Housing Article Stirs the Pot of My Heart

Tuesday, one of my friends in the City Attorney's office e-mailed me a link to a story on "Housing First" that the NY Times was running. Ironically, Colorado was the basis of the article, specifically the City of Denver - though none of our papers ran the story. Kind of goes to show that while we have many good advocates out there for the homeless, our communities at large don't want to address the issue as a whole.

The article explains,

The "housing first" approach was pioneered in the 1990's by a group in New York, Pathways to Housing.

In a first step, confirmed street dwellers are coaxed into rooms of their own, a more attractive proposition to many than the drug treatment programs or transitional group homes they had been offered in the past. Some skittish people take along their shopping carts.

Once drawn into so-called supportive housing, the participants are monitored by social workers and offered psychiatric and other services that might stabilize their lives. But breaking addictions or seeking other needed treatment is not a prerequisite for entry....

So, you're telling me that some drunk can spend my tax dollars and get housing without straightening up?

Sort of...it's not as if the agencies running these programs don't offer or even advise treatment for mental health and/or substance abuse, but the focus is on housing them first, then getting the treatment established.

After all, how much sense does it make to tell someone in such a devastating situation as not having a home, "Go out and do away with your stress management method of choice," [using], "even in the midst of crisis," [living on the streets in the elements], "and talk to me about housing when you've been sober for 90 days?"

Yeah, I'd like to see you try it.

That's not the only fear about this model, though:

Some advocates and state officials have questioned the intense focus on chronic cases, fearing that it detracts from programs for families. Mr. Mangano responds that homeless families continue to receive the bulk of public money and are the subject of promising experiments, too.

But, for those concerned about the usage of our tax dollars,

... officials found that 25 men were taken into emergency detoxification centers for an average of 80 nights each in one year, at a total cost of $772,000. Officials have found that they can provide housing and most medical and other services for about $15,000 a year per person...

Hmmm...

25 men x 80 nights of detox care each = 2,000 nights of detox care = $772,000.

-or-

25 men x 365 days of housing and medical care = 9,125 days of housing and medical care = $15,000 x 25 = $375,000

That's 4 1/2 times the amount of care for less than half the cost!

For those worried about Housing First detracting from family programs, the savings alone could be a way to recover ever dwindling funds for family service and/or self sufficiency programs! For the tax-payers who abhor the welfare system, this is simply a more efficient stretching of your already claimed dollars - better than your money being claimed and wasted, eh?

As Philip F. Mangano, a Bush appointee to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, said,

"Cost-benefit analysis may be the new expression of compassion in our communities."

I can't help but think about the story of the Good Samaritan, the model for Christian compassion, through all of this. Stumbling upon the wounded traveler, did he think, "Fool! He shouldn't have been traveling this way in the first place - everyone knows there are robbers alon this path." Did he flesh out the traveler's story and determine if the root of his downfall was because he'd imbibed too much wine earlier in the day? I doubt it - I'll bet that the Samaritan didn't ask anything more than whether the man was ok! We're told he paid for the traveller's lodging and food until he was well, with no strings attached.

Why does our compassion have to have a cost-benefit analysis tied to it?

God doesn't demand outcome measures from us in order to receive His grace and mercy....

He does tell us to share the wealth, though. Are we doing that?

1,000 words

Seen in the woods, on our hike last Saturday....

Being that my kids were entering in the wonderland of Colorado's nature, I took it as a sign that Punkinhead and LMNOB are headed for government domination, bwah-hah-hah!

Have you seen Jesus my Lord?

Have you seen Jesus, my Lord?
He's here in plain view.
Take a look, open your eyes;
He'll show it to you.



This lovely hymn that we rarely sing at our church anymore came to mind this morning. There's so much truth to the fact that one need just look around and God reveals Himself to us in many, many ways.

God blessed me with children who, after significantly less struggle than a "normal" workday, acquieced and dressed themselves fairly quickly. All week long, mornings have been a battle, and today, it was as if the Lord Himself was saying, "You've earned it, my daughter, here's an *easy* day."

Instead of our usual prayer in the car, we sang a few praise songs - Our God is an Awesome God, and Blue Skies and Rainbows (LMNOB's signature song).

I stopped in the Safeway near work to grab a salad and apple for lunch. There's something different in the city I work for than there is in the city I live in, even though to most folks they're one and the same. The produce guy was very friendly and in a great mood. He made me smile. Grabbed a couple cards - one of my church sisters has a b'day today and we are watching her girls while she goes out with her parents. Her hubby is away at a treatment center right now, and I really want her to know how much we love her and celebrate her existence! Found a great card for her. Also found one simply saying the Lord told me to pray today for the other friends who are going through a marital crisis right now.

Go to the checkout, and of course there is one aisle open with several customers waiting. Being the paragon of patience that I am (ha!), I roll my eyes and look at my watch, gloss over the tabloid headlines and grow more irritated at the American fascination with morally inept, trashy celebrities. The checker is humming, joyfully, and as I hear it, my heart lightens, and a smile creeps into my face. This isn't the first time I've seen this happy little Hispanic man there, and every time, he brings me joy. The lady in front of me checks out and he addresses her by first name, telling her to have fun planting - that he hasn't got his plants out yet, believe it or not. I chime in, "You'd better get on the stick, then, they're missing out on great growing weather!" He looks at me and tells me he's probably not going to get them out this year, smiles and shrugs his shoulders with an implied gratitude, as if to say, "I've got so many blessings, not having a garden this year is not a concern of mine." I spy his name tag, and see his name is, quite appropriately, Jesus.

That's when the above hymn began playing in my mind.


Have you ever stood in the family
With the Lord there in your midst;
Seen the face of Christ on your brother?
Then, I say you've seen Jesus, my Lord.

Yes, I got to see the Lord today, in the joy and kind heart of a man bearing His name. I also saw Him in the sunny blue skies today, the opening rosebud in my front yard.

Have you seen Him today?

Preacher Challenge

It's now been a week since that last praise update!

Been a lot going on...but no grumbling from me, just heartfelt gratitude for the very extended family our Father has blessed me with.

Thursday 6/8/06 - I LOVE, positively love, the fact that there are so many people who are seeking to follow God at our church, as best they can. I may not always agree with their interpretations of Scripture, and thus their consequent actions/beliefs, but I will always honor the intention of trying to understand and honor God more fully and completely.

Is "Councilor" a word?

Ok...note the "anal retentive" indication on my blog description, re: spelling.

This question was a one-liner e-mail sent to me yesterday by the regional homeless coordinator, referring to my categorization of various City Council Members on my list of county contacts. And, this guy has a reputation for being a real wise a$$. And, when I wrote my introductory letter - which by the way, the STATE adopted as the general template for the homeless count project- he, instead of complimenting me on my obvious masterpiece, simply noted, "Re: that last sentence, the COUNTY is not training anyone." Except that since they pay a quarter of my salary, and I will be training folks, they kinda are. Some competitive tension here? You betcha.

So back to the concern of whether Councilor is a word. I was feeling particularly spunky yesterday, and sent the following back to him:

Indeed it is…

2 entries found for councilor.
coun·cil·or also coun·cil·lor ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kouns-lr, -slr)

n. A member of a council, as one convened to advise a governor.

See Usage Note at council.
council·or·ship n.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Please don’t question me on proper spellings and/or verbiages – I am most particular about these things, to the point of the infamous “anal retentive” label ;o) Of course, my hands don’t always coordinate with my brain when it comes to typos.

I’d like to add that typos and crappy spellings, while appearing to be one and the same, are, in fact, entirely different deficiencies.
I’m spunky today…. ;-)

My Name (former child spelling bee champ – Kelso, WA 1989-1991)

Given his smart guy nature, I'd have thought I would have made him laugh; but apparently I made the faux pas of professional e-mails and assumed he got the joking tone I intended.

Oh well, I'm still smarter than him, lol. Neener-neener-neener!

P.S. - this is to be read with sarcasm and a certain amount of facetiousness ;o)

Linky-dinky doo Wednesday

Sorrry folks; LMNOB has a new favorite show on Noggin, called Pinky Dinky Doo, and it inspired the title.

Mike Cope - a minister only known to me because of the multitudes of folks at our church who went to Abilene Christian University - has a GREAT post on his blog today.

Check it out - and if there are any guys reading this: Just do it!

I love you, Charlie Brown!

To my Sweet Babu,

(yeah, yeah, I know that was a Sally thing for Linus, but since it's MY blog, I'm gonna pretend this term of endearment is also used by one pretty lil red-headed girl to make known Chuck's affections are NOT unrequited!)

You really are the man God made just for this pretty lil red-headed girl. You do get the husband of the year award, in my book - and know that your humble comment indicating otherwise, that you "were just making up for all the other years," only proved it all the more. It's hard to believe that I've ever felt otherwise, but I suppose that's what it's like when the Bible tells us "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." He has blessed me with you, and a heart that sees you for the gift that you are.

As much as I claim you don't understand me, you do. You know me better than my own self in a lot of ways, knowing that a tickle at just the right time will bring a smile and a rush of desire for you, when at other times it makes me want to swat at you like a fly, and shoo you away from me. You know my deepest hurts, and the efforts you make - showing me that our children will have a Daddy, one who loves them fiercely and makes them proud, your thoughtful calls during the day, and just plain presence - secure my footing in the life that we have made together, and the knowledge that I am loveable and loved. You remind me that not only do I have your love, but that of many others, when I forget. You know that my body betrays me, and longs for you after a quarrel - regardless of where my mind may be....sometimes I wonder if you pick fights with me, with this very thing in mind - oh yeah, I know you too!

You're my favorite playmate, be it squirtguns, that old inside joke, playful washing of dishes together, passing notes during a boring class, or that other, really fun thing we do. ;) Your wit brings me joy - though only when I'm not the brunt/butt of the joke...sorry, gotta put a qualifier on that on, or else you'll use it against me! But truely, I think of all the sounds that come out of our home, and no, there aren't a lot of deep philosophical conversations in our home, but there is always laughter, and that gives me comfort.

I respect you in so many ways, love. The work you do, and the skill it takes, boggles my mind! Then, the fact that you're the best at it, the youngest in the shop, and have pushed yourself further and higher, just magnify that awe ten-fold. And you've done it all for us, which makes it so much dearer. You are putting yourself "out there," emotionally for your friends lately, and I honor that greatly. The sacrifices you've made recently illustrate your heart, and the view is breathtakingly beautiful.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

Always yours,

Me

WOO-HOO!!

I did it, I did it! I fixed my sidebar, ALL ON MY OWN!!!! No tech assist or anything, oh yeah!

Perchance I am a techie after all, not being able to leave something alone til I get it?

Slippin' & Slidin' Having Summer Fun

Yesterday, our backyard looked like this:
LMNOB having a blast!






Charlie Brown ignoring the warning prohibiting adult usage.


Here, Punkinhead was drinking the water from the "pool" end of the slip'n'slide. Charlie Brown tried to get him to stop by saying he'd peed in it. This of course was in jest, but I had to laugh at Punkinhead's response:

God's moving us out of our comfort zones

Charlie Brown and I that is. We are on couple number 2 from church who are experiencing marital problems, and have been the chosen confidantes.

Yesterday, as I spoke to her, I wanted to point out all of her contributions to the mess they were in, but kept hearing "you who are spiritual should restore that person gently" kept rolling around in my mind. So I sat and listened, and feebly offered the best case-mgt I could:

Write out 5 things that you're angry about in "I'm angry because ....." form.

Then, write 5 things YOU can do to alleviate that anger - not what HE can/should do

and the 5 reasons WHY you should not dwell on the anger, and try to implement the anger alleviation steps.

Sjare it with me in a few days, as accountability.

What else to sau or do? I'm not sure. Just continue being a friend and listening. I used to want to do this for a living...now I'm not so sure. Charlie Brown's gotten the same thing from the husband, and he's REALLY uncomfortable - "Why me LIRD, I don't want to feel other's pain!"

I had a dream several years ago, when we were in the midst of our own marital crisis, that Charlie Brown and I were a team working on marital relationship issues with the church. I'm starting to question whether it was a prophetic dream?

WHAHHHHH! I need Tech Assist!

So, I thought I could mess with my template, to add the cool WAY FM pics and link, change a few colors, and voila! But alas! I'm a poser! I have this short sidebar now with gobs of white space! Whaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

Anyone?