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.