Formerly Family Endeavors, Inc. When the Closest Shelter is 100 Miles Away Melissa A Escamilla, MS, CRC| South Texas Region 2 VSS Program Director | mescamilla@endedeavors.org Formerly Family Endeavors, Inc.

Endeavors Service Area: Endeavors serves approximately 53 counties in Texas Balance of State. Endeavors South Texas region has two offices serving over 20 counties in the Texas Homeless Network Balance of State in South Texas: McAllen, TX Corpus Christi, TX Over the past year we have served over 300 veterans within the region. A majority of our counties are considered rural with limited resources available in the region. Veteran Supportive Services

Community Challenges Community awareness on homelessness Coordinating efforts to maximize funding for homelessness Working with non-traditional social service agencies Resourcing out to non-traditional resources This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

Community Collaboration This hoto by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC Each community we serve acknowledges there is a need for homeless services Community Agencies coordinate efforts by planning at the local homeless coalitions to address concerns in homelessness Communities partner with church organizations to assist in handing out food and clothing to the homeless Volunteers from the community also partake in community planning Donations are key to helping individuals in our communities Rely on the local community clinics and resource centers to spread the word about the resources in the community. Veteran Supportive Services

Creative Connections Warming shelters staffed by volunteers in the winter Partnering with local cities to open up temporary shelters during inclement weather Working with local soup kitchens to offer meals Clothing vouchers Street Outreach with various organizations Connecting with affordable privately owned motels to house homeless for a specific time frame until they are housed

Creative Connections Working with legal aide in the general assistance fund Connecting with local school districts community liaisons Offering free health clinics in rural colonias Partnering with locally owned laundromats to wash clothes Working with Adult Day Cares to allow guests to shower at facility Temporary housing in efficiencies

SSVF Family Endeavors Questions Veteran Supportive Services