PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL Restoring hope, one small token at a time

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those who have received help from the program and those who serve as connectors to the resources. This is one of them.

Heritage Health Street Medicine Clinic Director Chris Green has spent the past 15 years serving the community's most vulnerable population.

"During that time, I have learned that the vast majority of our community's homeless are truly our neighbors — born and raised right here with deep ties to our community. Our family members, our friends, our neighbors," Green told Press Christmas for All.

"I think most of us have a family member, or friend, or even an acquaintance that when faced with a death, divorce, illness, loss of a job, loss of a breadwinner or other tragedy, have found themselves without a place to call home," he said. "They don't ask or plan to be homeless. Every person we see — and we see between 30 and 40 a day — reminds me that this is somebody's mother, someone's daughter, someone's son, someone's uncle. They are someone's family. And right now, during the holidays, family is what matters most."

He said with the proper programs in place, such as rapid rehousing, volunteers and dedicated professionals who feel compassion for those in tragic circumstances, the vast majority of unhoused people never go back to living on the streets. They find the experience so devastating they never want to experience it again.

But at six months without help, 30% become chronically homeless and suffer long-term consequences. 

"The longer someone is without a home and living on the street, the more they start to identify as 'one of those people,'" Green said. "If you are alone and you cannot get help and you find yourself living on the street for more than one year, only one in 10 ever return to stable housing and a normal life."

That's 10%. The impact that has on the community can be measured in hospital visits, social services rendered, incarceration and justice system interactions.

"It's important to know that beside it just being the right, good thing to do, having rapid support costs pennies on the dollar to avoid long-term devastation and heartache that comes with living on the street for years or even decades," Green said.

Partnering with Press Christmas for All and Charity Reimagined, Green and his team have been able to distribute 40 $25 gas and grocery cards to those most in need to help them get to work, make necessary appointments and feed their families.

He said it's hard to express the hope these small tokens offer to those at their lowest points, like the elderly great-grandmother who has been living in her car for the past decade, with deep ties to our community, who is giving up on her treatment because she doesn't have enough gas "to keep doing this," or the mom who is working and on food stamps, but it's the end of the month and she has to choose between getting medicine or food, getting sick or going hungry. 

"To have those resources to share with our neighbors at a moment where hope is lost, and then to see hope return, well, words can't describe," Green said. "It’s such a small thing, but it means so, so much in that moment. It says to that person that there are people in this community who care about them. It instills hope at a time when hope is so needed."

He said someone once told him that with the right people on the frontlines with the right tools and resources, the battle can be won.

"For me personally, every time I have that resource in my hand to give to one of our neighbors, someone's family at a moment of dire need, it feels more than providential, more than a miracle, frankly, more than language can describe," Green said.

"We are so grateful to Charity Reimagined and Christmas for All for the food and gas cards that they provide," he said. "I do this work with an amazing team of dedicated professionals that are in this with their whole hearts. I work with community partners that bring everything to the table. When I see the faces and hear the stories of our neighbors suffering, well, the words that come to mind are, 'But for the grace of God there go I.'"

Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All.

Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents.

All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working but living in poverty.

Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity while the community provides a hand-up to help get them back on their feet.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from CharityReimagined.Org.

It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers.

Here are four ways to donate:

• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

• Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176.

• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All and make a secure online donation.

• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

A heartfelt thanks to our recent donors

Patrick Tebo, Cherise Thompson, Linda Poole, Tracie Mantia, Randy Link & Laurence & Suella Graybill, William & Donna Armbruster, Jim Walden & Nancy Brown, Donna Goodwin, Emon & Vicki Olson, Georgia & James Warren, Larry & Bobbie Wolf, David & Patricia Hoskins, David & Karen Crouse, Dale & Joanne Baune, In memory of Steve Wesson