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Volume XII, Issue 8
...he was like a brother, a son, a special needs child and therefore that made him the love of my life-
Saying Goodbye to My Friend John
* Devon Bailey & Family * Maria Dragon * Vemonda Lane & Family * Charlie * Mr. Mike * Tiffany * Dvora * Ed Giampietro * Kristan Perez * Tommy & Joe * Geralyn * Little Ryan * Earnest Bowens & Family * Ed & Ruth * Rudy * Lisa * John McLean * Darren * Jan Cerrito * Rev. Patrick O’Shen * Angela Forrest & Family * Angelo
Cathy’s Prayer List To add a name please call 954-410-6275, no monetary donations needed
How long were you waiting?
Sean Cononie soon found out over time He would Well it is Christmas, and this issue be the Savior of the world. So to you should be about Santa Clause, the Birth Jesus, “Happy Birthday Big Guy!” of Jesus and the meaning of one of the To you Johnny, what can I say about most celebrated holidays of all time. But the person I loved so much as a best as you read this paper you will see it is friend? about the life of Johnny McCormick. It There is so much to write but in reis also about the death of Johnny. And in ality this page should be completely the future for Johnny empty because When I met Johnny it was this is how I feel, it will be about the rebirth of Johnny as he one of those incidents that did now that he has makes it to his final passed away. Each resting place, Heaven. not just happen, it happened and every day I Why Heaven? Well because God put us right there look at videos or first there is Christtogether at the same time pictures or just sit mas, the birth of Jedown with others sus, baby Jesus. Then of course when it and then the words start, “remember comes to the Birth of Jesus, then there is when Johnny did this or said this.” the death of Jesus , which allows us all This all helps to a fresh cup of “Johnto be with Him, Jesus in Heaven. So ny MoJo” it does help to fill up the in this issue are we sad that our little emptiness but there is so much more Johnny died or should we be happy he to receive to just feel a little bit bethas made it to Heaven? For this issue let ter. After all we spent 24 hours a day us be HAPPY, for John is in Heaven all together since 1998. because this little baby boy was born and When I met Johnny it was one of
Mark Targett You were just found a few minutes ago on the bus bench. I was raising money for a shelter that hadn’t completely formed yet. We didn’t know it, but our lives would be changed forever. I think the best years of our lives started that day at the bus bench. Like a few stray strands forming a rope, we were definitely part of something bigger. COSAC was just starting out and we were just finding our purpose. Once you were with us we knew what we were supposed to be. We became the largest grass roots shelter in the state. We became the second largest street newspaper in the country. We became a sober house. We became a place to eat and a place to find work. We became a community orientated homeless shelter. A homeless shelter that would not turn anyone away. Johnny was loved for who he was and not for what he did. He did not have to be anyone else. He was just himself and that was good enough. The love he experienced was true. How can anyone love us if we are not ourselves? Johnny, you were waiting your whole life to meet us on the bus bench that day. And we were waiting for you. We were always a family, we just hadn’t met yet.
(Continued on pg 4)
Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 2
Friends of the Homeless For just $15 a month you can keep a homeless family off the streets for a day
Mail check to: COSAC Foundation P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329
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Peter Sullivan In Loving Memory of Rex Lichtenberger In Loving Memory of Thomas Gasbarro In Memory of Steven Maderman In Memory of Martha Hughes In Memory of Betancueto Family In Memory of Bill Sledge In Memory of Billy Corwin In Memory of Brian Groleau In Memory of C.T.R. In Memory of Charles Horton In Memory of Chief George J. Hodges In Memory of Dan Holland In Memory of George Ericson In Memory of Gertrude Chong In Memory of Irene Grady Johnson In Memory of Martin Grey In Memory of Maxima† In Memory of Melba DeSanto In Memory of My Good Friend Pat Gibson In Memory of My Mother Pearl McCann In Memory of Scott Paul Cooper In Memory of Stanley Smolen In memory of Wesley H. Woodall† In Memory of William F. Judge Intercontinental Management Consulting Group, Inc. Isabelle J. Henry Ivonne Fernandez J & L Racing Inc. DBA/ A wesome Sports J. Coffee Jackie Johnson Jacqueline M. McCarty Jacqueline McCarty James & K. Heather Molans James Black James D. Potter JR James Prestia Jamie F. Flores Janet Campbell Janho Group, Inc DBA POSH Jason Emrik Jason T Korose & Marie D Plett Javier Alvarez Javier Perez Jeffrey and Veronica Bujold Jennifer Hicky Jennifer S. Nickel Jenny Curic Jessica Padilla Jessica Rachel Duff Jesus Diaz Jim Johnson Jim Lentz Jimmy Daniels Joan Futscher & Kids Joanne Thomas Johanna T Law Revocable Intervivous Trust John & Ruth Mautino John C. Burt John Criasia John Dinielli John Evans & Family John Gaeta Johnís Plumbing Service Jonathan Burger Joseph Raymund Joseph Soares Joseph Yagbes Josh Searles Joy L McConaghy
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Please include on memo what name should appear in paper. Joyce Abrams Lybrand & G.S Lybrand Joyce Johnstone Juan and Antonieta Bofill Juan Galindo Judith Kelly Judith Temple Judith Vidal Judy B. Pascarella Juliet Iler Julio A. Izquierdo Julio Fernandez June Jones Justin Rowan K.J. Williams Karen and Kari Kellerman Karen B Povlock Kaveh Vassal Keith Yude Kelli R Oehler Kellie Jones Kelly’s Petroleum Kenneth Gesel Kenny Angela Kevin Britt Kevin ìKJî Jones Kevin Jones Kristian Perez Laura & Bill Fash Laura Flash Lavances Wright-Rolle Leah and Ray Leonard R Snyder Linda Evans Lisa Cebrat Lisa Jackson Lisbeth Araujo Lord of the Harvest Ministries Lorraine A Coll Love, Teresa Luis Delacruz M. Smith Madeline Butera Magan Narduzzi Marcia A Kessler Margaret B. Reese Margaret D. Neverdousky Margaret Melendez Margie Jones & Friends Maria and James Mulligan Maria Bacallao Maria M. Riveiro Maria Nieto Marie Gandini Marie Sutera Marilyn R. Smith Marilyn Vokish Mario Yuio Marjorie G. Rhines Mark E. Johnson † Mark Faber Mark Targett Marlene S Warner Marshal Bugin Martha Roman Marvin Shatze Mary and Klaus Nitsche Mary Green Mary Lepage & Laurence P. Lepage Mary M Simons Mary Sue Ellis Maryann Springer Marynell Lubinski Maureen Barry Mauro Boraby Jr McAvoy Family Mel Blount Merav & Ezra Alexander Michael & Michale Rhett Michael R. Prokop, Jr. Michelle M. Touriz & Albert W. Touriz Mike Cross Miss LaRae Williams Mohammed Ziauddin Mona B Staub & Ruth C Grey Morris Grazi Mr. and Mrs. Bocanegra Mr. and Mrs. Carson Mrs. Jenkins Ms. Evelyn Salerno Ms. Marilyn Smith
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Sandra L. Wilhelm Sarah R Currin Savoia Sweig Scott Aguiar Sebastian Parks Sergio Cobo Sheila Holder Sheldon Jones Sherline Cyriaque Shirley Ullman Sophonie & Ketty Toussaint Southern Financial Title Services Inc. Steinhardt Family Steve Dillan Steve Goolsby Sue T & Robert K Mahood Sunbelt Medical Billings, INC. Surfiní Seniors Inc Susan Chisefsky Susan C Humeston Susan Pasqualino Susan P Brady Suzanne Matsurra Suzette M. Rodriguez Tailored Advertising, Inc Tamara Southard Tara Hunter Temple Aron Hakodesh Temple Beautiful Thank you so much Sean & Lois for all your help. Thank You Winn Dixie Theresa Rothrock & David J Valeo The Baldwin Family The Baptista Family The Chilsons The Davis Family The Geise Family The Herrmann Family The Herrmann Family The Kunicki Family The Ladueís The Maione Family The Martinez Family The Matsuura Family The Monserrate Family† The Morabito Family The Nicaraguaís The Ramos Family The Rionís Family The Savir Family The Schneider Family The Strikowski family The Swartout’s†† The Verny & Stewart Families The Watsons Thomas A Kramer Thomas Rua Thye Rencurrellís Timothy and Barbara Wilson Timothy L. Whitelaw Timothy Lukehard Todd Palgon Tom Thumb Food Stores, Inc. Tressie W. Osborne Triana M. Resto & Frank Gomez Una Gota De Vida, Inc Uylna Quadrino Vance Gunn Victoria J. Arasim Virginia H. Bailey Wendy Bryan William & Silvia Hoblet Wynona A Thompson Yorick and Bonita † Yvonne Fischer Zlata and Alfredo Jr Salazar
In Loving Memory of Angela J. Fante “Mimi” June 4, 1917 June 12, 2010
Volume XII, Issue 8
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Our Homeless Voice readers: Letter from the Editor:
THANK YOU AGAIN LORD FOR SUCH A WEAK FLU!
W
vendors. None of the money that is made in e are doing a massive monththe streets goes to any staff member or for an ly partner campaign. It is so administrative cost such as insurance, emvitally important for us to secure as ployee benefits, or payroll taxes. Money that many monthly members as we can. is used to pay for staff or for other administraAs you know the streets are getting tive cost comes from us creating income on harder for us to do. However, it is our low income but affordable housing for not as bad as we thought it would poor people. Also administrative costs also be. Some cities have made it against come from the money the hospitals pay us to the law to sell the paper in their city house complex cases for their homeless populimits and some of the cities that we lation. When we house one of their clients it thought we would be in court with saves them and tax payers hundreds of thoudid not change the law. So with some sands of taxes that we would all have to pay. bad news we got some good news. So when we buy a new file cabinet in the ofHaving monthly supporters helps fice or a lap top the money comes from themus keep our budget in control bemoney the staff receives, not from those buckcause we have a greater understandets in the streets or when the checks come in ing of what is coming our way as far from our monthly partners. as donations. There is another good We are asking for all our supporters to try reason for the monthly supporters, it to get as many people as they can to come is because of me. I must admit I am and visit us at the shelter to see where all the really tired. It has still been seven money goes. We are asking for our supportdays a week almost 18 to 20 hours a ers to also send in a check per month so we day nonstop for too, too many years. have a better understanding of what we can I need a break. It is just nonstop day do to make us bigger and after day and better so we can continue It is not so much the size there is so much help those who are more we have of the donation but the to forgotten about. Every to do to make number of people who amount helps. us even bigger Last month we sold than we are now donate to us. over 125,000 newsso we can help papers and cards in the streets. That meant with the so many new faces of homethat over 125,000 people put in money in to less people coming our way daily. those buckets. If we would have just half that These are the “first timers.” These amount sent in at $2.00 per month that would are the people that for the first time mean that I would know that we can expect to in their life became homeless due to receive about $125,000 in checks per month. loss of job or loss of home due to a This means we can expand and keep on growforeclosure. ing so this place is here when I am dead and It is so important to help these peoburied. This place needs to be here for the ple and to never say we don’t have many years to come. Not only we can expand, a bed for you. If we have to turn a but I will get some well deserved rest. Come “first timer” away there is a chance by and visit me and visit this place. I am here that person may become a long term usually 27 days a month 24 hours a day unless homeless person. So we must keep I am trying to lose some weight by walking on buying more property while it is outside or at the YMCA. I have been living cheap. This will allow us to almost here a very long time and I do want to get double our bed space. We are still in home more and more considering I only live a the process of remodeling the main few miles from the shelter. complex as well. With all this we have to raise more funds and try to COSAC HOMELESS get some idea of what we expect to ASSISTANCE CENTER get in donations in the future. HavP.O. Box 292 Davie, FL 33329 ing monthly partners really helps out more than what most people think. It is not so much the size of the donaHelping tion but the number of people who + = More donate to us. People! The money that is given to the vendors goes directly to the operational 1203 N. Federal Highway cost of the shelter and the homeless Hollywood, FL 33020 themselves, the vendors who sell the paper as their job. Exactly like the Setup networks of people to help out! Sun-Sentinel and the Herald Street
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Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher Sean Cononie
Editor in Chief
Executive Editor
Mark Targett
Sara Targett
Assistant Editor Lois Cross
Photos Christopher Bombery
Contributing Editors
Margo Poulson Jamie Kisner www.HomelessVoice.org/contact
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 4
Saying Goodbye to My Friend John (Continued from pg 1)
those incidents that did not just happen, it happened because God This was his hug of life, hug of put us right there together at the same time. It was 1998 and I was love, and this is when I knew he driving at the comer of Johnson knew it was his time to be with and 441 about to get the green Jesus. light and for some reason I looked in the Walgreens parking lot, and there he was, the love of my life, I think God put him here to let people do (I say that he was the love of my miracles. No matter who you were you life because he was like a brothwould love to be a friend of John. er, a son, a special needs child The last year of John’s life I knew soon and therefore that made him the he would be leaving this part of life very love of my life.) He needed me soon. I would always make sure Johnny for everything and well he was knew how important he was to me and as cute as a button. I think the this place. I told him he was the real reareason why I loved him so much, son we were all here. He was the man was because he used me and there that gave so many of us the will to work was no hiding that. It was a pure 20 hour days and seven day weeks. He relationship based on him needwas the reason why homeless people ing everything from me and there came here for shelter. The week of his was no manipulation on his part, death, I told him over and over how much he said what he needed or wanted I loved him and how much he meant to and it was taken care of. The first us and me. One day in ICU when he was two years he did not speak much, on his vent- Lois and I were holding his it was mostly one or two words hands out of nowhere he grabbed our at a time or if he did put a sennecks and put both of our heads on his tence together it had nothing to chest. Me on his left side and Lois on his do with the moment. His needs right side. He had our heads on his chest were hardly anything, a pack of for about five minutes. This was his hug ciggs and food and what I later of life, hug of love, and this is when I found out was that he needed knew he knew it was his time to be with love. I also found out I too needJesus. We had talked about this in the ed him and I needed his love for past. I would continue to whisper in his me. The biggest lesson I learned ears but not really a whisper, it was more off of Johnny was that there must of me putting my mouth close to his ears have been many Sean’s in his with a louder voice than normal and told life. Why? This calm man never him over and over that, “He was Someate on his own, he would just sit body in this World.” I told him to walk down or lay down all day long and talk with Jesus. My final words to and would not go and get any him before the private ambulance came to food on his own. He loved his bring back home to his home the shelter cigarettes and he smoked all day was, “Johnny McCormick I love you so long but if he had one cigarette much , Honey.” left and a stranger came to him The last 15 hours of his life and asked to bum a cigarette he We escorted the Ambulance from Mewould give it away. People from morial Regional to our shelter on federal all over must have taken care of highway and Johnny arrived at our make Johnny because he made it all shift hospice area. There they were, waitthese years on the streets. He did ing for the King to come home, his homenot look through trash to eat, he less friends, his three personal aids who was skinny- so skinny you could have been taking care of Johnny for 24 see almost evhours around the clock ery bone in his for the last two years, body. People Johnny, I love you so much and all of the staff. have said to honey, thank you for being Then there was Carol me in the past, Massed, his long time you are so nice my best friend and walk with oldest friend for alto take care of Jesus. As I said the last word most 12 years. Carol him, but in restayed there with John the monitor went silent. ality there were for about ten hours. many of me’s I was so tired for I taking care of this creature that was up for almost 39 hours going back God loved so much. and forth to the hospital ICU and dealing Johnny was the coolest man with my knees and injuries I got when we in the world and one of the nichad two incidents occur at the shelter. I est people I have ever met. He told the hospice nurse and his personal never bothered anyone. Even aid to call me when his vitals declined. when someone screamed at him Another two hours went by and my friend as sometimes the new people did John was about to meet his Maker, Jewhen they arrived at the shelter sus Christ. I threw on my robe and went would sometimes do he would down to the hospice unit and I could hear just smile and act like nothing the monitor with his lovely heart sounds was wrong. I can assure you the beeping. The sounds of his heart beat screaming would only last a few were getting slower and slower and it was seconds because once they started then I said to him. Johnny, I love you so any person who was at our shelter much honey, thank you for being my best for one week’s time knew Johnny friend and walk with Jesus. As I said the was King of this place. He was last word the monitor went silent. It was the director’s buddy and Johnny as if he waited until I was with him before was a buddy to each and every he took his last breath. one that lived here. The other A few seconds after he died, Johnny clients would fly, run, jump over went to Heaven where he was greeted by large mountains to come and let his homeless friends who already passed that person know Johnny was the and I am sure Jesus was right there too King of COSAC. People have and I am quite sure as a group they said, asked me over the years why is “Welcome to Heaven My Friend John.” he so important. Johnny gave me Merry Christmas to All...... Love, Sean every tool, every bit of wisdom, every bit of spirit and every bit of love I have towards mankind.
“My Friend Named John” Sean Cononie, almost a millionaire and just 35, attached to the most needy, the ones works 20 hours a day finding homes for the homewho will almost certainly end up back less, hope for the hopeless. And when he loses on the streets without its help. Even if faith, he turns to the neediest one of all to restore one of them breaks the rules, even if one it. of them refuses to take a shower for 10 Johnny’s feet are black again; his stomach, bare days straight, The Corporation of Sean beneath his unbuttoned shirt, is shiny with sweat; Anthonie Cononie (COSAC) doesn’t let and he’s swearing, which he never does, and him go without a fight. threatening to leave if Sean doesn’t back off about At 35, Sean is wealthy, a millionaire him needing a shower. almost. And he doesn’t know why, when “I don’t wanna be tossed around by anyone,” he could do whatever he wanted with his Johnny says, and then he leans back on the couch life, he spends his time here, 20 hours in Room 8 of Sean Cononie’s homeless shelter in a day, seven days a week, here among Hollywood and folds his arms across his chest. the rejects. It makes no sense, other than Sean swivels around to look into Johnny’s face. it’s important to help people, especially Leave? Is he serious? Sean knows that Johnny people who really need help, and most McCormick, who, at 47, had long ago fried his especially, Johnny. brain on drugs, would be lost without the shelter. When someone at the shelter gets And Sean would be a little lost too, since he has drunk or high again, or when someone decided he wants to take care of Johnny forever. dies or goes back to the street, Sean There is no smile on Johnny’s face, and he turns knows that Johnny will still be there, away when Sean keeps looking at him, and so probably refusing to wear a belt and Sean softens his tone, uses baby talk. pulling his pants up with his left hand, “Why don’t you get wet in the shower?” Sean or maybe holding the newspaper upside asks, very gently this time. “We’ll go out to dindown and pretending to read it, or saydin.” ing one of those funny things, like he “Well,” Johnny says, uncrossing his arms, “if I did the other night at the ice cream shop. take a shower I need pants.” On most nights, he takes in more peo“I just gave you pants yesterday. I took off my ple than any other shelter in the county. own pair and gave them to you.” He wants to take in even more, shopping “I might shower in the future if I get a sharper around to buy a building of his own, aprazor.” plying for grants, while at the same time Sean smiles. His cell phone rings. He clicks it trying to figure out ways to run the shelopen and listens while rolling his head around in a ter without government money and all circle to loosen the knot in his neck. the rules that would come with that. The hospital is calling again. Is there room for Sean wants his shelter to always be the one more? That makes 10 and it’s still lights out. sort of place that doesn’t pretend every “It’s gonna be a helluva night, “ he says, and then single person has the ability to make it he hangs up. Patting Johnny on the back, he lifts on his own, the sort of shelter where himself up from the couch and heads down the people like Johnny never have to leave well-worn path through the patch of trees and the at all. gap in the chain-link fence and to the stairs that And so he has fewer rules and more of lead to Penthouse 4. the classes where homeless people go to Sean anchors himself in the chair behind an old learn how to balance a checkbook and desk cluttered with phones, an ashtray spilling make a grocery list. Instead, those withashes and three packs of Prozac someone found out disability checks to contribute to the in the trash. Cases of cranberry juice line one wall rent can either join the day labor pool from floor to ceiling. Paper cups and cookie jars digging ditches or they can take one of separate the soda money from the cigarette money Sean’s plastic cookie jars and one of his from the rent money from the street collection red, white and blue “Helping People in money. America” T-shirts. From the clutter, he picks up the list of today’s Hollywood Boulevard, or Andrews new arrivals. Avenue, or Arvida Parkway. At rush Lois, the mugging victim, with open wounds hours across the county, Sean’s people on her skinny knees from the dragging she took wait for the lights to turn red and then, though an alleyway. ID badges dangling, they walk among Tom, who likes to tell people he is bisexual. the rows of cars, their jars stretched out Joe, with a perforated ulfor change. cer. And it seems to grow attached to Jose, the first All people who are too the most needy, the ones who will of the collection old, or too sick, or too troucrew chiefs to finblesome for other homeless almost certainly end up back on ish this day, comes shelters to bother with, and the streets without its help. Even if into Penthouse too poor for the hospitals to one of them breaks the rules, even 4 a few minutes take care of. after Sean. He if one of them refuses to take a plops down on the It’s sort of a rogue shelter, shower for 10 days straight this place Sean Cononie couch, plunks a has set aside for them. It plastic cookie jar is made up of pink bungalows that were once an on the carpet and picks out the dollar Army barracks and are now a rundown apartbills. ment complex in a tidy downtown neighborhood. Della is drinking other people’s soda To pay the rent, it sends its people out to beg for again, he says, without looking up from money. It turns no one away. And it seems to grow the cookie jar. (Continued on pg 5)
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Volume XII, Issue 8
Higher Things “Blessed are the poor in spirit, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” This is the first beatitude in Matthews’s gospel. St. Luke’s version is, “Blessed are the poor, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” I was thinking about these verses this month as I spent a few days helping out at the COSAC shelter in Hollywood. Many of the residents there are truly poor, I’m just not sure they feel blessed. Why would Jesus say the poor are blessed? In this world most of us want lots of nice
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things, house, car, job, money for entertainment. Are these things bad for us? They are if they distract us from the higher things. Higher things, such as Gods will for us, higher things, such as care for those less fortunate. We can become consumed with and by our belongings to the point that we live for them and for collecting more of them. In the end, they are all dust. This Christmas can be so special for us if we reconsider what it is really all about and focus on the higher things. -Deacon Robert Cunningham
CT Scans Cut Lung Cancer Deaths, Study Finds Editors Note: The month of November was a test-filled month for me. Those of you know I am a heavy smoker, or should I say former heavy smoker because of the stress and the long hours I work. I got some bad news last month when I went in to the hospital for what I thought was a heart attack. It was a miracle in progress, I did not have a heart attack but they did find a spot on my lungs. This episode of me thinking I had a heart attack allowed me to find out I had this spot on my lungs. For one month I sat in my office thinking I only had a few months to live with lung cancer. Then I was told if it was, it was so small it most
likely was treatable. Well to make a long story short and for me to get to the point, I got another scan and at this time it does not look like anything bad. I do have to have some follow up scans to just make sure it is just a fatty tumor and nothing more. THANK YOU LORD! The moral of this story is this: it is Christmas time, and it is a time for gifts and love. Today I ask you to read the below story on CT scans and how they can help smokers and former smokers catch lung cancer early.
(Continued on pg 8)
“My Friend Named John” (Continued from pg 4)
Sean rolls his head. He looks down at born again about doing the right thing. the bed list, assigns Lois to No. 11, Tom He flew home and filed the papers to start his to No. 17, Joe to No. 10, and the rooms nonprofit charity, naming it after himself. Not one at 2707 Lincoln St. quickly fill up. to think much about the why and the what next Sean had prayed once to have a child of things, he simply started stuffing the trunk of of his own. Now he has dozens of them his Lexus full of sandwiches, driving down to without even having to get married, the slums of Overtown and handing them out to which is good because dating and courthomeless people. ship take up a lot of time. And even That seemed like a good idea. After all, God before the shelter he was too busy for must have put the homeless here on Earth to give romance. people like him, people with everything, an opQuick to help portunity to do something sacred. What was it that He grew up in Hollywood, the youngJesus said in the Bible? Sean could never get the est son of an airline mechanic who words exactly right, just the meaning. What was coached all of his Little League teams it? If you feed the hungry, if you feed the best of and a mother who stayed at home to mankind, you’re feeding me, too? raise the kids. The Answer Man Helping people came natural to him. In Meals are served out of Room 16, he tells the his teens, he stopped at every accident newcomers. No gourmet meals, but donated he ever saw, pulling one baby from a doughnuts for breakfast, bologna sandwiches for burning car and bringing another back lunch and macaroni and cheese with hot dogs and to life with CPR. He was even a bit beans for supper. stubborn about Sean rents five bungaJohnny gives away his clothes. He lows worth of beds, small helping people and doing the laughs at almost anything, a soft laugh buildings in two parallel right thing, like rows separated by a litthat barely makes it past his beard. tered courtyard. And beit was the only thing, the only Says please and thank you and you’re hind one row, separated choice. He acby the chain link fence welcome at all the right times. tually sought with the gap in it, in the out old ladies to help cross the street, two-story white complex where Penthouse 4 is, found homes for stray dogs and, when Sean has even more beds. that didn’t seem enough, he made sandBeds for 79. In a pinch, beds for 85. In a real wiches to hand out to homeless people pinch, 89. And when the 90th comes, he somehow he might come across. digs up a 90th bed. In his 20s, he got a half-million dolThe place gets so crowded sometimes, with peolar worker’s comp settlement after he ple sitting on the cement stoops, bumming cigaslipped and fell at his job as a store rettes at the gazebo, watching cartoons in their security guard, rupturing disks in the living rooms, making piles of aluminum cans to neck and back. He invested the money sell to the recycling company. in stocks just as the market took off And stopping Sean. They’re always stopping and then watched his portfolio grow so Sean as he tramps from bungalow to bungalow, fast that he could buy a Lexus, a Rolex from problem to problem, this curly red-haired watch, and his own house in his own man with a doughboy face, muscular shoulders hometown with a swimming pool and and thick hands that pat them on the back, tussle Jacuzzi in the back yard. their hair and massage their shoulders. He even had enough money to write a He has the answer to whatever the question $60,000 check just so he could fly out might be. to California for Liz Taylor’s birthday No, it doesn’t matter that you went on vacation, party. It was a fund-raiser for her AIDS he told a man one day earlier this fall, you were foundation and he found himself climbstill supposed to pay the rent. And to another: Just ing out of a limousine in a tuxedo, chatbecause you weren’t driving the car doesn’t mean ting up with one beauty, sipping chamyou didn’t have to make the payments. Wear nice pagne with another. clothes to court, he says to a third, but not so nice But the best part of the night came that it looks like you’re sucking up. The normal when Liz Taylor said “each and every practice in America is for people to work an eightone of you” were doing a tremendous hour day, he told a labor crew that called in at amount of good. That had to mean him, noon to complain, “we’re getting tired.” too. And he felt just so elated and so He keeps track of their doctors appointments, proud and he realized the best part of his hands out their medications, tells them what to say good life came when he was being stubto their shrinks and social workers, to their judges
and probation officers, their mothers and fathers. Sure they are using him, but they are needing him too, and none so much as Johnny. The very least of the least of mankind. Johnny, who smokes five packs of cigarettes a day, whose disability check costs taxpayers $500 a month, who volunteers for nothing, who produces nothing, accomplishes nothing, aspires to nothing. Junkie, human trash, that’s how Sean figures Johnny must appear to other people. To him though, Johnny is the cutest one of all, “the cutest little thing,” in fact. And Johnny is a saint, very very close to God. Why? Because Johnny never “I really don’t want him to leave lies, never talks to impress people, and couldn’t if again.” he tried. He can’t pretend anything. The last time Johnny left, Sean had He is a broken-down walking bag of needs, a half the shelter out looking for him for sack of sacred opportunities. two straight days. He was covered with Sometimes, when Johnny and Sean sit next to sand fleas when they found him by the each other on the couch in Room 8, Sean asks beach and Sean had to put on rubber Johnny where he came from. gloves and scrub his body from head to He was born in Massachusetts, Johnny tells him. toe. But though he has tried to recall that particular “It’s up to you, Sean,” Jenny says, goday of being born, well, it happened a long time ing through the door to the back room ago and he just can’t. He was the son of a drugwhere her bed is. “It’s up to you.” gist. He went to a reform school where a big hand Well, it’s important for Johnny to keep made the boys line up in a row and then swooped clean, Sean tells himself after she shuts down, slapping all of them all at once. He did the door, and not just for everyone out drugs, too many drugs, and then, about 20 years there having to smell him, but for himago, he began to travel. self, too. Not too long ago, he hitchhiked all the way from Sean tallies the last of the cookie jars. Florida to Paris. Had a nervous breakdown or About $500. Some days the cookie jars something like that. Not sure how he got back, fill up with as much as $1,000 and some floated down, yeah, on Eastern Airlines, that’s it, months the pennies and dollar bills add and Sean found him when he got here. up to $20,000, almost enough to pay the Johnny gives away his clothes. He laughs at rent, and buy the gas and the medicaalmost anything, a soft laugh that barely makes tions for people without insurance, and it past his beard. Says please and thank you and the hundreds of packs of bologna in you’re welcome at all the right times. Sean’s refrigerator back at his house, He calls nothing of this world his own, except where he rarely for a single possession, a small blue blanket that he ...they began calling him, gets to use the Jacuzzi anymore. holds onto each night when asking him to take in Midnight comes he goes to sleep. He has had the drug addicts and the and goes with Sean it for years and has never washed it and yet it doesn’t mentally ill, the old senile still awake and scanning through drunks and the young smell. Even now in the midst the proof sheets of of Johnny’s longest showertroublemaking ones... the first edition of less streak ever, the blue blanthe new shelter newspaper. He plans on ket has no smell. Johnny does though, and people selling The Homeless Herald at churchare starting to complain. es and on street corners. A gentle push “I’m Homeless, But Not Lazy,” is one All the beds are filled and the sun has long set headline. The paper has some poems, upon the pink bungalows and Sean is alone in a few ads (not nearly enough) and, on Penthouse 4 with Jenny Scott, who was Principal Page 6, Sean’s own article, “My Friend of the Year once up north, and then she had some Named John.” family problems and then she was a homeless Who still needs to take a shower. Sean woman in South Florida and now she is Sean’s resolves as he drives home, wondering assistant. if he’ll be able to sleep this night. “Am I pushing Johnny too hard?” he asks her. Sleep comes hard “I could smell him all the way across the courtBut this night is like the rest, he gets yard,” she says. (Continued on pg 9)
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 6
Volume XII, Issue 8
Page 7
Saying Goodbye to Our Friend Johnny... I can only say is that Johnny meant the world to all of us here at the shelter, he will always be missed. He was the Prince of COSAC and he was treated as such from each and every one person that knew him! If you did not know Johnny you liked him right off the bat when you met him, he had a way that always made you smile… Even if I was having one of my bad days all I had to do was spend some time with Johnny and it was washed away, as you got to know him you got to love him as we all did… I had the pleasure to know him for 8yrs. Throughout the years I heard the stories, the comments, and the quirky words he would come out with would make me smile, make me laugh and at times would want to make me cry cause I felt just in awe at times being with him myself or sit-
ting with Sean cause he was such a Character. I just don’t ever really think he knew how much he meant and was LOVED by so many and how he touched our hearts as he had touched mine! Those of us in the shelter who knew him and those of you who know me, understand other than what I said thinking about “My Friend Named John.” The title of a story written by Robert George of the Sun-Sentinel, is that if it was not for Johnny being found by someone who cared about others enough to give him a place to stay and call home, allowed me to have a place to stay in my time of need & now call “MY HOME” I would not have the Friends or the People I call Family now. What else would be fitting enough to end what I had to say? God Bless you Johnny McCormick, Johnny McCormick, Johnny McCormick!-Billy Robb
Johnny was the “Centerpiece” of this Shelter and he touched many people’s hearts while being here.
When I first came to the shelter as a visitor, I couldn’t help but notice the man in the hallway, and he always greeted me with a Hello and where’s Sean?? Two years later when I started working here I really got to know him as more than the guy in the hallway. Johnny was a one of a kind person that You just had to Like, no matter what he said or did. I spent a lot of time getting to know him and tried my best to figure him out, but he always would surprise me with something other than my assumption. Johnny would always come up with the craziest remarks that would literally make you laugh so hard, and you wondered where did that come from?? He would give you anything that he had or would share it with you, no matter what it was. Johnny was the “Centerpiece” of this Shelter and he touched many people’s hearts while being here. There is not one day that goes by without me thinking of him as I get off the elevator and waiting to hear him ask me for my mountain dew or a cigarette, and I still expect to see him or hear his voice. I’m Happy to know that he was well taken care of while here and that he is in a much better place now. May You rest in Peace Johnny...........I Miss You!! –Mike O’Hara
I met Johnny in 2006 when I came to COSAC because of drug problems. I grew up in a house where both my parents thought they were perfect and I was the only one who didn’t believe in perfection, lots of money, and making people miserable for the hell of it. I grew up thinking I had to act better than everyone else and no one else even mattered. When I met Johnny sure I was wrapped up in drugs but it made me think of how a guy so down to earth was so calm in a place like a homeless shelter. He showed me that everyone can be cool no matter who they are if you just give them the chance. He also made me realize not to sweat the small stuff because anyone that comes from a good family can end up here. He was a very cool and easy guy who would always make you feel better if you just took the time to listen to him. -Danielle
The Voice of the Homeless
Page 8
CT Scans Cut Lung Cancer Deaths, Study Finds......
(Continued from pg 5)
We all know smokers and former ing other illnesses. smokers and for some of us that may The findings represent an enormous advance include ourselves. So please read the in cancer detection that could potentially save story and get your C T scans of the thousands of lives annually, although at conlungs and have it done each and evsiderable expense. Lung cancer will claim ery year. For those of us who know about 157,000 lives this year, more than the people who smoke or did smoke deaths from colorectal, breast, pancreatic and show them this story and tell them to prostate cancers combined. Most patients disget a yearly CT scan. cover their disease too late for treatment, and For those of you who smoke and 85 percent die from it. you want to stop smoking we are No screening method had proved effective having a support group on Mondays at reducing mortality from the disease. Four at our building in Hollywood with a randomized controlled trials done during the 24 hours hot line. 1970s showed that chest Please call my ofwhile they helped These people are worried X-rays, fice at 954-924catch cancers at an earlier about lung cancer, 3571 and we will stage, had no effect on overtake your info and all death rates. Since then, and now there is an call you when it opportunity to offer them researchers have suggested starts. You may that CT scans — which something also email me at use coordinated X-rays to sacacon@aol.com provide three-dimensional and I will get in touch with you as views — could detect lung tumors at an even soon as we have a few people. We earlier stage than X-rays. also will be giving out grants for “This is the first time that we have seen clear Nicotine replacement Systems to evidence of a significant reduction in lung help you quit. cancer mortality with a screening test in a ranSo remember if you smoke quit, domized controlled trial,” said Dr. Christine and also to have yearly CT scans Berg of the National Cancer Institute. done. Also please remember to share Cancer doctors and others predicted that the this story with others who do smoke study’s results would soon lead to widespread and who have smoked. You might use of CT scans, in particular for older smokjust save their life. Also remember ers, who have a one in 10 chance of contractto join our support group to want to ing lung cancer. stop smoking. And we must pray “These people are worried about lung caneach and every day for a CURE FOR cer, and now there is an opportunity to offer ALL CANCERS FOR ALL PEOthem something,” said Dr. Mary Reid, an asPLE AND YES GOD WILL SEND sociate professor of oncology at the Roswell A CURE. This is the only gift I think Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. I could give out right now. So please But health officials involved in the study retake my gift and stay healthy. Merry fused to endorse widespread screening of curChristmas! rent or former smokers, saying more analysis CT Scans Cut Lung Cancer Deaths, of the study’s results is needed to further idenStudy Finds tify who benefited most. Such an analysis is Gardiner Harris months away. And they pointed out that the WASHINGTON — Annual CT study offers no reassurance about the safety scans of current and former heavy of smoking or the advisability of CT scans for smokers reduced their risk of death younger smokers or nonsmokers. from lung cancer by 20 percent, a “No one should come away from this thinkhuge government-financed study ing that it’s now safe to continue to smoke,” has found. Even more surprising, said Dr. Harold E. Varmus, director of the Nathe scans seem to reduce the risks of tional Cancer Institute. death from other causes as well, sugPatients wishing to get a CT lung screen gesting that the scans could be catchwill most likely have to pay the roughly $300
screening would prove beneficial in charge themselves, since few insurers pay for preventing most lung cancer deaths. such scans unless an illness is suspected. The Dr. Patz said that the biology of lung federal Medicare program will soon reconsidcancer has long suggested that the er paying for such screens, a Medicare official size of cancerous lung tumors tells said. little about the stage of the disease. The study, called the National Lung Screen“If we look at this study carefully, ing Trial, was conducted by the American we may suggest that there is some College of Radiology Imaging Network and benefit in high-risk individuals, but the cancer institute. It involved more than I’m not there yet,” Dr. Patz said. 53,000 people ages 55 to 74 who had smoked Since 46 million people in the Unitat least 30 pack-years — one pack a day for ed States smoke and tens of millions 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. Exmore once smoked, a widespread smokers who had quit within the previous 15 screening program could cost bilyears were included in the group. lions annually. Any further refineEach was given either a standard chest Xment of those most at risk could reray or a low-dose CT scan at the start of the duce those costs. Low-dose CT scans trial and then twice more over the next two expose patients to about the same years. Participants were followed for up to radiation levels as mammograms. five years. There were 354 lung cancer deaths Little is known about how the cuamong those who received CT scans and 442 mulative risks of years of such scans among those who got X-rays. The $250 milwould balance the benefits. lion study, which began in 2002, was paid for The study’s results could have both by the cancer institute and carried out at 33 legal and political consequences. sites. Suits against tobacco companies Its preliminary results were announced days have sought to force cigarette makafter an independent monitoring board deers to pay for annual CT screens of termined that the benefits of CT scans were former smokers. But with the science strong enough to stop the trial. The study will uncertain, those claims have so far be published in the coming months. been rebuffed. Congress has diverted The study found that for every 300 people some research money to create pilot who were screened, one person lived who CT lung screening programs, diverwould otherwise have died during the study. sions that may gain momentum now. But one-quarter of those given CT scans were Some Obama administration offound to have anomalies, nearly all of which ficials argued during the debate on were benign. These false signals generally led the health care law that patients’ to more worry, more CT scans and sometimes health was often harmed by getting to lung biopsies and thoracic surgery. too many tests “There are economic, and procemedical and psychoDeaths due to all causes dures that, if logical consequences of declined by 7 percent ...had reduced, would finding these abnormalithe screening continued for 10 improve health ties,” Dr. Varmus said. Deaths due to all causes years, as many as 80 percent of while reduccosts. This declined by 7 percent lung cancer deaths could have ing study suggests among study particibeen averted that, at least in pants who received CT lung cancer, scans, suggesting the spending more on tests saves lives. tests helped to detect other life-threatening Laurie Fenton, president of the diseases besides lung cancer. Lung Cancer Alliance, which has Dr. Claudia Henschke, a clinical professor of lobbied for widespread CT lung radiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and screening, said the debate about the a longtime advocate for use of CT to screen advisability of such scans is now for lung cancer, said the study was likely to over. have underestimated the benefits of CT scans “The challenge now shifts from because participants were screened only three proving the efficacy of the method to times. Had the screening continued for 10 developing the proper quality stanyears, as many as 80 percent of lung cancer dards, infrastructure and guidelines deaths could have been averted, she said. Dr. to bring this needed benefit to those Henschke’s research has been controversial at high risk for the disease — now,” because of its statistical methods and its fiMs. Fenton said. nancing, which included money from a tobacBut Dr. Peter B. Bach, a pulmonco company. She earns royalties from makers ologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering of CT machines. Cancer Center in New York, said no “What we also have found is that low-dose one should rush out and get a CT CT scan gives information on cardiovascular scan yet because further analysis disease, emphysema” and other pulmonary will better define whom the screendiseases, Dr. Henschke said. “Those are the ing helped. three big killers of older people. There is just “Very soon we’ll have an answer tremendous potential.” about who should be screened and But Dr. Edward F. Patz Jr., professor of rahow frequently,” Dr. Bach said, “but diology at Duke who helped devise the study, we don’t have that answer today.” said he was far from convinced that a thorough analysis would show that widespread CT
Volume XII, Issue 8
Page 9
“My Friend Named John”
whom Sean had found passed out by a fire hythat everything is going to be OK. The line keeps two hours. drant, and Pete, whom Sean had found in a dumpcoming and the phone keeps ringing and Johnny First it is the sleep disorder that came ster, hear the water running. shuffles away, still smoking, still dirty. with the pain that came with the injuries When Johnny comes out a few minutes later, the As darkness falls, Sean hands a slip of paper to to his neck and back. His stomach is a blackness of his feet, once uniform from toes to Della for her to sign. mess again, too, so when he does nod ankles, is streaked as if splashed, however briefly, Thirty days of no visitors and 10 days of AA off he gags and jolts awake in a panic. by a stream of water. Johnny is wearing the same meetings, that was her punishment. When she His two precious hours start just before soiled jeans, the same unbuttoned shirt. Eddie and signs, Sean notices a black mark on her fingernail, dawn in the semi-darkness and semiPete poke their heads inside the bathroom and nothe sort of burn caused when the lighter held over quiet of a bedroom with the television tice there is no bar of soap. a crack pipe flickers up between each inhale. on. “What do I gotta do, throw you in the shower?” It’s an old stain, Della says. She swears to God it He worries more than he dreams, worPete says to him. is. But it doesn’t look old to Sean. ries about all of the things on all of the Sean hears about the phantom shower when he A new man lists that come with this shelter of his. gets to the shelter later that day and calls Johnny Four more two-hour nights and Sean is exhaustAnd is he doing the right thing? up to Penthouse 4. Johnny shuffles into the front ed. Four more showerless days and Johnny is rank. It’s not as though he ever planned on room and searches out the one vacant chair, a Then comes Day 15 of Johnny’s showerless starting a shelter. In fact, it happened lighted cigarette in his hand, another unlighted streak, the day when Johnny goes inside the bathby accident almost, a thing of impulse one in his mouth, a third sticking out of his hair, room of Room 8 and the water goes on and stays born into a night next to, but not actually beon this time. When Johnny comes out hind, his ear. The phones are three years ago “Hey,” Pete says, smiling through the door after when it was worry a few minutes later, the ringing, the smoke is thicken- a half-hour has passed. “you’re going to have to ny would be asleep. Johnny can sleep what to do with his blackness of his feet, once ing, the line outside is getting pay the water bill!” anywhere, either where he is now -- on new foundation that longer, and Della is standing When Johnny finally comes out, he is wearing uniform from toes to ankles, the couch, holding his blanket -- or bewas keeping Sean off to the side by the crates of a new T-shirt and he is holding up a new pair of neath the gazebo, or in the lawn chair Cononie up late, is streaked as if splashed, cranberry juice. pants, Sean’s black jeans, size 42, at least two sizoutside, anywhere, anytime, bucketfuls driving him from however briefly, by a stream “We’re going to have to es too big for Johnny. of slumber on demand. his bed and into his hose you down,” Sean says to Eddie and Pete talk about boiling his old clothes of water. Sean snaps on the light and Johnny Lexus and down Johnny, who is using the last while Johnny brags about his new ones, offering opens his eyes. darkened streets in search of a purpose. ember of one cigarette to light up another. in his quiet mumbly voice to buy a soda for anyHere at the end of a tired day, it Around midnight he spotted a homeJohnny furrows his brow, and then he smiles a one who wants one. No one says a word about the turns out that Johnny McCormick, the less couple huddled beneath a highway bit. T-shirt being on backwards. neediest, is the one Sean Cononie, the bridge. “If you scrub me,” he says, “put on the rubber Sean is sorting change again and misses the givingest, is needing again. “Need a place to stay?” he had asked. gloves.” whole thing. And then the next day, before he can “Wanna cigarette?” Sean asks, and of It happened just like that. An impulse, Della giggles. With her hands clasped in front even sit down at the desk in Penthouse 4, he is course Johnny does, and he takes a light, a question, a shelter. of her, that sheepish smile on her face, she looks distracted by news that Carol got a $20 bill from too. He put the couple up in an apartment almost girlish, despite being middle-aged and somewhere, and that it is gone now, and that ever Sean pulls a copy of The Homeless at 2707 Lincoln St. And then, on anworld-weary. since it disappeared her jaw has been wobbling. Herald out of his back pocket. other sleepless night, he found another “Della, the Miracle,” Sean calls her, sober and That can mean only one thing. Crack in the shel“Look Johnny, you’re famous,” Sean homeless person. And then two apartoff crack for three months now, and able for the ter. And he sends for Carol, whose middle-aged says, opening to Page 6. He holds it out ments, then an entire bungalow. And first time in the year he’s known her to follow a world-weariness shows a lot more than Della’s for Johnny. then, when there were just a dozen or conversation. does. Johnny rustles it, turns it this way and so people, Johnny came. Then another She had come home drunk last night and now Carol comes up the stairs and through the door. that. and another. she was swearing to God, for the fourth time, that She gave the $20 to Caroline, she says. Caroline is Sean’s story, “My Friend Named And then the other shelters heard about she never had a single drug, even though, reeking Carol’s friend. No one has ever seen Caroline. No John,” tells of how they had met on the this Sean guy who had his own shelter, of booze, she had banged on the door of Penthouse one even knows who Caroline is. curb by a bus station, and how Sean had and they began calling him, asking him 4 and woke up Jenny at 3 a.m. “I gotta problem.” Sean says. “I know you’re tried to get the psych ward at the hosto take in the drug addicts and the men“Can you just not discharge me, please?” she lyin’.” pital to take Johnny in, but the hospital tally ill, the old senile drunks and the begs Sean. He empties Carol’s purse, opens her lipstick, had refused and how, over the months, young troublemaking ones, while at the Sean just stares at her. Della looks inside her half-crushed people had come and gone, hundreds same time demanding to know when he shifts her foot, opens her pack of cigarettes. It will And there it is in black of them so far -- Annies and Carols and was going to get a board of directors mouth, as if to repeat her oath, take Sean seven hours before Toms and lots and lots of Dellas -- and made up of people other than the people and white and in Sean’s closes it back up. She fixes a Carol finally admits to smokJohnny was always there holding his staying in the shelter. Maybe then he smile on her face, and then ing crack. It is past midnight own words. “He is the best pants up with his left hand and making would get some proper funding. And tries out a frown, and when when Carol, jaw wobbling Sean smile. when was he going to quit sending them that doesn’t work either, she present God has ever given like mad, finally says where Johnny’s eyes, flickering beneath the out to beg? That gave everybody a bad looks at the floor. Sean stares. she got it. me in my entire life.” tangle of his hair, scan back and forth name. She looks at the ceiling. Then Della has it, she says. It’s across the upside-down newspaper. And the police began calling, too, askshe looks away altogether. Della. To Sean, he looks like Jesus Christ. It ing him to pick up drunks passed out on “OK, Sean”, she finally says, “I was drinkin’ last Sean smashes Carol’s crack in front of her, tells doesn’t matter that Johnny’s feet are the streets where they would ban Sean’s night.” her if she wants to stay she’ll be confined to her already turning black again. Hadn’t collection crews on the very next day. It was a bottle of schnapps. Her disability check room for 30 days. Christ’s feet gotten dirty in the Bible And the hospitals called with their poor came in and she cashed it and her boyfriend came “I wanna stay, Sean, I wanna stay,” she says. and didn’t someone have to wash them patients and a warning they wouldn’t around and they decided to get drunk. It just hapBut Della won’t give up her crack. She won’t off, or something like that? keep them, and so Sean had to take them pened. agree to room confinement. She lets Sean give her And there it is in black and white and too, didn’t he? “You remember that I told you not to sneak out?” a hug, but she won’t give him any excuse to keep in Sean’s own words. “He is the best Is he doing the right thing, taking in he says. her and she walks away -- Della the Miracle, a present God has ever given me in my people no other shelter would touch, “Yes, Sir.” bundle of clothes, unbrushed hair, smiles, frowns, entire life.” sending them into that rush-hour traf“You wanna end up brain dead?” swearing to God with her hidden cash into the “Johnny, I love you,” Sean says. fic, publishing a newspaper written by “That’s why I’m bipolar,” she says. “Because of night. “And I hate you, too,” Johnny says. them? Is he doing the right thing? all those drugs I’ve done and all the booze I’ve Jenny goes into the back room to fall asleep and But he can’t help smiling when he says Sean’s two hours of rest and worry end had.” Sean is left alone, knowing his own bed will offer it and then he gives himself away with just after dawn when his legs start to “You’re gonna come back with a wet brain. no comfort. He goes into that hot night, down the that soft laugh of his. jerk up and down. That happens a lot, You’re not even gonna know when you pee.” stairs and through the gap in the chain-link fence Copyright 1999, Sun-Sentinel too. Up and down, up and down, so hard “I’ve already got cirrhosis, “ she says, as if to where Johnny’s old jeans, freshly cleaned, if not Written by Robert George it’s impossible to keep his eyes closed a compliment Sean for being so perceptive. boiled too, have been set out to dry. minute longer. Susan knocks on the door and lumbers in. Sean He opens the door to Room 8. Sean knows JohnA clean start? yells at her for smoking when she’s so out of On this morning, Sean stays at his breath. Jeff, a day laborer who attributes his perhouse pouring jars of coins into sortpetually bowed head to his chronically low selfNot sure if God is for you? ing machines while, back at the shelter, esteem, comes in to pay his $16 in daily rent. Sean Are you an addict? Drink too much? Johnny gets caught faking a shower. tells Annie, who is about to spend her first night Interfaith Church, where all His roommates, Eddie and Pete, bug ever at a shelter, to wipe the toilet seat before uscan come and worship God. him so much that he finally goes inside ing it and to sleep with her money on her, even if the bathroom and shuts the door. Eddie, she has to put it in her bra, and to not be afraid,
(Continued from pg 5)
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The Voice of the Homeless
Page 10
Spending Less, Giving More
C
Staff Writer
hristmas time is often stressful for many people. Their schedules are filled and their budgets are tight- this year however, instead of spending money you don’t have, maybe these following gift suggestions can inspire you and help to relieve some of the financial strains the holiday season brings. A handmade recipe book: A compilation of old family recipes from your family, and your friends’ families. Start collecting them, edit and make them real nice and sturdy (to withstand the heavy use!) Homemade bread or muffins: Wrap the loaves/muffins and place them in small baskets, tins or on seasonal plates from a dis-
specific for that person and find a cheap count or dollar store. If you want to add frame that your child can decorate . Or more, packets of instant spiced cider, coif you are a talented artist consider crecoa, or tea would be a nice addition. ating a picture of your recipients house Salt dough ornaments: (Mix 4 C. flour or favorite object. and 1 C. salt well. Gradually add 1 ½ C. Calendar: These can be as simple or as water stirring with a spoon. Finish mixelaborate as you want to make them. First ing with hands until soft and pliable. Roll go to a website where you out onto a floured surface can print blank calenabout 1/8” thick and cut with cookie cutters of The gift of time can often dar pages. (Familycrafts. your preference. With a be the most precious. about.com has free print and color options.) Then toothpick make a hole for you can add drawings, threading string. Bake at pictures, and fill in family or friends birth325 degrees until hard, about 1 hr.) When days and special events. You can bind it at ornaments are cool you can paint and decyour local printing store or at home with orate however you choose. This is a great some pretty ribbon. activity for children and a way to give a Address Book: Buy an inexpensive advery personalized gift. dress book and fill in all the contacts that Framed Artwork: This can be for the you share with your recipient, (this works granparent who says they have all that very well if the gift is for a family memneed! Have your child make something
ber or young adult.) Personalized Stationary: Buy a blank set of cards and envelopes from your local craft store. On the front of card, add their monogram or a simple design like a flower or butterfly. If you want to up the value throw in some stamps. Personal Coupons: The gift of time can often be the most precious. Coupons can range from offering to babysit to mowing the lawn. You can make and deliver a meal or help organize their garage. Think about the recipient and what their needs may be. Hope your holiday season is joy filled and stress free, Merry Christmas!
Volume XII, Issue 8
Page 11
Saying Goodbye to Our Friend Johnny... I remember a song sung by Shelley Fabares from the old Donna Reed Show, entitled Johnny Angel. We are fortunate to have our own Johnny Angel watching over all of us from Heaven. Johnny was a very bright and often comical man. When I was in charge of the kitchen, he would always knock on the door and try to help himself to coffee. We had to restrict his coffee intake at times and try to convince him to eat something, because if Johnny had his way, he would do nothing but smoke and drink coffee all day. One afternoon when I told him he had to eat something before having coffee, he protested, stating that he wanted the telephone to call Juan Valdez. I laughed so much at his comment that I literally had tears in my eyes. I recall another incident when Sean was limiting the amount of cigarettes Johnny should smoke, I was walking toward the lobby and right there, Johnny was smoking away. I asked him where he got the cigarette from and without skipping a beat, he replied, “Philip Morris”. Johnny became a fixture here at the shelter, a person that everyone needed to say hello to, a person that everyone respected. I miss him and miss his antics, his jokes, his character. I pray that God is watching over him and taking care of him the way he deserves to be taken care of. I miss you and I love you Johnny Angel. –Ron Gautjer
When I met Johnny When i first arrived here at COSAC, like others I was very nervous. On my second day here I was allowed to take a shower- that is when I talked and listened to Johnny. By listening to Johnny that night I could finally relax and not be so nervous. I laughed with him and at him, he had so many strange and off the wall things to say you could not do anything but laugh at what he said. There will always be a spot in my heart and my memories. I do and will miss our friend Johnny. -Mike Biglen We all really miss our friend Johnny!! He was a real fixture here for a very long time!! He had his little ways and could be counted on for a smile just when you least expected it from him!! We believe he is in a better place. -Donald Ezell
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, how can anyone even forget you and all that you brought to one’s life. When I think of you I think of your intelligence and conversations with you were always fun. Today when I got off the elevator, I looked at your chair and I just laughed, thinking about what you were doing. Be Good Johnny. - Love, Ginny
Johnny, the one that always made me laugh when I would pass him? The one that didn’t really ask for much just for a little attention here and there. The one that was kind and loving to everyone and didn’t do any harm. The one I would bring drinks too. The one that everybody adored and loved here. Oh how he is missed today at this homeless shelter and will never be forgotten. Make everyone up there smile and bring them joy as you did down there. R.I.P Johnny McCormick you will be well missed. -Love, Anna & Paul One of my fondest memories of Johnny is the two days that I spent with him several years ago when he was in the hospital. At this point in time he was still very talkative. We talked about everything from his childhood to his living on the street. I feel that during the time we bonded. I listened to him go on about his life and being on the streets and it was quite an eye opener for me. Some of the things that can happen on the streets are very scary and thought provoking. It is amazing that so many people can survive on the streets for long periods of time. He also talked about his love of Sean for taking him off of the streets. And all that Sean had done for him over the years. I believe that he was truly grateful to Sean for having taken him of the streets. And I know that they both loved each other in their own special way. There are things that I am going to miss about Johnny from the last few months he was with us. His hollering at Sean’s door for a yellow. He always wanted a cigarette when he was not supposed to be smoking. Call for Mike Hooligan. And foremost all the rice pudding I got for when he was not eating. This is the Johnny that I remember and always will. Good bye my friend. Till we see each other again. -Merrit
Like a celebrity lying on a beach chair on south beach is how our friend Johnny looked in his lounge chair in our hallway. Although not as tan and never wearing Speedos. Johnny was our own celebrity here at the shelter. Johnny was the true definition of a “character.” Coffee and cigarettes were all Johnny needed to be happy. While hundreds of people passed by him every day as he would look up at them all, nothing fazed him. It didn’t matter if the coffee was black, loaded with sugar, piping hot or ice cold it was good enough for Johnny. He was like a son to Sean, the founder and director of our shelter and when I say that I mean it with total conviction. He loved Johnny the way any parent should love their child. Sean was father, mother, doctor, chef, best friend and life support to him. You could not walk by Johnny lounging in his beach chair without him making you laugh with one of his clever “Johnny-isms.” “Let’s go to the hospital and watch the sprinklers come on,” or in his angry voice when he hadn’t had a cigarette in awhile, “Richard, what do you do here anyway? Get a job.” One of the finest testaments to Johnny was the other day when an ambulance driver came in the lobby to pick up another client. He looked at the picture of Johnny on the wall and very humbly he said he had read in the paper that Johnny had passed and Johnny was a good guy. He had picked him up a few times and felt saddened by his death. Every time we walk by Johnny’s chair where a shrine of various objects now sit in his memory, we all still say “hello Johnny. NO, YOU CANT HAVE A CIGARETTE,” as if he was still there. Doing so had become a ritual and a habit to us all for many years and we deeply miss him as one of our own family members. –Richard Carlish
Saint Johnny I was just sitting outside drinking my coffee, watching my dog watch the doves and pigeons having breakfast in my backyard. I have a dove that seems to daily sit on the wire and look at me and I talk to it like it was a pet. These are God’s beautiful creatures that humans can love and care for. Johnny was like that dove. He was one of God’s most beautiful creatures and we loved him and cared for him like he was family. He was family and in the place in our hearts where we store the memories of our loved ones, he still is family. And just as God puts human beings in place to care for his doves and pigeons, he put all the people here at the shelter to love and care for Johnny McCormick. He was truly the most important part of COSAC; he was what kept it running. Johnny who “lost his teeth when he hitch-hiked to Egypt” or saw “that rainbow” where there could not possibly have been one. Sean always says that Johnny looks like Jesus, and when he was in better health and with his beautiful blue eyes, he really did and even when his days became numbered you could still see Jesus in his Agony. As a Catholic we believe in the Communion of the Saints, and anyone who is in Heaven is a saint; and please, God someday we all will be there, body and soul and we will be with our Johnny again.
R.I.P. John McCormick 4/29/52 - 9/16/10 When I first came to live in the shelter, that’s when I had first met Johnny. I was brought up to my new room and he saw I had a cup of coffee in my hand and then he had asked the staff member if he could get a cup of coffee himself, Johnny was then told that they did not have any coffee for him at that time... though when I got in my room I saw that we had a pot of coffee so I went back and asked Johnny if he would like some of the coffee in the room? He said “Yes Please!” awaiting a nice cup of coffee as he liked to drink..Then he said, Thank You! with a smile. Since then I always made it a point if I had a cup if he would like some? Did not matter what I was doing at the time...I always had the time to make a cup of coffee for Johnny He always had a way about him that you could not refuse!...I think it was his Smile that got me all the time and how much he loved coffee....I wish I got to know him more than I did...at least the time I had was enough to remember him always......Thank you Johnny for being Johnny...................Teresa Sanchez
PRAYER FOR THE POOR AND HOMELESS Lord, how does it happen that in a free nation there are so many people who are poor and even homeless? How does it happen that in a nation where schools are free for everyone, there are people who cannot fill out an application for employment because they cannot read or write? Help us to grow towards a greater understanding of the poor and their problems so that we can better help them help themselves. We know that self-reliance leads to self-confidence, so let us help the poor find new ways to be independent and responsible citizens. Finally, Lord, let the poor and homeless develop a greater faith in You and guide them toward a permanent way of life which is financially secure. Amen
5k
& 1 mile fun run!
Entertainment!
Fast flat course along beautiful Hollywood Beach!
Refreshments!
Prizes in each age category!
T-Shirt for all pre-registrants * 50/50 * Swag Bags