News

Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E.) is the name of a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center sponsored organization who’s members are exclusively people who are currently or have formerly experienced homelessness.

H.O.P.E is currently working very hard to organize around issues of core concern in this year’s Shelby County Commission budget proceedings.

The Road Home is the umbrella name give to three specific funding requests that H.O.P.E. is making before the Shelby County Commission addressing housing and the intersections between homelessness and criminal justice.

1. H.O.P.E. is requesting  $250,000 of County funding for the Mayors’ Plan to End Homelessness. These funds will be used to provide early outreach and In home case management and wrap around services for 100 of the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness in our city. These are individuals who are projected under current conditions to die within the next two years without housing and services. These funds will bridge the gap for these individuals moving into permanent supportive housing until their Medicare benefits are processed. Without such funds the new units of housing available for those grappling with addiction and mental illness and other health related issues will be set up to fail. This will aid the Community Alliance for the Homeless in reaching the goal of housing 100 unsheltered individuals by Christmas of 2012.

2. H.O.P.E. is requesting a one time expenditure of $200,000 of capital improvement funds to convert blighted and MHA properties into permanent supportive housing. For an investment of $200,000 we can provide new units of permanent supportive housing for 25 homeless families with disabilities and 43 units of permanent affordable housing for low income families over the course of the next 36 months.

3. H.O.P.E. is requesting $100,000 in operational funding in support of Judge Bill Anderson’s proposal of a Veteran’s Court within General Sessions Division 7. H.O.P.E. stands in full support of Judge Bill Anderson’s proposal for the creation of a Veterans Court within General Sessions Court. This Court will help veterans who suffer from the trauma or war to be diverted out of the Criminal justice system and into programs suited to address their needs with dignity beginning July 1st of 2012.  As 20%-30% of those experiencing homelessness are veterans this is a core issue of concern to H.O.P.E.

The training started with one of the most successful slogans in the past 40 years: “We are the 99%!”

But who are the 99%? Have you ever thought that you were part of the 99%?  What does it mean to be part of the 99%? Who are the 1%? Those and many other questions were answered after sharing in the 99% Spring Action Training, Dozens of trainings took place all around the country, getting together approximately 100,000 people concerned about the issues happening in our country. This included people who already are involved in some kind of social action or people who only want to know what this 99% concept is about.

The training included information about the origin of the 99% concept, the history of the economy break down and the history of the effectiveness of the Non-violent Direct Action.

The most moving moment of this training, from my point view, was to share our own concerns based in our own experiences, taking into account that we were a very diverse group, and that we have diversity of ethnicity, culture, economic background, language, religious beliefs and sexual orientation. In spite of all of that, we identified our similarities in the struggle and realized that every single one of the participants is trying hard to survive in this broken social and economic system.

Understanding that the people have the power to make changes without using violence is a huge accomplishment, putting it into action is the challenge.

We, the people, take the challenge. We come out to speak like we did in the non-violent action of May 1st. In solidarity with Homelessness Organized for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E),  a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center sponsored organization who’s members exclusively are people who currently or formerly have experienced homelessness.

The May 1st action highlighted the injustice that our state government has committed using the law SB2508 against people most affected by the inequality of our economy system, people who experience homelessness.

This law SB2508 makes it a Class A Misdemeanor to sleep on public property owned by the state.  Criminalizing poverty is not a solution, but is a marginalization of those who are most in need.  And we need to be aware of this as a community who cares, because there are in fact several laws, like the anti-immigration laws, that also are criminalizing those who are most in need among us.

What we need is education, not marginalization.  What we need is to empower ourselves; to take charge of our country, our economy, our society and create justice through peace.

If you want to know more about this training or other trainings, please contact us at Mid-South Peace and Justice Center 901-725-4990 or by email at gio@midsouthpeace.org

*Nuestros entrenamientos también están disponibles en Español* 

Our trainings are also available in Spanish.

A proposal coming before the Shelby County Board of Commissioners could muffle opposition to controversial land developments. Child impact statements currently provide a comprehensive means to communicate—to the county commission and city council—the concerns of children, families, and entire neighborhoods over new land developments that could affect their health, safety, education, and physical environment. Right now, the county commission and city council cannot consider any proposed resolution or ordinance involving safety, health, education, or land use without first receiving a child impact statement. The land use requirement could be lost if a proposed change to the Commission’s rules of order is passed.

Keep our kids safe from land use decisions that allow industrial and other unwanted developments to locate next door to homes and schools—blighting our neighborhoods and endangering our children’s health and safety. Please sign our petition at:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/494/273/301/urge-shelby-county-commissioners-to-keep-protecting-kids/

Commissioner Mike Ritz will propose to do away with considerations for children and families in land use decisions on Wednesday, May 16th during the commission’s public committee meeting. We are asking that all concerned contact their county commissioners and Commissioner Ritz to voice opposition to any resolution that would weaken the use of child impact statements. We also urge all to attend the county commission meeting on May 16th. Time and room location to follow.

To locate contact information for your county commissioner, go to http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/index.aspx?NID=1209  or http://shelbyvote.com/index.aspx?NID=122

For more information contact Mike Schmidt at 901-568-8273 or mschmidt@memphis.edu.

For the past 5 months organizers with the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center have been working with the real experts on the issue of homelessness, those persons who have directly lived and experienced it for themselves.

Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E.) is the name of a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center sponsored organization who’s members are exclusively people who are currently or have formerly experienced homelessness. Members of this organization will receive training and support as they direct and lead street campaigns around the host of issues,challenges and injustices suffered by our brothers and sisters who live on the streets of our community. These campaigns are all centered around H.O.P.E.‘s four principle values of DIGNITY, SELF DETERMINATION, SOLIDARITY and MUTUAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. Currently H.O.P.E. has weekly membership meetings on Thursday nights at the MANNA HOUSE, with an open discussion group meeting on Thursday mornings.

Currently the group is in the planning stages of joining the MAY 1st DAY OF ACTION  in conjunction with various labor, immigrant rights and social justice organization. Each of the groups involved are working towards May 1st actions around various issues of injustice with H.O.P.E. leading the charge on SB2508. This grossly unconstitutional law was recently passed by the Tennessee Legislature and shamefully signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. SB2508  makes it a Class A Misdemeanor to sleep on public property owned by the state. This new law will effectively make homelessness a crime with a penalty of a jail sentence up to 11 months and 29 days and/or a $2500 fine. The members of H.O.P.E. see this for what it is a further continuation of the criminalization of poverty in our state and our community.

The group is currently in the planning stages of a protest centering on SB2508 and the rampant civil rights and police harassment violations within our local criminal justice system at 201 POPLAR. At this event on MAY 1st. members of H.O.P.E will stage host a press conference about the inhumanity of SB2508 and representative of the group will present a official letter and list of grievances to Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich and Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong. H.O.P.E. asserts that District Attorney Amy Weirich and MPD Director Armstrong should come forward and publicly state that neither the DA nor MPD will make arrest or prosecute offenders under this unconstitutional law.

If you or your congregation or organization would like to help H.O.P.E.’s day of action please contact Organizing Director Brad Watkins at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org

H.O.P.E. is also pursuing the creation of a Worker’s Co’op to facilitate a part time income sources for it’s members. One such venture would involve the creation of a member owned and operated organic cleaning and janitorial service for area churches, businesses and union halls. The other venture, led by H.O.P.E. organizer Paul Garner would involve members of H.O.P.E. being trained in silk screen printing for the creation of t-shirts for organizations, church youth organizations, political campaigns and grassroots organizing groups.

Both of these services will be fully owned and operated by the members themselves.

If you have a background in business or are a business student who is interested in aiding our members in how to write a business plan,bylaws and the basics of operating a business please contact Organizing Director Brad Watkins at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org.

Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E.) is the name of a Mid-South Peace and Justice Center sponsored organization who’s members are exclusively people who are currently or have formerly experienced homelessness. Over the past few months our members have been hard at work not only planning, mobilizing and organizing a movement for justice on our streets but also building community through mutual emotional support within the group itself.

Memphis Bus Riders Union Issues Warning To Community About “Scam Artists”

The Memphis Bus Rider Union (MBRU) is a grassroots effort to advocate and organize for badly needed reforms of our public transit system in the Memphis area. This week it has come to our attention that there have been reports of individuals who are using the name of the MBRU to solicit donations at bus stops and at terminals.

This is untrue and those who are soliciting donations are not in anyway connected with the Memphis Bus Rider Union. The MBRU at this time has not and currently is not asking for financial donations and urges the public and the media to spread the word not give money to these individuals as they are performing a scam. The MBRU will continue to outreach efforts at bus stops and at terminals but only for the purpose of distributing flyers and surveys.

“It is deeply troubling and sad that anytime the community comes together on a issue for positive change that there will always be opportunists and users.  The MBRU will not allow the actions of unethical people to distract this organization from it’s goals and work, which is ensuring that transit dependent riders needs and desires are the first and foremost priorities of MATA,” says MBRU member and MATA customer Brad Watkins.

The next meeting of the Memphis Bus Riders Union will be held Saturday, April 14^th at the Memphis Center for Independent Living- 1633 Madison ave, from 12 noon until 2pm.

For more information please contact the Memphis BusRiders Union at our website at MBRU.org by email at ttfmemphis@gmail.com or by phone at 901-205-9737  

Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights March, Millington, TN.  Saturday April 21st

Quickinformation:

Unite Against the War on Women Rally

What:  Unite Against the War on Women Rally

Where:  Tennessee State Capitol Building – Nashville, TN

• Women across the United States will march in all 50 state capitols in support of women’s rights and equality.
• Buses are being arranged from Memphis.
• TN Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeAreWomenMarchTN/
• National Website http://www.unitewomen.org

“Help defend women’s rights and pursuit of equality. Join Americans all across the United States on April 28th, 2012, as we come together as one to tell members of Congress in Washington DC and legislators in all 50 states, “Enough is enough!”

Unite Women strongly supports diversity and welcomes women and men of all ages without regard to their race, color, creed, political affiliation, disability, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, education or income level, marital status, employment status or immigrant status. 

Everyone is invited to join, plan, and rally as we unite to demand that every person be granted equal opportunities, equal rights, and equal representation.

This is what grassroots democracy looks like!”

Melissa is a native Memphian who is a product of Memphis City Schools and attended Treadwell High located in the Highland Heights area. Melissa attended college at State Technical Institute and Christian Brothers University studying paralegal through the National Academy of Paralegal studies. Melissa’s work skills were in Legal and Executive Administration until June 4, 1994. Her life changed and has lead her to work strongly in the community with grassroots organizations which also inspired her to start her own non profit outreach organization known as S.O.L.I.D.s Inc. (Scope Of Life Illuminates Destiny), a ministry working with the people, for the people of our communities.

THE OPEN WOUNDS

Less than fifty years ago during the civil rights movement, police brutalized peaceful marches and planted informants in the communities and organizations that led the movement. This relationship where the police are seen as adversaries rather than allies to certain communities and constituencies has continued through to today.

The current environment between law enforcement and the community has deteriorated dramatically due to a number of factors.

*CoAct units were systematically defunded over the past ten years.

*CoAct units were placed in privileged communities, with low income and communities of color left largely out of the strategy.

* Blue CRUSH was implemented in 2005. Its aim was to pinpoint concentrations of criminal activity using data gathered from a wide array of sources. Police would then saturate that area with police resources as well as law enforcement personnel.

*As a result of these factors a large number of young people of color were stopped and many arrested and jailed, where the average time to disposition is 9-12 months.

*Finally, most police officers do not live in the area they patrol and have little contact with community members outside of negative interactions.

All of this has led to feelings of fear, mistrust and frustration on both sides of the community-police relationship.

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HEALING THE BREACH

The Neighborhood Alliance is a MSPJC partnership with neighborhood and community groups and activists working collaboratively on issues of mutual interest across our city. The issues of community policing, police harassment, racial profiling and building better and stronger relationships between police and neighborhood residents were all high priorities listed by members of the Alliance in 2011. This also aids in the Alliances work to curb juvenile recidivism via outreach and community service with youth offenders.

We are working to implement a citywide community-police reconciliation project to heal old wounds, prevent future harm and build respect and trust between the African-American, Latino, youth, and GLBTQ communities and local law enforcement. The project will create safe space, where project participants can learn, reflect, and build the trust necessary to move beyond exploration to action on identified

problems that have a negative impact on community-police dynamics.

The Neighborhood Alliance invites you to join us in the first of many gatherings across the community at our next general meeting on Monday, April 30th at 6:30 pm at the offices of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center inside First Congo Church at 1000 South Cooper. Refreshments will be served. 

Please come to the north rear entrance by the red double doors by the children’s playground. Ring the doorbell labeled  Mid South Peace and Justice Center. 

For more information please contact Organizing Coordinator Melissa Miller-Monie at 901-725-4990 or by email at Melissa@midsouthpeace.org. You can also contact Brad Watkins Organizing Director at brad@midsouthpeace.org.

“The Homeless people don’t have a lobby. So they’re not going to be down at city hall and the legislature.” Those were the words spoken by Memphis Mayor AC Wharton while giving a speech on the need for Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness in April of 2010. The Mayor was correct; people who are experiencing homelessness did not have a lobby or organization whose chief priority was to ensure that the needs of this constituency were being heard loud and clear by our elected officials. That was true until now.

Over the past four years the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center has worked to make the struggle against of homelessness and poverty cornerstone issues of this organization. Together….

• We fought against the criminalization of homelessness and addiction by opposing unconstitutional anti-panhandling laws that seek to move those with addiction away from needed services.
• We created Memphis’s first user friendly comprehensive hand held directory of all homeless, addiction, runaway and veteran services in our community with the Memphis Survival Guide.
• We organized to exposed police harassment and mobilized to oppose the Downtown/Midtown police sweep of those experiencing homelessness and as a result there has not been such a sweep in the past two years.
• We have worked with countless families and individuals to help them navigate the network of homeless of homeless services.
• We worked as members of the planning and policy committee of the Memphis and Shelby County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.
• We recruited volunteers for the Memphis/Shelby county Point in time count of our population living in homelessness.
• We successfully organized for $2.3 million dollars in funding for programs such as the Shelby County Drug Court and the Jericho initiative for alternatives to incarceration for those with addiction and or mental illness in our criminal justice system.
• We organized and advocated for funding of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness and showed how increased services and housing opportunities actually can save tax payer dollars.
• We recruited volunteers and worked as a sponsor for Project Homeless Connect, a citywide day where various homeless services were placed under one roof to better facilitate people being provided access to immediate services.

Over the past four years we have worked very hard on all of these fronts….but it’s not enough.

What is needed at the core is an organization made up of, directed and led by those who are the real experts on homelessness and the harsh realities of life on the streets, those who have directly experienced it for themselves. Since last fall our organizers have been working with a core group of individuals with the Homelessness Caucus of Occupy Memphis. From these discussions the word has begun of creating a new organizing team made up exclusively of people who are currently or have previously experienced homelessness. Over the past five months this group has met weekly to not only talk about issues and plan actions and campaigns but also to begin the work of a real movement for justice on our streets.

Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (H.O.P.E.) was the name of all MSPJC activities related to homelessness, but now it’s poised to be so much more. This group with assistance and support from allies is going to be at the forefront of not only confronting issues of lack of affordable housing and criminalization of poverty but the wide spectrum of issues that stem from and feed into homelessness. From domestic violence, the leading cause of homelessness among women and children, to felony disenfranchisement and lack of adequate mental health services to name a few.

Recently, H.O.P.E has begun to solidify it’s purpose and vision around four core values. DIGNITY, SELF DETERMINATION, SOLIDARITY and MUTUAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. Under this lens exciting and desperately needed work is already starting to emerge.

DIGNITY

• Senate Bill 2508 recently passed by the Tennessee Legislature makes it a Class A Misdemeanor to sleep on public property owned by the state. This new law will effectively make homelessness a crime with a penalty of a jail sentence up to 11 months and 29 days and/or a $2500 fine.
• This is a civil rights issue and a violation of our constitutional rights. The time has come to stand up and in one voice push back not only against this law but also rally support for badly needed reforms of our criminal justice system and for employment and housing opportunities.
• H.O.P.E. asserts that District Attorney Amy Weirich and MPD Director Armstrong should come forward and publicly state that neither the DA nor MPD will make arrest or prosecute offenders under this unconstitutional law. The H.O.P.E. group has started recruitment meetings every Thursday at 9AM at Manna House 1268 Jefferson to begin a campaign to relentlessly push back against the criminalization of HOMELESSNESS.

SELF DETERMINATION

• H.O.P.E. members are working on creating a Workers Co’op for an all organic cleaning service for local companies, churches and other organizations. This will be created in part with the help of business students who will work with the group in drafting a business plan and bylaws. This service will be fully owned and operated by the members themselves.

SOLIDARITY

• Members are currently planning a mobilization around the issues of homelessness,felony disenfranchisement and the civil rights abuses that occur daily at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar on May 1st. This action is part of a larger day of action planned by various organization and issues on that day.

MUTUAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

• For the past two weeks members of H.O.P.E. went through the first in a monthly series of regular workshops on emotional healing and community building. The isolation and alienation of homelessness can create barriers to escaping it. Which is why we don’t just want to build a group that addresses issues and policies but also creates a space of solidarity and mutual emotional support. Our members teach us a great deal via such conversations and shared profound insights like “Everyone talks about how mental illness can cause homelessness, but nobody talks about how homelessness can cause mental illness.” The loneliness, isolation, the daily stress and fear takes a terrible toil on a person and that pain may reinforce or promote making the wrong choices. We believe at our core that people who have their emotional needs met and a feeling of belonging and “family” make better life choices.

H.O.P.E meets every Thursday night at Manna House If you have any questions or if you or your congregation would like to join H.O.P.E. as a member or an ally please contact Brad Watkins at 901-725-4990 or by email at brad@midsouthpeace.org