In response to recent hate crimes against homeless people in Chicago, the Heartland Alliance Health (HAH) outreach team joined the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and several other institutions for a candlelight vigil to pay respects to the lives lost and affected by this senseless violence.
Chris has been with the outreach team for 16 years – and for that decade and a half, Chris has perfected walking the walk. He works for the outreach team because of the people he serves, and lives every day to serve and connect.
Why was it important to participate in this vigil?
We need to continually support the needs of this population, who are for the most part ignored and unsupported in this country – literally and figuratively. On the streets, people look the other way. In the service world, the services don’t recognize the true need of the people we serve. Our system needs to look towards the real solutions to this crisis, and that’s permanent supportive housing.
Why do you continue to serve in this capacity, even during COVID-19?
Most outreach workers that I know will go to any length necessary to serve people in need. My colleagues are people who are in a position to be the voice of those experiencing homelessness, of those in need. The barriers that we face are great – and the system makes it harder for people to get the resources they need. You know, people who are couch surfing or doubled up in a home, the system does not recognize them as homeless. But we do, and we make sure that they receive the services they need to get them out of homelessness.
It has been very difficult these past few months. You know, we’ve been told to stay away, even though our work insists on human connection. We know that the people we serve need and want us in their lives – it’s not just a matter of healthcare, it’s a matter of connection.
More concerning is how this is impacting the people we serve. That isolation is far more difficult for those experiencing homelessness. How do they adjust with no resources? How do they cope with this crisis and practice harm reduction at the same time?
These folks count on our support, and we’re chomping at the bit to increase our outreach. We want to be out there, doing what we do, on a daily basis. The spirit that’s built in this team won’t go away – we are compelled to help these people.
What do we need to do as a community to ensure an end to these hate crimes? What do we need to do to ensure an end to homelessness?
Ending homelessness will end violence against the homeless – that needs to be our first priority. As long as people are experiencing homelessness, these types of crimes will exist. Recognizing the truth of the situation is how we are going to find real solutions, so we need to enlighten everyone to the reality of what we’re facing – and hold those in power accountable. We should continue advocate to the power brokers in this society. This event was fine, but we must really DO something. It will take commitment and financial resources from fall of us to end homelessness.
