In my latest self-portrait, I find myself encircled by a bouquet of flowers, with their delicate stems intricately binding my hands. This piece marks my return to self-portraiture after a hiatus, aiming for a lifelike portrayal that captures not just my appearance but the emotions within.
The flowers enveloping me symbolize growth, the vibrancy of life, and renewal. Yet, the way they intricately tie around my hands also mirrors the constraints and challenges that coincide with personal development, drawing a parallel to my journey through disability and injury.
Nephew portrait
My recent drawing is a portrait of my newborn nephew. In this piece, I focused on conveying a beautiful gesture in the hopes of fostering reconciliation. The artwork serves as a tangible offering, expressing the beauty that can emerge from the pursuit of reconnection and the healing power of family ties.
Finding Balance
This artwork focuses on the difficulty maintaining proper balance in a field so physically and mentally demanding.
Content statement: Names have been changed for the purpose of this interview
During the time I was volunteering at the Gast House in Dortmund, I had the chance to sit down with a gentleman from Barcelona. The interview itself was a bit challenging due to the significant language barrier, but we managed partially.
He expressed a strong interest in plant restoration, and logistics, even mentioning possessing a DHL driver’s license. Logistics, in particular, he felt provided him with a strong sense of security,when considering job opportunities in different countries. Regarding his musical pursuits, he seemed uncertain about its success past or presently. While living on the street, this guitar was stolen, Impacting his ability to pursue music actively or generate extra income. He mentioned staying in a refugee camp, one with unitization in Unistraza.when I asked him how he felt about the resources available for refugees or individuals that were currently homeless, he says, that the support from various organizations ensured his basic needs were met, allowing him the freedom and luxury of contemplating future employment opportunities.
While pondering potential career paths, he considered teaching due to his passion for yoga. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the New Age influence, leaning more towards karate and taquito. He mentioned that he could have pursued teaching in Spain, but he was deterred by the New Age associations within his existing contacts. He’s still looking for existing work opportunities and hopes he’s able to persue his passions in the meantime.
Content Statement: This article includes mentions of World War II, Natzism and Hitlers Regime, the September 11 attacks and Drug and Alcohol use.
For the week I was volunteering at the Gast House, the different shift workers would notify me if they saw someone they thought would be someone willing to participate in my project. Normally I had to give a thorough explanation on my project in order to ease the skepticism with some, but with Stewart, there was no need. With a huge grin ear to ear, he was excited to talk and we set up an appointment to speak the following days. I greatly appreciated Stewarts interview, because he not only does he describe his story, but his parents’ and how even through acquiring generational wealth, one can still end up in unfortunate circumstances.
His Parents Background:
“I’m now 60 years old. I was born a little bit away from here in a town called Barthropp. I got a twin brother and a little sister which is two years younger. My parents were.. they weren’t normal. Mother was born January 26[th] and father December 25[th]. In some way we got relief from war from [him being a] soldier and.. education to be a teacher. They got seemely a lot of scars from the war, and they changed their life. They met in the 50s, married in 58. They came from the same landscape, the so called yemelaun, which was in the east-est part of Germany near Lithuania and Russia and when hitler came.. and get it back and he was very popular. Most people who lived.. in the neighbor-land Coulixberg. They had problems the other neighboring states didn’t like them that much. It was a simple life, there were agricultural sights.”
To further guide the interview, I began asking questions about his parents background, and how that influenced his upbringing as well. “The way of my father was a soldier, a 16 year old boy, did the war and was in Leningrad.. Leningrad freed many peoples. My mother should have been educated to be a teacher in Russia when Germany had won the war. Quite interesting in the back look, I think they were Natzi’s. Not really Natzi’s, but they could have gained some, not fortune, but a better life; history showed it wasn’t so. Father got captured and I never told how long, I think or 3 years, not in prison but had to do labor. My mom got away to the eastern sea ships. At the beginning if the 50s, they took new horizons. My father was a farmer, he hadn’t learned any [skills] just soldier, he then started an education to work with finance. In the end, he did the financial things for.. an agency. Mother finished her education to be a teacher and in ‘51 she started.. in a little town in west Faille, near Hartford.”
“Hitler got spat, but all people had been pushed away after the war, which was necessary. They didn’t want them, they were displaced, and had to search for a new home. [This new home was found in a town of Caltrop, a neighbor-town of here. 17 km around, great town, great drinking. They married. Father worked here in Dortmund, an agency [building] traffic construction. Mother was at a little town, and educated children and in 58 they married. At that time, the father of my parents were still alive. And 58, the father of my mother died, then they took to Caltrop and there [they] settled, built a home. Caltrop was a small town 20,000-50,000 people only and don’t know how he got rich in the war. I’ve never experienced how they built a great house and [got] this”.
Stewarts Background
“I came from a rich family. My brother and me took career in grammar school, and gymnasium and sister and brother finished their studies. My sister is [now] a judge and my brother is an engineer. I don’t know if he’s still alive, [our] ways parted. My education was quite good but I never knew what I should achieve in life. Life seemed so endless and I just wanted to have fun. Things came easy to me, school, education. All work without hardship. And then I had a crisis at age 27. I did my army service, but I had no aim. I disliked society, some measurements and rules. I started a lot of drinking, smoking cannabis, crazy stuff…The way I did all the time, there was no aim, just running, collapsing with the wall.”
“I thought ‘I need to do something which is okay with society, which is in harmony with my corrector and gives me the position to exist in society’; and this was helping other people. I started education and did a special form of nursing, a house nurse and was the best time of my life. [I was] with the German Red Crossfor 12 years and at that time, started at about 1990-2001, 11 or 12 years when the twin tower thing happened.” *This is in reference to the September 11 attacks in 2001.* “That day our big chief from Red Cross said ‘red cross will stop working that way ‘but [we] shouldn’t be afraid. No one should lose [their] job.’ They managed a miracle. They sold three-hundred patients, thirty cars, eighteen male nurses and we went to Diapoli”.
“There I managed a good farm as well and then I got ill. I took drugs as well. It was no problem working but it was culminating and there was no good aim. I did my work and I did it well but I got health problems and so I lifted my hand and said ‘I need help’. I got therapy, but the way inside with the work I did, I didn’t like the church. The church paid okay but they didn’t help the people. I didn’t agree with the policy and so I stopped working in 2005. Father and mother lived in that time, and I got a lazy bone then and just helped my mother. My Father was in an asylum and both died. Father in 2008, mother in 2013 and then I got real problems. I didn’t take help from the state. I got a house.” I clarified how he was able to acquire housing. “From when the parents died they provided the house. So I was really lucky. I was good. “
“For taxes, sometimes you don’t give it away by testimony, you present if the parents are alive with time, so you don’t get problems with taxes. I did so and paid my sister and my brother money I should’ve given them later. When my mother died, I got a problems with my finances. Two years later, I didn’t get get a fee from the state and I had no money. Part of the house [he rented out], but they didn’t pay the rent”.
“In 2019, my own home I lived in for 25 years, I was put out. Just at the time when I was pulled out on the street, my house could be sold, but everyone took lots of money, so I got no money. After the time of starving, I wasn’t able to act clearly. It’s like a child who’s got no sucker..**like a child who can’t think clearly because they have low blood sugar or are hungry**. “It should last, but it went away, the money. I spent it, it’s crazy. I think it’s okay, I’m 60 and I see a lot of poverty, and people with problems with their health. I realize there are things in life you can’t buy health or friendship or morale. In this surrounding, *he gestures to the people in the guest house dining room* „there are so many in intelligent good people as well as gangsters, and real bad devils, but its all our archived, as well as male or female. We all take the same breath, the same air. Everybody should be everybody’s brother or friend. And now I’m here where poor people are treated in a wonderful way and I like it. If I were 20 years younger and knew what I knew now, I would’ve possibly changed my life and taken a profession like helping people and enjoying—”. He stops, recollecting his thoughts.
I clarified to him that he do that, helping people through nursing. A little“ he says. “But in physics there is a law. You watch how much energy you put inside and how much you get out. And for the health I had the wealth, the money I had, the things I achieved. I don’t mean I have no family, but I should have, with respect to my parents, I should’ve achieved a little bit more. It’s, I’m not content. I’m looking and if I got the chance to..” he gets interrupted and changes his thought. ‘ lets say it that way, my life is a confused, and I don’t know why everything has happened, but I’m content. I try to live on in a way, but I should’ve achieved better‘. Now I got a small apartment, but it’s so difficult to pay money for electricity, I’m not used to it. I forget it.“
I referenced theprevious interview I conducted a few minutes before this about the doctor who grew up rich, but lost his passport and ended up in a similar situation. ”It’s crazy, I was well educated and I can read, but some kind of letters I push away without reading, it’s crazy”.
In my artwork, “self Reliance,” I explore the transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. This piece delves into the theme of shedding preconceived notions and expectations instilled in us and the process of learning to rely on our inner strength when external support is no longer available
The central image of a young girl holding what appears to be her mother’s hand is a symbol of the initial stages of life, where we rely heavily on external guidance, love, and support. Yet, the hand she holds belongs to her older self. This creative twist underscores the theme of evolving from a state of dependency to one of self-reliance even when the dependancy might not want to falter on either side.
Through this artwork, I invite the viewer to reflect on their own path towards self-reliance and personal growth. We all carry with us the weight of past beliefs and societal expectations, and the process of breaking free from them can be challenging. However, the image of the little girl and her older self serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging us to embrace the wisdom within, foster self-reliance, and trust our inner compass.
‘Birthday Blues’
In my artwork, “Birthday Blues,” I wanted to encapsulate the feeling of “birthday blues.” This term captures the mixed feelings that often come with birthdays when our reality doesn’t quite match the expectations we had in mind. The piece features a cake placed inside a well-worn Converse shoe, symbolizing the transition from youth to adulthood and how this transformation can sometimes fall short of our youthful dreams.
The phrase “birthday blues” refers to the complex emotions that can arise as a birthday approaches or unfolds. It’s a time for self-reflection, where we reassess our lives and grapple with the gap between our youthful aspirations and the actual circumstances we find ourselves in. “Birthday Blues” visually embodies this concept, encouraging viewers to think about their own experiences and how their expectations have evolved as they’ve moved from adolescence to adulthood.
‘Reality of the expat’
In my artwork, you’ll find a woman shedding tears set against a backdrop of a tranquil waterfall scene. This image captures the mixed feelings of expatriates in the Netherlands, where the beautiful surroundings and warm culture can sometimes hide the fact that they often feel isolated and lonely.
The Dutch culture is known for its stunning landscapes and friendly people. However, for expats, it’s not always as idyllic as it seems. The woman’s tears represent the emotional challenges they face. The peaceful waterfall picture represents the beauty that draws expats to the Netherlands. The contrast between this serenity and the woman’s tears shows the emotional ups and downs of living abroad.
Isolation for expats is common because Dutch society can be insular. While the Dutch are welcoming, building deep connections can be hard, especially when language and cultural barriers are involved. Expats might feel captivated by the country’s external charm but struggle to make meaningful connections and feel like they belong.
This artwork encourages us to think about the emotional side of expat life. It’s a portrayal of the hidden challenges that expats go through, even in a beautiful country like the Netherlands. The woman’s loneliness shows the inner battles that many expats face, despite the welcoming atmosphere.
One of the pastors at Jacobikerk, Floris, invited me to the dinner at 12, a once a month, free event for people to have a three course meal, sit and chat about their own journey and reflections. I did feel quite bad, because they did a lot of English translation for me, and that made people kind of uncomfortable, but it was really valuable to hear their perspectives and kind of where they’ve come from it.
Little drawing that One of the guests at the dinner drew in my book as I was sketching the table
I really like the map exercise because they’re able to pick three points and which one you feel right now is current to yourself and reflecting on it.
Quick sketch of the outlay of the table of 12
I wasn’t able to do interviews or kind of meet people about their project, but I did get the opportunity to volunteer at Salvation Army, and connect with another individual that works with Anya. I also got lots of information consistently from the different people at the organization about the surrounding supports around. One of the people that I met at the organization has been giving me tours around and introducing me to people for my project. I really found value in trying to connect with people in this organization because they have been homeless themselves and they know what supports are available for their own community and give back to it.
Content statement: This interview contains themes of physical violence
“ The thing is, you cannot blame somebody for being homeless, it can even happened to you.”
On my first day at Jacobikerk, I met Marcel, who greeted me with an eager smile and a story he was excited to share. Having seen him around Utrecht the following weeks, his openness made an immediate impression. The following week, as I returned, we chose a quiet bench outside the church. It was a peaceful spot that allowed for a more intimate conversation, yet it still felt a bit intrusive with the lack of privacy and interruptions from fellow members. I could sense a bit reluctance from him as well, but that quickly dissipated once they left. With not much time, he leaped right into it with almost not enough time for me to process.
“I’m not a saint but I’m not a criminal as well”, he clarified. “I was 17, homeless for 30 years, when I left my parents home. The reason was, my father was an alcoholic and he used to beat me up every time when he was drunk. And I got used to after 10 years, getting beaten. You don’t feel it anymore, but the trigger, why I left my parents home was because he hit my mother so hard, she ended up in the hospital. So I decided to be homeless. I took a bag of clothes and that’s it. No job, no social money from the government and I had really nothing. So that’s how it started, and after 30 years, I had my own apartment and I still have it.”
I then asked him how was able to receive it as in Utrecht specifically, there is an enormous housing shortage. “I was lucky” he stressed. “When you want to rent a house the regular way, you’ll have to wait 10 to 15 years”. I asked what people do in the meantime, when there is such a long wait time, and the weather here is quite severe. “You have to stay in the city where you have asked for an apartment. You have to go to the house corporation, wait and [have] patience, but when you’re homeless, you don’t have that time. so I [got] help from housing first, and housing for us is especially for people that are long-term homeless like me. I was homeless for like 30 years. If you meet those people, you have to wait like three months, and you get an apartment”.
Curious to hear his perspective, I opened up about my mixed feelings regarding the Housing First approach. While I initially saw it as the solution, many interviews had highlighted the potential risks, especially for those struggling with addiction, which made me question its overall effectiveness. “I had to come, and I was really addicted to a lot of substances as well. But I’m clean now because I have a girlfriend in Kenya; and of course my apartment keeps myself clean because I have my rest place now. I can put my stuff there without being afraid that it’s getting stolen. I have my rest. When I want to go to bed, I can just go to bed. It’s much different than the time [from when] I was homeless. I have more than just unrest in my life, so I don’t need the drugs anymore”.
I wanted to clarify if it was from the strong sense of support he was able to gain, made him quit to which he agreed. “But when I was homeless, it [kept] me standing up. It was a difficult time, and drugs could kill all the stress. Most of the homeless people are addicted, but it doesn’t say that all homeless people are addicted. There are still exceptions.” I tried to ask him more of what it was like was on the streets, and how it has changed from his perception; but could sense deep reluctance, and decided not to push further. As similar to Seattle, I noticed that it would take a stronger relationship to develop the trust for him to share his story. The following week, he invited me to a walking tour around Utrecht. I was able to see his personal journey with other individuals in the social service industry.
Marcel is also extremely proud of his city and the way that they have handled homelessness. Having been here over a month now, I agree. “First of all, this country is better than any other country in the world. Because this country takes care of the homeless people especially this city. When you go to a Amsterdam, you will see that it’s not like here”. Having been to Amsterdam, the smell, the distance, just the structure is much less integrated. “There are more homeless people in Amsterdam and they don’t have enough places for them, that’s the point. Here, it’s enough everybody can have a bed in the night. And the government helps those people. If you are homeless., you get money from the government.. that’s the best because any other country, we don’t have that.”
Content statement: This article contains themes of loss and sexual violence. Names have also been changed for the purposes of this interview.
“They said ‘you can try to be another Bea, you can do this. You are a strong woman.”
I had first met Bea at Jacobikerk, also known as Saint James’ Church, during one of their Monday morning gatherings. From 9 to 11 a.m., the church offers free bread and tea, creating a warm space for people to connect, especially those having faced difficult circumstances. After weeks of brief encounters I returned, noticing Bea at other community events throughout Utrecht as well. That following day, she finally found the time to sit down and talk with me.
As we walked into a quiet room to conduct the interview, I noticed a few mason jars sitting on the table filled with little slips of paper. She mentioned they were affirmations that people could bring home during difficult times. “You can take one home”, she said. And so I did, with one currently sitting on my nightstand as a memento.
At the beginning of the interview, she was deeply apologetic for her English grammar, which never seemed to phase me. “I’m a little tired because one week ago, I had the funeral [for the] father of my ex husband, Friday I [had] the funeral [for] the sister of father of my ex-husband; and the week earlier on Thursday the funeral of Laslo. Three funerals two weeks time. Yesterday I wrote my poetry.” She pauses, taking a deep breath. “With my feelings, I write poetry. The feeling of your body you can write on paper. Yesterday we had a poetry day here in Utrecht and I was the third in the top of three. I’m in the second one, and the first one, the big prize, had my name but it was a different person” she laughed.
“My youth has many troubles, I live[d] with a group.” Because of how difficult her childhood was, she did not feel comfortable divulging more details of her background, so we quickly moved on. “I’m Bea, I’m 45 years old, I have lived here [for] 2 years in Nieuwegein. Before, I lived in Utrecht for 8 years. From 2009 to 2013/14 I [became] homeless because my divorce was hard and difficult. I was homeless [from] sleeping place to sleeping place and I was scared [of] people. Everyday I was crying and calling the police [for] attention. On the street for a lady [it] is hard because most [men are]touching you, raping, and police, they do nothing. That was hard for me because I am going to the hospital asking for help because I was raped many times. I think, two to three times per week, and that [was] almost 6 years long.” She mentioned how there were many days she was left unable to eat.
“In 2013, I [had] a crisis place in Worden. My crisis place was 3 months, and they said ‘you can stay longer, then we can find another place for you’. In 2013 at the end of the year, I [was] going to Waterstraat here on the corner and… I stay for 2 months.. Most of the time, [it] was [just] myself. [By] Monday, Tuesday you [begin to] have floor dishes. In 2014, 5th [of] January, I [could] stay for [a] long time in Guystraat and I lived for 1.5 years; with many things to learn. I ha[d] no trust in people. I was scared, [and I ran] away. [There were] troubles with my medications, trouble with people on the street. ‘You have a room, we have no room’ and you can stay there, we stay on street’. After 6 months I have an appointment to talk with psychiatri[st].”
“They said ‘you can try to be another Bea, you can do this. You are a strong woman. We give you one week to try,’. And in one week, I had two appointments in the psychiatric hospital for homeless people and people who [need] a room. After one week[where I spent] most of the time speak[ing], I went to a daycare center,[where] I make tea, make the toilets clean. [Then] we go into a Botsch and we go see biographic plants. After a week, the police came back with the psychiatrist assistants and, after one year and 6 months I have my own place.. for me alone; through [the] mental healthcare organization De kea. It was difficult for me because I was there the whole time alone. After 6 months [I went ] to the church, and [started doing] activities: walking, [cycling], and church administration. After 6 years I’m going to my second apartment, where I live now in Nuiewehein. This place is for myself”. She said, elated. I asked her what she does now if she needs support. She said how there are many different services around for homeless people like Jacobikerk. “Sometimes if I have troubles I call my mother”.
“But this is the first place you have for yourself, not provided for you” I clarified.
“Yes.”
I echoed what an amazing achievement that is, and asked what she is able to do for financial means, whether it be a job or social welfare program. ” The Haus of Army (Salvation Army), I’m a volunteer here at( Jacobikerk) and I’m doing a lot for homeless people and churches. You have here in Utrecht, a silence center, and I’m an ambassador. Most of the time I’m everywhere and in the church. Tuesday I’m free, [the rest] of the week I work, self employed. A lot of what I do for the homeless people [is with] my own money. I don’t have a lot, but what I can, I do”.
I hesitated to write about this seemingly embarrassing issue, but I feel it’s important to share. I have mild cerebral palsy, which sometimes causes me to trip more easily than others, especially when I’m not fully attentive or feeling tired. My brain doesn’t automatically send signals to my feet to walk heel-to-toe, so I consciously focus every time I take a step to ensure I walk properly. If I don’t, I risk long term foot malformations and becoming wheelchair bound. Though it happens only every few months, when I do trip, it can be quite bad, resulting in skinned knees and considerable pain.
What surprises me most is that every time I’ve fallen, especially in places like Bellingham, no one ever asks if I’m okay. People just glance and keep walking, seeming unbothered or even disgusted that I fell. Even older individuals have walked by without stopping or acknowledging the incident. Once, two college students saw me fall late at night, smiled, and continued on their way without offering any help. I thought it was strange the first few times, but as this is a frequent issue, I began to notice a troubling pattern.
Initially, I had assumed this was limited to the homelessness, but I now realize it extends to other vulnerable situations as well. There’s a genuine lack of concern when someone falls, which points to a broader problem where people are increasingly disconnected from one another; a breakdown in community concern.
These falls often occur in moderately busy areas, such as when walking back from the university or in residential neighborhoods. And in both instances that I remember clearly, there were witnesses who just watched but didn’t stop or show any concern. Today, while carrying my suitcase after moving, I tripped on uneven ground. A neighbor was nearby, but they chose to look away and didn’t even ask if I was okay, even though I was in tears, visibly hurt, and right in their presence.
Maybe people think I’m embarrassed because I’m younger and don’t have any noticeable physical impairments apart from walking with a slight limp. Many people don’t even realize that I have cerebral palsy since it’s not too prominent in social settings. Regardless, it makes me wonder how things would be different in Europe, where I’m heading soon.European culture seems more considerate and collaborative, and I’m curious to see if people there would react differently if I were to fall.
In the end, it’s likely a cultural thing, and people might not even realize they’re doing it. While seemly small, this points to a much larger issue. I observe and hope that in a culture of interdependence like Europe’s, such incidents would prompt concern and compassion, as it’s the little things that can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
“People don’t become homeless due to lost resources, they become homeless to lost relationships.”
Homeless camp At Lake City Library in Seattle, Wa, August 2020
A professor from my previous class connected me with Hans Erchinger-Davis, President and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries (LMM). LMM provides shelter, meals, and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. They aim to offer a safe, welcoming environment while connecting people with resources to help them regain stability and transition into permanent housing. Erchinger has worked in the homeless community for 17 years and is well respected in his field. I looked forward to hearing his valuable insights for conducting interviews, and other information that might prove useful. What he provided thoroughly exceeded my expectations.
We began comparing the differences between the United States and other countries, specifically France, and how homelessness was addressed. Enchringer noted that government programs in France and Italy focus on developing individuals out of their situation while the United States functions more as a warehouse model, only providing basic needs. While those are essential, he states there is only a starting point and often insufficient for their complex needs. To truly help individuals rebuild their lives, they need that relational component. “It’s a different kind of intervention if you’re after the relational component. Yeah, you need to have shelter in a place to stay. But if you’re trying to help people reconcile with their families or say an addicted mother needs to get her kids back from CPS, that’s a different kind of intervention than just giving somebody a house to live in.” This means focusing on fractured familial relationships and supporting individuals in rebuilding their support networks as well as the whole person, and giving them a sense of purpose. He believes that homelessness is not merely a result of loss of resources or material possessions but rather a breakdown of relationships.
He highlights the limitations of defining poverty solely in terms of material lack, such as income, healthcare, housing, and food. According to Erchinger, true poverty encompasses a profound sense of loss, including dignity, self-worth, and voice.
“They’re saying things like they feel lack of dignity, they feel inferior, they feel voiceless, they’ve burned bridges, they feel ashamed, they feel worthless. And it conditions people into a place of hopelessness where they feel like they don’t have a shot at anything.”
By focusing solely on material needs, interventions fail to address the deeper human emotions and experiences that perpetuate homelessness. Erchinger also raises critical questions about the impact of well-intentioned aid efforts. He cites the example of sending donated t-shirts to East Africa, which inadvertently harms the local textile industry. “No matter how many free clothes you give them and how much bottled water you give them, they don’t have the change in their situation.” Instead, he advocates for empowering local communities by supporting their industries, building skills, and providing micro-loans to facilitate self-sufficiency.
He emphasizes that people become homeless due to various reasons such as job loss, medical, emergencies, domestic violence, or addiction. And in many cases, they can rely on friends and family for support while they regain stability. But as their situation worsens, oftentimes these connections erode and leave them without a safety net. By the time they seek assistance from organizations, most have lost these critical relationships. This can also be for a variety of reasons, such as burned bridges, familial connections, aging out of foster care, and other circumstances. Without these foundational elements, individuals may struggle to make these positive changes, address, addiction, or engage in personal development.
Erchinger proposes a more empathetic and holistic approach to tackling homelessness—one that considers the human heart and the restoration of relationships. He advocates for asking individuals experiencing homelessness about their emotions and sense of loss, rather than merely providing tangible resources. By addressing immediate material needs in crisis situations and offering a range of support services, individuals can begin to rebuild their lives and escape the cycle of homelessness. This also means it requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses crisis intervention for emergency situations and a long-term development-focused response for chronic homelessness. His emphasis on validating and understanding their experience aligns with the psychological first aid training model I studied during this last year, focusing on the losses individuals have faced during their crisis. Through validation, they can build trust and create a foundation for effective support. This means interventionists need to establish connections with individuals to truly understand the unique circumstances.
“It takes having a sense of safety and security to even contemplate making changes in your life, dealing with your addiction, or having the stability to take medication if you know how things are going.. It takes developing a person.”
This allows support and empowers individuals, and avoids enabling behaviors of perpetuating their situation by doing this. Interventionists can provide the appropriate assistance and help navigate their complex circumstances. “..sometimes they don’t realize it, that they’re in it… So you have to think, okay, what for intervention then? How are you going to address all these complexities? And in my opinion, takes a relationship to do that. You get to know somebody to know what’s going to be empowering for them to get out of the situation or what might be enabled in a negative sense and keep them stuck in their situation and not getting better. One, how do you approach, the issue? Is it just a statistic? This may people come tonight in a bed at the end of the morning. Or do we approach them as people? Because they have different types of needs” Enringer stresses.
Furthermore, Erchinger argues for interventions that address the deeper questions of identity, purpose, and worth. He advocated for interventions that restore dignity, promote personal growth, and empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their own recovery. The example of the cafe at Erchinger’s base camp exemplifies his approach. By allowing individuals to contribute through chores in exchange for a cup of coffee, the cafe not only provides a sense of dignity but also encourages individuals to feel valued and empowered.
“One of the golden rules I tell the staff here is to not do things for people that they have the capacity to do for themselves. And it’s way easier. It’s more efficient to just get people’s stuff, the freebies. But the hard work is knowing somebody and knowing the potential and when you’re laying out what is best for them that’s going to empower them and not keep them stuck.”
This approach goes beyond addressing basic needs by promoting personal growth, instilling a sense of worth, and engaging the mind. “They earned their coffee and they feel a sense of dignity. It’s still subsidized and all this, but they feel like they earn this. They just feel better about themselves. And then down the road, they’re like, Well, maybe I earned this. Maybe I should apply for that job. So is it a mutuality? Is there participation? And is it holistic? Is it addressing the whole person, not just a narrow aspect of what it means to be human? And is it thoughtful? It’s not just meeting basic needs, but is it addressing is it engaging the mind? You also don’t just want a bunch of activities. You want to know it has an impact. Is this actually changing something for people? Is it affecting them? Is me passing out socks every day. The same people keep coming back for socks every day. Is that actually helping this person useful or is it just spinning wheels?” This remknded me of a program I had found in Ireland called the Peter McVery Trust. These co-op houses not only provide housing but also opportunities for individuals to acquire skills and contribute to the household.
He laments the decline of mental health institutions in the United States and highlights Italy’s approach, where psychiatrists make house calls, considering the environmental factors that influence individuals’ well-being. He suggests that revitalizing smaller, more home-like mental health facilities could have a significant impact on reducing homelessness, particularly for those with serious mental health challenges. By providing personalized care, considering environmental factors, and offering house calls, mental health professionals can better understand individuals’ unique needs and environments to provide tailored interventions. Instead, he advocates for interventions that instill a sense of dignity, ownership, and mutuality, fostering a holistic approach to addressing homelessness.
Erchinger highlights a disturbing trend: individuals who receive housing without the necessary emotional support and community engagement often face increased vulnerability. He shares the heartbreaking reality that many people die in their apartments after having been housed, often due to isolation and lack of appropriate assistance. This challenges the prevailing narrative that housing alone is the ultimate solution to homelessness. “And even if you’re trying to stay clean, the temptation grows so greatly because of the pain of that relational loneliness. And so people pick up or they never stop to begin with because some of these are the barrier things where it doesn’t matter. They just put you in there and you die. You overdose in there and there’s no one to find you. In fact, there are a couple of cities down where, I think it was Ottawa, Canada, you don’t see these stats hardly anywhere because the main push is housing first. Just get people housing. But people die twice as fast if they’re addicted. They die twice as fast in their apartment than they do if they were still on the street. Erchinger argues that a heart-centered approach is vital, one that recognizes the importance of motivation, relationships, and hope in rebuilding lives. While the “housing first” approach has gained prominence, Erchinger warns against its limitations. Simply providing free apartments without addressing the underlying emotional needs and building relationships does not lead to sustainable change. “Here in Bellingham, we do memorials every month… the reason for death for all the people who are memorializing. It’s all mostly overdoses, and some medical stuff, like heart attacks and things, which come from a lifetime of hard living…These are people that we’ve worked with that have come through the system that we know, from our outreach on the streets to our base camp facility to our recovery programs and aftercare programs. These folks are people we’ve been in a relationship with on some level over the last few years.
“Many of them are dying in their free apartment. The challenge is you’ve given a great material intervention. You’re almost given a place to live. You’re not homeless anymore. But have you addressed the human heart?“
When discussing further intervention techniques, Enricher began describing how one model can be tailored or only effective by circumstance. The car camping model in San Diego has shown to be very effective for families but “totally ineffective for non-families, for single people. They get a lot of death and a lot of just relational carnage and brokenness happening.. to have something for families, they’re usually motivated. It’s really a good thing, a good stepping stone”. A program specifically meant for this called theSafe Parking Program in Rose Canyon Lot helps families safety camp at their site.
The JFS SPP provides clients with essential facilities, staff support, and assigned case managers who offer assistance and referrals. Meals are provided multiple times a week, and clients have access to amenities like a microwave, hotpot, books, and seating areas. Financial literacy, budgeting support, and guidance from a housing navigator are also available. The program prioritizes the social and emotional well-being of clients, creating a sense of community and a safe space where they feel accepted and supported. The relationships formed within the program enable clients to relax and engage in conversations as individuals rather than being defined solely by their unhoused status.You can find more information here.
The point he raises is of paramount importance: while the intervention may prove effective, its success could be contingent on specific circumstances. As someone who has staunchly advocated for the housing first model as a valuable solution, I must admit that I inadvertently overlooked an essential question: when does this approach become less beneficial? Are there situations, i.e. the car example he provided, where it might prove more detrimental to individuals? And, perhaps most crucially, how can we adapt and modify the intervention accordingly?
Since arriving in Utrecht, I’ve noticed a significant amount of attention, far more than I had initially anticipated. This heightened visibility has been a concern of mine, especially given my stutter and mild cerebral palsy, which make me walk and talk a bit differently. As a young woman, it has been somewhat overwhelming. In response to the influx of attention and to regain my equilibrium, I decided to take a slow week, reducing my outings for a couple of days.
However, even during a casual mid-afternoon walk to a family friend’s house, I found myself being stopped three times by strangers. This kind of interaction has become a recurring theme, whether it’s people on the street, individuals I’m interviewing for my project, friends, or even those I had hoped would serve as valuable mentors—all of them somehow veering towards romantic advances. Alternatively, there are instances when I go unnoticed entirely, even when I’m open to a simple, pleasant conversation. This week, I found myself taking a break and only scheduling one interview at SPAT. Balancing these extremes has proven to be quite challenging.
My initial decision to come to Europe was partially based on the belief that it would be beneficial for my project, and I might blend in more easily, thereby reducing the attention I’d attract compared to a country where I’d stand out even more. My distinctive way of speaking and moving already makes me stand out, but the added attention has left me feeling apprehensive. Meeting people here has proved to be quite the challenge. While people are generally friendly, they tend to have close-knit circles and typically only engage in conversation when approached. Establishing connections beyond mere pleasantries is exceedingly difficult unless there’s a romantic interest involved. Conversations with a girl from Dublin, someone from the UK, and locals all echoed the same sentiment.
This situation is somewhat surprising, considering how open and vibrant Utrecht is, with its charming canals, abundant restaurants, and people enjoying themselves late into the night. I had initially assumed it would be easy to integrate into the community. However, I quickly realized that resorting to methods like using Bumble Friends would be more effective in finding like-minded individuals.
Another challenge I faced was that while I was making connections, most of the people I met were somehow related to my project, and many of them were significantly older and often less stable. Due to safety concerns stemming from the attention I received during the day, going out to places like bars by myself seemed nearly impossible. Even when I found an older person whom I considered a good mentor and a tour guide, they would ask me uncomfortable questions whenever we hung out.
I recall a particular incident at the station where I was waiting for a friend for only 10 minutes, and a man approached me persistently, attempting to take me to “see the beautiful river” and exchanging numbers multiple times. It seemed that the only thing that could defuse such situations was when I was with someone else or walking towards them. Even a 15-minute walk back to my place after an interview resulted in uncomfortable advances.
Recently, I had a conversation with a local who mentioned that his friend, also an expat, had experienced similar frequent advances. While it was disheartening to hear, it was also reassuring to know that I wasn’t alone in this experience. It appears that people here currently see me as something to possess rather than someone with whom to share experiences.
When I traveled at a younger age, specifically at 15 or 16, this was the majority of the attention I received, primarily from older men. Interestingly, as I got older and reached 18, this kind of attention diminished significantly. It wasn’t because I dressed differently; if anything, I felt more comfortable in my own skin and appeared more desirable. However, it seemed that the innocence and naivety of youth were what attracted some individuals. I even noticed that when I wore some of my older clothes, I would attract significantly more attention than expected.
Here in Utrecht and the Netherlands, it seems to be the opposite. People tend to gravitate towards older women rather than younger ones, which is a bittersweet feeling. It’s a dynamic I didn’t expect to encounter as frequently. It felt like a preferable alternative, but I may need to accept that due to my differences, gender, or some other factor, this kind of attention is likely to persist. When I discussed this with a family friend, he suggested that it might not change, but I would like to find a middle ground and create an environment that feels less overwhelming. I am heading to Germany today and will be back in Utrecht at the beginning of November, so I’ll see where this journey leads me.
