News

After hectic winter, homeless shelter closes

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

GREEN BAY -- While Sacred Heart Fr. Guy Blair knows that a portion of the homeless population will return when St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter reopens on Nov. 1, he considers this past year a "success beyond my hopes."

"We were able to find employment for some of the folks," he said. "We were able to find apartments for some who qualify for assistance based on their condition or situation. Some people have entered into alcohol and drug rehabilitation. There is still a group of chronically homeless people who are difficult to find a place for, but we did our best.

"It's a lot of work," he added. "We don't just open the doors and let people in. It was a lot of goodwill on behalf of the volunteers and staff. I'm very grateful for all the people who stepped forward to volunteer and those who donated financially. If we didn't have this groundswell of support, we wouldn't be able to reopen in November."

The shelter closed on the morning of May 1. This past season marked the third for a homeless shelter in the gym at St. John Parish, where Fr. Blair serves as pastor. The COTS Shelter operated in the space the previous two winters. The average population in 2007-2008 was 38 people per night.

"Homeless is not a thing, it's a person," said Fr. Blair. "We fear people walking on the street with big bags. We fear the disheveled and the unclean. We probably see a mirror reflection of ourselves. With the economy cooling and the loss of employment a reality for many people, it's easy for a person to see themselves in these people. The stranger, the homeless person brings out ignorance and fear. We react negatively.

"Homelessness is the loss of a person's dreams," he continued. "It isn't just a residence loss. It's the loss of hope in life. One of the wonderful opportunities for our volunteers was the time to talk to the homeless. You find out they are human. It's not a problem we are trying to solve. It's the human condition of poverty."

Fr. Blair slept some nights at the shelter in the first weeks it was open. He stopped doing so because of the large number of people at the facility.

"One more body was not needed," he said. "Also, the shelter was running so well that I didn't need to stay there. I slept there early on because I was fearful I might have to deal with some situations."

Fr. Blair recalls an encounter from the first night. A man wanted to enter the shelter because he believed three teens had robbed his apartment and were staying there. No one under the age of 18 is admitted at the shelter.

"We had a decent conversation," said Fr. Blair. "I think he left with a different perspective on homelessness and a greater insight about our program."

Progress was made throughout the year with community members who initially opposed the shelter, he added.

"We made friends with the neighborhood," said Fr. Blair. "We came to an understanding. I hope that people now realize that we didn't simply warehouse people. Although we gave them a place to stay, a place to get warm food, to get comfortable, we also offered medical care, counseling and case management on an individual basis. We simply didn't let people in for a place to sleep."

Looking ahead to the future, Fr. Blair is hopeful for expanded shelter services. He would like to see the facility open 24 hours a day during the winter, but said it is contingent on finances and trained staff.

"I would call that the entry way to the dream," he said. "My other dream would be to have the shelter operate all year long. It might be a doable dream if people continue to be generous with their donations and time. We have a wonderful building that is centrally located, which serves this community well."

He added that finding another church or organization to serve the population of homeless women would be helpful.

"There are many more homeless men at the shelter than women," he said. "We could use the extra space for all the men. If another church or organization could step up for the women, it could focus on their specific needs."

Reflecting on this past year, Fr. Blair emphasized that the guests were not the only people who benefited from the shelter operation.

"It brought a new life to this church," he said. "The parish council and finance council gave us the go ahead on this. We have so many good people who came forward. It opened up a new Jesus to the people of this parish. Our Lord became a real person in these homeless people. It also brought together people of different denominations. This united us in a common vision and a common goal."

Fr. Blair encourages all people to reflect on the homeless. We all have something in common, he said.

"Even if you feel that you are the most fulfilled person, there is a certain portion in all of us that is needy or longing," he said. "In that way, we too are like the homeless. If we can humble ourselves and look at their needs, it doesn't become a problem issue or bring out fear and prejudice."

Fr. Blair said his goodbyes to the guests. He is concerned about the safety and health of the chronically homeless, many of whom he now considers friends.

"It's overwhelming at times, but we cannot save everybody," he said. "There are people journeying through life who are homeless. We are already doing our best to help. In the beginning, I put this program in God's hands. I understood very deeply that whatever happened was in the providential care of God. It will continue to be in God's hands."