Project Report
| Feb 27, 2024
It Really Does Take a Village
By Shondra Muhammad | Deputy Executive Director
As we shifted our view of this project to find the most meaningful ways to help the community, we got the opportunity to dig deeper when we learned that four of the families in our youth program had recently become homeless. By providing emergency shelter, assistance with application fees and deposits, and resources, we were able to help three of the families into new homes. Each had different challenges that led to them leaving their previous residence. Some of the factors included under-employment, the lack of adequate support in caring for special needs children, and lingering difficulties resulting from COVID-related evictions.
As prices for food, health care, and shelter continue to increase while wages do not meet a livable rate, we will continue to support the community one family at a time, as our resources allow. In addition to shelter, one of the parents was able to benefit from our Job-Ready program to gain new employment.
Oct 30, 2023
More Personalized Engagement
By Shondra Muhammad | Deputy Executive Director
We resumed the Community LUV program in August without distributing the $25 gift cards. As we projected, program attendance decreased. Dropping from 70-80 participants each service, we now have an attendance of 10-20 participants. We believe that removing the financial incentive program encourages attendance from people who are truly experiencing homelessness, and will continue to benefit from hot meals, free showers, barber services, and personal care items.
As we adapt the program to meet our current needs, more opportunities have become available to meet with participants one-on-one to assess their individual needs. Two of the participants that we met with expressed that they were not ready to change their situations. Both were grateful to have a place where they can come inside, “get cleaned up,” and have nutritious meals. One disclosed that she is aware of how her addiction to drugs is impacting her life, but she does not have a desire to stop using drugs.
On a more hopeful note, one of our participants expressed that he believes his situation is temporary. He asked for help finding a job, and we were able to connect him to our job counselor. She has found 2 leads that seem promising for him.
Jul 13, 2023
Preparing For Fall
By Shondra Muhammad | Deputy Executive Director
youth volunteers sorting donations
The Community LUV program has continued to grow and garner interest. People still come by the center for assistance on days that we are not set up for the program. We had to suspend the program for the summer because we are not able to have the youth summer program and the Community LUV meal program in the same space. We will resume the program in the fall. In the meantime, volunteer groups are still coming in to help with sorting donations and putting together care packages.
Before halting the program, we were serving 70-80 people during each service. We expect the numbers to decrease when we resume because we were previously distributing $25 gift cards. Our community partner who supported the gift cards has ended their program, but SHAPE will continue to provide hot meals, showers, barber services, personal care items, and resources. Our original intent for the program was to address food insecurity for people experiencing homelessness, so we do not believe that ending the gift cards will harm that purpose.