Homelessness is not the end of the world

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After walking the streets of Winston-Salem for five straight days, Sharon Redmon, 58, found a home in the Bethesda Center.
Redmon was married for about 22 years until colon cancer took her husband's life. After his death, Redmon relocated to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Her son-in-law was laid off; so, she returned to Winston-Salem for a series of "couch surfing."
"I wasn't scared of people," Redmon said.
"I was scared to fall asleep because I didn't want a cop to wake me up and send me to jail."
With the help of the Center, Redmon secured housing of her own.
After acquiring housing, Redmon became a key volunteer.
Today, Redmon is a member of the board of directors at Bethesda.
The Bethesda Center and Samaritan Ministries offer services to the city's homeless. In the past year, Bethesda Center has created two new positions.
"One year ago, my position did not exist," said Chris Brown, the shelter director for 13 months.
Brown said his background in children's ministry motivated him to pursue the position.
"It was a calling, nothing that I previously considered," Brown said.
In reference to the Bible, Brown relates the Center to the pool of healing for the lame man.
"We operate with the belief that they [clients] can get better," Brown said.
"Their lives are worth something."
Clients that desire to stay at Bethesda must attend a case management meeting to determine programs to help clients' secure permanent housing.
"When an individual comes into the Bethesda, we hear their story and determine if they are truly homeless," Brown said.  
"If they are a returning client, we look at their circumstances to determine why they're back."
Brown said less fortunate people need a minister.
On July 1, the government changed the main priority of Bethesda from providing shelter for the homeless to assisting the homeless secure permanent housing.
About 70 percent of Bethesda clients get permanent housing within a year.
"I think we can do better," Brown said. "My personal goal for the center is 80 percent."
The Center considers job placement, disability and other programs to speed up this process.
"We look for the quickest way for our clients to have steady income," Brown said.
Alcoholics and drug abusers are permitted to receive services from Bethesda because of Harm Reduction.
"Harm Reduction, a government led initiative, allows a drunk or high person to be housed in the center," Brown said.
"But, the person must be respectful."
On Thursdays in Bethesda, a mental health professional meets with Center residents.
"About 15 percent of our population has mental health issues," Brown said.
"If someone is not on their medication, it can create problems and conflicts."
Bethesda also works with the Housing Association of Winston-Salem. HAWS works with the clients of Bethesda for one intensive year to secure permanent housing.
"Some of the clients that we have never had housing of their own," said Stephanie Funderburk of HAWS.  
Bethesda serves about 70 people during daylight hours and 80-85 people at night. The number of people the Center serves changes with the seasons.
"Bethesda is the only shelter of this kind which allows homeless people to have a place to come during the day," Brown said.  "It's a place where someone can shower and wash clothes."
A month ago, Bethesda added the volunteer coordinator position filled by Jennifer Hatcher.
She coordinates volunteer efforts between churches, organizations and individuals.
The Center is selective about its volunteers.
They are not one-time visitors, Brown said. The Center has three regularly scheduled volunteers.
To inspire productivity, the Center offers computers, resume reviews and other job placement assistance.
"We minimize TV," Brown said.
 "We want to inspire people to be productive."
Bethesda relies solely on outside food donations for meals.
"Meals are not at all in our mission statement," Brown said.
Bethesda  frequently sends its clients to Samaritan Ministries for food services.
Samaritan Ministries, founded on the principles of food, hope and healing, is an inn that provides overnight services for men only.  
Samaritan Ministries' devotional service is mandatory for all guests. Willis Miller, assistant director, has worked for Samaritan Ministries for more than 15 years. Miller utilizes devotion as a time to encourage his fictive family.
"Your own self-esteem has to grow in you," Miller said.
The goal of Samaritan Ministries is to provide a nourishing environment and spiritual support to enable progress in life.  Guests can reside in the facility for 90 consecutive days; however, after 90 days the guests must stay elsewhere for 90 days before returning to the inn.
"We do not promote homelessness.  We are a highly motivated-type shelter; guests are forced to deal with their problems," Miller said.
During devotion, several guests offer words of encouragement. Announcements such as GED pursuits, college graduations, and substance abuse victories are not only individual accomplishments, but community success as well.
In the recreational hour, volunteers are invited to watch a football game, play spades, and visit with the guests.
The inn has weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The soup kitchen offers full course meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  
The entrees vary from chicken and baked beans to pasta and casseroles. The inn depends on volunteers. Every day, the shelter uses 10 volunteers.
Irbin McCall, 38, has been a client of the Bethesda Center for two months. He is in the process of moving into his first place.
"In 1994, I was shot in the head.  I started having seizures. I was told I would never be able to work again," McCall said.
McCall qualified for the Shelter Plus Care Program, a government sponsored program that pays rent and utilities. To be eligible for this program, the individual must be disabled.
McCall offers words of encouragement for the homeless. "Follow the rules [of Bethesda]. They'll help you find a job and keep your head up," McCall said.
McCall is now a key volunteer for Bethesda.
"Ain't no telling where I would be without Bethesda," McCall said. "They're helping me and I'm trying to help them."
Redmon said the stigmas with homeless people are not true. "The stigma with homelessness says that homeless people are always involved with drugs and alcohol," Redmon said.  
"Not all cases involve those things." Redmon advises homeless people to turn their problems over to God, utilize resources and be proactive.
"Being homeless is not the end of the world."

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