Blogging the Campus Values: HOPE

This is the fifth in a series (see the first, second, third, and fourth) of blog posts with some guest writers. I have asked some of my co-workers from the Campus for Human Development to write some personal reflections on the seven core values that are contained in our mission statement:

“Through the power of spirituality and the practice of love, the Campus for Human Development provides hospitality with a respect that offers hope in a community of non-violence.”

This post begins with a reflection on hope from our founding director Charlie Strobel. Then, Harry shares some of the ways that he’s brought hope to the Campus community over the years.

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Charles Strobel:

When a person feels “respected,” there is hope. The need to be defensive disappears, and conversations cease to be adversarial and argumentative. Depression results from an inability to wish, to dream, to desire, to yearn, to seek, to hope. Often the homeless come to the Campus with few possessions and devoid of hope. What we want to offer them is hope.

Hope is support on their life-long journey that raises self-expectations. The idea of a “campus” implies that growth, opportunity, learning, change—human development—is possible here. Hope offers the promise of self-discovery that can lead to a new meaning in one’s life.

Not to have hope is both self-defeating and leads to despair. That is why there must be great sensitivity to the conflicts that occur in our midst. Simply enforcing the law restores order but perhaps at a greater cost than achieving some immediate “peace.” In our need to establish a respectful order, we never want to “defeat” a person. The grievance process is rooted in hope. “Upstairs administration” is a path designed in hope. Though disciplined and restrained, no one needs to leave here hopeless, no matter how long it takes to give that message.

Hope always believes in the possible.

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Guest Blogger: Harry Singh

My name is Harry Singh, I was born in Pamona, California on August 27, 1927. I came to the Campus the day after Labor Day 1996. I did volunteer work in 1989 two days a week. I worked the shower program and now I teach an alcohol and drug class. I also interpret for persons who speak Spanish only. I try to instill hope in all the participants and let them know that God loves and has loved them from day one. I have seen many who have gone and its sad, but they have gone to a better place. We here at the Campus are going to do the very best we can for all the participants. With God’s will we cannot fail. With God’s love we will endure.

Harry Singh, about to turn 80, is a member of the day team at the Campus. He leads most of our Alcohol and Drug education classes and works in the day room. He enjoys going out to lunch (usually at Dan's or Fiesta Mexicana with an occassional adventure like RuSan's or the International Market) and eating spicy foods. I can always expect to hear "El Jeff!" when I walk into the same room as Harry. As you can see from the picture, he didn't have to worry about splattering paint on himself at our recent work day.