Tragically, there are homeless and near-homeless military veterans (“Heroes”), who fought for our freedom in countries far from home only to come back and continue the fight within themselves and with complex government services. They struggle for a place in society, a group identity, and a place to call home. No Hero should have to continue fighting after they come home.
Passageways, Ltd. (Passageways) was formed to impact the lives of such homeless Heroes, who were living on the streets. At the time (2014) there was nothing available in Wichita so the Passageways team went to work on finding a way to fill this gap in services. Since its formation, the Passageways Living Center has provided a unique and unduplicated service to our community’s homeless military veterans. Often Passageways is contacted by the local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when they have a Hero getting ready to be moved into their own home. Because the VA is not able to solicit the public for necessary items, they utilize the Passageways Outreach program to help the Hero. While providing temporary housing, Passageways also focuses on the holistic healing of our Heroes to overcome the hidden wounds of war while assisting them in becoming functioning citizens of the community.
The Passageways Mission is to help these Heroes achieve their individual goals and to provide essential tools and resources for housing stability, independence, and self-sustainability. Passageways provides suitable housing options with supportive services to maximize their available benefits. Each Hero, who comes to Passageways Living Center, is independent and able to take care of their own basic needs. Passageways Living Center simply provides the necessities of living, as well as the tools needed to succeed in their journey towards independence. Everything is provided to the Heroes free of charge. Through community donations, Passageways has lightly used furniture, household products (e.g., sheets, towels, toasters, microwaves, utensils dishes), cleaning supplies, hygiene, socks, underwear, t-shirts, pillows, and even coffee.
Currently, staff work with single male Heroes in the Passageways Living Center and reach others, who feel "lost in the system", through outreach services. Many come to the Living Center already confronting various health issues. Therefore, the first issue addressed with a Hero often is his internal being, including medical and mental health, spiritual health, as well as his economic situation.
Even prior to the current pandemic, mental health was a huge issue for our Heroes. Months into the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges, mental health has become a medical emergency. Many of our Heroes are unable to attend regularly scheduled appointments for group and individual counseling. Our Heroes indicate these sessions provided them with the greatest comfort and encouragement, as they hear and talk to others who are in a similar situation. The camaraderie of the group encourages healing and strength. Some of these appointments have turned to virtual visits, but not all of them. And, group counseling sessions have been postponed. Passageways staff work with Heroes to overcome such issues and provide assistance navigating the system. By having the providers of services come to the Passageways Living Center, barriers to needed care can be eliminated.
The goal is to help them achieve personal growth and increase self-worth. With an emphasis on Christian growth, Passageways programs include participation in religious services, weekly Bible studies, and spiritual counseling. The Passageways program helps individuals set goals and provides various services and opportunities to meet their goals. Services are coordinated through the VA, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities so as to provide our Heroes with a hand-up rather than a hand-out. This approach enables our Heroes to realize their past mistakes do not define their current opportunities, nor do they decrease their probability of success.
Passageways is a non-profit 501(c)3. Opening its doors to the first Hero in January 2015, Passageways has celebrated ninety-three graduates, who have successfully completed its programs, moved into their own home, and are now engaged within their community. In addition, more than 5,000 Heroes have been served through Passageways out-reach services.
