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When Past is Prologue
Michelle’s Corner 10.19.20
When Past is Prologue
When I was studying for my MS in Science Education–yes, I was going to be a teacher, sort of–there was a philosophy that many of us thought really helped us figure out how to help our students learn. It was called Constructivism.
Simply put–without all the educational jargon–when we come upon new information, we use what we already know (or think we know) to understand that new information. We aren’t “clean slates” but rather a tower of Legos, built up over time, ready for the next brick to be placed on top of what we’ve already learned and experienced.
What does this have to do with ShelterCare?
We at ShelterCare follow a similar philosophy called “Trauma-Informed Care” for our consumers. We believe that each and every one of the individuals who come for support and assistance has a story that has shaped their lives with both good experiences and bad. Our therapists, case managers, and peer support specialists create plans that are based upon unique individual needs rather than a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach.
Being an agency that subscribes to Trauma-Informed Care is more than how we approach our consumers. It must also be part of our organizational culture for our employees and community partners.
There are four main steps a company must take to adopt a trauma-informed culture:
- Building awareness and generating buy-in for a trauma-informed approach with all staff and board members;
- Supporting a culture of staff wellness (both mental and physical);
- Hiring a workforce that embodies the values of trauma-informed care with diversity and inclusion; and
- Creating a safe physical, social and emotional environment.
Adopting an organizational culture like this is an ongoing process that requires constant communication and making adjustments as we learn about ourselves, our consumers and our community. It’s not easy but worth the effort so that all of our employees and clients feel valued for what they bring to our agency each and every day.
ShelterCare is striving towards this culture, and we have work to do. I don’t believe that there will ever be a time when there won’t be an opportunity for us to do better, but I am proud to be part of a team with this philosophy which is also supported by our leadership.
For more information on Trauma-Informed Care there are many resources available, but for this blog I reference the Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center at www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org
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Walk of Hope: Charles’ Story
It’s been eight years since Charles, 41, decided to turn his life around. After years of living on the streets, and struggling with drug addiction, one particular moment inspired him to change everything. “I saw my face on all the people I was doing drugs with, and in that moment I realized I was done with that lifestyle,” he says. Today, Charles is eight years sober, has been housed for five years, and has found stability with help from ShelterCare.As a child, Charles faced severe abuse, which led him to run away from home at 15 years old. When Charles was first introduced to ShelterCare in 2009, he had been homeless for 11 years, was living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), an acute mental health condition, and had zero income. “For me, a guy who’s been down in the dumps, it was hard for me to swallow my pride and ask for help,” he says. “But I finally did it, and ShelterCare has never done me wrong.”
Charles received support through ShelterCare’s former “The Inside Program” (TIP), which provided transitional housing to individuals living with mental illness. This program helped Charles get connected to disability income for his brain injury and mental health condition. “We just pointed him in the right direction, and within months he had stable income again,” said Tim Rockwell, Charles’ former TIP case manager.
Later, Charles transitioned to ShelterCare’s Sponsor-Based Rental Assistance (SRA) program, which helped him secure the subsidized apartment he lives in today. He was also connected to ShelterCare’s Behavioral Health Services, which helps people find stability and purpose through therapy, peer support, skills training, payee services, case management, healthcare coordination, and therapeutic activities. “Most of the individuals we serve have barriers that would be impossible to overcome without a support system,” says ShelterCare Clinical Director, Ariann Harrelson. “We make these barriers a priority because it is necessary in order to help people permanently overcome homelessness and move forward in their lives.”
Through behavioral health, Charles has a case manager who meets with him weekly to work on medication management and memorization. “Our biggest goal is helping him become more independent, and medication is a huge part of that,” says his case manager, Kiley Shannon. “We help him memorize the names of medications, what each medication does, and when they should be taken.”
In addition to providing medication skills training, Kiley also provides Charles with trauma-informed support as he copes with the symptoms of his mental health conditions. “If I’m in a depressed mood she’ll be able to tell by the way I’m walking or talking that I’m feeling down,” says Charles, who also lives with PTSD and Schizoaffective Depressive Disorder. “She’ll ask what’s wrong, and give me advice based on whatever I’m worried about.”
Charles also receives monthly support from his ShelterCare Peer Support Specialist, Emma Swanson, who uses her personal experience with recovery to help Charles reach his goals. “In the past, Charles struggled with remembering appointments and important information about his health,” says Emma. “The biggest thing we have worked on are tracking his appointments and following through with doctors’ recommendations.” Emma also provides Charles with support around his personal issues, housing waitlist sign-ups, and his financial goals.
In addition to case management and peer support, Charles also utilizes ShelterCare’s payee services, which are another aspect of ShelterCare’s Behavioral Health Services. “My brain injury makes it hard to do a lot of things, including manage money, but ShelterCare’s payees have been a blessing,” Charles says. “Every month my money is sent to them, and they make sure all my bills get paid, and help me save money.” According to a recent study by The Lancet Public Health, nearly 50% of unhoused individuals have experienced at least one traumatic brain injury in their life.
ShelterCare’s behavioral health team currently supports 16 clients in managing their income and bills. The team writes and mails nearly 140 checks every month; for everything from clients’ rent and utilities, to their phone and cable bills.
When Charles began utilizing ShelterCare’s payee services in May 2018, he had numerous traffic fines which prevented him from being able to drive. However, by December 2019, he had paid off all of his fines, got his license back, and was able to purchase a 1995 Toyota Camry. “Charles is one of the most dedicated people I have ever met,” says Patti Kester, Office Manager for ShelterCare’s Behavioral Health Services. “He was so dedicated to paying off his fines, getting his driver’s license, and buying a car, that he went more than a year without any extra money.”
Charles started working on cars when he was 10 years old, and he describes the hobby as his “higher power.” “I worked on cars every single day when I was a kid,” he says. “Being a mechanic was my form of escape – it kept me out of trouble – so I knew I needed to get back to fixing cars once I found a home.” Alongside his passion for cars, Charles’ journey has also led him back to his daughter and young grandchild, whom he loves spending time with. “He is a proud father and grandfather,” says his peer support specialist, Emma. “ His daughter and grandbaby are his world.”
Through it all, Charles says one of the greatest things the behavioral health team has done is patiently support him through the recovery process while he “rewired” his brain. “You can’t come off the streets, with that many years of abuse and trauma, and automatically be able to change,” he says. “I lived in survival mode my whole life, because I was always worried something bad was going to happen – or that someone was going to take advantage of me – but ShelterCare helped me get through that. It’s been in the past year or two that I’ve actually been able to live.”
Last year, with help from compassionate neighbors like you, ShelterCare’s Behavioral Health team supported 258 individuals on their journey towards recovery and independence. Would you help us by making a donation today? Your donations offer hope, transform lives, and help us build a stronger community.
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Walk of Hope: Dan’s Story
Daniel found himself on the verge of homelessness a few months ago. Only one day from a court-ordered eviction, Daniel described the situation as completely surreal. He never thought something like this would happen to him. After all, he had spent decades working hard as a corporate executive and paying his dues. But, as he learned, it can happen to anyone…
Daniel was born on July 4th in Bridal Veil, Oregon, a small town 30 miles east of Portland. His parents died when he was in the 4th grade and he moved in with his aunt in the city. To help pay for bills, he began working at age 12 picking berries, and continued working various jobs through his teen years while attending school until eventually becoming a PR executive in California. His duties included organizing conferences for well-known motivational speakers such as Zig Zigler, Tommy Hopkins, and Tony Robbins. He moved to Eugene in 2001 as an independent Public-Relations, Technology, and Marketing consultant, working until his health deteriorated at an alarmingly fast rate.
Diabetes, Peripheral Artery Disease,and a heart condition made it so he not walk or stand for long periods of time, let alone work. Worrying about his health and financial needs put him in a state of constant stress, and everyday he woke on the edge of a breakdown, with the thought, “How will I survive?” Daniel began knocking on everyone’s door for help. Most organizations told him they couldn’t help, because even though he was on the edge of eviction, he was still housed. One day, Lane Independent Living Alliance referred him to ShelterCare’s Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) which provides rental assistance for those on the verge of homelessness. After filling out the paperwork, Daniel received the great news: he had been accepted into HPP!
ShelterCare paid Daniel’s rent and connected him with ShelterCare caseworker, Brianna. Daniel describes her as, “a wonderful and positive human being” who helped him get his social security in order and helped his landlord understand the situation, who deferred the last couple months of rent payment. Daniel now wakes up with feelings of gratitude and contentment. No longer does he worry about his bills, and each day, he can live to his heart’s content. Somedays, he enjoys packing a tuna sandwich, his camera, and fishing gear for a day-trip along the McKenzie River. On Fridays, he does “Free Lunch Friday” where he makes about 100 baloney and cheese sandwiches and gives them to anyone who wants one. Daniel says, “If everyone gave just a little bit everyday, the world would be a much better place.”
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Walk of Hope: Cheryl’s Story
Cheryl is kind-hearted, warm, and generous. She enjoys listening to music, rooting for the Broncos, and has an incredible ability to fix broken objects with whatever she has on hand. Cheryl began working at 12-years-old to escape the abusive household she grew up in, and by 14-years-old she was on her own. “I learned how to make an income from a young age – working was my life – and that’s how I lived until I got sick.”
Cheryl moved to Eugene from Colorado six years ago, after suffering from severe medical issues that took a toll on her mental health. She came extremely close to dying, and all of her pre-existing mental health symptoms were exacerbated due to her physical condition. Cheryl moved to Eugene with plans of living with a friend, but she ended up living in her car for four years instead.
Cheryl learned about ShelterCare through a peer counselor at Lane County Behavioral Health, who also helped her apply for Section 8. After receiving a Section 8 waitlist number, Cheryl called ShelterCare every month until a spot opened up in its State-based Rental Assistance Program (SRA). Cheryl was accepted into ShelterCare’s SRA Program, which connected her to affordable housing, and her Peer Support Specialist, Emma. “I don’t know where I would be without Emma,” says Cheryl. “She helped me find a home that I love, navigate tough people and situations, and get where I am today.”
Cheryl says the greatest adjustment in her life has been learning her limitations, and accepting that she isn’t able to work and live like she used to. Her anxiety and depression can keep her isolated for long periods of time, so every month she challenges herself to take a “field trip” to a place she enjoys. “As hard as it is, I try to get myself out and around other people. Some of my favorite places to go are St. Vinnie’s and Goodwill; I can spend hours looking at everything in those stores.” Cheryl says her faith, and memories of her late brother, are what keep her strong, and give her the motivation to move forward every day.
Every so often, Cheryl likes to give back by inviting an unhoused neighbor into her home for a shower and a meal. “I’ve been there, and I know how hard it is to feel like you don’t matter,” she says. “Providing someone with a warm meal, and a safe place to clean up, is the least I can do.”
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Walk of Hope: Michael’s Story
Michael presently lives in a West Eugene apartment with his companion parakeet, Jade. Michael treasures the ability to close his door and have a safe space to call his home. Here, he spends his days researching science, technology, and current events on his desktop computer while Jade chirps and chatters from the keyboard. However, this scene was not always the norm, as only a few years ago, Michael was living on the streets of Eugene.While working at a retail center Michael simultaneously underwent a battle with severe anxiety and depression. Eventually, Michael was let go and struggled to find another job. He spiraled deeper into depression and anxiety, and with no support, he lost hope. Unable to pay rent, he was forced onto the streets and remained so for a year and a half.
One day, while helping his friend contact services at White Bird Medical Clinic, Michael’s journey towards a better life began. A counselor at White Bird noticed Michael and connected him to ShelterCare’s Shankle Safe Haven Program. His first day with the program, he was so filled with anxiety that he could not even enter the Shankle building. He left, dejected. The next day though, Dave, a ShelterCare employee, supported him through this transition period and Michael began his time at ShelterCare.
Michael experienced a variety of ShelterCare programs as his needs evolved with his healing. He went from Shankle Safe Haven to Afiya to Short-Term Housing on Highway 99 . In housing, Michael reports to have felt very blessed to have a closet which to hold his possessions. He described it as a luxury many people in his position do not get. Michael then moved to the River Bend Program and received an apartment that was his very own. This was another major positive shift in his life. He gained a sense of ownership and control which he hadn’t experienced in a long time. With an improved sense of self-worth, he felt he could graduate from ShelterCare housing, so he applied to Section 8 and soon after received the voucher. He moved out of the River Bend Program to his current home, an apartment complex in West Eugene.
Michael loves his current living situation. He has a safe space to call his home while still meeting with his ShelterCare Community Health Worker, Patricia. Michael speaks very highly of Patricia, who helps Michael manage his medical appointments and other health-related logistics. Michael praises her organizational skills, dependability, and vivacious spirit which helps him maintain a positive mindset. Michael says “ShelterCare has good therapists and people that care.”
Michael is open-minded, curious, and possesses an easy kindness that makes him a pleasure to talk to. He speaks fondly of his companion parakeet, Jade, who keeps him busy. She has free range from wall to wall and will sit atop Michael’s keyboard, chattering away. They keep each other company as he follows his curiosity online. Specifically, Michael has always had a strong affinity for researching science, technology, and current events. He finds pleasure in seeing how human technology has progressed from the past and where it will go in the future.
Throughout his personal journey, Michael has learned valuable skills and insights. He learned that he is more in control of his life than he ever thought possible. Against all of his own initial objections, he understands he is a valuable human being who is worth helping. Michael also recognizes he can trust ShelterCare and others to help him. He had serious trust issues when he first started at ShelterCare; but now, he believes ShelterCare has his best interests at heart. Currently, Michael hopes for more of the same. He treasures his time with Jade, keeping up to date on current events, science, and technology in his safe home; and above all, that things continue to be good.
A special thank you to Paul Herman for writing this story.
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Walk of Hope: Katelynn’s Story
Katelynn, 26, is working hard to create a stable future for her family. She attends school full-time, works part-time, and cares for her 1-year-old child. Only a few years ago, Katelynn was living in an unsafe environment. She describes volatile roommates and a landlord who often experienced dangerous PTSD episodes. With limited rental history, little support from family, and no credit, she faced many obstacles to housing. All while, Katelynn was dealing with severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD related to past abusive relationships.
One day, Katelynn’s friends referred her to ShelterCare’s Young Adults Program which works to support 18-24 year old individuals who are living with mental illness, dealing with homelessness, or on the verge of homelessness. She was accepted into the program and connected with case workers and peer-support specialists. With advocacy from ShelterCare, she found a new apartment and accessed resources like medication and therapists. Looking back, Katelynn says “Honestly, if it were not for ShelterCare, I would be on the streets right now.”
These days, Katelynn is grateful for her life and the direction she’s taking it. She is studying graphic design to become a freelance designer and eventually fulfill her dreams of working on video games. She is also very grateful for her work, especially having great co-workers and a supervisor who appreciates her. “All in all, ShelterCare saved my life,” Katelynn says.
A special thanks to Paul Herman for writing this story.
From November 9-13, help us celebrate 50 years of service by donating to ShelterCare! During this week, we aim to raise $50,000 for ShelterCare’s programs, which provide housing and support services to community members who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, and/or recovering from homelessness. Please help us reach our goal by donating below, and/or participating in the online auction from November 12-13!
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Meet Zelima: One of ShelterCare’s Lead Housing Specialists
When Mr. Rogers was a boy, he said his mother often encouraged him to focus on “the helpers” when he saw scary things happening in the news. “Always look for the people who are helping,” she would tell him. “You will always find someone who is trying to help.”
Behind every tragic story is an energetic, selfless individual who is helping. Someone who relentlessly gives their all, and does everything they can to make a difference in another person’s life. I know this, because I get to wake up and go to work with 88 of these helpers every day. This season, we want to take you behind the scenes; into the world of a helper named Zelima Dempsey. Zelima is one of the Lead Housing Specialists for ShelterCare’s Permanent Supported Housing Program (PSH)
Within PSH, Zelima oversees the Sahalie, Birch, and Camas housing projects — which all aim to help our community’s most vulnerable population. Sahalie provides subsidized permanent housing to chronically homeless individuals who are Lane County’s most “frequent utilizers” of hospitals, police services, and other emergency services; Birch provides housing to individuals who have received an “aid and assist” court order, which is given to defendants who are unable to participate in their own legal defense due to mental illness; and Camas provides permanent supported housing to individuals who are living with severe mental and/or physical disabilities.“Sahalie and Birch are the high needs programs of PSH,” says Zelima, who deems herself the Queen of Consistency. “They require the most hands-on and consistent amount of attention.”
For Zelima, consistency means showing up, and keeping her word. Her work days often include phone calls, texts, and home visits with consumers; shopping trips and errand runs; skill building sessions; and de-escalating crises. “Many have no one, so they need to know they can count on someone to look out for them; their safety, well being, and their success.”
Zelima often thinks about a quote that hangs in a consumer’s home. It reads: “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” She says the consumer who displays this quote has suffered his entire life. “His story is quite fantastical,” she says. “He has mental health and substance use issues, yet here he is; maintaining stable housing and canning every single day to pay for his necessities.”
In 2019, our Permanent Supported Housing Program provided housing and support services to 175 adults living with mental illness. The average PSH consumer has spent years on the streets, and has lived their life in survival mode, which commonly stems from poverty, abuse, neglect, and/or trauma. In most cases, ShelterCare’s PSH program is the first place a person has ever felt a sense of “normalcy,” and the first place they feel encouraged to prioritize their well-being.
A consumer plays guitar during a home visit. When someone moves into housing after a long period of homelessness, many are out of practice on skills we take for granted; such as maintaining a clean apartment, budgeting, neighborly expectations, and remembering leasing rules. “I think the majority of what I do is skill building,” says Zelima. “From cleaning up the house, to learning how to make their own phone calls; we often discuss how to do random things, and how those things can be done without me in the future.”
Something that helps Zelima build trust among consumers is being team-oriented. “I always present our work from a team aspect; we both do our parts and are accountable to each other for what we do and don’t do,” she says. “It’s never ‘you will lose your housing,’ instead its ‘we will lose our housing.’” Last year, our PSH programs successfully helped 132 out of 175 households maintain their housing for 1+ years. This doesn’t mean we gave up on 43 individuals, sometimes a consumer’s first housing placement is not a good fit. When this happens, our housing specialists, like Zelima, work together with the consumer to find a better housing fit and to identify ways those goals can be reached.
In the photo above, one of Zelima’s clients signs money orders for their bills. “I have arguably some of the hardest consumers, but they are also so incredibly inspirational,” she says. “Knowing their backgrounds and stories sheds light on why they are where they are, but it also demonstrates their strength and resilience in overcoming (barriers) and working towards their goals.”
You are also a helper. Your donations help our consumers obtain the level of independence they need to maintain their homes, prevent housing violations, and avoid homelessness again in the future. Will you consider donating today?
Thank you for always providing support to those who need it most. We see the differences that you make, and we feel incredibly lucky to have a friend like you.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hankes
CEO, ShelterCare
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“Leaf” Behind Homelessness
During the month of October, take your yard debris recycling to either Lane Forest Products location and Lane Forest Products will make a donation to ShelterCare!
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Warning: Zombie Outbreak
Thrill The World Eugene Performances
Since 2012, Thrill The World Eugene has participated in an annual simultaneous event, dancing Thriller with thousands around the world. TTWE dances many flashmobs during October and enjoys fundraising for ShelterCare as they perform. Together, they have raised over $49,000 for ShelterCare in the last 8 years. This year with COVID health restrictions/concerns, dance groups will be reduced to sizes of 25 or less for performances, each zombie will wear a mask and dance at a safe distance from each other and the audience.
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Zombies will now be available for you to have flashmob at your Eugene/Springfield outdoor event October 15-31st, as a fundraiser to ShelterCare. Contact the TTWE organizers below to organize!
Learn more about Thrill the World Eugene or make a donation on their website!
In the last eight years, the performers have done hundreds of flashmobs during their Thriller dance season in October; spontaneous flashmobs on the street, Halloween events, UO Duck Football games (on the field!), Tailgaters, Summer flashmobs to popular music at Saturday Market, Sunday Streets, a marriage proposal, a wedding, a Bar-mitzvah and more. They are well-rehearsed, zombie costumed and wearing zombie makeup.
CONTACT: Organizers Margo Jennings at amabo951@comcast.net
Sandy Caughron at sandycaughron@gmail.com
Jenette Kime heyjeno@gmail.com
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Everyone Has to Count
Michelle’s Corner 9.1.20
Everyone Has to Count
The year 2020 has been, to put it mildly, a unique time in our country. I’m sure I don’t need to list all the ways that we’ve all had to adapt or learn new skills or changed our habits to adjust to this, that and the other thing. Unfortunately, 2020 SHOULD have been special for a very important reason that has gotten somewhat lost among the pandemic response and drive towards increased social justice.
The US Census is conducted every ten years and is a national activity defined by the US Constitution. It is intended to count every single person living in the country, identifying where they are which is used to allocate representation at the national level, disbursement of funding for infrastructure, and generally get an accurate picture of the challenges facing each state and county so that solutions can be developed.
From my perspective as a leader of an agency focused on serving the unhoused, an inaccurate census means less money from HUD to provide permanent housing to our consumers. From my personal perspective, an inaccurate count can mean underfunding schools for my kids, support for roads and other infrastructure projects, and making my voice heard through my US Representative.
Everyone. Has. To. Count.
It doesn’t matter your race, your documentation, your age, your gender, your political persuasion, your religion. You need to be counted to provide Oregon and Lane County the voice it needs to advocate for what we must have for a vibrant, growing community. The Census is bound by law to keep your answers confidential, providing answers only on a statistical basis with no information released that can match your identity.
In the past, US Census workers have been able to go from house to house, knocking on doors to get the information they need. COVID-19 and the challenges in keeping people safe from passing the illness unwittingly have proved to be…difficult, yet if this census returns flawed data, the pandemic will only be the beginning of ten years of underfunding to our services.
But it’s not too late!
There is a website you an visit that can help you be counted: www.2020Census.gov is an easy click away. It really doesn’t take too long to provide the information to be part of this project. If you’ve already been counted, great! Now advocate to your friends and family to do their part, too.
Everyone. Has. To. Count. Everyone needs to have their voice heard!
Hope is Here
499 W 4th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401
541-686-1262
scadmin@sheltercare.org
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM