Southern Nevada Regional Homeless News
December 2016 

Help

Volunteers are needed for the 2017 Southern Nevada Homeless Census!

Volunteer as a Census Worker to canvass our neighborhoods!  Census Workers will help get a visual count of the number of people who are homeless on that date.  Accurate data will assist efforts striving to end homelessness in Southern Nevada!


Please bring vehicles, flashlights, pencils, teammates and positive energy! 

Volunteer training will be during the week of January 16th.
Please sign-up today, or check http://helphopehome.org/volunteer/ for further updates

URBAN COUNT: 10:00pm-4:00am on January 24-25, 2017
To volunteer, visit SignUp.com

YOUTH COUNT: 8:00am-2:00pm on January 25, 2017
To volunteer, visit SignUp.com

Recruit a team of volunteers! Recruitment Flyers are available. 

For questions, email helphopehome@clarkcountynv.gov
Hope
In my Shoes

By Catrina Grigsby and Maria Castillo Couch
Earlier in 2016, the Salvation Army Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) staff and Straight from the Streets Outreach Team met Robert during a collaborative homeless outreach effort.  Robert was offered food, clothing, water and conversation.  Robert and his spouse were living in a homeless encampment. Robert is a 68-year-old honorably discharged Marine who served during the Vietnam era and had been homeless for two years.  Robert confessed he had lost hope in ‘the system,’ since he had been unable to receive services after multiple attempts.  He didn’t think ‘the system’ was designed to work for him.

Robert had experienced depression after loved ones had passed away. That depression led to substance abuse and alcoholism, and homelessness.  He eventually committed to getting “clean” and reported having more than a year without using substances or alcoholism.  Although he was still homeless, Robert expressed a desire to have his own place and a chance to ‘start over.’  He remained positive with a belief that God had a plan for him.  
In further discussion with Salvation Army SSVF staff, Robert was deemed eligible for services and was offered a housing solution.  Robert agreed to the Housing First philosophy and accepted the offer to housing.   Salvation Army staff then coordinated and scheduled a number of activities to prepare Robert and spouse for housing.  Robert and his spouse were transported to the VA North East Clinic, where they would be screened and enrolled in Veterans Health Care and where they completed all required paperwork, which allowed Robert to be immediately housed in permanent, stable housing.
The Salvation Army SSVF Program provided financial assistance for security deposit and rental assistance. Salvation Army case managers transported Robert and spouse to additional places:

  • Las Vegas Rescue Mission for linen, pots, pans, dishes and silverware.
  • The Salvation Army Family Services for food.
  • The 99 cent store to purchase cleaning items (funds provided by SSVF program) for his new unit.

Robert and his spouse have been residing in permanent stable housing since September 19, 2016, receiving VA Healthcare.  He has begun the process to apply for VA benefits and is currently seeking employment. He has an upcoming appointment with the AARP Senior Work Program.  His spouse worked closely with Straight from the Streets staff and with their support and commitment, she has completed the Displaced Homemakers (DH) class at Help of Southern Nevada and is currently seeking employment.  
Robert and his spouse are happy, motivated for change and continue to express their gratitude to The Salvation Army and Straight from the Streets for helping them ‘change their minds about the system.’  They report feelings of hope instead of helplessness and hopelessness; feelings of serenity and peace instead of feelings of fear.
Robert states, “I am so grateful for all that you guys have done for me.  I can’t believe that I am not homeless anymore, thank you all so much for all you have done for my family”.
For additional information about this program, please contact Lead Case Manager Catrina Grigsby-Thedford (CADC-I) at (702) 701-5378 or by email at catrina.grigsby@usw.salvationarmy.org. 

*Pictured: Robert and Caseworker Catrina from the Salvation Army
Home
Project Homeless Connect Delivers Help, Hope, Home, and much more
Project Homeless Connect served over 3,600 of our homeless and at-risk neighbors on November 15th, 2016. Services included housing, job support, childcare, medical, vision, dental, behavioral health, benefit support, legal aid, food, clothing, and so much more!

Here is a snapshot of some of the results!

3,608 homeless and at-risk guests served
169 participating agencies and departments
600 community volunteers

Housing Results!
99 Permanent Housing/Rental Assistance placements to include youth and families
64 Transitional Housing placements
86 Emergency Shelter placements

Employment Support! 
331 participants were provided with business attire
397 job leads provided
110 enrollments into Voc Rehab/Job Training Programs
 
Medical/Dental/Vision Support!
224 guests were given general medical exams
325 vision tests, hearing tests, and foot screenings
42 same day dental procedures
105 dental referrals made for offsite dental services
100 HIV tests     

Benefit Support!
40 on-the-spot SNAP cards provided
52 Social Security Cards
165 guests assisted with Medicaid enrollment
118 guests applied for SNAP Benefits
85 guests got help with ID’s 
60 guests received Utility Assistance

Mental Health and Recovery Support!
190 referrals for Substance Abuse Treatment/Recovery Support Programs  
96 Mental Health Screenings and referrals for counseling

Pet Services!
148 pets served: 141 dogs, 7 cats
60 Spays and Neuters
148 Veterinarian Wellness checks   

Care Services!
1,814 hot meals served restaurant-style
6 tons of clothing
1 ton of Hats, Scarves and Gloves
4,000 pairs of socks
800 pairs of shoes
4,000 hygiene kits
750 diapers
400 blankets
3 tons of food and water
600 bus passes
533 Salon Haircuts
89 children received childcare
387 guests received pastoral care/prayer services

and more!  

 Give responsibly this holiday season. Check out the following Public Service Announcement about the best ways to provide help to our homeless neighbors:

The Help Hope Home Newsletter is produced by the SNH CoC Community Engagement Working Group. Become a member of the SNH CoC! Click here for more information.