Dear Mr. Williams,
I am writing in response to your article “Perception or Reality: Are You Hearing Me?” as posted in the Nov. 4 edition of Street Sense. You ask if you are being heard. I can only speak for myself, but the answer is a resounding yes! I read the paper cover to cover on a regular basis and often buy multiple copies of the same issue from different vendors as I encounter them around the city. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the writers and for the valuable first-hand perspectives that they provide on the issue of living without permanent housing in the District. This is a valuable service of educating the public about a critical human rights issue.
In terms of my own action, I am a parishioner at the Church of the Epiphany, where Street Sense is housed, and a volunteer at the church’s Sunday morning Welcome Table program (arts, music, narcotics anonymous group, Bible study, church service and hot sit-down breakfast for 200 individuals living on the streets of downtown Washington). This work keeps me connected with the community and again provides first-hand narratives of those experiencing homelessness. While not a long-term solution for homelessness, this program does provide hope and respect, as well as create social networks that would not happen otherwise, and I hope the program will lead to ideas for longer-term programs that truly teach others to fish instead of providing fish. I also listen in on D.C.’s Interagency Council on Homelessness meetings when I can.
I use the knowledge that I glean from all of these sources to educate friends, family and neighbors about the issue and to advocate for not only more spending, but more strategic spending to address this issue. However, I also cannot overemphasize the value of one-on-one conversations and truly listening to someone who is coming from an entirely different background. This is something that money cannot buy, and legislation cannot mandate, but which can both inform and improve spending and legislation. I would recommend that each and every resident of the District find someone asking for money or visibly down on his or her luck, and instead of giving money, respond by inviting him or her to a shared meal and a conversation. With just one hour, you could both be fed, physically and mentally, and most likely spiritually, as well.
In the end, homelessness is not an issue for nonprofits alone to solve or the government to solve or the private sector to solve. We will need to leverage all three sectors to tap their collective resources, intelligence and, above all, customer service skills to look at this as a customer service issue. For as many people as we have living on the streets and in the shelters of D.C., we have as many opportunities to provide true quality customer service that will enable each person to reach his or her yet untapped potential.
Please continue the good work. Thank you for your articles, and even more importantly thank you for your service to our nation through the U.S. Marine Corps.
Kathy Haines is a Ward 2 resident and parishioner at Church of the Epiphany.
