subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, May 12 2008 

May 02, 2008 01:49 pm

Attitudes on poverty

Out of sight, out of mind

By JOSH NEWTON
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS (TAHLEQUAH, Okla.)

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS —

How would you define poverty?
Is it having no food or shelter? Not having money to purchase another pack of cigarettes? Is it not having a savings account? Or not having the money to purchase a new coat, even if an old coat is available?
A group of local residents decided to face poverty head-on through a three-day program aimed at understanding just what poverty is, and helping to stamp it out.
“We’re a little troubled,” Cookson Hills Community Action Foundation Executive Director Cleon Harrell said of the results so far.
Harrell and CHCAF Program Coordinator Karen Horn sat on a park bench along Town Branch Creek Thursday morning, reflecting on the past 24 hours. They wore the same clothes they had the previous day when they set out on the Walk in My Shoes Project – clothes that were slightly wrinkled from the overnight stay in the back of a large truck.
Harrell, Horn, Mark Graham and a local volunteer had hit the streets of Tahlequah Wednesday morning with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“The project will help each of us have a better understanding of what poverty actually is, on a short-term basis,” said Harrell.
The only way to reduce poverty, he said, is to understand what it really means to live in poverty.
The idea was put in motion after an individual spoke to CHCAF staff, saying he or she had sought help and not received it. The three CHCAF staff members and one volunteer decided to test the community – from the individual person on the street, up to churches, businesses and organizations – by soliciting help, including food and shelter.
“Every place we’ve gone, they won’t look at you, talk to you,” Horn said Thursday morning, following an entire Wednesday of walking and looking. “They don’t acknowledge you.”
The four split up into two teams of two, a man and a woman in each pair.
“We sat in front of one church yesterday for two hours, waving at people,” said Harrell. “There was no acknowledgment to us.”
Harrell and Horn said the second pair – a community volunteer and CHCAF employee Graham – visited a number of churches Wednesday.
“Nothing,” said Harrell. “At the churches, nobody says anything. No one knows what’s out there. These churches didn’t know where they could send someone [to seek help].”
Harrell and Horn found a sacked meal at one local organization.
“But they serve only two days a week,” said Harrell. “Maybe after this experience, we [CHCAF] can talk about doing it the other three days.”
One man purchased some drinking water for Harrell and Horn, they said.
“But they [the public] are leery of us – they don’t trust us,” said Harrell.
Meeting someone’s need for food is only temporary help, said Harrell.
“If people are homeless, we’ve learned they need more than food,” he said. “Food is an immediate need. We need to help more.”
One local service agency provided a loaf of bread, they said. When it came to shelter, a couple of organizations offered to house either the man or the woman, but not both. The name of a local social worker was provided as a possible shelter contact.
“On the street, [the lack of responses] doesn’t surprise me,” said Horn. “Because I realize I do that, too. I don’t look at people. But the agencies? We need to make eye contact, to acknowledge the person, to look at them.”

Josh Newton writes for the Tahlequah(Okla.) Daily Press.

Resources

• Print this story
• E-mail this story


Photos


Cookson Hills Community Action Foundation Program Coordinator Karen Horn, left, and Executive Director Cleon Harrell, rest at a park bench along Town Branch Creek Thursday morning. Two teams of two spent Wednesday and Thursday soliciting food, shelter and other needs from the community as part of the Walk in My Shoes Project. (Click for larger image)

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Help Wanted
Are you looking for a OTR Company "That Delivers on it's Promises"? If so, Call Janice @ DMT Services, Inc- 800-237-1769...>MORE

Help Wanted
Hail Repair Man and Body Repair Man, must have own body tools. Call: 918-239-0300...>MORE

Help Wanted
Loftin Family Practice seeking energetic, friendly LPN for Tahlequah location. Please fax resume to 456-3107 or drop of...>MORE

Help Wanted
Personal Care Aide for the Peggs/ Hulbert areas. Please call Carol Johnson @ Health Care Innovations, Private Services,...>MORE

Help Wanted
Big Red Restaurant Keys, OK All positions, apply in person....>MORE

Help Wanted
Part-Time Maintenance Person wanted at local apartment complex. Interested persons call 918-260-1835...>MORE

Store Associate
Store Associate Position
Progressive rent-to-own company looking for an individual with excellent communications sk...>MORE

Help Wanted
General Laborers needed apply in person, Park Hill Plants and Trees. 456-4548...>MORE

Help Wanted
Day Care seeking help. Call Shelia 458-1001...>MORE

Help Wanted
Big B Food and Deli seeking manager trainees. Mail resume to 429 S. Muskogee, Tahlequah 456-1781...>MORE

Help Wanted
Oaks Mission- Now accepting applications for Full Time Bus Drivers for the 2008- 2009 school year. Positions open until...>MORE

Help Wanted:
Securitas Security Services USA Armed Security Officer/ Immediate Opening in Kansas, Oklahoma. Must be able to work mid...>MORE

Help Wanted
Teachers needed. After School M-F 3-6, Teacher M-F 8-3, Certified Teacher M-F 8-3, Certified Lifeguard PT, Twin Oaks Ac...>MORE

Help Wanted
Vo-Tech A Plus, Experience A Must! Adams Air, Heat and Refrigeration. 456-1429...>MORE

Help Wanted
Now Hiring all positions. Apply in person 4804 South Muskogee. ...>MORE

Help Wanted
Tahlequah Pediatrics seeking full time receptionist, experience preferred. Also seeking full time medical assistant or ...>MORE

See all ads
Premium cars

Truck For Sale:
1981 Dodge Pickup, slant six engine, long bed, sliding rear window. Runs good, easy to work on, new front end bearings....>MORE

Auto For Sale:
1998 Buick Regal 131k, 1-owner, loaded, excellent condition. $4,500 Call: 457-4246...>MORE

Pickup For Sale:
2001 Tundra V8, power, sharp, 129k miles, camper shell. $10,500 456-3407...>MORE

CASH FOR JUNK
Or Unwanted Cars. Quick Income. Call 918-4564753...>MORE

SELL YOUR AUTO HERE
CONTACT BRENDA OR HANNAH TO PLACE YOUR AUTO FOR SALE HERE! 918-456-8833 extension 10 or 11...>MORE

Car For Sale:
1994 Olds Cutlass Cieras, clean. $1800 316-0678...>MORE

See all ads
Premium Homes

Apartments For Rent:
2bdrm apartments available 1322 and 1316 East Boone. W/D hookups, no pets. $450 month, $400 deposit, lease required. ...>MORE

House For Rent:
2bdrm, 1ba, large utility room, fenced backyard, CH/A. No Pets! $400 deposit, $450 month. No HUD Call M-F 8-4pm 456-2...>MORE

Mobile for Rent
Near NSU 2bdrm, $300.00 479-361-2080, 479-530-0002...>MORE

House For Rent:
3bdrm, 2ba, nice Keys Area. $650 monthly 453-0115...>MORE

House For Rent:
4bdrm, 3ba Family Home in Southridge $1200. 918-931-2810...>MORE

Mobile Home For Rent:
3bdrm, 1ba, $250 deposit, $250 month. HUD Accepted. 822-2190...>MORE

House For Rent:
3bdrm, 1.5ba, CH/A, fenced backyard. No Pets! $400 deposit, $600 month. Call M-F 8-4pm 456-2750...>MORE

Mobile Home For Rent:
3bdrm, 2ba $460 Senior Citizen Discount Available. No Pets! 456-5532...>MORE

House For Sale:
Beautiful Older home needs new family! 3/2/2 Brick 1620 sf, fireplace. $115,000. 2501 Diffee Drive near Cherry Spring...>MORE

Apartment For Rent:
Special large 1&2bdrm, very nice inside, $235 and $345., lease and references required. 456-8009...>MORE

Apartment For Rent:
317 Bailey Blvd., Lower 500 sf, studio efficiency, in quiet country setting, in Sparrow Hawk Village. Includes utilitie...>MORE

Apartment For Rent:
SPECIAL Large 1BDRM, Very Nice Inside, $235., Lease and References Required. 456-8009...>MORE

Mobile Homes For Sale:
A $15,000 MORT ASSISTANCE
OR 0% DOWN WITH LAND
SINGLE AND DOUBLEWIDE HOMES
NATIVE AMERICAN
GOV PROGR...>MORE

Houses & Apartments For Rent:
Davis Rentals: Houses and Retirement Apartments; Like New, 3bdrm, All Appliances, House for Rent on Allen Circle. 456-4...>MORE

House For Rent:
1bdrm, 1ba, nice $400 monthly. 453-0115...>MORE

House For Rent:
2bdrm $300 a month, $200 deposit 456-8389...>MORE

House For Rent:
4bdrm, 2ba 407 North. No inside pets! $600 month, $600 deposit. All new inside. 458-0342...>MORE

Mobile Home For Rent:
2bdrm, W/D, fenced yard $300 month, $300 deposit. 918-457-5911...>MORE

Room For Rent:
Big bedroom in house, bathroom, kitchen, W/D, near NSU $250 month, bills paid, clean lifestyle. 918-860-1520...>MORE

Mobile Home For Rent:
2+1 decking, quiet, dog(ok) $325. 822-7306...>MORE

House For Rent:
3bdrm, 1.5B, CH/A, 2 car garage, new appliance $700. month, $650. deposit, References required, No Pets 918-816-1374, 91...>MORE

Apartment For Rent:
Nice! New! 2bdrm NSU adjacent. $200 deposit, $500 month 207-9245...>MORE

Mobile Home For Sale:
Abandoned Clayton Doublewide 2006, 4bdrm, 2ba, 1700 sq ft. Will move to your property! First Come Basis!! Call 918-43...>MORE

House For Rent:
Several 3bdrm, 2ba homes available, 2 car garage CH/A, utility room. No Pets! $400 deposit, $725 month. Call M-F 8-4p...>MORE

Rooms for Rent
weekly, monthly rates, 2 room efficiency, 1 room- refrigerator, microwave, satellite, bills paid, 458-1144 ext 22...>MORE

See all ads
Premium Extras

Commercial Property :
2000 Sq. Ft. across from Chili’s $800 456-3359...>MORE

Lots For Sale:
Building Lots in town, all utilities available. 822-7084...>MORE

Acreage For Sale:
2 Acres Teresita Spring Creek, utilities. $16,000. 918-207-2957...>MORE

Commercial Property For Rent:
2000 SF Next to Doyle’s Shoes $1,250 per month. Call: Bryce 931-8386 or 456-3220...>MORE

Lots For Sale:
Three building lots approximately 1/2 lots plated, rural water, gas. $15,000 each. 431-0030...>MORE

See all ads

© 2007, Tahlequah Daily Press
106 W. Second Street; Tahlequah, OK 74464
(918) 456-8833 or Email Tips & Feedback
Popular Business directory links - Tahlequah Apartments |  Tahlequah Attorneys |  Tahlequah Auto Dealers |  Tahlequah Auto Parts |  Tahlequah Auto Repair |  Tahlequah Beauty Salons |  Tahlequah Car Rental |  Tahlequah Dentists |  Tahlequah Doctors |  Tahlequah Flowers |  Tahlequah Hotels |  Tahlequah Insurance |  Tahlequah Loans |  Tahlequah Mortgages |  Tahlequah Movers |  Tahlequah Pizza |  Tahlequah Realtors |  Tahlequah Restaurants |  Tahlequah Storage |  Tahlequah Tax Preparation |  Tahlequah Travel |  Tahlequah Featured |  More...

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc