trainingforchristian congregations

Faith-Based Help for People Living Homeless : 

Faith-Based Help for People Living Homeless The Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter Of Davis Training Event Presented by: Alex Cooke and Natacha Foo Kune

Mission Statement: 

Mission Statement “The Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter (IRWS) of Davis is a community-based effort enabling member congregations to provide cold-weather shelter and hospitality on a rotating basis to persons who are homeless in the Davis community.”

Congregational Involvement : 

Congregational Involvement Host Sites Davis Community Church Davis United Methodist Church First Baptist Church University Covenant Church Volunteer Support Church of Latter Day Saints Davis Lutheran Church Lutheran Church of the Incarnation Society of Friends

Are there people living homeless in Davis?: 

Are there people living homeless in Davis? Based on the Yolo County Point-in-time Count conducted in January 2007: 86 individuals 10 families 17 Children under the age of 18

Who are the people living homeless in Davis?: 

Who are the people living homeless in Davis? Ages: Adults 18+: 68 (80%) Children 17 & under: 17 (20%) Gender: Male: 47 (55%) Female: 21 (45%) 65-70% are homeless in the jurisdiction where they grew up

Education Facts(Based on 2005 data– 2007 data not available): 

Education Facts (Based on 2005 data– 2007 data not available) 80% have completed high school 23% attended some college 10% have completed college education Source: Davis Enterprise, 1/18/06: Homeless Coalition plans informal meetings by Tom Martens (Exec. dir of STEAC)

Current emergency shelter in Davis: 

Current emergency shelter in Davis Davis Community Meals provides: Cold weather shelter location (5th Street): 10 emergency beds 1111 H St. shelter location: 2 emergency beds Families 7 units throughout Davis Total Emergency Beds: 12

The 2007 Yolo County Homeless Summit:Ranking of Needed Services: 

The 2007 Yolo County Homeless Summit: Ranking of Needed Services 1. Emergency Shelter Beds 2. Affordable Housing 3. Mental Health Services

Slide9: 

Faith Grounding

Scripture : 

Scripture “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt. 22:36-39 “If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns… do not be hard-hearted or tight fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand.” Deut. 15:7

Faith Grounding : 

Faith Grounding A thought to ponder: Jesus was: Born homeless (Luke 2:7) Was in homelessness (in exile) (Matt.2: 13 - 15) Lived homeless while doing ministry (Matt. 8: 19 - 20) Died homeless (Mark 15:34)

Slide12: 

The Rotating Shelter Program

The Basics: 

The Basics Congregations serve as host sites for an emergency winter shelter on a rotating basis Trained staff at a separate Intake Center carefully screen guests (behavioral assessment) Transportation of guests to host congregations Welcome, supper, and a dry place to sleep Next morning: chores and departure back to Intake Center

The Basics continued…: 

The Basics continued… Period of Operation Dec. 16th – Feb. 23rd Number of Guests 5-25 Guest Composition Open to all in need including non-clean & non-sober Length of Stay 1-4 weeks per congregation

Host Congregation: 

Host Congregation Volunteers: Volunteers (6-8 people) to provide evening meal and hospitality from 6:30pm – 10:00pm. Meals: Evening meals (hot encouraged) provided by host congregation Overnight Staff: 2 trained staff provide overnight coverage. Congregational volunteers encouraged to stay overnight, but not required.

The Schedule: 

The Schedule 5:30pm Check-in at Intake Center and Behavioral Assessment 6:15pm Depart for Host Congregation 6:30pm Arrive at Host Congregation 7:00pm Evening Meal (suggested time) 10:00pm Lights Out and TV Off 6:00am Wake-up 6:15am Guest clean-up chores 6:30am Guests depart for Intake Center

Intake Process: 

Intake Process

Intake Process: 

Intake Process Intake of guests occurs between 5:30pm – 6:15pm Guests can be non-clean and non-sober Guests fill out paper work, have picture taken, sign agreement and waiver form

Intake Process: 

Intake Process Behavioral assessment at Intake Center to determine whether a guests is respectful, follows direction, and is compliant with intake staff Guests transported to host site at 6:15pm

Interaction with Guests: 

Interaction with Guests

Interaction with Guests: 

Interaction with Guests DO: Introduce yourself and be genuine Listen and pay attention to non-verbal cues Approach staff if you feel uncomfortable for any reason DON’T: Don’t try too hard Don’t dig for personal information Don’t push religion or politics

Interaction with Guests: 

Interaction with Guests DON’T continued… Don’t do personal favors (give rides, offer money, etc.) Don’t give out personal information (address, phone #, e-mail, etc.) Don’t offer help outside of existing programs

Youth and Children: 

Youth and Children Youth and children must be supervised at all times. Recommended adult to youth/child ratio: 1 to 5

Volunteer Duties: 

Volunteer Duties Ensure respectful atmosphere for guests and other volunteers Get to know the guests Notify IRWS staff if rules and policies are not being followed If you are staying overnight, ensure that host space is returned to original condition the following morning

Sample Volunteer Schedule: 

Sample Volunteer Schedule 5:30pm Prepare meal on-site 6:15pm Set tables for meal 6:30pm Welcome and check-in guests 6:35pm Review log book 7:00pm Family style dinner served 7:30pm Clean-up

Sample Volunteer Schedule: 

Sample Volunteer Schedule 8:00pm Conversation, games, movies 9:30pm Prepare space for overnight accommodations (sleeping bags & mats provided) 10:00pm Lights out. Evening volunteers depart. Security checks to occur hourly between 6:30pm – 11:00pm.

Current Needs: 

Current Needs

Current Needs: 

Current Needs Intake Staff Evening drivers Overnight staff Mats Cell phone & service Van loan

Current Needs:Intake Staff: 

Current Needs: Intake Staff Additional training provided Shift: 5:15pm – 6:30pm Responsibilities include: Behavioral assessment Completing intake forms Reviewing Agreement & Waiver form with guests

Current Needs:Evening Drivers: 

Current Needs: Evening Drivers Shift: 6:15pm – 7:00pm Responsibilities: Transport guests from Intake Center to host site Deliver log book to staff person at host site Deliver mats/sleeping bags/pillows on Sundays Liability insurance provided above and beyond individual insurance

Current Needs:Overnight Staff: 

Current Needs: Overnight Staff Shift: 6:15pm – 6:30am or 9:45pm – 6:30am Responsibilities include: Security of grounds Enforcement of rules, policies, and host site schedule Ensure safe and respectful atmosphere for guests and other volunteers Host site returned to original condition the following morning

Religious Services: 

Religious Services The IHTF policy regarding religious services (p.17): Your congregation may offer religious services for your guests including study of sacred texts, prayer meetings, and worship. However, forcing any guest to attend is strictly prohibited. The guests have free will to choose whether they would like to participate in any of the religious services. All religious offerings must take place in a separate room, never in the sleeping area(s) or in the dining areas during mealtime. Also, do not offer donations or services to guests who participate in religious services if these donations or services are not made available to all guests. These restrictions protect the privacy of your guests and the Interfaith nature of the Rotating Shelter. Please call the IHTF Resource Team with any specific questions in this area.

Thank You!: 

Thank You! The IRWS thanks you for hosting the Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter for 2007 – 2008.