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Homeless outreach workers persevere through barriers

Confronting Homelessness

I gotta say, I am amazed at the effectiveness that comes from the perseverance of the Family Life Center (FLC) outreach workers. These folks work tirelessly to seek out those who need their specialized help. FLC faces daily scenarios that most people (including me) would consider impossible.

Recently David Nakama (Maui County Homeless Program coordinator) received a call from the management of one of the local shopping centers, asking if there was something that could be done about Andy (not his real name) who was living at the center. He was in a rusty wheelchair, smelling of urine and apparently confused about his surroundings. David immediately contacted FLC and found out that the outreach workers Rosa and Jackie were already working on solutions for Andy.

Andy’s case proved to be difficult, but that didn’t stop them. The FLC knew that he was unable to help himself, and they needed to persevere through each barrier as it arose.

The first barrier they faced was that Andy appeared to be ill and malnourished, but he refused to be taken to the clinic. They feared that he may even die if they didn’t find help quickly.

The second barrier was that Andy lost his ATM card and couldn’t access his money. In response, Rosa called Bank of America and was told that he needed his pass code, which he couldn’t remember. She was then told to take him to the nearest branch. Not helpful, there is no Bank of America branch Maui!

The third barrier was that Andy told Rosa that he had a family, but the phone numbers he gave didn’t work. After countless unsuccessful attempts to reach his family, on a hunch, Rosa called the Veterans Administration, who miraculously was able to identify him and provide a phone number for Andy’s sister. Rosa then called his sister who was very relieved to find out where he was. She told Rosa that he has dementia and that she had no idea that he had gotten a plane to Maui.

The fourth barrier was that Andy’s sister wanted him to come home, but she didn’t have the funds to purchase a plane ticket. The Family Life Center’s staff and volunteers were determined to get Andy home, so they found the money to purchase his plane ticket with the promise of being paid back in the future. Because of his failing health, it was imperative that Andy get to his sister ASAP!

But it doesn’t end there, the fifth barrier is that Andy was very dirty, smelled bad and needed new clothes so that he would be permitted on the plane. Even though they couldn’t get him in the shower, the FLC cleaned him up and bought him new clothes.

Now the sixth and last barrier — how were they going to get Andy on that plane? He wouldn’t trust just anyone. While at the airport, Rosa and Daniel (another caseworker) were trying to figure out what to do when remarkably a United Airlines worker noticed them. This man recognized Andy as a friend from a few years back. Apparently, Andy once lived in Kihei and worked as a landscaper. Recognizing his friend, Andy accepted his help through security and onto the plane.

This all started on a Thursday with a call to David Nakama. One day later on Friday afternoon, Andy arrived at his destination where his sister met him. When she saw him she immediately called 911 and he was taken to the VA hospital. Andy’s prognosis didn’t look too good.

Since then, Andy’s sister contacted Rosa and told her that he has been released from the hospital and is doing well. Without the fast, loving action of these caseworkers, it would have been very different for Andy. Way to go, Rosa, Jackie, Daniel and the workers of Family Life Center! You do a remarkable life-saving job for the homeless and helpless!

* Joyce Kawakami is a full-time volunteer, founder, and CEO of Feed My Sheep Inc. As an active member of the Maui Homeless Alliance, she chairs the Awareness Committee. The Alliance meets on the third Wednesday of each month at MEO. To participate call (808) 242-4900.

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