Area homeless count set
Sunday, December 14, 2008
By Kenneth W. Walter
tsnews@sjnewsco.com
As the temperature drops, the homeless of Salem County have very little resources to keep warm.
That is why gifts such as gloves, hats and socks are being used as incentives for the homeless to take part in a statewide count on Jan. 28.
There are at least 70 people without shelter and another 300 who are living in motel rooms and cars in Salem County, according to Ray Bolden, executive director of the Inter Agency Council, which is spearheading the count here.
The survey, known as the Point-in-Time Count, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Market Street in Salem and at The Lighthouse Cafe in Penns Grove.
Last year, two street teams were assembled to help try to count some of the homeless that couldn't make it out to the locations, but this year there is hope to add a third team.
Kathy Lockbaum, chair of the Salem County Board of Social Services, sees this as an opportunity to help a lot of people in need, especially because of the recent economic downturn.
"The number of people coming into the welfare department has risen tremendously in recent times," Lockbaum said. "We have had lines coming out the door. I've been here 18 years and this is like nothing I've ever seen before."
An accurate count of the homeless is extremely important because the count in large part determines the amount of federal and state funding that goes to the county.
Donations are largely the incentive for the homeless to come out and participate in the count.
The suggested donations include blankets, non-perishable foods, hygiene items, drinks, and winter clothes, such as hats, socks, and gloves.
Some may believe that a poor economy could force less donations, but Lockbaum doesn't see it that way.
"We are in the planning and advertising stages of all of this," Lockbaum said. "We don't start collecting from everyone until January, but we don't have any reason to believe there wouldn't be a good turnout of donations."
Groups like the IAC and the Board of Social Services enlist different groups and organizations to do the collecting....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ebenezer Baptist Interviews
The people of Hartranft have spoken and picked Barack Obama as their future leader.
The community located in the lower North section of Philadelphia recently held Bible study and community meeting on April 9th at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. The church, located on the corner of 10th and Dauphin Street, gave the people in the community a forum to speak up.
Especially when someone other people often forget they even exist.
The people overwhelmingly support Obama in the Democratic nomination and ultimately the presidency.
“I just think he generates more hope,” John L. Payne said. Payne is the reverend at the church. “Not only for the younger generation, but also for the older generation which I’m part of.”
Hillary Clinton is Obama’s main competition for the Democratic nomination.
While most people within the community did not consider Clinton much, Payne said that he was going back and fourth between the two.
“Well, it was kind of a tough choice because I like Barack Obama and I like Hillary Clinton,” Payne said. “But I think I’m leaning more towards Barack Obama.”
A factor that is being closely looked at with public perception is how the media is treating the candidates. There has been a lot of commentary in recent weeks that the media is much more malicious towards Clinton.
Payne doesn’t feel the same way, especially with the issue of the statements Obama’s former pastor has recently made condemning America.
“Looking at all the hoopla that the media portrayed over the statement that Reverend Wright made,” Payne said. “They really took it out of context. But they used it for their advantage. So you can really say that he was treated unfairly.”
While Payne is open to a Clinton presidency, his congregation is less open for that.
“I’m going to vote for Obama,” Jacqueline Green said. Green is a member of both the community and the church. “I think he will bring to this country what we need which is change. I have heard him say on many occasions that it is coming from the bottom up which I think we need to do rather then top down.”
Green was not alone in her praise for Obama. Tierra Williams, planning to vote in her first presidential election, also has high praise for Obama.
“For me it is more about the fact that I also looked up to Martin Luther King and it seems like Barrack Obama is almost like a modern day version of Martin Luther King,” Williams. “Every time I see a speech from Barrack Obama it’s inspiring.”
Clinton has been projected to win Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in all the opinion polls, especially since Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Ed Rendell both support Clinton. Obama is quickly closing the gap to make Pennsylvania a crucial race to get the nomination.
A Philadelphia Democratic Ward leader, who would only go by the name “Miss L.” is planning on supporting Obama any way she could in Philadelphia.
“I think Obama understands the plight that the inner-city must go through,” Miss L. said. “The presidency is not about color. This is really exciting because he has the opportunity to rewrite history.”
Miss L. also went on to say that she plans on going around the community with a car and a bullhorn to promote Obama.
While the people of Ebenezer Baptist Church have spoken in favor of Obama, it still remains to be seen what the people of the rest of the country will ultimately decide. Whether it is Obama or Clinton, both candidates have a chance to be historic firsts and make crucial domestic changes.
The community located in the lower North section of Philadelphia recently held Bible study and community meeting on April 9th at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. The church, located on the corner of 10th and Dauphin Street, gave the people in the community a forum to speak up.
Especially when someone other people often forget they even exist.
The people overwhelmingly support Obama in the Democratic nomination and ultimately the presidency.
“I just think he generates more hope,” John L. Payne said. Payne is the reverend at the church. “Not only for the younger generation, but also for the older generation which I’m part of.”
Hillary Clinton is Obama’s main competition for the Democratic nomination.
While most people within the community did not consider Clinton much, Payne said that he was going back and fourth between the two.
“Well, it was kind of a tough choice because I like Barack Obama and I like Hillary Clinton,” Payne said. “But I think I’m leaning more towards Barack Obama.”
A factor that is being closely looked at with public perception is how the media is treating the candidates. There has been a lot of commentary in recent weeks that the media is much more malicious towards Clinton.
Payne doesn’t feel the same way, especially with the issue of the statements Obama’s former pastor has recently made condemning America.
“Looking at all the hoopla that the media portrayed over the statement that Reverend Wright made,” Payne said. “They really took it out of context. But they used it for their advantage. So you can really say that he was treated unfairly.”
While Payne is open to a Clinton presidency, his congregation is less open for that.
“I’m going to vote for Obama,” Jacqueline Green said. Green is a member of both the community and the church. “I think he will bring to this country what we need which is change. I have heard him say on many occasions that it is coming from the bottom up which I think we need to do rather then top down.”
Green was not alone in her praise for Obama. Tierra Williams, planning to vote in her first presidential election, also has high praise for Obama.
“For me it is more about the fact that I also looked up to Martin Luther King and it seems like Barrack Obama is almost like a modern day version of Martin Luther King,” Williams. “Every time I see a speech from Barrack Obama it’s inspiring.”
Clinton has been projected to win Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in all the opinion polls, especially since Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Ed Rendell both support Clinton. Obama is quickly closing the gap to make Pennsylvania a crucial race to get the nomination.
A Philadelphia Democratic Ward leader, who would only go by the name “Miss L.” is planning on supporting Obama any way she could in Philadelphia.
“I think Obama understands the plight that the inner-city must go through,” Miss L. said. “The presidency is not about color. This is really exciting because he has the opportunity to rewrite history.”
Miss L. also went on to say that she plans on going around the community with a car and a bullhorn to promote Obama.
While the people of Ebenezer Baptist Church have spoken in favor of Obama, it still remains to be seen what the people of the rest of the country will ultimately decide. Whether it is Obama or Clinton, both candidates have a chance to be historic firsts and make crucial domestic changes.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Temple feels like home to Whittingham
Temple feels like home to Whittingham
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Several college football programs thought about taking a shot at 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive tackle Jeffrey Whittingham from Atlantic City High School.
They appear to be out of luck. Whittingham verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Temple head coach Al Golden last month.
Whittingham pulled the trigger on the Owls, passing up a possible chance to play in the Big East.
"Cincinnati was probably going to offer if I came to visit," Whittingham said in an interview with OwlScoop.com. "I just felt at home at Temple. Philadelphia is close to home for me. It's a comfortable feeling being there."
Maryland and Syracuse also showed some interest in Whittingham, one of seven Temple verbals so far from the 2009 class. He became the first defensive tackle to commit to the Owls and was later joined at that position by the 6-4, 325-pound Levi Brown out of Bethlehem's Liberty High School.
While he is accustomed to playing defensive tackle, Whittingham has played offensive tackle in high school. Chances are he'll stay on defense in college.
Now that Whittingham has committed to accepting Golden's scholarship offer, he's looking ahead to his senior season at Atlantic City and, beyond that, working on what will ultimately help him see the field as a freshman with the Owls.
"I'm pretty strong right now, but I still think I need to get stronger before college," Whittingham said. "I need to work on everything - my speed, explosion and my footwork."
Whittingham has visited Temple's campus twice. The first time was June 14 during Temple's Junior Day. Almost two weeks later, he came to North Broad Street again and committed shortly thereafter.
Whittingham said Golden was able to strike up a solid relationship with him and his family.
"He's a nice, laid-back coach," Whittingham said. "He knows the game really well. He was real down-to-earth and honest with me and my parents."
Golden's demeanor aside, Whittingham also wanted to go to a program where he could win and be successful.
"Look how he rebuilt the program," Whittingham said. "He's done a great job. He's building a great program, and I want to be a part of it."
Whittingham also went head-to-head in the South Jersey Group IV state playoffs last season with fellow 2009 Temple verbal commitment Evan Regas when the Vikings played Regas' favored Toms River North squad. Atlantic City kept it close but fell, 9-7.
"I don't even know if he will remember me," Whittingham said. "We came in as the underdogs, and we played really well against them."
There's always this season. And if Whittingham and Regas don't meet on the football field this fall, they stand to be reunited on the gridiron shortly thereafter.
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Several college football programs thought about taking a shot at 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive tackle Jeffrey Whittingham from Atlantic City High School.
They appear to be out of luck. Whittingham verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Temple head coach Al Golden last month.
Whittingham pulled the trigger on the Owls, passing up a possible chance to play in the Big East.
"Cincinnati was probably going to offer if I came to visit," Whittingham said in an interview with OwlScoop.com. "I just felt at home at Temple. Philadelphia is close to home for me. It's a comfortable feeling being there."
Maryland and Syracuse also showed some interest in Whittingham, one of seven Temple verbals so far from the 2009 class. He became the first defensive tackle to commit to the Owls and was later joined at that position by the 6-4, 325-pound Levi Brown out of Bethlehem's Liberty High School.
While he is accustomed to playing defensive tackle, Whittingham has played offensive tackle in high school. Chances are he'll stay on defense in college.
Now that Whittingham has committed to accepting Golden's scholarship offer, he's looking ahead to his senior season at Atlantic City and, beyond that, working on what will ultimately help him see the field as a freshman with the Owls.
"I'm pretty strong right now, but I still think I need to get stronger before college," Whittingham said. "I need to work on everything - my speed, explosion and my footwork."
Whittingham has visited Temple's campus twice. The first time was June 14 during Temple's Junior Day. Almost two weeks later, he came to North Broad Street again and committed shortly thereafter.
Whittingham said Golden was able to strike up a solid relationship with him and his family.
"He's a nice, laid-back coach," Whittingham said. "He knows the game really well. He was real down-to-earth and honest with me and my parents."
Golden's demeanor aside, Whittingham also wanted to go to a program where he could win and be successful.
"Look how he rebuilt the program," Whittingham said. "He's done a great job. He's building a great program, and I want to be a part of it."
Whittingham also went head-to-head in the South Jersey Group IV state playoffs last season with fellow 2009 Temple verbal commitment Evan Regas when the Vikings played Regas' favored Toms River North squad. Atlantic City kept it close but fell, 9-7.
"I don't even know if he will remember me," Whittingham said. "We came in as the underdogs, and we played really well against them."
There's always this season. And if Whittingham and Regas don't meet on the football field this fall, they stand to be reunited on the gridiron shortly thereafter.
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