Activities and Opinions

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.

Minutes were approved from the last meeting.

Old Business Update:
Kathy reported on the funds raised from the booth at the Potato and Cabbage Festival in Hastings.

It was noted that 3rd Monday night dinners drop to 60-70 after June due to migration of farm workers. Next dinner is 6/21. Malinda will provide BBQ chicken; Kathy Bravo, JCP Cares will underwrite the rest.
Kathy also mentioned welcome back kits when the workers return in October. Mary mentioned PUSH has been trying to raise money to supplement toiletries kits.

There is enough money to file the articles of incorporation.

Corinne mentioned possibility of coming under Catholic Charities for admin support, either with a memorandum of understanding or contractual. It would be cheaper and quicker. Ann Breidenstein noted it solidifies bookkeeping and United Way can assign and track funding to the SEA community.

Corinne suggested a monthly narrative by a volunteer for the paper as a regular series, kind of like “A day in the life of…” Ann noted Margo Pope at the Record wants to do regular agency highlights. Corinne offered to write a proposal for Ms Pope.

Corinne and Mary will work on media contacts when the time approaches for doing so. Kathy Bravo noted a contact she has at Ch 4 for PSAs.

Kathy asked about percentage of migrant workers to the resident population. Corinne will mail copies of the 2004 Migrant Worker study done by the county.

Kathryn mentioned the possibility of “Christmas in July”, successful in many other communities.

Meeting adjourned to visit Alma’s retirement facility in Palatka to get ideas on layout, procedures and services offered.

Notes taken by Mary Lawrence

PUSH ATTENDS IST (Integrated Services Team) MEETING
5/21/2010

American Eldercare gave a presentation on Long Term Care Diversion, above and beyond home health care,that aims to keep people in their homes. It is more cost effective and better for the client.

Worksource gave a presentation on employment search, training and orientations. Denise Bryant mention Experience Works for workers 55+ and the People First website which is listing jobs for the VA retirement facility.

Attendees from different agencies made announcements:

Crookshank Elementary 5/26 & 5/27: donuts for dads, muffins for moms.

ESHC: 10% of tab at Chili’s being donated.

Wanda Brinson noted they are still awaiting the SHIP funding. They have applied again for CDBG (community development block grant).

David Hoak noted the 6/10 meeting at the Record for service providers to the homeless (at the Record building at 9AM) and that a street card and brochure of services is being updated. There will also be a training session on the HMIS (homeless management information system).

Sr Bryan, Catholic Volunteers in Florida, passed out brochures on stipend funded young volunteers for any organization who would like to have this help for 19k/yr.

Next IST meeting is 6/25, location to be announced. Anyone wishing to present needs to contact Brenda Ware.

Notes taken by Mary Lawrence

Hello Folks

I want to take this time to thank people who has generous donated clothes, hygiene, blankets and others through school year 2009-2010 to help our girls worked with P.U.S.H. - People United Stop Homeless by Dana Usina and her people volunteers. We collected more than we expected past school year and it was very successful community service for James Hall 2nd floor.

Since most of you are off for the summer, if you happen to have clothes, blankets, tents, cooking equipments or others that you want to rid, I am asking you to save and donate to James Hall 2nd floor when we return back to work in August because we are going to continue work with P.U.S.H. again for school year of 2010-2011. Homeless people do appreciate our thoughts and feel special by your kindness donations.

Thank you from James Hall 2nd floor
Staffs - Bonnie Padgett, Curemia Dailey and Michelle Tallent.
Students - Freshmen and Honor Dorm girls