Meeting the Challenge

SEATTLE - In late February, more than 150 Federal, State and Local officials gathered via a region-wide, three-hour video conference from HUD offices in Anchorage, Boise, Portland, Seattle as well as offices in Pocatello and Washington, D.C. to chart their progress in meeting a challenge - ending veteran homelessness by the end of calendar 2015.

The Mayors Challenge to End Homelessness forum was convened by HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Bill Block and included, by video conference, Mayor Paul Loomis of Blackfoot, Mayor Patty Lent of Bremerton, video, Mayor Kitty Piercy of Eugene, Mayor Brian Blad of Pocatello and Mayor Paul Restucci of Sunnyside. Representatives of the mayors and county executives of the City of Anchorage, Bellingham, City of Boise, City of Portland, City of Seattle, City of Tacoma, King County, Multnomah County, Pierce County, and Snohomish County and Whatcom County also participated.

The forum was a follow up to a White House event last August where First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Mayors Challenge citing the progress already made - a 33 percent reduction in veterans homelessness since 2010 - and the considerable work that remains. It is work, Bill Block told the forum, "we can and will achieve. We know what works."

So, what does it look or feel like for a homeless veteran when things do "work"? A story told at the Seattle forum about a homeless Army vet who served honorably stateside and in Vietnam by Jerry Gadek, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and, now, a Snohomish County Veterans Affairs Officer, will tell you all you need to know.

"The first time this client visited the Snohomish County Veterans Service Office" - SnoCo Vets," for short - "he was certain he'd never come back. Indeed, he'd made other plans if, as he expected, he got another "can't help you" from SnoCo Vets - to head to a nearby trunk line,, lay down on the tracks and wait for a speeding freight train to do the rest. After decades of living on the bottle he didn't want to spend another day - or another night - living on the outside and certain he'd never be let back in. All this Vietnam veteran needed was one more person to NOT listen to him," Jerry said.

"But then someone at SnoCo Vets did something simple, something remarkable - stopped what they were doing, asked him to take a seat, looked him in the eyes and listened - really listened. It had been a very long time since anyone, anywhere had done that for him.

"Then SnoCo Vets did something else. It actually offered him help, referring him to one of its long-time partners that could help him with his particular set of problems - Therapeutic Health Services.

"Initially he was hesitant. Over and over again he'd failed in treatment. So, he worried counselors at Therapeutic Health Services might just mess him up more. They didn't, instead taking the time to listen, to conduct a thorough assessment of who he was and to design a treatment regimen that could help him get back to who he wanted to be.

"I'm pleased to say," Jerry continued, "this client didn't head for the tracks. He's still with us. Yeah,, he fell off the wagon once but he's now 12-months sober, started applying for jobs and, thanks to a VASH voucher, has a place he can afford and that he can call home."

And it all started, the client says, because he decided to take one more chance and, when he did, someone at SnoCo Vets took the time to listen. And ever since our other partners - Therapeutic Health Services, VA Puget Sound, Everett Vets Center, Therapeutic Health Services, Volunteers of America, Snohomish County Alcohol & Other Drugs, Washington State Homeless Veterans Outreach and WorkSource - have done the same. Which is why, the client returns every so often to say "thank you."

"Ending veteran homelessness happens one vet at a time. That's why, as providers, we need the system and the range of supportive services at the ready to meet the particular needs of homeless vets. It also takes a bit of luck - the luck that a homeless vet will not give up, but take one more chance, knock on one more door. Just as important, the luck that the folks who answer not only have the tools that work, but also the time and good sense to drop what they're doing, look that vet straight in the eyes and listen.

"Simple as it sounds, just listening may be the most remarkable service we can provide."

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