This is from David Kalke at Central City Lutheran Mission in San Bernardino:
What are Your Images of Homelessness?
When you think of a "homeless person," what image comes to your mind? The media and sometimes our own church news have created an image of a homeless person in America that is not always accurate. Is the created image clear in your mind? Has the image created someone you can trust? Or someone you should fear? Does the image welcome the homeless into your church kitchen? Or does the image suggest you keep him out.
When we began our sanctuary at the Mission program on January 4th, we had some of those images. Board members had some of those images. "Pastor, what about safety?" "Pastor, if they see our computers, are they safe?" "Pastor, what our children? Will they be safe?" And the questions reflected images that all of us carry because of what the media and uncaring politicians have created in our minds.
Does your image include a homeless man who is homeless because of illness? One of the men who came to our shelter had recently been diagnosed with HIV and had subsequently lost his job and therefore his apartment. Living in the streets, he had no idea where to turn. When we discovered his illness, he was transitioned into one of our 16 homes where he is now part of a continuum of care that includes shelter, nutrition, community and medical advice. He and our neighborhood are safer because he has a place to live.
Does your image include a twenty-year old young man in school? While California provides great benefits to go to school, i.e. tuition, assistance with books and fees, housing is not in that package. A part-time job is not enough to pay for a month's rent. He had to choose between continuing his education and being homeless or an apartment and a life-time of low wages. He chose to continue his education. He now joins with three other young men in school living in St. Matthias House, adjacent to the Mission, where young, homeless men are provided shelter as long as they remain in school. Our sanctuary has three other young men in similar situations.
Does your image include working men? Several of the men in our sanctuary are working, but do not earn enough to pay for an apartment. Close to 35% of the men in our sanctuary have jobs but do not earn enough or cannot get an apartment because of a bad credit history, a recent jail sentence or a recent divorce or separation. A shortage of low-income housing in San Bernardino means these men are homeless.
Does your image include a victim of the recent fires? Several of our residents were employed in the mountains before the fires. The fires damaged their work places or their work places closed due to a lack of business following the fires. They lost their low-paying jobs, and became homeless. Coming back into the valley in search of work and shelter, they find themselves at our doorsteps.
Does your image include a man whose family is staying with maternal relatives while they seek to find an apartment that they as a family can afford in a city where housing prices rise much faster than wages? Several of our men have jobs and families but are seeking to save enough for the first month's rent and a deposit. Hardly a family image, right?
We have a growing challenge in America around homelessness. As housing prices rise and jobs or salaries diminish, more and more of the working poor are finding themselves homeless. Cities across the nation are adopting measures that work against the homeless and agencies working with the homeless are not supported.
In San Diego, for example, a recent ordinance makes homelessness "illegal." Following a third citation for being homeless, a mandatory jail sentence of six months is given. A similar law in Santa Ana is being challenged in court by the Catholic Worker as a discriminatory action against the homeless. In San Bernardino, ordinances prohibit agencies from assisting the homeless in public areas, such as food distribution in public parks.
The homeless. A growing number of people. Negative perceptions. Increasing laws and regulations nationwide that discriminate against the homeless.
Churches and non-profits are being challenged to find creative ways to both serve the homeless and to challenge systems that do not meet their needs. Churches are being challenged nation-wide to open their doors and become sanctuaries for victims of economies and policies that have locked them out.
Last Saturday I went to the Mission in the late afternoon to drop off the twenty dozen eggs, four gallons of milk, four loaves of bread, butter and nine pounds of bacon that would be our Sunday breakfast. As I approached the Mission, the laughter and shouts of activity became louder.
As I turned the corner, I could see young homeless men playing basketball with kids in our neighborhood. The men had found children to care for and the children had found adult role models. A new urban community had gathered.
As I entered the kitchen, two of our residents invited me to stay for dinner. They had cooked for themselves and for the kids. Two turkeys, potatoes, vegetables and fruit were on the menu. The hardened faces of the chronic homeless because of mental challenges had softened to smiles and faces showing comfort and relaxation. The fear of the cold night had disappeared. A sanctuary had been found and they were at worship celebrating the feast of life given to all by our common Creator.
Images of homelessness need to change in America. Church persons especially are called to speak truth in a context of misperceptions, lies and attacks. CCLM staff invites you to come visit our sanctuary. Come and share a meal. Our staff is open to come and speak to your council or preach to your congregation about our images of homelessness and share plans for how we can work together to better serve the poor.
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