Advocating independence

Think “homeless shelter,” and many may conjure images of wayward substance abusers, shady criminals or perhaps even deadbeat drifters. Think again, says Corey Kuheana.

Kuheana, coordinator of the St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho’s emergency men’s and women’s shelters in Coeur d’Alene, says those stereotypes are unfair and mostly untrue.

“It’s surprising to me that in the Coeur d’Alene area, probably 70 percent or more of your shelter population is over 50 years old,” Kuheana says. “And the No. 1 cause of how they ended up where they are is a sudden loss of income.”

Not drugs or crime.

Kuheana, who has been shelter coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul for about six months, says factors ranging from divorce, to job loss and injury are primary contributors that lead people faced with dwindling options to the shelters.

Those stays typically range from 30 to 90 days depending on a client’s participation in shelter programs, ability to maintain a job and, simply, following house rules.

Residents are also required to put away enough money to get a new start—typically about half their income.

Many of the residents who end up in the emergency shelters have been blindsided by circumstances that arise with little or no warning, Kuheana says. And more often than not, there’s little wiggle room to make ends meet without outside assistance.

“I read somewhere that in the range of 40 percent of people are one paycheck away from being homeless and from my experience, that’s fairly accurate,” he says.

Candice, whose last name we are not using to protect her anonymity, has been in the St. Vincent de Paul women’s shelter for about four months. She’s a prime example of somebody who just a short time ago never imagined she would end up in a homeless shelter.

“I went from being self-sufficient to homeless, and it happened very quickly. I had never experienced homelessness, so it was all very new to me,” she says. “I found myself suddenly out of work so the income was no longer coming in and I fell behind in my bills. I lost my home and I had no place to go.”

Candice, 60, says she lived in her car for several months and then “cheap motels” before the money ran out.

“I have not chosen this lifestyle—it chose me,” she says. “St. Vincent’s gave me the opportunity to get back on my feet … to save up some money. They offered a place that you can shower and rest and do your laundry so can present yourself so you can get a job.”

Candice says Corey and the entire assisted living staff at St. Vincent de Paul connect with shelter residents in a non-judgmental way that motivates clients while providing the tools to turn the corner to a better way of life.

“They serve people with dignity no matter where they’re at in life, and that’s important when you’re down and out emotionally and financially,” she says. “To be treated with dignity has an uplifting effect.”

As shelter coordinator, Kuheana works hard to help people find new direction in their lives. But success for shelter residents requires give and take, he says.

“One of my big things is accountability. Whatever I want to help them with, they have to extend their hand at least 50 percent,” he says. “Their success is determined by them making a concentrated effort to meet me at least half-way.”

With 12 beds each in the men’s and women’s shelters (which are usually at capacity), Kuheana says the length of stay is largely determined by the client. Those who engage in the program are granted longer stays and more responsibilities.

Such is the case for Candice, who has earned the title “house captain,” with extended responsibilities and permission for a longer stay at the shelter if she needs it. Despite her elevated status, Candice says she still relies on guidance from Kuheana, who serves as guidance counselor as part of his house coordinator duties.

Aside from overseeing daily operations - including minor maintenance, keeping the shelters stocked with food from the Post Falls Food Bank and scheduling - Kuheana spends a great deal of time each afternoon fulfilling his role as a case worker, meeting individually with each client.

“I really try to be personable with each person with the understanding that every person is different no matter how similar they might seem,” he says. “Everybody has their own identity and what I’m doing is identifying that and helping them accordingly.”

That’s part of what Candice says she respects about Kuheana.

“He’s a great mentor,” she says. “All the assistance I’ve received at the shelter has given me a brighter outlook. When you’re homeless and destitute you get a type of depressing outlook on where you’re going … but I don’t feel that way today.”