The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 01, 1996, Page 4, Image 4
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Tou all know this place. Ifs an infamous comer
in the city of Columbia. It's at the bus stop
where you would never wait. It's the street
strewn with sleeping bodies. Ifs a building at
which you stare, but never think twice about.
For the three years Fve been at USC, Fve
known it as the Oliver something-or-other. Fve always assumed
it was just some sort of soup kitchen for vagrants. Well, I was
soon to discover that there is more to the Oliver Gospel Mission
than the deceptive exterior we see day in and day out.
Entering the Oliver Gospel Mission was a nerve racking .
experience. I knew nothing about the place and needless to
say, I stood out a bit as I walked in wearing khaki pants, a J.
Crew sweater and a leather bag on my back. My hands were
quite shaky as I stood waiting in the lobby trying to take in
my surroundings, yet not seem condescending in my actions.
Boxes of clothes lined the side of the wall overflowing with
donated boots, sweaters, suspender pants and men's shirts.
Hand made prints hung from the wall decorated with felt
crosses and religious symbols. A group of men sat around a
table joking. The sign on the wall listed the times of the church
services, as chairs sat upside down on table tops in front of
the staged alter.
I was eased by the unexpectedly pleasant appearance of
the shelter, with its inviting aura and religious mood. I began
reading a scripture that was written on the chalk board for
Egr<B * j Highlight of
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City Ballet Nov. 1,
Bwk 0%. Nov. 2, 3 p.m. a
BjrA available at all Ci
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"Someone with a Ph.D. who^ a crack s addict
can't hold a job. That's the problem. Most of
them have enough education. They just don't
want to quit using drugs." V
Gloria Cook, executive director of Oliver Gospel Mission
that day.
"The Earth is the Lord, And Everything on it, The World,
but all who live in it, for He founded it upon the seas and
established it upon...," the ending faded under eraser strokes
and fingerprints.
I glanced at the bottom of the board, expecting to see an
apostle's name and biblical verse, but instead saw the scribbled
words, "Why me." The comfort that I was feeling quickly
faded as I realized the hopelessness and despair of these
words.
"[The shelter is] a shelter of last resort which offers food,
shelter and spiritual guidance," said Gloria Cook, executive
director of the Oliver Gospel Mission.
Founded in 1888, the shelter has changed much over the
years partly because of an anonymous donation of $150,000
1987. The Oliver Gospel Mission has 14 apartments used as
transitional housing for the homeless, a new kitchen and a
renovated lounge and chapel.
The mission is primarily religious, offering guidance to
people who are unable to solve their problems. Cook said the
two main causes of homelessness are alcohol and drug abuse.
' the weekend for adults, $ 18.50 for students,
ited by the Columbia Catherine Cho, violinist, Nov. 21,
, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students
nd 8 p.m. Tickets and $9 for faculty, military and senior
ipital ticket outlets citizens and $12 for the general public,
im box office. This event is sponsored by the USC
School of Music.
Center
mbles Concert, Nov. Longstreet Theater
"To Kill a Mockingbird," Nov. 21-26;
r, 7:3Q.p.m. Tickets Dec. 2-3, 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 for
students and $8 for faculty, military
and Joe Williams," and senior citizens and $10 for the
Tickets are $23.50 general public.
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Ironically, education is not a major factor of homelessness
because most people are already in college when they become
homeless. The average education of a homeless person is 14
years old.
"Someone with a Ph.D. who's a crack addict can't hold a
job. That's the problem. Most of them have enough education.
They just don't want to quit using drugs," Cook said.
Religionts the only answer for many of these people because
they are unable to get the help they need from other institutions,
Cook said.
"Most of the people are dual diagnosed. They have both a
substance abuse problem and a mental health problem. Mental
health problems will not be addressed until they beat their
substance abuse problem," Cook said. "But the substance
abuse places won't take them as long as they're mentally ill.
So they have nowhere to go, and they have to either overcome
one or the other on their own."
Because 65 percent of homeless people are mentally ill,
they don't realize that they have drug addictions.
"You can't make people get treatment, and they don't know
they're sick because one of the symptoms of the illness is to
think you're not sick. So they don't get treatment, according
to Cook.
In offering spiritual guidance as well as food and shelter
to the homeless, the Oliver Gospel Mission is not only helping
the homeless now, but, as Cook said, "looking a billion years
down the road." i
Drayton Hall "USC Choral Groi
"A Taste of Honey," Oct. 31-Nov.lO,
8 p.m. Tickets available at the Long3treet Carolina C
Theater box office. Sounds of Gamecc
"Falstaff," Nov. 22-24,7:30 pm (Friday 7:30 p.m. Sponsore<
and Saturday), 3 p.m. (Sunday). Tickets
are $10, $15 for the public and $5 for USC School
senior citizens and students. Recital
Faculty artist seri
McKissick Museum harpsichord, Nov. 3,
Muses Night Out, Wednesdays at 8 Faculty artist serie
p.m. andlO p.m. These cultural arts organ, Ncy. 15-16,7:
programs are free and include light Faculty artist seri
refreshments. flute, Nov. 19, 7:30 p
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FHday, November 1,1996
mission
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FILE PHOTO
The Oliver Gospel Missions fosters to Columbia's
homeless. It offers food, shelter and guidance.
lp," Nov. 12. Free Faculty artist series?Jazz Combos
& Singers, Nov. 20,7:30 p.m. Admission
oliseum is free.
>ck Spirit, Nov. 1, University Chorus, Oct. 14,7:30 p.m.
1 by USC Bands.
South Carolina State Museum
1 of Music South Carolina Celebration of Blues
Hall and Jazz, Nov. 1,8 p.m.-midnight.
es?Jerry Curry,
3 p.m. Free. The Town Theatre j
s?William Bates, The Foreigner," Nov 13-30,8 p.m.
30 p.m. Free. Sunday matinees on Nov. 17-24,3 p m.
es?Robert Dick, Call the box office at 799-2510 for
i.m. Free. additional details.
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