Strategic Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Originally published October 15th, 2020. Please read updates in bold / Italic done on September 15, 2023.
SHO provides food assistance to homeless encampments once a week in which several community volunteers gather at the Mateel once a week to roll burritos, pack expanded lunches and distribute them to the homeless encampment trailheads. Houseless folks are also provided COVID information, masks, and hand sanitizers for when they need to leave the encampment to receive essential services. We also installed hand-washing stations around the community. Now that these programs are up and running, we are able to resume with our goal of looking for housing opportunities for our homeless clients we serve.
When homeless people have access to shelter/low income housing, they are much more likely to get help for mental, physical, and behavioral health issues such as substance use/abuse. Once these barriers are addressed, the likelihood of peoples ability to find and maintain employment and become contributing members of society leading happier lives increases. This results in positive community impact as crime goes down and there is less litter/panhandling, which leads to Garberville becoming a more attractive place for tourism and overall community well being.
When we participate in giving people a second chance at life, it’s a double blessing: one for our community and one for the individuals we serve. We understand that not all people will make changes overnight and instead it’s a gradual process with the appropriate supports in place and some may not change. SHO has been able to assist houseless folks to be more food secure, address behavioral/mental health issues, and temporarily shelter the most at risk during the COVID 19 crisis our country is currently experiencing.
Cathy Miller, SHO Board President
SOLUTIONS AND IMPACT TO DATE
Shelter and Supportive Services
Outputs – since March 2020, 20+ of our most at-risk houseless folks are currently sheltering in place and receiving supportive services and three meals daily at a local motel.
Outcomes – Since sheltering in place many of our clients have experienced a decrease in mental health symptoms and active substance use/abuse. This is primarily due to just having a safe place to be, access to showers/toilets, access to food daily, emotional support, and access to ancillary services. This has enabled folks to become more housing ready and feel hopeful.
Impact – Since sheltering in place there has been less negative community impacts due to less folks on the streets, sheltering in front of local business establishments, etc. This has enabled the community at large to feel safer especially during the current pandemic.
Lunch Program
Outputs – Up to 100 lunches are delivered weekly to houseless folks in encampments.
Outcomes – Folks are more food secure leading to a decrease in anxiety, stress and illness and an overall increase in energy and physical wellness. Houseless folks are less likely to get COVID if the don’t have to leave the encampments to search for food and they are provided COVID information and tools to stay safer. This decreases their contracting and spreading COVID -19, anxiety, and increases personal safety.
Impact – Less houseless folks are panhandling which can create a safety concern, less folks from the encampments are in the community thereby decreasing the risk of COVID community spread.
Community Showers partnering with AHHA
Outputs – Once monthly houseless folks are able to access showers in Redway at Redwoods Rural Health Center through a collaboration between Affordable Humboldt Housing Alternatives (AHHA), RRHC & SoHum Housing Opportunities. RRHC sponsors a once a month shower at Dean Creek Resort.
Outcomes – When asked what is most needed of persons experiencing houselessness, the reply is usually the same – a shower! Person’s experiencing houselessness feel better about themselves internally after having a hot shower. This also helps them to improve their individual presentation to perspective employers, etc.
Impact – When persons are able to maintain personal hygiene it keeps them not only emotionally more healthy but it also impacts their physical health, which decreases community health costs (less ER visits, etc.)
THE NEXT THREE YEARS
Resource Center – Plan, Develop, and Implement a Resource Center where folks can access a variety of resources to either assist them to get housed and/or reduce the potential of becoming unhoused. How will we reach our goal? Redwoods Rural Health Center opened up a facility that covers these needs.
Find a location
Develop an implementation plan
Get buy in from neighbors/stakeholders
Focus groups with unhoused folks towards developing services.
Obtain funding to support the location and services. Services may include but are not limited to; showers, laundry facilities, mail pick-up, phone charging station, storage, supportive services such as assistance with ID’s, benefits applications workshops, life skills classes (job search, job preparedness, communication, coping skills, social skills, self-awareness, budgeting, etc.), additional support groups (AA, NA, emotional support groups, grief and loss groups, etc.
Safe Camping Program – Plan, Develop, and Implement a Safe Camping Program where the unhoused can have a place to be, access supportive services, and have access to showers, bathrooms, and food. How will we accomplish our goal? See below under transitional housing.
Find and secure a location – work with real estate agents and other stakeholders.
Make our goal known to the community and get community buy-in.
Develop policy and procedures including pet policies.
Secure funding to support services and activities
Services, activities and supports will include providing folks with a safe place to be, outreach and case management, meals, healthcare outreach, linkages to services, portable bathrooms/showers, etc.
Transitional Housing – Plan, Develop, and Implement a Transitional Housing program where folks can continue to work on their individual barriers so that they are housing ready. How will we reach our goal?
Find and secure a location – reach out to real estate agents and other stakeholders. 9/23 Property located.
Ensure that the community is aware of our goal and engage them in the process. Community meetings held, KMUD updates, social media, Rotary updated, Chamber updated.
Get community buy-in. Practice our good neighbor policy. Our unhoused community are living in the moment , 24/7 survival mode. To provide relief from the stress and allowing for focus on building a better life benefits the whole community.
Obtain funding and resources to support facilities and services. County support from DHHS, Humboldt Area Foundation, RRHC, many other partners and a recent application for a grant that will pay for our vision of an emergency transitional shelter that will progress to a safe camp community is in the works.
Develop Policies and Procedures including eligibility, program guidelines, and program expectations including engagement in housing readiness services and assessed service plan needs. Completed.
The transitional housing will provide the following services: intake/assessment/service planning, access to housing resources, referrals, and access to services at the Resource Center.
Our grant covers all the above plus security, on site manager (s), Laundry, showers/bathroom facilities, commercial kitchen and so much more!!
Improve Our Organization and Operational Capabilities - SHO’s Board of Directors has identified several areas for improvement and steps towards improving its overall organizational and operational capabilities. Completed!
Note: Original text by Cathy Miller. Updates in bold/italic done by Patte Rae 9/23.