HUMANITY MAGAZINE The American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a network of generous donors, volunteers and employees that share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world, through five key service areas: Disaster Relief- The Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year. They provide shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. Although the Red Cross is not a government agency, it works in partnership with other agencies and organizations that provide services to disaster victims. Supporting America's Military Families- The Red Cross helps military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Emergency communications, training, support to wounded warriors and veterans, and access to community resources help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually. Lifesaving Blood- Your donations of blood are what make the American Red Cross the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S. Each year, nearly 4 million people donate blood through the Red Cross, helping to provide more than 40% of America’s blood supply. Health and Safety Services- The Red Cross is the nation’s leading provider of health and safety courses, such as CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard training. International Services- The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 13 million volunteers in 187 countries. Each year, we reach an average of more than 100 million people across the globe. For more information go to: www.RedCross.org
HUMANITY MAGAZINE Helping the Homeless Through Art Artists Helping the Homeless, Inc., (AHH) was founded in 2008 with 501(c)3 status to fund a Sunday night meal program through art events and sales. As AHH learned the stories and needs of the homeless, they discovered they could link them with resources to help them. The agency was created by Kar Woo, a local businessman and artist whose gallery was near the park. For Woo, who majored in psychology in college, this program brought together his business, art and psychology training. By mid-2009, Saint Luke's Hospital like other emergency services, was experiencing soaring costs for homeless care. Many of the ER cases involved non-emergent issues. When they called a meeting of homeless and emergency services, their homeless clients suggested they invite Artists Helping the Homeless, whose Sunday meals were held in the park across the street. The meeting spawned the concept for the “Be The Change” van to address transportation, a critical need of the homeless. The van program utilized the principles developed through the meal program and outlined in the agency’s mission. When the Saint Luke’s Foundation offered to fund the start-up, Woo closed his store to devote his full attention to developing the program. Soon after the van’s launch in February 2010, a daytime operation was added. On the streets every night, the staff quickly built relationships with the homeless, as well as local homeless and emergency services. Over the next few months, the program continued to evolve to meet the needs of both the homeless and community, both of whom Woo considered customers. These collaborations provide win-win situations for the homeless as well as the collaborating agencies. Today, homeless agencies provide services and staff, hospitals provide financial support and technical or in-kind services; and universities provide interns and services through class projects. The homeless benefit from the wrap-around services and care coordination. The result is similar to that described in the Winter 2001 Stanford Social Innovation Review as Collective Impact. Today, Artists Helping the Homeless has grown beyond the original 1½ hour a week meal program. That meal program, along with the one that started the following year in Olathe, have dished up over 65,000 servings. The meals, like the rides, provide an opportunity to know and build rapport with the homeless. The BE THE CHANGE program operates 100 hours a week with a staff of 5 and volunteers crisscrossing the city. For more info, please go to www.ArtistsHelpingTheHomeless.com -2-
HUMANITY MAGAZINE
The Salvation Army: Serving Millions “With more than 130 years of serving millions of people in the United States, The Salvation Army has a treasure trove of data about the most basic human needs,” said David Jeffrey, National Commander of The Salvation Army USA. “Doing The Most Good." In these four words, our mission- to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care. To rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to recovery. In fighting hunger and poverty, we can feed and nurture the spirit. And, in living and sharing the Christian Gospel by meeting tangible needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs. The Salvation Army operates 7,546 centers in communities across the United States. These include food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children's programs. Our work is funded through kettle donations, corporate contributions, and the sale of goods donated to our Salvation Army Family Stores. Eighty-two cents of every dollar we spend supports our various missions across the country. From its inception, The Salvation Army has relied heavily on volunteers who support it's programs. Over 2 million people of all ages volunteer their time, talents, and resources to assist The Salvation Army's work from year to year. Often referred to as "the army behind The Army," volunteers play a crucial role in The Salvation Army's ability to provide quality social services for the entire community. Volunteers are valuable assets in The Salvation Army's efforts to meet the changing needs of our world. Through the skills and experience they bring to The Army, volunteers make significant contributions to society by positively impacting the lives of those they assist. Salvation Army volunteers change lives, uplift families and support communities throughout our nation everyday.
States. These soldiers may take on volunteer responsibilities in the congregation or help in the Army's social service outreach. Many soldiers give valuable service in directing and leading youth groups in character-building activities. Many take part in the Army's musical programs and teach young people to sing and play. As a valuable means of service to the community, soldiers visit the sick and lonely in hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional institutions. Social service programs are enhanced by the commitment of soldiers who often give their time in the Army's basic ministries of shelter and food provision." To learn how you can help the work of the Salvation Army, go to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.
The soldiers of The Salvation Army, the committed laity, are local citizens in communities throughout the U.S. who give allegiance to the doctrines and disciplines of the Army. There are approximately 450,000 soldiers in the United
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE HELP USA HELP USA is a national housing and homeless services organization that is dedicated to the premise that all people deserve safe, stable housing. Founded in 1986 as an organization focused on building transitional housing for families, HELP has since grown in both breadth and depth. We currently operate 43 different programs and residences across five states, and our interventions cover the entire spectrum of housing issues. HELP runs homelessness prevention programs, manages emergency and transitional shelters, and builds and operates affordable permanent rental apartments. HELP USA believes that creating and maintaining housing stability is the most important step towards a safer, happier, more productive life. HELP USA has been an innovator since our founder, Andrew Cuomo opened our first residence in 1986. Under his leadership, HELP USA created our supportive housing model, packaging services with shelter, opening HELP 1 for homeless families in Brooklyn.
Since its founding, HELP USA has combined innovation with management excellence, becoming a national leader in both homeless prevention and a developer of permanent supportive housing for special needs population such as homeless families, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence. HELP USA’s 38 locations serve communities across the United States including Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, Buffalo, and Washington D.C. The impact of HELP USA’s work is to build empowered communities where everyone has a place to call home. Prevention is the first and most effective tool in the fight against homelessness. HELP USA’s prevention programs focus on finding and helping individuals and families who are about to lose their homes. Through a mix of support services, including financial support, counseling, job training, and relocation assistance, HELP’s prevention specialists can keep people from ever becoming homeless.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE apartments across the country. These apartments serve families, veterans, people living with HIV, and people who have previously been homeless. For more information about Help USA go to: www.HelpUsa.org
(HELP USA cont.) Studies have shown that preventing homelessness is cheaper, more effective, and longer lasting than waiting until people are on the streets before intervening. HELP USA operates seven prevention programs: Four HomeBase programs that focus on non-veteran adults and families. Three Supportive Service for Veteran Families (SSVF) programs that focus on veterans and their families. Finding a safe, clean, affordable place to live can be nearly impossible for families and individuals in large urban areas. This is why HELP USA builds and manages rental apartments and offers them at rates that are significantly below what the market would charge. In addition, HELP USA, provides purposefully selected tenant services that help people remain stable in their housing. Since our first permanent housing development in Brooklyn, HELP USA has developed more than 950
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE
Mikki High Bully No More Project Every day thousands of teens wake up afraid to go to school. Bullying is a problem that affects millions of students, and it has everyone worried, not just the kids on its receiving end. Yet because parents, teachers, and other adults don't always see it, they may not understand how extreme bullying can get. Bullying is when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power, either in terms of physical strength or social standing. The Mikki High Bully No More Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an awareness and educating students, teachers, parents, and community leaders on the severity of bully in schools. Our vision is to make a difference in the communities through establishing a foundation by which all will be empowered to bring an end to the bullying issue through awareness, education, and prevention. Two of the main reasons people are bullied are because of appearance and social status. Bullies pick on the people they think don't fit in, maybe because of how they look, how they act (for example, kids who are shy and withdrawn), their race or religion, or because the bullies think their target may be gay or lesbian. Some bullies attack their targets physically, which can mean anything from shoving or tripping to punching or hitting, or even sexual assault. Others use psychological control or verbal insults to put themselves in charge. For example, people in popular groups or cliques often bully people they categorize as different by excluding them or gossiping about them (psychological bullying). They may also taunt or tease their targets (verbal bullying). Verbal bullying can also involve sending cruel instant or email messages or even posting insults about a person on a website — practices that are known as cyberbullying. The Mikki High Bully No More Project is proud to make a difference in the lives of young people that allows them to grow into healthy and productive citizens unhindered by bullying. For more information about anti-bullying, go to www.MikkiHighBullyNoMore.org.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE
Building Homes and Lives As a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that builds with people in need regardless of race or religion, Habitat for Humanity welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. We have more than 1,400 local affiliates in the United States and more than 70 national organizations around the world. Together, we have helped more than 1 million families — representing 5 million people — improve their living conditions since our founding in 1976. There are nearly 2 billion people around the world who live in slum housing and more than 100 million are homeless. Habitat helps by building or renovating simple, decent houses in partnership with those in need. Families left homeless by natural disasters, war and civil unrest often face dire housing situations as they struggle to rebuild their lives. We provide shelter and housing assistance to help these families recover. Habitat for Humanity houses are simple, decent and affordable to low-income families around the world. Whenever possible, we build sustainable, energy-efficient and healthy housing. Donations to Habitat for Humanity provide vital financial support to help us build and repair houses. In addition, more than 1 million people each year volunteer to build with us under trained supervision. In the United States, our partner homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses. On a global scale, we use innovative housing finance practices and/or partnerships with microfinance organizations to build and repair homes. To learn how you can volunteer and serve with Habitat For Humanity, visit their website at www.Habitat.org
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE MATTHEW 25 The mission of Matthew 25: Ministries is to fulfill Matthew 25:34-40 of the New Testament by providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, affordable shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to those in need. Additionally, Matthew 25: Ministries is committed to fulfilling Matthew 25:40 by educating the public on the conditions and needs of the “least of these� and by providing resources for action. Matthew 25: Ministries is an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization helping the poorest of the poor locally, regionally, nationally and internationally regardless of race, creed or political persuasion. By rescuing and reusing products from major corporations and manufacturers, Matthew 25: Ministries provides basic necessities, nutritional supplements, educational materials, micro-enterprise supplies and disaster relief across the US and worldwide. The people we help are not receiving a handout, but a helping hand. It is only when a person’s most basic needs are met that one can become self reliant. Because of this belief, Matthew 25: Ministries has always placed an emphasis on education, job creation and providing aid to children. Matthew 25: Ministries is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Matthew 25: Ministries began as the result of a trip Founder and President Rev. Wendell Mettey made with a group of doctors and nurses to Nicaragua in 1990. After seeing the seemingly endless poverty and devastation, Rev. Mettey made a promise to himself that he would find a way to help the people of Nicaragua and others in similar need. Upon returning, Rev. Mettey developed a system to recover excess products which were deemed no longer useful by U.S. corporations, and redistribute these items to people in desperate poverty. In the early days, supplies were carried to Nicaragua in suitcases, then aboard United States Air Force cargo planes. Now aid is shipped via forty-foot seagoing containers and semi-trailers to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims. Since 1991, Matthew 25: Ministries has grown from a small suitcase ministry to an international relief organization distributing more than 15 million pounds of products each year. In total, M25M has sent more than 150 million pounds of aid across the United States and into more than forty countries worldwide. To learn more about Matthew 25: Ministries go to: www.M25M.org
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Alabama Teen Challenge Addiction is a term of convenience and is a common reference dealing with habitual or repeated behavior but does not serve our definition of process or underlying cause. We do not serve addictions per se, we serve spiritual strongholds, we understand them within the context of sin, and we deal with strongholds exclusively through evangelism and discipleship as defined by Scripture – there is nothing else in our model. We don’t do treatment, we disciple. We don’t focus on behavior as much as we focus on identity in Christ. In short – we are an expression of the church. None of the above statements should be construed as critical of clinical approaches, but their purpose is to accurately understand the historical evangelistic and discipleship identity of Teen Challenge that has been unequivocal for over fifty years. Alabama Teen Challenge does not offer or provide clinical treatment or care for individuals who have substancerelated disorders and is, therefore, not subject to regulation or oversight by the Alabama Department of Mental Health through its Certification Standards. However, ATC is required to attain a regimented accreditation process, via Teen Challenge USA, to remain part of one of the oldest, largest, and most successful programs of its kind in the world. This program serves as a medium through which individuals who have substance-related disorders are free to voluntarily pursue activities to support their recovery. The world-wide mission of Teen Challenge is to evangelize people who have life-controlling problems and initiate the discipleship process to the point where the student can function as a Christian in society applying spiritually motivated Biblical principles to relationships in the family, the local church, chosen vocation, and the community. Applicants are expected to be active, informed, and voluntarily participate in the established Teen Challenge program including but not limited to prayer, Bible study, and worship. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer with teens and see your life changed in the process, then visit their website, www.AlabamaTeenChallenge.org.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE
Friendship Mission: Doing the Least for His Greatest
"Whatever you do for the least of these you do for Me"
-Jesus Homelessness is becoming an epidemic in our community and without structured facilities to assist in educating this growing population, there is little hope of improvement. Friendship Mission's goal is to assist people in becoming self-sustaining in the local community. Friendship Mission facilitates a program of healing and progress by working to meet peoples' spiritual, mental and physical needs. Abuse, addiction, dysfunctional environments and lack of education are but a few of the various hardships experienced by the men, women and children at Friendship Mission. Community and church involvement is vital to the success of Friendship Mission. It provides a positive influence helping these men and women build respect for themselves and others. How They Began Pastor Vincent Rosato was the minister of a small, rural church in Hope Hull, Alabama. In 1996 the Lord opened a door for him to preach at a Montgomery homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Vince fell in love with the ministry, felt a great burden for these men and wanted to do more to help the less fortunate. Thus began a journey orchestrated by God and carried out by men that is ongoing today. Vince and his wife, Mary, brought the men to church for a fellowship supper. At first the men were reluctant, but he noticed how the food was a great motivator to get them to come. The number of men grew each week until Vince’s car wasn’t big enough for everyone and they knew that it was time to take the next step and purchase a van. Word got around and people wanted to be picked up and brought to church. Vince concentrated on opening a shelter that could serve the homeless and poor in Montgomery which grew at a steady pace from the start.
People knew they could come to Friendship Mission, get a good meal with plenty of food (Mary did all of the cooking back then) and hear a message from the Word. "The primary goal from the beginning has been to ease the suffering of our fellow man while at the same time spreading the word and message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.”
Today the Mission is one of the largest facilities in the State of Alabama with a Women's and Men's Shelter. Friendship Mission is planning to open a thrift store. Your support is needed to help them reach their goal of raising $150,000. There are many ways that you can be involved at Friendship Mission. A list of items that are always in need can be found on their website. You can volunteer your time or professional services. To learn how you can donate or volunteer, contact Tammy Middleton, executive director at 334.313.2764 or email tmiddleton@friendshipmission.org.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE
Chris – A Veteran’s Success Story Born in the rural south, Chris, who is now in his early 60’s, moved with his younger brother to New York City when he was 12 to reunite with his mother who had gone ahead a year earlier to find work. Through the years, Chris’s soft, thoughtful eyes have seen a long and hard struggle with intermittent homelessness. This struggle began almost 30 years ago as he fought to adjust to civilian life after being honorably discharged from the army where he had served in a tank patrolling the Czech border. Afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), he found it difficult to hold a job and ended up in and out of shelters for several years. Almost from the start drug and alcohol use became an issue. A recipient of the National Defense Service Medal (which he says he lost on the streets), Chris still experiences anxiety thinking back to his service. He vividly remembers sitting in a tank, during freezing temperatures, awaiting orders. With the tank engines running, black smoke filled the air making it difficult to breathe and making clear vision nearly impossible. He recalls a constant sense of dread “not knowing what was going to happen, just waiting, and just feeling helpless too often.” Today, Chris is a positive, energetic and prideful man – as we spoke, he repeatedly suppressed smiles in order to avoid revealing a couple of missing teeth – who is determined to establish and live a sober and productive life. We first encountered Chris through our outreach program about 24 months ago when he was living on the streets in Stamford. Shelter Outreach Case Worker Leroy Jordan found Chris and gently
convinced him to come into the shelter for initial triage services – basic medical care and a long overdue string of consecutive nutritious meals. As Chris recalls, “Leroy was the first contact for me, he opened the door for me – he got me to the doc, he set me up with food stamps, he helped me get an ID, everything basically.” Looking back on his days living on the streets Chris recalls, “It’s wretched. You disconnect from everything. All ya think about is, ya know, where you’re gonna get your next meal. Your next change of clothes, how you’re gonna get clean, where you’re gonna sleep. Ya gotta stay busy because if ya don’t you go crazy.” Over the following weeks the shelter became a foundation for Chris as he and staff members worked together to stabilize his condition and change the trajectory of his life. Then, about 12 months ago, Leroy Jordan introduced Chris to Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Case Manager Marie Johnson. Marie, whom Chris calls his “angel,” immediately went to work aggressively advocating that he receive a subsidized housing voucher (that would pay rent for him to live in an apartment) since he met the criteria for Chronic Homelessness and need for Case Management Services.... Since March 2013, Johnson has connected five veterans to VA vouchers and they are all currently housed and pay a portion of their income toward the rent. Thanks to Marie and the collective efforts of the shelter staff, Chris has been living in his own apartment now for about six months (he contributes $200 each month towards his rent) and with ongoing help from the shelter’s drug and alcohol recovery program is entering his sixth week of sobriety. When asked to share what it was like to finally have a place of his own Chris shared: “It’s a whole different life for me now. Like now I’m trying to get my health together. Now I have insurance. Everything – everything is coming together.” He continued: “Now that I have my place, I can kinda
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE As I was thanking Chris for meeting with me I received a text. Chris reached over, picked up my phone, shook it in his hand, looked me in the eye, and with a wry smile spreading across his lips said “Ya, know, for example, now I’m catching up. Like I don’t even know how to use these dang telephones. I gotta learn that!” I have no doubt he will. (Adapted From Original Story from Shelter for the Homeless) (cont.) like plan a little more. Everything is not like snatch and grab. In other words, if you don’t know where you’re gonna sleep, if you don’t have anything to eat and you’re hungry, you’re not gonna think about anything besides getting something to eat and finding a place to stay. If you’re cold, hungry, wet, you’re locked into that. If you wanna change your clothes, simple stuff, you want to get a shower, your mind is always wondering – how long is this gonna last? Because when you got no home you know the carpet can be snatched out from under you any second, you are always on edge. So you just make the best of it – you just survive.” Becoming emotional, Chris continued further: “Now all is good. When you are homeless you tend to hide from people, ya know, kinda stay out of the mainstream. But now it’s different. Even people treat ya different. Rather than try to exclude you, they include you – because they see you are doing better, ok? You are dressed better, you don’t smell, and your outlook on things is different. You’re not gloomy, you’re not running that sad story, so now you can do stuff for them too – not just taking from people – but now you can give.”
From Sleeping on the Streets to Driving Down the Street John was sleeping on the streets of Columbus after losing his home and income as a result of a lay off in 2009. He was born in Russell County, Alabama and has lived in the Columbus area his entire life. This was the first time he had been in this situation. The Homeless Resource Network assisted him with bus tickets, mail service, storage service and assistance obtaining his birth certificate and later a valid state identification card. From July 2009 through July 2010, he utilized their bus tickets to seek employment and get to medical appointments. Through that process he was able to meet his medical needs and obtain employment. He has been gainfully employed and in permanent housing since August 2010. He has even been able to purchase a reliable vehicle to meet his transportation needs. In January 2011 he returned to (continued)
The road ahead for Chris is a challenging one, but he remains highly motivated and confident he will succeed at his goal of building a healthy, sober and fulfilling life. “I’m starting to think of tomorrow more so than just today, because when you’re homeless that’s all you think about – the immediate, but now I’m thinking about like, I’ve got an appointment with the doctor, I wanna go to school, stuff like that. You know, it’s a whole different thing. A whole different mindset.”
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE
Homeless Service Organizations Need help? We've listed some local resources that can provide assistance. Alabama has eight continuums of care organizations that coordinate services for the homeless regionally, which may also put you in touch with those who provide direct services. These organizations are highlighted below. We have also included in this list other non-profit organizations that provide assistance. Homeless Service Organizations - Alabama Bessemer, Birmingham, Hoover (Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair Counties) One Roof (formerly MBSH) Mr. Stefan Kertesz, Board Chairman Ms. Michelle Farley, Executive Director 1704 5th Ave., North Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone (205) 254-8833 Fax: (205) 951-9055 Recovery, and Re-Entry Programs, Transitional Housing, Women Center, Men Center, Outreach and Education Center The Foundry Ministries 1800 4th Ave. North Bessemer, AL 35020 Phone:205-424-HOPE Email: info@thefoundryonline.org www.foundryministries.com 205-424-HOPE(4673) Jimmie Hale Mission www.jimmiehalemission.com provides the following: Homeless shelter and recovery program for men (Shepura Men’s Center) 3420 2nd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35222 Phone number: (205) 324-2271 Email: vines@jimmiehalemission.com
Education remediation and career readiness for men and women (Shepura Men’s, Jessie’s Place, Royal pines) Phone number: (205) 323-5878 Email: learningcenter@jimmiehalemission.com Intermediate shelter for Women and Children (Jessie’s Place) 2305 5th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 Phone number: (205) 323-0170 Email: latonya@jessiesplace.com Recovery program for Men (Royal Pines Recovery Center) 5 Guinns Cove Road Hayden, AL 35079 Phone number: (256) 352-9444 Email: george@royalpines.org Florence (Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Winston and Lawrence Counties) Homeless Care Council of Northwest Alabama John Corbin, Chairman PO Box 98 Florence, AL 35631 Phone (256) 383-5610 Ext. 228 Fax (256) 760-6344 Huntsville, Decatur (Madison, Limestone and Morgan Countie) North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless Mr. Ollie Orton, President Ms. Lineise Arnold, Executive director PO Box 2991 Huntsville, AL 35804 Phone (256) 551-1610 Ext. 223 Fax (256) 551-0722 Emergency Services (Shelter and more), Recovery Services, Transitional Services... Downtown Rescue Mission 1400 Evangel Drive Huntsville, AL 35816 Men: Dr. Kerry Walker (256) 536-2441 ext. 302 Women: Cara Henderson (256) 536-2441 ext. 304 -13-
HUMANITY MAGAZINE six months. At that time a job as office receptionist for GO became available. She’s been working at GO since then and is working on a degree at AB-Tech. At 20 years-old, Jasmine is optimistic about her prospects for becoming more economically stable. “In my situation I moved out fairly young. I would advise people to stay at home and save money so they don’t have to jump out into a situation.”
(cont.) the Homeless Resource Network to thank them for everything they did for him and to let the know without their services, he would not be where he is today. Jasmine's Survival Story Jasmine knows first hand that safe, affordable housing is a challenge to find for families in Asheville – and how foundational a place to call home is for family success. When she was 12 year old, she moved with her mother and brother to Buncombe County. They shared a small trailer with her grandparents. But that situation didn’t last and her family had to move out. Unable to find an affordable place of their own, they ended up at ABCCM’s homeless shelter. They applied for a public housing unit, but the waiting and approval process ended up taking months. Jasmine and her family ended up spending a year at the shelter. Jasmine changed schools – enrolling in Asheville Middle from Enka Middle School.
Jasmine continues, “Try to build resources, do whatever you can to make yourself self sufficient. Get yourself prepared.” She is also very grateful for the supportive network she developed through GO.Jasmine’s story highlights the spectrum of housing experiences that many families travel – doubling up, homelessness, shelters, public housing, and several moves. This instability impacts families’ health, ability to find jobs, and children’s academic success. Jasmine’s success equation is a blend of her determination and resourcefulness, supportive networks, local nonprofits, and publicly funded programs. United as a community, we can ensure that the public and private supports exist for Jasmine and so many others seeking an opportunity to thrive.
“It was a big difference,” Jasmine reflects. “I had to deal with a lot socially, living in the shelter and being a teenager. I was really private about that. I would get off the bus at another street.”She remembers another challenge – when kids from her school came to the shelter to do a service project. Her strategy: “I would try to not be visible.” Eventually, her family received a place in public housing at Hillcrest Apartments. She lived there until she was 19. In 2011, Jasmine connected with Green Opportunities (GO) and joined their training team for youth 18 to 24 years-old. She apprenticed with GO’s program for 16 weeks and then worked for GO installing rain barrels and gardens for
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Montgomery (Montgomery, Elmore, Lowndes and Bullock Counties) Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) Ms. Charlene Robinson, President Ms. Molly Stone, Executive Director PO Box 242201 Montgomery, AL 36124-2201 Phone (334) 261-6182 Fax (334) 265-3391 Temporary Shelter Faith Rescue Mission 334-262-6024 Friendship Mission 33-281-2395 Salvation Army 334-265-2018 Food, Clothing, Etc. American Red Cross 334-260-3980 Catholic Social Services...334-288-8890 Community Action Agency 334-263-3474 Food Bank 334-263-3784 Department of Human Resources (DHR) Montgomery 334-293-3100 Autauga 334-358-5000 Elmore 334-514-3200 Lowndes 334-548-3800 Family Promise of Montgomery 28 Crenshaw Street 334-265-2010 Friendship Mission 3561 Mobile Hwy 334-281-2395 Faith Recue Mission 334-262-6024 Montgomery Rescue Mission 3823 Mobile Hwy 334-288-6031 River Region United Way 60 Commerce Street 334-264-7318
Renascence In-Prisoner Re-Entry 215 Clayton Street 334-832-1402 Community of Hope 2403 E. South Blvd. Montgomery, AL 36111-0091 334-517-1473 *
Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless (ARCH) Services 5748 Carmichael Pkwy Montgomery, AL 36117 334-273-0668, 1-855-810-2724 Fax 334-273-0669 Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) 101 Coliseum Blvd. Montgomery, AL 334-261-6182 Family Endeavors (for Veterans) 4110 Wall Street, Ste. A Montgomery, AL 36106 334-513-1855 Transitional Housing for Women and Children Mary Ellen's Hearth at Nellie Burge Community Center 1226 Clay Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 264-4108 www.nellieburge.org Mobile (Mobile and Baldwin Counties) Housing First, Inc. Ms. Shirley Jefferson, Board President Mr. Eric Jefferson, Executive Director 2900 Old Shell Road Mobile, AL 36607 Phone (251) 450-3345 Fax (251) 450-3348 Family Promise of Baldwin County Homeless Services 20511 County Road 36, Summerdale, AL 36580 251-947-5641 www.FamilyPromiseBC.org -15-
HUMANITY MAGAZINE VA Programs Help Army Veteran “Move” From Homelessness to Business Owner The Challenge A single day's work can be transformative for any Veteran, especially one fighting his way back from homelessness and addiction. Greg knows this because he is a Veteran and was once in need of not only a well-paying job but a safe place to live. He got both with help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and formed his company, Veterans Moving Help, to provide the dignity of work to other Veterans. His journey wasn't easy. For two decades he fought an addiction to alcohol and drugs, including crack cocaine. Connections to family, including my daughter, frayed. He was homeless, living in abandoned homes or shelters. Time after time, he vowed to be a better father to his daughter. He wanted to get clean, but couldn't break the cycle. The Fix One day a fellow Veteran who'd faced similar struggles came back to Greg’s neighborhood from a VA substance use treatment center. He was sober and healthy and now owned a car. He inspired Greg to seek help from VA, and Greg enrolled in a 60-day substance use inpatient program run by the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. He was also set up in bridge housing funded by VA's
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program. Having a safe, stable place to live gave him the peace of mind to focus on his skills as an entrepreneur. While there, he had access to a number of other VA resources, including business management training and dental care. The Result Safely housed and healthy, Greg got the idea to focus on a career in moving services. He started by taking a job advertised on Craigslist. Along with a few of the homeless Veterans he was living with in the bridge housing, he loaded and unloaded some self-service moving trucks. As demand for these services grew, and as more and more people in the community heard about the opportunity to hire Veteran movers, Greg formed a national company called Veterans Moving Help. This growing business connects those who request moving services to majority-Veteran moving crews. Greg was honored recently to move a 92-year-old World War II Veteran who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen "Red Tails" fighter squadron.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Mary's Shelter Gulf Coast P. O. Box 18 Elberta, AL 36530 Administrator: Glenda Messina Telephone: 251-986-6200 or 866-823-4674) Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa County) Tuscaloosa Continuum of Care Group West Alabama Coalition for the Homeless Ms. LaShonda Hayes, President West Alabama Outreach, Inc. PO Box 2947 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 Phone (205) 759-8470 Fax (205) 366-9001 Anniston, Gadsden (Calhoun and Etowah Counties) Homeless Coalition of Northeast Alabama (HCNEA) Ms. Tara Breiner, Chairman Ms. Becky Henson, Co-Chairman The Salvation Army PO Box 218 Anniston, AL 36202 Phone (256) 236-5643 Balance of the State of Alabama *Alabama Rural Housing Coalition for the Homeless Ms. Amanda Ship, President Ms. Felicia Watkins-Jackson, Executive Director 3521 7th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35222 Phone (205) 324-9822 Ext. 19 Fax (205) 324-9311
Russell County (AL) and Muscogee County (GA) Homeless Resource Network Ms. Elizabeth Dillard, Executive Director PO Box 811 Columbus, GA 31902 Phone (706) 571-3399 Fax (706) 571-0707
Resources Listed in this edition are featured below. Salvation Army Montgomery Sgt. Walter Strong 900 Maxwell Blvd Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone 334-269-2018 American Red Cross Montgomery 5015 Woods Crossing Montgomery, AL 36106 Phone 334-260-3980 American Red Cross Alexander City 17 Main Street Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 234-3291 Habitat For Humanity Coffee Co. PO Box 311354 Enterprise, AL 36331 334-347-2866 Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Macon County P.O. Box 830247 Tuskegee, AL 36083-0247 Tel: (334) 727-9946 E-mail: maconhfh@bellsouth.net
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Fain’s new prized possession is a pretty gray cottage just off Pleasant Valley Road near Government Street. It has three bedrooms, wood floors, a carport and spacious back yard. She closed on the $25,000 property on June 25 and moved in the following weekend. “It still doesn’t feel real,” she said. Six years ago, the New Jersey native was an addict, living on the streets. Today, she is a Class B welder and has been the face of Austal’s job training ad campaigns. Tears well up in Fain’s eyes as she recalls the deaths of two women she once got high with. Their deaths grabbed her attention and drove her away from addiction – that and the grace of God, she said. “This was me,” she said, holding a poster from McKemie Place showing a homeless woman sleeping on the street. “Look how the Lord has worked that out in six years.” 'Full of gratitude' On Friday, Sept. 6, she’s throwing a celebration at the gray cottage to honor those who helped her dream and achieve the dreams. “The celebration is going to be for all people who had something to do with my life,” Fain says excitedly. “It’s all about the agencies!” (cont.) With help from VA, Greg overcame homelessness, is a business owner and is now in a position to hire Veterans. Greg’s ability to form Veterans Moving Help fulfilled his lifelong goal to become a business owner and keep his work in the military and Veteran family. He hopes his story inspires other Veterans to keep striving, even when success seems impossible, because dreams really can come true.
The agencies include the women’s shelter McKemie Place; Sybil H. Smith Family Village, a transitional housing program; Austal; the city of Mobile, which steers grants to rehabilitate properties; and Housing First, a supported housing program. She also credits 15 Place, Health Care for the Homeless, Home of Grace and Goodwill. “I’m full of gratitude,” she said. (cont.)
From Homeless to Homeowner Betty Fain has a new saying: “It takes a village to raise an adult.” What Fain, 54, means is that it took a host of people to help her transform from a homeless person into a homeowner in just six years. “I’m a homeowner! I can hardly believe it,” she exclaims. “I’m finally an adult!”
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Habitat For Humanity Madison County 400 Pratt Avenue NW Huntsville, AL 35801 Phone: 256-533-2282 Fax: 256-533-2228 Habitat For Humanity Near You- Prattville 120 E 5th Street Prattville, AL 36067-3112 Phone 334-365-4132
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Note: Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless (ARCH) Services serves the following counties: Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, Escambia, Fayette, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Lamar, Lee, Macon, Marengo, Marshall, Monroe, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Walker, Washington, Wilcox.
Habitat For Humanity Troy PO Box 441 Troy, AL 36081-0441 334-727-9946 Artists for the Homeless Phone 816-668-1007 Email kato@artisthelpingthehomeless.org Alabama Teen Challenge Men's Center 3888 County Road 261 Jones, AL 36749 Phone 334-872-0133 Fax 334-872-0080 Help USA 5 Hanover Square 17th Floor New York, NY 10004 Phone 212-400-7000 Fax 212-400-7005 Emergency Services Ambulance/Fire/Police......911 Autauga Co. Sheriff's Dept.....334-361-2500 Elmore Co. Sheriff's Dept. ...334-567-5546 Millbrook Police Dept....334-285-6832 Montgomery Co. Sheriff' Dept 334-832-4980 Montgomery Police 334-241-2708 Prattville Police Dept....334-361-3671 Wetumpka Police Dept 334-567-5321
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Fain credits her employer with giving her a chance and for making it possible for her to buy her first brand-new car, a black Honda Civic, in 2011. After that purchase, she wrote a note to John Rothwell, now chairman of Austal. “I addressed it to ‘The Dreammaker,’” she said. “I told him, ‘Thank you for your vision.’” In return, he mailed her a picture of him reading the card. “You have to do something to show how grateful you are,” she said. (Story first published on August 27, 2013 by Carol McPhail)
(cont.) McKemie Place was the first stop on her journey toward wellness. Then, she spent the maximum two years at an apartment at Sybil Smith, which is run by Dumas Wesley Community Center. On Monday, she returned to Apt. 102, a small apartment facing a grassy courtyard. Sitting in a plastic chair outside the door, she recalled how, at first, she didn’t earn enough money to make ends meet. “With my neighbors here, somebody would bring by a bag of chicken or something,” she said. “I never went lacking for anything.” Then Fain entered a 10-week program at Alabama Industrial Development Training, which helped her get a job as a Class B welder at Austal. Before she knew it, Austal had her image plastered on billboards as the face of an ad campaign. She was a natural – engaging, funny, articulate and willing. “I’m not ashamed to say, ‘This is what the Lord has brought me from,'" she said.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Veteran Receives Help to End His Homelessness Michael was a Los Angeles-area Veteran who’d fallen hard times. For 10 years, he lived primarily under a bridge along the Los Angeles River. When Michael was first approached by outreach workers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Mental Health America (MHA) of Los Angeles, a VA grantee under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program, he resisted their entreaties to get help. Like so many chronically homeless Veterans who’ve lived for years on the streets, Michael had come to feel ashamed of his appearance and resisted taking the difficult steps to come in from the outside. He didn’t want to be homeless, but the complexity of his circumstance made him reluctant to respond to offers of support. VA and MHA outreach workers often encounter such resistance in their work to reach and serve Veterans like Michael. They empathized with Michael, but persisted in trying help him. Outreach workers visited his encampment weekly, determined to build a rapport and, most importantly, to earn Michael’s trust. For the first month, MHA workers met with Michael at his tent to assess his comfort level. At first, he remained inside his tent. The visits continued, with workers talking with Michael about housing solutions, VA health care services and potential income sources. A breakthrough came during an unfortunate incident when Michael’s leg became infected and he needed health care services. Still Michael refused to go to VA, and so MHA outreach workers arranged for the delivery of medical supplies and care tent-side. Michael continued to meet with these health workers outside his tent, and they gained his trust. He eventually agreed to visit an MHA office, where he showered, got a cell phone and accessed a computer for the first time in his life. This initial connection led to MHA connecting Michael to VA mental health and primary care services to address the chronic health issues that had worsened after more than a decade on the streets. This led to Michael getting additional support from VA and the community, including a referral to permanent housing through the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. He quickly received a voucher and obtained a home, where he’s lived for at least a year. He has reconnected with his family, and is getting employment skills through Vas Compensated Work Therapy program. Michael is active in his community and is no longer homeless.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Source: The 2014 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
Homelessness in the U.S. at a Glance In January 2014, there were 578,424 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States. Of that number, 216,197 are in families, and 362,163 are individuals. About 15 percent of the homeless population – 84,291 - are considered “chronically homeless” individuals, and About 9 percent of homeless people- 49,933 – are veterans. The following stats are for the state of Alabama : Housing Total households: 1,838,683 Renters:32% Households paying more than 30% of income on housing: 128,770 Homeless people: 4561 Home foreclosure rate: 1.43% Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness
On a Single Night in January 2014 • More than one in ten homeless adults was a veteran, 49,933 homeless veterans or 11 percent of 442,723 homeless adults. • Homeless veterans were found in unsheltered locations at the same rate as all homeless adults, 36 percent. • Most veterans experienced homelessness as individuals, 38,985 people or 96 percent. However, there were 1,708 veterans, or 4 percent, were homeless as members of families with children. • Female homeless veterans accounted for ten percent of both the sheltered and unsheltered homeless veteran populations. • There are approximately 542 Homeless veterans in the state of Alabama.
Families Experiencing Homelessness On a Single Night in January 2014: • 216,261 people were homeless in 67,613 families, representing 37 percent of all homeless people. • On average, a homeless family household consisted of three people. Almost nine in ten homeless people in families were staying in shelters (191,903 people). • Almost 60 percent of homeless people in families were children under 18 years of age. Nearly one-third were over 24, and the remaining 9 percent were between 18 and 24 years old. • In Alabama there are about 1,446 homeless families.
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP Health & Beauty Supplies disposable razors (men/women) aspirin ibuprofen neosporin cortisone cream anti-bacterial ointment band-aids gauze antacids hand sanitizer sanitizer wipes lotion sunblock sunscreen deodorant liquid soap hand soap chapstick mouthwash eyedrops vitamins cold medicine tablets kleenex cotton swabs toothbrush and toothpaste dental floss shampoo and conditioner (travel size) comb/brush (compact) compact mirror perfume cologne body wash feminine hygiene products make-up for women baby products (oil, shampoo, etc) sewing kits toilet paper paper towels
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Clothing Men's undergarments (t-shirts, briefs, boxers, socks) shirts ties suits shorts hats/caps gloves winter scarves thermals pajamas pants cuff links bow ties dress shoes work boots tennis shoes/sneakers sweaters coats and jackets Womens undergarments (bras, panties, slips, pantyhose, leggings, socks) blouses t-shirts casual/ sun dresses business suits coats gloves hats sweaters pants skirts shorts tennis shoes dress shoes boots pajamas
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Children's (boys and girls/all ages) undergarments socks t-shirts (short and long sleeve) casual/ sun dresses pants jeans coats and hats gloves sweaters pants skirts shorts tennis shoes dress shoes boots pajamas Houses and Manufactured Homes portable buildings mobile homes hitches Automobiles (new and used) vans trucks sedans car parts RVs/campers gas cards Furniture and Household Items Living room furniture: sofa recliner lamps book and end tables shelves entertainment center carpet -23 -
HUMANITY MAGAZINE Kitchen Furniture kitchen table and chairs refrigerator microwave coffee maker barbeque grill hot plates Bedrom furniture: mattresses (all sizes) box springs bed frames (all sizes) wall clocks bed sheets set pillows curtains/draperies curtain rods blinds dressers mirrors chests plastic storage bins clothing iron/ironing board shower curtains/hooks bath towels (face/hand/body) garbage cans ovens electric stoves pots and pans dishes and eating utensils glasses can opener crock pot Electronics televisions radios trac phones with cards computers/lap tops batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9- volt) phone chargers DVD Players CD Players Roku
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Food non-perishable foods bottled water and drinks dried goods bottled water bottled fruit juice cheese crackers peanut butter crackers trail mix raisins pull-top canned fruit or vegetables tuna and cracker kits beef jerky pretzels applesauce cups fruit cups crackers cookies Hardware and Building Materials lumber cement floor tiles bathroom sinks interior/exterior paint Land Employment Opportunities Outdoor Equipment backpack raincoat/poncho umbrella tent sleeping bags thermals thermos mug matches flashlights small lanterns with batteries garbage bags solar shower bag (private shower) utility/emergency candles small lanterns w/batteries www.HumanityMag.org
generator hand warmers for cold weather bandana coolers for hot weather beanie blankets Other gift cards birthday cards watches books and magazines Bibles dictionary notepads pens postage stamps envelopes backpack crayons coloring or activity books small stuffed animals (soft, appropriate for both girls and boys) liquid detergent nail clippers baby pampers household cleaning products small, safe toys (no weapons or toys of violence) reading glasses baby clothes baby pampers baby bottles baby wipes micro fiber towel gallon size storage bags sandwich bags garbage bags To Contact Us for Pickup or Drop-off Location, Please Call 1-888-777-9862 Ext. 802. Name_________________________ Address_______________________ Phone_________________________ Email_________________________
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HUMANITY MAGAZINE Mary's Shelter: Serving Homeless Pregnant Women and Their Children For the Love of Life Situated on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mary's Shelter was founded to address the needs of homeless pregnant women who are experiencing an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. Our mothers come to us with no one to help them, no money, and no place to live. Before hearing of Mary's Shelter, many of them felt that their only option was to have an abortion. By providing them with a home during this difficult time in their life, we enable these women to say 'yes' to life for their unborn child. The women and children served by Mary's Shelter are given the opportunity to live in a clean, secure, loving, family environment staffed by caring Christian professionals. But Mary's Shelter aims to go beyond simply being a maternity home providing these homeless pregnant women with shelter and sustenance. While saving the babies' lives is of paramount importance, equally important is helping these vulnerable women to eventually achieve happy, healthy and productive lives. While residing at the shelter, our mothers participate in Spirituality classes (Bible study and devotional time), Prenatal and personal health classes, and parenting classes. Along with these specific classes the women also participate in several group type discussions which give them an understanding of better ways to relax, relieve stresses and a better understanding of nutritional value for themselves and their child/children. Here at Mary's Shelter we believe education plays a major role in their success upon leaving here, so we also provide Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) tutoring, preparation and testing. It is also mandatory that they undergo counseling by qualified counselors.
Following the birth of the baby, the mother and child may enter our Transitional Housing program, once the mother has found a job which will provide a living wage. Financial assistance and other support is provided for a period of up to six months, at which time the mother is hopefully in a position to assume complete responsibility for her family. After leaving Mary's Shelter the women will be monitored by our program manager in order to maintain a steady record of their progress and their child's. Where there often existed a history for these women of barely surviving on welfare, Mary's Shelter works to see that pattern broken and helps them reach their maximum potential. Our maternity home is a sensible, pro-life, abortion alternative. For more information you may write to: Mary's Shelter Gulf Coast P. O. Box 18 Elberta, AL 36530 Administrator: Glenda Messina Telephone: 251-986-6200 (Toll Free 866-823-4674) Visit our website:www.maryssheltergulfcoast.org ___________________________________________ GET YOUR HUMANITY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION www.HumanityMag.org
In addition, the mothers are given the information they need to be able to make an informed decision regarding the future of their unborn child - whether to parent the child or consider adoption. Through familystyle living, our moms learn how to resolve conflicts. They learn how to care for their children, for themselves and for their home. Each mother's program and progress are evaluated every three months.
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