The Portland Press Herald’s recent coverage of and discussion regarding Bayside is shining a much-needed light on an unacceptable situation. Many of the articles, op-eds, letters and comments demonstrate an understanding that the issues are complex, with no simple solution. But some persistent, overly simplistic narratives are counterproductive to the course of real progress.

One particularly unhelpful narrative is that we shouldn’t criticize those who are trying to do something positive. But when the problem is this huge, complex and tragic, everyone who has a stake in these issues should be taking a long, hard look at what they and others are doing, and be open to making changes to be more effective. The harm of this narrative is particularly apparent in relation to the Preble Street Resource Center, one of the largest organizations in Portland engaging in social service work.

In Randy Billings’ May 6 news article, Preble Street Resource Center Executive Director Mark Swann says, “People are asking for help and we have nothing for them.” He also says “There really is no role for us” in addressing what happens outside their doors. These statements raise this question: Is the organization a solution, or part of the systemic problem? Providing a hot meal and a sympathetic ear sounds nice, but when at-risk people have to run through a gantlet of risks to get it, and you’re doing nothing to mitigate those risks, and you aren’t able to provide real help, it starts to look a lot like a trap, perpetuating the cycle that you should be aiming to stop.

Portland’s social ills don’t start and end with Preble Street Resource Center, or any other agency or city department. But if we are to address these issues, we must address failures as well as successes. We can’t keep celebrating the nobility of a mission while ignoring the misery of the results.

Laura Cannon

Portland