I work on ending homelessness in Concord, NH. Why? Because it gives meaning to my life. Working on this issue is a privilege. It is a gift really. Victor Frankl asserted that the key to surviving Auschwitz was having something yet to do with his life–something that gave his life meaning. This work on homelessness gives my life meaning.
For me, homelessness work is part purpose and part method. The purpose of my homeless work is to love, to care for people in my community. To do what I can during my turn on this earth. Some might call it building the Beloved Community.
In any endeavor, we have to use smart methods to be successful. You can kick a dog to get it to move, but it’s not a very smart way to train a dog. The methods I have found most helpful is a suite of ideas called ProSocial.
I use ProSocial ideas of conscious evolution, governing a commons and mindful action to evolve our community forward, consciously evolve our community systems to end homelessness…a community ever more aligned with my values.
As of January 31 of this year, there are an estimated 521 homeless persons in Merrimack County, plus a mind-boggling 116 homeless students enrolled in Concord schools. Some homeless persons couch surf with relatives or friends. Some live in the rough–a difficult proposition in these winter months, Some sleep in a shelter and mark time, mostly outdoors, during the day. Others live in their cars. Some panhandle at traffic stops. Some work full time jobs. Some are working their way back from domestic violence or economic crisis or addiction. Others seem to be stuck in self-destruction or despair.
Residents in my ward, the South End of Concord, are worried about walking in the woods with their kids safely where homeless persons live. Some people are having their propane tanks stolen. The city spends taxpayer dollars to clean up campsites littered with plastic and propane tanks and needles–it cost $40,000 to clean up one site last year. Some businesses think their customers are put off by panhandlers.
Homelessness is a complex wicked problem that no one solution will address. But many agencies work on solutions. Family Promise, which we and other faith communities support, has one approach. The Friends Family Emergency Shelter has another. Waypoint works with youth. Concord Coalition to End Homelessness runs a day-time, winter shelter for adults and a resource center. CATCH builds affordable housing. The Belknap-Merrimack Community Action Program does street outreach. Christ the King Parish runs a services fair and a food pantry. All are experts in what they do, like master musicians. But I wouldn’t call this work a symphony.
What is a symphony without a score, without a conductor? We wouldn’t have it. Noone would want to listen. A system is a collection of actions or agents with a common aim. There is, currently, no common aim concerning homelessness. There is insufficient, effective coordination. Faith communities doing their thing. Nonprofits doing their thing. Government departments acting within their scope. There is neither a score nor a conductor for our community’s work to end homelessness.
I am reminded of the story about two stone cutters. You ask one what are you doing and he responds “I’m cutting stone.” You ask the other what are you doing and he answers “I’m building a cathedral.”
I don’t do advocacy. Advocacy does not solve complex wicked problems. I am not an advocate. I am a learner. As a community we need to be all in–all the agencies and departments and faith communities. Each according to their role, each according to their resources. Working together, coordinated, accountable, learning together. We have to evolve our way to a solution. We have to try stuff, discard the stuff that doesn’t work and build on the things that seem to work. We have to learn our way forward. I am working so that our community can mindfully act ever more aligned with our values–respect, fairness, dignity, a home for all.
For me this is not simply social justice work. It’s more than social justice. It’s also about safety and dignity and fairness for all. Homeowners and renters and homeless persons alike. Justice is important. So are other values. For me it’s not about what is right or just, it’s about what is possible. What is possible to build in our community. What is possible to create together, aligned with our values. All in. Together. Nothing less will do. I’m still learning. Join me. Learn with me. I need all the help I can get.
NH Collective Health Impact 