serving our community since 1997 Part of the International Network of Street Papers

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COSAC Foundation | PO Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 | 954-924-3571 5th Annual Race Home a Success! Thank you for coming out and making our 5th Annual Race Home a success! April 19th 300 runners lined up for our 5k along Hollywood Beach at Charnow Park. Our volunteers cheered everyone in as Curbstone played upbeat tunes for the spectators to move along to. Coat donations were made as a tribute to Gary Shimminger, who was a supporter of ours. * * * While our new home is now in Central FL, we still serve the homeless community throughout all of Florida through various outreach programs. The continued support during this transition has been warmly received, and we are happy to report that our move was successful. We hope to continue to serve South Florida and now Central Florida as well for many years to come. Thank you!

Homeless Man Discovers Forgotten Bank Account ABC partment trying to help homeless people find the ID they need A homeless man who has been living in a cardboard in order to get things like work and housing,” McDonald said. box in downtown Tampa, Florida, for over three years It’s unclear how Helinski became homeless, but Helinski did may soon have a modest-sized apartment and a pen- say he was born in Poland as a U.S. citizen because his mother sion check coming in every month, police said. was a U.S. citizen just visiting, McDonald said. With the help of a cop and case Helinski added he believed he had a Social Security number manager, John Helinski, 62, discovered a forgotten and benefits but thought it was cancelled, McDonald said. bank account that has been collecting Social Security “First, I drove him personally to the local tax collector’s of- disability benefits for years, he told ABC News today. fice, where he was able to get a temporary State of Florida ID Helinski is looking forward to having a place of his card,” McDonald explained. own to call "home" and thankful for the help he has Using the temp ID McDonald was able to help Helinski order received, he added. his birth record from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of monthly pension payments to have enough to pay for Tampa Police Department Of- Consular Affairs, he said. rent for a modest apartment and food without having ficer Daniel McDonald and He- “With his consular birth certificate and to work. linski’s case manager, Charles temporary ID, we went to the Social Se- Helinski's case manager Inman added he and Mc- Inman of Drug Abuse and Com- We’re uniformed cops with curity office, and I just walked up to them Donald are extremely happy for their client. prehensive Coordinating Office police cars, but we want and said, ‘This man used to have benefits, "This situation looked really difficult, and I wasn’t Inc. (DACCO), have spent the homeless people to trust us can you help us?’” McDonald said. sure how it was going to end up," Inman told ABC past few weeks trying to help It turned out Helinski had always been News today. "If it failed, it meant we’d put a 62-year- Helinski locate his personal receiving benefits, and he just wasn’t old man on the street, and Officer McDonald and I identification documents to get aware because he lost his debit card and were not OK with that." him into housing, Officer McDonald said. had no access to his bank account, McDonald said. McDonald is one of few police officers whose work “John came to the DACCO Community Housing McDonald then drove Helinski to his old bank, where they revolves around helping homeless people in their as- Solutions Center last December when it first opened,” found his account, "which had still been collecting pension signed areas. McDonald said. money over time,” he said. “And since he now had his tempo- “We’re uniformed cops with police cars, but we want Inman, he added, asked him to help with Helinski’s rary ID card, he could get access to the account.” homeless people to trust us,” he said. “Our job is not case because all Helinski’s personal identifying docu- Helinski is still at the DACCO Community Housing Solu- to arrest someone. It’s to help them. Homeless people ments and ID were stolen and lost while he was out tions Center, but McDonald said Helinski would likely be able are still accountable to the law, but they’re now start- on the streets. to get permanent housing soon. ing to see we can be trusted, and this new model and “As a homeless liaison officer, the bread and butter Though Helinski did not want to disclose the amount in his field of policing is gaining popularity very quickly, I of my work often involves hopping department to de- bank account, McDonald said he was receiving enough in think.” Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves 2 ~Monthly Angels~ Amparo Penuela Erin Gardner Judith Temple Nadine Coulson Tatiana Da Cunha Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 17 Issue Vol. Amy Isherwood Frank Barreras Junyan Song Patrice & George Temple Aron Anna Hadley Gavin on the Beach Karen Povlock Shurland Hakodesh Angel Porras Greentree Financial Kat Pwen Kadino Corp Paula Cole Teresa Black Angela Martinez Group Laurence Goldsmith Paul & Rosalie Pierce Timothy Osborn Arturo & Amelia Hoang Kimmell Lilian A De Paz Praxi Solutions Victor Lanza Rodriguez Isa-Aura Rosenthal Valenzuela Ralph Hill Walton Brown Barbara Robinson Jared Carrell Linda Macfarlane Randy Conklin Bill & Laura Fash John Dinielli Lizabeth Miguel Richard Berk Voice Homeless The Charles & Tracy Rice John & Linda Evans Loise Goldberg RM Beaulieu Chelsea Navucet John Rahael Maria Colmenares Roanne Cobuzio Daniel Guevara Jorge Herrera Mark Duske Rufino Garcia David Reiff Jorge Sanchez Mark Targett Samantha Boehm Deco Illusions Inc Joseph Maiuro Matt Lambert Sean Campbell Ellen Heron Joyce Maynard Michael Prokop Sean Cononie Thank you for your support Angels! Your support keeps our doors open!

Dear Homeless Voice Readers: We are the small non-profit that runs the #1 emergency and response shelter in South Florida. We serve, house, and care for 500 homeless every day, and have costs like any other business: water, power, rent, programs, staff and legal help. The Homeless Voice is extremely effective. It is a place where anyone in need will get help. It is a safe place for people to go when they have nowhere else to turn. We take no government funds. We run on donations averaging about 33 cents. If everyone reading this paper gave the price of a cup of coffee, our fundraising would be done. If helping people is important to you as it is important for us, take one minute to go online to www.hvoice.org and become a monthly angel. $15 per month is what we need from You. Please help us forget fundraising and get back to Serving the Homeless. Thank you. Please visit: www.hvoice.org/member

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About the COSAC Foundation

The COSAC Foundation was originally established in May Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 1997 to partner with other If you received social service agencies, in the this issue of the Homeless Voice area, that provided help to the in your mailbox homeless population. COSAC please go to pg 4 also independently feeds the We have an homeless or anyone in need of Emergency! food. The COSAC Foundation opened it’s first homeless shelter in 1999 and named it COSAC Quarters (the shelter money was raised by spare change). We have grown into a multifaceted agency that feeds, shelters, and arranges for each homeless person to receive the necessary access to social and noncompulsory religious services to enable a return to a self-reliant lifestyle. And for the small percentage of people incapable of living independent lives, we provide a caring and supportive environment for their long-term residency. Our vision is to end discrimination against the homeless population and to develop such an effective network of services that we greatly reduce the time a person or family emerges out of back into self-reliance. Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff

Publisher- Sean Cononie Editor in Chief- Mark Targett Executive Editor- Sara Targett www.HomelessVoice.org/contact

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Cage or courtyard? Homeless flock to the area near St. Vincent de Paul

Waveney Ann Moore The homeless call it “the cage.” The Huffington Post said it resembles “a giant chicken coop for humans.” But to St. Vincent de Paul and the city, the fenced space that stretches from the charity to under the in- terstate is “the Courtyard.” It’s where homeless men and women sit and sleep on benches or on the ground, secure their bikes, smoke and wander in and out at will. It takes the overflow from St. Vincent de Paul’s night shelter, which can accommodate only 75 people. Inside the 6-foot chain link fence, on pavement cov- ered with bird droppings, Georgette Collins folded her belongings Tuesday morning and tucked them in an overstocked bag. She’s 47, has cancer, lupus, is eight months pregnant with twins and has to spread a blan- ket on the ground to sleep, she said. Asked why she doesn’t use the night shelter, her partner, Ronnie Weldon, 52, said it’s available only for 21 nights at a time, then they must spend 14 days outside before being allowed back in. Still, it’s better than being on the street, Collins said. Their roof is the interstate, vehicles thundering over- head. Lights are everywhere and security cameras watch every move. The fence was put in by the city. “We have a large police presence over there and the people told the police, ‘We’re afraid of what is going ple per day. The Rev. Bruce Wright, a homeless advocate with on in the streets and can we please have a place that is Thursday, Smith will ask the City Council to approve another the Poor People’s Economic Rights Campaign, said safe’ ,” said Cliff Smith, the city’s manager of veter- $12,064 to increase overnight staffing at St. Vincent de Paul he understands the principle behind the fence. ans, social and homeless services. from one to two people. “But unfortunately, I agree with how the homeless “It’s become a popular Not everyone likes the fence. characterize it. I believe it gives this sense of impris- place to hang out.” Even Michael Raposa, St. Vin- onment and being caged in. … It’s about the city try- In fact, the fence had cent de Paul’s executive direc- ing to hide the homeless from the general public.” to be extended over tor, didn’t like it at first. Smith disagrees. a larger area and St. We as advocates and service “But the response from the “The longer term solution is more affordable hous- Vincent de Paul, at 401 community is that they really, ing, but until we have a sufficient of that, this 15th St. N, asked the providers have really got to do a really like it,’’ he said. “They is the next best option,” he said. city to add more cam- can take a nap, it’s out of the Robert Marbut, the consultant who worked with the eras and lights. Smith better job of listening to the people elements and they can just be.’’ city on the homeless issue, applauds the idea. Its prox- said the cameras cost Raposa added that the fenced- imity to St. Vincent de Paul’s program and case man- about $5,000. The that we allegedly serve in area gives people a safe place agers is a proven way to help people “graduate” from fence was used and to sleep “versus in an alley or on homelessness, he said. installed by city work- the streets.” “Nobody is ever going to graduate from the street ers. That cost “less than G.W. Rolle, a formerly home- if we enable people to hang out in the park,” he said. $5,000,” he said. less man who sits on Pinellas “That’s what the real goal should be, is to help people The money is in addition to what the city already County’s Homeless Leadership Board, said the area is referred get independence.” provides to the program to help the homeless. This to as “the people cage.” But Wright sees the fence as inhumane, a violation year, St. Petersburg is providing $175,565 to the or- “We as advocates and service providers have really got to do of human rights. ganization, which includes $120,565 for its care cen- a better job of listening to the people that we allegedly serve,” “If the population that we are serving felt it was in- ter, $35,000 for storage units for their belongings and said the social justice pastor for the Missio Dei Community, humane, or unsafe, they obviously would be gathering $20,000 for its family shelter. The overnight shelter which serves a Sunday meal for the homeless. in a park or somewhere else,” Raposa said. serves 75 adults. The day program provides rest- “They’ve come up with this people cage, a de facto solution, rooms, meals, showers, employment referrals and because last year people were getting arrested across the street case management services for an average of 120 peo- at Unity Park. They’re not getting arrested, but it’s still a cage.” 5 Meatless Monday! Cauliflower Nuggets The Homeless Voice via Honey and Figs Kids (and adults) love nuggets- they’re good, easy and satisify the pickiest of eaters. They’re just not healthy! These yummy chicken nugget alternatives are addictive (and a lot healthier) and may replace your go to nuggets for good, enjoy! Ingredients Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 1 head of cauliflower 1 egg 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. salt 60 grams cheddar cheese 50 grams shredded mozzarella extra breadcrumbs to roll nuggets on Instructions Steam the cauliflower until tender enough to mash with a fork. Squeeze all the liquid out of the cauliflower (with a cheese cloth or something similar.) Mix cauliflower, salt, seasonings, breadcrumbs, egg, mozzarella and grated cheddar until a ball is formed. Form ball into nuggets. Roll nuggets in extra breadcrumbs. Heat about 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil and fry nuggets until golden. Notes Other strong cheeses such as manchego or parmesan can be used in place of cheddar.

~ Cathy’s Prayer List ~

* Lorena * Cassandra Wilson * Lilly * Charlene Duarte * Beth Ann * Rusty Columbo * The Coakleys * Devon Bailey & Family * Eddie Mercer * Maria Dragon * Bob * Vemonda Lane & Family * Michael Loffredo * Charlie * Natacha Lewis * Mr. Mike * Steven Green * Tiffany * Josh Wynn * Dvora * Bianca * Ed Giampietro * James * Kristan David Perez * Lois * Tommy & Joe * Robert Tansey * Geralyn * Veronica & John * Little Ryan * Carmen Cononie * Earnest Bowens & Family * Mary Summers

To add a name to Cathy’s Prayer List, call or text 954-410-6275

Coming Soon!Lena’s Loving Advice Within the next few issues, we will be trying out the column Lena's Loving Advice by Lena Larkin. Please send in your problems for Lena to start answering them. You can write directly to [email protected] 6 7 Tampa Orlando The Homeless Voice Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 17 Issue Vol. Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 Voice Homeless The

Single Dad shows challenge of ending Vet Homelessness Soaring number of Homeless Students concentrated in Central Florida

BY HOWARD ALTMAN are here when the Tampa-Hillsborough Homeless Initiative releases its “point in time” By Kate Santich nity," said Beth Davalos, coordinator of the Families in Transition Program in Seminole TAMPA — Three young children hop out of the dented 1996 Toyota Corolla and walk count of the homeless in Hillsborough County. Last year, the local tally was more than Orlando Sentinel County Public Schools, which works to help homeless students. "Seminole County gov- upstairs to their room in the Super 8 Motel on East Fletcher Avenue. 200 veterans considered homeless. Nearly one-fifth of all homeless public-school students across the state now live in Or- ernment putting almost $1.5 million into it, our faith-based community putting millions With a parking lot all around and the busy street out front, the motel is a big change Nationwide, the VA says a Department of Housing and Urban Development “point ange, Osceola or Seminole counties — a fact some blame on the combination of cheap, of dollars into emergency housing, our businesses and community members [contribut- from the single-family home where they used to live and play in a wooded neighbor- in time” survey showed there were nearly 50,000 homeless veterans on a single night rent-by-the-week motels and high turnover at low-paying tourism-industry jobs, local ing] — that produced results." hood on Cardinal Drive near 56th Street and the Hillsborough River. in January — more than 32,000 of them, like Hargrett, living in some form of shelter. leaders said Friday. But as that funding levels off, she said, the numbers for this year are expected to ei- But for the next several days, as their father John Hargrett works his way through In 2010, Hargrett left the Navy as an Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class, according to official With only a tenth of the state's total population, the tri-county area identified more than ther stay the same or even increase. She said the combined lack of affordable housing programs for at-risk veterans, the motel is home for Elias, 6, Grayson, 4 and Sparrow, 2. records. 13,700 homeless students last year — including families doubled up with relatives, liv- and sustainable-wage jobs has exacerbated the problem. According to a recent study in Hargrett, 33, served 11 years in the Navy as a nuclear power technician. He and his During his service, Hargrett received several basic honors, including the Navy “E” ing in motels, staying in shelters, sleeping in cars and camping in the woods. The actual Seminole, a quarter of the parents in homeless families have college degrees. About half three kids have been bouncing between motels and family members since April 16, Ribbon and two Good Conduct medals. number may be twice as high, officials said, because parents are sometimes wary of are employed. Yet their average yearly income is $12,000. when they were evicted from the house on Cardinal Drive. They have stayed just a few Trained as a nuclear technician, Hargrett says he worked aboard the USS George revealing their living situation. Mark Waltrip, chief operating office of Westgate Resorts — and the force behind an steps ahead of a life on the streets, with help from nonprofits Tampa Crossroads, the Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, tending to its twin reactors. "Certainly we all have a moral obligation to do what we can for our children who are effort to employ homeless parents and get their families into permanent housing — said Society of St. Vincent DePaul and Metropolitan Min- But after missing a good part of the life of his oldest living in environments where … they don't know what virtually no student in the tri-county region can escape istries. son Ian, a child from a relationship he had before meet- they're coming home to from day to day," said Orange the issue. Five years ago, the White House and Department of ing his wife, Hargrett decided he wanted to spend more County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who initiated Friday's "If your child goes to a public school anywhere in Veterans Affairs announced plans to end veteran home- time with his youngest children. He had another issue inaugural meeting of the Com- Central Florida, the odds are almost guaranteed that lessness by the end of 2015. With the clock ticking, the Five years ago, the White House to deal with, too: His wife was struggling with mental mittee. "Realize we aren't talking about numbers. We If your child goes to a public school one of their classmates is homeless," he said. case of John Hargrett illustrates many of the challenges health issues. “Family was more important to me,” he are talking about real human beings and life-and-death And the impact on homeless students themselves is they face in meeting that goal. and Department of Veterans Affairs says, sitting at a table in the two-bedroom motel room. matters." anywhere in Central Florida, the often severe. Veterans actually have more options than civilians in “So I left the Navy.” The committee is part of the Central Florida Commis- Studies have found they are more likely to suffer seeking help with homelessness, but the challenges are announced plans to end veteran That’s when he began to run into trouble. sion on Homelessness, which covers the three counties odds are almost guaranteed that one physical and emotional problems than their housed special ones — programs that have reached capacity The Hargretts moved from Navy housing in Ports- and aims to find regional solutions to the vast and dis- of their classmates is homeless peers. Christina Savino, the homeless-education-pro- in an area like Tampa, with a large veterans popula- homelessness by the end of 2015 mouth, Virginia, to a trailer in nearby Hampton before proportionate number of homeless people here. Jacobs gram specialist in Orange, said they also have dramati- tion; the red tape veterans must negotiate to qualify for moving down to Tampa in 2011.They lived with his has expressed concern that the commission's recent ef- cally increased absenteeism, lower test scores and, benefits then obtain them; and the burden of constantly mother, on and off, in the house on Cardinal Drive. fort to house chronically homeless individuals would often, months of "academic recovery time" whenever taking the initiative despite these roadblocks. A year later, he and his wife divorced. eclipse the needs of families. they change schools. Their chances of earning a di- Hargrett also admits that in his case, his own missteps have helped make his life dif- When he arrived in Tampa, Hargrett says he took the first in a series of jobs, helping a But speakers made it clear that family homelessness would be much more complicated ploma also plummet. ficult. friend of his mother’s who was a property manager and needed someone to clean hous- to solve. In Osceola, homeless families' problems are compounded by the lack of an emergency “Military people like to take care of themselves,” he says. “The biggest problem with es. After that, he worked for a construction company then a surgical supply company, "We need a money train in this community. We need millions and millions of dollars homeless shelter, no government-subsidized housing and a nine-month waiting list to veterans homelessness is a lack of awareness of what veterans are entitled to.” where he laundered operating room linens. to solve this problem," said homeless commission CEO Andrae Bailey. "If you were to get help for anything beyond groceries and clothing, said homeless-education liaison VA officials agree. Hargett says he worked there a year before taking a job at Tampa Ship until a project look at just 2,500 families you were going to try to help … you're talking $10 million. Gabriela Barros. It took a call from The Tribune for the VA to search out whether Hargrett is eligible for there was nearly complete. That money is just not in the system right now. Waltrip said his own research also found that homeless children living in the rent-by- a long-term subsidized housing program. “They considered bringing me aboard permanently, but I wouldn’t have accepted,” After at least five years of continued increases, the number of homeless students across the week motels along Osceola's main tourism corridor — a situation that is technically The Hargrett family’s short-term stay at Super 8 was made possible by the Society of Hargrett says. “I couldn’t have worked as many hours as they would have wanted and the region has largely begun to stabilize in the past couple of years, according to the illegal — are surrounded by drug dealers, prostitutes and pedophiles. St. Vincent DePaul, through a grant from the VA. Hargrett said he hopes it’s their last still spend time with my kids.” latest figures from the Florida Department of Education. But it continued to climb in "The crime rates at those motels are staggering," he said. "We have the largest concen- stop before a more permanent solution. Instead, he enrolled in Hillsborough Community College to earn a business degree. He Osceola, where there were nearly 5,000 last school year. tration of motels operating illegally as low-income housing in the country. You couple He and his children are among the 140,000 veterans and family members that the VA was helped by a stipend of nearly $1,700 a month for housing through the Post 9/11 GI Orange reported more than 6,700 — the highest homeless population in the state. Sem- that with the large tourism industry — and I'm in the tourism industry — and we're one hopes to help this year with grants through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Bill, plus an additional $1,200 per month in VA disability benefits for service-connected inole, which has made the most progress, counted a little more than 2,000. of the few communities in the country where you can come 365 days a year and find a program for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. migraines, knee and ligament damage, and esophagal problems. "Last year we went down about 11 percent … because of the efforts of our commu- cheap motel to live in and a $9-to-$12-an-hour job." The Tampa area will have a better idea in a few weeks of how many homeless veterans The money was enough to help him keep a roof over his head and take care of his (Continued on pg 9) 8 What happened when this feisty woman got fined $2,000 for feeding the homeless?

Terrence McCoy

Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 17 Issue Vol. Joan Cheever, red-headed, bespectacled and feisty as all get out, is the kind of person who gets known around town. There goes Joan, puttering through San Antonio in her non-profit food truck and a bandanna, which she has done since 2005, serving up hot plates of food to the homeless. And here comes Joan, appear- ing on celebrity chef Rachael Ray’s television show, palling around with cops for pictures, and materializ- ing every Tuesday with more food for more homeless.

Voice Homeless The So that’s why, given her local status, what happened earlier this month came as such a surprise. Cheever’s accustomed to seeing cops when she’s doing what she calls her “religious duty.” They come by “to check on me,” she recalled in an interview, and sometimes she jokingly asks if they, too, are hungry. But on one such Tuesday night, she saw some cops approach. Some- thing about them gave her pause. None of them were smiling. Within minutes, Cheever was hit with a citation. It carried a potential fine of $2,000. All of that, she said, for feeding the homeless. That ticket, as well as what came next, has made Cheever the latest flash point in what has become a contentious national debate over whether local mu- nicipalities have the right to criminalize street dona- tions to the homeless and panhandlers. Called “feed- ing bans,” a growing number of cities have taken up the call to restrict food-sharing, activists say, in an attempt to de-incentivize homelessness. According to an October report by the National Coalition for the Homeless, 71 cities have either passed or attempted to breaking the law,’” Cheever recalled. They told her that her couldn’t comment “on what was discussed” that night. pass an ordinance that restricts food-sharing. food-truck permit didn’t extend to doling out food from any- Cheever, also an attorney, says she’s going to fight The effect: Late last year, police in Fort Lauderdale where beyond that vehicle. She said that didn’t make sense. If the citation and is awaiting an apology from the city. busted a 90-year- true, why not outlaw pizza She has ignored the citation and orders that she desist. old World War II delivery men handing out If anything, she’s accelerated her efforts, attracting veteran named Ar- pizza from their cars? dozens of supporters, and hitting the streets last Fri- nold Abbott twice What was really at work, day and Saturday to feed the homeless. Even Joaquin in one week for she said, was an attempt Castro, San Antonio’s Democratic congressional rep- feeding the home- Giving someone a sandwich at a to crack down on feeding resentative, has called on the city council to “do right less. In Raleigh, homeless. She framed it as by Joan Cheever” and “allow her to feed the home- N.C., a church park is not going to keep them in a violation of her religious less.” group said the freedom, protected under Cheever may even take her protest to the next stage. cops threatened to homelessness; it’s not encouraging Texas’s religious freedom She says says she’s considering filing a lawsuit against arrest them if they law, an iteration of which San Antonio on the ground that her religious freedom served food to the anyone to remain homeless. has attracted considerable was violated, potentially setting religious freedom and homeless. And in controversy in Indiana. local laws on another collision course. “I shouldn’t be Daytona Beach, “He said, ‘You think I’m the one on the hot seat here,” she said. “This is about Fla., authorities infringing upon your right every church group or individual who wants to serve unsuccessfully to practice your religion?’” a meal. It’s terrible to criminalize the poor, but it’s levied $2000 in Cheever recalled. “Then he just as bad to say to the good Samaritans that you’re fines against six people for feeding the homeless at said, ‘Lady, if you want to pray, go to church.’ And I said, ‘This a criminal too. The Bible says, ‘When I was hungry, a park. is how I pray. I pray when I cook. I pray when I serve.” you fed me,’ and I take that seriously. This is the way At heart in the issue are two questions. Does giving San Antonio Police Spokeswoman Romana Lopez said she I pray, and we’ll go to court on this.” food or money to the homeless abet, if not perpetuate, homelessness? And does restricting — and criminal- izing — such an act constitute an infringement upon someone’s rights? “We’re all human,” said Megan Hustings of the National Coalition for the Homeless. “Giving someone a sandwich at a park is not going Attempted Food Banning Laws Nationwide to keep them in homelessness; it’s not encouraging anyone to remain homeless. This is just an act of char- ity, and do we really want to criminalize that in our society? This is a moral issue.“ That’s not, however, how former San Antonio Police Chief William McManus saw it. Panhandling is al- ready illegal in San Antonio. In 2011, the city passed an ordinance that outlawed begging for money near ATMs, banks, parking meters and other public loca- tions. Then last year, McManus pushed for a new law that would prohibit giving money or food to pan- handlers. “If it’s a crime to panhandle, it should be a crime to give to panhandlers as well,” McManus said at a city council meeting, later telling the San Antonio Express-News that panhandling is a “quality of life issue.” Some homeless, he said, had become too ag- gressive, spitting on windshields if they’re not given something. The proposal was dropped following pub- lic outcry, and McManus stepped down at the end of last year. But even now, Joan Cheever said, some local author- ities still want to crack down on giving to the poor. You don’t have to look any further, she said, than what happened to her. It was the night of April 7. She had just pulled her vehicle up to Maverick Park. She began dispensing food that she had prepared in her food truck. Out of the corner of her eye, she soon saw a group of grim cops approaching on bikes. “They said, ‘You’re NCH 9 Single dad shows challenge of ending vet homelessness The Homeless Voice

(Continued from pg 6) children while he lived with his mother. he was a veteran. Last year, the program served about 125,000 people, But then she could no longer afford to pay the mort- It is unusual that Tampa Crossroads and Metropolitan Minis- of whom about 30,000 were children under 18, Kuhn gage and Hargrett faced a new dilemma — stay in trydid not talk with one another about a case as it was unfold- says. school with the housing stipend or find a job and lose ing, Long said. Caseworkers communicate several times a day. Overall, the VA has about $300 million allocated for that money. This lack of follow-through added to the frustration of wading the program. Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 Hargett opted to seek work and admits he wasn’t ex- through bureaucracy after bureaucracy, Hargrett said. In its third year, Supportive Services for Veteran actly frugal with his earnings. “I think most frustrating part of it all is to finally to start down Families placed 81 percent of those it saw into perma- “I didn’t do everything I needed to do financially,” the road, that there are these people who can help, then they felt nent housing, the VA says. he says. “It sucks and I accept full responsibility for they did what they were supposed to do and I was left in the Another program might also help Hargrett and his it. If I look back at the money I earned, I spent it on wind with no one to talk to and get updates.” children, says Nddidi Mojay, a VA spokeswoman — frivolous stuff,” like restaurant meals and “excessive Another potential roadblock veterans face is red tape, Har- the HUD/VASH program, providing Section 8 subsi- Christmas spending.” grett says. dized housing vouchers to veterans. VASH stands for On April 13, after his mother received the eviction “They want you to fill out all this paperwork, maintain your Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. notice, Hargrett began seeking help. records and bring them,” he says. “Fortunately, I keep stuff in After hearing from The Tribune, Mojay contacted One place he approached was Tampa Crossroads, one binder,” Hargrett to see if he is interested in applying. one of two organizations in the Tampa area that re- And despite the frustrations, Hargrett did get help. Kuhn says it is possible to eliminate homelessness ceives money through the Supportive Services for Satisfied that he and his children had a safe place to stay over among veterans. Veteran Families program. Launched in 2012, the the weekend, St. Vincent DePaul officials agreed to meet with “It is a challenging goal,” he says, “but one that the program helps provide case management and limited him Monday, April 27. They found he was eligible for the Sup- VA, along with its federal and community partners, financial assistance including rent payments. Tampa portive Services for Veteran Families program, and by Tuesday, are working together to meet.” Crossroads received a three-year, $3 million grant in he was in a motel, using a As more com- October. voucher that runs through munities ap- After talking with Hargrett, Tampa Crossroads de- May 8. St. Vincent DePaul proach the goal, termined he was a preventative case — not on the has received about $12 he says, the VA streets, but in danger of landing there and considered million in the program’s will be able to a lesser priority. grants to serve veterans in shift resources The organization was at capacity so it suggested Hillsborough, Pinellas and away from res- Hargrett contact Metropolitan Ministries and St. Vin- Pasco counties. In the first half of this year, Tampa Crossroads cuing the home- cent DePaul, says Marie Galbraith, program manager Between October and the less to preventing for Tampa Crossroads’s veterans assistance center. end of last month, St. Vin- served 168 veteran households and has more homelessness. Had Hargrett and his children been on the streets, cent DePaul has served “For Mr. Har- Tampa Crossroads would have helped immediately, nearly 900 veterans and than 75 active cases open grett and veter- Galbraith says. family members and has ans like him who In the first half of this year, Tampa Crossroads served about 275 open cases, said struggle to main- 168 veteran households and has more than 75 active Edi Erb, the organization’s tain their hous- cases open, Galbraith says. manager for the Supportive ing, this means One hundred open cases is the goal, but a recent Services for Veteran Fami- that additional re- staffing change reduced that. lies program. sources are becoming available.” Hargrett contacted Metropolitan Ministries on April “We respond to all referrals within one business day and we Until then, Hargrett tries to make the best of it. 17 and started the initial paperwork, but never fol- plan to serve everyone who is eligible,” Erb says. “Because of Inside their room at the Super 8, his three children lowed through with a mental health evaluation, says increased demand we are prioritizing referrals to identify those horse around in the cramped quarters where dad and Justine Burke, a spokeswoman for the ministry. who are most vulnerable. We are in the process of adding staff his two sons use the big bed while daughter Sparrow That is not unusual, Burke says, because veterans to address the increased demand across all three communities.” sleeps in the smaller bed in the other room. often pursue several options at once. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families program is one Elias playfully swats his younger siblings with a yel- Initially, ministry officials were not aware Hargrett of several ways the VA and the Department of Housing and low slap bracelet as they all squeal in laughter. was a veteran or that Tampa Crossroads suggested Urban Development are working to end veteran homelessness. “I like moving to new houses,” Elias says, a big he contact them, says Christine Long, Metropolitan The first step is triage, says John Kuhn, the VA’s national di- smile on his small face. Ministry’s chief program officer. It wasn’t until Har- rector of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families. Says Hargrett, “I try to make this an adventure for grett came back to the ministry April 22 for a meeting Challenges like the ones faced by Hargrett and his children them.” about seeking emergency housing that they realized are particularly worrisome, Kuhn says.

Homeless plan gets $1 million federal bonus By Kate Santich Orlando Sentinel The federal government has awarded a nearly $1 million bonus to Central Florida's efforts to house homeless people living on the streets, officials an- nounced Wednesday. "We've had lots of plans to end homelessness," An- drae Bailey, CEO of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, told a committee of local leaders. "But we've never had a plan with funding. … These men and women have been identified as the most vul- nerable among this at-risk population." The bonus will be part of a $2.1 million total spent to house 240 chronically homeless individuals over the next year. The first people should start moving in to scattered apartment units by summer, Bailey said. The HUD bonus is a first for Central Florida, which has seen large federal grants go to Miami-Dade for the hardest individuals to house and the hardest to serve." working together like never before to end homeless- years. Though both regions have roughly the same The rest of the $2.1 million comes from the Central Florida ness," he said. "Not only is the approach population, Miami has been able to draw bonus funds Foundation — using money donated by Florida Hospital — the right thing to do, it also saves our community and matching grants for several years because of its along with the city of Orlando, Orange County and the Orlando money." aggressive housing efforts. Housing Authority. Orange County recently approved 40 new A study released last year found it actually cost the Leaders there embraced a "housing first" philosophy permanent supportive housing units included in this effort, and region's taxpayers more money to do nothing about based on research that showed the old way of helping Mayor Teresa Jacobs said she wanted to see homeless families the chronically homeless than it would cost to house the homeless — putting them in shelters and making helped, too. them. People living on the street, the researchers them fulfill program requirements — didn't work for Wednesday's announcement came as Orlando Mayor Buddy found, tend to run up expensive bills for jails, police people who suffered from physical and mental dis- Dyer praised the region's commitment to reduce homelessness and local hospital emergency rooms. abilities, as most of the chronically homeless do. in his State of the City address. The number of homeless vet- Under the region's new plan, housing for these indi- "It appears as though Central Florida has really an- erans in Central Florida has dropped by 57 percent since 2011, viduals will come with a case manager to help them swered the call in making this a priority," said HUD Dyer noted. get health care, counseling and other services to keep spokesman Brian Sullivan. "The bonus money is "Just as our community partnered on SunRail, the develop- them stable. HUD's way of incentivizing a move towards helping ment of Medical City and the community venues, our region is 10 Insurance Benefits that The Homeless Voice is looking for a group of prevents Homelessness! volunteers to gather donations in our name. After 30 years as an insurance agent, I am writ- You can put teams together and raise funds or ing this article to share with you that I believe Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015 17 Issue Vol. insurance products such as Critical Illness, Ac- products for the shelter. We need a team to get cident, Hospital, and Cancer Indemnity plans are more valuable than Health Insurance. Health together and make plans to search for products. Insurance is necessary but consider the follow- We need one person to contact hotels to get ing: You're in a movie theatre and notice that your sheets, blankets, bed spreads and LED light bulbs. hospital administrator and your doctor are sit- ting in front of you with their families. Suddenly Voice Homeless The gunshots ring out and you jump up and take the www.homelessvoice.org/volunteer administrator and his family to safety. You then return and take your doctor and his family to safety. Finally you come back for your family. REALLY? Could you survive the catastrophic costs of a major illness? Even if you survive-could your fi- nances survive? Fifty percent of all bankruptcies & home foreclosures are caused by such medical expenses, when 80% of them had health insur- ance. Ask yourself this question? If faced with a crit- ical illness-What are the most important monthly bills to pay? Would you and your family need help with the Mortgage, Out-of-Pocket medical expenses, car, food, electric, H20, etc...? Or how about actually trying to pay your Health Insur- ance Premiums? This would definitely not be a good time to lapse that policy! Supplemental policies pay cash directly to you, to be used anyway you choose. You can buy pol- icies with $5,000 to $50,000 or more in benefits. Wouldn't you rather get a check instead of a get well card? Make sure you and YOUR FAMILY get PAID first. Contact me, George Preacher, Certified Medi- If interested Please contact cal Insurance Consultant at 954-880-2240 for more information! 954-924-3571

Each day at 3pm, say this prayer 11 The Homeless Voice Please Support Those Who Support Our Homeless Vol. 17 Issue 3 2015