How to be a good neighbor to homeless people

Homeless people live all over Denver. You see them when you walk your dog, when you pull up to an intersection where they are panhandling, or when you go downtown. You see them by streams and on trails. Increasingly, Denver homeless people are moving to the outskirts of the city as they are pushed out of downtown.

Many people want to know how they can help their unhoused neighbors. In that spirit, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless held an online seminar last week on “How to be a good neighbor.”

Gabriella Visani of the Coalition moderated the panel, which included:

· Crystal Archuleta of Pueblo. Archuleta wears many hats in serving the homeless community. She is director of the homeless work program for Catholic Charities.

· Ian Stitt, executive director of Network Coffee House, Denver.

· Amelia Warner, social media, marketing and partnerships administrator at SAME Café, Denver.

· Brittni Joy West Ware, executive director, Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Denver.

· “Ducky,” a resident of Colorado Village Collaborative La Paz tiny home community.

Not everyone who is homeless is a criminal or a drug addict

The panelists explained that not all homeless people are criminals or drug addicts. Visani gave examples of common homeless profiles, including:

· Cal, 67. Cal stays at a men’s shelter and has been unhoused six months. He receives Social Security.

· Dante, 26, had his rent raised and he couldn’t afford it. He works full time and takes classes. He sometimes qualifies for SNAP (food stamps) benefits.

· Elsa, 19, recently left the foster system, which she had been in since age 14. She works a minimum wage job and often stays with friends.

· Aaron, 38, worked in construction but lost his job due to an injury. He has a dog, so he does not stay in a shelter. He receives Social Security Disability Income.

Educating yourself about homeless resources

Visani explained that being a good neighbor to people experiencing homelessness means learning about what resources are available. She said when a homeless person approaches you for help, you don’t always have to give them money. You should ask them what they need because needs vary, she said.

West Ware said her organization’s “main focus is to build community, and we have opportunities with our neighbors to discuss what that looks like. You have to rethink what your neighborhood and your community actually is.” She said her organization gives grants to small non-profits assisting the homeless. “Everyone is in this community, everyone’s a neighbor, how do we make sure that everyone’s OK?”

‘A hub for friendship’

Stitt said the Network is “a hub for friendship and safe, redemptive relationships.” He said the most important thing when communicating with a homeless person is to treat them with dignity. Stitt said people often see homeless people on their worst behavior. “It’s OK to feel uncomfortable,” he said. “It’s not that they want to start it with you, it’s just a survival technique.”

He added, “We otherize and demonize people experiencing homelessness so much that they begin to behave a certain way. They internalize.” He said to always ask things of people experiencing homelessness instead of demanding things and to treat them with dignity.

Stitt noted that many housed people are one or two paychecks away from homelessness themselves. “You could be the person standing next to them if something unfortunate were to happen.”

Stitt explained that at The Network “is a place to just be, where all assumptions of the world are stripped of you. You could be having your best day or your worst day, you could be the richest person in the world or the poorest person in the world, and you are all on an equal footing.”

Coffee and other perks

Free locally roasted coffee always is on tap at the network, Stitt said. A small clothing bank and a brand new private shower that people can use help people experiencing homelessness feel genuinely cared about. “People can come in and sit at a table, they can play chess or backgammon,” Stitt said. “It’s a very kitschy place. Our folks really claim it as theirs, it becomes their home. It’s very eclectic but also warm. The walls are filled with love and acceptance and that’s what folks come to get.”

Warner from SAME Café said that often the only thing a person experiencing homelessness wants is for someone to listen to their story. “They’ve got great stories,” she said. “If you want to hear some of the wildest things you’ve heard in your life just listen. Some people may not have anyone to talk to, ever, they are just alone all the time.”

Giving hope

Archuleta said the work program gives its clients a feeling of accomplishment after a hard day’s work. They receive a $50 gift card for picking up trash. “The unhoused neighbors become so used to being invisible,” Archuleta said. “The main thing is to have no judgement. However you are coming to us, we’re going to love you how they are.”

Added Archuleta: “One of the most powerful things you can give somebody is hope,” Archuleta said. She said hope can lead to “life changing miracles.”

Resident of tiny home community helps elderly neighbors with yards

Panelists said people experiencing homelessness often are depicted as take, take, take. But Ducky is a resident of the La Paz tiny home community who gives back. Ducky goes out into the neighborhood and helps the elderly people with their yards, “trying to take the sting out of this place because there’s a lot of unknows,” Ducky said. “I try to break that stigma with action.”

Ducky explained that he used to live in the community but became homeless. His 32-foot camper “became stuck” in front of his neighbor’s house. “I used to say, ‘One day when I am able I am going to come help you with your yard,’ and I followed through with it.”

Passing out socks a good way to help unhoused neighbors

West Ware suggested people wanting to help their unhoused neighbors can go to the store and stock up on socks to pass out. Archuleta said connecting with homeless people means “listening, not assuming what they want. They may not need anything at that moment, what they need is a conversation.” She also suggested passing out socks. She said “we all hated it when we got socks for Christmas” yet socks mean the world to people experiencing homelessness.