Welcome to Catholic Hawaii
Saturday, July 26 2008 @ 10:11 PM EDT
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The Office for Social Ministry |
How We Work Care-A-Van Outreach Mobile Care Project Hawaii Island Food Bank Rice Bowl Mini-Grant Program Framework for Response to Parishes Regarding Welfare Reform O'ahu Branch Maui Branch Big Island Branch |
Care-A-Van Outreach Program for the Homeless Our Mission: The mission of Care-A-Van is to locate homeless people who are unsheltered and to ultimately assist them with getting into stable housing situations. This is done by providing outreach services to many areas on the Big Island where the homeless can be found such as the beaches, the woods, in parks and cars. Services Provided By Care-A-Van Staff (Click here for Care-A-Van Referral Request Form) Care-A-Van staff members, who consist of outreach nurses and social service workers, provide a range of services to the homeless. Each year, over 1000 new homeless individuals are located. Many people are referred to us by other agencies and other clients. Services provided include: Homeless Outreach Services: Outreach Specialists engage and develop relationships with those experiencing homelessness throughout Hawaii Island, helping them access basic needs, coordinate care and make appropriate community linkages to existing resources in the community with the ultimate goal of stable housing situations. SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access & Recovery Assistance (SOAR): The Benefits Specialist assists persons experiencing homelessness who may be eligible for Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. Services include assistance with initial applications to SSA benefits and navigation through the SSA system. Representative Payee Services: Rep Payees assist persons with severe mental illnesses manage their SSA financial benefits, making necessary payments towards their monthly rent, utility costs, food, clothing and medical needs. TANF Housing Placement Services: TANF-eligible families with at least one minor child, who are experiencing homelessness OR holding a Section 8 voucher, are eligible to apply for housing placement assistance. Services include case management, renter’s education/life skills classes, tenant readiness training, budget management, referrals to credit counseling and fair housing services, financial assistance with deposit, rent and utility costs and follow up home visits by Case Managers for 6 months to help families transition from homelessness and into permanent housing. Grant Assistance: The Grant Specialist work with families and individuals experiencing homelessness or at-risk there of. Financial assistance is provided for emergencies to prevent at-risk homeless persons from becoming homeless; assist homeless persons with housing, food, and medical costs, transportation and job-hunting expenses; child and dependent care costs; and other emergency needs arising from their homeless situation. Kihei Pua Emergency Shelter for the Homeless: This six week program provides emergency housing, staffed 24/7, with bed space for up to 72 individuals at max capacity in shared rooms, with cooking and laundry facilities on-site. Daily meals and food pantry items are provided while at the shelter. Families who are experiencing homelessness on the streets or at-risk of homelessness are eligible to apply. Beyond Shelter Transitional Housing Program: Provides transitional housing services for families experiencing homelessness who have at least one minor child in their physical custody. There are eight (8) furnished apartment units with program fees for six (6) two-bedroom/two-bath units each at $650/month, one (1) one-bedroom unit at $550/month, and one (1) studio unit at $450/month. Participation in program services is mandatory including Life Skills classes, renter’s education, employment search and training, and housing search. Families are expected to pay program fees on time, be good neighbors, and commit to seeking employment or explore educational opportunities. Families must be domestic violence free for at least four months and drug-free for at least six months prior to acceptance into the program. Initial and random drug screenings are conducted throughout program services at Beyond Shelter which is located at 110 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720. Ponahawai Ola Transitional Housing Program: Community Re-integration services assisting men and women reintegrate back into the Hawaii Island community from incarceration as productive community citizens. Participant’s needs are assessed and preparatory actions made to create an individualized service plan to meet their legal obligations and conditions including necessary linkages to treatment services, community service activities, employment, job training, case management services, and life skills training. Initial and random drug screenings are conducted throughout program services. There are 28 bed spaces with twenty (20) studios at $400/month and shared rooms at $300/month. Ponahawai Ola is staffed 24/7 and is located at 483 Kinoole Street, Hilo, HI 96720. Kukui Program (HUD’s Shelter Plus Care): A permanent supportive housing program for persons who are disabled and experiencing homelessness. Targeted disabilities include severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, HIV/AIDS and developmental disabilities. Applicants must agree to supportive services during the duration of program assistance. Program recipients generally pay 30% of their income towards rent, while OSM pays the remaining balance of their monthly rent due to the landlord. Goals of the program are residential stability, increased income and/or skills and greater self-determination. WHY ARE PEOPLE HOMELESS? People can become homeless for many reasons. Many people are only a few paychecks away from becoming homeless. Some of the reasons that people might become homeless include:
Homelessness is often the result of many other problems that face a lot of people today. It is a complex problem that takes a thoughtful and coordinated approach to solve. People from all walks of life and ages are homeless. How Is CARE-A-VAN Supported? Care-A-Van is funded through contracts with the State of Hawaii Department of Health, the Hawaii Housing Authority, the County of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Island United Way. How YOU CAN HELP
Your donation will ensure that the homeless will continue to receive the help they so need and deserve. Please make checks payable to Care-A-Van and send your donation to: Care-A-Van Or Care-A-Van How To Contact Us:
Thank you for caring about the Big Island's homeless. |
