Doc’s Resolution for the New Year
This one is dedicated to a wonderful new friend, Ms. Lois Zeiler! Ever wonder what your role in, or how you are influencing, and maybe even fueling our nation’s homeless crisis? Well, it is clear as mountain air that no amount of money or services are about to find a new year’s resolution any time soon. The evidence suggests the more funding thrown in this problem’s direction, the worse it gets. The more treatment provisions we toss for it is also doing the same. All the various agencies jumping blindly into this mix are exacerbating things too, especially using punitive measures. Seems like counterproductive leadership over here: a young high school student spoke at one of our city council meetings not so long ago and mentioned addressing this crisis ought to begin with a thorough needs assessment. Gee, that was one of the primary constructs taught at UMass, Lowell. As students of their Community and Social Psychology curriculum, it was necessary to actually conduct one too, and we did one for the Elderly Services Organization’s in Lawrence.
It seems new laws are looking and feeling more punitive for our homeless community of mental illnesses and hardship cases. Many of these folks were abused at home in one way or another, so they left it. Others were victims of neglect disguised as “Tough Love” when genuine love is often their real craving, not drugs and alcohol that can easily mimic. I mean, a dopamine blast is what getting high is all about, right? Well guess what, we all get a dopamine blast from a hug, a handshake, and especially from pat on the back! We strive when we feel loved, appreciated, and accepted.
Addiction is not criminal, more a cry for help, for love, for what we call Affirmation. We are not suggesting here that bad parenting is to blame either. Fifty plus years ago, you acted out in school, and ended up in the principal’s office, getting your open hand wacked by a board, designed specifically for that sort of behavior modification accessory. Oh man, do you think a tad bit of trauma gets induced? Well probably not if the beating you get at home is even worse. The point here is that without knowing and understanding the person you are attempting to help, you may well be causing more damage than you imagine possible.
My heart goes out to all families coping when someone they love is struggling. It is an all too familiar scenario for us here at VSN. Some of us have been on both sides of this fence too, first as either a sibling, daughter, or son struggling to make it through another day, and later as the parent coping with a child, wife, or husband struggling to make it through another day. When you attempt to fix your loved one, it is often received as degradation, disrespect, and/or betrayal. This is especially the case of those unaware of having an illness and unaware of needing help. Genuine love does not judge. Always loved hearing in the halls to keep my side of the street clean or other people’s inventory is none of my business! Well, actually, that is a big part of a needs assessment, isn’t it? Research shows client-centered approaches work best; so, for our new year’s resolution, we will do our best to evade undermining morale and trust within those we serve – avoid being self-serving in our administration – refrain from erratic behavior – and prevaricate incompetence as much as possible.
In closing, our homework assignments of late were abundant and worthy of mention. Let us start with Ms. Melanie Gilbert, my fav, she makes note of our Nov. 2024 ordinance making it illegal for the public to use public property. I do not get it, do you? I guess being homeless means you are no longer part of the public, our society, or our community. Here is her closing: “Ultimately, Chhan said neither the city of Lowell, the LPD nor the LHA can solve this homeless crisis alone…” Melanie quotes Chhan again: “We need a comprehensive plan that is specifically designed for homeless individuals who could use treatment including mental health and substance abuse, stable housing and other supportive services that will lead to successful rehabilitation and reintegration into the community,” he said. “We can see the positive impact of our efforts, but it’s just a temporary fix.” (article)
Recently we offered to barter a deal. We will design just such a plan in exchange for cleansing our river, and yes it belongs to our homeless too! The design will require no extra anything and can leverage existing services already being offered by our local non-profits. The Centerville project is a good start, thank you, and covers our needs assessment already completed. Initiated back in 2017 it is now sufficient enough to pilot test a design based on that data.
Another brainstorming assignment from Mr. William Tell reviews the Chicago Tribune from May of this year. Jim O’Conner (author) notes: “Federal and state leaders can strengthen this progress by investing in programs that combine recovery housing, counseling, peer support and job readiness. These programs cost far less than prolonged reliance on emergency services by people who are unhoused and repeated involvement with law enforcement. They also expand the range of interventions available to local agencies that face record demand.”
He goes on further with “Recovery is a long process. People need housing, routine and support that continue after formal treatment ends. Federal policy is moving toward a more realistic understanding of what long-term recovery requires. Communities can build on this momentum by supporting programs that are compassionate, practical and designed for lasting stability.” (ty Jim)! We would love to bend your ear a bit, as we discovered several years ago a process from street level Severe Opioid Use Disorder to Sustained Remission is approximately two years. The theory has since been repeated showing a similar time. These achievements incorporated housing first ideology and inspired what our ARMOR Program identifies as the necessary Intermediate Phase of a client’s protocol to reach sustainability, as described.
Before moving on to something a bit less boring and far more entertaining, one more of our Editor in Chief’s contributions: This one from Peter Currier (author) makes note of how homelessness, due to a shortage of affordable housing and zoning laws for building multifamily homes are intertwined. We have thousands of empty government-owned buildings already and not sure we need new homes built yet. The people we have served for the past dozen years want nothing more than a warm private place to lay their head (safely at night) and a hassle-free common area for socializing during the day – to share their stories, and to feel loved, to be accepted as human!
Found my stranger by Richard Ebner (Dec.2023)
Drove past him twice,
on the way to the supermarket,
and on the way back.
Didn’t see his sign on the way there,
and only read it after passing back by.
“[IN DESPERATION: Please help if you can]”
A block away I stopped my car,
grabbed a few bucks from the visor,
and walked back to meet my stranger.
He was surrounded by canvas bags,
some more worn than others,
but all had definitely traveled some.
I said, “Hello,” and handed him the cash.
I was thanked with handshake and smile.
“Steve,” he said. “Bless you.”
“I’ve been homeless myself,” I told him.
“Doesn’t it suck?” Steve piped back.
He talked some, about his life’s journeys.
I listened; fisherman, farmer, fryer, framer and more.
I asked him what was next.
He said he was hitching north.
There might be a friend who could take him in.
We said our goodbyes,
and as I walked back to the car,
I heard him shout, “God Bless You!”
No, God Bless You, my Stranger,
I thought!