 Aloha Hava'i, I'm Wendy Lo and I'm your volunteer buddy as we journey to take your health back. We are coming to you live from my home, the shelter, and downtown Honolulu from the studios of Think Tech Hava'i, where 45 very colorful and diverse hosts of variety topics come there and share their hearts. Today our topic of discussion on the shelter from dome to home is a story whenever we can save a life and make it better for someone and this is a success story. What I would like you to take away from today's discussion is the idea solution to today's homeless problem must include a holistic approach with God, the center of transformation. Today we are very very honored to welcome Jerry Johnston, a former I say a former resident of the shelter in Kahalu and the exciting story of her journey of transformation in her life. Aloha Jerry. Aloha, all the way from Kahalu. Alrighty, and what a con from dome home and we have a picture of your home for the last few months so that picture is the dome to home and we are talking about your success story. I'm excited to hear more about you and your story so let's get started. Okay, so can we start by sharing some information about the shelter and what it is for and what programs are involved here? Absolutely, thank you so much Wendy for allowing us to get this message out. The program at the shelter it allows participants like single moms with children of course they got to be drug and alcohol-free mentally stable and willing to work at a job and then also be accepting of a God-based faith-based program. We are partnered with IHS also known as the Institute of Human Services and what they do is they provide social services to an agency referrals. The term of the state is availability on the affordability that they have for their housing. It goes from anywhere from 9 to 24 months and they would either pay a rent of $200 per month or they have the option to work it off so it allows everybody to be involved in this when they meet the mom and child status and then also the program includes personal and social developing classes things like financing, parenting, all the good stuff that I learned and then the foundation of course is based on spiritual transformation of the heart which includes like Bible classes, spiritual development, church attendance and family and community services and that's program. Wow all of that all of that is very important because you know you can put a roof over your head but if you're not from the inside out you still just have a roof over your head so that's again glad that you shared a little bit about the shelter with us so what is it for what is involved in the programs that you go through there? Basically we have the classes like I was talking about we have parenting classes that's so important for us because that's things that we don't get taught even financial classes I never was really taught how to you know work on my finances you know so it's like just your life just goes on and and you make a lot of mistakes but when you're in a program like this they they provide you things like that and conflict management career preparation and just getting you into the job market basically yeah so that's the type of programs they have here at the shelter. Well that's exciting I know that once you get into the program you know you have to maintain a certain level of conduct and so I know that after about two months into the program they're gonna assess you and check out what you're doing and how you're how you're doing in your day-to-day activities and growth can you share with us what did you experience you know going through this for being assessed? I'm sorry I didn't hear the question too good there was a little bit of break but basically maybe why don't we go into the survey that was shared so about a couple months into the program what we were given was a survey to to talk about the different things that we were feeling about the shelter and some of the answers were like safety security peace protection from the world and the opportunity to find God for me it was all of these things you know having the safety and security aspect for my children you know when a family goes through trauma it's really tough to feel safe especially if you're living on the streets and you know you've experienced beatings and you've experienced your things being stolen all of that is very important at that point to have and then the protection from the world you know we're living on holy land I don't know how else to say it but it feels so peaceful and and having that opportunity to know the peace of God is just amazing that you don't really get that in living your day-to-day life in the outside world I guess you can call it right yeah knowing that Kea cool is right there with you supporting you and guiding you holding your hand in your heart day to day I mean that's very very comforting and I'm sure that's exactly what you feel while you're there on that shelter in the program and I think that's the main crux of what we're doing there giving you stability assurance that you're not alone always walking and someone's there holding you accountable and that and yourself holding yourself accountable because you know you're being watched and you know that there's a survey coming up so you have your baby at all and you know as well as I know the line out there on the street it's probably very very to get in and I know you feel your blessings to have gone through that program is that right absolutely I am a change person and it all is through a face-based faith-based program because that I experience other shelters and things like that and it's really different when you don't have that aspect of having faith in intertwined into the program right I think that's the hope that we can offer at these shelters you know and everyone runs their shelter differently and the success rate at the shelter will be very great because they are not doing it alone and that's so so critical so you know thank you for introducing us to the shelter program and talking to us about some of the day-to-day dealings within the shelter of the program the surveys and all that but let's find out a little bit about you now so who is Jerry and how did you come to find the shelter well I'm a mother of four see a picture of my four children that picture is actually taken at the shelter the one on the bottom and then the two children that were with me living at the shelter because they were under the age of 18 is the picture on the top and so my son is on 13 and my daughter's about 17 but I tell you we learned a lot so how did we come to the shelter you know sometimes you think that you've got all your what do you call that eggs in a basket right you feel like you you've overcome a lot of things you you know you can have a master's degree in business you can have everything that you possibly think that is good to secure your life but then trauma hits right and that's what happened to me that's what brought me to the shelter and it was not only my family that became homeless but also my mother was homeless so I was actually bringing her to the shelter to sign up and the shelter coordinator at that time was princess and she said I think this application is for you because we're actually a mama children's shelter moms and kids and I said oh okay and I thought that I had everything in line to just move on my own and it was going to be a studio and we were just going to live like that and just make it like we all normally do paycheck to paycheck um but I filled up that application and this was it just it just really was that flow well and I found myself at the shelter and receiving their services wow so could you share with us were you considered homeless or just in between um what was your status like before entering into the shelter if you don't mind me asking absolutely not yes um that's a great question I was uh just about to go into homelessness it wasn't something that I was off the streets but there are a lot of women in this shelter that uh come off the streets living in the vans you know even being pregnant and in their third trimester getting ready to give birth you know all of those things that we don't think about but those are the type of people that we're serving here at the shelter is people that you know whether you're coming off the streets or you're just about to go on the streets this is something that uh it's like a safety net that for our homeless um moms and children right you know and it like you said it could happen to anyone and you know especially in the times where we're at right you know we really have to um aware and sensitive to a lot of the simple issues of day-to-day survival and I'm sure the communities of villages the shelters um their lines are going to get even longer and um because of what's going on today um so it's no fault of anyone except it's we find ourselves that you know I sat on the board of directors for about 15 years river of life mission and I I often went to feed the people and um really dedicated my life to serving the houseless community and the people of need and I used to bring my children there all the time and I just wanted to remember that we're very blessed but that anyone in a shelter or even at the soup kitchen receiving food and it's a matter of making sometimes not I mean it's not even making a wrong decision it's sometimes just where life takes us and so we have to respect everyone and everyone is created equal and so no matter if I have a lot or I have little we're all created the same and you always want to remember that we all believe the same color and that we're all created the same but like the shelter it offers you know people who just need that little assistance in that time of their life to just jump in and know that someone loves them and cares for them and that they're going to hold you accountable to get back on your feet your two feet on your own and be the created to be be the wahini that you were created to be and that's the success story of what was you know is in your in your story and in your future and what great knowledge you have experienced while there as well because I mean right you just took things for granted like we all do until it's taken away so I'm just so excited to just be be your friend and to continue to walk with you and hear your story okay so get back to everything so you mentioned um you have four your four children with you is that right or right and then so what about the safety for your children you're an adult you know what's going on what about the safety uh with your children and how did the shelter protect or provide that for you and your family the safety issue well it is uh secured grounds uh and without going too far into the trauma that we experienced it's really nice to be in a place that your children feel like they can sleep because a lot of nights there were times that they didn't feel comfortable sleeping um and then when we came to the shelter we had that just that peace and and ability to feel safe because even having security on site you know that was even implemented and I tell you like my son would be ah I can sleep in the parlor today because I feel safe you know or um looking at your daughter and and seeing that she's resting well at one two in the morning so those are things that you just can't you can't buy that you you just can't it's something that's that you're going to live in a place that makes you feel secure and not only me as the mom but my children too yeah and that's the main key as a mom you want to feel that sense of security for yourself for your family and and that you're provided out of there and comfort but right now Jerry we will have to take a 60 second break we'll take a break take a breath and we'll be right back with Lord your amen sorry Mahalo Jerry Aloha I'm John David and the host of History Lens on Think Tech Hawaii History Lens deals with contemporary events and looks at them through a historical perspective or what we call a history lens the show is streamed live on ThinkTechHawaii.com thanks so much for watching our show we look forward to seeing you then Mahalo and Aloha Aloha here we are back with our amazing guest Jerry Johnston and she is a success of the shelter we love it about how you can qualify to enter into the shelter once you're in the shelter what what happens at the shelter and what we were just discussing was the security that she fell on the shelter while raising her children and so that's really important as a mother we want to know that we have some security and you know at this time with the coronavirus going on I just wanted to I did want to have different advisors that are running different shelters or villages or communities and I asked them what are you all doing in lieu of this outbreak and they all said that they all addressed the safety of the shelter as other as as as well as they can and that they are all honoring the stay at home guidelines by the city and state that residents are restricted to stay at home just like the rest of us unless they are essentially need to go to work so the shelter they are asking for self-reflection if you feel sick a sore throat or a fever can you to come forth no different than what we're doing here but they're really a being able to implement all of that and that's so key so another thing is they're limiting visitors into the shelter or just people coming about and just encouraging self-isolation and that's the key for all of us and if they're doing that great of a job in the shelter everybody out there we better start making sure that we do the same all right so make sure self-isolate and just be careful stay calm stay healthy and keep yourself busy clean the house read more and just learn more about how you can invent all that's what we all should be doing anyways in the shelter you are a community of families it's not just one I believe in your shelter there are like nine different families correct is it nine families or nine families total nine yeah so what was it like and how important was it for you know how important a part of healing did this shelter play in your life oh I you know I have a long list of reasons why this shelter has really played a part in my life but one that's super important is outside of everything that we learn in regards to having a a better relationship a stronger relationship with our father of what Jesus right our father and besides that the reason why I entitled it it takes a village is because we just weren't brought up this way you know a lot of people that are in this situation really didn't have the love growing up and you know hey I I had a single mom too but she had to work all growing up and we didn't really get too much time with her not not at her fault at all but um that's just life and um when I talk about having a village it wasn't only just the people that serve us at the shelter which being under payroll but it was also the community that made a big difference you know the windward community just huge allowing the shelter even to be here we are grateful and then also the community within that we had people volunteering to teach the classes we had even like the top picture it shows our choir practice one of my favorite and then you know just being able to have that direct connection with our pastors I can like I said the list can go on and on but that's the key with all these shelters it's people really need to take that time in our community to be a part you know help out because that's really how these shelters are succeeding is everyone's coming together yeah so you know what's really neat the shelter or even the village in white night what's really neat is that you are told and encouraged to practice what we're supposed to be doing already outside but because the world of the environment is so large it's hard to implement but with you being just nine families it's kind of a little bit easier to implement true community and that's what we're lacking a lot of and I think right now the lessons for all of us being self-isolated is just that get back to community get back to family and start building what's supposed to be most important for all of us to enjoy the rest of our lives so you know with the shelter providing of the sense of peace and security as a foundation how did you see and how did you use that opportunity to rebuild your life yes thanks for asking that question for I guess I guess the best way I can put it is it taught me to not be so self-consumed I don't know how else to say it but I think a lot of us know what I'm talking about is really caring only about myself only caring about my immediate family and how are we going to survive and how are we going to live our day-to-day life and really just live with the pleasures of the world I guess that was me right just being totally honest and what it taught me is it kind of like grew inside of me where I turned out to be a person that now I want to really give back and that's where I was connected very blessed to be offered a job at the Institute of Human Services at IHS and that was the beginning of my new foundation where I'm working as outreach specialists in the employment division and it's so important because as we're out there getting jobs for people that allows them to get out of that homeless cycle and so I am very blessed to be giving back now and if you even look at the the picture that's under the the heli to work picture it shows the community within the shelter and these are some of the mamas that we were all together getting ready for a convoy of hope so that was a super great success in fact another mom and her children was able to stay here because of the things that we did with convoy of hope so yeah just a great opportunity to build that solid foundation but more so I think it's really having my foundation in God because I really didn't really understand how to get that how to really understand how my father loves me because I never had a dad I mean I have that that's price this yes yes so Jerry you have been on a priceless journey you have been on a very priceless journey and one that you probably would not have experienced had you not been able to come to the shelter so can really quickly can you just share some of your life lessons that you learned while in the shelter just one or two I know you got many but just one or two yes so one of the great life lessons I've learned is really to put my whole life and trust in God because if I don't then it's it's not going to work for me the other great life lesson I've learned and now I've implemented into with my older two children is with all my kids is now I'm spending time with them and really becoming a mom I think that they were seeking for and not be all about work and be more about being that mom that raises up leaders in my family so yeah just love them wow that's excellent so I'm so excited about what's going on in your life I mean you just being a mama again I mean that's the best job in the world you know and I just know I want to just know how the new season in your life is anchored on God as you progress as you progress in your life on the master plan he has for you because everyone has a plan not everyone lives it but can you just share a glimpse into your praise report okay my praise report so on the last slide I showing as a new beginning the bottom I'm going to go with the bottom picture it shows the new mom that was able to move in as me and my kids really prepared the dome got it all cleaned up she was able to move in really quickly getting another person off the street and then that shows my keys right above her picture and then the two gals that's with me on the very top we were actually at a church event and they're both out of the shelter but most recently the gal on the bottom kailani uh she was able to just get her house with her children just a few days ago so lots of exciting things happening that's exciting so exciting so exciting well I know we could spend an hour on you because it's your life that we want to learn and guide others with but I just really want to share with our audience a quick little video that we have on the shelter so this time I'd like to watch the video okay our residents and staff deeply appreciate the support that has been given whether it be time labor or financial contributions coming to the shelter has really helped me and my family just by um unifying us and getting us off the street a place to live together um it's made it possible for my oldest son to come over and spend time with me and his little brother and us not having to stay out all day and try to find a place to spend time in when he found out that he was coming he was so happy and um he has his own bed not only that of giving us a place to stay um we are also very blessed at the shelter to be able to build our relationship with God and be able to grow together as a family and worship God at the same time and so I'm very grateful for that and um also to have the staff and family that we do outside of our family which is really nice to have that kind of support from the staff and the pastors as well. I am thankful for being given the opportunity to build my relationship with God and just experience his presence um throughout the year almost that I've been here I've grown. I'm very thankful and grateful for the shelter for giving us um roof over our head and for all the blessings that they've given us and we're receiving every day and also for the good help from me and my kids it just you know we're loving blessings for me and my kids. So we were really happy to be into the shelter with all the nice people and I love being in the worship team so we're just like really glad to be here and my brother loves making all these friends like everybody he loves he's always like can I go play outside with everybody so we're all just like really thankful to be at the shelter. God has richly blessed us in our first year and we look forward to what he has in store for next year. Once again, mahalo nui loa and la loa calcua. How amazing what we learned today is that we just all need to work together to be a part of the solution so thank you mahalo so much Jerry for your success story and for sharing your heart with us and we hope to hear from you all again with many many more success stories from the shelter. Aloha everyone and mahalo Jerry. Thank you.