Saturday, November 9, 2002
THE DENVER VOICE
NEW GENESIS, EXPLAINED, BY FLOYD HAMILTON

"I remember, a long time ago, sitting at a table at St. Francis, being asked what it would take for a person that wanted to get off the streets.

The mayor was being hounded by all the soccer moms and whatnot to get us all off the rive r.

Samaritan shelter was offering 1-week vouchers to anyone who would accept them. Most of us refused, especially those of us who had our tents or regular squats (as they're called now,) where we were comfortable.

I told them then one week did nothing to help those who wanted off the streets, it would only uproot us (just their intentions) and did nothing toward maintaining stability.

I and many others on the streets believed all we needed was a place without religion ("Jesus Saves") being crammed down our throats, or being worked 8 hours a day for $7 (Salvation Army) a week, on top of religion and meetings so we couldn't look for work.

Most of us agreed the only thing that would seriously help us would be 90 days of uninhibited shelter to get started back to the realm of the political normies of society.

At about that time there was rumor going around the streets that there was a working-man's shelter, but you had to participate in the dreaded program. No one knew what the program was, exactly. All you ever heard them say was that you were required to attend meetings for drugs or alcohol, and they charged you for being in a self-inflicted com cor. I myself had only stayed there one night in their overflow. All I could remember about the place was that it was the cleanest I had ever stayed in.

As the years passed I heard all kinds of crazy things, like you had to be out on probation or parole to stay there. You had to take antabuse, do classes, and report in. All the things any self-respecting home guard would rather die than do.

Guess what folks, there's a program: a program tailored to the individual, a program especially designed to send you on your way to the great American dream, if that's what YOU want. And guess what? We were right back-when, and someone listened.

NO RELIGION, NO WORKING FOR FREE, NO NOTHING EXCEPT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE THINGS YOU NEED TO GET YOUR OWN SELF OFF THE STREETS.

So there are no more misconceptions I will try to explain what the New Genesis program is about. First off, all in the good 'ole American tradition of nothing-good-is-free, you need a $35 money order and to be at the New Genesis check-in desk (1680 Sherman, 17th and Sherman,) between 4pm and 6pm.

Once there (money order in hand,) you will be asked to show I. D. and given a form that asks you a few questions, the main one being to name three goals. Once all that is done you will be interviewed by a para-professional to determine just what your individual need is.

Now comes the scary part, yes there are meetings that last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. If you're unemployed you'll be expected to attend an employment meeting (all meetings are only once a week). If you have a drug or alcohol problem you'll be expected to attend those meetings, maybe even take antabuse, all according to the individual need.

We all have some community meeting to attend. The first four weeks you are required to attend an orientation meeting where the rules are gone over and you can ask questions about the program.

The first four weeks are the hardest due to the fact that you have a rent obligation and are probably unemployed and have to attend meetings (amount varies from person to person) that are designed to give you tools to remain independent. The longer you are there the more you start to realize the staff has seen and heard it all, therefore the program can only help you if you are going to help yourself. All others leave, or get asked to leave for non-compliance reasons. New Genesis is a traditional homeless community, not a shelter or a mission that really could care less what you do with your life.

The second four weeks you attend residential meetings to discuss where you are at with work and your goals toward your savings. If you intend to stay on your feet you will need $800.00 to $1200.00, minimum to get a place. By this stage you are deciding just what it is you want to do with your life after you leave.

The last 4-week stage is casual. All you have to do is save - save, and start looking for a place if you haven't already by that time.

Some of the people show up down there thinking they can buck the system but it always catches up to them. For some reason a large percentage of us seem to believe that it's our God given right to have the government or some such program to take care of our every need while we run amok ignoring life.

The reality it all is that nowhere, no program, no mission is free. You have to pay, one way or another. Sally's, Jesus Saves, Step 13, all of them have their prices for you to pay if you need help. New Genesis makes you pay by getting yourself as stable as you can in 90 days. Not everyone makes it the first time, but if you leave on good terms for whatever your reasons, you have the option to come and help yourself again. You don't have to choose the streets. NEW GENESIS IS THERE FOR YOU.

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