June 2023

Navigate Toward Housing “Nameless,” “helpless,” “indigent,” are ways people sometimes describe a person who is lying on a doorstop, trying to protect themselves from bitter cold wind gusts or from the scorching sun and high humidity. Do you ever wonder about their story? How did they get to where they are today? Sometimes clients come through our shelter doors with just the clothes on their back; without identification, and without any family they can rely on. Sometimes clients have major health concerns and are dependent on alcohol or other substances, and it is due to this dependency that they have burned many bridges and are alone. One night Jack* came through ImmaCare’s doors. It was challenging for his Housing Navigator to build a rapport because due to his drinking, he would either often miss appointments, or he would show up so intoxicated that nothing would be accomplished. The Housing Navigator was discouraged and needed to figure out an alternative plan. ImmaCare provides Harm Reduction services to people with substance use disorder which means our case managers meet clients “where they are” in their journey to treatment. As such, the Housing Navigator worked with Jack to identify the best time of day to meet before he started drinking, and they began scheduling his appointments earlier in the morning. This allowed Jack to be clear-minded and present during appointments, and they began making real progress. The Housing Navigator encouraged Jack to reconnect with his daughters and to take small steps toward cutting back on his drinking. Since shifting the appointments to earlier in the continued:

Client Survey Results Provide Valuable Feedback Each year, individuals served in ImmaCare’s Navigation Center are asked to complete a client survey as a requirement for our contract with the Department of Housing. The findings are presented to the Board of Directors, allowing for an easy-to-understand snapshot of how the emergency shelter is doing from the clients’ perspective, and where improvements could be made.    ImmaCare’s client-centered approach not only targets basic human needs for food and shelter, but extends to services such as laundry, employment, referrals for mental health and substance abuse treatment, among other vital services.  In the latest survey, clients rated ImmaCare’s services favorably regarding Shelter Environment and Safety, reporting they felt safe and had a clear understanding of the shelter’s rules and grievance procedures. Clients liked that the shelter is open 24/7 and confirmed they would seek the help of shelter staff in the event of an emergency or crisis. The highest ratings resulted from the “Working with your Case Manager” section, as findings reported that clients “stay in touch” and case managers “help connect with resources in the community,” as well as “help apply for state assistance, Social Security, and/or Disability.” Executive Director Lou Gilbert said, "ImmaCare is proud of ultimately focusing more on housing clients and not on warehousing them, as we understand that changing an individual’s housing situation impacts all other domains of their life, including mental, physical and emotional health."

Teresa A. Wierbicki Director of Strategic Development (860) 580-5644 / twierbicki@immacare.org

(860) 724-4823 | www.ImmaCare.org