2 $ NOVEMBER 14, 2025 | VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 24 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Downtown Ann Arbor is changing — who is to blame? page 6 MEET YOUR VENDOR: BAKARI BOMANI PAGE 3 15 YEARS OF NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. b i c S Tokens granted by the Ypsilanti Farmers Market that SNAP recipients can redeem for fresh produce. THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor # g P c C g g h a a p o i l a g l p . p f . . m l o O e n r r i w i o n T h t m m : r e d r m r r d u i a o n s h g n l i h a h y o o t n r o t f o e o o s N W e g t o C r r n C e a e e 4 e 1 P e y a p a 1 M i 1 0
2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER15 NOVEMBER 14, 2025 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Vendors are the main contributors to the paper, and are compensated to write and report. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Lila Kelly — intern Gray Connor — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Tabitha Almond Bakari Bomani Teresa Basham Confused Cloud La Shawn Courtwright Jim Clark Marquetta "Q" Clements Amanda Gale David Pentland David L. Putman Wayne S. Will Shakespeare Tommy Spaghetti Steven Rose Strickland PROOFREADERS Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Susan Beckett June Miller Steve Ross Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Jud Branam Libby Chambers Stephanie Dong Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Robert Klingler Margaret Patston Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emilie Ziebarth BOARD of DIRECTORS Anna Gersh Greg Hoffman Jessi Averill Jacob Fallman Jack Edelstein Glenn Gates GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 Mike Jones Hailu Shitaye Shelley DeNeve Steve Borgsdorf CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org WAYS TO SUPPORT 1. Buy the paper, read the paper. 2. Get the word out — We rely on grassroots marketing. Talk to people about Groundcover and share us with your network. 3. Volunteer — You'll learn a lot about our vendors, the newspaper and your community. Interested in volunteering regularly? Fill out the form on our website. 4. Advertise your company, organization, event or resource — see rates below. 5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram — promote our posts and share your favorite articles and vendor interactions. 6. Donate items — A seasonally appropriate list of items most needed at our office and on the street is available on our website. Drop off anytime we're open. PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR Bakari Bomani, vendor No. 685 In one sentence, who are you? I’m someone who cares about social justice and exposing and removing corruption. Where do you usually sell GCN? South Main St. and East Liberty St. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? Mike Jones introduced me to Groundcover a couple weeks ago. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Research at the library. What is your favorite spot in Ann Arbor? Groundcover headquarters. What words do you live by? You’ve got to earn respect to get respect. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I love mixed martial arts. What’s the best thing about selling Groundcover? Interacting with the diverse and dynamic individuals. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Spend time with loved ones and friends. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A nice smoothie with fish and fries. What is your superpower? Reading energy. If you had a warning label, what would yours say? Proceed with caution: If you come to me with love, you’re going to get love. If you come with hate, I might reflect the same hate to you. What was your first job? McDonald's. What are your hobbies? Meditation and working out. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? I would like people to look and see each other as human beings instead of all these different categories. What would be the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery? Move into a nice house and buy myself a nice suit. What is one song you have memorized? "Me Against the World" by Tupac What is the most impressive thing you know how to do? Critical thinking. What is your pet peeve? Individuals that feed off corruption and are full of greed. GROUNDCOVER NEWS The greatest sage to ever walk on the Earth’s crust TOMMY SPAGHETTI Groundcover vendor No. 669 The edges of my vision are blurry but the middle is clear. I am on a tree-lined street walking towards Alan Haber’s (and Odile’s) house. It has been far too long since I have seen them, so I step forward with determination. The colors abound in their autumnal splendor. Normally the U.S. Treasury reserves their money for the likenesses of war criminals and Indian killers i.e. Lincoln, Jackson, Eisenhower etc., so imagine my surprise when I spot a dancer on the reverse side of a commemorative quarter. Dancer? Upon closer scrutiny I see that it is a rendering of Maya Angelou, the poet laureate of the 1990s. In 2006 I was an hourly wage worker at Oakland University’s food court. It was evening when I heard a loud voice introduce Maya Angelou. Maya, apparently, was invited by the college to speak to the student body. The convocation center was adjacent to the food court. Blocked by walls and large refrigerators I could not see but hear. This is what she said. “When I was a child I was sexually abused by a family member. When I told on him he was murdered. I didn’t speak for five years because I believed my words had power. During my education I excelled at learning foreign languages … “As an unwed pregnant mother standing in NYC watching the United Nations being constructed, I did not know that 20 years later I would be working there as a foreign language interpreter … I am not telling you this in order to brag about myself. I am relaying to you stories from my life.” Almost as if to complete my previous night’s dream (italics above), I am inside Alan’s house. After he hugs me, I reach into my pocket. Grabbing the Maya Angelou quarter, I present it to Alan. “Can you tell who that is?” Alan peers at it intensely. “It’s Maya Angelou,” I tell him, relieving him of further study. Alan’s reply: "I met Maya Angelou. It was the fall of 1960 or the spring of 1961 in NYC. SDS had two groups meeting. Beyer Russ of the Socialist Democrats and Tom Kahn of the Youth Progressive Socialist Maya Angelou League invited me up to an apartment and Maya Angelou was there and the guy who sang the Banana Boat Song ... Harry Belafonte Jr." PERSONAL NOTES: 1. Don’t despair. He gained his power using Diamonds and Clubs but we’re gonna trump Trump by using Hearts and Spades. 2. If Stormy Daniels kept her mouth shut (regarding DT’s sexploits) she would have been attorney general today instead of Pam Bondi. 3. “Hunger” by Knut Hamsen was a best-selling book in the 20th century. It was so profound that it changed the way nations regarded food. Governments supply free food vouchers to their citizens because it reduces crime. Take away the bridge cards and watch the windows break. Silent bullying on the bus WAYNE S. Groundcover vendor No. 615 Well looky here, Wayne S. has a new term to introduce to a certain segment of the bus riding public: Silent bullying! What’s this you ask? It’s the look that someone gives you when they're taking up two seats while you have none. Let’s take a look at what’s happening here. Okay, you pay your fare. You’re entitled to a seat right? So you’re looking around for a seat you just paid for. This is where the silent bullying starts. The first move is to sit on the aisle seat and keep your eyes on the floor hoping no one notices you. These people will usually grudgingly give up the seat they are not entitled to. Next we have the ones who are trying to play the victim by bringing their canes and walker and filling up the seat next to them, which they are also not entitled to! Why? They did not pay for two seats and a person who was forced to stand did pay for a seat. Here is the dilemma: just what are we going to do about it? Answer, answers, and more answers. Yes? Let’s have some back and forth here. I want to hear from you folks! We all are aware of a real need to accommodate people who require assistive devices, and we as a society are responsible for their safety and we are aware of their needs and have no problem meeting these needs! I’m also aware that some of these handicapped people find an easier way to scam and I repeat that this is only done by a minority of people. But even this causes ripples in the system. So let’s start a conversation. I’ve been doing an informal survey with people on the bus about how they feel about this — if they have noticed it and what they think we should do about it. I also have been asking bus drivers if they find it to be a problem and what they would like done about it. We will continue to be a service to the public and to the bus drivers to come to some resolution. I would love to hear from you! Please send your thoughts to submissions@groundcovernews.com. 3
4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS IN MEMORIAM In memory of Travis Bogan JULY 5, 1989 - OCTOBER 25, 2025 Travis playing guitar and singing – that’s the way many remember the wellloved community member who died way too young on October 25. Whether it was 1990s grunge or tunes of his own creation, Travis Bogan, who sometimes went by Travis John, Travis Stoltz, Tee Thunder among others, could be found expressing his deep feelings through music anywhere from Graffiti Alley to the steps of the library to Purple House. Holding an even higher place in his heart than his music was his daughter Gisele, 9. He would talk about her to anyone he got to know, and remained friends with her mother Lisa so they could participate together in raising her. He thought Gisele was the best thing in the world. Travis, born July 5, 1989, to Jeff and Ronda (now Darish) Bogan, grew up in Linden, Mich., a small town near Flint. He attended Dexter High School for a year before being injured and returning to Linden. He then moved to Ann Arbor when he was in his early twenties and has remained active and popular in the homeless community for his musical gifts and playful sense of humor, as well as for lending a hand to others when he could. He was in Permanent Supportive Housing at the time of his death. In what has to be one of the most painful scenarios imaginable, two of Travis‘s three brothers also died in the past 3 1/2 years, Justin only a week before Travis himself. He was still having trouble processing his brother Chase’s 2022 death at the age of 28 when he was hit with the passing of Justin. He is survived by three sisters, his mom and dad, and grandmother called Nana as well as many extended family members. A memorial service for Travis was held at Mercy House on November 8. People spoke of how Travis touched their lives and many cried. Afterwards, a group went over to Graffiti Alley and spray painted or markered their love for Travis. Mom Ronda Darish remembers his childhood fondly and says, “Travis was an awesome kid. He had snow white hair; it almost glowed. He was always just beautiful, and he has always had a very kind heart. He always was a nice dresser, loved looking his best. All the girls loved him.” "Travis. You are the new Shakey Jake. Much love man." — Brian Durrance "Travis has been a bright light in the A2 area since he arrived. He has shared his music and his positive spirit freely. He was always generous with a smile and helped me more than once when I needed it. He will be missed." — Dan “Guided by music, fueled by life, this beautiful misunderstood Rockstar's light will never die." — Alana Call for winter donations from WCO Hi there! My names is Rose and I am a member of Washtenaw Camp Outreach. Washtenaw Camp Outreach is a group made up of friends who help people experiencing homelessness survive. We help keep campsites clean, put on a biweekly BBQ for the community and fight back against injustices. We spend time organizing ourselves and improving our leadership characteristics. Recently I had to move out of my place due to circumstances beyond my control. WCO set me up with a tent, sleeping bag, heater and propane, but most importantly, they kept in touch with me. In fact, what makes WCO different from other groups is that help the homeless is that they genuinely try to make people feel cared for, and that the people who benefit from the survival program are able to join in, like me. We don’t just drop off equipment or keep a counter between us and the ones we serve, like a soup kitchen. No, the homeless experiencing homelessness don’t need hand-outs, they need friends. If you need a reason to help, it’s because someone needs you to show them they are cared about. We are in desperate need of winter ROSE STRICKLAND Groundcover vendor No. 25 supplies and would appreciate it if the community could help our loved ones out by donating things such as blankets and quilts, below-freezing sleeping bags, propane tanks (1-lb green and 20-lb tanks), tents, tarps and become our family, and we become theirs. To be unsheltered means you don’t know where you are going to sleep next. Being homeless means that you have no one looking out for you and have nowhere to belong. Why should you help? Some people experiencing homelessness might be able to help themselves if they wanted, but most people enter homelessness through tragedy and loss of communal support. People other camping equipment, as well as winter jackets and clothing, thick wool/winter socks, hats, gloves and thermal underwear. And of course, cash donations. Remember that even if you can’t make a material donation, we appreciate volunteers and are always open to new members. Many benefits that help the homeless survive and exit poverty are being cut. The cost of living is rising while wages and jobs people can live off of are shrinking. Hard-working people are being driven from their homes because some landlords raise rents Buddy Heaters save lives! too high for them to pay. Yet many people continue to work or find work even after losing their homes. It isn’t fair — the system isn’t working. Now more than ever, we need to re-examine our preconceived ideas about who the homeless are, how they got there, or what they are doing to help themselves. They need our support now — it’s already too cold. If you are able to help in any capacity, please reach out to Washtenaw Camp Outreach at 734-238-3639, email us at washtenawcampoutreach@ gmail.com, or visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/washcampoutreach/ Digital donations can be sent via Venmo at: @washtenawcampoutreach Card signed by the community at Travis' memorial November 8 NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Travis and his daughter Gisele
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 COMMUNITY EVENTS community EVENTS SUNDAYS AT MAKESHIFT Sunday, November 16, 12-2 p.m., MakeShift Gallery, 407 E Liberty St. Ann Arbor Performances of song and poetry from Marilyn Church, Lila Hudgins, Jane Bridges, Sonya Lewis, Margaret Weiss, Joe Lange and Val Jaskiewicz. Coffee, tea and croissants served. YPSI NIGHTTIME SHELTER VOLUNTEER INFO + TRAINING* Info session: Tuesday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Training session: Sunday, November 23, 1-5:30 p.m. Location for both: Care-Based Safety is recruiting volunteers to help support the night-time warming shelter at St. Luke's Episcopal Church this fall and winter season. At the info session, learn about what St. Luke's volunteers do; at the training learn de-escalation, harm reduction and conflict resolution. A2ZERO SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT SWAP Thursday, November 20, 4-7 p.m., Ann Arbor City Hall, Council Chambers This event will be taking place in Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Ann Arbor City Hall. Unlike our regular monthly swaps, the November swap is not limited to clothing. Bring up to five items in good gift-giving condition (no broken, dirty, or items with missing parts!). You can take items without bringing anything. We will not be accepting any items that are broken, dirty, toxic, containing food, or too heavy/large to easily carry. This event is completely free. To RSVP and learn more, visit luma.com/io40u6q3 To stay up to date on A2ZERO swaps, see our calendar here: luma.com/a2zeroclothingswaps COMEDY FOR A CAUSE* Thursday, November 20, 6:15 p.m., Ann Arbor Comedy Club, 212 S. 4th Ave, Ann Arbor It’s the funniest FUNdraiser in town! Open to the public, it's a perfect night out with friends and family. Enjoy the show knowing that your attendance helps provide vital services to those experiencing homelessness. Join the Shelter Association for a night of laughter and community, and make a difference while having a great time! Come see Emo Phillips and Tim Cavanaugh! Get tickets at the door or online at www.aacomedy.com SHELTER ASSOCIATION’S STATE OF HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING* Friday, November 21, 8-10:30 a.m., Washtenaw Community College Morris Laurence Building, 4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor Join the Washtenaw Housing Alliance for breakfast and a morning of community conversations and networking critical to our collective movement to end homelessness. We will be joined by speakers from several organizations who are integral in providing food and healthcare access to those in Washtenaw County. They will share how they are responding to the current challenges caused by federal cuts to their programs and the impact their services have on housing security for many in the county. Register online at www.eventbrite.com/e/ the-state-of-homelessness-and-affordable-housing-registration GROUNDCOVER NEWS OPEN MIC EXTRAVAGANZA* Friday, November 21, 6-8 p.m., Makeshift Gallery, 407 E Liberty St., Ann Arbor Come listen to Groundcover vendors, writers and community members share writing, poetry, and stories from the street. This is a FREE event. Everyone is welcome. Sign up to speak or perform the night of (max 5 min each). RIVERSIDE ARTS CENTER’S HOLIDAY ART FAIR Saturday, November 22 (11-6 p.m.), Sunday, November 23 (11-4 p.m), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron Street, Ypsilanti GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 12/31/2025 This fair focuses on handmade art, vintage goods, and self-care products. Get a head start on your holiday shopping, stock up on upcoming birthday gifts, or treat yourself! Entry Fee: $1 suggested donation *Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Events Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews. com
6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS DOWNTOWN A2 On September 23, MLive published an article with the headline “Real Seafood weighs leaving Ann Arbor amid aggressive panhandling, rising taxes.” I saw it shared across my Facebook and Nextdoor feeds, with sentiments asking “Who’s next?” — will Real Seafood Co. be the next Downtown Home and Garden, Kilwin’s, Red Hawk, and Ten Thousand Villages? When Ann Arbor businesses announce their closure, local media reports on it as connected to the larger trend. This article by Ryan Stanton was a little different. In the article, Kevin Gudejko, CEO of Mainstreet Ventures, said several problems in downtown Ann Arbor have him considering whether to continue the 50-year run of Real Seafood restaurant on Main Street. Gudejko told the City Council that along with rising property taxes due to the company’s ownership changing, downtown is less attractive due to widespread panhandling and plans to redevelop surface parking areas into high-rise housing. Downtown Ann Arbor is changing. Are panhandlers really to blame? Downtown leaders weigh in Oct. 15 the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce held a panel event on “Downtown Ann LINDSAY CALKA Publisher Headlines matter — especially in an age of clickbait profit structures and a pay-per-view news ecosystem. We know that for digital news stories behind a paywall, a considerable majority of viewers only see headlines. And this headline places primary blame on panhandlers for a beloved downtown business potentially leaving the city, and cites rising taxes second. Arbor in Transition.” Grace Singleton from Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, Ann Arbor’s Economic Development Director Joe Giant, and Dylan Goings from Atomic Object spoke to the strengths of downtown Ann Arbor (vibrancy, walkability, restaurants, cafes), the lingering impacts of the pandemic, and the University of Michigan’s sway over the economy. Panhandlers — or homelessness — didn’t come up in the conversation. Parking, traffic and transportation did, as well as the extreme cost of living. Singleton urged the prioritization of Ann Arbor-based developers, who will pour profits back into the local economy instead of draining them out. Giant notably commented on the need for the City to invest in infrastructure for the “people who make a city, a city.” Which made me think, I hadn’t been to a city in the United States that didn’t have any panhandling. I haven’t been to a city that didn’t have visible poverty, inequality and homelessness. Panhandling problems and solutions It would be remiss to just disregard the concerns of people who spend time downtown, whether they come there every day for work or come to Ann Arbor once a year for a special meal. In the past year, Groundcover vendors have also reported increased conflict with panhandlers in the downtown core and Kerrytown neighborhood. In 2010, the Ann Arbor Police Department named panhandling the number one crime in the city; the same year Groundcover News was founded as an intervention to the panhandling problem. For some vendors, selling NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Downtown Ann Arbor is changing — who is to blame? Groundcover is an alternative to panhandling, a more dignified way to earn income. Others have never, and will never, panhandle — these are the vendors who insist customers take the paper once they've paid for it. Ann Arbor has a pretty complicated soliciting ordinance. What we call “panhandling” is not completely banned (it is protected legally as free speech), but Chapter 108 of the City Ordinance specifies locations and behaviors that are not permitted. It is very similar to the specifications of the Groundcover vending license and our Vendor Code of Conduct (see below). Nevertheless, Groundcover vendors have to contend with panhandlers out on the street, and have developed opinions on the problem and solutions. I would encourage City leaders to discuss this increase in aggressive panhandling with Groundcover News vendors, and the panhandlers themselves. As the Chamber panel indicated, cities are dynamic; there is not one reason why downtown Ann Arbor is changing. But if you get behind the paywall of Stanton’s article, you’ll see one dominant force is the rising rents of downtown businesses. This Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, I invite Groundcover readers to actively challenge narratives that scapegoat poor and homeless people. Narratives like the one perpetuated by this article have the potential to increase hatred and violence against homeless people, especially with a President that sets that behavior as a standard. Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling an issue more than 4 weeks old. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code or leave positive review of a Vendor experience please email contact@ groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website.
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 GOVERNMENT GROUNDCOVER NEWS The U.S. government shutdown and the conditions low-income Americans face During the first several months of Donald J. Trump’s presidency, the U.S government deployed the National Guard to five U.S cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, and Washington D.C. The Trump Administration wants to proceed with paying military members but not paying the roughly 700,000 federal workers who have been furloughed or working without pay. Things the National Guard has done to regular civilians are devastating, like launching tear gas at protesters and asking for identification cards as if military troops were the modern day slave patrol gathering unidentified slaves with no freedom papers. Oregon accused Donald Trump of violating the Constitution by federalizing the Portland National Guard. I believe the Trump administration is using the National Guard to mistreat anti-ICE protesters with intimidating tactics. Senate Democrats effectively filibustered Congressional Republicans who still prefer the government shutdown to keeping health insurance subsidies at or near current levels, even after Trump has called to end it — which makes it a stalemate. Trump says it is now time for the Republicans to make their move, to further weaken the filibuster, in what is called the “nuclear option.” The Republicans couldn't get their heads together and come up with a sound solution, so it made it a draw. Also, the Trump Administration has proposed to cut rental assistance after two years, which would put roughly three million recipients in danger of being homeless. This means a lot of and warehouse operators, and 14,000 were management. Amazon laid off around 30,000 and Target also laid off 1,000 workers. In addition, this month the governBAKARI BOMANI Groundcover vendor No. 685 families with children and individuals with disabilities would be out in the street. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at this time does not have the authority to set budget levels or appropriate money without Congressional consent. So the administration doesn’t just get to do what it wants, it has to go through Congress. Then we have Walmart CEO Doug McMillons who just froze hiring for the company’s headcount at 2.1 million employees for the next 3 years. Mr. ‘McMillions’ says AI is set to hit every job across the corporation. Not to cause panic or fear, but it’s a possibility AI will gradually take the place of most individuals’ jobs. Just imagine that instead of competing with other human beings, your competition would be robots who are highly intelligent, don't get tired, don't complain or need vacation time off, need a promotion or draw a paycheck. I believe the robots will keep their jobs. The United Postal Service recently cut 48,000 jobs; 34,000 were drivers ment threatened not to pay out on a government food assistance program, which would have affected the lives of millions of dependents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. But federal judges ruled it unconstitutional not to use emergency funds for SNAP, and it was reinstated. Then the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the order to resume payments and all SNAP payments were stopped again. Approximately 42 million people in the country and 1.4 million in Michigan are affected. This is an unbearable position to be in at this time of year. In my opinion, this is a call for Americans to come together in these uncertain times, pull our resources together and build a better society. We should look at each other as brothers and sisters instead of as upper class and lower class; as a collection of God-fearing Americans instead of as Christians vs. Muslims vs. Buddhists vs. whatever. We have differences like skin complexion and different cultures and traditions, but when it all boils down, we are all the children of the Creator. We need to stop focusing on our petty differences and start to work together in solidarity. In the words of the divine teacher Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2) Editor's note: The government shutdown ended on Thursday, November 13, after 42 days. This was the longest shutdown in the United States' history. 7 $10M treatment to the local homeless dilemna If I were given $10 million, presumably from the government or a philanthropic organization, to address homelessness in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, I think I could make a serious difference for a lot of good people. Many of the homeless people you might see every day could benefit immensely from that kind of money. I’d start by taking an office building and staffing it with University of Michigan students — they’re gonna be here and they’re always looking for jobs anyway — to purchase and distribute vouchers, arrange transportation and purchase land, splitting the money between building new homes and housing the currently homeless while providing such things as furniDAVID PUTMAN Groundcover vendor No. 679 transport homeless people to quality homes in the community. Organizations like The Delonis Center, Community Mental Health, local churches and landlords could provide locations and manpower to house many people who are for a number of reasons looking for another chance. Co-ops and Group Homes would allow people with connections surviving on the streets to collectively cohabitate ture, water, heat and utilities. Money left over could go for clean, warm clothes, temporary sleeping bags and tents, free smart phones, bus tokens and organizing people to under the same roof, continuing to forge connections they established surviving together on the streets. Ideally, with $10 million to contribute to the homeless debacle, there would also be money to contribute to the health and healing of people who may be facing homelessness in part for medical reasons or other things covered by insurance. Whether it’s mental illness, high medical bills, addiction, job scarcity, criminal backgrounds or military affiliation, I don’t believe that anyone should have to be homeless. Our society has the resources and programs to find a decent place to live for all our fellow human beings. Job training and public education make for meaningful gainful activities and constantly extend an opportunity to learn, grow, work, expand your mind, body, spirit and soul. We all can always do more for each other, every day. God Bless.
8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD ACCESS NOVEMBER 14, 2025 When SNAP benefits paused, Washtenaw County businesses and organizations offer aid GRAY CONNOR Journalism intern Amidst the federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have remained partially paused throughout the month of November. As of Nov. 12, 2025, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of an extension on the pause of SNAP, freezing a federal judge’s prior decision to force the Trump Administration to provide the funds necessary for those who receive SNAP benefits a percentage of the amount they typically receive each month. Between these two rulings, some Michiganders reported receiving full benefits. The ruling means that the federal government will not have to provide the $4 billion previously requested. With small grocery stores reporting that they have already felt the impact of SNAP being paused, resources across Ann Arbor and the greater Washtenaw County area have expanded what they offer to help bridge the gap between residents and food assistance. Food Gatherers Food Gatherers, founded in 1988 as Michigan’s first official food rescue program, supplies statewide food pantries and other food stability resources with the materials needed to operate. Serving 140 different community partners, the organization has purchased additional food to help offset the loss of SNAP benefits for those who qualify. Information on which food pantries receive aid from Food Gatherers, as well as their locations and operation hours, can found on their website at foodgatherers.org. Above left: Tokens granted by the Ypsilanti Farmers Market that SNAP recipients can redeem for fresh produce. Above middle: Free farm stand at Growing Hope's Michigan Avenue location. Above right: Argus Farm Stop flyered information around downtown with resources about their expanded Double Up Food Bucks and voucher program. has vowed to offer two free slices to Double Up Food Bucks When using a Bridge Card to make purchases at select grocery stores and farmers markets in the state of Michigan, Double Up Food Bucks match the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables purchased for free, meaning that shoppers receive double the amount for the same price. Prior to the federal government’s shutdown, the cap for this sat at $20 per shopper. With SNAP benefits paused, Double Up is temporarily lifting its cap on how many matches can be made on products grown in Michigan for those who receive SNAP benefits. The money that people have earned while using Double Up prior to the pause will remain unaffected. To find out what grocery stores and farmers markets are participating in Double Up Food bucks, view the full list and map on the group’s website at doubleupfoodbucks.org. Growing Hope Urban Farm Growing Hope has launched the Ypsi Market SNAP Gap, an emergency program to aid those who qualify for SNAP benefits and have not received their payments. Until the federal shutdown ends, shoppers who present their EBT or Bridge cards at the Indoor Ypsilanti Farmers Market will receive $40 in SNAP Gap tokens per week, valid only at Ypsilanti Farmers Markets until March 2026. “When the systems built to care for people fail, our community steps forward to weave that net ourselves," Julius Buzzard, the Executive Director of Growing Hope, said in a press release. For more on the resources offered by Growing Hope, visit the organization’s website at growinghope.net. Food pantries and farms aren’t the only resources in the community offering aid. Mama Pizza, a curry fusion pizza restaurant based in Ypsilanti, MORE MICHIGAN FOOD RESOURCES SNAP recipients are encouraged to reach out to their local MDHHS office with any questions regarding SNAP benefits or can check MI Bridges for updates. Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.mi211.org for free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services. Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan [www.fbcmich.org/] to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts. Call the Double Up Food Bucks program hotline at 866-586-2796, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. those who have EBT cards. “I want to help people who don’t have the money right now,” said Sam Motheram, owner of Mama Pizza. Three times a week, the restaurant also gives out free pizzas to children in the community who are without housing and the Ypsi Daytime Warming Center on a weekly basis. While SNAP benefits have officialy remained paused through the month of November, the federal government is expected to vote on Nov. 12, 2025 to unfreeze all operations, with full funding for SNAP benefits reinstated. This is an ongoing story. Readers can visit whitehouse.gov for updates on the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefits.
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 HOMELESSNESS My love of movies CONFUSED CLOUD Groundcover contributor “Just be yourself, Sir, whatever happens they can’t take that away from you,” said Coleman the butler encouraging Billy Ray Valentine right before his first day working for the Duke & Duke Trading House in the classic movie “Trading Places.” This is one of my favorite movie They have quotes! I love movies. helped me through some of the darkest times of my life. It hurts me to hear that Hollywood and the movie business is struggling. I really hope it survives its current challenges. My name is "The Confused Cloud.” I compare myself to clouds because on a nice day they are very peaceful, but peaceful times, like clouds, are always temporary, at least for me. Stressful difficult times, like dark storm clouds, are always ahead. The confused part is that while I love to write, it is scary. I don’t know if writing my thoughts and opinions on things is appropriate. Basically I am weird. I used to fight this but now I just own it. So, about my love for the movies. They have provided me with escapism in my darkest moments. And unlike alcohol there was no hangover. I guess the hardest part is walking out of the theater and feeling my problems return. I have gone to the movies drunk many times. After awhile, even deep into my alcoholism, I found it pointless to do that. I would see the movies again during a dry time and realize that I missed the whole movie. I have gone with friends and enjoy that but I really like to go alone. I got over the bit of self consciousness from being alone after the first couple of times. I like all kinds of movies including science fiction, horror, action movies, comic-book-based movies, dramas, romantic comedies and regular comedies. I like both big budget and independent movies. I saw “Titanic” about five times and felt like I was in the time period. I felt like I was on a doomed cruise which fit my life at the time because I was drinking and had untreated mental illness so if I didn't change I was doomed. I saw the remake extension of The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith and felt I had taken a trip to China for about a month. If three hours of escapism isn’t enough I buy a ticket to another movie. Of course there’s the argument that I could just stream movies and watch them on cable. I like the feeling of being in a big theater. Also I have lived in several chaotic living situations and going to the movies helped me get away for a bit. Plus, of course, when I was homeless, streaming wasn’t an option. The last time I was homeless was in 2000. This was before the Delonis Center opened. I was staying in the men’s shelter about a block away from the Delonis Center. Back then there were several options for movie theaters including The Fox Village, Briarwood Mall and the Quality 16. Quite a few of us residents would catch movies to get a break from homeless life. Now on the bus line there’s just The State Theater, The Michigan Theater, and Cinemark Rave on Carpenter Road. To get to Cinemark I take AATA Route 6 past Platt and the freeway bridge on Ellsworth and get off at the driveway right before Carpenter. It is just a short walk from there. They have matinee pricing every day between $5 and $6.50 depending on the movie format. (IMAX is more expensive.) They also have discount Tuesday when tickets are between $5 and $6.25 all day except for new releases and special events. They have discounts for seniors, students and active military. The senior discount is greater on Monday after 6 p.m. Their phone GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 Cartoon by Libby Chambers number is (734) 973-8424. I just joined the reward program where I get a point for every dollar I spend which can be used for concessions and free tickets. They have assigned seating and the seats are very comfortable. I also like the State Theatre. They also have student, military and senior discounts and matinees. I like Diet Coke and it was only $5 for a large which included free refills. I saw “The Smashing Machine” Friday night and it felt good to get away from the Friday night crowd. My full fare admission was $10.50. They also have assigned seating but they have the old-fashioned seats, not the more comfortable ones. Also they are not open as often as the Cinemark Rave. They also have alcoholic beverages if that interests you. I have only been to The Michigan Theater one time and it was for a special event so I don’t remember much about it. I like Emagine in Saline which has a bar and a refillable soda machine but it pretty much requires a car. Unlike the escapism I experienced with alcohol, movies actually help me clear my head. The solutions I come up with coping with movies are much more effective than the “inspirations” I used to get while drunk. A lot of those inspirations blew up in my face. Plus, like the quote at the beginning of my article, some movies do inspire and change my view of the world. This topic will hopefully be a different article but I personally believe my higher power who I call God, inspires me in many ways, not just in Holy Books like the Bible. Yes, I love the movies.
10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COMMUNITY SERVICE NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Michigan Community Scholars Program: Making positive impacts on U-M, homeless community November is a month when we try to highlight the issues and challenges facing the homeless community of Washtenaw County. November 16-22 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. I would like to present the positive impacts which the University of Michigan Community Scholars Program has had in the homeless community and the University of Michigan Campus. The Michigan Community Scholars Program is a social justice-oriented residential learning community made up of undergraduate students, faculty and staff from varied backgrounds and identities. The community helps students navigate their transition to college, develops their intercultural competence, supports their wellbeing, connects them with meaningful community engagement opportunities and equips them for lives of service to the common good in a diverse democracy. (See lsa/umich.edu/mcsp) “The Michigan Community Scholars Program opened its doors to students in fall 1999 under the sponsorship of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and University Housing. LSA Interim Dean Patricia Gurin met with students during the prior winter semester and responded to requests that a living-learning program be established with an emphasis on community. David Schoem, Faculty Director, and Penny A. Pasque, Program Director, were the founding directors of MCSP, together with Rosa Maria Cabello, Administrative Assistant.” (See lsa.umich.edu/mcsp/about-us/ mission-history-goals-highlights) The program has been recognized by the U-M Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Service Learning as the Outstanding Program of the Year. Nationally, MCSP and its faculty and WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 students have been recognized by CNN, Newsweek and in many scholarly and public newspapers. MCSP has been highlighted at numerous academic conferences with presentations by faculty, staff and students alike. MCSP faculty, staff, students, community partners and national colleagues participated together in authoring the book, “Engaging the Whole of Service-Learning, Diversity, and Learning Communities,” edited by Joseph Galura, Penny A. Pasque, David Schoem, and Jeffrey Howard, published by OCSL Press. Why U-M students demanded MCSP On the steps of the Michigan Union, Democratic Presidential Candidate John F. Kennedy announced that if elected in the 1960 election, he would establish a national peace corps program. American college graduates would be selected to live in poor communities around the world, serve the people, learn about these communities, and bring home the knowledge gained in order to enrich American society and public policy. Kennedy’s successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, spoke at the University of Michigan’s 1964 Michigan Community Scholars volunteering at D-Town Farm. commencement on a topic described as “The Society Programs” or “The War on Poverty.” Johnson also created VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). A U-M social work professor, who was the founding director of the Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Service Learning, worked in the Clinton Administration of the 1990s to reorganize the concepts of VISTA. Some of the program fragments included modern programs such as Americorps and Americare. U-M’s official version of the MCSP’s founding history is that the students wanted it. However, the origin story likely points to that want stemming from the Black Action Movement. Protests organized by BAM occurred in 1970, 1975 and 1987. The campus climate in the 1980s and 1990s was not ideal or comforting for everyone. Many students of color did not feel a sense of belonging, welcoming, and community after they arrived on campus. Former College of Engineering Dean, Provost, and University President, Dr. James Duderstadt, commissioned a study in 1987. The commission's report came out in 1988 with the title “The Michigan Mandate for a Multicultural University: Achieving Excellence with Diversity.” The Michigan Mandate report has served as a “lighthouse” which has helped the campus and the community heal and navigate the cross-currents of divisive issues such as racism, pluralism, difference and conflict. - MCSP impacts on U-M campus Within the past ten or more years, I MCSP students attended Groundcover's 15th anniversary party on September 4, 2025. have spoken to professionals who were students on U-M campus in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of them are now faculty members and staff of the university. Some of them are professionals in Washtenaw County and Metro Detroit. There is a near consensus that the campus climate has dramatically improved. During the 2019 dedication of the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center on State Street, most of the students, faculty members and alumni said that change had come to the U-M campus and most students do feel welcomed. They feel a sense of belonging and a sense of community. MCSP, Program on Intergroup Relations and Conflict, and the establishment of centers such as Ella Baker/ Mendels Center have gone a long way to inculcating the student body with the concept that difference is good, that “different is beautiful.” In the early 21st century, the U-M Law School successfully made a case for diversity by the assemblage of a “critical mass” of intelligent students who bring to their classroom diverse perspectives, outlooks and innovative thinking which would enrich the law school community. It is against these backgrounds that the MCSP shines. The students communicate with each other with respect, cooperation and an attitude of empathy. There seems to be no tension in their voices and the way they gravitate to one another. This is tantamount to the ideas of pluralism and democracy. Community engagement is the pillar and fulcrum of MCSP connections to Washtenaw and Wayne County. When asked about his experiences with MCSP, Micah Johnson stated, "Outside of service, MCSP has proven to be one of the most close-knit communities on U-M's campus and it is consistently growing; it is known for the many friend groups it makes from people doing service together, taking classes together, and living together." Since 2017, MCSP Coordinator William Alt has arranged for his students to visit Mercy House and volunteer. The student volunteers talked with see MCSP page 14
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD People in the Neighborhood: Terry People in the Neighborhood is a Groundcover News column that focuses on the unhoused neighbors of the street community of Washtenaw County. This is Terry’s story. I met Terry at the Washtenaw Camp Outreach BBQ and he said he had just gotten out of prison but was not offered any housing, so I wanted to know more. Terry begins “I'm 57 years old. I was born in Arkansas but grew up in California. My mom's still there. I have 11 sisters, 42 nephews and nieces, five great-nephews and nieces, and five uncles and aunties that still live in Northern California.” “So, half of California,” I teased. “Pretty much,” he agreed. “Do you have kids?” I asked. “I have no children. I was locked up for a number of years so I didn't get that opportunity. I'm probably still going to produce one or two. I've got to get financially stable first,” he said. “Yeah, I don't have any kids either, but I'm pretty sure that's due to my personality,” I added with resignation. “Did you go to high school?” I asked. “Yes,” he declared, “I went to Gisborne Senior High and graduated in 1986.” “Did you go to college?” I inquired. “I went to college in prison,” he said. “I could pick up ten credit hours a semester. I only went to class four times a month but I got a lot of homework. I earned an Associate's degree in General Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. I want to further my education so I just applied at Washtenaw Community College to study Culinary Arts.” “You said you're homeless?” I asked. “I'm the new face of it,” he informed me. “How did you get there?” I asked. “I got out of prison, and that's when I got my way into it,” he explained. “The prison system didn’t give you a voucher or set you up with a job and a place to stay?” “No. Because I'm not connected to the system; you have to be on probation or be enrolled in order to get some help from the system. There has to be a link, and so by me not having a link, my assets are not there for me. I'm still an ex-convict. I can't receive any of the stuff that current ex-convicts do on probation. If I get in some trouble, they're going to run my name, and they're going to say, ‘Oh, you're an ex-convict.’ So, my conviction doesn't disappear. So why shouldn't I be able to get some assistance so I don't have JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 to repeat the cycle?” Terry’s punishment continues beyond prison by having a criminal record that follows him everywhere. Now he can't get a job. He can't get housing and he faces harassment by the police due to stigma. The system sets him up to fail by not providing a way to get the things he needs to survive. Without those, any human being may compromise morality. It’s as if the system wants him to fail. “I also think that, you know, our incarceration system, I mean, it's like if we took care of everything at home and in the community, we wouldn't need it,” he said. “Just like the police, for instance. I personally believe that, again, if we see the police, and we have a certain fear of them, whatever it may be, and we're still, at the end of the day, respecting them. But they need to be more committed to their stuff. Personally, I think that they should go into the neighborhoods on foot. I think that they should go into those small clubs, talk to people, walk around, chat with people, do different stuff. It may take some time, but if you build that relationship, I guarantee you that it will get better.” “What's the connection you have with Washtenaw County? ” I asked. “I have a connection with the Department of Community Corrections. Many people experiencing homelessness after incarceration come through here and are met by groups like A Brighter Way, Home of New Vision and Supreme Felons. They are people that do stuff like you do [mutual aid work]. They do reentry to help you with housing, Section 8, and get people out of jail. They also try to do some preventative work. This is the type of stuff they do. Homeless people come through there every day. And they all have little rooms that they go into. We all hang out there and talk to each other, strategize what we're going to do for the weekend, what's coming up, what's going to happen.” “Do you have family here that can help?” I asked. “I have family here, but I barely know them at all. There's no ‘hey, come over here to get a hug and make GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Terry is working towards stability and a life of service despite challenges from the carceral system. a sandwich.’ Which is unfortunate,” he said regretfully. “Where's life taking you now? What are you working on to get out of that tent?” I wanted to know. “I work with a lady at Community Corrections named Keila Irwin. She told me they get Section 8 vouchers and selection is based on your circumstances. If you qualify, within a week or two you get housing,” he answered. “I already talked to this other lady who told me once I get an apartment she would introduce me to some people that will furnish it.” Terry continued, “The number one thing I need is a job and I have a lead on one.” “What's the job?” I asked. “Kroger,” Terry replied. “The manager told me they were full right now but there's a turnover that starts when it gets cold. He said most of the time they always need a third shift worker. He said a lot of people don't like it. I said, yeah, I have no problem with the third shift. I need work.” Terry believes in giving back so he spends a lot of time helping out around the LEAF harm reduction facility. “And I like it,” he remarked. “I really like talking to people. I really like living the struggle. I like being in the struggle. Because as I come up, I know exactly what's needed. I know exactly how to apply what I know because I'm right here. I’ve lived it.” Terry’s desire to give back to the homelessness advocate network is common among survivors of homelessness. A “foxhole camaraderie" forms among homelessness survivors. People begin to accept each other unconditionally, to go to great lengths to help people overcome challenges presented by the system, and to be present for people they may have ignored before their own tragedy occurred. “Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?” I asked. “I have been a member of the organization called the Moorish Science Temple for a very long time. I’ve been with them for about 29 years. It's a wonderful organization, it really is.” “I’ve never heard of them,” I said. Terry brought me up to speed: “Because they were very discreet, very quiet, so most people didn't hear about them. The first time you heard about it was in prison. It was a powerful religious organization in prison for decades.” The Moorish Science Temple of America was established in 1929 by Noble Drew Ali. Ali created the temple to help the African-American community restore their identity, which to Ali meant reclaiming Islam and the heritage of the Moabites. The Temple also promotes self-reliance, positive identity, civic pride and self-transformation. Terry told me he doesn’t want to get into some of the branches of the MSTA. He was referring to the “Moorish Sovereign Citizens,” a splinter group considered to be anti-government extremists. “The MSTA has leaders all over the United States. They have elections once a year, every September. There's one Grand Chief, one Assistant Grand Chief, one Secretary, one Secretary of Defense. They're going to try to spread out a little bit more to some branches. They're going to end up in Macomb and the eastside of Detroit. There's a couple people trying to do stuff now.”
12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUZZLES COMMUNITY EATS! Hunger + Homeless Awareness Crossword by Regina Duerst NOVEMBER 14, 2025 ACROSS 1. Type of carpet or hairstyle 5. ___ familias, Roman head of household 10. Tree-like creatures 14. Buche de ___, Yule log cake 15. Entertain 16. Calf meat 17. Poor way for plans to go 18. Medicare sect. 19. With the bow, musically 20. Ann Arbor grocer with a "Change for our Community" program 23. Vert.'s opposite 24. Class of antidepressants 25. Ambulance letters 28. Maple syrup ingredient 30. ___ Up Food Bucks, fruits- and vegetables-promo program 35. Second half of the group at 1 Carrot Way 39. Film or thread holder 40. ___ d'Italia, cycling event 41. "Taste this" 43. Measure using square units 44. ___ House, Washtenaw County youth shelter 46. Where to find 20-Across 48. Like the lion killed by Hercules 50. Look 51. Stark patriarch in Game of Thrones 52. Lead-in to cop or call 55. Letters inside an ambulance 57. Faith and food justice org with a food truck 65. Way out 66. "Would you like to see ___?" 67. 90s cartoon nickname 68. Benzoyl peroxide target 69. Loathe 70. Turing of computer science fame 71. Title-starting words 72. Adjective used to describe Marie Antoinette 73. Kermit drinking tea or bone apple teeth DOWN 1. USDA prog. facing freeze 2. The Red Wings' "Mr. Hockey" 3. Relating to aviation 4. Pictograph 5. Origami or cut-out snowflakes 6. ___ de casa, Spanish housewives 7. Grounds 8. These, in Oaxaca 9. Surveil 10. Escape plan, in brief 11. Successor of Claudius 12. Many a Tuesday dish 13. Farm meal 21. Misplace 22. "¡Ay, ___ mío!" 25. Goad 26. Color named for a domesticated grass 27. Longtime South Carolina senator Thurmond 29. Plus 31. ___ the crack of dawn 32. Its atomic number is 5 33. German lion, or a Spanish luxury brand 34. African antelope 36. Perfect, as a skill 37. Deli option 38. Elton John and Paul McCartney 42. It may be found in a chest 45. Law enforcer of the Wild West 47. Throw, in 2010s slang 49. Polite negative response 53. Baked goods corporation with a bear cub mascot 54. Difference between EST and CST 56. Hope 57. Accomplishment 58. NYSE pt. 59. Eat well 60. Neighbors of the Navajo 61. When a tie should be resolved 62. Sit still 63. Dutch cheese 64. Auld Lang ___ PUZZLE SOLUTIONS October 31, 2025 edition
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 POETRY Better Days MARQUETTA "Q" CLEMENTS Groundcover contributor I search for peace but surrounded by pain I lost my dawg to the streets I know these mamas ain’t sane Suppose to be our brothers’ keepers; why let the cycle sustain? What beef is worth our life? What beef is worth our time? Why leave the kids behind? Am I scary or am I tired? New music ain’t inspiring? F*** drugs and gun violence It’s time to stand up, let’s fight They killing us genocide We killing us suicide Right now, it’s do or die Right now, let’s get it right We gotta survive They trap us in cages called the ghetto They tell us it’s no place to go; we gotta sell dope They poisoned our music Would they let us make a song about killing a white man but black on black crimes let’s make it hit Dave Chappelle couldn’t say honky or faggot But let’s say the word nigger now everyone’s laughing Government assistance and liquor stores, it’s long-lasting Don’t put it on the news They turn a blind eye They hate us and still cry ALL LIVES MATTER Explaining to our babies why they hate us The fear on their face should raise our anger It’s time to escape these gates because regardless of the location we aren’t safe Let’s bring back Black Wall Street, let’s get elevated If they try to tear us down, it’s gon escalate Cause ill be damned to go out like the Native American race It’s like I want peace, but hate peace until our youth’s mind is saved You need more than Quit plays and fame You need more than talents use the use of your brain Come on; let’s pave these roads for the better days… The better days Another birthday LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover vendor No. 56 Another birthday on the horizon My life I'm thankful for Even though there are joys and struggles I'm still alive Only with the faith I deeply believe and live by As amazing as it is It is not surprising! The treasured day of November 26th The day that I arrived here On this earth of many hemispheres I choose to grow older gracefully As I experience wisdom from my life's knowledge Not the kind you learn at any college I just wanna take this opportunity to say And wish myself a very happy birthday NowYourRole STEVEN Groundcover vendor No. 668 Sometimes standing too fast, Sometimes heads swoon On the heels of effort. Sometimes falling Beyond ourselves. Bloody intent Pooling to our feet. Unfiled in our brains’ Libraries’ shelves. The Dream, Could have been the Great American Novel? The girl’s Number you didn’t get. Slow your roll, Take notes, Find your fidget. Regain control, semblance thereof Then, Then Get them Girls’ digits. Dark TERESA BASHAM Groundcover vendor No. 571 You’re ominous & dangerous, I’m fallin in, We light a smoke, A shred of hope, Don’t break this lil heart, This izz a mystery, Will it be thee death of me, What can I do, I’m alwayz takin that risk, I just can’t resist, I alwayz bite my lipz, I feel thee heat, You’re my only desire, What can I do, To be close to you, I feel the rush in my bones, When we are alwayz alone, When you pull me in close, I’m alwayz losing control, My heartz alwayz on fire, I fell so deep, You pull me into thee dark. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 13
14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS INSP Handle with care: the risks involved with lived experience While the intentions behind this DAVID PENTLAND INSP Changing the Narrative Academy The following article is part of INSP’s Changing the Narrative series. It has been written as the result of the new journalism training academy, established in 2025 by INSP to provide people with direct experience of homelessness and poverty the opportunity to learn about journalism and the media, and to enhance their storytelling and written abilities. The training academy has two ambitions: to challenge media and public misconceptions about homelessness; and to tackle the lack of representation and diversity in newsrooms. The training academy was last held in September 2025 in INSP’s hometown of Glasgow, Scotland. Real life stories are flavor of the month. In fact, in recent times, the integration of “lived experience” into homelessness services has gained considerable traction, lauded for its potential to offer authentic insights and empower people with a homelessness story. movement are undeniably noble, a critical examination reveals a complex array of dangers and ethical dilemmas that, if unaddressed, can undermine the very services that they aim to improve. There are significant risks associated with an uncritical embrace of lived experience, including the potential for tokenism, the burden of emotional labor, the challenge of maintaining professional boundaries, the risk of generalizing individual narratives, and the imperative to balance lived experience with professional expertise. The people most at risk in this space are the people whose developmental years were overshadowed by trauma and adversity. They are often marched out onto the frontline, with little training or education and expected to fulfil a role in a space that was once reserved for degree-educated multidisciplinary workers. The near certainty of vicarious trauma and the impact on people (who only a few short years ago were the client) is massive. As they connect with other people’s trauma on multiple levels, the science says that they are releasing toxins into their own bodies that will dramatically shorten their lifespan. Holiday support needed Hello Groundcover readers. It is quickly reaching the holiday season and I desperately need help with gifts for my children. It's so amazing watching them grow and learn and they really deserve to have a great Christmas. The holidays are just a really hard time for me because I don't have extra money to get them special things. My main focus every month is just keeping a roof over their TABITHA ALMOND Groundcover vendor No. 360 head and utilities paid for. I just recently had to cut off our internet because we just don't have the extra money for it. I am currently in the process of trying to get SSI so hopefully I won't need the extra help next year for Christmas. But I greatly appreciate you reading this and if you're able to help here are a few different ways you can help out: Visa or Amazon gift cards sent to my email: tabbysean99@gmail.com Venmo account: @groundcovernews — My badge number is 360 just put “Merry Christmas #360” Cash App: $Streetpapers If none of those ways work for you, you can send me an email at tabbysean99@gmail.com and put Merry Christmas in the subject line please. Thank you everyone, have a great holiday season. Maintaining professional boundaries presents another significant challenge. People with lived experience, particularly in peer support or outreach roles, may find it difficult to navigate the complexities of professional relationships while simultaneously drawing on deeply personal narratives. The inherent vulnerability in sharing one’s own story can make it challenging to establish and maintain a professional distance, potentially leading to over-identification with service users, blurred lines in advice-giving, or an inability to enforce necessary rules and regulations. While empathy is crucial in homelessness services, shared experience without professional frameworks can lead to a lack of objectivity, making it difficult to make impartial decisions or set appropriate boundaries for service users, which could ultimately hinder their progress towards stability. The danger of focussing on individual narratives is a pervasive risk. While personal stories offer invaluable qualitative insights, they are by their very nature subjective and specific to an individual’s unique circumstances. The lived experience of one person, however compelling, cannot be MCSP from page 10 members of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti homeless community who come to Mercy House for a community breakfast. Other students could be seen washing dishes, cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping hallways, cooking pancakes and eggs, and also putting together to-go plates which could be delivered to homeless shelters and poor people’s homes. It is noteworthy that the MCSP student volunteers perform their assignments gladly, with smiles on their faces, and a sense of gratitude for and solidarity with the homeless community of Mercy House. They also work in poor communities in Detroit. MCSP student Jasmeher Singh commented, "Through volunteering at Mercy House, students are able to learn more about the different reasons why people experience homelessness and the particular role Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan has in this issue. It's essential for students within MCSP to learn the idea of dignity and to carry it out in the world. Not having judgements based on what people's appearances are can be easy to say but hard to do for many." Any reasonable observer who sees the students at work would conclude that they are making a positive impact. They are humble in the tradition of such volunteers as the Crown Prince of UK (Prince William) who was caught by the British Press cleaning and doing menial job assignments as a student NOVEMBER 14, 2025 universally applied to the diverse and multifaceted homeless population. Factors such as gender, ethnicity, mental health status, addiction and the specific circumstances leading to homelessness create vastly different journeys and needs. Over-emphasising individual narratives without a broader understanding of sociological, economic and systemic factors can lead to misinformed policy decisions and service designs that fail to address the root causes of homelessness for a wider demographic. It risks creating a “one size fits all” approach based on anecdotal evidence rather than robust research and data. We must move beyond symbolic gestures, provide robust support systems, establish clear professional frameworks, embrace a nuanced understanding of diverse experiences, and, critically, ensure that lived experience works in concert with, rather than in place of, vital professional expertise. Only then can the invaluable contributions of people with lived experience genuinely enhance and transform homelessness services for the better. Courtesy of INSP.ngo volunteer in a remote part of Chile. Since 2016, this writer has had several conversations with the MCSP students and their program coordinator, William Alt. Groundcover has also worked with English Professor John Buckley and his students from English 126 Community-Engaged Writing. They partner with Groundcover News to think seriously about and engage with people experiencing homelessness. In our interactions with the students, their faculty and their coordinator, it is fair to conclude that there is a sense of mutual academic benefit and community engagement/service learning for both sides. Dr. Martin Luther King was 17 years old in 1947 when he wrote an article in his Moorhouse College Newspaper. The title was, “The Function of Education.” Related to the purpose of MCSP, Dr. King said that “the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically.” He also said that the goal of a true education is intelligence plus character, not just intellectual ability, as he cautioned, “efficiency without morals can be dangerous …” King continued, “We must remember that intelligence is not enough … The complete education gives one not only power of concentration but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.” The University of Michigan's MCSP is fulfilling Dr. King’s vision of a true education.
NOVEMBER 14, 2025 COMMUNITY RESOURCES hot meal RESOURCE CORNER DAILY Breakfast: Breakfast Program at St. Andrew's, 7:30-8:30 a.m., 306 N. Division Street, Ann Arbor. Also distributes lunches to-go during breakfast. Lunch (only Monday-Friday): Delonis Center, 12-1 p.m., 312 W. Huron Street, Ann Arbor Lunch (only Monday-Friday): Daytime Warming Centers, 12-1 p.m., Ann Arbor (location rotates) and the Ypsilanti Frieghthouse, 100 Market Place. Freighthouse not open on Fridays. Dinner (only Monday-Friday): Delonis Center, 5:30-6:30 p.m., 312 W. Huron Street, Ann Arbor Dinner (not served on Wednesdays): Hope Clinic, 5-6 p.m., 518 Harriet Street, Ypsilanti. Meals only served to-go. MONDAYS Dinner: Vegan Food Distro, 5-7 p.m., Ypsilanti Frieghthouse, 100 Market Place WEDNESDAYS Dinner: Mercy House Open Hours, 6-8 p.m., 805 W Huron Street, Ann Arbor. Dinner: FedUp Food Truck, 5-7 p.m., Growing Hope, 16 S. Washington Street, Ypsilanti THURSDAYS Dinner: Hospitality House, 5-7 p.m., 169 N. Washington Street, Ypsilanti FRIDAYS Dinner: Pizza in the Park, 7-8 p.m., Liberty Plaza, 310 S. Division Street, Ann Arbor SATURDAYS Breakfast: Mercy House, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 805 W Huron Street, Ann Arbor Lunch/dinner: Delonis Center, 3-4 p.m., 312 W. Huron Street, Ann Arbor SUNDAYS Lunch/dinner: Delonis Center, 3-4 p.m., 312 W. Huron Street, Ann Arbor Lunch/dinner: Washtenaw Camp Outreach BBQ, every other Sunday, 3-4:30 p.m., 211 E Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti Lunch/dinner: MISSION BBQ, every other Sunday, 3-4:30 p.m., 3501 Stone School Road Ann Arbor. Alternates with WCO BBQ. MONTHLY Breakfast: Around the Kitchen Table Peace House Brunch, 3rd Sundays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 16 S. Washington Street, Ypsilanti Lunch: Pull Over Prevention, 2nd Sundays, 10 a.m - 1 p.m., locations vary check www.facebook.com/PullOverPrevention/ Dinner: Fed-Up Food Truck 1st and 4th Tuesdays, 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the Peace Hub,1515 South Harris Road. Food pantry information and hot meal schedules for Washenaw County change frequently. For an up-to-date schedule visit Food Gatherer's food map and list at: foodgatherers.org/foodresources GROUNDCOVER NEWS 15
16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD My Granny Adelina’s Risotto AMANDA GALE Ingredients: ½ chicken for broth 1 bag of carrots, ground 2 bags of celery, ground 2 lg onions, ground 1 lb rice 3 small containers saffron 2 lg bags of spinach, ground 1 lb of sausage, ground 1-2 packages of giblets, ground (Please note: if giblets are not desired, you can substitute either another package of ground mushrooms or pre-cooked ground beef) 1 package of mushrooms, ground 1 cup ground garlic 2 containers parmesan cheese Directions: *Either grind the ingredients that need to be ground, or have these ingredients already ground. In a large, deep cooking pot, make chicken broth. Put the half chicken, ground onion, 1 bag ground celery, 1 bag ground carrots and water and boil about 1.5 hours until chicken broth is made. Chicken and/or beef bouillon can be used as a substitute. Remove chicken (and use in other recipes, such as stuffing)! Drop all the rice and the saffron into the broth, having mixed together the other ground ingredients by hand or a large spoon. Drop this mixture (i.e. of 2 ground onions, 1 cup ground garlic, 2 large bags ground spinach, 2 packages ground giblets, 1 lb ground sausage, 2 packages ground mushrooms and possibly 1 lb pre-cooked of ground turkey NOVEMBER 14, 2025 Amanda & her mom Becky’s simply delicious AMANDA GALE Groundcover vendor No. 573 The image above is of a by-hand grinder of the same type that my Granny used and I used and styled the same way. In my young adult years, Granny would ask me "Do you want to just use the electric food grinder instead?" I always responded, "No, Granny, we can't do that!" beef if substituting for giblets) into the soup. Keep stirring every now and then, and keep cooking until done. Each time stirring, add some parmesan cheese into the mixture. Use one whole standard-sized container of parmesan cheese during cooking. Keep a whole container of parmesan cheese to sprinkle on the top layer of each dish proportionately once dished out onto each dish and also to place on table for people to add more as they like if they want to. Estimated 2+ hours cook time proportions listed here. Takes 4-6 hrs for larger proportions. Ingredients: 1 typical turkey, we recommend the Butterball brand 2 large bricks of butter (room temperature) Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and chives Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil Optional: ground oregano, parsley, ground celery Directions: First be sure to follow the directions on the package for thawing the turkey. (Typically a whole turkey needs to thaw for one to four days in the refrigerator; the bigger the turkey, the longer the thaw time.) Once turkey is thawed, very thoroughly pat dry all of the turkey with a clean, dry cloth suitable for use directly on food and typically thrown away after. Place turkey on a large plate or other suitable clean, dry surface. Mix ¼ cup or less each of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and/or chives (and your choice of optional herbs) Cut small holes all over the turkey, then fill each with about ¼ to one inch of the mixture. Rub one large whole brick of butter all over the whole turkey and cover it, thickly. Then season all over the whole turkey’s outside with a light-dusting of the same mixture. Use a deep-dish baking pan large enough for the turkey, fill about ¼ of the pan with Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Put the turkey in the pan and cover top of turkey with baking pan lid or aluminum foil to avoid burning. Follow the directions on the package for baking (changes typically per lb). Check turkey about every halfhour, basting turkey with a squeezepump turkey baster or with a brush-baster to keep turkey soft and moist while baking and seal in flavoring and juices. (Turkey could also be flipped at the halfway baked point to prevent burning.) The details from this recipe can also be used to combine with your other favorite turkey recipe! Bon Appetit! Delicious food for everyone. Fresh ingredients for holiday comfort meals. $5 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 12/31/2025 Washtenaw County’s street paper presents: OPEN MIC to share songs, ideas, music, poetry, stories and more. FREE + open to all! Friday, November 21, 6-8pm 407 E Liberty Street
1 Publizr