Bill OBoyle: Behrens is right, it's time to change the narrative
Jun. 21—WILKES-BARRE — This week's news that Keystone Mission will be closing two of its facilities within one month is devastating to the growing homeless population in our region.
You can pontificate all you want about why so many people are in need in the area and around the country, but the fact remains that they are, indeed, struggling to survive.
And organizations like Keystone Mission have to find a way to sustain their missions — for no other reason than to sustain the lives of those in need.
When the news broke last week, Justin Behrens, acting executive director of Keystone Mission, spoke candidly about the situation and he called out the community at large to work together to find a resolution to the issues at hand.
Behrens said that Keystone Mission has decided to shut down some operations due to a critical lack of funding and unsustainable increases in operating costs.
"Despite every effort to maintain essential services for our community's most vulnerable, the rising expenses — particularly in food, shelter and staffing — have left us with no choice but to close our doors," Behrens said.
Over the years, Behrens said Keystone Mission has proudly served thousands of individuals facing homelessness, poverty and crisis. He said through compassion-driven outreach, case management, and transformation-centered programming, Keystone Mission has walked alongside countless men and women on the path toward hope and self-sufficiency.
"This is not the outcome any of us wanted," Behrens said. "We have fought to stay open, advocated for more support and stretched every dollar. But the financial burden has become too great."
This just shouldn't be. There has got to be a way to find the funding needed to help those in need. Just to provide shelter, clothing, food, counseling — for our fellow men and women who have fallen on difficult times.
While the physical locations will close, Behrens said the organization's mission will not.
"Keystone Mission remains committed to ensuring that those living with homelessness are not left behind," Behrens said. "We are working closely with local partners, churches and nonprofits to transition our guests into safe housing options and connect them with vital community resources."
All these "partners" need to come together and find a way for those who have lost theirs.
Behrens urged community, stakeholders and supporters to come together during what he called "this transitional time." He said financial donations, resource sharing and collaboration with other service providers are more important now than ever.
"The mission to end homelessness is far from over," he said.
Behrens said this transition is a direct response to significant financial constraints and a decline in consistent donations over the past year.
He cited rising costs, increased demand, and reduced funding.
"Maintaining multiple facilities has become unsustainable — and continuing in this manner would jeopardize our ability to deliver impactful services," he said.
Behrens wanted to send a clear message to the community.
"This is not the end of the mission — this is a call to action," Behrens said. "Even in this moment of transition, we believe now more than ever, that our community must come together to stop placing blame on those experiencing homelessness and instead focus on lifting up our brothers, sisters, and neighbors who are facing one of life's hardest battles."
Right on the money.
Behrens said homelessness is not a character flaw — that it is often the result of complex circumstances — poverty, mental health struggles, job loss, or trauma.
And then Behrens said this:
"We must change the narrative from blame to understanding, compassion, and action."
Behrens said the work of helping those in need doesn't stop because a building closes.
"It continues when a neighbor cares, when a volunteer shows up, when a donor invests in second chances," he said. "We must not give up. We must not grow weary. Now is the time to be better, do more, and love deeper."
Behrens passionately asks that NEPA prove that it is a community that does not turn away from the vulnerable, but walks with them toward hope.
It just comes down to people helping people.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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