The way they were at the bus station last night.

Last night, on an Outreach with John and Barbara, we rescued a family. It was a quiet, undramatic rescue, but still, a very real one. It began the night before when John was doing his evening Outreach rounds at Kennedy Plaza.  He noticed 26 year old Patricia and her 5 year old daughter Katie (not their real names) sitting in on the bench in the bus station. He discovered they were homeless, with no place to go. Patricia had not sure where they were going to find shelter for the night, or in the future. Somehow John found something for them just for one night. 

Barbara and John knew this little family would need a better arrangement so yesterday morning John posted an appeal on Face Book. “Was their anyone out there who could provide temporary room and board for a young mother and her daughter until they could get into permanent housing.“

Right away several offers came in. (That, in itself, is reassuring.) There was a woman in Warwick who sounded like she had a decent place, a finished basement “mother -in-law” apartment where they could stay. After a phone consultation, Barbara and John decided this Angel in Warwick would provide a safe place for these two. 

We met up with the Patricia and Katie and waited in the bus terminal while they had their dinner of Pepperoni pizza and soda. Then we were off to this apartment that had materialized, almost as if from heaven. It was quiet in the car on the way down. We all were hoping this would work out. Neither Barbara nor John knew the family who had offered a place in their home. When we pulled up to the nice house in a nice neighborhood we were all greatly relieved. Little Katie ran to the front door. She wanted to ring the bell. John and I took the two small bags of clothing and Katie’s little backpack, apparently all they had. Barbara carried the box with half a pizza. Our Angel came to the door, opened her home to five complete strangers.There were introductions all around and we chatted around the kitchen table. Luckily, this was a safe place for Patricia and, her little girl, at least for now. The last I saw little Katie, she was playing on the floor with a fluffy little dog named Maxie. 

Thinking about this whole thing, there are lots of questions rattling around in my head. There were so many other ways this could have gone for these two kids. Luckily there are still some real nice people out there.

No easy to find your way.

Roth came to Providence from Hawaii. He is homeless. At first he found it hard to navigate the system. Listen to him tell it in his way: 

An "affirmation" at the Sunday Friendship Breakfast.

This is Stephen. I could tell he was pleased with his picture. At first I was surprised at the smiles and "Thank yous"when the folks I photographed received their pictures. To me it seemed these little color prints I handed out were no big deal. But as Pastor Jack pointed out to me, "No, the pictures are not a small thing to the recipients." He continued, "Taking these is actually an affirmation that your subjects are real people, and worthy of your attention." I never thought about it in quite that way but perhaps he is right. Scroll down to hear Stephen's comments. 

You can hear Stephen's take on what it is like to live on the street in the video link below. Please share if you care.

The way it is on Sunday mornings.

Smiles are seen here. Like this man’s, glad to be getting a good meal. I see smiles on many faces at the Sunday Friendship Breakfast. Plenty of the 250  people who come here each week are really hungry. Yes, as hard as it is to believe hunger is a reality in Rhode Island. Lots of people are hungry, down in their gut.  They go from place to place hoping for a decent meal. When they come to the the Mathewson Street Methodist Church they receive one and it usually brings a smile.

The visiting Bishop, the way it was yesterday morning

This is Baboucar. When the visiting Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar asked him how he was doing, Baboucar responded, "I am homeless, but not hopeless." From a man on has been on the street for a very long time, this thought just blew both the bishop and me away...

More pictures of "The Visit"  Click to enlarge.

Fight at the feeder, the way it was yesterday out my window.

The birds spent the whole day feeding, I spent the whole day taking pictures of them feeding. Both happy. Exposure info: Shutter speeds, most at 1/2000 of second at f/16, ISO 3200, some at 1/400 or so. Prefocused, auto focus off, manual mode, 100-400 Canon lens. Judiciously cropped. These best from about 700 shots, but then, "the film is free". Click to enlarge.

Cold is the way it is today, very cold.

Minus 3 degrees in Providence this morning, tying  a record set in 1954. Snow forecast for this afternoon. All the shelters and warming centers are open but everything gets harder when it is like this. Getting around is more difficult. Getting to a place where meals are provided is harder. Many of the bus stops aren’t plowed and service is not ideal even in the best of times. But at least Jason and Samantha are warm. They have a decent place to live… for now. This housing, which they share with another couple, has been provided by Crossroads. http://www.crossroadsri.org But this arrangement is temporary, only theirs for three months. After that they could be back out in the cold.

Very cold is the way we were.

Temperatures were in the teens last week, dipping down to close to zero several nights. Wind chill minus 10 or more some days. When it is like this everything is harder for folks who are just getting by. And for those who are out on the street it can be brutal. The Sunday Friendship Breakfast can’t come too soon this week. People can come in from the cold and have a hot meal, a cup of coffee, and some friendship. They might also find some warm clothes as Kathy and I will once again bring a trunkful up to the Breakfast on Sunday morning. 

Thank you Denise Rubin, Kevin Donahue and the kids at URI for collecting these. If anyone out there in Facebook Land has warm clothing they would like to donate please email me at janthephotoman@gmail.com to arrange a pickup.


Cold is the way we were today.

I was just out with Maggie. Coldest day I can remember down here. Although she has her winter coat, that is, her thick layer of hair, AND she has her spiffy new (lined) man-made coat, she was still cold... almost as cold as I was. I could not help but think what it must be like for the many people that are out on the street. I only hope some of the clothing that was distributed at the Sunday Friendship Breakfast helps to ward off the below zero wind chill today. I can only hope...

Banning Homelessness is the way we were....

Thirty-three cities already ban or are considering banning giving food to homeless people — and some are threatening to throw people in jail if they're caught feeding the hungry.

These laws claim they're about preventing government-run anti-homelessness programs from being diluted. They're really about keeping non-profits and individuals from shining a light on just how bad things have gotten for our country's poor, even as the homeless are treated like criminals for being without food and shelter.

Charity work like sharing food with the homeless is essential in a country where protecting the poor and needy is never at the top of the list, and is found to help those without shelter get back on their feet.

"Cities think by cutting off the food source, it will make the homeless go away," NCH community organizing director Michael Stoops said. "It doesn't."

Help stop this pointless, baseless cruelty. Call on these 33 cities to ditch plans to ban giving food to the homeless now! Sign the petition and please share this post.

After the Blizzard of 2015, the way it was for those on the fringe.

Report per Projo on January 27 by Donita Naylor, Journal Staff Writer

A total of 85 people spent Monday night at Crossroads on Broad Street in Providence, said case manager Teondra Gomes. Twenty-one slept on the floor in the community room, she said.

Crossroads was fully staffed Monday, said Karen Santilli, the organization’s marketing officer. She said that for emergencies such as Monday night’s blizzard, Crossroads brings on extra security and maintenance staff. Extra food and bottled water were also ordered, she said, to provide breakfast and lunch, which aren’t usually available.

At Harrington Hall, 30 Howard Ave., Cranston, 120 men stayed Monday night, with 100 in beds, said staff member William Winfield. The shelter, which usually provides dinner, also provided breakfast and lunch on Tuesday. He described the atmosphere as “very peaceful, warm and everybody got along just fine.”

Eileen Hayes, president of Amos House and a committee member for the winter emergency shelter program, said Emmanuel House, 239 Public St. in Providence, housed 61 people Monday night; St. Paul’s, 50 Park Place, Pawtucket, housed 16 men; and Harvest Community Church, 60 Main St., Woonsocket, housed 30 men.

“All of the shelters are open and staying open until at least Wednesday evening, if not Thursday,” she said.

The best of times and the worst of times, the way it is

It was a madhouse at Sunday Friendship Breakfast soup kitchen yesterday. Kevin Donahue and his friends at Habitat For Humanity had donated two large bags for the folks who come to the breakfast. Men and women were lined up waiting to get at them. The coats, backpacks, and other clothing were gone in 10 minutes, as you can see from the photos. Much appreciated. Thanks again, Kevin, for your donations!!!

As I looked out on the sea of homeless and hungry folks in the room I found myself getting a little depressed. I couldn't help but reflect on the magnitude of the need right here. Then I multiplied it times all the cities in Rhode Island, and again times all the cities in the US. Poverty seems to be an impossible problem. True, gathering clothes and serving breakfasts are most worthy efforts but really they are just bandaids. How do you end poverty?  

Click to enlarge pictures of folks receiving clothing donations:


One in Five living in poverty in Rhode Island, the way it is.

The Providence Journal front page story today reports a poverty rate of 21.5 percent in our state. Rhode Islanders can be “proud” that although we are the highest in New England, we are still slightly lower than the national average of 22.2 percent. Right… So if you are a teacher, and you look out over your class of 20 children this morning, four or five of those little munchkins staring up at you likely live at or below the poverty level. Four of their parents make less than $19,000 per year. If you are a single mother with two kids, you have to get by on less than $20K. That is pretty scary. And pretty disgraceful for our state, and our leaders. Can’t we do better than that?

If you care, SHARE this post, and email you legislators. 

You can find your state reps here:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/RepEmailListDistrict.asp

and your senators here:

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/SenEmailListDistrict.asp

By the way, here are the annuals for our top legislators, paid with your taxes.

        Governor: $129,210

        Attorney General: $115,610

        Lt. Governor: $108,808

        Secretary of State: $108,808

  General Treasurer: $108,808 

You have to have vision…

The vision of the Rhode Island Coalition For The Homeless

The Coalition envisions a Rhode Island that refuses to let any man, woman, or child be homeless.

RICFTH is pursuing comprehensive and cooperative solutions to the problems of housing and homelessness with advocacy, education, collaboration, technical assistance, and selected direct services to homeless individuals and families, coalition members, elected officials, and the community-at-large.

Here is Jobe with everything he owns in this bag.

The “Friendship” at the Sunday Friendship Breakfast, the way it is.

One of the reasons Pastor Jack Jones and Scott Budnick created the Sunday Friendship Breakfast was to promote friendship within the community that partake of their meal. I have witnessed this every time I visit. It is a beautiful thing.  I call this sequence on left , "The Joker and the Straight Man".

Click on the thumbnails to see more.

We are CHOSEN…

Zero: 2016 is a national campaign to end homelessness among veterans and the chronically homeless by the end of 2016. RI has been chosen as a participating community, and has pledged to accelerate its housing efforts in order to achieve these goals.

 

During her campaign, Governor-elect Raimondo committed to fully funding Opening Doors Rhode Island: The State’s Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.  Soon, the Governor-elect will be presenting their first budget.  Ask her to include the resources we need to implement the Plan and end homelessness in Rhode Island!

 

Endorse Zero: 2016 here.

Now, will you challenge 5 others to join you in endorsing the campaign? Help us reach our goal of 2,016 endorsers!  Send this link or share it on social media: bit.ly/EndorseZ16

And ask Governor-elect Raimondo to fund the vouchers and services needed to reach our goal by signing this petition: https://www.change.org/p/gina-raimondo-governor-elect-raimondo-keep-your-promise-to-end-homelessness-in-your-first-budget


FURTHERMORE…

Contact your state legislators and let them know that these issues are important to you! Click here to find out your legislator's contact information.

https://sos.ri.gov/vic/?utm_source=House+budget+blast&utm_campaign=House+budget&utm_medium=email

Nicole showed up, that was way it was Sunday morning.

At 6 AM Sunday morning, Nicole showed up in an SUV crammed full of warm clothing.  Boy, did she ever! There was barely room for the kids. These donations were for the folks that come to the Sunday Breakfast. These clothes are much needed here in Providence. They will keep people warm.

This act of kindness once again shows how one thing can lead to another. And it  illustrates how we all can make a difference if we decide to do something. Most of the people who come to this meal are living on the edge. Nicole saw the need from my postings on Face Book and she spread the word in her neighborhood. Together with daughters Keegan and Addi, Nicole gathered a enormous amount of clothing from generous neighbors. Although one might never know it from way down here in South County, these donations are much needed in the city, and greatly appreciated by all who take them. 

Look at these photos from yesterday. These are pictures of people helping people in need. Thank you so much, Nicole and daughters for your efforts here. And thanks also for putting on aprons and serving the morning meal. You have truly made a difference.

Click on the thumbnail to see the big picture. And please share this post on your page. Spread the word… 

 

Below is my letter to a friend who asked me how she could help.

"Dear Nicole, 

Thank you for your email, and for your desire to help!  Yes, this is the Mathewson Street United Methodist Church in Providence where Kathy and I volunteer every Sunday at 7 AM.

Some background: The Sunday Friendship Breakfast depends heavily on donations, money, grants, food donations, and volunteers. I don't know the whole story but I believe this idea came from two men who thought they could make a difference, Pastor Jack Jones, and Mr. Scott Budnick. Three years ago they saw the need and decided to do something. From this beginning, The Breakfast has grown. The church now feeds around 800 folks monthly that are "on the edge” and also facilitates many other good works. It just shows what one can do if you put your mind to it. 

I use "on the edge" as an encompassing term that includes many people who are homeless, many who are hungry, many who are poor, out of a job, or out of luck, some who are victims of domestic violence, some substance abusers, and a percentage that are mentally challenged or ill. They are a reflection of people everywhere. I call them "The Invisibles" because they are easy to overlook from where I live.

I have been making portraits of these folks for about 2 months. I give them prints and they usually like them. Pastor Jones has said "This is an affirmation" (of their humanity, that they matter). Yes, it is.

Unfortunately these people don't have much of a voice at the state house. However, there are advocates who speak for them. In fact, there will be a vigil at the statehouse tomorrow. The RI Interfaith Coalition To Reduce Poverty is holding their "Vigil, 2015" at 3 PM. Come if you can. It's free.

Kathy and I will gratefully accept any help you can give collecting clothing or food for the needy. I'll gladly transport whatever you can have to the church.  As far as volunteering at the breakfast, you should contact Mr. Budnick about that. His email is scottbudnick@gmail.com,

Below are some of my portraits. I've always been pretty good getting people to smile, even if they might not feel like it.

Jan"


Giving, the way it is down on Indian Lake.

The bags of clothes filled the back of the SUV. It was gratifying to see this huge pile of donations from just the one email I sent around. Many of my neighbors here on the lake, the Indian Lake Shores Fire District, responded to my request for warm clothes. 

At 7 AM on Sunday morning, we brought the clothing to a big yellow room in the Mathewson Street United Methodist Church where the Sunday Friendship Breakfast is held. (For your information, the SFB is a hearty meal served to from 200 to 300 hungry folks every Sunday morning by an army of volunteers.You can see pictures at the breakfast in earlier posts.) 

As we began sorting through the items and hanging winter coats, a line of men and women formed at the door, hoping to find anything that would help protect against the cold. These pictures tell the story. Most of the clothing was gone before the breakfast even began, and we heard many expressions of appreciation. Perhaps more than you and I, these folks know that winter is coming. 

Kathy and I thank you generous neighbors for these donations! And if anyone else has any winter clothing that is just taking up room in the closet, or doesn’t fit anymore, please stuff it in a bag and drop at my garage door. Hats, coats, socks, thermal underwear, etc. We will see that your donations go to folks who really can use them.

Click to enlarge the photos.