(Continued)

​ 
So, as a resolve it must come down to this most basic level: can we give sincere
value to someone outside our sphere of influence, even extend a gesture of
   love to a stranger?  The twist is that people will naturally sacrifice for their
   families, even for some friends, that’s a given, but they aren’t inclined to give
direct attention to a stranger.  Unless they are paid for it.  Seeking out the
unsheltered at the “boots on the ground” level for the purpose of engaging
in one-on-one dialogue has never been popular or highly prioritized, until it’s
   count time.  In Hawaii County, two recent homeless counts recently discussed
   in a room full of CEOs, revealed there was a great difference between the

     Point in Time Count and the recent data collection count from the Office of

    Housing and Community Development.  It seems we can’t quite get an

accurate count, though all the categories have been decidedly defined.
      Again, who got lost in the translation? 
Consequently, this fact remains: when we fail to connect with humanity, we’ve

already lost the battle.  It only makes sense then, that authenticity is the
  driving force, not the numbers, not the reports, not the grandiose plan, nor the

   speaker pontificating flawlessly on powerpoint.  It’s when that hopeless person
standing right in front of you can sense your authentic regard for their value,
      do they awaken to their life-giving inalienable right and attempt to follow your

guidance out of the rabbit hole.  This is true advocacy, this is "engagement"
one human being at a time.

 

  Regina Weller,
    Executive Director, 808 Homeless Task Force 
Senior Disaster Relief Chaplain
Big Island, Hawaii - May 2024