Word On The Street

Always something new happening on street outreach. Today as we were giving our friend G a lunch we asked if there was anything else he needed. G said yes can you remove the staples in my head I missed my appointment and need them removed. Dr. Lehman stepped right up and said of course lets step into my office (outreach van). We walked over to the IMFK outreach van got the tool needed and the staples where removed. G was so appreciative and Dr. Lehmann was so gracious and loving in the removal process. After Doc was finished G was so eager to talk and said he needed our assistance to secure housing. That right there is music to a street outreach workers ears. A simple meal ( meatball sandwich) a house call from a Doctor some toiletries opened a door for further engagement. It never ceases to amaze me how far a little dignity and value will go with our friends outdoors.

The Topic of Mental Health is a Tough

Many of us reading this post may have friends or family members suffering with variations of Mental Health disorders. The reality is that Mental Health is a serious condition just like other conditions that many of us are dealing with. One of the challenges about discussing this topic is the stigma that wraps itself around the one who is suffering. My post today is to bring awareness to and the challenges of tying to assist someone suffering with with a Mental Health disorder. This photo is not here to shame anyone its to show the reality of whats happening on our streets. Drugs are one key component to drive someone to homelessness but the othe major key is untreated mental health conditions and encouraging someone to get help. Our friend here ( we will call him Al) is an elderly man who has a untreated Mental Health condition and he refuses our assitance. (Al) will take our lunches and some water but refuses clothing and connections to mental health providers. (Al) is elderly and vulnerable to something bad happening to him outdoors. With out knowing (Al) you would think that he is just an old man wandering and drunk (a bum) but that so far from the truth. (Al) is a man that has value, has a family and is caught in a cycle of untreated mental health. One of the things that I have observed over the years is that when someone has a broken leg or arm there is a cast placed to help the mending process and those of us in the community seeing these individuals understand that there is a broken bone because we see a cast. Well with mental heath there is no cast to put on and for us in the community we must realize that just because we dont see a cast on someones head we should not assume that everything is back to normal. What we will continue to do with (Al) is love him engage him reach out continually to mental health providers and believe that (Al) will say yes to assistance. You might be asking why cant they just pick him up? As outreach provider to the homeless I think that as well but one thing I have learned dealing with mental health challenges is that if someone is not a harm to themselves or others they can not be picked up against their will. My prayer as a Clergy Member is that these laws would be revisited and that a new approach could be established with engaging friends who are suffering with Mental Heath. During my prayer time today this passge came to my thought

“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

John 1:48 NLT

No one is Invisible and we at IMFK will continue to advocate for our friends especially for our friend (Al)

The Simple things like a Butterfly can open doors to great conversation. JD (care manager) snapped this shot today with this quote ” Great to witness these moments our friends have while they’re out taking care of Our Community”  The awesome thing about the Hire Ground broken is that it brings Dignity back to our friends. It is a way for them to escape the craziness of addiction and homelessness for 5 hours and when we set up these work moments in our communities we allow them to experience the simple things again, like watching a Butterfly. Leigh Ann and I believe that these moments of peace will slow down the chaos were our Care Managers can step in and start to peel back the layers of brokenness and encourage our friends that change is possible. We love our Work (calling) and look forward to every opportunity to show our friends that they are not Invisible.

We couldn’t do it with out you our Sous Chefs (partners) thank you for your support

John, Leigh Ann and the IMFK Team

Clean Up is one aspect of the Mission of the Hire Ground initiative in partnership with the County of Onondaga and the City of Syracuse. During our work days intakes are accomplished to find out some of the reasoning’s to someones homelessness as well as why they might be panhandling. During our 5 hours together we build relationships were trust may be established. Once our friends trust us the intakes become a real way to asses to find out how we can further help our friends. Carolyn’s last day is today 8/14 but we have brought on two strong individuals that will be able to help us go to the next level as an organization as well as the continued excellent manner of doing street outreach. Paulette pictured here is doing two different intakes right at street level, many people ask us were is your office and the answer is were ever our friends are. Mobility and thinking outside the box are keys for IMFK and the success of our friends. Paulette will have one full week under here belt today and JD will be completing his 3rd week. Im moved with great anticipation for our new TEAM members and look forward to seeing them break barriers for our friends outdoors.

Today’s Lunch was a wonderful Cheeseburger Wrap sided with Chips. A lunch always opens a door for wonderful conversation. Pictured here is Howie working on our Hire Ground Crew, while out working with the Team he was excited about finding his street! Its the simple things that can bring us Joy. We met Howie  in 2018 living outside and addicted, he is doing fabulous sober and living in his own place. He was part of our Hire ground crew and Carolyn pictured here loved on him and encouraged him continually and now we are seeing the fruits of her love. Carolyn s last day will be Friday and here are some of her thoughts

As I sit here on the eve of my final week with Hire Ground, I have so many images, faces, and names running through my mind. April 2019 seems like a lifetime ago and yet seems like yesterday. I truly did not know what was in store for me. I was so green, so naive! But I knew the Lord had equipped me and placed me there.

In reflecting over the past seventeen months, there were many days I felt I was walking through the wreckage of a war zone…wounded bodies and devastated souls. So many of our friends bare the scares of trauma, abuse, neglect, and loss. Many of them shared with me about the lack of love from those who were entrusted to care for them, failed systems that were supposed to support them, and the absence of those who should have advocated and rescued them. The scares, pain, and trauma left them seeking relief in alcohol and drugs. There were also some unbelievably bad days. Those days when I would learn of the passing of one of our friends. Some passed due to violence. Many passed from drug overdose. But, along with the pain, there was so many wonderful days filled with laughter and happy memories. As we spent more time together, trust would inevitably develop. Friendships would develop and my friends would share their hopes and dreams. I got to see many of our friends get housed and start to rebuild their lives. And I hope to see many more rebuild their lives.

To my friends: I love you all dearly! This is not, “Goodbye” just “See you in a little bit.” I cherish you all and the memories we have made. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for your friendship. You have made me a better person. I will continue to pray for each and everyone of you.

To my coworkers: What a privilege to have been a part of building such an incredible program. I love you all! Kat – thank you for your patience while training me. I have learned so much from you. For my dear sidekick, Kevin – my “boss” ? I cherish our friendship. Thank you for all the laughter, tears, and prayers! You are such an inspiration for our friends! Keep up the great work! JD and Paulette will be in good hands.

To John and Leigh-Ann: God has bound my heart to yours since day one. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for us in the future. I love you both! Thank you for being such good friends and bosses.

I love you guys. I’m not sure why the Lord has asked me to step down, but He has confirmed it over and over again. I sure am going to miss seeing you guys so regularly. I think this is going to be a challenging week for me. :'(

We Love Carolyn and she is pictured here training JD and Paulette. We are believing that as she pours into the new Team Members that the same Motivation of Love that she is investing in them will spill over to our friends outdoors.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, together Sous Chefs we are Building Hope and Changing Lives