JUSTIN PHILIPS
Justin Phillips standing in front of the volunteer group for the annual statewide Point-in-Time count. (Courtesy of Star-Advertiser || Jamm Aquino)
"I found a job that I love. It doesn't pay much... but it fills me up."
- Justin Phillips, IHS homeless outreach field manager
Justin Phillips, 44, is the homeless outreach field manager for the Institute for Human Services. He goes out everyday and helps those that are living on the streets of Oahu. For him, it's more than a job...
It's a way of helping those that are where he once was.
Back in 2007, Justin was living on the streets of Downtown Honolulu, alcohol fueling his need to work.
He got off at the bus stop near Aala Park and walked down to the Iwilei Salvation Army. He was in search of a job that would pay for his booze.
Little did he know that it would change his life for good.
"I went there to get drunk," said Justin. "I ended up getting sober."
Justin found his way to IHS and has been there for the past seven years. He's been working with the homeless individually, engaging in one-on-one conversations to get to know them better.
When he goes out on his outreach walks, he doesn't have an end-goal in mind for the day.
"I am goal-less," said Justin. "I think I would be setting myself up if I had 20 different goals."
It does take dedication and perseverance to do his job, though. Justin will see about 200 homeless people during outreach, talk to 20 and only be able to help five at the end of the day.
Sometimes it takes years to convince someone to go into housing.
But with every person that goes into housing, it's an accomplishment for him.
"I found a job that I love," he said. "It doesn't pay much, but it fills me up."
When he's not working, he's working on a bachelors degree in psychology through the Southern New Hampshire University online program. He's been working on it for the past five years, but he's close to his goal and is even debating on getting his Master's degree.