We Need a Solution

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

I’m stepping away from my lighter blog subjects today. For several months I have been praying for a solution to the United States homeless population. I don’t have that solution but then again, government agencies don’t have one either.

To narrow focus I see two types of homeless status: The unexpected loss of home due to financial straits and long term chronic homelessness.

To seek a national solution is unwieldy and impractical as each town, county or state have unique challenges, but also unique abilities.

To aid those who experienced an unexpected loss, I believe in the good hearts of the people in our communities. My heart’s desire is that my brothers and sisters of faith will join with their neighbors to focus on the needs and put together local networks to assist our most vulnerable neighbors. I know that my small community has such networks, it’s a matter of letting the individuals know what is available.

The long term or chronic homeless is more challenging. It has been stated that a significant number of these people suffer from mental health issues.

Thinking along this line, could we not consider treatment programs as we do for alcohol and drug addiction?

I recently read a news article about a tiny house village being built for our homeless vets. It will include a clubhouse which can be utilized to plug the homeowners into agencies to assist them if they have needs.

After going through counseling and treatment for underlying health issues could not such a community be a step forward in assimilating the homeless back into a healthier lifestyle?

We are a generous country and the good Lord knows we have an abundance of charitable foundations. Community/ foundation partnerships could fund these efforts and avoid the bureaucracy and inefficiency of government programs.

As an example, this is from the Nine-Line Foundation. They assist Vets to start over. We can do this for those who are not vets too.

“Nine Line Foundation is pleased to announce a partnership with the Golden Isles Veterans’ Village Initiative to build another Veterans Village, this one in Brunswick, Georgia. The members of the Golden Isles Veterans Village initiative include

• Cornell L Harvey, Chief Master Sergeant (CMS) USAF (Retired)
• Nine Line Foundation
• Rotary International District 6920, comprised of the Rotary Clubs of Brunswick, the Rotary Club of Jekyll Island, the Rotary Club of St. Simons’ Island and the Rotary Club of the Golden Isles
• The SSG Dustin M. Wright Foundation

The initial vision to build a Veterans’ Village in Brunswick came from CMS Cornell L. Harvey, the owner of the property which is being donated for the project. Having benefitted from seeing the spirit of cooperation and community support that Nine Line Foundation generated in their Savannah project, CMS Harvey recognized that by partnering with other similarly minded organizations, the project would become a reality that much sooner.”

I believe that seldom does one person become burdened with a need. I’ve shared my thoughts, what are yours?

As I finished this post last night I learned that a young wife and mother of 3 in our community suffered a brain aneurysm and will be taken off life support Thursday. Her parents are flying from Chile. Would you remember this family in your prayers?

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience.  Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites,  Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix

In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general  “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books  where we frequently host the best in up and coming authors.

My 2019 goal is to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media. You can visit Real Life Books and Media You Tube Channel if you would like to view some of the mini-videos I have created for our church, Gateway Community in Titusville, Fl.

Tags: Community, homeless, Nine-Line Foundation