Chaplains Steve and Regina Weller are part of the LAPD Homeless Task Force as well as being Pastors of the Foursquare Church in Venice.

Gail and Aaron
By Regina Weller

I received a call from a woman a few months back who was referred to us by a Church. “But why couldn’t they help you?” I asked, “They have a very large membership. Well anyway, now that I have you on the line, what exactly are you in need of?”

Gail began, “My 25-year-old diabetic son and I are homeless.”

She explained to me that she had been employed as a caregiver for about two years in Malibu, hired by a man whose wife had a debilitating disease and needed full-time care. It was more than a full-time job, she said, because the husband and his girlfriend also lived there, and spent a lot of time together with outside activities and so forth. Gail took care of the wife for room and board.

“I’m not judging the situation,” she said, but the bad part is that he fired me when I went to be with my son who was in a diabetic coma at the hospital for 4 days. Gail, of course, had been devastated about her son’s critical condition, and then losing a place to live added to her stress.

Mother and son were now derailed due to economic loss and they couldn’t afford the motels. She had a car, but didn’t have the money for the registration, so she left parked on her former employers’ lot. “We’ve been homeless for two months now, which I know is not a lot compared to some people, but this is a first for me and I am just terrified every day.”

I told them I would pick them up the next day on Lincoln and Palms in Venice, but Aaron called to say mom was in the hospital for a bad asthma attack, and “Please don’t forget us.” Two days later they showed up at the same site with their big suitcases sitting by the traffic light. I flagged them down and motioned for them to quickly place their belongings in the trunk of my car while no cars were behind. They hustled and then plopped themselves in the car and we drove off to Long Beach to their new dwelling place.

Now strangers introducing themselves for the first time while enroute to an unclear destination is somewhat whimsical, and almost twilight zone, but it’s part of the survival mode behind the shielded veil of the Homeless Task Force. For a moment in time, we’re close up and tossed together by a set of circumstances. Every situation is different, and each character unfolds to bare their heartbreaking ventures.

Compassion fatigue for the service worker, sometimes yielding to tiredness and irritability, is inevitable. Today I’m feeling it and the realization reflects in my actions – like why didn’t I just patiently pull over and park the car so they could load up their items instead of rushing them? My judgment becomes hurried. But at least I am aware of it, and know what to do about it.

I pull over at a small market and buy ice teas for everyone. Aaron and his mother seem relieved and appreciative to just sit in the car and chill. I stand outside to cool my forehead with the cold metal can, and think of a plan to take several days off with Steve somewhere. I’m starting to feel better already with just the thought of it. Chuckling at my flaws, I poke my head in the car window. “Hold on a sec, I will be right with you and we’ll resume to the freeway.” Taking a deep breath and getting a glimpse of the gorgeous cumulous clouds overhead refreshed me. Aware that my husband, Chaplain Steven is also transporting, I wondered how his day was going. I call to check in on him and say I love you.

Aaron is smart and likeable, and Gail is talkative and overprotective of him, but who wouldn’t be given the close call at losing her beloved son.

When we arrived at their new residence, they both examine the outside neighborhood before walking in. “Well, it’s not in a bad neighborhood, and I’m so glad I’m getting my own room,” Gail said, “even though it will be an adjustment living with eight people.” “It’s a five-bedroom house”, I reminded her, “and remember that this collaborative living is a stepping stone from the street until you get financially situated to where you can rent your own place”. I was certain of that fact.

Gail smiled when she saw her bedroom with the big window and the light streaming through. She plopped on her bed and cried.

Aaron went to the men’s back house and readily made conversation with the guys. He took off with them to the store and I gave Gail some alone time while I went to discuss rent money with the house manager in the kitchen. The Homeless Task Force funding donated by Tami Pardee of Pardee Properties covered the family’s first month’s rent, and a Department of Mental Health program grant paid for the following month. Aaron would then be collecting disability benefits until he can be stable again to look for work. Gail said she would be seeking employment in the immediate area.

Gail and I kept in contact by phone and we had lunch a couple of times. After three months of living there, she excitedly notified me that her brother acquired an apartment for them next door to where he lives in Reno, Nevada, and is paying for their transportation. She called a week after they arrival in Nevada saying Adam was happy to live next door to his uncle. Gail reflected that though her experience was rather devastating, and she would never want to go through it again, it was a remarkably rewarding part of her life. She learned a lot about herself, and now identifies with the struggles of the homeless that she used to disregard and even think shamefully of, and “most importantly, will never forget the goodwill shown to me”.

If you want to donate, send check to Venice Foursquare Chaplains at 1400 Riviera, Venice 90291. It is a write-off donation and 100 percent is used to help the homeless get off the street.