8 - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, October 13, 1994 EQ homeless: victims or victimizers? HOMELESS Continued from page 1 Friedman said that there is cur- rently not enough affordable hous- ing. He said that people are in need of housing for a variety of reasons. "Those who are currently paying too much, are in substandard housing, or are in overcrowded conditions qualify as needy," Friedman said. "In a recent report to the Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Develop- ment, thecity declared that 6,000 people were still in need of affordable housing in Ann Arbor," Friedman said. Students work to help homeless Student groups are also working to help the homeless. The Homeless Action Committee (HAC) is one of these groups. Since 1987, HAC had rallied behind the political cause of the homeless. Started by one University student Finally, authentic mexican food I] and a homeless man, HAC remains a mixed group of students and the home- less of Ann Arbor today. Jeri Schneider, a HAC member, described the group as, "a grass-roots direct-action force." Schneider said that the 20-mem- ber group addresses the lack of low- income housing in the city. "We speak out at city council meetings, picket, petition, and yell at politicians." Students Working Against Today's (SWAT) Hunger works to provide food to those who can not afford it. The group works every sec- ond Tuesday of the month to provide a meal at a local church. Jeff Benko, an aerospace engi- neering graduate student, has been involved with SWAT for four years and has worked closely with the Ann Arbor homeless. "I didn't have any unmet needs growing up. I hope that this group makes a difference. I feel it is my responsibility to help those less fortu- nate than myself," he said. SWAT works with the Hunger Coalition of Ann Arbor. The Hunger Coalition has been working since 1976 to provide meals to the needy Mon- day through Friday. The city supports the group with funding. The coalition works with area churches, Food Gatherers, Huron Har- vest Food Bank and volunteers to meet the needs of Ann Arbor residents. The amount of need is growing. Hunger Coalition President Marjory Luther said that the number of people attending increases every year. "Ten years ago, we averaged 40 people per dinner. Now we average 120 people per dinner," she said. Coordinator and University School of Social Work graduate Cheryl First said that 75 percent of those who attend the community free meals are individual males who are without housing. The options available are not sat- isfactory to some Ann Arbor resi- dents, especially to the residents of the cement slab in front of East Quad. Homeless say they prefer East Quad to local shelters About a dozen homeless men say they prefer the area by East Quad to any of the Ann Arbor shelters. "The shelters are crack cities. You have to sleep with your shoes on and your eyes open. It's not a place for honest people," said a man who iden- tified himself as Mott. The male group ranges in age from 38-60. All said they have been on the Ann Arbor streets for at least two years. "I have a choice. I can afford to eat every day or sleep under a roof. I can't do both. I choose to sleep outside," Mott said. The men deny any wrong-doing on their part toward East Quad resi- dents. "We just try to get along. We don't infringe upon the rights of an- other person," Mott said. A member of the group identified as Ronald explained the incidents at East Quad. "There's probably a hun- dred guys like us in a square mile of here. Some people are just bogue. We get blamed for their shit." Ronald said, "We've got every- thing we need here: Taco Bell. restrooms, cups and friendship." "We're just trying to get by. There's a lot of violent people out there," said Mott. The men explained the main rea- son for staying in front of East Quad without words. They pointed to the heating vent that they sat near in the 45-degree weather yesterday night. The men said that they occasion- ally solicit money from residents. "There's good days and there's bad days." said Mott. Ronald agreed. "What goes around comes around. We try to lookout forthe people that help us. They buy us a taco, we buy them a taco when we can." "I have to steal just about every night to get what I need," said one member of the group. The men that stay outside of East Quad claim to live by an internal code of ethics. "We don't lie, cheat orsteal from each other. We're like broth- ers," said Ronald. The men said that the cement slab is the only home they have. They even have a pet squirrel they named Irving. They said that the law enforce- ment officers that deal with them are often intimidating, especially the younger officers. The men said that they felt the law works against them instead of helping them. "Frat boys throw glass bottles at us. Patty (another homeless man) was set on fire last year. People walk by and kick us while we sleep. We're the victims here," said Mott. Several members of the group are Vietnam war veterans. One said he was a POW in Cambodia for three and a half years. Most said they do not feel they can turn to city organiza- tions or even the Veterans' Adnministration for help. The men told stories of hardships, family tragedies and what they termed unfair treatment from the federal gov- ernment. One man began to cry in telling his story. "I just want a fair shake," said the tearful man. LSA Honors junior Graham Sul- tan often visits with the East Quad group. He is doing a report about the group for one of his classes. "These people have a peer group here, a fictive kinship. They have to live. They deserve better. They did more for this country than anybody else in Ann Arbor. Look what Ann Arbor has given to them." 6 S. tji ty 996-9580 OPENINGS AVAILABLE OPENINGS AVAILABLE IN THE CANADIAN HOUSE OF COMMONS OTTAWA POLITICAL INTERNSHIP / SEMINAR SPRING TERM 1995 MAY 4 - JUNE 16, 1995 sponsored by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars and Dr. Helen M. Graves, Associate Professor, Political Science invites All College and University Students (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) All Majors Accepted Canada is a bilingual country Dr. Helen M. Graves will be recruiting on the University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus Tuesday, October 11 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 12 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 13 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Political Science Graduate Lounge 6602 Haven Hall For application and interview, call: Dr. Helen M. Graves, Associate Professor, Political Science (313) 994-5563 THURSDAY NO COVER AT a e RESTAURANT V0SPORTS SAM -4 Also featuring: 200 a wing $3.25 pitchers Coors light $5.00 pitchers Long Island Ice Tea And dWt forget $atuday Michigan vs. Penn State EG80 EGGS Prepga tM at - RA S NI 0 Sof A 7 an - io aa $1.00 COVER $1.00 PITCHERS And all the eggs ,ad toast you can eat! L IF EGUARDS.. NEEDED DAYTIME, EVENING, AND WEEKEND HOURS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY at CCRB, IMSB, and NCRB Department of Recreational Sports, University of Michigan - $5.05 per hour. Must be currently certified in Lifeguard Training, BLS or Community CPR, and First Aid. Contact Lorelei at 763-3084. 1220 S. University 665-7777 : s - r t 0 NM I ' .a x v x x': ,a ie 'wx .x.' L ,..tx F eSU-d!^ . x«. i 4 Z y: ..' !Ix .:'x§L5 j ,.; ffi .!". r"«. n s ':? , :. ...,} ..,, " r ,., < : . * a ,. 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