(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Parkersburg-area individuals and organizations dedicated to moving toward a solution to the problem of homelessness in our communities are beginning to bring their process into focus. Earlier this week, at another session to continue the discussions that began April 8, those in attendance were put into focus groups — divided into events, mentorship, maintenance, professionals, financial, resource management and food.

“The overarching goal is to bring everything under a unified umbrella so that we’re not replicating services,” said Michele VanMatre, who was curating the discussion. “The goal is to complement not to compete.”

Participants got a little inspiration when they were joined by Joseph Bradford III, who has built a company in the Los Angeles area that he says houses over 200 people and feeds 40,000 people per year. His project also includes a mentoring program.

“You can’t tell me that we can’t do it because I was told earlier that this city has 200 and some people that are homeless, and I house that myself back home,” said Bradford. “I didn’t come from L.A. to tell y’all what to do, I want y’all to tell me exactly what you wanted and let’s create it together.”

Along with the opportunity to pick Bradford’s brain came the introduction of the Parkersburg Homelessness Action Council volunteer corps on social media.

“It’s eventually going to be a clearinghouse for all things that meet needs for the unhoused and homeless in the community,” VanMatre said.

Bradford is right. We can create solutions together. We can begin to make a dent in this problem.

We’ve got to avoid finger-pointing and working against each other, rather than toward a common goal. We’ve got to remember there will always be some who do, indeed, decide against taking advantage of the resources available to them. And we’ve got to remember that perhaps some choices can lead to homelessness, but MANY of the reasons people find themselves without a home are beyond their control.

At no point in these conversations must we take an us-versus-them attitude: the homeless versus the rest of the community; advocates versus the city; advocates with one approach versus advocates with another approach — none of that is going to get us anywhere.

If our goal is to improve quality of life in our communities by supporting human beings and reducing the number of people who don’t have a roof over their heads and/or enough to eat — and to do it, as VanMatre said, with love, positivity and mutual respect — we can get there.

THAT must be our choice.