident was the Recycling location “We are concerned first at Rumpke routinely for about Tire Recycling and two months when with the health and it is probably one he fell into a tire safety training that of the worst injuries shredder. As a sustained by a day day labor workers result, Johnson has laborer while on a suffered serious receive” job. However, injuries including -Don Sherman injuries are not losing his left arm. uncommon in the It is unclear how day labor industry. Johnson fell into the tire shredder, Day labor workers are routinely however, Detective Monte Mayer, subject to questionable practices, spokesman for the Butler County unsafe conditions and discrimination. Sheriff’s Office explained that The Day Labor Organizing Johnson had been standing next to Project (DLOP) has heard about the tire shredder when it jammed. many day labor practices at their Amanda Pratt, Rumpke weekly meetings. “They drive us to spokeswoman, said “Johnson took work on those rickety old buses and part in all necessary training sessions they always break down. The to operate the shredder and drivers are unsafe too, speeding and appeared to have been wearing his cutting others off” says one worker, “they are always late picking us up too, and sometimes they don’t even show up.” DLOP operates, in part, as a forum for workers to address their grievances with day labor halls. While DLOP has no official relationship with the day labor halls, they do document
Other common grievances these grievances with the hopes of are the lack of clean bathrooms, one day being able to address them water breaks, and with the day labor not being paid fully. halls. In the “Safety should be “They told me I meantime, these of the upmost couldn’t go to the grievances have bathroom or take a been used to concern to both water break. It’s develop legislation the employers hot and they have which would who have day me doing hard regulate the day labor halls to ensure labor workers and labor. Then I got back to the hall to proper safety and [to] the day labor get my check and it non-discrimination. halls.” was only $30 for a This day labor sixteen hour day. legislation is -Don Sherman It’s just not right.” currently working said another worker its way through who wished to remain anonymous. Cincinnati City Council and DLOP The workers asked to hopes that it will come to a full city remain anonymous for fear of council vote and become an official retribution from the day labor halls. city ordinance.
New Complex for Homeless Opens in Salt Lake by Angie Welling, Desert Morning News Salt Lake City, UT - On the eve of his 53rd birthday, Rodger Duvall is headed home — back to the neighborhood in west Salt Lake where he was born and reared, before he became a husband and father, before he became a drug addict and long before he became homeless. “I’m back home,” Duvall said from his new studio apartment. “I’m going to start my life over.” Sunrise, which officially opened its doors with great fanfare, is offering a similar opportunity to 99 other people in similar situations. The
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complex is the first of its kind in Utah and will provide permanent, supportive housing to individuals who have lived on the streets for years. “I don’t care what your religion or your beliefs are, this is a miracle,” said a tearful Rosemary Kappes, executive director of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City. Kappes is credited as the heart and soul of the Sunrise project. The facility will follow the “housing first” approach that has proven effective in other parts of the nation. On-site case management will be available, but not mandatory, for residents. Two of the building’s four floors will be designated as “dry,” meaning no drugs or alcohol allowed, but the other floors have no alcohol
restrictions. Residents will be allowed to come and go as they please, although there will be security on site. “This is going to be remembered in history as a real turning point for how we work with those who are chronically homeless,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Duvall’s new home, with its twin bed, small dining room table and limited cookware, isn’t anything fancy. But it is much better than anywhere he’s been lately, especially jail, where he spent seven months on a drug charge, he said. Duvall will pay 30 percent of his income — about $370 from his monthly Social Security check — for rent and utilities. Duvall is grateful and surprised at the work that has gone into getting
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Sunrise off the ground, particularly the heartfelt dedication to people in the homeless community. “It’s overwhelming,” he said. “Just overwhelming.” The multimillion-dollar project started with two $600,000 donations from the George S. and Delores Dore Eccles Foundation and the Crusade for the Homeless, headed by local philanthropist Jack Gallivan. Additional private donations followed, as well as federal, state and local funds. Sunrise represents a major step forward in the state’s 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness. A second permanent housing facility is already under way in South Salt Lake, where officials broke ground on that 84-unit apartment complex in October.
TOMATO TOMAHTO—A prose poem in three voices and ability to get through college. good slicer. Best if used right makin’ Kool Aid—how big is your by Steven Paul Lansky
Steve Lansky, this month’s guest columnist: poet, film-maker, novelist, performance artist former Poet Laureate of Overthe-Rhine. I’m forty-nine and teach Creative Writing at Miami University. I spent a few hours at a homeless youth outreach center. I listened and took notes in Times New Roman. My own privileged life is italicized and Heirloom tomato varieties are bold and italics: Abraham Lincoln: An heirloom variety known for its dark red fruits that are free from cracks— Two computers with Internet— garden plots—a man pees in the yard his back to the alley—pants hang low—smoking roll-ups—I don’t know what I’m going to do with this dog—I live well. I grew up with privilege. My parents both worked, both were professionals, both had Ph.D.’s and valued education. Because of my schizophrenia I suffered from a disrupted late adolescence—Akers West Virginia: A good producer of nicely shaped red globes that bear up until a hard frost. Not as tasty as some, but great for sauces and salsas—right now I’m sleepin’ in the car with (a yellow pit bull) him—I was going to give him to Dave and Michelle—right now I’m sleepin’ in the car with him— sandwich fixin’s, cheese, lunch meat, bread, fruit punch, Kool Aid—pants hung low—watch a kid roll a cigarette, the tuck—when he gets out he’ll be on paper still—cappin’ on his BLEEP—When my family and I were estranged, something that had elements of mutuality, my anger and angst, their frustration and feelings of helplessness against a disease that truly affects understanding combined to force me to seek treatment. I’m one of the lucky ones. A small dose of medication taken daily as prescribed by a psychiatrist was enough to give me a chance— Amana Orange: Large orange colored fruits originally from the Amana Colonies in Iowa— concrete porch, three green plastic chairs—red scrapes on her nose, under eyes, around her thin pale fingers—I’m sick from that schwag—I think that the transition from lying, drunk, mentally ill, college dropout, to poet and artist, to non-traditional student made my twenties full of loss and loneliness. But, from the earliest times in treatment, I saw others give up and commit suicide, or succumb to alcohol, drugs, and insanity, while I learned to build on each failure—Amish Paste: A great heirloom variety for canning. 8 oz. fruits are very meaty and great for sauce making—my hands are stained from
caseload? Fifty—we’re training a new guy today—As I went from welfare to volunteer work, to work-training, to sheltered work, to competitive work, I became willing to help others and in doing so helped myself—Andrew Rahart’s Jumbo Red: Good flavor from medium sized bright red fruits—I haven’t had a shower in five days—staying in a squat— outreach under the bridges, by the railroad tracks— There is something validating about having had nothing. My family could have rescued me. They tried to for awhile. Then I began to find help by asking others. It came slowly— Anna Russian: Large one pound pink and red heart shaped fruits. The seed was said to originate from a Russian immigrant in Oregon several generations ago—don’t wanna’ kick in the CCAT House—they got a place for crazy people, not addicts—I’d a stayed with him two days right by his side. As soon as he got it he split. I ain’t seen him. I’d a sat with him—It took me thirteen years and three different universities to get my B.A. in Creative Writing. Now, there’s a degree full of marketing potential. Having asked for a lend, I’m now able and sometimes willing to give one. Arkansas Traveler: 6 oz. fruits have a creamy mild flavor. This variety was discovered in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Missouri—My experience tells me that with a positive narrative replacing the deluded story of a victim, I can gain strength, and hope—good shoes— socks—need socks?—I hear you got a plan—got a smoke?—wow that feels good—I haven’t had a shower in five days—Aunt Ginny’s: This German beefsteak has plenty of flavor. Yields are average but this variety makes up for it in its superb flavor—I watch others struggle to find a foothold. I put out a hand here and there where I can. My current situation is based on accepting my disability, working less than fulltime, and accepting family help— she’ll give us a home. Probably a vehicle—San Bernadino—she makes ten pounds of crystal meth a week—Aunt Ruby’s German Green: A sweet delicious flavor with a hint of spice. 12-16 oz. fruits have a light green skin with a dark green interior when fully ripe…these look great sliced on a plate with some of the darker red varieties—It is true that not everyone has the patience
Money helps, too. My experience tells me that self-discipline, a willingness to listen and make judgments about how to do things that help me, and others, and a commitment to honoring each individual’s dignity is necessary. Government grants and loans help—Hell’s Angel—when I get to jail I’ll have a warm place to sleep and a roof over my head— Aurora: 6-8 oz. Great tasting fruits. Vines are loaded with fruit—When I lived on a park bench for a few weeks in 1982 before signing myself into a State Hospital for treatment, only a handful of people took interest enough to visit with me. Now, I make an effort to visit some of the benches, and people who are staying on them—birds walk little steps peck peck at white bread tossed from a wandering spring sandwich—shower—ain’t had one in five days—break into a place that helps people—gives free food—to steal free food—Banana Legs: A unique yellow paste tomato. Plants produce wispy leaves but bear a good quantity of mild flavored fruit—I tell these individuals what helped me, and that I’ve been there, too. I try to get to know them in the moments that might help. Sometimes I give a handout of a little cash. I don’t know if this helps. Social Security helps me. Father Time—don’t disrespect— don’t wanna’ be with crazy people— I’m an addict—So how do you grow tomatoes?—Can tomatoes evolve into an organizing principle?—Beauty Blanc: A medium sized white tomato, whiter than White Wonder and somewhat smaller. Flavor is mild with little acid—concrete pillars— the swoosh—cars overhead—motor sounds—rubbish tires—rusty concrete chunks, half empty dirty bottles, the smell of crack halfway up a fenced off concrete stairway— galvanized chainlink—Besser Cherry: A very old German Cherry tomato that produces clusters of 8-12 tomatoes on large sprawling vines—An elderly German Jew told me one fine day that I knew why I was there—he sat next to me on that lonely bench and said you know why you are here—a not so old sleepingbag—rusty rust—swoosh sounds—a streetcorner by a small greenspace—Black Brandywine: A brandywine style tomato that was crossed at some point with an unknown “black” variety possible Cherokee Purple or Black Krim. Great flavor and a
Streetvibes
after picking as it doesn’t keep well—a woman—her face pocked—caked with make-up— taking, talking—they’re gonna’ give me pamphlets—hands take plastic wrapped objects—a green light pole—traffic—lights switching yellow red—Black Cherry: A new variety for us. Plants produce a good quantity of purple/black cherry tomatoes that have a flavor that resembles Black Krim. Plants beared up through October here in Ohio—green yellow—a little gathering of smoking grey faces—no one’s on fire with hope—a man talks about cocaine—a Dr.—a medical Dr. in Army Reserves—a scared Dr.—ER doctor who wants to help—taking a hand—accepting a handout— afraid of foodstamps—afraid of foodstamps—afraid social services will deplete the military—a criminal—swoosh sounds— soothing to put someone to sleep by the raised, under the raised roadway—concrete pillars—swoosh sounds—soothing to put someone asleep by the raised, under the raised roadway—concrete pillars— Black Krim: Another black variety…fruits are a super dark red with greenish tops. Sweet and tasty flavor. You’re not dead, kid. You fell asleep. You can wake up and take care. You have a job to do. It’s not done yet, kid. Get out of that sleepy, dopey haze, work a little each day; watch your dream come true. Once you show you care, you can help yourself. Get out of yourself and give to your fellow. Not sharing a smoke. Giving a hand up. Not a hand out. A hand up, a real time, real love, real blessing, real miracle; each one of you is a human being.
ALMOST 30 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
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Streetvibes Vendor Code of Conduct All Vendors Sign and Agree to a Code of Conduct Report Any Violations to GCCH - 421-7803 1. Streetvibes will be distributed 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. Vendors must not tell customers 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 $3 to replace. Broken or worn badges will be replaced for $1, 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. Ten 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 lowincome people in more than 35 cities across the United States and Canada.
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About the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless and Streetvibes.... 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 self-sufficiency 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 earned. This program has helped 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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State tries to regain federal funds to help the homeless
by Ken Kusmer Indianapolis, IN - With great fanfare, Gov. Mitch Daniels held a press conference to accept a ceremonial check that included $12.7 million in federal grants for programs serving homeless people around the state. That was 2005. But when Indiana received its latest federal homeless funding, it had little to celebrate. Funding plummeted to $3.57 million, or just 28 cents on the dollar compared with 2005, to feed and house homeless Hoosiers, train them for jobs and provide other services. As state officials and advocates prepare their request for the next round of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, some say the state needs to start putting money into affordable housing in order to get a greater share of the federal grants. “It should be a call to action for all of us, but especially the state of Indiana, to make an investment in people who are most vulnerable and most at risk,” said Michael Reinke, executive director of the nonprofit Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues. He said at least 60,000 Indiana residents are homeless at some point in a year’s time. Others see it differently. Rodney Stockment, who has a key role in preparing the state’s request for the limited HUD homeless funds, said homeless programs seeking federal
grants need to find other money — not only from the state but from their home communities, foundations and other sources — so Indiana’s application scores better. “When it’s a limited pot of money, it’s very competitive,” said Stockment, community services manager at the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. HUD announced Feb. 20 that it was distributing more than $1.2 billion in Continuum of Care grants to thousands of local programs across the nation. Besides the $3.57 million received for programs across Indiana, Indianapolis collected $4.28 million after submitting a separate application. Emergency shelters received an additional $3.05 million. But none of eight new projects proposed for Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Gary, Kokomo, South Bend and other communities received HUD approval, and 37 existing programs that had come up for renewal received only a single year of funding rather than the normal multiple years. “It’s been really very disappointing to us,” said Linda Baechle, executive director of the YWCA of St. Joseph County, which was seeking $393,750 over three years to add six apartments to the eight it now has for women with chronic mental illness, developmental delays or physical disabilities. Stockment, Reinke and program heads like Baechle say
Indiana’s funding dropped for a number of reasons: Many of Indiana’s homeless are families, but HUD places more priority on those considered “chronically homeless,” single individuals with disabilities such as mental health problems who have been homeless for at least a year. They account for 10 percent to 20 percent of the homeless population but use half of all services. Indiana does not score well when it comes to leveraging other sources of funding to complement HUD funds. Indiana was prepared to match 92 cents for every $1 of HUD funding, but HUD required $2. Indiana needs more affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. Reinke’s coalition, which helps prepare the state’s application to HUD, reported last week that many people resort to homeless programs because the state does not have enough affordable housing. In the first three months of the year, more than 3,200 heads of households entered programs across Indiana. Of those, 30 percent had stayed the night before with friends or family, 19 percent had been in their own or rented homes, and 11 percent had come from a jail, hospital or substance abuse treatment center. “While many people think of homelessness as a personal crisis, there is a statewide lack of affordable housing with dire consequences,” Reinke said.
Unlike its four neighboring states, Indiana does not put any money toward affordable housing, he said. Legislation that would have generated millions of dollars in such funds each year cleared the Indiana House 62-36 this session but did not receive a committee hearing in the Senate, and it appears dead. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jeb Bardon, DIndianapolis, said it died in the Senate because builders and real estate agents objected to a provision that would increase county recording fees for mortgages and deeds to raise the housing funds. So now it’s back to the drawing board. Stockment said he has enlisted the Chicago-based nonprofit Corporation for Supportive Housing to help Indiana on its new application, which is expected to include more than 60 projects seeking funding. But Baechle and other program chiefs know that getting all the funds Indiana needs won’t be easy. Christian Center Rescue Ministries in Anderson doesn’t take HUD funds because it bars them from proselytizing, Executive Director Scott Richards said, but if other HUD-funded programs shut down he’ll feel the impact. His agency houses 54 men, women and children and will serve an estimated 60,000 meals this year. “We didn’t get hit by the torpedo, but we’re standing on the same boat,” Richards said.
Homeless Student Graduates High School Orlando, FL - Many Central Florida High School students graduated this week. But graduation took on an extra special meaning for a homeless graduate at Edgewater High School, WESH 2 News reported. Daniel Lazzatti lives in a shed behind a woman’s home in Winter Park, and works at Burger King to pay for his necessities, he said. Despite his hardships, Lazzatti worked his way out of special education classes, earned a regular diploma and a scholarship.
Project Book from Mercy High Shool about Homelessness and Poverty, available at the GCCH office - Call 421-7803
“I don’t want to say it’s hard, but it also wasn’t easy. But I’m surprised myself that I even made it here in the first place,” Lazzatti said. Lazzatti’s family lost their home and his mother disappeared. He’s lived on his own for about two years, he said. After hearing his story, hundreds of people have offered to help and give him money. He said he’ll use only what he needs, and will give the rest to a scholarship fund for other Orange County teens living in poverty.
Hey, College and High School Students! Interested in Serving Others? Want to Change the World? —Alternative Breaks —Homeless Curriculum —Arrange an Awareness Event on Campus —Visit from our Speaker’s Bureau Contact Andy Freeze, Education Coordinator, Homeless Coalition, to learn more 421-7803. ext. 14
Streetvibes
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Standing with Dignity
Battle Plan
by Paul von Kempf, JR. Standing with DignityStanding here with dignity waiting through all kinds of weather selling Real Change Newspaper Waiting for those smiling eyes hopeful wanting to be helpful to say paper please Can you see that your generosity is appreciated?
by Jose Ornelas I am Indigenous. I am a conquered peoples, one of many. What next? Will I be bitter? Who will I try to conquer? My women, or child? You? No, brothers and sisters, I will surrender so that I may rise. Surrender to my hunger. Accept my humanity. Embrace...us. My nation became a gang, now it will be a nation again. Heart to heart Love to love one two three nations under a groove. We will marry each other and see all the children as our own. I am lucky because I am not the inheritor of the legacy of the overseer. I don’t hold the whip, I never did. When it is finished we will bury the past; weep for it and then sing for the future.
Standing here with dignity I see another kind of eyes Cold cruel and full of contempt Walking past me without seeing Taking the long way around Can you see my pain? Do I jerk you out of your coccoon,when I say hello? do I jerk you back to reality? Standing here with dignity I have time to reflect on why I am selling Real Change Newspaper In another time and another place I have had several jobs I have lost them to accident, illness, disease or my bigshot ideas Society deals harshly with people who have bigshot ideas where is the forgiveness?
To Be, to Become by Kris Schon To be, to become to believe in yourself the inner voice that propels you forward a waterfall of wisdom of life fears and rejections triumphs and tragedies laughter and hope belly button stuff the main course at life’s banquet for those wishing to attend. grateful are the many who stand firm in a brisk breeze head up, eye to eye with the dragon. Flickering stars candles lit from your strength your courage your hope your faith, burning on.
Today I am standing here with dignity selling Real Change Newspaper Waiting for those smiling eyes to say paper please I hope you can see my gratitude for your generosity.
Without Blues
Beds
by Lonnie Nelson
by Paula
For all those who have seen drugs, alcoholism and abuse tear their families apart.
there was snoring by my head, someone sneezing in another bed someone was sobbing off to the right and someone else moaning all through the night.
Without the stub of crocus, the breeze through cedar and hills to climb in the soft light of January I would be lost. Without the picket lines’ ”How you doing?”— friends sitting around at the table while November rains, I would wash away in tears.
Injun Blues In a mission doorway a in-num puts a green bottle up to his lips. He begins to sing: ”Gimme 5 minutes only five minutes more; let me stay ah-yah-aye...” He pounds his fist on the wall.
Without my pencil, the work that must be done, the brothers and sisters in the strong August sun, I would go over the edge.
A couple passes and he smiles at them. Earle Thompson, Sept. 20, 1984 First published in Northwest Indian News
someone was choking holding back tears while off to the left, were the whispers of fears and several were talking out loud in their dreams would I get any sleep? maybe some so it seems Am I complaining? No I think not. As I am grateful for all that I’ve got Were it not for this room with its forty beds some of these women by morning, found dead.
Buy Streetvibes From Badged Vendors Only! Streetvibes Vendors are required to sign a code of conduct and agree to abide by all the rules of the Streetvibes Vendor Program. If a Vendor misrepresents or breaks the rules, she/he may be removed from the Program. See Page 12 for details on the program. To report a Vendor, call 421-7803. ext. 16
Interrupted Journey
Being Poor
by Earle Thompson
by Elizabeth Romero
Coyote pauses arching his head, surveying the blue meadow Grey paws pad among morning glories, finding a fallen doe. He halts his journey, cleaning himself as best as he can, finding the small deer had recently died, wounded by man.
It can be a kid as white as you, a kid with an old face. And it is hope, hope that the sheriff doesn’t come to serve the eviction papers when you happen to be home. Hope that you don’t have to put anything back at the checkout counter.
Coyote sets aside a rib, cleaning it on the starry grass; Makes a valuable gift, polishes it, and hears magpie pass. He invites the long-tailed one to share this good fortune Eating and gossiping, the polished rib absorbs the sun. Are you thirsty, he asks, did he have anything to barter? Magpie explains that the Frog people govern all the water. At the dam, they learn he has a valuable gift to trade They discuss the amount and price, an agreement is made.
Being poor is waiting, and telling your children to wait, wait their whole childhoods away. It is knowing they blame you.
Coyote proceeds to drink the water putting one hand in ready to scoop the earth aside, when he finishes drinkin’. Coyote destroys the dam and water rushes by. To be fair, he announces with a smile that water shall be everywhere.
It is wondering if there isn’t a better way. Being poor is trying not to envy almost everyone you see.
Buffalo Dreams/Survivors by Cynthia Ozimek WRITTEN FOR THE THREE HOMELESS WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES TO A SERIAL KILLER IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON We come today contrite yet compelled, confused yet confident, alone and in pain. In this the process of healing we are the puzzles whose pieces have vanished, we are the Jesters whose antics mask pain. We are the ghostly stampede of dying Buffalos across the arid plains mammoth and unruly, furied and bold, majestic and free. We do not die easily but bellow out in rage the names of slain ancestors who speak from darkened dreams of more glory-full days. We are not dead but merely unseen. On shadowy mountains, along desolate rivers, amongst fleeting consciousness and the kindness of strangers these ghost-like spirits run free.
It’s not getting enough and getting mad.
MOON by Catherine Gainey If, in a moment frantic my mad beauty, I, tiny moan could see you then, when it felt honeyful live, ache, drunk still after love. My delirious goddess we worship a moon lake rain and blue; The summer gift. A woman some enormous power less part delicate sleep.
Sudoku - Answer from page 8
Being poor is bones and hearts and marrows and gray street dirt. If there is a God, and if there is a God anywhere, we haven’t heard the half of it.
Psalm at Break of Day by Mike Henson Father of the Morning, I wake in the dark. I stumble to my shoes. The fog of sleep clots my brain. Dilemma is my steadfast companion; he fumbles alongside me through the half-light of morning. I know only the half-light. I know only doubt and the stumbling of the half-light. The geese rise from the river – Gawonk! they cry. Gawonk! They know their northbound track. In the distance, semis rumble down an open highway; their maps are laid out before them. The deceitful mouth’s of the radio Press against the ears of the unwary. They have the clear channels. Their path is unencumbered. But I barely see what lies underfoot. Mine is a path of confusion. I know no more than the next step before me. Lord of the dawn, You know the turns of this clouded path. You know the end. Father of the morning, where will this day take me?