SYM clients earn a new respect!
Dear Terry,
Helping our clients means doing a lot of things -- simple and complex!
It means learning about their culture and environment, and monitoring for new dangers (like the 2015 K2 epidemic), changes in client attitude (like the 2014 shift in pregnant mothers staying on the street instead of seeking shelter), or shifts in public opinion that damage our clients. I never imagined loving street-dependent, homeless youth could be so complex.
After the 2015 K2 epidemic in our neighborhood, public opinion soured on our clients. Over the decade and a half of learning from street youth (since 2003), we know they are attracted to this area because they want to be with college students -- people who are most like them and who like the same things! However, their behaviors are not always welcome or beneficial in the neighborhood, for sure.
Every once in a while, things get so out of control that special help is needed. Such a time was early 2016. The area needed special policing because of the trash, drug activities, thefts, even violence. Things returned to "normal" after only a few months. However, public opinion fluctuates like gas prices. Helping Austin to understand street youth, love them when possible, and expect better things of them is part of what we do.
Opening the Drop-In Helped Us Turn a Corner
When we started operating the Drop-In center in January 2017, we stepped up our involvement in the neighborhood association, collaboration with UT and APD police, communication with city agencies on safety and cleanliness, and effort at curbing certain behaviors in the area.
Two police officers stopped a volunteer last month to say, "We really appreciate how this management works with the street youth to clean things up. They are clear with the street youth that certain things in this neighborhood just aren't OK. We like bringing people here, because we know they get help."
Another homeless resident of our neighborhood, older than our clients, shared this: "I am a person who knows drugs. I am no longer active like I was. I know that you, Terry Cole, have done as much as anyone to make this neighborhood safer. I see people who want to sell drugs come here looking for some of your clients who are addicted. But they do something new now. They say, 'No, not here. Let's take a walk.' There is a respect for this neighborhood that I haven't felt in a long time."
Teaching Service and Responsibility
We offer payment in the form of Amazon points to clients who identify and then go out and clean up messes in our neighborhood that we didn't make. Overturned trash cans, dumpsters not kept tidy, trash cans not kept clean, graffiti. We also pass out flyers for neighborhood events. Clients accumulate points and can order items from Amazon. It teaches service, delayed gratification and responsibility.
We never tire of explaining our clients to our neighborhood, helping them to see the sons and daughters of real people -- young people trying to figure out life, just like the 50,000 students across the street. We simultaneously understand our clients AND expect more from them. We know they have God-given talents and gifts that are unique -- as are their strength and determination.
Few stay homeless. Many go to college. Almost all find their way to gainful employment and a healthy level of social-emotional well-being. We are proud of them all! Thank you for your support.
Terry
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