Priscilla RutherfordChair, McMinn Homeless Task Force

Our MISSION is to serve the physical, social and spiritualneeds of the homeless and less fortunate by providing foodand temporary shelter.

Our DESIRE is to lessen poverty and despair among thehomeless and needy, and to restore dignity and self-relianceto those we serve.

M I S S I O N

M c M I N N H O M E L E S S TA S K F O R C E

• Operates under the guidance and direction of Grace & Mercy Ministries

• Created to prevent and end homelessness in McMinn County whileensuring immediate needs of individuals and families at risk orexperiencing homelessness are met.

• Provides the necessary infrastructure through communication,collaboration and cooperation with community partners to develop amore unified network of service providers and resources.

• A collective representation of churches, citizens, businesses and civicorganizations from the public and private sectors.

H I S T O R Y

• April 2014 - The 2014 Leadership McMinn Class, sponsored bythe Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted a communityaction forum titled “Room in the Inn” at Keith Memorial UnitedMethodist Church.

• May 2014 - McMinn Ministries hosted a follow up forumfacilitated by Kathi Parkins, Executive Director, Blount CountyFamily Promise.

• October 2014 - Grace & Mercy Ministries hosted a communityforum facilitated by Stephen Dick, Board Member for GMM.

H I S T O R Y

• November 2014 – A recommendation was made that Grace &Mercy Ministries be the Lead Organization for establishing theMcMinn Homeless Task Force.

• November 2014 – A 2015 Program of Work was recommendedand approved by the GMM Board.

• December 2014 – Grace & Mercy Ministries became a PartnerAgency in the Southeast Tennessee Continuum of Carerepresenting McMinn County.

C O N T I N U U M O F C A R E

Continuum of Care: (Southeast TN CoC)

“A community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximize self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.”

One of the most important activities entrusted to a CoC and Partner Agencies is the biannual Point In Time Assessment.

P R O G R A M O F W O R K

Goals:

• POW #1 - Task Force Committees

• POW #2 - Continuum of Care Partner Agency

• POW #3 - Point In Time Assessment

• POW #4 - Public Awareness and Education

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 1

Task Force Committees:

Working together on short-term and long-term goals toprevent and end homelessness in McMinn County, whileensuring immediate needs of individuals and families atrisk or experiencing homelessness are met.

• Immediate Needs • McMinn Resource

• Housing Solutions • Research & Development

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 1

Immediate Needs: Works directly with homeless families and individuals to meet their basic care needs.

• Socks / Gloves• Food• Blankets / Sleeping Bags• Tents / Tarps• Personal Hygiene• First Aid• Alternative Heat Source (Hot Hands)

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 1

Housing Solutions: Works collaboratively with Service Providers to ensures availability and accessibility for individuals and families in need of transitional housing or who are at risk or currently experiencing homelessness.

• Outreach, Assessment, and Referral in order to identify clients, their needs and provide a link to the appropriate Service Providers

• Emergency Shelter to provide an immediate and safe alternative to sleeping in the woods in tents, especially for homeless families

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 1

Housing Solutions:

• Transitional Housing to allow for the developmentof skills that will be needed to maintain self-sufficiency and permanent housing

• Permanent Housing to provide individuals and families with affordable options for permanent housing

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 1

McMinn Resource: Through collaboration, coordination and communication, engages the entire community as an effort to raise public awareness and support aimed at fostering shared responsibility in developing solutions.

• Emergency Shelter & Alternative Shelter Options• Transitional & Permanent Housing• Community Development• Unified Network of Partners, Service Providers & Resources

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 1

Research & Development:

Responsible for identifying best practices in all areas of serviceto individuals or families at risk of; or currently experiencinghomelessness.

The Research & Development Committee is also responsiblefor identifying funding that will support our Mission andmaintain future sustainability for Service Providers.

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 2

Partner Agency (Collaborative Applicant):

As a Partner Agency representing McMinn County’s homeless or “at risk” individuals and families, Grace & Mercy Ministries:

• Coordinated McMinn’s 1st Point In Time Assessment• Is Convening an Advisory Panel of Community Leadership

and Stakeholders • Reviewing Best Practices for Planning and Implementation

of a Coordinated Assessment System• Seasonal Emergency Shelter

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 3

Point In Time Assessment:

A (PIT) is an assessment that offers a snapshotof homelessness—of both sheltered andunsheltered homeless populations.

• January 28th McMinn’s 1st PIT Assessment• Volunteer Support – Over 40• Needs Assessment Report – Identify Priority Needs

When: January of each year (2016 is the next National Point In Time)

C O O R D I N AT E D A S S E S S M E N T S Y S T E M

Defined:

The approach to organizing and providing services to personsexperiencing a housing crisis that will make rapid, effective andconsistent client to service matches.

• Improve coordination of services• Address local constraints and issues• Align funding opportunities to strategic planning efforts

S Y S T E M M A P P I N G T O O L

Questions to Answer:

• How many clients currently access services?

• How do clients use existing services?

• Are existing services sufficient to meet the demand?

• Where are the gaps and pitfalls in services?

W H Y C O O R D I N AT E D A S S E S S M E N T ?

• Sends people in need of services to the most appropriate

Service Providers from the beginning

• Makes navigating services much easier

• Improves efficiency

• Fosters more collaboration among Service Providers

• Improves outcomes

W H O S H O U L D B E I N V O LV E D ?

• Social Service Providers• Victim Service Providers• Churches & Faith-Based Organizations• Local Government, Law Enforcement & Emergency Services• Businesses• Advocates• Public Housing Agencies & Affordable Housing Developers• School Districts & Universities• Mental Health Agencies & Hospitals• Organizations that Serve Homeless & Formerly Homeless Veterans• Organizations that Serve Homeless & Formerly Homeless Persons

P R O G R A M O F W O R K – G O A L 4

Public Awareness and Education:

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week Each year the week before Thanksgiving

One Night Without a Home Nationally during Homeless Awareness Week

National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Each year on the longest night of the year, December 21st.

W I S H L I S T O F N E E D S

Facilities:• Office Space • Emergency Shelter• Transitional Shelter

Startup Funding:• 2 Full-time Staff• 2 Computers• Office Equipment• Shelter Insurance

Volunteers:• Committee Leadership • Committee Support

Immediate Needs:• Hot Hands (Hand Warmers)• Socks / Gloves• Pop Top Canned Foods• Heavy Duty Sleeping Bags

MORE SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES

Thank you for this

opportunity!