One does not tend to think of oneself as testimony, but Mr. Philip Mangano during his talk at Centennial Auditorium reminded me that I am testimony to the fact that homelessness can be ended.
The important keys to my beginning the journey out of homelessness were support and opportunity. I say beginning because I am currently still living in the Supported Independent Living Units at the Salvation Army in Abbotsford. And the most important needs to move on into a stable state of being “homed”? Support and opportunity continue to be the keys.
When I think about the path that led me into and through homelessness to my current place in transitional housing, I am struck by just how fortunate I have been when it comes to finding the support I needed. This good fortune is underscored because I see so many others who, failing to get the support they need, continue to live the life of misery that is homelessness.
I may never win prize draws, lotteries etc. but there is no denying the great luck or fortune I have had in obtaining the support I needed when I truly needed it.
I have also been most fortunate in having information about opportunities, not just cross my path, but come to my attention at a time I was ready or able to take advantage of the opportunity. Being aware of an outpatient depression group at MSA psychiatric does one no good unless you are ready to pursue that course of recovery.
Sometimes opportunities need to be supported by other opportunities. At the same time the opportunity to move out of my car and into the SIL units arrived, I also was presented with the opportunity to be in outpatient treatment at MSA. After more than a year and a half living in my car the move back inside was stressful and full of mental health issues. Being an outpatient was instrumental in successfully dealing with the stress and issues of the move “inside”.
If we want to end homelessness we need to be willing to invest in opportunity and support.
Opportunities in the form of available, affordable housing; programs for recovery from addiction and mental illness; to find gainful employment; to build social connections; to regain self-esteem and self-belief; to become productive, respected members of the community.
Support in a variety of levels and forms. Support to get through the rough times; to offer encouragement to press on in dealing with problems and challenges; someone and somewhere to turn to for help at anytime it is needed and for anything that is needed; to make them part of the community; to learn and make better/wiser choices; to make the truly tough choices; to just be there and listen.
Support in varying levels matching the level needed by each individual and in a timeframe appropriate to each individual. The homeless are not one thing but encompass a broad spectrum of people. Some of the homeless will need only a little support for a short period of time, some will need a great deal of support for rest of their lives, the bulk of the homeless will fall somewhere between these extremes.
Provide opportunity and support and we can end homelessness – if we choose. Mr, Mangano’s leadership has resulted in proof, in the form of significant reductions in homelessness in cities across the U.S., that we can end homelessness. We need leadership, willpower, stealing the best, most successful practices already tested in the field and the application of solid business management practices.
All we need to do is be willing to stop doing, over and over and over, what we know does not work and be willing to pursue actions we know will effect positive change.
I am testimony to the fact we can end homelessness.
