A social experiment with food…
image credit: Samantha Celera
“As the first crowd of customers filed into Panera’s nonprofit restaurant… only the honor system kept them from taking all the food they wanted for free.
Read more on Panera Cares: Eat what you want, pay what you can…
Crack Cocaine (image source: DEA)
Addiction develops much more rapidly with cocaine than alcohol, often within a few weeks or months, and especially when smoked as freebase (crack). Thus, the dynamics of cocaine addiction are different from those of alcoholism, including its impact on the individual and the family. Cocaine addiction can be likened to a rapid-onset trauma that stuns its victims, compared with alcoholism, which progressively and insidiously debilitates the drinker over a much longer period. The cocaine-affected family is less likely to show the deeply ingrained systemic aberrations and codependent relationships so commonly seen in alcoholic families.
~ from “Outpatient Treatment of Cocaine and Crack Addiction: A Clinical Perspective,” by Arnold M. Washton and Nannatte Stone-Washton (PDF)
Read more on Bottle vs. rock = Slide vs. slam…
Rhinos Around the World… and the homeless camp
Originally uploaded by caramichele
This made me smile. 
From Habitat ReStore on Facebook:
The Habitat ReStore… a unique shopping experience! Located at 3826 High Point Road… 336-851-2929. New and used furniture, appliances, household items, and everything in-between – come shop with us! Open Monday through Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30
Read more on Habitat ReStore is on Facebook…
Yesterday, I got a call about a homeless man in Greensboro who was sleeping in a barn. There was no room at the shelters for him. And the owner of the barn wanted him gone. I had no answers for the caller. I prayed for God to make a way — because He is the way.
Read more on A barn and a stable and no place to sleep…
image credit: Steve Wampler
There’s a phrase I hear a lot when people talk to addicts and alcoholics in recovery: “You have to change your playground.” That means leaving behind the people and the places associated with your drinking and drugging. Makes sense. But until I saw it happening to friends, I didn’t realize that leaving the playground is about more than being tempted by your old life — it’s about getting away from people who are still in active addiction and who try to get you back there, too.
Read more on Misery loves company: Addiction recovery and moving on…
On Saturday, June 27, 2009, my ministry partner, Audrie Keen and I, along with our friends Lavaughn and Lee, participated in an Americorps homeless camp cleanup. The camp we cleaned was one of several in an area that lies in the path of Greensboro’s Downtown Greenway. I recently learned, through an email from an Action Greensboro intern, that the greenway will “displace those living in this area.” Meaning that, if all goes according to plan, our homeless friends will soon be even homeless-er. Hmmm… Guess we need another plan then, don’t we?
Read more on Camp cleanup, homeless needs, Greenway vs. the homeless…
Click on titles or images below for homeless advocate Mark Horvath’s first two Whrrl stories (photos and text) from the Sacramento tent cities:
Read more on Mark Horvath at Sacramento Tent Cities: Is this really America?…
From News-Record.com, 04/20/2009:
image credit: Joseph Rodriguez, News & Record
No injuries were reported when a fire broke out in a trailer today.
The fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. Monday in an empty mobile home at 1727 W. Lee St., about a block east of the Greensboro Coliseum.
Read more on Another homeless fire?…
Photo credit: Mark Horvath
“Hardly Normal at Prado Day Center,” a story in photos and words.
“The Prado Day Center is the only day center serving the homeless population in the region. Every day, between 90 to 120 people seek refuge and assistance at the Center. Over 30 percent of the Center’s participants are now women and children…”
» See the photo story here
Read more on “Children should never be homeless…”…
photo credit: irrezolut
From an instant message conversation with my best friend and ministry partner, Audrie Keen, thinking about yesterday when we were at the Salvation Army store, loading the truck for NightWatch, street outreach to the homeless:
Read more on Dirty hands like Jesus…
