The Heart of CVM
Poems by Clients, Partners, & Supporters
Onward
I’ve walked a thousand miles in these torn and tattered shoes
I know I’ve made mistakes but this is not the life I choose
I’m the soldier that defected to a life of drugs and drinking
I’m the scientist that lost his mind, now, Lord KNOWS what I’m thinking
But the truth is that I think the same as all my brethren do
I stand today, a broken man, but I was once like you
At least, with CVM, I know I stand a fighting chance
Today I plan, tonight I sleep, tomorrow I advance
– CVM Manager - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
My home was a box or under a bridge
My friends were also on the street
How could I find a place to work
When no one could call or find my place?
Then CVM gave me a passage
so friends and family could leave a message
Now I work and keep in touch
Community Voice mail gave me so much.
– CVM Partner Agency
…………………………………………………………………
The Day before my Dog and I Became Homeless, and headed for Big Sky, A Friend told me about CVM. It has helped us every day since then. Because it's free (no fee, no debt), We had Phone Service AND could pay the Vet! Travelling through 32 states (plus D.C.) We had a phone number serving dog and me....
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
When you’ve fallen on difficult times
And you need helping hands
When there’s nowhere left to turn and no one understands
Community Voice Mail is what you seek
With programs to give you a start
They don’t do it for fortune or fame
It’s done out of love from the heart
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
Before & After
Lost in a sea of confusion
Stripped of dignity, with no clear vision
Misguided and mistreated along the way
Hello CVM, I see brighter days
Confident and connected to COMMUNITY
My VOICE, a vital sound of society
Listening to voiceMAIL, motivates and uplifts
Today I see brighter days, CVM, what a gift
– CVM Manager
…………………………………………………………………
As I sit here all broken hearted
May is coming soon and the tears have started
I lost my 22 year old son, shot to death you see
But through Community Voice Mail he was able to hear from me
We lost touch years ago and it was hard back then
But through Community Voice Mail we stayed in touch 2 days before the end
- CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
I love my community
For all that it is to me
When I need a hand
It helped me to stand
And when I needed love
It was light from above
My community, my community voice mail
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
Community Voice Mail is a hit
Community Voice Mail for the people I’m with
Community Voice Mail my people can ring me night & day
Community Voice Mail hallelujah, word up I say
-CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
I remember the time, fresh out of jail, feeling tired and weary and my body frail
Took a look at my life and it seemed disconnected from the social ties that would keep me protected
I had lost my connections with family and friends, community voice mail hooked me up again
Now i'm back on track with my life on the mend, thanks community voice mail, you're a valuable friend
– CVM Partner Agency - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
We are the people Voices of community
Connecting with the world
No longer isolated - beyond reach
Now we are the power of communication
When we reach out anything is possible
We lift ourselves up
Changing the world as we change Our lives
– CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
In this modern world often people don't care
but CVM is always there
we can connect over the phone
we are never alone
that connection makes life possible to bear
- CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
A homeless boilermaker's powerful force haled;
The idea of the Seattle initiated Community Voice-mail;
A simple, yet strong and loving dream that quickly sailed;
And grew from serving 145 to over 40,000 nationals both male and female;
Making voice-mail recipients out of the homeless, the jobless, and more without fail;
From which group I profited many times-I tell no tale;
Any jewel's glory, when compared to this non-profit's beauty, pales;
For it's an organization more precious than any diamond or stone at Zales.
- CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
CVM and what it means to me
It helps me and the jobs that I seek
Love ones they can keep in touch
And I can keep in touch with them That’s all important CVM is to me
Community Voice Mail
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
How do I get my life back? Where do I start?
I’ve floated downstream but I still can take part.
I know I’m out here, but who else knows it too?
I’ve heard there are options; man I hope that it’s true.
When you signed me up for voice mail, I regained the self I lost
My family and friends can get in touch; a doctor, a boss
I’m homeless but what really does that mean?
Homeless isn’t hopeless now-with CVM I can be seen.
– CVM Manager
…………………………………………………………………
When I needed aid
CVM was there.
They offered me a line of help
showing me their care.
Business, friends, strangers too
All can call me now.
As I move on in my life
In appreciation, I bow.
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
We are coming back to be members of our community
But what we need is a voice you see
A way to communicate, a way to be heard
Something reliable, yet nothing absurd
So we thank you CVM for being our voice
We thank you for encouraging us with a positive choice
And with love & gratitude straight from the heart
We thank you for giving us a new place to start
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
What Makes this World Turn?
“People who need people”, as the song goes.
On the streets, he’s lost the connection.
He’s hitting new lows.
But his cardboard bed demands reflection.
Reach out to him. He welcomes the “hellos”.
You found him. He heard you! The streets brighten.
A simple phone number just opened new windows.
He’s connected - and opportunities finally beckon
– CVM Partner Agency
…………………………………………………………………
When you have no place to call home
And there's no money for a phone
Your job search is stalled
Friends and family cannot call
CVM solves it all
My life is back on track
– CVM Partner Agency
…………………………………………………………………
Community Voice Mail has a way
For Community Voice Mail you do NOT pay
Stay connected through thick and thin
When you are Not connected your jobs are Slim
So use Community Voice Mail when you want to WIN
– CVM Partner Agency
…………………………………………………………………
Community Voice Mail is my life line
It helps me to get everything I need in order
I came to a different state and had no one
I felt so alone but it gave me hope
It gave me a phone even when I didn’t have a home
It supplies a need for my family & myself
It helped me to get on a road to success
And I am so thankful for CVM
Cuz without it I would be dead
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
Coordinating the nervous system into
One body. With each sponsored synapse
Networks are formed,
Neurons learn to fire anew,
Electrically excited cells make
Connections that send
Transmissions and allow the voice to
Speak and be heard. Hear, here!
– CVM Donor
…………………………………………………………………
I used to apply eagerly only in person,
But when they tried to reach me, it would only worsen.
I fell in despair until i heard of a repair.
It kept me faithfully connected, no matter where.
Consideration was what... See, i didn't need much...
Just for community voice mail to keep me in touch
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
There was a person with no home
Who wandered the streets alone
This person did not despair
Because families and friends were always near
Through the use of their CVM voicemail phone
– CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
I’m Down and out of touch, no prospects at least not much There’s a job--one I think, I can do. Since I got no phone and they can’t call.
“Say buddy can ya spare a dime? See I spent all mine on a telephone line.
It got shut off and now I’m broke. Help me sir, please be kind.”
“Sorry buddy, but I tell you what: I know there’s a free one, a phone without a bell.
You get a number and with info to help. It helped a buddy, he could tell… It’s called… Ya it’s called, Community Voice Mail”
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
Cvm holler: wen ya gotta holler call cvm! Not jes fer blue collar call cvm! Wen yer in need , its the voice that'll speed, yer info to the sympho. ( short for symphony), via cyberchat speed yeah!
– CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
I never thought, I never imagined
That I would need,
what I used to give away.
But it’s paid off because …
I unknowingly “paid it forward”.
Having a “Life-line” like CVM
Has me feel more like a human/person again.
Thank you God, thank you CVM!
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
I'm wondering aimlessly
Pondering if anybody is trying to contact me
Contacting me is difficult without a phone
I'm lost in this journey
Until I found community voice mail
Community voice mail brings me
Communication Communication is the first step to self-reliance
– CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
Signal
Your voice is like the sound of Mozart
You have me carrying on with no worries
Your signal is clear
I am no longer blinded by fear
Your heart is pure
Your touch feels like my cotton sheet
Our connection is everlasting
I am forever binding to you with all my heart and soul
Your signal is magnetic
Our connection is intuitive with the science of chemistry
You are atomic
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
It’s a pleasure to hear messages from friends
Cuz with my phone I know I am not alone
And where would I be without my friends & family
To make me feel happy
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
C-V-M - won't you come back again?
Don't ever leave as I retrieve all of my voicemail
so won'tcha come and set sail with me in the sea of opportunity
you've been there for me now, you've been there for me then
Community voicemail your kinda like a friend
through ups and downs up until the end
so satisfied I'm gonna go tell a friend
Ya keep me connected and employed don't ever let it end
I Love You Community Voice Mail
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
I can’t call out but I can call in
There is no way to express to you
All the things in which you do
I can’t call you so you’ll call me
If not for voice mail this would not be
I dial my number every day
To hear what voice box has to say
I’m so surprised by what I hear
And yet my voice box is so clear
There’s not nothing I don’t know
Cuz my voice box tells me so
When jobs are scarce and there are few
My voice box tells me what to do
I have no car, I have no phone
I have no house, I have no home
Still with voice box I’m not alone
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
You have given me a way
to keep in touch
each and everyday
What would I do without you
keeping me connected
just had to say I thank you
– CVM Supporter
…………………………………………………………………
You have to say, community voice mail is there, on its way.
Helping people to reach their goals each day. For including, and, improving, there for things right away.
It is, not to be without in provider, the community voice mail call system is there to reside you, and bring you hope every
day.
With on-call, telephone message response that is there for stakes to recline you.
And it is to say, that the community voice mail system will help save the day
– CVM Supporter -
…………………………………………………………………
The Heart of Community Voice Mail
Community Voice Mail has helped me to be on my way to cancer free,
Through you I was able to get my Dr. appointments, receive my messages,
All so important, in you I have never had any disappointment,
You have been there always helping me,
Each message you take so important, Without you I don't know where I would be,
Because you were there for me, I am almost cancer free
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
CMV got love for me
They help me provide for my family
By giving me voice mail that I can use
CMV is the one I choose
CMV is the one for me
Thank god for CMV
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
My CVM
At times when you can’t get through
Here’s what you do
Call my Community Voice Mail and
Tell it what concerns you
Leave your name and a number
A brief message if you would
I’ll return your call shortly or as soon as I could
Now if it’s an emergency and it cannot wait
Be sure to leave a detailed description that’s all it takes
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
hail hail community voice mail
the one spot my messages are left with much thought
a reliable resource
I am grateful of course
so if you need an outside connection
make community voice mail your main selection
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
Voicemail
Call me voicemail. I am the prince of phones.
Voicemail really sends me like a puppy with a bone. If you need to say "Good morning,"
Record your secret at the tone.
I'll check with message central; you're
Always welcome in my telephone home
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
CVM Sets a Tone
How can I reach you?
This is a familiar question that is often asked at a job interview or any significant event?
This is how Community Voice Mail helps me feel relevant!
There are people that I call and those who call me.
Community Voice Mail gives me stability.
Without Community Voice Mail I would not have these chances!
So, when I began to think about what I may not have, I remember
Something as simple as Voice Mail can change my life circumstances!
– CVM Partner Agency
…………………………………………………………………
An island in an endless sea
So far out in space, no star to cling to
So all alone, no one to sing to
No one to sing to me
Then I hear a ringing, is it in my head?
Am I in heaven? Am I dead?
I’m not alone, we’re not alone anymore
We have a line to humanities shore
– CVM Client - Audio
…………………………………………………………………
A toast to Community Voice Mail
I wondered where I’d lay my head
Would I be safe, would I be dead
I had no job, no home, no phone
And in my pain I felt alone
Then I heard some news one day
A number was mine through United Way
Now I want to raise my voice
Community Voice Mail is my choice!
– CVM Manager
…………………………………………………………………
Community Voicemail always has my back,
Never had to worry 'bout the messages I lacked.
You're more reliable than most people I know,
You're the only tool that keeps me in the flow
– CVM Client
…………………………………………………………………
Let me tell you what CVM has meant to me
A place to contact so that I can be not out of sight
But deep in touch, with a job, my family and even my friends
I can be now called, a message left
I don’t have to feel like I am out there in the cold, all by myself
Hey, CVM that’s the way to go
This way I can get a message and
That way I will know
– CVM Client - Audio