Who We Are

Different from other homeless outreaches, “Out of the Dust” focuses on interviewing the homeless in order to gain perspective into the underbelly of society and subsequently offer solutions to the public & policymakers concerning effective ways to help them from an educational perspective. This outreach offers a viable way—in conjunction with current government programs—to reduce homelessness using a novel educational approach that incorporates several learning modalities.

Four cogs must be moving simultaneously to get the engine of change moving:  1) teach holistic life skills 2) teach 12-step recovery principles 3) utilize strength-based counseling and 4) maximize wrap-around services that includes housing, food, medication, counseling, and job skills and placement.

Most homeless are seen as dirty, crazy, or lazy addicts who won’t change but will remain a perpetual drain on society. That is true for about 30% who likely won’t change their attitudes or behaviors. Even though many struggle with addiction, most are not crazy (again only about 30% struggle with mental acuity)—and for those who struggle—they typically come from a background of loss, pain, trauma, and abuse. As a result, they seek to manage their emotions in the cheapest, quickest, and most accessible ways possible since adequate medication and mental health care are limited. Many land on the streets because of bad luck, job loss, divorce, high medical bills, bankruptcy, recent release from prison, or simply unable to pay their bills and mortgage and not because of poor choices or bad behaviors.  Many live in their cars or rent from “van-lords” (the vehicle-version of a slumlord). The following song addresses mental health struggles that many of them—including us—face daily. The difference is that those struggling on the streets are easy to see, whereas the rest of us can struggle behind closed doors and keep our problems private. Also, those of us with insurance can usually do something about our problems by receiving medication and therapy on-demand which typically eludes them for lack of it.

We all have heavy burdens to carry in life and some are heavier than others. For the homeless, they seem to be carrying the heaviest loads of all because of: 1) constant rejection by the public, policy makers, and family members 2) constantly being hounded by the police to move and barred from many storefronts 3) are subject to random searches by the police 4) experience derision and judgment from the public and feel alienated from any dependable support network 5) they experience constant threats of physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Their world is full of isolation, fear, darkness and unknown variables such as inclement weather, and wondering where they will get their next meal, shower, piece of clothing, toilet access, drink of water, and where to sleep that night in safety.

Additionally, their meager belongings are always being stolen by others who seize upon the opportunity when fatigue overwhelms them and they simply cannot stay awake to guard them—or worse yet, having their ‘junk’ thrown away by public cleaning crews or confiscated by the police. They are reduced to sleeping on a cold, hard, wet, frozen ground without a tent (because the city will fine them for camping if they do)—and then being surrounded by bugs and disease and often without sufficient warmth from an adequate coat or sleeping bag. Add being forced to panhandle for extra funds (if their pride can handle it) since their typical $290 monthly welfare check won’t buy much. Imagine trying to live on $10 a day in perpetuity! Suddenly you have to decide what must be purchased instead of what you would like to purchase.

Most are not able to get jobs (see graphic below) and are literally stuck where they are. The waiting line for housing is many months at best, and likely 1-2 years in reality. The system is agonizingly slow and the resources available are tremendously lacking. Add addiction, filthy living conditions, constant solicitation from drug dealers or prostitutes (who too are trying to make ends meet), along with limited access to clean drinking water (some resort to drinking & bathing in park sprinklers late at night), and then competing for resources with myriads of others—with nothing to do all day— and likely no communication since most don’t have a working cell phone or a flashlight in their dark, uncertain world.

How does it get heavier than that? One friend said her daughter’s ashes and family pictures were thrown away by a city cleaning crew when she went to get something to eat Her devastation only got worse. This is Third-World living in a First-World, Top Tier State. It is not socially, morally, philosophically, economically, or religiously acceptable in any way. Ironically, we are each other’s burdens—they on our economic system—and we for the way we regard and treat them in a religious state like Utah.

For those wagging their fingers telling the homeless to get a job, they fail to understand the barriers these people face.  Here are 12 of them:

Sheer boredom is another reason why many take drugs –– they are looking for a dopamine-hit in the midst of nothing to do all day. There is virtually nothing to inspire their minds, engage their senses, develop their talents, or elevate their moods.  As a result, they use drugs to get high and escape their reality for a few hours (until the “high” wears off and they come down and have to deal with the “lows” that accompany it).

Notice how this immigrant woman reacted to receiving a pack of colored pencils & a sketch pad from Dollar Tree for $2.50. She now has something to do to entertain herself throughout the day. Listen to the following audio where Uno cards, crossword puzzles, word searches, sudoku puzzles, and journals & pens were distributed and how they responded:

Concerning the “dirty” accusation, most do not have access to laundry facilities and only limited access to showers 1-2 times per week if they are in a shelter. If not, it can be several weeks before they can bathe.  Their clothes are disposable hand-me-downs and constantly being replaced as they get too soiled to wear and are simply thrown away.  Clean underwear and socks are a premium and always needed.

The government’s “spend-more” approach misses the mark in part because it does not include measures to connect with people at the social, emotional, spiritual & motivational levels where assimilation and self-actualization occur.

This site proposes 2 things: a study to be conducted and a volunteer force that consists of retired educators, police, military, and therapists all drawing upon their skill sets to affect change at no cost to the public. They know how to deal with the public (and difficult people) in specific ways, and since the homeless do not generally have access to therapists to help them manage life stresses or teach emotional-regulation skills—these trained professionals can including how to develop proper thinking skills and behavioral patterns. Such altruistic people are crucial resources to draw upon.  Our police chief, Brian Redd said, “We recently revised our mission vision and values. Our new values includes service ,empathy, respect, valor, and excellence. The first letter of each value spells the word “SERVE.” We want to be focused on service while doing what we are asked to do.” This is precisely the attitude and approach that will effect change and there are many retired dedicated professionals who, like Chief Redd, can fill this role. If you are one of them, please contact me—we need you: rickoutofthedust@gmail.com

The quote that drives this outreach is one we should all be asking ourselves: