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COSAC Foundation | PO Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 | 954-924-3571
Couch to 5k, You CAN do It!
Starting anything new can be intimidating. The couch to 5k idea is to slowly ease yourself into excercise and build your fitness level over 8 weeks. Here are some tips to aide you in your journey! * Stretch after every workout to avoid injuries. * If you start developing an injury, STOP running before it gets worse and take a few days off. * This is only a rough outline of the perfect plan for you. You can change it as you need to. * Don’t push yourself too hard when you jog. * Go at a comfortable pace. * Hydrate properly and energize yourself at least an hour before you run. *Make sure you have the correct running shoes. Congratulations! You are ready to run in our 5th Annual Race Home! Visit HomelessVoice. org to sign up for the race on April 19th. We’ll see you at the finish line!
Week 1
run 1 minute, walk 90 seconds
8 sets
Week 2
run 2 minute, walk 1 minute
7 sets
Week 3
run 4 minute, walk 1 minute
6 sets
Week 4
run 6 minute, walk 2 minutes
4 sets
Week 5
run 9 minute, walk 2 minutes
3 sets
Week 6
run 12 minute, walk 1 minute
3 sets
Week 7
run 15 minute, walk 1 minute
2 sets
Week 8
run 30 minutes
1 sets Complete each workout 3-5 times a week
Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves
The Homeless Voice Winter 2015
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Addias Eugene Alicia Hernandez Amparo Penuela Angel Porras Angela Martinez Arelys Pod Arturo & Amelia Rodriguez Awake Inc. Barbara DeSanto Barbara Robinson Basil & Sonja Gonsalves Bill & Laura Fash Bobbie Given Charles & Tracy Rice Coco Mindreau Dalal Almeida Daniel Guevara David Reiff Deco Illusions Inc Donald & Rose Rieth Donna Galloway
~Monthly Angels~
Donna Jesudowich Eduardo Bovea Ellen Heron Erin Gardner Ethel Smith Eva & George Gorzkowski Evelyn Correa Evelyn Russo Evelyn Salerno Frank & Jo Anne Lindauer Frank & Johanna Gennuso Gary Pierce Charles Sheehan Gavin on the Beach Genie’s Lamp Smoke Shop Geoffrey & Jennie Falbey Gerard Moraly Greentree Financial Group Hollywood Health Products Inc Isa-Aura Rosenthal Jack & Anna Hadley Jacob Slebodnik Jacqueline Levine Jaime Alustiza
James & Bonnie Jean Lide Jared Carrell John Dinielli John & Linda Evans John Rahael Jorge Alvarez Jorge Herrera Jorge Sanchez Joseph Maiuro Juan & Antonieta Bofill Judith Temple Judith Tozzi Julio Fernandez Junyan Song Karen Povlock Kat Pwen Kadino Corp Laurence Goldsmith Lilian A De Paz Valenzuela Linda Macfarlane Linda Moyer Lizabeth Miguel Loise Goldberg Maria Colmenares
Maria Elena Rodriguez Maria Ortega Maria’s Birthday Wishes for The Homeless Mark Duske Mark Targett Mary Parish Messan Benissan Michael Prokop Miguel & Mariana Mujica Mindful Music Movement Morris Kaufmann Nadine Collette Norma Deyo Patrice & George Shurland Paul & Rosalie Pierce Paul Christodoulou Pin Osuji Praxi Solutions Presbyterian Women In The Congregation Ramonita Lopez R K Campbell
R T Shankweiler Ralph Hill Ralph Wickham Ramonita Lopez Randy Conklin Reon Hilagass Richard Berk Richard & Mary Simons Richard Sczykutowicz RM Beaulieu Roanne Cobuzio Roy Bruno Rufino Garcia SJ Osborne Sahily Castro Samantha Boehm Sandra Beach Sean Campbell Sean Cononie Shashwata Roy Barman Soira Ramos Stone Age Crafters LLC Suzanne & Joe Matsuura
Tatiana Da Cunha Temple Aron Ted Wynne Hakodesh Teresa Black Thomas Payne Timothy Osborn Tjoman Buditaslim Tom Thumb Food Stores Inc. Village Quick Pick INC. Vilma Bagwandeen Victor Lanza Virginia Bailey Verne Trusko Walton Brown Wilhelm Schaugg William & Barbara Gentzsch Yasmin Leiva
Thank you for your support Angels! Your support keeps our doors open! Dear Homeless Voice Readers:
We are the small non-profit that runs the #1 emergency and response shelter in South Florida. We serve, house, and care for 500 homeless every day, and have costs like any other business: water, power, rent, programs, staff and legal help. The Homeless Voice is extremely effective. It is a place where anyone in need will get help. It is a safe place for people to go when they have nowhere else to turn. We take no government funds. We run on donations averaging about 33 cents. If everyone reading this paper gave the price of a cup of coffee, our fundraising would be done. If helping people is important to you as it is important for us, take one minute to go online to www.hvoice.org and become a monthly angel. $15 per month is what we need from You. Please help us forget fundraising and get back to Serving the Homeless. Thank you. Please visit: www.hvoice.org/member
Donate Online: HomelessVoice.org/Donate
Donations are tax deductable & help South Florida’s Homeless
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The COSAC Foundation was originally established in May 1997 to partner with other social service agencies, in the area, that provided help to the homeless population. COSAC also independently feeds the homeless or anyone in need of food. The COSAC Foundation opened it’s first homeless shelter in 1999 and named it COSAC Quarters (the shelter money was raised by spare change). We have grown into a multifaceted agency that feeds, shelters, and arranges for each homeless person to receive the necessary access to social and noncompulsory religious services to enable a return to a self-reliant lifestyle. And for the small percentage of people incapable of living independent lives, we provide a caring and supportive environment for their long-term residency. Our vision is to end discrimination against the homeless population and to develop such an effective network of services that we greatly reduce the time a person or family emerges out of homelessness back into self-reliance.
Home Improvement Gift Cards Always Needed Send us a gift! P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, FL 33329 LOWES
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If you received this issue of the Homeless Voice in your mailbox please go to pg 4 We have an Emergency!
Homeless Voice Newspaper Staff Publisher Sean Cononie Editor in Chief Mark Targett Executive Editor Sara Targett www.HomelessVoice.org/contact
~ Cathy’s Prayer List ~ * Beth Ann * The Coakleys * Eddie Mercer * Bob * Michael Loffredo * Natacha Lewis * Steven Green * Josh Wynn * Bianca * James * Lois * Robert Tansey * Veronica & John * Carmen Cononie * Mary Summers * Cassandra Wilson * Charlene Duarte
* Rusty Columbo * Devon Bailey & Family * Maria Dragon * Vemonda Lane & Family * Charlie * Mr. Mike * Tiffany * Dvora * Ed Giampietro * Kristan David Perez * Tommy & Joe * Geralyn * Little Ryan * Earnest Bowens & Family
To add a name to Cathy’s Prayer List, call or text 954-410-6275
The Homeless Voice Winter 2015
About the COSAC Foundation
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We continue to lose street corners where we collect all of your generous donations. The cities are banning us and we need your support now more than ever. Please donate today at homelessvoice.org/donate
Looking for organized, energetic volunteers For more details and to sign up visit: hvoice.org/volunteer
Meatless Monday! Cool Weather Classics Andreas Pasta Fagioli
Ingredients Original recipe makes 8 servings -3 tablespoons olive oil -1 onion, quartered then halved -2 cloves garlic, minced -1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce -5 1/2 cups water -1 tablespoon dried parsley -1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil -1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano -1 teaspoon salt -1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans -1 (15 ounce) can navy beans -1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese -1 pound ditalini pasta
Directions -In a large pot over medium heat, cook onion in olive oil until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook until tender. Reduce heat, and stir in tomato sauce, water, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, cannelini beans, navy beans and Parmesan. -Simmer 1 hour. -Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Stir into soup.
#Live Like Paul Staff Writer
“You ask me whether I am in good spirits. How could I not be so? As long as faith gives me strength, I will always be joyful.� This quote was on the prayer card of Paul Coakley who lost his short but fierce battle with cancer this January. Paul was a 34 year old father of 3 with another on the way. He was a Fransiscan University of Steubenville alumni and a devout Catholic man. He was adventerous and fearless. He was a good son, father, friend, and to me a complete stranger. Paul was a friend of my sister and brother who went to school with him. This past December through social media, I saw posts asking to #prayforpaul. His wife Ann and dozens of other friends updated loved ones of his ups and downs and urgent requests to storm heaven with our prayers. Over 7,000 people started responding to these requests- many of them strangers of the family but moved by the faith and love that was being displayed were now a part of this #prayforpaul community. When Paul was finally released from this world, the praise and gratitude from his loved ones continued. Their strength and faith have been so incredible to witness and have been largely inspired by how Paul lived and loved while he was here. #livelikepaul is now their new motto. To read more on this beautiful family and to contribute in prayer please visit, www.facebook.com/paulandanncoakleyneedamiracle
Warm up with Soup!
God qualifies the unqualified. As a result of the Roman council we call Vatican two, much of the power that was reserved for priests and bishops in the church was made available to the laity. Only a priest could touch the consecrated bread and only a priest could distribute the Eucharist. Women were forbidden to enter the sanctuary at all, unless it was to clean the area. Alter servers were alter boys only. Thankfully these hurtful and archaic ways of the church were dispelled. In many ways the things that were done in the church kept us away from God. You may recall that we were not permitted to read scripture because without the proper training we could easily misunderstand and be led astray. Again something that kept us away from God and the knowledge of His son Jesus Christ. The church today still has a long way to go in responding to the mission set out by Christ, but these changes are terrific. We are an ever more inclusive church that welcomes all people regardless of anything. This doesn't mean the church condones anything and everything it simply means that we are commanded to love all people, and that is not possible if we shut you out. The diversity of our members is our strength. It is our true beauty. This is a call for all those who would like to be more involved in the church, but you are not worthy. I am not worthy, Pope Francis is not worthy. Who could, in this frail body and mind so easily led astray be worthy? God qualifies the unqualified. We are challenged to do many things in life that we are not ready for, that we are not qualified to do, and we learn, and we succeed. Our
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first job, our first child. Getting married, starting a business. To all of those things we could say that we were not qualified and we would be right, but God qualified us, gave us the fortitude to hang in there when things got tough. Let us pray today for the faith that will conquer the fear that would have held us back, kept us away from a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our Lord. Peace and blessings, Deacon Bob
The Homeless Voice Winter 2015
On Spirituality...God qualifies the unqualified
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Staff Writer
Myth #1: Homeless people are lazy and don't want to work. According to a comprehensive 1996 Urban Institute survey, about 44 percent of homeless people around the country did some sort of paid work during the previous month. In 2013 the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducted a study that found 17 percent of homeless adults in families, (who share different characteristics than homeless individuals,) had paying jobs, and 55 percent had worked during the previous year.
7 Myths about Homelessness...
Myth #2: Getting a job will keep someone out of homelessness. The National Low Income Housing Coalition found a full-time minimum wage worker would have to work between 69 and 174 hours a week, depending on the state, to pay for an "affordable" twobedroom rental unit (the federal government defines affordable as 30 percent of a person's income). A full-time minimum wage worker couldn't afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent, a standard set by the federal government, in any state. Myth #3: Homelessness is a long-term problem. The most common duration of homelessness is one or two days, according to Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania researcher Dennis Myth #4: Homelessness is typically reCulhane. Nearly one in six homeless peolated to mental illness. Serious mental ple were classiillnesses are fied as chronimore prevacally homeless lent among — people with A full-time minimum wage worker couldn’t the homeless: d i s a b i l i t i e s afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at about one in who have been four sheltered Fair Market Rent, a standard set by the federal homeless for a homeless peogovernment, in any state. year or more, or ple suffered experienced at from a severe least four epimental illness sodes of homein 2010, comlessness in three years — by HUD's 2014 pared to 5 percent of US adults, accordsurvey. ing to the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). But city officials cited lack of affordable housing, unemployment, and poverty as the top three causes of homelessness in a 2014 survey from the US Conference of Mayors. Myth #5: Most homeless people are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Roughly one-third of sheltered homeless adults had chronic substance use issues in 2010, according to the SAMHSA. Myth #6: Homelessness is going away. The number of homeless people declined nationwide by 2 percent between 2013 and 2014, HUD found. But the homeless population increased by 6 percent in New York City,
The campaign Rethink Homelessness, made popular by YouTube, focused on trying to break the stereotype of what people consider to be the face of homelessness.
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where 12 percent of homeless Americans reside, and 1 percent in all major cities. Myth #7: Fighting homelessness is expensive. Studies show that simply housing people can reduce the number of homeless at a lower cost to society than leaving them without homes. The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness found housing costs $10,000 per person per year, while leaving them homeless costs law enforcement, jails, hospitals, and other community services $31,000 per person per year.
The Homeless Voice Winter 2015
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If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway People really need help but may attack if you help them. Help people anyway Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got anyway
Donating Time vs. Donating Money Staff Writer
In terms of the homeless problem of today, there is really no wrong way to help and assist. Any help is beneficial and wonderfully amazing for the community in general. It has long been debated on what is better, giving money to the homeless or giving your time to the homeless. And, the answer still remains that both are important in their own way. Giving money to the homeless will provide them with clothing, education, food, and shelter. It will take care of the homeless in more ways than you even realize and the more money that is given, the more services and help can be provided. But, giving money is not the only way to help. You and your friends and family can also give your time to the homeless. Giving time can be just as valuable as giving money. Volunteers are able to feed the homeless, work on projects that will benefit the homeless and overall, be there as a support and anchor when times get tough. During the holidays, many people love to feed the homeless and assist with meals. Many people look past the homeless and don’t find it their duty to help with their time or their money. The reality is that we are all different and we are entitled to do as we please. You as an individual don’t have to sit back and do nothing. If you feel a plight or just a feeling of love, then give to the homeless, be it money or your time. It will help in more ways than you even know and you will be providing an inkling of hope to so many and to yourself. visit hvoice.org/donate on ways to help!
Each day at 3pm, say this prayer
Edysmar Diaz-Cruz Twitter @EdysmarDiazCruz
While some teenagers have the comfort of knowing that they have a bed to sleep in for the night, others are not as lucky. At age six-teen, Samantha Diaz lived through what most teens can’t even imagine--not having the luxury to call a place “home”. She endured jumping from house to house in the foster care system until one day she had enough and ran away. Samantha said that "not knowing where to go next, how they're going to treat you" is one of the factors that elicit her disdain towards the system. She spent days wandering the streets with a group of friends who were also homeless. Together they panhandled, depending on strangers’ compassion and willingness to If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness and need help, please call 954give them money for food. They were all run- 924-3571 There is help available. aways, escaping the people who pledged to help them, but hurt them instead. depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, Stories such as this one are certainly not economic problems, and residential instability. and suicide attempts due to the harsh---and Family problems can include sexual and physical uncommon. As of now, 39% of the Ameriand emotional abuse. As reported by 1800runaway. sometimes violent---conditions they find can homeless population is younger than 18 years old as reported by the National Coali- org, 34 percent of runaway youth said they experi- themselves in. “I had to protect myself from pedophiles,” enced sexual abuse before leaving home and 43 pertion for the Homeless. But if there are so many homeless teens, cent of runaway youth were subject to physical abuse. Emily said. “It’s funny how I thought I “They [one of Samantha’s foster parents] were emo- wouldn’t run into one though. It was only my why don’t we see them? Two words: doubling tionally abusive” said Samantha, adding on to the list first day [on the streets], and I already ran up--- some people may of abuse that some homeless into one.” know it as couch-surfEmily’s and Samantha’s stories are only two teenagers were subject to. ing. Homeless teens of39% of the American Addiction in the household of the myriad pool of homeless youth. ten turn to their friends But, there is hope. also leads to homeless teens, as homeless population is for shelter, spending There are programs that provide help and it did with a student we'll call different nights at difyounger than 18 years Emily --to protect her idenassistance to unaccompanied and doubledferent locations. old as reported by the tity--whom once fled from an up teens in need of help. Some are Project However, “It’s not just alcoholic home and spent a few Upstart, Stand Up For Kids, and Project Safe. friends; it can be movNational Coalition for the Despite this, it is hard to get these services to days hustling for shelter. ing in with grandpar“I could’ve possibly been hurt, those who need it. Homeless ents,” said Mrs. Duran, “Sometimes if we aren’t told, we don’t know,” but it was still better compared the trust counselor at said, Mrs. Duran. to going home,” she said. Miami Lakes EducaOther teenagers end up homeless because of ecoWhat can be done to help homeless teenagtional Center, “In addition to people who are ers? The answer is simple: telling someone. nomic problems. There are parents who lose their doubled up, there are unaccompanied mijobs which lead to the loss of a home. The result Speaking to the right people, such as Mrs. nors”. Duran, the Trust Counselor, can change the can be the separation of teenagers from their family Youth under the age of eighteen who lack through shelter, transitional housing, or child wel- fate of a homeless teenager. People like her parental, foster, or institutional care are clascan help them gain access to services such as fare policies. sified as “unaccompanied”. that provide food, uniforms, housing, busOnce homeless, teenagers have dire experiences on Teenagers, whether unaccompanied or douthe streets. They are exposed to drugs and abuse; and cards, and much more. bled-up, end up homeless mainly because of “There are things that we can do” She said. three interwoven reasons: family problems, they are more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders,
Thank you Renato and Ann Cantielo... for the generous donation of linens, sheets and towels! Your gift of warmth is going a long way!
Thank you Silvy & All your Crew for your continued generousity! From the Homeless Voice Staff
The Homeless Voice Winter 2015
The Story behind Homeless Youth
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Give Me My Roses While I’m Still Here T. Sanders Homeless Persons Memorial 2014- Washington D.C. When Michael Stoops asked me to give some remarks again this year, my first thought was I'll be glad when we won’t have to have a homeless persons memorial. This is my 3rd year being a part of this memorial. It is my pleasure to pay my respects to people who have died in an inhumane way...oftentimes alone and afraid on the street. Although I find it peculiar when it's said that a homeless person that died on the street died of natural causes. This seems like an oxymoron to me as there is nothing normal or natural about living and dying on the street. As much as it is my honor to be able to pay my respects, I am equally disgusted to have to do so. We are honoring more people than we did last year. We speak their names...can they hear us? Only if they are listening and only if they haven't forgotten the sound of their name being called as so many of them did when they were alive. There are memorials such as this going on around the country to honor those people that have died on the street this year. Way too many people are living and dying on the street in our country. This isn't some far away land...or 3rd world country with limited knowledge and resources. In fact, we have a great number of military veterans that have sacrificed their lives at some point to protect our freedom and yet they are dying on the street. My grandmother always says, "give me my roses while I'm still here." Why can't we give roses...kindness...empathy...skills...jobs... homes to people while they are still here? Remind people that they aren't forgotten about because they live on the margins of our society. Why can't we help them find or develop their sense of self while they are here. Teach them or remind them that they are worthy so that they can begin to fight and advocate for themselves. There are many amazing advocates here today paying their respects and fighting for people and principle but it's nothing like seeing homeless people discover or rediscover their own worth and value and begin to fight for what they deserve. I vividly remember sleeping in a friend's car in on the street said this prayer before they closed their the summer of 2012...A VW beetle with no air eyes for the last time. I sure hope they did... conditioning...90 degree nights...and a palpable Give and get your roses while you are still here...you're fear of rolling the windows down too far for worth it... safety purposes...still I can't imagine my name Bio of T. Sanders; being called during the homeless persons meT. Sanders: Born in New Jersey, T. experienced homemorial that year...but it could have...homelesslessness on and off throughout her childhood. Sleeping ness can bring out a fight or flight mentality...I in cars and couch surfing became commonplace for her chose to fight...honestly some others have said family. She withdrew from high they welcome death beschool at the age of 17 and soon cause they feel as if the became pregnant. Later in adultcards are stacked against hood, T. earned her Bachelor’s them...they are...but fight Remind people that they degree in communications from anyway... University and a Master’s Obviously people are aren’t forgotten about Rowan degree in criminal justice from homeless for many differbecause they live on the the University of Baltimore. She ent reasons and they feel founded a nonprofit that worked unworthy for many more margins of our society. with at risk youths and families reasons but you can't tell in the state of Maryland, but it me that people don't dewas unable to sustain funding. In serve a home. No one will 2010, her organization went under, ever convince me that peoand T. experienced her second bout with homelessness. ple deserve to die on the street. However, this struggle was short lived. Today, since "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord 2012, T. is housed through a group home that she runs. my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, She began working with the speakers’ bureau in 2012 I pray the Lord my soul will take." Many of and finds sharing her story to be “empowering.” T. has us learned this bedtime prayer when we were always fancied herself as a teacher, so she enjoys the youngsters. We have passed it on to our chileducational aspect of the speakers’ bureau. dren and some still recite it nightly. I can't help but wonder if the people that died
We speak their names...can they hear us? Only if they are listening and only if they haven’t forgotten the sound of their name being called as so many of them did when they were alive.
The Homeless Voice Winter 2015
Please Support Those Who Support Our Homeless
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