Lindsay the Intern: Good Bye

After 3 terms here at ShelterCare, it is sadly time for me to say goodbye. I have spent countless hours working alongside some of the most dedicated and passionate people I have encountered during my time here in Eugene. Not only staff, but consumers as well. Their spirit has inspired me to continue working in the human services field and attempt to remedy the inadequacies in our communities.

I believe I left off on the brink of starting my senior project. Though it was not always easy, creating and implementing this Life Skills Curriculum at the Uhlhorn Program for people with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI), was one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. During my final presentation, my supervisor raised his hand to ask what part of the project I most enjoyed. It was really hard for me to say. Was it working with Uhlhorn’s staff; who truly care about and work for their consumers? Was it spreading awareness about the happenings at Uhlhorn? Or learning about the clients? All of these pieces were incredible learning experiences, but my favorite piece of this project was the moment in every class where one of the consumers would absolutely surprise me. Whether it was by their passion about a topic, their recollection of a story or lesson previously discussed, or their sheer will to survive and stay positive through unfavorable circumstances. Our minds are often clouded by the research and generalizations that we use to get funding and draft documents. I can tell you first hand that yes, memory loss is an issue with ABI survivors, but even the consumer most affected can remind you of something you forgot to mention. And yes, ABI survivors have issues with depression and isolation, but it’s hard to see those issues when they are sitting in front of you telling a story with a grin on their face. We are all multi-dimensional, even those of us who are quickly marginalized. I think this is one very important lesson I will carry with me in future endeavors.

I would like to thank all of those people at ShelterCare who gave me the opportunity to succeed. My confidence in my own abilities, and the good nature of people in this world, have sky rocketed. To all of those who are not sure how to make a difference or don’t feel that they can afford to, it all starts with a change of mindset. Tolerance should be like breathing, natural and ever present. We all have a story, a past, a time when we made a poor choice, or a time when we had no choice at all. Let us remember those times when we are around others so that compassion may be the first reserve in our mind rather than judgment.

A favorite quote: “ be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” – Unknown

I am pretty sure I have said this before, but I will say it again: Keep on fighting the good fight!

Lindsay Walsh

Lindsay the Intern: Fall Term

After a long and much needed break from the grind of life as a working college student, I am back and ready to dive into the exciting happenings going on at ShelterCare. I am sure you have heard (if you haven’t I am not doing my job) about our latest and greatest event: Jack-O-Lanterns on 5^th. This event is truly inspiring because it is community-oriented, philanthropic, and fun. I have to say that I am personally extremely excited about this event because it combines two of my favorite things: Halloween and helping. If you typically cannot afford to support causes you are passionate about, this is the event for you. It only costs two dollars to enter a pumpkin into what is to be the biggest pumpkin display in Oregon! I hope to see you all at the 5^th street Public Market on October 24^th, for what is sure to be an amazing time.

Aside from my work with development, I am also working on my senior project at the Uhlhorn Program, ShelterCare’s program for people with Acquired Brain Injuries. My project consists of building and implementing a strengths-based life skills curriculum. This week, we started classes despite my overwhelming nerves. I have never taught anything and I was apprehensive about my abilities to lead a class. I think that the fact that I am teaching to people who are older than I am has added to that anxiety because I don’t want to condescend or offend any of my students. Thankfully most of my fears were put to rest after this week. Uhlhorn has such an amazing and helpful group of residents that I felt at ease when standing before them. Together we made our way through the confusing world of nutrition and learned to cook a healthy meal. It was a great experience and I look forward to future weeks and topics to be covered.

I am glad to be back and will keep you all posted on the progress of my class and ShelterCares cool events!

Lindsay the Intern: Week Eight

(Lindsay is leaving us temporarily for some much deserved R and R with her family. She leaves with lots of things to look forward to upon her return.)

Sadly, this will be my last blog entry for a while as I am off to visit family for a few weeks. I am happy to say that everything seems to be falling into place for both the life skills class I will be teaching at Uhlhorn, and the events going on here in Development.

The more time I spend milling over the possibilities for the class, the more excited I get. I am trying not to get my hopes up too high because I have never done anything like this, but I can't help but see the potential for success. I now have a tentative curriculum schedule, which covers an array of topics over an 8 week time period. The topics include, but are not limited to, sexual health and safety, cultural awareness, nutrition, and interviewing. Even if the residents take away nothing from the lesson plan, at least they will have a chance to socialize and enjoy themselves. I cannot wait to share more once the class actually begins!

Also, as you know, we had our first trail run last weekend. It was a beautiful August morning as the runners gathered at the start. Myself and a few other volunteers waited at the other end with snacks and water. About 80 runners and walkers traversed the course as we patiently waited to hear how it went. The feedback was great as the runners flooded in for some nourishment. Of course, like with any event, not everything went perfectly and we learned some lessons that will help us in future years. Overall it was a great success and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the new events have to offer.

Well, that is all for now. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of summer! See you in September!

Lindsay the Intern: (What Week is it Anyway?)

(This week our Intern mulls over all of the fun little details event planners get to deal with as we are three days out from our First Annual Summit Challenge. Pink flags, port-o-potties, and first aid-oh my!)

It seems that every great event starts as a grandiose idea.  “Wow, wouldn’t it be cool if we had a trail run fundraiser?” Of course when you think of such a large, seemingly simple, concept as a group of people walking or running up and down a mountain, the details and tedious planning elude even the most meticulous person.

I have learned that nothing is ever as simple or as neat as it seems. We started out milling over location ideas and permit applications; now it is pink flag placements, ticket boxes and trash bags. The development team has been working tirelessly to make sure every piece is in place for the big event. Maybe I am more of a big picture thinker, but I never even imagined having to worry about some of the things we are finding ourselves debating. Seeing this event through to the end has given me great perspective on what it takes to pull something off in a big way.

Among other things I have also discovered the value of teamwork and diversity amongst team members. Nobody is perfect at everything, having a variety of skills and abilities within a team can prove to be extremely helpful when planning such a huge event. Although each of the members has their own unique qualities, they all possess courage and creativity. It takes a brave person to build something from scratch without knowing the outcome ahead of time. Where there is the possibility of failure, one must be able to stay positive and persevere. The development team has done just that in their new ventures. Also, with limited time and budget concerns, the ability to think outside the box has served them well.

As a wise development member once said “The difference is in the details.”  I am confident that the Trail Run will be a success because no detail has been left uncovered thanks to the efforts of many awesome people. The event will take place this Saturday August 8^th at Mt. Pisgah, check our website for details! Hope to see you all out there!

Lindsay the Intern: Week Six

(This week, our Intern reflects upon how what she has learned about helping people has helped her to help herself.)

A large reason why I find human services so appealing is the fact that it brings different groups people together. For the most part, human service workers stand up for the vulnerable and under-represented, supplementing their abilities with resources and guiding those in need towards independence. Human service workers are advocates for many groups of people.

Throughout my professional and educational development, I have realized that perhaps the reason I am so drawn to advocating for others is because I have a really hard time advocating for myself. If the issue endangers my basic needs or rights, I can stand up for myself, but I often roll over on the smaller matters, afraid of what my peers and superiors might think if I held my ground against them. It is a quality that some might appreciate in the midst of debate and decisiveness, but the more I hold inside and shrug off, the more pent up frustration I feel bubbling inside me. This behavior brought me to a breaking point where I realized, “What good am I to a client if all of my focus and energy is spent on turning over past events and reveling in my lack of presence? How can I stand up for someone if I cannot even muster the professionalism to constructively state my opinion?”

I always thought that my education would help me to better stand up for those in need, but I now see that the lessons I am learning are helping me to figure out how to better stand up for myself. I know that if I want to properly advocate and provide for others, I need to be at peace with myself. The only way I can do that is to compassionately give my opinions and ideas, even if it is not what others want to hear. Along with this is the ability to accept what others think or feel about an issue without getting defensive. It is an equally difficult learning experience to allow others to take the lead, and admit that maybe I was wrong, or didn’t consider everything when making a decision.

By signing up for this career path, I am indefinitely accepting that fact that I will have to work with different people, from all different places and backgrounds. Learning when to stand up for my beliefs and ideas, and when to go along with others who have positive contributions is truly a challenge, but a lesson that will pay off considerably in all aspects of life.

Lindsay the Intern: Week Five

This week has been a struggle for me. Not because I am doing something I don’t want to do, and not because there have been any particularly difficult challenges in my wake. This week has been hard because I have had time to reflect and I have come to the realization that I am pretty much, by all accounts, an adult. When did this happen?

I drink coffee every morning. Instead of worrying about the weekend while skipping off to school, I contemplate bills while driving to the office. Sure, I spend time socializing and acting upon what is left of my immaturity, but I cant help but feel a little to close to the top of the hill for my age. It got me thinking, do I accept this? Does everyone reach a point in there lives when they look around and find themselves trapped in routine? I would assume so. I would also assume that there are far more difficult realities to come to terms with.

When I feel as though I am in a rut, all it takes is a little perspective to appreciate the things I have and the comfort and safety that embellishes my routine. My project proposal has given me the opportunity to research the population I will be working with this fall. People with acquired brain injuries each have a unique story to tell. I have found that it is hard to generalize just exactly what an acquired brain injury entails. However, one thing that every person goes through when they acquire a brain injury is a drastic change in routine and reality. For many, tasks that were once done without thought now require assistance and aid. That once comfortable and somewhat mundane routine becomes a distant goal to reach. I imagine it’s a lot like sliding back down the proverbial hill, losing tools from your belt and things from your pockets and turning around to climb back up only to find the hill is now made of ice.

When I think about getting to this point in my life, I realize that it would be incredibly difficult to live it all over again without the knowledge I have gained throughout. My reflection has given me new insight into the real struggle that people with acquired brain injuries must face, while renewing my sense of purpose and giving me a more accurate perception of my own growth. No one should feel badly for questioning their place in life, but it is always good to take it a step further and think of the positive aspects and remember that everyone struggles in one capacity or another.

Lindsay the Intern: Week Four-Announcing ShelterCare's 1st Annual Summit Challenge

(This summer, Lindsay has been helping the Development Dept. at ShelterCare with the planning of some exciting new events intended to replace our fundraising auction. The first of these events is ShelterCare's Summit Challenge, which will take place on Saturday, August 8, at 8:30 am. Please read Lindsay's entry and see below for where to obtain more information about this exciting new event.)

I have been thinking a lot about the qualities it takes to do human service work over my first few weeks back. Perseverance, strength, endurance, discipline, dedication, and humility all come to mind. These traits can also be found among the clients at ShelterCare who have shown courage in committing to turn their lives in a positive direction.

Lately, I have been helping to develop a new fundraising event for ShelterCare. We are pleased to announce our first Annual Summit Challenge. It will be a seven kilometer run traversing the beautiful mount Pisgah. As you may know, the themes of past fundraising events have fit nicely with the overall mission of ShelterCare. Although I thought a run would be fun, it was hard for me to draw that same enticing parallel that had impressed me in the past. However, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The same qualities that exist within staff and clients of ShelterCare exist within runners and walkers. In essence, runners must train, show discipline and dedication, admit their faults, and be realistic while pushing through the most brutal of obstacles. The same goes for the slower yet steady activity of walking. Like those at ShelterCare, walkers gain steady footing and move towards a goal with vigor and commitment. The pace is not important; it is the ability to strive for something better that links us all together.

The success of ShelterCare would not be possible if it weren’t for clients and staff tirelessly working for themselves and others. This run is a way of asking the community to join that effort and take time to relate to the energy and passion it takes to fight homelessness in Eugene.

For more information and to register, please visit www.sheltercareevents.com.

Lindsay the Intern: Week Three

In class, we have been discussing how to propose our senior projects in a way that would compel our superiors to support and join in our efforts.  The idea of teaching a life skills class to any population seems necessary. We could all brush up on some aspect of life. For some, learning to do taxes might be a skill worth developing. For others, the proper flossing techniques may have eluded them in the past. Defining life skills is an important piece when arguing for its validity, however, it is such a broad concept that it has become difficult to explain.

            Recently, I had the opportunity to present the idea for the class to the residents. I stoop up, puffed my chest out, and put on a “you’re all going to love me” smile. “Hi, my name is Lindsay and I will be teaching a Life Skills class here this fall”. Without hesitation, or pity, a women jutted, “oh yeah, and what are life skills?”  My intelligent well thought out response? “Like nutrition…”

            Clearly, I was not prepared for the question to be asked, not by a resident, not by anyone really. For the sake of sanity, I decided that life skills should be defined in terms of the population being addressed. People with brain injuries must be similar right? They probably all need to learn the same things. Wrong. In fact, the only thing linking people with brain injuries together is the fact that they have brain injuries. That is it. So how then, can I break down the massive category of life skills in order to appropriately capture the Uhlhorn residents? The answer is really pretty simple; ask them! Life skills are simply tools and rules needed to live independently and successfully in the world. After that, the definition extends to what the people in question want to know. The next phase of my project will be to gather information from the residents so that I can create a curriculum of life skills that fits their needs and moves them towards independence.

Lindsay the Intern Week Two

I have never been a very patient person; my family can attest to this (In fact, I am sure they would love to share some stories at my expense). This quality has affected my life in both positive and negative ways. In the absence of patience, I would consider myself a go-getter. Because I cannot stand waiting around for things to happen, I make them happen. Some might call it ambition, but I know my nature is simply the result of waiting-induced anxiety. Despite the negative connotations of lacking patience, I have found it to be the reason for many of my achievements. Getting into the Family and Human Services program was the result not wanting to delay starting on my career path. I knew the gist of what I wanted to do, and not many programs give you the opportunity to spend the majority of your time in the field. So naturally I had to be a part of it. But as life goes, once you jump one hurdle, you soon find yourself approaching another.

  Even though I have my final internship tied down, and my senior project drawn to a point, I can’t help but view the task of teaching life skills to people with traumatic brain injuries as another huge hurdle to leap. I can already feel that anxiety, that itch to dig in. I feel like a runner hunched at the line waiting for the gun blast to signal the full-on sprint that is the end of my undergraduate career. However, I am learning now that before I can start the race, I need to learn to run.

          The majority of this project should be spent on preparation and practice. In order for the residents to have a meaningful experience where they are truly gaining knowledge, I have to base the class on their needs and interests, not my assumptions. I need to know my audience, how to approach them, and what they expect of me. There is no quick simple means to an end in this situation. For a moment, my lack of patience got the best of me. I was ready to start the class before taking the steps needed to make it worthwhile.

  I have always considered practice and preparation to be an integral part of any process but could not find the patience to take the necessary time. Now that people’s lives and independence are at stake, it is time to change my ways and focus. Not on my need for immediate gratification, but rather on the long term effects and impact I can make if I truly pace myself.

Lindsay the Intern Is Back!

(We are delighted and honored that our Intern Lindsay, from the winter term, has elected to return to ShelterCare for her senior year internship. Welcome back Lindsay!)

After some time away, I am grateful to announce that I will be interning with ShelterCare for two more terms.

 Over the past year, I have navigated the human service world, infiltrating different agencies and growing both personally and professionally within their unique environments. As a Family and Human Services senior, my goal is to step back into my old interning shoes and use my newly acquired skills and knowledge to satisfy a need of one of my past agencies. I never thought I would say this, but unfortunately all three of my past experiences were fulfilling and positive. The decision to go with ShelterCare was one of thought and debate, but ultimately I knew I would be happiest here.

 My original inclination was to help plan a fundraising event as I worked closely with the development staff during my last stint as intern. My only hesitation in this endeavor was the lack of opportunity to work directly with the clients of ShelterCare’s many programs. The prospect of planning a fundraiser while somehow including clients from 11 different programs, many of which have their own lives and priorities (surely my senior project ranking last on the list), seemed insurmountable. However, all was not lost. Because of my strong preference to work with clients, I was presented with the challenging opportunity to teach a life skills class at Uhlhorn, ShelterCare's program serving people with Acquired Brain Injuries. I excitedly accepted, not quite sure how I would pull it off.

 Now, here I am, starting my journey once again. Throughout this experience I will have to answer many questions about my own integrity and leadership abilities, as well as derive concrete activities, concepts, and information in order to aid in the client’s quest for independence. I know I will have support from many angles, but it’s really on me. I will be posting about my experiences weekly, hopefully giving an accurate portrayal of the clients’ hardships and achievements, while shedding light on the invaluable work of human service workers.

Lindsay the Intern: Final Musings

(This Friday, our Intern is moving on to the next page on her journey through school. We will miss her dearly. This is her final post of the term.)

This last week, I had the opportunity to accompany Carla to the Uhlhorn Program. For those of you who do not know, Uhlhorn was established to provide semi-independent living for people who have acquired traumatic brain injuries. While there, we had the chance to interview one of the residents. 

She was able to shatter many stereotypes I had within a matter of minutes.

Coming from an uninformed point of view, I had always assumed that if your brain was damaged beyond repair, so was your personality and everything that made you, you. Well, that is simply not the case. In fact, she had more personality than many I know. Her vibrant and articulate ways of describing her own situation enlightened me. Which brings me to another stereotype I had: people with traumatic brain injuries are not self-aware. This could not be more false in her case. She could recall herself before, during and after the trauma. Her insight into her own abilities and growth were quite amazing. She did emphasize that every brain injury is unique and brings its own changes in varying degrees. 

While at Uhlhorn, I also learned that it is the only program of its kind in Oregon. This bothers me because it has proven to be so successful in Eugene. Why wouldn't other area adopt a successful program in order to better serve vulnerable populations? Like I have said before, I was unaware of traumatic brain injury as a risk for homelessness. I was also unaware of Uhlhorn until my internship at ShelterCare. I know I have stressed this repeatedly, but getting the word out is half the battle.

Sadly, this will be my last blog entry for awhile. I plan on going forward on my career path and looking for ways to incorporate my new knowledge into future jobs and internships, but I also plan on taking opportunities to stop and educate people along the way. Whether they have a misconception of homelessness, or they are homeless and need information, I will do my best to lead them on the right path. I always try to put myself in other peoples' shoes. Now I know what it is like to be uninformed and will do my best to be patient and unbiased. I don't know what it is like to be homeless, but I have new insight that will help me be more compassionate to those who are. I hope my blog has given you some of that knowledge and insight for your own use.  

Lindsay the Intern: Week Eight Musings

(This week, our Intern reflects on the sad place many people in this country are currently in, and discusses why it's a good thing to be a Eugenian.)

Recently, ShelterCare mentioned an Oprah segment in a blog entry. I am not going to go into detail as I am sure all the information is sitting below my entry, but I have to say that it was quite interesting and saddening to actually see the effects of these harsh economic times. People who used to have stable jobs and homes are being forced into tent towns all over the country. Until watching this segment, I had not felt truly affected by nation's crisis. Perhaps it is the fact that I am in the college bubble, where my loans are looming in the distant future instead of banging down my door. Or maybe it is simply that I am lucky to have a job and a family willing to support me. Either way, I have somehow managed to escape the fall out, for now anyway. I am thankful for that, but many people have not been so fortunate. Aside from the tent towns popping up everywhere, there are now people taking "survival jobs" just to stay afloat. Once successful realtors are trading in their business cards for brooms and picking up minimum wage checks. It is not such a bad thing that people are being forced to live more simply and rethink their extravagances, but it is scary that those who already live simply are now living unsafely.

If these hard times have knocked you off your feet, you must know that all is not lost. This Friday, at the Lane County Events Center, Project Homeless Connect is setting up shop. Here you will find resources, amenities, and luxuries to help ease the minds of those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. I have to say, the more I discover about Eugene and Lane County in general, the more I want to stay. I have not been to a city where people care more about the well being of their fellow citizens. Before I moved here, I couldn't name one human services organization in my hometown. I may be severely uninformed, but I had lived there for eleven years. It really makes me wonder. Anyway, cheers Eugene, keep up the good work!

Lindsay the Intern: Week Seven Musings

Of all of the valuable facts and startling statistics I have learned while at ShelterCare, I am still astonished by the correlation between traumatic brain injury and homelessness. It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Losing certain functions of the brain would cause a dramatic shift in one's ability to survive independently. So why the, when I rattle off this information in conversation, is it so surprising to everyone? I guess the reason it never crossed my mind is because a brain injury can look like a mental illness on the surface. Maybe some of the people we see on the streets aren't really "lazy" or "crazy" (as someone who doesn't read my blog entries might say), maybe they were just like you or me, working in an office, studying for a big test when BAM! Life dealt cards they weren't gambling on. I imagine no one places bets on cards like that. 

I have never know someone to suffer such a tragedy, but I have read an amazing book chronicling a woman's account of her husband's traumatic brain injury. If you ever have time for  a quick, eye opening, well-written read, you should check out Where is the Mango Princess? by Cathy Crimmins. Upon reading, you will see that the effects of brain injury extend far beyond the individual. 

The one missing link for me, especially after reading this book about how a family supported a man with a traumatic brain injury, is where does that support go for those on the streets? I suppose it depends on the stage of life when the brain injury is acquired and the willingness of your loved ones to shelter and support you. Either way, if there is nowhere to turn, there is still ShelterCare. They currently have two programs (Uhlhorn and RiverKourt) that cater specifically to those with acquired brain injuries. Whether there is a possibility of rehabilitation and independence, or a need for long-term supportive environment, there is a place to stay. I wonder if there are any other agencies out there that meet this need. Feel free to teach me something!

Lindsay the Intern: Week Six Musings

As I have mentioned previously, interning at ShelterCare has given me a heightened sense of awareness. I now ponder every homeless person I see. Where did they come from? How did they get here? What is their story and what would change their circumstances? Recently, I have noticed the tattered army green jackets and the "homeless veteran" signs. The more homeless veterans I notice, the more it makes me seethe. These brave men and women, who bravely stood on the front lines to protect us are now begging for scraps on the side of the road. The unjust epidemic of homeless veterans has got me thinking-those stickers are nice, but do we (or does the government) really "support our troops"?

Well here is a conversation starter for you: "On any given day, as  many as 250,000 veterans (male and female) are living on the streets or in shelters, and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year" (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs). Pardon my slang, but that is whack. I do not know much about what is promised upon signing up, but I have seen a few Army commercials in my day, and I know that the Army Reserves guarantees you a college education and job skills. Those who actually serve must be awarded these same benefits. Now that I think of it, the problem isn't the opportunities our veterans receive after serving. Instead, it is the lack of preparation and accommodation given to our vets that hinders their ability to take advantage of said opportunities. 

I have had the opportunity, through the FHS program, to learn a few things about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is most certainly a mental illness that affects one's ability to function normally in society. It is also a huge concern among veterans. 300,000 veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD or major depression since returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and it is documented that only half have sought treatment (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs). That is absolutely alarming. Notice the close correlation between the amount of homeless veterans and those with a mental illness. Coincidence? I think not.

Unfortunately, despite those well-meaning promises of education and pride, mental illness can rob veterans of the ability to sit in a classroom and gain the skills necessary to support themselves. Veterans are also forced to leave behind an extremely regimented lifestyle. They no longer have meticulous orders to follow and must relearn the simplest of tasks.

In my opinion, there needs to be an intensive treatment plan for all veterans who attempt to re-enter civilian society. ShelterCare provides individually based treatment, as do many programs, but the government should take responsibility for this nationally crippling problem. At the very least, a large chunk of change should be distributed between those agencies that attempt to rehabilitate war-torn veterans.

I am not really sure what we can provide other than compassion, gratitude and understanding. Spread awareness and seek answers for those who cannot care for themselves. The veteran population contributes greatly to the homeless population; if we can find a way to help them, then we are that much closer to ending homeless.

lindsay the Intern: Week Five Musings

(Lindsay has been busy over the past weeks visiting ShelterCare's programs. This week, she takes the time to reflect on the dedicated staff members she's encountered.)

Over the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure of visiting a few of the ShelterCare programs. From the community meals to the decorated walls, you could really feel the understanding and warmth. I enjoy meeting people who wake up everyday passionate about making a difference. Of the few that I had the privelege to speak to, both found their respective jobs on a path they assumed would lead somewhere else. For them, what looked like a stepping-stone ended up as a career and life mission.

I was inspired by their patience and willingness to go beyond traditional methods to inspire growth within a vulnerable population. Of course if they were in it for the praise and sel-satisfaction, they would be long gone by now. Change can be a slow process and not everyone crosses the proverbial finish line to success. Whatever the reason for, or result of, working with vulnerable people can be a demanding job. 

In class, we have been talking about burn out, and how prevalent it is in the human service field. Most of the people you will find working in places like ShelterCare's 11 programs, are givers. They give and extend and reach out for the betterment of others, and in the process, forgetting about themselves. As noble as their intentions are, what happens when there is nothing left to give?

I am not sure of my audience here quite yet, but I know that if you are reading this, you care. And sometimes caring too much for things outside of your own needs can lead to burn out as well. So I ask of all you givers, helpers, and caring individuals, those from ShelterCare and beyond; take time for yourselves too, so you can continue to reach your hands out to others.  

Lindsay the Intern: Week Four Musings

(During week 4, our Intern finds herself employed and reflects on some assumptions she held about what it means to be employed, and what she learned about the sad reality for many).

For the last month, I have been tirelessly trying to get a job. I have scaled strip malls and scavenged Internet sites in search of a source of income to support my frivolous spending. FINALLY, I found work.

After my first day on the job, I headed over to ShelterCare for the weekly Development meeting. While we waited for the last few members to join us in the meeting room, my focus drifted off to meet my surroundings. The posters and pictures seemed to pop off the white walls, leaving me to ponder each one. Suddenly, a framed statistic tugged my mind to the present. Did you know that 40 percent of people living in shelters are employed? 4o percent! I was stunned by this news. You can have a job and be homeless? Forgive me if I have oversimplified things here, but if a job means money, and money means necessities, and a major necessity is shelter... why is my math not adding up?

I suppose that despite the fact that I am well  into my 4th year of college, I have never held a job that could afford me my lifestyle, let alone my necessities (Hooray for student loans!). It just floors me that well-intentioned people, who have taken the initiative to get a job, have to struggle to live. 

From my Family and Human Services classes, I have learned that poverty perpetuates itself. If your parents are struggling to survive off minimum wage, you are less likely to have the free time, emotional support, and financial support to thrive in a school setting. This means college may not be an option, and without a college degree, well... the good paying jobs just seem to slip away. 

I understand that many jobs require specific qualifications that one cannot gain any other way but college. However, those employers that are not diving into the graduate pool need to make sure they are supporting their employees. How functional is an employee if he or she had to spend half the night finding a place to sleep and the other half worrying about a slew of other pertinent issues surrounding basic survival. Shall we add kids into that equation? Sadly this is the reality for many individuals tossing and turning in rented beds. 

I want to have some powerful lesson or helping hint to change this situation, but this is a bigger task than those previously discussed. How do we as individuals rectify this unjustifiable issue? Compassion aside, it comes down to numbers. Many employers cannot afford to meet liveable wage requests for all employees. I hate not having all the answers.

With all of that said, I think I will take the time to plug a ShelterCare program. The Homelessness Prevention Program is helping to keep those families with children, who teeter on the border of homelessness, off the streets. How, you might ask? Well, donations, for one. It costs more money ($6,000!) to pull a family off the streets into a stable situation than it does to keep them out of poverty. Many families are just able to make ends meet, living paycheck-to-paycheck. One miscalculation or unexpected expense and life is no longer affordable. However, just $950 can prevent a family from reaching the red zone. It may not be a solution, but it certainly is a start. 

Happy Birthday Shankle Safe Haven!

(ShelterCare's Shankle Safe Haven Program opened its doors in January of 1997. Gayle Lewis, a longtime ShelterCare counselor, was there when it all began. Carla and Lindsay interviewed her to find out how the program has evolved and changes in the 12 years since it's inception.)

CD- "What was Shankle Safe Haven like when you first started?"

GL- "Well, it started out as an empty building with an empty, dirt yard." (laughs) "Yeah, it definitely looked a lot different then. When the program started, the initial idea was to provide services to folks who wouldn't traditionally access mental health services-the chronically homeless."

CD- "How were you able to reach out to these folks, at least at first?"

GL- "It was definitely a challenge. Michael Bogs' job at that time was literally to go out and find people-under bridges, under bushes, on the streets, you name it. Wherever he could find them. It took awhile for the program to fill up. There were originally 12 residential beds (there are now 16) that we needed to fill. Once we'd filled those, we began filling the 12 Day Program spaces."

CD- "What were some of the most striking aspects of the program to you?"

GL-"Well, we were one of the first programs to have Peer Advocates. The structure was also unique-we tried to structure it so it wasn't such a huge shock for folks just coming off the streets. The transition can be very difficult. The program was a pioneer of the Housing First Model, really. We gave them  (clients) time to adjust to a life indoors, and didn't try to force them to take on treatments and such before they were ready. I remember Susan (Ban, ShelterCare's Executive Director) once said that if we could get just one person to an appointment, well, that's a start."

LW- "How about significant changes over the years?"

GL- "Well, one thing that's changed is that we don't go looking under bridges for folks anymore. It's really become a word-of-mouth program, and we now have a substantial waiting list of over 100 people. It's still unique in that you can self-refer. White Bird also refers people to us. The yard is also no longer empty (laughs). Now we have grass, garden beds, a bike cage and a wonderful deck that clients really enjoy."

CD- "What are some of the greatest rewards for you for working at this program?"

GL- "Definitely seeing people get healthier. We help them access resources a lot of them weren't even aware of before. Some try treatments they haven't before and we see their conditions improve. Some even find housing."

LW- "How did you decide on this career path?"

GL- "Well, I went to school a little later in life. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to major in, but I ultimately went for Sociology. When I looked in the Yellow Pages, under Social Services, ShelterCare was the first listing I saw. It was actually the first place I applied and I got the job. I never thought at the time that I would end up working in mental health, but, you know, I found I truly love it here. I can't imagine being anywhere else."

(A room at Shankle Safe Haven)

Lindsay the Intern: Week Two Musings

(Our intern reflects on a trip she just took to Seattle).

What do the mentally ill, the traumatically brain injured, and low-income families have in common? No, this is not the bud of a cruel joke. All of these groups share an extreme vulnerability to homelessness.

I always used to assume that those homeless men and women muttering to themselves, or screaming obscenities must have reached that point as a result of street life and substance abuse. I now understand that many of these people simply either missed out on, or weren't awarded, services they were entitled too. It is hard to comprehend how these people can continually slip through the cracks.

In a perfect world, the minimum wage would be a living wage, and those affected by mental illness, or struck by sudden trauma, would have enough support and guidance to find an accepting place. Unfortunately, this world is far from perfect, and people are suffering everywhere. 

I took a trip to Seattle this weekend to visit my brother and meet his new girlfriend. Although my main agenda was to give my stamp of approval on the relationship, I couldn't help but find myself distracted. I had new knowledge about the homeless community in Eugene and it seemed to follow me. All I could see as I passed vintage shops and trendy restaurants were the shopping carts full of dirty clothes and people without a hand to hold. I wanted to find a way to help each one I passed, but all I ended up doing was giving away a hot dog.

I realized that I would be confronted with this dilemma in every city I visit. I also realized that although I can lead people to great organizations in Eugene, I hadn't the slightest clue of how to help in Seattle, let alone San Francisco. I guess what I'm saying is that it's in your hands too.

Go Google "homelessness" and your city. If you are a Eugenian, then Google a city you visit a lot. I bet a few agencies will pop up. Wow. That took a total of 5 seconds (granted, I am handy with a keyboard). Now just go ahead and bookmark them. Next time you find yourself overstaying your welcome on Facebook, instead check out an agency site and learn about ways to help that are specific to your city or hometown. It is abundantly clear that homelessness is a problem extending far beyond Eugene, Oregon, or even the U.S. If we want to seal up the cracks in society, we are going to have to put in a little elbow grease and take matters into our own hands. Hey, if you are feeling particularly giving, mosey on down to those agencies and pick up a few brochures. Information is crucial to enlightening and empowering the vulnerable. We have the computers and the time, all that's left to do is pass it on. 

Lindsay the Intern: Week One Musings

(Lindsay is our wonderful intern for Winter Term 2009. She's seeing the issues we at ShelterCare face daily from a fresh perspective. Each Wednesday, she will post her reflections on what she's learning and how she's seeing issues relating to homelessness in a new light).

Just the other night, as I scuffled down 13th Avenue in the blistering cold, a frantic man bee-lined toward me. "Please, could you spare me some change for a bus ticket?" His holey zip-up and tired face begged for a glimmer of compassion. Now, being the giving Family and Human Services student that I am, I handed him my only quarter and hurried on my way. Although I wanted to believe his intentions were honorable and sincere, I couldn't help but assume he was off to the nearest 7-11 in pursuit of a 40-ounce. Honestly, on a night like that, I wouldn't have blamed him.

If I had asked any other bar-hopping college student for a buck, he might have gotten the cold shoulder and a sly, mocking chuckle. This is not to say that there aren't compassionate, giving young people in Eugene. I have the pleasure of knowing many who would have matched my quarter and raised me some. However, I also know some individuals who would have left that man feeling colder and smaller than the ice in their drinks.

I often hear arguments about whether or not it is right to give money to homeless individuals. The majority of these debates leave idealists to ponder two types of people: those who believe in helping but don't know how other than the occasional nickel, and those who feel that giving a "bum" money enables them to continue living on the street and menacing society.

I can see where both types of people could make a point. A rough and dirty individual begging for change is not exactly contributing to a better Eugene. And yes, we should help somehow, but what is a nickel going to do, really? The bottom line, and what we all need to focus on, is education;educating ourselves about why these people are sitting on street corners and not in living rooms. It is time we start learning about services and support for the homeless people of Lane County so that we can hand out brochures, not laundry money. 

Although I preach the importance of giving back in a big way, I too need to learn some things about homelessness. I recently signed on as an intern at ShelterCare and blindly began fighting the good fight. And guess what? You have the amazing opportunity of growing and fighting with me! This is just the first of my many weekly blog entries meant to inform you of this fixable problem in our great city. If we can gain knowledge and change our perceptions of the homeless community, as well as take action, I reckon you won't be giving up your coins quite as often. Take away lesson for today: cents may not be the answer, but change certainly is.