Getting Started

February 2012

Background

• Noah Laracy, age 38, born and raised in Connecticut

• Writer, run a small web company• Applying to PsyD programs in Clinical

psychology• Worked on Obama campaign – only

outreach experience• Strong intellectual interest• A sober person `

How I Got Involved

• Read about Common Ground in William Vollmann’s article on homelessness in Sacramento

• Read another article a week later in Good Magazine

• Volunteered at the Midnight Mission doing lunch service

• Wanted to do more – get more hands-on• Met with Beth Sandor, then with Leslie and

Richie

Training

• Understanding the housing first model• Pasadena outreach – Three mornings, 4-6AM,

led a team• Attended session on motivational interviewing• Richie – Americore Volunteer who had been

on the job for 8 months. • Worked closely with Richie for six weeks –

taste of success

Safety

• Don’t carry money on me – therefore I don’t have to lie

• ID Card – Who am I? Credentials. • Title – Outreach worker.• Place to park – also your mobile office.• Where do I go to the bathroom?• Goals for the day• Mindfulness• Flu shot a good idea

What My Week Looks Like

• 10 Hours A Week• 2 four hour sessions in the field• Tuesday and Thursday mornings 8:30-12:30• 1 hour of phone calls• 1 hour for paperwork• Consistent presence – like a doctor doing

rounds

Case #1 – Linda

Case #1 – Linda

• Living in the Union Mission• Homeless for four years• Some Mental Health Issues• Highly motivated• Opening due to death of resident• Housed in three weeks

Case #2 – Earl

Case #2 - Earl

• Homeless since 1979• No birth certificate, refused

to go to doctor• Schizophrenic• Moving in in two weeks• Housed in six months

Challenges

• Dealing With Fear – My experience in Gladys Park

• Boundaries – Saying no when necessary. • Rejection – Not everyone wants housing.• Drunk/High clients – What to do?• Entitlement – Complaints about housing, time,

etc.

Lessons Learned

• Trust is number one• Keep focus on housing first• Quality not quantity• Don’t overpromise• Focus on what you can control• Consistency over urgency• Don’t give life advice

Volunteering Ideas

• 8-12 month commitment• Need for training and support• Teams are ideal – especially in the beginning• 5-10 people housed• Need for welcoming committee