Archive for the 'Opinions' Category

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As I celebrate; what-so-ever I do

Published in April, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

My Sunday dinner at Salvation Army

Published in April, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

The Blessing Way gives men and women returning from drug treatment a real chance for success

Published in April, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

There’s no place like home

Published in April, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

Accepting Underlying Causes of Conflicts

Published in March, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Will Not Take Away Your Fears

Published in March, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

Compassion in a Time of Recovery

Published in March, 2010 in Opinions.

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.

Our Children Deserve Better

Published in March, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

The “Burbs”: An Untapped Resource

Published in March, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

Against the Abuse of Children

Published in January, 2010 in Opinions.

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, suffocation, and sometimes even death. Last year a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation found hundreds of allegations. Children have indeed been abused and some have died as a result of the misuse of restraints & seclusion in public and private schools — often performed by untrained staff. United States Representatives George Miller and Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced the “Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in School Act” (HR 4247), and Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut introduced a sister bill (S. 2860). Continue reading ‘Against the Abuse of Children’

My Story

Published in January, 2010 in Opinions.

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’

Camp Runamuck Founder Tells Her Side of the 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’

Our Mission

Street Sights serves as a forum for advocates, homeless and formerly homeless people, students, state officials, and the general public to share accurate and honest information about issues relating to homelessness. Our goal is to shed light on a subject not often addressed and, to some degree, ignored. We aim to provoke discussion and give a voice to voiceless people in our community. We provide a space free of judgment in which we recognize the dignity and worth of each person and in doing so empower the group as a whole.