Iwilei shelter marks 25 years of service

By Kalani Wilhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the past year and a half Jerard Venn, 41, of Kalihi, has been giving back to the homeless shelter that helped him get back on his feet three years ago.

Jerard Venn of Kalihi talks about the guidance and support he received at the Institute for Human Services three years ago. Today, the 41-year-old is a volunteer at the Iwilei-based homeless shelter, helping others in need. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Today, Venn volunteers at the Iwilei-based shelter five days a week — one of 1,889 volunteers, including former IHS residents and members of the community.

"People need someone who wants to sit down and talk to them," Venn said. "People need to understand that (IHS) is here for that."

IHS, O'ahu's only 24-hour emergency walk-in shelter, marked a quarter of a century of helping those in need at a midday gathering yesterday at its men's facility. About 400 people attended the festivities, which included entertainment by local bands and comedian Frank DeLima.

"For 25 years IHS has touched the lives and hearts of so many people," said Bert Du Teil, the widow of IHS founder, the Rev. Claude Du Teil, who died in 1997. "It has been an honor to be part of their story. We are working to end the cycle of homelessness that affects so many men, women and children right here on O'ahu."

IHS serves 6,000 to 7,000 meals a week, provides a place to sleep for more than 450 people a night and substance-abuse counseling to those who seek help.

The shelter was founded by Du Teil in 1978 and, at one point, was dubbed the "Peanut Butter Ministry" after the sandwiches it distributed to the homeless in Chinatown.

Venn is exactly the type of person that IHS seeks to help, said IHS spokeswoman Margot Schrire.

"He is one of the many voices that come through our doors," Schrire said. "Until there's no more homelessness, we'll be here.

"Everyone has a story," she adds, speaking about the many individuals who have passed through the doors of the shelter.

Venn's story began in Canada as a child abused both physically and sexually. He said he was teased while growing up. Introverted and with little self-esteem, he turned to buying drugs to make friends, Venn said.

It was after Venn came to Hawai'i and while he was at the shelter that he said he realized that the strain of drug and alcohol abuse got to be too much. He sought help.

He said the compassion of his counselor at IHS helped to lead him to the path of recovery.

"I'm so excited about life now," Venn said. "It is one of the most beautiful things in the world recognizing that."

He said he tries to inspire others to follow the path out of desperation.

Today, Venn's dream is to return to school and get a job. He looks forward to attending Honolulu Community College in the fall.

"Once I graduate and get my associate's degree, then I know I have everything," he said.