By Stuart Adelberg
I find myself very sensitized lately to the issue of homelessness. This is not new for me, having spent most of my working years in the human services field. For a long period, my primary focus at the United Way was assessing needs, documenting the effectiveness of local programs, and identifying areas in which our system of services was deficient. The goal was to ensure that our most critical needs were being addressed and that new collaborative programs could be developed when service gaps became apparent. I was so moved by this work that I eventually chose to become directly involved in the affordable housing solution by working with Habitat for Humanity. Though I am no longer affiliated with either of these organizations, I left both with a sense of pride and gratitude for the opportunity they provided me to engage in effective and meaningful work. I am confident this important work continues with each of them today.
My renewed sensitivity to the issue of homelessness is driven solely by my own observations as opposed to any professional analysis. My perception, based entirely on what I see, is that homelessness is increasing at an alarming rate. We know that there are countless reasons why individuals and families might find themselves on the street or moving from couch to couch without a permanent place to live. In fact, homelessness is often a result of multiple issues, as opposed to an isolated problem. But now that I am no longer professionally engaged in addressing these many issues, I find it easier to focus my own concern on the singular one. There are, to be blunt, too many people who lack a warm and safe place to rest their bodies at the end of each day. That fact alone, regardless of any extenuating circumstances, is f lat out unacceptable.
What strikes me more than anything is the dichotomy I see every day as I traverse our towns and cities. On one street we might encounter some of the most successful, wealthiest people in the world. On that very same street there are people who have nothing beyond what they can raise by redeeming cans and bottles found in trash cans. As I take my daily walks through the park, I realize that our beloved family pet is blessed with a warm bed and all the food she needs, while there are people we pass in that same park who are nowhere near as lucky. Again. . . unacceptable!
Please don’t assume that I am criticizing those who have done well for themselves and who have every right to enjoy the f iner things that their successes make available to them. This is the American dream, the “pursuit of happiness” offered to all of us through our founding documents. I am as impressed as anyone when I encounter someone who has established and maintained an enviable lifestyle through their brains, brawn, hard work, and talent. Of course, I have even more admiration for these folks when they choose to share what they have through generous and thoughtful charitable giving, but that’s a speech I’ve already made more times than I can remember.
I am merely struck by the fact that this great nation, in which vast success is possible for so many, can’t find the collective empathy, compassion, and ingenuity to address this need and ensure that no one regardless of their circumstances, needs to sleep on a bench, lack for security and warmth, or wonder where their next meal is coming from. We are blessed with so much. Can’t we do better?
Stuart Adelberg has a long history of leadership and active involvement in the region’s voluntary nonprofit arts and human services communities. He appreciates the opportunity provided by Greenwich Sentinel to share his occasional thoughts and observations.
