From the Ypsilanti SOS;
Dear Friends,
We are in desperate need for volunteers to be van riders. These giving individuals ride in our vans to keep our children content and quiet so that we can have safe rides to and from our daycare center in Ann Arbor. This is a description of this selfless service:
7:30 am – volunteer would need to be at 114 N. River St.,Ypsilanti, MI (the SOS Crisis Center). Volunteer will ride in the van and help with the children. Volunteer will stay at our daycare until11:30 am when a staff member would be able to drive the volunteer back to River St. During this time, the volunteer will help with the children at the daycare center. If the volunteer could get a ride from the daycare center then he/she would be finished at about 9:30 am.
Afternoon riders – These volunteers would have to be a tour daycare in Ann Arbor, MI at 4:30 pm. They would help us with the children and return to 114 N. River St.,Ypsilanti, MI at approximately 6:30 pm.
We need help for each shift 5 days a week. Can you help us? Call me; we need you!
Our licensing requires that we must have these riders.
Please help us. We are DESPERATE!
Mimi Weisberg
Volunteer Recruitment Specialist
SOS Community Services
101 S. Huron Street,
Ypsilanti, MI 48197Phone:
734.961-1210Fax: 734.485.8739
SOS Line: 734.485.8730SOS
Housing Crisis Line: 734.484.4300
Want to reach out to homeless families and children and others in crisis in your community? Visit www.soscs.org to find out how you can volunteer and donate.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Burners without Borders....fan logo test
this is a test to see what this will look like!! please post it if you support BWB..and i hope you do!!
thanks
thanks
Friday, November 13, 2009
Manual
November 7 2009
Meet sarah in the Market after wrangling koi and dogs on the island. She was with Lisa…we all chat and shop and then after Sarah and I decide to walk the Dejuindre Cut. And its still gorgeous outside..and as we approached the end we could see construction workers and I started to get worried as I could not exactly recall if Manuals place was directly at the end or not…well I tried not to get upset and asked if she minded if we go look and as we were heading there the field next to the workers was empty…my heart sunk until we come over the small hill and I could she his shack.
It is much smaller than last winter, like it had been torn down. He was not home. But his shopping cart was. I was so happy his place was still there I started to cry as we continued our walk. I asked if she was cool going around the block as I like to take new routes. And I am glad we did cuz a man was approaching us from down the second block and it ended up being Manual!
I spoke his name and asked if he remembered me. Mind you he speaks Spanish and damn it all to hell I have not yet learned to speak it so we have a language barrier. I speak to him about coming around again as the weather gets cold and ask about his shoes. He has on good boots! I tell him I will see him soon, he tells me ‘everyday’ I tell him we shall see. And he gives me a magazine he has in hands..its some ladies mag. I take his kind gesture and introduce him to Sarah and we part ways.
I was very happy to see him and he looked healthier than last year..but it was not winter yet and living in his shack esp in the worse condition it was in was sure to take its toll.
Spent the next few hours sharing life love and stories with Sarah who is a sage for her age and someone I am so grateful to have in my life…to be called her friend.
I am blessed with some amazing people in my life and I am so glad I now understand that I can call on them in my time of need, or when they call on me, to accept there love and support and challenges and pushing and listening and words and just no non-sense bull shit to help me to continue to become the person I know I can be. To each of them I am honored.
Meet sarah in the Market after wrangling koi and dogs on the island. She was with Lisa…we all chat and shop and then after Sarah and I decide to walk the Dejuindre Cut. And its still gorgeous outside..and as we approached the end we could see construction workers and I started to get worried as I could not exactly recall if Manuals place was directly at the end or not…well I tried not to get upset and asked if she minded if we go look and as we were heading there the field next to the workers was empty…my heart sunk until we come over the small hill and I could she his shack.
It is much smaller than last winter, like it had been torn down. He was not home. But his shopping cart was. I was so happy his place was still there I started to cry as we continued our walk. I asked if she was cool going around the block as I like to take new routes. And I am glad we did cuz a man was approaching us from down the second block and it ended up being Manual!
I spoke his name and asked if he remembered me. Mind you he speaks Spanish and damn it all to hell I have not yet learned to speak it so we have a language barrier. I speak to him about coming around again as the weather gets cold and ask about his shoes. He has on good boots! I tell him I will see him soon, he tells me ‘everyday’ I tell him we shall see. And he gives me a magazine he has in hands..its some ladies mag. I take his kind gesture and introduce him to Sarah and we part ways.
I was very happy to see him and he looked healthier than last year..but it was not winter yet and living in his shack esp in the worse condition it was in was sure to take its toll.
Spent the next few hours sharing life love and stories with Sarah who is a sage for her age and someone I am so grateful to have in my life…to be called her friend.
I am blessed with some amazing people in my life and I am so glad I now understand that I can call on them in my time of need, or when they call on me, to accept there love and support and challenges and pushing and listening and words and just no non-sense bull shit to help me to continue to become the person I know I can be. To each of them I am honored.
Friday night 11-7-09.. a doozy
That night I was on my way to Union Street for Christophers (not Breedlove) birthday gathering and I dropped off soup and bread to four guys I meet on the street. And then after dinner I ran into Larry the 5gallon bucket drum guy- he is a regular in the Corridor. I told him we meet last winter at Avalon a few times, he remembered me. I told him I had no money but if he would like my leftover I would gladly give them to him..and I tried to remember what I had but completely space..and he was like ‘its all right-it will not go to waste’ I then ran to my rental and got him some canned chicken noodle soup and a loaf of bread.
I remember the first time I saw him a few years ago she scared me to be honest. He has a haggarded face and a mean scrowl and just looks angry. Well fuck he might be right. I am glad though that I have gotten over my fear of him and I really do like the fact he plays though 5gallon buckets even if they are loud as fuck and don’t have a great rhythm..who cares he is at least working at something and giving back in a way if you ask me.
Even later that Friday night…on way home I exit off of I75 at Holbrook and see a cop car pulled over to the left at the light talking to a person who I figure must have been beggin on the corner as its getting more and more regular in the past few weeks. I roll down my window to listen but cant really hear anything. The light turns red but they don’t pull away so I decide to pull in front of them and make a left in hopes that they will pull away, again they don’t. At this time I notice at this time it’s a woman so I want to wait for sure now.
I pull into the Coney, which btw has been celebrating it anniversary for like 3 months now…just take the banner down!..and I pull out the exit back onto Holbrook and wait for the cops to go away…its like 5 minutes before they do and I see this person coming toward me then notice there belongings at the light where they must have been begging. I pull up and flip a bitch and ask if she is hungry. She tells me yes and I hop out and pop the trunk and start to give her soup and bread…then she says to me..’I doubt it but area you going into Hamtramck?”, I tell her yes why..and she asked me for a ride. I ask her where to and just to the 75 service drive and Caniff…exactly the way I go home. I tell her to get in..and guess what…she got in the back seat too. WTF? Safer maybe?
We chat as I drive her. I ask her name, its Cheryl and I tell her mine. She asks if I am married, I swallow hard and tell her no. (a question I got asked a few times at the soup kitchen and like 5 times since over this last week…I never get asked that ? so why now?)
She then asks if I have babies..i look at her and gently shake my head. She tells me she an 8 year old and that she is 49 and she just got them a small place over in the projects on the other side of 75. I tell her I am proud of her and wish her well, she was proud too you could tell. She told me she will be looking out for me and will notice my hair …I told her I will be looking out for her as well…and I will be!
I remember the first time I saw him a few years ago she scared me to be honest. He has a haggarded face and a mean scrowl and just looks angry. Well fuck he might be right. I am glad though that I have gotten over my fear of him and I really do like the fact he plays though 5gallon buckets even if they are loud as fuck and don’t have a great rhythm..who cares he is at least working at something and giving back in a way if you ask me.
Even later that Friday night…on way home I exit off of I75 at Holbrook and see a cop car pulled over to the left at the light talking to a person who I figure must have been beggin on the corner as its getting more and more regular in the past few weeks. I roll down my window to listen but cant really hear anything. The light turns red but they don’t pull away so I decide to pull in front of them and make a left in hopes that they will pull away, again they don’t. At this time I notice at this time it’s a woman so I want to wait for sure now.
I pull into the Coney, which btw has been celebrating it anniversary for like 3 months now…just take the banner down!..and I pull out the exit back onto Holbrook and wait for the cops to go away…its like 5 minutes before they do and I see this person coming toward me then notice there belongings at the light where they must have been begging. I pull up and flip a bitch and ask if she is hungry. She tells me yes and I hop out and pop the trunk and start to give her soup and bread…then she says to me..’I doubt it but area you going into Hamtramck?”, I tell her yes why..and she asked me for a ride. I ask her where to and just to the 75 service drive and Caniff…exactly the way I go home. I tell her to get in..and guess what…she got in the back seat too. WTF? Safer maybe?
We chat as I drive her. I ask her name, its Cheryl and I tell her mine. She asks if I am married, I swallow hard and tell her no. (a question I got asked a few times at the soup kitchen and like 5 times since over this last week…I never get asked that ? so why now?)
She then asks if I have babies..i look at her and gently shake my head. She tells me she an 8 year old and that she is 49 and she just got them a small place over in the projects on the other side of 75. I tell her I am proud of her and wish her well, she was proud too you could tell. She told me she will be looking out for me and will notice my hair …I told her I will be looking out for her as well…and I will be!
Bomb scare
Friday on my way to work 11-6-09 I was running late as is par of the course..or mind you I just don’t worry when I go in…I just stay later if I am late..which is everyday. So anyways I came around off Cass to Third by the MGM Casino after going to Avalon for breakfast. And while there I decided to not use cash but debit my food, which I thought to myself was odd cuz if I have it I like to use it but not this day, I might need it.
Well fast forward to about 3 blocks from work and I see a rolling suitcase sitting on the curb unattended. I instantly thought of Europe where that shit don’t fly and they will shut down areas and call in the bomb unit..i remember when it happened at the Heathrow Airport when I was there in 92. Dumb ass American not getting why I was being pushed out of a store and having its doors slammed shut and being sectioned off to a secure area..i must have looked like an idiot cuz someone asked “You’re an American right?” I was like uh yea..and they explained there was unattended luggage found (most likely by and American!) and the airport went into crack down mode.
So yea I see this luggage…and I see a guy walk past as I drove up..he barely noticed it. i pull over cuz I see tags on it and then I see a woman walking up and I ask if it is hers. She tells me yes and then I see her grab it and continue to walk away. I start to drive away happy it has a home when I look back and see another piece of luggage on the road. She must have forgot it? I’m confused. I toss the car in reverse and ask her if she meant to leave that and she said she was going back for it.
You see she was walking half a block with half her luggage and going back getting the other pieces, of which she had 3, 2 on wheels one not and then repeating the whole thing over again. I asked her where she was going assuming she just got off Grayhound. she told me Ford Field..i did the map in my head and figured it would take her like 4 hours. I looked at her and motioned to the back seat and told her to throw her bags in and get in. She looked at me stunned but was happy to get in. Mind you she got in the back seat which I felt bad about but she was content with all her luggage.
She told me I must be a good church going lady because I was doing the work of god helping her out. Inside my head I told her I was the farthest thing for god but instead of telling her that I asked her name. It was Jean, I told her mine and we chatted while I drove her the bus station at Grand Circus Park, you know the one with the two statues of dead white guys. (Pingree being one of them)
She told me she came from Saginaw and seemed embarrassed. I asked if she was on the streets long, she told me no and was heading to a Shelter at 32 mile road..whoa quite a distance to travel but she seemed to know what she was doing. She told me she missed the bus and NSO shelter the night before and that it was expensive to get a lift from there back to grayhound to sleep.
I pulled over on the side of the ‘other dead white guy’ statue and a cop car pulled up right behind me. Too bad I thought I am getting out and put on my hazards, I motioned to them I would be a moment and unloaded Jeans belongings. I had also before I got out reaching in and got the cash from my bag that I had not used for some reason at Avalon and was so happy that I had not as I realized why. We hugged goodbye on the curb and I tugged the money into her hand. She looked at me with such gratitude and tried to give it back, no luck Ms. Jean and I wished her good luck as she thanked me and blessed me…she thanked me and blessed me. hmmm
Well fast forward to about 3 blocks from work and I see a rolling suitcase sitting on the curb unattended. I instantly thought of Europe where that shit don’t fly and they will shut down areas and call in the bomb unit..i remember when it happened at the Heathrow Airport when I was there in 92. Dumb ass American not getting why I was being pushed out of a store and having its doors slammed shut and being sectioned off to a secure area..i must have looked like an idiot cuz someone asked “You’re an American right?” I was like uh yea..and they explained there was unattended luggage found (most likely by and American!) and the airport went into crack down mode.
So yea I see this luggage…and I see a guy walk past as I drove up..he barely noticed it. i pull over cuz I see tags on it and then I see a woman walking up and I ask if it is hers. She tells me yes and then I see her grab it and continue to walk away. I start to drive away happy it has a home when I look back and see another piece of luggage on the road. She must have forgot it? I’m confused. I toss the car in reverse and ask her if she meant to leave that and she said she was going back for it.
You see she was walking half a block with half her luggage and going back getting the other pieces, of which she had 3, 2 on wheels one not and then repeating the whole thing over again. I asked her where she was going assuming she just got off Grayhound. she told me Ford Field..i did the map in my head and figured it would take her like 4 hours. I looked at her and motioned to the back seat and told her to throw her bags in and get in. She looked at me stunned but was happy to get in. Mind you she got in the back seat which I felt bad about but she was content with all her luggage.
She told me I must be a good church going lady because I was doing the work of god helping her out. Inside my head I told her I was the farthest thing for god but instead of telling her that I asked her name. It was Jean, I told her mine and we chatted while I drove her the bus station at Grand Circus Park, you know the one with the two statues of dead white guys. (Pingree being one of them)
She told me she came from Saginaw and seemed embarrassed. I asked if she was on the streets long, she told me no and was heading to a Shelter at 32 mile road..whoa quite a distance to travel but she seemed to know what she was doing. She told me she missed the bus and NSO shelter the night before and that it was expensive to get a lift from there back to grayhound to sleep.
I pulled over on the side of the ‘other dead white guy’ statue and a cop car pulled up right behind me. Too bad I thought I am getting out and put on my hazards, I motioned to them I would be a moment and unloaded Jeans belongings. I had also before I got out reaching in and got the cash from my bag that I had not used for some reason at Avalon and was so happy that I had not as I realized why. We hugged goodbye on the curb and I tugged the money into her hand. She looked at me with such gratitude and tried to give it back, no luck Ms. Jean and I wished her good luck as she thanked me and blessed me…she thanked me and blessed me. hmmm
St. Lads Soup Kitchen - November 5, 2009
St. Lads Soup Kitchen
Started volunteering at St. Lads soup kitchen in Hamtramck last Thursday because I figured if they contacted me to give me all the left over loaves of bread from their weekly kitchen the least I could do was offer to help them.
I had found out through Amber at work that our job actually offers 16 hours of community service a year…BUT no one tells you about it …somehow she learned and told me so of course I jumped on board and since St. Lads had just hit me up .. I filled out my application with there info and asked to have the 16 hours split into 3 hour increments. So I leave work at 1pm covering me from 1 to 4pm when I leave work so I can have 5 Thursdays to be at the church kitchen at 1:30pm to help prep the food. Which they do pretty much all from scratch.
Mind you that was not a great day to start cuz I was an emotional fucking basket case but I told them I would be there and I planned on not letting them down…trying not to let everyone down in my life right! (oh self floggin.)
Well I got there and the lady who contacted me Donna was not going to be there and I was told to ask for Pat. There was a room full of ladies in there 50’s 60’s and 70’s all bustling around preparing food cutting veggies, sorting bread (omg the amount of bread donated by a bakery on Mc Nichols is amazing), cooking soups and hams and pork chops and oi
I was introduced to everyone and promptly forgot every name except the two Pats. And was put to work making ..no joke..coffee. I tried to explain to them I do not drink coffee but they had a new machine and no one wanted to learn it….yea.. ok. I asked if people liked it light or strong…and I instantly realized by all the answers I got that no one in this room agrees on anything…and I have a feeling that happens often. A little old lady who kinda reminds me of my maternal grandmother told me to make it so she can see the bottom of the cup..that confused me…what the hell kind of cofffe is that...So as you can guess I made coffee too strong! And Sophie, I did remember her name, gave me a hard time and told me I might not be welcomed back. I was told to ignore she cuz she harasses everyone. I gathered that very quickly and looked forward to seeing how she operates.
I was put to work cutting pies, peeling taters, and a bunch of other stuff I cant recall all the while suffering from a UTI that decided to start on my way walking there and I had no Azo Standard on me..ie..i was in a mess of pain and had to excuse myself like 10 times to the bathroom to either cry or try to pee…tmi..i know -whatever .
The doors opened at 4pm…and the people piled in. we served baked ham, boiled potatoe, salad, soup, bread and pie ..oh and milk…quite a bit of food. And open to anyone who needs a meal not just homeless folks. Most the people were white but you tell they were not recent immigrants nor where they from the eastern block as the poles have a certain look to them from that area. But all were polite and thankful. One guy got out of hand and the priest had to have a talk with him.
Everyone was allowed to take 3 loaves of bread or 2 depending on who you asked. And that is par for the course there I figured out quickly too. One person tells you do something one way and 30 seconds later another is telling your wrong and do it another way..it was confusing to say the least and in my fragile state oh my god..but it was funny too like a Laural and Hardy skit. (part of me wonders why I wrote that and not Abbot and Costello cuz I liked them as a kid and L&H..i disliked the fat guy cuz he was soo mean to the little guy- but I really liked Costello the chubby guy and not Abbot the skinny mean guy..hmm wonder if they changed it up on purpose so as not to seem too much like L&H..or I am thinking about stupid stuff right now for no reason…ok shut up!)
So yea 50+ people came through..all have to sign in before they get food, sometimes they can get two servings. The kitchen is only open til 5:30 used to be 6pm but with it getting dark they changed it. At the end I went to get my rental cuz they had a ton of bread to give me and Pat had taken me into the store room and gave me like 48 cans of chicken of soup. All of which I gave out over the last week and ran out Tuesday, good timing.
Started volunteering at St. Lads soup kitchen in Hamtramck last Thursday because I figured if they contacted me to give me all the left over loaves of bread from their weekly kitchen the least I could do was offer to help them.
I had found out through Amber at work that our job actually offers 16 hours of community service a year…BUT no one tells you about it …somehow she learned and told me so of course I jumped on board and since St. Lads had just hit me up .. I filled out my application with there info and asked to have the 16 hours split into 3 hour increments. So I leave work at 1pm covering me from 1 to 4pm when I leave work so I can have 5 Thursdays to be at the church kitchen at 1:30pm to help prep the food. Which they do pretty much all from scratch.
Mind you that was not a great day to start cuz I was an emotional fucking basket case but I told them I would be there and I planned on not letting them down…trying not to let everyone down in my life right! (oh self floggin.)
Well I got there and the lady who contacted me Donna was not going to be there and I was told to ask for Pat. There was a room full of ladies in there 50’s 60’s and 70’s all bustling around preparing food cutting veggies, sorting bread (omg the amount of bread donated by a bakery on Mc Nichols is amazing), cooking soups and hams and pork chops and oi
I was introduced to everyone and promptly forgot every name except the two Pats. And was put to work making ..no joke..coffee. I tried to explain to them I do not drink coffee but they had a new machine and no one wanted to learn it….yea.. ok. I asked if people liked it light or strong…and I instantly realized by all the answers I got that no one in this room agrees on anything…and I have a feeling that happens often. A little old lady who kinda reminds me of my maternal grandmother told me to make it so she can see the bottom of the cup..that confused me…what the hell kind of cofffe is that...So as you can guess I made coffee too strong! And Sophie, I did remember her name, gave me a hard time and told me I might not be welcomed back. I was told to ignore she cuz she harasses everyone. I gathered that very quickly and looked forward to seeing how she operates.
I was put to work cutting pies, peeling taters, and a bunch of other stuff I cant recall all the while suffering from a UTI that decided to start on my way walking there and I had no Azo Standard on me..ie..i was in a mess of pain and had to excuse myself like 10 times to the bathroom to either cry or try to pee…tmi..i know -whatever .
The doors opened at 4pm…and the people piled in. we served baked ham, boiled potatoe, salad, soup, bread and pie ..oh and milk…quite a bit of food. And open to anyone who needs a meal not just homeless folks. Most the people were white but you tell they were not recent immigrants nor where they from the eastern block as the poles have a certain look to them from that area. But all were polite and thankful. One guy got out of hand and the priest had to have a talk with him.
Everyone was allowed to take 3 loaves of bread or 2 depending on who you asked. And that is par for the course there I figured out quickly too. One person tells you do something one way and 30 seconds later another is telling your wrong and do it another way..it was confusing to say the least and in my fragile state oh my god..but it was funny too like a Laural and Hardy skit. (part of me wonders why I wrote that and not Abbot and Costello cuz I liked them as a kid and L&H..i disliked the fat guy cuz he was soo mean to the little guy- but I really liked Costello the chubby guy and not Abbot the skinny mean guy..hmm wonder if they changed it up on purpose so as not to seem too much like L&H..or I am thinking about stupid stuff right now for no reason…ok shut up!)
So yea 50+ people came through..all have to sign in before they get food, sometimes they can get two servings. The kitchen is only open til 5:30 used to be 6pm but with it getting dark they changed it. At the end I went to get my rental cuz they had a ton of bread to give me and Pat had taken me into the store room and gave me like 48 cans of chicken of soup. All of which I gave out over the last week and ran out Tuesday, good timing.
Using Facebook Mobile and Twitter
October 2009
Using Facebook Mobile and Twitter to my advantage..something good can come from them.
I think it was last month I set up my mobile accounts so I could upload from my celly to these two social networking sites…and no not so I can tell you what I had for lunch or what the woman in front of me at Kmart is wearing (is Kmart still around?- couldn’t think of a store..not much of a shopper)
But instead I figured since this year I don’t have a partner in crime to take to the streets with like I did last year and getting people to come on a whim is not easy to do…hard enuf to know when I am going to do it ..or I do it directly after work now cuz its dark so soon. (talk about the dark later oi)
So I set it up cuz I was going to meet a guy named Neil who read about me in the Hamtramck Review section of “get to know your neighbor” where they highlighted the homeless work I do. So along with St. Lads he wrote to the email in the article (doxiedetroit@gmail.com) to contact me.
This guy has a house in Hamtramck that is getting foreclosed but his friend who lived there had a ton of XL and XXL men’s clothes. He told me the day he would be there and I told him I would meet him. Then the am I brave or stupid gene kicked in and I realized I don’t really have anyone to get my back on this….so I signed up for mobile uploads. Posted the address I was going to and went.
The house was tore the fuck up, in various stages of construction. But I did not sense anything wrong so I went in …we chatted for what was quite a long time and we went through the clothes and bedding and I felt my celly go of a few times but felt safe.
Then he asked if I normally do what I did today by going to strangers places..and I admitted to him that I do not and that I set up a mobile thing-a-ma-bob on Facebook, he didn’t know what it was I was not able to explain well enough…telling people what I was doing and that is why my cell phone was going off. And that I needed to check in. I took a call from Christopher telling him I was ok and would be out soon. We loaded my Mimi (oh how i miss her) with stuff and continued to talk outside. I could see Gypsy had called and texted as well as Sputnik and another friend.
I knew I was past due for checking in..so I bid my adieu and texted the troops. I guess I didn’t realize that people were actually watching and timing me…but I am very grateful that they were. Gypsy was ready to call the cops and come looking for me. (thanks doll!)
Neil was very nice, he was out of work and had hoped to get into fixing and renting then the bust happened. He will be starting school in February to work on Wind Turbines to get in on the new industry. I told him about my friend Paul Masters who does that same thing and makes bucks…and was in Alaska all summer installing them and sending me pic from 300 feet in the air on them…scary..and cold.
It was a pleasure to meet Neil and I am thankful for all the large clothes as those are the hardest to come by. He wrote me an email the week MiMi was stolen to give me another address on Evaline where he left another page of clothes on the porch for me. I retrieved them just last week after all the car drama and pulling my brain out of my ass and getting back to the project.
Using Facebook Mobile and Twitter to my advantage..something good can come from them.
I think it was last month I set up my mobile accounts so I could upload from my celly to these two social networking sites…and no not so I can tell you what I had for lunch or what the woman in front of me at Kmart is wearing (is Kmart still around?- couldn’t think of a store..not much of a shopper)
But instead I figured since this year I don’t have a partner in crime to take to the streets with like I did last year and getting people to come on a whim is not easy to do…hard enuf to know when I am going to do it ..or I do it directly after work now cuz its dark so soon. (talk about the dark later oi)
So I set it up cuz I was going to meet a guy named Neil who read about me in the Hamtramck Review section of “get to know your neighbor” where they highlighted the homeless work I do. So along with St. Lads he wrote to the email in the article (doxiedetroit@gmail.com) to contact me.
This guy has a house in Hamtramck that is getting foreclosed but his friend who lived there had a ton of XL and XXL men’s clothes. He told me the day he would be there and I told him I would meet him. Then the am I brave or stupid gene kicked in and I realized I don’t really have anyone to get my back on this….so I signed up for mobile uploads. Posted the address I was going to and went.
The house was tore the fuck up, in various stages of construction. But I did not sense anything wrong so I went in …we chatted for what was quite a long time and we went through the clothes and bedding and I felt my celly go of a few times but felt safe.
Then he asked if I normally do what I did today by going to strangers places..and I admitted to him that I do not and that I set up a mobile thing-a-ma-bob on Facebook, he didn’t know what it was I was not able to explain well enough…telling people what I was doing and that is why my cell phone was going off. And that I needed to check in. I took a call from Christopher telling him I was ok and would be out soon. We loaded my Mimi (oh how i miss her) with stuff and continued to talk outside. I could see Gypsy had called and texted as well as Sputnik and another friend.
I knew I was past due for checking in..so I bid my adieu and texted the troops. I guess I didn’t realize that people were actually watching and timing me…but I am very grateful that they were. Gypsy was ready to call the cops and come looking for me. (thanks doll!)
Neil was very nice, he was out of work and had hoped to get into fixing and renting then the bust happened. He will be starting school in February to work on Wind Turbines to get in on the new industry. I told him about my friend Paul Masters who does that same thing and makes bucks…and was in Alaska all summer installing them and sending me pic from 300 feet in the air on them…scary..and cold.
It was a pleasure to meet Neil and I am thankful for all the large clothes as those are the hardest to come by. He wrote me an email the week MiMi was stolen to give me another address on Evaline where he left another page of clothes on the porch for me. I retrieved them just last week after all the car drama and pulling my brain out of my ass and getting back to the project.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Season has started.
on my way to work this morning i stopped at the light on the service drive and saw a homeless man in a wheel chair with a sign telling passers by that he was homeless and asking for help. i was bummed cuz i had no food to share with him.
I tried to make eye contact with him to acknowledge him and we finally did. At that moment I simultaneously reached in my bag for a dollar as I read the small sign that he had propped on his big sign...it told drivers to drive careful and blessed them.
i pulled my car to meet him and handed the dollar out the window and asked his name, i recognized him at that time. He told me his name is Amir and I told him my name and I reminded him we met last winter one night on the service drive by 14th. (it was a night that dft and I picked up a woman from MLK cuz a man was harassing her and took her to the place of her request)
His face lit up and he remembered me, He remembered i had gotten out of my car to get in my truck to get him food and a blanket and covered him. And told me I also helped him on the 75 service drive as well. i told him i would be out again this year and asked what size shoe he wore as i saw he was in socks and sandals.
He told me 10 or 11 and i told i would be on the look out. We started to say our good byes and then he blessed me...and you know what? I felt as if I had been touched...no I know I was!
I cried tears of joy the rest of the way to work...Thank you Amir, thank you!
I tried to make eye contact with him to acknowledge him and we finally did. At that moment I simultaneously reached in my bag for a dollar as I read the small sign that he had propped on his big sign...it told drivers to drive careful and blessed them.
i pulled my car to meet him and handed the dollar out the window and asked his name, i recognized him at that time. He told me his name is Amir and I told him my name and I reminded him we met last winter one night on the service drive by 14th. (it was a night that dft and I picked up a woman from MLK cuz a man was harassing her and took her to the place of her request)
His face lit up and he remembered me, He remembered i had gotten out of my car to get in my truck to get him food and a blanket and covered him. And told me I also helped him on the 75 service drive as well. i told him i would be out again this year and asked what size shoe he wore as i saw he was in socks and sandals.
He told me 10 or 11 and i told i would be on the look out. We started to say our good byes and then he blessed me...and you know what? I felt as if I had been touched...no I know I was!
I cried tears of joy the rest of the way to work...Thank you Amir, thank you!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
DAMNED exhibition and BWB & a gig for you?
he art experience DAMNED II is coming up on Thursday October 29th and Friday (Devil's Night) October 30th...
this year I will working with DAMNED II doing production and they have offered to help Burners without Borders do a food drive at the door, they did this last year for another organization. ..this is a great opportunity for BWB Detroit to ramp up donations at the beginning of the winter season.
Another great opportunity is that we are looking for some help...have a look and see if you are interesting in a quick gig.
thanks
~doxie
Subject: Servers & valets needed for DAMNED II pre-Ball dinner
22 attendees are needed for the exotic 6-course dinner served presentation
style before the DAMNED II Masquerade Ball
(Presentation style where each course plate is presented and served
individually)
Needed:
- 10 servers to roll out cart for each presented plate to their assigned
table and placing plates before each of 8 diners at table
- 10 table valets to service diner needs (refilling glasses, etc) and
placing finished plates onto cart for removal
- 2 drink servers to bring any possible bar orders to table valets
Elegant uniform will be provided. $7/hr rate with free VIP admission for you
plus guest after dinner to formal masquerade ball and Jill Tracy
performance.
Must be available exactly 6-9pm on Friday October 30 2009 at the Tangent
Gallery/Hastings Ballroom in Detroit
Serious professional- minded applicants only. Female and male equally
employed.
Send personal information, JPG photo and any related experience to:
- Hide quoted text -
server09@thatdamned show.com
Deadline midnight October 16 2009.
this year I will working with DAMNED II doing production and they have offered to help Burners without Borders do a food drive at the door, they did this last year for another organization. ..this is a great opportunity for BWB Detroit to ramp up donations at the beginning of the winter season.
Another great opportunity is that we are looking for some help...have a look and see if you are interesting in a quick gig.
thanks
~doxie
Subject: Servers & valets needed for DAMNED II pre-Ball dinner
22 attendees are needed for the exotic 6-course dinner served presentation
style before the DAMNED II Masquerade Ball
(Presentation style where each course plate is presented and served
individually)
Needed:
- 10 servers to roll out cart for each presented plate to their assigned
table and placing plates before each of 8 diners at table
- 10 table valets to service diner needs (refilling glasses, etc) and
placing finished plates onto cart for removal
- 2 drink servers to bring any possible bar orders to table valets
Elegant uniform will be provided. $7/hr rate with free VIP admission for you
plus guest after dinner to formal masquerade ball and Jill Tracy
performance.
Must be available exactly 6-9pm on Friday October 30 2009 at the Tangent
Gallery/Hastings Ballroom in Detroit
Serious professional- minded applicants only. Female and male equally
employed.
Send personal information, JPG photo and any related experience to:
- Hide quoted text -
server09@thatdamned show.com
Deadline midnight October 16 2009.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Interesting link on poverty statistics worldwide;
http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html
its a very embarrassing reflection on our country..
which unless you are daft you should already know about..this
just gives the numbers.
this link it to a site that exhibits art down by homeless
http://www.communityworks945.org/Artworks945/subShell.html
http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html
its a very embarrassing reflection on our country..
which unless you are daft you should already know about..this
just gives the numbers.
this link it to a site that exhibits art down by homeless
http://www.communityworks945.org/Artworks945/subShell.html
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
“A City to Yourself”
a highlight of the filmmaker Nicole MacDonald for the upcoming fundraiser for Burners without Borders...
WHAT:
A film by Detroit filmmaker and Co-Director of the Detroit Film Centers, Nicole MacDonald; “A City to Yourself” (http://tinyurl.com/nl846w) followed by a special screenings of “Dust and Illusions” by film maker Olivier Bonin (http://dustandillusions.com/trailers)
WHEN & WHERE :
July 17th 2009. 6:00pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 3:30pm, 5:30pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 10:30pm Theater Bizarre- 967 W State Fair Detroit, MI
(Please note viewing at Theatre Bizarre is outside, bring a chair or blanket to sit on ground.)
Buy presale tickets; (and save a few bucks)
http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screenings-in-detroit-july-1718th#tickets http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=98437072738
WHO:
Organized in part by Burners without Borders- Detroit Chapter for the world wide
Benefit Without Borders (http://www.benefitwithoutborders.com/index.html)
About the films:
A City to Yourself by Nicole MacDonald. In 1950, when Detroit was the auto production capital of the world, there were 1,849,568 people in the city. Today there are half that many remaining. Everyone's heard of the crumbling infrastructure that follows a shrinking, post-industrial city like Detroit. But what about the increase in space for outdoor art, less traffic, little gridlock, the return of urban wildlife and green space, and some of the pluses of having a city to yourself?
Filmmaker Nicole MacDonald was born on the East side of Detroit. She is a filmmaker and artist (her landscape paintings have been in shows from the Scarab Club to the Detroit Artists Market), makes her living as acting director of the Detroit Film Center and a freelance videographer.
This year her film was one of the 125 films selected for competition in the Ann Arbor Film Festival, an international festival is known for art and experimental films. The film was shot between the years of 2005 and 2008 where she saw many changes occur in the city from building demolition to the planting of flowers. “It was one of many contradictions … I tried to document in my film,” she says.
The film has won the John Michaels Award at the 31st Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale, Ill., which awards films for community activism and social consciousness and was accepted to the Washington, D.C. Independent Film Festival and Media City International Festival of Film and Video Art in Windsor.
Nicole lives in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighbor and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, where she studied philosophy and anthropology. She is positive about Detroit and appreciates the kind of rural tranquility in an urban setting. She sees Detroit as something of an escape from the congestion and pollution of the surrounding suburbs.
WHAT:
A film by Detroit filmmaker and Co-Director of the Detroit Film Centers, Nicole MacDonald; “A City to Yourself” (http://tinyurl.com/nl846w) followed by a special screenings of “Dust and Illusions” by film maker Olivier Bonin (http://dustandillusions.com/trailers)
WHEN & WHERE :
July 17th 2009. 6:00pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 3:30pm, 5:30pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 10:30pm Theater Bizarre- 967 W State Fair Detroit, MI
(Please note viewing at Theatre Bizarre is outside, bring a chair or blanket to sit on ground.)
Buy presale tickets; (and save a few bucks)
http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screenings-in-detroit-july-1718th#tickets http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=98437072738
WHO:
Organized in part by Burners without Borders- Detroit Chapter for the world wide
Benefit Without Borders (http://www.benefitwithoutborders.com/index.html)
About the films:
A City to Yourself by Nicole MacDonald. In 1950, when Detroit was the auto production capital of the world, there were 1,849,568 people in the city. Today there are half that many remaining. Everyone's heard of the crumbling infrastructure that follows a shrinking, post-industrial city like Detroit. But what about the increase in space for outdoor art, less traffic, little gridlock, the return of urban wildlife and green space, and some of the pluses of having a city to yourself?
Filmmaker Nicole MacDonald was born on the East side of Detroit. She is a filmmaker and artist (her landscape paintings have been in shows from the Scarab Club to the Detroit Artists Market), makes her living as acting director of the Detroit Film Center and a freelance videographer.
This year her film was one of the 125 films selected for competition in the Ann Arbor Film Festival, an international festival is known for art and experimental films. The film was shot between the years of 2005 and 2008 where she saw many changes occur in the city from building demolition to the planting of flowers. “It was one of many contradictions … I tried to document in my film,” she says.
The film has won the John Michaels Award at the 31st Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale, Ill., which awards films for community activism and social consciousness and was accepted to the Washington, D.C. Independent Film Festival and Media City International Festival of Film and Video Art in Windsor.
Nicole lives in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighbor and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, where she studied philosophy and anthropology. She is positive about Detroit and appreciates the kind of rural tranquility in an urban setting. She sees Detroit as something of an escape from the congestion and pollution of the surrounding suburbs.
Monday, July 06, 2009
DUST & ILLUSIONS
DUST & ILLUSIONS; a history of Burning Man
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- July 6, 2009
WHAT: Special screenings of “Dust and Illusions” by film maker Olivier Bonin, (http://dustandillusions.com/trailers) with a preview of the film by Detroit filmmaker and Co-Director of the Detroit Film Centers, Nicole MacDonald “A City to Yourself” (http://tinyurl.com/nl846w)
WHEN & WHERE:
July 17th 2009. 6:00pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI 48219
July 18th 2009. 3:30pm, 5:30pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 10:30pm Theater Bizarre- 967 W State Fair Detroit, MI 48203
(Please note viewing at Theatre Bizarre is outside, bring a chair or blanket to sit on ground.)Buy pre-sale tickets; (and save a few bucks)
http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screenings-in-detroit-july-1718th#tickets
WHO: Organized in part by Burners without Borders- Detroit Chapter for the world wide Benefit Without Borders (http://www.benefitwithoutborders.com/index.html)
About the films:
Dust & Illusions looks at 30 years of history of Burning Man all the way back to the late 1970s deep into the origins of the event. Through 21 interviewees the film presents the philosophies that fueled the creation of the festival, and its evolution from a small gathering of friends to the largest “counter-cultural” event in North America. It offers a new perspective of the meaning of the event, and questions whether its organizers are more concerned about making sure the show is ready when the gate opens or if they still truly engage in building a community and fostering art
A City to Yourself In 1950, when Detroit was the auto production capital of the world, there were 1,849,568 people in the city. Today there are half that many remaining. Everyone's heard of the crumbling infrastructure that follows a shrinking, post-industrial city like Detroit. But what about the increase in space for outdoor art, less traffic, little gridlock, the return of urban wildlife and green space, and some of the pluses of having a city to yourself?
About Burners without Borders:
Detroit Burners without Borders is an opportunity to help people on our streets ease the discomfort of homelessness. You do not have to give money, instead donate goods, better yet give of yourself and do community service that not only helps others but leads to building stronger community, networking and friendships with people you might not otherwise come in contact.
Contact: Danielle Kaltz
Email: doxiedetriot@gmail.com
http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- July 6, 2009
WHAT: Special screenings of “Dust and Illusions” by film maker Olivier Bonin, (http://dustandillusions.com/trailers) with a preview of the film by Detroit filmmaker and Co-Director of the Detroit Film Centers, Nicole MacDonald “A City to Yourself” (http://tinyurl.com/nl846w)
WHEN & WHERE:
July 17th 2009. 6:00pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI 48219
July 18th 2009. 3:30pm, 5:30pm Artist Village -17340 Lahser Rd. Detroit, MI
July 18th 2009. 10:30pm Theater Bizarre- 967 W State Fair Detroit, MI 48203
(Please note viewing at Theatre Bizarre is outside, bring a chair or blanket to sit on ground.)Buy pre-sale tickets; (and save a few bucks)
http://dustandillusions.com/blog/special-screenings-in-detroit-july-1718th#tickets
WHO: Organized in part by Burners without Borders- Detroit Chapter for the world wide Benefit Without Borders (http://www.benefitwithoutborders.com/index.html)
About the films:
Dust & Illusions looks at 30 years of history of Burning Man all the way back to the late 1970s deep into the origins of the event. Through 21 interviewees the film presents the philosophies that fueled the creation of the festival, and its evolution from a small gathering of friends to the largest “counter-cultural” event in North America. It offers a new perspective of the meaning of the event, and questions whether its organizers are more concerned about making sure the show is ready when the gate opens or if they still truly engage in building a community and fostering art
A City to Yourself In 1950, when Detroit was the auto production capital of the world, there were 1,849,568 people in the city. Today there are half that many remaining. Everyone's heard of the crumbling infrastructure that follows a shrinking, post-industrial city like Detroit. But what about the increase in space for outdoor art, less traffic, little gridlock, the return of urban wildlife and green space, and some of the pluses of having a city to yourself?
About Burners without Borders:
Detroit Burners without Borders is an opportunity to help people on our streets ease the discomfort of homelessness. You do not have to give money, instead donate goods, better yet give of yourself and do community service that not only helps others but leads to building stronger community, networking and friendships with people you might not otherwise come in contact.
Contact: Danielle Kaltz
Email: doxiedetriot@gmail.com
http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/
Friday, June 12, 2009
Help the homeless this weekend and have 24 hours of fun doing it !
The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk is an event that promises to transform Detroit this weekend into a multi-media production. It will be 24 hours of events around the city performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers, artists and You! Come play a part in having fun, networking and helping feed the cities homeless.
Spacewalk is a 24 Hour will be a festival that will roam throughout the city and is a participatory event, the more you are involved the more fun you will have. Through the support of local organizations each individual, businesses and non-profit organizations will work together to produce the event.
It will help promote local organizations, community services, and churches to change the city's energy with the help of individuals like you. Part of the mission this weekend is to spread Felicity through the city and everyone involved.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Belle Isle Fishing Area at noon then with a program and map in hand, Spacewalkers begin their own odyssey. After or even before events on Belle Isle participants can choose any number or all of the events which include a Health Fair at the Church of the Messiah from 10a m to 3pm. 24 hours of yoga will be available in the gazebo at Eastern Market, an Art car parade will happen up Woodward toward the Artist Village and the Redford Theatre then back down to the city center for additional events at Campus Martius, Heidelberg Project and Spirit Farm among others. Be sure to check out the interactive http://tinyurl.com/ncn2as map for a list of events.
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the city all day and night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless at NSO provided by a number of generous people and local organization, all are welcome to help.
The woman leading this ambitious event is Warrior Girl, who you can see perform in the Superhero Soap Opera, a Seaholm High School grad who has worked with Cirque de Soleil and recently came home to metro Detroit. She's a performance artist and activist who's lived all over the world. She is working closely with Boulevard Harambee to help see this dream of uniting Detroit come true..won’t you join her!
Spacewalk is a 24 Hour will be a festival that will roam throughout the city and is a participatory event, the more you are involved the more fun you will have. Through the support of local organizations each individual, businesses and non-profit organizations will work together to produce the event.
It will help promote local organizations, community services, and churches to change the city's energy with the help of individuals like you. Part of the mission this weekend is to spread Felicity through the city and everyone involved.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Belle Isle Fishing Area at noon then with a program and map in hand, Spacewalkers begin their own odyssey. After or even before events on Belle Isle participants can choose any number or all of the events which include a Health Fair at the Church of the Messiah from 10a m to 3pm. 24 hours of yoga will be available in the gazebo at Eastern Market, an Art car parade will happen up Woodward toward the Artist Village and the Redford Theatre then back down to the city center for additional events at Campus Martius, Heidelberg Project and Spirit Farm among others. Be sure to check out the interactive http://tinyurl.com/ncn2as map for a list of events.
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the city all day and night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless at NSO provided by a number of generous people and local organization, all are welcome to help.
The woman leading this ambitious event is Warrior Girl, who you can see perform in the Superhero Soap Opera, a Seaholm High School grad who has worked with Cirque de Soleil and recently came home to metro Detroit. She's a performance artist and activist who's lived all over the world. She is working closely with Boulevard Harambee to help see this dream of uniting Detroit come true..won’t you join her!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Homeless Advocate Goes High Tech; Eric Sheptock
Homeless Advocate Goes High Tech
by Pam Fessler
here is a link to a story on NPR about a homeless man gone digital for the cause of homelessness. Inspiring!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105047997&sc=fb&cc=fp
His personal blog... yes he has a blog and twitters; http://www.ericsheptock.com/
by Pam Fessler
here is a link to a story on NPR about a homeless man gone digital for the cause of homelessness. Inspiring!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105047997&sc=fb&cc=fp
His personal blog... yes he has a blog and twitters; http://www.ericsheptock.com/
Thursday, June 04, 2009
U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless
This is from August of 2008..but i am just now learning about it..
U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless
Michael H. Hodges / The Detroit News
U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless
By Michael H. Hodges The Detroit News
As final-year art projects go, Stephen Mills' was a little unusual. Most every art-and-design senior at the University of Michigan was pulling together a thesis that involved a painting, a statue or something more conventionally artistic.
Mills?
He designed and built a shelter on wheels for homeless people.
"I pretty much just decided I wanted to do something different," Mills says by phone from New York City, where he's now looking for design jobs after graduating in April.
"And I liked the idea of the project bettering somebody else's life."
In a puckish touch, Mills christened his creation the Homeless Utility Vehicle — or HUV.
Confused about the connection between fine arts and a mobile homeless shelter? Mills will emphatically assure you that he considers himself to be an artist and an industrial-arts designer.
But the truth is there's plenty of precedent for artists engaging in this sort of socially motivated, functional design.
Mills tips his hat to a 1980s project by the New York artist, Krzystof Wodiczko — best-known for video projections on buildings and monuments — who also designed a sleeping-shelter vehicle for those living on the streets.
Judging from Internet images of Wodiczko's vehicle, his metalwork might have been a bit more elegant than Mills', but the latter built in one big improvement over its predecessor: You can push Mills' HUV and still be enclosed by the arching roof, and thus largely protected from the elements.
It's basically a very large shopping cart with a clear-plastic roof and a comfy, insulated sleeping panel — and storage — on the bottom.
Whether or not this prototype ever makes it to the homeless population, of course, is up in the air, though Mills is trying to pursue grants that might underwrite production. He estimates about $900 of materials went into the prototype. But, as he notes, the HUV project wasn't conceived as a solution, but rather, "a concept piece to explore the issue" of homelessness.
Well, it's art school.
But if the HUV isn't meant as a substitute for a real home, it could, Mills and some homeless advocates believe, be a useful substitute for sleeping outside in bitter cold, since its compact size allows one's body heat to warm it up.
As a test, Mills spent one night in the vehicle in March with the temperature in the low teens, and reports that — with a blanket — he was perfectly warm. (If it ever went into production, Mills envisions that the HUV would come with blankets.)
Deb Pippins — part of Washtenaw County's Project Outreach Team for the homeless — wishes she had the HUV around when dealing with one particularly challenging client.
"We work with a lot of people with mental illness," Pippins says, "and in one case, it took five years before this woman would accept decent housing from us."
The HUV, she suggests, might have been a useful half-step that homeless woman might have agreed to much earlier — and certainly would have been a big improvement over sleeping in the woods, which is where Pippins says many of Ann Arbor's homeless can be found at night.
Nor does she think HUV production is out of the question.
"There's a lot of funding for innovative projects like the HUV," Pippins says. "I would hope Stephen could get funding. The HUV may be a Band-Aid on a broken social-service system, but it's a useful Band-Aid and could save people's lives in the middle of winter."
At U-M, the dean of the School of Art & Design, Bryan Rogers, salutes Mills' design for combining "a social conscience with the practical needs of those who could use the vehicle."
But he sees a larger utility, and one more intimately connected with what we normally call art — the HUV's ability to force passers-by to do a double take, and perhaps in the process, reanimate the largely dead discussion on homelessness in this country.
"If something is thought-provoking," Rogers says, "I call that useful. And the HUV says, 'This is real. We have homeless people. Let's make this work, as long as we have them.'"
another video...i would like to see one where it can be converted to a bike!
U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless
Michael H. Hodges / The Detroit News
U-M grad's art project aims to help the homeless
By Michael H. Hodges The Detroit News
As final-year art projects go, Stephen Mills' was a little unusual. Most every art-and-design senior at the University of Michigan was pulling together a thesis that involved a painting, a statue or something more conventionally artistic.
Mills?
He designed and built a shelter on wheels for homeless people.
"I pretty much just decided I wanted to do something different," Mills says by phone from New York City, where he's now looking for design jobs after graduating in April.
"And I liked the idea of the project bettering somebody else's life."
In a puckish touch, Mills christened his creation the Homeless Utility Vehicle — or HUV.
Confused about the connection between fine arts and a mobile homeless shelter? Mills will emphatically assure you that he considers himself to be an artist and an industrial-arts designer.
But the truth is there's plenty of precedent for artists engaging in this sort of socially motivated, functional design.
Mills tips his hat to a 1980s project by the New York artist, Krzystof Wodiczko — best-known for video projections on buildings and monuments — who also designed a sleeping-shelter vehicle for those living on the streets.
Judging from Internet images of Wodiczko's vehicle, his metalwork might have been a bit more elegant than Mills', but the latter built in one big improvement over its predecessor: You can push Mills' HUV and still be enclosed by the arching roof, and thus largely protected from the elements.
It's basically a very large shopping cart with a clear-plastic roof and a comfy, insulated sleeping panel — and storage — on the bottom.
Whether or not this prototype ever makes it to the homeless population, of course, is up in the air, though Mills is trying to pursue grants that might underwrite production. He estimates about $900 of materials went into the prototype. But, as he notes, the HUV project wasn't conceived as a solution, but rather, "a concept piece to explore the issue" of homelessness.
Well, it's art school.
But if the HUV isn't meant as a substitute for a real home, it could, Mills and some homeless advocates believe, be a useful substitute for sleeping outside in bitter cold, since its compact size allows one's body heat to warm it up.
As a test, Mills spent one night in the vehicle in March with the temperature in the low teens, and reports that — with a blanket — he was perfectly warm. (If it ever went into production, Mills envisions that the HUV would come with blankets.)
Deb Pippins — part of Washtenaw County's Project Outreach Team for the homeless — wishes she had the HUV around when dealing with one particularly challenging client.
"We work with a lot of people with mental illness," Pippins says, "and in one case, it took five years before this woman would accept decent housing from us."
The HUV, she suggests, might have been a useful half-step that homeless woman might have agreed to much earlier — and certainly would have been a big improvement over sleeping in the woods, which is where Pippins says many of Ann Arbor's homeless can be found at night.
Nor does she think HUV production is out of the question.
"There's a lot of funding for innovative projects like the HUV," Pippins says. "I would hope Stephen could get funding. The HUV may be a Band-Aid on a broken social-service system, but it's a useful Band-Aid and could save people's lives in the middle of winter."
At U-M, the dean of the School of Art & Design, Bryan Rogers, salutes Mills' design for combining "a social conscience with the practical needs of those who could use the vehicle."
But he sees a larger utility, and one more intimately connected with what we normally call art — the HUV's ability to force passers-by to do a double take, and perhaps in the process, reanimate the largely dead discussion on homelessness in this country.
"If something is thought-provoking," Rogers says, "I call that useful. And the HUV says, 'This is real. We have homeless people. Let's make this work, as long as we have them.'"
another video...i would like to see one where it can be converted to a bike!
Krzysztof Wodiczko Homeless Vehicle Project
i really like this artist ..worked with him in the 90's at Wayne State for an exhibition...never knew about this homeless aspect of his work..
its interesting...and i really like the idea of making something like this in a bike form...like the artist did in my next blog!
its interesting...and i really like the idea of making something like this in a bike form...like the artist did in my next blog!
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
JUNE 13-14, 2009
24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit
DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.
The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.
We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.
For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.
This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.
There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.
For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.
# # #
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.
24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit
DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.
The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.
We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.
For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.
This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.
There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.
For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.
# # #
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
JUNE 13-14, 2009
24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit
June 1, 2009
DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.
The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.
We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.
For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.
This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.
There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.
For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.
# # #
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.
24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit
June 1, 2009
DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.
The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.
We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.
For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.
This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.
There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.
For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.
# # #
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
24 HOURS OF ART IN THE STREETS AND HEALING FOR MOTOWN - Request for Help
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit
June 1, 2009
DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.
The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.
We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.
For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.
This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.
There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.
For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.
# # #
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.
** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE **
Contact: Warrior Girl
Telephone: 248.885.4530
Website: http://www.spacewalk.org
E-mail: info@spacewalk.org
24 Hour Community SPACEWALK - DETROIT
Area Creatives Utilize Talent to Draw Interest and Give to Detroit
June 1, 2009
DETROIT –This month, Detroit will witness a transformation. The 24 Hour Community Spacewalk transforms the city into a multi-media production, created by talented designers, painters, and builders. It will be performed by actors, dancers, poets, singers and many other artists. Spacewalk is a non-profit group with a vision for a NEW, healthy Detroit, to include such things as art projected on abandoned buildings, thousands of participants, and an unbelievable feast for the homeless, with clothing, showers, shoes, eyeglasses and more all gifted to the needy. A number of area churches will also show support with different types of prayer services, one notable contribution comes from the Church of the Messiah which will hold a Health Fair and prayer service prior to the events. Many other area churches will be holding 24 hour prayer services during this walk.
The event will kick off at noon on June 13th at the Belle Isle Fishing Area with an Opening Ceremony. A highlight of the ceremony is a Nigerian ceremonial performance of collecting messages of felicity for the city from guests. These wishes of abundance, radiance and happiness for Detroit will set the event in motion. At this time guests can also enjoy a unique kite flying display.
Throughout the 24 Hours, Spacewalkers will journey throughout the city on an Odyssey that highlights important monuments and points of interest. They will experience various ideas, and follow the 24 Hour Superhero Soap Opera, "Warrior Girl's Baffling Bubbling Bailout."
The primary movement of Spacewalk, after having moved throughout the night, will be complete by 9AM. At that time, food will be served to the homeless, as provided by a number of generous people and organizations local to the Detroit Metro Area.
We need volunteers for preparation, cooking, catering, and food service during the event. We have received a donation for the food budget, and can still use more to truly make this a feast. We have quite a number of people that will already help, we need those who can help prepare and deliver the food.
For those who are looking to do more, after the event, please join in a parade of Prayer from 3-5PM on Sunday, June 14 to begin at Campus Martius.
This event is open to others who are interested in sharing their gifts and talent by joining the group for any portion of this time. Participation from the community to support by viewing the event is also welcome.
There is also a unique call for plein air (open air) artists to join the festivities by painting during the event. For those interested, please contact us in advance so that materials may be purchased for you. All involved artwork will be sold at auction on a subsequent date with a percentage of the proceeds supporting Spacewalk related charities. This group also has an interest in involving Photographers and Videographers. Visit the blog at Spacewalk.org or the Facebook.com group for more information.
For those with an ability to financially contribute to this initiative, proceeds will go toward the cost of a shower trailer to assist the homeless.
# # #
If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Warrior Girl directly at 248.885.4530 or e-mail her at info@spacewalk.org. General information is also available at Spacewalk.org.
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