5/24/2012

To actually prevent someone from becoming homeless when you have little notice is something STA is very accustomed to.  However, there are times when it simply seems so far out of reach.

Shelters are not our housing of choice.  They are our last resort.   We work nonstop around the clock until we make sure the one in need will not become “Street Homeless” when they find out they will soon be homeless.  For one of the first times ever, i do not believe we will succeed this time…..although we will still try.

It has been a busy couple of weeks since we got our Mobile Crisis Outreach Van back from being repaired, after being down for 7 months and it appears is about to get busier.

We have two of our past Friends In Need who are currently incarcerated and due to be released soon to…….Nowhere.

1) One (23 yr old) “might” have their old job back…but on a very minimal basis.  Not full time as before.  I spoke to the employer this week, great guy, but he understandably has a business to run.   The apartment where this one lived and shared with another may not be there due to “games people play”.  What people call “Love” sometimes or what they do in the name of “Love” sometimes can do permanent damage to others.  Sad & tragic.  Simply sad and tragic.  Next week STA/me will go to court with this one and they should be let out that day possibly, into my/STA’s hands.   It will be a busy intense full day.  More then i can or will describe here.

2) The other one in need (22 yr old), will most likely also be released to no home or family.  The plus side is this one may still have their job as they have been there a long time.  But it is a minimum wage type job.  The other thing is this ones daughter just turned one year old.  (I sit here and shake my head in dismay).  This one should be released sometime soon.  THIS one, is completely up in the air and STA will not have much time ahead of time to prepare or deal with that situation.  It will be a last minute desperate situation.  The “games” for this one have already been set in motion.  Games i do not like, but games others seem to enjoy playing.   They are emotionally dangerous games for the “players” involved.   My hope is we/STA will win.  Simply not feeling overly positive at the moment, but if there is anything i know, in this work i/STA does…things can change in an instant.  Literally.  And often do.

3) Another young one (21), this one not incarcerated, but in a very volatile and desperate situation, currently living with some friends.  This one we are scheduled to bring to a local school to see about getting them started on their GED next Tuesday.  Will this one keep the appointment?  Will they make that step towards “Taking back Their Life”.  Towards freedom?  This one has a baby on the way and one at home.   STA attempts to keep in touch.   Everything is up to this ones own decisions at this very moment.  This one has possibilities, but do they see them? Can they see them?   This one is hurting and very inwardly withdrawn, very protective of self.  This one could be homeless in the blink of an eye.  Will this one grab the reins and “Take Back Their Life”?  That is yet to be seen.  STA is ready and willing to help this one down that path if they so choose to take it…..God‘s “vehicle”, the one He is using to carry out His plan…is running, ready and willing.   The rest is up to this one to answer Jesus’s call and opportunity to a better not so distant future.  Right here, Right Now.

They are all kids really, 21, 22 and 23.    SHEESH!   And there are so many of them today.  So many it is overwhelming quite honestly.   They have not been given the “tools” and shown how to use those tools in order to grow.  Many many many of them.

How can we prevent homelessness?   1) Do not just “hand out” the tools for someone to grow…..Show them how to use them, mentor them, teach them, over and over at every opportunity you get.  2)  Be careful what Emotional Damage you do to each other.  Demeaning words, constant bickering and arguing, control, manipulation all contribute to Emotional Damage which has so many times an end result of Homelessness, which results in Social decay.  3)  Be the bigger person in a relationship, any relationship, whether it be personal or business and do what is right, what is good.  Think of what you are doing to each other and is it the way you want to be treated?  Are you the one being controlling?  Are you doing it because you are scared about something?  Talk it out,  BUT, when you talk be sure to listen…A LOT.  These are only a few things to think about.  There are many more.   4)  STOP.   Damaging relationships cause homelessness, they cause Emotional Damage and physical injuries, many times even deaths.  If you are in an abusive relationship whether you are the victim or the abuser….STOP…..stop and think to yourself….How would Jesus handle this situation.  OR…before any words come out of your mouth, say to yourself… “What Would Jesus Say”?   You Don’t believe in Jesus or God?  You don’t have to in order to prevent damage to someone.  Simply take value in yourself and the other person and walk away.    Nothing is worth hurting another, getting hurt or ending up in jail because you did damage or have been damaged.  If you are the one doing the damage, the control and manipulation for your own benefit, STOP…STOP and think how much stress it actually causes you.  Do you feel that uneasy pain in the middle of your chest?   That is stress, it is not cool, and it is not adrenaline.  It is nothing but stress.   IT WILL do damage to YOU Too.  I guarantee you.   It always does.  Maybe not this time, maybe not next, but it will catch you when you least expect it.  That is satan, do not let him win on you.  STOP the damage and you stop satan.  Stop being the victim and you stop satan.  He won’t know what to do.  I know this may sound like a fairy tale, but please be sure, it is very far from it….i know, i have been there, it is nothing but ugliness.   Look at the stress in your life, the damage emotionally…i can tell you..if you are doing damage to someone you also are being damaged and do not even realize it.  You too are being stressed out, damaged.  STOP.  Walk away.  satan is trying to fool you….in fact…he is laughing at you.  You the victim can change and step up and out, make the “call”, ask for help where ever you are.  You, the one doing damage can change too.   It is never too late as long as we are alive.  It is only when we are dead and gone that it is too late for us to change here on this earth.  Change Today, right now.  Make the decision to Stop Hurting others, to stop being hurt.

Make the decision today to Prevent Emotional Damage, Which in turn prevents Homelessness, which in turn prevents Social Decay….which i guarantee you, will in turn create a pleasant, fun and good life for you and your family and or friends. 

For now i have to trust that Jesus and His heavenly Father have a plan for each of the above 3 people in need above in addition to the babies involved and that Jesus just needs STA to be the “vehicle” to carry out the plans.  We/STA will be there…with the vehicle running, ready and willing.

Please, Please Be Kind to Each Other.

Lance Greene/Founder