TGI Case Statement Low Res
- 1. The Gathering Inn provides homeless women, men, and families the dignity and resources they need to become active members of our community. “Providing a hand-up, not a hand-out” Vision: To end homelessness in our community. _____________________________________ Values: Accountability: to each other Respect: to all involved Collaboration: with the community Safety: for our homeless guests Diversity: we engage everyone
- 2. Our History Compelled to meet the needs of the homeless, a group of Placer County ministers met in January 2004 to discuss opening their doors during the coldest months of the year. This collaboration of 13 congregations provided food, shelter, hospitality, and a sense of dignity to the homeless of Placer County. After three short years, The Gathering Inn evolved into a year-round program due to its high demand. Today, The Gathering Inn is the preeminent program serving the homeless of Placer County, providing services 365 days a year. Comprehensive services address the mental health, addiction, employment, medical, dental, and basic needs of the homeless throughout the day through on-site programs. As part of The Gathering Inn’s collaboration with the community, over 38 congregations open their hearts and doors to support the homeless every night of the year providing food, shelter, and respect. Who We Serve The Gathering Inn serves the homeless in Placer County. To be admitted into the program, an individual must have a TB screening, be clean and sober upon admission, and be willing to participate in the programs that are offered.
- 3. Homelessness: According to the 2015 Point in Time Homeless Counts for Placer County, homelessness in Placer County is severely chronic and highly correlated to mental illness. These individuals need help eradicating the barriers that keep them homeless. • 517 homeless individuals on any given night • 37% of these individuals are chronically homeless • 59% of these individuals are severely mentally ill • Chronic substance abuse: 39% • Domestic violence victims: 37% • Veterans: 10% • Prior foster care: 11% • Males: 60% Females: 40% • Single adults: 85% Children: 15% Sobering Statistics to Consider According to the National Center on Family Homelessness HOMELESS MOTHERS • 92% have experienced severe physical or sexual assault in their lifetime. • 63% of homeless mothers have been violently abused by an intimate male partner. 27% required medical treatment. • 44% lived outside their homes at some point during their childhood. Of these women, 20% were placed in foster care. • 36% have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a rate three times higher than other women. • 66% of homeless women were violently abused by a childhood caretaker or other adult in their household before reaching age 18. • 43% of homeless women were sexually molested as children. • Homeless mothers have ulcers at four times the rate of other women. ______________________________________________________________ HOMELESS CHILDREN • 34% of school-aged children who have been homeless have lived apart from their families • Almost 25% of homeless children have witnessed acts of violence within their family. • 62% of formerly homeless, extremely low-income children (ages 8 to 17 years old) have been exposed to violence. For children over 12, the rate of exposure to violence climbs to 83%. • Homeless children suffer from emotional or behavioral problems that interfere with learning at almost three times the rate of other children. • Homeless children between 6 and 17 years old struggle with high rates of mental health problems. For example, 47% have problems such as anxiety, depression, or withdrawal, compared to 18% of other school-age children.
- 4. Services Provided The Gathering Inn provides the following services free of charge: • Basic needs including; food, clothing, toiletries, clean clothing and safe shelter both during the day and overnight. • Transportation services to outside appointments including Placer County offices; transportation to and from the host church each day. • On-site Gateway Resource Center which provides access to social and employment services for our homeless guests. • Case management services to link our homeless guests to community-based services. • On-site Community Health Clinic which provides triage healthcare and reduced use of community emergency medical services and is open to the community at large. • On-site Dental Clinic which provides comprehensive dental services. • On-site clothing closet which provides appropriate seasonal clothing to our homeless guests as well as community members who need help making ends meet. • Access to Recovery services, a substance abuse treatment program. • Mental health screening, in partnership with Placer County, to access emergency mental health intervention and support. Life skills training to build basic social and behavioral skills that are prerequisites for successful living. • Interim Care Program (ICP), in partnership with Sutter and Kaiser Hospitals, provides housing for hospital patients who would otherwise be discharged to a homeless situation.
- 5. Quick Facts • On average, 62 homeless guests are provided showers, shelter, and served a nutritious dinner daily. • 40% of the homeless served are women and children; with 17% including families with children under the age of 18. • There has been a 19% increase in the number of homeless families seen since 2014. • 26% of the homeless guests have been without a home for one year or more; 43% have been identified as having mental health issues; additionally 21% have a physical disability. • 67% of the homeless guests retained or obtained food stamps; 57% retained or obtained general assistance. • 6% of our homeless guests are veterans Our Impact in 2014 • Case management services located and placed over 160 homeless people into permanent housing. • County and city officials report reduced calls to local police, fire, and emergency personnel. • Over 22,000 bed nights/meals were provided. • Over 350 homeless received medical services at the on-site medical clinic. • Over 100 homeless guests received dental services at the on-site dental clinic. • Over 45 homeless guests received services at the Interim Care Program reducing the number of 911 calls and emergency visits.
- 6. From Some of Our Homeless Guests The raw numbers are important, but behind every number is a person with a true, real-life story. A person like Robert. Upon graduating from Foothill High School and Cosumnes River College, and drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies organization, Robert found himself homeless after battling a methamphetamine addiction. After living in his car for three months, and the last five days of that time eating out of a jar of peanut butter, Robert finally let go of his pride enough to walk into the front door of The Gathering Inn. He is thankful he did. Robert took advantage of the hand-up he received and got himself back on his feet, freed himself of his addiction, and is now giving back to the community by working for The Gathering Inn. As Robert has stated, “I want to give back to the place that gave me so much.”
- 7. Amadeus: A Father of Five at The Gathering Inn Amadeus was born in 1982, and was one of 9 children. With so many siblings, Amadeus quickly learned how to cook and clean, and it wasn’t before long that he discovered cooking was his passion. “I was self-taught, from the Food Network Channel,” he laughed. “I got my first job at 16 years old by walking into a restaurant called The Ranch House. I just walked in and told them that I could cook, and that they should let me try.” “When my fiancée and I started having more children, I knew I would need more money than being a chef could provide, so I got into construction.” But tragedy struck when one day complications from his job led to Amadeus needing back surgery. Amadeus now has 10 inches of steel and 8 bolts going through his spine. After the surgery, he returned to work. “But the bottom two bolts were loose, and I could feel them going in and out of my bone. There was no way I could continue in construction. I could barely walk. I had become disabled. I fought to get SSDI for three years. Throughout the process neither I nor my fiancée could work. Just to survive and pay rent we had to start selling all of our resources and assets. We lost it all. When I finally got a judge to review my case, he said I wasn’t disabled enough and that there were plenty of jobs. I asked, ‘where are these jobs?’ The judge said I could work as a ticket ripper on a toll bridge. I lived in Los Angeles at this time; there are no toll bridges in Los Angeles.” “We came to The Gathering Inn because it was one of the few shelters that would take in the whole family.” Now, Amadeus can focus on improving his and his family’s life. “We are so blessed to be here. We don’t even get a chance to need anything. This place gives me motivation. I can ask them for anything. It’s amazing what happens when people take hold of the opportunities that The Gathering Inn has to offer.” Amadeus is currently going to Sierra College, taking classes to become a probation officer, with plans to graduate in 2019. “My situation has given me so much compassion,” says Amadeus. “I want to be a probation officer to work with high level security children. I want to work with the children that other people say there is no hope for.”
- 8. How You Can Help Each year over 450 homeless individuals are served by The Gathering Inn. The costs to society are great; homeless individuals tend to move in and out of expensive emergency services such as hospital emergency rooms, substance abuse treatment facilities, and even jail. The average cost of an indiviual visit to an ER is $3500; to arrest someone costs over $400 and jail time is over $100 dollars a day, not to mention the physical and psychological effects that homelessness has on an individual. The Gathering Inn reduces these costs by providing a place for the homeless to receive help rather than be on the streets consuming city and county resources. By providing a safe place to stay, surrounded by supportive and caring staff, The Gathering Inn provides homeless women, men, and families the dignity and resources they need to become active members of our community. There are several ways to provide a hand-up, not a hand out, to those in need in Placer County. $4,800 Gift Amount A Family for a Month With Your Help, We Can Fund An Average Guest Stay A Guest for a Month A Guest once a month for a year A Family for a Day A Guest for a Day Other Gift of Your Choosing $2,000 $1,200 $480 $160 $40 $______