When the most-likely solutions can’t solve problems, the unlikely solutions are the best options

I recently visited the Harvest Center, a center of transformation for the non-chronic homeless, with my sons during its turkey giveaway. I witnessed the impact Executive Director, Colin Pinkney, and his staff make solving inequality and social justice problems. They take a holistic, upstream approach and address all the factors that cause someone to fall into homelessness. They help their clients by building up their physical and spiritual health.  It’s an unlikely solution to an age-old problem and it works.

Their transformative approach reminded me of ChenMed's healthcare model. We are a specialized practice for Medicare Advantage seniors. Usually in healthcare, the answer is throwing more resources at those with the most extreme problems. However, we focus on primary care, with doctors who build a relationship with patients that seeks to tackle much more than pills and procedures. The Harvest Center’s non-traditional solution was an “a-ha” moment. What works in healthcare – getting “upstream,” caring about the human being, investing in their physical and spiritual health – works outside of healthcare. I’m inspired that we can make a bigger impact on social justice if we follow this path to more effective use of the money our society spends on people in need.

Moving upstream requires building relationships to truly understand the upstream need. Policy and government are too big and blunt of an instrument to solve upstream challenges in local neighborhoods. Rather policy and government should create the opportunity for people like Colin and ChenMed to develop local leaders and local solutions inside these neighborhoods that can make a measurable difference under the context of close personal relationships. 

 As we move into 2021, let’s push ourselves to reimagine the way we think about all the injustices we see and want to fix. Let’s get beyond throwing money at downstream problems. Kudos to the Harvest Center for the great work they do and, opening my eyes to a better way to make a difference in achieving social justice.