“They’re not resistant; they’re underserved.” That’s how Bernie Hart describes the people that society often labels as “hard to help.” For over a decade, Hart has been challenging those labels with his free Tai Chi program at Salt Lake City’s Library Square. Every Monday morning, participants find more than exercise; they find a community, a purpose, and a rare sense of hope.

Salt Lake City’s Library Square is more than just a gathering spot—it’s become the unlikely stage for this transformative experiment in tackling homelessness and mental health. Bernie’s program isn’t flashy. There are no multimillion-dollar facilities or lofty promises. It starts with a simple gesture: breakfast and a warm welcome. From there, participants join a Tai Chi session designed to promote balance—both physically and emotionally. Many have cycled through shelters and programs that couldn’t meet their needs. “They get something from us that makes their day better,” Bernie says. “It’s not just about Tai Chi; it’s about connection.”

Bernie is blunt about the shortcomings of the current system. He takes aim at nonprofits that, in his view, are more concerned with keeping donors happy than producing real results. “Nonprofits often focus on making donors feel good about their investment,” he says. “But where’s the data showing real progress? Why does the problem keep growing?”

He’s not wrong to ask these questions. Utah’s homelessness crisis has only deepened in recent years, and despite millions of dollars pouring into shelters and services, success stories are few and far between. “If these programs were working,” Hart argues, “you’d see fewer people in need, not more.”

So what makes Hart’s approach different? For starters, it’s personal. His Tai Chi program is rooted in connection and mutual respect. Participants aren’t just recipients of charity; they’re active contributors to a community. Bernie believes in the power of ideas over dollars. “The ideas do the healing,” he says. “Not the money. You expose people to an idea, and that can change everything.”

The program operates on a fraction of the budget that traditional rehab or mental health initiatives require. Yet its impact is profound. Bernie recounts stories of participants who have turned their lives around—not overnight, but through consistent engagement and support. Even in the middle of a snowstorm, 25 people showed up to practice Tai Chi, stepping out of their tents and into a community that values them.

Hart’s criticisms of the status quo don’t stop at nonprofits. He questions the entire framework of how homelessness and mental health are addressed in Utah. “The same failed models are being used over and over,” he says. “Wraparound services, addiction programs, mental health treatments—all implemented without evidence of success.” He’s particularly frustrated by the lack of outcome tracking. “If you can’t show that your program works, why are we funding it?”

Bernie’s approach isn’t just about Tai Chi. It’s about rethinking the way we help people. He believes we’re trying to solve spiritual deficits with material solutions. “We need to focus on what’s missing inside,” he says. “Whether it’s through Tai Chi, prayer, or community, people need something that reconnects them to themselves and others.”

Hart’s ideas may seem radical to some, but they’re grounded in real-world observations. He recalls a participant whose parents, desperate and out of options, left her at a shelter. Years of institutional interventions didn’t help. But through Tai Chi, she found a small measure of stability. “Her story isn’t unique,” Bernie says. “It shows how badly we need alternatives.”

As Utah continues to grapple with a growing crisis, Bernie Hart’s program offers a glimmer of hope. It’s a call to action for everyone—donors, policymakers, and community members—to demand better. “We have to do more than just check boxes,” he says. “Buying blankets or writing checks isn’t enough. We need real solutions, and that starts with honest conversations about what works.”

For those ready to join the conversation, Bernie’s message is clear: Be proactive. Scrutinize where your money goes. Ask nonprofits for evidence of success. And above all, be open to new ideas. “The current system isn’t working,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t find something that does.”

To learn more about Bernie Hart’s Tai Chi program or to support his efforts, visit understandingusnonprofit.org.