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...