AUSTIN ADVOCATE |
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Got Art?
By Ishmael Cavazos
Photo by Sam Cole
As an artist I enjoy viewing other artist's work for inspiration and ideas. To capture a good mix of new and exciting visions, I visit galleries, coffee shops, restaurants, art fairs/festivals, and various websites. But I have noticed one group severly under represented - the homeless. In fact, try locating a painting by the homeless - it's difficult. Well, for 2 years now, I have been visiting the Austin Resousce Center for the Homeless, where a wellspring of creativity is bubbling with a truly unique perspective. They call it - Art From The Streets!
Whether you are looking for art for your walls or inspiration for your art, THIS is the place to acquire something truly special and different.
what: Art From The Streets 12th Annual Show of Art
when: November 13th and 14th Saturday/Sunday 12 noon
to 5 p.m.
where: A.R.C.H. at 500 E. 7th Street (at Neches and
7th) Austin, TX 78701
prices: $30 and up for original art work. Proceeds
of the sale go directly to the artist in need who
created the piece.
admission: A $2 (or more) donation is requested for
admission at the door. Proceeds of the admission go
toward supplies, materials and other facilitating
costs for the AFTS twice-weekly class.
contact: for more information - Bill Jeffers 440-0839
The Politics of Homelessness
By Ryan Middleton
Last month Richard Troxell and I were interviewed by KUT radio. I was asked questions concerning homeless voters registration. When asked why I thought the homeless don’t register to vote, I answered that it is probably because they feel repressed and persecuted by the general public and therefore don’t feel a part of the public. I should have said that, if they were given a meal and a bed for the night, they might vote. Issues outside of their immediate sphere of meager living mean nothing to them. Talk of lower healthcare costs means nothing when they have nothing to spend. Talk of higher wages means nothing when they have no job. Talk of peace means nothing when friends and family die violently. Talk of a drug war means nothing when it’s easier to sell drugs than get a job. Talk of better healthcare and other services means nothing when everything is a long, slow waiting line.
Who cares who runs for president? Where’s my SSI check? Where’s my next paycheck coming from? When can I throw off this ragged backpack and these smelly tennis shoes and turn the key to my new home?
I was asked by KUT if my views represented most homeless people. I had to pause on that question. Since I had only been homeless for two weeks, I wasn’t sure how my views compared to most homeless people. The homeless demographic spans a broad spectrum of people from different walks of life, each with different issues. There are variations of physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual issues. Granted, these exist among the general populace; but, due to the close, daily interactions and communal-type housing (or lack thereof), these differences are not only more noticeable, they are more pronounced. Similar conditions exist in nursing homes, jails and prisons.
Daylong close contact in large groups tends to bring out the extremes of human nature. Humans are social animals, but technology has caused us to live in isolation most of our lives. To suddenly be thrust together into the most meager and humiliating circumstances brings resistance, disgust, anger and violence in some but humility, patience, subservience and sometimes godliness in others. For some, it is an Epiphany; for all, it is a paradigm shift.
We were once on the outside looking in, but now we find ourselves the objects of others observations or derisions. “Get a job” we are told by some. Others glance away, embarrassed or disgusted for being in the proximity of a lower life form who “hath not where to lay his head.” Some show pity. A few actually smile with compassion and understanding. Some of them know they are only a paycheck away from homelessness. Some, like Red Skelton, have been on the bottom and risen to the top.
There is no shame in homelessness, unless one gives up. Homelessness is only one of the bottom rungs of a ladder of success and happiness. The shame is in not stepping up to the next rung. It is a sad state of being to be dead while yet alive. Moving up the success ladder brings one alive, gives one purpose. Moving into one’s very own domicile restores humanity and dignity.
It is a great feeling to be a functioning member of society. Oh, that everyone can see our success stories, the struggle from the streets of asphalt to the streets of gold! Not everyone’s story makes Movie of the Week, but at least we know it in our hearts. We can lift our fists in triumph, and voices in praise at that grand and glorious day when an open door, brightly lit from within, bids
“Welcome Home!”
New Clinic Opens at ARCH
By Brenda Curran
We are proud to announce a new Health Clinic opened at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless on October the 4th 2004, operated by Health Care for the Homeless (HCH).
A large Grant in the amount $650,000 per year was awarded by the Federal Government and the Health Resources & Services Administration to the Healthcare for the Homeless clinic to make this possible.
A number of very helpful and caring service providers professionally staff the clinic. At this time they have 1 Doctor, Dr. Amira Haji, 2 nurses, 2 caseworkers, and a laboratory technician providing services for health care of the homeless population of Austin. A psychiatrist is also provided by M.H.M.R.
A large waiting room with a friendly receptionist is at the entrance to the clinic. Inside the clinic there are 3 examination rooms, a doctor’s office, 2 case manager’s offices, and an office for John Gilvar, the Project Director.
They also have a laboratory available so the lab work can be done there at the clinic instead of being sent out.
They have services capable of caring for everything from minor cuts and bruises, to major diagnoses. Testing for Hepatitis, HIV testing, and TB testing is also available. TB testing is available from the city of Austin Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 to 11:30 A.M.
This clinic works in conjunction with the Salvation Army Clinic. All patients can be seen at either clinic.
A mobile Dental Clinic is also available outside the building on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A MAP Card is not required to obtain these services, however patients are encouraged to get one and there is an office just outside the clinic available for that purpose.
The clinic hours are 8 A.M. to 12 noon and 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. Monday-Friday.
New ARCH and Crime
On October 13th, 2004, the Austin American Statesman showed ARCH on the front page. It said that we were loitering outside and selling and buying drugs. Not everyone is selling and using drugs. In fact, many people are at the ARCH to use the services. Police Commander Bredl says, "There is NO EVIDENCE that downtime crime has increased since the Resource Center moved to Seventh Street. For example, from April 2003 to September 2003, there were 18 aggravated assaults in the area as opposed to 11 during that same time this year."
We know that some people are buying and selling drugs. We can't let that stop us from trying to get on with our lives. If someone is selling drugs, tell them "that ain't cool" and walk away. This is our Resource Center. We won't let the druggies take it from us, and we don't want it overrun by police!
We need to stand up for our selves and watch out for our brothers and sisters. Treat us with respect!
Richard R. Troxell
President - House the Homeless
On Seeking Assistance
I would like to know what happened to all the assistance that used to be available. I’m sure there are a great deal of programs and agencies out there that have all the good intentions and wonderful hard working people to go with them. As a matter of fact I know there are.
You see I have been in need of assistance. I have been down that road. Sadly enough I am still in need of that assistance. I am not the only one with this problem. It seems that in spite of all these agencies, organizations, and churches with all these wonderful hard working sweet people, assistance is becoming harder and harder to get each day.
It’s not the people that hand out the assistance that keeps it from getting to those that need it. It seems to be the people that set the guidelines or qualifications to receive that assistance.
For instance, let’s say for whatever reason you are a homeless guy and you are trying to return to society. You have scraped together enough money to convince the owner of a boarding house to allow you to go ahead and move in your things provided you do everything you can to come up with more money for the rent.
Been there, done that. The first place I called said, “We only help with the last $10.” The next place said, “Sorry, we don’t provide rental assistance.” The next one said, “We only provide assistance to people who have already got a place, paid their 1st months rent, and have some sort of emergency situation they can prove to us.” The next one said, “I’m sorry, we are out of funds.” The next one said, “Yes we will help you. All you have to do is be here the week after next Tuesday at 6 A.M. and sign up for assistance. We will consider giving it to you. If you Qualify, we will help you two weeks after that. Out of seven places I called or went to, only one actually helped me.
I’m sorry but with all the talk about helping the homeless get off the street, and with all the non-profit organizations taking in all theses donations I naturally
Assumed there was some help out there.
Once a person has stayed his limited time at the shelters that person must return to the street unless someone lets go of the funds he needs to get a start on some rent.
Especially what with the fact that there is still no established universal living wage. So how can we remedy this? Let’s start by loosening up these stringent qualifications and rules that keep people from being eligible for assistance. I don’t believe there is any good reason to deny a man of a roof over his head as long as he exhibits intentions of working or being self supportive in some way.
Why Change Cain
Still Homeless and Forgotten
I have spoken with several single homeless women who feel as well as I do, there is a great need for a single women’s shelter. It wouldn't have to be a huge facility. After all, there are single women on the streets who are here for various reasons.
Besides shelter, a place to eat, shower and to get some rest, single women would have an opportunity to discuss their problems and what goes on in their daily lives. Those who are able to seek employment could do so without toting all their belongings with them. When women get a job, they could save their money to find an apartment of their own. Eventually, women could become self-sufficient and become a part of society. In other words, women could get on their feet, become stabilized and have a productive life.
Rebecca A. Jinks
Are We Really Left Behind?
By Rebecca Jinks
Since I've been homeless here in Austin for five years, I decided to take a survey from some homeless who have been on the streets for any length of time. The questions I asked were
(1) Would you seriously like to be off the streets?
100% Yes 0% No
(2) After acquiring an apartment, would you have any problems keeping it?
25% Yes 75% No
(3) Are you hoping to be be better off five years form now than your situation at present?
100% Yes 0% No
I even decided to take the survey myself. My answers would be yes to all three questions, definitely, positively and absolutely. Here's how I feel about the situation. My experiences have been good, bad and ugly. What I try to think about is all the great experiences that have come out of my homelessness. Especially all the wonderful friends I've made throughout the years. I've had a lot of laughs from all the special individuals who I believe are God's chosen people. Many have not given up entirely, but are only waiting for God to answer their prayers to find a way of lif different than their past lives. Time to think and work out their problems of their past and so these people are able to continue on and do whatever he has planned for them. An they only have to listen, keep the faith and wait for him to lead them to a happier, productive, more abundant life. This takes patience, endurance and by the Grace of God we are all going to make it somehow, someway. because these are his Promises and who has ever known our Awesome God to ever break his Promises?
Footnote
I want to sincerely thank all of the people who participate in this survey. Your answers and comments are greatly appreciated.
Comments by respondants
"Get a President in office that knows how to balance a budget and create real job programs (especially for older Americans between 40-55) that keeps people working that want to work."
"Homelessness is just a state of mind. With out us there is no them"
"Homelessness has problems and adaptations are necessary. A positive attitude is the best thing you can have -Faith in God doesn't hurt"
"I would say the haves should show more understanding and compassion. Christ said, 'The poor you will always have, But me you will not have always".
Debate This
Tumen Soliz
Islam is engaged in a struggle for survival. Citizens of the Western World a re in a struggle for survival. Yet we fail to acknowledge the protagonists.
For Islam, it is the radicals that have hijacked and vulgarized the true non-violent religion. Western citizens, including the homeless, disenfranchised and marginalized, are subjected to a modern feudal hierarchy. The business owners (by capitalist design) are the civilized vassals and the working taxpayer is the uncivilized peasant. The pressure to succeed breaks many people but yields fabulous material wealth to all who would be King. Today's physical well-being is vulgarized to mean, he who dies with the most toys, wins.
The ManKings need cannon fodder, the peasants (knowing they too could become a king) honorably relinquish their future (children). Well. the youth aren't buying it. Never have, never will. Hopefully sooner than later some young minds will get the Wisdom spark (having battled assimilation), and phase in new, less neanderthal Ideas to end the Culture of war and survival will be redefined
WILL WORK FOR BLESSINGS
You held my hand
you held my gaze
and you told me
your best, God bless.
And all around
others, too,
God bless.
I dreamed your
voices, your small
requests
your hopes
your disappointments.
In the night
I awoke,
all of you there
for a picnic
in the middle
of my bed,
your presence
buzzed through
my body,
high voltage lingering,
the electricity of
your love, your blessings
my well-being.
Nancy Taylor Day was a volunteer at the Stand Down Austin 2004.
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Got Art? Politics of Homelessness New Clinic Opens at ARCH Are We Really Left Behind? Art Debate This Will Work For Blessings |
