MAKE A SCENe
presents
The People’s Paper
AUG. 2014
FREE
MATANUSKA VALLEY, ALASKA
PALMER CITY ALEHOUSE presents
MAGAZINE
Housing And Employment Must Go Hand In Hand
CHECK OUT THE POSTER SIZED 36 CRAZY FISTS COVER ON THIS MONTHS MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE
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HOMELESS HOUSING IN WASILLA BY MICHAEL P. CARSON, V.P. OF MYHOUSE There are bears in the woods and they are different colors. I hope no one gets hurt. In those woods there is a homeless camp. There is a wide range of age groups, (14-30 years old) with some truly homeless and others just camping, as if it was summer camp. I have seen that first hand. Also, there are those that are just visiting their homeless friends. Visitors come and go on a regular bases, with more traffic on weekends and with sunny weather. Then, there are parents, (along with the police) coming and pulling out their own kids for obvious reasons. I have personally visited the camp a number of times. One visit was at noon, and they were all still sleeping or hung over? And, most unfortunately, there are some outsiders that have realized they can peddle their wares (drugs) to long term, short term campers and visitors. I hope no one gets assaulted, has an overdose, or the worst case, sex trafficked. I can take heart that some truly homeless will decide enough is enough and they want something different. But, I have to always remind myself, it is their journey, as to when they come to those crossroads. And, I have to remember, they are very hurt, feel unlovable, and unworthy of a better life. Some are trapped in the grips of traumatic early experiences. I can not even begin to comprehend those feelings of hopelessness and despair. Sometimes, it can be masked with helplessness, a negative outlook or the sense of entitlement. Yet, some are beginning to trust and ask for help. I can take heart. There is a lot of prejudice that somehow they caused their past.
It must be demoralizing. Many homeless youth did not deserve what happened to them. Life sometimes is not fair. Yet, the message is you don’t have to allow the past to control your future. And, going home is not a solution or option for many, and finding a job is tough. So, the sustainable solution for homelessness is housing and employment. That’s our part and exactly how we can be helpful. With a full continuum of care, in regards to housing, ( emergency, transitional, and affordable) we can help those that want to help themselves. And we have to be ready when they make that decision to engage and cooperate with caring and supportive adults. Now, comes a critical juncture. It is to provide them with options of housing ( crisis, dorm style, host homes or supervised apartments) to own their own, new decision, direction and live by different choices. This new constructive action comes with case management and personal responsibility, education, or job skills and most importantly, employment. Housing and employment must go hand in hand. The ‘Out of Reach‘ data reports to afford a one bedroom in the MatSu Valley at fair market value, one must make at least $15.00 an hour, with 30% paid for housing. And a two bedroom would incur a salary of $21.00 an hour. Obviously, a minimum wage of $8.00 will not pay the bill. We can still provide housing if it is subsidized and the youth pays 30% percent of whatever their wages to the cost housing, until they become stable over a period of time. They will need financial training during this period of time. Remember, these homeless youth have never had the opportunity to
OOPS! OUR MISTAKE.
even save money much less have a checking account and pay bills. We need to engage unions and trades to provide apprentice programs. There are programs that provide commercial and construction training, but, those costs are out of reach for homeless youth. If potential employers would sign a letter of intent for employment, then scholarships and grants could be used to complete their training. These youth need career and technical training to gain a foot hold to pull themselves out of homelessness. Now, they are wearing beat up, wet tennis shoes without any support. We can provide a hand up now, with an investment in prevention, or pay later and pay much more later. There is a simpler idea for those wanting to help and help now. You could volunteer at MYHOUSE. We have a dinner hour ( MondayFriday, at 3-4 p.m.) that provides an opportunity to sit down to have a sane, quiet and understanding conversation with homeless youth. They have lost those vital relationships. It will take time for them to trust again. They need a sense someone cares. Also, if you have any opportunities for yard work or other general day labor, please consider posting on our bulletin board. And always keep in mind, it is their journey. Yet, we can be there and be ready when they decide to take a different direction and get out from underneath being homeless. No matter what has happened in their past, they can have a better future. They are our youth, and there are too many bears of different colors in those woods! JOIN THE GOOD FIGHT AT MYHOUSE. ALL ARE WELCOME. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL US AT 373-4357
IN THE LAST ISSUE OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER, WE INCORRECTLY ATTRIBUTED THE ARTICLE “WILL GLOBALISM PLAY IN US SENATE RACE” TO JOE MILLER - IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO GREG STODDARD. OUR APOLOGIES TO MR. MILLER AND MR. STODDARD
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ON PAGE 13 OF...
MAKE A SCENE
ON THE INSIDE
Story of my life
BY GINA MAYEUR Hello my name is Gina. I was born in Kiev (Ukarine), right were the war is. I grew up as an only child in a little house with my mother, and grandparents (I never knew my father.) I took care of myself by begging on the street for food and money, or I roamed through the trash cans. I did all of this because my mother and grandparents were always drunk. I was beat by my grandfather, so I always ran away, but the government found me and took me to an orphanage. In the orphanage from the age of 7 until the age of 10, I came back from Germany (were I was trying to get adopted) and a couple was waiting for me. I got adopted at the age of 10 and brought to Alaska where I gained a family (mother, father, older sister, and a younger brother.) I stayed with them until the age of 18. I moved out because I didn't agree with the way they treated us. I couch surfed for two years until I found out about an organization that helps youth find a job and a place to stay called MyHouse, and I was so excited because I knew Michelle Overstreet (one of the founders of MyHouse) from school. I got a job at Gathering Grounds (inside of MyHouse) as a barista. I also applied to Job Corp and Michelle Overstreet helped me with the application, and I got in. I have met so many wonderful people here that I am going to miss. Most of all I am going to miss Michelle Overstreet (she has been a wonderful friend for 6 years), Alice (are wonderful chef and a friend), and Linda (a new friend that always encourages me to do my best and that I can do anything that I put my mind to.) MyHouse became my friends and family and I am so glad that I have met all of them. I’m on the road to success and feel that I am truly going to reach my goal in my life.