The Quietus ......... The Safe House Project Closes

Hope remains while company is true

So as the news of the demise or conclusion to the operations of the JASL Safe house pilot project in its present form ends many are wondering:

1) What next for the clients in the meantime?

2) Is there a replacement in the works and when?

3) Will JFLAG take on this?

4) Could the project been tweaked seeing the issue was about the residents behaviour and the management?

5) Is it that the stabilization work was not properly done and can be re-introduced in the remaining time of the pilot?

The fallout looks serious on the face of it and with criticisms about the coverage of the debacle on this blog heats up I really don’t care to be honest, these things must be exposed, yet they are not bold enough to comment publicly on the posts to show freedom of expression. So the veil of secrecy continues, be it resolved that this blog will be used to highlight, expose and condemn any perceived negative actions by individuals or groups whether gay or not against other Gay and Bisexual individuals as the name implies, it is a platform for watchdog commentary and analysis.

As it turns out the mischief and rumours I have been accused of ended up becoming a reality as the house was closed on Friday February 6, 2010, two former members are critically ill (not necessarily due to the closure) and one has been hospitalized in a Kingston facility known for it’s poor treatment of HIV/AIDS patients specifically the males who are often left at the back of the ward and attended to rarely when the other patients are cleared during ward runs. This concern about HIV+ patients has been raised before on this blog but who cares eh?

The patient in question is male and there is a growing concern as to the rapid deterioration in his health as he is said to have suffered another stroke as he has had three before now. So politics and foolishness causes the near demise of clients who really need help it’s sad that this is what has come out of this ugly episode in our LGBT history to think that a well needed intervention though it’s ad hoc development and mid way disruptions could have been properly tailored and reshaped instead of a closure or if there are no funds to carry out the operations fully then say so, bearing in mind the members and their friends have shown they are able to raise their own funds as they did in a event that was able to provide money for necessities. 

That act in and of itself teaches and reinforces empowerment, self sustainability and maturity which would positively result in a stick-to-itiveness which could make the members autonomous and all that would have been needed in the long run is monitoring and evaluation with the relevant psychological and counselling support for those who need it. Let us not forget as well the continued HIV/AIDS sensitizations and adherence where required.

Another former client of concern was a female though not a member of the LAG community is still of concern as it’s about care, she was on the road to recovery from a low episode in health but since the closure is struggling in a sense. Thankfully there are those who quietly help by purchasing items where possible and visits as well to cheer up the guys.

Other complaints however from former clients in the program doesn't auger well for the situation either there are unproven accusations of favouritism and verbal abuse by persons in the program with instances of expletives hurled at them by staff in a bootcamp like setting, ad hoc curfews are implemented whilst donations have been refused from so called questionable persons who cannot prove their source of income.

A few unruly clients were however expelled from the program and rightfully so as in any system there must be order and discipline..

A boot camp run project for this sensitive grouping is not my idea of a safe house, yes there must be rules but alleged brutish imposition of them is not required as they the clients already need to feel appreciated based on the rejection many feel from the homes of origin and general society, a double or triple whammy as the respective cases maybe. A possible solution is a boarding/residential typed facility with rooms with no more than two persons per room so as to allow solace and alone time as well as any rehabilitation process requires thought, introspection and preparation and review of self efficacious activity, speaking of which ...............

What about self efficacious activity? 

Allowing the members to develop their own path to growth and with the presence of a certain services would have worked if it were properly sustained. Where are the empowerment tools that can be offered to the population in a timely and measured fashion so as to tailor future activities from best practices as there will be more persons who fall under this umbrella.

The possible triple whammy: a basic look

Being HIV positive and worried about status of health with everyday needs

Gay, ostracised and abused with some suffering homophobic abuse

Feelings of hopelessness and unappreciated by others and general society

Triple threat? It would seem so on the face of it, as stated in a recent radio interview on HIV issues in Newstalk 93 FM the former Executive Director highlighted the lack of any formal government supported or run housing solutions for homeless HIV+ persons (despite orientation) the other hospice typed facilities are not suited for proper transitional or temporary housing for HIV/AIDS care, in fact there is a stigma attached to them as “dead houses in waiting” as anyone heard to have gone to one of are deemed at the end stage of the disease.

Personal interventions are on the works where possible as persons are doing their own part which is good.

Peace and tolerance

H

click the "Homeless MSM: tab immediately below for previous exclusive entries on homelessness