Seeking refuge at Benilde Hall: homeless veterans find the atmosphere of a Kansas City shelter most rewarding. It serves as a model for others to emulate

VFW Magazine, June-July, 2002 by Janie Blankenship

Kenneth Pegue had it all. A firefighter for the Kansas City Fire Department, Pegue had a loving wife and two beautiful little daughters. He planned to retire from a rewarding career with the KCFD.

Unfortunately, a poor choice of friends and taunting demons from his past led him down a different path. This Vietnam veteran found himself without a family, home or career. The only thing he had left was a serious drug addiction. Pegue cashed in his homelife at Kansas City crack houses.

Following the loss of his family, he abused drugs for another six years before hitting bottom. It's a time he remembers well. "I borrowed a friend's car to go out to a Ventures store," he said. "Two days later, I still hadn't made it."

Instead, Pegue ended up in a "dope house." Deep down, he was ready to get help. He found the strength to drive to the Kansas City VA Medical Center (VAMC) on the weekend. Unfortunately, drug counselors weren't available then and he was told to come back on Monday.

What happened next, he said, "was an act of God." He was admitted to the psych ward. "I said to them, `Look, I really want help, but if I leave here I'll go get more dope.' So they admitted me."

Pegue said that was the longest weekend of his life. He shared a room with a deranged man who ranted all night and urinated on himself. "That was my wake-up call," Pegue said.

With the aid of a strict treatment program and a determination to get well, Pegue answered that call and found himself at Godfrey Kobets-Benilde Hall, a place he still fondly refers to as his "home away from home."

LEARNING TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT

Established in 1986 by Kansas City philanthropist Godfrey Kobets, Benilde Hall is a 51-bed transitional living facility for the down and out--men who are recovering from drug and alcohol addictions and who are usually homeless. It is funded primarily by private donations, but also government grants.

As of April, 31 of the beds were occupied by veterans. This number is high because of a referral program Benilde has with Kansas City's VAMC.

Lura Gardner, VA coordinator for the Healthcare for the Homeless Veteran program, works with legitimate vets in placing them in transitional living centers like Benilde. In the greater Kansas City area there are 1,600 homeless veterans, according to a VA report on homelessness.

"There are a lot of treatment centers in Kansas City, but Benilde is always first on the list for people wanting help," Gardner said.

But getting in takes more than just wanting it. First, Gardner must verify veteran status. Next, a VA addiction counselor evaluates the veteran. Following the evaluation, the veteran is admitted into a substance abuse treatment program, preferably at VA, and must be "clean" for a minimum of 14 days before being considered for placement at Benilde.

Gardner's next step is to send patient information to Benilde, which has a panel to screen potential residents. Once the patient is accepted, Gardner gives him an admissions voucher and sends him on his way to his new home.

"If I can help one guy out of 20, it's rewarding," she said.

When most arrive at Benilde, formerly Queen of the World hospital, they are unemployed. A Missouri work force representative comes every Tuesday to assist with job placement. Completed education levels range from no high school diploma to those holding master's degrees. About 40 current residents have jobs now.

According to Linus Benoit, the home's director since 1997, it's important for residents to hold down a job because it's a big step in becoming self-sufficient.

For $13 a day, residents get three square meals, more-than-comfortable sleeping quarters, commons areas complete with televisions and fish tanks and one-on-one and group counseling.

The facility has a lot to offer those wanting to overcome drug and alcohol problems. In return, Benoit expects residents to follow the rules. He runs a tight ship because he has to. Every Monday is a mandatory house meeting. It's a time for residents and/or staff to get "stuff" off their chests--to clean the air. Benoit, who first came to Benilde as clinical supervisor in 1994, accepts no excuses for absence from these meetings. Nor does he practice tolerance for those who break rules.

"There is absolutely no smoking anywhere in the facility," he said. "If you're caught smoking or tampering with a smoke detector, you're gone. There are no warnings here."

Pegue, who moved out in 1998, remarried and now works for the Kansas City Fire Marshal's office, is a severe enforcer of the rules. Every Saturday, he goes to Benilde to do room checks.

"If I find anything against policy, or anyone smoking, they're out of here," Pegue said. As a reminder, signs are posted all over Benilde that read: "If you smoke, we'll help you pack your bags." And they mean it.

But as Benoit pointed out, anyone who leaves on good terms can come back. Generally, residents are encouraged to stay for one year, enabling them to become stronger-willed.

In Pegue's case, he was allowed to stay two years because he knew after one he wasn't ready.