Why We Serve: Meeting Needs, Creating Change

I didn’t set out to become an advocate for people experiencing homelessness. My connection to Matthew’s Hope began in a much simpler way. In 2015, I was the Kiwanis Centennial Playground Co-Chair and had a playground that needed a home. I knew a little about Matthew’s Hope and the work they were doing, and as I learned more about the ministry, I realized it was the perfect place for that playground. What I didn’t know then was how much that connection would change me.

The more time I spent at Matthew’s Hope, the more I saw the people behind the word “homeless.” I saw individuals with stories, families, struggles, strengths, hopes and fears. I began to understand that homelessness is not one experience, and there is certainly not one solution. That realization is at the heart of why we serve.

The people we serve are often voiceless, dismissed and invis

ible. I use my voice to bring attention to them and to remind people that they are human beings who need to be seen, heard, loved and cared for. I never want someone to feel that they are alone. One of the greatest things my time at Matthew’s Hope has taught me is that every person is an individual with individual needs and an individual background. There is no single “fix” for someone’s life. What works for one person may not work for another.

Sometimes, people do everything they are asked to do and still cannot move forward. They follow directions, make appointments, fill out paperwork, seek assistance and keep trying, yet the systems around them still fail to provide the path they need. That is when advocacy becomes especially important.

I think about guests like Samara, who clearly cannot advocate for herself due to a severe traumatic brain injury. She cannot adequately care for herself physically or mentally, yet she continues to fall through the cracks. Someone should be appointed as her legal guardian. She should be housed somewhere that can provide the care she needs. Instead, she has been ignored by systems that should be helping her; sometimes these systems include police and emergency services. How can we see someone in that situation and simply look away? I can’t. My wish is for more people to understand that the individuals and families who come to Matthew’s Hope are human beings just like you and me. They need to be seen. They need to be heard. They need help. Instead, too often, people make assumptions.

People do not simply choose to be homeless. They are not all addicts. They are someone’s father, mother, brother, sister, cousin, wife, husband, child or friend. We all start out in life with possibilities. Somewhere along the way, circumstances can change everything. A job can disappear. A relationship can end. A medical crisis can happen. A person can lose the support system they are dependent on. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with this person?” I believe we should stop and ask, “What happened to this person?” Even better, “How can I help?”

Matthew’s Hope’s mission is to meet people where they are and help them move forward. To me, that begins with the Mobile Teams. I believe the Mobile Teams are one of, if not the most, important parts of our mission. When we meet a guest in their car or their camp we get a glimpse into their everyday reality. When it storms, everything they own can get soaked. When it is cold, there may be no heat. When they are hungry, they may have nowhere to prepare a hot meal, even if they have food. Our Mobile Teams enter those environments when our guests are at their most vulnerable. And we meet them there with dignity, love and no judgment. We give them food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies and connections to other services, but we are also giving them something just as important: the knowledge that someone sees them.

WE COME BACK! That consistency matters. When someone is living in a place where so much is uncertain, knowing that someone will return can be powerful. It builds trust. It tells a person, “You matter. We haven’t forgotten you.” My time at Matthew’s Hope has taught me to think outside the box when it comes to helping someone. Sometimes advocacy means feeding someone you see who is hungry. Sometimes it means calling EMS when you see a dehydrated man sitting on the side of the road in 100-degree heat. Sometimes it is as simple as giving a hug to a mother living in her car with her two- and three-year-old children. Not every act of advocacy looks the same. But every act starts with recognizing that another human being is worthy of our attention and care.

One of the things that gives me hope for the future is the dedication of our staff and volunteers at Matthew’s Hope. Their love, caring and time continue to make a difference, and that commitment allows the ministry to grow and serve more people. I have seen that difference in guests like Dwane. When Dwane first came to Matthew’s Hope, it took time to build his trust. But he kept coming back every week. But he kept coming back every week. Eventually he agreed to discuss getting on a housing list. Today, Dwane is housed. That did not happen overnight. It happened because someone took the time to build a relationship with him. He was treated with dignity. He was made to feel seen and heard. If he had not felt those things, he may never have trusted us enough to take that next step. That is what advocacy can do.

I have learned that advocacy doesn't always mean having the perfect answer. Sometimes it means asking the next question. Sometimes it means finding another resource. Sometimes it means making a phone call, offering a hug or simply sitting with someone and letting them know they are not alone. And sometimes, advocacy means refusing to accept that “nothing can be done.” I believe people need love and help just like all of us do from time to time. None of us knows what tomorrow may bring. None of us should be so confident that someone else’s circumstances could never become our own. So we will continue to speak. We will continue to ask questions. We will continue to educate and encourage others to do the same. Most importantly, our team will continue to see the people others overlook. Because they are not invisible. They are not a problem to be dismissed. They are human beings. And they deserve to be seen, heard, loved and cared for. That is why we serve.