getting started february 2012. background noah laracy, age 38, born and raised in connecticut...
TRANSCRIPT
Background
• Noah Laracy, age 38, born and raised in Connecticut
• Writer, run a small web company• Applying to PsyD programs in Clinical
psychology• Worked on Obama campaign – only
outreach experience• Strong intellectual interest• A sober person `
How I Got Involved
• Read about Common Ground in William Vollmann’s article on homelessness in Sacramento
• Read another article a week later in Good Magazine
• Volunteered at the Midnight Mission doing lunch service
• Wanted to do more – get more hands-on• Met with Beth Sandor, then with Leslie and
Richie
Training
• Understanding the housing first model• Pasadena outreach – Three mornings, 4-6AM,
led a team• Attended session on motivational interviewing• Richie – Americore Volunteer who had been
on the job for 8 months. • Worked closely with Richie for six weeks –
taste of success
Safety
• Don’t carry money on me – therefore I don’t have to lie
• ID Card – Who am I? Credentials. • Title – Outreach worker.• Place to park – also your mobile office.• Where do I go to the bathroom?• Goals for the day• Mindfulness• Flu shot a good idea
What My Week Looks Like
• 10 Hours A Week• 2 four hour sessions in the field• Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:30-12:30• 1 hour of phone calls• 1 hour for paperwork• Consistent presence – like a doctor doing
rounds
Case #1 – Linda
• Living in the Union Mission• Homeless for four years• Some Mental Health Issues• Highly motivated• Opening due to death of resident• Housed in three weeks
Case #2 - Earl
• Homeless since 1979• No birth certificate, refused
to go to doctor• Schizophrenic• Moving in in two weeks• Housed in six months
Challenges
• Dealing With Fear – My experience in Gladys Park
• Boundaries – Saying no when necessary. • Rejection – Not everyone wants housing.• Drunk/High clients – What to do?• Entitlement – Complaints about housing, time,
etc.
Lessons Learned
• Trust is number one• Keep focus on housing first• Quality not quantity• Don’t overpromise• Focus on what you can control• Consistency over urgency• Don’t give life advice
Volunteering Ideas
• 8-12 month commitment• Need for training and support• Teams are ideal – especially in the beginning• 5-10 people housed• Need for welcoming committee