Lea is eligible for a subsidized rent program called HEN (Housing and
Essential Needs) funded by Catholic Community Services. In King County, HEN is processed by CCS
staff at four different DSHS offices.
The closest one to Bellevue is in Belltown at the north end of downtown Seattle.
Due to poor staff communication caused in part by the scheduled intake
counselor leaving early yesterday, we waited 3.5 hours to be seen. It was a great chance to practice mindfulness
for Lea. I read a Lee Child/Jack Reacher
book.
During our wait, a clearly delusional woman tried to get help. She had been kicked out of the office earlier
that day. The DSHS policy is no same-day
second chances. The security guard was
very clear, while being kind with a gentle smile, about her having been kicked
out in the morning. The woman wanted to
know if she had been wearing the same clothes.
She had.
The desk person also discussed her having been kicked out that morning
and explained what happened that morning in brief detail with a kind
voice. The woman clearly had some social
interaction issues. The people in line
in front of her—who were the only other people in the lobby besides me and Lea—would
have given her a beatdown had they been outside and not in front of the DSHS
guard and staff person.
I imagined someone I loved being in that dysfunctional and felt great
compassion and empathy for her. The DSHS
desk person relented and helped her with her issue. It took about two minutes to complete her
request to print a document for her. The
desk person and guard were very kind, respectful and professional to a
difficult needy person. It was good to
see the social service delivery system treating her with kindness, respect and
professionalism.
I am grateful for the safety net we do have to help the less fortunate
in our society. Lea got subsidized rent
which will be mailed directly to me.
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