MISS APRIL 2007

AMANDA HAYMOND

What started out as an idea to help empower the homeless people of Las Vegas a few years back, has finally become a reality for college student Amanda Haymond. This month’s Forgotten Voice is the second installment of the street newspaper, which is completely written and produced by homeless, formerly homeless and homeless advocates. Haymond is dedicated and passionate about helping others. She not only serves as president and treasurer of her non-profit paper, she also is working toward her Bachelor’s of Social Work at UNLV and is a member of the Southern Nevada Advocates for Homeless People. PollyStaffle.com got to ask this heaven sent messenger a bit about her Forgotten Voice project. See what this lovely lady had to say on the obstacles she has faced, how she plans to deal with the controversies and how people can get involved. Haymond also talks about “Bumfights,” Edgar Alan Poe and Britney Spears in this April edition of Polly’s Pinups.

PAPER GIRL

CCF: First I wanted to say I think the Forgotten Voice is a terrific concept and I wish you the best of luck with it. Why don’t you tell me about where the idea behind this came from?

AH: Thank you! I actually first got the idea for a street paper years ago while searching through the National Coalition for the Homeless website. They used to have a page that described what you could do to help homeless people and starting a street paper was one of them. I found out there are street papers all over the world, but we’d never had one in Nevada before. It remained merely an idea in my mind for years before I finally got serious and followed through with it.

CCF: One of the things I read was it was a long and difficult journey getting Forgotten Voice going. What were some of the complications your paper had to overcome?

AH: Well, there was money for one. We had to raise hundreds of dollars to even get incorporated in Nevada in the first place. We had to raise money for printing the paper, which will be an ongoing process, and we still have to raise money to pay the expensive fee to get our official 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. You wouldn’t think it would be so expensive to start a nonprofit organization, but it is! Also, it has been a bit complicated to be working on this without an office. I am currently working out of my home. This causes complications because many homeless people do not have email to contact us, may have no access to a phone, and we have no office for them to visit us at. It makes it hard to communicate with the people we need communication with the most. Personally, it has also been hard for me to balance my full-time college load and part-time job on top of starting the street paper. Obstacles are to be expected, though. We’d be kidding ourselves if we thought this would be an easy process. I’m just happy we have the help and support of so many people. That’s what really keeps us going.

CCF: As far as people that are homeless, what’s the best way for them to submit something to you. Do you recommend they go to public libraries and email you or what exactly?

AH: The best way definitely is email. I understand not everybody has email, but I do recommend that people go to public libraries where they may use the internet for free. If homeless people cannot email us, they can also call me and I will personally try to make arrangements to have someone meet with them to pick up their articles or artwork. We also have some volunteers, both homeless and not, who will regularly be checking with people to see if they have anything they’d like to turn in.

CCF: Does it look like there is be enough involvement from people as contributors and supporters to keep this thing going on a monthly basis?

AH: So far it seems that way. We have been getting a tremendous amount of support since our first issue came out. We will try to plan frequent fund raising events to keep it that way. Forgotten Voice is a much needed resource in Southern Nevada, so I really hope everyone will agree and will be able to support us and keep us going.

CCF: How frustrating is it for you, a college student with nowhere near the resources of other people in this city, to be involved with the homeless and want to help and make a difference, but not have the capability to actually do a lot about it?

AH: Actually, I feel like I am doing my part. I may not have the financial resources to help as much as I’d like to, but I feel that Forgotten Voice will make a big difference, and that makes me feel good.

CCF: I didn’t mean that in a negative way. It just seems a bit depressing for those that want to do so much, but only have so many options to help… From my perspective, it really makes me sad when I see people living on the street and at the same time I know I’m not that far removed from being in that same situation. So I personally want to help, but it’s sort of overwhelming because I don’t have much to offer and the city doesn’t make trying to help very easy. What are things people like me can do to help out?

AH: The most valuable thing you can give people is respect. Look at them and smile. Learn someone’s name, and use it. Talk to them, if you feel comfortable doing so. You’d be surprised how many homeless people have told me how much it brightens their day when people give them the respect they deserve and have a genuine conversation with them. Try to educate other people around you about homelessness. Tell your friends not to call homeless people “bums” or other derogatory terms.

CCF: I fully agree with you there. It is so insane how politically correct our culture has become, but referring to homeless people as “bums” is so commonplace it’s as if the words are interchangeable. It just doesn’t make sense.

AH: And that’s the thing, every little thing counts… Also, you can find an organization you trust, and volunteer your time with them. Forgotten Voice, for one, desperately needs volunteers. We have a volunteer application available on our website. Hint-hint. Wink-wink.

CCF: (LOL) Hypothetically, let’s say you are a multi-millionaire casino owner. What are some things you would try to do to help with the homeless problem in this city?

AH: I would love to have a “homeless hotel,” and provide a place to live for every homeless person in Las Vegas. I would like to develop high-quality services for homeless people. Clean, safe places that they can enjoy and be proud of. The sky is the limit.

CCF: Speaking of “high-quality services,” there were some pretty heartbreaking things that were hit on in the first issue of Forgotten Voice that I was completely unaware of. The poor conditions of some of the shelter facilities, the 4 a.m. wake up calls by police to get the people that are sleeping on side walks to move and the length of time one has to wait to actually get into a shelter. Have you dealt with any backlash from the city, the police or the shelters in putting this information out there and giving the homeless the opportunity to complain and be heard? If not are you worried about potential backlash?

AH: That is an excellent question. Yes, I have already received complaints from the shelters mentioned in the articles, and I have been confronted by the police, who insist that they are helping homeless people. It doesn’t bother me, and I’m not worried about it. Forgotten Voice is meant to encourage discussion and debate, so it’s good that this is happening. We are encouraging everyone to write brief letters to the editor so we can publish their side of the story as well. Forgotten Voice is going to stimulate controversy, and conversation. Our hope is that this continuous conversation between homeless people, service providers, the police, and the general public will start to develop a sense of true community, where we can all work together to improve the homeless situation in Nevada.

CCF: I want to switch gears and talk about an issue I’m kind of torn on and that’s “Bumfights.” According to the national numbers on violence against the homeless by National Coalition for the Homeless, there were 122 attacks and 20 murders in 2006. A lot of people want to blame this all on “Bumfights” or violent video games and things of that nature. I for one, feel “Bumfights” is completely immoral, but in no way see it as responsible. What are your thoughts on these figures and do you see various forms of entertainment as influences?

AH: It depends. It could possibly be an influence to some people. But I don’t think that’s necessarily the main cause. I mean, why did the kids make “Bumfights” in the first place? What happened in their lives that made them turn out that way, you know? I cannot comprehend why people would hurt homeless people. What really gets to me is that so many teenagers and young adults commit violent crimes against homeless people. It often seems to me that young people are the ones who are the cruelest, and I can’t even begin to understand why. I do not think the main reason they behave that way, though, are because of violent video games or such. There has to be something deeper than that.

CCF: Exactly. There’s a breakdown in morals… Speaking of entertainment though, you quote an Edgar Alan Poe poem on your Myspace. “I heed not that my earthly lot, Hath—little of Earth in it— That years of love have been forgot, In the hatred of a minute:— I mourn not that the desolate, Are happier, sweet, than I, But that you sorrow for my fate, Who am a passer-by.” Are you a fan of Poe’s?

AH: Yes. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan, because I’ve yet to read the majority of his work. But the works of his that I have read are excellent, and I am fascinated by him.

CCF: You’re a writer as well. You were involved with the student newspaper when you were at CCSN and now you have this project, but at UNLV you’re actually working on a degree in social work instead of journalism, right?

AH: That’s right. I love writing, but it’s not something I’d want to do for a living. I hate deadlines and being told what to write. When I do write, I write what and how I want... therefore I couldn’t survive in the journalism business. My true passion lies in empowering homeless people. I would like to get involved in social policy, perhaps run for office in the future, to try my best to change the system.

CCF: Sounds good. Run for mayor. You’d have my vote. Lastly, this is nothing to be ashamed of, but you are a closet Britney Spears fan, right? Look I’m a huge fan of her music and I don’t care what crazy things she does or who says what about her, I will continue to be a fan. Everyone likes what they like and that’s just how it is. So come on, how much of her music do you truly like?

AH: Meh. I like a few of her songs. Particularly “Toxic.” They are just so catchy I can’t help it. And I must admit, I have a newfound respect for her now that she’s shaved her head. I think that’s awesome!

CCF: Cool. Well that should do it. Thanks for giving me your time and keep doing what your doing.

For more on Forgotten Voice, check out their website. They are always on the lookout for homeless and formerly homeless people that would like to contribute writings, from editorial pieces to poetry and fiction, as well as photography and other artwork. And remember, donations, sponsorships and advertisers are what keeps it going. Email contacts for all their board members can be found here. By phone, the newspaper can be reached at (702) 301-8774. By mail, write to 9901 W. Sahara Avenue #1183 • Las Vegas, Nevada 89117.

- CCF, April 2007