My fellow Quest Companions.
I’ve Titled this thread Exploits in Salem and I will post here about my efforts to start a mentorship program in the chivalric arts. I will post in installments and you are welcome to comment.

Background

For those who may not know, a year ago I set for myself the mission of spawning neighborhood mentorship programs patterned after the concepts set forth in the 12 Trusts of ChivalryNow. My vision is that in each neighborhood there could be found those relatively rare individuals of knightly qualities who could form circles to quite purposely mentor the young in the Chivalric Arts and ceremoniously commemorate their coming of age and initiation into Authentic Adulthood.

Now, a year later, I am, this week, about to submit a Business Plan for making and selling hats. This business, called Lids by LeRoy, will obtain financing through grant money through a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 organization because the profits from the sale of the caps will be dedicated to opening and financing a volunteer center. The volunteer center will serve the community by focusing on the needs of displaced workers and families and the homeless and needy. The volunteers will be invited to form circles to establish the mentoring programs.

All this has resonated with a number of people in Salem (Oregon) who have been looking for ways to coordinate the efforts of their various organizations, and as it has happened I’ve found my proposal for a volunteer center to be the kind of answer they have been looking for and they are becoming willing to help me get it off the ground.

The business, Lids by LeRoy, will provide financing for the volunteer center. The volunteer center, in addition to aiding the needy, will institute what I will call The WhiteStones Academy of Knighthood and the Chivalric Arts.

And it is a long story that begins with my selling my RV that I was living in and moving onto the streets as a homeless man with two dogs and an electric tricycle and a trailer.

The Beginning

I suppose I should open by telling you that I began with a prayer that acknowledged the Intelligence that brought all, including me, into existence and voiced my desire to know and be sure that the vision I was given was true and a thing outside of myself, a thing not just of my own imaginations. I voiced the need for personnel of the caliber to accomplish the mission; for property on which to locate and operate; and for provisions to accomplish it all.

And then I set up my solar panels in the park to charge my batteries. It was early summer and there were lots of sunny days and I was fairly mobile. But I spent a lot of time just enjoying the sun and the company of friendly people in the park, many of whom were attracted by the novelty of my electric tricycle set up.

Picture me in long leather coat and flat brimmed Akubra. I carry a worm scarred walking stick and my hair and beard are long and often unkempt. Sometimes I’m even grimy from campfires and camp living.

Over the summer there were many “homeless” people I met and had conversations with. They came to know me as the preacher in the park. I admit to preaching in the sense they meant it. You see, in the course of conversation, if I discover that a person will not listen to a word of wisdom, then the conversation is over for me. I’ll continue to listen and be polite, but I move on. But if I discover a person is seeking an answer to a problem that can be solved by a balance being restored and maintained in their character, attitude, personality, and spirit, and I have the words to articulate the answer to them, I do so. And there were and are those who began to seek my advice and understanding. And since I don’t let my friends get away with harmful foolishness, there were a number of lectures that earned me the label preacher in the park.

But I’m not a credentialed preacher with any religion or organization. I’m on my own and any way, I see myself more as an aspiring prophet. Here’s why: “The words of the prophet are like a hammer that breaks stone or like lightening that suddenly lights up the darkness.” And when an apt word is spoken, it is a healing balm to a wound.

As I told Mark, himself a credentialed preacher with “Church in the Park”, I see my job as easy. I listen. People will reveal their real needs if you listen closely. When I see or hear a need that someone has and I have it in my hand to fill that need, I do. And man’s needs, physically, are food, clothing, and shelter. Spiritually man needs purpose, understanding, wisdom, and balance. For that I apply a basic formula that extrapolates to all of man’s problems of character, attitude, personality, and spirit.
Love.

There’s the hammer.

There’s the lightning.

When a desperate man suddenly finds relief, the soul is elated, bursts into tears, or gets a goose bump chill, or gasps in inspiration.

And when I’m “preaching” to someone and that happens… I take it as a clear sign … something outside myself … For I see the transformative power of the understanding of Love.

And so over the summer I met many people and talked a lot about the needs of the homeless and the resources in the community and about the things yet lacking, like the need for a “dignity village”.

Then one day I found out that a building owned by the local Jaycees might be available for the cost of the utilities and I calculated that I could foot the bill.

Gotta go. More later.

Brother Quest Companion LeRoy,

I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am by what you are endeavoing to do. You are truly putting the 'Spirit' of 'Chivalry-Now' into practice. Please, keep us all informed of how your efforts are progressing.

.......All the 'Words of Chivalry' are just mere words, until they are given profound meaning by the actions of men and women of 'Good Will.'

You are, indeed, giving 'Profound Meaning' to the 'Words of our 12 Trusts.'

Arete'

How wonderful to see the plans you once described to us as a dream coming to fruition.

We are all waiting to hear about your progress.

Dean, KCN

Try then try again

The Jaycee building was attractive because, small as it was, it was yet large enough to allow us to have a place to get out of the weather, cook meals together, and a parking lot and yard that could have allowed us a place to just be without getting run off for trespassing or vagrancy. Each Sunday, “Church in the Park” meets in this building and when I wrote up and presented my proposal to them, it was enthusiastically received.

“Church in the Park” is a missional organization that is supported by several Christian churches in the Salem area. Mark Walker is the pastor and the congregation is mostly the local homeless population. On Wednesdays a meal is served at the sheltered picnic pavilion in the park. On Sundays a regular church service is held at the Jaycee’s building (about a block from the park) and a meal served there. Over the course of the summer, fall, and winter, Mark and I became friends and informal partners as we ministered to the homeless men and women in the park. Since I was living with them also homeless, I became their “first responder” whenever they had need of anything like clothing, blankets, food, and even tents. Over time I became somewhat of an expert on who to call and where to go to get done whatever needed doin’.

That is why I tried to get use of the Jaycee building.

I negotiated step by slow step for access to the building. I was willing to use my own money to cover the utilities because what I was negotiating for was 24/7 access to the building, same as any place you would rent. But over the next few weeks one restriction after another was placed before me. I tried to reshape my vision to accommodate “them” with compromise after compromise until I didn’t recognize the original vision. I mean, I wanted 24/7 access and they whittled that down to daylight hours only and then for only four days a week. And “they” were going to hold the keys for at least the first two weeks.

That last bit was laid on me the day before my money was available to give them. However, that night, as I was crawling into my sleeping bag, the thought occurred to me that all those restrictions (and there were many ranging from the political to the arbitrary) were like a big bottle that the Spirit was being stuffed into and I felt a premonition that “they” weren’t going to let it out.

So at the last minute I decided that using the Jaycee Building was not going to fly. I offered my apologies to everyone, explained my reasons, and backed out of the deal.

There was disappointment, of course, but as it happened, right then another door opened and opportunity presented itself.

I want my quest companions to understand: I was on a mission. I am on a mission. I believe we need to give of our substance to help others in need, and I have been blessed with much and I have much to give. But though that’s part of my purpose for living with the homeless, I perceive that I was also in need of learning a thing or two about the organizations and people who try to serve the homeless and the needy in this area. And I did learn. And looking back I note I started out thinking I was there to be of service, and that remains true, but also I was there to get an education.

For one thing I learned that the one stabilizing factor that is lacking (probably in most communities) is property where it is legal to sleep in your car over night or in a tent. When you are homeless you face excommunication. It is not legal to sleep in your car or van on any city street or public parking lot. To be legal, you either have to leave the city limits (sometimes even to another county) or sleep at the “skid row” mission with the hardcore alcoholics. And even then you are only afforded a few days in any given month.

And I learned that there is a good number of organizations around town providing help to the needy and they are all concerned about the lack of coordination among themselves and the individuals that fall between the cracks. (Like the family that can’t find a place because they own a dog.)

And so opportunity came into the park one day (while I was still negotiating for the Jaycee building) in the form of three ladies handing out one use cameras to the homeless people in the park, asking them to take pictures about what poverty means to them. Lori Beamer, Executive Director of Co-Active Connections, was conducting a study on poverty for the purpose of providing education for the people of the service organizations. And I was blessed by meeting her because a professional relationship has blossomed between us and now I have the right connections and a cloud of people telling me how to get things done rather than telling me what I cannot do.

Progress can be slow and frustrating at times. And yet small success is meaningful, and would not have happened otherwise.

The problems regarding homelessness are often complex, and most people don't realize how each individual case is different. Much easier to lump all homeless people together and hope someone else takes care of it. The reality is that homelessness targets families with children, the long-term unemployed, people with cognitive disabilities, the elderly and yes, victims of substance abuse.

In my capacity as social services manager, I wrote the following speech last year that I presented to a local church group meeting on the homeless. Perhaps you might find it useful. See http://www.essexct.gov/departments/soc_serv/homelessness.doc.

Good luck in your quest, and please keep us informed.

Dean, KCN

Thanks, Dean.
With your permission I would like to incorporate your paper on Homelessness (referring to to the link above) into a presentation that I am putting together. As I go forward I will be making public presentations and appealing for support for the envisioned volunteer center. It will definitely be to my advantage to be able to quote authoritative sources in support of my mission and goals.

Returning to my story line:
That I ought to remember that I was getting an education was pressed home very clearly one day in mid summer. I was sitting at a picnic table under a tree in the park enjoying the sun, playing solitaire, waiting for my solar panels to charge the batteries for my tricycle, when a beautiful Senorita shyly approached and in Spanish spoke to a teenager who translated for her.

"She wants to know if you read the cards." she said hesitantly.

I know I present quite an image, somewhat theatrical I think. But realizing in a flash that this woman was seeing the image through the eyes of her cultural background, I took her seriously. Even though I could not help chuckling I said I don't read cards, but I am a christian and I do try to give answers to people who have questions.

The girl translated my words and the Lady sat at the other end of the table and the girl said to me that she wanted to know how much.

Again I could not help the chuckle. "No." I said. "I don't charge."

So she asked her question. "Why are the women at work jealous of me?"

I thought for a moment then gave her a short comment about jealousy in general and how it boils down to excessive self concern.

Then she asked, "How can I get my boss to like me better?"

Again I thought for a moment and gave her an answer I've given many times before. Something about the work ethic and productivity.

That night as I was getting into my sleeping bag, it hit me: I utterly failed that test. Yes, my answers had been true in themselves as broad generalities. But I realized in that moment that what I should have done was to ask questions and to listen, because a wise man will hear the whole matter before he gives an answer.

It really made me feel stupid and as I prayed that night my head was hung in shame. I vowed not to do that again, and since then I notice that by not being so ready to give an answer but rather being quick to listen, I learn much more than I would have otherwise.

That was early Summer.

Finally, in the winter, when Lori completed her study she invited about 30 to 40 people to a meeting to showcase the results of her project. The invitees included representatives from the various service organizations in the community.

After her presentation she invited a representative from each organization to stand and briefly state who they were the organization they were with and a little something about their mission and why they were there and after that they would be invited to break into conversations over refreshments.

After listening to about 15 speakers, and hearing their desire to better coordinate their efforts, I asked Lori if I should speak, introducing myself and my mission. She said yes and called on me last.

I was at that meeting because Lori invited me as a local expert on poverty and homelessness. So I introduced myself and stated that I was on a mission to establish a volunteer center and briefly outlined my idea for a company of aspiring knights, a mentoring program, and a center dedicated to serving the needs of displaced workers and families, the homeless and the needy.

As we broke into conversation groups, I found myself in demand and explained myself thrice. But then my host, Alex Beammer (Lori’s husband) took me across the room to meet Ron Hays, president of Marion/Polk Food Share, (a prominent 501(c)3 non-profit in Oregon).

By now I had incorporated into my proposal that I would start a cap making business and dedicate the profits to the center I am proposing. Mr. Hays’ comment to me was “Have you thought of making the company into a limited liability corporation?” Then at my questioning look he explained. “That way a 501(c)3 can take ownership. Then there are several ways to get various grant moneys.”

I left that meeting trying to keep grounded because my head was in the clouds. This was in the dead of winter in January. It was the night of my greatest triumph. It was also the night my camp was flooded and I lost almost everything I owned.