Greetings!

Many who read this will not know me, my name is Donald Clemons. I am the Housing Manager for PATH Dallas. My endeavor has been to assist individuals on the margins of society to improve their condition. Since 1994 I worked as a residential and out-patient substance abuse counselor and for the past eight years as program manager of an emergency shelter and transitional housing program in Dallas, Texas.

Considering my experience working with Dallas’ homeless population, I was asked to describe the needs of the homeless population in the area. After thinking about the usual things: affordable housing; healthcare, psychiatric care; substance abuse services; vocational training; and the likes, I asked myself a deeper question - What does EVERY human being need?

Do you want love?
To be healthy?
To have a level of respect from your peers?
To have decent housing?
To feel that you belong?

Often times I think we place one another in categories that attempt to describe who we think others are or should be. Many times this happens without any real attempt to understand the other person or group.

Let me share a personal story: As stated earlier, I worked as a counselor in a facility that had a substance abuse program as well as an emergency shelter. While working, I would visit a friend that worked in the shelter program area. After visiting my friend, I would develop a weird itch each time I left the shelter area. Subconsciously, I believe I categorized the homeless individuals in the program as having some type of communicable disease that automatically transferred to me each time I visited. The interesting thing about it is- in the eight years that I worked in my area, I never once felt that itch. I think it was because I understood the clients I worked with ere just like me with different circumstances- so I saw them as ok. Once I realized what was going on in my head, I was able to see things differently – and subsequently, the itch never returned!

People may have tried to attain things in ways that you and I might not, and others may need additional help in aspiring to their goals, but essentially I think we all need the same things.

So back to the original question: What do Dallas’ homeless need? The answer is: the same things you and I want and need are the same things homeless individuals want and need.

Love, respect, and acceptance – and oh, by the way- the services required to end their homelessness.