Thursday, October 29, 2009
New Blog in Town
James Waghorne has started a new blog to share his current homeless experience. James is a strong advocate for those "without homes" in Dallas. Visit his blog
Friday, October 23, 2009
Dallas Street Paper Teams Up With SMU Student Newspaper
Oct 23, 2009 - Dallas, Texas
Dallas Street Paper Teams Up With SMU Student Newspaper
A handful of student journalists stepped out of their cozy environment on the SMU campus and into the streets of downtown Dallas in October to get a first-hand look and chance to report on the harsh realities of life on the streets in their own backyard.
The project was one proposed by the editorial adviser of The Daily Campus — SMU’s independent student newspaper since 1915 — to the editor of StreetZine Pat Spradley back in the summer. The project involved the college journalists taking to the streets to report first-hand on the people who live there and the issues, hardships and conditions they are facing and publishing those stories in both the homeless newspaper The StreetZine and in their own newspaper, The Daily Campus.
Daily Campus Adviser Jay Miller said the Dallas project was modeled after a project conducted by five Florida universities in Central Florida in April 2009.
“When I first heard about the Florida project from one of my college media adviser colleagues —Michael Koretzky of Florida Atlantic University — and saw the compelling stories those students published on the Web and in print, I knew that we had try it here in Dallas,” Miller said, adding Koretzky shared valuable advice along the way. “Opportunities like this give young journalists a chance to witness first-hand how solid journalism can make a difference in their community.”
After Spradley saw the Florida project online at www.spjchapters.org/southflorida/, she wholeheartedly agreed to have the StreetZine join forces with the SMU student newspaper to make the project a reality.
During the ensuing weeks and months, members of the newspaper staff attended meetings at The Stewpot and began making plans for their stories with the help of Spradley and others involved in providing services for the Dallas homeless population.
During the course of the reporting, one SMU student attended services with the Dallas International Street Church and spent the night at the church’s Rose Garden. Others met with individuals in a variety of settings.
All in all, the project proved to be a very moving experience for all of the young journalists involved and all were proud to have their work featured in this month’s edition of StreetZine.
"“I feel that contributing to the StreetZine and learning more about the people and mission of organizations such as The Stewpot has really opened many staff members’ eyes to a world outside of the SMU bubble,” said Nicole Jacobsen, editor-in-chief of The Daily Campus. “I personally gained a whole new perspective that I can share with my peers.”
The Daily Campus staff plans to share its content with its SMU readership and looks forward to continuing its involvement in the project in years to come. To read The Daily Campus, visit www.smudailycampus.com.
The StreetZine Special Edition will be available from street vendors on Monday, November 2.
Dallas Street Paper Teams Up With SMU Student Newspaper
A handful of student journalists stepped out of their cozy environment on the SMU campus and into the streets of downtown Dallas in October to get a first-hand look and chance to report on the harsh realities of life on the streets in their own backyard.
The project was one proposed by the editorial adviser of The Daily Campus — SMU’s independent student newspaper since 1915 — to the editor of StreetZine Pat Spradley back in the summer. The project involved the college journalists taking to the streets to report first-hand on the people who live there and the issues, hardships and conditions they are facing and publishing those stories in both the homeless newspaper The StreetZine and in their own newspaper, The Daily Campus.
Daily Campus Adviser Jay Miller said the Dallas project was modeled after a project conducted by five Florida universities in Central Florida in April 2009.
“When I first heard about the Florida project from one of my college media adviser colleagues —Michael Koretzky of Florida Atlantic University — and saw the compelling stories those students published on the Web and in print, I knew that we had try it here in Dallas,” Miller said, adding Koretzky shared valuable advice along the way. “Opportunities like this give young journalists a chance to witness first-hand how solid journalism can make a difference in their community.”
After Spradley saw the Florida project online at www.spjchapters.org/southflorida/, she wholeheartedly agreed to have the StreetZine join forces with the SMU student newspaper to make the project a reality.
During the ensuing weeks and months, members of the newspaper staff attended meetings at The Stewpot and began making plans for their stories with the help of Spradley and others involved in providing services for the Dallas homeless population.
During the course of the reporting, one SMU student attended services with the Dallas International Street Church and spent the night at the church’s Rose Garden. Others met with individuals in a variety of settings.
All in all, the project proved to be a very moving experience for all of the young journalists involved and all were proud to have their work featured in this month’s edition of StreetZine.
"“I feel that contributing to the StreetZine and learning more about the people and mission of organizations such as The Stewpot has really opened many staff members’ eyes to a world outside of the SMU bubble,” said Nicole Jacobsen, editor-in-chief of The Daily Campus. “I personally gained a whole new perspective that I can share with my peers.”
The Daily Campus staff plans to share its content with its SMU readership and looks forward to continuing its involvement in the project in years to come. To read The Daily Campus, visit www.smudailycampus.com.
The StreetZine Special Edition will be available from street vendors on Monday, November 2.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Creative writing group offered at Dallas shelter
Club Speakeasy is a new creative writing class that takes place every Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the library in the Welcome Building at The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center at 1818 Corsicana Street, Downtown Dallas.
The group is led by volunteer facilitators Staci Pettus, an author who believes that freedom lies within the art of expressing yourself who is currently writing a series of children’s books and Beth Freed who writes the Dallas Dreamer Blog, which promotes local events and community projects in the metroplex.
The group has a monthly column in the Dallas monthly street paper Street Zine as well as a blog where they publish some of the writing of participants.
Check out Club Speakeasy Blog
The group is led by volunteer facilitators Staci Pettus, an author who believes that freedom lies within the art of expressing yourself who is currently writing a series of children’s books and Beth Freed who writes the Dallas Dreamer Blog, which promotes local events and community projects in the metroplex.
The group has a monthly column in the Dallas monthly street paper Street Zine as well as a blog where they publish some of the writing of participants.
Check out Club Speakeasy Blog
Friday, October 9, 2009
Is staying in a homeless shelter freeloading?
In a huge PR effort this week about his new program SoupMobile Village the Soupman, David Timothy, describes shelter housing as "freeloading like in regular shelters where they just give you a bed for the night and kick you out the next day". This is a very brave statement and insult to shelters providers from someone with absolutely no experience providing housing for the homeless population.
Timothy has one condo housing one chronically homeless man and is going to show the world how to provide housing for the homeless? He is being more than a little brash considering this is a start-up operation.
It will interesting observing Timothy learn as he attempts to grow this very humane and effort. Although success is needed and hoped for with his program there is quite a learning curve involved with housing the homeless population. In Dallas the curve is even greater due to neighborhood resistance and lack of support from council members. Dallas council members have no backbone when it comes to housing the homeless and Timothy is naive indeed if he expects to get Council and City support for his project.
Best of luck David...
Click above > arrow to start video
Copy of the video appeal script posted on David's blog
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:
Additional information has come to light in comments on this posting. The publicity about this housing program was covered this week in the DMN. Here is a link to the DMN article.
Channel 8 News Video
Karen Shafer posted comments on her blog that involve the parties written about in the DMN article. Here is a link to Shafer's blog..
And finally, additional information on Mackie Choice a.k.a. The Mayor of Boxville who was the recipient of the Soupmobile Village housing.
Timothy has one condo housing one chronically homeless man and is going to show the world how to provide housing for the homeless? He is being more than a little brash considering this is a start-up operation.
It will interesting observing Timothy learn as he attempts to grow this very humane and effort. Although success is needed and hoped for with his program there is quite a learning curve involved with housing the homeless population. In Dallas the curve is even greater due to neighborhood resistance and lack of support from council members. Dallas council members have no backbone when it comes to housing the homeless and Timothy is naive indeed if he expects to get Council and City support for his project.
Best of luck David...
Click above > arrow to start video
Copy of the video appeal script posted on David's blog
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:
Additional information has come to light in comments on this posting. The publicity about this housing program was covered this week in the DMN. Here is a link to the DMN article.
Channel 8 News Video
Karen Shafer posted comments on her blog that involve the parties written about in the DMN article. Here is a link to Shafer's blog..
And finally, additional information on Mackie Choice a.k.a. The Mayor of Boxville who was the recipient of the Soupmobile Village housing.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Formerly homeless author to share story at Dallas book signing and event
Author, Versandra Kennebrew will visit Dallas, TX to share an inspirational message with area homeless advocates. Her first stop will be Jokae’s Book Store where she will autograph copies of her book Thank God for the Shelter - Memoirs of a homeless healer, followed by a speech at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center.
Homeless statistics continue to rise as our nations economic woes result in higher unemployment, under employment and foreclosures. So when Margaret James, Director of the Metropolitan Dream Center called and asked if Ms. Kennebrew would speak at their Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet she immediately said yes. The Metropolitan Dream Center has helped thousands of homeless men, women and children connect to resources that would get them off the streets, find food and for some, get addiction counseling. This organization is comprised of several churches, pastors coalition and volunteers around the Dallas area. A former homeless woman herself, Kennebrew could appreciate the dedication and hard work of this grass roots organization.
Versandra Kennebrew has been traveling to shelters, churches and conferences sharing the principles that she embraced during the darkest days of her life. Prior to living in a Detroit area transitional facility for women and children, she had become depressed and suicidal after a third divorce, a second miscarriage and the closing of her massage practice. She actually lived week to week in a hotel for a year because she had been evicted and could not be approved to rent another apartment. “My message is not about the doom and gloom I experienced but of the triumph that occurred when I shifted my thoughts to celebrate all the good that surrounded me,” said Kennebrew. She feels the shelter saved her life.
To meet Kennebrew and learn more about her journey to self-discovery and triumph over homelessness, visit Jokae’s Book Store located at 3223 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX, October 16, 2009 from 5 pm – 7 pm. For more information about the Metropolitan Dream Center or tickets to the awards banquet that will take place at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center, 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas, TX, contact Margaret James at 214-916-0623.
Homeless statistics continue to rise as our nations economic woes result in higher unemployment, under employment and foreclosures. So when Margaret James, Director of the Metropolitan Dream Center called and asked if Ms. Kennebrew would speak at their Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet she immediately said yes. The Metropolitan Dream Center has helped thousands of homeless men, women and children connect to resources that would get them off the streets, find food and for some, get addiction counseling. This organization is comprised of several churches, pastors coalition and volunteers around the Dallas area. A former homeless woman herself, Kennebrew could appreciate the dedication and hard work of this grass roots organization.
Versandra Kennebrew has been traveling to shelters, churches and conferences sharing the principles that she embraced during the darkest days of her life. Prior to living in a Detroit area transitional facility for women and children, she had become depressed and suicidal after a third divorce, a second miscarriage and the closing of her massage practice. She actually lived week to week in a hotel for a year because she had been evicted and could not be approved to rent another apartment. “My message is not about the doom and gloom I experienced but of the triumph that occurred when I shifted my thoughts to celebrate all the good that surrounded me,” said Kennebrew. She feels the shelter saved her life.
To meet Kennebrew and learn more about her journey to self-discovery and triumph over homelessness, visit Jokae’s Book Store located at 3223 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX, October 16, 2009 from 5 pm – 7 pm. For more information about the Metropolitan Dream Center or tickets to the awards banquet that will take place at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center, 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas, TX, contact Margaret James at 214-916-0623.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Is Marketing a $95 Homeless Doll In Poor Taste?
Some think so. The homeless women praised the doll until she learned the doll isn't a fundraising device for the homeless. Another concern of some advocates for the homeless is that the dolls could send the wrong message to kids. Tanya Tull, president of Beyond Shelter, says she's "afraid that they're going to pick up the idea that it's OK, that it's an accepted segment of society that some children are homeless and some children are not."
Read more in this CBS News story: Flap Over "Homeless" American Girl Doll
View ABC's video story: Meet Gwen Thompson, the 'Homeless' American Girl
Photo: "Gwen,"
American Girl's "homeless" doll (CBS)
Read more in this CBS News story: Flap Over "Homeless" American Girl Doll
View ABC's video story: Meet Gwen Thompson, the 'Homeless' American Girl
Photo: "Gwen,"
American Girl's "homeless" doll (CBS)
Friday, September 18, 2009
Reminder: Community Court APPLICATION DEADLINE is SEPT 25
The next City of Dallas Community Court for the homeless is Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. Applications can be picked up at The Stewpot or downloaded here.
All applications must be turned in at The Stewpot by closing time Friday, Sept. 25.
This court is for RESOLUTION OF CLASS C MISDEMEANOR VIOLATIONS (other than thefts and assaults). This project is for resolution of outstanding tickets through an alternative sentencing program with community service opportunities.
All applications must be turned in at The Stewpot by closing time Friday, Sept. 25.
This court is for RESOLUTION OF CLASS C MISDEMEANOR VIOLATIONS (other than thefts and assaults). This project is for resolution of outstanding tickets through an alternative sentencing program with community service opportunities.
Street Feeder Lawsuit is Moving Forward
Dallas Food-Sharing Case Moves Forward
September 16, 2009
In 2007, NLCHP and pro bono partner, Howrey LLP, filed a lawsuit against
the city of Dallas, challenging an ordinance that severely restricts
locations where groups can share food, prohibiting many groups from
providing food in locations where they have served homeless individuals
for years. Violators face arrest and fines up to $2,000.
On August 28, 2009 U.S. District Court Judge Jorge Solis denied in part
the City of Dallas' motion to dismiss claims. The court denied the
City's motion to dismiss plaintiffs' claims related to free exercise of
religion, equal protection, vagueness, and the Texas Religious Freedom
Restoration Act. While the court is allowing the plaintiffs to move
forward with these claims, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' other
claims related to freedom of speech, freedom of association, and the
right to travel.
"We are very pleased with the court's decision to allow the plaintiffs
to move forward with their case," said Tulin Ozdeger, NLCHP's Civil
Rights Director. "Instead of penalizing groups trying to help meet the
growing need in Dallas, the City should be looking toward ways to work
with those who want to help."
Howrey LLP, who has a long tradition of engaging in pro bono work in the
communities in which the firm works, said, "We take on the tough cases,
and none has been more challenging than the Dallas foodsharing case. We
are energized and encouraged to note that the Court recently denied the
City's motion to dismiss with respect to our core claims, which allows
us to now proceed with discovery and move forward with the case. We
intend to do so toward a successful resolution."
Click here to read a copy of the complaint filed on 05/31/2007.
September 16, 2009
In 2007, NLCHP and pro bono partner, Howrey LLP, filed a lawsuit against
the city of Dallas, challenging an ordinance that severely restricts
locations where groups can share food, prohibiting many groups from
providing food in locations where they have served homeless individuals
for years. Violators face arrest and fines up to $2,000.
On August 28, 2009 U.S. District Court Judge Jorge Solis denied in part
the City of Dallas' motion to dismiss claims. The court denied the
City's motion to dismiss plaintiffs' claims related to free exercise of
religion, equal protection, vagueness, and the Texas Religious Freedom
Restoration Act. While the court is allowing the plaintiffs to move
forward with these claims, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' other
claims related to freedom of speech, freedom of association, and the
right to travel.
"We are very pleased with the court's decision to allow the plaintiffs
to move forward with their case," said Tulin Ozdeger, NLCHP's Civil
Rights Director. "Instead of penalizing groups trying to help meet the
growing need in Dallas, the City should be looking toward ways to work
with those who want to help."
Howrey LLP, who has a long tradition of engaging in pro bono work in the
communities in which the firm works, said, "We take on the tough cases,
and none has been more challenging than the Dallas foodsharing case. We
are energized and encouraged to note that the Court recently denied the
City's motion to dismiss with respect to our core claims, which allows
us to now proceed with discovery and move forward with the case. We
intend to do so toward a successful resolution."
Click here to read a copy of the complaint filed on 05/31/2007.
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