Creating A Safe Community For All
How will you keep us safe?
I have the privilege of holding discussions with an array of community members in regards to poverty, the unsheltered, and the services provided by Listening House.
One question often asked is, “How does Listening House help ensure safety to their neighbors?” I love this question and I get why it’s asked. Take social stigma, lack of familiarity, unpredictable behavior, and concerns regarding personal safety all together and I think we’re all at least apprehensive, if not alarmed.
After explaining our staffing ratios, external and internal site supervision, our extensive camera system, and the expertise of staff, I ask the same question in reverse. “How can this community help to ensure the safety of our neighbors who need and use Listening House?” Met with the silence of not having a ready or canned response, many have said it’s not something they’ve thought about.
People who are unsheltered or unstably housed are beleaguered with concerns about exposure to the elements, lack of privacy, lack of sleep, violence (physical, sexual, harassment), health issues, food insecurity, egal issues — and, like the rest of us, mental and chemical wellness.
Safety is required for all, which for most of us comes from having a home to live in. People with mental illness or substance use disorder need treatment, which is far more effective if the people getting treatment have housing. And every member of our community needs to know that we are all safer when everyone has a stable place to call home and at the absolute least a place to feel safe, even in the short term.
It's important to remember that individuals in deep poverty are not a homogenous group, and many are struggling with various challenges. While it is critical to be cautious and prioritize personal safety in any situation, it is also imperative to address these fears through education, empathy, and supporting policies and initiatives that aim to contest and prevent a lack of housing. Reducing homelessness and providing access to shelter, healthcare, and social services can help alleviate these fears and improve the quality of life for both homeless individuals and the community at large.
Since 1983 Listening House has worked to provide a safe, daytime shelter for anyone in the community who may be experiencing homelessness, poverty, or loneliness. With your help, we will continue to do so for many more years.
About the Author
Molly Jalma is the executive director at Listening House
