Activities and Opinions

On Monday evening, November 16, 2009, PUSH members Dana Usina and Mary Lawrence gave a presentation to FSDB students on homelessness in St. Johns County. We showed the PowerPoint presentation of camps/migrant housing and current grassroots activities that we presented to the County Commissioners in June 2009. We also presented "Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls", a DVD of stunning portraits of our homeless citizens done by Robin Anderson, wife of Bishop Ian Anderson of Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church. The church has taken on the second Sunday of every month as their personal mission and has for months been a key partner in the regular Sunday night Food not Bombs servings. The students were attentive and asked tons of questions. One class had already donated bags of hygiene supplies, shoes and clothing and was applauded for their efforts and caring. Several came up to us afterward and had all kinds of ideas on ways to help. We encouraged them to visit our website and sign up for emails. Several instructors mentioning cooking meals as a form of community service for some of the older students. We hope to hear more from them soon.

PUSH Presentation to Students at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind - 11/16/09

Jimmie Harden called the meeting to order; George Gardner said a prayer.

Jimmie Harden gave the Treasurer’s report, copies available. Asked for agencies to pay their dues of $100.00, up from $25.00 in years past.

Jean Harden ran through the minutes of September’s meeting. Approved.

Dr Hogan of Hogan’s Harvest spoke. They have 8 beds, work with women released from prison in life skills training and jobs. No contact info given.

Mary Lea Zamora spoke on prisoner Re Entry Team. They meet the first Friday of every month at 1 PM to share information on what services are available to ex-offenders as well as hearing from them what needs they have. Next meeting is 1 PM November 6 at the Mental Health conference room at Health and Human Services. She noted Anchor Faith’s intent to buy Lantern Lodge.

Jessie Badger updated the group on Alpha Omega House, housing for pregnant women. They are holding a fundraiser raffle of a vintage Mercedes and a banquet November 5 at 7PM Anastasia Baptist Church. Tables of 8 for $300.00 or individual tickets for 25-30$. 347-9807 or 823-8588.

Murray Middle School volunteer passed out posters about “Brooklyn” a play about homelessness to be performed by the students at MMS on November 6 and 7 at 7PM. Tickets are $7.00 adults, $4.00 students.

Speaker for Rapid Re Housing and Neighborhood Stabilization Program was a no show.

For the second year in a row, the continuum of care was approved unanimously without anyone asking to see it.

Renee Morris, St Francis House, reminded everyone of the gala on November 21 to benefit SFH building fund. They are also selling Christmas cards designed by children from Parish School: 10 for $10.00

Mary from PUSH outlined the unsheltered homeless count planned for November 4 through the 14th throughout the county. She asked all agencies to count and survey their sheltered population and she asked all present to send tips on unsheltered people to count.pushsjc.org This project is supported by all three local law enforcement agencies, the United Way and the University of North Florida. Training will be held October 20 at 7PM and October 24 at 5PM at the Galimore Center. Information will be made available to the point in time survey in January 2010, the mayor’s planning committees and the US Census in March 2010. Someday the Record might print the article about the above that was submitted October 9.

David Hoak, United Way, updated the group on the mayor’s committee progress. They identified the following needs:

1. more affordable housing
2. broader support from the community
3. better data
4. a focal point facility
5. a relocation of St Francis House

Gardner adjourned the meeting around 130PM.

Tips for Reaching Out to the Homeless

Mary spent the first half of Monday October 5, 2009, riding with Doug and Kathleen from the outreach office’s HOPE van to learn about their techniques. In three hours, we hit numerous locations and Doug and Kathleen were approachable, respectful and competent in dealing with a myriad of issues for their clients.

First stop was Mission House, visited by PUSH last spring, which is a resource center in Jax Beach and often the first stop for services. Doug and Kathleen provided services ranging from medication to referral for four clients. (Kathleen is a nurse) From there we went over to the Military Missionary Center in Mayport (hidden in a residential community) and parked the van. Within minutes 3 people came up to the van for shelter intake, hygiene supplies and referral. We then took a trip behind shopping centers and stores, known hangouts for local homeless. We headed back to the center for an appointment to drive a client to court, who was showering and dressing in clean donated clothes for his appearance.

Mary then spent time with Toni Weber, outreach case manager, who shared challenges in dealing with various agencies, churches and groups and how she’s overcome most of them by non stop advocacy and collaboration. It’s apparent from the beginning that this community resource center goes the extra mile to help people with all kinds of needs while insisting on personal accountability in return, a key component to a successful outcome. They are used to some inevitable failures but keep on trying for as long as it takes. Very impressive. Everyone was excited and positive about our county’s law enforcement’s promise to assist with data from their deputies/officers in the field and assured us it will save a lot of time in the survey for November.

Take away tips for outreach based on their 10+ years of doing this:

1.To find out where camps are, start with core agencies where people hang out, like St Francis House and the drop in center at the county health department.
2.Earn the trust of homeless people by meeting them where they are and finding out what they really need.
3.Know the resources available and be prepared to suggest these when people tell you what they need. However, there must be a commitment to action for the client; you can’t do it for them.
4.When entering camps, squats and shelters, act as if you are entering someone’s home, which you are.
5.They have a one page simple form which no client declined to fill out if they accepted a kit, a shirt or any service, so try to get this basic information.
6.Take hygiene kits comprised of: clean socks, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razors (for men), feminine products (for women), comb.

Looking forward to seeing everyone for training, tentatively scheduled for October 20 and 24, dates and times to be confirmed and announced through email and on our website.

PUSH Rides with the HOPE Van in Jax Beach - 10/05/09

About a dozen community members attended a presentation by PUSH: People United to Stop Homelessness held at the Beach City Hall after the regular civic association meeting. Eight PUSH members also attended to be available for any questions by the association. Mary Lawrence stated the three main goals in the PUSH mission statement: Advocacy, outreach and education and hoped that all three would be accomplished by the presentation. She outlined the history of PUSH and the current status of city/county planning to end homelessness, currently under the administration of a commission formed by Mayor Boles. The association then viewed the three minute presentation that was given to the county commissioners in June. Terry reviewed the faulty data collected in the last point in time survey conducted in January 2009 by the Emergency Services Homeless Coalition. He stated UNF has withdrawn their survey analysis from their website and that the coordinator of that effort has agreed to work with PUSH on any data collection. He also noted the sheriff’s support in helping PUSH divide the county into workable zones for surveying unsheltered homeless individuals. Mary then wrapped up by asking for support from the St Augustine Beach Association by inviting them to take CDs of the presentation back to their churches and other organizations, drop off vegetarian food items to Needful Thingz on West King Street in St Augustine and to sign onto the website and email PUSH with any information about camps or homeless people in their community. Members were invited to sign up for regular PUSH emails and also to volunteer to assist in the homeless count if they desired. It was made clear to members that doing anything they felt comfortable with was beneficial to our homeless and working poor. The group applauded PUSH and the presentation and promised to follow up.

PUSH at the St Augustine Beach Civic Association - 09/08/09

The IST meets monthly, usually in a conference room over at the Department of Health on US 1. PUSH has been attending for several months and the meeting is a collaborative effort to network diverse agencies and groups all with the common goal of improving our community. And, as in most meetings, it’s the meeting AFTER the meeting that counts.

Martha Wagaman, from SJC Health Department, gave a presentation on county preparations for H1N1 flu as well as seasonal flu. Main items to note:
1. H1N1 vaccine will not be available until sometime in October.
2. The shots will be voluntary and need to be administered in two doses, 3-4 weeks apart.
3. There are 700 people hospitalized currently with flu, with 60 deaths statewide but no deaths reported in St Johns County.
4. Most people in middle/older age may have been exposed to Hong Kong flu back in the mid 50’s and thus may have natural immunity to H1N1. Young people, pregnant women and immune compromised people are the most vulnerable.
5. H1N1 symptoms mimic regular flu: fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, fatigue and runny/stuffy nose.
6. Vaccine for H1N1 needs to be administered quickly after symptoms appear. The vaccine is ineffective 24 to 48 hours after symptoms appear.
7. Dawn Allcock is the Incident Commander for a flu pandemic.
8. www.MyFluSafety.org or 1.877.FLA FLU1 (8am-8pm) are info resources.

Efforts will be made by PUSH to secure hygiene practices handouts for our homeless population although PUSH will not advocate for any flu shot.

BJ Jones offered Veteran help through 819.0231, x 2514. Veterans need their DD214 and honorable discharge papers.

It was noted county social services have received 3000 more cases in 2009 than 2008.

After this meeting, PUSH met with Kathy Bravo, JP Cares, Fr. Ian Anderson, Resurrection Episcopal and Lon Barfield, Caterpillar. Fr. Ian and Lon have funding and plans for a mobile kitchen to serve out at homeless camps. They also have knowledge of camp locations in the northern part of the county and have made contact there. PUSH talked about upcoming efforts to locate all the camps in the county and get an accurate homeless count. We also discussed our difficulties getting zone information from the sheriff’s department and Lon offered assistance there. Kathy noted Celebration Lutheran Food Bank could accept fresh food donations from PUSH’s gleaning efforts with St Andrews Society. PUSH suggested Fr. Ian and Lon attend a Sunday night Food not Bombs serving to meet some of the homeless and start establishing trust. They showed up with Fr. Frank Castillo in tow, got right down to work and seemed impressed with both the outreach and the need.