Happy Birthday Shankle Safe Haven!

(ShelterCare's Shankle Safe Haven Program opened its doors in January of 1997. Gayle Lewis, a longtime ShelterCare counselor, was there when it all began. Carla and Lindsay interviewed her to find out how the program has evolved and changes in the 12 years since it's inception.)

CD- "What was Shankle Safe Haven like when you first started?"

GL- "Well, it started out as an empty building with an empty, dirt yard." (laughs) "Yeah, it definitely looked a lot different then. When the program started, the initial idea was to provide services to folks who wouldn't traditionally access mental health services-the chronically homeless."

CD- "How were you able to reach out to these folks, at least at first?"

GL- "It was definitely a challenge. Michael Bogs' job at that time was literally to go out and find people-under bridges, under bushes, on the streets, you name it. Wherever he could find them. It took awhile for the program to fill up. There were originally 12 residential beds (there are now 16) that we needed to fill. Once we'd filled those, we began filling the 12 Day Program spaces."

CD- "What were some of the most striking aspects of the program to you?"

GL-"Well, we were one of the first programs to have Peer Advocates. The structure was also unique-we tried to structure it so it wasn't such a huge shock for folks just coming off the streets. The transition can be very difficult. The program was a pioneer of the Housing First Model, really. We gave them  (clients) time to adjust to a life indoors, and didn't try to force them to take on treatments and such before they were ready. I remember Susan (Ban, ShelterCare's Executive Director) once said that if we could get just one person to an appointment, well, that's a start."

LW- "How about significant changes over the years?"

GL- "Well, one thing that's changed is that we don't go looking under bridges for folks anymore. It's really become a word-of-mouth program, and we now have a substantial waiting list of over 100 people. It's still unique in that you can self-refer. White Bird also refers people to us. The yard is also no longer empty (laughs). Now we have grass, garden beds, a bike cage and a wonderful deck that clients really enjoy."

CD- "What are some of the greatest rewards for you for working at this program?"

GL- "Definitely seeing people get healthier. We help them access resources a lot of them weren't even aware of before. Some try treatments they haven't before and we see their conditions improve. Some even find housing."

LW- "How did you decide on this career path?"

GL- "Well, I went to school a little later in life. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to major in, but I ultimately went for Sociology. When I looked in the Yellow Pages, under Social Services, ShelterCare was the first listing I saw. It was actually the first place I applied and I got the job. I never thought at the time that I would end up working in mental health, but, you know, I found I truly love it here. I can't imagine being anywhere else."

(A room at Shankle Safe Haven)

ShelterCare Employees Play Important Role In Extreme Weather Response

(After the tragic death of a homeless veteran in Eugene during the extreme weather in December, a grassroots coalition was formed to address the lack of an emergency response plan for freezing weather and the homeless population. Until the city develops an emergency/disaster plan for extreme weather, this coalition will work together to ensure that emergency shelter is available to the area's homeless population in the event of extreme weather. ShelterCare is a part of this emergency coalition and has offered the services of its highly trained clinical staff to serve as leads for volunteers. In addition, a number of ShelterCare employees from other areas have also participated at the emergency shelters. 

ShelterCare's Human Resources Generalist Cindy Solari volunteered to help at the makeshift shelter at the First Christian Church in Eugene during the nights of January 25th and 26th, when the lows were in the mid-20s. This was the second time the coalition offered emergency shelter due to a period of extreme weather. The following summarizes what she told us about what was ultimately a very rewarding and memorable experience.)

On the first night, Cindy somewhat unexpectedly found herself in charge of the kitchen duties upon her arrival at the First Christian Church. With the help of her best friend Denise and ShelterCare's Assistant Executive Director for Programs Rebekah Lambert, Cindy's crew pulled off a highly successful dinner for which the guests (29 on the first night and 44 on the second) were most appreciative.

For the main course, the crew prepared a warm and hearty chili. A pleasant surprise for Cindy was how grateful the guests were for the salad the crew made as a side dish. The guests were also thrilled that the crew had supplied pears and olives to enhance the meal. Fresh items are extremely difficult to come by when one is living on the streets and many guests went out of their way to thank the kitchen crew. Many offered to help-with dishes, or setting up cots, or whatever they could do to express their gratitude that someone had thought of them. 

Cindy learned a great deal from the experience and felt reflective afterward. She was particularly struck by the story of one young couple. After having been homeless for nearly one year, they were happy to the point of tears over something as simple as not having to split up for the night (as is common in many shelters). The young man also expressed some sadness and frustration about how impossible it seems to be able to get back on one's feet after a bout of homelessness. He has a few incidents of illegal trespass on his permanent record, due to being homeless, which makes it nearly impossible to get a job-a crucial part of ending homelessness. 

Cindy was especially thrilled by the reaction of her best friend Denise. Denise had volunteered to help Cindy, even though it was something she had never done before. At the end of the experience she thanked Cindy for the opportunity to be a part of such an enlightening and rewarding experience. 

Thursday's Ready-For-The-Weekend Link List

Image: freedigitalphotos.net

Some links of potential interest:

-The cold in Camden, NJ has people sleeping in the lobby of a county administration building, as there is not enough space in shelters for the homeless population.

-The Slate has an article with advice and information on how to deal with being asked for money by people on the street. 

-Beth Kanter, from BlogHer, has a nice summation of reader tips on how to give in challenging times.

-Advocates for the homeless in North Carolina think that the numbers of people without adequate shelter are increasing, based on their recent one-night count. The Register Guard has an article with information on the one-night count in Lane County. 

Lindsay the Intern: Week Three Musings

(During week three, our Intern reflects on her own situation)

What is a home? Is it four walls? Is it a flushing toilet and a humming refrigerator? I am starting to feel a bit transient myself. My home is constantly changing and my future is uncertain. Am I homeless? I have a roof over my head; I even have my own bathroom. There is no doubt that I am one blessed little lady. However, I think there is something to be said for appreciating the nuances. My home is not the walls or the toilet. It is the love and friendship that wrap me up after a cold walk from school. It is the shared meals and the binding conversation that leaves me feeling like I have found a place to stay. If I took down all the pictures and removed my enchanting clutter, I would be left in a cold, white box.

It  makes me think. Yes, everyone needs a protecting structure, a sense of security, but what of it if it doesn't also provide a sense of pride and happiness? A room, is a room, is a room, until it's my room, or your room. The more I learn about ShelterCare, the more I admire their mission. Any organization can give shelter, but it would do little without compassion and dedication. ShelterCare doesn't just provide housing; it provides homes.

I am starting to realize that beyond writing this, I tend to take nuances and warmth for granted. I guess we all get caught up in our busy lives. When something is always there, we tend to lose sight of it. It is time to start appreciating the little things in life that make it so intriguing. Instead of focusing on my shortcomings, I think I will adjust my lenses to see all that I have in a new light. I know Thanksgiving is over, but we should all take a little time to be thankful for what we have, perhaps more than just stuffing and gravy? I thought so.

The weird thing is, I bet if you asked a homeless person, they would have plenty to be thankful for. Whether it is the community they live in, their family, or the shoes on their feet. 

As I scan my room with a tired yawn, I can easily see ten things I could live without. I see another ten things that someone else might desperately need. What could you give up to better the lives of others? A scarf? A pair of shoes? Think it over. I am going to.

Did You Know?

  Our first shelter

ShelterCare opened its doors on December 24, 1970. In the beginning, the agency (then known as Eugene Emergency Housing) operated a single shelter with an annual budget of $12,000. Average stay was 2 days in a 4 bedroom house where families pooled food stamps and shared shelter maintenance responsibilities. 

ShelterCare has grown considerably over the past 38 years, as the needs of our community have grown. The agency now operates 11 programs for 3 different service populations. 

During the last fiscal year, ShelterCare served 1,476 individuals. 

While the agency has expanded, the overall idea behind what we do has remained constant: to empower our clients and help them achieve greater levels of independence.

**Fun Fact: ShelterCare's original shelter was later used as the frat house in the 1978 film Animal House (after we were no longer using it, of course!).

  

Animal House cast outside our former shelter.

Volunteers Make It Happen

(Here at ShelterCare, we depend on the devotion of volunteers from our community. This morning, our guestblogger Gene Obersinner, ShelterCare's dedicated Volunteer Coordinator, weighs in on some of the whys and hows of volunteerism).

Why volunteer? There are many reasons...

- To step outside of yourself. Helping persons less fortunate or in need can help you be less worried about your own problems and issues.

- To help a cause greater than yourself.

- Volunteering is a way to meet new people and do new things.

- Helping others can be a healthy challenge for yourself! It allows you to step outside of your comfort zone, and learn and grow as a human being.

- Having a regular activity that helps others can be a very calming, grounding life ritual for people, one that provides meaning and zest to life. 

-Volunteering can be a way for you to express a talent or skill that brings great joy to yourself and others.

Volunteers paint our Shankle Safe Haven facility during United Way's Day of Caring, 2008

How to Get Involved:

- Go to www.unitedwaylane.org or www.volunteermatch.org and check out hundreds of wonderful volunteer opportunities in the local area. 

- Project Homeless Connect is Friday, March 6. This is an awesome one-day event that reaches out to over 1,000 homeless individuals in the Eugene/Springfield area by providing an impressive array of services and hope! Be one of over 500 volunteers to come and help make the 3rd annual PHC Lane County the best one yet!

- ShelterCare is often in need of volunteers to be companions for individual residents, to transport clients to appointments, take them to the library, help them learn how to ride the bus, etc. Feel free to check out our opportunities at one of the websites mentioned above or by contacting Gene Obersinner, Volunteer Coordinator, at 541-686-1262 or at gobersinner@sheltercare.org.

Thursday's Ready-For-The-Weekend Link List

Image: freedigitalphotos.net)

Here are some interesting links from elsewhere in cyberspace that may be of interest:

-St. Martin's Hospitality Center, in Albuquerque, NM is conducting a "Street Retreat", during which volunteers will experience what it's like to be homeless for a few days in late January. It's one of several such events that have cropped up in cities across the nation in recent years. 

-Here's an interesting article explaining how blast pressure (generated when weapons are fired) may cause brain injury.

-The December unemployment numbers for the state of Oregon are in, and the news is not so good.

-The economic downturn and punitive welfare policies are exacerbating the issue of homelessness for our friends Down Under. 

-NYC begins to make progress on the dual diagnosis front. 

Lindsay the Intern: Week Two Musings

(Our intern reflects on a trip she just took to Seattle).

What do the mentally ill, the traumatically brain injured, and low-income families have in common? No, this is not the bud of a cruel joke. All of these groups share an extreme vulnerability to homelessness.

I always used to assume that those homeless men and women muttering to themselves, or screaming obscenities must have reached that point as a result of street life and substance abuse. I now understand that many of these people simply either missed out on, or weren't awarded, services they were entitled too. It is hard to comprehend how these people can continually slip through the cracks.

In a perfect world, the minimum wage would be a living wage, and those affected by mental illness, or struck by sudden trauma, would have enough support and guidance to find an accepting place. Unfortunately, this world is far from perfect, and people are suffering everywhere. 

I took a trip to Seattle this weekend to visit my brother and meet his new girlfriend. Although my main agenda was to give my stamp of approval on the relationship, I couldn't help but find myself distracted. I had new knowledge about the homeless community in Eugene and it seemed to follow me. All I could see as I passed vintage shops and trendy restaurants were the shopping carts full of dirty clothes and people without a hand to hold. I wanted to find a way to help each one I passed, but all I ended up doing was giving away a hot dog.

I realized that I would be confronted with this dilemma in every city I visit. I also realized that although I can lead people to great organizations in Eugene, I hadn't the slightest clue of how to help in Seattle, let alone San Francisco. I guess what I'm saying is that it's in your hands too.

Go Google "homelessness" and your city. If you are a Eugenian, then Google a city you visit a lot. I bet a few agencies will pop up. Wow. That took a total of 5 seconds (granted, I am handy with a keyboard). Now just go ahead and bookmark them. Next time you find yourself overstaying your welcome on Facebook, instead check out an agency site and learn about ways to help that are specific to your city or hometown. It is abundantly clear that homelessness is a problem extending far beyond Eugene, Oregon, or even the U.S. If we want to seal up the cracks in society, we are going to have to put in a little elbow grease and take matters into our own hands. Hey, if you are feeling particularly giving, mosey on down to those agencies and pick up a few brochures. Information is crucial to enlightening and empowering the vulnerable. We have the computers and the time, all that's left to do is pass it on. 

Did You Know?

Many famous people experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. 

-Lauralee Summer, author of the critically acclaimed memoir Learning Joy From Dogs Without Collars, was often homeless as a child growing up in Oregon and Washington, and had moved 20 times by the time she was 12. 

-Ella Fitzgerald, the legendary jazz singer, was a homeless teenager in NYC before she was discovered in an amateur singing contest. 

-John Paul DeJoria, cofounder and spokesman for John Paul Mitchell Systems haircare products spent time as a homeless single dad in Los Angeles, working odd jobs and collecting cans and bottles before becoming the billionaire he is today.

As you can see, homelessness can happen to anyone, and people can rebound from it with tremendous results. From July 2007 to June 2008, ShelterCare helped 693 parents and children get back on their feet after suffering from a period of homelessness or the imminent threat of homelessness. ShelterCare provides short-term emergency housing for families with children in its Family Housing and Brethren Housing Programs. We also prevent families from becoming homeless in the first place through our innovative Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP).

Happy MLK Jr. Day!

Lindsay the Intern: Week One Musings

(Lindsay is our wonderful intern for Winter Term 2009. She's seeing the issues we at ShelterCare face daily from a fresh perspective. Each Wednesday, she will post her reflections on what she's learning and how she's seeing issues relating to homelessness in a new light).

Just the other night, as I scuffled down 13th Avenue in the blistering cold, a frantic man bee-lined toward me. "Please, could you spare me some change for a bus ticket?" His holey zip-up and tired face begged for a glimmer of compassion. Now, being the giving Family and Human Services student that I am, I handed him my only quarter and hurried on my way. Although I wanted to believe his intentions were honorable and sincere, I couldn't help but assume he was off to the nearest 7-11 in pursuit of a 40-ounce. Honestly, on a night like that, I wouldn't have blamed him.

If I had asked any other bar-hopping college student for a buck, he might have gotten the cold shoulder and a sly, mocking chuckle. This is not to say that there aren't compassionate, giving young people in Eugene. I have the pleasure of knowing many who would have matched my quarter and raised me some. However, I also know some individuals who would have left that man feeling colder and smaller than the ice in their drinks.

I often hear arguments about whether or not it is right to give money to homeless individuals. The majority of these debates leave idealists to ponder two types of people: those who believe in helping but don't know how other than the occasional nickel, and those who feel that giving a "bum" money enables them to continue living on the street and menacing society.

I can see where both types of people could make a point. A rough and dirty individual begging for change is not exactly contributing to a better Eugene. And yes, we should help somehow, but what is a nickel going to do, really? The bottom line, and what we all need to focus on, is education;educating ourselves about why these people are sitting on street corners and not in living rooms. It is time we start learning about services and support for the homeless people of Lane County so that we can hand out brochures, not laundry money. 

Although I preach the importance of giving back in a big way, I too need to learn some things about homelessness. I recently signed on as an intern at ShelterCare and blindly began fighting the good fight. And guess what? You have the amazing opportunity of growing and fighting with me! This is just the first of my many weekly blog entries meant to inform you of this fixable problem in our great city. If we can gain knowledge and change our perceptions of the homeless community, as well as take action, I reckon you won't be giving up your coins quite as often. Take away lesson for today: cents may not be the answer, but change certainly is.  

ShelterCare Awarded $2 Million in HUD Funds

Today, everyone at ShelterCare received some wonderful news:

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced awards for the construction of 88 units of affordable housing for the very low-income elderly or persons with disabilities in various Oregon communities on Tuesday. 

ShelterCare was one of the recipients of HUD funds. We will receive a $1,977,500 capital advance and a three-year, $168,900 rent subsidy to build 16 units for adults with chronic mental illness on the site of our Brethren Housing Program in Springfield. 

Did You Know?

-Currently, the number of homeless Vietnam era veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war (Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). Many of these homeless veterans suffer from mental illness.



-With appropriate medication and a wide range of services tailored to their needs, most people living with a serious mental illness can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence.

-ShelterCare provided shelter and support to 741 individuals in our mental health programs from July 2007 to June 2008.

A Warm Community Helps During Cold Times

This holiday season brought cold temperatures and snow to the valley. For many of us the storms provided a little holiday cheer and excitement, but for the homeless, weather like this can be disastrous. This year a record number of groups ran successful coat drives for ShelterCare. Barnhart and Associates Real Estate, Body of Light Family Chiropractic, the Eugene Active 20-30 Club, and a community volunteer group were able to amass a stunning quantity of warm clothing, providing our programs with enough coats and sweaters to outfit residents in need for the rest of the season.

In the picture above ShelterCare's development associate Brad Bassi happily receives a few of the many coats collected by Body of Light Family Chiropractic.

Everyone here at ShelterCare would like to extend a hearty thank you to the fine businesses and individuals that coordinated these clothing drives and helped to make the holidays a little warmer for some of the most vulnerable people in Lane County.