Update on the IFC controversy
I've just returned from a late afternoon interview with a writer for the Daily Tarheel (DTH; for those of you who aren't local, that is the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill's student run newspaper). I had a conversation yesterday with Ryan Tuck, the editor-in-chief of the DTH and I gave the reporter covering last night's Council meeting a copy of the letter that I presented to the town. Then I was contacted today by another DTH writer who wanted to do an interview to ask some follow up questions on what people's experiences have been at these facilities. By some very fortunate timing, two ladies who have actually had experience living at the Homestart facility were also able to attend this interview. One of them was Janet Bratter, a local musician and activist who has been a frequent contributor to the Street Exposure website. Street Exposure is administered by Bruce Whealton, a local community activist, and I serve as a co-editor of the site. The other person who attended has actually become a good friend of mine in recent weeks and I will identify her only as J for her protection, since she is still currently residing at Homestart.
I also have contacted the local reporter for WCHL 1360 AM radio here in Chapel Hill who had approached me at last night's meeting, asked me for a copy of the letter I presented, and requested that I get in touch with him. I'm not entirely sure what sort of coverage they are interested in doing, but I suppose we will see. I must admit to being somewhat pleasantly surprised at the extent and immediacy of the media reaction to my letter. Of course, I had hoped to bring some attention to what is going on at these facilities and to the issue of homelessness in general, but so far the media interest seems to be going beyond even my best hopes. I have always believed that one of the strengths of the Triangle area was its media outlets and that faith is being reinforced by what is going on now. The Daily Tarheel article should be coming out tomorrow or Thursday. I still have not heard any sort of reaction from IFC's main office even though I know that the officials must have read the letter by now. In one of my smartass moments, I decided to email copies of it to all of the top IFC administrators yesterday evening after the office closed. That way they would have the letter in their inboxes this morning, but it would be after the letter was already in the hands of the town.
Speaking of the town, the Council last night decided to hold off on acting on a request by IFC to appoint a town council member and a town staffer to two working groups convened by IFC to discuss relocation of its men's facility, administrative offices, and food pantry. They will be taking that up again at the next business meeting in two weeks and will be asking their representatives to this working group to address the issues I brought up in my letter with the IFC. I'm going to do some follow-up with the council members before then and suggest that they meet with some of the clients involved and gather additional information about the situation so they can discuss it with IFC. I am making particular efforts to connect with Council Member Sally Greene because of her extensive involvement in homeless issues in Orange County--among other things, she is Chapel Hill's representative with the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness. I am thinking I also want to suggest some sort of client participation in these meetings. I suppose that is all for now but I will keep updating as events occur.
I also have contacted the local reporter for WCHL 1360 AM radio here in Chapel Hill who had approached me at last night's meeting, asked me for a copy of the letter I presented, and requested that I get in touch with him. I'm not entirely sure what sort of coverage they are interested in doing, but I suppose we will see. I must admit to being somewhat pleasantly surprised at the extent and immediacy of the media reaction to my letter. Of course, I had hoped to bring some attention to what is going on at these facilities and to the issue of homelessness in general, but so far the media interest seems to be going beyond even my best hopes. I have always believed that one of the strengths of the Triangle area was its media outlets and that faith is being reinforced by what is going on now. The Daily Tarheel article should be coming out tomorrow or Thursday. I still have not heard any sort of reaction from IFC's main office even though I know that the officials must have read the letter by now. In one of my smartass moments, I decided to email copies of it to all of the top IFC administrators yesterday evening after the office closed. That way they would have the letter in their inboxes this morning, but it would be after the letter was already in the hands of the town.
Speaking of the town, the Council last night decided to hold off on acting on a request by IFC to appoint a town council member and a town staffer to two working groups convened by IFC to discuss relocation of its men's facility, administrative offices, and food pantry. They will be taking that up again at the next business meeting in two weeks and will be asking their representatives to this working group to address the issues I brought up in my letter with the IFC. I'm going to do some follow-up with the council members before then and suggest that they meet with some of the clients involved and gather additional information about the situation so they can discuss it with IFC. I am making particular efforts to connect with Council Member Sally Greene because of her extensive involvement in homeless issues in Orange County--among other things, she is Chapel Hill's representative with the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness. I am thinking I also want to suggest some sort of client participation in these meetings. I suppose that is all for now but I will keep updating as events occur.