Last Wednesday, the class had a video presentation with Dan McGuire, CEO of Homeless Solutions in New Jersey. He talked about the history of Homeless Solutions and how it has expanded its programs over time. This program has a number of shelters. One shelter includes 85 beds for single men, women, families, and the mental health. It serves about 600 people directly every year. 40% of these people come to Homeless Solutions employed. This relates to their mission statement, “A hand up, not just a hand out.” Dan described this statement that the people who use the services also have to put in the effort to make a change, such as searching for jobs or participating in the therapy services.
I noticed that many of the agencies that our classmates are interning at also value this mission statement. I do agree that the people should put in effort, but I fear that if they are not showing any change, the agencies might release them. What could happen to those people if they are turned away because they are not making enough progress? At the agency that I work at, I have heard about people being released and not allowed to return to any of their services. These have been because of altercations or not cooperating with the staff. It upsets me that these individuals do not appreciate the help that they are being offered. I ask myself where else do these people go once they have been turned away. Thankfully, there are agencies like Homeless Solutions that change the lives of people who commit to making a change and put in the hard work.