As the residential services director for the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, I am responsible for overseeing both IFC residential facilities: HomeStart (which provides transitional and emergency housing and services for homeless women and children) and Community House (which currently offers emergency housing to men without shelter.)

Over the past several months, as I have read the articles about the pros and cons of moving the Community House Program, I have been thankful for the support but troubled by the negative remarks and conclusions made by some of the individuals who do not know the program or the men, women and children whom IFC serves.

In his June 16 op-ed column, Ken Brown wrote about an internal IFC confidential report formerly called the "Ban List." Mr. Brown, without proper knowledge of what the list means, cited the information as areas on which Community House should not be relocated. As the person who discharges individuals from our two programs and who puts this list together each week, I would like to clarify what it is. And while I won't breach confidentiality, I will share some general information that shows that Mr. Brown is mistaken.

The list contains the names of everyone who has been discharged from Community House and HomeStart. The best reason to leave is because the individual found permanent housing and long-sought independence. There are a vast number of homeless guests who work, follow Community House procedures and leave successfully with jobs and community housing. The least positive reason for leaving is that an individual broke a major rule such as threatening violence or bringing drugs or drug paraphernalia on site.

Any individual or family who moves out of an IFC program is placed on the list for a period of time which can be 30 days or longer. Sometimes the discharges are indefinite but are almost never permanent. After reading Mr. Brown's column, I reviewed the lists from 2005 to the end of 2009. During those five years, when the IFC served more than 3,600 individuals, 88 individuals were placed on the indefinite and trespassed list. This is about 2.5 percent of the total number of people who have been served during this period. In addition, not every person placed on the list was a client of IFC; some are trespassers who have been denied entrance.

Of the 88 men and women on the list, two were arrested for assault and one for stealing. The remaining 85 were discharged for reasons that included verbal threats, showing disrespect, substance abuse, disruptive behavior, stealing, medical and mental health, fighting, and destruction of property. Contrary to Mr. Brown's assertion, not all of these discharges resulted in an arrest.

Of the 88 individuals on the list, 46 have been discharged indefinitely and cannot return unless they agree to sign a contract and make changes in their behavior, such as participating in a recovery group. There were 41 individuals trespassed which means the police were called, the individuals had to leave the property and are not allowed to return unless the trespass is lifted.

IFC staffers respond to difficult situations quickly and are able to deescalate situations that can occur when you have large numbers of people, from different backgrounds and with very different opinions, living in a very tight space. Like any community - whether it be a dormitory at UNC, a subdivision in Carrboro or an apartment complex in Chapel Hill - Community House has a small percentage of residents who make bad choices. But like those other communities, the vast majority of those living at Community House are doing their best to move their lives in a positive direction.

I wish that I could say that we have a perfect track record for helping individuals but we don't. We do have a great program and a well-trained, dedicated staff - and the men, women and children who commit to working hard in our program can, and do succeed. For some, it may take a few visits for them to understand that IFC offers the help they need to put their lives on track. That is why the door is never completely closed to those who have used IFC services before. But at times, there are conditions placed on some who return.

All of this work is done by a small staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. It has been a privilege for me to serve with these individuals and I am proud of the men, women and children who struggle each day to make their lives better. Rather than belittle or label the individuals IFC is privileged to serve, the community should praise their strength, fortitude and their sense of humor even in the worst of times. I applaud those who successfully transition back into the community.