Saturday, December 27, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Bethlehem and housing
About that young couple.
Can you imagine?
I know with certainty that the experience had nothing in common with our typical, pristine images of bucolic sweetness and peace!
Joseph, the one who heard from angels, even Gabriel, did his best, but he found no housing for his young bride and their soon-to-arrive son.
He settled for a stable stall and made the best of it. Really not so different from trying to begin a family under the I-45 bridge here in Dallas.
An experience like many of my friends live through every night.
Just such a homeless world greeted the baby Jesus.
However, some don't make it through the night.
A few nights ago here in the city, an evil person murdered a woman who tried to live in this manger-like environment. Possibly motivated by some deep mental illness--produced by the street or arising from something equally terrible before the street, who knows?--her killer found it easy to take advantage of the wide open vulnerability of life lived without housing.
Not much protection available when you have no place to call home.
My friend died a horrible death.
Why?
Like that young couple so long ago, she had no housing--there was "no room in the inn" for her.
As I reflect on the concept and reality of Bethlehem, I realize how important housing is to safety and life. Housing is a human right, not some option provided by charitable hearts.
I also realize where God lines up on all aspects of this reality. The Jesus story reveals that God encountered life as we know it, and God began at the very bottom.
Where else is there for us to begin?
Christmas thoughts.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Understanding the mission and meaning of this child
Mary’s Song of Praise on the meaning and mission of the gift of God
(The Gospel According to St. Luke 1)
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Praying a blessed Christmas for you and yours, as well as a faith in keeping with the meaning and mission of this amazing child!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Fundamentals
Never
Too Late
It is no use to say that we are born two
thousand years too late to give room to Christ. Nor will those who live at the
end of the world have been born too late. Christ is always with us, always
asking for room in our hearts. But now it is with the voice of our
contemporaries that he speaks, with the eyes of store clerks, factory workers
and children that he gazes; with the hands of office workers, slum dwellers and
suburban housewives that he gives. It is with the feet of soldiers and tramps
that he walks, and with the heart of anyone in need that he longs for shelter.
And giving shelter or food to anyone who asks for it, or needs it, is giving it
to Christ.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Christmas 2014
See for yourself.
Take 30 minutes and read Matthew 1:1-2:23 and Luke 1:1-2:40. I think you'll get my point quickly.
For the beginning of the story of possibly the most famous, well-known birth in history, the account we're provided by Matthew and Luke is, well. . .it's a real mess!
For certain, these events shove up against an extremely "thin place" in the wall that separates human reality from the "other side," from the eternal.
There are rank sinners in the pedigree of this child, Jesus.
There are surprising happenings. I mean, really surprising.
Consider.
An unwed teenage girl, now pregnant, but still a virgin, told by an angel that her child is the doing of God via the Holy Spirit.
A young man, pledged to the young woman, crushed by the news of her pregnancy, naturally. But, he too, reassured by an angel and by an angel's dreams that the entire turn of events is God's work and workings.
In fact, angels are everywhere in this story, as are the dreams they inspire.
And, it's an extended family deal with an old couple, related to the young, soon-to-be mother, now told again by an angel that they will have a child in their old age! The old man, who reasonably doubts this message, is struck speechless (by the head angel) until the child, John, arrives.
There are shepherds--labor union types, working men--looked down upon by most respectable people--whose days turn out uniformly tough, low wage affairs, now caught up in the atmospherics of absolute change and revolution of some sort.
Then, the young mother of Jesus, sings a song of radical liberation that cuts in ways that mean to alter economics and politics as she envisions the work of her boy. Her song is that of a poor woman who's read the Hebrew prophets with knowing recognition of experiences of oppression.
Even rich kings get in on the act and out fox an evil king who wants the virgin born boy dead. They return home at the behest of another angel while the young couple end up in Bethlehem, homeless and making do with a barnyard stable for a birthing room. After offering the sacrifice reserved for the poor (you see, these parents could be expected to show up at our food pantry today) to consecrate the infant, they go into exile in Egypt to escape the genocide perpetrated by mad King Herod.
This little family knew toxic stress and embraced faith to get through.
The little family became immigrants, refugees, strangers in a foreign land.
There is nothing about this narrative that is normal, ordinary or rational.
But then, that is its power.
Humanity stews in mess after mess of its own making.
God shows up with a light show only those open to revolution can comprehend!
Hang on, angels, kings, laborers, young folks, old folks, prophets and dreamers--God shows up again to shake the foundations for the healing, the repair of this world.
God calls us only to believe, one more time.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Low pressure freedom to heal. . .
[Recently, I received the message below from Lisa Ciminelli, our leader in providing neighbor support services to all of the folks living in CitySquare housing. We've made a commitment to pursue a genuine "Housing First" methodology with our residents. This means that a person's personal challenges and "issues" don't automatically result in their being ejected from the housing we manage, if and when mistakes and missteps are made. We regard housing as a therapeutic tool in the hands of our team. Housing often is essential in bringing healing and wholeness to formerly homeless men and women. Lisa's note spotlights the differentiation of the CitySquare approach. When we say that we are here to work with people, no matter what their challenges, we mean it.]
Assistant Vice President of Neighbor Support Services
CitySquare
1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd., Building #101
Dallas, Texas 75226
(469) 904-7027
lciminelli@citysquare.org
Gentlemen,
I was listening to Valerie talk about a neighbor just now.
Apparently he was in another housing program before CitySquare and he got kicked
out for “behavioral” issues ( alcoholic) . We took him in and he was
unsteady with us for quite a while.
Now he is sober and brought everyone handmade art work that
says “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”
Valerie asked him why he thought he was so successful and he
said, “Because you guys are not on me all the time. My last case manager at __________ was always
waiting for me to mess up. It was like they expected me to fail.”
We have 3 other neighbors that I know of, in our housing
program right now, Eddie [a really challenging gentleman!] being one, that were terminated from other “Housing
First” programs and are now successful with us.
I love this stuff!
Thank you,
Lisa Ciminelli, LCSW-SAssistant Vice President of Neighbor Support Services
CitySquare
1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd., Building #101
Dallas, Texas 75226
(469) 904-7027
lciminelli@citysquare.org
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Good old St. Nick!
Two of my grandsons made The Dallas Morning News on Thursday while sitting on Santa's lap.
I love Owen's eyes as he hears what Henry is telling Santa!
Boy, do I love Christmas!
I love Owen's eyes as he hears what Henry is telling Santa!
Boy, do I love Christmas!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Volunteers who love. . .
Below I've shared a message that a volunteer organizer sent to his team after a Christmas meal served at CityWalk, our Downtown Dallas housing community. The sentiment was so simple, sweet and significant that I had to pass it along. Be blessed this Christmas!
All,
Thank you so much for your help last night with the
Christmas Event for the residents at CitySquare. This was our third
year to participate and by far the best event yet.
This morning early I was reading some material regarding
love. There was a paragraph in the material that started with
this: “The best way to feel love is to give love." I
felt like we showed some of our Dallas community that we care about them and
that we love them. If only one person felt that we cared and loved
them last night, then the whole effort was a huge success. From my
standpoint however, I think that many folks felt happy and
loved last night as a result of the kindnesses you showed them. For
me, the Christmas season began last night. I am so glad to have
had the opportunity to share something this special with all of
you.
I am already thinking about the 2015 event and look forward
to working with you again next year.
Thank you all again. I hope you have a
very safe and happy Christmas season.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Routine investment without extra cost!
Hello All!
There are routine ways to give
back to CitySquare without opening your wallet.
Please take a couple of minutes to register
CitySquare as the beneficiary of money you are already spending on groceries
and Amazon!
1. Kroger:
To register your Kroger rewards card, click here. All you have to
do is click “enroll” and type in CitySquare. That’s it!
2. Tom
Thumb: Register
your Tom Thumb rewards card here. Make sure you enter CitySquare’s charity
number—it's 1247. Tom Thumb will give a portion of your purchase back to
CitySquare!
3. AmazonSmile:
When you shop on Amazon through AmazonSmile, it donates a percentage of your
purchase back to us! Click here and
select CitySquare as your charity of choice.
It’s that easy!
Feel free to
forward this email on to your family and friends and encourage them to do the
same. It’s a simple way to support CitySquare!
Thank you for all that you do
for CitySquare.
Jill Williams
Director of Development
CitySquare
511 N Akard Street Ste 302
Dallas, TX 75201
Director of Development
CitySquare
511 N Akard Street Ste 302
Dallas, TX 75201
D:
214.303.2138
P:
214.823.8710
F:
214.824.5355
True Mystics
I have come to believe
that the true mystics are not those who contemplate holiness in isolation,
reaching godlike illumination in serene silence, but those who manage to find
God in a life filled with noise, the demands of other people and relentless
daily duties that can consume the self…. If they are wise, they treasure the
rare moments of solitude and silence that come their way, and use them not to
escape, to distract themselves with television and the like. Instead, they
listen for a sign of God’s presence and they open their hearts toward prayer.
|
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Reduced
two beggars
befriend me
for twenty
bucks apiece
every week.
telling stories
give cause
and rationale
for lies
that pay.
witness creativity,
both bring
me joy
and laughter,
friendship stuff.
one man
one woman
both smiling
love me,
use me.
others advise
stop funding
continued failure
for friends
I love.
how different
are "respectable"
friends who
do the
same things?
mercy, Lord
dear Lord
open me
to life,
their life.
for twenty
bucks apiece
every week.
telling stories
give cause
and rationale
for lies
that pay.
witness creativity,
both bring
me joy
and laughter,
friendship stuff.
one man
one woman
both smiling
love me,
use me.
others advise
stop funding
continued failure
for friends
I love.
how different
are "respectable"
friends who
do the
same things?
mercy, Lord
dear Lord
open me
to life,
their life.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Loss
Death stalks my homeless neighbors.
Life on the street can be terribly unforgiving.
The elements, poor diet, unattended medical threats, and toxic stress combine to injure and often permanently damage, not only the spirits, but the physical bodies of important men and women.
Even when housing is secured, the affects of a previous life "out side" linger and often catch up to a person. As a result, we lose a number of our friends every year simply because their past, deep wounds couldn't be overcome. Dying with dignity at home provides small solace every time a friend slips away.
We count on losing people to the point that we have an annual memorial service for those who have slipped away from us.
Most horrid is self-inflected departure from this world.
We lost a young man to suicide a couple of weeks ago.
He seemed to be doing well.
He had been in housing with us for about a year. He was a model tenant. He had found a job at a local hospital. He was working, and seemed to be ready to thrive.
Then, came a shift change--what to most would be a small distraction calling for modest adjustments.
Somehow though, for this friend, this disruption or maybe something else threw him off course.
His pain mounted and broke him.
He took his own life.
The community erupted with grief, despair and deep sorrow. We won't soon get over this loss.
We live in a mystery.
If you pray, pray for us and for all who loved him.
Loss is real, very real.
Life on the street can be terribly unforgiving.
The elements, poor diet, unattended medical threats, and toxic stress combine to injure and often permanently damage, not only the spirits, but the physical bodies of important men and women.
Even when housing is secured, the affects of a previous life "out side" linger and often catch up to a person. As a result, we lose a number of our friends every year simply because their past, deep wounds couldn't be overcome. Dying with dignity at home provides small solace every time a friend slips away.
We count on losing people to the point that we have an annual memorial service for those who have slipped away from us.
Most horrid is self-inflected departure from this world.
We lost a young man to suicide a couple of weeks ago.
He seemed to be doing well.
He had been in housing with us for about a year. He was a model tenant. He had found a job at a local hospital. He was working, and seemed to be ready to thrive.
Then, came a shift change--what to most would be a small distraction calling for modest adjustments.
Somehow though, for this friend, this disruption or maybe something else threw him off course.
His pain mounted and broke him.
He took his own life.
The community erupted with grief, despair and deep sorrow. We won't soon get over this loss.
We live in a mystery.
If you pray, pray for us and for all who loved him.
Loss is real, very real.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Heart of Dallas Bowl 2014
Again this year, CitySquare feels grateful to be in a partnership with ESPN and the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl!
The game will be played at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium at noon, on Friday, December 26. CitySquare is one of the beneficiaries of the game that pits the University of Illinois Fighting Illini against the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech.
Interested in tickets?
Just let me know at ljames@CitySquare.org.
Monday, December 08, 2014
"Alone" people
After awhile you develop a 6th sense that I call "recognition of reality." For me it kicks in big time when I'm in an observant role and alone myself.
It happened for me most recently on Sunday as I drove to my favorite breakfast joint by myself.
I saw three people.
The first was an old woman. She made her way up the broken sidewalk on a walker. Hers was not an easy trek. She carried a bag or two of what looked like groceries. The bags, though necessary, made her journey even more difficult. As I watched her, I knew she was alone, I mean all alone. I have no idea her destination, but I do know (much more than suspect) that the end of her journey last Sunday morning would be an alone place.
Then, there was a homeless man on a bicycle. Don't ask me how I knew he was homeless, but he was. All his possessions seemed lashed to the bike, except for the backpack that he wore. As I watched him navigate the same sidewalk as the woman, I knew again that his destination would involve a different sort of aloneness. There would be others present, under a bridge or in a shelter, but still he would end this day all alone.
Finally, on that same stretch of sidewalk another man without a place to call home and on foot. He stepped off the sidewalk to make way for the chap on the bike. Some small talk exchanged between the two created something just short of a smile. This final man, loaded down himself, presented a deep sort of almost palpable sadness to me, though he had no idea I was observing.
Three people alone, in a deep loneliness.
As I ate my hot breakfast at my favorite hole-in-the-wall café, I wondered why I hadn't invited them all to share a table with me.
"Alone" can be a nice place to visit, but it seems to me a terrible place to live.
It happened for me most recently on Sunday as I drove to my favorite breakfast joint by myself.
I saw three people.
The first was an old woman. She made her way up the broken sidewalk on a walker. Hers was not an easy trek. She carried a bag or two of what looked like groceries. The bags, though necessary, made her journey even more difficult. As I watched her, I knew she was alone, I mean all alone. I have no idea her destination, but I do know (much more than suspect) that the end of her journey last Sunday morning would be an alone place.
Finally, on that same stretch of sidewalk another man without a place to call home and on foot. He stepped off the sidewalk to make way for the chap on the bike. Some small talk exchanged between the two created something just short of a smile. This final man, loaded down himself, presented a deep sort of almost palpable sadness to me, though he had no idea I was observing.
Three people alone, in a deep loneliness.
As I ate my hot breakfast at my favorite hole-in-the-wall café, I wondered why I hadn't invited them all to share a table with me.
"Alone" can be a nice place to visit, but it seems to me a terrible place to live.
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Podcast with Norsworthy. . .
Enjoyed my conversation with Luke Norsworthy today! I grew up with his dad, Larry. You can listen to it here.
Newsworthy with Norsworthy Podcast
Newsworthy with Norsworthy Podcast
Larry James
Larry James, CEO and President of CitySquare joins the show to talk about The Wealth of the Poor, Ferguson, the importance of relationships across racial lines, personal responsibility verses systemic change, how people can get involved in the life of the poor.
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
CitySquare employment trainees experience work on The Cottages
Recently, CitySquare's Build 4 Success construction trades training program participants worked on site at The Cottages at Hickory Crossing. It was a great experience for our students, and it is great to see these 50 new homes coming out of the ground at last!
When you support CitySquare, you lift neighbors to a higher place!
When you support CitySquare, you lift neighbors to a higher place!
Monday, December 01, 2014
Ferguson, MO
How do we think about Ferguson, MO?
Lots of opinions have been expressed, many leading in the direction of further, national polarization at a time when we need just the opposite.
I haven't read the 3,000 pages of grand jury transcription. I haven't heard all of "the facts of the case," not to equate the recorded proceedings with "fact."
Here's what I think I know about Ferguson, MO, and what I suspect may be in the background of considerations of recent horrific events there.
People of color in the small St. Louis suburb are vastly under-represented in public institutions such as government, school district and law enforcement.
People of color in Ferguson receive a disproportionate level of attention and ticketing from law enforcement officers who evidently play a large, some would say undue, role in raising operating capital for the city through writing citations. As a result, frustration with the police has been a long-standing fact of life in the small town.
The Ferguson tragedy that involved the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager, is not unique in our nation. The fact that nationally young black men are shot by police officers 21 times the rate of young white men doesn't help the community atmosphere. Just here I could list a number of names in the news recently whose encounters with law enforcement officials needed in horror and loss.
For years African American parents have coached their children, especially their sons, about how to react to police attention or encounters. During the time I was a member of the Central Dallas Church, I had numerous discussions about this necessary "talk" that occurred again and again among our young men and their parents and peers.
People who wield power have a responsibility to approach conflict with a mindset and attitude of de-escalation and "win-win," rather than "win-lose." Controlling conflict accompanied by super-charged emotions requires special skills, servant leadership, expertise and great heart. Developing these special skills requires training and re-training as a part of a normal law enforcement regimen.
Community policing is all about establishing meaningful relationships with and in neighborhoods that move beyond heavy-handed confrontation. Again, this approach to law enforcement calls for special training and special law officers. Community policing by definition builds relationships, depends on residents to support police work and instills confidence, not fear in the lives of those being served.
Looting, burning, vandalizing and violence are never acceptable responses to the failure or the injustice of public policy or institutions. The rule of law is central to the stability and health of our communities and our nation. Non-violent actions of dissent are vital to a movement for change, but not violence that so often destroys neighborhoods and businesses already oppressed by social factors so evident in this case.
The vast majority of Ferguson residents involved in protests conducted themselves peacefully, with strength, dignity and determination. Such organized, community responses stand in the best, rich tradition of the American Civil Rights Movement, and should be encouraged and defended.
Poverty, a deep poverty, disproportionately affects African Americans in this small town. Consider these facts:
- 21% of Ferguson residents live in poverty
- Almost 7% live below 50% of the federal poverty level
- 30% of males between 12-14 years old live in poverty
- Almost 40% of males 15 years old live in poverty
- 30% of males 16-17 years old live in poverty
- Almost 35% of children under 5 years old live in poverty
- 26% of all youth live in poverty
- Under 600 white residents live in poverty
- Over 2,400 black residents live in poverty
- African Americans represent 67% of Ferguson residents
- Ferguson Police Department employs 53 officers, only 3 are African American
As friends and neighbors, we need to work for a better life together here in Dallas.
We need more friendships.
And, we need to talk.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Never forget
My office contains the display of several Native American artifacts.
Often people ask me "Why the Native American material?"
Natural question, I suppose, since not many people think much about the subject or the people to whom we owe so much.
The ongoing discussion about sports mascots, especially in professional sports and particularly in the NFL with the Washington franchise, offers a reminder and the space to at least acknowledge the issues surrounding native peoples who were dispossessed, largely by my ancestors.
I collect and display the Native American items as a reminder to everyone that oppression, injustice, fear, hatred, racism and notions of ethnic superiority run through our national narrative from start to present.
A people with our history should practice humility and exercise sensitivity far beyond what comes natural for most of us.
The New York Times published an editorial today by Yale professor, Ned Blackhawk ("Remember the Sand Creek Massacre") that brings much more focus and seriousness to the tragic story of Native Americans and the invasion of their homelands.
Here's how Blackhawk begins:
Remember the Sand Creek Massacre
By NED BLACKHAWK
NOV. 27, 2014 NEW HAVEN
MANY people think of the Civil War and America’s Indian wars as distinct subjects, one following the other. But those who study the Sand Creek Massacre know different. On Nov. 29, 1864, as Union armies fought through Virginia and Georgia, Col. John Chivington led some 700 cavalry troops in an unprovoked attack on peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho villagers at Sand Creek in Colorado. They murdered nearly 200 women, children and older men.
Read the entire essay here.
Often people ask me "Why the Native American material?"
Natural question, I suppose, since not many people think much about the subject or the people to whom we owe so much.
The ongoing discussion about sports mascots, especially in professional sports and particularly in the NFL with the Washington franchise, offers a reminder and the space to at least acknowledge the issues surrounding native peoples who were dispossessed, largely by my ancestors.
I collect and display the Native American items as a reminder to everyone that oppression, injustice, fear, hatred, racism and notions of ethnic superiority run through our national narrative from start to present.
A people with our history should practice humility and exercise sensitivity far beyond what comes natural for most of us.
The New York Times published an editorial today by Yale professor, Ned Blackhawk ("Remember the Sand Creek Massacre") that brings much more focus and seriousness to the tragic story of Native Americans and the invasion of their homelands.
Here's how Blackhawk begins:
Remember the Sand Creek Massacre
By NED BLACKHAWK
NOV. 27, 2014 NEW HAVEN
MANY people think of the Civil War and America’s Indian wars as distinct subjects, one following the other. But those who study the Sand Creek Massacre know different. On Nov. 29, 1864, as Union armies fought through Virginia and Georgia, Col. John Chivington led some 700 cavalry troops in an unprovoked attack on peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho villagers at Sand Creek in Colorado. They murdered nearly 200 women, children and older men.
Read the entire essay here.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Hey, it just works!
Rough sleeping
One home at a time
How to cut the number of street dwellers—and save money, too
HANDING a homeless alcoholic the keys to a free furnished flat may seem foolish, unfair or both.
[You must read on!]
Monday, November 24, 2014
Jobs: Bad news for Dallas County
The opening felt familiar, but made my stomach hurt. The report came from the City of Dallas' Office of Economic Development:
"Dallas is a top 10 city for affluent residents, says a new study. Overall wealth went up 23.8% between 2012 and 2013."
Been here before--most of the year digging into the facts of life in Dallas as a part of my assignment with the Mayor's Task Force on Poverty. This sort of data is exactly what got our Mayor engaged, concerned and determined to work on the amazing challenges at the other end of our community's economic continuum.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Dallas was "leading in the growth of high-net-worth individuals and wealth."
But, if you move away from the top and focus on jobs and wages for Dallas County, things don't seem so encouraging. As a metropolitan statistical area, Dallas is the fourth largest in the nation. Dallas County is part of this 13-county region, and is the largest of the counties. Our region grew by 1.2 million people between 2000 and 2010.
At the same time, Dallas County lost 215,230 jobs. The article points out a shocking truth: to lose that many jobs makes Dallas County almost a Detroit-type economic environment.
During the same timeframe, surrounding counties posted big jobs gains: Parker (+72%), Rockwall (78%), Denton (59%), Collin (51%).
Wages in Dallas County rose by just a shade above 2%, or 9th from last among U. S. "urbanized counties."
Get this: on jobs and wages, Dallas County is the 3rd worst performing county in the nation.
Any idea which U. S. county is the worst performing on jobs and wages?
Right!
Wayne County, Michigan, home of Detroit.
Dallas, we have a problem.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
One Voice
[What follows is an email message I received after the publication of my Op-Ed essay in The Dallas Morning News on last Monday. I found it very helpful, as well as inspirational in its own very unique and personal way.]
I just read your article on Facebook concerning the homeless
and the mentally ill. . . .I live
on the poverty level and am mentally ill. I have Bipolar Disorder with
Mania and Depression. I was a school teacher for 20 years in Lancaster,
DeSoto and then Dallas ISD. Because teaching 6, 7 and 8th graders are so
challenging and dealing with the Standardized test, my PA suggested I retire on
disability. I did. I then worked in retail for 7 years in a
declining market. 3 of the 5 stores I worked for closed their
doors. I haven't worked in 4 years. However, I do have a
interview with Nordstrom on Wednesday and maybe I can start getting back on my
feet again. I lost my car due to an accident and now take the bus.
It is going to be very challenging to take the bus, especially late into the
night. However, I am going to try my hardest to accomplish this
goal. With my little Teacher Retirement, I bring home $1,200 a month. I
cannot live on this. I have to work. I eat so many sandwiches and crackers it
is not even funny. I also take 6 medications to relieve my Bipolar
Disorder and Anxiety. Because I am not on Medicare or Medicaid, I make
these co-pays myself.
What has strengthened me more through all of this is my everlasting
relationship I have found with God. I no longer worry about my future
like I use to, but it is very difficult and unnerving to say the least. I find
myself on the streets riding the bus talking to all kinds of homeless
people. Most of them have a mental illness, most are very bright, and
have at one time been successful. I too, could follow in this footstep of
not having a roof over my head. The rent, water, electricity keep going
up and my check stays the same.
It is very difficult to maintain any sense of normalcy due
to my illness. What I have found, is through my experience, I am able to
filter a lot of the mental illness kind of like a schizophrenic not listening
to voices.
I think there is so much more American's can do to help the homeless.
I was very proud to have read your article tonight. Right now I am not
able to help the homeless or mentally ill, however, in my prayers tonight,
I will pray that I may be able to help in the future.
Thank you so much for your article that softens my heart
concerning the homeless and mentally ill. I may not be able to put my
heater on as high as I would like, but right now I do have a roof over my
head. Thank you again for such a touching article.
Sincerely,
JS
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Medicaid and groceries
According to a new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Urban Institute, Texas stands to lose $100 billion over the next decade if it sticks to Governor Perry's promise not to expand Medicaid with federal funds made available to the state. Expanding Medicaid would cost the state something under $6 million, a comparatively meagre investment.
Refusing the expansion makes no sense whatsoever in economic terms.
All the talk about Medicaid got me to thinking. Expanding the low-income health insurance product in Texas faces another fundamental challenge: even if expanded, there aren't nearly enough doctors in the state who will accept Medicaid patients due to the low reimbursement rates defined by the program, among other reservations associated with treating the very poor.
Given the stalemate, I'm wondering if Medicaid expansion funds could be used for other efforts to improve community health outcomes among the poor and marginalized? Already, some states are using these funds to invest in decent, affordable housing for the homeless. Housing has been identified as a determinant of health, and therefore worthy of use of these funds. Reports on this innovative approach have been written by our friends at the Corporation for Supportive Housing (www.csh.org).
Today, I'm imagining using Medicaid funds to incentivize grocery stores to move into low-income, marginalized communities. Why couldn't Medicaid funding be used to wipe out "food deserts" so prevalent in our inner cities in this nation?
I haven't figured out the business model yet, but it would include several factors.
Just thinking out loud while billions of Texas funds remain on the shelf in D. C.!
Refusing the expansion makes no sense whatsoever in economic terms.
All the talk about Medicaid got me to thinking. Expanding the low-income health insurance product in Texas faces another fundamental challenge: even if expanded, there aren't nearly enough doctors in the state who will accept Medicaid patients due to the low reimbursement rates defined by the program, among other reservations associated with treating the very poor.
Given the stalemate, I'm wondering if Medicaid expansion funds could be used for other efforts to improve community health outcomes among the poor and marginalized? Already, some states are using these funds to invest in decent, affordable housing for the homeless. Housing has been identified as a determinant of health, and therefore worthy of use of these funds. Reports on this innovative approach have been written by our friends at the Corporation for Supportive Housing (www.csh.org).
Today, I'm imagining using Medicaid funds to incentivize grocery stores to move into low-income, marginalized communities. Why couldn't Medicaid funding be used to wipe out "food deserts" so prevalent in our inner cities in this nation?
I haven't figured out the business model yet, but it would include several factors.
- Advance funds to grocery store chains for development of the stores
- On-going reimbursement or "value added" supplemental income, if needed, that could be indexed to the pounds of produce sold in the stores.
- Company marketing would produce ad campaigns for fresh foods to drive these on-going income supplements.
Just thinking out loud while billions of Texas funds remain on the shelf in D. C.!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Good jobs. . .in the middle
CitySquare WorkPaths has plans to move toward mid-skill development and living wage jobs. Watch the following report and then share your reactions.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Strong backs, unbroken spirits
[A slightly edited version of the following post appeared in yesterday's edition of The Dallas Morning News.]
Homeless people are human beings.
Homeless people are human beings.
As such, they must find restroom facilities. They must satisfy their hunger. They must identify places where they can sit
and rest periodically. And, just like
me, they need at least a modest amount of capital to survive, even if hand to
mouth.
Most of my friends, who experience life today without a
place to call home, face tough odds when it comes to landing a job. Earning money is a huge challenge when your
home base is an emergency, night shelter or worse, the hard, mean streets. The countless day-to-day details and
challenges of poverty this deep exhaust my capacity to comprehend.
Like all human beings homeless people make mistakes. By comparison, the mistakes I make seem to be
much more forgiving than the missteps of a person so poor that they have no
place to call home. The social safety net
beneath my feet is so strong and woven so tightly that my missteps don’t affect
me for very long. Such is not the case
with my very poor friends who need a place to live.
Recently, during a Dallas City Council Quality of Life
Committee meeting, we heard harsh words about some of our weakest neighbors
from more than one elected official.
Frustration over “panhandlers” escalated to the extreme counsel that the
city needed to get tough on people who beg for money on our streets. “Break their backs break their spirit —
that’s the only way we’re going to win this battle,” one city council member
demanded of police. Referencing the negative impact the presence of beggars had
on business interests in his district and extremely frustrated, this otherwise,
sensible, measured member of city leadership erupted in anger.
Homelessness frustrates everyone who knows anything about,
including and most especially those who live in its terrible grip.
I would suggest that the person I meet on the street who
begs for pocket change or a meal already has had his/her spirit broken at least
to some extent. I also know that the
remedy to the frustrating reality of people begging on our streets will not be
found by throwing folks in jail.
So, what can we do?
First, we need aggressive, stepped up outreach to
chronically homeless persons who live on our streets. The goal would be to assess vulnerability and
to secure every available benefit for this segment of our community, including
disability income, health care, SNAP (food stamps), shelter and ultimately
permanent supportive housing. This will
require political will, an increase in public funding, and additional case
workers from the public and non-profit sectors who willingly work together to
deliver relief and hope. The return on such
investment for everyone would be substantial.
Second, we must realize that our jails can no longer be
allowed to serve as the public mental health system for the poorest people among
us. Adequate funding for our mental health system would dramatically improve
the “quality of life” all of us experience on our streets. We’re paying today for three decades of
under-investment in these vital services.
Third, we must develop hundreds of additional units of
permanent supportive housing for those who live in shelters and/or on the
streets of our city. No matter how
effectively we may intervene in the lives of people so poor that they are
forced to beg on our streets, without real housing we will not achieve the
outcomes we all desire.
Homelessness frustrates everyone who knows anything about
it. Business owners and merchants, law
enforcement personnel, homeowners in crossroads neighborhoods, drivers stopped
at traffic lights at busy, urban intersections, couples out for an evening
downtown—all share concern and some aggravation at the presence of homeless
persons who beg for assistance. However,
none are more frustrated than those who know homelessness as a personal,
defining experience and reality.
Rather than breaking human backs and human spirits, the
better approach would involve us in straightening and strengthening backs and
restoring spirits as a community distinguished by its radical care for all of
its members.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Poverty
Cryin' baby
Cold, damp floor
Empty fridge
Broke down car
Piled up bills
Howlin' heater
Late for work
Prayin' long
Demanding boss
Same old soup
Confusing homework
Outgrown school clothes
Losing sleep
Stale bread
Hearing gunshots
Son's got attitude
Family strung out
Friends need help
Fast food treat
Man in jail
Kids need dad
Broken sidewalk
Shattered windows
Cops don't come
Judged by zip code
Church so cold
No green grass
Broken glass
Wild dogs
Doctor helps
Can't fill script
Stressed out
Loud, loud world
Bus transfer
Invisible life
Streets seem near
Options sad
Baby cryin'.
Cold, damp floor
Empty fridge
Broke down car
Piled up bills
Howlin' heater
Late for work
Prayin' long
Demanding boss
Same old soup
Confusing homework
Outgrown school clothes
Losing sleep
Stale bread
Hearing gunshots
Son's got attitude
Family strung out
Friends need help
Fast food treat
Man in jail
Kids need dad
Broken sidewalk
Shattered windows
Cops don't come
Judged by zip code
Church so cold
No green grass
Broken glass
Wild dogs
Doctor helps
Can't fill script
Stressed out
Loud, loud world
Bus transfer
Invisible life
Streets seem near
Options sad
Baby cryin'.
Friday, November 14, 2014
More in news about the Opportunity Center
From Dallas Morning News:
CitySquare opening a new center for East and South Dallas
By ROBERT MILLER / Staff Writer
When CitySquare calls its new facility an opportunity center, it’s not kidding.
The CitySquare Opportunity Center will offer low-income residents of Fair Park, South Dallas and East Dallas job training, food distribution, a wellness center and a community cafe. AmeriCorps, Work Force Solutions of Greater Dallas, LIFT, Per Scholas and CitySquare’s WorkPaths will have offices there. CitySquare raised $15 million to build the 52,000-square-foot facility, which is easily accessed by DART.
“We found neighbors offer the most valuable opinions about our work,” said Larry James, president and CEO of CitySquare. “Over and over, I have heard that just trying to get from place to place in search of help is an insurmountable problem. The Opportunity Center will place key services and economic opportunities in one central location to allow us to serve more of our neighbors, many of whom become some of our very best employees and volunteers.”
Read entire report here.
CitySquare opening a new center for East and South Dallas
By ROBERT MILLER / Staff Writer
When CitySquare calls its new facility an opportunity center, it’s not kidding.
The CitySquare Opportunity Center will offer low-income residents of Fair Park, South Dallas and East Dallas job training, food distribution, a wellness center and a community cafe. AmeriCorps, Work Force Solutions of Greater Dallas, LIFT, Per Scholas and CitySquare’s WorkPaths will have offices there. CitySquare raised $15 million to build the 52,000-square-foot facility, which is easily accessed by DART.
“We found neighbors offer the most valuable opinions about our work,” said Larry James, president and CEO of CitySquare. “Over and over, I have heard that just trying to get from place to place in search of help is an insurmountable problem. The Opportunity Center will place key services and economic opportunities in one central location to allow us to serve more of our neighbors, many of whom become some of our very best employees and volunteers.”
Read entire report here.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Building stuff
Building stuff is hard.
We've been through the process several times now. It never gets easier.
Thursday we are set to open our new Opportunity Center. We really aren't ready to open, but we decided two months ago that this Thursday would be the day. Two of our three partners are operational. We need to get moved in, and we will make it. But, it's not been easy.
The project itself has been a challenge.
Thanks to so many private donors, we've been able to construct a very funky, urban cool structure at one of the major gateways to South Dallas-Fair Park. From the beginning we were committed to developing a first class community center that would gather resources and partners to deliver a collective impact on one of the poorest areas of Dallas.
When you work among "the poor," folks who possess limited material resources, you have to make peace with changes in vision even in mid-stream! I've signed off on multiple change orders, all of which seemed justifiable at the time, given the circumstances.
But who really knows?
What I do know for certain is that we care for people consigned to lives in "the surround" of poverty. In fact, it's not too much to say that we love them. They are our friends, our neighbors, people who are worth our highest and best efforts and resources. The "poor" are our very best partners and they are experts on the subject of poverty.
And, I know our new center will make a huge, transformative difference in the lives of the people who enter its doors.
That certainty makes all the uncertainty and difficulty seem very, very small indeed.
We've been through the process several times now. It never gets easier.
Thursday we are set to open our new Opportunity Center. We really aren't ready to open, but we decided two months ago that this Thursday would be the day. Two of our three partners are operational. We need to get moved in, and we will make it. But, it's not been easy.
The project itself has been a challenge.
Thanks to so many private donors, we've been able to construct a very funky, urban cool structure at one of the major gateways to South Dallas-Fair Park. From the beginning we were committed to developing a first class community center that would gather resources and partners to deliver a collective impact on one of the poorest areas of Dallas.
When you work among "the poor," folks who possess limited material resources, you have to make peace with changes in vision even in mid-stream! I've signed off on multiple change orders, all of which seemed justifiable at the time, given the circumstances.
But who really knows?
What I do know for certain is that we care for people consigned to lives in "the surround" of poverty. In fact, it's not too much to say that we love them. They are our friends, our neighbors, people who are worth our highest and best efforts and resources. The "poor" are our very best partners and they are experts on the subject of poverty.
And, I know our new center will make a huge, transformative difference in the lives of the people who enter its doors.
That certainty makes all the uncertainty and difficulty seem very, very small indeed.
Monday, November 03, 2014
Managed chaos
Earl Shorris speaks of "the surround" of life experienced by persons who live in low-income families, communities and realities (see Riches for the Poor: The Clement Course in the Humanities). In "the surround" of poverty, people scratch and struggle and fight to survive in ways that the majority of the non-poor population cannot begin to understand. In such a social and personal context, space for calm thought comes at a premium and is exceptional, if it comes at all.
People in "the surround" of poverty spend most of their energy, effort and strength managing the chaos that fills their lives.
Not long ago, I sat in a circle of a dozen men. The group was part of a workforce training program designed to train and employ under-skilled, unemployed, ex-incarcerated men. As part of the Monday morning "wake up" exercise, the leader asked each person share what kind of weekend they had enjoyed.
Going around the circle, we heard how things had been since Friday. As I listened, a couple of things struck me.
First, every man who spoke told us what they had had to eat over the weekend. Some went into great detail in describing how well or how poorly they had eaten. Clearly, this was a group of men who had known hunger and want. Their appreciation for a good meal pressed me hard, as I realized how thoughtless I am about how freely I eat and how I seldom miss a meal.
Second, a few of the men described really traumatic situations that they had been in or near over their weekend. One told of gang type fights he had observed and escaped as quickly as possible. Another man after telling us of his meal, reported that his brother had been shot and seriously wounded. He feared that his brother might be paralyzed due to the injury. After sharing this troubling news, he pivoted quickly to talk about a football game he had enjoyed watching. The juxtaposition of delight and agony and his ability to slide from one side of life to the other made me think of Shorris's notion of life in an unmanageable "surround" thrust on people by poverty.
Working among, living near and loving "the poor" calls for new wisdom that must involve a new commitment to listening carefully, speaking less and displaying an honest, unknowing humility.
People in "the surround" of poverty spend most of their energy, effort and strength managing the chaos that fills their lives.
Not long ago, I sat in a circle of a dozen men. The group was part of a workforce training program designed to train and employ under-skilled, unemployed, ex-incarcerated men. As part of the Monday morning "wake up" exercise, the leader asked each person share what kind of weekend they had enjoyed.
Going around the circle, we heard how things had been since Friday. As I listened, a couple of things struck me.
First, every man who spoke told us what they had had to eat over the weekend. Some went into great detail in describing how well or how poorly they had eaten. Clearly, this was a group of men who had known hunger and want. Their appreciation for a good meal pressed me hard, as I realized how thoughtless I am about how freely I eat and how I seldom miss a meal.
Second, a few of the men described really traumatic situations that they had been in or near over their weekend. One told of gang type fights he had observed and escaped as quickly as possible. Another man after telling us of his meal, reported that his brother had been shot and seriously wounded. He feared that his brother might be paralyzed due to the injury. After sharing this troubling news, he pivoted quickly to talk about a football game he had enjoyed watching. The juxtaposition of delight and agony and his ability to slide from one side of life to the other made me think of Shorris's notion of life in an unmanageable "surround" thrust on people by poverty.
Working among, living near and loving "the poor" calls for new wisdom that must involve a new commitment to listening carefully, speaking less and displaying an honest, unknowing humility.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
To trust "the poor"
We've wondered about this very direct approach for some time at CitySquare.
Making the transition to the domestic, U. S. poverty context would likely present some new, unique challenges.
However, I continue to believe that there is an application to be found here for a place like Dallas. I base my opinion/hunch on my high regard for "the poor" and my trust that low-income persons can do a great deal for themselves.
What do you think?
Making the transition to the domestic, U. S. poverty context would likely present some new, unique challenges.
However, I continue to believe that there is an application to be found here for a place like Dallas. I base my opinion/hunch on my high regard for "the poor" and my trust that low-income persons can do a great deal for themselves.
What do you think?
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
A message from our partners. . .
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