| Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. recently held a dialogue on homelessness at the Madison Central Library with the goal of stimulating open communication about the effect of homelessness on homed and homeless downtown residents, businesses, and neighborhoods. The meeting was explained as a starting point in communication between broad spectrums of the community. With future events already planned, organizers hope these meetings will eventually evolve into proactive change. Sounds good in theory, but often meetings like these turn into sounding boards for stakeholders on one side of the spectrum or the other. Diverse, varying voices representing different standpoints are often lacking. This was not the case, however, on Nov. 3, a beautiful Saturday afternoon, as the library's 2nd floor meeting room filled up with all kinds; a surprisingly high number of homeless individuals, downtown residents, business owners, University faculty and students, mental health workers, law enforcement, concerned neighbors and policy makers. "This is a gathering of neighbors," event organizer Donna Asif said. "There's a lot of passing each other on these streets without seeing each other, without knowing each other. We are here to change that." After a brief introduction, facilitators took charge and split participants into groups of two. They were asked to seek out a person they didn't know and begin a dialogue. Partners then met up with others to form small groups of six to eight people where they shared their reasons for attending the meeting and brainstormed "wish lists" for the future of downtown and its struggle with homelessness. From those concerned with rising numbers of homeless individuals in their neighborhoods to the homeless themselves, varying perspectives were shared. In one small group, a participant lamented the rising number of homeless in Brittingham Park (near her home), while yet another resident (also residing near the park) begrudged what she called a rising lack of compassion for homeless individuals. She said the issue is becoming volatile and pitting homeowners against the homeless and against each other. Perhaps the most telling stories came from the homeless individuals themselves, a group that is often marginalized and voiceless in the community. Standing back from the group was a couple that wished to share their story, but were riddled with shame, and perhaps fear, in doing so. They agreed to share their story, provided their real names not be printed. We'll call them "Bob" and "Gina." Bob and Gina's story is at once devastating, but unfortunately, all too common. Both have struggled with alcohol and substance abuse for years. Both have sought treatment from places like Hope Haven, where money and resources are dwindling. After a difficult pregnancy and having to give up their child, the couple continues to fight drug and alcohol addiction. As nights grow colder, they were recently evicted from their apartment. They are now living on the streets, spending their nights at various shelters. While they acknowledge that help is available, they say that help is lacking in many ways. "There are so many things wrong with the system," Gina said. A major problem, she said, is the lack of compassion among Madison residents and homeless shelter staff. "We are shunned everywhere we go, even by workers at the shelter," Gina said. "We don't really feel like we get the help we need. We are just kind of 'dealt' with." Another problem is gaps in the services provided to the homeless. "There are places to get clothing, but no place to put them," Gina said. "There are pantries, but no place to cook your food." Gina also said that the maze of social services available is highly difficult to navigate. "There is no one place to get help." Instead, Gina is given referral after referral and left to decipher the maze on her own. In general, the couple feels isolated and helpless to create change for their situation and others. Still, they showed up at the meeting in the hopes of contributing to a solution. "We are homeless, but we really want to be part of some solutions," Gina asserted. According to Madison's Community Development Office, 3,487 people stayed at least one night at a shelter in 2006, 873 of those were children. Over 3,200 people were turned away from a shelter that same year. There is obviously no one reason why people find themselves homeless. Mental illness and substance abuse are often involved, but reasons for homelessness are often complex and involve a number of factors. While many people work to help the homeless, resources are limited and solutions are hard to come by. There are many sides to the story -- from residents worried about crime to the cold, hungry, and homeless themselves. A good beginning to any solution is to share these stories and listen with an open mind. This was the goal, anyway, on this mild November day and organizers hope it is the beginning of building the capacity to change. Future meetings addressing homelessness at the Central Library, in search of further dialogue and change, will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 23, and March 15. |
| Making the homeless visible by Laura Salinger |