Download - HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Homelessness Awareness Day 2009 Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness

HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS IN YOUR

COMMUNITY

Homelessness Awareness Day 2009 Governor’s Committee to End

Homelessness

Presentation Outline

PHC Event Objectives/Overview Suggested Committees Successful GCEH PHC Event

Other Awareness EventsResources

Creating Awareness

Project Homeless Connect

Support for Project Homeless Connect

“Project Homeless Connect is breaking the myth that people do not seek assistance and services and would rather be on the street. The data prove that, when people are approached in a respectful and kind manner and with available resources, they are eager to accept help toward self-sufficiency”

-Mayor Gavin Newsom, City of San Francisco

National Project Homeless Connect Toolkit USICH-2008

Support for Homeless Project Connect

“This is the beginning of a new way to address homelessness.... Project Homeless Connect is a one-day, one-stop shop to deliver real services to people experiencing real homelessness in our community. But this is also about a commitment to move from simply managing homelessness towards really ending homelessness”

-Mayor R.T. Rybak, City of MinneapolisNational Project Homeless Connect Toolkit

USICH-2008

Scope of Project Connect Events

Project Connect events happen all over the county and beyond.

There have already been 330 events in 200 communities including Canada and Australia.

There were more than 17 new Project Homeless Connect events in 2008.

77 events were put on in the first half of 2008.National Project Homeless Connect Toolkit

USICH-2008

BackgroundWhat is Project Homeless Connect?

Where did Project Homeless Connect Originate?

What are the characteristics of Project Homeless Connect?

What are specific themes of Project Homeless Connect?

Why establish Project Homeless Connect?


What is Project Homeless Connect?

One-day Event.One-stop for housing, support, quality of life

services.One-goal: ending homelessness.City/County or community-led.Consumer-centric.Outcome-oriented.


Where did Project Homeless Connect Originate ?

Fall 2004 San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom creates the first connect event to engage and welcome homeless people back into the community.

Fall 2005 Communities across the country form temporary one-stops to welcome newly homeless victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Winter 2005 The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness launches the National Project Homeless Connect Partnership.


Homeless Connect Origins Cont.

Winter 2006 40 Cities join the National Project Homeless Connect Week in December 2006.

Winter 2007 the Third Annual National Project Homeless Connect event ends and over 130 cities have held events during 2007.

2008 Fourth Annual National Project Homeless Connect Week announced for December 1-7, 2008.


Characteristics of Project Homeless Connect

Hospitality: Consumers are welcomed guests.

Immediacy: Same-day results for consumers.

Community: Voluntary civic participation.

Partnership: Across agencies and sectors.

Excellence: Rigorous Evaluation and Improvement.


Themes of Project Homeless Connect

Not business as usual.No waiting in line. Homeless people do

enough of that.Hospitality from the whole community.Immediate access- not simply referrals.Quality of life resources- haircuts, massage

and foot care, phone calls, eye glasses, dental and medical care, meals, entertainment, wheelchair repair, etc.


Why Establish Project Homeless Connect?

Enhance quality of life for the entire community.Engage civic leaders in solutions to

homelessness.Transform homeless service delivery systems.Increase public knowledge and awareness.Debunk myths and stereotypes.Increase investment/momentum towards

solutions.Re-engage our homeless neighbors.Offer quality of life resources.


Ten Essentials of Project Homeless Connect

1. Political/Community Will.2. Partnership.3. Planning Team.4. Site Selection.5. Volunteers.6. Services.7. Consumer engagement.8. Media.9. Data and results.10. Event execution.


1. Political and Community Will

Involve Mayor or County official leadership.

Work to re-prioritize local government resources.

Involve media and capture interest.

Connect agencies in the community.

Involve local businesses.

2.PartnershipAs in the case in the development of 10-year

plans, partnership of the public and private sector is essential.

They offer resources and access.Government partners include:City agencies, county agencies, State

agencies, Federal agencies.USICH Regional Coordinator, find out who is

the coordinator for Missouri.


2. Partnership Cont.Private sector event partners can include:United Way, businesses, banks, chambers of

commerce, downtown associates, housing developers, tourism officials, universities, technical colleges, trade schools, behavioral health providers, transportation agencies, workforce agencies, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, veterans organizations, advocates/non-profits, consumers, libraries, parks and recreational agencies.

3. Planning Team

Planning teams should have a director and involve leaders in the city/county.

The planning teams decisions should be informed by: homeless/formerly homeless consumers, a representative from each partner group, those who have experienced a successful PHC first-hand.


4. Site Selection

PHC is not business as usual and a community site that is not associated with homelessness is preferred.

The venue should be: large, centrally located, known to the community, indoors, a civic/faith/corporate or university facility, and unusual for the consumer to visit.


4. Site Selection Cont.

Develop a conscious design for the use of the space.Create a welcoming and festive environment.Post clear signage, floor plans, and maps.Accommodate media and special guests.Assure accessibility for those with special needs.Plan for 2 hours to setup and 2 hours to break down.Ensure that consumers do not wait in lines.Serve meals with musical entertainment.Provide mobile hospitality where ever consumers go.


5.VolunteersVolunteers are 1/2 of the “connection” in PHC.The other ½ are homeless consumers.Ensuring that both sides are comfortable and

understand the nature of PHC is vital to success.Set a goal for volunteer to guest ratios.Develop a promotional video or other materials.Enlist partners with ties to local volunteer pools.Target corporate, civic, educational, and faith-

based institutions.Conduct open recruitment by advertising.


6. Services

Key in the provision of services is IMMEDIACY.The direct provision of housing, jobs, benefits,

and quality of life services-including haircuts and eyeglasses are what sets PHC apart.

Essential Services: Housing/Shelter, Employment, Medicaid, SS benefits, Veterans Benefits, Medical/Dental/Orthopedic, Drug/Alcohol/Mental Health, Legal, Teen/Youth, DMV, Elder Care, Pet Care, Credit Counseling, Transportation, Case Management, Mail/Phone, Food/Beverage, Haircuts/Massage/Foot Care, Showers/Hygiene Kits, Eye Exams/Eyeglasses, Bicycle/Wheelchair Repair, Entertainment, Education, Books/Libraries.


7. Consumer Engagement

PHC is centered around the consumer, the homeless individual or family. Marketing PHC to them means knowing where they are and what they need.

Set a goal for consumer turnout.Create a flyer with date/map/directions to the event.Begin outreach as soon as the date and site are set.Enlist police, direct service providers, and consumers.Deploy engagement teams on the day of the event.Host PHC’s regularly and listen to consumers.


7. Consumer Engagement Cont.

Many communities provide flyers to law enforcement and local businesses to get the word out.

Some have used flyers with bus passes attached and maps to bus depots where free transit is available.

San Francisco uses an engagement team to inform and engage consumers.


8. Media

PHC offers an opportunity to welcome homeless individuals and families in the community and debunk myths and stereotypes about them.

Public officials offering words of welcome and homeless people actively seeking to move beyond homelessness are messages to the community at-large that media can assist in communicating.


8. Media Cont.Partner in National Project Homeless Connect.Appoint and experienced point-person for media.Develop a communications plan and press packet.Invite media to cover the PHC opening rally.Arrange for media to track a willing client during

your PHC event.Invite officials to greet homeless consumers as they

arrive.Report PHC results to the media same-day.Contextualize your PHC as part of the National

Partnership.National Project Homeless Connect Toolkit

USICH-2008

9. Data and ResultsQuantifiable results are central to PHC. Each

resource provider should keep and report data. Identify a lead to report on the following:

Clients/Vouchers engaged, persons housed, persons off the streets, persons employed, social security benefits applications, veteran benefit applications, food stamp/welfare applications, ID’s issued, eyeglasses issued, medical/dental care received, wheelchairs/bicycles repaired, citations adjudicated, personal hygiene kits given out, lbs of food distributed, haircuts/massages given, phone calls made.


10. Event ExecutionPHC is NOT about waiting in lines or signing up on

long waiting lists, or creating false expectations. PHC IS about delivery, execution, and results.On event day remember to:Be prepared to troubleshoot issues, remain flexible

with volunteer and other resources, recognize and include sponsors, partners, and officials, be diligent in obtaining consumer feedback, learn from what worked and what did not, publicize results immediately and celebrate success.


10. Event Execution Cont.

Develop a plan for the day. For example:Doors open at: ____:____ for volunteers and staff.Set up.Volunteer orientation-review location of services.Match volunteer requests with opportunities.Doors open at: ____:_____ homeless consumers.No lines-homeless people go to meal site and sit

at tables with entertainment.Mobile Hospitality Volunteers assisted by

specialists escort consumers to resources.National Project Homeless Connect Toolkit

USICH-2008


MHV remains with consumer through every meeting.

Typical schedule:8:30 volunteer registration.9:00 Rally.9:30-10:00 service area assignment.10-3 connecting with the homeless.11:30-1 lunch served.



Four Steps to the Day.Step 1: Check-in.Step 2: Getting the services.Step 3: Check out.Step 4: Hygiene kits.Volunteer wrap-up and debrief.Breakdown and clean up.


PHC Sub-Committees

Logistics CommitteeServices CommitteeVolunteer CommitteeMedia/Donations Committee

Coordinating Committee

PHC Outcomes Learned more about homeless in the community Learned contributing factors Made stronger connections and built relationships Accessed important services

814 services provided 11 MO photo ID’s and Social Security cards 28 Birth certificates 46 Haircuts 14 connections with Head Start Other services

Raised awareness Volunteers had personal encounter Volunteers became educated Business community Educated the community through Media coverage

Creating Awareness

Other Awareness Event

Ideas

Planning for your Community

Events/Activities Proclamation Media Coverage

Events/Activities*Most are held within the National Hunger and Homelessness

Awareness Week in November* A truly successful Awareness Week/Event will inspire people to

become further involved with the issues of hunger and homelessness.

One Night Without a Home Skipping meals Movie night Congressional letters Lobbying Faces of Homelessness Panel Others

Awareness Week ManualNational Coalition for the Homeless-2009

One Night Without a Home

Spend the night outside to discuss, think and learn about homelessness

Duration of 12 hours Select site that is appropriate to your community Invite homeless individuals, community leaders and residents Serve an evening meal or coffee/beverages Speakers, candlelight vigil, music, movie, etc. Discussion groups Breakfast and wrap-up discussion

Can promote advocacy and education Distribute fact sheets Provide participants with ways to act upon their experience (letter

writing, involvement with advocacy organizations, etc.)


Skipping Meals

One day for community members to skip a meal Have them donate their coffee and/or lunch money to the homeless

service programs in your community instead Have them raise funds (pledges) for them to skip their meal They can encourage other friends and family members to do the same

Have a coffee shop or restaurant set up a booth Encourage community members to skip their coffee and donate their

money instead Encourage community members to match the amount that they spend

on breakfast or lunch as a donation


Movie Night

Organize a movie night outside or at a local theater Have the funds from admission donated Show a movie that addresses the issues of homelessness

Pursuit of Happyness Homeless to Harvard Easy Street Where God Left His Shoes Have You Seen Clem The National Coalition for the Homeless: Bringing America Home

Hold a discussion after the movie


Congressional Letters

Booth where people can write their Congressional representatives Publicize the booth ahead of time Draft a sample letter Have community members hand write their letters Provide resources and fact sheets at the booth Provide outlets for community members to continue their

advocacy


Lobbying

Lobbying in your local community Organize a time to visit your city hall, county

commission, local office of your Congressional representative or Senator

Prepare information for handing out Talking points Fact sheets Local homelessness information and the unmet needs Solutions and ideas


Faces of Homelessness Panel

Formerly homeless and those experiencing homelessness Opportunity for questions and dialogue with the community Have panelists speak about their experiences

Provides a personal and powerful connection Makes more personal connection and learning experience Statistics relate to what individuals have encountered from

panel Dispel myths and stereotypes


Other Ideas

Other ideas Food/blanket/coat drive Encourage volunteering/community service Homeless Saturday/Sunday Hand out information Book reading Contests Register homeless to vote Benefit concert Educational forums/events Walk/run Closing festival


Proclamation

Have your City Council, Mayor, Commissioner provide a proclamation A resolution proclaiming a specific date or time

frame your community’s Homelessness Awareness Day or Week

Sample proclamation


Media Coverage

Have events publishedAdvertise with flyers at your schools, libraries

and grocery stores Insert into grocery bags Print bookmarks that the library can pass out at

checkout

E-mail community organizationsNews releaseUse your resources- schools, etc. for designing

and printingAwareness Week Manual

National Coalition for the Homeless-2009

Thoughts for Planning

Plan in advance for enough notice to the communityProvide ways to continue advocacy and involvementNumber of events

One or two well-planned and focused events

What best suites your community? Who is your target? What is available/who is available?

Be creativeUse resources for ideas

Internet Other Communities


PHC On-line Resources

USICH National Project Homeless Connect Toolkit: www.usich.gov

Links to local jurisdictional Project Homeless Connect websites:

http://www.usich.gov/e-newsletterarchive.htmlProject Homeless Connect highlights from the

weekly USICH e-news: http://www.usich.gov/e-newsletterarchive.htmlGoogle Project Homeless Connect


Awareness Resources

National Coalition for the Homeless http://www.nationalhomeless.orgNational Student Campaign Against Hunger

and Homelessness http://www.studentsagainsthunger.orgBreak Away

www.alternativebreaks.orgBread for the World

www.bread.org


Thank you!

Questions?

Download - HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Homelessness Awareness Day 2009 Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness

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