Earlier today, I spent some time volunteering at the Project Homeless Connect event in Pontiac. The concept of this event was simply to gather representatives from a variety of agencies and service providers relevant to individuals experiencing homelessness, and invite folks to come and connect with the services they need and/or for which they qualify. There were many volunteers, of a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and I met some very inspiring people. Those who arrived seeking assistance were outwardly appreciative of the efforts made to help connect them to the appropriate resources for their unique circumstances.

Some reflections and observations:

*Homelessness is just one symptom of many possible underlying conditions, manifesting at both the individual and social level. At both levels, a lack of access to safe and consistent shelter for all people appears to exacerbate these conditions. I met people who stay at warming centers during the coldest months of winter, and frequently sleep in parks at other times of year. This should not--and does not need to--happen.

*As I learned in a recent discussion with Rabbi Levi Shemtov of Friendship Circle, friendship is extremely important for those facing any sort of struggle. Today I was moved by the degree to which my own attentiveness was so clearly appreciated by the folks I was assisting, but even more so by the way individuals seeking services were looking out for one another.

*There appears to be a common recognition among human service providers in our community regarding some of the service gaps and unmet needs for people of specific demographics. This is encouraging, as it implies we may be able to collectively--providers and recipients together--organize to better take care of people who are struggling in our community.