Our House:  Caring for Callaway’s Homeless - Agency Spotlight

 

Ecumenical Ministries has become “Our House: Caring for Callaway’s Homeless” 

Our House will be a single issue organization - Homelessness

 

Mission Statement:  The mission of Our House: Caring for Callaway’s Homeless is to positively promote understanding, respect and housing solutions for the homeless in Callaway County through committed volunteers providing education, advocacy, and sheltering. 

“Homelessness is a community problem deserving a community solution.”

 

Homeless in Callaway County

• Approximately 200 people are homeless on any given night in Callaway County
• As many as 1/3 are under 18 years of age
• Most homeless in Callaway County sleep from couch to couch, in parked cars, vacant buildings, park restrooms, or tents
• 64% are white males
• 78% are between the ages of 18 – 54
• 8% are veterans
• 35% qualify for disability payments
• 49% have a mental health issue
• 65% have not graduated from high school or achieved a GED
• 36% can’t read well enough to fill out a job or housing application
• 90% make less than $950 per month
• 68% have at least part-time employment
• 89% have no medical insurance
• 76% do not own a car
• 70% pay bills instead of buying food
• 59% paid more than $200 per month for housing in the month before their homelessness

 

Homelessness is a community problem, deserving a community solution.  Our House: Caring for Callaway’s Homeless is our comprehensive approach to homelessness in Callaway County.  We provide sheltering, education and advocacy.  We utilize volunteers as we educate the community about the issue of housing insecurity and the needs of the homeless; advocate for the homeless to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect; and provide a safe, secure nighttime environment for those experiencing homelessness.  Our volunteers will provide vital opportunities for the homeless to tell “their story” and assist them with community support, networking opportunities and information.

 

 

 

HAVEN House       829 Jefferson

Transitional Housing for Families with Children

 

HAVEN House a program of Our House: Caring for Callaway’s Homeless (formerly known as Ecumenical Ministries), opened its doors on December 10, 2000.  The building is owned by SERVE, Inc and Our House has a long term lease.  The house was renovated by more than 375 community volunteers giving more than 10,000 hours over a 2 year period.  Programming is provided by trained volunteers, local service providers and two part-time paid staff.  Since 2000, we have provided a home for more than 200 adults and 71 children.  Families with children must sign a one year contract with an Our House Advocacy Team and can stay for four to six months in HAVEN House while they work towards housing self-sufficiency, employment, education, parenting and budgeting goals.  They pay no rent or utilities.  We provide free laundry facilities, a commercially rated kitchen, four family bedrooms and three shared baths.  We are ADA compliant.  Program participants are expected to work at least part-time, give 8 hours per week as volunteers in the community, and attend budgeting class.  If needed, they are required to attend parenting class, adult education, mental health or family counseling, and AA or NA.

 

 

 

      

Wiley House        831 Jefferson  

Overnight Shelter for Single Men & Women

Adults Only - No Children

 

In March 2006, Our House purchased a home located at 831 Jefferson Street from the estate of Estelle Wiley.  The building has been completely renovated and is now an overnight emergency shelter for single individuals.  The facility has been named Wiley House in honor of Mrs. Wiley, a long time Callaway County educator and community leader.  Wiley House is Callaway County’s only overnight shelter and can house up to nine men and eight women each night from 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.  Prospective guests must have a background check through the Our House office before entering Wiley House.  Guests need to provide a current photo ID and will be checked for warrants and sobriety.  No person may stay more than 45 days in a calendar quarter.   Guests will be expected to partner with Our House and other social service, government and health care agencies to address barriers to housing security.  Check-in and listening support will be done by trained volunteers each evening.  Paid Night monitors are provided from 6:00 P.M. – 6:00 A.M.  Wiley House guests will receive bed linens, towels, personal hygiene kits, light snacks and beverages.  Check in is 6:00-8:00 P.M., curfew is 9:00 P.M. and lights out at 10:00 P.M.  Check out is 6:00 AM.  Wiley House is open 365 days per year. 

 

How Our House programming works:

HAVEN House is a program for:

Families with children (must have physical custody)

Families must share a bedroom

Common areas are bathrooms, living/dining room, kitchen, laundry

No TV or computer access

Matched with 3 member volunteer advocacy team from the community

Building financial & educational stability towards housing self-sufficiency

Fostering community involvement

One year contract required for volunteers and families

No animals will be allowed in HAVEN House or on the grounds of HAVEN House except Service animals, with proof of service animal training and current vaccinations.

 

First four to six months will be a stay at HAVEN House.  Families will:

 

• Meeting weekly with one member of the advocacy team to work on:
  • Education:
  • Workplace readiness skills
    • GED
    • Relationship strengthening with children’s school district
  • Finance:
    • Assessing finances
    • Building financial resources
  • Community Life:
    • Accessing community resources
    • Building community involvement through monthly volunteer family activity

 

At the end of every month there will be a group activity.  Group will be sponsored by a community organization or a church.  Sponsor will provide meal and children’s activity. Group will consist of:  all current residential HAVEN House family(s), all advocacy team volunteers, Our House staff and the sponsoring community group.

Remainder of the one year contract will be in the family’s own residence.  Family will meet one time per month with entire three member advocacy team.  Team will function as support for transitional success.

After one year the Advocacy Team can continue to provide individual support as needed and approved.

HAVEN House services are free of charge, but every family must demonstrate a regular savings plan within 60 days and actively participate in seeking solutions to permanent housing.

 

Wiley House is a overnight shelter for adult men & women - no children

1.     Overnight shelter for single individuals. 9 men downstairs and 8 women upstairs. Must be at least 18 years old or legally emancipated minor (documentation required)

2.     Shelter open from 6:00 P.M. - 6:00 A.M. Check in 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.; Curfew is 9:00 P.M.; Lights out 10:00 P.M.; Check out 6:00 A.M.

3.     Must obtain a background check from Our House office.  Pass is valid for 30 days.  Background check requires a current photo ID.  No exceptions.  Sorry we cannot house sex offenders, anyone with a violent criminal history or anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

4.     First come-first served.  No reservations!

5.     There will be staff Night Monitors in the building from 6:00 P.M. – 6:00 A.M.

6.     Trained teams of volunteers (2-3) will provide check in.  Their shift will be 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.   No volunteer may be in the building without a night monitor when guests are in residence.  

7.     No one can stay more than 45 days out of every 90 days. 

8.     No smoking in the building, on the front porch or sidewalk immediately in front of building.  Smoking in designated areas only

9.     No meals will be served.  Only light snacks and beverages will be provided.

10.  No personal TV/DVD etc will be allowed in sleeping areas.

11.  All guests must shower, schedule will be posted.

12.  Guests must take all belongings with them when they leave.

 

Wiley House services are free of charge, but guests must actively participate in seeking solutions to permanent housing.