Any Time You Want 10%. Ten percent. The submerged tenth. The historical call of The Salvation Army to serve the last, the lost, the least of these. I will share three considerations of The Salvation Army fight: housing, families, the other 1%. “The poor will always be with you,” is often worn like a comfort blanket by too many. It is the comfort statement that allows the occasional assistance. I contend that the statement is lacking without it’s conclusion, “and you can help them any time you want.” The Salvation Army is a representation of the effective compassion of those who want to help. The submerged tenth recognizes that in any society there are those who need assistance to from the turning point within a crisis to a transition into productivity. The strategic steps to enhance potential are the strengths of the Sarasota Salvation Army, so much so that roughly half of our residences are walking along this journey of hope. These strong people are battling the past and creating the future. They are at home with us for 90 days and do not leave the property at this time. There are six programs that bring forth nationally recognized success rates. Currently there are 50 people in these programs seeking housing. Gainfully employed, responsible, wanting, with skills, in need of housing. Are these the poor amongst us? I contend only in housing. Our struggle is not in sheltering, for no one says “I’m shelterless,” our struggle is in housing. “You can help them anytime you want.” Our battle cry is not for more mats on the floor, but a community effort to develop market rate single room units that can provide the market gap for those moving into the residential market. Now to consider families. The Salvation Army has a family program with 12 apartments for transition. The families in this program on average reduce debt load by $4,000 and save $3,000 for housing. Tremendous families indeed. A mother of two teenage daughters shared that the concern for her was that she could not find housing she could afford that was as safe as The Salvation Army Center of Hope. Thankfully in August we were able to open an additional 5 units so stabilize families experiencing homelessness. Consequently, we will have a weekly roundtable at The Salvation Army with collaborative partners to determine how we might move families into housing as quick as possible. There is a goal of two weeks. Why, because there are waiting lists of families hoping to come into our family programs. “You can help them anytime you want.” Maybe, as a community, we could look in our neighborhoods and identify safe housing opportunities for our neighbors? It is necessary not to blame the families for their position, but encourage their strengths with accountability and opportunity to progress. Finally, the other 1%. There are those in our community that are not willing, or able, or do not choose to participate in the services gifted by the community. In Sarasota, for the sake of discussion, let us consider this number to be 50 persons. 25 people are not allowed into The Salvation Army for dangerous behavior. There are those whose needs have not even been properly diagnosed. There are approximately 20 persons in the county who are arrested more than 5 times a year for conduct not conducive to society. There are those that our shelter guests ask for protection from as they travel our neighborhood. The other 1%. It is the other 1% that are the anecdote to most strict quality of life action. This indeed is the challenge of every community that even the best practices have had limited success. “You can help them anytime you want.” Since Octover, The Salvation Army has commited staff resources and convening power to address the other 1% by name and situation. This is a long journey indeed, with many barriers. It is a journey that we must take as a community. I contend that it is Sarasota’s opportunity to learn from best practices to develop next practices. This county has significant capacity in capital and compassion. To conclude, the answer to homelessness is housing. The answer to quality of life of all citizens is choosing to help. Peace and joy, Ethan Frizzell, Major Area Commander -Sarasota
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 22:14:42 +0000
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