Press Release

Homeless Grapevine - "Northeast Ohio's Street Newspaper"

  For More Information, Call:  Brian Davis from NEOCH at (216) 432-0540.

New Homeless Grapevine Includes Info on

Homeless Hate Crimes

Another jaw dropping issue of the Grapevine has hit the streets packed with depressing information on the state of homelessness in America.  This compelling issue focuses on the harsh reality of hate crimes committed against the homeless population as well as a tribute to Cuyahoga County’s Poet Laureate Daniel Thompson who was an advocate for the homeless and died this past May.

The newest issue of the Grapevine includes information contained in a press release from the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) about violent hate crimes targeting those who are homeless.  The article specifically focuses on exploitative videos sold at national retailers and distributed in stores like Best Buy.  The article also finds that the rates of reported violence against homelessness has risen in recent years.

The plight of day laborers in Cleveland is also highlighted in this issue.  Many temp agencies seem to be run based on favoritism rather than on a first-come first-serve basis.  People who frequent these day labor establishments sometimes only make $3.40 an hour due to the charged fees and sometimes receive only $30 for an entire day of work.  Cleveland plans to combat these unfair agencies with the development of a Community Hiring Hall to connect people with jobs that match their skills as an alternative to for profit agencies.

There are articles about the state of different shelters in the community, homeless youth in the Foster Care System, commentaries about the death of President Reagan, a Co-operative Housing program called REACH, and upcoming national budget proposals.

In addition to the news stories and commentaries, this issue of the Grapevine contains a lengthy memoriam for Daniel Thompson.  Daniel Thompson was known as a “street warrior”, “the junkyard poet.”  The Grapevine encompasses five of his moving poems, a collage of pictures, and a commentary from Rep. Dennis Kucinich about the life and work of Mr. Thompson.

 Whether your interests lie in hard news and statistics or poetry and commentaries this issue has what you are looking for.  Pedestrians can pick up your copy of the Homeless Grapevine today from a licensed vendor, from the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless offices, or a copy is usually available at the West Side Market.