Homeless doesn't mean helpless

In response to Mr. Stephens' and Mr. Ashby's recent columns in the Coeur d'Alene Press, I would like to offer a couple of my favorite scriptures: "Judge not lest ye be judged," which leads to, "With the same measure (of judgment) you use, the same will be measured to you." Which, in turn, leads to my all-time favorite scripture: "But for the grace of God, there go I."

In response to Mr. Stephens' comment about "free stuff," I wonder what "free stuff" he's referring to? Could it be the "free" food that comes from local business (instead of being thrown away) or from individuals who have a heart for giving? And Mr. Ashby, if I believed in karma, I wouldn't want to interfere with people's right to give what they want, to whom they want, whenever they want. It is in fact one of the things I love most about Coeur d'Alene. In an ever-increasingly pessimistic and secular world, I believe it is one thing we should take great pride in (I do).

Some use the argument that people who are poor and homeless are lazy, that they are that way by choice (perhaps due to a "personal flaw"). Well, I grew up in poverty and let me tell you - nothing is farther from the truth. The vast majority of this country is living from paycheck to paycheck. By and large we are all one catastrophe away from being homeless ourselves (but for the grace of God, there go I).

I find it offensive when someone (like Mr. Ashby) puts people down for giving to those in need. These gifts are given in the spirit of giving by people who care about their fellow human beings - not a "flock of birds" (which by the way, I find the reference insulting).

Much like those other "suckers," I desire to instill hope to show those down on their luck that someone does care about them (a rare thing, these days especially).

For me 30 years ago, it was an Air Force captain. He helped me to get off the streets and I never forgot it. Mr. Ashby seemed to think that everyone who is homeless is from out of town, traveling here because we are a utopia of "free stuff."

Well, I have worked with homeless people and have been immersed in the fight to end homelessness in Coeur d'Alene, one person, one family or one veteran at a time for five years now. Others have given their lives to it. The idea that the majority of homeless people in Coeur d'Alene traveled here from far away just isn't true. In fact, the majority of the homeless population in Coeur d'Alene is from this area.

Here's another fact that flies in the face of the "travelers seeking a utopia of free stuff" idea: half of all homelessness is "one-time" or situational homeless individuals and families. They are you and I, working and living and contributing to our community. But for some reason (not their choice) a crisis uproots their lives and they find themselves homeless. It is death or illness, divorce, domestic violence, and unemployment. These are the biggest causes of homelessness and North Idahoans don't have to travel across the country to experience it.

One article, called "Million Dollar Murray," explains that when "one time" homeless individuals and families become homeless, they can (and do) quickly return to their lives with one contributing factor: receiving help in the first 90 days of becoming homeless (from people who care with "free stuff"). If they find help, they get back on their feet and don't return. But if they don't find help for six months, only half return to their former lives. Worse yet, if they don't receive assistance for a whole year, less than 10 percent ever return to being active, contributing members of society.

That's right, it turns someone like me, you, or even Mr. Ashby or Mr. Stephens homeless for life. After a while, they lose hope. They come to see themselves as homeless. It isn't the "free stuff" that brings people here (as if a free meal or a free tent to sleep in the woods with is worth traveling across the country for); they are already here.

While Fresh Start fulfills a definite need and serves a certain demographic (some from out of town), it is only one part of a greater effort to help those in need. I have personally witnessed amazing transformations of local homeless persons who were dejected and hopeless, but with help they began to hope and believe in themselves and in our great community again (Go Cd'A!). They were able to pick themselves up. They are contributing and living again, but it happened because someone cared and offered them hope.

Are there and will there be people who use the system? Always. Are good local people suffering but being given hope and a second chance because people in Coeur d'Alene refuse to become a cynic and give up? Instilling hope and caring for those who really need it? You bet!

Everyone can fall. Everyone. I just pray that if Mr. Ashby or Mr. Stephens ever fall, there is someone less cynical there to offer them hope (and "free stuff"). No matter what, I never forget: "But for the grace of God, there go I."

Chris Green is a Coeur d'Alene resident.