iconLog In  |  Register

Come and see: the tent community opens up

featured_post

It’s not about the tents. It’s not about zoning ordinances. Safe Haven tent community is about a model of support based on self-governance and belonging.

On Saturday, Safe Haven and the Catholic Worker House held a community building event. They invited their neighbors, city officials, and the media. They wanted people to come and actually see the tents, get to know the residents, and enjoy some food together. And people came. Some came as skeptics, others as supporters. Over a hundred people filtered through the house and the tents.

The purpose of the event reflects the mission of Safe Haven, which is, “to create a safe, clean, self-governed community environment for economically distressed residents of the State of Illinois, through establishment of an open-air place where people living on the streets can have their basic needs met in a stable, sanitary environment…“ The residents emphasize self-governance as a key feature of Safe Haven. Johnny Glover, a Safe Haven resident, explains, “Of all the places I’ve been, this is the A-league. Everyone has input. There is not dominant person making all the decisions.“

The whole group meets every Monday and Thursday to discuss what is happening both externally and internally and vote on issues. The residents have also recently elected a Council to deal with violations. Glover was one of the residents elected to the Council, and he describes how they make decisions. “You know you have people with problems, so we deal with them in a humane way. We wait things out instead of taking immediate action. We let people blow off steam. We have all kinds of characters…you have to look at it like that.“

The self-governing nature of Safe Haven has led to a true sense of belonging and support. Rick Stiverson, another resident of Safe Haven, expresses, “This isn’t as structured. Everyone knows everyone and we want to stick together. We are all trying to get better.“ Even City Council member William Kyles acknowledged that it is working. “Under its own governance, it seems like it’s run pretty well,“ he said.

While Saturday’s event had the spirit of friendship and openness, it also had a sense of urgency. On Thursday, Champaign’s zoning board will hear Safe Haven’s appeal. If the board finds Safe Haven to be in violation of zoning laws, the tent community will be forced to leave the Catholic Worker House. So, Safe Haven is making an appeal. “We are hoping someone comes forward with an offer of somewhere to stay,“ Glover requests.

Some offers have already come in. A family in Urbana has offered their backyard. Several churches are also interested hosting the community. But these would only be short-term solutions. “The larger, overall goal of the Safe Haven Tent Community is to become a community service provider and legitimate organization to provide semi-permanent housing for people who have no other place to go,“ explains Abby Harmon, a Safe Haven advocate. Towards that end, organizers are proposing that the city allows them to use public land where they can build semi-permanent structures. They are meeting with City Council members to discuss their proposal.

As Safe Haven struggles to find a more permanent location, they are proving that a democratic, self-governed model of support is possible. They are offering a viable alternative to highly structured social service programs. Regardless of whether the tents can stay, the spirit of interdependence should live on.

3 comments

Rob McColley avatar featured_post

Rob McColley

#1

“A family in Urbana has offered their backyard.“
 
You now have my attention.

username

Anonymous

#2

No offense to those who are struggling, but I wonder how a tent community would effect property values of the homes nearby?  Times are tough for everyone, and the misfortune of some shouldn’t further harm others who are also suffering.

Caleb Curtiss avatar featured_post

Caleb Curtiss

#3

@ Anonymous: You’re could be right, but what are the alternatives?  These people have chosen a very unconventional lifestyle, but they are still very much so a part of our community.  If property values are indeed effected, we have the city governments of Champaign and Urbana to blame for being so behind the learning curve on this very important issue.


Add A Comment

A note about our commenting policy.


Comment
  1.  captcha arrow

Most Recent Culture Comments

{username}

If the democrats didn’t have Kucinich, and the republicans didn’t have Ron Paul, where would both these parties really stand? These men actually mean what they say.

{username}

Joel, thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions and have them posted here. I really appreciate it! Yes, I was thrilled to see that Rep. Kucinich flipped today, so he will has committed to voting yes for health reform. I appreciated his comments which seem…

{username}

Dan Schreiber’s chocolate is simply the best I’ve ever had.  It’s a whole different ball-game; closer to very high-end wine than anything out of Hershey PA. 

{username}

Vosges is pretty decent chocolate, but you should definitely try the locally-produced chocolate from Dan Schreiber, available (regularly?) at Amara, Caffe Paradiso, and Common Ground.  I believe it is or will be at other places soon.

{username}

I read Kucinich flipped today. He must have read this and been convinced.

Joel Gillespie avatar

I really appreciated Ms. Lennhoff’s candid answers to the questions. I learned a lot about health care reform from this experience. Thanks CCHCC!

{username}

   I found that cake thing about a year ago.  It’s pretty amazing.  Happily, it didn’t stick as a habit ‘cause I *still* made a mess with the flour and cocoa and all that ...

Stef avatar

Dangit! Now I have to go home and try that cake. MMMmmMMMMmmmm looks goood. Cakey cakey cakey…

Annie Weisner avatar

Amen.  When I told people I’ve lost 18 pounds since early October the number one response I get from women is concern.  18 pounds in four months is not unhealthy, quite the opposite for me.  But don’t give up on sugar, or become a vegan, or do…

emma reaux avatar

The whole self-acceptance idea is tricky in itself too. Are we supposed to self-accept by sitting around like bumps on logs, doing nothing but just appreciating and accepting ourselves? Life doesn’t happen like that. I like your point about pushing ourselves to do something greater. Self-challenge and self-reflection…

Most Recent Comments

{username}

If the democrats didn’t have Kucinich, and the republicans didn’t have Ron Paul, where would both these parties really stand? These men actually mean what they say.

{username}

Joel, thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions and have them posted here. I really appreciate it! Yes, I was thrilled to see that Rep. Kucinich flipped today, so he will has committed to voting yes for health reform. I appreciated his comments which seem…

{username}

It appears to me that your reviewer did all that could be expected: she paid her money, saw the play and conveyed her impressions. The review (on the whole, laudatory) may have been rushed, in a generous attempt to publicize the production while it was still available…

{username}

Dan Schreiber’s chocolate is simply the best I’ve ever had.  It’s a whole different ball-game; closer to very high-end wine than anything out of Hershey PA. 

{username}

That settles it… Im going.

{username}

Vosges is pretty decent chocolate, but you should definitely try the locally-produced chocolate from Dan Schreiber, available (regularly?) at Amara, Caffe Paradiso, and Common Ground.  I believe it is or will be at other places soon.

{username}

I read Kucinich flipped today. He must have read this and been convinced.

{username}

Bread Company can do some fantastic vegan dinner dishes!  Several of their pastas are vegan or could be made vegan and their pizzas can be ordered (and taste great) without the cheese.  I also recommend their roasted potatoes and their roasted garlic head appetizer.

{username}

General Admission? Are we supposed to camp out the night before the game to get decent seats?

SFJon avatar

I wonder with Griffey if he’s not in game shape enough to play a significant number of minutes.  If you look at his minutes played this year, he’s never played a starters minutes.

Joel Gillespie avatar

I really appreciated Ms. Lennhoff’s candid answers to the questions. I learned a lot about health care reform from this experience. Thanks CCHCC!

{username}

Glad you asked Stuart. In the 1950s (well before they were approved for human use) poultry producers began using subtherapeutic doses of quinolone antibiotics, specifically fluroquinolone, to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease in overcrowded production conditions. In humans, quinolones are a last line of defense antibiotic…

{username}

Hah!  Good one, Joel.   But my question was a serious one.  I only buy eggs from a couple of local organic farmers, so I never thought about antibiotic-free eggs.  I’m assuming that Anna meant the hen was not fed antibiotics, but am not wholly sure. I’m…

Joel Gillespie avatar

That sounds like a setup to a joke at a CSA’s annual banquet. Q: “How can you tell an antibiotic-free egg?“ A: “It just can’t seem to get rid of that cough.“ /shows self out

{username}

First off did you read the wired magazine article I posted? You should. Second, WAS!? HAhahaaha. What, we aren’t being spied on right now. Its not legal anymore? Obama didn’t just re-authorize the patriot act? Semi-mythical deep packet inspection devices. Semi-mythical deep packet inspection devices. Semi mythical…

{username}

I was all set to pounce on this, but it’s the truth.  There used to be bands in town I was afraid of, like I’d have a heart attack during their set.  There are still some great bands, but they’re pretty and dainty and low in cholesterol. …

{username}

I love eating Vietnamese food, and having growing up my entire life eating it, I was excited to go.  I really wanted to like this place because of all of the hype I had heard——unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed.  I got the pho (vietnamese soup) and thought…

{username}

Kaiyo was decent for a sushi buffet, but it definitely isn’t as good as KO fusion.  I thought it was better than any sushi I’ve ever had at a chinese buffet, but was not as good as my least favorite sushi item at KO fusion.  However, I…

{username}

What is an antibiotic-free egg?  And how can you tell?

{username}

Great article. I’ve always found that by making it in the blender, I can be my typical impatient self and pour tons of oil in at once. It’s very forgiving that way, though not fool proof. 

Log In



Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?