Homelessness task force makes strides

Volunteers, donations needed for Homeless Connect event

As the number of homless people in Jefferson City grows, so has the number of benevolent individuals hoping to help.

A year ago, a homelessness task force began to consider intervention options.

Since then, they have completed a resource guide, specifically tailored for those in a homeless situation, which is available at the Missouri River Regional Library website.

Next month, the task force will host the first Project Homeless Connect in Jefferson City, with the support of a $10,250 Community Development Block Grant through the city.

After that, the task force plans to reorganize to better tackle the larger obstacles, such as transportation and housing.

When the small group at First Baptist Church expanded into the community-wide Homelessness Task Force in September 2014, it targeted three focus areas.

The resource guide is done. Also, the Project Homeless Connect is a significant step toward the goal of raising awareness and training advocates. The third original focus was improving shelter capacity, which is a longer-term project.

Several task force members work for local agencies who serve some clients who are homeless. Also, several of the participating churches serve community meals and have other ministries, which have allowed them to get to know individuals living in homelessness on a personal level, said Kristen Hilty, fundraiser chairman.

"Once you have talked to somebody, get to know their story, it makes a difference," Hilty said.

Now, the task force hopes to continue growing as more people become aware of the issues facing fellow Jefferson Citians.

"Homelessness does not fit into a mold," Hilty said. "We're breaking stereotypes. They're often not who we think they are.

"They're not always the chronic guy under the bridge."

Also, the numbers are increasing. The most recent Point in Time Count, estimated 125, but that doesn't include those living with family or friends.

People are living in storage shelters, their cars, motels or moving from couch to couch.

Often people don't identify themselves as homeless, which makes it all the more difficult for local agencies to serve them, said Natalie Newville, marketing chairman.

Many reasons exist for why someone might find themselves homeless, said Tyrkea Brandon, services co-chairperson. The early task force members particularly were surprised at the number of families in recent economic crisis and the number of homeless teenagers.

With only 40 beds, The Salvation Army is not equipped to help them all. Similarly, public housing currently has a waiting list of more than three months, and the Section 8 housing is closed.

The availability of safe, affordable housing is a huge obstacle, Newville said. Sometimes people have poor rental history or won't pass a background check. Then, there's the huge upfront costs for deposit, plus first-month's rent and utilities. Some people may have outstanding energy bills that must be paid before someone will rent to them.

Then, there's simply the emotional stress, worrying about the basic levels on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, volunteer Sara Nichols said.

"It's hard work to be poor," she said.

The Oct. 13 Project Homeless Connect will bring together many services in one day to help remove some of those barriers.

"If you're not in this world, you don't see them," Newville said.

Project Homeless Connect is an established program, originating in San Francisco in 2004 and modeled in more than 260 U.S. cities since, Newville said.

The local event is specifically designed to serve those who are currently homeless or in eminent threat of becoming so, Nichols said.

From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct 13, First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church and First Christian Church hope to host up to 175 people living in homelessness. To do that, they will need up to 200 volunteers, who will be trained in advance.

A volunteer and guest will be paired for the day, allowing time for a relationship to develop and to relieve the burden of stress for a day.

The street between these three downtown churches will be closed to create a fun and relaxing environment with music, art and games.

"We hope it will be a day of rest from being homeless," Nichols said.

The grant will help provide medical, dental and vision screenings at no cost. Also, it will cover expenses for birth certificates, non-driver's identification cards and bus passes.

Other services that day will include housing information, job placement services, laundry services, haircuts, shower facilities, food, hygiene items, and addiction and counseling services.

Each guest to the Project Homeless Connect day also will receive comfort kits. To fill these packs, local churches and organizations are encouraged to donate items including men's clothing, coats and jackets, white socks and dental hygiene supplies.

A donation event will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 26 to collect these items.

The task force also is collecting donations to provide further cost-free services to their guests, such as flu shots and a catered meal.

Transportation will be provided that day, too.

"Having these services all under one roof on one day, provides our guests with a unique opportunity to receive the services they need to achieve a greater level of success," the event's promotional materials state.

Email [email protected] for more information.