Central Outreach & Advocacy Center

homelessness

By

Ripples of Hope

by Kimberly Parker

In January, I carpooled with six other people to an overnight retreat. We had only met each other one other time before the trip, so we were all a bit apprehensive about why we were being asked to go on this retreat together and what it would entail. Everyone was wondering why we were being thrown into the wilderness together and left to survive, or at least that’s what it felt like to us!

We had each been invited to participate in Ripples of Hope, a non-profit organization that accelerates the healthy, meaningful growth of organizations that believe business should be a force of good. The non-profit organization was created by Jeff Hilimire, Central OAC Board Chair. Jeff and another leader in Ripples of Hope, Rachelle Kuramoto, met us at the house where we would be staying. They had lunch with us, went over the agenda, and then they left us. I think we were all still a bit hesitant about what was going to happen over the next several hours. But, we got started. We hiked and got lost. We began sharing our stories of what led us to do what we do. We cooked dinner together. We played games. We laughed and some of us cried as we spent time together. 

It was a pretty intense 12+ hours, but it was amazing! From that time at the end of January until the beginning of March we were paired with others and spent a lot of time together, continuing to share our stories and receive mutual feedback. We were working on visioning our personal purpose for life. Things were moving along nicely, but then March 13th hit. Life as we all knew it changed. A good part of the curriculum for Ripples of Hope is meant to be done together, in person, and we could no longer do that. We were also all trying to figure out how to run our organizations (Synergies Work, Love Not Lost, JOYVIALl, College Aim, NewCrew, Sparke Women, and Central Outreach and Advocacy Center) in the midst of a pandemic. 

We received an email that our time together would be put on hold for a while because of COVID. We were going to meet via Zoom to further discuss how to move forward together. I remember joining that meeting with mixed feelings. I felt relieved that we would not have to focus on the readings and the extra work required. I didn’t feel like I had anything else to give, as all my energy was going toward figuring out how Central OAC could possibly operate during COVID. I was stressed! At the same time, though, my heart hurt with the thought of not being able to meet with this group of people who had come to mean a lot to me in a very short amount of time. Being a leader can often be lonely and this group became a support for me. So, we met; we talked; we were open and honest. It was agreed that we would continue meeting once per month via Zoom, but with a different focus. We would have guest speakers each month to talk with us about relevant topics. We would be able to check in each month and offer support to one another. As I write this blog, I’m planning to join a Ripples meeting later today.

The past few months have been hard and I know I am not alone in that statement. All of us, no matter what we do, have had to shift the way in which we live and work and play. I have felt the struggle of leading an organization that serves those experiencing homelessness, knowing how important our services are to our guests, and balancing our work with also keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible. Continuing to be a part of Ripples of Hope has been invaluable to me and to Central OAC. It’s helped keep me balanced and it’s given me people to talk through issues with as they arise. I know that no matter what happens, this is a group of people that will continue to be a part of my life. I am so thankful for that overnight retreat back in January. It was the beginning of a very good thing!

By

The Hardships of Trauma

by Chattrelle Gillyard

Often we see homelessness as a choice. There is stigma surrounding homelessness that causes many of us to believe that people experiencing it are lazy. They’ve chosen to be homeless or unemployed or that they’re the reason why they are currently experiencing homelessness. But most people in this situation did not choose it. What’s more, many people experiencing homelessness have endured some sort of trauma in their life. According to SAMSHA, homelessness in itself is considered a traumatic event.

Could you imagine losing your home and your job due to a natural disaster such as a hurricane? Can you imagine aging out of the foster care system with no stable living place to go? Can you imagine growing up poor and never really having a place to call home? Or what about having to run away from home due to abuse or neglect at a young age? Though many are fortunate enough to overcome these particular traumas, others aren’t that fortunate. Mental health conditions, substance use issues, and even paranoia and lack of trust can develop from unresolved trauma. These conditions are also all barriers to employment, affordable housing, and proper health care. Many people experiencing homelessness battle with unresolved trauma every day and are constantly reminded of their situation and looked down upon. It’s easy to see what’s on the outside, and it’s easy to judge and make assumptions. It’s even easier to label people who are different from us. It’s harder to look past someone’s appearance or current station in life to sympathize with where they’ve been or what they’ve been through.

Though many of us have experienced the same or similar traumas as our guests, we still choose to believe the stigma surrounding people experiencing homelessness. We still speed walk past them, frown at a particular smell they carry, ignore them when we see them, and even talk down to them. We put ourselves on a pedestal to make ourselves feel better, all while ignoring the reality that we could be one traumatic event from experiencing homelessness too. I challenge you to follow the tenets and values of Central OAC when it comes to interacting with someone who is experiencing homelessness. Meet them where they are with patience and humility. Treat them with respect, and dignity. Trauma is all around us and affects everyone differently. Don’t be in a rush to judge more than you are to understand.

By

Pandemic While Homeless

by Kimberly Parker

“You Ever Think We’d See Something Like This?”

How many times in the last week or so have you seen messages like these:

“The ‘Whatever Business’ is committed to the safety, health and welfare of our staff, volunteers, and clients/members/patrons/etc. at all times. We are taking serious measures to do our part to flatten the curve of transmission of COVID-19.” 

“Based on current CDC recommendations in response to COVID-19, as of March ???, 2020, the ‘Whatever Business’ will be closed until at least March 30, 2020. We will continue to evaluate the situation and make necessary decisions based on recommendations given by trusted organizations such as the CDC.” 

It seems like everything is closing. Some of the places where we would normally go to deal with stress and stay healthy are closed: gyms, libraries, movie theaters. The list goes on and on. I get it, but gosh it’s hard! When I got word yesterday that the golf course where I try to play once a week was closing, I about lost my *#$@&! It’s outdoors! A person can be totally by themselves if they want to. Come on! Again, I get it, but it’s so hard.

When I start to have these thoughts or when I start to cry at the smallest of inconveniences, I try to think about the many people experiencing homelessness and what they’re going through right now. Things are different for them also. They are at a disadvantage that many of us can’t begin to relate to. No home in which to isolate themselves. No healthcare coverage. No easy access to soap or water or hand sanitizer. And some of the service providers are closed or have limited their services, including Central OAC.

The decisions that I’ve had to make recently have been some of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made as a leader. I’ve tried to hold our guests, volunteers, and staff in the front of my mind through  each decision, wanting to make sure we have as safe of an environment as possible for everyone. My first decision was to ask our volunteers to suspend their time with Central OAC. The next decision was to determine that we would suspend services to our guests except for allowing them to check mail twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am – 12 pm). Two staff members work these shifts rather than all four of us. Our security guard is only allowing three people in at a time with plenty of distance between each.

Yesterday was our first day of this new schedule. We had about 50 people come through the doors during the two hour shift. They picked up checks, food stamp cards, medication, debit cards – items that are very important. We had one guest come in who had been waiting on his birth certificate and Social Security card to arrive so that he could go obtain his Georgia ID. We were able to give him the voucher to cover the cost of the ID. He was so excited! These items are important. And every guest yesterday was grateful!

My heart hurts that we are limited in what we can safely provide right now. My heart hurts for the many who are experiencing homelessness. I am so grateful for the outreach teams who are still out on the street, tending to those who are most vulnerable. Central OAC asks that you pray for people experiencing homelessness and pray for those who are continuing to serve them in some capacity. I hope and pray we can keep doing what we are doing for as long as possible during this global health crisis.

Be well!

-Kimberly

 

By

Wait Your Turn

by Chattrelle Gillyard

I often wonder what it’s like to be a guest at the OAC:

To come through the door with nothing but faith and hope that I might gain documents to get a Georgia ID.

To not know where my next meal is coming from.

To be unsure about where I will lay my head on a daily basis.

To be afraid to lay down at night, putting myself at risk of burglary and possibly even assault.

To be afraid to walk the streets because I might be stopped by a police officer with no way of identifying myself.

I could never imagine walking in the shoes of the guests we serve at the OAC. I’ve experienced homelessness on two occasions in my life but never to the extent of our guests.

I recently encountered a guest who described experiencing homelessness as constantly standing in line and hoping that at the end of the line he’ll receive some sort of help. Imagine standing in a line beginning at 6:00 am with no idea of whether or not what you need will be on the other side. I barely have enough patience to stand in line for mundane things like fast food or at Kroger. Yet, our guest do it nearly every day, whether it’s for an ID, a meal, shelter, or clothing, without any hesitation and usually a humble spirit.

My first ten months at the OAC have humbled me in ways I could have never imagined. Our guests have taught me to find joy in the midst of a storm, how to be patient in chaos, and how to have hope in tribulation. Sometimes, you have to be patient, trust standing in line, and wait your turn.