On Thursday, Feb. 20, we made arrangements with Kimberly of Family Budget Inn to bring pizza and visit with some of the homeless population staying there during the very cold and snowy conditions.
We assured Kimberly this was not a political move. I just want to understand the homeless population. I thanked her for what she was doing for the community. You are saving lives in this sub-zero weather, I told her. I’m just trying to understand the statistics I’m given about the homeless in the area. The leadership in our city and county have to go off of the numbers presented. But I’m not sure those statistics are correct, and I’d like to talk to people and try to understand their situation.
It’s my desire to heighten scrutiny from the city’s perspective and set accountability standards for nonprofits that receive taxpayer funds to help the homeless.
I’ve talked with other communities, and we do not have the homeless problem other cities face. Unfortunately, there are a few who want help and many who don’t. We really want to focus on helping the Harrison homeless. We can’t help those who don’t want help or those from other communities. Our warming shelters are primarily here for the homeless. Kimberly agrees that some have drug and mental issues and need a different type of assistance. There are other great programs to help the homeless drug addicts. We have many programs to help them get back on track. But I will do all I can to get them out of the cold.
Kimberly said the homeless are usually very private individuals, but she would see if some would be willing to meet with me and help me understand their situation.
It was obvious that some of the “homeless” looked like the same people seen every day at various jobs in town … or used to see. Some had unfortunate situations of losing a job that started a domino effect of losing housing or a vehicle.
The majority of those we spoke to were looking for work. Many had even been working at Family Budget to help cover their expenses while they were there.
Kimberly was firm with people who wanted to stay there during the cold but “had a couch” they could sleep on. “No,” she said. “You go back to that couch. Someone who will be under the bridge in this cold needs that warm bed.”
When we praised Kimberly, the guests agreed she was quite a woman. She turned the praise onto the generosity of the community. The small motel office was full of food and water for the guests to enjoy. On the park bench in front of the office were several half gallons of Hiland milk with a sign that read, “Take one to your room.” With the bitterly cold temperatures, there was no chance that milk was going bad, and people were grateful to grab some for the room.
While we were there, a gentleman dropped off more food items, and Kimberly called him by name and thanked him. “We have the greatest community. They are so generous,” she said.
First United Methodist Church is one of the local organizations that provides rooms, food, and often rides to job interviews.
One of the homeless ladies who grew up in Omaha said she was so proud of Harrison and how the community was willing to help.
One young family with a small child and another on the way had been turned out of a family member's home, and the man had lost his job.
Another man lost his apartment when he had computer cords on the floor and a pile of dirty clothes in the corner of the room. He said he has certification from Google and Apple and often works to identify a computer system’s weaknesses. He is concerned about the computer scams pulled on seniors and likes to educate that age group. He was also busy trying to clean up an identity theft situation.
We left with heavy hearts because I couldn’t “fix” every situation. I realize it is up to the homeless to accept a “hand-up” and do their part to keep a job.
Our police know the homeless by name who are difficult or have mental issues. We feel those are few.
It was my pleasure to speak to several individuals and hear their situations. I left with a heavy heart, saying there’s a lot to think about here.
Family Budget Inn stopped the $25 rooms for the homeless at the end of February so they could prepare for the spring and summer seasons of out-of-town guests.