Summer 2011.indd - Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre

2 | CONNECTION Issue 29 Summer 2011 CONNECTION Issue 29 Summer 2011 | 3 CONNECTION Issue 29 Summer 2011 | 3
The Peacekeepers of the DI Jordan Hamilton
They see it everyday; community, compassion, conciliation, and joy.
They see people in need helping others in need. They laugh, they cry.
They see people at their best, and at their worst. They lend a helping
hand to those who need a hand-up. They are, according to Ricardo,
Team Supervisor, “one big family”. They are the Peacekeepers of the
Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre (DI). They are the DI’s security team.
It’s a job like no other.
Freddy greets clients with a smile, and a warm, friendly, voice. Joel
treats everyone with respect and dignity, always putting the client fi rst.
Dan helps clients transitioning out of homelessness fi nd furniture for
their new home. Togbui uses people skills to resolve issues, and gives
clients a second chance whenever possible. Ricardo makes a point of
remembering everyone’s name. Jeff keeps his cool in the most chaotic
situations. Chris’ smile never leaves his face. Shad has a big voice, big
personality and an even bigger heart. Dale is a strict but fair man – he
lays down the law, with the clients’ best intentions at heart. Creighton
believes that everyone matters, and makes our clients feel welcome.
Mario only has one side – a friendly side – and thrives under pressure.
Scott promises to keep everyone safe; and he is a man of his word.
According to Team Supervisor Ricardo, “Most, if not all traditional security
models are based on the idea of deterring unwanted activities through
fear based motivators. … In an environment such as the DI, this old
school style of security only serves to alienate clients from their homes,
and promotes the idea of us versus them.” Ricardo further explains that
creating positive relationships,
building trust, and exercising
impartiality and fairness is far
more effective than creating
and maintaining a culture of
fear. Security at the DI, says
Ricardo, is a “warm blanket”,
not a “steel baton”.
Ricardo warmly recalls a cold
winter night. He was working
on the fi rst fl oor of the DI when
he noticed three clients sitting
in the corner of the lobby. It
was 1:00am, the group had
only recently arrived at the
DI, and they were hungry –
breakfast was hours away.
Another client came in, a
Chris F
stranger to them. He sat near them and opened a bag of fast food.
Before taking a bite of his meal, the stranger paused, and then asked
the group, “Are you guys hungry?” Ricardo says, “They [then] sat in a
circle like it was a picnic and they shared a meal meant for one.” For
Ricardo, it was a heartfelt experience of generosity, and one that he will
never forget.
Creating positive relationships,
building trust, and exercising
impartiality and fairness is far
more effective than creating and
maintaining a culture of fear.
“
When asked, “Why doesn’t the DI security team carry protective
weapons?” Ricardo says, “Protective weapons are for individuals who
work with dangerous people, and we do not.” Ricardo further explains,
“The attitude that homeless persons are dangerous is one of the most
prolifi c barriers to the reintegration of these people into a [more]
productive community. Carrying weapons would be truly irresponsible
and detrimental to the credibility of the facility.”
Freddy admits that tensions can occasionally increase inside the DI.
“There will be disagreements between a few; however, we keep a
watch on the fl oor cameras” (There are 150 in and around the building).
When the focus is on keeping people safe by keeping the peace, the
intention is always to dispel tension before it rises.
Dan believes that the introduction of new biometrics,
digital bio-metric scanning systems
that facilitate the identifi cation and tracking of
all those entering the DI, has a positive impact.
“By having everyone registered at bio-scan,”
Dan says, “security has reduced the number of
incidents by 60-70 per cent.”
New clients are sometimes intimidated by the bioscan
system and security team members quickly
alleviate their concerns. As Jeff W. explains, “The
Team will fi rst start with a professional, friendly
welcome, and we ask each new individual
to consent to an electronic scanning of their
fi ngertips, which is then encrypted and logged in
our database.” The Team creates a client ID and
attaches the client’s photo, along with the name
Dan W and Joel B
provided and any additional information the client
gives. “We ensure that all information that the DI collects is kept 100 percent confi dential.”
Because of the bio-scan system, says Togbui, “We know who is in the building and can better
identify if someone is barred and what the conditions of thier entry are. This helps create a safer
environment.”
THE BAR REVIEW COMMITEE
The BRC meets once a week to
provide barred clients an opportunity
to appeal their bars.
The DI is a place of many chances
and the BRC is designed to promote
rehabilitation.
Dale S and Mike B with DI Client David
Rhoads
Many DI clients only need help temporarily.
The DI security team is more than pleased to
give assistance. According Ricardo, “We are
a family at the DI”.
Dan says, “It is rewarding to see the
expression on a client’s face who has fi nally
found his or her own home… I feel like
one of the luckiest people on earth to be
associated with the DI.”
They are the DI’s security team. They are
family.
They are the DI Peacekeepers.
Cover: Left to right, front row working back
Jeff S, Freddy C, Crieghton R, Dan W, Mario R, Joel B,
Scott K, Togbui N, Ricardo U
2
The Peacekeepers of the DI
4
Volunteers Corner
6
How You Can Help
7
Ten Years Within the “New DI”
8
Turning 50
10
Maximizing Safety
12
Andy Lockhart: A Man of Vision
13
Meet the Board
14
Economic Boom Could Hurt Calgarians
15
WHERE Book Review
CONNECTION
published by
calgary drop-in & rehab centre
www.thedi.ca
phone: (403) 263-5707
fax: (403) 234-0677
info@thedi.ca
editor:
louise gallagher
editorial board:
debbie newman
isabel ries ferrari, Ed D
alan facey, BBA
rufo creencia
layout & design
paul smith
back issues & subscriptions:
www.thedi.ca/newsletters
© 2011 Calgary Drop-in & Rehab Centre
Publication no. 41261082