Point-in-Time

 

Photo: Barbara Davidson/LA Times

January is the month for the annual point-in-time (PIT) count across the nation. HUD mandates that a yearly census of the homeless population be gathered to guide its allocation of support for those agencies that rely upon HUD funding to provide services for the homeless and near homeless population.

The numbers from 2015 are telling. The PIT count was 183 in 2010; in 2015 it was 368, 74 of which were considered unsheltered (living in places not meant for habitation). By all accounts the increase in numbers was partly due to the improvement in accuracy in the counting process.

If the population of the Rescue Mission is any indicator, the count will be at least the same for 2016. This is significant in that the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley is the only emergency overnight shelter in Mahoning County. We have seen a marked increase in the number of individuals served at the Mission – an average of 131 per night for fiscal year 2015.

Stay tuned for information on 2016 PIT. In the meantime, consider what you can do to help the Mission care for this increasing need.

Business is Good; Business is Bad

As we are out among people, we often hear the question, partially asked in jest, “How’s business at the Mission?”  The reply is sometimes unexpected: “Business is good – which means business is bad.” That a shelter such as the Rescue Mission is necessary is an unfortunate commentary on modern culture. In affluent America, the existence of homeless shelters is an enigma.

What brings people to the Mission? Why is business good? There are various reasons why an individual or a family might experience homelessness. Attempts to generalize the causes often fail to consider the unique situations that characterize certain parts of the country. However, if we are to speak in general terms, we may speak of these as factors that lead to homelessness.

• Traumatic Circumstances – It is not uncommon for a single mother with children to find herself and her children homeless because of domestic issues; either some sort of abuse or the desire to escape criminal activity in a home. A family may experience the loss of housing due to an emergency such as a fire.
• Financial Issues – The rising cost of housing make affordable housing difficult to maintain with near minimum wage jobs. Add to this the cost of basic child care and subsistence expenses and homeless shelters become the stopgap option.
• Substance Abuse – Homelessness is often a secondary condition of drug or alcohol abuse. This is particularly true in the Mahoning Valley where heroin use is at epidemic proportions. It is inexpensive and accessible. People caught in addiction have often burned all of their bridges with family, friends and any other network they have developed. The Mission is the last alternative.
• Chronic Homelessness – According to the online version of The Christian Post, “chronic homelessness, which is defined as homelessness among people who have a disability – including serious mental illness or chronic medical issues – also make up a substantial number of the homeless.”

It is with mixed feelings that we can say that “business is good” at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. That people experience homelessness is unfortunate; but that we have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with more and more people is a great opportunity that we do not take lightly.

Ideas for a New Year

We are well into 2016. The winter in Northeast Ohio has been unusually mild with the warmest December on record. January, however, has welcomed the first brutal cold snap with single digit low temperatures and more in the immediate forecast. Winter is usually a difficult time for those who experience episodes of homelessness – particularly demanding for people who live on the streets.

If you are in the habit of New Year’s resolutions, or setting goals, or even making lists, here is a list of things you can do to help alleviate the plight of people who are in homeless situations as we begin a new year:

1.      Be Aware

The fact that there are people who have no permanent and stable housing does not appear on the radar of most people who live functional, “normal” lives. Wherever you live, realize that you are not too far from someone who has no place to call home. Additionally, most Americans are 1 or 2 paychecks away from being homeless themselves. Homelessness is closer than you think.

2.      Be Considerate

When you encounter homeless people, treat them with love, dignity, and respect. This may be difficult for some who have an aversion to “hobo’s” or “panhandlers.” But understand that no one wakes up one morning and makes a conscious decision to be homeless. It is always at the end of a series of events or choices poorly made. Know that the people you meet at a shelter or on the streets were once just like you.

3.      Be Engaged

Likely, you live near a homeless shelter, a rescue mission, or a food bank. These organizations thrive on volunteer involvement. You may volunteer to perform services that may seem insignificant, but they eliminate the need for those organizations to hire staff to accomplish those tasks. This is an invaluable service for organizations that depend upon non-profit dollars.

4.      Be Invested

Organizations that help homeless people usually are not-for-profit organizations that depend upon donated dollars to fulfill their mission statement. The appeal for donations may become wearisome, but the reality is that the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Determine to become a regular donor to those agencies that exist to aid people in homeless situations. Like many of these organizations, the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley relies solely on donations. We do not seek nor receive any type of federal funding to help us bring hope to the hurting and homeless of our valley.

5 Realities of a Homeless Shelter at Christmas

“Most people dream of a white Christmas, with a thick shimmering layer of fresh snow blanketing the world, wrapping everything you know in a cozy embrace.” So begins an article from the website “Cracked” entitled “5 Realities of a Homeless Shelter at Christmas.” The writer then makes this startling observation; “a white Christmas can [expletive] murder you.”

The post is rather cynical and is peppered with profanity, but the points made are valid and important.  They are summarized here:

#5 – People Treat the Homeless as Props.

These shelters, says Brock Lee, a worker among homeless charities in the UK, “exist to help people with serious problems. They do not exist to round up sideshows and parade them around for gawkers or to help regular folks to gain perspective on their own lives.” It is not completely uncommon to receive a call from parents who want to bring their children to serve meals at the Mission so the children will be more appreciative of the benefits they have. The Rescue Mission does not exist to provide a “scared straight” lesson for unappreciative children. We exist to help at risk individuals who are at crisis points in their lives.

#4 – Don’t Expect Everyone to Be Grateful
Some have a “bad volunteer experience” because they expect people at the shelter to be overjoyed with gratitude that someone would leave the comfort of their homes for an hour or so to serve them food. In reality, many who are accustomed to the street have genuine trust issues, particularly when it comes to strangers. Besides, some know that this is a “feel-good” experience for the volunteer and there is little thought for lasting help. Admittedly, some of the individuals that you will meet at the Mission will be extremely thankful for your service. Unfortunately, some will not.

#3 – Donations are Bizarrely Random

Missions often receive items that someone cannot use or don’t know how to use. We have received broken microwave ovens, with the idea that someone here could repair it; we’ve received opened and partially used bottles of vitamins, OTC medications, and such like. Many of the items donated to us are exactly what we need.  Sometimes, charities become a substitute dumpster.

#2 – Homelessness Kills

Fortunately we are in an El Nino weather pattern in the North East, which, so far, has meant a mild, warmer-than-average winter. Last winter was brutal. People living on the streets are at great risk in cold weather. In fact, hypothermia does not require brutal cold to set in.

#1 – Breaking through Isn’t Easy But it Does Happen

There are stories of individuals who have broken the cycle of homelessness, poverty, and addiction.  The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley has taken pro-active measures to increase expectations and accountability to lift people from this vicious cycle. The added component in our approach is the gospel of Christ. Without apology, we are a gospel rescue mission, cleverly disguised as a homeless shelter. In the end, we cannot change anyone. However, we serve a Savior who can change everyone through the life changing message of the gospel.

O Christmas Tree

This is the third year that the Mission has placed a tree at Mill Creek Park's Fellow's Riverside Gardens Davis Center. The theme this year is "A Winter Celebration." This event is sponsored by WKBN, WYFX, and Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens. In addition to their regular hours, according to their press release,

“Every Saturday and Sunday, the Gardens will be open until 8 p.m. so that everyone can enjoy the Electric Garden, where the grounds will be lit with thousands of twinkling lights... Guests will also be able to experience over 40 live fir trees on display throughout the Davis Center uniquely decorated by local non-profit organizations."

Stop and visit the display and look for the tree decorated by our Development staff.

 

 

Another Graduation

Doug Gough with our graduates

For only the second time, the Rescue Mission graduated 5 men from its Discipleship Academy. This celebration was held this past Friday in the dining hall at the shelter on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. You can watch a 19 minute clip of the graduation and a video of one of our graduates, Roger Young, singing to close the program. Congratulations John Dalton, Chris Dengard, Mike Entler, Brad Flachbart, and Roger Young.

 

 

Thank You

This video "Thank You" card is sent with gratitude to all who gave of their time and resources to help serve those who seek shelter at the Rescue Mission.