And the winner is....
"A Bench Is Not A Bed" Wins Best Podcast
at the 2011 Student Production Awards!

An episode of our WLOY radio show Both Feet In: Conversations with People Experiencing Homelessness took home the award for Best Podcast from the National Student Media Convention in Orlando, Florida this past weekend!The winning episode, "A Bench is Not a Bed," was based on reflections from last years' Sleep-Out during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Click here to listen!

Congratulations to Lindsay Vanderheiden, Speakers, Loyola students, and everyone else involved in the production! 

Join the 2nd Annual A Bench Is Not A Bed Sleep-Out on Nov 19th in front of City Hall!

The Sleep-Out is the culminating event of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (NHHAW) Nov 12th-19th. Find out more 

Hip-Hop to Stop Homelessness Nov 12th-7pm at 3640 Space 

         Featuring Axiom, J Pope & Funk Friday, and The 5th L
Trivia Night Nov 17th-8pm at Pickles Pub
Sleep-Out Nov 19th-6pm at City Hall War Memorial Plaza

Recent Events: Stevenson University "Living on the Streets"

Last Friday some of us here at the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau went to Stevenson University and got a warm welcome from their students at an event called "Living on the Streets."  Purman and Carroll spoke about their individual experiences and Laura from Project PLASE and myself (Joanna from Beans & Bread Center) spoke a bit about our organizations.  It was a fun event and the students presented us with donations for our respective organizations after we spoke.  Beans & Bread got about 125 peanut butter & jelly sandwiches which were handed out on Saturday at the meal program.  Project PLASE got loads of hygiene kits which were distributed by Laura and Carroll.  I'm posting some pictures from the event.  Again, a big THANKS to Stevenson!

(Pictures courtesy of Stevenson University Photography Club)



~Joanna Gervais

WHAT I WOULD GIVE?

HOMELESS PERSON'S PLEA
By: Bonnie Lane


What I would give to have a home of my own
with a picket fence!
I am tired of sleeping on this park bench!
What I would give to be able to buy new clothes!
I am tired of these used rags
and shoes walking out of their soles!
What I would give to be treated like
everyone else!
Instead of laughed at or ignored
as a bum or a wreck!
I would give everything I am
just to have enough!
I am not greedy
I don't need it all
just to have enough to live comfortably.
What I would give not to eat my meals in a soup kitchen!
but to prepare my own feast!
What would I give for all these things?
I would give everything I am.
I am not greedy.
I don't need it all
Just enough to live comfortably.

"A Bench is not a Bed,” 
an episode of our WLOY radio show "Both Feet In" from last years sleep out during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a National finalist for Best Podcast at the 2011 National Student Production Awards!  


Click  here to listen to the episode!


This year National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 12-19th. 
Events are going on all week at area colleges and across Baltimore.
Participate in this years' Sleep out Nov 19th at City Hall as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (NHHAW) 
Contact nhhaw2011@gmail.com to get involved or to find out more information about NHHAW visit facebook.com/NHHAWBaltimore


Want the Faces of Homelessness Speakers' Bureau to come talk to your school or organization during NHHAW? Contact faces.of.homelessness.speakers@gmail.com

Two New Stories!

Click below on "Both Feet In" to hear stories from Tonia Thurman (air date: 6/18) and Kevin (air date: 7/2) on their personal expriences with homelessness.

Both Feet In

"The intent of Both Feet In is to reveal the stories of people experiencing homelessness in a bold, creative, and intimate way. Providing a space to tell their stories, the radio show encourages people who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness to express who they are and thus make the invisible visible." http://wloy.org/shows/both-feet-in/

Speakers' Bureau on NPR!

The National Coalition for the Homeless' Speakers' Bureau is featured on National Public Radio:

http://www.npr.org/2011/07/04/137534446/ex-homeless-speak-out-to-change-perceptions

Baltimore Homeless Advocates Claim their Voice

Strategies for Local and National Advocacy

FREE Webinar:  Tuesday, June 14, 2:30-3:30pm EDT

Conscious economic and policy decisions over the last 30 years have contributed tremendously to contemporary homelessness. Advocacy in support of new policies that reaffirm a commitment to basic human needs is essential to reverse this trend and make homelessness rare and brief. Administrators, staff, and consumers at Health Care for the Homeless projects (and other homeless service providers) have a wealth of first-hand knowledge regarding the changes needed in current policies.

Speakers:

• Adam Schneider, MSW, Community Relations Coordinator, Health Care for the Homeless, Inc., Baltimore, MD
• James Crawford, Jr., Chair, B-More Housing for All, Baltimore, MD
• BJ Iacino, Director of Education and Advocacy, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Denver, CO
• Nic Granum, MPA, Program Manager, Central City Concern, Portland, OR

This webinar is free of charge, but space is limited and advance registration is required.
Register HERE

Featuring Speakers' Bureau member James Crawford Jr.!

Benefits of Social Media for People Experiencing Homelessness

Vancouver video on Ending Homelessness

Here is an interesting video that was posted in Nov. 2009 about strategies used by Vancouver to shelter/house the homeless in their city:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HomelessnessIsOver

Yesterday on the Diane Rehm show, Dr. Randy Christensen at Phoenix Children’s Hospital was featured in an extensive interview following the release of his book “Ask Me Why I Hurt.” 

 Dr. Randy Christensen

is a staff physician at Phoenix Children's Hospital and medical director of Crews'n Healthmobile,
a mobile medical clinic that provides health care to homeless children.

Click on the link below to LISTEN:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-05-05/dr-randy-christensen-ask-me-why-i-hurt

 

Here is a preview of a documentary on youth experiencing homelessness in Baltimore City created by

The Griot's Eye Project and the Baltimore Homeless Youth Initiative (BHYI):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1GbfSvJ-5E

You have $1,000 to live on for the month…can you do it?

Spent is an online game created by Urban Ministries of Durham that shows you just how hard it is to get by with limited resources.

It’s reminiscent of “chose your own adventure” books, which ask the reader to

make a choice at the end of each chapter to determine the direction of the story. Unlike the novels, in Spent, and in real life, you can’t switch to the other page if you don’t like the direction the story is going.

 CHECK OUT:
       
           Loyola University's radio station WLOY: Both Feet In show to hear
                                                                     "conversations with people experiencing homelessness".
                                                      

To hear some of the speakers from our bureau listen to the arcieved show entitled:

A Bench is Not a Bed (originally aired February 19, 2011)

http://wloy.org/archives/show-archives/both-feet-in-archives/

What can I do?

Check out the "Get Involved" page above to see NEW volunteer opportunities/ideas!

Thoughts on "Barriers to Housing" by Speakers' Bureau member Mark Schumann

Check out Mark's latest posting on his blog: http://homelessnessinbaltimore.com/

Mark started his blog after receiving an Ignite Baltimore grant in 2010...he continues to discuss issues revolving around homelessness and to gather stories from the streets: giving those he meets a voice through soical media.  The opinions expressed in Mark's blog are his own and not necessarily those of the "Faces of Homelessness" Speakers' Bureau.

Diverse groups rally for health care, re-entry, and stronger safety net

22^nd Annual Homeless Persons’ Lobby Day in Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS: On Thursday, February 17, more than 500 health care providers, students, people experiencing homelessness, and advocates for the poor will gather at 9:30 a.m. in Lawyers Mall for the 22^nd Annual Homeless Persons’ Lobby Day.  The rally brings together Health Care for the Homeless, the Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Out For Justice, B-More Housing for All, and others committed to ending homelessness in Maryland.  

Rally participants will advocate for continued Medicaid expansion, re-entry services for those leaving jails and prisons, and for a strengthened safety net to assist families struggling to make ends meet in a troubled economy.  Speakers include legislators, activists, college students, and people experiencing homelessness.  Throughout the day, constituents will meet with elected officials about policies necessary to end homelessness and will testify during afternoon Senate hearings. 

“Maryland’s safety net – though tremendously overburdened – helps to prevent and end homelessness,” said Jeff Singer, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless.  “Especially in this troubling economic environment, we simply can’t afford additional cuts to important health programs and safety net services.”

Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) provides health-related services, education, and advocacy to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness in Maryland.  Last year, HCH delivered adult and pediatric medical care, mental health services, social services and case management, addiction treatment, dental care, outreach, and supportive housing for 10,000 Marylanders at clinic sites in Baltimore City, and in Frederick, Montgomery, Harford, and Baltimore Counties.  Nearly all HCH clients have incomes below Federal poverty guidelines, and 75% are uninsured. 

Members of the press are welcome to ride with us by bus from Baltimore to Annapolis. For more information on Homeless Persons’ Day in Annapolis, please contact Adam Schneider at Health Care for the Homeless at 410/215-8319. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To view a schedule for the day click here:

 http://www.hchmd.org/dayinannapolis.shtml

Speaker Tony Friend Testifies in Annapolis!

On Tuesday February 1, 2011- Annapolis, MD

Tony Friend, member of the Speakers’ Bureau, testified before legislators on HB 28-Public Benefits-Requirement of Proof of Lawful Presence.  The purpose of this bill is to require adults to provide certain identification in order to receive public benefits.

Tony testified against the bill explaining that while being homeless he was unable to obtain any form of identification after being robbed of everything he had.  This bill affects not just those who are in the US illegally, but US citizens who are robbed of their ID and have to go through a time consuming process to replace it. 

After Tony spoke, three legislators approached him and said that they were moved by his story and now feel compelled to help.



Street Survival Kits

Here is an ongoing volunteer project that you can do with your club, faith community, school, friends, coworkers, or family!  Many times people ask us (when we go out to speak about homelessness) what they should do when they see someone asking for money.  Here is one way to help people out with essential items while they are staying on the street or in a shelter.  You can either keep some bags in your car to hand out when you drive by someone asking for money, or you can give them to us, or other groups involved in street outreach. 



In a backpack (the draw-string style bags are recommended), put the following:

(If you can’t provide a backpack, then putting items in a plastic zip-lock bag works)

WINTER KIT LIST:

• Socks
• Hat
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Hand warmers
• Poncho
• Toiletries:
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Bar soap in small ziplock bag
• Lotion
• Wet wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Deodorant
• Feminine products (add to ladies kits)
• Water bottle
• Energy bars/trail mix/dried fruit
• Gift coupons (Subway and McDonalds sell $5 coupons)
• Bus tokens

The kits will be donated to these two groups who do street outreach to individuals and families experiencing homelessness:

Project Jump Start: a program that allows students to serve the homeless community of Baltimore City by providing food, clothing, toiletries, and information on area services.  They are supported by USGA.  www.umaryland.edu/usad/PJSVolunteer.html

Rose Street Community Center: a drop in center and shelter for youth on the east side of Baltimore.  They are supported by the Abell Foundation.  http://www.abell.org/

If you would like to organize a drive and/or have any questions please contact:  Lindsay Vanderheiden

Email: lcallahan@hchmd.org    Phone: 443-703-1349



The Speakers Speak

Briefing the Senate in Annapolis!

On Thursday January 20th "Faces of Homelessness" Speakers' Bureau-Baltimore member Mark Schumann participated in a briefing to the Maryland State Senate.  Organized and lead by the Maryland Alliance for the Poor, the panel of 6 advocates included both social service providers and recipients presenting to the Senate the value of a number of social service programs in improving the lives of low-income Marylanders.  Mark spoke specifically on the benefits of the Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP) in helping him pay for essentials such as medication, hygiene items, and food.

On TDAP a person with a disability, little to no income, and who is unable to work can receive $185/month for a short period of time.  Once the recipient starts to receive SSI or SSDI from the federal government, then the state is paid back by the federal government for the TDAP money given to the individual.
Thanks to the hard work of many advocates, including a number of the members of our Speakers Bureau who have testified in Annapolis, this program still exists and hopefully will continue to be there to help out our neighbors when life gets tough.

PSA for Lobby Day

Lobby Day will be on Thursday February 17th, 2011

Starting next Tuesday Health Care for the Homeless and a client advocacy group will be meeting at HCH from 12-1pm to learn about Lobby day, which is taking place on February 17th.  Every Tuesday for the next month there will be sessions on what the state budget will look like and different bills that will affect people without homes and living under the poverty line.

Please come and join us for these sessions at HCH, 421 Fallsway, Baltimore 21202, and join us on Feb 17th as we go to Annapolis to support adequate funding to provide services to people experiencing homelessness.

For more information please contact Adam Schneider

Memorial Day Service 12/21/10

 

                                                                                                  Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                                    Earl's Place Choir   Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                                                                                                   Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                                                                  Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                                                                  Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                    Tony Friend, Speakers' Bureau advocate   Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                    Mark Schumann, Speakers' Bureau advocate Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                       Adam Schneider, HCH Community Relations Coordinator
                                                                                                  Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                Jeff Majors, Recording Artist      Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                 Donna Bradley, Speakers' Bureau advocate   Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                James Crawford, Jr. Speakers Bureau advocate  Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                                                                  Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                    Hip Hop for the Homeless performance    Photo by Jan Caughlan

                                                                                                  Photo by Jan Caughlan

 Rev. Brooks, Speakers' Bureau advocate  Photo by Jan Caughlan

Marc Steiner of WEAA 88.9 FM on Homeless Persons' Memorial Day 2010

Marc Steiner’s annual show in honor of Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
On the show:

Jeff Singer, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless of Maryland.
Kate Briddell, Director of the Homeless Services Program for the Mayor’s Office of Human Services.
Bob Jankowiak, from the “Faces of Homelessness” Speakers Bureau- Baltimore.
Audrey Curry and Sissy, current residents of the Guilford Avenue Shelter.

Click the link below to listen to the podcast!

http://steinershow.org/steinershow/radio/the-marc-steiner-show/december-21-2010-hour-1