The public sees the problem as a blight, and is trying to make it disappear. Individually, we take the stance of the ostrich; “If it is ignored, perhaps it will go away”. But neither of these approaches, and all the varieties in-between will do anything except delay a solution to this problem. Underlying this issue is what I call “problem definition". Presently, we all are as the blind man and the elephant. The approach of defining the problem without looking at it is both costly and stupid. And, someone is now saying “tell us something we don’t know.”
We don’t need some committee to evaluate the problem and tell us what to do and we do not need another bureaucratic department. Perhaps what we do need is a concerned citizen, or two, or three, to look at the problem through the eyes of the homeless and the present service providers. Thereby, they may gain an understanding of what is involved, the nature of the problem, what steps are being taken, and what steps should be taken in order to solve this.
The qualifications for this job are really quite simple and clear.
1. You have to be human.
2. You have to have a heart.
3. You have to have an imagination.
4. You have to have feelings.
You have to be human in order to appreciate, the roots of the problem lie
in self esteem and belonging. You have to have a heart so that you can be
touched by this problem, and are effective in the solution; which will involve
personal sacrifice, and individual initiative. You have to have an imagination,
to appreciate how it must feel to have nothing, no-where and no one….for
the rest of your life. Most importantly you have to have feelings, because
unless this makes you cry….Your own problem dwarfs this one. So, does
this run you off? Or, how many have I run off? We all fit the description.
We all can do this job. But perhaps the following are more sobering:
1. No perks
2. No power
3. No privileges
4. No thanks
If you are expecting the power to solve this problem to come from anyone else but you, or if you are looking to be part of some task force, funded by dollars from the taxpayers, or if you are expecting the thanks of a grateful public, and government...look somewhere else. And so the great majority of those who read this, will say, “no thanks”.
I am aware, I am guilty, of allowing this to be, and I am not comfortable doing this. I will not tell you that I am committed to doing this; perhaps that will come as I explore the problem. But I can assure you, that it now occupies a larger portion of my thinking, as I embark upon a task, that I invite you to join me in.
For, if only on an individual basis: I need to confront this problem, and I need to understand this problem, make a decision about this problem, act on this problem, and be accountable for this problem. Because this problem is mine, by my willingness to allow it to continue, as much as it is the problem of those whose experience it is. And by this analysis, more my problem than theirs.
To begin, we need to be aware that homelessness is being dealt with, and that we need to enter whatever situation we enter as servants. In other words, we must accept that we are not the authorities here. We may find that the authorities here are the ones that we perceive as least likely to be able to solve their own problems. That is the homeless population themselves. It is through their eyes that we must evaluate the programs, the people already in the role of caregiver and providers, in order to assess the effectiveness of both people and programs.
It is not going to be our purpose to change things radically, be it people or programs, but it will be our part to effect change by addition and let the attrition take care of itself. We will be best served if we remember one small thing. Our goal then is to enable people to solve their own problems by being without self interest in seeking the solution which, while it may not be ours, will work for them nonetheless. We can only gain a foothold here by working on the foundations of others and with the wisdom of others.
The truth may well be that we cannot make much of an impact past what has been done and the situation may not be addressable in this venue. What can be accomplished however; will be to personal address the problem of homelessness from our own hearts, with our own resources and by our own sacrifices. This will, in the end, be the largest factor contributing to any success that we may enjoy. The proposal that follows is merely a suggestion as to how the problem might be defined. The solutions will suggest themselves to those who will look for them. The means of implementing the solutions found will only be as successful as the heart and commitment of those willing to undertake it.
After I wrote the preceding, there was some discussion between myself and a few friends. There was speculation that perhaps I should put together a formal proposal for presentation with other ideas that this article might generate. I stepped back and looked at what I had written and remembered something. As I browsed through some information from other organizations dating back to 1984, I realized that the form of the solution would have to come from an individual response, not from individuals and not from the venue of an organization. So I asked myself what can I do that an organization cannot do better? But then, doing better is not the issue here yet.
Doing still remains the problem and that must be solved in an individual fashion before there can be any commitment. It boils down to “Do I really want to do this?” Then: “What is it that I want to do here?” And finally, “How am I going to get it done?” Truth be told, I will say that I can probably think of nicer ways to spend my time, and certainly pick more pleasant surroundings then downtown in our city, or any city. I need to do this, plain, pure, and simple. Not because I am a Christian but because I am a human being. To not seek for others the same things that I have is to cheapen and demean the gifts that I have been given and to betray the Giver of these gifts. And yes, I mean Almighty God.
What can I give? When and where do I give? How do I give? Traditionally I have given through charitable organizations and I note that has not been very effective. It also allows me to think that there are differences between these people and myself, that I am above what has happened to these people because of the largess that I can potentially bestow. Also I have restricted my gifts to money when I have given, and the gift of money makes an unspoken statement of degradation for the person who receives it, and a similar statement of privilege for the giver. When, in fact, no gift has been given...only a rather cold practical business transaction has been performed.
All this then tells how I have given something. By remote control, at my own convenience, with a gift that destroys. Neither has to happen, but it has and it does. I will not continue to give such gifts. What do I give? When and where do I give? How do I give? Perhaps a clue lies here: “Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.” Pretty high standards those. The chains of oppression might be our opinions having to do with something we know nothing about and therefore can have no opinion about.
Frequently when we figure that we know something about the reasons for homelessness we are led to make some pretty vicious generalizations that impair our ability to see the truth when it is shown to us. Such serves no good purpose except to blind others to something that they (and we) might need to see. The yoke of injustice, might have to do with the disenfranchisement that comes with having nothing and being nowhere. Therefore, these people are non-people and do not qualify as citizens as long as the benefits of citizenship are predicated upon having possessions that qualify them as participants insofar as the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness is concerned.
Perhaps the program suggested by President Bush (admirable as it is) needs to address a broader problem and be labeled, “No-One left behind”. At least the last part of this statement seems clear and without ambiguity: “Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor”. There is the whole problem. The problem we have with the problem is...its solution. Logically then we could solve this whole problem tomorrow if we would each of us feed, house and clothe one soul. I can hear the protests and the wails of anguish about practicality, idealism and pessimism. As we have so far failed as a society to provide for our own, then it does fall to the individual to create a solution.
Perhaps it is time for the system to step back, admit that it has been less than effective, and give us what we need to do the job. Perhaps on a smaller scale to start with, but on a scale repeatable. And, for all its limitations, one that will not tax our resources as other agencies and corporate efforts aimed at addressing the situation seem to have. In order to administer this solution it will take a lot of networking to discover where our resources lie, with whom and where. It will take some convincing for some people and groups to make appropriate contributions at the right times. And no, I am not talking about money at this time.
“For I was anhungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty and, you gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison and ye visited me not.” Then shall they also answer him saying, “ Lord, when saw we thee an hungered or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, and in prison, and ministered not unto thee?” Then shall he answer them saying, “Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto the least of these, ye did it not to me” This is where it is for me. This is what compels me to write this and to think carefully about what kind of response that I will make.
Let us talk frankly, and honestly for a few moments. I do understand, that for some the solution may not be practicable. For instance, those with families, or small children, will not be able to take in any one, and there may be other reasons why this is not practicable. But who is there among us who does not have more clothes than they can wear? Or who is there among us who does not have more than enough to eat? Who is there among us who could not make up a package of blankets, food, clothing, and hygienic items? Individual efforts are what is going to make this effort succeed. Because individual efforts are going to be prompted by the heart, that is where this battle is going to be fought. That is where the battle will be won or lost for these peoples survival.
What has been presented so far is a call to conscience. What will follow will be an approach that can be used by anyone at any time anywhere, by any group large or small, one person or many. This is the beauty of individual response. And this is where we have arrived together, reader; the call has gone forth. The solution has been discovered, and now the response needs to be fashioned.
All right, you say, but even if I was interested in getting something together, I don't know where to start. The first place to start is to figure out what it is that you might want to do. Supply food? Think of yourself on an extended camping trip where you might or might not have access to fire for cooking.
1. There are lots of snacks;
that are wrapped in foil that can last indefinitely before they are consumed.
2. There are canned goods
that will self-open and are safe to eat without heat.
3. There are basic utensils,
forks and spoons, for example that lend themselves to this task, being made
of light metal or tin. The most
important item in this pack will be the knife and that will require some
careful selection for it is likely to be used for a variety of tasks,
not necessarily being limited to cooking.
4. A small Gideons Bible
could be included also.
Basically, what you are looking for are items that are easily obtainable,
food choices that standardized so that some sort of nutritional diet might
be established. Remember that anything that you are likely to like and prefer
will hold true for the individual that you are provisioning. With that in
mind, stay away from the unique, the complicated and the specialized.
Supply clothing?
1. Several pairs of mens
and womans jeans. Not the high fashion variety but something anonymous and
serviceable.
2. Sweatshirts, large and
medium, are probably good choices.
3. Lots of underwear and
thick white socks (these wash up best and are wearable if there is an injury.
NOTE:
Remember that you need to think of items that have usefulness beyond their
intended form.
4. Shirts flannel, large
and heavy.
5. Men’s coats (army
surplus)
Resist the temptation to build a wardrobe or to co-ordinate your choices, just pick the sturdy and the long lasting, and keep away from things that advertise, or promote fashion, or beverages, or clothing, these people are not clothes horses, but we need to be sensitive to sensibilities. Think of yourself in the same situation and plan accordingly, that is the key.
Think of yourself in that situation. If you should lose your job, get injured, and in the process miss payments on your bills or credit cards, there really is precious little, that separates me and you from the kind of existence being led by the homeless. Perhaps the best way to start is to volunteer to work with an organization that presently has a program in place to serve the needs of the homeless in whatever fashion. You will find there are any number of ways that you can meet the needs that are presented and you will be able to build your own commitment, and perhaps even to go to the extent of providing things from your own stores. David said, “let not my own gift cost me nothing.”
Author: R C Rohdenburg
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