Dysfunctional Communities - Part 1

Before getting to the gist (I don't know what that is yet) of this post a few things should probably be defined:

(It should be noted that these definitions come from the dictionary that came with my Mac with the elimination of those examples that did not suit the "gist" that I still can't figure out and the addition of some more examples not originally in the definition.  Also I want to point out that I left the "community of nuns" example" even though I don't find it a good one in regard to the part of the definition that points to "common ownership" when common or shared use is probably more accurate not just among a community of nuns but among many other hierarchical communities as well.)  

Dysfunction - 

• is typically defined as something that does not work properly like a toaster, a telephone, or a computer; of course companies and institutions can also be dysfunctional
• it also describes human behavior as in dysfunction is behavior that deviates from the social norm in a way considered bad.  

Community - 

• 1)  a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common: An artist or writer's community for example.

• 2) a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals: the sense of community that organized religion can provide.

• 3) Ecology a group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat: a jungle or an ocean for example.

• a group of people living together in one place, esp. one practicing common ownership: a community of nuns.

• a particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants: a rural community.

I don't know about you but I am already confused by this and here's why: While these definitions have remained relatively static over the years what they are describing has not.  In regard to dysfunction and social norms I think we can all agree that the "norms' have changed drastically from "when we were young" (whatever that means).  I am making no judgments here but simply pointing out what I think is obvious.  In regard to communities I think we can say the same as evidenced by the many "fringe" communities that are forming and growing.  The larger communities that we all know and love aren't loving back and alternative communities are becoming the "norm".  Personally I find these new communities quite fun and exciting.  Though I am not much of a joiner, for my own personal reasons, I am certainly a supporter.  

As the director of a homeless shelter the words community and dysfunction are words that I struggle with daily. I struggle with them in both a community level and an individual level.  I suppose that makes me one of the luckiest people in the world as I believe that not struggling with these words makes life a bit boring and possibly even a bit dishonest if not lonely.  

By the above definition the homeless shelter is a community.  It also happens to be a community in a particular town, which is a community and in a particular county which is also a community, within a particular metropolitan area, which is a community as well.  Though it would be nice if each community in this circle embraced each other that is not often the case.  

The individuals in the community (the shelter) sometimes get along and sometimes don't.  As the Director my role is sometimes counselor, sometimes friend, sometimes mediator, sometimes judge, sometimes investigator, sometimes cheerleader, etc. etc and the roles are quite endless.  At times I am a high school principle and other times a college professor.  Some of these roles are strictly in relation to the shelter while others are in relation to the other communities that surround us, I am part of,  and that I try to connect with the shelter for many and varied reasons.  

The shelter is a community based on several of the above definitions.  Certainly it is a community based on its one roof, though leaky, and its common walls that the folks that utilize it live under for a time period ( a period that varies for each individual).  In regard to ownership, the institution owns all the commonly used amenities and though it would be great if the individuals that utilize the amenities, that they don't own, as if they did the institution could save a few bucks.  Though some do, others don't and that is just the way it is.  In regard to those things that actually are owned by the folks that use the shelter ownership sometimes changes hands quickly when and if opportunity knocks or presents itself like some one naps or blinks their eyes or walks away without securing what they do own.  

Certainly the idea of this community sharing common interests, attitudes, and goals is pretty much a crap shoot.  While the common thread is homelessness, the uncommon ones of addiction and other behavioral health concerns, loneliness,  anger, age, education, looking for love, looking for work, waiting for disability to come through,etc. etc make the common goal uncommon and unshared except among possibly a few.  At times it is these differences that can make the community a contentious and hurtful one.  

Without having to write too much on dysfunction in this setting I hope you can clearly see where it arises. The dysfunction is also a matter of environment: the amount of people that share the amenities with the many and varied issues they bring to it, including health related ones, means that the sharing that goes on includes the sharing of germs, viruses, bacteria, and other illnesses.  At times this makes myself and other staff take on the role of Florence Nightingale.   

I obviously haven't gotten to the gist of this post yet.  Hopefully what I have done is intrigue you enough that you will come back again for part 2 and hopefully you will share this, and that, when it is posted and more importantly that you will comment.  I really hope that this can be a conversation on community, homelessness, the function of dysfunction, fear, hope, desire and a host of other important topics that you think on.  I also hope that I have been able to lay a good frame work for what is to come in part 2 and possibly 3 though I am hoping it is only 2.