HelpCopsHelpUs: Homelessness -- A Problem Not Reserved For Just Men

Friday, March 30, 2012

Homelessness -- A Problem Not Reserved For Just Men

Dorothy Hayes was one of the first homeless women I met out on the streets back in June of 2010, when the Homeless Initiative started.

Since this time, both Dorothy and her male companion, Robert Toledo, received housing assistance from the Rapid Rehousing grant offered through MHC, Inc. I've learned a few things about homeless recovery in the months that would follow and helping the homeless with housing without additional supportive services doesn't always deliver the long-term sustainable rehabilitation I'm looking for.

After a year-and-a-half from our first encounter, both Dorothy and Robert know that help is just a phone call away when they find themselves in a bind that can't be resolved on their own. And like many fighting the battle against homelessness this bind is unemployment.

So, the three of us - Me, Dorothy, and Robert - pick up the pieces and start all over again with their latest dilemma that has been a high hurdle even for those with marketable skills. Fortunately, I was able to assist Robert almost right away with the Homeless Initiative jobs program recently put into motion. Robert parlayed his bilingual Spanish speaking skills into an on-site sales position with Mobile Auto Glass Repair. He started his new job yesterday in a highly Spanish speaking area on Dale Mabry Hwy where the company was missing out on some Spanish speaking customers.

In the meantime, Dorothy has been working with "The Centre", (formerly The Women's Centre) located at 305 S. Hyde Park Ave in south Tampa. It is here where she sat down one-on-one with employment counselors who helped her brush up her resume, gave her employment and interview tips, listed her on the job search referral, and even gave her some new clothes for job interviews.

The battle against homelessness never really ends, but both Dorothy and Robert at least have the peace of mind knowing now who to call and how to get help.

Deputy Steven Donaldson

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

District III Office: (813) 247-0330

Email: sdonalds@hcso.tamp.fl.us

Facebook.com/HelpCopsHelpUs

2 comments:

UnknownMarch 31, 2012 at 7:07 AM
Donaldson has helped me so much already. When I am having a bad day, he is a phone call away and he picks my spirits up. Thank you Deputy Donaldson!
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Deputy Steven DonaldsonApril 1, 2012 at 6:49 AM
Your Welcome Dorothy! Hang in there with me... Steve
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Welcome to Help Cops Help Us: A Homeless Initiative Blog

The Help Cops Help Us homeless initiative is a new problem-solving model centered on the root causes of homelessness. Its philosophy rests on the fundamental human principle that people, all people, will succumb to the human trait of inevitable behavior until intrigued or compelled to act differently.

The uniformed law enforcement officer is the epicenter of the street engagement model that uses a "coupling" technique, motivating each homeless candidate that becomes accountable to a singular and persistent mortal entity -- a street cop.

The coupling effect is a two-pronged approach where candidates who resist assistance and rehabilitation, by default will receive the law enforcement prong when behavior exhibits a callous disregard with laws and a communities desire in maintaining a certain quality of life.

The homeless candidate receives both direct and indirect assistance after a street assessment evaluates their individual needs and problems. We then solve their most basic problems so they may become self-sufficient.

We mend fences, rebuild character, solve their problems, then push them into the water where they are forced to learn how to swim again.

When they are off the streets and into housing we continue to monitor and follow-up until we are certain they have become self sufficient for long term sustainability.