While Macomb’s homeless population has risen sharply in recent years, so have local efforts to help — even in something as simple as sitting on a bench in Chandler Park.
Macomb Police Department Social Services Coordinator Sally Vigezzi said that just over three years ago, the city’s known homeless population numbered only one. Now, she can name about 15 off the top of her head.
Her position is relatively new and uncommon for a town Macomb’s size. She wears a uniform but isn’t a sworn officer.
“Police departments are moving this way, having somebody who is not an officer, but somebody who is willing to help,” she said. “Our officers are busy all the time and they want to go to the call, take care of it, and then go to the next call. I have a lot more time to sit down with somebody and listen to what all of their needs are and then give them the resources for each of their different needs.”
Meeting weekly with local homeless individuals in Chandler Park, Vigezzi approaches them with a motherly, kind-but-stern attitude.
“I try to meet with people and get them the help that they need, but they have to be willing to do the work to get the help,” she said. “And sometimes people aren’t willing to do that. Some of these people are more difficult to find housing for, some of them are refusing, some of them have used all the services already and have kind of burnt their bridges everywhere. I know one is just waiting for God to tell him when to go back home. So mental health challenges are very difficult to help because they just don’t want to accept it or they don’t qualify for some help.”
Mental health is the most common issue, she said. Many who qualify for disability don’t understand or want to admit they have a problem.
At most of her Chandler Park meetings, Vigezzi posts herself on a bench. Within minutes, people approach her with smiles, handshakes, and friendly seats.
Some seek shelter, some need help getting identification like a Social Security card. Others need assistance finding a good food pantry. Vigezzi has even helped some get a cellphone.
Some just want basic tips on living right. Some just want someone to talk to. In just a few hours, as many as a dozen people can show up.
Generally, the group is distrustful of law enforcement. Most have a litany of unpaid tickets for minor violations and missed court dates, causing more tickets to pile up. While officers enforce the laws, it’s Vigezzi’s job to help them dig out, and keep out, of trouble.
The group clearly trusts — and appreciates — Vigezzi.
“It’s taken a lot of work to earn trust,” she said. But it’s working.
“It’s hard for a person with an education and a full-time job,” she said. “And when you can’t hold a job or you don’t know how, I mean, how are you going to know how to pay your bills and keep an apartment and keep it clean? It’s a difficult world to navigate and some people just don’t know how to do these things.”
Most of Macomb’s homeless community stick together and help each other like a large, makeshift family. They watch out for one another and discuss who can be trusted. Vigezzi has made the list.
Also earning trust are the people at Samaritan Well Inc. in Macomb. The organization primarily provides housing but is there to guide anyone in need. Caseworkers often join Vigezzi for her Chandler Park meetings.
Among them is Madeline Weiss, who called the meetings a “safe space” for people in need to speak honestly and without judgment.
“We know their story,” she said. “The more that we come out here, the more open that they’ll get. When we all first started coming here, everyone would scatter because, ‘Oh, police!’ But the fact that Sally has helped them out, they’re getting more comfortable with us. And even if they do have housing, they still know that Samaritan Well could help a friend.”
Weiss is joined by Davion Lark and Heaven Watkins.
Lark said he’s seen a hiring issue in Macomb — if you’re unknown and from out of town, it can be difficult to find a job.
He added that while resources exist in Macomb, it can be hard to promote them to the people who need them most. Hence the Chandler Park outreach.
All four agree that a major factor contributing to Macomb’s homeless population is a lack of affordable housing and single-person rental units. Vigezzi predicts the population will keep growing unless that changes.
“We’re just going to see more and more,” she said.
In the meantime, the group will continue doing the best they can with their impromptu meetings.
“We’re here,” Weiss called across Chandler Park. “We’re here and we’re trying.”
