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A S W A N 
RESOLUTION
To ensure that the Daily Planet's meals program for those in need will remain accessible to Richmond downtown, the Board of Directors, RESOLVES, that renovation of the Daily Planet's facility at 517 West Grace Street shall include kitchen facilities and a dining area sufficient for a daily meals program comparable to the present breakfast program at 302 West Canal Street.
On Thursday night, September 24, 1998, the homeless community delivered another victory. The Board of Directors of the Daily Planet voted narrowly to relocate its meals program to 517 West Grace Street.
The Daily Planet Board of Directors President Love, Jr. wasn't so loving during the September 28, 1998 board meeting when an ASWAN Co-Convener asked to give a prepared statement concerning the future of the meals program of the Daily Planet. President Love (who had voted "No" in moving the meals program to 517 West Grace Street) denied the ASWAN Co-Convener the opportunity to speak on behalf of the homeless community. Therefore, the prepared ASWAN statement for the Board of Directors of the Daily Planet will be delivered "ASWAN Newscut style." This is the prepared statement:
Five-Year Plan by the Daily Planet (revised 8/23/96)
On August 17, 1998, a four options proposal written by James E. Price (Executive Director of the Daily Planet) and Michael A. Scruggs (Nomination Committee Chair) regarding the meals program, for the consideration of the Board of Directors. The options proposal showed true biased in support of those who favor NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) and for some staff who wanted to make their jobs easier by limiting the amount of clients. In addition, the language of the proposal hurdles a slogan at the homeless, which gave the impression that some Daily Planet clients are undeserving to be helped. The following is a section of the proposal that is of concern as to the commitment of some Daily Planet's staff.
To Say; we don't want to provide meals at 517 West Grace Street because some of the clients are professionally homeless is a preposterous assault. So, in order to refuse meals to the "Professionally homeless" we have to refuse meals to all clients. This sends a disparity message which has an appearance of prejudice and disregard to a wounded human being who already feels degraded.
Option-1: To continue meals at 302 West Canal Street (we have that) A thesaurus check on a computer found several words that you can replace "professionally" with: pro, master, accomplished, adept, arch, ball-hawking, competent, consummate, delicate, expert, fine, good, practiced, proficient, skillful, sure-handed, versatile, virtuoso.
Vice President Al Gore personally acknowledged the Daily Planet in receiving the largest amount of a particular government funding to be directed at aiding the homeless. The Vice President and the late Mitch Snyder worked together to produce one of the largest shelter programs in the nation. They put their shelter including its "meals program," several blocks from the capital. The building they used was the old Treasury Department building. Like ASWAN, the Vice President would probably be shocked if the Daily Planet's Board of Directors voted not to include meals when it relocates. Vice President Al Gore and Mitch Snyder would have laughed off any suggestion of not including a kitchen for the homeless at their shelter. Never would happen, not even close. He'll be watching the Daily Planet too, to see if the Daily Planet abandoned its mission of providing vital nutritional assistance to its clients or take a strong just stand against negative influences and pressures, which is based on unfounded fears, prejudice, and NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) attitudes. Again, ASWAN will ask the Board of Directors of the Daily Planet."Do The Right Thing." Don't support NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) over your clients. Lose your meals, lose your clients. Lose your clients, lose your funding, that is how important a kitchen is. At 302 West Canal Street, nearly 35% percent of the building is dedicated to accessory use (large congregation of people) compared to current plans of 517 West Grace Street (that didn't include meals program) 8% percent.
There was nothing in the plan to suggest cutting back on programs, only downsizing of employer's positions. The mission statement included the following: "To provide a safe and supportive community where survival and growth needs are met through appropriate methods of intervention responsive to the needs of members.
End of statement. "Many of the Daily Planet staff would like to see a break between social services and the feeding program. Some staff member feel that it is more effective delivering educational, medical, and career services to those in the homeless population which are not "Professional homeless." Consolidation of food services will mix these population, limiting the agency's level of efficiency to that of 302."
Option-2: Relocate meals program to 517 West Grace Street. The proposals gave misleading circumstances by saying VCU and others would fight this move. They can't fight it! The meals program is already on the zoning certificate before the zoning changes last July.
Option-3: Relocate meals program next door to 509 West Grace Street. Again misleading circumstances, though not mentioned, this one VCU and others can fight, due to the zoning changes last July which took-away the last by-right zone for homeless shelters and services. Even though it was appealing, VCU, neighbors, and the city could stop this move.
Option-4: Leave it up to Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority to find a new meals program site. What! You're joking right. Nope, this is the option that James Price and Michael Scruggs supported.
A Society Without A Name,For People Without A Home
ASWAN
517 W. Grace St.
Richmond, VA 23220
aswan_society@mailcity.com
