"welcome Home - A Transitional Tale" By Michael 'pontiac' Cooke

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Issue 10 January ‘09

All Profits Benefit Our Vendors

www.nashvillecontributor.org

Welcome Home - A Transitional Tale Inside This Issue: BY MICHAEL “PONTIAC” COOKE Formerly Homeless Writer [email protected]

t is early morning on a cold December day, and I am lying in a warm bed in my new apartment in Mercury Court North. But my mind is somewhere else. I am thinking about my friends in Tent City. Are they staying warm? Do they have enough to eat? Breakfast in my camp almost always consisted of cold sandwiches gathered from the food truck the night before. Food storage difficulties in camp life certainly limited the options, and cunningly crafty critters were always in search of a midnight snack. In my new apartment, bacon & eggs are back on the menu again, as well as the dairy products that are in such seemingly short supply on the streets. Pontiac at a recent rally for Tent City. Photo by Steve Samra. In my camp, taking a shower always ing routine consisted of getting out from ers of cold blankets, after which I would proved to be a very chilly challenge. It under several layers of blankets, then shak- often read my Bible by the light of a headwould involve a walk of nearly a quarter a ing and shivering while trying to get sev- lamp. Realizing the inherent dangers of mile, carrying bags of toiletries and clean eral layers of cold clothing on as quickly as sleeping outside, with nothing but a piece clothes, while trying not to incur injury in possible. I would then proceed directly to of tent fabric for security, I would pray for the slippery shower sandals that aren’t dethe fire pit, stacking crumpled paper and the Lord’s providence and protection. signed for outdoor travel. broken twigs - with all the meticulousness In my new apartment, a dead-bolted In my new apartment, the bathroom that my obsessive compulsive disorder door now keeps me and my belongings is only steps away, and a long, hot bath is could muster - and then slowly build it safe and secure. As I crawl into a soft bed, now an option for the first time in several from a tiny fire into with crisp sheets and a cozy comforter, I years. a fire big enough to give thanks for all the blessings in my life. When I lived heat coffee water And I think about my friends in Tent City, “In my new apartment, outside, my daily duand camp as well. my friends all over the streets of Nashville, ties routinely required all that is required is to In my new and I pray that they, someday, might be so the constant cleaning apartment, all that is blessed. of camp due to the an- turn the dial to the heat required is to turn It is nice to enjoy life’s little luxuries noying ash created by setting, and place a pan the dial to the heat again. And I am truly grateful. I would like a crackling campfire. setting, and place a to thank Will Connelly, Steve Samra, JeanThe search for fire- of water on the stove.” pan of water on the nie Alexander, Courtney Bottoms, Lauren wood was unending stove. Russell and Lindsey Krinks for all of their and exhaustive, and always aggravated old Every night, bedtime’s beckoning in- hard work and diligent efforts on behalf of injuries. cluded waiting for the fire-pit to no longer the Park Center Homeless Outreach ProAlso frustrating were the daily decipose a hazard to camp or community, gram. I would also like to thank Urban sions of when and where to seek sustemaking sure there had been no tasty temp- Housing Solutions as well as all the others nance. Some “feedings” would require a tations left out for the local rodent popula- who made this possible. I am truly blessed. walk of several miles, after which we would tion, and the securing of camp gear and The transition from Tent City life to usually be hungry again - having traveled a personal belongings. I would then carefully living in an apartment has been pretty taxing trek back to our campsite. At my zip the tent up from the inside, hoping for smooth for me thus far. The case managenew apartment, a short span of a block or one more night of dependable division ment as well as the wrap-around services two will find fast food fare, many minifrom the damp night time air. A broken offered here at Urban Housing Solutions markets, and the Second Harvest Food tent zipper was always a very possible promises to make future transition even Bank truck, which stops by twice a week predicament. more productive. with donated delicacies. Finally I would take off several layers When I lived in Tent City, my mornof warm clothing and get under several lay[Continued on Page 4]

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Who Are We? ..........................................2 Opinion ....................................................3 News ........................................................4 Street Interview ......................................6 Life ............................................................7 Poetry ......................................................8-9 Scramble ..................................................14 Hoboscope ..............................................14

Answers and More Questions an update on Tent City ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY STEVE SAMRA Formerly Homeless Writer [email protected]

Utilitarianism: the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall utility: that is, its contribution to happiness or pleasure as summed among all persons foreseeably affected by the action. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome: put simply, the ends justify the means. Utility, the good to be maximized, has been defined by various thinkers as happiness or pleasure (versus sadness or pain), although preference utilitarians define it as the satisfaction of preferences. It may be described as a life stance, with happiness or pleasure being of ultimate importance. (Wikipedia)

magine for a moment that you are standing at the terminus of a very crowded railroad platform with your spouse and four children at your side. A train full of passengers on their way to holiday celebrations speeds out of control towards the platform, and a violent crash that will kill hundreds of innocent and unsuspecting people on the train and platform is certain if no action is taken. Unfortunately, the only way to save everyone on the train and in the station is to push your family into the path of the oncoming train. Do you sacrifice your family for the greater good? Thankfully, most people will never have to make such a horrible decision. However, public administrators and direct service workers operating in the arena of public health must deal with situations where the potential scenario in question is as deadly for just as many individuals–

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.NEWS.

Project Homeless Connect: A Hit in Music City BY CHUCK CLINARD Formerly Homeless Writer [email protected] n Tuesday, December 2nd, the Metropolitan Homelessness Commission hosted Nashville’s first ever Project Homeless Connect, held at the Municipal Auditorium on 5th Avenue North. As early as 7:30 a.m., participants began lining up outside the arena waiting for the 9:00 a.m. opening time while hundreds of volunteers clad in yellow shirts were busy making last minute preparations inside. Project Homeless Connect is an event that began in San Francisco in 2004. Since then, the event has been held in nearly 200 cities across the U.S. The event brings private and public service sectors together to make it easier for individuals who are homeless to get the services they need. Its ultimate goal is to end homelessness one community at a time. Among the services available were haircuts, foot care, shoes, medical care, toiletries, clothing, and help with legal aid, IDs, birth certificates, food stamps, mental

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health issues, housing applications, and employment. Representatives from MDHA and Urban Housing Solutions were in attendance with information on housing. Some of the corporate sponsors represented were HCA, Kroger, and Williams Medical Supply. Judging from the long lines and size of the crowd, the turnout was far larger than expected, totaling over 1,078 people. Councilman Erik Cole was quoted in the Project’s media packet as saying he hopes that Project Homeless Connect will become “a one-stop-shop for the homeless which [will] eventually involve the entire community.” Philip Mangano, the executive director of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, was in attendance and praised Nashville’s successful inaugural event. Mayor Karl Dean showed his support of the event by kicking off the day with an early morning rally. Lt. Andrea Swisher of the Metropolitan Police Department was also in attendance and eagerly snapped up her copy of The Contributor. All in all, Nashville’s inaugural Project Homeless Connect was a suc-

“Welcome Home” Continued from Page 1

Attendees line up on the morning of Project Homeless Connect. Photo by Chuck Clinard. cess. Here are just a few numbers from the day: • 140 people obtained birth certificates • 61 people obtained ID’s • 350 people received haircuts • 32 people received applications to obtain social security cards • 743 people received shoes • 343 people received clothing and meal vouchers • Hundreds more received counsel

on credit, legal services, shelter, physical health, mental health, and domestic violence With the first Project Homeless Connect meeting the needs of so many of Nashville’s homeless population, there is no doubt that the second Connect, scheduled for a date-to-bedetermined in the first half of 2009, will be even more well-organized, staffed, funded, and beneficial for those seeking to push past the barriers that keep so many of our citizens in poverty.

Homeless Memorial 2008 BY CHUCK CLINARD Formerly Homeless Writer [email protected] On Saturday, December 13, 2008 the annual Nashville Homeless Memorial was held at downtown Riverfront Park. Presenting the official homeless memorial proclamation was councilwoman Erica Cole of District 19. Several songs were performed prior to the reading of the names of those who were known to have died on the streets during the past year in Nashville. Some of the participants offered a few words about their late friends. Following the reading of the names, flowers were scattered in the Cumberland River in memory of all who had lost their lives on the streets this year. The Salvation Army and Food Not Bombs were on hand to feed those who turned out for the event. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the

mobile clinic of United Neighborhood Health Services provided assistance for those in need. The memorial was organized by the Nashville Homeless Power Project. Some of the more recognizable attendees were Howard Gentry, Don Biesswenger, Lt. Andrea Swisher and Fr. Charles Strobel. The memorial began sharply at 10am after the conclusion of the “Walk-A-Mile in my Shoes” 1-mile charity walk from LP Field to Riverfront Park on 1st avenue. Clifton Harris of MDHA’s Homeless Commission reported that more than $6,000 was raised by the walkers and their sponsors. About 125 people actually walked in the event sponsored by The Metropolitan Homelessness Commission. The Campus for Human Development came in first in the amount of money raised by their walkers. At least on December 13, 2008 it can be said that Nashville didn’t forget the lost.

e Contributor • January 2009 • Page 4

Having been a part of the homeless community for more than six years, I can personally attest to the effectiveness of current efforts to help the homeless. In the old system, services were made available at set locations in many different parts of the city. This made it difficult, if not impossible, for people with physical and mental disabilities to obtain those services. The newer outreach efforts are helping the homeless to overcome those obstacles. By getting out of the offices and onto the streets, outreach workers are better able to assess the needs and assist with the necessities for our society’s most vulnerable human beings. And efforts by the Southern Alliance for Animal Welfare and founder Laurie Green are helping the animals that share in the difficulties and dangers of life on the streets. I have personally witnessed Laurie’s profound passion for helping homeless people and their pets. She has found loving homes for many animals that might have otherwise been put down when their owners are simply unable to keep them. She helps of homeless people stay with their owners by obtaining their rabies licenses and tags, necessary vaccines and spay/neuter services as well as pet food for all of the animals her organization helps. With this article being my first for the Contributor, it is my rookie run at readable writing. So please forgive the decidedly discombobulating disparity in directional determination. I will try to do better in the future. If you would like to volunteer with or donate to the organizations I mentioned in this column, their contact information is: Park Center Development Office 615-242-3576, ext. 234 Southern Alliance for Animal Welfare 615-474-8390 or [email protected] Urban Housing Solutions 615-726-2696, ext. 114 Let’s keep the momentum going strong!

Photos Top to Bottom: Erica Cole presents at the Memorial. Walkers cross the Cumberland River into downtown. Photos by Chuck Clinard.