The following is the opinion and analysis of the writers:
It is difficult, at times, to deal with others’ difficulties. Much easier to criticize or harshly judge.
It can be hard to watch people struggle in unfortunate circumstances: homelessness, joblessness, poverty and health crises. We do not like to be reminded of our vulnerabilities, our own proximity to needing help ourselves. Yet, at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, we open our doors to struggling humanity three mornings a week.
“We use our hands and feet to do the work Jesus would do,” says social services volunteer Jackie Lawrence. In addition to breakfast and lunch, the church offers access to on-site showers and a food pantry. Dry dog and cat food is available for pets. Sometimes a barber is on hand for free haircuts.
“We need to do more, not less,” Lawrence added. “In our country, more people are losing their housing and fewer services are available to those who do.” We give our unhoused guests a morning of respite from the rough-and-tumble streets, praying we’ll propel them toward more permanent life changes.
Our volunteers include professionals like Philip Johnson, retired faculty UA Counseling Program, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Now senior warden of the church, Johnson also researches and writes grants to fund our social services programs.
Grace St. Paul’s issues clothing vouchers and referrals to organizations that emphasize workplace preparedness. We literally restore identity to people whose documents are lost or stolen, paying fees for those applying for birth certificates and state IDs. As any working person can attest, applicants need those documents to obtain housing and employment.
“We work together to address the needs of our less fortunate brothers and sisters,” says volunteer Jack Robinson. Not all our guests are unhoused; many are in residential rehab programs and need a little help getting back on their feet. Some are recently released from jail and need ID to reestablish themselves and obtain employment. Hard-pressed mothers and grandmothers come to feed and clothe their families and obtain birth certificates for school-age children.
“They struggle to survive against all odds. Their backstories vary,” says Timothy Wright, a registered nurse and social services volunteer. “Overwhelmingly, I see them taking actions to improve their lives and the lives of those they love.”
In the past two years, “The volume of people we’re seeing has more than doubled,” according to social justice director the Rev. Gary Cyr.
“We work hard to bring dignity to all of the earth and to every human being,” says the Rev. Steve Keplinger, church rector. Despite the high costs, we have increased security on and around the campus. Volunteers pick up trash in the neighborhood after each morning session. Church restrooms are open 24/7, and drug use and weapons are not allowed on the campus. Statistically, unhoused populations are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of crime.
Eliminating social services programs in the Blenman-Elm community will not make the problems the programs address disappear.
“The unhoused community is being squeezed tighter and tighter,” Keplinger explains. Shutting down Grace St. Paul’s programs, he says, will not reduce ongoing issues: “We believe it will exacerbate them.”
Those who oppose the church’s efforts might better serve their neighborhood by collaborating with us instead. According to police department statistics, crime rates in the area near Grace St. Paul’s are no higher than other Tucson neighborhoods.
“We agree that the drug problem is serious for the entire Tucson community,” says social services volunteer Marjorie King. “The concern that all of our neighbors have is shared by our program and must be addressed by local and county government, police, and social agencies.”
“GSP’s program is more than a momentary safe-haven and a free breakfast,” Wright adds. “It also offers hope and concrete advice.” Sharing food, information and encouragement, volunteers, guests and church staff have formed a community. We welcome more of our Blenman-Elm neighbors to join us in our efforts.
“As a weekly GSP volunteer, I am repeatedly struck by words of kindness and appreciation,” Wright says.
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