The 555 Collective makes first Tattoo-Haiku Delivery to Homeless Vets

Sept. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Denver, Colorado. On 9-5-2012, the 555 Collective delivered a shopping cart-full of shampoo, soap, shaving cream, razors, aspirin, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and more to homeless veterans receiving services via the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. This is the first delivery of goods that will occur as part of the ongoing project, Tattoo-Haiku, a joint effort between the 555 (http://www.555c.org) and Pens and Needles Tattoo of Colorado Springs (http://pens-needles.com).

Tattoo-Haiku (http://www.tattoo-haiku.com) is a haiku contest designed to generate support for homeless veterans of Colorado. For a $5.00 fee, writers can submit a haiku to a contest that awards the winner with a Tiffany's diamond ring, as well as "dermal publishing". The fees that the 555 collects go to purchasing goods that are commonly needed by veterans suffering from trauma, as they begin the long climb out of homelessness and despair. Common items that the more fortunate take for granted, such as shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant, are desperately needed by these veterans.

The 555 delivered hundreds of dollars worth of these items to homeless veterans yesterday, and this is only the beginning.

Inspired by the story of Sitting Bull's grandson, a Vietnam veteran who lived homeless in Denver from 1986-1989, the 555 seeks to spotlight homeless veterans as a prime example of the horrible consequences of PTSD and other trauma related mental illnesses. The issue of veterans without housing is significant and growing larger by the day. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reports that on any given night, 76,000 veterans go homeless. Only 8 percent of the US population can claim veteran status, however, male veterans comprise 33 percent of the general homeless population. In addition to these current numbers, 1.5 million veterans are presently at-risk for homelessness in the future.

Homeless veterans are only one of the many populations that suffer extreme loss and mental anguish because of trauma. But they're a good place to start. The 555 Collective utilizes the arts (humanity's greatest resource) to combat trauma (humanity's greatest challenge to its well-being). The format of a haiku contest has been chosen due to the haiku's demand of brevity and poignancy from the writer. The diamond ring is offered as a prize because it is the most valuable item in Joseph's possession at this time. The tattoo component exists to signify the commitment of the 555 to compassion for humanity, as well as innovative art.