Houston Hall's Bowl Room was a sea of tears Monday night as members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union -- a local organization comprised of many formerly homeless families who have gotten back on their feet -- shared their personal experiences. The reception was the culmination of a photography exhibit in the room depicting the fights and struggles of KWRU by photographer Harvey Finkel, a 1961 Social Work graduate. The exhibit runs through Friday before continuing on to other sites in Philadelphia. The exhibit -- which has been in the Bowl Room for nearly a month -- includes photos of scenes such as children playing with each other outside their makeshift tents. KWRU was founded and is run by Cheri Honkala, who described herself as "a formerly homeless mother on public assistance." "We try to fight everyday to end poverty and homelessness," Honkala said, describing their mission. "We have a moral responsibility to see to it that children don't live out on the street." Members of the organization work to set up tent cities in abandoned lots and convert abandoned houses and churches into temporary shelters. They come with few materials and amateur carpenters, turning places that were once run-down and empty into havens for Philadelphia's wandering poor. In the past seven years, KWRU has built 56 tent cities and obtained housing for more than 450 families. Mari Luz Gonzalez -- a mother of two who was homeless for five months -- praises KWRU's efforts. "Everyday I pray to God and thank the organization," she said. "Without KWRU, I don't know where I'd be." Gonzalez -- who now works for KWRU -- was living in an abandoned house with her children and another family when authorities told her that she had to leave. She said she was crying when she called up KWRU to help her find out what to do next. Within minutes, more than 60 volunteers were sitting, arms locked, on Gonzalez's living room floor, warding off the authorities. The Housing and Urban Development officials never showed up. Struggles like these have been documented by Finkel, who Honkala called the "best photographer in the city." Finkel agreed to this exhibit -- which will soon travel to the Painted Bride Art Center -- because he wanted to give life to the faceless poor who have been stereotyped by the media and the government. Monday's forum also called attention to KWRU's planned march to the State Office Building in Philadelphia March 3. Honkala is protesting the welfare cuts which will go into effect that day by symbolically refusing to sign her public assistance contract. "This is the worst time since the Depression for poor people," Finkel said. "Middle class people aren't aware of how it is going to hit them [too]." Congress's new workfare plan -- which includes a five-year cap on all governmental assistance -- has brought harsh criticism from many KWRU members. KWRU Legal Counsel Debbie Freeman spoke to the audience about the effects of this new policy, noting that "there will be 57,000 people in Philadelphia who are going to have to find some way to get a check."
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