Change Around the World: Interview with Scott Muhlestein

By Emma Andrew

Scott Muhlestein is one of the few and far between who seeks goodness without seeking recognition. Over the years of our friendship, I witnessed his interactions with our local community and how it influenced those around him in immensely positive ways. The co-founder of “Everyone is Ohana”, an organization dedicated to assisting the homeless population in Oahu by connecting them to resources that allow them to succeed, he has changed the lives of many through daily acts of kindness. Today we discussed with him the importance of seeking the elimination of poverty and how he believes we can overcome this debilitating issue that affects the planet.

Emma: The United Nations has outlined 17 sustainable development goals that they aim to reach by the year 2030. One of them is "No Poverty" which sets the goals of eliminating extreme poverty. Can you give us a brief description of the work you performed with the homeless in Oahu and how you began your work?

Scott: I began my work as a student at BYU-HAWAII during 2017. The original idea was basically born out of a conversation with one of my good friends Jasper Mills one day in the summer. We were talking about how in our church there’s often a lot of talk within scripture about the virtue of helping the poor and the needy, but how we personally felt that we hadn’t ever really made a difference or reached out effectively in that effort. We began talking about how we could do that, and with our other friends Bryce Coleman and Tanner Smith we eventually formed a student organization called “Everyone is Ohana”, which aimed to help connect the student community with the homeless population in the area. The goal was to form friendships with the homeless community and in turn connect homeless people to resources and services that they needed. The work has been challenging and hasn’t always gone according to plan, but despite the difficulties, has been rewarding and eye-opening. We’ve made a lot of mistakes and continue to learn how to best help the homeless community in Oahu, and hope to keep learning in the future.

Emma: What did you observe as the biggest factor contributing to homelessness?

Scott: It is difficult to pinpoint a single biggest factor that contributes to homelessness, because it is a multifaceted issue with many contributing factors. Some of these factors in Oahu are lack of family support, high housing costs, mental illness, and drug addiction to name a few. The single biggest visible factor might be mental illness, as many of those in the homeless community struggle with mental illnesses, whether as a result of trauma or a pre-existing mental condition that their family members are either unwilling or unable to assist with. However, it would be unfair to broadly say that mental illness is the root cause of all homelessness in Oahu, as sometimes it is a symptom of the status quo and the isolation an individual experiences as a result of homelessness, rather than the sole cause. Of particular importance in Oahu are the high housing prices, which make basic living expenses and medical care unaffordable for many of those in local communities, notably (and tragically) those such as the native Hawaiian population, who make up a large portion of the homeless community. This of course can be traced back to the disenfranchisement of local populations and the results of the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii by the U.S. government.

Emma: Why are you passionate about helping the homeless? Is there a story you encountered that has particularly touched you?

Scott: I am passionate about helping the homeless population because every person that you see out on the street is a person that matters and deserves love. We have a tendency in our culture to avoid the homeless and label them unfairly. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from those who observe my work from afar that the homeless “don’t deserve our help, because they brought their own problems on themselves”, and that assisting the homeless can lead to “entitlement and dependency, so why bother?” To me this is a comfortable lie that people tell themselves that allows them to turn a blind eye to the homeless and continue with their day. I dare these people to come out and work with the homeless, to see if their minds might be changed. Sometimes just going out and talking with a homeless individual face to face, and treating them as human beings should be treated, changes a person's day and brings tears to their eyes. Experiences like this remind me that those who speak out against aiding the homeless often haven’t even ever tried. The truth is much more complex and difficult to grasp than the naysayers claim. People are homeless for a variety of reasons, and often come from very rough circumstances, or are dealing with extreme mental difficulty. People are so sure that if they were faced with these same circumstances and difficulties, that they would respond differently. I’m not so sure. There will be a time in most of our lives where we need the help of another person, and I think in that moment you might reconsider your judgmental attitude towards the homeless. That’s why I’m passionate to keep working with these people, to change others' perceptions and to improve the lives of those who suffer most in our society.

Emma: How can people help to eradicate poverty in their local communities? Do you recommend any organizations to volunteer with who work to assist those who are homeless?

Scott: I think one of the most powerful things that people can do within a community is to focus on local education. A good high school system with an emphasis on progression to college goes a long way towards transforming a community. Unfortunately, because of the way that school funding works, many schools in underprivileged communities get the short end of the stick in terms of quality education. Becoming actively involved in local politics and policies can help with this problem. Until our schools are properly funded, many won’t even have the chance to escape poverty.

In addition to that, becoming a local ally for the homeless in your community is immeasurably beneficial. You can be aware of the homeless community, and brainstorm location specific ways to help in ways that suit your community. Reach out to social workers and local food banks and volunteer. There's lots of opportunities to help out in ways that you feel comfortable. On top of that, the most important thing is to simply make an effort to see the homeless without bias. Change your heart and mind and then good results will follow. Fight the good fight.