Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By William K. Harter
This June, 13 police officers completed a 3-day training program designed to teach them how to teach and train their fellow colleagues in dealing with people with mental issues. The goal is to have them return to their departments and set up training programs to defuse and help the person, rather than to use force and arrest.
Officers are taught how to recognize that the person is mentally ill and to use non-threatening mannerisms, rather than arrest and control techniques. Try to present a calm situation, not a chaotic one. Avoid sirens, lights and threats. Speak softly; reassuring them they will not be hurt. Continue reading ‘Police Being Trained to Handle Mentally Ill Confrontations’
By JoAnn Dyes
Diana Freeman, a petite blonde woman with compassion bigger than she is, came into the shelter system in November of 2009.
Attending a speak out began her involvement with RIHAP Speakers Bureau-Voices of the Homeless, while she was vice chair and Secretary.
She is active with the winter shelter service at Mathewson Church 2009-2010 season. Continue reading ‘Homeless Not Helpless’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
In the middle of July, there were hearings in Providence, Warwick, Barrington, Newport and Narragansett as residents expressed their concerns of RIPTA increasing fares, service cuts and how it will affect their lives.
The hearing sought information on RIPTA’s plan to close the $3.7 million deficit for FY 2011, higher fare that started on September 1st, from $1.75 to $2.
FY 2011 is the beginning of the downward spiral. RIPTA is preparing a five-year projection of slowly decreasing services. Continue reading ‘Fare Increase and Service Cuts for RIPTA’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
In June, the expungement bill passed into law, without Governor Carcieri’s signature. But, what is this new law all about and who can get an expungement?
The new law allows and helps a person who pleads no contest or guilty to a crime to be able to tell future employers or landlords that they have never been convicted.
Expunged records are taken from public view, giving people the change to start over and get on their feet once again, without having to worry about their record getting in the way. Continue reading ‘Expungement Law: Who Benefits?’
By David Eisenberger and Stan Kapelewski
September’s Rainbow Award proudly goes to the Recovery All Star’s Band. They voluntarily play in many places in Rhode Island, including coffee houses, and perform at the Public Square Day at Burnside Park every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11:30am – 1:30pm.
Over the years 100 members have performed for this band. Also they’re the cover band for a sit-com that’s on Channel 10, after Saturday Night live, called “Rhode Bytes,” and spearheaded by Doreen Collins, who used to team with Charlie Hall, years ago and she’s also associated with Channel 10. Continue reading ‘Music From the Heart’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Louisa Smith
On Thursday, July 28, seven representatives from Street Sights left T. F. Green Airport for Chicago, where the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) conference was held this year.
NASNA, whose members include 31 street papers from the United States and Canada, was formed in Chicago 14 years ago, so this conference was a coming home of sorts for the Association. Its membership continues to grow, and this year representatives from several newspapers in their first year joined the veteran papers in Chicago.
StreetWise, Chicago’s street paper, is one of those veteran papers at 18 years old. The newspaper was the generous host of this year’s conference, and all who attended were lucky enough to get a tour of the StreetWise office, which is larger and more elaborate than we at Street Sights could have dreamed. Continue reading ‘Street Sights Goes to Chicago and Wins Award’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Melissa Howard
On June 22, President Obama released his plan to end homelessness. As we know, with economy as it is there has been a rise in homelessness. There are more men, women and children that are expecting homelessness or are homeless since the depression.
In the last five years, public and private sectors have made remarkable difference in reducing homelessness by merging permanent housing and wrap around support services. The vision is that “no one should experience homelessness no one should be without a safe stable place to call home.” Continue reading ‘Obama’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Irwin Becker
Forty-three homeless persons were killed last year and many more injured in brutal attacks which has led to a movement for the FBI to list these as hate crimes, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. The numbers of killings in 2008 were 27.
Those who worked on this homeless study attribute the rise in fatal attacks to several factors: the tough economy, popular videos of “bum fights,” online games that trivialize attacks, increased gang initiations involving homeless assaults and municipal crackdowns on homeless tent cities that have bred hostility, according to the report in The New York Times on August 19th.
Rhode Island and Florida were cited as joining with Maine and Maryland as the only states that now list protection of the homeless as hate crime victims. The report of the rise in homeless attacks comes as violent crime nationwide, as compiled by the FBI, declined 5.5 percent last year from the previous year.
“We’re seeing a level of hatred building to the point that it’s deadly now, said Neil Donovan, director of the homeless coalition that compiled the data.
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
Open Doors Housing and Crossroads recently announced major progress on their separate supportive housing developments in Providence and North Kingstown that focus on ex-inmates and the homeless.
Open Doors, with completed financing arrangements, purchased the former historic Sealtest ice cream plant at 485 Plainfield Street in the city’s Silver Lake neighborhood. It will contain 19 units subsidized as Section 8 and will also eventually hold the office of the non-profit agency. Funding will come from an assortment of sources, according to Sol Rodriguez, executive director. Those sources include R.I. Housing, R.I. LISC, the state NOP housing program, tax credit subsidies, Providence Housing Authority vouchers, Environmental Protection Agency grants to remediate the industrial site, and the city’s commitment of 2011 federal Home funds.
The lengthy process to obtain the building started five years ago, Rodriguez said, and is the first housing program for the 8-year-old nonprofit, which specializes in programs for people coming out of the ACI. Some of those efforts include a drop-in center, policy and legal reforms, literacy, computer and resource training and working on legislative issues. Continue reading ‘Housing Projects Advance at Open Doors, Crossroads’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Irwin Becker
The number of homeless in shelters and transitional housing in Rhode Island increased in one year by a record thirty percent in July.
No wonder shelter leaders and housing advocates used such phrases as “unbelievable,” “scary” and “a record” at the early August meeting of the state Emergency Shelter Task Force. And they were only reacting to the June information.
The data showed that in July 2009, there were 1,052 homeless while in July, 2010 the number climbed to a record 1,402, according to information gathered by sociology Prof. Eric Hirsch of Providence College. And the increase was across the board for all groups–adults in families, children and single adults.
In fact, going back to January, 2008, when the recession started to have an impact, the current totals are all record highs in each category. Prof. Hirsch gave the current data to Street Sights shortly after the task force session. Continue reading ‘Record RI Homeless Up 30% Since Last July’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Irwin Becker
In most localities, and this state until this year, hate crimes included acts motivated by racial, religious, ethnic, sexual orientation, gender or disability. The law required the state police to monitor such crimes, collect monthly reports from local police departments, distribute the data to every police station and require each station to post what actions are covered under hate crimes.
According to the latest police report for 2009, there were 34 hate or bias crimes in the state, occurring in 11 communities. Separate reports included URI with four and Brown with none. The localities with hate crimes are: Providence (10), Pawtucket (4), Warwick (3), Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Little Compton and West Warwick (all with 2), Newport, Smithfield and North Smithfield (all with 1). Continue reading ‘Hate Crime Law Will Change RI Numbers’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
Chris Hannifan, Executive Director of Housing Network of RI and Neil Steinberg, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. The Partnership for Community Development recently celebrated its first graduating class. Roger Williams University and the Housing Network of RI created this unique program in 2008 to strengthen the professional skills of Rhode Island’s housing and community development sector. It is the only program of its kind in Rhode Island offering an overview of community development issues, non-profit management, housing and real estate development, economic development and an array of electives such as strategic planning, and city and state government.
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Paul Medici
Mathewson St. Church
Last winter, as you well remember, Mathewson St. United Methodist Church in downtown Providence hosted a Hypothermia Shelter in collaboration with Amos House and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless (RICH).
The shelter housed 21 men each night and provided a hot meal, clean restrooms, and a supervised safe place to sleep.
As summer begins to wind down, we should once again start preparing now for the upcoming winter season. Homelessness still exists in our state and we need to discuss our plans for this year’s Hypothermia Shelter before the cold weather arrives.
Perhaps local advocacy groups and funding agencies could contact Mathewson St. Church so that we could get a jump start on this project.
We all know that there will not be enough beds once again this winter, and the earlier we take care of this problem, the better chance we have of doing something about it.
Thank You,
Paul Medici
Mathewson St. Church
Providence, R.I. – 02903
401-331-8900
Published in
September, 2010 in
Opinions.
By Kristen Sherman, Esq.
As many readers are undoubtedly aware, it can be extremely difficult to obtain food while homeless. Since many food pantries and soup kitchens are overcrowded, have limited hours, or are inaccessible due to lack of transportation, many homeless people rely on the generosity of groups and individuals who run formal or informal food sharing programs. Unfortunately, some cities and towns throughout the country have used local laws to limit or prohibit food sharing programs. These restrictions take several forms. Some cities and towns have restricted or limited food sharing through the enforcement of existing zoning laws. While these local ordinances may appear neutral in application, they have the practical effect of limiting food distribution. Other cities and towns have adopted ordinances specifically targeting food sharing. As set forth below, these local ordinances may violate the state or federal Constitutions and may be subject to challenge in court. Continue reading ‘Are Food Sharing Programs Illegal? Well, In Orlando, FL…’
Published in
September, 2010 in
Columns.
By Deacon Ricky Brightman
The George Hunt HELP Center is well known to the homeless population. Our hospitality center has been at the same location, 121 Mathewson Street, for almost twenty years, offering coffee/juice, clean used clothing, personal toiletries, information and referral, understanding and safety. Now, who was George Hunt?
George Hunt was the Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island until 1995 and was supportive of efforts to help the homeless, especially with the idea of creating an inner city drop-in center. Bishop Hunt was interested in government and the problem of ethical leadership at the local and state level. He often could be found at the State House as a witness and advocate for justice for people living on the edges of society. It is very fitting that the Center was named after him as he fully supported this mission. Continue reading ‘Who is George Hunt?’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
The 17th Operation Stand Down will be held at the Diamond Hill Ski Resort, in Cumberland the weekend of Sept 17-19, 2010. This has been an annual event, and this organization was formed with one idea, to help veterans who are at risk of being homeless or are homeless. This organization can be contacted at
1-800-861-8387 for details and if needed transportation.
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By Irwin Becker
If you just got out of the ACI or had been doubling up with friends, neighbors or family, then the government now considers you homeless.
The new definitions, approved by the agency that oversees all housing programs, adopted the more liberal standards following a four-year campaign by housing advocates that included vital support from Senator Jack Reed.
The changes will allow thousands of uncounted or time-limited youths and families to become eligible for various housing initiatives, ranging from shelters to transitional housing to permanent residences tied in with extensive services and programs to improve their health, employment, education and access to increasing incomes and stability. Continue reading ‘New HUD Rules Expand Who Is Homeless’
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
By David Eisenberger
A new housing development recently opened up to house woman military veterans and their families
At 22 Milton St. Theresa’s 3 two bedroom rental homes and one fully handicapped accessible apartments
The apartments were dedicated in the memory of Lance Cpl. Holly Anne Charette, the 1st female Marine from R.I. killed in Iraq. The development was spearheaded by Operation Stand Down (A non-profit organization that assists homeless veterans or those in danger of being homeless). Stand Down purchased the vacant building from R.I. Housing. There’s been a rise in the number of female homeless vets, and this facility will also offer social services, case management, substance abuse counseling, job training and medical and psychiatric referrals.
Published in
September, 2010 in
News.
Barbara Kalil holds award for her protest note to the governor which ran in Street Sights last fall. The original article is reprinted below and in this issue of Street Sights.
An open letter to my “friend” Don Carcieri:
Hello Don,
Longtime no hear, no see. I mean, I know you’re out there somewhere. You have sent out your spokespeople to talk for you about “those homeless people.” You have talked about us, around us, but not to us. Why is that? Continue reading ‘Dear Don Carcieri Letter About Camp Runamuck Wins National Recognition for Barbara Kalil’
By William K. Harter
I was in Myrtle Beach, S.C. early May while there was a Biker’s Rally going on. It was easy to tell they were there—the noise of the loud engines, the ads all over town announcing sales of Biker’s helmets, boots and T shirts. Many businesses and motels had “Welcome Bikers” signs on display. I took the liberty of interviewing two bikers who were homeless.
Ted
Ted is in his early 40s, from the Midwest “corn country”, as he put it, the oldest son.
How did you get homeless? After school, I graduated, got a job, got a bike, loved it, joined with other bikers, went to their meetings and rallies. I took off often with them to see the USA and started to travel about 10-15 years ago. Continue reading ‘The Road is Their “Home”’
