Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By William Harter
Senator Rhoda Perry of Providence has sponsored a bill, “The Healthy Pregnancies for Incarcerated Women”. It proposes a reform to ensure the “least restrictive restraints necessary” be used in transporting women in their second and third trimester from prison and the Training School. Most female prisoners are low-risk, non-violent offenders.
The ACLU, National Organization for Women, RI Nurses Assoc., Medical Society and DARE are giving their support.
Six states already have such regulations. None have reported escapes or harm caused by lesser restraints.
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By Irwin Becker
More than 100 protesters showed up in the city’s financial district on a cold, windy early Autumn morning to tell the rest of the state that Rhode Island is experiencing an unprecedented homeless crisis.
It is predicted that for the first time in the 20 years that the homeless have been counted, more than 4,300, and possibly more, will be needing somewhere indoors to sleep at a time when nearly all shelters are already beyond overcrowded. Continue reading ‘Protest of Record Homeless Crisis’
By Daniel Blankenship
Once so long ago my mind did slip away.
Too many years have gone by
since last we spoke of lost emotion
and our stable mind.
Too many lifetimes have passed
our last embrace.
Almost forgot what is was like
to feel your warmth
beside me in the night.
Tossing through fractured dreams
of last time we met.
Dreams of you all that’s left
before the time you left.
Too many nights alone
That is all that’s left.
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By Melissa Howard
October 19, 2010, was World Homeless Day. Around the US, people dedicated the day to do something for or with someone experiencing homelessness.
Some of the suggestions were to:
• Get to know someone who is homeless
• Learn about homelessness
• Help out at a soup kitchen
• Help raise money for a homeless shelter
• Speak at schools about the homelessness
In San Francisco a group call The Creative Housing Liberation organized a rally and march to honor World Homeless Day.
It was great to see so many cities around the country participate in this great cause.
By Ed Leonard
some from birth lack self-worth
lack people skills and tolerance for ills.
homeless isn’t helpless,
carefree, invisible, or lazy.
illness isn’t a choice.
hunger isn’t a choice.
addiction isn’t a choice.
homeless is hopeless,
is being lost,
is on the outside looking in,
is being stripped to necessities,
is hidden potentials and unused skills,
and homeless is curable.
homeless is a failure to communicate.
it’s being hammered by bad luck
and bad decisions in a mean world
into withdrawn or substitutional submission.
genetic, addictive, compulsive tendencies are
environment-reinforced, condoned by example.
social acceptance is a pleasure not a necessity.
begging is a necessity, not a pleasure.
self worth is learned, an attitude about
ourselves reinforced by others.
free expression is a learned ability.
rejection is a root of paranoia.
bottled emotions build pressure
to dangerous levels.
potentials, suppressed wither and die.
an appalling level of close-minded
judgmental arrogance,
of fragile, false superiority,
is wielded as a shield against the reality
that we are all only a few steps from
hopeless homelessness.
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By Louise Horton
On October 9, 1635 Roger Williams was given six weeks to leave Salem, Massachusetts. He was sick and his wife was mother of a toddler and a newborn baby, but in January, when magistrates arrived at Williams’ house to escort him to ship to England, they found he had left three days before for parts unknown.
Roger left a sick bed and wandered for 14 weeks in winter weather until taken in by the Narragansett Indians. Continue reading ‘The First Homeless Man in Rhode Island Was…’
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
This past January, our paper had an article on page 6 about HIV treatment at the ACI, RI’s prison. RI leads the nation in HIV treatment for prisoners with its ‘Project Bridge’, bridging the 3 months before release with 18 months after release.
This June, Street Sights gave our Humanitarian Award to the “Center for Prisoner Health & Human Rights” for their continued work at the prison since 1980. This “dedicated team works with this stigmatized and forgotten side of the society” we said in the award. Continue reading ‘Follow-Up to HIV/Dr. Rich Awards’
Published in
November, 2010 in
Columns.
By Jim Gillen
As the leaves begin to turn and the chill is in the air, fall is always an interesting time for me.
Looking back on the most successful Recovery Month in the State’s history, there are so many memories and people to thank. We are fortunate to have the support of the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). Big thumbs up to Director Craig Stenning and his staff.
So, as the seasons change (and they always do!) fall was always intriguing and sometimes scary. It was a time when the new school year was in full effect, the days were shorter and that hinky feeling of fall and the knowledge that winter was right behind it were very powerful images for me growing up. Continue reading ‘Anchors Away!!’
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
The WARM Center’s 19-bed shelter is now at capacity and has turned away four individuals, since local campgrounds closed for the season.
The center also expected to fill six emergency overflow beds at the Roger Williams Inn when they become available, said program director Russ Partridge. Continue reading ‘Westerly Shelter Expects Repeat of Last Winter–Turning Away the Homeless’
B
y K. Eric Crook – Circa 1975
“. . . but the hardest part
about being one of us is the
feeling of isolation. I mean
with all these stickers and
bristles and what not, people
leave us alone. Oh yeah, they
buy us and take us home, but
then, hey, honeymoons over.
Those variegated ferns get all
the action. Shit, how can we
compete? We don’t even have
leaves. We’re the sideshow
freaks of the plant kingdom.
So my buddy . . . well one
morning he says to me, “I’m
gonna pull up my roots and get
off this lousy burg.” Well
bless my thorns that’s just
what he did. Nobody understands
us ya see . . . we don’t get
no respect . . .”
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By Barbara Kalil
Over the next several weeks, the RIHAP (RI Homeless Advocacy Project) Emergency Medical Assessment Committee will be conducting a survey to assess the quality of emergency care provided to the homeless community.
The confidential survey will ask questions of the community about their perceptions of their care. It will be reviewed by medical experts to see what areas need to be addressed.
RIHAP is undertaking this project because of several reports by homeless advocates and homeless people that they have received substandard care from first responders or emergency departments at area hospitals.
Our ultimate goal is that all homeless individuals receive the same level of care as other citizens of Rhode Island.
People wishing to volunteer in collecting information please contact Barbara Kalil at 1-508-345-5175.
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By William Harter
In September, we told you about a R.I. parole board granting parole providing a person would die within six months. He did not. The parole Board returned
him to prison.
Today I will tell you about a man’s misunderstanding of the parole that caused him to take his life. Continue reading ‘He Made the Choice: Suicide or Prison?’
By Thavanda Khoun
I had a friend and that is you.
Now everything is not true, because I’m turning blue
I lost my mind and I guess I can’t find a clue, but can you help me.
We were meant to be together even forever
It was sad that you don’t want talk to me.
When I turn my head you walk away from me.
You did not say hi or good bye
Tell me that I’m your best friend.
Tell me!
I feel alone when you are not around me.
It’s because you hate me
I’m talking to someone else but not you.
Well I’m sorry that I was wrong
Keep us together it may only last so long
The key to our friendship will be strong.
Tell me?
I just want to be your best friend until the end.
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
Arline B. Bolvin-Manougian, 52, of Browne Street, Cranston, passed away September 28, 2010.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of John C. Bolvin, Jr. and the late Arline B. (Hopkins) Bolvin. She had been the wife of Mark M. Manougian for 34 years.
Arline was a graduate of Beacon College and had worked as a freelance writer and community activist for many years.
She was the beloved mother of Casey N. and Mark C. Bolvin; sister of David, Lawrence and Gerald Bolvin, Lizanne Douglas and the late John C. and Christopher J. Bolvin; aunt of several nieces and nephews. Continue reading ‘In Memoriam: Arline Bolvin’
By Irwin Becker
The last few issues of this paper have highlighted the continuing reports about the inability to provide beds for the extraordinary rapid increase in the number of homeless children, families, and single adults. Now with the point-in-time count of persons in and out of the shelter system, we are in the midst of an unprecedented housing dilemma caused by the recession, foreclosures, historic high rents and radical cuts in social services by most communities and especially the state.
Rhode Island has habitually undercut funds and programs for those most in need, especially now. Forty states, for one example, have permanent housing trust funds. Not Rhode Island. Various cities throughout the country, including New England, have reduced the number of homeless, especially the chronically homeless, by providing supportive housing coupled with extensive social services. Not Rhode Island, which rejected another $10 million investment in affordable housing in the last legislative session. Continue reading ‘There’s Something Seriously Wrong in the State of Rhode Island’
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By Stan Kapelewski
I was sitting down on the little ledge that separates the parking lot of Beneficent Church from Chestnut Street. As I looked across the street, I noticed a statue that was concealed between the trees and the apartment houses there. The statue was labeled as being Thomas Doyle, Mayor of Providence. After taking a photo, I did a little research on him.
Thomas A. Doyle was born in Providence, R.I. in 1827 and served as Mayor of Providence from June 1864 to June 1869 (Republican), served June 1870 to January 1881 and served January 1884 to January1886. Continue reading ‘Who Was Thomas A. Doyle?’
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By William Harter
The Department of Veterans Affairs has given a grant to the Providence Center at 528 North Main St. in Providence to help homeless veterans with substance abuse and mental health issues. The “Bridge to Self-determination Program” grant’s goal is to reduce the number of homeless veterans by giving them chances to recover from substance abuse, emotional and mental health issues, as well as support after arrest and prison. They also want to reduce prison returns and start a support system for our veterans. They give support via VA representatives, case workers, housing outreach, homeless workers and peer groups to help vets become independent and to live on their own. Mental health, substance abuse, family therapy, employment, education, job training and placement, legal services and other recovery services are offered.
It is reported that 51% of homeless vets have psychiatric problems and 66% of homeless vets have drug/alcohol problems.
The program gets involved in the lives of veterans with mental health and substance abuse issues leaving prison. The Providence Center has programs in prison for such issues, does discharge planning, recovery and case management for reentry into the community.
More information can be had by calling 276-4020 or on internet at www.providencecenter.org .
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
The following information is contained in a four-page “overview” of the sources contributing to the record homeless demands for beds and more permanent housing, the highest in the last twenty years such data was collected.
WHO IS HOMELESS?
They are diverse–including children, families, the elderly, and individuals, many with multiple problems. In 2010, 53% were homeless for the first time; 40% were families, 15% were five years old or younger; 40% were female and 13% were employed.
WHY HOMELESS?
A SEVERE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE: Rhode Island is one of the least affordable places to live in the country. The state has experienced the second largest increase in the nation for the largest gap between earnings and the cost to rent a home. In 2008, 25% of renters here were spending more than half their
income on rent. Continue reading ‘RICH on the Reasons for Homelessness’
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
Thomas F. Kapelewski, 81, of Syracuse, N.Y. passed away Thursday, September 16, 2010. Born in Syracuse, he attended Porter High School and was self-employed as an appliance serviceman for over 30 years. He was a communicant of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a member of the American Legion Tipp Hill Post #1361 and a member of the Gem and Mineral Society of Syracuse. Thomas proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during WWII. He was predeceased by his wife of over 50 years, Helen (2003), and his brother, Richard (2006). Survivors: three sons, Stanley, Thomas and Joseph (Michelle) Kapelewski; two brothers, Benjamin and Alexander; a grandson, Spencer Kapelewski; and several nieces and nephews. Continue reading ‘In Memoriam: Thomas and Helen Kapelewski’
Published in
November, 2010 in
News.
By Melissa Howard
With the holidays coming up, depression and suicide will be on a rise. But within the last six months suicide has been increasing.
No one would argue the fact that this year has been the toughest one in years: people losing jobs and their homes, then add in the stress from everyday life. It’s no wonder why depression and suicide has gotten worse. Continue reading ‘Depression and Suicide’
