CraigHAbout This Post and Its Author
March 22nd 2008 06:33
I am an Australian writer, teacher and manager. In recent years, I have become involved in the plight of the homeless, firstly in Australia, then overseas. I also spent six months in Hawaii, studying the homelessness situation there, especially in Honolulu and Waikiki.
In 2006, I worked for a national publication, Big Issue magazine, writing regular fortnightly double page features on homelessness and marginalisation. I also wrote regular interviews with the homeless, including how they ended up on the streets, and how they survived. A large part of my work involved developing systems for getting the homeless off the streets and into housing. I had a reasonably high success rate with this.
As a result of my success in this field, I was asked by a federal senator to also work with him to address these issues. I provided research which the senator could take to the appropriate authorities, departments, ministers and parliament.
Also as a result of this work, I won the 2006 Vodafone World of Difference Award, one of four winners from 500 nominations around Australia. Unfortunately, due to ill health, I was unable to complete the requirements of the award.
However, I now hope to get involved in addressing these social issues again. I would welcome posts from people with first hand experience of homelessness, and comments on social responsibility It doesn't matter whether the posts are supportive or critical. All opinions are important and need to be evaluated.
In 2006, I worked for a national publication, Big Issue magazine, writing regular fortnightly double page features on homelessness and marginalisation. I also wrote regular interviews with the homeless, including how they ended up on the streets, and how they survived. A large part of my work involved developing systems for getting the homeless off the streets and into housing. I had a reasonably high success rate with this.
As a result of my success in this field, I was asked by a federal senator to also work with him to address these issues. I provided research which the senator could take to the appropriate authorities, departments, ministers and parliament.
Also as a result of this work, I won the 2006 Vodafone World of Difference Award, one of four winners from 500 nominations around Australia. Unfortunately, due to ill health, I was unable to complete the requirements of the award.
However, I now hope to get involved in addressing these social issues again. I would welcome posts from people with first hand experience of homelessness, and comments on social responsibility It doesn't matter whether the posts are supportive or critical. All opinions are important and need to be evaluated.
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Comment by Mike Crowl
Webitz
Work Report
Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
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Alaska Chronicle
This is a tough crowd of critical thinkers, who are likely bemused with the demonstration of your talent vs the claims of your resume.
I laud the fact that you wrote for a magazine (the Big Issue) sold on the streets by the homeless ~ to help them, help themselves. The 2006 award is nice, but it sounds like it was earned for taking a vacation in Hawaii. Were the earning paid for your writing pocketed or did you donate them to help the homeless? Inquiring minds want to know.
Raven
Comment by Mike Crowl
Webitz
Work Report
Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle
Comment by Mike Crowl
Webitz
Work Report
Comment by CraigH
Australian Consumer Network
Homelessness Issues
Australian Tales
Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength, concerned about people who exploit the homeless for their own profit. The amount I won in the Vodafone award was $75,000. I didn't get any of it, although it was all meant for me.
A manager at the magazine tried to get the money for himself, by deception, but luckily was caught out. I was assaulted by the manager, and had to leave work. Yes. There is corruption, and you are right to be wary of some people in the community sector. I am.
I was living on the streets, first in China, then in Australia, before I started selling the Big Issue. I then I started writing for the magazine, and later received sponsorship from private organisations to provide peer support.
I have worked with the homeless in many cities that are below freezing in winter, including Melbourne and Canberra. Seattle was also quite cold in winter. I lived in China for a year, teaching and finding out about the homelessness situation there. Beijing and Hebei province were quite cold in winter.
I used to keep in touch with Richard Ishmail, manager of Big Issue in South Africa, until he was killed in a home invasion in 2007. I keep in touch with several of the International Network of Street Publication (INSP) members around the world, so am aware of what goes on in other countries.
Yes. I do draw a salary on occasion for the work I do, as many people draw salaries for the work they do in other vocational sectors. I have also often been known to pay a week's rent out of my own pocket for streeties that I think are genuine about getting into housing. Or buying a hamburger for someone who's starving. Many times I have paid train and bus fares for runaways to travel home. Even paid a few airfares for streeties to get back to their own countries.
But again, I know of many in the community sector who are only in it as a "cash grab", as I am sure you are aware of. And not just in Australia either.
I will write more at length about some of these personal experiences at a later date, as seperate posts.