Dehumanization

I attended a meeting yesterday, and the discussion turned to a new shelter in town. The main focus of that shelter is to create an experience that does not institutionalize homeless people. What was described sounded more like a well-meaning flop house, than an actual program that helps people move forward. In fairness, my reaction is based only on discussions about the philosophy and practice of the shelter, and not on firsthand experience. It may be very different in actuality. The point is, it got me thinking about Family Promise and how we handle this issue.

Yes - I do think that there is a potential for some shelters to create an institutionalized atmosphere where some of the participants may lose their dignity and feel less than human. I don't believe the answer is to create an environment where anything goes. Family Promise is all about restoring dignity and treating everyone - from the client/guest to the volunteer/host - with respect.

I was glad to hear one of our former guests answer the charge of "Isn't it difficult? Moving from church to church?" with this response: "I felt like I was being welcomed into a community every night - I wasn't the homeless lady going into a shelter - I was just part of a family going to church." She went on to talk about her experience, meeting so many new people who were very different from herself - but then weren't so different once she got to know them. And she appreciated so much kindness. She knew that people all across our city were praying for her. I believe prayer is a shower of good thoughts and energy, well wishes for the recipient. She was overwhelmed by the experience.

Dehumanizing? Not this program.