SpectrumTalk

A Life Line for the Most Vulnerable Members of the Community

HOPE: Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement has been in operation since May 15, 2007, providing care to forgotten citizens of Longmont who are in uninhabitable situations outside. Since opening they have created the ‘Soup Angels’ and a ‘hope mobile ‘ that carries vital resources to assist homeless people survive. They have delivered 8,531 meals, 7,601 bottles of water, provided transitional housing for forty-four people, and the best detail of all is that since 2007, no one has died of exposure.

They have contacted 420 individuals and 8,790 contacts, and are out there every day searching for the people who they view as friends. Their simple mission of mercy is changing the lives of countless individuals and families and preserving the health and well being of the entire community.

Their office number is 303 819 4584.
The outreach number is 720 210 7217
needhelp@hopeforlongmont.org
www.hopeforlongmont.org

Donations are accepted at the storage space of Restore at 455 Weaver Park Rd. Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bray Patrick-Lake is the Executive Director and founder.
Carlos Smith is the Program Assistant and Bilingual Service s.
Michele McCracken is Program Staff and the Soup Angel Coordinator.
She can be reached directly at 303 888 6560

Their latest plan is to build showers, a place for people to come in and sit at night, and a place where people can feel gentle presence of the spirit of decent, loving-kindness.

The Last Stand: a Memorial to an Unknown

He stood on the edge of the street, a scarecrow, cruelly standing with one hand barely clutching the signal crossing box
the other gnarled, grizzled index finger he extended painfully, extended to the air pointing unsteadily
as though it was too much just to stand still
His wretched frame he hopelessly held up as long as he dared
perceiving that if he let go that he collide with the freshly built curb cut
the light pole was all he had for safety from slamming his head on the pavement

He reached in vain for the grassy spot crouching and curling downward as a tendril of a fern
he crumpled to the earth with eyes stark in the realization that he no longer could support himself
His countenance gave way to innocence in the moment of truth that he was letting go of this desperate life
This grizzled, holy man was once a neighbor caring for the sick and those who frequented the recreation center.
a lifetime past from home, family and place of worship
forgotten and left
in a pose as one curled to rest and protect himself from further injury, he gave a gentle tug and gasped
in his foggy mind .
he was at ease tattered and worn assuming no one dared to trust their will searching for his.
gasped the last breath and exhaled
this last time
No one heard or stood with him as he passed from the earth. The cars blinked in the evening and the whirr of the motor of the crossing signal gave cadence to the loss oblivious to his protruding finger and to his final brush of life.

On a personal note…
As a single mother of 3 children raised in a low income family, I have experienced many of the factors that contribute to being homeless on several occasions. I have actually been homeless, in the sense of not having a place to call my own, as I had to live in my mother's basement or in a friend's living room at various times of my life due to domestic violence and not having the resources to get by. I have faced the complicated and tedious processes of obtaining governmental assistance first hand. I know that I have been one of the many fortunate to have been able to move past those obstacles, by being resourceful, and even having to lie and work the system just to get by. I have worked hard, but I have also been lucky, to have been smart enough to have received a scholarship to attend one of the best universities in the country.
I have seen many people talk about this subject, read many reports, and still, one will never truly understand what it means to be poor, to be on the verge of homelessness, to be in such despair that hope and help don't seem as if they will ever come. Despite my own situation, even I was not truly able to understand the plight of my own father who was homeless due to mental illness and has since found his way to become an advocate for this cause. Having lived in environment brimming to the top with these statistics academics talk about, it is simple to understand that it's not that people do not seek to be and do better, but often they just don't know how or have the resources to reach that level of self-sufficiency and achievement. It has taken me 12 years to finish a 4 year degree. Often people ask me why. There was even a time when I went before a judge presiding over my case of domestic violence that made fun of my plight to finish school and my inability to overcome the abusive relationship I kept going back to. There was a time when a university staff member said that perhaps I did not belong there. I cannot begin to tell you the difficulty an adult faces in having to balance financially and emotionally supporting a family, while physically doing all the work to maintain the household, and then trying to better themselves on top of it all. It is difficult, if not near impossible, to add more to one's plate of seeking to better themselves through schooling and self-betterment tasks and this is if there are no additional health issues contributing to the situation. Pursuing tasks to better one's place in life are often a luxury, and that is if one is even capable of understanding the positive impact such activity can have on one's overall success and fulfillment.
Poverty is a cycle, often forced upon those who know no other way. People who hear and see the riches and success everyone talks about, but do not believe it is within their grasp because they have no idea of how to get there. For years I was lost. Caught up in fear … afraid to stand up, afraid to be on my own, afraid to move past the life I had come to know. I kept going back because I had nowhere else to go. Yet I was blessed, because before that life, I knew of another. One where I was capable and one where there were no limits. I had been offered the opportunity to attend the best schools and when I spoke people had listened, and so, I knew there must be something special about me. Deep inside me I felt a calling and a need to complete school if not for my own sake, then for that of my children. A huge part of breaking this cycle is with the next generation, in teaching them the error of our ways and setting expectations of success and goals as those who are accomplished have.
I focused on school again. I found my way, as each day I struggled, often dragging my three children with me to sit in the back of a class, just to get my education. As I learned, I realized that there is a better way. I understood that what is taught in the classroom is what I was living in the real world. I knew I was a bridge between understanding the 2 worlds. I realized that although I am still working at it (and am to this very day), I have surpassed the odds. While I listened to students discuss case studies as if there were all theory, I knew there was something different about me. I knew the answers to many of their discussions, but I did not know WHY or WHAT … why did this happen to me, how to stop it, what we could do as a whole to fix it. So many are still lost, and often I still am too. Although each day is still a struggle and I am often still afraid, I have stood my ground. I have purchased a home and am able to support my family, but I know, truly know, that there are many that cannot and will not. There are times when I have had to lie and manipulate the system just to get by, and that should NOT be the way.
Help for the poor should not be a luxury. It should be a give-in. I know all too well that homelessness could be right around the corner for me and for anyone, especially in today's economy, and this must be stopped … if for nothing and no one else, for our children, so that they may know a world like the tales of the pre-homelessness generation that I read about to be a reality. I cannot stress to you the importance of the need for change in this society, to abolish this situation where there are poor and destitute in a country as rich as the United States.

Homeless and Struggling to Survive: 2009 Outlook

Food pantries and local providers of emergency services are facing a stark reality for the year ahead. In the last twelve months we see that overall demand throughout the metro region has surged from three-hundred plus to well over a thousand people a month in many agencies. The staff of local support services is worn out and demand seeks to outstrip services as the unemployment numbers far exceed the projected impact of the economy in every sector. Analysts see that unemployment will continue to rise for fourteen quarters before we hit bottom. The Human Services Administration is poised to cut more than a quarter of the budget sweeping aside all of the efforts of Denver's Road Home to maintain a stable out reach program thus reducing the over all effectiveness of primary services.
At Denver Urban Ministries at 1717 E. Colfax Ave there were 2,346 individuals and 1,256 families who passed through their doors in October. These alarming statistics further stress the already frayed nerves of direct social service providers throughout the state.
One Executive Director of the largest day shelter in Denver expressed the common view, "We are allowing people to sleep in doorways, in drafts, and on the floor." This is unacceptable. More and more facilities that have supported a large number of homeless people are turning away individuals and families. The budget for Denver's Road Home for emergency shelters is for single men, which is $60,000 and that was supposed to be eliminated this year because of additional housing and supportive services. Outreach programs were reduced by 25% for this year. Cuts in the Human Services Administration amount to $1,449,312.93 for Denver's Road Home. Only medical respite care and emergency shelter funding was maintained. This means that substantial numbers of programs are in jeopardy of being scrapped after April 2009 when these cuts begin.
The Department of Human Services is considering cutting 12.2 million dollars in services by July 1, 2009. At the same time the state of Colorado will be cut a hundred million dollars in the budget in 2009. In case after case the economy is hitting hardest the working poor, the indigent who are uninsured, there are one million in Colorado, those who are offenders leaving corrections with neither a safe nor stable place to live. Only Crossroads, the Salvation Army shelter for men places felons in temporary shelter. Almost every one of the largest shelters has already been on overflow nightly. This includes Samaritan House, Jesus Saves, and Crossroads. The day shelters have reported that they are seeing a rise of 150 people daily in their numbers, and the number of people needing emergency services throughout the Front Range has doubled in suburban areas like Jefferson, Boulder, Broomfield, Aurora, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, where homeless people were hard to count.
"Denver's Housing Plan 2008 - 2018," released on September 30 says on page 7 that, " Low income residents and working poor bear the brunt of Denver's high housing costs. The market analysis revealed a lack of affordable housing for the 41,000 rent households in Denver who earn less than $20,000 a year" Then on page 27 of this same plan the chart figure 11: financial cost analysis under goal priority one states, " Create 5,500 rental housing opportunities, including 3,500 opportunities for households at or below 30% annual mean income of each person." The remaining ten year gap of this figure is "$50,534,692." Low-income housing is not a priority in Denver. In the market analysis "2006 Denver Housing" on page 112 the study sends the message that "renters earn less than $30,000 annually could afford to buy only 1% of the detached units for sale." In the same study on page 18 the question is asked, "Are the housing markets balanced?" This report adds, "markets should provide adequate housing for renters and owners across the income spectrum."
The assertion that only a fraction of the housing necessary for the lowest income level leads to the conundrum that Denver planners have decided that the market is saturated with low income housing. The burden of housing for the largest segment of the rent burdened families and individuals over the next decade will most likely be born by the suburban communities. This unlikely outcome will mean that more and more people living in poverty are driven far from the urban landscape.
The "trickle down" economic philosophy surely is ineffective. The "trickle up" poverty is a fast track for dying. What means will be necessary for all of us to realize that only through the neighborhoods and among our citizens can we keep America safe and out of harm's reach?
Many faith communities are stretching their resources to provide emergency food and assistance. One church, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Brad Lauvick, the Associate Pastor, created a program in which super market patrons were given a printed bag with the words, "feeding the 5,000," in all the Highlands Ranch King Soopers, Albertson's and Safe Way stores over a period of two weeks. The paper bags were brought filled with the food to the church on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. In this way they raised twenty-two palettes of food, which was stored at the Food Bank of the Rockies to support a food pantry. All of that food has been distributed.
We are facing the single greatest demand for assistance in the history of the United States. People are literally loosing housing because they have no way to heat their homes and no way to feed themselves. Across America today there are over two million young people out of doors and in unsafe places on any given day. The age range of those who are in unsafe, unstable and unsheltered surroundings is from inception to twenty-five years of age. Forty percent of the people who leave foster care at eighteen years of age end up homeless. The first place for discharge from corrections is Stout Street Clinic for medical care and many are unable to find a place to rent. People leaving corrections cannot survive without services and the most serious offenders are unwelcome in any community. The homeless who are discharged from corrections with terminal illnesses, because the state is unwilling to pay for their care have nowhere to go except St. John's Hospice, because there is nowhere to take care of these individuals, and they have a long waiting list.
There are over a hundred homeless people who have died this year throughout the metropolitan region, whose names will be read at the City and County Building of Denver, on the east steps this December 18, at 5:30 p.m. Please come and show your support by saying, "We will remember." More than anything at this time we need to embrace all of our residents, whether they are poor or rich, and whether they have lived in supportive conditions or on their own. Whether these people are veterans who come from the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq or are people with severe disabilities, both mental and physical, they are all one of our neighbors. They are here right in front of you.

Armistice Day 2008 November 11, 1911 at 11 a.m. the Peace Was Restored.
“I ain’t going to fight no war, no more.”

The tribute to the soldiers, merchant marines, radio operators and the countless lives of those lost at each end of the continent, the universal soldier, the endless numbers of those affected by the unintended consequences of violence strikes a pale shadow over the human countenance. The story is a grim reminder of the debt we have to pay for allowing the seeds of hatred to be embedded in the consciousness of young people.

What will be the epitaph written for this generation? Did we serve with honor towards all and malice toward none, preserving the health, dignity and welfare of the earth and all its inhabitants?

We May Pause and Remember Those Who Have Given the Ultimate Sacrifice

Here we are, another Veterans Day with over 40,000 wounded veterans since 2003 and soaring numbers of veteran suicides, the lists go on, many not receiving the care that they need and deserve.

Tomas' mom, Cathy is my friend. Sad, though inspiring, this documentary helps us better understand why we insist on truly supporting our troops.

Injured Iraq war veteran, Tomas Young, is the featured centerpiece of this documentary produced by well-known talk show host, Phil Donahue, and Ellen Spiro. The documentary has won National Board of Review award for Best Documentary. The documentary follows 3 years of the life of Tomas Young upon his return from Iraq after being injured. Tomas' spine was severed by a sniper's bullet within a week of arriving in Iraq, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down for life at age 25.

Phil Donahue has been passionate in making and promoting this documentary, giving considerable credit to Ellen Spiro for her untiring work on the film.

Quoting Phil Donahue; "Tomas Young is one of thousands of returning veterans forced to adjust to serious changes in their lives in the wake of this war, and it's critical that their stories get out there."

I can't think of a more appropriate film showing on this Veteran's Day than one that acknowledges all of our returning and not returning Iraq veterans. While Veteran's Day is about all veterans of all engagements, I know the older veterans are honored and humbled to have this young generation of Iraq veterans acknowledged.

'Body of War' to air on Nov 11, 2008, 7 PM on Sundance channel.

See 'Body of War' website for more information, to purchase the DVD, and note that 25% of every purchase goes to Tomas Young.

-- videos trailer and the longer video of Bill Moyer’s Journal featuring segment on Body of War at Lietta's blog Dying to Preserve the Lies

HBO is also running two documentaries on the casualties of war, which reveal the families who have made adjustments to go and live near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The footage is of the unrelenting number of dead who are burning there from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Section 60’ is 54 minutes on HBO. Also on HBO ‘Alive Day Memories’ is 57 minutes, and “Last Letters Home is 54 minutes. The other film is called ‘Home Front.' Preview it at: http://www.homefrontthemovie.com/.

Randle Loeb
RandleLoeb@gmail.com

Each November, we meet to discuss issues in the neighborhoods, and to elect new CHUN Delegates from each respective neighborhood. Please note: you may attend as many of these assemblies as you would like, however, you may only vote for delegates, or be elected a delegate from your neighborhood. Please see the map of our neighborhoods online at www.chundenver.org.

Neighborhood 1: November 13, 6:30 PM - St. Paul Church, 16th Ave. and Ogden St.

The Denver Housing Plan will be the topic of discussion. Ismael Guerrero, Executive Director will be speaking about the commitment of the Denver Housing Authority to the new housing plan adopted by the Commission on Housing. Then A.J. Clemmons, ombudswoman for the Independent Monitoring Office will be speaking about mediation between complaints of citizens and police. New standards are being enacted for disputes with police and the public. Delegegates will then be elected to serve on the CHUN board for 2009.

Randle Loeb and Roger Armstrong are manageing this meeting. We encourage all neighbors from the community to attend. Refreshments will be served.

*Two delegates to the CHUN Board will be selected from each neighborhood; Neighborhood 4 will select four delegates

Rates of homelessness have been rising for the past twenty-five years – this is attributed to an escalating shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. The current economic conditions will intensify the situation.

Employment opportunities are eroding for large segments of the workforce and, even when it’s available, public assistance doesn’t provide the value it once did.

While there have been some periods of significant, though never sufficient federal funding, housing programs have been highly vulnerable to cuts, and in recent decades have been reduced substantially. The state and local budgets are in a free fall. Essential services are not expected to improve for years.

Each year, some 3.5 million Americans are homeless, including about 1.35 million children. That number is rapidly rising. On any given night in Colorado about 15,000 people will be homeless. Half of the homeless are families. Many of the families have a single head of household.

Homeless persons have extremely limited access to healthcare and are 3-4 times more likely to die prematurely. Most Americans can expect to live to be at least 80; for those that routinely experience homelessness, their life span is 47 years. Living on the street is a hard life that takes an enormous toll on you.

These early deaths are often related to the “tri-morbidity” of untreated substance abuse, mental illness and a chronic condition such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Others die from exposure to extreme heat or cold, and violence on the streets.

If you’re a homeless child, you’ll have twice as many ear infections, four times as many asthma attacks, five times more stomach problems, six times as many speech problems, and twice as many hospitalizations – including 60% more emergency room visits, than children who live in stable housing. You may survive numerous stressful and traumatic events, including domestic violence and repeated moves. It is likely you’ll eventually be separated from your parents. If you’re able to enroll in school, you’ll probably start your day malnourished.

Annually the names of those who died are read at a memorial service at which it is stated, "We will remember." The question that one may ask is whether the lives of these 115 people are forgotten? Is there anyone who knows in their families or who witnesses the chaos and struggle for survival that may last for years?

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is the single greatest source of services and housing for the homeless in Colorado. They have been running a comprehensive care clinic for over twenty years. They have a dedicated team of out reach workers and of people who are offering their best to these people day in and day out throughout the year. Due to their efforts countless children and families, veterans and people with behavioral health disorders have been saved and their lives are a continuum of care that stands as a beacon for all of those who have lost their bearings and feel hopeless. For those dedicated leaders of the community this act is not courageous or special but an everyday routine that they have done in many cases for more than thirty years.

For more information on the Stout Street Clinic, or on the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless log on to www.coloradocoalition.org. Call 303 293 2217 if you want to help. Call and write to your friends and tell them that, "No child needs to be in an unsafe place ever."