"Having an advocate makes all the difference": Benita's Story

The "Out of the Streets of Portland" podcast, produced by the Joint Office of Homeless Services, focuses on sharing the stories of individuals who are currently or formerly homeless and the services provided to help them move into housing. This episode features Dustin, a housing specialist from the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), and Benita, a resident of the Francis and Claire Apartment building, who shares her journey from homelessness to permanent supportive housing.

This podcast episode highlights the work of NARA in providing outreach and housing services to people experiencing homelessness, particularly focusing on the story of Benita, who navigated the challenges of homelessness and eventually secured a home with the help of NARA and Dustin.

Dustin, a housing specialist with the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), shared his journey from being a BIPOC CHAT team member to a housing case manager. "My primary job was to assess individuals who came in looking for housing needs and then help them with document readiness and get prepared for housing," he said. His role evolved to include more case management, where he used his personal experiences to connect with clients. "I have experienced a lot of what they are experiencing, you know, all of our individual experiences of course are gonna be different," Dustin explained, highlighting the importance of empathy and personal connection in his work.

Benita, a newly-housed resident of the Francis and Claire Apartment building, echoed the significance of having an advocate who could relate to her struggles. "Once I got connected to them, it was, he was just on it for me. He's just been the best advocate I've ever had for helping with situations that are really this severe," she said, referring to Dustin. Benita's journey from homelessness to permanent housing was marked by personal challenges, including a history of domestic violence and mental health issues. "Every time I needed something, he was right there. He would always take my phone calls, so he made it really easy for me to be homeless, you might say, and be in that situation," she added, emphasizing the impact of having a supportive and understanding advocate.

Dustin, a housing specialist with NARA, pointed out that the assumption that homelessness is primarily driven by addiction is often misguided. "Probably 60% of the people that come to our offices looking for help are not experiencing drug addiction, and they’re experiencing abuse of some other sort. They’re experiencing financial hardship," he said. Benita's story is a poignant example of this complexity. "I ended up going into the hospital with a mental breakdown from all of the stress from [the racism and harassment she experienced at her apartment complex], and then after getting out of the hospital, that's what got me into getting hooked up with NARA," she explained, detailing the series of events that led to her homelessness, including racial profiling and domestic violence.

Culturally responsive services can significantly enhance the effectiveness of support for marginalized communities. The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) was founded to provide a safe and culturally relevant space for Native Americans seeking help with substance abuse and other issues. "It started as a treatment center, when Buzz Nelson and some of his close friends decided that there needed to be a place for Native Americans to go to be able to heal from the disease of alcoholism, because at the time, Alcoholics Anonymous in Portland was pretty racist and they weren't really too happy to see Natives coming into their white spaces trying to heal and recover," Dustin explained.

NARA's approach to holistic care, which includes medical, dental, and mental health services, is rooted in Native American spirituality and values. "We really try to just treat the whole individual, as far as coming across people who are experiencing addiction and homelessness, I can honestly say that I was surprised myself about how many people come through the doors looking for services for while they're homeless, who are not affected by substance use disorder," he added. Benita, who has Chickasaw Indian heritage, found this culturally responsive approach to be a significant factor in her recovery. "I think a lot of agencies are just so overwhelming. If you get in and get to a good advocate, you're lucky," she said, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive and personalized support in helping individuals like her navigate their way out of homelessness.

Some of the insights surfaced through this interview:

·         Homelessness is a multifaceted issue, with only 40% of individuals seeking services at NARA experiencing active addiction.

·         Many individuals facing homelessness are dealing with severe health issues, domestic violence, financial hardship, and discrimination.

·         There is a significant gap between the perception of homelessness (often linked to drug addiction) and the reality (many individuals are not drug users and face other complex issues).

·         The process of getting into housing can be long and challenging, with construction delays and other factors causing delays.

·         Empathy and support from advocates and service providers are crucial in helping individuals navigate the complex system of services.

·         The Francis and Claire Apartment building, run by Catholic Charities of Oregon, provides 61 units of affordable, permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness.

·         NARA offers a range of services, including housing, medical care, mental health support, and addiction recovery, with a focus on Native American spirituality and values.