Armory Serves As Emergency Cold Shelter

Well the efforts of advocates for the homeless community in Eugene/Springfield have paid off. The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted last week and decided that the county-owned armory at 2515 MLK Boulevard in Eugene will now serve as the emergency shelter for the homeless in Eugene and Springfield during bouts of extreme weather as often as needed until March 31. The armory has been dubbed the Thomas Egan Warming Center. Egan was the homeless military veteran who tragically froze to death during the spell of extreme cold the area experienced this past December. 

Here's a link to a Register Guard article discussing this topic. This is great news!

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

Image: freedigitalphotos.net

Alright, so we didn't manage to do a link entry last week (things got a little hectic around here), so we have a couple more links than usual this week.

The news in Lane County regarding the skyrocketing homeless count is not good, as was previously mentioned on this blog (here's the link to the Register Guard article again, in case you missed it). We are not alone in the challenges we are facing however, as this is a problem in many locales.

-The down economy and recent major closings have left many residents of the state of Idaho homeless and many shelters in the state are nervous about how they will cope with the increase of people in need.

-The state of Minnesota is generally a place that doesn't see many homeless in the bitter cold winter month, but that is not the case this year, as the numbers are on the rise.

-In better news, a much needed day center with counseling services for the homeless is set to open in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

-The Economic Stimulus and the Homeless: the recently passed stimulus includes an allocation of $1.5 billion dollars for services for the homeless and homelessness prevention. Shannon Moriarty has an interesting take on the good and bad aspects of all of the various breakdowns of the money over at change.org. 

-Foot and ankle doctors attending a conference in Washington D.C. will be donating thousands of pairs of socks to the area's homeless population. 

-Right Guard recently teamed up with the Salvation Army to hold a fantasy basketball camp for kids living in shelters in Phoenix. How cool is that? 

-Oprah recently profiled homeless folks in her "Faces of the Recession Series". Here is a link to a reporter's experience in a tent city in Sacramento. 

There, that is a lot of links folks. Happy reading!

Lindsay the Intern: Week Seven Musings

Of all of the valuable facts and startling statistics I have learned while at ShelterCare, I am still astonished by the correlation between traumatic brain injury and homelessness. It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Losing certain functions of the brain would cause a dramatic shift in one's ability to survive independently. So why the, when I rattle off this information in conversation, is it so surprising to everyone? I guess the reason it never crossed my mind is because a brain injury can look like a mental illness on the surface. Maybe some of the people we see on the streets aren't really "lazy" or "crazy" (as someone who doesn't read my blog entries might say), maybe they were just like you or me, working in an office, studying for a big test when BAM! Life dealt cards they weren't gambling on. I imagine no one places bets on cards like that. 

I have never know someone to suffer such a tragedy, but I have read an amazing book chronicling a woman's account of her husband's traumatic brain injury. If you ever have time for  a quick, eye opening, well-written read, you should check out Where is the Mango Princess? by Cathy Crimmins. Upon reading, you will see that the effects of brain injury extend far beyond the individual. 

The one missing link for me, especially after reading this book about how a family supported a man with a traumatic brain injury, is where does that support go for those on the streets? I suppose it depends on the stage of life when the brain injury is acquired and the willingness of your loved ones to shelter and support you. Either way, if there is nowhere to turn, there is still ShelterCare. They currently have two programs (Uhlhorn and RiverKourt) that cater specifically to those with acquired brain injuries. Whether there is a possibility of rehabilitation and independence, or a need for long-term supportive environment, there is a place to stay. I wonder if there are any other agencies out there that meet this need. Feel free to teach me something!

Results of the One Night Homeless Count for Lane County

-The numbers for the one night homeless count for Lane County were just released and the results are not encouraging. The count, conducted by Lane County Human Services Commission and its partner nonprofits (and an army of volunteers) took place on the night of January 28. Staff and volunteers tallied the number of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless, taking the search past shelters to area parks, food pantries, day centers, and under bridges. The final result was a staggering number-2,673- of homeless residents counted. This astounding number is up 27% from last year's count. This is clearly a community problem that will require a community solution.    

**UPDATE-Here is a link to a Register Guard article discussing this topic.

Did You Know?

-Mental disorders are common in the United States. An estimated 1 in 4 Americans aged 18 or older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion. About 1 in 17 American adults suffer from a serious mental illness. In fact, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States for Americans aged 15-44 years.

(Source-National Institute of Mental Health)      

  

-Chronic homelessness is long-term or repeated homelessness

 of a person with a disability. Many chronically homeless people have a serious mental illness that they attempt to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Most traditional shelters for this population require sobriety before a person can receive shelter. Recently, a revolutionary model known as the "Housing First" model was introduced. Housing First recognizes that it is nearly impossible for a chronically homeless individual will a mental illness to conquer addiction on their own and that by providing basic needs first, a person's chances of overcoming addiction and moving on to a successful life increase tremendously.

-In 2006, ShelterCare launched its innovative The Inside Program (TIP). TIP is based on the Housing First model and provides apartments and extensive case management to the chronically homeless in the Eugene/Springfield community. TIP currently serves up to 28 people at a time, and enjoys a tremendous level of success. 

ShelterCare staff member plays cards with a client

Lindsay the Intern: Week Six Musings

As I have mentioned previously, interning at ShelterCare has given me a heightened sense of awareness. I now ponder every homeless person I see. Where did they come from? How did they get here? What is their story and what would change their circumstances? Recently, I have noticed the tattered army green jackets and the "homeless veteran" signs. The more homeless veterans I notice, the more it makes me seethe. These brave men and women, who bravely stood on the front lines to protect us are now begging for scraps on the side of the road. The unjust epidemic of homeless veterans has got me thinking-those stickers are nice, but do we (or does the government) really "support our troops"?

Well here is a conversation starter for you: "On any given day, as  many as 250,000 veterans (male and female) are living on the streets or in shelters, and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year" (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs). Pardon my slang, but that is whack. I do not know much about what is promised upon signing up, but I have seen a few Army commercials in my day, and I know that the Army Reserves guarantees you a college education and job skills. Those who actually serve must be awarded these same benefits. Now that I think of it, the problem isn't the opportunities our veterans receive after serving. Instead, it is the lack of preparation and accommodation given to our vets that hinders their ability to take advantage of said opportunities. 

I have had the opportunity, through the FHS program, to learn a few things about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is most certainly a mental illness that affects one's ability to function normally in society. It is also a huge concern among veterans. 300,000 veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD or major depression since returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and it is documented that only half have sought treatment (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs). That is absolutely alarming. Notice the close correlation between the amount of homeless veterans and those with a mental illness. Coincidence? I think not.

Unfortunately, despite those well-meaning promises of education and pride, mental illness can rob veterans of the ability to sit in a classroom and gain the skills necessary to support themselves. Veterans are also forced to leave behind an extremely regimented lifestyle. They no longer have meticulous orders to follow and must relearn the simplest of tasks.

In my opinion, there needs to be an intensive treatment plan for all veterans who attempt to re-enter civilian society. ShelterCare provides individually based treatment, as do many programs, but the government should take responsibility for this nationally crippling problem. At the very least, a large chunk of change should be distributed between those agencies that attempt to rehabilitate war-torn veterans.

I am not really sure what we can provide other than compassion, gratitude and understanding. Spread awareness and seek answers for those who cannot care for themselves. The veteran population contributes greatly to the homeless population; if we can find a way to help them, then we are that much closer to ending homeless.

Did You Know?

-Numerous studies have shown that homelessness causes damage, sometimes permanent, to a person's mental and physical health. Lack of a stable home environment, constant moving around, crowded shelters, and life on the streets take a heavy toll. Homeless individuals are at increased risk of infectious diseases, upper respiratory infections, and a host of wintertime environmental impacts on their general well-being and health. Malnutrition and chronic dental and skin problems are common.

-Children are especially vulnerable, with research showing that stress brought on by homelessness can cause delays in their cognitive and physical development. Homeless children consistently exhibit more health problems than their housed peers, with higher incidence of infection, asthma, stomach problems, and depression. Individual experiencing homelessness are also more likely to have their mental health impacted, with higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, and nearly twice the rate of depressive and anxiety orders.

-At ShelterCare's Family Housing Program, families with children experiencing homelessness are provided shelter and support until they can transition out of the program and into a successful living situation. Parents are provided budgeting advice and job search coaching. Staff in our Children's Program supervise the children in a supportive, structured and educational environment while their parents work on improving their situation. This past fall, we even introduced a parenting skills course that teaches the parents in our programs how to be more effective in raising their children. We help prevent the tragedy of homelessness from reoccurring in these vulnerable families. 

Happy Presidents Day!

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

-Who is Henrietta Hughes? Well, she's a 61 year old homeless woman, who has been hailed as the "face of the economic crisis" in America, after a February 10 town hall meeting during which she told her story to President Obama. 

-The recession is causing an increase in the numbers of homeless families with children, according to recent research from the Funders Together to End Homelessness.

-Here is the latest news on policy and legislation in the area of traumatic brain injury from the Brain Injury Association of America. 

lindsay the Intern: Week Five Musings

(Lindsay has been busy over the past weeks visiting ShelterCare's programs. This week, she takes the time to reflect on the dedicated staff members she's encountered.)

Over the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure of visiting a few of the ShelterCare programs. From the community meals to the decorated walls, you could really feel the understanding and warmth. I enjoy meeting people who wake up everyday passionate about making a difference. Of the few that I had the privelege to speak to, both found their respective jobs on a path they assumed would lead somewhere else. For them, what looked like a stepping-stone ended up as a career and life mission.

I was inspired by their patience and willingness to go beyond traditional methods to inspire growth within a vulnerable population. Of course if they were in it for the praise and sel-satisfaction, they would be long gone by now. Change can be a slow process and not everyone crosses the proverbial finish line to success. Whatever the reason for, or result of, working with vulnerable people can be a demanding job. 

In class, we have been talking about burn out, and how prevalent it is in the human service field. Most of the people you will find working in places like ShelterCare's 11 programs, are givers. They give and extend and reach out for the betterment of others, and in the process, forgetting about themselves. As noble as their intentions are, what happens when there is nothing left to give?

I am not sure of my audience here quite yet, but I know that if you are reading this, you care. And sometimes caring too much for things outside of your own needs can lead to burn out as well. So I ask of all you givers, helpers, and caring individuals, those from ShelterCare and beyond; take time for yourselves too, so you can continue to reach your hands out to others.  

Did You Know?

In 2008 volunteers donated 8,209 hours to ShelterCare. The caring and committed work of volunteers helps ShelterCare provide state of the art support and treatment to our clients. Volunteer work includes office support, special events, client care, fundraising, and much, much more.

Volunteer Kimberly Almeda was recently featured in the Register Guard's Volunteer Spotlight. Kim works in the office at ShelterCare's Brethren Housing facility where she answers phones, helps clients, writes the program's newsletter, provides suport for staff. Kim volunteered 280 this past year despite going to school and working full time. Kim routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty and is always willing to help out in a pinch. Her decication is truly remarkable.


In the picture above a volunteer helps fit a bicycle helmet on a young a girl that attended ShelterCare's helmet give away in September of 2007. The event was sposnored by donor to help prevent brain injuries and raise awareness of ShelterCare's Uhlhorn Program, a facility designed to serve low income adults with aquired traumatic brain injruies.

For more information about volunteering at ShelterCare please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Gene Obersinner at 541 686 1262 or via email at gobersinner@sheltercare.org

Family Housing Program gets a Playground

On Thursday, January 8, 2009, ShelterCare officially opened a brand new covered playground at its Family Housing Program on Highway 99 in Eugene. At this program families with children who are homeless are provided crisis intervention services, 60 days to 6 months of emergency shelter, and support services. The program offers 17 units for families and houses a children’s program that looks after youngsters while parents search for jobs, seek housing, or take a few minutes to privately assess their situation.

The following local companies and foundations generously donated their services and money to help make this project a reality.

Bineham Construction
Bineham Design
Eugene Rotary
Oregon Community Foundation
Windermere Real Estate
Willamette High School

Pictured here Kevin and Brian Bineham officially open the playground at our ribbon cutting ceremony held this January. Bineham Design provided the technical drawings and plans for the playground’s cover while Bineham Construction turned this vision into reality.

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

(Image: freedigitalphotos.net)

-A church in Indiana is in trouble after opening its doors to the homeless on freezing nights recently. The commentary from readers is quite varied and emotional. 

-Officials at the Billings, MT Project Homeless Connect report an increase in the number of people seeking help. 

-Brrr...About 7,000 Minnesotans are homeless this winter. While it is legal to panhandle in the Twin Cities, authorities have imposed stiff anti-trespassing measures to try and curb it.

-In spite of a rough economic year, community members in Jacksonville pulled together to make a dessert competition fundraiser a big success.

Lindsay the Intern: Week Four Musings

(During week 4, our Intern finds herself employed and reflects on some assumptions she held about what it means to be employed, and what she learned about the sad reality for many).

For the last month, I have been tirelessly trying to get a job. I have scaled strip malls and scavenged Internet sites in search of a source of income to support my frivolous spending. FINALLY, I found work.

After my first day on the job, I headed over to ShelterCare for the weekly Development meeting. While we waited for the last few members to join us in the meeting room, my focus drifted off to meet my surroundings. The posters and pictures seemed to pop off the white walls, leaving me to ponder each one. Suddenly, a framed statistic tugged my mind to the present. Did you know that 40 percent of people living in shelters are employed? 4o percent! I was stunned by this news. You can have a job and be homeless? Forgive me if I have oversimplified things here, but if a job means money, and money means necessities, and a major necessity is shelter... why is my math not adding up?

I suppose that despite the fact that I am well  into my 4th year of college, I have never held a job that could afford me my lifestyle, let alone my necessities (Hooray for student loans!). It just floors me that well-intentioned people, who have taken the initiative to get a job, have to struggle to live. 

From my Family and Human Services classes, I have learned that poverty perpetuates itself. If your parents are struggling to survive off minimum wage, you are less likely to have the free time, emotional support, and financial support to thrive in a school setting. This means college may not be an option, and without a college degree, well... the good paying jobs just seem to slip away. 

I understand that many jobs require specific qualifications that one cannot gain any other way but college. However, those employers that are not diving into the graduate pool need to make sure they are supporting their employees. How functional is an employee if he or she had to spend half the night finding a place to sleep and the other half worrying about a slew of other pertinent issues surrounding basic survival. Shall we add kids into that equation? Sadly this is the reality for many individuals tossing and turning in rented beds. 

I want to have some powerful lesson or helping hint to change this situation, but this is a bigger task than those previously discussed. How do we as individuals rectify this unjustifiable issue? Compassion aside, it comes down to numbers. Many employers cannot afford to meet liveable wage requests for all employees. I hate not having all the answers.

With all of that said, I think I will take the time to plug a ShelterCare program. The Homelessness Prevention Program is helping to keep those families with children, who teeter on the border of homelessness, off the streets. How, you might ask? Well, donations, for one. It costs more money ($6,000!) to pull a family off the streets into a stable situation than it does to keep them out of poverty. Many families are just able to make ends meet, living paycheck-to-paycheck. One miscalculation or unexpected expense and life is no longer affordable. However, just $950 can prevent a family from reaching the red zone. It may not be a solution, but it certainly is a start. 

Did You Know?

-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is common among homeless people. In a Toronto study of people in the shelter system and those using meal programs for the homeless, 58% of homeless men and 42% of homeless women had a history of (TBI). For many, the TBI is acquired at a young age. 

-With proper support, many persons affected by TBI can lead satisfying and productive lives. Many are capable of holding a job, performing volunteer work in the community, and performing day-to-day tasks at high levels of independence.

-At ShelterCare's Uhlhorn Program (one of only 2 of its kind in the entire state of Oregon), people with TBI receive this vital support (which is often lacking at more traditional nursing homes and assisted living center). The focus is on the independence and self-sufficiency of the clients to the highest level possible according to each of their unique situations.