NEW: Agency360 Quarterly Resource Newsletter/Focus on Homeless

This Quarter:

FOCUS ON THE HOMELESS

A G ENCY 360

Quarterly

Resource Newsletter

2018 - Volume 2

A G ENCY 360 Quarterly Resource - a topic driven newsletter designed to provide our partnering agencies with information, insight and ready to share resources.

COLUMBUS RELIEF

Columbus Relief works with those experiencing homelessness by going to where they are: in encampments, abandoned buildings and makeshift outside shelters in the Westside and Southside of Columbus. With only one full time staff, 9 part-time, and over 600 volunteers, they encourage and support by building relationships and finding out the specific needs of each individual they encounter. Every Saturday, they park their Columbus Relief bus in each of these locations and offer a meal, such as soup, and the opportunity for people to take a shower, get clothes, and other important resources for those living outside.

Amy Ramsey who directs Columbus Relief along with her husband Kevin Ramsey, says winter is such a difficult time for those “living on the land”. Through outreach, they try to understand what people need and what will get them to the next stage and ideally into permanent housing and financial stability. This process always starts with a conversation, and through their intake process getting a sense of what will work and “loving people where they are.”. There are hurdles that may make some resistant to change such as mental health challenges, people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), physical disabilities, trafficking, and substance abuse. Regardless, Columbus Relief presses on in trying to make a difference in some of the hardest to reach individuals.

Amy said the good stories help to keep her team going. One positive store is Paul, who was one of those hard-to-reach individuals that took some time to gain his trust and to get connected to services. Now he is leading a team of volunteers for Columbus Relief on the Westside. Having someone who knows what it is like to be homeless and outdoors, helps a lot. They can see Paul as an example, and this goes a long way in encouraging and supporting other individuals in the same situation.

Columbus Relief offers the following resources: Every Saturday 11:00 – 1:30 on the Westside and Southside. Meals, clothing, and personal kits. Intake and referrals services available.

Website: www.Columbusrelief.org

A recent visit and tour of Star House offered a glimpse into a special population of homelessness currently on the rise; youth homelessness. Star House offers a 24/7 drop-in center plus resources and connections to community services for youth who are experiencing homelessness aged 14 to 24.

Open 365 days a year guests have access to food, clothing, hygiene items, laundry facilities, showers, and a safe place to be. Beyond basic needs, clinical therapists provide therapy and case management, and partnering agencies provide on-site and community-based access to housing, transportation, health care, employment, education, legal aid, government benefits, ID cards and other stabilizing resources.

Youth who are experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for victimization. Often they are leaving a situation of abuse, physical or sexual, finding the streets preferable. Others have been asked to leave home because parents or a family member is unwilling or unable to care for them.

Sometimes youth in the foster care system leave for reasons of victimization and abuse. Even when youth age out of foster care at 18, many are ill equipped to enter an adult world and are left with little connection to community or resources. This has become a leading contributing factor to youth homelessness.

Homeless Youth Statistics

Up to 1.6 million young people experience homelessness

in the United States every year.

Over 50% Report childhood physical or sexual abuse
40% Identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender)
66% African American, 20% White- non-Hispanic, 12% other
48% Report a history of foster care/being a ward of the state

Youth are allowed access to Star House in any combination up to 12 hours a day. Staff will alert the youth when they are in their 11th hour and remind them when it's time to leave. They can return again after a 12 hour period.

Star House is proving that young people experiencing homelessness want help and that the unique help and environment that they offer is working. After accessing services for three or more months, 86% of youth obtained employment; 74% obtained housing and 71% received medical care.

Please visit starhousecolumbus.org/getinvolved to learn more about Star House and their work. Questions can also be sent to Lamar Peoples, Director of Outreach & Partnerships if you would like specific information or to work/volunteer with Star House.

LINKS

Hands On : 614.221.6766

Housing Information Line : 888.485.7999

Columbus Relief

IMPACT: P rovide short-term emergency assistance to help mitigate crises, reduce home energy cost, and longer-term empowerment services to build self-sufficiency.

Community Shelter Board

Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)

Columbus Coalition for the Homeless (CCH)

Street Card: STREET SPEECH a tool of empowerment that provides a voice for those experiencing homelessness and their advocates.

Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio

COMPASS : Homelessness Prevention

Matthew 25:35 Ministry : Offers shower and laundry for the homeless.

Ohio Legal Aid

Ohio Poverty Law Center

Star House : Y outh 14-24 experiencing Homelessness.

The Breathing Association : HEAP Outreach 614.566.0750.

If you have questions or would like to share your thoughts and suggestions for future topics and/or resources your agency uses you think other partners in our network would find valuable email Ann L. Miller-Tobin: [email protected].