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Volume 2 | Issue 5 | $2.00 DONATION

TRAVERSE CITY’S VOICE OF THE HOMELESS

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“Speak Up for those who cannot speak
for themselves, for the rights of
all who are destitute.”
Proverbs 31:8

More than a Magazine

Speak Up Magazine is a 501(c)3 non-profit Volunteers and interns are welcomed for
that gives voice to and offers an income creative areas, such as photography, editing,
opportunity for homeless and vulnerably- teaching, production and design, as well as
housed people. They become micro- fundraising, social services and more. Please
business owners who buy copies of Speak contact us to help out.
Up for a low price and resell them, keeping
all the cash and earning a profit. Speak Up is a member of the
International Network of Street Papers,
As a result, these enterprising street vendors which connects and supports over 100
learn to manage their resources, grow their such organizations worldwide.
businesses and change their lives with
dignity.

This Zine Team Contact

EDITING AND WRITING CLINICS CHARLOTTE OFFICE
Peggi Knowe, Matt Shaw, Ben Shaw, Robb 704-980-9885
Astor, Melissa Sprenkle, Bill Shaw, Mary office@speakupmag.org
Pierce, Mickey Grooters, Debbi Shaw, 1551 S Mint St, Suite B
Leah Burnett Charlotte, NC 28203

VISUALS TRAVERSE CITY CHAPTER
Layout, Matt Shaw speakuptc.com
Photos, Debbi Shaw billshaw@speakupmag.org

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WHERE ARE SPEAK UP ZINE RACKS?

YOU CAN FIND SPEAK UP ZINE AT:

Edany BLT
Burritt’s Meats
Good Harbor Coffee
The Brew
Fustini’s
Cali’s Cotton
The Cider House
Yen Yoga
Nolan’s Cigar
Patissari Ami
Oryana Co-op
Top Drawer Consignment
Red Dresser
Van Sky Hock Chiropractor
Higher Grounds
Coffee Been
Espresso Bay Front St.
Salvation Army
Espresso Bay Garfield Rd.
Village at Bay Ridge
Brick Wheels
Junior Tires
St. Vincent’s Resale
Patissari Ami
Gallery Fifty

AND AT THESE CHURCHES:
Grace Episcopal Church
Church of the Living God Shawn Harvey at Burritt’s Market.
Central United Methodist
Baypointe
Faith Reformed Church
Presbyterian Church
Bayview Wesleyan
APRIL’S TOP FIVE MAY’S TOP FIVE

1. PATISSARI AMIE 1. HIGHER GROUNDS
2. THE BREW 2. BURRITT’S MEATS
3. THE COFFEE BEAN 3. ORYANA CO-OP
4. GOOD HARBOR 4. ST. VINCENT’S RESALE
5. BURRITT’S MEATS 5. THE COFFEE BEAN

Don’t have a Speak Up rack in your location yet? Join in the fun! Contact us at billshaw@
speakupmag.org to provide a creative job opportunity for those experiencing homelessness.

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[LETTER]
MANY GOOD REASONS

By Bill Shaw in Traverse City, MI

Dear Readers, just the beginning. The under-the-surface
This issue of Speak Up is different. costs are time, energy, and emotion.
It is written, for the most part, by the And there is gain. The gain is clear
volunteers who are behind the scenes. when we look at vendor sales and dollars
There are presently eleven volunteers on made, but that is only a glimpse of the
Speak Up’s TC Advisory Board. The day gain. There is a lot more happening, a lot
jobs they hold are varied. Mark works of change taking place in people’s lives.
at Hagerty Insurance. Melissa teaches at Two of our vendors have books out.
Northwestern Michigan College. Ryan One of our vendors says, “People like
works at Goodwill. Debbi runs a rooming me!” All of our vendors, if they stick with
house. Christie owns Gallery Fifty. Ben is it, build relationships and a positive self-
a builder. Jane is an elementary teacher. image. And they make money.
Chelsea is a graphic designer. Mickey is Ultimately it is the gain that drives
a retired professor. Mary is on our cover. Speak Up’s volunteers, and none of that
Her interview is on page 6. could happen without readers such as
We all have different reasons for being yourself, buying these papers from Speak
part of a street paper. Some of the reasons Up Vendors, men and women trying to
you’ll find in this issue of the Zine. They work their way off the streets and into
are good reasons: education, awareness, homes.
giving back, healing, and opportunity. Thank you for supporting Traverse
Speak Up is a non-profit, but there is a City’s street paper. Speak Up’s volunteers
cost, and there is a gain. couldn’t do it without you.
The cost is clear when we discuss —Bill Shaw
printing, design, and logistics, but that is Speak Up Board of Directors

Bill Shaw (left) with Robb Astor, who co-leads one of Speak Up’s
weekly workshops for homeless writers.

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[CONTENTS]

4 MANY GOOD REASONS Bill Shaw
6 A CHAT WITH MARY PIERCE Bill Shaw
8 THE ZINE QUIZ Various
10 SLEEP DEPRIVATION Ben Shaw
11 CURRENTS REMOSE Deb Shaw
12 THE BOARD GAME Sabrina BP
16 GOING DEEPER: LAURIE KOELSCH Mary Pierce
17 STEVE’S PINE TREES Jessie Horness
18 HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS Christie Minervini
20 A MEETING IN TAMPA Melissa Sprenkle
22 INTERNATIONAL VENDOR VEOICE Ali Nur Mohamed
23 WHO PRINTS THE ZINE? Bill Shaw

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[COVER INTERVIEW]
A CHAT WITH MARY PIERCE

Interview by Bill Shaw in Traverse City, MI

MARY, YOU ARE A VOLUNTEER HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT SPEAK
BOARD MEMBER WITH SPEAK UP. UP, AND WHAT DREW YOU IN?
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT My experience with street magazines has
YOURSELF? been through my own personal research
I have lived in Traverse City for over 20 and interest. I have been interested in the
years and, during most of that time, I concept of a street magazine for a long
taught writing and literature courses in time, and I was thrilled when I learned
the English Department at Northwestern that you, Bill, were going to bring one
Michigan College. After I retired in 2010, to Traverse City. I attended the launch
I followed my passion for photography in party at Building 50 and was impressed
the development of an artist co-operative to learn that Traverse City would be
and in selling my photographs in one of four cities in Michigan to have
galleries throughout Michigan. I love to a magazine. The other three cities were
create images and usually have a camera Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and Detroit; and
by my side wherever I go. to think that Traverse City would be a
part of such an innovative opportunity
I am blessed to have my two children was really exciting to me.
and five grandchildren in the area,
so their interests have become my Since my background is in writing,
interests. Because of them, I can now the idea of having a magazine by the
play Kendama and know every type of homeless and about homelessness was
ball sport imaginable. In turn, they now also appealing to me.
know Boz Scaggs and “Lowdown.

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YOU RECENTLY INTERVIEWED homeless, and this is evident through
LAURIE, WHO IS EXPERIENCING the development of an infrastructure
HOMELESSNESS. HOW DID THIS which is dedicated to service. The
INTERVIEW AFFECT YOU? Community Meals Program, Safe
Working with the magazine has brought Harbor, Jubilee House, Father Fred, the
people together who might otherwise not Central United Methodist Breakfast
ever have had the opportunity to meet. Outreach, HelpLink and countless other
This was the case with Laurie Koelsch. agencies, programs and individuals have
Laurie was a vibrant presence at writing created a foundation of support for the
workshops and meetings, always open homeless in our community. Speak
to sharing her experiences and insights. Up, too, has been an integral force in
Because of this, I found her to be an bringing homelessness to the forefront
inspiration and a powerful presence of the community’s conversations. The
whenever I was around her. In addition, I Zine, especially, and the other agencies
knew she had found her “voice” through and individuals involved in direct action
her writing, and I wanted her to share have put a decidedly “human” face on
that experience with others and with me. this issue and won’t let the public turn
away anymore.
One of the unexpected benefits of
working on the magazine has been However, the community can best help
the blurring of the lines between the eliminate homelessness by recognizing
homeless and those who are not. We that homelessness does exist in our
have become a community of people area, educating themselves about the
working toward a common goal. But we issue, joining organizations that address
have become more than our work on the homelessness in collaborative and
magazine. We are present and supportive supportive ways, and getting to know,
of each other in all ways, beyond just personally, people like Laurie, Randy,
the magazine, whether it be through Frankie, Steve, Jordan, Rene’ and so many
sharing a cup of coffee at Brew, attending others who live in our city. Establishing a
an art event, meeting at the library or, personal connection with individuals is
sadly, grieving the loss of a loved one the best way to help.
at a funeral. We have created a family
because of, and through, the magazine, HOW CAN OTHER MEMBERS
and that will have everlasting effects. OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT
SPEAK UP?
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE SINGLE [They can] buy it from the vendors on
MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO the street and in the stands in local stores,
END HOMELESSNESS? at the farmer’s markets and art fairs and
I see homelessness as a multi-faceted just have conversations about the ideas
issue and a multi-faceted problem and thoughts presented. Talk to one
and, likewise, requires a multi-faceted another. Have coffee at Brew and discuss
approach for a solution to be viable. the articles and issues.
The solutions involve innovation in the
areas of affordable housing, access to Don’t be afraid to talk to a vendor on the
education, employment opportunities, street and buy the magazine. Lend time
transportation availability, medical and and financial support to help sustain the
so on. magazine and provide an income to those
who are working to move themselves out
HOW CAN OUR COMMUNITY BEST of poverty.
HELP THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS
IN OUR COMMUNITY?
We are fortunate to live in a community
that is responsive to the needs of the

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[CHALLENGE]
THE ZINE QUIZ

Test your Zine knowledge below! Missed an issue? Ask your vendor for a previous edition.

A B C D

I J K L

1. MATCHING—WRITE THE 2. WHO WRITES MOST OF THE ZINE
CORRESPONDING LETTER To ARTICLES (EXCEPT THIS ISSUE)?
IDENTIFY THE VENDOR ON THE [a] Volunteers
COVER (ABOVE) [b] College students and interns
____ Renee ____ Ruth [c] Homeless/vulnerable writers
[d] Record Eagle staff writers ____ Sidewalk ____ Ryan
____ Chuck ____ Franklin
3. WHERE CAN YOU FIND FRANKIE
____ Randy ____ Laurie ON A SUMMER SATURDAY
MORNING? ____ Matt ____ Tawanna
[a] Corner of Front and Cass
____ British Lady ____ Sheila
[b] Drinking coffee at the Brew
____ Michal ____ Stephen [c] Sleeping in the Post Office lobby
____ Franky ____ Earleen [d] The Farmer’s Market

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G E F G H

M N O P

4. WHAT PROJECT HELPED SUSTAIN 6. MATCH UP VENDOR TALENTS:
OUR VENDORS THROUGH THE [a] Frankie [1] Accordion
COLDEST MONTHS? (A) [b] Steve [2] Artwork
[a] Bake sales [c] Randy [3] Harmonica
[b] Vendor boxes
[c] Car washes 7. HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THIS?
[d] Shoveling snow It’s easy – visit speakupmag.org/donate

5. WHO MAKES THE ZINE POSSIBLE?
8. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF SPEAK UP? [a] Volunteers
[a] To create income for our vendors [b] Continuing sponsors
[b] To educate the community [c] A supportive community
[c]Empower people with a voice [d] hardworking vendors
[d] All of the above [e] All of the above

(D) 8. you! ankTh 7. C2 B1, A3, 6. (e) 5. (A) 4. (D) 3.
(C) 2. M O, H, D, E, N, P, J, G, F, L, B, I, C, A, K, 1. Answers:

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[STABILITY]
SLEEP DEPRIVATION

By Ben Shaw in Traverse City, MI

Today, I am celebrating twenty years of
marriage. I've always had a home—I grew up
in a farm house on a forty-acre parcel—and
have never been forced to move or worried
about making the next month's rent. Work
has been easy to find—it comes to me. I've family and friends.” With that help, and
had a measure of stability and support that first-rate professional care, I was able to
some people will never know. recover.
Despite that, I managed to land myself There is a homeless population in
in Munson's ER a few years ago, suffering Traverse City that never gets enough
from a panic attack. Anxiety and severe sleep. There are those that, for one reason
depression was the diagnosis. (“I'm not or another, don't have contact with their
depressed,” I remember thinking. “I'm just families. Once on the street, work and
going crazy.”) For a month or so, I was in money don't come easily. These are people
Munson's partial hospitalization program who don't know, and may never have
as well as a four-day stay in Center One known, the stability that I enjoy.
(24-hour care). Volunteering for Speak Up Zine is
One of the objectives of being admitted my attempt to give a little back. Work
to Center One was to get enough sleep— and friendships are what make life feel
that is, sleep at night and stay awake meaningful to me, and the Zine provides
during the day. Sleep was a huge part of a vehicle for both. My role has been to
the equation. help with the Saturday morning writing
I wasn't worried about money because workshops where we tell stories, write
insurance covered the lion's share. I had stories, and fight over who's buying coffee.
regular visitors—not everyone did—and The purpose is to generate articles; and
my wife was there every day. Later, in certainly writing has its therapeutic side.
reading the doctors' reports, one of my Friendship, encouragement, and lending
listed strengths was “strong support from an ear are part and parcel.

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[EXPOSED]
CURRENTS REMORSE

By Deb Shaw in Traverse City, MI

Deb Shaw (right) with Speak Up vendor Ruth Hsieh, who sells magazines in Charlotte, NC.

Where do they go
when the rains come down
The gutters flood
earth mushes to mud
Where leeches swirl
in algie’s green
And six inch slugs
will wade downstream
When the wind throws down
the beggars tent
And thunders echo
through bridges bent
Some huddle close
increase their dose
Their bottles float
to river’s coast
And where is Sue
She passes not
her patient camel’s stride
In woodland shadows
there
She hides

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Compiled and designed byGAME OF LIFE Sabrina BP

1. Finda coin 2. and Decide playing who pieces 3. goesﬁ Flip rst. the coin:
ifheads, GO if FWD tails, one 4. GO space. Read FWD and two follow spaces. the key.

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All events in this game were drawn from real
stories and submissions published in Speak Up
Zine #1. The events shaping people’s lives are
tragic and mundane, positive and complicated.

If you missed the inaugural issue of the Zine,
ask your local vendor for it or buy online at
speakupmag.org/zine.

POSITIVE: Go forward NEGATIVE. onespace. Go back one space. COMPLICATED: Flip again.TRAGEDY. Start game over.

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[INTIMATE]
GOING DEEPER: LAURIE KOELSCH

Interview by Mary Pierce in Traverse City, MI

Laurie Koelsch has been a writer and vendor trailer park, and we couldn’t pay our rent.
for Speak Up Zine since its beginning in July, Then we ended up on the street. That was
2014. She was born in the 1960s in Flint, about four years ago. We have been living
Michigan, and has lived with her partner, in our car ever since.
Randy Parcher, in Traverse City for the past
20 years. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT SPEAK
I met Laurie at one of the writing UP ZINE, THE NEW MAGAZINE THAT
workshops and was inspired by her HAS COME TO TRAVERSE CITY,
dedication to the success of the Zine FOCUSING ON THE HOMELESS
and her desire to inform people about AND CREATING JOBS FOR THE
homelessness. I admire her honesty, HOMELESS?
sincerity and her willingness to open her That was kind of funny. I was sitting
heart through her words. She shares her down at Central United Methodist
own life stories in the hope that others will Church having breakfast and drinking a
feel more comfortable sharing their own cup of coffee, and a friend of ours came
stories as well. in and told us a little about it. Then, the
next thing we knew, Bill Shaw walked
LAURIE, COULD YOU TELL ME in and sat down at our table. He said a
ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH friend of ours, Glenda, who volunteered
HOMELESSNESS? at Jubilee House, recommended us for
Basically, we lost our jobs. Our jobs went the magazine. And we’re like, “Really?”
out from under us. We were working in Bill really piqued our interest in it; and
the Grand Traverse Mall cleaning, doing the next thing I know, here we are selling
the housekeeping and cleaning the tables the magazine and writing for them.
in the Food Court. They let us go because
they said they were downsizing. We lost WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SELL A
everything we owned: our vehicle and STREET MAGAZINE?
our place we were renting. We were in a After I read through it, I really liked it.

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And I thought this would be a good way Up magazine has really helped me a lot
to support it. It was tough at first on the to use my voice and to tell my stories. I
street selling them because a lot of people have so many followers on the street who
were like, “Oh, the homeless, you know, come up to me…thanking me all the time
looking for a handout.” It’s like, “Why and just wanting more. It makes me feel
don’t they go out and get a job and get so good when I am so down and out and
off the street?” I have heard this remark tired and at the end and want to give up.
as they walked by. And I said, “This is a I hear these voices telling me this, and it
job to sell this.” is like a new breath of fresh air is coming
in, and it keeps me going as hard as I can
I believe in this magazine, and it is to write more.
going to do good in Traverse City. I had
a gentleman walk away and he kind IS IT THE INTENT OF THE MAGAZINE
of chuckled; and then he got halfway TO ONLY INCLUDE TOPICS ABOUT
around the block and came back to me HOMELESSNESS OR ARE OTHER
and asked me if it was really worth it. I TOPICS INCLUDED AS WELL?
said, “Yes.” I told him, “I truly believe in At first, I started writing about the
it. It is going to go far.” I truly believe in it, homeless and the situation and how hard
and people are going to read this and get it is to be on the street. My first article
educated and learn about what it is like was the hardest. I didn’t plan on writing
for us to be on the street and to get off the it. It just came to me. It was called,
street. This is a way for us to get help to “Memories of a Cardboard Box and a
get off the street. Full Moon.” That was when we had lost
our place and we lost our vehicle. We
YOU ALSO WRITE FOR THE PAPER. were on the street trying to find a place
YOU HAVE HAD AN ARTICLE IN to be, and it was tough.
EVERY ISSUE OF THE ZINE. WHAT IS
IT LIKE TO WRITE FOR THE PAPER But then after that, I wrote about
AS WELL AS SELL THE PAPER? memories of the holidays, Christmas
It feels good to write for the paper. It and Thanksgiving with my family, and
has helped me out tremendously. I have how it used to be when my parents were
found an inner voice that I did not know alive. I wrote about a trip that I took
I had. And it is pretty neat. That is one with my family when I was married and
thing I have always been telling myself how, even though I am homeless, I do
to work on, to be more outgoing. Speak have memories of fun things that come

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back to mind and just sharing the stories LAURIE, COULD YOU TELL ME
with everybody. It is not always about ABOUT HOW YOUR FINANCIAL
homelessness. It gets too heavy if you just AND LIVING SITUATIONS HAVE
keep writing about the homeless. CHANGED AS A RESULT OF
SELLING THE ZINE?
WHAT ELSE HAVE BEEN BENEFITS Just before we started selling the paper,
FROM BEING INVOLVED IN THE we had signed up for a housing voucher
MAGAZINE, THINGS YOU NEVER with MSHDA. After that, we started
DREAMED YOU WOULD BE DOING selling the magazine. The next thing
RIGHT NOW? I know, we are at the top of the list for
I did not even know I could write until our voucher, and we are trying to find an
I started writing, and it is really fun. I apartment. There is a consistent financial
found a talent that I didn’t even know I outcome [from selling the Zine] that we
had. I have become close friends, or I’d can count on. It has turned us around
like to think I have become close friends, where we are now able to pay some of our
with Bill Shaw, Deb Shaw, Ben Shaw, and bills and keep going and get the housing
Rob who does the writing workshops. voucher and get the place. We have come
We meet at the Brew on Saturdays for a long way in four years. I credit a lot of
coffee and do our writing; and it has been that to the magazine.
a lot of fun. I feel so good afterwards too.
It has really made me feel like a totally Author’s Note:
different person. For me, one of the major benefits of
being involved with Speak Up Zine is
I feel more alive and vibrant compared to meeting Laurie Koelsch and having the
what I was feeling like before. I felt that opportunity to spend time together. Her
we were stuck in this rut, and we were personal circumstances have not limited
never going to get out. It has given me her because she is able to see hope and
a lot of hope. I have been able to keep strength in struggle. She willingly shares
my spirits up a lot better than what I that attitude and has grown stronger and
had been. I don’t feel as if I just want to more empowered. Her dedication to
sit in a corner and cry and that nothing improving her circumstances and
is going to change. That thought hasn’t sharing her life through her writing has
even entered my mind lately. I may get been an inspiration to me and to anyone
a little frustrated once in a while, but it is whose life she touches.
always going to get better.

Original Fine Art · Contemporary Craft
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TraverseT City | 231.932.0775 | galleryfifty.com

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[SEEDS]
STEVE’S PINE TREES

By Jessie Horness in Traverse City, MI

“Let me tell you the story about the pine trees…”

As a boy, Steve Thompson spent a summer Twenty-five years or so later, Steve
planting trees. In the interest of erosion found himself back on familiar ground.
prevention, a neighbor had decided to A deer hunter, he was following a blood
fill his land with evergreens, hiring two trail through a wood of looming pine trees
enterprising young Boy Scouts to do the when suddenly realization struck. After
job. Armed with a number-two shovel and all that time, he hadn’t realized he’d been
a spade, Steve and his friend, Larry, planted looking for a deer hiding amongst a forest
pine switch after pine switch, eventually of his own creation. “Wow,” Steve thought,
seeding 10,000 would-be trees. At two cents “Here I am looking for a deer in a grove. A
per tree, the boys had quite a profitable beautiful grove of trees that I had planted
summer. as a child. I created a forest.”

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[POLICY]
HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

By Christie Minervini in Traverse City, MI

On May 11, 2015, the Traverse City Human city’s legal department is going over the
Riaghts Commission adopted a non- document before it is sent to the full City
binding "Homeless Bill of Rights," joining a Commission.
number of U.S. communities that recognize
people experiencing homelessness as a RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS FOR
class in need of protection. They think that HOMELESS PERSONS
homeless people are being treated unfairly.
The document lists ten rights, WHEREAS, the City of Traverse City
including being able to move freely has recognized the severe shortage of and
“without harassment or intimidation.” need for affordable housing within the
Commissioner Patricia Nugent says the City;
idea came after representatives from Safe
Harbor and the Goodwill Inn made the WHEREAS, the City has engaged in
Commission aware of the abuses suffered efforts to address the need for temporary
by homeless people. “They had rocks and affordable housing by 1) approving a
thrown at them, beer bottles thrown at SLUP (Special Land Use Permit) in 2014,
them, things like this where people would to Safe Harbor to allow for an emergency
see them on the street and think that they shelter for the homeless within the City;
had no rights and they could do those 2) approving the possible sale of 517
kinds of things,” says Nugent. Wellington building in Traverse City to
The Bill of Rights is modeled after Safe Harbor for the use as a homeless
similar resolutions passed in Madison, shelter; 3) approving a director’s position
Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. The within the Traverse City Housing

Page 19

Commission to address the affordable WHEREAS, the City Commission
housing issue; hereby adopts the following
WHEREAS, the City Commission
recognizes the need for and has cooperated RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS OF
with local nonprofits and agencies for the HOMELESS PERSONS.
purpose of providing supportive housing
to homeless persons through housing The rights, privacy and property of
and services intended to help those at homeless persons should be adequately
risk live stable, productive lives including safeguarded under the policies of the City
outreach, engagement, medical care, of Traverse City.
behavioral health care, case management
and life skills training; 1. As such, each person who is homeless
has a right to:
WHEREAS, the Traverse City
community’s generous support for the 2. Access basic requirements necessary
homeless population has been significant for sustaining life, including shelter,
and has included, among other things, sanitation, medical care, clothing and
1) since 2004, the provision of food and food;
shelter for the homeless by local churches
and places of worship during winter 3. Move freely in public places without
months; 2) since 2007, the provision of harassment or intimidation in the
daily breakfast for homeless persons by same manner as other persons;
the Central United Methodist Church; 3)
since 2004, the provision of monitoring 4. Have equal opportunities for
and administrative services for Safe employment;
Harbor by Goodwill Industries; 4) since
2004, the provision of volunteer support 6. Receive emergency medical care;
and services to Safe Harbor by more
than 2100 volunteers; and 5) since 1989, 7. Exercise full civic privileges, including
the provision of free clothing, food and the right to register to vote and the
services for homeless persons needing right to vote;
assistance by the Father Fred Foundation;
8. Have personal information protected;
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Traverse
City Human Rights Commission is to 9. Have a reasonable expectation of
foster understanding and respect among privacy in his or her personal property;
all groups, to discourage discriminatory
practices and to ensure cooperation in 10. Receive equal treatment by state,
eliminating prejudice and discrimination; county and municipal agencies;
and
11. Have the right to have economic
WHEREAS, despite the city and status not included in media reports,
community widespread efforts to and
date, the Traverse City Human Rights
Commission, after research and 12. Allow for access to resources for
review, has recommended that the City supportive housing.
Commission pass a resolution adopting
this Recognition of Rights for Homeless
Persons for the purpose of ensuring
the human dignity of and respect for all
homeless persons in Traverse City by
reiterating and recognizing the rights of
homeless persons.

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[STORYTELLING]
A MEETING IN TAMPA

By Melissa Sprenkle in Traverse City, MI

While I was attending a conference in
Tampa, FL, I often walked through a small
park downtown across the street from a
city police station. The well-shaded tree-
lined park had several benches dotting
the X-shaped path running through the
middle of it. Every day, I nodded to older
men who sat on the benches. The worn
rolling backpacks and plastic bags at their
feet signaled that they were probably living
homeless. One man often sat with his head
bowed looking at a gauze bandage wrapped
around his wrist. Sometimes, two of the
men would sit at the same bench and chat as
they had a Popsicle or sandwich. I wondered
if the older men felt safer in a park near a
police station.
One evening as I was leaving the
edge of the park, a woman called out
to me and asked me for help. She
wore multiple layers of clothing which
seemed unusual even in the twilight
Florida sunshine. Next to her were a
couple large plastic bags, a cart, and
a dusty rolling backpack. She asked
me if I could give her some money to
help her get something to eat while
she waited to get into her hotel room.
She told me she had just enough mon-
ey for three nights at a hotel a couple
of blocks away. She quoted me a price
I knew would not get anyone a night
into any of the hotels in walking dis-
tance. The special rate for the room
I shared during the conference was She said she had recently had a baby
twice the price she quoted me. She and she pulled up her shirt to show
said “If you have five dollars to give her belly which apparently had been
me, I could get a sandwich at Jimmy stretched from giving birth. She came
Johns to tide me over.” I told her I from a little town, and a church that
didn’t carry much cash but looked and was helping her bought her a bus tick-
found a five to give her. et to Tampa to get her away from her
As I pulled the money and gave it to abusive boyfriend who had pushed
her, she started telling me stories. She her down the stairs. She didn’t men-
told me she had diabetes and showed tion what had happened to the baby.
me a blood sugar testing kit from her I told her I was from out of town
one of her bags to demonstrate why and didn’t personally know anyone
she really needed some food soon. who could help her there, but I knew

Page 21

that places such as women’s shelters, tion–what trouble exactly she was in
Goodwill and Salvation Army of- or what her resources really were. I’m
ten provided emergency assistance. I sure many people would have noticed
asked her if she had any contacts to the inconsistencies, written her off,
help her. She assured me that she had and walked away. Others would have
called a women’s shelter. They said known better than me how to find out
they would put her up for a few days, what Denise’s real situation was and
but they wouldn’t have space for her help guide her to appropriate assis-
until the end of the week. tance. However, I was struck by how
Then the woman started to tell me her conversation with me revealed
how she had talked to various shelters, what she thought she’d need to say to
and they all apparently had very differ- make me see her as a person. She pre-
ent problems that kept them from be- sented herself as a mother, as a beaten
ing able to help her. She said she would girlfriend, as someone who had in the
be all right in a few days, but I could past been deemed worthy to receive a
see that she had been living homeless small community church’s dubious as-
for a while. Her eyes were dilated, and sistance (in sending her randomly off
she seemed a bit listless as she talked to the big city).
with me. I could see she wanted to My prayer for Denise is that she gets
end the conversation, or maybe she the help she needs and that she can
thought I did. She said “When you go someday soon claim her own person-
back to your church, ask them to pray hood even if that person is more com-
for me.” I hadn’t mentioned going to plex (with dark patches in the soul like
church, and am not currently attend- many of us carry) than the victim she
ing, but I said I would pray for her presented herself as. Denise is worthy
and asked for her name. She paused a of assistance, of recuperation, of hav-
moment and seemed to look directly ing someone recognize her by name
at me for the first time in our conver- whether or not she’s caused some of
sation. She said, “My name is Denise.” her own problems.
Denise told me several stories that
didn’t add up if I had been looking
for the truth about her current situa-

Page 22

[INTERNATIONAL]
VENDOR VOICE: SWITZERLAND

By Ali Nur Mohamed for SURPRISE Magazine in Switzerland

I often think of my previous job and the
responsibility I had there. Today I stand
in the street and sell newspapers. That's
something completely different. But I enjoy
selling the street paper. I'd rather look
forward in life than look back.
I've been in Switzerland since 2012.
The time before that was turbulent. In my
home country, Somalia, I did a degree in
veterinary medicine and later worked for
international and local NGOs, including
a period as Regional Director for West
Somalia. I had a good job with lots of
responsibility until the civil war broke
out. From then on, the terrorist group
al-Shabaab spied on me every day. They
thought I was a spy working for the USA.
I feared for my life. Lots of my colleagues
were shot and killed. Then one night they I always sell the paper on Fridays and
stormed my house, too. Fortunately my Saturdays. Some people come especially
family wasn't at home at the time. They to buy Surprise from me. That gives me
attacked with grenades. I lost my right leg a good feeling. It's also my sales strategy.
and my whole stomach was hanging out I'm trying to build as big a customer base
of my body. I pretended to be dead. They as possible. Already, friends of friends buy
thought I'd died in the attack, and they the paper from me, and so it goes on. The
fled. In total I had 17 iron splinters from most important thing is to be friendly and
a grenade in my back. I barely survived. not to wear a grumpy expression. I always
I was in hospital for seven whole months say "Guten Tag" nicely. Lots of customers
and was in a coma for a long time. If I are really interested in me and my story.
hadn't pretended to be dead, I wouldn't That makes me very happy. The Swiss
have survived. women are all especially nice.
In 2012 the Swiss NGO for whom I'd Surprise helps my wife and me to find
worked for a long time in Somalia brought friends. But the most important thing is:
me to Switzerland. My wife followed it helps us to learn German. We're happy
me, and since last November five of my here.
children have also been living in Basel. I often think of the past, of the night of
My family and I share a small, three- the grenade attack and its consequences.
room apartment. In the future I'd like to It's sometimes very hard when those
get a bigger apartment, then all seven of us memories arise. And it happens very often.
would have more space. All my children One day, I'd like to return to Somalia, as
go to school. That's very important to me. long as it's safe. It's not easy to start again
My wife also sells Surprise, and we're both from nothing. But we managed it here in
taking a German course. Learning the Switzerland, after we'd lost everything in
language is very important for integration. Somalia. And that makes me happy."
I speak four languages: Somali, Arabic, Translated by Jane Eggers
Italian and English. But learning German Courtesy of INSP News Service / Suprise
at my age is not that easy. street-papers.org

Page 23

[LOCAL]
A CRITICAL PRINT PARTNERSHIP
FOR SPEAK UP TRAVERSE CITY

By Bill Shaw in Traverse City, MI

Who prints the Zine? Are we talking about
the Traverse City or Charlotte Zine? Either
way, the answer is the same. The Zine is
printed by Mullen Publications, Inc., a small
family-owned business that has served the
Charlotte, NC, area for over sixty years.
The driving force for this long distance
printing is cost. It is much cheaper for
us to print two Zine issues, Traverse
City’s and Charlotte’s, at one location
than it is to print two issues in different
places. When the press is running, a place
of eight pages can be swapped out for
seventy-five dollars. We then have two
completely different magazines. Savings
are in volume, and we double our volume
by printing the Charlotte and Traverse
City magazines congruently. Through
this cost-savings initiative, we have built
a relationship, and Mullen Publications submitted to the Printing Industry of
now prints the Traverse City issue at or the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA). He handed it
below their costs. to me proudly. Speak Up Zine – Traverse
I met Chip Smith, the President and City’s Street Magazine 03, had won Best of
CEO of Mullen Publications this spring. I Category out of 14,000 submissions!
was in Charlotte for a quarterly Speak Up Chip is as supportive of Traverse City’s
Board meeting, and I was asked to “run street paper as he is of Charlotte’s. He
over” to Mullen and pick up the latest might not be local to Traverse City, but
Traverse City and Charlotte issues. he is a local company, supporting–with
When he heard I was there, Chip made his money and heart–our Traverse City
it a point to come out of his office and talk community.
to me about Speak Up and about how his Someday, when the Traverse City Zine
small company and he, personally, support is big enough to support itself, we will
it. He talked about Matt Shaw, Speak Up’s print it in Michigan with one of our many
Founder and Director, and he talked great companies. But for now, thank you,
about the stories in the magazine. He even Chip, and thank you, Mullen Publications.
mentioned some of his acquaintances who
are building 14,000 sq. ft. mansions when
people like Frankie, Laurie, and Randy—
our Traverse City vendors—have no place
to live. He found it short sighted.
And then Chip brought out a design
award for Speak Up for a Traverse City
Zine that Mullen Publications had

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