One nonprofit is working to change the way we treat homeless people on private property, and they're starting one security guard at a time.
The Institute for Human Services (IHS), a nonprofit shelter and aid organization in Hawaii, has partnered with the Outrigger Hotel and Resorts security department to train security guards as brand ambassadors for homeless shelters.
"It's a very simple thing," Jerry Dolak, Outrigger security director, told The Huffington Post. "Instead of being the bad guy and just saying, 'Get out of here,' now, it's more like, 'You can't stay here, but here is some help if you need it, if you're even aware of it.'"
The program, which launched in late April, is sorely needed in Hawaii. According to a new headcount from the City and County of Honolulu, the percentage of Oahu homeless people who are not in a shelter is at its highest since 2009.
When Outrigger security guards come across homeless people sleeping or loitering on one of Outrigger's 10 Waikiki properties, they now engage these individuals, instead of simply kicking them off the property. The security guards give them information about IHS, direct them to the agency's free shuttle bus to a shelter for a hot meal and a shower, or offer to call an outreach specialist to come out and help the individual.
Even with a more compassionate approach, it's not always easy.
Some homeless people simply refuse the security guards' offers for help or more information, Dolak says.
When that happens, Outrigger security guards take photos of the individual and send notes about the person's behavior to IHS's outreach staff. IHS then uses that information to design a personalized, humane intervention strategy, and sends a professional case manager to reach out to the individual.
"It's valuable information for us [to have] before we even encounter the client," Kimo Carvalho, IHS director of community relations, told HuffPost.
With the information provided by the security guards, the IHS staff can better understand the individual and their needs before the outreach team meets them in person. For example, IHS staff can determine whether or not the individual is a chronic homeless person, or if that individual would require assistance from a psychiatrist.
Simple And More Efficient
It has only been two weeks since the pilot program launched, but Carvalho says that there have been at least 10 individuals placed in shelters so far because of the security guards' referrals.
"We actually can manage our resources and be a lot more cost effective by designing a strategy before we even touch the client," he added.
The program also gives security guards an added sense of purpose.
"The guards feel like they can do something to help the Waikiki area just by helping them get housing," Dolak said. "It's a win-win for everybody. It feels like you're accomplishing something."
The pilot program is part of a bigger IHS initiative to help the homeless that will be taking place throughout next year.
“We’re hoping that these tools that we’re piloting in Waikiki can be replicable for other communities throughout Hawaii eventually," Carvalho said. "Something like this is a great tool for other commercial properties.”
According to Carvalho, more hotels have expressed interest in joining IHS' program, but with the current caseload, he says they don't have the funding and resources to respond to the influx of potential cases.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.