Just out., March 21, 2003, Page 29, Image 29

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9
S olid F oundation Mo J ustice , M o P eace
Nonprofit organization offers assistance to friends in need
by Jim Radosta
PHOTOS BY
Jan Rosell runs Tod’s Comer, where low-income
people can select clothing, household goods and
personal care items
urvivors Advocating
for an Effective Sys­
tem, a queer-run
nonprofit formed in
1999, is keeping a
close eye on the economy
because it anticipates state
budget cuts will have a detri­
mental impact on its vision of a
criminal justice system that
works to restore victims,
offenders and communities.
Executive director Arwen Bird
and outreach director David
M. Baker, both bisexual, push
their message through public
speaking, art programs, victim
offender mediation and attend­
ing community events such as
the March 15 peace rally.
“Sometimes crime victims
are.. .put on a pedestal as a rea­
son that we should be enacting
this kind of vengeance,” Bird
says. “We’re survivors of crime
who say: ‘Don’t do this in our
name. This is not going to
bring us healing.’ ”
Bird was paralyzed by a
drunken driver in 1993. Her
new perspective as a crime sur­
vivor led her to become
“increasingly frustrated that
there was not a voice for crime
survivors who advocated more Arwen Bird’s experience as a crime survivor 10 years ago led
reconciliation than vengeance.” ber to question our retributive criminal justice system
Bird says crime victims cur­
rently are offered only punishment of the
been victimized and, in fact, creates more vic­
offender as healing. “Mandatory sentencing or
tim s.... It’s a very short-sighted view of the
the death penalty is supposed to create healing
world.”
for victims, when in fact it really doesn’t
Bird believes the right terminology is impor­
address the consequences of crime.”
tant to convince people to change their way of
Offenders, Bird adds, should be offered drug
thinking. T hat’s why she prefers the term “sur­
and alcohol treatment as well as skills to help
vivor” to “victim.”
them become prtxJuctive members of society.
“Being a survivor acknowledges that there
Communities, meanwhile, need programs in
was tragedy; it was life-altering, hut it’s some­
place to ensure a proactive response to crime
thing that we’ve survived and that has become
rather than feeling constantly embattled.
part of our life experience and made us
Bird says President Bush’s pre-emptive war stronger,” she says. “The term ‘victim’ denotes
on Iraq is a perfect example of why a retributive
that it’s something that’s still continuing to
criminal justice system is bound for failure.
detract from your life.”
“Much of his language is based in this bib­
With January’s failure o f Ballot M ea­
lical retribution-and-vengeance, fire-and-
sure 28, Bird is especially concerned about
brimstone rhetoric, which in our minds and
budget priorities in the Oregon Legislature.
in our eyes is not productive,” she says. “ It
She bemoans the lack of leadership in Salem
doesn’t bring healing for the people who have
and wonders why the state continues to give
tax credits to corporations while
ignoring the problems addressed
by SA FE S.
“T h e
links
between
poverty and victimization are
very clear, and so the more peo­
ple that fall through the safety
net and live on the streets...are
more and more likely crime
victim s,” she says. “W e’re also
cutting services that help peo­
ple that have com m itted crimes
gain skills so that they won’t
return to a life o f crim e.... It
perpetuates the cycle o f vio­
lence and victimization rather
than breaking it." J H
S
har Fox (Si Hounds have been generous in their
support of the foundation. He also gives much
credit to the Imperial Sovereign Rose. Court for
helping with wrapping and delivery during the
holiday toy drive, which provides $50 in gifts to
more than 100 children affected by HIV/AIDS.
A similar charitable effort is planned for this
Easter. Donors can bring baskets and candy to
C .C . Slaughters, 219 N.W. Davis St., at 7 p.m.
April 2.
Tod’s C om er— a free clothing, household
gixxls and personal care items store run by the
foundation— recently moved into a larger
space, which should help volunteers respond
to the greater demand for services. The kx:a-
tion, 3315 S.E. Harrison St. in Milwaukie, is
being donated by the Sisters of Providence.
Supporters can check out the new digs during
an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. March 21.
“It’s much larger; it’s very nice,” Friends says.
“We’re just really thankful.”
The foundation’s underlying purpose is “to
improve the quality of life for people living with
A ID S.” And with the dedication of people like
Friends and client services administrator Jan
Rosell, the nonprofit will be able to achieve that
goal more easily.
"It was looking pretty bleak for us for a while,”
he says. "We were down to about $5,GOO in our sav­
ings account, and it was looking pretty bad." JH
To make a donation call 503*283-8535 or fax
503*289*9440.
SA FES outreach director David M. Baker
For more mformaaon visit
www.crimesitwivors.org.
PHOTOS BY
he Friends of
People with
A ID S Foun-
d a t i o n ,
which aims
to meet the needs that
other social service agen­
cies can ’t, already has
seen an increase in need
because o f the state’s pix)r
economy.
The 13-year-old non­
profit organization offers
assistance to those with
HIV, including 72-hour
food boxes, emergency
travel and lodging, enter­
tainment, pet care, cloth­
ing, household goods such
as cleaning supplies, per­
sonal care items such as
toothpaste and toilet
paper, small appliances,
medical equipment and
cremations. It also pro­
vides people with a pair of
new shoes and a new win­
ter coat every year.
“The demand is more
all the time, especially
now with the state cut­
backs,” vice chairm an
Kevin
Friends
says.
"W e’re starting to see an
increase in what people
are asking for.”
Friends started out as a
foundation client, later
became a volunteer and
finally was asked to serve
on the hoard. He recently
turned to the nonprofit
for financial assistance in
purchasing new glasses. "C ascade A ID S Pro­
ject used to help with things like that, hut
since their funding has been cut, people are
asking us for other things.”
Friends says the Oregon Bears and the gay
Survivors Advocating for an Effective System
envisions a reconciliatory response to crime by Jim Radosta