Inaugural Day in the Park to End Homelessness held

Drummers perform Sunday at the Day to End Homelessness in Lithia Park.

Tom Crimmins said he graduated from Whitman College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1979. Today, the Ashlander is among the many homeless in Jackson County. Crimmins believes the homeless are stereotyped by society and written off.

"Most people in the community don't understand the invisible homeless," Crimmins said. "Those not falling down drunk that don't hassle anybody and basically take care of themselves."

Crimmins, along with about 150 other homeless, attended the first Day in the Park to End Homelessness on Sunday at the Lithia Park band shell. The all-day event — which included free food and entertainment — promoted solutions and resources to end homelessness in the Rogue Valley.

Free clothes and food were available at the first Day to End Homelessness on Saturday in Lithia Park.

The event was coordinated by Jackson Cuevas, a member of the Jackson County Homeless Task Force Consortium (JCHTFC). Cuevas, a small business owner and homeless advocate, is passionate about getting the homeless back on their feet and reintegrated into society.

"It is my intention to end homelessness here in Jackson County," Cuevas said. "I think the homeless need a positive voice. I want to be that voice."

Cuevas aimed for the event to be a mixer for the homeless and the community at large to converse and understand each other. Ashland resident Mark Sterrett volunteered for the event. He said he draws his passion to help the homeless from Cuevas and believes that those less fortunate should not be seen as criminals by the community.

"Homelessness is treated as a crime in this country instead of an unfortunate situation," Starrett said. "It helps when someone in leadership is passionate."

Clayton Allen of Ashland believes there are a lot of misconceptions that the public has about homeless people. Allen, along with others at the event, talked about wanting to buy property for the homeless so that there would be somewhere safe for them to go where they would not get ticketed for camping or panhandling.

"Some of us are not out there on the street because we choose to be," Allen said. "That's one of the biggest misconceptions out there."

Tom Crimmins

In addition to Sunday's event, Cuevas plans to build and operate a local self-sustainable eco-center for the use of the homeless community. The center will house a call center operated by previously homeless personnel, a child care center for working parents and a study center with classes teaching homeless how to reintegrate back into the job market. Cuevas has not yet obtained land but says he is in the midst of planning for a grant that will pursue "drug-seized property or land of unventured capital."

Master of ceremonies of the day-long outdoor gathering, Randy Johnson, said the Day in the Park to End Homelessness event was a success, and is particularly excited about Cuevas' idea for a sustainable eco-center for the homeless and their families.

"I think he's got a landmark idea," Johnson said. "If the (homeless) can set up a self-sufficient center and can survive that way, (Cuevas) is showing the government how to do things."

There were also alternative and immediate resources available for housing and nutritional needs. Sheila Canal of the Department of Human Services tabled the event, handing out resources for transitional and low income housing as well as pamphlets that help instruct those in need to apply for food stamps.

"I think it's important for people to be able to live a decent life," Canal said. "We want people eligible for our services to get them."

Representatives from Helping Other People Excel (HOPE) House, United Way and St. Vincent de Paul were on hand to answer questions and meet needs. HOPE House case manager Teri Swift advised those in need of a safe place to stay to consider the back-to work transitional facility.

"People have to be willing to work a fulltime job to stay (at HOPE house)," Swift said.

Those who stay at the HOPE house must undergo a three-day tuberculosis test and a background check, but afterwards are eligible for the house for up to two years. HOPE house welcomes families and currently has two family units available.

The Salvation Army served hotdogs, lemonade and coffee. Roscoe's Barbeque in Phoenix served barbecued chicken. Performances included the Reggae band INDUBIOUS of Grants Pass and members from the Red Earth Whistling Elk.

For more information about HOPE House contact Swift at 773-7005. For further information about the zero energy center for the homeless, contact Cuevas at 499-7353.