Homeless in Des Moines

She sits in one of her usual places on the sidewalk, bare feet and blonde hair that has seen many passing seasons; of indeterminate middle-age, she says she has lived on the streets since she was eighteen. People pass by, occasionally with a look of repugnance, but most do not even give her a glance-- as if she were invisible. She has had a life; she has a story; and she has a name-- her name is Kathie.

Not only do they live, they die; and when they do, most of the citizens of Des Moines barely shrug. It's not that they don't care-- far worse, they do not even notice. Rarely are these folks considered enough to matter, and few acknowledge their absence.

Those who do care are good-hearted but misguided in their definitions of "help." While what they do is good in terms of immediate needs, far too little is being done to address the long-term needs of the people who shuffle from homeless shelter to homeless shelter or take up residence in various outdoor areas, either when the shelters are too full, or for unspoken reasons of their own they prefer to be left to themselves.

The individuals in charge of the shelters and the Prime-Care health teams should get together and see that the current system is not working, and seek different solutions which will benefit the people in the longrun.

First, in dealing with so many homeless people who have a variety of mental health concerns and addictions, the Prime-Care team must have some degree of knowledge that handing them "psych. meds" and sending them on their way does not really accomplish anything. When it comes to existing on the streets, a stable person is not much better off than an unstable one; in either state, they are not getting the assistance they need.

Second, as local shelters have become a lifestyle for many who either have no desire or motivation to improve the condition of their lives, or do not know how to go about it, in addition to taking shelter accomodations from people who truly need short-term help due to the size limitations of these places, reforming how shelters deal with their clients should be advised.

Considering the large percentage who abuse they system, it would be common sense to employ some policies and procedures designed to allow the shelters to operate for their original purpose-- to help those who need help-- as well as to say 'No' to those who are doing nothing more than taking advantage of a "free ride."

The first procedure which should be implemented is mandatory drug testing-- "be clean and stay clean" should be an absolute requirement. While some may focus on the expense, it would be much more cost-effective in the longrun than the current status of providing free housing, hot meals, dedicated supervision, and a host of services to those whose only point in life is "getting high" and finding someone to support their basic life-needs while they do it. It is not intolerant nor lack of concern to take the position "enough is enough," for enabling addicts and essentially supporting their addictions is hardly "helping" them. Rehabs exist for those who truly wish to kick their habits; shelters should not take up the slack for those who do not.

Second, given that many do indeed have income-- SSI, temporary jobs, etc.-- the second step which should be taken is for the Social Workers at the shelters to oversee their clients' money. In too many cases, these folks use their disability checks, other governmental assistance, and occasional earned income, to hole up in local motels, binging on drugs and alcohol until their cash supply is gone, and then return to the shelters for free food and housing. Again, it is neither intolerant nor unconcerned to state that they should not be able to misuse the system to cover all of their basic needs while their own money goes to cover their drug habits.

As each and every one was created In His Image, each and every human being deserves to live a life of personal dignity-- and a lifestyle which consists of an endless cycle of shelters and drugs and the streets is not dignity. One may go as far as to state that enabling instead of actually helping gives the message that they are "less than" others and that nothing better can be expected of them, that they do not have a potential to reach toward. 'Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, is as if you do to Me...' Consider each and every one to be like "little Jesuses"-- worthy of respect, and worthy of a real chance to become healthy, whole, purposeful, happy.

The streets of Des Moines are like a recycling-bin of human beings who are not strongly enough recognized as deserving the same chances for a quality life as everyone else.