| CANNABIS | MIMS performing “This Is Why I’m Hot.” Mike Madriaga A Higher Love Weed smokers and rappers provide needed IDs to Phoenix homeless. BY MIKE MADRIAGA D ozens of Valley hip-hop heads drove 150 miles to Flagstaff to smoke weed in “The Pines” with their favorite rap stars, Twista, MIMS, Lil’ Flip, and others, at the Beat Therapy 2k concert late last month. The music fest benefited people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix. “We are receiving a percentage of the funds from this event to help the unshel- tered people in metro Phoenix,” said Tammy Broselaw, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Tom’s Palms. “VhopNation put on the event.” The two entities, although separate, collaborate on giveback events in the Valley. On Friday, July 29, despite the flood and monsoon warnings blaring from cell- phones throughout the morning and after- noon, Broselaw and her fellow metro Phoenicians braved the inclement weather and drove northbound on Interstate 17. Tempe rapper Sour D, the Jefro’s Botanicals crew, Phoenix rapper Dudda2Kutta, and Ladiebug Haviland, as well as folks from Veterans For Healing, Axis Studios, The Higher Cactus, and OMG Goudness, formed caravans. Phoenix New Times followed the groups and ascended to 7,000 feet above sea level in the rain. Finally, at about 5 p.m., the rain eased as we pulled into Fort Tuthill County Park in the middle of thousands of pine trees. Performances took place at the Pepsi Amphitheater in the park. Broselaw and her husband set up a tent and spoke with the concertgoers and New Times. “Those funds will be used for our ID program back in Phoenix,” Broselaw explained. “We can now obtain IDs for those without an address.” Broselaw, Tom’s Palms’ vice president Sheena Williams, and the 501(c)(3) organi- zation’s volunteers locate people living on the street and help them with water, food, and IDs. “Their eyes get big when we tell them we can get them IDs,” Broselaw explained. “Without an ID, there’s not anything you can get help with or do. You can’t get your IRS check, and you can’t go get a check or cash anywhere.” Check cashing services require customers to show a state or federal identi- fication card with a photo. Broselaw continued, “You can’t get a job because you can’t prove who you are. You can’t get an apartment because you don’t have an ID. You can’t get health insurance, even with the state, if you don’t have an ID. You can’t get a food card without an ID.” The nonprofit initially provides signed vouchers to folks living in Phoenix’s streets, alleys, and parks. “Then they take that paper to GG&D,” she explained. “The office is on 43rd Avenue and Glendale, and that’s where they get their IDs.” GG&D is a founding member of the 3rd Party Motor Vehicle Association in the Valley, offering vehicle title transfers, motor vehicle registration, duplicate titles, temporary permits, notary services and other Arizona MVD services — including ID cards. Broselaw continued, “We pay the GG&D $27.50 per ID. Then we ask if (the new ID recipient) has a job. If they want a job, we offer them companies that will hire them with their new IDs.” Recently, Broselaw’s organization set up jobs for five people living on the street. “Because they all [now] have IDs,” she added. “And they all still work there.” Last year, Tom’s Palms, named after Broselaw’s and Williams’ fathers, >> p 41 37 phoenixnewtimes.com | CONTENTS | FEEDBACK | OPINION | NEWS | FEATURE | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | PHOENIX NEW TIMES AUG 11TH–AUG 17TH, 2022
