THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9504280214
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
In December 1994 City Council made a decision to appoint a committee to develop a program to provide additional services to the homeless. All the directors of organizations in Virginia Beach which provide services to the homeless were invited to serve. Since the first meeting, almost everyone has had a positive outlook about what could be done to help the homeless through this committee. The exceptions have been Brenda McCormick of Mothers Inc. and Beacon correspondent Nancy Lewis.
Ms. McCormick's claim, as reported in Ms. Lewis' article ``20 attorneys agree to serve the homeless'' (Beacon, April 2), of 1,250 homeless people who do not avail themselves of services and that many ``hundreds'' are children living in the woods is a gross exaggeration of the figures presented by service providers at the committee. Samaritan House, Seton House, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, Virginia Beach Community Development, Volunteers of America, Community Alternatives and Vets House, all of which offer services to the homeless, all have many attorneys that are willing to provide services to the homeless pro bono whenever there is a real need.
I personally take exception to Ms. McCormick's statement about ``foxes'' and ``henhouses.'' The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center has never violated anyone's civil rights and over the past nine years has helped many thousands of Tidewater's homeless with food, clothing, shelter and, yes, free legal services.
Richard H. Powell
Executive Director
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center
I was very concerned about the situations described in ``Homeless seek shelter as city program ends'' (Beacon, April 9). I have done volunteer work and familiar with some of the resources and facilities available. I spoke to someone on staff at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center and found that the people mentioned had not requested shelter!
One of them did receive lunches, took showers and worked at the JOC Thrift Store. Another was a former resident of the shelter but had not requested shelter recently. As to his being able to find work, the JOC helps people find work and workers. In fact, the shelter has not been able to fill all the requests for workers since the hotels and restaurants began to open. I was also informed that all residents not in an outpatient substance-abuse program have full-time employment, many with two jobs.
Another of the homeless in Ms. Lewis' article has used the Detox facility on occasion and may have been confused about Detox requiring an ID. He could have requested help with that from either the Winter Shelter Program or the JOC.
Another homeless person who has not requested shelter seems to be no different from many others receiving SSI who have stayed at the JOC, saved their money and are now living in their own residence.
Debbie L. Barrigar
Virginia Beach Looking forward to 50, sans Ferrari
When I turned 35, I went through a unique midlife crisis. (Sorry, no Ferrari). I decided to become assertive. I decided that I did not want to be taken advantage of any longer by anyone. So I set out to probe everything that touched my daily life and the lives of those in my family.
No repairman has crossed me since.
When I turned 40, I decided to make sure that my life was fulfilling, that my family would be proud of me and, more important, that I would be proud of myself. So I had my first one-woman art show. The opening was on my birthday.
Recently I had my 45th birthday and my five-year mission is to help other people become informed, assertive members of the community. Action is possible for those who get involved. Frustration with the system can be overcome. Barriers can be broken down by incessant nibbling at the problem.
As a citizen of Virginia Beach, I have decided that my voice will be heard, my concerns are valid and my vote is worthy of being counted.
So I have vowed to help other people learn this important lesson. We should all pick a favorite civic concern, stick with it, find out as much as we can about it, and pass the information along to others. One person can inform five other people. Those five can in turn tell five more, etc. Every individual can make a difference for the good of the whole.
I am now very excited about the prospect of becoming 50.
Susan M. Leichtman,
Colson Court by CNB