Kansas can do more to address housing and food insecurity, as well as health care
Haley Kotler, of the Kansas Appleseed, an advocacy group in Wichita, has shared quite a bit through different news sources about food insecurity and the recent limitations placed on individuals trying to access food assistance.
This is an important topic because too many folks are experiencing food insecurity and too many are going to bed hungry these days.
It's a tough time, for sure, but for folks with disabilities, it's an even tougher time. Too many families are in crisis and too many have housing, health insurance, food and many more types of issues going on.
Now too many families with a loved one with a disability whether that be an intellectual or developmental disability, a psychiatric disability, or a physical disability like being in a wheelchair or not being able to speak or hear have barriers to getting access for their loved one.
We go to our local grocery store and in the check out line are magazines with pictures of great-looking people or we are bombarded with images of perfectly looking people who are wealthy and don't have issues. The truth is too many people are the opposite: They have problems and they have issues.
Theresa Douthart, a housing specialist at Valeo Healthcare in Topeka, cares about finding housing for folks in need. She sees what no one wants to see — person after person who is experiencing homelessness and fear. They are hungry and need a place to call home. Recently, I did a gift card drive for her and the housing needs at Valeo. My good friends gave generously, and I collected about five hundred dollars in gift cards for people Theresa helps.
She said they were able to just go over to the store with their case manager and access the wonderful gift of good food.
Hunger and housing — two big issues that plague families now and especially now with the pandemic. I have been blessed with a wonderful and supportive family. However, that is not often the case. I see people walking down Sixth street in need of a shower and some food and clothing.
The awesome Mobile Access Partnership is a partnership between Valeo and other community organizations that provides a mobile trailer that they park in different church parking lots on certain days of each week. People in need can get a hot shower, can receive hygiene products, food, mental health assessments, and a kind and compassionate ear.
The Topeka Rescue Mission has been a huge part of this and there was a recent one year celebration of this resource and collaboration. It's an example of a great way Topeka has worked together to help those in need.
Finally, health care is a major issue that too many have issues with. Too many don't have access to good and proper health care. This affects people of color tremendously, and it also affects those with disabilities. Medical bills are causing families great distress and government laws regarding health care have affected health care in a major way. If someone needs medication and they cannot get it due to lack of adequate health insurance, then they have a huge problem.
This has caused great stress for too many folks.
Poverty, disability, the pandemic — each of these issues goes together to make a crisis even more of a crisis in our city, our state and in our nation. What is the answer? We need to put aside anger and pride and come together to get things done. We need to reach out and learn about people's situations.
We need to show compassion. We need to offer help. We need to not be afraid to look poverty in the eyes and come up with solutions. The time is now.
Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate in Topeka.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas must address housing, food insecurity, health care issues
