Homeless – panel discusses Richmond’s needy

The worst thing people do to panhandlers is ignore them, Rick Koca said as a panelist at Thursday’s “Facts and Acts about Homelessness” speaker series in the University Student Commons.

Koca was one of five panelists who discussed panhandling and local resources for the homeless. He said the number of homeless children in the United States is underreported.

“Most of our children end up on the streets because of abuse,” Koca said. “One child runs away every minute.”

Koca founded Stand up for Kids, a non-profit organization aiming to reduce underage homelessness. A new Richmond branch of SUFK has been organized to begin work in April, he said.

Ron Stilwel represented Congregations Around Richmond Involved to Assure Shelter. He said 1,150 people were enrolled in Richmond homeless programs in January.

“We all agree the minimum wage is atrocious,” Stilwel said. “If you decide to volunteer with one of our agencies or all of our agencies, you’re helping solve a problem.”

Susan Sekerke said her organization, Freedom House, intends to distribute bus cards, so when pedestrians are approached by a panhandler, they can offer a card instead of money.

The card would give a homeless person a free ride to the Freedom House’s downtown clinic for a hot meal. By offering the card instead of cash, Sekerke said, people can aid panhandlers’ real intentions.

“That way you’ll at least know if they’re truly hungry,” Sekerke said.

Sekerke, a graduate of VCU’s advertising program, said she gave up a profitable career in the business world to make a difference working for a non-profit organization. She partly attributes her decision to her experiences in Richmond.

“It was because I went to VCU,” Sekerke said. “As a VCU student, you definitely see it (homelessness) down here.”

Katie VanArnam, director of Housing Access Programs at non-profit homeless service provider Virginia Supportive Housing, said her organization aspires to help homeless people who are mentally disabled or struggling with substance abuse.

“We’re not a temporary shelter, but permanent housing,” VanArnam said. “Housing is a right … not a privilege.”