Homelessness as a Sign of the Times to Help One Another Stay Put or Thrive. Good News too from Gregg Braden in his new 2018 book plus lots more..

The following is my response to a FB community page asking about a homeless man's well-being during a cold snap in early January 2018 in New England. Well, one idea led to the next and hopefully we will get an update that 'David M' is doing well enough. He's really proven to be an interesting catalyst for everyone to put a face on the homeless, elderly, mental illness challenge and what community responses are available and the least disruptive. 

Thanks for this meaningful discussion and basic human concern. News Flash: There's a little 'DM' in each of us..it may look like perfection on the outside that's killing someone on the inside..and that could be 'one day to the next' (whether from an unanticipated downfall or one we see coming...') Note: I go on and on as I let ideas flow, so pace yoursElves and don't feel you need to read in one sitting...or at all, but thanks for the prompt and space. I will put this on my blog, www.livfully.org where there's Tons more scratching the surface...I am happy to network with people too online etc to address these issues.

Just saw an inspiring talk on The Shift Network by Gregg Braden about his new book and the key insights that say our modern human species has been here for only 200K years (how time flies) and hasn't changed much. Yet we've been fed limiting beliefs and need to awaken..similar to what's on The Reconnection talks and many others on youtube. The latest ones I watched on Star Seed kids, and pretty much all born from 2000 on is that they are the new improved version with more DNA sparkle if not connections to be more caring and insightful..I hope that's the case..we need everybuddy on board and more faith and optimism than mainstream media allows

 Whether people are obviously struggling with addictions or afflictions, often people get caught in a downward spiral. The suicide rate in our country and many 'well developed places' in the world are higher than makes any sense. I too have concerns about David..and the many thousands like him in NYC and the rest of our lovely country and the world. Not easy to know 'what to do'..but I have braved coming alongside and getting to know him a bit over the years. A poem came to mind that I put on www.livfully.org (and I'll hopefully get a minute to find and post here with the title.) The 'short answer' I feel would be to have more 'van support' in this area (and in NYC, even every couple of blocks to get to know the homeless who 'can't or won't' come indoors.)

Others could take shifts 'monitoring the streets' and doing outreach with basic meals and clothing etc. I went with a church group once from Sharon Ct in the 1980s to hand out coats, hats and gloves, maybe even boots and clothes, to people in the Bowery. Very Educational...and even with more people really trying to find solutions for the overwhelming numbers of people in need there, many are overlooked or are insistent they stay outdoors.

The next 'logical thing' seems to have camps in every area to allow people a safe place to sleep and yes, more shelters. I don't think people would really be choosing that hands down if they had a supportive network of people and clear options. The other big 'aha' for me is that any one of us likely needs to clarify when someone could 'intervene on our behalf'.

We need to write that down or at least speak seriously with People We Trust would find a way to help us even when we insist we don't need it for cases such as not coming in out of the cold, not being accountable in basic areas of our lives such as drug or alcohol use (if one uses or starts to or even does now and then in ways that concern others.)

Other concerns to get screened for regularly (even by checking websites just in case one is clueless but also if someone is telling you 'they are worried, afraid, or feeling unsafe or concerned' about your words, actions, views or other aspects of interacting with you or observing your sleep, eating or other habits that could be unhealthy or excessive, etc. 

Checking everyone (with a website for instance) for abusive or controlling behaviors, neglect or mistreatment of others, pets, important things such as vehicles to the point of serious clutter or not repairing things or having gas or other fumes in the car (due to carrying gas in a car which is not safe and should at a minimum be in a heavy plastic bag and in a secure plastic bin if needing to do so in an emergency.) 

Ideally people would have others 'in their network' to care for one another in terms of planning and following through with a schedule of help. 

Some things like storage space perhaps could be figured out to help someone 'short term'..even if that is over the course of months and years if progress is being made.

Clarifying goals and taking action steps in one's personal life is a life goal unto itself particularly when pressures and options are too few or too many, especially too many. Working too much and always being busy can be a 'warning sign of imbalance' as much as not being motivated.

I have observed the huge difference in rural and urban lifestyles in that rural people have to get in cars and have a driver if not driving themselves whereas in urban area, there are good sidewalks and options for public transportation. 

If someone has a disability in NYC for instance (and maybe if over 65 but that may not be needed...) they can dial Access A Ride for a variety of appointments and events day and evening for free. That's a night and day kind of difference.

Depending on where one is staying or living, there are stores for buying food or support people if one qualifies to walk to the store to get supplies, so Cars Are Not A Necessity. It's an amazing kind of experience and can reduce the hustle-bustle feeling. Of course, carting groceries about requires some strength and balance. All of these kind of 'under the radar' realities are important for more people to think about in every community. 

I have read that half of the US population will live in urban areas by 2050, that's 30 years away...for the benefits not necessarily a necessity..Yet I think everyone is realizing 'we can't keep hoping every small town can go along with business as usual." I have thought if more community based camps could allow citizens of a town, homeowners and those who have rented for a year or what have you or otherwise' proved residency (with lots of room to welcome people to help boost numbers anyway), then more residents could Rent Out Their Homes in the Warmer months, or at least take in tenants or let people camp on their land to help afford property taxes. What is needed is more 'legal composting toilets or other ways to provide people with a place to use bathroom facilities and wash up.' There will be a talk on CoHousing in the Sharon CT area soon (end of Jan 2018.)

About half of the homes in the county are 'single households' which seems rather incredible but again, many of them may not be that way 'by choice'. About half of women who were married are single after age 65 or so due to their partner's passing. Many elderly do not have family or others looking out for them, so they may be living alone longer than they would have intended. Again making some plans and trying out various short-term options to get a feel for what is possible would be important for more people to work together on. 

There can be a host of troubles to address however when thinking of making changes, having new people in one's life or on one's team and sharing space or housing long-term. 

Likely more websites could encourage people to have some basic go-to game plans whether for socializing, getting to know people over time to work in small groups and try out something for a day, then later on for a weekend, then eventually a week etc before really having to 'make a move.' 

Even if people are considering dating, that kind of practical advice could help more people be accountable for what they are asking for or agreeing to without investing too much time, money (rent or a buying a car, a home etc), childcare or people care for others without knowing the financial or other exchange if pertinent even in terms of hours, days, weeks, months or years of care physically, socially, practically (rides or arrangements for events or programs), financially, culturally and with faith groups etc (sharing experiences at a regular gathering and visiting or doing outings), schooling and much more.

For anyone to go anywhere or do something generally Costs Money and Time as well as Travel and Funds to do the program,afford housing and food. Just the basics. The more people can keep their bottom line of basic housing down (yes, by house sharing, being a guest or doing house sitting or asking for situations with family, friends or others to facilitate one's residency in a certain area or to help with others in exchange etc, informally or with more details) would be new line of helping people Prevent Homelessness or Houselessness as one fellow has clarified may be the more appropriate way to define someone's circumstances not their identity.

Well that's a lot to ponder but I share it all in hopes that we can move on from These Points to the next. Even thinking of using local schools as places people could come up from the cities for the summers (if the plumbing would handle it or putting in more composting toilets.. and basic showers and makeshift kitchens etc, using the ones in the community for a fee to help churches and even restaurants stay afloat... ) could prove a meaningful way to keep communities thriving as the numbers are anticipated to Shrink over the next decade. That's optional not mandatory..

See the book Change Here Now by Adam Brock. He explores more ways to us social permaculture principles to help people live in community successfully. All the best in everyone's personal inquiry and ventures to make one's area (one town to the next if not more states joining together to share helpful ideas and resources) more people friendly. Reviewing various state and agency statutes can help more people understand what can be done or is being done (some states will almost allow for rampant capturing of people by various loopholes, side line policies with family and friends not well-informed. So more people need to help others understand 'The Laws, the Policies, the Practices and so on' and look out for one another much more than typically happens in good ol' New England and much of the world where 'privacy rules' yet also leaves some in more need than is ideal. Most systems don't have the numbers of workers to really address matters closely and over time, so again the need for more sensible neighborly supports makes a lot of sense.

Things like local food banks and vouchers, heating and help with child care or elder care are becoming more acceptable for people socially and practically. Yet the paperwork or stop and starts can be very off-putting. Teams of people signing up to 'live a day in the life of'..someone with an illness, a need for food stamps (SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), childcare, elder services etc would be a good first step (maybe part of trying out a camping or other living arrangement program for one's life experience.) Of course, I didn't specifically get around to reviewing the huge 'storm system of domestic violence, interventions, and realities'...

That'll be for Another post (or plenty already touch on that group challenge. In short, lots more support for people and the public are needed there for education 101 and ongoing systemic follow-through such as in the Safe and Together Model, Barry Goldstein and Lundy Bancroft outreach and the BMCC in Albany and other locations which is a national annual conference on serious legal problems few know of or assist with. Meanwhile NPO, National Parents Organization is seeking sweeping reforms in custody matters to have states default to shared parenting. The concern by many is that more abusive fathers (by and large that's the gender of concern when there's abuse) will get custody or access to children and still be abusive through controlling measures if not more physical harm to their mothers. That's barely scratching the surface but the documentary What Doesn't Kill Me (from England) is describing what's happening to 60K kids and their moms in the US. That is also covered at the Battered Mothers Custody Conference. Rather strange to review these topics in part from the prompt about one homeless elderly man, but that's how it's worked out for now...

Peace and hope everyone is feeling able to reach out for help and stay strong in their sense of self, whatever their situation. See 211.org online or call them on the phone 2-1-1 as needed for more support. In an emergency, have a friend call for you or if in danger, 9-1-1 if that seems your best option. Do learn more about police and legal interventions first though. If in a caregiving role for someone whose terminally ill and has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate order) review carefully what would happen if someone did call 9-1-1 for help due to their pain, breathing difficulty or passing.

Likely any ambuluance would need to Try to Revive them, even if the order is presented (on the fridge or thereabouts and particularly if it's not available. The DNR may need to be updated also. New forms of MOLST-- medical orders for life sustaining treatment are being made as well to help remedy such a problem (for use in hospitals and hospice places.)

Learn more from doulagivers.com. I am not offering medical or legal advice, simply sharing the 'gray areas' that most people do not know exist so encouraging more community education along these lines. Hope this has been helpful..and that we all pace ourselves and learn in teams online, on the phone and when it's safe and reasonable, in groups whether in faith circles, neighborhoods, thorugh library or other outreaches. Bridging gaps can make a huge difference for the better!