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NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS' MEMORIAL DAY:
NCAB MEMBERS REPORT
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In December, NCAB members from across the country organized and participated in local community events for the National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, which is December 21. For the 2009 event, NCAB is aware of 139 vigils that were held in 134 cities in 43 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. Here, NCAB members recount their experiences in their own words.
In Detroit, MI . . . The annual Homeless Memorial was held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, where the Dean of the Cathedral was the MC. Speakers from local programs providing services to homeless persons spoke, and the keynote speech was given by a Chaplain from our hospital partner. Also in attendance was one of our Michigan State Senators who echoed his support for our health care program. Detroit Health Care for the Homeless Advantage Health Centers was the local
sponsor. The memorial concluded with the reading of the names of homeless persons who made their transition during 2009. A candle was lit for every name announced and for the unknown. Following the program, a delicious meal was served. Thanks to monetary donations from Advantage supporters along with donations from community groups and nurse practitioners, all of the homeless guests were given gifts.
--Submitted by: Reginald Hamilton
In Cape Cod, MA . . . The Cape Cod community came together at the Federated Church of Hyannis to celebrate the Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. This celebration was a collaboration of homeless and formerly homeless individuals, service providers, local artists, and community members.
The community paid respect to those who lost their lives in 2009 on Cape Cod. There was music and welcoming remarks by Alan Burt followed by individual readings for each of those who had died. Closing remarks were given by Claire Goyer, Duffy Health Center's executive director. The event ended with a closing prayer and the singing of "Amazing Grace."
--Submitted by: Bach Charon
In Worcester, MA . . . The Homeless Persons' Memorial Day event was quickly organized by the Community Health Link Consumer Advisory Board after the late discovery that the organization that usually plans the event had to step aside this year. CAB members secured a venue, planned for people to be present for the reading of names, arranged for clergy to speak, and scheduled musical entertainment.
The memorial service was held at the Mount Sinai Church of Christ, and this year's theme was Hope is Working. There seemed to be a huge difference in numbers of people who died in comparison to the previous year. A total of 16 people passed away in 2009--though it is expected that many who died were not counted--compared to 30 in 2008. Two of the individuals were currently homeless, while the rest were formerly homeless. The service included a reading of the names of those who had passed, prayers, a cellist, and two singers.
--Submitted by: Amy Grassette |
| WE WILL REMEMBER . . . |
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REFLECTIONS ON HOMELESS PERSONS' MEMORIAL DAY
You are aware that people who have been homeless died in droves across the world this year. The memorials for those who have died have been astounding, bringing that numbing feeling that you are left with when you realize that you knew many of those who have died and that your name will be read one day.
Four hundred died in Philadelphia, where I am from; 160 died in Denver and surrounding communities.
The Winter Solstice awakens the sense of the fragile nature of existence and the reminiscence of a time and place that was safe and warm.
We are robbed of our senses and refusing to die, measure our steps carefully. We come to a place where we are fretful that we will be next, that no one will know that we have died, and that no one will remember us.
--Submitted by: Randle Loeb, Denver, CO
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"MATAQUI OYASIN":
THANK YOU, FOR ALL MY RELATIONS |
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LESSONS LEARNED FROM ORGANIZING THE 2009 HOMELESS PERSONS' MEMORIAL DAY
Throughout 2009, CAB members in Portland, Oregon, collected names and information on homeless persons who died, particularly for the months before the Memorial Day. As in previous years, it is difficult to gather names, but people experiencing homelessness, churches, and homeless service providers helped collect names.
Organizations sponsoring the 2009 Memorial Day included Central City Concern, Health Services Advisory Council, Sisters of the Road Café, Homeless Outreach Services, McDonald's Center, Aging and Disabled Services and Housing, Outside-In Medical Clinic, and Youth Services.
Organizing this event is a lot of work, and I became emotionally, spiritually, and physically drained! To help sooth my soul, I attended healing ceremonies, sweats, and my native church to uplift my spirits, gain back my strength, and pray for myself and others. Grandfather heard my prayers, and someone from the native community offered money to help with expenses.
The McDonald Center, an aging and disabilities services organization that has been working with me for a number of years, offered to help with food. I decided that the money would be best used to help people who are still homeless and doing without. So I took the money and bought wool socks, went to the camps and handed them out to those who needed them. I was pretty sure that this would set well with those who had passed on, who I am sure, given the same circumstances, would have done the same.
Where there is a will, there is a way. Our people need to be remembered. I and others who have been faithful over the years are here to make sure that happens. We ask you to please remember our homeless brothers and sisters who have died. Remember how and why they died because they were victims of violence, exposure, overdose, and sickness.
Do not let their memories die with them. They were someone's grandparents, father, mother, brother, sister, and most importantly, someone's child. We honor them because they were our friends and loved ones, and they deserve to be remembered. There were many before them, and sadly there will be many more to come. Let us do all that we can to help those who are still alive.
--Submitted by: Two Bears,
Portland, OR |
| CALL FOR NOMINATIONS |
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ELLEN DAILEY CONSUMER ADVOCATE AWARD
Nominations Deadline: April 2
The National Consumer Advisory Board created the Ellen Dailey Consumer Advocate Award to honor a woman who was a health care for the homeless consumer, advocate, friend, and respected colleague. Ellen encouraged consumer involvement, and she recognized individual's potential and helped prepare people to use their strengths.
A powerful voice for people experiencing homelessness, Ellen fought against the issues that allow homelessness to exist. She died on June 18, 2006, and this award commemorates her strength and spirit. The 2010 award will be presented during the National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium planned for June 3-5 in San Francisco, California.
Award Criteria:
- Nominee must be a consumer or former consumer of Health Care for the Homeless services
- Must be committed to improving the health and well-being of homeless persons through advocacy, outreach, and/or other work
- Must have done extraordinary work to improve access to health care services for people experiencing homelessness
- NCAB Executive Committee members are ineligible
Preferred Nominee Characteristics:
- Exhibits leadership in their community
- Mentors other consumers
- Mobilizes other homeless persons in their community to become involved with advocacy
- Has participated in a consumer advisory group or governing board of a HCH project
Nomination Procedure:
Selection Procedure:
- The Consumer Advocate Award Selection Committee, comprised of NCAB members, will review nominations and select the individual that best personifies the spirit of Ellen Dailey
- The Selection Committee may interview nominees prior to making its decision
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| "HOMELESS ENDS WITH A HOME" |
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WRAP DEMONSTRATION IN SAN FRANCISCO
On January 20, a year after President Obama took office, the Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP) organized a demonstration in San Francisco to raise awareness about the right to housing.
The purpose was to remind the Administration of promises made to American citizens. Amy Grassette, NCAB's chair, spoke at a press conference about issues related to homelessness and the work of the National Consumer Advisory Board. Following the press conference, a crowd of supporters were entertained by the Emmy-nominated group Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo y Armonia.
People danced and a local women's group provided a Mexican meal. The gathering was followed by a march of 1,000 people to the Federal Building, where eight people were able to enter and take our concerns and recommendations to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Ms. Pelosi was not in her office, but the delegation spoke with her Chief of Staff. Meanwhile, the rest of the group continued the march to the Civic Center, where the organization Food Not Bombs fed the crowd. Soon afterwards, groups began gathering to start their trip back home. |
| PROBLEMS ARISE WITH "FREE" SAFE LINK CELL PHONES |
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In Massachusetts a couple of years ago, advertisements for "free" cell phones appeared on television. These ads stated that low-income individuals meeting program requirements would be eligible for a free cell phone that came with 80 call minutes a month.
This seemed like a good program for people who could not afford a home phone or cell phone. The program would help people stay in touch with family and friends, and have a way to make appointments. People from all over the state were eligible and hundreds signed up. As with many new initiatives, however, there were complications, as one CAB member from Boston soon found out.
Jay Tankanow, a member of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's CAB, repeatedly heard complaints from CAB members and others experiencing homelessness about not being able to get a phone even though they met the program requirements. After investigating, Jay learned that the program allowed only one phone per address.
For people living in shelters, transitional housing, nursing homes, doubled-up, or in other situations where more than one resident lives at the same address, this rule prohibits them from obtaining a free cell phone. Jay felt this was unfair and has been working with local officials and Congressional members to correct the oversight.
To help Jay with this effort, you may reach him at 781/215-1945. |
| NCAB CHAIR SPEAKS TO MEDICAL STUDENTS AT UMASS |
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In December, the Chair of NCAB, Amy Grassette and Dr. Linda Weinreb spoke to a group of UMass medical students on issues related to homelessness, marking the second year that Dr. Weinreb and Ms. Grassette went to the University Campus to speak to students in Worcester.
Several years ago, medical students decided that because they went to school, worked, and lived in Worcester, it was important to know about issues facing the city. As a result, many people are invited to speak to the students on issues such as homelessness, workforce, and hunger.
Ms. Grassette shared her experience with homelessness and talked about what she has done since coming out of homelessness on the local and national levels, including her role as NCAB chair for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
Dr. Weinreb talked about her relationship with Ms. Grassette and their work on research studies. Dr. Weinreb provided poverty statistics for Worcester and Massachusetts, and talked about many of the research studies she has been involved with locally and nationally. She explained the implications of those studies on people experiencing homelessness in urban communities. |
| PEOPLES LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF THE HOMELESS |
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CONSUMER LEADERSHIP IN DENVER, COLORADO
The Peoples Leadership Council of the Homeless was recently established with the purpose of raising awareness and consciousness about homelessness and changing the spirit of people experiencing homelessness in the Denver community.
This consumer-driven group operates under the motto, nothing about us without us that reads:
Don't ask me to walk behind you because I may not follow.
Don't ask me to walk in front of you because I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend.
The Peoples Leadership Council consists of a network of advocates and representatives of various homeless service providers throughout Denver. Organizations such as Bayaud Enterprises and El Centro Humanitario have partnered with the outreach team of Denver's Road Home, Volunteers of America, and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Opportunities for collaboration and community building are varied and great among this group. The Council's diverse membership--which includes people who are homeless or formerly homeless--allows the group to reach out to homeless individuals and families and connect them to services that could transform their lives. These organizations are hosting an event on February 10 that includes a speaker and a showing of the film, The Soloist.
--Submitted by: Randle Loeb, Denver, CO |
| MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS |
SOBER AND FREE
When I think of all the years of past, I realize that I'm glad that some things don't last. I recall the mistakes in my life, Only to wish I could cut them away with a knife. What if I'd never took that drug or drank that beer, Would I be so grateful for my life today that I hold so dear? Maybe there is a reason for everything that comes my way, It just may be that it is so I am grateful for each and every day. So maybe they weren't mistakes after all, Just maybe they were lessons teaching me how to walk and not fall. Whatever the reason for it all may be, I stand today a better person for all to see. What the future holds for me I do not know, But I can be sure that whatever it is will only help me grow. This moment is all that is promised to me, So it is up to me to make it the best it can be......SOBER&FREE --Submitted by: Sandra G.
SHARE YOUR CREATIVE IDEAS
Today, this moment is the first moment for the remainder of your visit on the planet. Consider being grateful and appreciative for arriving at this moment. Consider sharing your experiences up to this moment with the readers of this NCAB Newsletter. I once met an English and literature instructor who taught at Cass Technical High School here in Detroit. I shared my poetry with her. She shared it with her fellow instructors with emphasis on those interested in poetry. I also shared my photographic work. She suggested I marry my poetry with my photography and publish it. I still have not done that, but this newsletter provides an avenue to share my poetry. I have not shared previously written poetry for the reason that every submission has been newly inspired--intended for NCAB Newsletter readers. I say that because unlike this piece, I do not sit down with the preplanned intent to write a poem. I receive the inspiration spontaneously. Not everything I write is submitted; only those pieces that I discern as intended for this medium. In fact, most pieces I write are not shared with anyone. Recently, I told the NCAB Chair and newsletter editor that I would submit some of my previous writings; however, I decided that rather than sending old material, I would submit new thoughts and inspiration. The NCAB Newsletter is an excellent vehicle for self-expression. Let us expand its content and let us get to know you. I submit the following words of encouragement for my fellow poets and artists: Follow your guidance.
Be like a child.
Be spontaneous and submit your story and your poetry.
Share your wisdom.
Share with us from the depths of your soul.
--Submitted by: Reginald O. Hamilton, Detroit, MI
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Adrienne Breidenstine, MSW | NCAB Coordinator &
Health Policy Organizer
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
[email protected] | 443/703-1337 | www.nhchc.org
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Brenda J. Proffitt, MHA | Membership & Communications Director
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
[email protected] | 505/872-1151 | www.nhchc.org
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