6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS VENDOR VOICES Mental health, domestic violence, addiction and me heart filled with joy. I would like to make it known, to this day, every Christmas my daughter will cook extra, and make plates and drive around looking for someone to feed. A blessing from Groundcover News. I returned to Groundcover News in 2022 after suffering an unimaginable beating and three reconstructive surgeries. I returned to Groundcover, where I felt as though I mattered, and once again I was able to quickly get on my feet. Although I had spent three years getting reconstructive surgery, going to every court date, I was not STEPHANIE DUNCAN Groundcover vendor No. 66 In 2016 I was arrested for domestic violence and assault on a police officer. Because I had been repeatedly calling Community Mental Health, the suicide hotline and 911, I was only charged with a high misdemeanor instead of a felony. Family and friends rejected helping me. Needless to say, I was unable to return home. I was devastated. Me, homeless? No! Way!! I walked the streets looking for what to do; I needed a job. Looking and watching people panhandle, I didn't want to do that, but I thought that with my eighth grade education I couldn’t get a job. That’s when a man — a late, great man — Hal Klenk approached me and said “I can see you are struggling, is there something you are looking for? Maybe I can help you find something.” As I explained to him what was going on, he said, “This is Groundcover News, a street newspaper that I sell, would you like to read it?” I said yes and as we sat in Library Plaza and read a few articles. He then asked if I would like to try and sell them; it was the first time I felt a man not wanting something in return. I said yes so he took me to the Groundcover News office and I started selling; I quickly got the courage to talk and meet people who had no ulterior motive. I got the courage to apply at Subway and quickly got a job and moved to management. And that’s where I met Shelley DeNeve, Groundcover vendor No. 22. As we worked side by side I developed a great relationship with her as well. I was able to get a place within three months. I didn’t sell as much but between that and what I made at Subway I started to get on my feet; I focused on seeing my children. Fast forward to summer 2017, I had my first visit alone with my seven-yearold daughter. Not having much money and wanting her to have a good time, I went to the Groundcover office again and asked if there was any way I could take my daughter with me, because she was so determined to see what I do in my spare time. They quickly said yes and gave her her own badge (No. 66.5); we went and got matching Groundcover yellow t-shirts from Elmo’s and she smiled from ear to ear. (Something I wasn’t able to give her in a very long time.) Hal suggested selling at the State Theater where movies were extremely cheap. After making more than enough I asked her what she wanted to go and eat. She said, "Mom, this money is supposed to go to the homeless!” She wanted to pick a homeless person and give her money to them. So I explained what Groundcover was about and that the money was for us. After we went to the movies, she was ready to eat. She asked, "Where do you eat when you’re here?” I told her Subway when I’m working, and the Delonis Center when I’m not, and her curious mind wanted to know what the Delonis Center was. So I took her there for dinner. She was so excited to learn about the community and see that there are men, women, and even families there. At dinner she befriended a little baby and after asked the mom if he could play with her, so we invited the family to Pinball Pete’s and they agreed. It was such a blessing to see her and him being children and having so much fun — my allowed to speak and my assailant only received two years because he had a plea deal. I was so outraged! What is wrong with the SYSTEM?! This brought a lot of memories of my mother being abused and the system returning us to our father, so the abuse would continue, as long as he took parenting classes. My mother returned to save her children, or so she thought. Suffering from P.T.S.D. and not taking the medication I needed, I returned to alcohol, and my drug use really kicked in. After several attempts to end my life, time in jails and other institutions, I went back to Community Mental Health and started taking my medications and following through with my appointments. I finally took a stand and fired my doctor, and after that I was assigned a health care case manager who has fought for me harder than anyone ever has! And I have had a lot. I was also assigned the best psychiatrist I could imagine! In the summer of 2024, I was finally taking care of my medical conditions and I was diagnosed with cervical cancer — two cancer polyps and four precancerous polyps. I was scheduled for surgery in July but I caught COVID and was required to stay quarantined for 21 days. I couldn’t return to my residence because people worked directly in the healthcare industry. So I was blessed by the church and the hospital and was granted to stay in the McAuley MARCH 21, 2025 Inn for that time. Two days later I had my surgery and things did not go as planned. My one and a half hour surgery turned into six hours in which they accidentally clipped my colon, and had to give me a full hysterectomy. So that led to eight weeks of recovery. Three weeks later I caught an infection in the area where they had made their mistake, leading to more surgery to have it repaired. I was told I would have to follow up with a gastric specialist; I had Molina insurance at that time, but when I returned home from the hospital, they no longer existed, so the state automatically assigned HAP insurance. There I was, calling the state to get my insurance changed and they tell me I can’t but once a year. I explained my situation, called my caseworker, and had to file an emergency appeal. I’m still awaiting an answer so I can get the medical help I still need. It is extremely painful every moment of my days. Needless to say, I lost my place of residence and needed emergency money so I could put my things in storage. I returned to Groundcover knowing that I could and would be able to work when I felt okay enough, sit when I needed to, and not worry about getting fired. I recently got denied my third time for Social Security Disability after having been a mental health client for 26 years. "The System,” after all this, released my assailant and placed him directly across from where I resided. I contacted the parole board and they tod me it’s my obligation to follow up with them. I asked for my PPO to be reinstated. They told me I have to pay $250 to renew. What a System! I am currently residing at a residential treatment program in Ypsilanti, desperately working on my recovery program, waiting on THE SYSTEM. My mental health is being addressed but I’m still waiting on medical attention that is so desperately needed. Thank you Groundcover. And more importantly, thank you to our readers!
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