The CHOC is still on the move…
June 28, 2008 – 8:53 pm
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Summer is officially here and the CHOC is still moving towards new goals, new heights, and now new distances.
With your support and the support of both public and private parties we are soaring to new heights. Read on to see how you can help us.
| The last update mentioned the support of Friends Central High School and their fundraising efforts and talent to help us build a storage area for the folks that come to us. Their work is finished and the storage area completed. The students managed to get the wood donated so they were able to give us a check for $ 293.00 to purchase the bins needed to store our client’s belongings in an orderly and healthy fashion. Thank You! |
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Though our new sprinkler system is installed we are still waiting for other construction to begin. We are anxious and ready to begin we are just waiting on the powers that be to approve our construction plans.
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Though there are many new program enhancements coming one of the newest involves using a tried and true program in a new way. Homelessness, as some of you may know, is often about waiting… waiting for benefits to turn on, waiting for a job, waiting for affordable housing. In an effort to make that wait time more productive and beneficial for the folks we serve, as well as those that partner with us, we are partnering with an organization that we believe will help enhance the lives of those we serve while encouraging more community participation and involvement:
We will be partnering with Consultants in Context, another RHD program, to provide peer support for our residents. Peer Support interns will engage our residents in encouraging relationships that will get them out of the shelter and assist them with finding jobs or volunteer opportunities, locating housing, accompanying them to appointments, joining them for lunch in the community or simply enjoying a movie or cultural event together. Community Peer Support is a tried and true method for assisting and encouraging folks on the journey of fulfilling their dream on the road of recovery. The twist that will be added here is that interns will be used in order to re introduce trained, but unemployed, community support specialists to the joy and fulfillment of peer support. Benefits to those that volunteer 3-6 months with us will include supervision, ability to access trainings and a free transportation voucher to use for their time with us as well as for personal use. They will also be assisted with finding employment in the various settings that peer support specialists can be found in. To read an article on peer support click here.
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In addition we are considering other ideas like forming a running club that includes both community members and shelter residents. The benefits of running are well documented and the benefits of community involvement with homeless programs is also well documented. If you think you would be interested in participating in such an endeavor please send us an email through our contact us link. If you have a talent, or hobby that you would like to share with our residents please notify us of that as well. |
We are always open to new ideas and would like to see things like a reading club, creative writing or arts club. Our residents have many talents and interests that are often hidden during their season of homelessness . If you would like to assist with uncovering the hidden talents and dreams of those we serve please contact us with your ideas. We are always open to new ones.
In order to make these programs and ideas work we are in need of donations both financial and in kind. We are also in need of job and volunteer opportunities. If you or someone you know can assist in any way please contact us by phone, through our web site, or by linking to RHD’s on line donation system by clicking here. Please be sure to designate your donation for the CHOC.
Since the last update
56 additional people have crossed our threshold by entering the shelter or by being contacted by our outreach team.
41 people have left us. Though many have transitioned into nursing homes, assisted living facilities, drug and alcohol rehabs, and other shelters because their needs were too great for our program.
13 have successfully moved into independent housing such as apartments or shared apartments through pooling their resources., entering transitional housing, or obtaining Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) vouchers or Montgomery County Housing Choice Voucher Certificates.
2 new policies are well under way:
1) We will be starting a shelter fee and savings program July 1. Soon our residents will be able to leave us with money in their pocket to assist in beginning their new and independent living situation.
2) We will start drug testing as a means to encourage treatment for those individuals that would benefit from it.
Thank you to the following organizations that have contributed to our success and constant change and growth by sitting on our advisory committee, partnering with our residents, or giving us support in countless other ways:
Horizon House, Hedwig House, Half Way There Transitional Housing Program, Permanent Solutions Permanent Housing Program, Consumer Satisfaction Team, Montgomery County Emergency Services, The VA, The Salvation Army, The Umbrella Program, Bethel Baptist Church, Valley View Community Church, Victory Christian Fellowship, The Hospitality Center of Norristown, RHD’s Critical Time Intervention Team and Consultants In Context.
Have a wonderful and safe summer everyone.
Keywords: Bethel Baptist Church, CHOC, Church of the Saviour in Wayne, consultants in context, Consumer Satisfaction Team, CTI, Friends Central HS, Half Way There, Hedwig House, Hospitality Center of Norristown, MCES, Permanent Solutions, Salvation Army, The Umbrella Program, The VA, Valley View Community Church
