Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 2009)
» 5 C E ÎJ S B B À T I» 6 > D E C A D E street roots Education * Dialogue * Independence ■ Confiscation policy costs us aU in the end T V ave you heard the latest police ploy I I regarding the homeless? No? Well Julie McCurdy a n d her dog Maggie live in Portland without a home. She is a regular contributor to Street Roots. JL JL sit down sip something sweet and try not to laugh at the new policies being implemented by the police. It seems that I must be THE URBAN now shackled to my CTPSY belongings or cart By Julie - if I don’t wish for them to be McCurdy hauled away. As a gypsy I have very few belongings and those that I do have I value. So, I am necessarily frustrated and somewhat amused in a sick sort of way that now, if I need to say take a shower, use the restroom, eat, or look for work, I risk my belongings being seized. Does this make sense Portland? I have watched people get their stuff hauled away because they had the misfortune of using the restroom when the police drove by. What this does is absolutely quell any attempt to get off the street It risks our health in that we risk loosing all that we own if we need to seek medical attention. Honestly folks, this is not the approach to take. It would be more cost-saving to pick an area close to services where we could set up a tent city than it would be - for the city to pay the medical bills that occur because we can’t seek services based oh losing what we own. The homeless population is growing — not decreasing. This city and its police force are completely unable to meet both the community as well as the homeless people’s needs we have right now. With this new policy of seizing possessions not attended and the revamping of the “sit and swallow orders,” tactics, it’s a recipe to self-induced fiscal failure. Look at it this way: If I can’t find work because I can’t leave my things to look for it, who do you know that will pay my expenses? The taxpayers? < If l am in the hospital because I have pneumonia because it is illegal for me to erect a shelter, who do you think will pay those expenses? The taxpayers? Now multiply that by the population of homeless in the same spot as myself. Wouldn’t it be simpler to set aside some space and let us have our tents set up and our things set up in a safe manner so we can make steps off the Streets? We don’t ? wish to be on thèm in the first place. So even if you are against the homeless — you can’t be against costing the city less money. When hope meets vision By Janelle C. Jeffries My heart is pounding, aching for love I might not make it to the other side of the rainbow I hear there’s gold at the bottom Right now, I only see the hill of color above This will be a journey of laughter and forgiveness The shrill cry of the pale dove with a branch in its mouth Tells me this will be peaceful I’m attached to ideologies that are not mine I don’t find privilege in the fact I’m always below the US federal poverty line' I’m constantly judged Just because I bathe and wear fingernail polish * From the Dollar Tree store I want to be that person who doesn’t get Upset, jealous or envious I want to free up the space in my mind Cluttered with all the negative comments Society and people tell me / I want to make a legacy of justice that permeates Every cell, body, and soul in the world By breathing, releasing hope and vision — the dream of No worries and the land of make believing my reality Into the gold, at the end of the rainbow*. Dynamic Drupal customization training media Site Design & Development com efficient, affordable, high-quality screen-printed t-shirts with a q u ick turn tim e. ■ 1 *21 www.rosecityresource.org E» * S B If you've ever found yourself in need of social services, you know how confusing it all can be. Long lines, limited hours, seemingly arbitrary eligibility criteria, going from place to place to connect the dots in hopes of getting the help you need. ■ S ■ OSH The Rose City Resource makes it all just a little bit easier. The 10O-page booklet records the hours and locations of basic services including shelters, meals, and health c lin ic s ^ well as advocacy and long- term solutions such as recovery programs, legal aid, and transitional housing. The guide includes more , than 350 listings in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties and is now available in both English and Spanish. Every year, the pocket-size guide helps thousands of individuals and families independently access the services they need. K f t Try screen-printed shopping totes for your next event! Blue Ink, Inc. 321 NE Davis St. Portland, OR 503-232-8578 Phone 503-232-1834 Fax Mention this ad for a free screen — BifIlf r ■K* K i t '* i a wtttiarn & dickey affiliated Company i;WÄndout JOIN THE MEDIA REVOLUTION! LISTENER SPONSORED COMMUNITY RADIO PORTLAND: 90.7 FM • CORVALLIS: 100.7 FM COLUMBIA GORGE: 91.9 FM ’ The Rose City Resource is partially funded through partnerships with the City of Portland and 21 11nfo. But to keep updating and publishing this all-in-one resource, Street Roots needs community support. The guides-are more important than ever. While programs are shifting and.shrinking, many people are finding themselves in need of services for the first time. Your support will keep the Rose City Resource in the hands of the people who need them. Donations of any size are welcome! We are also looking for Rose City Sponsorships of $1,000 - $5,000. For more information, call Israel Bayer at 503-228-5657.
