Missed the May Meeting? Here are the minutes.
Service Groups and Faith Alliance
May 17, 2022
Meeting Minutes
Homelessness in Apex and Cary
Attendees:
Nicole Bernard, Niki Miller, Elliot Brooks (Street Outreach Specialist with Triangle Family Services), Jim Ahler, Kerry Crespo, Nancy Hagan, Danica Coleman, Spencer Bradford, Tom Klatt, Kim Adcock, Karen Morant, Deb Vinci, Ofc Kenneth Ragland, Chief Jason Armstrong
Announcements:
Nicole Bernard welcomed attendees and announced Stephanie Moore LCSW was the sponsor for today’s meeting. Nicole reminded attendees of the Annual Shield Gala coming up June 3 and invited all to join.
The SGFA is continuing to focus on Foster Care Awareness. We petitioned the Town of Apex to proclaim May as Foster Care Awareness Month. The proclamation was issued by mayor and the town council for month of May in Apex on April 26. Shield has also partnered with the Wake County Child Welfare (Foster Care Recruitment) to organize a Door Hanger Campaign. On three different days, volunteers with hang foster care information on homes in the area. So far 500 door hangers have been place. The next campaign dates are May 21st and May 25th.
Speaker Elliot Brooks:
Nicole introduced Elliot Brooks, Street Outreach Specialist for Triangle Family Services, who presented information regarding homelessness in Apex and Cary. Elliot’s outreach efforts focus on encampments in western wake currently and will be moving into HS and FV as able. Unsheltered homelessness is main focus.
What?
Triangle Family Services works with unsheltered individuals and emergency shelters if no case management. It is high access service with no financial or behavioral barriers. No one is excluded for these reasons. Mobile access: we meet people where they are. In their camps or abandoned buildings or McDonalds, etc.
Why?
Lowers barriers and creates access for people
Many homeless individuals have experienced a high level of trauma
Provide food, water, hygiene supplies, SNAP sign up or EBT or Medicaid; housing navigation and referrals
Engage people who resist other forms of help – offer support and positive alternatives
Why help?
Homeless individuals are often perceived as not wanting help. A few people want to be homeless, but most don’t. Refusal of help is a product of trauma. Learned helplessness because they are too afraid. Dehumanizing which doesn’t allow them any agency in our society.
NC507 Structure: everyone enters by the same door via Access Hub and they are referred to the right place for their specific need. Elliot gets referrals from the Access Hub.
Looking at Apex and Cary:
Cary: The most recent Point In Time survey found 48 homeless individuals, which is large number for area and does not include those living in cars or sleeping on someone’s sofa. More camping with warm weather. Real number is likely 70-100 homeless individuals. Some are visible but many are not.
Apex: No one located during the most recent Point In Time survey – they are well-hidden, living in cars or “couch surfing”.
Some differences: easier to get services in Cary; Cary is closer to Raleigh; get around via bus; Cary has many hotels for emergency shelters. Apex is close to Jordan Lake providing legal camping.
Apex homeless don’t engage due to difficulty getting around and don’t qualify for service
True Number is unknown
Strategies for Helping:
· Work at changing public perception (often seen as lazy or bad people)
a) Community Service Events help connection
b) Inform congregation about white flag events
c) Host events where people can learn more about homelessness
· Fund raisers to get supplies
a) Transportation, Lyft card, gas cards
b) Security Deposit assistance
c) Survival supplies, tents, tarps
· Actively filling existing service gaps
(Dorcas, St Johns are great examples of how to do this.)
a) White flag emergency shelters
b) Support services like meals or free clinics, mobile shower truck
c) Free overnight parking shelters for individuals living in cars
Elliott Brooks Contact Information:
ebrooks@tfsnc.org
919-501-8504
Q&A
Jim shared that his wife who pastors at his church has seen several folks emerge for assistance. Do you need to see the person for point in time count or survey churches? Elliot responded that it must be in person as a snapshot of point in time.
Spencer asked who organizes team for Point In Time survey in Apex. Access Hub was used last time and Elliot shared contact: jvolkel@partnershipwake.org
Niki asked Kerry to share what they are doing at their church (Cary Church):
Opened up Convoy of Hope; offering hot meals on 4th Saturday 11-1:00; grocery bags distributed by team of 10-12; restarted food bank 1st and 2nd Saturday; wanting to reconnect with community; Bread of Life at Moore Square every 3rd Saturday for clothing and non-perishable groceries. For the last 3 months they have been going to homes for released prisoners – want them to come to facility going forward; has met with schools. Contact: Kerry Crespo-Asst Pastor Kerry.crespo@cary.church
Nancy – low barrier goals have fallen off during COVID. Has had experience with Point In Time count and interested in making connections with Elliot to assist with location of individuals.
Nicole – How do we know where people are during extreme weather? Reviewed options and determined it was best to get them to Raleigh. If proven need, Elliot offered it should be done in the area so transportation does not become an issue.
White flag shelter point of contact is Travis at St Johns travisc@stjohnsmcc.org
What items need to be collected that may be priority? Things to keep folks cool, Gatorade, tents, tarps, trash bags to stay dry, bug spray, deodorant, powder. Anything to stay dry and comfortable. Good quality sleeping bag is important no matter the weather. Can openers, dry shampoo, coolers.
Karen asked about disconnection from services needed outside Raleigh. How do we leverage our resources to fill the gaps? Raleigh has resources that those outside that area don’t. Image and stigma need to be overcome. Change conversation and provide high access, low barrier assistance.
Word of mouth changes opinions and helps clients learn about positive experiences. Is there a need to create a Community Care Center? Elliot shared that Day Centers have a big stigma and it is hard to create. Although, Day Centers can help provide the homeless with a vision for what life can be.
“Unite Us” platform used by the state to connect needs and resources.