Opinions
Posted on Fri, Mar. 21, 2008
Ending homelessness, one life at a time
By NEALE MANSFIELDSpecial to the Star-Telegram
Ending homelessness is a worthwhile goal, but is it realistic?
Many of those in governmental agencies and social services generally subscribe to the "Housing First" approach
to end homelessness. The concept that homeless folks are more likely to respond to intervention and social
services after they have been housed tends to work well with women, children, families and the mentally ill. But it
can be dangerous when applied across the board.
Depending on whom you ask, alcoholism and drug abuse affect anywhere from 25 percent to 75 percent of the
homeless population. Is providing a free or subsidized home with optional services available to an addict or
alcoholic really going to be the impetus needed for sobriety?
As executive director of Feed By Grace, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to empowering the homeless to leave
homelessness through their own achievement, I see "housing first" as the ultimate enabler.
People who are homeless because of bad choices that they've made do not need a free place to live, nor do
they need to rely on the goodness of well-meaning churches to load up on free food and clothing every
weekend. Such entitlements are hindrances. Their best chance to end their homelessness is to make better
choices.
As a former long-term drug user, I can tell you that for a life change to occur, there must first be a willingness to
do what it takes to successfully change. Once that person decides to turn his life around, he will need real
friendships rooted in love, mentors, achievable goals, opportunities and new positive activities to replace the old
ones.
These components for change also apply to recently released ex-offenders. Many of them end up in the
Lancaster homeless district as "residents."
Where will these components for change come from? The church! The Day Resource Center on Lancaster has
two full-time social workers to reach out to the hundreds they serve weekly. The ratio is similar at the
Presbyterian Night Shelter.
Social workers cost money. Yet, every Saturday and Sunday, church groups set up shop on East Lancaster to
reach out to the homeless. These folks are happily and enthusiastically eager to help a segment for which they
feel sorry. They are a resource that for the most part goes untapped.
Government won't outwardly embrace them for fear of crossing that dreaded church/state separation line. Social
agencies avoid them for fear of losing grant dollars through association. So the church groups plunge forward
with no guidance and often no discernment, armed with a compassionate heart, a sandwich in one hand, a Bible
in the other.
Serving lines resemble cattle troughs. Used clothing is tossed out like bread crumbs to birds. It's survival of the
fittest, and it's usually the most able-bodied who walk away with the biggest bounty.
Our faith groups drive back to suburbia feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, oblivious to the slothfulness their
actions are encouraging.
Don't get me wrong -- these are good people trying to do good things. But folks living in the homeless district
don't need more food; they need authentic relationships.
The feeding frenzy would be more meaningful if our suburban friends would sit down and share the meal with the
recipients, leveling the playing field with dignity and erasing the "We're better than you" picture being painted.
I believe with all my heart that these same faith groups have the ability to be the agents of change for many on
the streets.
Food and clothing are covered by the many social services in the area. What is desperately needed is real
relationships: discipling, mentoring, encouraging and recognizing a man or a woman who happens to be on the
streets as an individual with a name, a story, a heart and a soul.
We must never think we can end homelessness in one fell swoop, with one magical program or with one large
governmental grant.
Ending homelessness can be reality when we completely change our approach, realize that a 10-year plan is a
fantasy, strap ourselves in for a long ride, and go forward with the mindset that this can be accomplished only
one life at a time.
Neale Mansfield is executive director of Feed By Grace.
Posted on Fri, Mar. 21, 2008
Ending homelessness, one life at a time
By NEALE MANSFIELDSpecial to the Star-Telegram
Ending homelessness is a worthwhile goal, but is it realistic?
Many of those in governmental agencies and social services generally subscribe to the "Housing First" approach
to end homelessness. The concept that homeless folks are more likely to respond to intervention and social
services after they have been housed tends to work well with women, children, families and the mentally ill. But it
can be dangerous when applied across the board.
Depending on whom you ask, alcoholism and drug abuse affect anywhere from 25 percent to 75 percent of the
homeless population. Is providing a free or subsidized home with optional services available to an addict or
alcoholic really going to be the impetus needed for sobriety?
As executive director of Feed By Grace, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to empowering the homeless to leave
homelessness through their own achievement, I see "housing first" as the ultimate enabler.
People who are homeless because of bad choices that they've made do not need a free place to live, nor do
they need to rely on the goodness of well-meaning churches to load up on free food and clothing every
weekend. Such entitlements are hindrances. Their best chance to end their homelessness is to make better
choices.
As a former long-term drug user, I can tell you that for a life change to occur, there must first be a willingness to
do what it takes to successfully change. Once that person decides to turn his life around, he will need real
friendships rooted in love, mentors, achievable goals, opportunities and new positive activities to replace the old
ones.
These components for change also apply to recently released ex-offenders. Many of them end up in the
Lancaster homeless district as "residents."
Where will these components for change come from? The church! The Day Resource Center on Lancaster has
two full-time social workers to reach out to the hundreds they serve weekly. The ratio is similar at the
Presbyterian Night Shelter.
Social workers cost money. Yet, every Saturday and Sunday, church groups set up shop on East Lancaster to
reach out to the homeless. These folks are happily and enthusiastically eager to help a segment for which they
feel sorry. They are a resource that for the most part goes untapped.
Government won't outwardly embrace them for fear of crossing that dreaded church/state separation line. Social
agencies avoid them for fear of losing grant dollars through association. So the church groups plunge forward
with no guidance and often no discernment, armed with a compassionate heart, a sandwich in one hand, a Bible
in the other.
Serving lines resemble cattle troughs. Used clothing is tossed out like bread crumbs to birds. It's survival of the
fittest, and it's usually the most able-bodied who walk away with the biggest bounty.
Our faith groups drive back to suburbia feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, oblivious to the slothfulness their
actions are encouraging.
Don't get me wrong -- these are good people trying to do good things. But folks living in the homeless district
don't need more food; they need authentic relationships.
The feeding frenzy would be more meaningful if our suburban friends would sit down and share the meal with the
recipients, leveling the playing field with dignity and erasing the "We're better than you" picture being painted.
I believe with all my heart that these same faith groups have the ability to be the agents of change for many on
the streets.
Food and clothing are covered by the many social services in the area. What is desperately needed is real
relationships: discipling, mentoring, encouraging and recognizing a man or a woman who happens to be on the
streets as an individual with a name, a story, a heart and a soul.
We must never think we can end homelessness in one fell swoop, with one magical program or with one large
governmental grant.
Ending homelessness can be reality when we completely change our approach, realize that a 10-year plan is a
fantasy, strap ourselves in for a long ride, and go forward with the mindset that this can be accomplished only
one life at a time.
Neale Mansfield is executive director of Feed By Grace.
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