As my journey with Safe Have came to a close, Cynthia wanted to host a luncheon in my honor along with another case worker who was leaving. It was a potluck and we brought in food from Safeway and around the valley. As we ate, we talked about the fun and sad and scary times we had the past year. We laughed about the crazy stories of some of the clients and were silent for the ones we lost. The mood was upbeat and positive as they wished me luck in my career ahead. Cynthia told us she had a surprise for us.
In came a resident I seldom saw. Her name "Jane" was unfamiliar to me. She brought with her a microphone stand and an amplifier. She set up and when Cynthia gave the go-ahead she began to sing. Now you might not imagine anyone at a homeless shelter to have "pipes" like Mirah Carey but she did. She sang a song about people who care about others. It was a perfect song. It wrapped up my experience with Safe Haven perfectly. I am glad I had the opportunity and privilege to work with such an amazing and diverse group of people. I would like to also thank Joanna Lucio for helping me land the internship. I will always remember and cherish the time I had at Safe Haven.
Cards with "Bob"
Bob (not his real name) is a very very smart man who suffers from extreme schizophrenia. I got to know Bob very well over the course of my time at Safe Haven. He would tell me stories that could be books about the history of the universe (even though they were a little out there). One of the unfortunate things about Bob is that he thinks he is God. He is sure that he created the universe and he remembers doing it. Normally it isn't a big deal but sometimes Bob gets combative. If you deny his reality, he gets mad and confused. It was hard to see him like this because he is trying to get across a point but what goes on in his head is so different from what actually comes out of his mouth. One of the case workers explained to me that schizophrenia is like wearing headphones and the "music" playing is a terrible voice that tells you to kill yourself, kill others, you are worthless and you should die. So I can only imagine how hard it is for Bob to cope with reality, let alone the fabrications in his mind.
So one day I asked Bob if he liked cards. He did and we found a table and played Gin. I tried to distract Bob by talking a lot, not allowing him to get lost in his own thoughts. It worked for a little while but I realized he was getting tired. We had barely played one hand before his mind took over and the game was moot. I felt bad and began talking again trying to get him away from his thoughts. It did not work and he eventually said he needed to go lay down. I shook his hand and told him how much fun I had playing cards with him and we should do it again soon. He thanked me too. He said that people are not patient with him and he appreciated the time I spent with him. He said his life is lonely and scary and wished other people were more like me. I was touched because I understood that he is fully aware of his disability and how crushing that must be to know that there is something wrong with you but there is nothing you can do about it.
People like Bob make me want to go back and volunteer every day. If I had gobs of money and nothing but time you better believe I would be there most of the day.
So one day I asked Bob if he liked cards. He did and we found a table and played Gin. I tried to distract Bob by talking a lot, not allowing him to get lost in his own thoughts. It worked for a little while but I realized he was getting tired. We had barely played one hand before his mind took over and the game was moot. I felt bad and began talking again trying to get him away from his thoughts. It did not work and he eventually said he needed to go lay down. I shook his hand and told him how much fun I had playing cards with him and we should do it again soon. He thanked me too. He said that people are not patient with him and he appreciated the time I spent with him. He said his life is lonely and scary and wished other people were more like me. I was touched because I understood that he is fully aware of his disability and how crushing that must be to know that there is something wrong with you but there is nothing you can do about it.
People like Bob make me want to go back and volunteer every day. If I had gobs of money and nothing but time you better believe I would be there most of the day.
Paws for Hope
I began researching animal therapy for the clients. In doing so I learned that petting a dog or a cat can lower stress levels and instill a sense of empathy into individuals. I thought this would be a perfect way for the clients to have access to dogs or cats without the responsibility of taking care of them. I called about fifteen different pet therapy institutions and not one was willing to come to the homeless shelter. I was very disappointed. I told them there would be constant supervision and no one would hurt any of the animals. They did not seem to care. I was disheartened but determined. I talked with Cynthia about the idea and she loved it. I told her about the denial of coming to the shelter and she too was frustrated. Then we started talking about the possibility of adopting a cat or a dog that could live at Safe Haven and either go home with Cynthia at night or live there full time. We talked it over and issues were raised. Allergies; people might get sick. Fear; it sounds silly but there are real fears about dogs and cats people have. Sanitation; who will clean up after the animals? So in the end we decided it would not be a good choice to adopt an animal for Safe Haven. I am still actively looking for people to bring in their animals to be pet and hang out with the clients. If you or anyone you know has a large dog that is great with people and you would like to volunteer your time please contact me and we can get something set up. I think it would benefit the clients immensely. Thanks. 602-670-4617
Wells Fargo
It occurred to me that most of these individuals at NOVA Safe Haven do not have bank accounts (or much money) so I thought it would be a good idea to bring in bankers from Wells Fargo to talk about financial planning on the most basic level. I told the bankers the situation at Safe Haven and they prepared a presentation tailored to this demographic. I made cookies to bribe the clients into coming and it worked. I had about 10 clients show up for the presentation, which is pretty good. As the presentation got underway, I realized they may have dumbed down the presentation too much. They were talking to the clients as if they were 4 or 5 year olds. Half way through I raised my hand and asked them to elaborate on their ideas about savings accounts and checking accounts and I think they understood what I was really trying to say about insulting the clients because they changed immediately. They brought with them account sign up sheets and tried to get everyone to start a bank account. It is almost what I wanted, but they became pushy and insistent that everyone sign up for an account. I told them they needed to take it easy because these people probably do not have much money to put into an account. I wanted them to come out to get the clients thinking about long term financial planning. Many of the clients keep their money in a backpack or in their pockets which is dangerous, especially living on the streets. The presentation went well but I wish the bankers would have been more easy going about signing people up for accounts. It may have turned some of them off, but hopefully the overall effect was a positive one.
DBacks
In a similar vein to taking the patients to a spring training game, we decided to take them to a Diamondbacks game. We were able to get tickets for free from a local man who supports the work that Safe Haven does for the community. I was less nervous about this trip than the previous ones because I knew that for the most part, they would behave themselves and they did. It is really great for me to see how these guys and girls have progressed over the short few months I worked with them. One man, Jim, who did not want to go on the trip because he was scared of the idea, did very well. He may have been nervous in the beginning but after the 3rd or 4th inning he was having a blast. We sat in left field above the pool. Great seats (especially because they were free). A few times the ball was hit hard enough to come our way but alas no souvenirs. The clients were free to move around, go to the bathroom on their own, buy food or whatever else they wanted to do. It is great to have a group of severely mentally ill individuals blend in at a baseball game. As I monitored them from a distance I was able to see them sitting right next to other patrons, kids, and single ladies and they behaved, kept their hands to themselves and were not rude or crude. It is events like this that make me happy I was involved at Safe Haven. Giving opportunities to people who would never have gone to a baseball game on their own and enjoying themselves, distracted from the harsh realities of their lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the clients of Safe Haven and I look forward to working with them more in the future.
Phoenix Art
In an effort to get the clients of Safe Haven out and into the community at large, I decided to take them on a trip to the Phoenix Art Museum. Many of them had never been to a museum and they were excited. Again you can probably imagine how nervous I was taking 15 severely mentally ill homeless individuals into an art museum with art worth tens of millions of dollars. But time and time again, I am blown away by how awesome these people are.
It was a short van ride to the art museum from Safe Haven. When we arrived (free on Wed.) we began with the modern section. As we passed paintings and sculptures the clients seemed to respond very well. They laughed at the funny ones, paused and were silent for the serious ones, and seemed to really be taking it all in. It was awesome for me to see the clients blending in, not being outcasts. We were not asked to leave or not to touch anything because everyone was so well behaved. They shocked me yet again as we made our way through the entire museum without a single incident. I really feel like they got something out of their trip. I hope I can do more trips like this in the future.
It was a short van ride to the art museum from Safe Haven. When we arrived (free on Wed.) we began with the modern section. As we passed paintings and sculptures the clients seemed to respond very well. They laughed at the funny ones, paused and were silent for the serious ones, and seemed to really be taking it all in. It was awesome for me to see the clients blending in, not being outcasts. We were not asked to leave or not to touch anything because everyone was so well behaved. They shocked me yet again as we made our way through the entire museum without a single incident. I really feel like they got something out of their trip. I hope I can do more trips like this in the future.
Giving Thanks
After the church gave Safe Haven nearly 10,000 bottles of water, we felt it necessary to go and personally thank the congregation for all that they had done. Cynthia, myself and one client went on a Sunday to give our thanks and our blessings. The clients had made a poster with their pictures on it smiling and giving the thumbs up. It can be hard for these people to express emotions in a positive way, and banners like this are a great way for them to write their names and show thanks. We were all a little nervous about standing in front of the congregation and saying how much we appreciated all that they had done for us. The first service did not go according to plan......Cynthia and the client were seated in the back of the church and I did not see them as I came in to the hall. Neither did the pastor. So we assumed that she had not shown up and we would just do it another week. After the service Cynthia came up to me and gave me a big hug. I asked if she was here the whole time and she was........Great..... :) So we regrouped, sat in the front row and were ready for the second service. The pastor introduced us and gave us a few minutes to speak about how the water really truly helped these individuals. It is true that if this water had not been collected, some of these individuals may have died. Safe Haven could not be more thankful for the gifts that were given by that church.
Socks and Socks and Socks
In talking with Cynthia about what the real needs of clients at Safe Haven are, she says that socks and underwear are the two items clients need most. It makes sense when you think about it. They have trouble finding enough food each day; changing socks on a regular basis and washing them, may never cross their minds. I began reaching out to local schools to help bring in the necessary number of socks for the clients. I found an elementary school that was looking for a community outreach program and our paths crossed at exactly the right moment. I told the school I would buy the class that brings in the most socks a pizza party! I know how much kids love pizza and thought it would be a good motivator. IT WAS! The winning class brought in more than 150 socks. The school altogether raised nearly 500 pairs of socks.
The day came for me to pick up the socks and bring in the pizza. I spoke with the director from the school that set up the drive with me. She said the kids had a lot of fun with the competition and they were excited to be able to help. As I am sure you can imagine, me walking with 20 boxes of pizza through an elementary school turned a few heads as the kids ran towards me asking for a slice. Who knew pizza was the universal food in American schools? I brought the pizza into the classroom and thanked the students. I told them about how hard it is for the people I work with to find food and clothing. I like to think that my message got through to the kids, but they seemed distracted and talkative the whole time I was there. Again, who knew fourth graders were easily distracted??????????
It was a very cool experience for me and I hope for the school and the children. It gave them an opportunity to help and never actually have to be anywhere near the shelter. I will employ this tactic of bribing children with pizza to raise needed items for the homeless in the future.
The day came for me to pick up the socks and bring in the pizza. I spoke with the director from the school that set up the drive with me. She said the kids had a lot of fun with the competition and they were excited to be able to help. As I am sure you can imagine, me walking with 20 boxes of pizza through an elementary school turned a few heads as the kids ran towards me asking for a slice. Who knew pizza was the universal food in American schools? I brought the pizza into the classroom and thanked the students. I told them about how hard it is for the people I work with to find food and clothing. I like to think that my message got through to the kids, but they seemed distracted and talkative the whole time I was there. Again, who knew fourth graders were easily distracted??????????
It was a very cool experience for me and I hope for the school and the children. It gave them an opportunity to help and never actually have to be anywhere near the shelter. I will employ this tactic of bribing children with pizza to raise needed items for the homeless in the future.
Life in a hotel
I will soon be graduating from ASU and I currently work for a hotel in Scottsdale. My goal is to stay with that company and keep advancing until I make enough money to support a family. My degree is in Urban and Metropolitan Studies with a minor in Parks and Protected Areas Management. My degree could probably land me a job with a municipality but I don't think I want to work and be paid with tax payer dollars. My degree has given me a great theoretical base for my life, but I am afraid, few practical applications. I know the history of cities but I don't know where to take this knowledge. Maybe it is my fault for not being more involved in my school and attempting to delineate more information from my professors. Either way, I am happy with my education and I look forward to the opportunities it has given me.
They just keep giving..........
In my attempts to collect water bottles for the hot summer, I had to branch out to churches in the valley. I went to many churches and many were not on board for the collection drive. This surprised me. But luckily I found Mountain View Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale. I knew the pastor from my childhood and I reached out to him to see if he could mention it to the congregation. He did more than mention it. He put it in the bulletin that the 500 person congregation sees every week, talked about it every week, put it on their over head projector and emailed everyone in the congregation. Surprise is not the right word when we went to pick up the first batch of water bottles. Over 200 cases of water that's 4800 bottles of water this one church donated to Safe Haven. The only concern we had was where to put it all. But luckily, I had room in my office and so for the rest of my internship, I shared my office with thousands of water bottles.
I guess I underestimated the generosity of people because my experiences up to that point had been luke warm at best. This church changed my opinion of generosity. One person from the church donated a pallet of cases of water. A pallet! This church has given so much and it was seemingly so simple. They actually changed people's lives. On more than one occasion I witnessed clients come in from the heat at Safe Haven, faces beat red, and gasping for water. Thanks to this church we were able to give it to them and prevent people from dying of dehydration.
I guess I underestimated the generosity of people because my experiences up to that point had been luke warm at best. This church changed my opinion of generosity. One person from the church donated a pallet of cases of water. A pallet! This church has given so much and it was seemingly so simple. They actually changed people's lives. On more than one occasion I witnessed clients come in from the heat at Safe Haven, faces beat red, and gasping for water. Thanks to this church we were able to give it to them and prevent people from dying of dehydration.
Let's get ready to rumble......
It is inevitable that people with serious mental illnesses will get into each others faces. In late July, two clients got into a tiff and before anyone could stop them, fists flew. It is still not clear who started it, but it doesn't really matter. We probed the men, asking them why they got into this fight. I don't mean to offend anyone with this comparison, but it was similar to talking to children. They lied, and blamed each other. It was an unfortunate incident because the sheriff had to get involved because the assault happened on county property. Safe Haven is a place where homeless individuals can get away from the streets and all that is associated with it. Now please do not misconstrue this statement but when the police or sheriffs come into Safe Haven, there is so much tension you can see it. These people are not saints. Most of them have been in jail, and when the police are around it brings back memories of times they would like to forget. It was sad to see these people, normally bright and chatty, sad and introverted. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and without them, some of these people would probably be dead, but when they make their intimidating presence known in a "safe place" it changes the mood of everyone there. I wish I could have stopped the fight so the day would not have been so weird for everyone.
After the fists flew, John ended up with a black eye and Tim wound up with a fat lip. Neither man was seriously injured, but it brings up an interesting point. How do you deal with tensions between two mentally unstable people? I don't know either. First I think they need to be in situations that minimize these types of interactions. Safe Haven is the best place these people could be. They get three meals a day, free tv, free internet, and a bed to sleep in. Most of the tensions of the street are not present. I spent a lot of time pondering how to deal with this situation. Cynthia sat me down and explained to me that although they are great people, they are at times not rational. There is nothing I can say or do that could have prevented a fight like this, and there will probably be more in the future. All I can do is make the clients smile and continue my work.
This experience may not sound life changing to most, but it impacted me in a significant way. It opened my eyes to some of the reasons why these people have such a hard time fitting into society. They get mad and instead of rationalizing a situation, yell and hit each other. I was a little shaken, but I my understanding of homeless individuals grew.
After the fists flew, John ended up with a black eye and Tim wound up with a fat lip. Neither man was seriously injured, but it brings up an interesting point. How do you deal with tensions between two mentally unstable people? I don't know either. First I think they need to be in situations that minimize these types of interactions. Safe Haven is the best place these people could be. They get three meals a day, free tv, free internet, and a bed to sleep in. Most of the tensions of the street are not present. I spent a lot of time pondering how to deal with this situation. Cynthia sat me down and explained to me that although they are great people, they are at times not rational. There is nothing I can say or do that could have prevented a fight like this, and there will probably be more in the future. All I can do is make the clients smile and continue my work.
This experience may not sound life changing to most, but it impacted me in a significant way. It opened my eyes to some of the reasons why these people have such a hard time fitting into society. They get mad and instead of rationalizing a situation, yell and hit each other. I was a little shaken, but I my understanding of homeless individuals grew.
Resume Building
In the post office across the street from ASU is the queen of the resume, Cindy Parnell. I dropped in to make an appointment and we scheduled one for the following week. She told me to bring in my resume and cover letter and we will dissect it and make it better.
A week later after I had used Microsoft Word to help me craft a good looking resume, I walked into to the center and we began with my resume. She tore me a new one! She asked if I used a template, and I did so she continued to tell me that was a terrible mistake. She showed me how to space my margins to get the most out of my paper and we began with my name. It was the same size as the rest of the text. This is a big no no and I agreed and changed it to a bigger font. Listing my accomplishments in chronological order makes so much sense but I would have never done it on my own. I also left out some key facts about my education that really helped to bolster my resume. She spoke with me about word usage and strong words to use that make me sound confident in my own skills. After about 30 minutes, I really felt like I had a great resume.
After the paper work was done, we talked a little bit about interviewing. She showed me the difference between sitting on the edge of your chair versus laying back and what body language can tell an employer. The information she gave me will stick with me because it is common sense stuff that I would have never thought of. I would like to thank Cindy Parnell for all that she does for ASU students. She really helped me with my resume and gave me tips that will hopefully land me a job when I graduate.
A week later after I had used Microsoft Word to help me craft a good looking resume, I walked into to the center and we began with my resume. She tore me a new one! She asked if I used a template, and I did so she continued to tell me that was a terrible mistake. She showed me how to space my margins to get the most out of my paper and we began with my name. It was the same size as the rest of the text. This is a big no no and I agreed and changed it to a bigger font. Listing my accomplishments in chronological order makes so much sense but I would have never done it on my own. I also left out some key facts about my education that really helped to bolster my resume. She spoke with me about word usage and strong words to use that make me sound confident in my own skills. After about 30 minutes, I really felt like I had a great resume.
After the paper work was done, we talked a little bit about interviewing. She showed me the difference between sitting on the edge of your chair versus laying back and what body language can tell an employer. The information she gave me will stick with me because it is common sense stuff that I would have never thought of. I would like to thank Cindy Parnell for all that she does for ASU students. She really helped me with my resume and gave me tips that will hopefully land me a job when I graduate.
The Zoo!!
In organizing trips for the clients of Safe Haven, the Phoenix Zoo offers a very discounted rate for groups with mental illnesses. We loaded up a van full of the most severely mentally ill indiviuals at Safe Haven and headed for the Zoo. We chose the individuals that need the most help, because this trip can actually help to change someones life. Was I nervous about the trip? OF COURSE. But like most of my encounters with these individuals, I am always proved wrong as they exceed my expectations.
On the van ride over to the zoo, one of the clients began ranting about some very racists stuff. I thought for sure that this would end in a fight, which it almost did, but everyone stayed cool, except for the one who started it. I was nervous for the families that would inevitably be there that might need to deal with banter like that when we got there. We pulled up to the front gates and the attitude of the whole van changed. They were excited. And I would venture to guess that most of these people (men and women) don't get excited very often, at least not in positive or constructive ways. It was very cool to see these people, smile and start to joke with each other.
We went into the zoo to the stingray exhibit. It is pretty cool; you get to pet stingrays in a big tank of water. Some of the clients wanted to, and others didn't. As we moved toward the Arizona exhibit, we wandered into a large big exhibit. All of the clients were standing along the fence, looking with curious eyes at this massive bird. It was a cool moment for me because these people may have never been to a zoo before and they were behaving and acting just like they should. They stayed on the paths and did not kidnap any children. All in all I thought it was a very successful trip to the zoo.
On the van ride over to the zoo, one of the clients began ranting about some very racists stuff. I thought for sure that this would end in a fight, which it almost did, but everyone stayed cool, except for the one who started it. I was nervous for the families that would inevitably be there that might need to deal with banter like that when we got there. We pulled up to the front gates and the attitude of the whole van changed. They were excited. And I would venture to guess that most of these people (men and women) don't get excited very often, at least not in positive or constructive ways. It was very cool to see these people, smile and start to joke with each other.
We went into the zoo to the stingray exhibit. It is pretty cool; you get to pet stingrays in a big tank of water. Some of the clients wanted to, and others didn't. As we moved toward the Arizona exhibit, we wandered into a large big exhibit. All of the clients were standing along the fence, looking with curious eyes at this massive bird. It was a cool moment for me because these people may have never been to a zoo before and they were behaving and acting just like they should. They stayed on the paths and did not kidnap any children. All in all I thought it was a very successful trip to the zoo.
Internship and Career Fair
On October 19th, a career fair was held in the A.E. England building across from ASU Downtown. I was nervous to go and talk to recruiters about my future and what I want to do for the rest of my life. I was unprepared to say the least. I did not bring my resume.......nor did I dress up..........Both of these factors made me just another kid wandering around A.E. England. The recruiters did not really want to talk to me after the Drury Hotels rep asked me for my resume and I told them I did not have it, they looked at me puzzled and said ok, you can put your email down if you like.
I learned a great deal about professionalism or lack thereof that day. It was a good experience to go out and see what companies are looking for college educated workers. There was definitely a sense of we want to hire someone but not you. It was most likely because I did not take the opportunity seriously enough. I could have landed a job, who knows, but because I was unprepared and looked unprofessional, I lost my opportunity.
I will forever remember the time I screwed my chances at getting a job.
I learned a great deal about professionalism or lack thereof that day. It was a good experience to go out and see what companies are looking for college educated workers. There was definitely a sense of we want to hire someone but not you. It was most likely because I did not take the opportunity seriously enough. I could have landed a job, who knows, but because I was unprepared and looked unprofessional, I lost my opportunity.
I will forever remember the time I screwed my chances at getting a job.
Computers!!!!!
After three long weeks of waiting, Cynthia and I received an email conforming that we had been accepted to receive three refurbished computers. It includes the tower, monitor, mouse and keyboard. We were so excited we high fived. After the elation wore off we thought about how in the heck were we going to get internet with restrictions on these computers. One client had a laptop and so we asked him how he gets internet. He told us about how the county has free wi-fi for its buildings and in one of the rooms, you can get a signal. We were shocked but relived. I tested the network out to see if you could access anything that would get them in trouble but it already had blockers on it. It was perfect and to our surprise, the computers came with built in wi-fi adapters. All we had to do was plug the computers in and the clients got online. One computer went in the men's rec room, one in the women's, and it just so happened that one of the computers in the front office at Safe Haven died the same week we picked up the new ones, and instead of using tax payer dollars to buy a new one, we decided to use a refurbished one to take its place.
We could not have been more grateful for the gifts we received. The clients now have access to bus routes, light rail information and anything else you could need online (except for pornography). Slowly, I feel like I am starting to make a real difference in these people's lives.
We could not have been more grateful for the gifts we received. The clients now have access to bus routes, light rail information and anything else you could need online (except for pornography). Slowly, I feel like I am starting to make a real difference in these people's lives.
Log Cabins
I have been volunteering with Safe Haven for over four months when I realize there is a man who is making art that is actually very good. His name will be Jeff for the sake of privacy and he creates art you might see in a gallery. He asked me for some newspaper and I obliged and brought him an old Sunday paper. I asked him what it was for and he showed me the drawing of what looked like a log cabin straight out of the 1800s. He told me he was going to take the newspaper, roll the paper into very small logs and create this house. I was skeptical to say the least; it is one thing to draw a cool looking log cabin, and another to actually build it. He proved me wrong very quickly. After about a week, I came back to check on Jeff's progress. I was shocked to discover that he had completed the entire log cabin make of newspaper! This house looked nothing like newspaper. He had painted each individual log brown and pieced it together one by one. This project would have taken me weeks to finish, not to mention the patience required. I asked him to give me a tour of his new pad and he obliged. Little did I know the roof came off and he had made the interior just as detailed. There were paintings on the wall, bed with grass stuffed in fabric. I was astounded. This is a man who can barely put together a sentence yet can create art that could be sold for money.
It proves the point that you cannot judge someone on first impressions. If you met Jeff on the street, not only would you not think of him as an artist, but you would probably try to get away from him very fast. He is not a bad guy, he has just been misguided much of his life. As a child he was beaten and grew up in a very broken home. Now at almost 40, he is beginning to realize life on the streets is not for him. He is trying to stay sober, but after years of addictions to drugs and alcohol it is hard for him to get on his feet, let alone find and keep a job.
Unfortunately, Jeff's story is not uncommon at Safe Haven. I can only implore you as the reader to give people on the street a second chance. I am not advocating giving the money because you will be disappointed when you find out what they spent the money on, but I am advocating having an open dialogue with people. Maybe not at midnight by your self under the Deck Park Tunnel, but talk to these people and maybe buy them lunch. Many of them don't hug, not because they have cold souls, but because no one has ever wanted to hug them and they never learned how.
Never judge a person by their clothes.
It proves the point that you cannot judge someone on first impressions. If you met Jeff on the street, not only would you not think of him as an artist, but you would probably try to get away from him very fast. He is not a bad guy, he has just been misguided much of his life. As a child he was beaten and grew up in a very broken home. Now at almost 40, he is beginning to realize life on the streets is not for him. He is trying to stay sober, but after years of addictions to drugs and alcohol it is hard for him to get on his feet, let alone find and keep a job.
Unfortunately, Jeff's story is not uncommon at Safe Haven. I can only implore you as the reader to give people on the street a second chance. I am not advocating giving the money because you will be disappointed when you find out what they spent the money on, but I am advocating having an open dialogue with people. Maybe not at midnight by your self under the Deck Park Tunnel, but talk to these people and maybe buy them lunch. Many of them don't hug, not because they have cold souls, but because no one has ever wanted to hug them and they never learned how.
Never judge a person by their clothes.
Grants are hard work
I decided that Safe Haven needed additional funding for programs such as the garden and out reach programs. So I thought I would take a stab at applying for a federal grant, worth $250,000. Little did I know this would be the hardest application I ever filled out. I found three grants that seemed to fit the guidelines of Safe Haven. First was a grant for non-profits to take people in off the streets and provide them housing and food. Well great, we already do that. I will just apply for the new grant and get more funding for more staff and beds. But the process is complicated and the federal government wanted exact details and an exact budget about how the money would be spent. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to create a detailed plan for the money. Cynthia and I agreed that my time would be better spent organizing events for the clients to get out and see the city. The other grants were through private companies aimed at community redevelopment. Again there is much red-tape and I was disheartened to learn that many times, grants are awarded friends of the people giving the money. So if you don't have an 'in' with the person writing the checks, it can be a very difficult and time consuming process that will not end in your favor. I did learn a very valuable lesson about grant writing and how to structure the essay needed to complete the application. If I had more time and more resources, I would have written more grants, but with time and budget constraints, I was unable to write anymore grants for Safe Haven
Computers for all
It is hard to find a job or housing when you do not have access to a computer or any resources. Safe Haven is a place where you go to get off the streets and try to stay clean. I thought it would be a good idea if the clients had access to a secure internet connection so they could see what the latest job postings, bus routes, and general information that most of us take for granted every day. I began contacting big corporations like Apple and Microsoft and I am sure you can imagine, there is some red tape. As my search continued I came across a company here in Phoenix that takes old computers and teaches high school students how to restore them and donates them to nonprofits. It was the best of both worlds. Not only did Safe Haven get three refurbished computers, but students from local high schools gained valuable skills about high technology. I filled out the application online with Cynthia and we submitted it not knowing what would come of it. We received an email that said we would find out whether or not we would receive the computers in a few weeks. We held our breath and hoped for the best.........
I need water
As you all know, the summer months in Arizona are, shall we say, CRAZY HOT, and if you have no where to go, it can be deadly. Cynthia asked me to start looking into a water bottle drive for the hot summer months. I began looking into churches that may want to lend a helping hand. I was surprised that so many churches in Phoenix already host water bottle drives and tend to be very protective of their "stash." So I had to move away from the Phoenix area and begin looking for churches or other non-profits to help with our needs. Safeway to the rescue. Safeway has a program if you are a non-profit and you bring in your letter head with a note about what you are trying to accomplish, the store managers have the authority to give you a $20 gift card that can be used in the store. I was able to get 20 cases of water from different valley Safeway's and I am grateful such a program exists, and I can only imagine the thanks of the homeless individuals that will not die of dehydration this summer.
Drugs.............
The worst part about volunteering at a homeless shelter for me was the fact that I knew some of these guys were leaving right after breakfast and doing drugs, and coming back to the a/c and being high until lunch and repeating the process. It baffles me that we are spending a lot of tax dollars to give druggies a safe place be. Granted some of these people are down and out. They have no other options, no family, and without the support services provided by Safe Haven, they would be living on the streets. But then there are those who choose to be homeless because they have a serious drug or alcohol problem. And for these individuals, I feel little remorse. They take advantage of the services provided by the county and they have no incentive to leave. Free food, shelter and clothing. All they have to do is show up and say they are homeless.
Now I might sound hypocritical because I worked with these individuals, but I felt like there needed to be more strict security policies. If the state and the county are to provide a free place for someone to live and give them a great meal three times a day, I think there should be mandatory drug testing. This might sound harsh, but there are a fair amount of individuals taking advantage of the system. Also, just to enter onto the campus, there should be a security guard that pats everyone down for drugs or weapons. I have seen drug deals happen on the Health and Human Services Campus more than once. And it bothers me to no end.
Florida is trying to pass a law that says in order to receive welfare monies one must pass a drug test. It follows the same lines; if you are receiving tax payer money, you better not be doing drugs. Bottom line.
I did not volunteer to help these people. The reason I am at Safe Haven is because there are people there with serious mental illnesses that need help. I am there for them so that one day the may be self-sufficient enough to live on their own and have a job.
Now I might sound hypocritical because I worked with these individuals, but I felt like there needed to be more strict security policies. If the state and the county are to provide a free place for someone to live and give them a great meal three times a day, I think there should be mandatory drug testing. This might sound harsh, but there are a fair amount of individuals taking advantage of the system. Also, just to enter onto the campus, there should be a security guard that pats everyone down for drugs or weapons. I have seen drug deals happen on the Health and Human Services Campus more than once. And it bothers me to no end.
Florida is trying to pass a law that says in order to receive welfare monies one must pass a drug test. It follows the same lines; if you are receiving tax payer money, you better not be doing drugs. Bottom line.
I did not volunteer to help these people. The reason I am at Safe Haven is because there are people there with serious mental illnesses that need help. I am there for them so that one day the may be self-sufficient enough to live on their own and have a job.
Help Me Help You
I found myself at Safe Haven about 4 days a week. I was really starting to get to know the clients on a first name basis and began building personal relationships with them. It is not easy listening to some of their stories....One of my favorite clients, who I will call John, is schizophrenic. He has voices screaming in head telling him to do awful things to people and to himself. The voices tell him how awful he is and how he should kill himself. He has progressed beyond oral medication and requires a shot in the arm every few weeks. I got to know John quite well because he is so intelligent. He is fluent in three languages, and knows more about ancient history than almost anyone I know. It was in his second year of college that his illness took over. He was not able to focus on homework as the voices got louder and louder. Quickly, he got worse. Hygiene was no longer important, nor was eating. He went from a relatively cushioned life to living on the streets, unaware of himself or his surroundings. John has been homeless for the better part of twenty years. NOVA Safe Haven found him about nine years ago and he has been recovering ever since.
I was doing research one day about methods to cope and deal with disorders like schizophrenia. One article I found showed that community involvement and volunteerism can have very positive effects on individuals with serious mental illnesses. I began to ponder about what types of activities these individuals can do while staying in their comfort zone. I got in contact with two hospices for the elderly. I told them what I did at the homeless shelter and we bounced ideas back and forth until we agreed that making cards for the hospice patients would be the best form of community service. It started out simple, "Thinking of you. Hope your day is going great!" and we allowed the clients to put in some of their own words into the cards. After about a week we had collected nearly forty cards to give to the hospice patients which they hung in their rooms and I was told by multiple hospice workers how it had brightened their days and made them fell loved and not forgotten.
(On a personal note to you reading this: Hospice patients are often forgotten. Maybe make a card or volunteer to read a book or something. These people are in the last stages of life and many times do not have visitors.)
It was a really great experience showing the clients at Safe Haven that they can make a difference in people's lives. It is hard to measure the direct effect of the work they did, but I like to think that it got the clients thinking about other people and not just themselves.
I was doing research one day about methods to cope and deal with disorders like schizophrenia. One article I found showed that community involvement and volunteerism can have very positive effects on individuals with serious mental illnesses. I began to ponder about what types of activities these individuals can do while staying in their comfort zone. I got in contact with two hospices for the elderly. I told them what I did at the homeless shelter and we bounced ideas back and forth until we agreed that making cards for the hospice patients would be the best form of community service. It started out simple, "Thinking of you. Hope your day is going great!" and we allowed the clients to put in some of their own words into the cards. After about a week we had collected nearly forty cards to give to the hospice patients which they hung in their rooms and I was told by multiple hospice workers how it had brightened their days and made them fell loved and not forgotten.
(On a personal note to you reading this: Hospice patients are often forgotten. Maybe make a card or volunteer to read a book or something. These people are in the last stages of life and many times do not have visitors.)
It was a really great experience showing the clients at Safe Haven that they can make a difference in people's lives. It is hard to measure the direct effect of the work they did, but I like to think that it got the clients thinking about other people and not just themselves.
Going, Going, Gone.....
After the garden idea did not work out I was instructed to find ways to get the clients, some with schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, out into the community to interact with people in a normal structured fashion. I decided the best way to get them out into the public was to jump into the deep-end and take them to a spring training game.
Even though it was early March, it was still close to 100 degrees. The sun was shining and of course, there was no breeze. The clients were excited about getting out of the resident hall and having a sense of purpose. We took twenty clients, some with mild mental illness, and some with quite severe ones. If I told you I was not nervous that would be a lie. Although there were five other "chaperons" attending, this was my trip and my idea. What if one of the clients lashed out at someone, or started a fight, or or or........ My head was spinning and running through every worst case scenario I could think of.
It finally came time to load everyone up into the vans and make our way to the Cubs' spring training facility in Mesa. We got to the stadium and everyone seemed fine. We made our way to our seats, and still no problems. I began to relax as I realized that despite their problems and illnesses, these are people just like you and me and they want to relax and enjoy the game just as much as I did. We left in the 7th after the score reached 11-2. We loaded back into the vans and made our way back to 12th ave and Monroe. Overall the trip served its purpose; to seamlessly integrate individuals with a sever mental illness into the broader community.
I was scared at first because these people may be unpredictable. But I learned a valuable lesson in humility. I am no better than these people, they just have a harder time dealing with life.
Even though it was early March, it was still close to 100 degrees. The sun was shining and of course, there was no breeze. The clients were excited about getting out of the resident hall and having a sense of purpose. We took twenty clients, some with mild mental illness, and some with quite severe ones. If I told you I was not nervous that would be a lie. Although there were five other "chaperons" attending, this was my trip and my idea. What if one of the clients lashed out at someone, or started a fight, or or or........ My head was spinning and running through every worst case scenario I could think of.
It finally came time to load everyone up into the vans and make our way to the Cubs' spring training facility in Mesa. We got to the stadium and everyone seemed fine. We made our way to our seats, and still no problems. I began to relax as I realized that despite their problems and illnesses, these are people just like you and me and they want to relax and enjoy the game just as much as I did. We left in the 7th after the score reached 11-2. We loaded back into the vans and made our way back to 12th ave and Monroe. Overall the trip served its purpose; to seamlessly integrate individuals with a sever mental illness into the broader community.
I was scared at first because these people may be unpredictable. But I learned a valuable lesson in humility. I am no better than these people, they just have a harder time dealing with life.
Garden of Dreams
As I toured the Health and Human Services campus for the first time, Cynthia Brooks (program director and my boss) showed me what life is like for a homeless person in Phoenix. When they wake up, from wherever they fell asleep, they flock to the Health and Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix on 12th Ave and Madison. This is not a typical homeless shelter. Over 15 different organizations and non-profits call this location home serving nearly 10,000 people annually. Different buildings serve different purposes from food to clothing. There is even a dentist and a health clinic on campus that people can go to. The sad part, as I noticed as we walked the grounds, was the amount of individuals with substance abuse issues. Cynthia informed me that most, if not all of these individuals have some form of substance issue from alcohol to meth. This is a major factor contributing to homelessness. Instead of saving money each month to pay rent, they are more interested in spending what little money the receive on drugs or alcohol. There are some people who have a severe mental illness that does not allow them to hold a full time job or be able to keep an apartment. So not everyone put themselves in this situation. Cynthia showed me where people can sign up for a bed to sleep in, but they fill up fast and cannot accommodate everyone who wants one. She then walked me over to the "overflow" lot where people can sleep. It is a parking lot with a 15 foot fence with razor wire on top. They can lay down whatever blanket or sleeping bag they have on the hard pavement and sleep without the police bothering them. They wake up and start all over again.
After the tour I was torn: do I help these people who don't help themselves? I thought about it long and hard and decided that yes, I do want to help, because if I don't who will?
My first project was to begin writing grants to plant a garden that the clients could tend to and harvest. Research has shown gardening can calm individuals and give them a sense of purpose. I began looking for grants online through federal websites and local non-profits. I quickly learned how competitive and difficult it can be to write grants. I spent the first month of my internship researching and learning how to construct and build a grant from scratch. I checked out books from the library and asked as many people as I could about how to write grants. After two months of writing and re-writing I submitted two grant applications to groups that plant trees and gardens in local communities. I am sad to say that both were rejected and the garden project was put on hold. Although it did not pan out the way I would have wanted it to, it was still a good experience. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, the plants would have needed constant tending to and watering.
After talking with Cynthia about how to proceed with my internship, we decided that I should work on projects that will get the clients of Safe Haven out into the community in a structured, supervised way. I started thinking of things they might enjoy and thought, lets take them out to the ball game!
After the tour I was torn: do I help these people who don't help themselves? I thought about it long and hard and decided that yes, I do want to help, because if I don't who will?
My first project was to begin writing grants to plant a garden that the clients could tend to and harvest. Research has shown gardening can calm individuals and give them a sense of purpose. I began looking for grants online through federal websites and local non-profits. I quickly learned how competitive and difficult it can be to write grants. I spent the first month of my internship researching and learning how to construct and build a grant from scratch. I checked out books from the library and asked as many people as I could about how to write grants. After two months of writing and re-writing I submitted two grant applications to groups that plant trees and gardens in local communities. I am sad to say that both were rejected and the garden project was put on hold. Although it did not pan out the way I would have wanted it to, it was still a good experience. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, the plants would have needed constant tending to and watering.
After talking with Cynthia about how to proceed with my internship, we decided that I should work on projects that will get the clients of Safe Haven out into the community in a structured, supervised way. I started thinking of things they might enjoy and thought, lets take them out to the ball game!
Where will you sleep tonight?
Hello, my name is Clayton Nelson. I am an undergraduate student majoring in Urban and Metropolitan Studies with a minor in Parks and Protected Areas Management at Arizona State University's Downtown Phoenix campus. I am in my final semester at ASU and I have had a wonderful, exciting experience.
In the spring of 2011 a professor of mine raised some thought provoking questions about the urban landscape in Phoenix. She asked what factors make Phoenix a nice place to live? I thought about it; weather, open space, outdoor activities, etc. Then she asked what factors make Phoenix not such a nice place to live? My first thought was the homeless. I pictured myself walking to the Phoenix campus and being accosted by multiple individuals asking for money or food. These individuals make me feel uncomfortable because I want to help them but I am afraid they will spend the money I give them on drugs or alcohol. I knew there must be a better way to help. My professor gave the class the option of volunteering at a homeless shelter. I thought, this can be my way to help.
NOVA Safe Haven is a homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix for adults with severe mental illnesses. There are 25 full time residents living on the campus, that have access to showers, food, and air conditioning. Other individuals can come in as day clients and eat and shower, but must leave at night. Many of these individuals have been homeless for many years, most living outdoors in bushes and underpasses. I must admit, at first I was nervous about working inside a homeless shelter. The little experience I had was not positive with this population and I assumed most interactions would be negative. I am happy to say I was dead wrong.
I met Cynthia Brooks on a sunny Monday morning in March. She gave me a tour of the campus and told me about the mission of Safe Haven:
In the spring of 2011 a professor of mine raised some thought provoking questions about the urban landscape in Phoenix. She asked what factors make Phoenix a nice place to live? I thought about it; weather, open space, outdoor activities, etc. Then she asked what factors make Phoenix not such a nice place to live? My first thought was the homeless. I pictured myself walking to the Phoenix campus and being accosted by multiple individuals asking for money or food. These individuals make me feel uncomfortable because I want to help them but I am afraid they will spend the money I give them on drugs or alcohol. I knew there must be a better way to help. My professor gave the class the option of volunteering at a homeless shelter. I thought, this can be my way to help.
NOVA Safe Haven is a homeless shelter in downtown Phoenix for adults with severe mental illnesses. There are 25 full time residents living on the campus, that have access to showers, food, and air conditioning. Other individuals can come in as day clients and eat and shower, but must leave at night. Many of these individuals have been homeless for many years, most living outdoors in bushes and underpasses. I must admit, at first I was nervous about working inside a homeless shelter. The little experience I had was not positive with this population and I assumed most interactions would be negative. I am happy to say I was dead wrong.
I met Cynthia Brooks on a sunny Monday morning in March. She gave me a tour of the campus and told me about the mission of Safe Haven:
"NOVA Safe Haven will provide quality, cost effective services to homeless persons with a serious mental illness. A day Drop In Program combined with residential services as well as supportive services will engage individuals and prepare them to achieve the goals of increased sufficiency, stability, and greater self-determination which will lead to permanent housing."
My adventure had begun and little did I know how much I would grow as a person.
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