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…’
By Arline Bolvin
Sitting outside Blue Cross Blue Shield on Exchange Street in Providence surrounded by posh new buildings and the Union Station, the portal by which so many college students exit to their hometowns… It’s a calm lazy summer day, a Friday afternoon no less, when thoughts of the water call those of us so smitten to their shores.
But wait a minute! I may be smitten with the idea of lolling on a boat out on the water but I have no real expectation of spending any time there. You see in reality I’m sitting outside Blue Cross considering my pre-existing condition as I apply for coverage. Sure, I know the insurers have agreed to immediate suspension of the pre-existing condition exclusions that have haunted many a subscriber just applying for coverage before me. But still, the horror stories loom large. As I fill out the application I’m in a sketchy what-if-land that I’d rather avoid. Why such fear and loathing? Well those stories of people being denied coverage, denied care, denied, denied, denied. Continue reading ‘Waiting on Blue Cross’
By Kooma Vieira
The Mathewson Street Church Shelter closed on May 15th, due to funding issues.
I have taken the initiative to go a little deeper in this article to get the truth.
As an advocate for the formally or currently homeless and a writer for Street Sights, I understand that funding may be an issue. But overall, I see that Amos House and the Mathewson Street Church are not really fighting for the homeless to have a place to sleep at night. Continue reading ‘My Opinion of the Mathewson Street Closing’
To the Editor:
Under the United States Constitution, Amendment XIV, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of the law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
In times in which homelessness is on the rise, no one wants to hear that their homes are being foreclosed upon or that they are being evicted. But imagine your home being foreclosed on or being evicted from your apartment without any form of notice and to make things even worse, you have to move on the same day. During the move, a person may lose some or all of their personal possessions. Continue reading ‘Our Illegal Foreclosures’
Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax, a homeless man residing in New York City, died on Sunday, April 25th after he came to the aid of a woman being attacked at 5:40am on 144th Street at 88th Road in Jamaica, Queens. Mr. Tale-Yax was stabbed several times in the chest and collapsed as he chased his assailant. He was 31 years old.
Over twenty people saw Mr. Tale-Yax collapsed and bleeding on the sidewalk and either decided to ignore him or did not call for help. Fire and Rescue did not arrive to assist for an hour and twenty minutes.
Street Sights staff member David Eisenberger wrote a poem reflecting on this sad event. Continue reading ‘Special Memoriam for a Homeless Hero’
By Melissa Howard
Recently I was watching the six o’clock news. They were doing a story on a man, a Department of Children, Youth, and Family probation officer, who was arrested for selling heroin while on the job.
For many, this was shocking, but for me not so much. I have been telling people for years that the department needs a major overhaul, in all their departments.
Continue reading ‘Who’s really watching our children’
By Joe Lassiter
My name is Joe. I am a recovering addict who 3 years ago was homeless, a drunk.
After more than 10 programs and 10 relapses, through hard work and determination, I am grateful to have my life together. Continue reading ‘Life experiences help others’
By Oliver Rosenbloom
It breaks my heart whenever I hear a homeless person say “God bless you” because I know that our society does not return the blessing. On an inter-personal level, we constantly overlook and disrespect the homeless. Our treatment of homeless people is morally reprehensible in and of itself, but it is made even the more so by the fact that we proclaim to be one nation under God. While our collective theology may indicate that we are a Christian nation, our treatment of and attitude towards the poor often betray Jesus’ teachings. As Easter approaches, I urge all of us to remember that Jesus emphasized social justice, not just personal salvation. Continue reading ‘As I celebrate; what-so-ever I do’
By Louise Horton
As I walk into the Salvation Army gym at 386 Broad Street on a rainy Sunday for the 4:30pm supper, a man chases after me with a free ticket; “You need a ticket if you want to eat!”
As we wait for our food, a gentleman tells a story about a man who didn’t think he had any blessings-only complaints, but on reflection, he found out he had many blessings. Then, in a clear, deep voice, he sings: “Count your blessings and thank God for the food.” Many diners say “Amen.” Continue reading ‘My Sunday dinner at Salvation Army’
By Betty Sloane
Sr. Warden, St. Peter’s & St. Andrew’s Church
What happens to a person when he or she is released from prison? There is probably no job waiting for you. Staying away from what put you in there is hard enough without all the other stresses. You have good intentions, at least initially, but let’s face it, when you have nowhere to go but up, it’s tough getting that first foothold. Continue reading ‘The Blessing Way gives men and women returning from drug treatment a real chance for success’
By Lisa Oyler
My day begins at 5 am, a routine that provides me with a sense of stability. After all, I am temporarily residing in a woman’s shelter.
By 7 am the announcement for all to rise and shine is heard. However, by then I am already on my way to Amos house for breakfast, a community soup kitchen, not far from the shelter about 8 or 9 blocks except during inclement weather when it seems much farther. Continue reading ‘There’s no place like home’
By Richard Jacobellis
Before 1974 I hated the world and everybody in it. I was a people-pleaser, until I learned to please myself — that was the key — to know that I was a sick person trying to get well, not a bad person trying to get good. I got into counseling in 1992 because there were underlying causes; I had underlying causes that drove me to obsess: to buy things, to make me happy — but they ultimately never did. They would make me happy only for a while, until I asked God, until I realized that God is the one that gives understanding, that if I asked Him to keep me sober, He is the only one that could do it — for me. And that has worked since 1975. Acceptance of reality is the key to my sobriety. Once I learned to accept myself, and my limitations, I could accept others and their faults. Continue reading ‘Accepting Underlying Causes of Conflicts’
By Stanley Popovich
Alcohol and substance abuse or any other addictions will not take away your problems and fears. In the short run, they might make you feel better, but in the long run these addictions will only make things worse. So what do you do to make your problems and fears go away? Well, since you can’t run away from them, then the best solution is to tackle your fears head on, no matter how strong they may be. The key is to be smart in how you try to manage these fears. Here are some ways in how to manage your persistent fears and anxieties: Continue reading ‘Alcohol and Substance Abuse Will Not Take Away Your Fears’
By Diana Freeman
Providence is in need of a respite care facility. If a homeless person has surgery they will be discharged from the hospital, sometimes the next day, with nowhere to recuperate. Could you imagine walking seven to ten blocks for breakfast or walking the streets of Providence all day, carrying a backpack? Stitches “pop open,” causing infection, which may sometimes lead to another hospital stay. With no insurance, this costs tax payers even more money. A respite care facility would allow the homeless person to sit and prop up a broken foot or to walk the halls to gain strength or to make someone in the medical field change a bandage in a sterile environment. These people need compassion in a time of recovery.
By Irwin Jacobowitz
Abuse of children at the hands of public school personnel has risen over the last two decades and the nation is outraged; children most likely to be abused are children with disabilities, the poor, and the homeless. The abuse presents itself in various forms: restraints, seclusion, and sometimes even death. Continue reading ‘Our Children Deserve Better’
By Rose Preston
This has been bothering me for a long time, so it’s time I get it off my chest. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that homeless outreach and awareness is sorely lacking in Rhode Island suburban areas. These areas may prove to be places of untapped resources. While residents in these areas read newspapers and watch local news, such reporting is just a flash before their eyes — not a conversation. Continue reading ‘The “Burbs”: An Untapped Resource’
By Richard Jacobellis
Before 1974 I hated the world and everybody in it. I was a people-pleaser, until I learned to please myself — that was the key — to know that I was a sick person trying to get well, not a bad person trying to get good. I got into counseling in 1992 because there were underlying causes; I had underlying causes that drove me to obsess: to buy things, to make me happy — but they ultimately never did. They would make me happy only for a while, until I asked God, until I realized that God is the one that gives understanding, that if I asked Him to keep me sober, He is the only one that could do it — for me. And that has worked since 1975. Acceptance of reality is the key to my sobriety. Once I learned to accept myself, and my limitations, I could accept others and their faults. Continue reading ‘My Story’
Published in
September, 2009 in
Opinions.
Update: This article won a North American Street Newspaper Association award for “Best Vendor Essay” (or in this case, essay by a homeless individual) at the 2010 NASNA conference! Congratulations, Barbara!
By Barbara Kalil
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? Our little Camp Runamuck started back in March where we (John, Sandy, Mike, and I) slept at Roger Williams Memorial Park. We stayed there three weeks until we were asked to leave because the Preservation Society had a tour at 7 a.m. one day and were “horrified” that homeless people were camping in the area where Roger Williams’ plaque states that the area is reserved for people in distress. How ironic is that? So, we were kindly asked to leave. John scouted for a new place and found an area on South Water Street. It was an area where we thought we wouldn’t bother anyone. Don, we were there for a month before anyone knew we were there. The Providence police happened to find us by accident. I think that tells you a little bit about us. We were quiet and respectful. Continue reading ‘Camp Runamuck Founder Tells Her Side of the Story’
