“Kicking It!” a movie about the Homeless World Cup, don’t laugh.

Everybody knows that in the United States we call it “soccer”, and the rest of the world calls it football.

But did you know that over 1 billion people in the world are homeless! And what’s the most popular sport in the world? “Kicking it”, the ball that is.  All over the world, one sees the poor taking a refreshment from their daily trials on the field, and for those minutes or hours they are as a rich in enjoyment as the greatest of professional game players.  Furthermore a championship world cup in the world’s most popular sport and one that draws only from the 1/5 to 1/6 of the world’s most vulnerable population is one of the most incredible ideas I have heard of for a long time.

Last night I had the privilege of watching the film “Kicking it!” about how a ball can change the life of a displaced person in the most dramatic of ways. It chronicles the lives of six homeless or formerly homeless individuals from five countries and how participating in playing in organized street ball can be taken all the way to a very real world championship tournament, in this case in South Africa emceed by  Bishop Desmond Tutu.

The idea was founded in 2001by  Mel Young co-founder of The Big Issue Scotland, and Harald Schmied, editor of Megaphon, a street paper in Austria while attending the International Network of Street Papers conference that was in Cape Town, South Africa. (wikipedia)

Colin Farrell gives the intros and exits to the documentary but the real characters are the six otherwise marginalized people who have the privilege of playing in the tournament:  Najib from war torn Afghanistan; Alex from the slums of Kenya; Damien and Simon from the drug rehab clinics of Dublin, Ireland; Craig from the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina; Jesus from the overflowing public shelters of Madrid, Spain, and Slavan from the shadow culture of the illegal rural immigrants to the big city of St. Petersburg, Russia. (movies.aol.com)

For those who care about the human condition, those in the poverty scene looking for ideas,  fans of any sport will enjoy this movie.  I enjoyed writing this article particularly to learn that other writers in my sector were responsible for making this happen.  I hope you’ll watch it then take some action in your area with a great idea as well.

btw I saw it on hulu.com, but I ‘m sure you can find the movie elsewhere.

Paul Gydos

New Website for Discussion on Transitional Housing – http://hafup.com

I put a little bit of time in to crafting a website for The Discussion on Transitional Housing dubbed, Homeless and Friends United – Piedmont(HAFUP).  You all can see the results at http://hafup.com.

I purchased a short domain name which only costs $1.99 the first year.  Then I forwarded the domain to point to a free webserver service.

I put on the front page a widget which allows you to see the headlines and first few lines of each post on the Google Group Listserv which we created.  If you press on the right links there you can either come into the Google Group interface or read the whole story/post.

I also included a Google Calendar.  I gave access to change the calendar to Theresa Hicks, Liz Seymour, Jennifer Worrells, and myself (Paul Gydos).  If you require any training on Google Calendar feel free to contact me or if I missed someone who should be able to adjust
the calendar.

I included a Google Map for the Greensboro Central Library which for this week is pushed down in favor of a Google Map for the Greensboro Cultural Center.  You can get directions from wherever you are if you study the map widget.

So if you need to post to the website all you need to do is be on the Google Group listserver, then create a post from the Google Group interface or send an email to: homeless-and-friends-united-piedmont@googlegroups.com

I’m a total noobie when it comes to doing this kind of stuff, so I kept it simple for now, as some of what I included was already an exercise for me.

I hope that you like it.  Hopefully will create a list of weblinks soon.  I’m open to suggestions.

Paul Gydos
hafupadmin@gmail.com (for purposes of this discussion)
paulgydos@gmail.com (for general correspondance)
336-965-1816

Functicafe.com will hold its first Words event at the Baobab Tree Cafe in the Historic Glenwood Neighborhood of Greensboro, NC

Functicafe.com invites you to participate with your presence, your poetry, and your words, this Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at The Baobab Tree Cafe in Historic Glenwood, Greensboro, NC for Poetic Relief / Words – The address is 1404 Glenwood Avenue (near the intersection of Grove Street) and not to far from Florida St.. The event will begin at 7pm and likely continue until about 9pm. The Words event will be preceded by a free vegetarian meal at The Hive 1214 Grove Street presented by Food Not Bombs.

The event is hosted by the founder of functicafe.com, the artist and thinker known as Anton Bell.

Anton Bell is a contributing editor of sparechangenews.com. He is currently a resident at The Hive, with the WE! (Winter Emergency) program. Overcoming many difficulties, Anton approached Liz Conrad of The Baobab Tree Cafe and convinced her to let it be the initial location for Poetic Relief / Words an event of Anton’s new events company, functicafe.com.

A website was promptly formed with a domain name (functicafe.com), and imbeded google map, administrative and public emails, an imbedde google events calendar, a wordpress blog (functicafe.wordpress.com) and all out of free resources that cost nothing to maintain.

The Baobab Tree Cafe is a multi-use facility. For sales of local crafts, cottage industry, and micro-enterprises, a place for events, and sometimes to stop in and have some food and beverage. Liz reported that the store had been largely closed and on odd hours as of late. But Anton’s interest in the place seems to have sparked it alive again. Now one sees a posting that hours will be kept again starting the day following the event. Look further and their are ambitious plans for food and drink on menues that could activated at that time. More information forthcoming.

Liz Conrad is a Greensboro native, and world traveler who has returned to Greensboro about 2 years ago from Africa. Liz reports that The Baobab Tree Cafe is more than a crafts and art gallery, but the holder of a vision for encouraging the community during these hard encomic times, using the same tactics that have helped in developing world; facilitating cottage industries, crafts, and microenterprises, and acting as a point for communication and commerce. More information can be found by calling her at 336-286-1174.

Paul Gydos of gydos.com (myself) has facilitated with some of the media aspects discussed above. Paul reports, “This is Anton’s inspiration and obviously it is contagious. I hope that many come and express themselves and share with the community. I also want to point out that my belief is that the event itself is a medium in an of itself. I see that Poetic Relief / Words as hosted by Anton Bell’s functicafe.com will be one of those types of event where it transcends being just entertainment or a party and becomes something that is more becoming and therefore is a medium and art in an of itself seperate from the mediums and art that are being showcased, in that the community will come alive around such a thing.”

Paul facilitated by doing the webwork and designing the flyers. Paul himself is a resident at The Hive. “I have twins on the way arriving in May. There really is some pressure to make something out of nothing. So although I can’t yet afford a residence, I went ahead and set up an office to help with my facilitation services, webpresence packages, and ecommerce. Since I am totally new to this, I more affordable than anyone else. I’m sure that I can help get my customer up and running on the internet in a way that gives them basic representation. I look forward to this time as I will be able to learn and test my skills and eventually become a full fledged web designer. Right now I can help you get a unique and effective domain name, basic website, with many useful features such as maps, calendars, blogs, listserves, and paypal. I am immediately expanding into ecommerce next and whatever the needs of my customers and my existing business will be is the priority.

Food Not Bombs Monday Dinner at Library time change on 1/26/09 – ie poetry workshop with Glenis Redmond

Liz Seymour annouced today that Monday’s Food Not Bombs dinner usually scheduled at 6:00pm will be serving at 5:00pm this Monday January 26th at the Central Branch of the Greensboro Public Library.  This is to allow a poetry workshop with renowned poet Glenis Redmond at 6:00pm (sounds like a treat!) 

Those of you who are in or involved in the poor and homeless community that is served by the regular free meals around Greensboro are advised to get the word out verbally as there will be no publishing and distribution of the Hungry in Greensboro list until next week.

Thank you  – Paul Gydos 336-456-3723 ircgreensboro@gmail.com

You can find information about Glenis Redmond at http://www.glenisredmondstore.com/

The Free Meals in Greensboro list can be found at: http://sparechangenews.wordpress.com/free-food-guide-and-updates/

Housing Summit – February 26th, 2009 (@Revolution Mills Studios hosted by Greensboro Housing Coalition) Register by Feb 19th

     from Beth McGee-Huger to Liz Seymour to Day Center Program Committee to you (SCN readers)

Liz, for the Housing Summit, we want to have everyone “at the table” to make
decisions about the priorities and strategies for housing in our community
in the next five years. We have scholarships for anyone who does not have
the money to pay.  Can you come and encourage people you know to register
and speak up in the table discussions?  I am attaching the brochure.

            Beth

   transcribed from the brouchure

Housing Summit February 26th, 2009  9am -1:30pm (@Revolution Mills Studios 1000 Revolution Mill Dr. Greensboro, NC 27405)  Register by Feb 19th

Transforming the housing Crisis into Opportunity
Keynote Speaker Martin Eakes Founder of Self-Help Credit Union.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: February 19
Registration form:
Name: _________________________
Address: _______________________
___________________Zip_________
Telephone: _____________________
Email: _________________________
Organization: ___________________
Registration fee: $25 ($20 for seniors and
students)
Become a member today and save! Registration
is $10 with your $50 or more annual
membership contribution.
Make checks payable to:
Greensboro Housing Coalition
122 N. Elm Street Suite M6
Greensboro NC 27401
Scholarships available—call 691-9521

Schedule:
8:30 Doors open for registration
9:00 Welcome and Speakers on
Greensboro’s transformation:
⇒ Dennis Quaintance: Quaintance Weaver
⇒ Tom Low: Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co.
⇒ Equal Access to Safe Affordable Homes
⇒ House Calls
⇒ Housing First
10:45 Table discussions: Participants will break into groups to brainstorm ideas about what we can do together to move from a housing crisis to new housing opportunities by
2014. The discussions will be used to create GHC’s annual action plan (virtually every item from last year’s plan was addressed!) and will be used in the City’s 5-year Consolidated Plan.
11:45 Buffet lunch
12:00 Awards ceremony
12:30 Keynote address by Martin Eakes

Martin Eakes, CEO and founder of Self-Help, graduated from Yale Law School and the Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs. He received the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 1996.

Dennis Quaintance builds environmental sustainability into his successful hotels and restaurants—including the Platinum LEED certified Proximity Hotel.

Tom Low is director of the Charlotte office of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ). Andres Duany is the “‘father” of New Urbanism. DPZ’s architects and town planners designed Willow Oaks and Southside.

Equal Access to Safe Affordable Homes: 25 of Elon Law School’s best students researched policies and strategies that can be used to promote fair housing so that everyone can have for safe, affordable housing.

House Calls: 17 organizations in the HealthyHomes Greensboro collaborative work
together to diagnose unhealthy housing conditions, prescribe healthy solutions, treat
the underlying problems safely, and assess outcomes. Video by McWhorter Concepts.

Housing First: Partners Ending Homelessness focuses on implementing, evaluating, and updating Guilford County’s ten year plan, Partnering to End Chronic Homelessness. The group uses the Housing First approach to end chronic homelessness.
Presentation by Jehan Benton.

Transform Crisis into Opportunity?
⇒ Inspire bold partnerships and projects
⇒ Identify what we can do together to turn the corner on the housing crisis
⇒ Set priorities for Greensboro’s 5-year Consolidated Plan
The Housing Crisis: Losses…
⇒ Rising foreclosure rates
⇒ Declining property values
⇒ Rising energy costs
⇒ Declining employment
⇒ Rising health care costs… and New Beginnings
⇒ Moving homeless families and individuals with mental illness to housing: Partners
Ending Homelessness, Beyond Pathways, WE! (Winter Emergency Communities)
⇒ Preventing health problems, conserving energy, reducing disparities: Healthy Homes
Greensboro Initiative
⇒ Restoring neighborhoods and stability: Preserving Homeownership, housing bond, Neighborhood Stabilization Program
⇒ Finding common ground among residents, policy makers, and developers for fair and sustainable housing practices

Finally had a chance to post up the Free Meals in Greensboro list, Whoa!

Under the Tab Free Meals in Greensboro, NC you will now see an actual list of free meals in Greensboro, NC updated on 01/15/09.  This is a big improvement over the empty space that was under that tab as of yesterday.
Yeah!

Blog Spinoffs like crazy!!!! ‘Niche-ify’ ‘Niche-ify’

I started yet another wordpress blog in an effort to further ‘niche-ify’ my work.  So much of what I wanted to post about in postalheaven.wordpress.com and then sparechangenews.com was technical stuff about computers and as of late that is specifically studies about Linux.  So the name is a tribute to my wife who came up with the term I was looking for for a miniscule linux operating system – minilini.wordpress.com.  Minilini.wordpress.com will not only be about small linux operating systems and their hardware friends tiny pcs (there will also be www.tinypcnews.com launching in a short time) but about all my experiences trying to work with Linux.

Talking about my wife, she has spunoff preborn.wordpress.com  from noblevine.net at my suggestion for her Pro-Life work specifically, in an effort to further ‘niche-ify’ her work.

My WordPress dashboard will never be the same again.

Video of Paul Gydos at Food Not Bombs farewell at St. Mary’s House – Greensboro

The link is:

You have to sign in to your facebook account to access this.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=24115427988&refurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fs.php%3Fref%3Dsearch%26init%3Dq%26q%3Djordan%2Bgreen#/video/video.php?v=25007022502&oid=24115427988

The Paypal buttons I’ve added

So far somehow the paypal buttons I’ve added have only thrown me a donations page once. The rest of the time while I’ve tested them they only gave me a click here to retry page at paypal. Please leave a comment and tell me what you get when you click the button on the Help fund SpareChangeNews.com page or on the link in the right side bar.

Thanks

Tyler Perry: From Poverty to Prosperity

Actor, Tyler Perry said in a recent television interview that, “Whatever circumstances you go through in life are intended to form you into the person you are supposed to be.” Perry was homeless for eight years and is now a millionaire and a movie star. Some people may know him from the “Medea” movies and from “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”, or “Woman Thou Art Loosed”. He wrote them.

Perry is just one of many examples of those who have risen out of poverty-stricken circumstances, abuse, and homelessness. For those who have computer access I would recommend a bio on Perry at this link: http://www.tv.com/tyler-perry/person/300574/biography.html. In this article, the journey from Perry overcoming an abusive childhood and taking responsibility for his destiny is detailed.

My point in specifically pointing to a successful individual is to say that perhaps if he can do it you can do it. It may take a miracle but Perry shows it is possible. One pivotal thing that Mr. Perry did on his journey to sustaining himself, and eventually accomplishing many of his dreams, is that he wrote a letter to himself detailing all of his feelings and thoughts, including past hurts and abuse. He felt doing that helped him to see the road of depression and negativity that ended up in his homelessness. One can see that faith in God definitely played a large role in his success. He is truly an inspiration, in my opinion.

I have tried to make the practice of “journaling” a habit in my life and though it’s been an off and on thing at times, in reflection, I have found it quite enlightening. I would encourage anyone who is struggling and finds themselves in the very unfortunate place of homelessness to explore and write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe wisdom for your circumstance can be found, and faith does not hurt either.

God Bless, LG

Letter from the Executive Director of the Denver VOICE

Amelia Patterson
http://www.denvervoice.org |
amelia@denvervoice.org |
71.208.214.180

Hey welcome to the CLUB!!!

I took a brief look at your content and it looks good so far! The
Denver VOICE has been around for over a decade but had a lull over the
last couple of years and now we are celebrating one year back on the
streets with over 600 vendors recruited so far. If you don’t have your
501c3 get it as it will help you tons with funding from donors and
foundations. Also, spend half your time on the vendor program and half
of your time on the paper they will feed each other. Also, network with
the other papers in North America through NASNA they can help with all
kinds of questions and senerios. Good luck and I look forward to seeing
how you do.

Amelia Patterson
Executive Director
Denver VOICE
999 18th St
Suite 1440
Denver, CO 80202
http://www.denvervoice.org

You have to believe

“You have to believe.” This was the first thing that came to mind my first day as a writer/contributing editor of a newspaper named Spare Change News. And, considering the way the economy is constantly reshaping itself, this had to be a blessing from above.

So believing is exactly what I did. And here I am writing my first “big time” story. I could write about anything but, today I decided to write how believing in God makes all things possible.

The first thing that you may need to know is that I just started this job so I’m still financially strapped. I’ve been surviving on breakfast at the homeless hospitality house, lunch at the Urban Ministry, and dinner that’s a shot in the dark. Let’s, just say I’m not trying to starve.

Still I’m hungry for the fruits of God.

Well, the first thing that everyone asks is why do I write?

The answer is simple. There is a message that I want to get across. The second
question is who am I trying to reach? In response I tell them everyone. And
usually the follow up question is why? Well because I believe that we all are
here to be heard, and the message that’s being delivered to you through me, may
lead you to a desire to keep seeking first Gods kingdom.

Through faith in God all these things were given unto us.

But, the greatest reward is the opportunity to gain everlasting life. It is
already paid for through Christ Jesus. We just have to be willing to give some
free time, and keep believing in God as well as ourselves. Then all of the
things that you aim for may come true. You never know unless you try.

This is how my life and career began to take shape; and a few free moments may gain me everlasting life. Besides, God and I are still working on an affordable home for me.

You just have to believe.

The Black Book

The Black Book. What really is the black book. To some it is what may be considered being written off, even expelled by others, deemed as cast out. But to me it represents the little book that my grand mother and father use to carry with them to worship at the lords house. In this book layed the instruction for mankind, collected over a series of life times passed down generation to generation up to this present time. And, the main message, “this journey is endless”. This all put me in the mind of a young author Kevin Ervin. The writer of the soul searching work “The Black Book, A neverending journey” combines these key understanding points, and deliveres a sure to be a personal best seller.

In his book he draws the connection between God and man through constant meditation and peace with our creator and our minds. Thus showing us how to keep a clear channel with our creator keeping positive energy upon us through this spiritual journey. And revealing that God is the only true source. Mr.Ervin having gone through his own spiritual journey can recante the time he’s had to resort to this form of teaching in order to survive. Kevin Ervin can be located at keverv@hotmail.com.

Letter from the President of NASNA – the North American Street Newspaper Assoc.

Hi Paul,

I got your email, but it was a bit hard to read that the text you sent me was in some fancy font and it came out in basic text with all its markings.

But from what I gathered, you are looking to turn your website into a street paper. And as the president of the North American Street Newspaper Assoc.and the co-founder of Street Sense in DC, I would love to help you out and answer any questions you have.

But rather than rambling on about my experience, why don’t you give me a
call and we can discuss any questions or concerns you have further. If you
are interested in talking please let me know a good time to call you in the
next week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday are best.)

Good luck and I hope to hear from you in the future,

Laura Thompson Osuri
Executive Director, Street Sense
202-347-2006
laura@streetsense.org

Food Not Bombs— Tuesday and Thursday nights to move soon from St. Mary’s into the new kitchen at the Hive

Watch here or at http://www.gsohive.com to find out new information. The target date for the move has passed and serving is still at St. Mary’s house. We will do our best to keep you informed about the date of the move to 1214 Grove St. (The Hive).

There was an excellent article in the News and Record about Food Not Bombs and other free eating titled “Community Cuisine”. Check it out if you have a chance.

http://beta.news-record.com/content/2008/06/20/article/community_cuisine

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The Magi Center – A Socially Oriented Small Business Launchpad

Proposal for: THE MAGI CENTER LLC

A Community Oriented Private Enterprise (COPE) which has in its mission to manage a small business launchpad in Downtown Greensboro.

We hope to share our intention with our potential landlord, Mr. A.B. and Ms. Lillian Rauch, then gather letters of intent from hopeful and existing small business owners who may want to locate there. In order that these letters of intent may be taken seriously by our potential host, we plan to take an administrative filing fee for each of them proportional to the amount of space the potential candidate business is hoping to occupy.

The organization will hope to lease the building as early as September 1st, 2008 with an option to buy the building as soon as it is available.

Location:

121 S. Elm St.
Greensboro, NC 27401 is the proposed available location

Potential location for Magi Center

FREE VERSION OF THE STORY

http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html

MUSIC

Squirrel Nut Zippers has an album called Christmas Carivan

you can find the discography at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Caravan

Track 8 is called “The Gift of the Magi”

ORGANIZATIONS WITH A SIMILAR NAME WHICH MIGHT BE RELEVANT

Susan Zuidema, Director
Giving@TheMagiGifts.com
Phone: 616-878-9900
Fax: 616-878-9921

Office Address:
2470 Byron Station SW
Byron Center, MI 49315

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 43
Byron Center, MI 49315

http://www.themagigifts.org

Recipient Qualification Application

http://www.themagigifts.org/upload/MagiRecipientQualificationApplication.pdf

Opinion – the upper middle class doesn’t see it.

Asking customers and acquaintances if they were seeing the slowdown in the economy affecting them, I’ve gotten an almost universal response of no.

So when will they realize that the global billionaires aren’t going to include them either (the millionaires and the middle class)?

Probably when they can’t get any food either. Then they will have to leave their houses and fancy jobs to head wherever there might be food.

Of course, right now the middle class doesn’t see it. In that way, the impoverished are advantaged, because they are already used to being pushed around and marginalized and controlled by food supplies, etc.

Just my opinion.

International Network of Street Papers www.street-papers.org

While doing research I found INSP
The International Network of Street Papers
88 papers in 37 countries and 6 continents
reaching 32 million readers worldwide

They just finished having a conference in Glasgow, Scottland.

They receive support from Reuters and Inter Press Service.

Their website is really impressive and has huge resources available to sparechangenews.com.

They have a published guide to setting up a Street Paper and offer advice, support, and funding solutions.

They call for a Poverty Day Campaign on October 17th

They also have a Street News Service to help publications like us share content

Check it all out at www.street-papers.org

Hotdish & Hope (on Greene Street)

Prayer & worship – Free hot dinner
Unlimited hope for those in need

Tuesdays starting July 8 6pm

Mullin Life Center at First Presbyterian

700 block N. Greene St.
downtown Greensboro

A family- friendly ministry for people in need, where all who participate will give and receive

Sponsoring congregations:
First Presbyterian
New Creation Community
Anderson Grove
Baptist, Holy Trinity Episcopal

Special Event at Homeless Hospitality House

Upcoming Events:
Homeless Hospitality House Cookout

Aug. 2, 2008
3:00 pm — 6:00 pm

The BCC Homeless Hospitality House will be hosting its Annual Spring Cookout in partnership with Refuge Temple in Burlington. Come by the house, at 437 Arlington St., for great food and community as we celebrate the full dignity and humanity of our homeless neighbors.

Contact Terry Speed at 336-230-0001 for more information