H.O.M.E. Word – A blog from Project H.O.M.E.

At a recent Potlatch at Project HOME, 11-year-old Thea Risher, daughter of staff member Will O'Brien, drew this picture:

Thea expresses the spirit of the Potlatch beautifully.  And you can share the Potlatch experience at our next one:  this Saturday, March 9, 1:00 p.m. at 1515 Faimount Avenue.  Join us for food, music, poetry, art, prizes, and general community fun.  Everybody is welcome, and talent is optional. 

We hope to see many of you there!

You can read more about the potlatch here.

On December 19, at the annual Philadelphia Homeless Memorial Day service, one of the persons who was being remembered was Roosevelt Darby.  Roosevelt , who passed away in 2012, was a long-time advocate, who used his own experience of homelessness as a fuel to empower others to overcome their struggles.  Dainette Mintz, the City of Philadelphia's Director of the Office of Supportive Housing, knew Roosevelt well and worked closely with him for many years.  At the Homeless Memorial Day service, she shared this beautiful remembrance of Roosevelt.

I am honored to remember Roosevelt Darby at this year’s Homeless Memorial Service. 

Roosevelt Darby

The following article appears in the new edition of "News from HOME," the newly designed Project HOME newsletter, which was mailed to our supporters.  To see the full online version of the newsletter, click here.  If you don't already received "News from HOME" and would like to to, contact Michael Gainer, Development Associate for Communications, at michaelgainer@projecthome.org. 

Earlier this year, several members of the Project HOME community attended a two-day festival commemorating the friendship and prophetic witness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.  One of the keynote speakers was Rabbi Michael Lerner, a long-time activist and editor of Tikkun magazine.  As Rabbi Lerner articulated his ambitious vision for a more just, peaceable, and loving society, he admitted that many people would counter that his ideas were “unrealistic.”  “Realism,” Lerner argued, can be a cover for keeping things the way they are.  “Our slogan,” he said, “is ‘Don’t be realistic!’”

Lerner’s challenge speaks to us at Project HOME.  Given the persistent crisis of homelessness that has long plagued American cities, it is tempting to assume it is a permanent feature of the urban landscape.  Meanwhile, far too many “plans to end homelessness” gather dust on shelves in bureaucratic offices.  It seems, at first blush, pretty unrealistic to think we can “end homelessness.”

But we dare to say it:  We can end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia. 

The recent groundbreaking of JBJ Soul Homes represents more than just one more residence of Project HOME.  It is part of an ambitious, strategic multi-year plan we are developing, in partnership with many other groups, to create a range of housing and support services that will dramatically reduce the numbers of chronically homeless persons on the streets of Center City.  We believe that, with the realization of this plan, we can and will make chronic street homelessness a rarity, not the norm of life in Center City. 

A key element in allowing us to dream so ambitiously and work to realize that dream is the generosity and leadership of John and Leigh Middleton. Their transformational leadership grant will serve as a catalyst to forging the public/private partnership that will make the “unrealistic” come true. 

At the November 13 Groundbreaking for our newest residence, JBJ Soul Homes. Left to right: Craig Spencer (JBJ Soul Foundation); Philadelphia City Councilman Darrell Clarke; Jane Vincent (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development); John and Leigh Middleton; Joan McConnon (Project HOME); Jon Bon Jovi; Brian Hudson (Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency); S. Mary Scullion (Project HOME); Frank Robinson (People for People, Inc.)

How do we dare be so “unrealistic”?  Our City is blessed with a remarkable network of housing and service providers with proven track record of effective programs which have empowered thousands of persons to make a successful transition from street homelessness to stability.  We have a strong package of both proven best practices and promising new ideas.

We also draw hope from our talented and committed partners and collaborators from all sectors of society, who are working with us as we craft a comprehensive plan, and who will be instrumental in bringing it to reality.  This includes allies in government, at all levels, as well as tremendous partners in the nonprofit world.  It includes generous and visionary funders and talented policy and research experts.  Not to mention people who have come together – consumers, funders, business leaders, volunteers, consultants, providers, allies, advocates, doctors, communities of faith, families, and other friends – all of whom share a passion and vision of ending chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia.

Any plan of such scale carries risks and complications.  Unforeseen political challenges or a deepening economic crisis could slow down our efforts.  But we cannot help but be hopeful.  The need is urgent, but the vision compels us, and the broad community that shares the vision inspires and empowers us. 

Is it hope or naiveté?  Look at the structure rising from the formerly empty lot at Ridge and Fairmount.  Ask any of the hundreds of Project HOME residents who recall dark days of despair but now live in their own place, who work at jobs, who are community leaders.  And then join us in this project of daring and hope – help us end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia.

On Monday, February 4, representatives of several organizations across the Philadelphia area met with Congressman Chaka Fattah’s Chief of Staff Bonnie Bowser to discuss the looming possibility of 8.2% across-the-board cuts to federal housing and homelessness programs.

These legislative meetings, hosted by the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, are urging congressional representatives to vote against what is called “sequestration,” the automatic cuts scheduled to occur in March. Due to the American Tax Payer Relief Act, as part of the 2011 Budget Control Act, Pennsylvania would lose $150 million dollars for housing programs. In addition, 6,250 individuals and families would lose their housing assistance and be displaced. The Housing Alliance, joined by other organizations such as People’s Emergency Center, Resources for Human Development, and Project HOME, argue that communities across Pennsylvania cannot afford to slash these programs that have been proven to fight poverty and homelessness.

“These programs saved my life – and I’m not the only one,” noted Louis Thompson, a resident of Project HOME’s St. Elizabeth’s Recovery Residence, who was part of the meeting with Congressman Fattah’s staff. Through federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Louis was able to secure a job through Project HOME’s supportive employment program.  With great emotion and deep knowing, Louis shared with Chief of Staff Bowser how vital these programs are to homeless individuals, families, veterans and those who are struggling with drug addiction. “These services are comprehensive and helped me get back on my feet. It provides individuals going through recovery a place to start and guidance to live a more stable life.”

The programs that rely on federal funding have been able to make strides in addressing homelessness and poverty in the past few years. Between 2007 and 2010, the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Program was able to reduce homelessness in Pennsylvania by 2,000 people. Housing Choice Vouchers cost $6,300 per family annually. Without affordable housing, individuals and families could use other emergency shelters (which cost $13,000 per year), nursing homes ($35,000 annually) or the prison system (costing the state at $42,000 per year). In addition, for every $1 invested into the housing market can generate $2.28 in economic activity, creating employment opportunities, demand for products and tax revenue. These programs provide stable housing, saves the state and government money, and allows for reinvestment in the housing market.

Chief of Staff Bonnie Bowser listened to a wide array of individuals whose lives are affected by these programs, from families with children to veterans and individuals in recovery programs. “It demonstrates that people in the community are concerned,” Louis told her.  “Thousands of people have already lost General Assistance, and now other alternatives and supportive programs are on the verge of getting cut.”

“Ms. Bowser was receptive,” Louis noted after the meeting.  “She took several notes and made sure that our voices were heard.” Bowser will pass the information along to Congressman Fattah, who will hopefully see the benefits of this investment.

Other legislative meetings are scheduled for later this week, including Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey and Congressman Robert Brady. If you are interested in advocating for these programs, please contact Joyce Sacco, Director of Operations at the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, at (215) 576-7044, or at joyce@housingallancepa.org.

Even if you can’t attend one of our legislative meetings, you can help make a difference.  Send an email to your Senator through Project HOME’s advocacy alert here: http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/58/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=447

Please urge your representatives to support full funding for HUD and USDA housing programs, fund the National Housing Trust Fund, and to strengthen the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. These programs give children safe places to learn and grow, give veterans the chance to come in from off the streets, and allow senior citizens the comfort of living in their own homes. Please support effective housing programs that prevent homelessness and poverty and enhance our economy. 

Mary Graham-Zak, Project HOME's Vice President of Information Technology, recently shared a wonderful bit of wisdom from one of the world's great leaders:  Nelson Mandela’s Eight Lessons of Leadership.  They are:

1. Courage is not the absence of fear – it’s inspiring others to move beyond it
2. Lead from the front – but don’t leave your base behind
3. Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front
4. Know your enemy – and learn his favorite sport
5. Keep your friends close – and your rivals even closer
6. Appearances matter – and remember to smile
7. Nothing is black or white
8. Quitting is leading too

Here is the original TIME Magazine article expanding on his eight lessons.

Will O’Brien has been a member of the Project HOME community for over twenty years.

I sure wish the good people in Hollywood loved folks with disabilities in real life as much as they love them in the movies.

It seems that every year we are treated to another cinematic portrait of persons struggling with disability issues – physical, mental, developmental.  And invariably these movies are huge hits – critical successes, tear-jerkers, deeply moving crowd pleasers.  And usually they result in a major metal haul come Oscar time.  Think Shine.  Think Rainman.   How about A Beautiful Mind.  Or further back in the day, there was One Flew Over the Coockoo's Nest.

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook."

So it is hardly a surprise that the latest Hollywood offering on vulnerable folks – Silver Linings Playbook – garnered a slew of Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor and Best Actress for the two leads, both of whom play persons with mental health issues.

 “Silver Linings Playbook” opened in December to critical acclaim, and has been a box office hit.  It has an especially devoted local following, given its Philadelphia setting and its deep immersion into Philly culture.  Based on the novel by Mattew Quick, the film recounts the story of two characters who struggle with mental illness.   Pat (played by Bradley Cooper) suffers from bi-polar disease.  As the film starts, he is released from a forensic hospital (not a general mental health hospital, which is one point of potential public miseducation from the film), where he was committed by the courts because of a violent incident.  He gets to know Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), whose mental health issues are not clearly defined but still are causing her serious obstacles in life.

I am not a film critic, and I needn’t go into the plot in detail.  I confess I found the film for the most part very well written, a compelling story with terrific performances. But I entered the theater leery, and I emerged concerned. 

Is the film “about” mental illness?  And is its portrayal of mental illness accurate, positive, informative, misleading? These issues have been hotly debated in the media, in the healthcare community, and in the blogosphere.  And well they should be.

The first half of the film generally portrays the seriousness and struggle involved in a mental illness like bipolar disease – though in doing so, the very limits of the film medium create a fine line between playing with stereotypes (“Those people are prone toward violent outbursts!”) and a moving depiction of the real pain for those suffering and for family and friends.  But the second half (sorry for any hint of spoiler here) devolves into a sweet rom-com, delightful to witness as two persons dealing with real brokenness find love and healing; but at the same it is a bit unsettling with its insinuation that true love and great dancing make everything all right – the severe crises of the earlier scenes give way to triumph against all odds.  (There is a strong suggestion that Pat finally decides to take medication, which he had been earlier refusing; so is there some public service message that things are better for folks with mental illness if they follow their medication regime?  As one mental health consumer pointed out in a blog posting, neither character is shown suffering any of the numerous and often debilitating side effects that usually accompany psychiatric medications.  I wonder, for instance, about Pat’s physical ability to dance so strenuously given the potent meds he is shown taking,…)

A different take on the film:  At Project HOME, we have embraced the Recovery Transformation model around persons who live with mental health issues, which asserts that they are persons aren’t defined by their illness, nor do they have to see their lives as a constant effort to “manage their disease.”  They can live with dignity, relationships and community, meaning and vocation.  So in that sense, one might applaud that the two main characters are able, even in their personal struggles to attain and maintain health, can set goals, achieve dreams, fall in love.  They can have full lives.  Maybe it’s a service to the audience that by the end of the movie, Pat and Tiffany are not just mental health consumers, but two good people dealing with life’s crap and life’s gifts as best they can.

Folks who experience mental health issues (and I count myself in that community, with a history of clinical depression) know all too well the long-standing social stigmas and myths that only contribute to the already considerable struggle of health.  Public understanding of mental illness is frequently skewed by film or television depictions of “psychotic killers” or other sorts of folks who “crazy,” “lunatics,” or some other less than endearing moniker.  All of which can contribute to societal fears of persons with mental health issues being dangerous or threatening.  In turn, families often feel shame about a family member, and try to keep that awful reality hidden.  And quite related is the phenomenon, which we have faced numerous times at Project HOME, of NIMBY attitudes (“not in my backyard”) opposition to potential residences.  Our struggle to “free 1515 Fairmount” was a particularly dramatic example of fighting against public stereotypes to secure basic human and civil rights for persons who happen to have histories that include mental illness.

Ironically, many Hollywood films, when trying to do more “serious” portrayals of disabilities, often succumb to the “triumph over adversity” model, in which we are drawn to the noble and heroic disabled persons – to a degree that is often just as unrealistic and just as problematic in terms of public perceptions.

So while the movie-going public falls in love with fictional Pat and Tiffany with all the charm of their struggles with bi-polar disease, will they then gladly welcome into their neighborhood a safe haven or transitional residence for persons with mental illness.  While we choke up in emotion at the ways disabled folks in the theaters triumph over their adversity, will we commit as a society to appropriate resources for mental health treatment so that real-life sufferers of mental illness can in fact realize their full potential and contribute to the common good?

Will Silver Linings Playbook win big on Oscar night?  More importantly, will it result in constructive public dialog and deeper empathy?  That might be the best kind of happy ending.

If you've seen the movie, please add your own comments to the dialogue!

When Michael Parson thinks back to his days walking the streets of Philadel-phia, homeless and addicted to drugs, a wry smile flits across his face.  “You could say I was looking for love in all the wrong places.”   He also says that all his time in crack houses, “abandominiums,” jail cells, mental health hospitals, and sleeping outside dumpsters were marked by a constant personal effort to find a way out of a life of despair.

In 2009 he was ready to surrender.  He had gotten out of prison, found temporary housing, but soon the tentacles of drugs were reaching out to him again.  A short stay in the hospital because of chest pains added to his fear – he says it was a time of calling out to God for help.

That help came in the form of St. John’s Hospice, the residence for homeless men in Center City. The great staff there, including Ed Braxton and Steve Walenta, guided Mike through a time of often painful transition, encouraging him to be patient, to take it one day at a time, to take one step before the other.

It was a crucial year for Michael, a time of stability and growth.  He began dealing with childhood trauma from episodes of violence.  He began learning to just “be himself.”  He began singing with a Gospel choir. 

As he advanced in his recovery, Mike started to give back.  He started getting donated clothes to bring to the guys in the shelter.  He took some of the guys shopping. And he gave plenty of time and effort to support a friend who was getting out of jail and trying to get his life together.

With his mind free from the demons of despair, serving others came naturally to him.  Echoing the Golden Rule, he puts it simply: “I treat people the way I wanted to be treated.”  Even as a child, before trauma and addiction set him off course, Mike says, “I always was a giving person.  I would go to the store for elders, do errands and odd jobs for people.”

Michael moved to Project HOME’s 1515 Fairmount Avenue residence in 2011.  The home here has been a great launching pad as he continues his work to serve others.  "I haven’t had a bad day since I’ve been here.” Even within the community, his spirit of care expresses itself:  He makes cheese steaks every Saturday for the guys in his cluster. 

But it’s not just service – it’s a gift for mentorship.  In informal ways, Mike is constantly mentoring others, whether it’s the guys in his cluster at 1515, or the participants in the “Narcotics No More” group he facilitates.  He is a powerful role model for many people.

“Michael brings a pronounced sense of hope to the residence and the community at large,” says Aishea Watkins, Case Manager of the 1515 Fairmount residence. “It has been a pleasure working alongside him and witnessing the transformations he has made in just one year’s time. He is a great asset to the Project H.O.M.E. community and an inspiration to all of those that encounter him.”

As he looks back on the long painful years, Mike asserts with confidence, “God took that stuff away from me, and there’s no turning back.”

Mike also keeps up a very important part of his life:  running with the Back on My Feet program four days a week.  The running, which he undertakes even with occasional chest pains, is an important part of his recovery. He even ran a half marathon in November. 

He keeps on running, pushing himself, moving forward.  It’s a symbol of his life.  “Nothing can get in my way that I can’t handle, thanks to God.  I start with God in the morning before I run, and I end with God – and I believe that’s what carries me throughout the day.”

He will be moving forward some more soon:  To his own apartment.  In the coming days, he will move out of 1515 Fairmount to PHA housing.  He intends to stay connected to his Project HOME community. He will be coming back regularly to 1515 and cook for “the guys,” as well as continuing to teach them basic shopping and budgeting skills. He also intends to continue his volunteering – at St. John’s Hospice, at a new recovery meeting place he is running, at ministries through his church.   He looks forward to achieving more goals in his life, ultimately even running his own business.

It seems pretty clear he is now looking in all the right places.

Miss Helen came to the podium, but if you looked closely you could detect a strained look on her face.  Her job was simple enough, and already part of the agenda for this Staff Meeting:  Give details on next week’s bus trip to Harrisburg to raise our voices about gun violence.  Normally, we would have heard a basic what, where, when, plus a mini-sermon from Miss Helen about the urgency of the issue and how we need to get off our butts and make some noise to our legislators.  But right away it was evident something was wrong.

She stood there at the mike for a moment, silent.  As she began to speak, her voice was near quavering.  “I’m here to talk about the bus trip,” she began, “and we’re most concerned about handguns.”  She hesitated.  “We just got a call about one of our young people, one of the very first kids in our first afterschool program in St. Elizabeth’s many years ago.”  She paused, her voice cracking, and a palpable sense of dread took hold among the 70-plus Project HOME staffers in the large auditorium at the Honickman Center. 

“He was shot by an illegal handgun, and isn’t expected to live.” 

A groan in the room.  Helen proceeded to give details on the bus trip, which suddenly took on a grim seriousness.  She tried then to add a dose of humane levity.  “You know him, Sister Mary,” she said, looking out at Sister Mary in her chair.  “Whenever he saw you coming, he’d yell, ‘Here comes the nun!’”

Miss Helen finished her talk by simply telling people to get on the bus.  “And let’s hope he pulls through.  Keep him in your prayers.”

Join us on January 23 as we join with CeaseFirePA to head to Harrisburg to take a stand against gun violence and tell our legislators we need common-sense reforms that create stronger gun laws in our state and protect our communities from violence. 

Get on the bus.  And pray for the young person from our community,…

If you can’t join Project HOME on the bus trip to Harrisburg, you can still send a message to our legislators. 

We are currently hosting a remarkable photo exhibit and education program at our 1515 Fairmount Avenue Residence.  

Photography Show on Breast Cancer Prevention

By The Women’s Research and Advocacy Collective of Project HOME and Pathways to Housing

A group of 12 women from Project HOME and Pathways to Housing came together to work on this project.  The women were given cameras and were asked to take pictures that answered three questions:

1. What can you do to prevent from getting breast cancer?

2. What can you do to find out if you have breast cancer?

3. What helps or prevents you from doing these things?

There are dozens of remarkable photos with text developed by the women with very enlightening and compelling answers to these questions. 

The project was developed with the help of Dr. Lara Carson Weinstein, who has been a vital part of Project HOME’s health programs for almost 20 years.

The Women’s Research and Advocacy Collective was formed in 2010 to address important issues of health in women with experiences of homelessness.

This project was supported by a Cancer Control Career Development Award 123369-CCCDA-12-213-01-CCCDA from the American Cancer Society.

Below is a sampling of some of the photos and related text developed by the women.  Please come and see entire exhibit!

WEIGH THE ISSUE

This scale represents how we weight the importance of a mammogram with other things in life that make us busy. 

TICK TOCK

The clock is downtown. It reminds me that it only takes one day out of a year to get a mammogram. It only takes one test to find out results that could make a difference in your whole life, or even end your life. We have to make time for that. 

OPTIONS

These are 2 big stones in the Delaware river.  To me I see choosing between losing your life or losing a breast.  It’s a rock hard decision. Even though you have lost your breast/s it doesn’t have to be your last breath. 

COURAGE

Because our bodies may fall apart, that doesn't mean we can’t build them back up. There is still hope, it’s not torn down completely, you can build yourself back up with the right spirit, follow your doctors advice and you may be back on the road to recovery.  Where there is hope, there is life. 

Several residents and staff of Project HOME spent much of last weekend participating in a remarkable gathering in Philadelphia.  It was the “Heschel King Festival” – over 400 persons attended the two-day festival, which featured speakers, panels, music and poetry, all exploring the friendship, public witness, and legacy of two important American religious activists, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Project HOME was one of over fifty community groups that co-sponsored the event.  Our Executive Director, Sister Mary Scullion, co-authored an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer, drawing attention to why these two figures are important to our day.  Long-time staff member Will O’Brien participated in a panel discussion on “Spiritual Politics in an Age of Global Materialism, Selfishness & Corporate Tyranny.”

Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel worked together in the 1960’s on behalf of racial equality, economic justice, and peace. Rabbi Heschel marched alongside Dr. King in Selma, Alabama, demanding voting rights for African Americans. King supported Heschel, who was one of the first religious leaders in the U.S. to speak out against the escalating war in Viet Nam.  Their partnership was known to their co-workers, but was not well known to of the public outside of the movements they inspired.                

Civil rights veteran Dorothy Cotton leads a session on the contemporary struggle for human rights. (Photo by Jesse Brown)

One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Vincent Harding, civil rights historian who was a friend and close associate of Dr. King.  (Dr. Harding visited Project HOME in 2006 and gave a presentation.)  In addressing the question of what Dr. King would have us do today, Dr. Harding shared a core commitment of King, which was his choice to “indentify with the poor.”  He was clear that King would likewise call us today to “stand with the poor, the broken, the powerless, the victims of oppression.”  Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine, who studied with Rabbi Heschel, was another speaker.  He urged the gathering to “Go for your highest vision of the good.”  

“It was a tremendous event, very moving and very inspiring,” said Louis Thompson, a resident of our St. Elizabeth’s Residence who is active in Project HOME’s advocacy efforts.  “It triggered a lot of good ideas in me and in other people.”

Karen Orrick was one of several staff members who attended the festival.  She reflected:  "For me it was helpful to be around a group of people who were calling for a bigger world, a more connected humanity, where no one gets shut out.  The Heschel- King festival brought together many people envisioning a society where caring, kindness, and responding to one another and all life forms as embodiments of the sacred was central.   It was also clear that many people saw our different justice movements as deeply interconnected.  The struggle for immigrant rights and low wage workers as the future of our democracy was noted, as was environmental justice and sustainability along with ending hyper incarceration and the prison-industrial complex."