Handup Project offers beacon of hope for addicts, homeless

The Handup Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping drug- and alcohol-addicted homeless individuals achieve long-term sobriety, is planning to expand its service area to encompass Monroe and other parts of east Snohomish County.

As a way of acclimating himself to the Monroe community, Handup Project Founder Robert Smiley has been communicating with the Monroe Police Department (MPD) and local nonprofit Take the Next Step (202 S. Sams St.). He sponsored a barbecue at Take the Next Step on May 29, inviting numerous homeless individuals to attend the event. Guests were invited to have a free meal and inquire about the availability of services like treatment and housing.-á

Members of the Handup Project organization attended the event, along with Monroe Police Department Deputy Chief Ken Ginnard, Sgt. Rick Dunn, Mayor Geoffrey Thomas and others.

Helping the homeless

Since that initial barbecue, the organization has been actively reaching out to homeless individuals in the Monroe community, handing out supplies and offering services.-á

Smiley was alerted to the homeless problem in Monroe recently when he learned that the MPD was planning on doing a sweep of Al Borlin Park to evict anyone illegally camping in the area. The MPD engages in frequent patrols of the park, including more intensive summer patrols using an ATV.

The department's goal is to safeguard the area and keep it free from trash and other refuse left behind by homeless individuals.-á -á -á -á -á

"We've got bigger problems this year, as far as debris in the parks, than we have seen in the past,GÇ¥ Ginnard said. "Usually, the camps are a small tent and so on, and this year they're quite large.GÇ¥

During the Monroe City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 2, Monroe Police Chief Tim Quenzer informed the mayor and City Council that police officers have noticed an increase in vehicle prowls and burglaries and have received reports that panhandling in the city is on the rise. Additionally, officers have noticed an increase in the number of individuals who give "transientGÇ¥ and "Buck IslandGÇ¥ as addresses during contact with officers.

Al Borlin Park, a 90-acre park located in between Woods Creek and the Skykomish River, was formerly known as Buck Island. -á

Getting help-á

Currently, the transient population in Al Borlin Park is estimated at approximately 15 to 20 individuals, several of whom have already elected to seek services. The largest encampments are well-established and located away from the park's main trail system.

Many of the camps contain items that appear to be stolen property. A large number of bicycles and random bicycle parts have been scattered throughout the encampment areas.-á Cleanup efforts to clear the area of the shelters and debris will be extensive.-á

Smiley specializes in helping homeless individuals who are addicted to substances, whether it be drugs or alcohol. Once a homeless drug addict himself, he knows how difficult it can be for an addict to navigate the necessary pathways to obtain services, particularly for an addict who is homeless. Through the Handup Project, Smiley works with addicts and alcoholics to help them obtain medical attention, identification, housing vouchers, drug and alcohol assessments, treatment and placement into transitional housing.

Smiley recalled what it was like for him when he was still using. -á

"They kept telling me I needed to go to DSHS to get my voucher, then I needed to go get ID, then I needed to get an assessment and then I needed to wait three weeks,GÇ¥ Smiley said.-á

The task list usually seemed insurmountable.

"What I always said was, "OK, you know what? That's a lot, and I need $5 for the DOL, so, I'll tell you what. Let's do that tomorrow,'GÇ¥ Smiley said. ""Let's do that tomorrow, but let's get high today.' And tomorrow never came.GÇ¥ -á

By initializing the footwork, streamlining the process, providing the transportation and seeing the process through from start to finish, Smiley has been able to see the program positively impact the lives of his clients. He partners with Catholic Community Services for drug and alcohol assessments in an effort to get his clients assessed right away.-á

"If they can't do a same-day assessment, I drive them down to Evergreen Manor on 196th,GÇ¥ Smiley said. "And if I can't get them assessed there, I give them some food and let them know that we'll do it again tomorrow.GÇ¥

Expanded services-á

Smiley, who is from the Lynnwood/Edmonds area, has been operating the Handup Project for approximately two and a half years. He has steadily broadened his level of outreach by collaborating with like-minded organizations, including the Hoff Foundation and Hope Soldiers, both based in Everett. Hoff Foundation founder Judy Hoff offers services for women, and Hope Soldiers founder Lindsey Greinke helps addicts get into treatment.-á

Smiley also works with local law enforcement agencies by advocating for the clients who may have warrants for failing to appear in court or paraphernalia charges. Oftentimes, addicts are leery of accepting help for fear that they'll be arrested on a warrant and incarcerated.-á

"Arresting people is not the answer and it's keeping people who need services away,GÇ¥ Smiley said.

So far, Smiley is seeing success. Numerous individuals with whom Smiley has worked now pay it forward by volunteering with his organization. -á

"A large number of the people that I've got are people I picked up off the street,GÇ¥ Smiley said. "They're getting work and they're helping others GÇô and they're not drinking or drugging.GÇ¥-á

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas is hopeful that organizations like the Handup Project and Hope Soldiers will make a difference with the drug-addicted population in Monroe. While not everyone is in a position to accept help, others may be ready to change the way they are living. -á

"People that want to live like that, there's not much we can do,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "But people who are truly in trouble, I'm hopeful that we can help them.GÇ¥

For more information on the Handup Project, visit www.thehandupproject.org/our-vision-2/. For more information on Hope Soldiers, visit www.facebook.com/hopesoldiersofwa?fref=nf.