Project Homeless Connect Essay by Suzanne Allbright

The stereotypes of homeless people are often inaccurate or misrepresentative of the thousands of individuals on the street. However, it is difficult to deny that these stereotypes began somewhere, for some reason. What people tend to imagine when they think of homeless people, are individuals that are lazy, unintelligent, substance abusers, and dirty people with no direction and no desire for betterment of their situation. Both Project Homeless Connect and the many other discussions and texts that we have read in class, however, have helped me realize just how inaccurate these judgments often are.

What I walked away with from Project Homeless Connect was not just the realization that homeless people exist, and that they are not merely drug or alcohol addicts, but rather I walked away with a sense of hope and appreciation that only my client could have provided.
While my client’s appearance was similar to that of my expectations, his character was quite surprising. However, until later on in this relationship, I did not fully recognize the impact of the things this one, simple, homeless man had to say. I had made the judgment, like many before me and many after me will continue to do, that I would not get anything out of this day or this relationship I was about to form. Project Homeless Connect is simply for the clients. My client, however, proved me very wrong.

The morning of Project Homeless Connect, I had certain anticipations for how the day would evolve and the type of relationship I would form with me client. I found myself quite upset with the organization of the event and the unraveling of the day, however. After meeting my client, who had little on his to-do list, we made our way to the medical services. I realized that I had already forgotten to ask if he would like to check his bags, and I found myself pushing the idea of a massage on him. I cannot explain my actions, but I felt completely unprepared even after a previous year of volunteering at this same event. As we reached the medical services, it seemed that this lack of preparation was a common theme for everyone.

My first year volunteering at Project Homeless Connect, I was nervous and so worried about dealing with my client and where the services were located, that I had the tunnel vision phenomenon occur. This year, however, due to my previous experience, I found myself taking more of an observational perspective and approach to things. I was worried about customer service and organization. I wanted my client to get the best of what was being offered, simple as that. Nevertheless, this ultimately failed to occur on nearly all levels. At the medical station, we were greeted by welcoming faces, but it was immediately apparent that they had very little idea of the proper procedure. In addition, these medical students seemed to be questioning their own ability to measure my client’s blood pressure. I found myself simply embarrassed, feeling as though I had brought this man to a circus. The scale, upon which my client had to stand to take his weight, was off by fifty pounds. He laughed and fixed it single-handedly before stepping on it. We were finally led to a nurse for a simple check up. While I was waiting for them to finish their visit, a woman volunteering said she believed that there was also a check out desk, but that she wasn’t quite sure. It was apparent that not many people knew what steps to take and where to direct the client service volunteers. As my client and I were beginning to walk away, the nurses suddenly pulled us back and said they needed to get the forms signed by the nurse in charge. This woman running the show came over to sign us out, but she found that the nurses who had met with my client had not properly filled out the paper work and completed their side of the requirements. One unknown upon another unknown was the pattern I was beginning to observe. We finally checked out from the medical station, and although my client said the service was very helpful, I found myself apologizing for the chaos and the seemingly unknowledgeable volunteers and services. He did not seem to mind. My feelings were only multiplied, however, when we proceeded to the hair cutting station to find that the hair cutters had not arrived. This was the only other service in which my client had any interest, and I was frustrated over not being able to supply it. We put his name on the short list in case that they would arrive within the next half an hour. However, this never happened. My client was completely unable to get this simple service.

It was during this time, however, that my client truly broke the mold of these stereotypes. As I was apologizing for the haircutting service and the obvious chaos, my client made it a point to let me know that he did not mind, and that he simply appreciated all the volunteers and services that were being offered. He also told me that patience is important in all aspects of life. One must enjoy every moment of life and not let small matters get in the way of their day. My client definitely appreciated the small aspects of life and was grateful for all the opportunities before him. My client further surprised me by asking if I minded him smoking while we were outside waiting for his haircut. He showed true manners and respect for others around him, which I appreciated greatly and found very refreshing. Based on the typical stereotype, these were things I was certain I would not find on this day.

While outside burning some time, I became most impressed with my client’s knowledge and enthusiasm. He asked about my education and what I was studying at DU. After I told him I was majoring in biology, he asked me why I had not wanted to study geology. In my head I kind of laughed, thinking to myself that he was insane to think that rocks were fascinating and that I could do anything important with that educational background. However, he changed my mind immediately. He knew everything there was to know about geology, and in addition to explaining the excitement about the variations in rocks, he proceeded to pull different types of rocks out of his pocket. It became quite clear how passionate he was about this subject, and how knowledgeable he really was. This was the last thing I had expected going into the day, but I was happy to have my beliefs and expectations shattered.

My client also reminded me briefly of Barbara Ehrenreicher’s novel Nickel and Dimed. Barbara makes a point to demonstrate how even having a job is sometimes not enough to maintain a lifestyle that includes housing and food. Her whole purpose was to uncover the truth about low-wage workers and their situations. Similarly, my homeless client also had a job. He did advertising, in which he walked around and distributed fliers for companies among various neighborhoods and locations throughout Colorado. He said he was paid well, but I did not inquire how much his salary really was. In addition, my client also served in the United States Army for five years. I had a sudden realization of not only the truth of Barbara’s novel, but the fact that even people who served our country courageously were still unable to live a decent life. This was upsetting, but even still, after all our chatting about the situation, I found myself somewhat numb to these issues. I found myself knowingly unable to alter these truths.

As a final, yet quite significant moment, my client once again made quite clear the need to enjoy life and all its sweet pleasures. As I said goodbye to this man, with whom I feel I made a bond, he asked me how to get to Washington Park. I looked at him with slight surprise, but told him how to get there and that it was maybe a ten minute walk from campus. He smiled and simply told me that he was going to enjoy this beautiful sunny day and sit in the park. I was nearly speechless. I appreciated his passion for life, and his ability to enjoy even the weather while under such terrible circumstances. I was unsure whether I would be able to find such joy in such little things as this if I were in his position. This purity was most unexpected, yet most enjoyable to discover.

The characteristics my client portrayed were not only inspirational, but they were refreshing. Although I was unable to assist him in many areas of his homeless situation, he was purely happy. He reminded me of a child, with little worries or care, and just the simple ability to enjoy his surroundings. It is easy to say that I would never have witnessed such simplistic joy and satisfaction through any other means. Many of us have homes, jobs, and things of great value, yet we find ourselves unhappy and consumed by the desire for more and the excessive stress of getting there. However, this man proved that happiness does not rely on wealth or valuables. He broke the typical mold of homeless people, and I was overjoyed to witness and meet such an inspiring and compassionate human being.