ROBERT'S NEW LOOK

Robert - Very Determined Walker

My, what a big smile...

Robert and his brilliant hat

Rather pleased with the results of diet and exercise...

THANKSGIVING 2012

The old geezer is thankful for much this Thanksgiving Day - 2012.

Thankful for my health, ability to still get around, people who love and care about me, in short,
very thankful to be alive and going about the business of living.

May one and all have a brilliant holiday.

IHS OUTREACH COULD BE BETTER

After 30 years dealing with the homeless, IHS has name brand recognition, by the community at large and the 'at risk' members of the community served.  Truth be told, most believe that IHS feeds the hungry and provides a mat to sleep on to the homeless.  IHS is trying to be much more than that.

In chatting with Marc Alexander, Director of Community Relations and Development, Mr. Alexander mentioned multiple time how he and IHS was trying to reach out to the community.

The old geezer believes that IHS has made its mission very clear to the community at large.  How brilliant of a job IHS has done in reaching the clients it means to serve is open to discussion.

Did I mention how clean the shelter was?  Mind, the visit could have happened at low tide, but rather think that the on-going effort to make the shelter more user friendly is very real.

Hopelessness is 24/7.  IHS, like any of the other non-profits dealing with the homeless, needs to get out into the field more often, not just 9 to 5.

IHS has an outreach worker, actually two but only one is well know to this old geezer.  We will focus on the one.

Justin has some much compassion that it is plain to see, even for the most hopeless.  Justin collects information, offers help and lends a sympathetic ear to all met.  He has a real passion for the work.  Rather think that the clients he meets know that he has a personal interest in getting them to a safe harbour.  BUT, Justin only works Chinatown and only during certain hours.  There could be more like Justin.  There should be more like Justin.  IHS should try and reach homeless where ever.

The old geezer believes that this turf working is not in the best interest of the homeless.  The homeless move about.  Hence, non-profits need to do more outreach.

I believe that IHS can solve HOPELESSNESS.  One person at a time.  Give HOPE and you give a person a reason to live.  Give HOPE and a homeless person might take more interest in cleaning his or her body and clothing.  Give HOPE and a homeless person just might want to get help in improving life.

What do I know?  I am just an old man.  Actually, if every person who hears the call for help from IHS, or any other non-profit dealing with the homeless,  there would be buckets and buckets of HOPE.

IHS will never end hunger or homelessness.  It could end HOPELESSNESS.  In doing that, IHS could get many more of the at risk population, into a safer place.

NEW SHERIFF CLEANS UP IHS SHELTER

Marc Alexander - New Sheriff at IHS

Truth be told, Marc Alexander is the new Director of Community Relations and Development at IHS, the largest homeless shelter in Hawaii.  Being a clever old geezer, the above snap was found on the Internet and seemed perfect, to illustrate the new wind blowing through IHS and add a little colour to the personality of Mr. Alexander.

Monday afternoon, the old geezer paid a visit to the homeless shelter, at the personal invitation of the new sheriff.  The invite was made at the Homeless Awareness Conference, but at the time did not feel it was a real one.  Do you not realize that the old geezer can be a bit much at times?

Having paid the $45.00 to attend, the old geezer was hell bent on giving a piece of mind to folks felt to be less than Brilliant.  IHS was high on the list of folks not keen on and wanted to let that be known.  Mind, pedantic, shrill and full of hubris are but a few of the things thought of MOI, am well aware of how caustic folks can find the old geezer at times.  It is also true that the approach, while not met with undiluted pleasure by all, is very effective in getting into the tent to be heard...


It was believed by the old geezer that IHS was still guilty of many sins in dealing with the homeless.  The past was held up as present day status.  It had to be so, many of the homeless met told of how horrid the conditions were and the old geezer bought into the 'urban legend' about IHS.  Completely.

When an email was received from Mr. Alexander, gobsmacked as the old geezer was, it was the perfect opportunity to confirm for myself just how horrid IHS was in dealing with the homeless.  I wrote back to Mr. Alexander and told the gentleman that I would come with an open mind and see what was different.  Is it not true that 'no pancake is so flat that it does not have two sides'?

The old geezer arrived early for the tour with Marc Alexander.  This afforded MOI the opportunity to stand and observe the folks at the homeless shelter and check out the appeal of the courtyard and one of the common rooms.

In the past, the smell of urine, sweat, filthy clothes, caked on dirt was ripe.  To enter the courtyard was to reel back in shock at the smell that hung in the air.  Not just the courtyard but the entire building had a stale odor.

The courtyard was clean, very clean.  The clients sitting on the benches seemed to be clean and there was no one dressed in rags or urine soaked clothing.  The same applied to the common room entered.  The floor shined, furniture was clean and well maintained.  The loo, while old, was clean and there was no odor clinging to the walls.  Much impressed the old geezer was, not at all as it was.

In the car park, the clients seemed to be on best behaviour and did not give the impression of a dangerous place to catch a quick ciggie before the tour.

Mr. Alexander was prompt and the tour of the facilities went as scheduled.

There was no attempt to hide anything.  The sleeping areas were seen and the loos peeked into.  Information was free flowing.  IHS has new sleeping mats, not all but a goodly amount.  There were multiple bottles of cleaning solution available to the clients to make the mats safe to sleep on.  There were lockers a plenty for folks to safeguard valuables.

Mr. Alexander told of linen being available for the bunk beds.  Of clothing available for clients to change into after a refreshing shower.

The old geezer stands corrected.  IHS is not the "Black Hole of Calcutta".

After the tour, the old geezer sat down with the Sheriff of IHS and had a right good chin wag.

It is clear that IHS is trying to reach out and touch folks.  Truth be told, there never was any doubt that IHS is well known to the community.  Am not sure that the message is out there to many of the homeless in need of a safe harbour to re-build lives.  Too many bad stories are out there.

IHS does outreach in the Chinatown area, as well as the North Shore.  Waikiki seems to be the reserve of CareAVan, an outreach programme run by Waikiki Health Centre.  There in lies one of the biggest problems in reaching the homeless folks in need of the services of IHS.

Rightly so, Mr. Alexander points out the limits of cash available to do many things.  The old geezer mentioned to Mr. Alexander that the homeless are a group that moves about the island.  Sooner or later, many of the homeless will land in Waikiki.  Many of the most at risk.  Mentally ill men and women, Seniors, youths.  Clients with severe drug and alcohol problems will plague the beaches and neighbourhoods that cater to the visitors to our island.

They come to Waikiki to beg.  They are drawn to the bright lights and assumed 'safety' in sleeping at a bus stop or on a park bench.

Mr. Alexander agrees that outreach needs to be improved.  That homeless folks need to know that there is a safe place to go.  That there is a place dealing in HOPE.

To my mind, that is what IHS is all about.  HOPE.  Regardless of who does it, each and every person doing outreach to the homeless should be dealing in HOPE.  IHS is perfectly situated to get folks on the road to a new life.  They see the homeless first and can get the homeless connected to any other agency that can improve the chances of homeless men and women getting hopeful about the rest of their lives.

The old geezer offered to help in any way, to get more homeless aware of positive changes at IHS, to educate other concern individuals about positive contributions they can make as members of the community.  One does not need a title, or membership in a non-profit, to help a neighbour in need of help.

The old geezer is old fashioned.  I hardly know Mr. Alexander and did not want to use Marc in telling this tale.  So 'au fait' I am not with Mr. Alexander.

Being in a position of authority, Mr. Alexander and his massive sandbox are primed to get folks moving in the same direction as IHS.  It is not about turf, it is about 'what can I do to help YOU (the homeless), in so many words Mr. Alexander seems to get that.

The old geezer listened to what Mr. Alexander had to say.  Being able to read faces, the old geezer is of the opinion that Mr. Alexander listened as well.  He certainly took copious note of the chat...

I offered to help, one can do no more than that.

IHS should not have a single empty bed, More's the pity if it does.

MORE POOR IN HAWAII

The government tells us that the number of folks living, just got worse.

It is now believed that more than 17 percent of folks, living in Hawaii, are below the poverty line.

It would seem that there are going to be more folks at risk of being uncovered.

Bad news for folks in need, good news for the non-profits.  The demand for more cash from the public purse will just get greater.

A WOMAN NAMED 'SUE'

In the center of the above snap you will see a homeless woman, a regular sight to behold in Waikiki.

So ubiquitous has she become to the landscape of Waikiki Beach, that you will note that the chap on the bicycle hardly pays her any mind.

Truth be told, countless numbers of folks pass this woman daily, and one wonders how many take note of her.

Every day, the old geezer goes for his walk.  Every day the homeless woman is seen, and every day the question come to mind, "how can this be"...

Being the sort who can not look away, there have been multiple times, the walk was postponed a bit, to stop and chap with the homeless lady.  Today was no exception.

The homeless woman has a name.  Her name is Sue.  I know that because I took the time to find out.  I know a great deal more about the homeless woman than her name.

Sue is very bright.  Very aware.  Sue follows events in the newspapers.  Sue told MOI that she thought it odd that they were thinking of preventing smoking on the beach.  Sue was also aware of the Homeless Awareness Conference, that was held at the Pacific Beach Hotel.

Sue told the old geezer that she kept looking for some of the attendees to come out of the hotel and see what homelessness might be right outside of the door of the hotel.  Sue says that she saw one person with a name tag on, but that person never stopped to chat with her.

Sue asked if the old geezer had gone to the conference.  Wanted to know what was said and what solutions were found.  I had to tell true that not much new was found out and that the lovely folks from the non-profits still did not have a clue.

Sue is an interesting study.  No doubt that the rags adorning her body are filthy, and she could use a bath and some grooming of her nails.  No doubt, there is some sort of mental condition going on.

Today, I asked Sue what I could do to help her.  She asked if I had a place she could go to and take a bath.  I had to tell her that I could not do that.  I offered to ring someone up and get her some help.  Sue is afraid of social services and equally afraid of homeless shelters.

I asked Sue if she would like someone to help her get a room somewhere.  Was gobsmacked when Sue told MOI that a room somewhere with no money would be like a prison.  Like I said, Sue is not stupid.

Sue needs help.  Sue also has the right to refuse help.

As a society, should we not try to reach her?  No matter how difficult it might be to win her trust?

I made myself a promise today that each and every day I go out for a walk I am going to try and acknowledge her as a person of worth.  Sue is a human being and as such deserves to be reached out to.

One wonders why the non-profits are not trying harder to reach Sue.  Might well be that Sue is a hard case, and the non-profits do not want to take the time.

TRUTH BE TOLD...

The featured filmed clip is from Matt Glickstein - Songs For A Better World.  It is well worth giving a look and just might make you think a little about homelessness.

Let's start this post with some simple truths.  'THERE IS NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HAWAII'.  There has not been for some time and housing is hard to come by for even the folks who work long and hard.  'THE POOR WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US'.  It is just the way of it, there will always be folks who do not have cash, or so little of it, that life is an endless grind.  'THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HOMELESSNESS'.  Charles Dickens told stories of the plight of the homeless in London in the 1800's, while getting some things changed, homelessness is not one of them.  There are folks still living uncovered in London, as there are all over the world.  Hawaii is not unique.

Regardless of the efforts of well meaning individuals toiling in non-profits, regardless the massive sums we give non-profits to deal with the homeless problem, there will always be members of the community living in horrid conditions.

Non-profits in Hawaii get tens of millions of dollars to deal with the homeless situation.  There is some change, but the problem still remains.  No doubt the programs that deal with women and children who are homeless, and programs dealing with families without shelter meet with better results.  Truth be told, the plight of women and children living on the road is one that touches society deeply and great effort is made to protect this vulnerable segment of society.  Single men facing horrid conditions is not treated with the same level of compassion.

The old geezer tossed and turned all night and sleep was most troubled.  The events of the day were to blame.  Not to mention some of the comments heard.

'YOU HAVE NOT WALKED THE WALK', was the comment most haunted by in sleep.  It was hurled at MOI by one of the 'bright young things' connect with IHS.

There is ample proof to be had that this old geezer has indeed 'walked the walk'.  Has for many more years than the gentleman who works at IHS.  I may not be a 'paid professional' but have always tried to make a difference in any community a part of.  This old geezer does not walk through life with blinkers on and has tried always, to stop to offer a hand to someone less fortunate.  Daily, the horrid conditions of the homeless are observed in Waikiki and other parts of Honolulu.

I have always been curious, and that desire to learn more has made MOI stop and try to hear the stories of folks in trouble.  One comes away with an entirely different attitude about homelessness, when you learn how or way, one is sleeping on a bench, or begging on the pavement.

Not all who are homeless want help.  Quite a few of the homeless have found a way to live rent free and with responsibility.  Many get a government check and food stamps and like the idea of not paying for anything.  They like not taking responsibility for their anti-social behaviour.  That is the way of it.  They have the right to refuse help to change.  So, one moves on.

It is a whole different story to get into the mentally ill, the alcoholics and the drug addicts.  One could go on and on.  Best to leave that for a different post.

The second thing heard yesterday, that made sleep hard to come, was one made by Colin Kippen.

In his remarks to the attendees of yesterday's conference, he made strong reference to bringing all members of the community together to deal with the homeless problem.  He talked movingly about Aloha and Ohana.

In my darkest hour, it was members of the community, my 'family', that provided me with the courage to carry.  NOT a non-profit.

When the courage was found to make the call to a long time friend, it was met with the disbelief that the old geezer would not believe that some cared about and wanted to.  See how spot on Colin is in his belief that Aloha and Ohana of the community is valid and necessary to solve homelessness.

The worst 17 days of me life were spent at IHS.  Mind, over the years stories had been heard of the horrid place that it is.  At least the men's shelter.  Street wise professional homeless seem to thrive there.  They know how to work the system.  IHS is not the place the weak, old or different go to.  The battle to keep from being abused or robbed is too hard to fight.  Truth be told, it was not the correct place for young men with AIDS to go either, in years past.  Stories make the rounds among the homeless of a fate worse than death in going into the shelter.

COMMUNITY.  Ordinary folks doing extraordinaire things to help fellow members of society who need a bit of help and compassion.  Like my good friend.  A simple man who tries to help homeless in Waikiki.  Having jobs performed by homeless, to give a little cash to for food and toiletries ad clothes washing.

If you get the impression that no love is to be had for IHS, you would be correct.  Pray, let me explain my reasons.

Whatever IHS was in the past, is a far cry from what it is today.  Millions and millions of dollars pour into the coffers of IHS.  So completely have they convinced the powers to be that they deserve as much as they ask for.  Duplication of effort and bad mistakes seems to matter little and IHS has the 'data' to prove how brilliant they are.  More's the pity that IHS does not admit that they are no more capable in ending homelessness than any other organization.

I came away from the homeless conference, more convinced than ever, that while some do wondrous things to help disadvantaged members of the community, there are non-profits who receive far more than they should.  That turf defending is alive and well among the non-profits.  That IHS, regardless of how well and slick they self promote, do not have all of the answers.  That duplication of services offered is expensive and may well be best done by not placing all of the eggs in one basket.

Lastly, it would be so very wrong to allow the voice of a former priest of the Catholic Church, to drown out other voices.  Regardless of his connection with IHS, he is but one member of the community and when last looked does not walk on water.

HOMELESS CONFERENCE BLUES

My dears, if it was felt that the old geezer would stop sharing thoughts, this post will let all who are 'au fait' with, know that my ability to tell a story is still very much alive.  Truth be told, it took a day that was most interesting to shake MOI up and share with you.

There was a 'Homeless Awareness Conference' held in Waikiki today.  Having been engaged in the fight to enlighten folks to the social injustices that plague society, this seemed like the right point to pick up pen and share with all of the lovely folks known to or folks one wants to reach out to.

When first read in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser of the coming conference, I rang up one of the folks listed as an organizer of the event.  I told of my interest to share facts about the homeless in Waikiki.  I learned that it was going to cost $45.00 to attend the conference and was a bit put off by that.  Friends told MOI that some needed to go and tell the non-profits and other gathered interested parties that the general public might not share their view that the job being done was brilliant.  I emailed the organizer and told I would attend, even if my views were not ones the gathered good folks wanted to hear.

Early this AM, the old geezer went to the posh hotel to sign in and to try and meet folks.  I had told the organizer of the conference that it was my belief that many if not most of the attendees would be 'choir singing to the choir'.  As the ballroom filled, it was quite clear that this was indeed the case.  Not so much a conference but an opportunity for 'bright young things' to network.

Being extremely hearing impaired, the old geezer has to re lie on device in ear, lip reading and face reading.  All of my skills were in use and helped to know fairly early on, who wanted to hear what an outsider had to say about the homeless problem.  What was learned today was most illuminating and want so much to share it with you.

Many of the attendees were not interested in chatting with anyone who was not working for a non-profit, or connected to a government agency dealing with the homeless problem.  Most of the attendees felt that they and the organization they worked for were working miracles in getting folks off the street and into shelters or in a direction to get help with issues causing homelessness

There were some rather interesting exceptions.

Colin Kippen, State Homeless Coordinator for the Governor, was one of the first speakers.  Colin spoke from the heart and urged all the attendees to double their effort to try and engage 'the community' in the fight to end homelessness in Hawaii.  Only in getting all of the community involved would make the battle winnable.  He made no false promise and in some ways may well have said things many of the attendees did not want to hear.

I had a long chin wag with Colin and came away with the feeling that this was a man who could make a difference.  Colin knows full well that he has his work cut out for him and that there will be folks out to get him.  I rather think that Mr. Kippen is prepared to rattle a few cages to get things done.

Darryl Vincent was another person met who made an impression on.  Wrongly, the old geezer believed him to be another that works in the non-profit he is with.  I did not like that person two year ago and was prepared to fire me guns in anger about my feelings towards.  It takes a big person to stand ground and correct a wrong impression.  Mind, Darryl has a massive toothy grin and the personality of a slick used car salesman and loves to 'close the deal'.  Darryl may not have shared many of my beliefs about the failure of non-profits to deliver change, but he heard me out, which was more that many were prepared to do.  I still believe that his organization could do more, but he made me believe he is at least willing to listen to a different view.

State Senator Josh Green,MD, from West Hawaii, was another presenter who spoke true to the attendees about Healthcare for the homeless.

Dear reader, you who have followed this blog for some time know that the old geezer share his life with the world at large.  You, who are 'au fait' know that I have shared my mental illness, my fight to save what little hearing is left, my battle with food, my stroke and the brief period hope was lost and I was homeless.  You know of my community activism.  When it comes to the problems of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, troubled mentally ill folks and 'professional homeless'  the old geezer is no dilettante.  I may not be a member of a non-profit', but I have tried to make a difference in the world I live in.

It came as a shock to hear so many folks today tell that I did not know what I was talking about, 'you never have walked the walk', the old geezer was told.  What I had to say about failings on the part of some non-profits was completely antedated and of no value.

One of the individuals in an exalted position at IHS, was one of the least approachable folks at the conference.  Mind, his real value is in his being very politically connected and unless you have value to IHS, he really doe not have to listen to what you say, regardless of how you say it.

Throughout the day folks at the conference used 'data' and 'numbers' to support how brilliant of a job they are doing.

Data can be wrong and numbers can be played different ways.  A report in the newspaper today used numbers and data to tell of changes in the homeless problem.  Have no doubt that the attendees used them to show how the fight is being won by their efforts.  How interesting.  Like Colin said of the data, it depends on how you look at the glass, half full or half empty.

If you have come to think that the old geezer sees this day as a bust, you would be wrong.  The opportunity was had to tell folks in positions to help homeless folks, that not all felt that they were doing the best job possible to end homelessness in Hawaii.

The conference opened with a presentation by Matt Glickstein.  It was a musical video of a song sung by students from a local school.  "Dream What Could Be Done" is the name of the song and it can be found on YOUTUBE.  You need to watch it.  The children of this world are our hope, and this video makes one believe that the children just may get it right.

The snap used to start this post is not meant to demean anyone.  It does serve to show that not all of the folks who are homeless want to be saved.  Personally, the joke is on them.

The old geezer is back...