We need volunteers for Tues nights for our Baby U Program. Help the community in a unique way! Call Lisa at 332 0441 http://t.co/EDxzvy4Z
Homeless Services || Assistance & Prevention
The number of homeless individuals and families has increased in Lee County over the past few years. In 2010, CCMI contacts made with homeless individuals or families more than doubled from those in 2009. According to a one day count of homeless conducted by Lee County Homeless Coalition in 2011, the numbers of homeless identified increased to 1054. The total homeless population in Lee County is estimated at about 3400 individuals total. Numbers of homeless children increased by 26% from 115 in 2010 to 145 in 2011. Families with children are the fastest growing demographic of homeless with an estimated 1010 homeless students in Lee County. These are sobering statistics.
Basic Needs & Emergency Assistance
CCMI homeless and social services addresses the increasing and changing needs of our community. We want to make certain that the our customers who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless are treated with dignity and respect. Our Homeless Concierge works with our more chronic homeless individuals by listening to concerns and arranging for services to help them live a dignified life while they struggle with life on the streets. CCMI has a Homeless Concierge desk located on-site in our Everyday Café so anyone without a home can receive basic needs items and services like clothing, hygiene products, bicycles, shelter referral, help with public assistane (ACCESS) and other items necessary to survive being homeless. After emergency needs are addressed, barriers to escaping homelessness are identified and direct service, case management, and referral are provided to work on achieving long-term, sustainable solutions. CCMI also works with Lee County School District's liaison to homeless students to coordinate child and family needs as well. We believe that a variety of services from showers, eye exams, job coaching and social services are vital to help our homeless clients return to a normal life.
“Now that you’ve helped me, I have a home and a job; I’m not living on the streets anymore. Today I'm giving back, so don't give up. There’s always hope.” ~ Former CCMI client and current volunteer, Tim.
Working for Long-term Solutions
In addition, CCMI has adapted the Homeless and Social Services Program to meet changing needs by expanding the target group of our outreach and case management to working poor and families with school-age children who have been hit hard by the country's economic downturn. Food is a basic need and the gateway to additional support services. We now have on-site Case Coaches available at both of our Everyday Cafes to increase access to services. Once the transaction of emergency and basic needs has been met, the life transformation begins.
Our United Way Resource Houses provide a one-stop shop for direct assistance for substance abuse, mental health, healthcare, job coaching, employment, senior resources, childcare, education, and more. If we do not have what the customer needs on-site, we will make a referral to another appropriate agency. Case Coaches collaborate with customers to develop life plans and set goals that once achieved, will lead to long-term solutions to hunger and homelessness and set the process in motion for long term success.
Our Life Coaching Program also provides opportunities for self-improvement and positive change through classes on subjects ranging from financial literacy to homebuyers education to healthy eating and our parenting series, Baby University. These classes are offered to customers free of charge and are extremely helpful to those with a case plan and identified goals working to transform their lives.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are an important asset of our work with the homeless. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Click on the above link or contact our Volunteer Liaison for more information at 239-332-7687 ext. 100.
