Monthly Archive for May, 2011

Both Sides Now

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.

By Tom Deighan

I’ve seen both sides of the fence now
Someone who has had the dollars to
Do most of what he wants
Presently finding it hard to
Scrape two nickels together
While opening the store door
The eyes that looked at me
Were ones of Hope
And they were mine
“Please help me…” the dog did say
Although his mouth was closed
On the way out, I stopped
To run my fingers through his fur
He was a stray, who had
Carelessly been thrown aside.
The animal enjoyed my
Small amount of affection.
And when it was over,
He just stared and said,
“Why do you leave me behind?”
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In the Works: Legislative Roundup

Published in May, 2011 in Columns.
4/26/2011                 Blazejewski bill would aid investment in social ventures

STATE HOUSE – Social ventures – privately-funded companies seeking to serve a public good – are a growing trend in new business formation. Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski has submitted a piece of legislation that would help Rhode Island become a national leader in this emerging economic sector.

“With many students graduating from our colleges and universities with a focus on entrepreneurship and community service, Rhode Island is well-positioned to become the Silicon Valley of the social venture movement,” said Representative Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence, East Providence). “As a tool for economic development, it is critical that we aid investment and foster growth in these socially responsible businesses.”

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4/26/2011                 Bill would recoup lost revenue from companies getting tax credits that relocate out of RI       Continue reading ‘In the Works: Legislative Roundup’

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Every Day Holds Something New

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.

By Lance Ellis

Always looking forward…
Never behind you…
Nothing else matters.
Never second guess your first thought!
Guard your heart…if not, it might be ripped out!
Look for the one that is trustworthy.
Some only want to play games (NO TIME IN LIFE FOR THIS).
Keep an open mind.
Something good is just around the corner.
People come and go, but true friends stick by your side!
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Homeless Experience and Grief

Published in May, 2011 in Columns.
By Chandra L Stone, M.S. ED., NCC

It is a sad fact that when one looks at grief, one does not see much about the homeless population in the literature or in research. Often, these people have such high levels of grief and trauma resulting from crisis situations like abuse, bad choices resulting in self-esteem issues, home loss, not being able to support onself, incarceration or other consequences. When you look at the homeless population with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it can show a sad state of affairs.

Even if the person manages to find a homeless shelter, often the time period for stay and policies around stays negate the ability to remain for any length of time and get assistance on issues that made this person susceptible to become homeless. Only their physiological needs are met and only for short periods of time. Even if a transitional home with a longer stay is found, regardless of the best intentions of those running the facilities, these people often do not get their safety needs met. They know that at any time they could be thrown out if they break the rules.  They also know that the time of stay is limited. When leaving transitional facilities the homeless do not maintain the support structure that was built.  They are often embarassed by the fact that they were homeless. This negates the ability to even think about belonging and needs being met as they hide that part of themselves. Thus there can even be grief about not being able to be open about oneself. While that is not always the case with people in transition, it is more often than not. Continue reading ‘Homeless Experience and Grief’

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Warning Signs of Suicide Risk

Published in May, 2011 in Columns.
By The Samaritans
Most people who are feeling depressed or desperate enough to consider suicide give clues to how they’re feeling. You can be the first step towards help for someone you care about by learning to recognize these clues to suicide risk.

Verbal Signs

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How to Get “Self-Control” Over the Urges and Cravings of a Bad Habit

Published in May, 2011 in Columns.
Self-control is what you build up, develop, create and learn by controlling your behavior repeatedly. We should regard self-control as a skill. It is not a character trait or a thing you either have or don’t have that decides if you can control your behavior If someone says, “I have no self-control over my drinking or drugging, or eating sweets or whatever,” it might be asked, “Are you well practiced at resisting your urges or opportunities to use or to overeat the wrong things?” The answer would likely be, “No.” This person is well practiced at giving in to those urges and opportunities to use. (No criticism from me! I did this for years and years.)

Getting control over your urges and opportunities is like getting control over a bicycle or roller skates or anything else. You’re not going to start out as an expert. You will get control of it only by forcing yourself at first to act differently than you feel! It looks like the bike should fall over, and it may feel very difficult or strange, but by practicing over and over, you learn to ride the bike! So the reason people correctly “feel” that they don’t have self-control is because they haven’t been practicing what would give it to them. In this case, the skill is in resisting urges or opportunities to use. Continue reading ‘How to Get “Self-Control” Over the Urges and Cravings of a Bad Habit’

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Alone

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.

By Stacey Marie

Hard to get by on my own
Never thought of the loneliness
Without you
Today…
Just another moment in time
Spent all by myself in my mind
Wandering…Wondering…
Why am I so alone?
Tomorrow is never quite clear…
It will never fill up the void that I feel
So I shut out the part of myself
Once so alive
Alive, but only to survive another day
Without you in my arms, in my mind
Alone for the rest of my life
Like a breath of air
It will be over too soon
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Who Was General Burnside?

Published in May, 2011 in Profiles.
By Dennis Boisvert and Stan Kapelewski

Across from Kennedy Plaza in Burnside Park there is a statue honoring a man on a horse in a military uniform. This man is General Ambrose Everett Burnside. He was the fourth of nine children, and was born to Edghill and Pamela Burnside of Liberty, Indiana on May 23, 1824. As a young boy, Burnside attended the Liberty Seminary until his mother’s death in 1841. Cutting short his education, Burnside’s father apprenticed him to a local tailor. After learning the trade, Burnside elected to utilize his father’s political connections to obtain an appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point in 1843.

Graduating in 1847, he then served in the Mexican War. In 1849, Burnside was wounded in the neck during a fight with the Apaches in New Mexico. Twice Burnside was offered command of the Army at the Potomac and twice he refused. Burnside knew he was best at a Corps command level. He proved himself a successful commander at the battle of South Mountain, giving General McClellan a chance to destroy Lee’s army at Antietam. But McClellan attacked piecemeal. General Burnside made a good fight at a stone bridge but he had received orders late in the day. He was slow in taking the bridge, giving General Lee time to build his lines.
Continue reading ‘Who Was General Burnside?’

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Taking Your Life

Published in May, 2011 in Opinions.
By Tom Deighan
Sometimes we have to take the blinders off to discuss one of the most difficult subjects — the intentional taking of your own life. We are afraid to say he or she took this precious gift away. It is a situation where you feel no hope. Sometimes the cause is a relationship, a loss of a job, financial worries, trying to compete for a woman — I can remember wanting to take my own life on a cruise and it was a combination of things that led me to the 10 foot waves. People coaxed me out of the water. These situations are often temporary, but in our minds, they appear permanent.

It was not the desperate situation that I thought it was. People often wait the longest of time to get help for their problems. Very often, the person making the decision is not thinking of loved ones who are still here and the tremendous emotional pain — the fear, guilt and shame, to name a few — they will feel in knowing their loved one has done this.

There is a saying that a problem shared, is a problem halved. I like this. Be honest in how you feel. Life will be easier and someday you will not be faced with this decision.

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Struggle

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.
By Arline Bolvin
Can we protect ourselves from struggle?
Not if we want to be alive and in the world.
When I avoid simple communications and rely on technology
to provide only what A human voice can reveal
I put myself at the mercy of that technology.
Fear of stress and struggle creates more stress and struggle
than just giving in to the reality that life is struggle.
Creation is struggle. Love is struggle. Friendship is struggle.
Working is struggle. Parenting is a lifelong struggle.
Just as Jacob struggled through the night with the Lord
We struggle through our lives with ourselves,
with others, with God, with every aspect of life.
Avoidance of life’s basic truths only
brings more pain and struggle that
does not have to always be painful.
We can struggle without feeling anger.
We can struggle with humor and love
We can laugh and sing as we try each day
To recognize ourselves in each other
And know with certainty that only love conquers all.
That the effects of our actions, thoughts, and words,
Can seem permanent but really God has the last say
The Universe aligns itself with love.
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Angels… Japan’s Song

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.

By Deborah Shepard

Outside in each home, lighted prayers are lit
I breathe with each memory needed to repair the cause
Gather the hearts sending to their sides,
Proud honor they carry families
Touch the serpentine sandals with celestial beings
Feeling life’s miracles with one last song
Breathe with mine thy heavens
With each cascading lever or door
Chase the sadness away
This is a prayer, to change light
Spiritual hearts gather now, God’s plight
Heavens, life orb, with divine spirits
Unseen angels watch thee, to rebuild life there
Questioning angels relive the hearts melodies, seek me
Helping one prayer at a time
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Specialty Homeless Courts: Bringing Justice to the Streets

Published in May, 2011 in Columns.
By Amy Goins

Homeless individuals are often cited for minor violations such as sleeping in public places, public drinking or solicitation. While these infractions seem minor, they are all considered criminal offenses. These small violations could be easily resolved, but homeless individuals who are unfamiliar with court processes and are focused on getting food and shelter on a daily basis, may intentionally or inadvertently miss court dates. As a result, they end up facing additional fines or even arrests arising out of the missed court appearance and a small problem becomes a much larger one.

To address the unique circumstances and difficulties of homeless people with minor criminal violations, some states have developed a homeless court program. The movement to create homeless courts originated in 1989 in California. The Superior Court there began holding special sessions at local homeless shelters to help homeless people resolve misdemeanor charges against them. Since that time, California has expanded its program and other states have developed similar homeless court programs. According to the American Bar Association, homeless courts exist in Michigan, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Utah and Washington. Continue reading ‘Specialty Homeless Courts: Bringing Justice to the Streets’

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Linda Levin: Her Heart’s in the Words

Published in May, 2011 in Profiles.

By JoAnn Dyes

I was given the assignment to write about Linda Levin, not the actress, but the journalist Linda Lotridge Levin. She does not give interviews. Thanks to the Internet, I can do this article. She hit the ground running in 1959 after graduating from Michigan State University and Boston University. Professor Levin began her career at The Providence Journal. She was also the photo editor. When she left the Journal, she became an award winning freelance writer specializing in health, medicine and travel. She even had a syndicated column. She has also edited two books on Rhode Island history.
In 1983, she became a faculty member at University of Rhode Island’s Department of Journalism. Professor Levin has served as the chairwoman since 2001. She has spent the last decade focused on first amendment issues, in particular the area of access to public information. She has written several books and monographs. She has been a fellow of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, the American Press Institute and the Annenberg Washington Program. She has received three grants to work with journalists, first in the Soviet Union and then in Russia. She is a former president of the Rhode Island Press Association and is a board member and founder of ACCESS/Rhode Island, a coalition of organizations devoted to open government. In 1999, she was given the Yankee Quill Award by the New England Society of Newspaper Editors and the New England Society of Professional Journalists and was inducted into the Academy of New England Journalists. Her latest book is The Making of FDR: The Story of Stephen T. Early: America’s First Modern Press Secretary. Her teaching specialties are media law, history of American journalism, advanced reporting and media recently held a workshop for Street Sights Journalism Training. This year, she was one of three journalists inducted into Press Hall of Fame.
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The Budget Crisis

Published in May, 2011 in Opinions.
By David Eisenberger
Right now, this state’s in a dilemma. What has been the writing on the wall now has reared its ugly head. We’re broke and we don’t know how to fix it! The business climate in Rhode Island has been terrible for years.

Over-taxation, poor quality education, an infra-structure that has unraveled; there were layoff notices to “all” 1,926 teachers in the City of Providence alone. Four schools are scheduled to be shut down in June. Rhode Island’s not alone, it’s nationwide and sadly global. With the events of the past few weeks, the tragedy in Japan. When a nation relies on fossil fuel…when a barrel of oil’s price has skyrocketed…The meltdown of nuclear reactors…brings us to a global meltdown.  Our money is worthless, when we “owe” trillions…to other countries. Where are the think tanks?   Continue reading ‘The Budget Crisis’

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Meet the Staff: Fred Pece

Published in May, 2011 in Meet the Staff.
By Fred Pece
My name is Fred Pece and I have been a volunteer at Street Sights Newspaper since 2008. I help out any way that I can by distributing papers, keeping the peace at meetings, and occasionally I also collaborate with Stan to create poems for the paper. I was homeless, but now I am living in a nice apartment near the V.A. Hospital. It has been an honor to be on the Staff at Street Sights.
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Who We Are

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.
By Carolyn Schwartz
Who are we you call the aged?
Doesn’t our skin burn just the same?
Why do you feel we are sexless?
Just because you give us shame?
Can’t we still love just like you do?
Why can’t we just have you for a friend?
Why must we wonder if you listen?
Why is their payment in the end?
Why can’t we live the life you’re living?
Why can’t we share the things you do?
Just because we are now aged,
Don’t we have feelings just like you?
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Mary House

Published in May, 2011 in Humanitarian Award.

Buddy Quinn and Janice Luongo

By David Eisenberger

If you ever went to the St. Patrick’s meal site on a Monday you’ve met an old friend, Janice Luongo. She gives words of love, encouragement and hope. Why? She’s a survivor from way back.

She was on the street, an addict who didn’t want to be helped or think she could be saved. Back in 1969, the Sisters of Mercy began their outreach, which started knocking on doors then taking people in. Janice was one of those people. Six months after starting their outreach, Sister Fran Conway opened a soup kitchen and food pantry called Mary House, named after Mary McLaughlin, a longtime member of the parish who passed in 1975.  First there were only Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, then it expanded to a weekly meal. Sadly in 2003 Sister Fran died, but her legacy continues. The meal site on Mondays has continued for over 30 years and Janice Luongo grew up to become the Executive Director of Mary House. Continue reading ‘Mary House’

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Into the Chrysalis

Published in May, 2011 in Creative Works.

A Serialized Novel by Francisco Colber
Chapter Nine — Sympaths

Captain Antar, imagining a strategic advantage over the diminutive and mysterious Greenchanceans, kept me under guard in his ready-room, a guestroom outfitted with, among other things, an oxygen deprivation machine that could prove deadly in the event the little beings decided to take me back by force. I was, therefore, the captain’s hostage. But the reality was much different. The Greenchancean cruiser was, as Elhm had suggested, a clever illusion. Not my deception really. It was my father’s idea — to be employed as he wished. Surely, it would keep the explorers off guard. Elhm had no knowledge of Father’s ruse or of the true purpose of our visit, but keeping any truth from his vast telepathic powers would prove formidable: he was as curious about me as I was about him.

“Tell me about the Goddess. Have you ever seen her or is it that you are also blind like us?” He asked.

To answer that query in a way that proved believable to myself and therefore to Elhm was a challenge. I had to search a past that until that very moment appeared whole, but lacked the kind of beliefs he held. Since we Zzolans have no deity to identify with, the only person in my life that made sense to his question was my mother. “Yes. I have seen her,” I replied timidly. Continue reading ‘Into the Chrysalis’

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Arcade Moment: The Midnight Moment Outreach to the Downtrodden

Published in May, 2011 in News.
Try to imagine what it is like to sleep on a hard grimy floor in an environment that stinks of urine. Aside from the stench, you are vulnerable to any person that happens upon you as you sleep. There are predators, and for this reason your “pillow” contains your most valuable possessions and the rest of your bags are nestled tight against you.
Still imagining? Think about what it must be like to wake up having none of the common comforts that most people have. There is no toilet, no shower, no Mr. Coffee, no privacy, just your belongings. Even though you need to use a bathroom, the reality is that there are very few and the distance between them makes walking difficult. Businesses selectively make their restrooms available and they are not hospitable to the downtrodden. Think hard about this one until you squirm a bit; you are not at all vital to society or you would at least have a regular restroom to use; the most basic human function.

Now, exhaust odor mixes with the urine stench as the street below becomes alive with noisy traffic. Being in the Arcade and all, you are smack in the middle of what is known as the “Financial District” of downtown Providence. As you step out onto the sidewalk, you are facing the front of the luxurious Hampton Inn. The sidewalk is filled with busy people scurrying about, with briefcases or back packs — purposeful.

You are sore from sleeping on a hard floor; you are hungry and the weight of your belongings is already starting to drain you. You have no pep. You avert your eyes as you plod along because if you look you will see the smugness, the judgmental stares, or worse, they look right through you.

You might head to a spot that serves breakfast to the homeless or perhaps you know of a place where you can at least freshen up a bit. You usually really have nowhere to go. No matter how you spend your day, however, your goal is always survival: getting fed, avoiding extreme temperatures, protecting belongings and having a place to rest your head.

Now, envision a life without a single person that genuinely cares about you. You have peers, acquaintances, some you even call “friends.” Sadly, they are mostly survivors like you; living day to day, seeking their own creature comforts, almost dog eat dog. You do not have two nickels to rub together or a rock to stand on.

So, where will you sleep tonight? The urine soaked floor? A sidewalk, or in a patch of woods, standing up…”

Will you find shelter if it rains?

The Midnight Moment Outreach to the Downtrodden
1643 Warwick Avenue  PMB 171
Warwick, RI 02889
(401) 837-0861
midnightmoment2@verizon.net

“One measure of likeness to Christ is sensitivity to the suffering of others.”

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In Memory of Ernie Marot

Published in May, 2011 in News.
Ernest B. Marot, a lifetime resident of Pawtucket, died Tuesday, April 26th. He had run the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen. We wrote his experiences and gave him our Rainbow Award Nov. 2009 (page 4). Also, this February (page 11) we wrote of his continuing volunteer efforts.

Ernie was the Faculty Chef for Providence College for 18 years, retiring in 1993. He then went on to a lifelong dream of feeding the hungry by founding the Pawtuckey Soup Kitchen, running it for another 18 years. He was awarded the Jefferson Award (NBC Channel 10) and is in the Pawtucket Hall of Fame. He is known for helping others. He has run a program to help get Christmas gifts for homeless children and raised about 1/4 million dollars for the Meeting Street School, a school for disadvantaged children.

He leaves his wife and three of his five children. He has 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Burial was at Notre Dame Cemetery. It was suggested that gifts in his memory be made to the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen or ALS Association in Warwick.

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