H.O.P.E. is the name of a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center-sponsored organization whose members are exclusively people currently, or have formerly experienced homelessness. H.O.P.E. has been working hard to develop several project areas that address the issues that are a priority to the homeless community. For meeting times and dates, call 901-300-0006.
Street-Wise INK
Already thinking about what to get folks for the holidays?Street-Wise has you covered… literally!
H.O.P.E. members are getting ready to print long-sleeved H.O.P.E. t-shirts, perfect for staying warm and looking cool! Each shirt is up-cycled from local thrift stores, and the money goes directly to workers, with 25% going back into the project.
Street-Wise INK is worker-owned and operated, and made up exclusively of individuals who have formerly or are currently experiencing homelessness.
For more info on Street-Watch or to reserve your H.O.P.E. t-shirt, contact Paul Garner: paul@midsouthpeace.org Make sure to include quantity and sizes. Colors may vary.
H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus Thanks You
Thanks to community-based support, members of the H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus will begin self-defense classes this week. We are thrilled to work with Cat’s Ballroom of Memphis, who is offering these classes at a discounted rate. Over the next five weeks, Women’s Caucus members will spend 3 hours per week learning a range of techniques for increasing personal safety.
If you want to read more about the H.O.P.E. Women’s Caucus and find out how you can support this initiative, please click here.
The Garden Crew is Kicking Up Dirt!
H.O.P.E.’s Garden Crew members have now put in over twenty-five beds on land that was once a neglected, overgrown eyesore. Miss K, an organizer with the garden explained, “We want to show people in the neighborhood, that even though we might not all have a place to sleep indoors, we are still an important part of this community and we want to make it better for all of us” The Garden Crew is also focused on sustainability and food justice. “We don’t always want to have to stand in line for a meal at a shelter, we can eventually grow enough good, healthy food to feed ourselves…(We) don’t want to always be dependent on the allowance of our oppressors,” said Garden Crew member, Toni W.
If you are interested in getting involved at the garden, or if you would like to make a material or financial donation, contact Dallas Holland: dallasholland@gmail.com also, like us on facebook!
Street-Watch: Know Your Rights
Street-Watch initiative organizers had an engaged turnout at the October‘Know Your Rights’ workshop, the fifth in an ongoing series of workshops presented in collaboration with the Law Offices of the Shelby County Public Defender. The workshops, held one a month at various churches and community centers, are geared at educating people experiencing homelessness on their rights and how to assert them when they encounter law enforcement.
The group is also working to document potential cases of police harassment, mistreatment, and abuse. “We don’t just want our people to know their rights, we want to create a process of being able to do something about it when people rights are violated. If we work together, we can document these cases and use that information to push for that process,” explained Mike K., a Steet-Watch organizer. Street Watch would like to thank St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral and Josh Spickler with the Public Defender’s office for hosting the October Workshop. If you would like more information about H.O.P.E.’s Street Watch initiative, contact Paul Garner: paul@midsouthpeace.org, 901.725.4990
Feeding the Movement
H.O.P.E would like to once again thank Memphis Center for Independent Living for providing us with space for our meetings while we seek a permanent location. There are lots of ways to feed the movement, and we would like to thank all of our allies for their continued support. For more information about how you can support HOPE or our different project areas, Please contact Paul Garner(901)725.4990, or paul@midsouthpeace.org. Like H.O.P.E. on Facebook!