A thought for today

I attended a morning meeting at Housing First on West Fountain today.

Housing First, part of Riverwood Mental health, reaches out to the chronically homeless - doing whatever necessary to put a permanant roof over their heads.

As we went around the table introducing ourselves, Riverwood's clinical supervisor shared his name, title, and then a few words that left me refreshed.

He said,

"I work with people. Not bi-polars. Not schizos. I work with...people."

Ahhh. Living, breathing, heart-beating, metally aware, deliberating social beings. Not any lesser than you or I. As worthy and deserving of a leg up as the rest of us.

This idea is seemingly PC, but I think it's all too easy to subconciously fall into the "us" and "them" trap.

At the end of the day, I'm still going home to my warm bed. And my clients, the people I work with - my fellow humans - don't have that same advantage.

Lost In Woonsocket

Missing for years, two alcoholics are discovered living together in the back woods of Woonsocket, RI. A series of profound coincidences lead to miraculous reunions with their families and a chance at treatment, recovery and redemption. The real challenge, however, is yet to come: What happens when only one of the men is able to remain sober?

- Words from the Lost and Found in America crew

Last evening, about 60 folks filled the chairs at Praise Tabernacle in Cranston to watch a free screening of Lost In Woonsocket, previewed above. This film captures the recovery journies of two homeless men who, five years ago, lived in a tent amid empty vodka pints and 40's.

The local screening, part of a three month nationwide film tour called Lost and Found in America, was sponsored by the Rhode Island advocacy group Faith Infused Recovery Efforts (FIRE). Comprised of members from faith and recovery communities, FIRE represents over 25 organizations, including the Diocese, who share the mission to create a welcoming environment for individuals and their loved ones who are searching for recovery from alcohol and drug problems. Members work to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction in order to encourage people to seek the help they need and realize their full potential.

Last night's screening was one of FIRE's endeavors to “break the silence” about addiction and foster an environment where people feel comfortable - even safe - talking about their problems or the problems of those dear to them.

I had never seen the film before last night. After about two good cries - just 15 minutes in - I started tallying my teary moments. The final count equaled seven, but I'm sure there were others in the room who topped my total...people were sitting on the edges of their seats, embracing, reflecting...

I found the movie heart wrenching and inspiring - showing me that one man can find something outside himself to hope for, look towards. Normand Cartier was shown that someone cared enough to find him in the wintery cold of Blackstone Valley. He glimpsed the life he lost and for once realized that he might be able to piece together some of the broken peices that others helped him discover still existed.

We were lucky enough last night to be joined by two men from the film, Barbershop Joe and Norm Cartier, who answered questions after the screening ended. The crowd didn't know they were present, so the visit was certainly a pleasant surprise!

I sensed an overall warm feeling in the audience throughout the evening and it was obvious people left feeling inspired to do more for recovery in our small state.

Here's a picture of Barbershop Joe watching the film from the back of the room.

Powerful Humans: Battling Disappointment...

...with myself.

With human limitation.

It's simply impossible to be or do everything I want to, make everyone happy, fix everyone's hurt. I can hardly bandage my own wounds. And I find it increasingly difficult to be the person I want to be...on a moral level.

I claim to be a social warrior, as I'm sure you are as well, dear reader.

But often times the front lines take a toll on you.

Poverty...despair...sickness...regret...rear their ugly heads at us...the hopeful ones.

We must lift our chin and stare them in the eyes without fear and with the knowledge that if we try, if we care to enter the fire, it's better than running.

One heart is stronger than none, and all of our hearts...banded together...can do remarkable things.

We will win this battle.

On Freedom's Ground

by Richard Wilbur

Praise to this land for our power to change it,

To confess our misdoings, to mend what we can,

To learn what we mean and to make it the law,

To become what we said we were going to be.

Praise to our peoples, who came as strangers,

Who more and more have been shaped into one

Like a great statue brought over in pieces,

Its hammered copper bolted together,

Anchored by rods in the continent's rock,

With a core of iron, and a torch atop it.

Praise to this land that its most oppressed

Have marched in peace from the dark of the past

To speak in our time, and in Washington's shadow,

Their invincible hope to be free at last.

Stream of Conciousness: What should I do?

I drove the back roads home today. Took East Avenue.

As I rounded the bend, it was the second time I saw her.

I almost hit her. Her feet were in the road. She was leaning on the telephone pole.

Sleeping? Passed out. Drunk?

What will I do to help her?

The first time I saw her she was on the sidewalk. Sprawled out. Eyes shut and heart beating.

What's her story?

Should I pull over?

It's hard to know where to start or what to say.

I refuse to ignore my memories of this moment and I'm never going to forget her.

I must act. But will she hear me? Will she see me? Will she respond?

I hope there's a next time.

FIRE!

Faith Infused Recovery Efforts is exploring the interweb!

Check us out on facebook and become a fan.

Just created the page, so I'm the only one warming my hands by the flames. Come on over and jam with me. We'll eat some marshmellas and have a grand 'ole time.

Gracias amigos y amigas!

Powerful Humans

That's what we are.

You are strong, bold, unique, and undeniably important to the multiverse.

In the sea of galaxies, you are a bright, bright, brilliant light.

More reasons to love the Bucket...

So many special sights and sounds in this city.

Check out the fun toys I discovered while cruisin' the 02861!

A white tiger. Is he real, or is he dancer?

If you'll look closely, you'll eye Mr. Ed hiding his horsehair behind the bushes.

 

 

And when animal play time is over, take a ride in this go-cart!

A Second Chance

If you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this but that you first make thieves and then punish them?

Sir and Saint Thomas More

Utopia

Check out Gregory Taylor's story.

He went to jail for 13 years in California after stealing food from a church.

A regular Jean Valjean.

Tossed in the slammer, the world closed its eyes and forgot Gregory was there.

But I'm sure he remembers.

Last Fall, a homeless man visited our office regularly looking for rental assistance, clothing referrals, and general support.

In my very humble opinion, he was - or is - a great writer. A well spoken man with a fervor for giving people in his situation a voice...a voice heard by more people than his case worker.

During one visit, this client went to refill at the water cooler in the back room. Shortly after, he left to return to his new apartment (aside: success!!!). Later in the day, I went back to make lunch and noticed that our dish soap and papertowels were missing.

Logically, my client was the only one who could have removed these items.

The moment of theft was a little jarring. It opened my brain to ethical thoughts I don't normally contemplate.

Was I mad? Angry with him? Disappointed?

Was I happy my client now had something he really needed and couldn't afford?

If he asked me for some papertowels, would I have given them to him?

Probably yes.

Convinced he stole from us, could I...should I...help him in the future?

ABSOLUTELY.

Sure, angry feelings swirled in my heart for a few days. And even more so, the shadow of disappointment lingered for a while. But after the emotional clouds subsided, my brain cranked the volume on logic.

This man needed something, and knew nothing else other than not having. He was without and stole, probably an action not too unfamiliar to his lifestyle. His little stealing habit simply indicates that he's struggling...and as deserving of help as anyone else.

We all need a little help sometimes. Rich or poor. Old or young. Educated or uneducated.

I'm not giving up.

I think he deserves a second chance.

In the midst of hopelessness, there is hope.

"I'm a person in long term recovery

which means I havn't used alcohol

or other drugs since 1998 and as a result

my life has gotten a whole lot better."

- Jim Gillen

"My name is Tom Coderre and I too am a person

in long term recovery, which means to me that

since May 15th of 2003 I havn't used alcohol or drugs."

- Tom Codere

Yesterday's Recovery Month kick off was a beautiful experience.

I ran into a friend who used to serve me coffee. He's now in treatment at the Providence Center. I could see the hope pouring out of his eyes, as well as the desire to live his life richly.

And, as a side bonus, Jim Gillen gave me a new pair of maracas. Will try not to lose them this time. Third times a charm.

Watch this video piece spliced together by the crew over at Turn to 10.

Kicking off Recovery Month!

Yo yo, blogosphere.

September is recovery month, so here's what your folks at Project Hope/Proyecto Esperanza and Catholic Charities at large will be doin'!

PARTAY, RI Recovery style.

There are games afoot (in a good way of course). My friend Brendan always accuses me of misusing that word (afoot), just as amigo Ben dislikes how I refer to future events using the word "circa".

Anyhoo, check out the cool events going this month. The first one starts tomorrow at the West Warwick Senior Center, circa 11am.

The schedule below was stolen from Closing the Treatment Gap RI's blog (CATG).

Before we get there, though, do you know what treatment gap is? Well, it's the alarmingly large difference between the number of people struggling with drugs or alcohol and the number of people who actually access the treatment they both need and deserve. According to CATG, only 12% of the 100,000 people struggling with addiction in RI receive treatment. AHHH!

Let's do something about it. Here's a start:

• September 1st - Recovery Month Kickoff - Quilt Event- 11:00 AM - West Warwick Senior Community Center (Washington St.)

• September 11th - 8th Annual Rhode Island Rally for Recovery - 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Roger Williams Memorial National Park - North Main Street (Corner of Canal Street & Park Row) - Providence.

• September 14th - F.I.R.E. Recovery Month Event at Public Square Days - 11:30 AM - Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza, Providence

• September 15th - RICAODD Annual Dinner - 6:00 PM

• September 16th - ARI Patient Appreciation Celebration

• September 17th - CTR Recovery Month Celebration - 9:00 AM

• September 24th - Recovery Month Awareness Day at Providence Center School

• September 25th - Amos House Friendship Cafe Recovery Month Celebration with Recovery All Stars - 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM.

Links to click, because you should. Yup, that was a normative statement.

Rally 4 Recovery Events in RI - flyers and such! POST 'EM EVERYWHERE!

Rhode Island Rally 4 Recovery Website - It's perty!

Proyecto in the Projo!

From Mary Smith/Serve Rhode Island's recent column in the Sunday paper:

The Diocese of Providence

Volunteers are needed to train as recovery coaches for individuals who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

Coaches spend time each week supporting persons on the difficult road to recovery. Training dates are: Wednesday, Sept. 1 and 8 from 5-8 p.m.

Contact: Kim Caron, (401) 728-0515 or e-mail kcaron@ dioceseofprovidence.org

Read the full article!


Yup, that's right folks.



St. Matthias Recovery Coaching is on the up and up, so we're recruiting new volunteers to meet the growing demand for coaches.

Give me a ring a ling for more info, or to sign up for training.

Look at these 'lil images of our recruitment flyer. Me thinks you'll find the details helpful!

Speaking of Dreaming...

11:1

There's a "chapter" entitled Hebrews in this book called The Bible. Some anonymous guy wrote it to lift the spirits of persecuted Jewish Christians back in the 'ole J.C. hayday. Mr. Anonymous sure scratched down some insightful musings re: life in the empire.

This one for example:

Faith is the realization of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen.

- Hebrews 11:1

Thanks Monsieur Anony. I'm not 2000 years old, but I find this very helpful. Your timeless wisdom gives me faith in the human race, and hope to hang onto the reigns as we trample through the rockiest life paths.

Dreaming

Over the past 4 months, I've been traveling to Westerly two days a week to reach out to flood victims, administering thousands of dollars in Catholic Charities donations. The relief money comes from the hearts and hearths of fellow Rhode Islanders who deeply empathize with their compatriots.



After spending time down there, I can easily say I have never been more touched by the warmth and connectivity of a community. The tightly knit family that populates Westerly perpetually - incessantly - continually - AMAZES me. People in this town have each others' backs. I'm constantly fighting back little bursts of water at the corners of my eyes. This town loves each other. And - as the sticker slapped on the bathroom sink at my office down there reads - "Love Conquers All" - even flood ravaged homes and piles of water logged memories.



One of my clients, a single mother (I'll call her Abbey) and mother of three, was struggling far before the waters entered her house. Several close friends and relatives that live in Westerly referred her over, because the community cares and knows she needs the aid.



Even though Abbey's on a fixed income and barely keeping the lights on, she makes sure her children have a normal childhood - at least a childhood where you're concerned about how to obtain ice cream...or building forts in the woods...NOT where you're going to find dinner.



Her son's (I'll call him Victor) BMX bike currently sports a rusted out frame and parts from big two-wheelers that make the thing virtually un-rideable. Since a kid's bike has to be up to snuff to properly ride in the Westerly skate park, Victor is currently unable to cruise around during the morning rides with his friends.



When Victor and Abbey came in to meet me, I could tell the 12-year old was a little embarrassed his mom was asking for help. I also observed he was antsy, and I heard him express under his breath a desire to get home and put on new pedals.



Since I'm a little cycle-crazy, my ears perked and I immediately starting questioning him. I soon discovered all the details above about his bike's state of disrepair. In an divinely inspired moment of creativity, I recalled that my friend Warren works at the Red Shed bike shop in Olneyville, empowering the neighborhood kids to be young bike mechanics. It's a great program sponsored by the Woonasquatucket Watershed Council. The youth can access tools and parts for their bikes simply by volunteering. I contacted Warren...and then my friend Emerson donated a frame. The end of this long story is that Victor, in just under two weeks, will be riding a brand new bike at the Westerly skate park.

Photo cred: http://www.wrwc.org/gwyRedShed.php

You should check out the website for the RED SHED, up there.

Thanks to the generosity of Catholics across the state, Abbey no longer hesitates to flip the light switch...fearing that her electricity service has at last been terminated. And thanks to the tight knit community that exists in Westerly and Rhode Island at large, Victor's summer...and his childhood...are a happy one.



Here's a poem I found in the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook about living the happy life. These few words remind me to be a kid...ALWAYS...and to NEVER stop dreaming.

From: I'll Be You and You Be Me

by Ruth Krauss Harper

I love the sun

I love a house

I love a river

and a hill where I watch

and a song I heard

and a dream I made

A piece of cardboard for a Veteran

Although my stint at Project Hope/Proyecto Hope only numbers a mere 370 days, and my experience in the social work arena is somewhat limited, I've discovered one invaluable outreach tool.

Business Cards.

Little symbols of hope in a client's pocket.

Signs that point to someone out there in the world who does, in fact, care.

Here's a little story about these tiny pieces of cardboard that seem to make the world go 'round:

I often take Exit 23, Charles Street, on my commute back to Providence from the good 'ole Bucket. Without fail, there is always a man standing at the end of an exit equipped with a large sign that reads, "I'm a veteran and I need help." His counterparts can usually be spotted at a few other major intersections around the city, like the light on Service Road Seven near Crossroads. Or the off-ramp near Stop N Shop on Branch.

Sometimes I try to dig around for spare change. It's the least I can do. A few weeks ago, however, I concocted of a dream that blasted my spare pennies out of the water. I thought, "Hey, self, there are so many resources available to Vets in this state. These guys don't need to be homeless! AND they are not alone." The problem: "How could I ever convey these facts while whizzing by in a line of traffic? Two seconds simply is not enough time to reel off the resources."

SO, in light of these musings, I made a move one day after spotting a pile of crisp, white business cards perched on my passenger seat. Swiftly grabbing a dollar from my wallet, I wrapped the business card up like a money clad present and handed to the young man poised near the stop sign.

Who knows what he thought. However, I definitely saw him do a double take.

I havn't heard from him yet, but I'm hoping my rectangular gift left him curious.

Next time I think I'll scribble a little note.

Here's some links to visit if you'd like to learn about services for Veterans in RI:

Operation Stand Down

Access to Recovery - For National Guard Vets

Vet Tech

Veterans Affairs

Pause: Time with a Liberian Refugee

Working near the Diocesan Office of Immigration, I'm frequently in conversations with clients from many different cultures. There are often moments during our exchanges when a client's hard-to-translate native adage or expression either makes me giggle...or deeply reflect.

Today's lunchtime visit to the Providence office was one such occurrence. I was preparing a mailing in the Immigration department, when I was introduced to a very gentle and humble refugee woman from Liberia. With her head hung low, she shared a tale about her last two weeks - the losses she had suffered and her fear of impending homelessness. With no family in the States, her two years outside of Liberia did not buy comfort or happiness.

When I found out that she did not have a car or bus pass, I asked if she could access transportation to a job far away from her single room rental in Providence, "Could you get a ride?"

"Someone will carry me," she responded.

I paused here. "Someone will carry me." My heart stopped. To her, that was a commonplace statement. To me, her words were packed with meaning. I found myself pausing to unravel the significance.

My contemplation spurred a thought: She was only sitting in this office, seeking help, because someone...or some force carried her. She was carried to our Immigration department's trusting hands by a hope-fueled vehicle, the most reliable transportation she has ever had in this country.

From Ice Cream to Inmates: Opening Doors!

Exciting times in the Silver Lake area of Providence!!

A morning gander at the Projo has left my insides craving ice cream...and reintegration alike.

Aside:

This surprising craving arrives, coincidentally, after a late night cruise down Broad Street just last evening...in search of cheap McDonald's cones with my dear friends Lizzie and Mark. Disturbingly the convenient Broad Street location claimed to be sans ice cream. Yet our persistent desire for the delicious-yet-faux creme glacee confection carried us to North Main Street...where cones apparently cost 60 more cents a unit (interesting tidbit for all you penny pinchers).

Back to my first thought:

Shortly following the opening of an exciting new volunteer-powered community center in S.L. (Scalabrini Dukcevich Center), OpenDoors (formerly Family Life Center) announced plans to turn an an old ice cream factory into supportive housing for the formerly incarcerated! Wooohooo! Inmates are overlooked and often uncared for by most of society. Scorned for past indiscretions...sometimes undeserving of the full punishment dispersed...these members of the human race deserve a chance to succeed once again.

Look at offenders serving mandatory minimums for drug crimes and how aggrandizing dollars have found a home behind bars since the institution of such practice in 1988.

The 2003 RIDOC Annual Report demonstrates that since that date RI has opened three new facilities, expanded current prisons, and doubled expenditures - from $52 mil in '88 to a whopping $130 mil in 2003. Inflation? Hmmmm...perhaps not.

In a policy brief by the Family Life center (H7075/S2172), I found info from a 1997 study by the RAND corporation that reports "discretionary sentencing, conventional enforcement and drug treatment are all more effective, per dollar spent, at reducing both drug consumption and drug related crime."

How about re-routing funding to other services outside the slammer?

A wise Mr. Lewis once wrote,

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit- immortal horrors or everlasting splendours."

Our systems and our laws will fade and morph with time, but the indelible mark we leave on each other's existence is irreversible.

I admittedly say I worry about the dangers of working with a client who has spent 40 years in prison on murder charges. However, it is hope in the human race and an open disgust for the misanthropic that propels me to believe redemption is possible.

Dear Blogosphere: Ahhhh (breathing fresh summer humidity), it's nice to be back.

Still here...

I realize that some time has passed since I last posted any words on this blog of mine. So here I am, waving hello in the middle of March. Proyecto Esperanza has not disappeared in a blackhole during the past few chilly months. Like a fierce warrior, our undying hope for the people of Blackstone Valley has stood unyielding against the cold, wind, rain, and despair. Our door opens and closes frequently throughout the day and papers fly about, signs that most visitors are receiving a little help when they need it most.

Not always so picture perfect...

I'm looking out my window here in the office, watching the the snow fall down as Pawtucket dwellers navigate the street. A mother pushes her baby daughter in a stroller, her three year old son running by her side. A man wearing a double layer of sweatshirts walks by carrying his plastic bags from Family Dollar. His hoods are up as he hunkers down against the cold. I wonder where these passersby are traveling. Is there a warm destination just a few blocks down Broadway?

I watch as white flakes begin to collect on the neighboring rooftops. Sure looks cozy. My eyes wander over to the chimney of one home to look for smoke, perfect addition to the cozy image. I find the chimney smokeless, however. This little flaw in a picture perfect moment stirs me from the daydream. I take a look down at my desk, and dive back into the pile of heating assistance applications. The phone's been ringing off the hook with requests today. When I'm on a call, more messages go to voicemail.

The picture perfect home is not that common these days. The people of Rhode Island are barely living paycheck to paycheck. Empty oil tanks and five day notices are becoming a new reality. Even the folks lucky enough to have a job are barely keeping up with mounting expenses.

We're trying to do what we can here to provide some relief, one person at a time. The bishop's Keep the Heat on Fund helps individuals and families all over the state stay warm during the bitter winter months. Click here to read about how we helped an elderly woman and her disabled son keep oil in their tank this season.