Fall Newsletter by Jan-Michael Sacharko

A-SPAN provides life-sustaining services for Arlington’s street homeless. Our mission is to secure permanent housing for one of Arlington’s most vulnerable populations through outreach and relationships built on trust and respect.

Street Voice

Fall 2011

Give Every Student Walker A Chance to Help the Homeless A-SPAN Must Raise $20,000 for Student Registration Fees so that Every Student Has an Opportunity to Walk and Help Raise Money for Homeless Services. Last year, 22 area schools, churches and businesses held mini-walks to raise community awareness on homelessness and funding for A-SPAN’s programs. Over 3,400 people walked for A-SPAN during mini-walks or the Walkathon on the National Mall. A-SPAN raised over $190,000 during the Help-theHomeless Walkathon, one of our major fundraisers for the entire year. As the number of clients A-SPAN helps remains high, it is critical that

we recruit over 3,000 walkers again in order to earn a $50,000 bonus from Fannie Mae. To do that, we must raise money for registration fees that allows every student to walk on our behalf. During the fall, A-SPAN visits area schools. During mini-walks, staff give presentations on homelessness and what members of our community can do to help. Students pay a registration fee in order to walk, raise funds,

GET INVOLVED

and receive a Walkathon T-shirt. However, many children are unable to pay the fee. A-SPAN pays fees for these students so they can walk with classmates, but to do that – We Need Your Help! We must raise $20,000 so that every student has a chance to walk. To learn more about participating, please email or call our Development Director, Jan-Michael Sacharko at jsacharko@a-span.org or (703) 842-0154.

Sponsor a Student: •

A-SPAN Community Walk Saturday, November 5 2 PM Walkathon on National Mall Saturday, November 19 9 AM

A-SPAN readies for Shelter Season

A message from Lora Rinker

“HousingFirst” Works

• • • •

One student–$20 Five students–$100 10 students–$200 25 students–$500 50 students–$1000

Ongoing Improvements at EWS as A-SPAN Readies for Season Changes further integrate services at the Emergency Winter Shelter as A-SPAN positions for year-round shelter. As A-SPAN prepares for the upcoming season at the Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS), it does so under the oversight of the Director of Outreach and Shelter Programs, Terrance Toussaint. The move further integrates services at the shelter as A-SPAN strategically positions for a year-round shelter.

this year one night per week.

For the upcoming season, a women’s shower will be available on the first floor of the Shelter, which is a dedicated space for women, thanks to the donation of goods and services from The Shooshan Company, Clark Construction and several volunteer groups. Last year, female the For the 2011-12 season, shelter guests had to the EWS will be open upcoming season, use a shower located on as in the past from a women’s shower the third floor near the November 1 – March will be available on men’s sleeping quarters. 31 from 4 PM – 9 AM. the first floor of the Shelter Housing services, Contributions from employment case the community enable management, and the EWS Nursing A-SPAN to operate the shelter, and Services Program will remain in make strategic upgrades possible. place and look to expand on success Volunteers are needed to serve the of last season that saw seven clients evening meal, distribute hygiene placed into housing from the shelter supplies and monitor the clothing and 96 receive medical treatment. room. Donations of clothing, toiletries, socks, shoes, cereal The EWS Nursing Services and other items are also needed. Program will continue three nights a week, from Tuesday through To learn more or to get involved, please Thursday. Dr. Mike Fernandez, contact Sarah Morse at smorse@aan OB/GYN, will join the team span.org or (703) 842-0168.

for

Longtime A-SPAN staff Terrance Toussaint has been promoted to Director of Outreach and Shelter Programs. Terrance previously served as Senior Outreach Worker, and has been with A-SPAN for nearly four years. Terrance will be responsible for day-today operations of the Outreach Program, and the Emergency Winter Shelter. He looks forward to the challenge, “With the support of my team, I will continue to uphold the quality of work that A-SPAN is known for.”

A-SPAN’s

Housing, Year-Round Shelter Remain Focus

Women of Vision

In the late 1980s, A-SPAN founder Lora Rinker attended a meeting with homeless people attempting to start –

A Message from Our Founder, Lora Rinker

The food program grew to seven days a week by 1994, while providing limited case management. County discussions identified shelter as Arlington’s greatest need since homeless people had to go to DC or Alexandria for shelter. After a site was located, the County contracted with the Red Cross to operate the shelter. In its first two years, the shelter was open 41 nights. In 1992, A-SPAN became a Nonprofit and took over operation of the shelter. Operating procedures were restrictive at that time: if the temperature was below 32 degrees, the County

Shape Services

“I am very proud to have been a part of founding such an urgently needed organization to provide help and hope to homeless people. It is not my accomplishment alone. I will always be grateful for the many dedicated volunteers, Board of Directors members and talented staff members who helped make A-SPAN the wonderful and successful organization that it is. And I am especially pleased that A-SPAN continues not only to thrive but also to grow in scope and ability to better meet the needs of the homeless population in Arlington.”

– a Union of the Homeless. There Lora learned of the needs of homeless people living on the streets of her hometown Arlington. After a church program serving food to low-income housing projects agreed to prepare extra, Lora and her nephew distributed meals on the streets once a week over the next year.

made a daily decision whether to open. A-SPAN advocated for change since this caused hardship for homeless, shelter staff, and volunteers. It took years of advocacy to expand to the current November- March season. Early on, Lora and other supporters began advocating for a year round shelter, pointing out that homeless people have needs throughout the year. This goal remains elusive although it is now endorsed by the Arlington County Board. In late 1998, Opportunity Place opened. For the first time, there was a location in Arlington where homeless people could meet with a case manager, store belongings, take a shower, get clothing, make phone calls, or get mail. Lora’s ultimate goal was realized in 2007 when the Permanent Supportive Housing Program began. Since her retirement that year, the program has placed over 40 people in housing.

housing-first Housing, weekly in-home position for three clients Sanaa Darif

moved to the United States from Morocco after her parents died. She stayed with her older sister upon arriving in the US but soon found herself living on the streets after her sister kicked her out. Sanaa was just 16 years old. Over the next several months, Ms. Darif did what many newly homeless do: move from sofa to sofa searching for a place to sleep. In early 2011, the Arlington Department of Human Services (DHS) referred her to A-SPAN. She states, “A-SPAN is the best thing I’ve ever experienced.” With the help of her case manager, she got a job at a local fitness center. And on June 3, 2011, Ms. Darif signed a lease and moved into her own apartment.

“I love my life now. I was never open to people, but now I am.” Now 19, Ms. Darif is currently enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College and plans to transfer to George Mason soon. “I love my life right now. I was never open to people, but now I am.”

works case management lead to college, a job, and a coaching in A-SPAN’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program. “The first time I went into my apartment, holding keys in my hand, I felt something heavy lift off me.” The weight that James Muse carried for years was a by-product of a substance abuse problem he has now overcome. His addiction led the native Arlingtonian to commit a robbery, which landed him in jail. After serving time, Mr. Muse discovered how difficult it can be for an ex-convict to find a job or a place to live. He spent the next six years sleeping on sofas, at shelters and on the streets. In 2009, Mr. Muse was admitted to the Residential Program Center (RPC) and went through the its sevenmonth detox program. He enrolled in DC Central Kitchen’s Arlington Culinary Training Program. Upon graduation, he found work as a cook in Ballston. With help from a case manager at A-SPAN, he finally found a place to call home. “I signed my lease on Thursday, but couldn’t move in until Tuesday. I rode by my apartment each day on a bus, looking at it but not able to go in.” After A-SPAN helped him furnish his apartment through

the “Make It A Home” Fund, Mr. Muse finally moved in.

Ken

Belkosky

had been homeless for 13 years when he signed a lease in November 2010. While living on the streets and in shelters, he worked as a vendor for Street Sense, a biweekly newspaper that gives street homeless a voice. Mr. Belkosky is candid about how conflicting mental health diagnoses challenged him for years and left him in need of medication. He was admitted to the Virginia Hospital Center last year as a result, and later referred to the Residential Program Center (RPC). While at RPC, he learned about A-SPAN’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program, which has provided housing to over 40 people since its inception in Fall 2007. On the day Mr. Belkosky signed his lease, he showed up dressed in a suit, stating, “What else would you wear to the signing of such an important document?” After moving into his apartment, Mr. Belkosky helped found A-SPAN’s Street Soccer Team, the Arlington Tigers, and now serves as one of its coaches.

A-SPAN’s Street Soccer Team Expands Agency’s Services A-SPAN Launches its Soccer Team for Street Homeless Clients Based on the Model of “Sports for Social Change”

Get involved Clients, volunteers and supporters of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate in the Arlington Team.

Tigers

Practices

Street are

Soccer

held

Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30PM. To learn more or to get involved, please contact Sarah Morse at smorse@a-span.org or (703) 842-0168.

The dream of one of A-SPAN’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program clients is now a reality. Ken Belkosky is a strong supporter of the DC Knights, a soccer team made up of homeless individuals in Washington. Mr. Belkosky hoped to found a similar team for the street homeless in Arlington after watching the Knights play in DC. A-SPAN’s Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah Morse, shared his hopes, and in May 2011, they teamed up to launch the Arlington Tigers Street Soccer Team. Thanks to support from the Street Soccer DC program, A-SPAN is now home to its own street soccer outreach program. Its goal is to provide support and social structure for homeless individuals in Arlington, link them to services in the community and assist them

in obtaining permanent housing. The Arlington Tigers operate under Street Soccer USA (see www. streetsoccerusa.org), whose mission is to end homelessness through the use of “sports for social change.” The model works: up to 75% of players obtain housing within a year of playing on a street soccer team. The Arlington Tigers expand A-SPAN’s outreach program to area parks and soccer fields. Working together towards a common goal builds players’ self-esteem and promotes their success in other areas. Though just starting out, the Arlington Tigers were invited to join the DC Knights at the Street Soccer USA Cup 2011. The team showed great potential at the national event, and hopes to field a strong team for the national tournament next summer.

A-SPAN’s

Volunteers Are Heart

of Services

The impact of the economy has been felt everywhere, from an increased need for services to availability of funding. According to Guidestar, a leading source of non-profit information, 32% of non-profits have increased reliance on volunteers, confirming what A-SPAN already knew: volunteers are the life-blood of our services.

ess by 2013

Volunteers supply $303,920 towards A-SPAN’s services annually, a number arrived at by using the $22.03/hr Virginia state rate according to the Independent Sector. • On average, 4 volunteers work per night at the Winter Shelter, contributing $26,436 annually. • Volunteers work an average of 25 hours per week at Opportunity Place, contributing$57,980annually. • Homeless Bagged Meal Program volunteers contribute $119,866 annually by preparing, serving and covering the cost of meals.

100 Homes Campaign: October 16-21 100 Homes Arlington Campaign aims to reduce chronic homelessness in Arlington County by 50% by July 2013. A-SPAN as part of a communitywide effort prepares to launch the 100 Homes for 100 Homeless Arlingtonians Campaign this October. The campaign is an initiative of the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. Arlington is one of 95 communities nationwide to adopt the model that houses the most medically vulnerable homeless people. The 100 Homes Arlington Campaign is part of the national 100,000 Homes Campaign, which has housed 10,864 people to date, and the 1,000 Homes for 1,000 Virginians C a m p a i g n . The 100,000 Homes model is based on the “Housing First” approach to ending homelessness, which A-SPAN has used the last four years to successfully house over 40 adults. Homeless people are placed into housing regardless of mental illness, disabilities, or addictions, then provided comprehensive supportive services such as case management. The nationwide practice is considered by many to be more cost-effective and humane than alternatives including shelters, jails, emergency rooms, and halfway houses. Registry Week runs from October 16-

21. A-SPAN staff will join volunteers as they spread out across the county and identify every homeless person found sleeping on the streets. Volunteers collect information through the Vulnerability Index. The detailed survey identifies which homeless persons are most likely to die on the streets, and gives them priority for housing. If interested in volunteering during Registry Week or assisting with furniture drives and move-in events, please contact Sarah Morse at smorse@a-span.org or (703) 842-0168. Please see below for volunteer opportunities. There is a mandatory training Sunday, October 16 from 1-4 PM at the Department of Human Services building at 2100 Washington Boulevard. Surveyors: Conduct interviews with homeless individuals in designated areas as part of a team. Data Entry: Enter information into database and download photos. Headquarters: Assist with registration, check-in, set-up, and clean-up.

For 100 homeless Arlingtonians by 2013

Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Arlington, VA Permit #5201

P.O. Box 100731 Arlington, VA 22210

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A-SPAN

Dates to Remember

•

Sat. November 5 Walk in A-SPAN’s Community Walk at the Emergency Winter Shelter

•

Sat. November 19 Walk for A-SPAN in Fannie Mae’s Help-theHomeless Walkathon

• Friday December 9 20th Anniversary Gala

www.youtube.com/ASPANlink om/ASPANlink

Save the Date A-SPAN 20th Anniversary Gala Friday December 9, 2011 6 - 9:30 PM

Twenty years ago, two Arlington citizens responded to a Community Need by serving meals to people living on the streets. Today meals are more than sustenance - they’re one

Washington Golf And Country Club 3017 Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22207

of many ways we engage a person in need and encourage them to access our continuum of care. By combining emergency services with healthcare, case management, employment

Honorary Co-chairs Congressman Jim Moran Wjla’s Alison Starling

counseling and housing, A-SPAN & Community Partners will End Homelessness in Arlington.

Marking 20 Years Of Service To Arlington

Gala