A Christmas Reflection on Homelessness

I wish you a Merry Christmas today and hope you are safe, warm, well fed, and feeling loved. Not everyone is, and today’s podcast offers a sobering yet hopeful conversation about homelessness, sharing shocking stories, news, and ways we can help.At Christmas time, volunteers from Joppa gather on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol to read the names of the homeless here who died the previous year. One of the most poignant moments of today’s podcast came when Abena Sankofa Imhotep shared how Joppa’s work unexpectedly touched her life in a deeply personal way.She attended the event at the Capitol with her church choir and was shocked to hear her father’s name read aloud. She had no idea what had happened to him, and joined our call to thank Joe Stevens, our podcast guest, for the services they provided him. Below, is a follow up note from her. Abena Sankofa Imhotep added her perspective to today’s column and the conversation with Joe Stevens, co-founder of Joppa. In this season of excessive spending, giving and receiving, the contrast between the haves and have nots is stark. As of January 2024, approximately 715 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Polk County, which includes Des Moines. This marks an 11% increase from the previous year. Additionally, during fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), the Polk County homeless response system served 7,940 individuals—over 500 more than the prior year."In today’s podcast episode, we dive into the critical issue of homelessness with Joe Stevens, co-founder and CEO of Joppa, a nonprofit organization based in Des Moines. Joppa is dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness survive, find housing, and rebuild their lives.Joe shares powerful insights into the human side of homelessness, the systemic challenges that perpetuate it, and the innovative solutions Joppa is spearheading, such as their Tiny Home Village project. This conversation highlights the resilience of individuals facing extreme hardship, the importance of community, and practical ways we can all make a difference.I’ve been haunted by the image of a city bulldozer destroying the last possessions of homeless individuals, watched by helpless onlookers.Whether you're looking to better understand this pressing issue or be inspired by stories of hope and humanity, this episode will leave you with a deeper perspective on why homelessness matters to us all—and how we can help. We closed the podcast with a poignant 10-minute Joppa video featuring homeless Iowans—a family of five, a veteran, a 17-year-old kicked out by his parents, and more—each sharing stories that remind us how precarious stability can be. After watching you might realize that we — or members of our family — could be an unforeseen disaster away from this crisis. On this Christmas Day, as we celebrate the birth of a child born without a home, let’s also remember this universal sentiment rooted in theology: 'There, but for the grace of God, go we all.' Email: [email protected], from Abena Sankofa ImhotepI host these discussions most Mondays between noon and 1 p.m. central time. I don’t know who among our readership will join the live call, but participants enrich the discussion through their questions and perspective. I was surprised to hear Abena Sankofa Imhotep share her story about Joppa, as was our guest speaker, Joe Stevens, founder of the organization, and asked her if she’d write something for this column today. Thank you, Abena. Abena Sankofa ImhotepHomelessness in Central Iowa has a new face, and too often, it belongs to a veteran. These are people who’ve sacrificed more than most can imagine, only to find themselves fighting new battles—PTSD, unemployment, or the struggle to access the benefits they’ve earned. For Black veterans, the challenges run even deeper. Systemic inequities often make accessing resources harder, and finding a community that sees their full humanity even harder still.I didn’t fully grasp the depth of this issue until one December night a decade and a half ago, when I joined my (then) church in leading holiday hymns at Joppa’s annual candlelight vigil on the west terrace of the state capitol. It’s an event that honors the lives of those they’ve helped, who passed away that year, by reading their names aloud. And then I heard it—my father’s name. I froze. I hadn’t known who had helped him in his darkest moments, but now I did.Joppa didn’t just provide him with shelter—they helped him access the VA benefits he’d earned, restored his stability, and treated him like he mattered.Homelessness isn’t just about housing—it’s about connection, respect, and the chance for people to rebuild their lives.If this hits home, here’s what you can do:1. Listen. Really listen to the veterans and unhoused people in your life. Their stories are raw, real, and necessary.2. Check on your people—family, friends, neighbors—and don’t assume they’re okay.3. Speak up. Challenge inequities and call out racial disparities where you see them. Encourage local leaders to prioritize affordable housing and veteran services.4. Be bold. Whether it’s through volunteering, offering resources, or just showing up, don’t wait for someone else to act.The fight isn’t over, it's just begun. The question is: How will you show up?Abena Sankofa Imhotep is a writer, speaker, and the founder of Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group. With over 20 years of experience in communications and advocacy, she focuses on empowering marginalized communities and elevating voices often left unheard. Abena is also the host of the Black & Privileged in America Podcast and the author of Omari's Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe.I am thrilled to be a founding member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Check out the roundup of columns posted by our writers from around the state. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe