December 2011
Memorial Service Scheduled for Deceased Keys Homeless
Since 1990, The National Coalition for the Homeless has sponsored National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day on or near the first day of winter (December 21) to remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to address the issue of homelessness and its underlying causes.
Last year, Key West was one of 141 communities across the country to participate in the national commemoration.
The FKOC has been organizing these local memorial services since the year 2000; and four years ago we purchased our own vault in Key West Cemetery.
We invite everyone to join with FKOC, Monroe County Social Services, and SHAL members this December 21 st , at 3pm to pay our respects to over a dozen individuals who have died homeless in Key West and Monroe County over this past year. Ushers will be on hand at the main gate of the cemetery by the Sexton's office to direct you to the vault.
As we enter the New Year, let's make 2012 a time when our local advocates, friends, community leaders and service providers increase awareness for the need to bring more efforts and resources to address this national disgrace in a realistic and responsible manner.
(Photo L-R) FKOC Chairman Sam Kaufman accepts a proclamation from Key West Mayor Craig Cates and City Commissioner & FKOC Vice-Chair Jimmy Weekley declaring December 21st as National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day in the Southernmost City.
February 2010
UNITED WAY CHIEF VISITS HOMELESS COALITION
Margie Smith, newly appointed President of United Way of the Florida Keys, recently visited Rev. Stephen Braddock, President of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition. Smith toured FKOC's six facilities and was especially pleased to see the newly renovated Children's Activity Center, a program for homeless children which was enthusiastically supported by the United Way Board of Directors. The coalition operates six facilities for homeless individuals and families.
Publix Supports Florida Keys Outreach Coalition
(photo by Chris Welts)
Publix Key West Store Manager, Kevin Piper, presents a $5,000 check on behalf of Publix Supermarket Charities to FKOC Deputy Director Gina Pecora. Publix has supported the Coalition's Transitional Housing Program for ten consecutive years.
KAUFMAN HONORED FOR SERVICE
Sam Kaufman (L) is thanked by Rev. Braddock for 10 years of dedicated service as a member of the FKOC Board of Directors. Kaufman, a local attorney, serves as the board's Chairman
Rev. Thomas Sterner (L) and Rev. Stephen Braddock (R) officiate at a December 21st memorial service for 59 individuals who died homeless and indigent in the Florida Keys in 2009, including two children.
FKOC PROGRAM MANAGER HONORED
FKOC's Stephanie Kaple (C) was recently honored for her service to the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League
Kaple manages FKOC's transitional housing program for women and children.
She is pictured here with SHAL Board Chair, RaiEtte Avael; and FKOC President, Rev. Stephen E. Braddock.
September 2009
Kelly McGillis shown here with KOTS Director, Nancy Banks (l), recently visited the Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter - offering hope and support to clients of that facility. McGillis has starred in films with Tom Cruise (Top Gun) and Harrison Ford (Witness) and is locally known for her humanitarian efforts. She is also the owner of Kelly's Restaurant on Whitehead St .
November 15 - 21 is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
(Rev. Braddock, Bonnie Weaver, Margaret Hudson)
"Two of the most basic human needs are a safe place to live and enough food to eat," insists FKOC President and CEO, Rev. Stephen E. Braddock.
There are an estimated 3.5 million homeless persons in the United States and the number is increasing. Also, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 35.5 million people - including 12.6 million children - live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (10.9 percent).
Every year, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness cosponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week one week prior to Thanksgiving, to help promote education, action and awareness about hunger and homelessness.
Here in Key West , Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida launched a new campaign. The " Feeding Our People " program kicked off the week long observation during the diocese's annual conference.
"I am extremely grateful to Episcopal Charities and St. Paul 's Church for over 9-years of collaboration and support addressing hunger in our community" Braddock said.
"Together we have provided aid for thousands of our most needy neighbors through the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. By working to bring more attention to the plight of the homeless and hungry, we can each foster greater understanding and solidarity to end this national disgrace."
August 2009
Key West Police Support FKOC
Key West Police Chief Donnie Lee, Jr. (R) presents a check to FKOC President Rev. Stephen E. Braddock (L).
The grant was made from the Department's Law Enforcement Trust Fund and will support FKOC's substance abuse prevention program for homeless clients in recovery from drugs or alcohol.
FKOC Deputy Director Honored
Gina Pecora, FKOC Deputy Director, was honored during the Board of Director's 17th Annual meeting for 10 years of dedicated service and
homeless advocacy.
FKOC Elects Board for 2009 - 2010
The Florida Keys Outreach Coalition (FKOC) celebrated its 17th anniversary with an award luncheon on April 22nd. Monroe County Judge Peary Fowler was on hand to administer the oath of office to our newly elected Board of Directors.
Pictured: (front row, l-r) John Dionne,
John Sangston, Jennie GS Wolf,
Jimmy Weekley (Vice Chair),
Rev. Randolph Becker, Rev. Ron Paige
(back row, l-r) Paul Clayton, Rev. Sarah Fowler, Douglas Bradshaw (Treasurer),
Dr. Eric Nichols, Samuel Kaufman, Esq. (Chairman), Rev. Stephen E. Braddock, Ph.D. (President and CEO), The Honorable Peary Fowler.
(Not pictured: George Maurer,
Dennis W. Ward, Esq.)
17th Annual Awards Luncheon
Pictures of Client Acheivement Awards
Damaged Soles & Souls
By Stephanie Kaple, FKOC Program Manager
I recently saw an article about the sudden increase in demand for cobblers who can save the lost soles of boots and high heels for their tired, budget-strapped owners who are pounding the pavement all the harder these days. Across the U.S. many are asking these fading 'heroes of heels' to try to revive weary shoes for one more chance at life. Shoes that would have once been tossed into the trash by their high fashion and often frivolous owners are now being asked to carry the load a little farther than before. Businesswomen and men seek to stretch their Prada shoes another season or two rather than continually up-grading to this season's must-have sharp steps.
At the same time the re-heeled are getting attention, another form of damaged souls are also in the news. The recession has hit some harder than just their footwear; it has hit their very being in life. Tent cities, once thought long-forgotten remnants of the Great Depression, and are now sprouting in many communities across our struggling country. Shocking and alarming images of these make-shift villages appear on our television screens to remind those of us still in our comfortable homes that the effects of the recession are worse than cutting back on eating out or shopping. For some, the "effects" are losing their home, their belongings, and their own self worth. While the shocking and sad story may fall under different headlines or feature different parts of our country, the images shared in all of them are the same-these are our other damaged souls.
As a Case Manager at a transitional homeless shelter in Key West , Florida , I am sad to say that while tent cities have found a reappearance in the media, they have been alive and well in our county, but far more hidden from our mainstream views. I have walked through them. I have sat with their occupants and shared coffee and conversation with them. Although I may still go home to my apartment at the end of our talk -my life is always changed by what these worn and ragged souls have offered me. They have offered me a chance put aside the judgments that often prevent us from seeing ourselves in others, especially when those others live a life much different and more frightening than ours. Can we, who have never slept on the streets or called ourselves homeless, truly understand the suffering of those souls? More challenging yet, can we drop the stereotypes that allow us to separate 'them' from 'us' and see what could be our reality?
I go back to those damaged shoe soles now getting so much needed TLC in closets around the U.S. and wonder if they are much different than the human souls at the shelters and on the streets. Shoes, like people, come in all forms and sizes, they are frequently valued by society differently based on their appearance and titles applied, yet all shoes and people are susceptible to the dents and scratches of the world. Both types-whether soles or souls-can hardly expect to survive this world without some form of damage. Show me the unscratched shoe sole and you will show me one that has never left its box. Show me a perfect human soul and you will show me a person who has not walked the journey of life. Whether shoe soles or human souls, all will surely be worn or tired from the roads or paths it has been asked to walk; either one will have carried a heavy load of life's adventures and misfortunes. So why should one sole deserve repair over another soul?
I encourage you to take a look in your closet at some of those long lost soles you have all but forgotten and thrown away. Perhaps it is time to think about investing in a second chance for this sole at your local cobbler. And when you have found the ability to believe that every sole deserves a second chance, perhaps that same thought can be applied to the human souls who could use just as much love and care through our soup lines, food pantries, shelters, and in so many other ways. I assure you these souls are also just as worthy of another chance at living before being cast aside.
As I have learned from the many wonderful faces and the stories behind them, it is truly but for the grace of God that this soul goes in soles that take her home .
February 12, 2009
Hugs from Buffett
Women & Children's Program Manager, Stephanie Kaple, spent some time with the legendary singer/songwriter,
Jimmy Buffett.
Buffett and his Duval Street eatery, Margaritaville, have been longtime supporters of the FKOC.
September 17, 2008
"Homeless isn't Hopeless...A Remarkable Journey of Hope and Humor"
Bill Laney proudly describes the process of writing his new book, at the Library at Florida Keys Community College.
Laney's book tells his own personal story of being homeless and of the people who offered him help.
The book has already received praise from local reviewers as well as from State and National Advocacy groups.
Laney's book is available at the Florida Keys Community College Bookstore or by calling FKOC at 1-800-528-6595 (Mon - Fri, 9AM - 5PM). The book can also be ordered by email:
LaneyPublications@gmail.com
It's Expensive to be Homeless
(photo by Alyson Crean)
Bill Laney hopes his writing about the reality of being homeless will get more exposure.
By Alyson Crean acrean@keynoter.com
When you meet him, the last thing you'd think of Bill Laney is that he's homeless.
In fact, it took him close to two years living on Greyhound buses before he considered that he could apply what he calls the H word to his situation.
It's expensive to be homeless, he said. You can't stock up on groceries that are on sale, that kind of thing. You pay a premium for everything when you don't have a home.
Laney has chronicled his tale in a manuscript titled What it's Like to be Homeless, an amazingly readable foray into the unthinkable.
Unthinkable because Laney's like many of us: A lifetime of good jobs and a roof over his head, but he didn't make enough to sock a lot of money away. As he moved into his 70s, his health started to fail him and he lost his apartment because he couldn't pay the rest. Then, without a home, he lost his job; he worked for Lowes Theaters in Buffalo, N.Y.
Laney's story has drawn the attention of homeless advocates locally and in D.C. because his is the face of reality. Though people with addictions and mental illness are the stereotypical homeless, a growing number are like Bill Laney, average Americans hammered by a slowing economy and a sense of pride that won't allow them to acknowledge they need help.
Laney's mother was ill when he lost his apartment, so he worked hard to figure a way he could sleep somewhere and still be at her bedside as often as possible. That's when Greyhound and its Ameripass became a lifesaver. He calculated schedules, first around Florida, then stretching out around the country, where he could have long uninterrupted nights on a bus for sleeping and still get back to see his mother, who died in 2005.
At the same time, his health was worsening. His legs were barely functioning, and each movement was painful. Greyhound has a service that allows the disabled to board first, and Laney used it.
But throughout, he worried he might come across as a homeless person. He says he found that the big giveaway was the luggage he carried.
At first he rented a storage garage to put away some of the stuff from his apartment. But as that got too expensive, he pared it down, carrying everything that meant the most to him in a collection of bags - until the bus line he counted on to save him lost the last of those most precious mementos we cling to, the handful of photos and letters and snippets of life that remind us who we've been and why.
Whatever it is, that sense that keeps us from admitting we're down and out, kept Laney from admitting his homelessness, even after he'd finally admitted it to himself. Somehow he managed to have total joint replacement surgery on both knees without letting on to his physician that he had no home beyond a public bus.
After his mother died, Laney bounced around on buses, eventually ending up in Key West from Fort Lauderdale. Here, he stayed in the Keys Overnight Temporary Shelter, or KOTS. He says the organization, the cleanliness and the sheer safety of the so-called safe zone on the grounds of the Stock Island Detention Center felt good after experiencing other parts of South Florida. And it is close to Florida Keys Community College, which has a library and computer access.
"I would not have been able to write the book without the help of the college", Laney said.
Michael Stoops, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, read Laney's manuscript.
"Your proposed book is factual, right on the mark, well-written and is something I wish that all powers-that-be would read. I could not have done better myself", Stoops wrote to him.
Though Laney doesn't know whether his book will be published, he's optimistic. No surprise from a man who, even hobbling on the streets in pain and without a home, always finds the glass half full.
If it makes it to print, it would be a must-read. At the very least, it would help people look a little longer at that man huddled with a pile of luggage and no place to go.
Ros-Lethinen to Co-Sponsor
"Hate Crimes Against the Homeless Statistics Act"
(Photo by Guillermo L. Vallejo- Legislative Correspondent)
Rev. Steve Braddock presents an Appreciation Award to Congresswoman
Ileanna Ros-Lethinen and her staff for their annual support of the Outreach Coalition's Children's Program.
(D.C.) Rev. Stephen E. Braddock, President of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, wrapped up a week of advocacy and lobbying in the Nation's Capitol with an enthusiastic committment from Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lethinen to co-sponsor the " Hate Crimes Against the Homeless Statistics Act," which would include hate crimes against homeless people in the uniform hate crimes statistics collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Over the past nine years there have been 774 documented violent acts against homeless people, according to national homeless advocacy groups tracking such statistics in the absence of uniform law enforcement reporting. These attacks have resulted in 217 deaths and 557 non-lethal attacks. They range from beatings with golf clubs to setting a man on fire while sleeping. Victims have included men and women, veterans, children as young as four, youth, and elders. Attacks have taken place throughout the nation.
During this same period, hate motivated attacks resulted in 20 deaths in Florida, and 112 non-lethal attacks. Florida was #1, having the most attacks in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
In 2004, James Boyts was beaten nearly to death by teenagers as he slept at Mallory Square in Key West. After a long rehabilitation, Boyts, who just turned 58, is now on staff with the Outreach Coalition, according to Braddock.
The number of violent attacks against homeless persons resulting in deaths is more than twice the number of deaths among categories of persons recognized as potential hate crime victims in current law. Between 1999 and 2006 there were 85 homocides classified as legally-defined hate crimes. Over that same period there were 187 deaths as a result of violent acts directed at homeless people.
"It is beyond time that we improve our understanding of violent crimes against our fellow Americans due to their homeless status," Braddock said. "Rigourous and uniform tracking and reporting of such crimes is the first step in determining future actions to prevent this kind of criminal activity."
Current federal hate crime reporting standards categorize hate crimes as a crime where a victim is selected based on his/her actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. This legislation will add homeless status to this group for purposes of hate crimes collection data.
Ros-Lethinen is the first Republican lawmaker to support the Act, H.R. 2216, which was introduced by Democratic Congresswoman, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas. "Rep. Ros-Lethinen said she was delighted to co-sponsor the bill and that it was to be one of her priorities," Braddock said after their private meeting.
"The homeless population includes the tremendous diversity of our nation - veterans, working Americans, families, and children. Yet hate-motivated attacks against them have gone unnoticed for too long. We applaud the Congresswoman for crossing the aisle on this critical initiative," said Michael Stoops, Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, "She is clearly a leader in putting the welfare of everyday Americans above party lines."
Braddock also used the opportunity to thank the 18th District Congresswoman, which includes Monroe County, for the annual support she and her Washington and Miami based staff provide to the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition's program for homeless women and children. "They truly go above and beyond to make certain that our children are all made to feel very special during the holidays," he said.
(Photo by Guillermo L. Vallejo, Legislative Correspondent)
(Washington, D.C. - July 2008)
Rev. Stephen E. Braddock, President and CEO of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition was introduced to U.S. Secretery of Commerce , Carlos M. Guierrez, by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lethinen. Braddock provided the Secretery with a recently released report by the National Coalition for the Homeless titled "Foreclosure to Homelessness: the Forgotten Victims of the Subprime Crises."
The foreclosure crises-fueled by the subprime loan melt down-is increasingly well documented. Nationally, more than two million foreclosures were reported in 2007. Nearly the same number is projected for 2008-2009. The resulting downward spiral has reduced home prices dramatically. In turn, this has sent the local city and county revenues based on local property taxes into a freefall.
Nearly forgotten in this crises are the thousands of homeowners and renters who have become homeless once their equity is exhausted. Having no other financial resources, they are moving in with relatives or friends, are turning up in local emergency shelters or have actually found themselves on the streets.
"Equally disturbing is that when local revenues plummet, as is the case in Key West and Monroe County, the first budget cuts are typically to health, mental health, and social service programs," Braddock said. "Often, these are the very programs those who become homeless will need to survive."
Monroe County nonprofits have suffered significant funding cuts from Federal, State, County, and City governments in recent weeks. "Funding is way down, need is skyrocketing, and many of our local human service providers are really struggling to provide assistance to our most needy and vulnerable," Braddock said.
Guest Editorial, Ron Paige,
Key West Citizen, July 16, 2008
A few paychecks is all that stands between many of us and the street
It is no secret that the economic times in which we live have put a pinch on the funding that a variety of nonprofit organizations receive. And, it is no secret that not only do those nonprofit organizations feel that pinch, but those who distribute public monies as well. Both the agencies and those who help fund them are between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
Many people are convinced that most who are served by those agencies that have as their mission to assist the homeless or those whose circumstances and situation require some sort of assistance feel that people should either be able to make it on their own or move on to places where they can. Those feelings are what they are, feelings, and feelings are often rooted in places that are lacking facts. The facts are that we have many people in our community who are simply unable to make it.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, people who were homeless or, perhaps better put, "houseless," lived not only on the streets but behind dumpsters, in the mangroves or the dark areas about [Key West]. They lived in doorways, in abandoned vehicles behind what is now Kmart. They lived on the old Navy properties that were secured but accessible if you knew where you could find "the hole in the fence."
They lived along Atlantic Boulevard, near the bocce courts, and at the Nike missile site. They lived near the old commissary on Simonton Street. They lived in a few derelict houses about town. They lived in churchyards that were dark and relatively secure. They lived along the back streets of Stock Island. They lived along U.S. 1, near the firearms range. They lived in front of the Salvation Army building on Flagler Avenue. They lived on the beaches, in hidden away spots. They lived under buildings and behind air conditioners, out of sight and out of mind.
We attempted to address these problems and learned some important lessons as a result. We learned that some people were simply destined to live out their days going from place to place without ever being able or willing to change their circumstances or situations. Their will to make any progress had long since gone, no doubt in part to various addictions. (I was never sure if they were addicts because they were homeless, or homeless because they were addicts.) We learned that most were ill and all were suffering. It did not really matter why; the fact was that they were human beings in trouble and their predicaments had to be addressed. So we tried. We passed out toiletries and organized feedings, we bought medicine and bandages and all that sort of thing. Almost every church in Key West helped in some way, and when the churches simply could not, the pastors, rabbis and others did. Businesses helped. People with no religious affiliation helped. (I thank all of them for their effort and apologize for being 20 years late in doing so. We did lots of good. But we failed. We needed counseling skills that we did not have. We needed funds. We needed direction, coordination and professional management. We needed people with specialized skills and the expertise to help move people from helpless to hopeful. We needed people and programs that could help those begin the almost impossible task of rebuilding their lives.
Lest there be misunderstanding, there is another side to the homeless, houseless, at-risk population that we have a tendency to forget It has to do with language - homeless or houseless or at-risk does not mean unemployed. Many were working people. They worked in restaurants, did landscaping, worked for construction companies and did all sorts of odd jobs. Some of the women who had children had other women look after their children while they worked. Those were the days before various agencies such as the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition or Samuel's House or a number of other organizations came into existence.
We need the skill of Father Steve Braddock and the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition and Samuel's House. We need the Children's Shelter. We need all of the nonprofit helping agencies that are being threatened by current economic difficulties. We need to remember that for many, a few paychecks are all that stand between them and the streets.
Ron Paige is pastor of the First Congregational Church of Key West.
Gina Pecora Honored
Gina Pecora, FKOC Deputy Director, is Honored by FKOC CEO, Rev. Stephen Braddock, and FKOC staff on Administrative Professionals Day
FKOC 16th Annual Meeting
Samuel Kaufman, Esq., Chairmain of the Board, and Rev. Stephen Braddock, CEO and FKOC Executive Director host FKOC's 16th Annual Meeting.
To see more pictures, go to
"What's Happening at FKOC"
