PEP, October 2006: More than shelter

By JANE LaTOUR

High rents, low wages and personal problems push a population the size of a small city into New York City’s homeless shelters every night.

In November 2005 this flood of humanity set a tragic record, with 32,000 in the shelter system, including 24,000 men women and children in family shelters and 8,000 single adults.

The individual people in this deluge are far from faceless for poverty fighters like George Gomez and Ron Holder, members of Social Service Employees Union Local 371. Both work with homeless men at the Barbara S. Kleiman Residence, a Dept. of Homeless Services facility that was formerly Greenpoint Hospital in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

There is never enough space or enough resources to meet the demand. Kleiman’s 200 beds are filled every day.

“Sometimes, you get weary because you see so much,” said Gomez, the Program Coordinator for Adult Services. But as he speaks about his work, his passion for helping the victims of poverty, alcoholism and mental illness is palpable.

The range of programs and services offered at the residence is vast. As Gomez explained, everything possible is done to identify and overcome the barriers that stop the men from becoming independent members of society. “We provide support. Our message is: ‘You’re not alone.’ ”

One of the most outstanding operations at the residence is the Supportive Works Program foralcoholics. In existence for 32 years, SWP is stronger because it can call on the resources of its graduates who have gone on to live productive lives. Anactive alumni group pitches in to give support and present positive role models.

Ron Holder is a Community Associate and has been a mainstay of the successful program for 18 years. Before that, he had need of its services. “This is like one, big, happy family,” he observed. “It’s built on trust. There’s no other program like this.” His bond with the men who benefit from his presence is a testament to his life’s work.

Gomez and Holder believe in bringing the generations together to share their stories and to serve as models. One new resident recently completed 18 years behind bars. They see that his life story can serve as a powerful incentive to the young men at the residence.

“We’re about giving people chances,” said Holder. “We use what they’ve experienced to help others. It can be inspiring.” At their annual anniversary celebration, you can see that this program is a brotherhood and that it has a tradition. It’s so good to be a part of something this good.”

As Gomez described the broad array of support programs that he coordinates, it was clear that he has mastered the art of accessing the resources available throughout government and the non-profit sector in the struggle to help build whole and healthy lives for the men who come to the residence. His life’s work has become a labor of love. As he observed, “In a sense, it’s a giving back. Having come from this community, it’s important for me to share my expertise, my abilities, and my desire to provide a service for these men.”