VIDEO: Top 3 Reasons For Homelessness

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NEWS: Tornadoes Devastate the South

Berlyne Julmis

News Coordinator

Tornadoes Devastate the South

Raging tornadoes attack the south leaving 16 people dead; hammering Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Oklahoma in their wake. Many are injured and an extensive amount of damage is apparent in each of these states.

Including mobile homes 18,000 residents lost power in Tuscaloosa, Alabama when a twister touched down at nearby Shelton State College. Governor Bentley of Alabama declared a state of emergency for the state.

In Mississippi it was reported that four twisters hit the area in a 4 to 6 hour span. Crews are working diligently to clear debris, provide shelter to those who are now homeless, and restore power to many. Fourteen counties in Mississippi have been declared in a state of emergency.

In Oklahoma five destructive twisters made their way through the state claiming lives. Twisters were also reported in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Georgia.

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Day 5: Meet The Homeless Voice Residents

Karen is a 43-year-old resident of The Homeless Voice Shelter. She has been a part of the shelter family for 6 months. Karen said that she is a licensed respiratory therapist and at one point owned a 5 bedroom home. She said that God spoke to her and told her that she would become a minister and in order to truly be a blessing, she needed to learn to trust Him.

Trusting Him led to her being homeless and sleeping on a patio for one night. Her family didn't understand her new life direction and she was called crazy on many occasions. After that night on the streets Karen found The Homeless Voice and has been living and volunteering in the shelter since.





Chris is a 37-year-old resident of The Homeless Voice Shelter. He introduced himself to me with an apology for his abrasive behavior. I sat down to speak with him and he explained to me that he used to have two sides to his personality. The female part of his personality was a demon that he had to allow in so that he could fight it.

As I listened to him sharing his story, I felt a special kinship to him. For those who have mental illnesses, many people do not believe that what they are experiencing is real but it is my belief that their reality is very real.

I was able to work with Chris using my skills as a counselor. I told him that he has the power to stop any demons who want to fight with him or take over his body. He seemed shocked but then agreed.

"You are no longer powerless," I told him. "From this day forward you can choose not to live in the pain of your past and try to move forward."

Although Chris does not believe he can maintain a job due to the two other personalities that live in his head, he still believes he deserves love and wants to be reunited with his long lost family. He spend the majority of his day talking to the other residents who are unable to work and sharing anything that he has. I was told that he often has fits of aggression and violent outbursts. I witnessed one such aggressive outburst as he told the guy sitting next to me to respect him and to not try to hurt him again.

Many in the shelter regard Chris as crazy and most are frustrated by his past behavior. Chris said he is trying to change in order to leave the past in the past but everyone still treats him as though he is a mean person.

"Chris. People are only interacting with you according to the behavior you have showed them. Give them some time. Introduce them to the real you. Introduce them to the YOU that is calm, reasonable and helpful. Allow them to get to know the new you and the old memories will fade away," I said.

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Day 4: A Little Bit Of Magic & Sorrow

I was sick all night.

My tooth, which I learned is my #17 molar, is infected and impacted. Again, I had to learn that this means it is pushed up against my bone or something. I need it removed but it will take an oral surgeon. I have no insurance and no other options so I have been swallowing advil and aspiring like they are M&M's. I don't know if I can OD but the relief I now feel for the full 20-30 minutes seems worth the risk.

I didn't sleep at all last night. The entire left side of my face was so tight yet throbbing and I just cried and cried and cried. There's nothing else you can do when you have a toothache like this. You get to the point where you wish someone would just put you out of your misery.

Early this morning, they woke everyone up at 5am as usual and I was so annoyed because I knew that there would be no chance for me to get any rest until after midnight the next nite.

I finagled my beach towel from the front desk attendant and I made my way down to the park that I originally planned to live in for this project- the one that told me I couldn't sleep there.

It was so quiet and so beautiful in the early morning. If it weren't for my face being on FIRE with pain I would have felt like I was in wonderland. I spread my towel and lay on my back looking across the park at the lights.

I fell asleep and just like clockwork, my throbbing tooth woke me up a little less than 30 minutes later. I took more aspirin and fell asleep feeling relieved within minutes. Less than 30 minutes later, the same thing, I am throbbing and sobbing and I begin to feel overwhelmed by life in general.

Then a police officer came by and told me I had to leave. I found another spot to try to nap in front of a store and when the stores opened at 9 a lady woke me up and told me I had to leave AGAIN. I hobbled to the grocery store and sat down on the ground just outside the entrance holding my face and crying.

This is not something I can control. I can't make the pain go away. It made me think of my job fair and how the woman promised me a donation but somehow it never got here and how everytime I call the venue to talk to the coordinator, he never returns my calls or emails and how I only have ONE business so far and I need 30 and then I feel sad. Maybe I can't make a difference.

Who am I to think that my little action could cause a wave?

But it did last night.

Last night was crazy!

I was feeling all annoyed and about to have an anxiety attack as I approached the poetry spot because I do not feel like I belong around people in general I feel like every man hates me and is out to get me. I feel like their main objective is to try to make sure I never realize my true potential. I've had this issue since I met my children's father.

I tried going to counseling about this but that didn't work. Turned out my own counselor felt this same way about me and would write criticisms about me on his facebook page.

But I went to poetry anyway and I felt so out of place there. I don't think I'm ever going back. I hate that feeling of anxiety that I get whenever I'm in a place that I do not belong in. I never fit in anywhere for long to be honest. This isn't new. I introduce myself into a social circle and then quickly disappear after a little while. I never feel welcomed or comfortable. I always feel like an outsider. On this night I am disappointed that I am experiencing anxiety because I hadn't experienced anxiety at ALL since I began organizing the Rebuild Your Life Project. But I remember ALWAYS feeling anxiety when I would go to perform spoken word and here it is again- the same thing.

This challenges me quite a bit as I try to move forward with this project. Although I'd rather hide in the closet all night, I have to go out and speak about what I'm doing. So I was scheduled to speak about my project during poetry night and I did - for about 5 minutes. I honestly don't remember exactly what I said but, all I know is when I finished speaking one woman came up to me waving a $10 bill.

Then another.

Then another.

Then a crowd of people were surrounding me pushing money into my hand.

Then the crowd swelled some more.

People were crying and waving and telling me that I made a great impact on their lives.

I was in a daze. "What exactly did I say?" I couldn't really remember. I was just being myself.

It scared me. It felt like magic. I know what it's like to be rejected, to be ignored, to be told I'm never going to amount to anything. I know what it's like to fail. I have no clue how to handle all of this though.

People CRYING telling me they feel me.

People offering me FREE help and support.

Even Mayoral Candidate Luther Campbell showed up to speak on my behalf.

Maybe it was just a dream.

That's it.

It was a dream.

Just a dream. But the pain in my jaw is all too real.

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Blog Carnival 6 - Resources For Women

A Blog Carnival is an event for bloggers to share their writing and expose their blogs across the blogosphere. Today My Savvy Sisters hosts its 6th Blog Carnival. Submissions were sent in from bloggers sharing their expertise and inspiration on different topics just for women. Peruse the blog posts and enjoy!

Ariana Kiefling presents Shop ‘Til You Drop: Top 25 Shopping Blogs posted at Public Policy Degree.

Andrea Carter presents Healthy Doesn?t Have to be Boring: 15 Innovative Salad Ideas posted at Masters in Nursing.

Maureen O'Danu presents Am I the Only One Dancing?: Sharing Joy: This is What a Happy Feminist Looks Like posted at Am I the Only One Dancing?.

Ray Johnson presents In Search of Jamaican Sandals posted at Wide Lady Shoes.

Cate Newton presents 64 College Scholarships for Women posted at Guidetoonlineschools.com.

Debbie Owen presents How to Bring About Sustainable Change posted at Online Doctorate Degree.

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Movie Review: Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

Vicky Christina Barcelona weaves a tale of transformation of two best friend's lives. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Christina (Scarlett Johannson) visit Barcelona for the summer unaware that the trip will challenge their current beliefs systems.

Vicky is a play by the rules type of woman. She is engaged to a man who adores her and is stable, handsome and successful. Christina is a free spirit who believes life should be full of adventure and admits that she doesn't know what she wants romantically, but she does know what she doesn't want.

When the pair arrive in Barcelona they meet a strikingly handsome painter, Antonio (Javier Bardem) and he offers them a weekend of passion in a city called Oviedo. Although Vicky resists at first, she decides to join Christina who takes Antonio up on the offer and the three of them venture off to explore the nearby city.

Vicky Christina Barcelona is a movie that explores the inner workings of two very different types of women. While Vicky's structured life view is challenged when she meets Antonio and falls for him despite the fact that he begins to date Christina. Christina's go with the flow attitude is challenged when Antonio's ex wife Maria (Penelope Cruz) re enters the scenario and moves in with Antonio following a suicide attempt.

The question that lingered in my mind throughout the movie was about the concept of satisfaction in a relationship. Vicky's life had all the makings of a safe trip toward senior adulthood, yet she was dissatisfied. Christina's life was full of exploration and fun yet she was consistently dissatisfied.

Are we as women doomed to always wonder what is beyond the horizon, never truly appreciating what is outside our front door? What will it take for us to become content with what we have? Do we even want to be content?

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EDITORIAL: Georgia's iAchieve Virtual Academy Is Ideal For Empowering Young Women

By Erika Martin
Education Columnist

Considering that I am currently pursuing my high school diploma at the age of 34, I'm always interested in learning about new educational opportunities that are a bit "out of the box." The iAchieve Virtual Academy is one of those.

When I was home schooled my last three years of high school, it would have been great to have a program like the iAchieve Virtual Academy to receive my high school diploma. If I were able to access the public school system through a virtual school setting, I most likely wouldn't be pursuing my diploma at the age of 34. I would like to see virtual academies set up across the country for all school systems. It would allow non-traditional students the opportunity to thrive in the areas they are best at while still getting a top-notch education.

Located in Forsyth County, Georgia, the iAchieve Virtual Academy offers free tuition to any student in grades 6-12 in all of Forsyth County. An elementary component is currently under construction. The free tuition is due to the iAchieve Academy being part of the public school offerings in Forsyth County. Students in Georgia that are outside of Forsyth County are welcome to apply, but will need to pay tuition.

What makes the iAchieve Virtual Academy so special is that it offers an alternative educational solution for students that, for many different reasons, aren't able or choose not to continue with their education in a traditional classroom. Because the iAchieve Virtual Academy is done online, it offers flexibility for students that wouldn't be available in a traditional setting.

I was able to speak with Susan Atkins, Assistant Director of Student Support Services and iAchieve Virtual Academy to gain a better understanding of what iAchieve Virtual Academy offers, specifically for young women.

"The goal is to provide a quality education for 21st century learners," Susan shared. The school district in Forsyth County, GA has a graduate profile that Susan said includes "21st century technology skills, thinking skills, building relationships, communication among peers and non-peers and global communications." The iAchieve Virtual Acadmey provides opportunities to build all of these characteristics in their students through 100% virtual learning.

I was particularly interested in hearing how the iAchieve Virtual Academy provides an education for young women and specifically how it empowers them. Susan shared two components that she feels the program reaches out to empower especially their female students. She notes that a number of the young women in the program are "highly competent, highly engaged, highly competitive females in other areas then just their academic school work." Some of these include athletes and ballerinas, for example. Many of these students will pursue these passions as their career and life's work and being able to get a high quality education through a virtual program like iAchieve allows them those opportunities without the restraints of a traditional school setting.

Another target market for the iAchieve program, Susan said, are young women that haven't found educational success in the traditional classroom setting due to social interactions, boredom they're bored or not being engaged or challenged. The iAchieve program allows these students to find an enviroment where they can be successful and build a strong education and move on to other things, Susan noted.

For the time being, the iAchieve Virtual Academy is limited to the state of Georgia due to the state-mandated assessments needing to be completed in person. iAchieve does have international students that are living abroad because their parents are on temporary assignments, but schedule their visits back to Georgia around the time of the assessment tests. This is just another way that iAchieve looks to meet the individual needs of their students.

For more information about the iAchieve Virtual Academy, their website has an extensive FAQ section. You can also view their large course offering for both middle and high school students.

About the columnist:

Erika Martin was withheld from attaining her high school diploma and a higher education due to living in a spiritually abusive upbringing. She is currently working towards attaining her high school diploma and plans to pursue a degree in Psychology after graduation this June. Erika will highlight relevant news and information that relates to education as well as chronicle her journey toward her diploma.

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Day 3: I Want To Take My Bra Off

It's my 3rd day at the homeless shelter and today I felt a bit sad. Without a place to get proper rest, I was frustrated and angry. I filmed a video and I wanted to do a voice over but there was nowhere for me to record because there are always people around.

I had to go outside in the back and hide behind a trailor. It came out well though.

I did my first radio interview today and they TRASHED me saying that it seems like I just gave up on life and I'm not doing anything inspirational. I didn't get upset. I know how radio works. Sensationalism sells. I laughed it off, tried to defend myself and when I simply decided not to, the interview ended.

I am loving the people I am meeting at the shelter though. I look forward to seeing them and hanging out. They make me laugh which I really need since I am so focused and so busy with trying to organize the job fair, figure out how to make money and keep my own spirits up.

GOOD NEWS!

Today I signed my VERY FIRST job fair participant!

~hand claps and cheers~

It was a manager at Denny's who said that she would participate and give a homeless woman a shot at employment.

The job fair is 3 weeks away and I still don't have everything together but I am trying. Tomorrow I am going to spend all day calling businesses and trying to get them to participate.

I am tired. I am cranky. I want to lounge around in my underwear with no bra but I can't. I am missing having my own home like crazy. People are writing to me telling me that I am inspirational and I like hearing it but to me, I am not a success until this project is a success. I have to make this happen but I can't do it alone.

I am so tired. I have to wake up by 5am every morning and I can't go back to sleep until after midnight. I choose to sleep on the outside patio because the air inside the building where the overflow residents sleep is way too stuffy for my taste.

I tried to talk to two homeless women today but they ignored me. I think they were annoyed.

Anyway, I will not be deterred. I finally finished the editorial for tomorrow and all I keep thinking is, "I wanna take off this bra so badly!"

I hate wearing a bra!

~sigh~

Here are the two videos I created today. The first one is a look inside the homeless shelter. The 2nd is my first lesson in mental success called: Re Program Yourself.

I hope they inspire you!

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Your World News Report - April 13, 2011

By Berlyne Julmis
News Coordinator

Gas prices at An All Time High

Gas prices are at an all time high and many Americans are feeling the strain of rising prices. The national average for regular at the pump is $3.79, but in many states consumers are already paying $4 a gallon. The up rise in protest and the fight for democracy in many Middle East countries and Muslim nations, such as, Libya and Saudi Arabia are causing an increase in the price of oil. Economists have predicted that gas prices will continue to rise throughout the spring.

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Government Shutdown Averted

Congress manages to avoid a government shutdown at the eleventh hour with the deadline
rapidly approaching. Democrats and Republicans agreed on a temporary deal that will keep
the government functioning--$38 billion is proposed to be cut from this year budget alone and
in the long run $500 billion would be slashed. Among the many programs that will be affected
are WIC, Foreign Food Assistance and Related Programs, Even Start, Striving Readers, Literacy
through School Libraries, Rental Assistance Program, Hope IV, HUD, Transportation, Green Jobs Innovative Fund, HIV AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, FEMA, and Career Education. There are no proposed cuts for the US Senate, US House, Capitol Visitors Center, and Library of Congress at this time.

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FCAT 2.0

Florida students commenced two weeks of FCAT testing this week. Students are taking the new state standardizes FCAT 2.0 with new reading and math requirements this week. In previous years the FCAT was scheduled prior to spring break this year state officials scheduled the writing section in March, but allotted children and teachers more time to prepare for the math, reading, and science segments. The final day of FCAT testing is April 22nd with Science. Governor Rick Scott recently signed into law a bill that will affect teachers’ salary pending on students’ performance on the FCAT, but this will take effect next school year.

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2012 Republicans Unofficial Presidential Bid

Former Governors Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty have both made claims for the presidential race of 2012 presumably after president Obama announces his bid for reelection. Both have formed exploratory committees allowing the candidates to start hiring staff and raise money for a shot to prevail as the Republican nomination which will the run against president Obama in 2012 General Election. These are just two of republicans of the many expected to make a bid for president -- republicans are not allowed to make an official bid until next year spring.

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Savvy Blogger We Love- Jeannette Maw

Jeannette Maw
Master Certified Coach
Libra

Jeannette Maw is founder of Good Vibe Coaching, hosts an online site at Good Vibe University, is the co-founder of Good Vibe Coach Academy, and writes monthly for Catalyst Magazine. She is the author of several law of attraction ebooks and is a contributor to Jack Canfield's Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction.

What do you love about being a blogger?

I love that it's uncensored! I have total freedom to write whatever I want whenever I want! I have been blogging since April 2007. The women who love my blog are interested in self empowerment and manifesting their dreams. They are open-minded with a spiritual bent, and incredibly supportive and generous of others in the community of readers.

How did your life change after you became a blogger?

I felt a more direct connection with my audience. I'd been using email newsletters to get my message out to people prior to blogging and that doesn't allow for an open two way conversation like the blog does. So it felt intimately more connected and also gave me a great opportunity to showcase my products better than I had been.

How do you spend your free time?

I think of all my time as "free time" - because I'm always free to choose how I spend it! So in that sense, I spend my free time connecting with others online through the blog, social media and through my online membership site, etc. But, outside of that, my time is invested in volunteering for local animal rescue groups. In fact, my 8 month old foster puppy was just adopted into his permanent home on Sunday. It's so quiet around here without him! But it makes room for the next foster animal, so it's all good.

What qualities did you have to develop to become a leader in your field?

Confidence. For sure, confidence. You can't share your message effectively without it. Sharing my message also required a willingness to get it wrong publicly. I also had to be open to criticism. But really, I think it boils down to a willingness to take a stand and go public with it. That requires courage and conviction. Passion for the work doesn't hurt, either.

Have you ever had an amusing interaction with a reader?

I was coaching a client on a subject she was struggling with. I shared with her a story that a reader had posted anonymously on my blog. It was a very inspiring story of someone who was empowered with knowing her ability to manifest what she wanted, with details that would have stopped most people in their tracks. But this reader persevered past the obstacles and got what she wanted.

My client was silent for a minute until she confessed to me that that was HER and that she'd forgotten all about that story. Here she is providing her OWN inspiration anonymously through the blog via this coach session with me. I'll never forget that because I think we often forget our past successes when we're so focused on struggling with new challenges.

What is that you really hope to do with your gift?

Inspire deliberate creators! That's my mission! For everyone to know their power to create reality how they want it.

Why is being savvy important to your success?

Being savvy helps me cut through the abstract, airy fairy woo woo approaches we often see in law of attraction material. It gives me a confident, practical, experienced perspective as I support those who are looking to become savvy as well.

Be inspired everyday at Jeannette's Good Vibe Blog

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Single Mom By Choice: Terry's Awesome Love Life

Terry

59

Palo Alto, CA

Computer software designer

59-year-old Terry claims that she has always been single. “My last long-term romantic relationship lasted around 4-5 years,” she remembered. “It was fun. The guy was more laid back than I am and I enjoyed the lack of pressure being around him. It broke up when we went separate ways. I was ready to make a family, whereas he was divorced and had kids and didn't want to do that again.”

“The people that I've met and that I would like to be with are already taken,” Terry admitted. “I'm too independent to settle. I have a pretty happy life, so I'm not placing a priority on finding a partner. I'll probably get back to making that more of a priority when my daughter leaves home, but I still won't settle for something not so good.”

Does she ever feel pressure to be married? “Nope. I have what I want without it,
Terry said. “A satisfying job that makes me enough money, a wonderful kid and friends that I enjoy. A life partner would be a wonderful thing, but I don't feel pressure about it.”

“The best thing about my life is my kiddo,” Terry recalled. “She's wonderful, and it's fun seeing her blossom into a young woman. I'm very proud of my decision to adopt her. When I was in my late 30s, I was living far from any relatives and had some friends move away. I felt like I wanted a stable connection in my everyday life - family that lived with me. Then a single woman that I worked with adopted a newborn, and it suddenly hit me that I could be a single parent, too! The relationship I was in was drifting apart, and as I mentioned below, the guy didn't want to do the parenting thing again. So I started seriously considering becoming a single parent. Since I didn't have a lot of experience being around kids day to day, I joined Big Sisters to get a taste of having a close relationship with a kid. That worked out very well. I also found out about Single Mothers by Choice (SMC), and made a decision to go ahead.”

”At first I tried to conceive a child, both the old-fashioned way and with the help of a doctor,” she continued. “I had an ectopic pregnancy. In the year after that, my body quit responding to the lightweight fertility meds, and being more aggressive would have been very expensive and didn't have that great a chance of succeeding in those days. A woman in my local SMC group adopted from China, and that seemed like the perfect route for me. China was just opening up for adoption at the time. The process was bureaucratic but fast. The kids were mostly healthy girls, which I felt more qualified to parent than a boy. I'd had an affinity for China since I was a kid, had had a Chinese BF at one point, knew some Mandarin, and had been to China shortly after it opened to Western visitors. Eight months after I submitted the first application, I was on my way to China to pick up my daughter. She was a sweetheart, 5 months old, and pretty easy to parent.”

As luck would have it, Terry was laid off from her job just before the adoption. “That turned out to be wonderful luck in disguise. I stretched the severance package and used some savings, to be able to be with my kid for the first year. I was with her full-time for the first 3 months, and then I worked on a project part time and hunted for a new job for the next 9 months. I ended up moving back to California, where there are more computer jobs so another on. I'm also proud of completing my degree in school even though I ran into difficult times,” Terry said.

It’s not wrong to fantasize about love, is it? “Absolutely not,” Terry confirmed. “Romantic love would be wonderful. My partner would be someone that I feel an equality with, that I can work together with to create wonderful things, and who has a give-and-take with doing nice things for each other.”

For women who are frustrated by their lack of love Terry said, “Quit focusing on that. Focus on making your life into what you want to do with it. Then life itself will be fun for you. The people you meet will fit into that, and will make life even more satisfying. If one of those people becomes your life partner, so much the better.”

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REBUILD: First News Interview (Video)

I appeared on Channel 6 News in an interview about The Rebuild Your Life Project.

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Restaurants With Free Wi-Fi

Searching for free wi-fi? Look no further than your favorite fast food restaurant. These restaurants offer free wi-fi to customers at no cost.

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar

Burger King .

Cici's Pizza

Denny's

Dunkin' Donuts

Jack In The Box

Krispy Kreme

Krystal Burgers

McDonald's

Schlotzsky's

Taco Bell

Quiznos

Wendy's

Panera Bread

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Your World News Report - April 12, 2011

Division Over Federal Budget Continues

Partisan warfare over taxes and spending again takes center stage in Washington this week, as Congress considers a budget deal for the remainder of the current fiscal year as President Barack Obama unveils his deficit reduction plan.

Republicans expected to vote by Friday on their budget proposal for the next fiscal year. That plan cuts almost $6 trillion in spending over the next decade greatly affecting Medicare and Medicaid. Democrats vehemently oppose this plan.

The outcome of this vote will affect the 2012 presidential race as well as the aims of the federal government in the future.

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JFK Flight Bound for Paris is Clipped During Take Off

While taxiing out of John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday night a wing of an Airbus A380 bound for Paris clipped the tail of another plane.

There were no physical injuries to passengers of either plane. All the passengers were taken off the plane and into a terminal. The extent of the damage was unknown.

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Pakistan Demands Reduction of US Presence

Nearly 335 American personnel — C.I.A. officers and contractors and Special Operations forces — were asked to leave the Pakistan after a Raymond A. Davis, A C.I.A. officer was arrested for killing two men who he said were attempting to rob him.

The demand for the reduction of US presence was made by the chief of the Pakistani Army, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

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Your Son Is NOT the MAN of the House

Brenda M. Hook

Staff Writer

I have heard it many times. We all have. Some have said it to my son and I quickly, in front of all present, contradict the statement with barely an explanation.

No, my son is not the ‘man of the house.’ He is a child.

I don’t understand what would make any logically thinking adult try to put the burden and responsibility of a grown man onto a child. As cute as it may seem, it’s not. We need to keep children in their place and out of adult decisions and situations. You simply can’t expect your son to take over their absent or late father’s emotional burdens.

Even now that he’s getting older and has to shave his face every few days, my son still knows his role in this house. There are things that I may consult with him on, such as where to go on vacation and if it fits in with his busy academic schedule or what he wants for dinner, but when it comes to adult decisions, finances, or other adult problems he is not a part of that because he is not an adult, and frankly, it is not his business.

Your son is not here for you to place your financial fears on him or to rely on him for emotional support and expect him to help you make decisions that are beyond what’s appropriate for his age, just because you’re feeling lost on your own. That’s what friends are for.

Historically, overly responsible children are sometimes unable to have fun, relax or have the ability to develop normal friendships. They learn that other people’s feelings are more important than their own, and once they become adults, they can become anxious or depressed for years of worrying about adult issues and burdens they should not have to bear.

Kids are never too young to accept some level of responsibility, yet they should never be placed in a responsible position that belongs to an adult. Some adults fail to accept responsibility and they give their authority to a child and while I salute single mothers everywhere, no child should be referred to as “the man of the house”, it’s a HUGE responsibility and far too great for our boys to live up to.

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Day 1: Hitting The Streets

Today I woke up extra early to try to get my mind right. It felt like my heart was about to burst as I waited for the first reporter to show up and videotape me talking about my project. I worried if I would be able to explain things well or if I would sound stupid. I worried about every little thing until he actually showed up and then I felt calm.

Christina, one of the editorial columnists for My Savvy Sisters stopped by to join me in meeting the next reporter. We met up with Laura Hansen, the director of the National Coalition to End Homelessness at the park and sat under a tree to take advantage of the shade. Laura brought Mary with her and I interviewed her after hearing how she completely transformed her life. Mary was homeless two years ago and is now a counselor for the homeless.



After meeting with Laura and speaking with Mary, Christina and I spoke with another reporter and then I was on my own.

I decided to go to the Homeless Voice Homeless Shelter, my partner in this project. The owner, Sean Canonie was not there but his staff introduced me in and started my intake process. The residents of the homeless shelter were so nice to me. We ate a dinner of hot dogs, beans, salad and cake with grape juice. After dinner a group of the residents and I watched my news report air on Channel 6. I was so relieved that they did a great piece on me. My message was understood! So grateful!

I would think that I would have been afraid but once I sat down to talk to the people here I felt comfortable. Most welcomed me in and gave me the inside scoop about how the place is run and what chores they have and the work they do.

As a new intake I had to clean up the cafeteria after the dinner was over. I cleaned off tables and swept the floor and then sat down to speak with the people on the patio that they call the Smoke Pit. Cigarettes are half off here and it seems that most people chain smoke and watch TV after work.



There is an even mixture of men and women of all ages. All races are represented here. You would think that being homeless would affect their spirits but they laugh and make jokes and fight and share cigarettes as though they are one family. I learned that they earn money by going out every morning to sell the Homeless Voice newspaper. The paper doesn't have a price, these people earn their wages by whatever donations people want to share. They get to keep 60% of the money they receive in donations. They usually work for 10 hours a day and are then picked back up and brought back to the shelter.

The men in particular paid especially close attention to my needs and I was grateful.

"Wow, you guys are so nice to me," I said to a guy named Rick.

"Why not? You're a woman with cleavage every guy is gonna be nice to you," Rick said. He made me laugh.

I heard many different comments from the residents. Generally, they told me that I am too pretty to be in here and that I don't look like I belong. One man was upset that I am here. He said I am exploiting the homeless for my personal gain and he doesn't feel comfortable with me around. The others told me not to listen to him and that everyone has haters.

There is a set time for showers, around 9pm and you can only take one a day, if you are a new resident. If you are a new resident you do not get a room of your own; you get a mat and sleep on the cafeteria floor. Once you are a stable resident you get to move into a room with a shower that you share with 5 other people.

These rooms aren't free. You pay by going out to sell the Homeless Voice newspapers or any income that you have that comes from the government are subsidized by the shelter if you are unable to work. A lot of the residents here are long term residents. A few women that I met reported that they had been here for more than 7 years. Reportedly, this is the shelter that will take in the homeless population that most other shelters won't take in due to repeated mental illness and drug problems.

What do I see?

I see a group of men and women who have hope for their lives and dream of one day getting out here. I see humans. I see brothers and sisters who, like me, couldn't make it work for some reason.

Well, its bedtime. I'm tired and I have to get some rest because tomorrow I have much research and traveling to do by bus and by foot and wake up is at 5am.

Goodnight.

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EDITORIAL: Budget Politics

By Christina Fermin

Politics & Society Columnist

With the threat of a government shutdown this past weekend we should reevaluate our priorities in our nations spending. Last year in 2010 the U.S. gross domestic product was $14.6 trillion dollars. Our current national debt is $14.2 trillion dollars, basically what our country as a whole makes in a year we owe in debt. What decisions has our government made that has put us so far in debt? The answer is complex, but at the same time simple, war. Defense spending accounts for anywhere between 40%-55% of the budget.

Our military has over 700 bases in 130 countries around the world, we spend more on the military than China, Russia and most countries combined. Our defense spending is responsible for most national debt. Republicans and democrats have equally stood on the sidelines for years on this issue, and are both responsible for our current budget crisis. Rather than reigning in on Presidential powers or speaking out against the Iraq, Afghanistan and Libyan attacks politicians have done nothing but argue and blame one another.

If we continue on this economic path of destruction the U.S. economy will collapse. It is time to reinvest in the united States of America and fund the things that are going to help stabilize our nation. How can we claim to be a free democratic country when our government hides parts of the defense spending in the name of “national security” to fund illegal operations such as citizen spying performed by the F.B.I., C.I.A., N.S.A and the like. The Federal Reserve Bank has made the situation worse by printing money out of thin air, risking inflation.

So how do we get ourselves out of this? First and foremost we must end all wars and call home our troops. Close corporate tax loopholes, let the Bush tax cuts expire and raise the taxes for the top 1% of the population. We also need to get rid of free trade and raise tariffs. Finally the power of the federal government needs to be reduced back to actual constitution levels so that the power is decentralized again and given back to the states.

We are not the police of the world, and we cannot allow the people we supposedly elect to make decisions that are based on the interests of corporations. Democracy does not work without the participation of the majority, today only a minority participate while a majority of corporations and those with money and influence actively participate. While the republicans and democrats are arguing on how to manage the budget we need to pressure them to call an end to all war and reduce the defense spending that is costing us and future generations a lifetime of debt.

The only way things are going to get done is if we do them ourselves, relying on others to serve our best interests does not work. Get active and involved in your communities, if we cannot take back our federal government, we do have the power to take back our communities, cities, and towns. We will take back our government one community at a time. It is time to do your responsibility and take care of yourself and one another. Like I have said in the past, one person can change the world, it just takes action!

Peace & Harmony,

Christina

About the Columnist

With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

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Emergency Rent Money

Compiled by B.J. Schmidt

These are programs that will help you pay for rent.

Arizona----- www.housingaz.com/default.asp

California--------- http://housing.ncd.ca.gov

Connecticut---- www.ct.gov/dss/site/default.asp www.ct.gov.ecd

Delaware--- www.westenddh.org

District of Columbia -- www.community-partnership.org

Georgia--- www.dca.state.ga.us

Illinois--- www.dhs.state.il.us

Iowa--- www.ifahome.com

Maine-- www.mainehousing.org

Michigan--- www.michigan.gov/dhs

Minnesota----------- 651-284-4473; 887-396-6386

Missouri---- www.mhdc.com

Nevada--- www.dbi.state.nv.us

New Hampshire--- www.nhhfa.org

North Dakota--- www.ndhfa.state.nd.us

Rhode Island--- www.rihousing.com

Virginia---- www.dhcd.vipnet.org

Washington--- www.cted.wa.gov

$ 2,700 a Year for Rent-- www.rurdev.usda.gov

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My Savvy Sister of The Week- Bronte Blomhoj Aurell

Bronte Blomhoj Aurell
London, England
Scandinavian Kitchen

Bronte Blomhoj Aurell opened her business, Scandinavian Kitchen, in London the same day she delivered her first child. Scandinavian Kitchen is a deli, grocery store and cafe with a large web shop that services both Scandinavians in the UK and people who love Scandinavian food. You can find her store at 61 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PP, England.

“I’d had enough of the fast-paced banking environment since I worked for JPMorgan and Goldmans, so I jumped ship to work for a small start up called innocentdrinks.co.uk – a UK smoothie company,” Bronte said. “There, I had the most amazing mentors. It was a meeting of minds and I stayed there for 5 years before I felt ready to do my own thing.”

Doing her own thing meant opening her own business that released a certain hunger she had for a taste of home. “Being an ex-pat Scandinavian in London, I was missing food from home. I also wanted to do something I could shape and create together with my partner. We are both passionate about food, especially food from our home countries, so we decided to create a place that was both a grocery store, a cafe and an online shop for ex pat Scandinavians and people interested in Scandinavian food,” she said.

“I love food. Food is everything – it creates memories and enriches cultures across the world,” Bronte explained. “When I think of my Mom I think of her Danish meatballs, I think of her special apple pie with cinnamon sauce, using the apples from our garden. Every memory is somehow connected with a food experience. I wanted my children to feel connected to their heritage by food as well as language, seeing as we live abroad. I always tell people that I sell much more than food: I sell a remedy for home sickness.

Owning her own business allows Bronte to be flexible with her time. “I don’t have anyone to answer to so I can fit my schedule in around my kids,” she said. “I don’t work less than I did before, in fact, I’m sure I work harder, but it is on my terms and nobody else’s. Plus, my kids have never had to suffer because of our work. We’re there for them – and we are both able to be equal parents. Both of us work but both of us look after the kids too. It’s wonderful.”

“I’ve always been lucky to land on my feet,” Bronte recalled. “Actually, this is probably a lie, but I have a bad memory for things that didn’t go so well. I don’t see making mistakes as failure; I see it as a learning curve. Life is all about learning. As long as the risk is not too great, I say go for it. I truly believe that most things in life are 90% guts, 10% action. We have our own fear that keeps us from doing stuff we want to do. It never ceases to amaze me how many people hold back in life, only to realize too late that this is not a drill, this is IT: this is the chance you get and you have to grab it. You only have one life. The fear of failing is very real. For some reason, we think that others don’t have it. We all have it every time we are pushed into a new situation. Imagine if you asked Obama to perform the starring role in Les Miserables? I promise you he’d be fearful to of doing that because it would be new to him. Everybody is scared of new things. Therefore, overcome the fear and then the rest is not that scary.”

Bronte offers My Savvy Sisters her personal recipe for success:

1. Write a business plan. Crunch the numbers. If the numbers don’t add up at this stage, find a different strategy – or idea. Trust the numbers, not just a fluffy idea.

2. People make a business. Treat your people right and they will automatically give good service to your clients. Hire ahead of the curve and hire the best people you can afford and do not be afraid to delegate.

3. Read Michael Gerber’s “The E-myth Revisited” and learn it by heart. He’s my hero.

Oh, and don’t have a baby on the same day as opening your first store.

To visit Scandinavian Kitchen online go to http://www.scandikitchen.co.uk/

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Why Are You Still Single?

Dear Readers,

I have asked myself this question countless times? At first I figured there was something wrong with me so I made it my personal quest to fix myself by delving into personal development and studying philosophy and psychology. While I enjoyed every minute of my studies, in the end I came up with an answer that shocked me; there is nothing wrong with me.

I am single because I choose to be. Sometimes I think I'd like to have a partner but I realize that this desire was born out of frustration from having to figure things out alone and to support myself alone. I didn't really want a romantic partner, or I could have had one. I was really looking for a sponsor and a business partner. Turning myself into a brand name and owning my own business was my main goal and I only fantasized about a companion who could help me attain those goals.

After writing my first self help book, It's Not A Sin To Be Single, and really looking at myself backwards and forwards, upside and down, I realized that I am not really unhappy with stumbling through the world alone. I think I was pressuring myself to meet that ideal life marker because I was faltering in every other area. I simply wanted to prove to myself that I could do SOMETHING right. I guess romantic love wasn't a good gauge.

I have been single for 9 years and I am weirdly proud of this accomplishment. To me this means that I have not settled for anything less than I deserve and I can't remember the last time I cried over a partner. I am not sitting up at night wondering if someone loves me for real and I am not waiting for a rescuer anymore.

I am FREE.

Free to love myself the way I always wished I had been loved by someone else. I still have desires and urges but I am very creative and I take care of them just like anyone else. I no longer pressure myself to find true love because it's not something that you can pressure yourself into.

I cringe at the thought of years I wasted badgering myself and condemning myself because I had not met the ONE. The ONE is in everyone, if I weren't so caught up in my ideal. I can be loved a thousand ways and I have been. My mistake was in putting love into a box and not accepting it in the countless ways it had been offered.

I caution you, dear reader, with your face scrunched up as you read my words. I caution you to relax and allow yourself to enjoy this time in your life. You never know what is around the corner and you'll have wasted years being angry instead of enjoying this season. No season of your life is permanent and no season is without a good cause.

You are single for a reason. Allow yourself the freedom to seek, learn and grow.

This week I am featuring women who are making the most out of their single life. Some of them yearn for love while others are adamantly against it, but in every way, they love who they are and they wouldn't change anything about themselves.

In all sincerity,

Te-Erika

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Countdown: 1 Day: Moving Out

"We're making a movie," I told my sons, just to ease the pressure. "You guys are actors, just pretend this is real and let your real emotions show."

They did a great job helping me to wrap things up. We got rid of everything except my bed. The guy who asked for it decided he didn't want it at the last minute which was a blessing for me since I have one last night to sleep on it.

How am I feeling? Kinda like a fool.

So far no one has agreed to partner with me as far as shelters go. Everyone looks at me like I am crazy and one guy asked, "Why do you care about homeless women? They aren't worried about you."

Although he's a young dude filled with I don't even know what kind of dreams, it made me pause and wonder why I am so concerned with helping others. I think it boils down to the fact that I have been so unsuccessful for so long that I would never wish anyone this kind of luck.

I have so much talent and so much personality but I think I get in the way of my own success because of who I am. Well, who I am has guided me to this moment. I don't know if anyone will be helped. I don't know if anyone will care. I don't know if anyone will donate. I don't know what's about to happen.

I don't know.

I don't know how things will turn out. I know how I'd LIKE for them to turn out but there are no guarantees.

I've been nursing a migraine for the past few days. I am taking advil around the clock to help I think it's coming from an infected tooth I have. I have not had any money to go to the dentist in so long. No health insurance either. I try my best not to get sick and usually I'm well.

I'm wrestling in my mind between, "You're doing great" and "You're really stupid. Look at your past. Don't you think is going to turn out the same way? You're dumb."

But maybe it isn't. Maybe something different will happen this time. I don't know.

If nothing else happens, I hope that a few women would write to me and tell me that they learned something by watching my living documentary and they were inspired and took action. do hope that people will donate and that My Savvy Sisters will be able to stand on its own and become THE leading source of empowerment for women. I hope that my job fair goes well and by the time it happens in May I will have raised enough money to award one woman a grant and somehow, some way, I won't be living on the streets then.

"I think you're gonna have fun once you get over the shock of it," my son Sai said.

I grinned at him,"I hope so baby."

Tomorrow morning I wake up, give my place one last sweep through and then, I give my keys to my landlord.

What happens next?

I have no idea.

Please. Please. Send me positive energy and your very best wishes. I feel hopeless right now but I've made my decision so I have to go.

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