Asheville Buncombe CommunityAsheville Buncombe Community Christian MinistryChristian Ministry

Asheville North CarolinaAsheville North Carolina

250250+ + congregationscongregations 3,000 volunteers3,000 volunteers 4 Crisis Ministry Centers4 Crisis Ministry Centers Jail MinistryJail Ministry A Vet’s Place / Veterans’ Restoration A Vet’s Place / Veterans’ Restoration

Quarters Quarters andand Inn Inn Women Women andand Children’s Transitional Children’s Transitional

HousingHousing Free Clinic: medical, dental, pharmacyFree Clinic: medical, dental, pharmacy

Presented by:Reverend Scott RogersExecutive DirectorABCCM30 Cumberland Ave.Asheville, NC 28801828-259-5305 (o)828-259-5323 (f)srogers@abccm.orgabccm.org

Homelessness:Homelessness:Asheville North CarolinaAsheville North Carolina

In 2007:In 2007: 2,000 different homeless persons identified;2,000 different homeless persons identified; 509 identified in January 2008 Point in Time 509 identified in January 2008 Point in Time

survey;survey; 370 beds provided by area shelters370 beds provided by area shelters 119 identified as unsheltered – 71 were 119 identified as unsheltered – 71 were

veterans.veterans.

ABCCM Shelter HistoryABCCM Shelter History Began in Feb 1985 with 20 menBegan in Feb 1985 with 20 men Expanded in 1988 to 60 menExpanded in 1988 to 60 men In 2002, added a separate 43 bed women and In 2002, added a separate 43 bed women and

children’s transitional housing facilitychildren’s transitional housing facility 2002, added Homeless Veterans Reintegration 2002, added Homeless Veterans Reintegration

Program services (HVRP)Program services (HVRP) 2003, added 24 bed GPD contract2003, added 24 bed GPD contract 2004, added 24 bed GPD contract – total 48 2004, added 24 bed GPD contract – total 48 2006, added Veterans Workforce Investment 2006, added Veterans Workforce Investment

Program (VWIP)Program (VWIP) 2008, added 100 bed GPD contract – total 1482008, added 100 bed GPD contract – total 148

Total Served in 2007Total Served in 2007

Total served : 198Total served : 198 Veterans : 177Veterans : 177 Non-Veterans : 21Non-Veterans : 21 Veterans placed in employment: 115Veterans placed in employment: 115 Job Placement rate: 65% Retention rate: 70%Job Placement rate: 65% Retention rate: 70% Placed in permanent housing: 53; transitional: 61Placed in permanent housing: 53; transitional: 61 Volunteers: 1525 – 17,500 hrs. 36 Cook teams and Volunteers: 1525 – 17,500 hrs. 36 Cook teams and

receptionists, intake, trainers, mentors, drivers, etc.receptionists, intake, trainers, mentors, drivers, etc.

2007 Services 2007 Services . . .continued…. . .continued…

Weekly on site Prayer Meetings: 3Weekly on site Prayer Meetings: 3 Weekly Bible Studies on site: 1Weekly Bible Studies on site: 1 Weekly AA/NA/ Recovery meetings on site: 1 Weekly AA/NA/ Recovery meetings on site: 1 VA Aftercare Meetings - weeklyVA Aftercare Meetings - weekly Meals Served daily: breakfast, lunch, dinner, Meals Served daily: breakfast, lunch, dinner,

bag lunches for workbag lunches for work Community Activity: Conducted Christmas program Community Activity: Conducted Christmas program

for Veterans Nursing Home.for Veterans Nursing Home. American Legion Post 526 members: 30American Legion Post 526 members: 30

Strategic Goals for 2008Strategic Goals for 2008

Move to newly purchased 124-room motel property.Move to newly purchased 124-room motel property. Commence 2007 Per Diem Grant that will allow for Commence 2007 Per Diem Grant that will allow for

an additional 100 veterans.an additional 100 veterans. Expand VWIP services to veterans across WNC.Expand VWIP services to veterans across WNC. Continue work with Joint Task Force with Rescue Continue work with Joint Task Force with Rescue

Mission and Salvation Army.Mission and Salvation Army. Continue to develop the micro-enterprise with Continue to develop the micro-enterprise with

vegetable oil recovery, hospitality management, and vegetable oil recovery, hospitality management, and culinary through the Restoration Cafe.culinary through the Restoration Cafe.

MissionMission

ABCCM will:ABCCM will:

Provide stability to homeless veterans.Provide stability to homeless veterans. Provide personal skill building for veterans.Provide personal skill building for veterans. Provide education and training that equip Provide education and training that equip

veterans for employment and sustainable veterans for employment and sustainable housing.housing.

Provide reintegration skills and opportunities Provide reintegration skills and opportunities that lead to greater self-determination.that lead to greater self-determination.

VisionVision

ABCCM, in partnership with the VA and ABCCM, in partnership with the VA and community, will offer an invitation to every community, will offer an invitation to every homeless veteran to: “come inside the wire,” homeless veteran to: “come inside the wire,” a “Welcome Home” for every veteran, and end a “Welcome Home” for every veteran, and end the shame of “homelessness” for every veteran the shame of “homelessness” for every veteran in our community by 2010. in our community by 2010.

Core Principles for Core Principles for Grant Grant and and Per Diem Services (GPD) Per Diem Services (GPD)

1.1. Excellence in leadership and facilities is our best gift in Excellence in leadership and facilities is our best gift in honoring the sacrifice of veterans.honoring the sacrifice of veterans.

2.2. Professional and competent staff.Professional and competent staff.

3.3. Strong support from the Faith community through well Strong support from the Faith community through well trained and well equipped volunteers.trained and well equipped volunteers.

4.4. Complimentary support from HVRP services.Complimentary support from HVRP services.

5.5. Active support from veteran service organizations.Active support from veteran service organizations.

6.6. Community Networks: VAMC and Coalitions.Community Networks: VAMC and Coalitions.

7.7. Engaged Employers, Corporate, and Housing partners.Engaged Employers, Corporate, and Housing partners.

Veterans Restoration Quarters:Veterans Restoration Quarters:

ExcellenceExcellence in in Leadership and FacilitiesLeadership and Facilities

This 2 year transitional housing service provides This 2 year transitional housing service provides numerous components to address the needs of numerous components to address the needs of our veterans from a holistic point of view. our veterans from a holistic point of view.

We utilize a wellness model which includes: We utilize a wellness model which includes: financial wellness, housing wellness, financial wellness, housing wellness, medical wellness, mental health wellness, medical wellness, mental health wellness, self-determination wellness, spiritual wellness self-determination wellness, spiritual wellness and substance abuse wellness.and substance abuse wellness.

Outreach and ConnectionOutreach and Connection

Working with the VA Medical Center Homeless Working with the VA Medical Center Homeless Coordinator, we participate in Stand Downs and host Coordinator, we participate in Stand Downs and host annual Challeng as part of a coordinated effort to annual Challeng as part of a coordinated effort to consistently reach out to homeless veterans. We help consistently reach out to homeless veterans. We help the veteran connect appropriately with V.A. services. the veteran connect appropriately with V.A. services. We provide screening and access to veteran benefits. We provide screening and access to veteran benefits. For those who qualify, vets are given a slot at "A For those who qualify, vets are given a slot at "A Vet's Place" for up to two years. We provide the Vet's Place" for up to two years. We provide the basic necessities of an individualized cubical/bed, basic necessities of an individualized cubical/bed, meals, laundry services, recreation and case meals, laundry services, recreation and case management. In the past three years, no one has ever management. In the past three years, no one has ever been discharged to the streets. been discharged to the streets.

Staff Organizational ChartStaff Organizational Chart VA Per Diem

Michael Reich, Dir

HVRPSam Everett, Dir.

Michael Reich, Dir.207 Coxe &Tunnel Road

SpecialistDag Bergrud

Social Worker (pt)Russel McCrimmon

Administrative Asst.Mary Lu Inman

Case ManagerWilliam Moore

VA ResidentAssistants

Lead ManagerCook

Doug Slusher

Men’s Resident Assistants

Outposted WorkerTom West

Veterans’ Restoration Quarters & InnVeterans’ Restoration Quarters & Innandand

A Vet’s PlaceA Vet’s Place

VWIPSam Everett, Dir.

Volunteer Coordinator Tamra Huggett

SpecialistDonna Wilson

SpecialistDave Clements

Case Worker (pt)Sylvia Portenier

Case Manager

Jimmie Blackmon

SpecialistBillie Baldwin

Faith Community SupportFaith Community Support

VRQ has the support of over 250 congregations VRQ has the support of over 250 congregations with about 1600 volunteers in the community. with about 1600 volunteers in the community. Statistically, they have an impressive track Statistically, they have an impressive track record over the past three years: 100% record over the past three years: 100% training of all participants; 80% job placement; training of all participants; 80% job placement; the remaining 20% all received access to the remaining 20% all received access to public assistance such as disability benefits; public assistance such as disability benefits; of those placed on the job, 90% obtained long of those placed on the job, 90% obtained long term housing; the 18 month retention rate has term housing; the 18 month retention rate has averaged between 80% - 90%. averaged between 80% - 90%.

Veteran Service Organization Veteran Service Organization SupportSupport

We have American Legion Post 526 which meets at We have American Legion Post 526 which meets at A Vet’s Place and is run by formerly homeless A Vet’s Place and is run by formerly homeless veterans for our homeless vets. This unique veterans for our homeless vets. This unique combination of the faith community, with veteran combination of the faith community, with veteran service organizations, working closely with the service organizations, working closely with the professional staff and services of the VAMC-professional staff and services of the VAMC-Asheville, the Work Investment Board and One Stop Asheville, the Work Investment Board and One Stop Career Center, plus other DVOP and LEVR’s Career Center, plus other DVOP and LEVR’s makes for highly successful outcomes in western makes for highly successful outcomes in western North Carolina.North Carolina.

Volunteer and Volunteer and IncentiveIncentive--based services: based services:

Steps to SuccessSteps to SuccessSteps to SuccessSteps to Success provides training in basic life skills in provides training in basic life skills in

the areas of personal hygiene, financial management, the areas of personal hygiene, financial management, home maintenance, healthy cooking and eating, home maintenance, healthy cooking and eating, interpersonal skills of respect and anger management. interpersonal skills of respect and anger management. This service helps establish healthy living routines This service helps establish healthy living routines and habits among our residents and then provides and habits among our residents and then provides rewards to them each week for the sustained rewards to them each week for the sustained completion of their responsibilities. completion of their responsibilities. This incentive program develops our men and women This incentive program develops our men and women into responsible adults with core skills for living into responsible adults with core skills for living independently in the community. independently in the community.

Homeless Vets Reintegration Homeless Vets Reintegration Program (HVRP) Program (HVRP)

HVRP Specialists reach out to homeless veterans all across HVRP Specialists reach out to homeless veterans all across western North Carolina to provide them with access to work western North Carolina to provide them with access to work preparedness, education, training and employment and served preparedness, education, training and employment and served 250 in 2006 and over 300 in 2007. We track veterans for up to 250 in 2006 and over 300 in 2007. We track veterans for up to six months after they leave the program. Of those enrolled six months after they leave the program. Of those enrolled into the program, about 70% complete the training and obtain into the program, about 70% complete the training and obtain work. According to the Department of Labor independent work. According to the Department of Labor independent monitoring statistics, they tell us that in the past three years, monitoring statistics, they tell us that in the past three years, 88%-92% of all veterans who are placed on the job were still 88%-92% of all veterans who are placed on the job were still on the job 18 months after leaving our program. Our HVRP on the job 18 months after leaving our program. Our HVRP Specialists provide coordinated case management; an excellent Specialists provide coordinated case management; an excellent working relationship with the designated veteran service working relationship with the designated veteran service providers at the Department of Social Services, at the providers at the Department of Social Services, at the Employment Security Commission and at the Job Link Career Employment Security Commission and at the Job Link Career Center. Center.

Veterans Workforce Investment Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) Program (VWIP)

VWIP is serving special needs populations of VWIP is serving special needs populations of veterans, including the disabled. In 2006-07, we veterans, including the disabled. In 2006-07, we served about 100 veterans. We are providing all served about 100 veterans. We are providing all with intensive training, life skills and specialized with intensive training, life skills and specialized employment services for veterans who are dislocated employment services for veterans who are dislocated workers and/or need retraining. Working closely workers and/or need retraining. Working closely with the Work Force Investment Board and the with the Work Force Investment Board and the programs of the Employment Security Commission programs of the Employment Security Commission in North Carolina and Job Link Career Centers, we in North Carolina and Job Link Career Centers, we work on training and retraining opportunities, plus work on training and retraining opportunities, plus education opportunities with AB Tech to ensure a education opportunities with AB Tech to ensure a successful transition in redefining career paths. successful transition in redefining career paths.

Community RelationshipsCommunity Relationships

VAMC - AshevilleVAMC - Asheville Homeless CoalitionHomeless Coalition Medical Health PartnersMedical Health Partners Affordable Housing partnersAffordable Housing partners Job Link and Employment partnersJob Link and Employment partners ChurchesChurches Support Groups: AA, NA, etcSupport Groups: AA, NA, etc Financial servicesFinancial services Animal Shelter servicesAnimal Shelter services

Engaged Business Leaders Engaged Business Leaders and Relationshipsand Relationships

Employer relationships with a commitment to Employer relationships with a commitment to hiring veterans as a priority: health services, hiring veterans as a priority: health services, hospitality services, retail, light hospitality services, retail, light manufacturing, construction trades, bio-fuels.manufacturing, construction trades, bio-fuels.

Housing relationships: VASH, private Housing relationships: VASH, private property managers, public housing.property managers, public housing.

Engaged corporate leaders: Chamber of Engaged corporate leaders: Chamber of Commerce, public servants, corporate leaders.Commerce, public servants, corporate leaders.

Veteran Micro-EnterprisesVeteran Micro-Enterprises

Vegetable Oil RecyclingVegetable Oil Recycling

Restoration CaféRestoration Café

Hospitality ManagementHospitality Management

Veteran: TEAMVeteran: TEAM TTogether ogether EEveryone veryone AAchieves chieves MMore: ore: TEAMTEAM

We invite others to visit our site for more We invite others to visit our site for more information. Contact Michael Reich 828-259-5333.information. Contact Michael Reich 828-259-5333.

We honor our veterans with a community-wide We honor our veterans with a community-wide celebration every July 4celebration every July 4thth in conjunction with our in conjunction with our local baseball team – Asheville Tourists.local baseball team – Asheville Tourists.

We want to connect with other GPD’s to help in We want to connect with other GPD’s to help in family reunification and reintegration efforts to help family reunification and reintegration efforts to help our veterans be at “home.” our veterans be at “home.”

We welcome new ideas and models of service. We welcome new ideas and models of service. Please send to: srogers@abccm.org.Please send to: srogers@abccm.org.