Activities and Opinions

Homeless Stand Down August 28, 2010 0900-1400 Hours St Augustine Elks Lodge A1A (on the island)

Services provided are free-to name a few:

Eligibility for veterans benefits

Obtain DD-214

Enrollment in VA Health Care

Health screenings

Service connected benefits

Initial claims filings

Clothing, food, showers, door prizes and much more Sponsored by the St Johns County Veterans Council

Story in the Record

We truly are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such great women! Kathy Tufano who helped serve is with JCP CARES, Nancy McAlum provided the food as an individual and Kim Casper, her daughter and Pat along with their church, Swiss Cove Christian provided all the bags of groceries (50) for the local families and workers and served the food, including many side dishes they made. Mary from Catholic Charities brought fresh fruit and snacks. PUSH members Cyndi Tulpell, Terry Buckenmeyer and Mary Lawrence brought bread and ice to supplement the many cases of soda provided by these groups as well as delivering clothing and supplies. Malinda ran a huge grill operation, barbequing tons of chicken for the main course. We all had a great time even though the rains hit and we all got soaked.

This is a homeless services providers meeting that works alongside the business community’s parallel committee. Home Again St Johns is the name given to the mayor’s commission to end homelessness, which he formed in November 2008.

The business group went nowhere for over a year, losing its chair, and holding meetings of sub committees where assigned “leaders” did not even bother to show up. Now they have a new chair, Mike Davis, who seems energized and ready to take on the challenge. As posted earlier, when I asked at the last meeting of the services providers, on a scale of 1 to 10, what progress was being made on the business side, Mike didn’t hesitate to say “2”. Not a good sign.

Now, 48 hours in advance of the services providers meeting (only a monthly event anyway), with the promise of a services “street card” and a booklet for providers to distribute, plus a demonstration of the HMIS software by Allie, who is proficient and volunteered to present, the meeting was postponed for TWO WEEKS with no reason given.

I look at everyday that people sleep outside in the heat, with the bugs and the rain and the animals as a crisis. I look at everyday when people are losing their homes, getting out of prison with no prospects or support or just needing food for their families or decent clothes to apply for jobs as a crisis.

Where is the urgency of these commissions, these agencies, these “leaders”? It seems like since they are not affected directly, having jobs and homes and food, it can all wait another two weeks. What’s another two weeks?

This is unacceptable to me and should be unacceptable to anyone with a moral conscience.

Mike Davis, new head of HASJ, recapped the last meeting.

David Hoak explained progress on subcommittee work on a street card and brochure for distribution by agencies to clients.

Mike Davis wants a timeline by the next meeting.

A question arose about the HMIS (homeless management information system). It was to be updated by 6/7/10 but was mentioned as being incomplete as faith based and groups like PUSH are not included. David noted the information collected is confidential but will check if access can be granted to faith based groups. An ID number is used in place of individuals’ names. Jimmie Harden (ESHC) noted it is a federally mandated system. Allie, from St Francis House, volunteered to do a presentation to the group at the next meeting and David will find out who can gain access before the next meeting.

Jerry Cameron reiterated the current St Francis House location is unacceptable for a multitude of reasons. At the county level, it is the biggest issue right now. Mike Davis noted St Francis House is the main focus of HASJ as well.

Ellen Walden noted IDs are a huge issue in the Hastings area requiring intensive resources and time. Jerry Cameron put out the idea of a “network ID”, a locally based system. Allie noted HMIS can issue IDs with a picture. Law enforcement representatives present noted possession of ID helps them do their job. Both Cameron and the sheriff’s rep noted it is not against the law not to have ID.

Discussion of the relocation of St Francis House ensued, with the current plan of using the firehouse on Old South Dixie the best option so far, given proximity to services homeless need but there are NIMBY issues that need to be addressed. The county is also exploring other sites and alternatives. Jimmie Harden said transitional housing is “maxed out” over in West Augustine and they have no more land to expand.

It was noted women with disabilities have a huge need for housing. Diane Quick from Habitat noted they have disabled and elderly programs.

Jerry Cameron put forward the idea of a tent city.

Mary Lawrence asked about the progress of the business based HASJ committee. On a scale of 1 to 10, Mike Davis gave it a 2.

Notes taken by Mary Lawrence

During the monthly St Vincents Mobile Medical Unit visit, Malinda Peeples organized a huge dinner, food giveaway and services outreach to farmworkers and members of the community during the dedication ceremony of the new sheds and renovated kitchen. Commissioner Ken Bryant, Ben Comey and Pastor Harvey participated in the ribbon cutting. Other agencies helping cook, serve and offer services included: Feed the People, Flagler Estates Action, HeadStart, the US Census (passed out many forms and clean socks), the free disabled phone service and Just Faith St Anastasia. Over 100 people were served in this remarkable tight knit community. A great time was had by all.

INSERT ARMSTRONG SEA COMMUNITY SLIDE SHOW