WHY PANDER TO HOMELESS WHO DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE

No matter how clever the signs may be, giving cash to homeless beggars is just plain stupid.  Truth be told, the same applies to non-profits giving endless amounts of outreach to drug addicts, alcoholics and lazy people who take whatever is offered without any desire to better their situation.

There are any number of places that feed the homeless.  Noble idea, but how many of these homeless are truly 'hungry?  Does 'hunger' apply to individuals who get 318.00 in food stamps?  EBT receivers who sell their food stamps to buy alcohol, drugs or tobacco products?  How many starving people does one really see in the food lines?

Many of the homeless receive government benefits.  Cash.  Every month.  Is one really homeless if one makes the choice to not pay rent and use the cash received for drugs, alcohol or tobacco?

There are any number of non-profits in Hawaii who receive public monies to service the homeless.  The same pool of homeless are provided an endless stream of outreach effort by one non-profit organization after another.  Yet the number of homeless in Waikiki, Chinatown and Hawaii continues to grow.

The 'bright young things' in non-profits now want the public to believe that you can give housing to homeless folks without requiring any effort on the part of the receiver of such housing to change the behaviours that might place them in homelessness in the first place.

Call me cruel but I find it very hard to feel any sympathy for drug addicts or alcoholics who do not want to stop drinking or abusing drugs.  Better to do outreach to folks who really want to change their condition.

If it be true that most of the homeless are folks with mental problems, would we not be better served in providing better programmes to deal with mental illness?

Homelessness is not unique to Hawaii.  The homeless are to be found everywhere.   Truth be told there will always be homelessness.  Having a clever slogan that promises to end homelessness in ten years is not going to change that and is an out and out lie.

Mind, there are lots of 'bright young things' toiling away at a non-profit that need to fill out a resume or just make a living, and the public monies to be had seem to never end.  Guilt is a good way to keep the monies flowing.

CARE-A-VAN REPLIES

I want to reassure you that we do provide outreach every other week in Waikiki to our clients and all homeless we see while doing outreach. We also do night outreach once every two weeks in Waikiki. During outreach, we provide social services and referrals to different service agencies. We also inform them of the shelters that are available and pass out hygiene and snacks. We let new clients know about our services in our drop-in center and at our other locations. Many of the homeless in Waikiki are familiar clients to us. Our services are for all homeless, regardless of mental state or addiction as we aim to service all homeless that we encounter.

All of our services are free and voluntary. We can provide and inform individuals of our services, however, if they take our services is up to them.

Please, let me know if you have any other questions.

MICHELLE IP

Homeless Adult Coordinator

The Waikiki Health Center is responsible for operating an outreach programme to the homeless.  That programme is Care-A-Van.  I rather think that the reply received was from that part of their operation.

Waikiki Health Center is a wonderful resource for poor people to us to gain access to medical attention and on-going care with their health problems, physical or mental.  I have no argument with that.  

I wonder about the outreach programme to the homeless.  Does it really solve problems or does it pander to the homeless?

The reply received is so very "PC".  Does it really answer any questions?

It still bothers me that an outreach worker from Care-A-Van, visited a 'client' on the street and rang up an ambulance for the individual.  The 'client' may well have been feeling poorly, but he had a wheelchair, probably a bus pass, and could have got to hospital on his own.  I know of another homeless man who had a severely swollen leg, infected, and barely able to walk, and he was able to get self to hospital.  It did not cost hundreds of dollars to do that.

Makes one think that the 'bright young things' that do outreach, are pandering to the homeless and not mindful of the cost of rides in ambulances for individuals who might not require.  Mind, it is only 'public monies' and there is an endless stream of that...

The homeless in Waikiki are a clever lot.  Do you not think they already know where there can go?  They know and pick and choose what they want.  Mail service, EBT, free clothes.  The good stuff to be had with no strings attached.

OPEN LETTER TO WAIKIKI HEALTH CENTRE

Today I say one of your outreach workers administering to one of the homeless in Waikiki.

The homeless man in question is well known to you, as you have reached out to him in the past. Provided housing and even went so far as to deliver his medicines to his homeless address, a bus stop bench on the beach.

The homeless man in question is a raging alcoholic and seems to thrive on getting cash from the tourists who feel sorry for him. Might explain why he keep returning to his old living situation.

This was the first time I actually say one of your our reach workers in action. It made me wonder.

Why is this homeless man getting so much attention? Is he more worthy of help than any other homeless person in Waikiki?

When will someone from your organization do out rwach to some of the other needy homeless? Like a 70 year old man sleeping on a bench, or a older local man with swollen legs and bleeding sores?

When is enough, enough?

MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL

For many months last year I walked past a man who was camped out on a bench in Waikiki.  Had the very best spot on Waikiki Beach, just across the road from ABC stores and right in the middle of the beach where all of the tourists walk past.

This homeless person was a real piece of work.  He did not bathe, change clothes or even bother with using the toilet, he just went into his trousers.  To say that the homeless man stank would be an understand.  He was so disgustingly foul that he was a bio-hazard unto himself.

I spent many a morning chatting with this homeless, wanting desperately to understand why such a condition was to be found in Waikiki.  I learned that the homeless man was a raging alcoholic and that he was not interested in going to a shelter.  I learned that Waikiki Health Centre visited him on his bench and even brought his medicines to him.  When I asked the homeless man why he thought he should sit on the bench and make it foul for all, he told me it was his god given right to do that.  I learned that there was no shame to the man.  The homeless man even went so far to tell me that I was ruining his day by calling attention to his condition.

I asked many questions of folks who deal with homelessness in Waikiki.  I really wanted to know why nothing could be done for this man.

Time past and it came to pass that this homeless man was given a safe clean place to live.  The homeless man was removed from his bench on Waikiki.  From time to time I would see the man in Waikiki, still drinking heavily and slowly starting to show the signs of one yearning to return to the street.

Some time back the raging alcoholic showed up at a bus stop, right in from of a very busy ABC store on Kuhio.  He replaced his living situation yet again.

This homeless man is very comfortable living on the street.  He knows that his appearance makes folks feel sorry for.  He has quite the gift of chat, and is very clever in letting folks know that for a few dollars he might be able to get to hospital or get a meal.  He never tells the poor tourists that every dollar received is going to be spent on alcohol.

This morning I passed this homeless man on my walk.  I wondered how long he would be in this location.  I was in for a shock when I returned from my walk.

The homeless man was sitting in his wheel chair with a young chap providing his with assistance.  Turns out the young chap is with Waikiki Health Centre.  The homeless man is known to, and he was ringing up an ambulance to take the man to hospital.

Gobsmacked I was.  Not oft one sees one of the out reach workers for the homeless.  How strange that the homeless man was receiving even more help.  He must be one of the lucky 100 that are getting all of the attention these days.  WHY?  What good will come out of all the out reach.  This man has a serious alcohol problem and nothing is going to change that condition if the homeless man does not wish it.  This homeless man knows that money is to be had by being on the street, why go into housing where there is no cash to feed his lust for alcohol.

Waikiki Health Centre is reaching out to the homeless.  Might well be the wrong sort.  OR, it might be that the 'bright young things' doing out reach are not capable of understanding the nature of the condition.

I just know it is wrong to throw good money after bad.  VERY WRONG.

PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS - OR DOES IT

Just the other day, the local newspaper did a story about the homeless on Oahu.  Like any clever newspaper, the Star Advertiser had staff photos to go with the story.

The image of a 32 year old man, from West Coast, holding a placard with the message that he was homeless and hungry, was used to illustrate the homeless condition on Oahu.

To my mind, if the local newspaper wanted to generate sympathy for the plight of the homeless, the photo of the 32 year old man was not the way to go.  OR, was it the clever way that the local newspaper got the message across to the readers that the problem was not without a down side.  "Look at how your tax dollars are being spent".

Rather think my 'photo' has more meaning...

WAIKIKI OR CHINATOWN - HOMELESS IS STILL HOMELESS

A recent trip to K-Mart gave the old geezer the opportunity to check out who was hanging about IHS.  The shelter run by IHS is just across the road from K-Mart.

As luck would have it, the old geezer spied someone known to, sitting on the car park wall.  Justin is employed by IHS to do outreach to the homeless.  His main area of interest is Chinatown.  I admire Justin, he is one of the folks who really feels for the people who are in need of help.

Justin and the old geezer do not see eye to eye about the homeless or the role that IHS plays in dealing with the homeless problem.   Truth be told, Justin feels that the old geezer is not fair in his views about IHS.  Justin believes that IHS is responsible for Chinatown and Waikiki Health Centre, which operates Care-A-Van, is responsible for Waikiki.  After all, Justin says that there are more homeless people in Chinatown than in Waikiki.

Last time looked, the homeless travel.  Many of the homeless that are in Chinatown have been known to be in Waikiki, and the same holds true for homeless in Waikiki.  One of the main draws of Chinatown is the feeding programmes available.  The homeless can catch a meal at River of Life or IHS.  Just like Waikiki Health Centre, IHS is a mail drop point for the homeless.

In chatting to Justin, it is learned that not all of the space for the homeless is filled.  There is always a mat available.  Justin says that IHS can not force the homeless to stay in the shelter.  True.

The photo of the sign used in this post was found on the INTERNET.  Google says it is from Hawaii.  It could be from anywhere.  It could be from Chinatown or it could be from Waikiki.  The message says it all.

IHS came about due to the compassion an episcopal priest had for his fellow man.  They used to call it "The Peanut Butter and Jelly" outreach.  The good father wanted to draw attention to the horrid condition of the homeless and to offer some comfort.  IHS is much bigger than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich these days.  One wonders just how true IHS is to the original mission of the good father.

There is no doubt that IHS helps people.  IHS is not 'one size fits all' solution.  Mind, you might have better luch with IHS if you happen to find self homeless in Chinatown...

"WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE STREET"

The quote used in the title comes from Darryl Vincent, chairman of Partners in Care-Oahu's Continuum of Care.

Mr. Vincent is a very clever chap.  Has an answer for everything.

Mr. Vincent is dependant on his organization receiving a never ending flow of public monies to fund his efforts to solve homelessness in Hawaii, more specific, Oahu.

Whatever the local newspaper reports, good or bad, is another opportunity for Mr. Vincent to put a positive slant on efforts to help the homeless.

To my mind, if you piss on a wall long enough, you will get some part of said wall wet...

YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN NOT FORCE IT TO DRINK

James

James could be a poster child for Hawaii's Chronic Homeless.  James says he has been living rough for the past 6 years.  From living in a van to sleeping on a bench at The Bus Stop.

Tuesday last, James made his way to hospital to get some treatment for his leg.  James had waited until he could not walk and the pain was too much to bear.  To his credit, James made his way painfully to Queen's Medical Center.  The leg was so swollen and infected, it required cutting his trouser leg to get to.

Seeing this as a golden opportunity to get some sort of housing for James, I rang up Marc Alexander, IHS bigwig, to see if he might be able to do something to help James.  Mr. Alexander did not hesitate to provide some help.  It was set up for James to chat with a person who deals with folks in crisis.

Unfortunately, having told James that someone would ring him, he took to not answering the telephone in his room.  Told me that he could not abandon a friend he helps on the street.  Told me this after his being told by social worker at Queen's that his options upon release from hospital were limited.

James will have his infection treated, his leg will go down in size, and he will return to living uncovered on the streets of Waikiki.  His choice.

It is not my place to question James' sanity.  Mind, readers are ever so clever and you already have put together that James is 'not full quid'.

The local newspaper had another article about homeless in this morning's paper.  Regardless of the numbers, the director of US VETS sees positive things in them.  Thinks the increase may well be due to the counting of the homeless being more accurate.  What a lot of tosh.

James is a member of that 'chronic homeless population' that has yet to get shelter.  His 'friend' is another member of that population.  Between the two, hospital costs increase due to the unhealthy nature of their life style.  This time out it is just a week or so for James.  Last Christmas, James' friend spent 45 days in hospital due to a failed suicide attempt.

The article in the local paper contained quotes from a 32 year old, who is homeless.  "I hate Hawaii" and "I am here because it is a good place to be homeless".  Wonder if we can set up a collection to help the poor bugger return to where ever he came from.

I am not pleased that James will not accept help.  I will continue to chip away at that attitude.  I am proud that I know someone like Marc Alexander.  Am not known for being fond of IHS, but that did not stop the man from offering to help.  I wish the local newspaper would do more than to keep rehashing old news.  Look for information outside of usual sources.

ALAN IS MY KIND OF WEIRD

Alan

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes "AWWW!”

Truth be told, Alan, regardless of appearance, is anything but normal.

From the very first meeting, I knew - "There's a story there" - and I was right.

Is it not strange how friendship pops up in the most unusual places?  Who would have thought that the likes of the old geezer would get up close and personal with a very 'hard to know' person such as Alan.  Might have something to do with me winning personality OR the knack of asking too many questions...

In many ways, Alan is a contradiction.  Alan says he does not care about appearances, yet buys a very sporty vehicle, bright red no less.  Not content to live as a renter, Alan purchases a grand house.  Mind, Alan still thinks that Walmart is the only place to purchase his wardrobe.

I like Alan, more to the point, I am quite sure Alan likes me.  He does not understand the drama of my life, but seems interested in all of the weird things going on.

Alan is not one to upset folks.  Goes out of his way to not hurt feelings.

Recently, Alan closed the deal on his new house.  A large three bedroom house.  The old geezer wasted no time in telling Alan what colour to paint the bedroom that would be 'home' to the old geezer.  Banged on quite long, I did.  Partly out of fun and partly to test the waters.

However much Alan might like the old geezer, the idea of having MOI share his home was not to his liking.  Alan did not know how to tell the old geezer.  I may be lots of things but 'daft' is not one of them.  Truth be told, it was very clear to MOI that a new housing situation was not going to happen.

The last time looked, friendship should not be a chore.  Nor should one make another feel uncomfortable with what expectations.  Alan will more than like, be very close to the old geezer for years to come.  It is quite possible that me being a rose, covered with thorns, is not what sort of flower Alan thought the old geezer would be in the garden of friendship, but is still better than being a nasty weed...

Now if I could only get Alan to splash out on furniture, instead of talking ally rubbish from someone...

WHERE IS THE SAVINGS

Finally, in an editorial in local newspaper, is much truth about the homeless situation in Hawaii.

Dormitory 'rooms' and not apartments for the homeless.  Collecting the homeless that 'cost' in social services received and hoping that change might actually happen.  Providing a place that 'maybe' leads to getting off alcohol or drugs.  Knowing full well that many homeless families are still not served.

Right, other cities have had success in getting the homeless that 'cost' the most off the streets.  One wonders how much direct control the cities have in the running of said programmes, or how much is 'farmed out'.

In Hawaii, more specific, Honolulu, there is much duplication of effort.  Why is that?  Is there not a welfare office that knows who the needy are?  Social Security office that can provide an income to needy?  Community health centres who service the needs of the sick?  Can not the government offices already servicing the needy homeless, pool information and get help to the needy homeless.  Why this endless collection of information by different non-profits?

Does it really have to cost $30,000.00??? Per homeless housed?

At the end of the day, cash to deal with the homeless problem still 'costs'.

OK, SO I OFFEND

My post about the homeless brought loads of emails.  Not all were kisses, some were bricks.

I am in on the trick, am well aware that my style offends some folks in non-profits and local government.  Even the Fourth Estate...

Lots of folks wanted to know why I was so harsh with IHS and US Vets.

After years of providing help to the homeless, they are no more able to sole homelessness than anyone else.  Truth be told, there is money to be made in collecting an endless stream of cash to provide services.  Directors of the two programmes make a good living doing good.  Regardless of mistakes, they have folks convinced that they are on the cutting edge of helping the homeless.  They have data to back them up.

Folks who are 'au fait' with this blog know quite a bit about the old geezer.  I am at my best when adding personal experience to the story being told.  This story should be no different.

I have dealt with mental illness the whole of my life.  PTSD and Bi-Polar.  Two big issues to deal with.  I have been lucky.  When times were darkest, there were folks who loved me and got me to doctors.  I have been in hospital, done years of treatment and come to accept the reality of taking medication to control my mental illness.  I am honest with myself.  Facing the stigma of mental illness was not easy to come by, but when it was faced, it made living with mental illness more easy to cope with.

Every day I sit and listen to homeless folks talk.  Every day I meet folks who are mentally ill, some more ill than others.  Many of the folks living uncovered are mentally ill.  Many of the homeless do not have the courage to face their illness.  Most do not have anyone left who cares.

Years past, Hawaii had loads of places that helped the mentally ill get help in coping with the struggle of life.  Most of the programmes that helped the mentally ill have had monies taken from and the ability to service this very needy homeless group is under served.  Trained professionals who knew how to reach troubled souls are not so readily available.  Programmes that helped the mentally ill homeless get help getting off the street find funding hard to come by.

Honolulu is trying to find answers to the homeless problem.  The mayor gets loads of advice from folks who say they are able to deal with the problem.  Right, so long as funding comes their way.  IHS is not in the mental health business.  Serving the needs of the mentally ill is not something they do well.  I hear the stories and I have personal experience as to their lack of understanding of how to deal with the mentally ill.  US Vets is capable of helping folks, so long as they can pay their own way, or the government provides a grant to cover the cost.  I doubt that either non-profit really knows how to reach out to the mentally ill homeless.  Mind, they will get it a good try if there is a grant to be had.

It may well be that Honolulu needs to run its own homeless programme.  Stop passing the buck to non-profits that clearly have not had much luck in lowering the number of mentally ill living uncovered.

When the state of Hawaii took funding from mental health programmes, it had to know on some level that the cost to society was going to rise.

There is no easy fix to getting homeless folks in housing.  Offering housing to mentally ill and abusers of drugs and alcohol without conditions is not the answer.  Mind, IHS and US Vet will roll out data that supports this approach.  What a waste of money.

'WHAT A LOT OF TOSH'

Once again, the local newspaper does another front page story on the homeless in Hawaii.  Once again, the headline promises much but the story is lacking.

The Mayor of Honolulu detailed his 'new' plan to deal with the homeless situation.

The shocking news in this latest article is that it requires $30,000.00 per person to help 100 homeless get off the street.  $30,000.00...

Seems right odd to this old geezer that clever folks in local government and working for the local newspaper keep going back to the same sources for information on how to deal with and solve the problem of homelessness in Hawaii.

The cost of providing housing for the homeless is based on another study to come from US Vets, one of the non-profits local that tries to help get folks off the street.  US Vets and IHS, already receive public funds to deal with the problem of homelessness.  Both organizations have been in the business of providing help for the homeless for years.  Both do some good, they have some success,  BUT, they have yet to solve the problem of homelessness in Honolulu.  Can you imagine how much in public funds has already been spent with no solution to the problem found.

The good folks who toil in the fields of homelessness want us to believe that providing 'apartments' with no strings attached to, somehow is going to work better than what has in the past.  What ever happen to 'a room somewhere out of the cold night air', being a good beginning.  Do US Vets and IHS really want the good people of Hawaii to believe that providing 'apartments', fully furnished, to severely troubled folks is going to work.  Do you really believe that a severely mentally ill person, or some one with a severe alcohol or drug problem is going to be morally responsible in dealing with the responsibilities of maintaining an apartment?

Truth be told, so long as local government keeps going back to non-profits for answers, we are going to have continued problems with the problem of homelessness.  I can not believe that it requires so much money to provide help for so few folks.

I do not believe providing apartments with no conditions is going to solve the problem facing homeless folks.

Honolulu has to face the fact that past programmes dealing with mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse, that were cut when cash was tight has made the problem more severe.  There were very good programmes in place that worked.  Problems were solved.  People were helped.

There is a very high price to pay by society for the lack of social services to homeless people with mental illness and abuse problems.  Perhaps it is time to give back the monies to government programmes that worked in the past.  Non-profits, like IHS and US Vets, already get public monies to service their target groups.  They are no more successful in solving homelessness than anyone else.  Anyone can work the data to serve their agenda.  IHS and US Vets are monsters that need to be fed endless amounts of cash to stay in business.  Whatever success is had is not without continued failure to address the real issue of homelessness and how society deals with it.

If the mayor wants to make a difference, let him and the city council look for answers from different quarters and stop going to back to a well that is run dry.

'I AM NOT HOMELESS, JUST HOUSE LESS'

Robert and James Sharing coffee

"I am not homeless, just house less".  In response to the question asked of James, was just one of the many surprises to be revealed by James to the old geezer.

Some nine months ago, I walked up on James sleeping on a bus stop bench, in the wee hours of the morning.  It is my habit to go for a walk and have a cuppa, most times long before the sun rises in the sky.

Getting the courage to approach, armed with a hot cup of coffee, I walked up to James and introduced myself.  I was curious as to why an older man would be in such a situation.

Over time, like peeling back the layers of an onion, I have come to know James rather well.  Truth be told, I consider James my friend, and I look forward to seeing him each morning.

James is 70 years old, has lived in Hawaii for 28 odd years, and until 6 years ago maintained an apartment.  James is retired, gets a social security check, is not a drug addict or alcoholic.  I have learned much of the 'why' as to his present situation, but still do not entirely understand it.  What I have learned, is that being homeless is due to a variety of reasons and there are no easy answers to solving the situation.

James does not beg for cash, buys his own meals, washes his clothes, bathes and deals with the mean attitude of some folks directed at him due to his 'luggage' and weather beaten appearance.  Right clever James is.  He has a membership to a gym, allowing him to clean up, pays for a storage area to store the belongings he can not carry with and has a tarp to cover self when the rain comes.  However clever James tries to be, some aspects of living uncovered can not be solved.

James does not really sleep at night.  He 'rests', to get up when the park is open and try to sleep during the day.  Like many homeless, James feels somewhat 'safe' to be sitting at a bus stop.  If one can really be safe living on the street, dealing with the weird folks who wander the night looking to rob and abuse the weaker homeless.

James is well aware of IHS and the shelter offered. James does not feel comfortable being around the rough characters that seem to populate the shelter.  James is not overly fond of folks who do drugs or are alcoholic.  Being an older gentleman, who walks with the aid of a cane, the ideal of trying to get down on the floor and sleep on a mat is scary.  James is also aware of programmes for former members of the armed services.  James served honorably in the Army.  The idea of living in a shared room with someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, in the middle of nowhere, at a cost of $700.00, is not an option he feels works for him.

There will be folks who feel that James is the creator of his own horrid situation.  He has cash and should be able to get a place and not live on the street.  Like I said in the beginning, there are no easy answers.  James feels that he has as much right as the next person to be able to 'enjoy' some of the delights that Hawaii, or more specific Waikiki, has to offer.  The bright lights and constant action draw his just as easily as the tourist or the local day trippers visiting in Waikiki.

Sitting with James every morning has been a real education.  I have seen folks move away from the area due to his 'homeless' appearance.  I have seen James mistreated in a restaurant.  I have seen James forced to get up from a bench, on 'private' property, due to his 'homeless' appearance, while I am not asked to leave.

I have witnessed tourists and locals alike, come up to James in the early morning, giving small amounts of cash and food.

I do not know why there has to be anyone sleeping on a bench.

IHS, local non-profits, newspaper and local government bang on endlessly about the homeless problem on Oahu.  Many promises are made, but few are kept.  The old guard, IHS springs to mind, collect data, continue to operate redundant shelters, perhaps to collect endless streams of cash to continue programmes that have never solved the homeless problem or properly addressed the needs of folks like James.

James does not have much.  That does not stop him from sharing what little he has with others less fortunate than himself.  Like providing for daily needs of another homeless person who has nothing.  Sharing his cash with others.  Giving to his church that he attends twice a week.

James is my friend.  I worry about him every time it rains all night.  I worry about his lack of proper toilet facilities.  I offer a little 'tea and sympathy' each and every day.  I care.  I just wish there was an easy answer to James' situation.

Truth be told, folks like James are ignored so oft, the very agencies offering help do not see him.  It is so much easier to troll the usual places that draw the homeless, than really look at different sides to the homeless condition in Hawaii.