Compassion with Accountability:
A Real Solution to Omaha's Homeless Crisis

Omaha is grappling with a significant surge in homelessness, with approximately 1,609 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2024. This increase has strained our social services and raised concerns about public safety and community well-being. (3newsnow.com, Jan 2024)

As someone who has lived—if you can call it that—among the homeless, I’ve heard the same complaints over and over: "No one cares." But here’s the truth—life doesn’t change unless you change it. Opportunities might not be obvious, but they exist. Blaming the government, the economy, or some faceless system won’t change your circumstances. Yes, times are tough. Yes, jobs are scarce. But waiting for a handout or for luck to change is a fantasy. The Great Depression generation didn’t sit around waiting; they adapted, worked with what they had, and built something from nothing. The hippie generation turned counterculture into an economic movement, creating businesses from ideals. If opportunity isn’t knocking, build the damn door.

Instead of just giving to those in need, why not teach a skill? That’s how you know who truly wants to improve their life. There are libraries, community centers, and online resources, even for those starting with nothing. I studied web design and development while homeless. I have student debt, a disability, and plenty of obstacles—but I take responsibility for my choices. No one is coming to save you. If you don’t want better for yourself, you become a burden—not just to society, but to your own potential.

In response to this crisis, mayoral candidates have proposed various solutions:

Mike McDonnell advocates for the creation of "safe zones" to provide basic needs and counseling for homeless individuals. He emphasizes the need for immediate action, stating, "We must recognize this is an emergency and current strategies aren't working." (KETV, March 2025)

Jean Stothert, the incumbent mayor, defends the current administration's efforts, highlighting the appointment of a homeless services coordinator in late 2022. She emphasizes the importance of building upon existing programs. (KETV, March 2025)

John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer, focuses on economic solutions, asserting that creating high-wage jobs and addressing the affordable housing crisis are key to reducing homelessness. (KETV, March 2025)

Jasmine Harris, a nonprofit executive, criticizes the current handling of affordable housing and homelessness, advocating for more comprehensive and effective strategies. (Nebraska Examiner, March 2025)

While these proposals aim to address immediate concerns, it's imperative that we move beyond temporary fixes. Providing shelter and basic necessities is essential, but without imparting practical life skills and opportunities for self-sufficiency, we risk perpetuating the cycle of dependency.

Compassion doesn’t mean enabling. It means helping people help themselves. If you want a better life, go after it—no excuses, no waiting, just action. And for those who can try but refuse, don’t expect genuine compassion. This city has made it too easy for many of the homeless to avoid accountability, and now we’re facing the consequences.

Compassion must be coupled with accountability. By focusing on skill development and enforcing measures against chronic offenders, we can address the root causes of homelessness and create a safer, more prosperous Omaha for everyone.

Wisdom From The Guardians

The choices we make today ripple far beyond our own time, shaping the lives of those who will walk this land long after we are gone. The Native leaders of old taught that every decision must honor the next seven generations, ensuring a future where all people—regardless of nation, creed, or race—can thrive with dignity. True compassion does not hand down dependency but lifts others toward strength. True accountability does not cast away the struggling but demands they rise with integrity. If we build a society that fosters self-reliance while tempering justice with mercy, we leave behind more than policies—we leave behind a legacy of resilience. The measure of our wisdom will not be found in quick fixes or forgotten promises but in whether our grandchildren’s grandchildren inherit a city where hardship fuels determination, where kindness walks hand in hand with responsibility, and where no one is left behind who has the will to move forward.

Final Thoughts

One can haggle and complain all day, but there's no arguing the facts. Inspired by the legacy of Eric "Grimm" Hillesland, a strong advocate for the homeless and at-risk youth, his contributions to the current location of Omaha's Together Inc. have allowed me to see that genuine opportunities aren't simply handed to you. Some must be searched for and earned. Other opportunities must be self-created, with no looking back to the comforts of familiar surroundings, addictions, or other problems that contributed to the misfortune many face as a member of the homeless community. Grimm's tireless work helped Together Inc. reach countless individuals, offering them the resources and support to break free from these cycles. His legacy continues to fuel the belief that no one can truly escape without first taking the responsibility to change themselves. Together Inc.'s mission, which Grimm so deeply believed in, is to prevent and end homelessness in the Omaha community through services like housing assistance and a choice food pantry. These services, however, go beyond just providing basic needs—they offer the tools for self-sufficiency and recovery. (togetheromaha.org, 2024)

There are no excuses and no fairy godmother is coming to save you. Even the preacher who claims salvation can't offer it on your behalf. You must save yourself. Life may be difficult while you're struggling, but it's even more difficult when you don't try. The homeless community, in particular, faces enormous challenges—addiction, mental illness, and criminal pasts are real barriers. Some of these obstacles are self-inflicted, others are the result of circumstances and associations. Regardless, no one can provide true freedom unless they are willing to seek or create their own opportunities for change. Grimm's life work exemplified this idea. He didn’t just help others; he believed in the power of personal responsibility in overcoming hardship.

The truth is, homelessness is not simply a lack of shelter—it is a complex web of circumstances that demand proactive solutions. It’s about fighting addiction, battling mental illness, and breaking free from a criminal past—whether personal or through association. Together Inc., with Grimm’s spirit living on in its work, is a place where those who want to change are given a chance. But no one can make those changes for you. As a society, we must stop enabling dependency and instead provide the tools necessary for people to rise up and take control of their lives.