Helping the Homeless Weather Life’s Storms Lifeboat Alliance

Homeless Challenge in Jefferson County Homeless: People who do not own or rent a dwelling. –Crowded into substandard housing with relatives/friends. –Others in hotels, cars, campers, tents, cemeteries, or overpasses. Currently, Mt. Vernon City Schools has 334 homeless students enrolled Churches are expending benevolence funds for temporary relief on hotels, rent, utilities, food, etc. Jefferson County Housing Authority reports subsidized housing shortage –Waiting list can be anywhere between 2 days and 6 months. –56 applicants currently on the waiting list –59% “extremely low” income (<$11,400 income) –41% “very low” income (<$19,000 income) –Most with 2-3 children and working; many are elderly –Many are just beyond the income levels eligible –Section 8 housing vouchers have 3-4 year waiting period

Current Homeless Solutions Rescue Mission –Limited space and difficulty in placement Hope in Christ Ministries –Limited space and difficulty in placement Local Hotels –Plenty of space and easy to place –Expensive and lacking in transformation

History Jefferson County Ministerial Association task force to address homelessness (2008) Grassroots gathering of local businesspeople and church leaders to address homelessness (2009- present) Creation of 501(c)3 “Lifeboat Alliance” (2010) Researched and contacted other homeless shelters in Illinois (2009-present) Relationship with Lighthouse Shelter in Marion as a model program (2010-present)

Habitat for Humanity Initiative Partnering with Lifeboat Alliance to acquire and renovate the abandoned Mt. Vernon Care nursing home facility (Jefferson Avenue) Handling fundraising and labor for renovations Not involved with operational costs or management of the homeless shelter Will be Habitat’s largest volunteer project to date and will likely be Mt. Vernon’s largest service project for 2011

Lifeboat Alliance Plans Our priority will be serving homeless clients seeking sustained life transformation Currently building an alliance of churches, schools, agencies, businesses, service organizations, and individuals to support and operate this facility Developing final policies and procedures Identifying funding sources and volunteers Planning to hire and manage staff Planning to provide case management for sustained life transformation by connecting needs to resources

Community-Wide Involvement First Community Planning Meeting to Discuss Possible Homeless Solutions and Next Steps (June 17, 2010) Meeting with Business Neighbors (October 19, 2010) Second Community Planning Meeting to Discuss Policies and Procedures (October 21, 2010) Door-To-Door Flyer Distribution to all Neighbors Answering Questions and Informing Them of Third Community Planning Meeting (November 13, 2010) Third Community Planning Meeting to Discuss Location and Organizational Roles (November 16, 2010)

Community-Wide Commitment Organizations already formally committed to the project –Central Christian, St. Mary’s Catholic, Logan Street Baptist, First Presbyterian, & Southwest Christian Churches –Mount Vernon City Schools, District 80 –United Way, Catholic Social Services, Youth Build, & Habitat for Humanity –Donoheaven Foundation –Many other organizations and individuals have made informal commitments toward the project

Community Contributions Advisory Contributions –Policies, Procedures, Public Relations, Fundraising Financial Contributions Projected –Local churches - $61,000 –Local businesses - $29,000 –Agencies & Organizations - $23,000 –Foundations & Grants - $50,000 –Individuals - $37,000 –Additional money through fundraising Volunteer Contributions –Receptionists, Food Services, Maintenance

Need for United Community Effort No one group can afford this –Operational costs will be $199,700 Staff - $113,900 Operations - $31,500 Utilities - $17,500 Capital - $15,800 Contingency - $21,000 No one group can staff this –Staff: Executive Director, Case Manager, Security, Custodian –Volunteers: Reception, Meals, Other Support No one group can sustain this –Ongoing commitment of time and resources for sustained life transformation of clients

Please contact the following with additional questions: Rob Dyer, Dr. Tyler Brown, Richard Straeter,