You change thinking by changing the conversation, and changing the conversation requires a changed perspective before the conversation even begins. Conventional thinking leads to conventional results with a modified status quo. Radical change requires unconventional cooking with ad hoc recipes based on experimentation. Homelessness must be addressed through novel education and not merely through resource-driven-services currently being offered. Nothing changes until something changes.

Proposed Study

The following is a proposed pilot program that falls outside current practices and involves 9 local entities (*see below):

1.       Create a year-long study to test the effectiveness of a 1) strength-based  2) holistic  3) group-counseling approach to effect change in Salt Lake’s homeless population.  *Note:  Group therapy offers several benefits over one-on-one counseling (see https://www.va.gov/caribbean-health-care/stories/benefits-of-group-therapy-sessions-for-ptsd/)

2.       In this proposed classroom experiment, all needs (supplies, locations, curriculum, and volunteer-facilitators) will be provided and reliably present. Inherent risks and/or liabilities associated with such a pilot program will be addressed with appropriate safe-guards put in place, as well as, ways to measure outcomes and determine ways for improvement.  Faculty, staff, & interns at the University of Utah Social Work program, along with Salt Lake Community College will help draft appropriate curriculum and ways to deliver it (this could count towards intern hours getting real-time experience on the streets).

3.       In conjunction with this study, resources will be allocated and volunteers recruited.  Expectations for participants in this study will include good-faith efforts at sobriety. Secure spaces will be provided to park their belongings while in session, along with light refreshments and electrolyte water to fill their bottles. A revolving, holistic curriculum consisting of 7 life-areas: physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, environmental, and financial will be covered in three, 20-minute classes (constituting 1 day of class) and utilizing best-practice pedagogies and relevant online resources. Simulated AI content can be developed to model a particular skill, behavior, or principle. This content can also be developed by the technology departments at the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College and count towards graduation and/or internship hours. Class participants will be invited to help ‘team-teach’ course material with the volunteer instructor using provided talking points.

4.       Unlike traditional 12-Step meetings, members will be encouraged to engage in appropriate “cross-talk” and respectfully discuss their challenges, ask questions, and form inter-personal relationships. *Sharing sensitive information will be discouraged as the implied promise of confidentiality will not exist there.

5.       Completing particular milestones (sobriety, attendance, participation, community service, visiting with case managers, etc.) will qualify them for certain perks (gift cards, clothing vouchers, refurbished cellphones with pre-paid service etc.)

6.       Volunteers will be trained and not be expected to be Master-level certified in any degree.  Local businesses can leverage their logo and product line by sponsoring events and giving out free, relevant merchandise.  Local performers will be invited to participate in free concerts or workshops, and restaurants will be encouraged to donate food and receive a public spotlight highlighting their service.  Additionally, restaurants or business’ who donate regularly will be given a commendation plaque that highlights their commitment to serving the poor and helping to effect community change. 

7. Local counselors and therapists will be invited to host mini workshops demonstrating particular therapeutic modalities. A certificate of recognition will be given each participant to highlight their service and participation.

8. A mobile podcast can be developed to interview those willing to share their stories, challenges, and goals going forward. A $25 gift card from participating sponsors would be given each participant following a 20-minute interview, and the audio/video would be uploaded to a Utah.gov website for public consumption.  This podcast would focus on rebuilding lives instead of the devastation of their lives.

9. Planned public gatherings at various city parks would be developed to create public-awareness with free local entertainment and speakers. These events would coincide with the summer concert series held throughout the valley. *These events will not be political in nature (nor allowed to become such). 3-5 homeless people would be invited to speak for 5 minutes on stage and share something unique about themselves and/or their journey going forward. A card with specific prompts would be given to each participant to keep the event on schedule and focused. Background music would be provided by local DJ’s or bands, and food trucks would be asked to donate 10% of their proceeds to purchasing needed supplies for shelters (*Note: There are many funny and talented people who would appreciate a chance to perform and get their "15 minutes of fame" on stage and create a name for themselves. These stage-shows would be recorded and uploaded to the Utah.gov YouTube channel highlighting the steps Utah is taking to respond to homelessness in unique, educational, and entertaining ways.

City officials (mayor, police chief, and the governor) will participate in brief unannounced visits and holding short Q&A sessions. News outlets would be invited to cover the events. Free Utah-themed “Out of the Dust” merchandise would be given out as an advertisement for future events.

In conjunction with these events, free booths will be set up for the homeless to sell their homemade wares (jewelry, art, etc.) Art supplies and jewelry making kits will be made available the week before scheduled events for anyone interested in making a craft to sell. 20% of vendor proceeds will be reimbursed to the city or hosting agent. Such events will help them develop their entrepreneurial skills and create particular niche-markets for their unique products. Background music would be provided by local DJ’s or bands, and food trucks would be asked to donate 10% of their proceeds to purchasing needed supplies for shelters (*Note: There are many funny people who would appreciate a chance to perform and get their "15 minutes of fame" on stage and create a name for themselves. These stage-shows would be recorded and uploaded to the Utah.gov YouTube channel highlighting the steps Utah is taking to respond to homelessness in unique, educational, and entertaining ways.

10. Brief surveys would be circulated at these events as part of a longitudinal study conducted by a student from the University of Utah or Salt Lake Community College concerning public perception and sentiment towards the homeless and what they can offer the community in terms of entertainment, craft, and skill. Another study could focus on attitudes and perception changes among the homeless as they begin to feel connected to their community and learn confidence-building information and holistic life skills. Here are the people in the community who can effect change:

1) The Volunteer Dream-Team:

2) Volunteer Educators:

Surveys could be conducted as part of a longitudinal study to research the shifting perspectives and sentiments of the public concerning homelessness as a result of the entertainment and consumer goods being offered by them. These social connections can lead to employment opportunities as networks develop. A second study could be conducted concerning the attitudes and perceptions of the homeless as they begin to feel more connected and assimilated into their community while learning holistic life skills that lead to self-confidence and participation as a result of community educational programs.

The city can devote stage time to them in public events to sell their wares and create free entertainment for the public, as well as, generate recognition for themselves which could result in employment opportunities to help them get off the streets.

3) Mayor’s Office & City Managers

4) The Media:

A ‘human-interest’ mobile podcast could be developed to conduct street interviews and create public awareness & engagement, as well as, recrafting the narrative concerning homelessness and the stigmas associated with it in meaningful, uplifting and engaging ways to illustrate human resiliency and growth despite challenges in individual’s lives.

9) Public Buy-In:

*Contact me at: rickoutofthedust@gmail.com