August 2012 - Boulder Shelter for the Homeless
Transcription
August 2012 - Boulder Shelter for the Homeless
Newsletter of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless • August 2012 4 8 6 9 N o r t h B r o a d wa y, B o u l d e r, CO 8 0 3 0 4 • 3 0 3 - 4 4 2 - 4 6 4 6 • w w w. b o u l d e r s h e l t e r. o rg Friends like you. It’s easy to celebrate the large accomplishments of our clients and residents, like landing a job, or moving into independent housing. But here at the Boulder Shelter we put a special emphasis on the small celebrations. And every time a man or woman has a breakthrough we think of you, our supporters. Without you, the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless could not exist. Whether you give $5 a month, volunteer a few hours a week, or gave a major gift this year, friends like you mean the world to us. And it’s important for the men and women we help to know that they have people like you on their side — people who don’t even know them, but care about their safety and wellbeing. It’s this support that keeps all of our spirits high and helps them take the courageous steps toward a life of self-sufficiency. As donors, volunteers, and champions, your gifts are investments in our work and they enable us to plan our spending and to respond with innovative programs that go beyond emergency shelter and help break the cycle of homelessness for good. We’re more grateful than ever to have friends like you by our side. Thank you thank you! Thank you And though we keep a keen eye on the big picture, we know that it’s often the small accomplishments that have the biggest impact. Thank you for making these moments possible. David & Karen Jaeger donated a sporting goods gift card to the Housing First program. Because you are at the heart of the Boulder Shelter, in one way or another you play a vital part in all that follows in this newsletter. Here’s what else is going on at the Shelter right now ... Kerry Lightenburger donated a bus pass for Shelter use. This summer, the Shelter is open for clients enrolled in, or on the wait list for, our Transition Program. The Transition Program provides a structured environment in which men and women take positive steps to regain self-sufficiency and independent housing. The program provides sheltering by contract and in-depth case management to homeless men and women who are sober, working, looking for employment, or receiving disability income. This program runs year- round. Additionally, the Shelter is open every morning this summer to anyone in need to provide a hot breakfast, mail service, showers, and access to laundry facilities, mail, and phone messages. In March of 2012, Boulder Housing Partners (BHP), the Shelter’s longtime partner in providing housing for the homeless, received great news. The Veterans’ Administration (VA) and the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Boulder County 25 VASH vouchers. VASH stands for Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing and is a joint program between the VA and HUD to assist in getting all homeless veterans off the streets. These 25 housing vouchers will allow disabled homeless vets in Boulder County to receive reduced rent housing in perpetuity. The Shelter is helping to get the vouchers distributed. In addition, the VA will also provide a full-time case manager to support the participants in the program. While the VASH program has been around for several years, this is the first time Boulder County has received an allotment. Friends continues on page 3 Matthew Hauser asked that donations be made to the Shelter in lieu of receiving birthday presents. Mallory Bednorz and the Broadway Animal Hospital donated blankets, towels, and food to the Shelter. Andi Jason and Kidz Art donated coffee mugs to the Shelter. Broomfield High School donated hats and scarves to the Shelter through ‘Crocheting for a Cause’. Susan Chunn donated a new microwave to the Shelter. Boulder Sports Recycler continues to donate jackets, shoes, boots, and outdoor equipment. Through its Community Ticket Program, the Colorado Rockies Baseball Organization continues to donate tickets to this season’s baseball games for Shelter clients. The National Honor Society at Fairview High School awarded the Shelter a financial contribution in honor of the Shelter’s excellent work in the community. ■ B oard of D irectors Ardie Sehulster, President Retired HUD Official Mark Goosman,Vice-President Senior Product Marketing Manager, Spatial Corp. Matt Roan,Treasurer First Western Trust Bank Darrell Billington, Secretary/Recorder Secondary Educator, Fairview High School Ruth Cornfeld Becker Attorney Jack Gipple Psychotherapist Tom Hagerty Retired City of Boulder Deputy Finance Director Betty Hoye CPA and Realtor Jeff Kahn Attorney Jim Peters Vice President, Boulder Community Hospital Kathy Reims, MD Chief Medical Officer, Center for Strategic Innovation Scott Robbins Housing Consultant Administrative Staff Director’s Dialogue It’s Tuesday morning at 9:30. I am sitting in the basement conference room at the Shelter with about 30 Shelter program staff. We do this every week. Everyone is arranged in a large guidelines, there are often extenuating circumcircle, and for the next 90 minstances or areas of ambiguity that require staff diautes we will discuss Shelter logue (I recall a discussion about a resident who policy and procedures, conduct threw a bagel at another resident. There was some trainings, and hear from colstaff discourse regarding the potential danger of a laborating agencies. But mostly, we will talk about fresh bagel vs. a stale bagel as a projectile). All seriShelter residents. Who is doing well and is ready ous rule infractions at the Shelter are adjudicated to be admitted into the Shelter’s in this manner. The final deciTransition Program or move into sion in this towel throwing case independent living, and who is ultimately resulted in Julie being not doing so well. Those who are There was some staff banned from Shelter services for not doing so well are often resi90 days. In addition, she must dents who have violated one of meet with a Shelter manager to discourse regarding the Shelter’s rules. These rules are discuss the incident before again the potential danger being eligible for services. in place to support the Shelter’s mission of offering a safe environof a fresh bagel vs. a I have sat through hundreds of ment for everyone and to uphold these discussions over the years the Shelter’s core value of Treating stale bagel. and I am consistently amazed by All with Dignity. the wisdom and empathy disToday’s meeting includes a discusplayed by the Shelter staff; a group sion about a resident — let’s call of people who have dedicated her Julie — who became angry and threw a towel part of their lives to helping those less fortunate. at a staff member. Any form of violence, or even And to struggle daily with what it really means to the threat of violence, is taken very seriously at Treat All with Dignity. the Shelter. Julie’s behavior was clearly unacceptable and the Shelter staff will debate the appropriate consequence for this violation of the rules. Greg Harms, Executive Director Although the Shelter has written consequence Greg Harms Executive Director Michael Block Director, Programs The Shelter’s Core Values are: Travis Railey Director, Development & Marketing Mike Rauer Director, Facilities Wayne Agraz Controller Gina M. Barajas Manager, Volunteers Stephen Milburn Manager, Boulder County Cares Manager, Transitional Housing Support the Boulder Shelter on Colorado Gives Day, 12/4/2012. Visit coloradogivesday.org for more information. • Treat all with dignity • Offer support and opportunity • Achieve results through competence and creativity • Practice responsible stewardship Janet Walker Ready Manager, Housing First Caroline Goosman Manager, Donor Outreach & Events Kelli Murphy Manager, Grants Sarah Haas Manager, Kitchen page 2 29years of service in our community. The mission of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless is to provide safe shelter, food, support services, and an avenue to self-sufficiency for homeless adults in our community. Under Our Roof Friends continued from cover When you see the homeless in our community, it’s estimated that at least 20 percent are military vets. Working together to end veteran homelessness in Boulder, BHP and the Shelter are excited to have this new resource available for those who served our country in military service. The Neighborhood Shelter Action Group (NSAG) was reconstituted in early 2012. The NSAG was created as part of the City of Boulder’s approval of the new Shelter facility at 4869 Broadway back in 2002. This standing Shelter Board committee serves as the primary vehicle for ongoing neighborhood/Shelter communications. This group includes Shelter Board members, Shelter staff, and representatives from the surrounding neighborhoods. The group has maximum of (10) members and meets at the request of either the Shelter or the neighborhood representatives. The purpose of this committee is to offer recommendations to the Shelter Board and/or to the neighborhood associations on how either can become better neighbors, and develop options for engaging the neighborhood in Shelter activities, and, if necessary, Shelter neighborhood dispute resolution. The NSAG met regularly in 2002 and 2003 as the Shelter was settling in to its new home. Meetings of the group became less frequent as there were few issues to discuss. In 2011, however, with the proposal of the 1175 Lee Hill apartment building, new concerns about the homeless population in north Boulder came to light. The NSAG was reconstituted with the following members: John Hinkelman: [email protected] • Ronnie Pelusio: Ronnie@Pel-Ona. com • Frank Bruno: [email protected] • Beth Silverman: Beth.Silverman@ mockpropertymanagement.com • Jeff Hoffmeyer: [email protected] • Mark Cervelli: [email protected] • Kathy Dessau: [email protected] • Mark Goosman (Shelter board member): [email protected] • Jack Gipple (Shelter board member): JackGip@gmail. com • Greg Harms: [email protected] The Boulder City Council voted to officially support the Lee Hill supportive housing project at their April 17, 2012 meeting. This was a significant step in making the 31-unit apartment building for the chronically homeless a reality. Much work still needs to be done and the Shelter’s partner in the project, Boulder Housing Partners, is working closely with the community to create the operational plan for the facility. BHP and the Shelter are also ramping up efforts to secure all the necessary funding for the project. The Shelter would like to thank those who supported the project during the public phase of the development. And we would also like to thank those who respectfully and civilly expressed their concerns about the facility. We are confident that the public process for this project will lead to a building that will well serve the homeless and be an asset for the local neighborhood. Street Fare is the Boulder Shelter supportive employment bakery, run out of the Shelter’s kitchen, which specializes in miniature cupcakes. Street Fare employs those for whom typical employment is difficult or impossible to attain, namely clients in Housing First and those in the Shelter’s Transition Program who are working with case managers to transition into independent housing. Many of these clients are considered legally disabled; Street Fare not only offers a source of income for them, but also a productive activity that positively impacts the organization of which they are a part and the community in which they live. Look for the Street Fare booth at the Boulder, Longmont, and Louisville markets all summer. For more information, visit www.bouldershelter.org/streetfare.about.html August 2012 “You left a phone message thanking us for an end-ofyear donation we had made to the Shelter. I learned recently that a friend of mine from school has been utilizing your services. My husband and I have always tried to help those in need when we can. However, homelessness and hunger take on a different meaning when attached to a face that you recognize and care about. I am simply writing to thank you and your team for the caring service you provide to my friend and others in need in Boulder.” —Shelter donor Our summer residents, who are in our Transition Program, have begun a constructive cycle of rebuilding their lives, where, for many of them, success leads to success. The Transition Program has graduated over 740 men and women into stable housing since its inception in 1996. page 3 [ refuge and safety ] volunteer profile :: Doug Schuster What is your occupation? I’m a Data Engineer at National Center for Atmospheric Research. What activities have you participat- ed in as a Shelter volunteer? At the Shelter, I’ve been a summer dinner volunteer, winter resident storage volunteer, and winter dorm supply volunteer. Why do you volunteer? I volunteer with the hope of making a resident’s night at the Shelter a bit more comfortable — so that it can be a place of refuge and safety at the end of their day. I also volunteer to help Shelter staff to focus their energy on engaging the residents directly, instead of spending time on other tasks. I feel blessed to have always enjoyed having a home of my own, and want to help out those who are experiencing difficult challenges in their current life space. “The beauty and depth of the Shelter is in its recognition that the things that lead to homelessness are unbelievably hard to overcome. While we understand and accept the fragile nature of their existence, we can also be a conduit for stability for the homeless men and women who want to make an effort. People fail. And people are accountable. But somebody has to be there for the second or third chance. The Shelter is here.” —from conversation at a Shelter staff meeting. OUR VOLUNTEERS Making a difference in so many ways, you are! On behalf of the staff and residents at the Boulder Shelter, thank you very much for your volunteer service during the 2011-12 Winter Sheltering season. The Shelter is only able to fulfill its mission because of your assistance and dedication. You help make it possible for the Shelter to provide services to more than 1,000 homeless individuals each year, including cooking and serving approximately 85,000 meals. Thank you for your time, energy, and compassion! Breakfast volunteers: Jewish Renewal, Har HaShem, Bonai Shalom, Philip Lenzini, Annie Wills, Jeff Hoffmeyer, Julia Guarino, Jill & Jordan Grano, Phil Locker, Janessa Berggren, Matt Dew, Jim Carlson, Win Franklin, Ray Toves, Ginny & Peter Strange, Employees of Northrop Grumman, Jay Millard, Girish Mahadevan, Mark Biggers, Jeff Malin, Ellen MacDonald, Mary Ruskusky, Scott Brasington, Charles Partee, Kim Schafer, St. Tom’s University and Fairview Student Council. Dinner volunteers: St. Ambrose Episcopal, Mountainview United Methodist, Four Suns, Happy Thursday Community Bike Ride, Mark Biggers & Friends, 7th Day Adventist Church Group, Boulder Valley Unitarian Fellowship, Carriage Hills Neighbors, Friends of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Joy Weinstein & Friends, Deborah Davis, Bella Hoelzeman, Karen Johnson, Dr. Bob Murphy & Family, First Trust Western Bank, Mother’s Kitchen, Garson deCastro and Friends, Shelter Board, Niwot United Methodist Church, Sai Baba Group, St. Thomas Aquinas, Allen Family & Friends, Mennonite Church Group, Mary Ann TomaskoPerry & Friends, Christ the Servant, Westview Presbyterian Church, Friends of Bethel, Sikh Spaghetti Night, Boulder Meeting of Friends, and Harsh Reddy & Friends. Dorm Supply volunteers: Chris Blach, Dawn Nguyen, Scott Van Nostrand, Elisabeth Hyde, Sherry Young, Rich Hall, Maria Harper, Marcia Forman, Leah Widmer, Paul Hancock, Elizabeth Treister, Kady O’ffen, Kimberly Hughes-Walker, Austin Drury, Pat Wetherbee, Sydney Mandel, Kathleen Kelley, Doug Schuster, Marc Weaver, Zach Nelson, Lisa Egger, Peggy Stephen, Tiffany Stamas, Bev “Lola” Nelson, Kenneth Rowe, Chanah Gallagher, Amy & Aidan Smith, Philip & Rosa Lawrence, Ardie Sehulster, Gene Tidball, Sharon Jewell, Eliana Berlfein, Kailey O’Connell, and Joe Torres. Linens volunteers: Bettina Straub, Christie Lambert, Corbin Stafford, Tricia LeJeune, Jim Scott, Bella Hoelezeman, Paul Hancock, Blaine Wajdowicz, Alex Bak and John Gaipa. Program Staff volunteer: Daniel Sharkey Staff Assistant volunteers: Tarryn Jamison, Katina Dukellis, Maria Harper, Kenneth Phillips, Kyle Schreuder, Francine Myers, Justin Czyszczewski, Jennifer Hotka, Lauren Jones, Anne Brooks, and Kailey O’Connell. Vol. Kitchen Leads: Sandi Denton, Mark Biggers, Jon & Deborah Davis, Jeff Malin, Bella Hoelzeman, and Anna Schubert. Shelter staff flexes some muscle at the Shelter volunteer appreciation party, held at the Avery Brewing barrel room in May. page 4 Under Our Roof [ give hope ] getting to know :: Michael Block, Director of Programs Why do you work at the Shelter? It is a privilege to have the opportunity to have a positive effect on those who have suffered so greatly yet are so often considered an afterthought. For years, while in the private sector, I knew and planned for the right time to arrive, change my career and do something more authentic. I was always interested in human nature and the human condition, but maybe I never realized how much. When the time finally did arrive I was volunteering at the Shelter and, as these things often happen, I ended up taking a job assisting the manager of Boulder County Cares and pulling a shift on the Shelter floor one night a week. That was five years ago and it is hard to believe how dumb lucky I was to find the Shelter and the homeless community it serves. I am continually amazed how this organization responsibly and diligently faces the dilemma of how to best help address such a complicated problem like homelessness while being mindful of words like dignity and compassion and the complexity they hold. It is a wonderful place to work and an inspiring yet challenging population to try and assist. What are your daily responsibilities? To support the program supervisors, managers, and staff and make sure they have the tools and support to do their jobs every day. More than 15,000 companies match gifts... Does yours? Please contact your human resources office. It’s quick, easy and can double your gift to the Shelter! What exceptional challenges and opportunities have you discovered in your work here? The never ending challenge and opportunity here are really one in the same; the continual struggle to give our residents hope in the face of sometimes unimaginable suffering and trauma, to ask them to keep on fighting, to accept the agonizing pace of change, to recognize the difference between battles and wars, that the only way to make something different is to do things differently, to embrace their strengths and to trust that help comes to those who help themselves. What do you like to do for fun? Being a father and being outdoors. In May, the Fifth Grade class at Heatherwood Elementary brought donations of food, blankets, coats and socks to the Shelter as one of their 32 Acts of Kindness. According to their teacher, a parent reported that when her son was climbing into bed later that night he said, “I’m glad I have a bed to sleep in.” Thanks, kids, for your kindness and generosity. Meet us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ thebouldershelter Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ bouldershelter www. bouldershelter The Spirit of the Community Awards are presented annually by Foothills United Way to .org individuals, partnerships, and companies who set the standard for philanthropic spirit or community service, and exemplify the idea of Living United. In June, the Boulder Shelter and Boulder Housing Partners were awarded the 2012 Spirit of the Community Award for partnerships, specifically for their collaboration on the Boulder County Housing First program. As the name implies, Housing First offers permanent housing, with intense case management, to chronically homeless individuals as their first step toward stability. What differentiates a Housing First model from traditional emergency sheltering or transitional housing models is the immediate and primary focus on helping homeless people quickly access and then sustain housing – put simply, housing comes first, then services. Boulder Shelter case managers work with these clients to both achieve and maintain housing. Greg Harms and Betsey Martens, Executive Director, Boulder Housing Partners, accept the Spirit of the Community Award for Partnership for the Boulder County Housing First Program. August 2012 page 5 THANK YOU Sponsors and Golfers of the 18th Annual Boulder Shelter Golf Classic The Ranch Country Club • May 15, 2012 You made a difference! TITLE SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS Pasta Jays, EVOL Burritos, Deuce Entertainment, Mountain Streaming SILVER SPONSORS Flatirons Radiology, First Western Bank Trust BRONZE SPONSORS Boulder County Seriff Department, Boulder Police Department, Colorado Business Bank, Hoffbrau Colorado, Merial–Animal Clinic North EAGLE SPONSORS Edward Jones–Tom Stenz, Kelmeg & Associates, Lanx BIRDIE SPONSORS Barnsley Tire Co., Christ the Servent Lutheran Church–Louisville OTHER SPONSORS and GENEROUS DONORS Fisher Honda, Greenbriar, Pollard Friendly Motor, Flatirons Athletic Club, Perea, Inc., Puddle Car Wash, Goodson Insurance Brokerage Services, Boulder Wine Merchant, Thule, 1st Bank Center, Golf Galaxy, Ten20, Whole Foods, Pompadours, Natural Grocers, Pangea Organics, Gordon Biersch, Lake Valley Golf Club, Daily Camera, Westin, McGuckins, T Lazy 7 Ranch–Aspen, Denver Art Museum, MudBugCo Fish Acquisitions, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, University of Colorado Football, City of Boulder Parks and Recreation, Denver Broncos, Libbey Glass, Mile-Hi Skydiving Center, Bean & Berry THANK YOU ALL! Address Service Requested 4869 North Broadway Boulder, CO 80304 • f o r t h e H o m e l e s s • BOULDER SHELTER Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Boulder, CO Permit No.840