SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) — Don’t give money to panhandlers. That was Mayor Paul TenHaken’s latest message as he addressed the city’s growing homeless problem.

“Eighty-five percent of people struggling with homelessness in our community want to break out of this cycle. They want help. They need help and we have incredible partners doing amazing work. But 15 percent don’t want help. They don’t want to get better. They want to take advantage of our community,” TenHaken said.

Instead of handing out money to panhandlers, TenHaken encouraged citizens to donate money to one of these “partners” such as Bishop Dudley House, Union Gospel Mission, The Banquet and St. Francis House – all nonprofit homeless shelters and/or outreach centers that strive to provide jobs for the homeless.

But the CEO of one of these organizations appeared on Dakota News Now on Wednesday to present a different approach to the homeless:

Approach them.

Eric Weber, CEO of Union Gospel Mission, who told DNN on Monday about the new facility in UGM, which will soon house up to 50 women and children, encountered a man who was apparently begging passersby for money.

A simple “Excuse me, can I ask you a few questions?” led to a 15-minute conversation and an insight into what many homeless people probably go through.

The lesson: If you have a moment, ask them about their story. Find out how they became homeless. Think about how you can help them other than just giving them money.

The 65-year-old man Weber spoke to, who calls himself “Abraham,” confirmed he was homeless. Four years ago, the Sisseton native lived in Fargo but lost his apartment and moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to his son – who was also homeless – and because other “brothers” from his Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribe had moved from the Sisseton area to the state’s largest city.

Weber asked Abraham what the city or its homeless shelters can do to help the homeless.

“Give us a place to live,” Abraham demanded loudly. “Somewhere to live. Damn it, we’re fighting. Damn it, we’re fighting. Every damn day. We’re struggling. We’re fighting – we’re saving every penny just to get something.”

In the more than four years that Abraham spent here, he could not even afford the cheapest apartment. According to Weber, this is becoming more and more common and is a major reason why more and more homeless people are wandering around the streets.

“With our economy and everything that’s happening in our community, there are so many people – the prices of everything are going up that more and more people are becoming homeless,” Weber said. “Not alone. But when they’re working a $17-an-hour job and they have three kids at home and they have to pay car insurance and all these other things, it gets very tight.”

“If they have a medical emergency, they’re out of a paycheck or two – they’re out on the street. So we asked ourselves, ‘How can we provide a safe place for people in transition?’ When they come to us, they’re homeless, but once they’re here, they’re in transition. They’re no longer hopeless,” Weber explains.

Abraham used to work as a roofer, but says he broke his back and neck. He receives a disability pension, but it is not enough to afford an apartment. His disability agreement allows him to work up to six hours a day.

Yes, he is applying for jobs, mainly downtown.

“I want to work,” Abraham said. “I want to work. Damn it, I’m stuck here.”

But he hasn’t found a job. His theory?

“Probably because I’m Indian,” said Abraham. “Who the hell would want to hire an Indian?”

Weber told Abraham that several Indians worked for him at UGM. Abraham nodded.

Without a home or a job, Abraham spends his days and nights on the streets of the city center and sleeps there.

“I mean, it gets cold at night. I slept on that fucking floor last night just to stay alive,” Abraham said, pointing to the floor. “I rolled around. It was fucking cold. But I got up. Shit, another day. I just kept going.”

He doesn’t want to ask others for money, but says it’s the only way to afford food at the moment.

At last week’s press conference, TenHaken said the money given to beggars is often used directly to buy cheap alcohol, which promotes a vicious cycle of addiction.

“We know a well-known man in our community who is battling an addiction, a serious addiction. He was recently given a $100 bill. Shortly after, our police officers found him unconscious and completely drunk,” TenHaken said. “He has $100, man. You just saved his week.”

Abraham said some days he collects $2.00 and others up to $50. His highest rake-in in one day was once $80.

He said he usually spends the money on food, but yes, he does occasionally spend it on alcohol. He said he has been arrested many times – for trespassing, for public intoxication and for possessing an open bottle of alcohol.

And he confirmed that this was not unusual.

“Some just want to drink, but many (homeless) are just looking for food and want to get through the day. We have to hurry,” Abraham said.

That day, Abraham hadn’t eaten in two days. Weber offered to drive to the nearest McDonald’s and buy him a meal. Ten minutes later, he returned to the same place with a double cheeseburger, some chicken nuggets, fries, and an orange soda.

Abraham thanked him.

“Thank you for your time,” Weber said. “I’m at UGM. Come see me if you need anything, shoes, clothes, whatever. You know where you stand. We’ll take care of you.”

Abraham nodded.

Weber agrees with the mayor: Don’t give money to the homeless. Offer help and donate your money to organizations that can help them, such as the Union Gospel Mission.

“With ten dollars we can feed three people a day,” said Weber. “If you donate something to the mission, you can deduct it from your taxes. Housing people here at the mission costs $35.50 a day.”

Currently, 70 men live in the UGM Men’s Center building, while 32 women and 12 children live in the Women’s Center building across the street.

The three downtown homeless shelters – UGM, Bishop Dudley and St. Francis House – are all less than a mile apart. They report daily how many people check in total.

On Tuesday, that number was 795. There are about 400 people who are considered “off-site,” meaning they cannot check in because of their criminal record one the “mission” accommodations – Bishop Dudley House and UGM. But only 26 people were unable to enter either of them.

In other words, on Tuesday, 26 out of 795 homeless people – 0.03 percent – could not find a place in a homeless shelter. These are probably the people who sleep on the streets and cause crime and unrest, according to Weber.

Weber also specifically pointed out that most crimes downtown occur late at night and that a far larger portion of the perpetrators are likely drunk people (mostly young adults and anyone who owns a home) who frequent the bars and restaurants that are open until the early hours of the morning.

“With the crime in our community and in Sioux Falls, it’s bad people doing bad things, not just homeless people,” Weber said. “I have amazing homeless people coming here for shelter.”

Abraham agreed that some homeless may be a problem and cause problems. Not everyone wants help. But he and many others do. In his case —

“I want to go home,” Abraham said, referring to the Sisseton Tribe reservation. “I’m stuck here.”

“We will do our best to get you home,” Weber told Abraham.

The two exchanged punches. Weber immediately contacted city authorities to find out about Abraham’s situation. Abraham walked away from the spot where Weber had found him.

This story, like that of all people, continues. Meanwhile, this chapter ends with Abraham’s appeal to the public regarding their attitude and treatment of the homeless:

“You have to remember – we can’t judge people on the street based on who they are, because they do it for certain reasons,” said Abraham. “You know, I will never judge them. Maybe there is a psychological or some other reason…”

Weber interrupted him.

“Some barriers, right,” asked Weber.

Abraham said, “Yes.”

“Everyone faces barriers and everyone has a different situation, just like your situation is different,” Weber said.

Abraham repeated a line.

“I don’t judge them.”

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