Bare, Strait truly heroic

I was fortunate to see Pastor Harold Bare and Lori Ann Strait of Hope Community Center interviewed on the Ryal Thomas Show.  There could be much to expand upon from their comments on Hope’s care for Charlottesville’s homeless. 

What stood out for me are their compassion, empathy and fondness for the residents.  Josh Bare, manager of the homeless program, certainly demonstrated those qualities. 

Those feelings revealed themselves in extra efforts, programs and one-on-one communication.  This caring led the residents to call their community “The Village.”

Pastor Bare and Ms. Strait underwent what most people never go through.  If you keep the homeless anonymous and at a distance, they will remain aliens.  I see this all the time.  In a very compressed, emotional experience one saw this at the zoning hearing.  Those board members were thrust into an up close and personal crucible and their awareness was transformed for the better.  For those who have been on the other side in life, this is not necessary.

Of course, the triumph of that hearing was squashed a few weeks later when an inspector ruled that the center must meet “hotel standards” which would require thousands of dollars for a sprinkler system, etc. 

I find the timing of this ruling suspect and given the value of Hope’s efforts, a great shame.  All around this city one sees huge, and in some cases, extravagant commitments, private and public.  One strong voice at City Hall, recognizing the value of this private effort, could have spoken up and proposed a way to work this out.  In the face of such disappointment I admire Pastor Bare for his diplomacy, reflecting his personality and political reality.  I don’t have to go that route.

May 31 was the last night for the residents at Hope.  Ten have found a place to stay, the 25 others will be out there, sleeping on the ground, without a convenient bathroom or shower, without breakfast or dinner, without a Josh Bare or Ms. Strait to affirm who they are and that life can get better.

I must add that The Daily Progress endorsed the heroic efforts of Hope Community Center for our homeless.