Osborne Compassion Project. It includes our Mission Statement, goals and objectives, research to validate a belief in the project, timeline for complection of individual goals and objectives. Need
In survey was conducted by SC Midlands Consortium along with HUD in 2007 found that there was a total of 233 homeless people in Lancaster County. A partnership was formed with Lancaster County to establ
ish a collaborative network to address the needs of adults in this county especially with regards to homelessness. Addiction and capacity for self sufficiency. Ample data is available through survey and data from the Homeless count conducted in Lancaster County in 2007-2011. The Purpose of the Proposed
Grant is to establish partnership in Lancaster county to address male homelessness. The primary purpose is to improve the living circumstance of homeless males through networking with community based agencies and other community resources to help break the cycle of homelessness by identifying the barriers and obstacles. Target Population
The proposed target population for this project will be Lancaster and its surrounding areas, Greatfalls and Fortmills. Although the target population is broad the most significant concern related to low-income males. Data suggests that individual males especially African American and Hispanics are disproportionably impacted by unemployment, poverty, addiction, crime and educational failure. Potential
Research was done during the last year via personal contact with programs who support transitional housing. Site visits and telephone conferences were made to programs in other parts of the State. These visits and conversations, addressed organizational structure, program requirements, etc. Several meetings was conducted with the South Carolina Coalition on Homelessness. One of committee member attended meetings with the South Carolina Continuum Care, a board of individuals ho represent facilities in SC who work with HUD. A steering committee meeting with a representative from South Carolina Interfaith Hospitality Program was also conducted. This representative told the committee how homelessness is being address in York County. All meetings were held to enlighten and educate the steering committee in an effort to collect data. Osborne Compassion Project is well qualified to oversee the implementation of the proposed project. Most of data collected were from community based agencies such as Christian Services, Carolina Community Action, American Red Cross, HOPE of Lancaster, Lancaster Fatherhood, SC Department of Social Services and HOPE Center. These agencies verify The Robert J. Osborne Compassion Project belief that homelessness definitely needs to be seriously addressed in Lancaster County. Background
The rapid increase in homeless in the Lancaster area is greater than we originally thought. The Lancaster Housing Authority does not address emergency housing for men. Representative from every agency that provide services to adults in Lancaster County attended meetings each month consistently for six months to address the problem of homelessness. Goals and Objectives
The goals of the Robert J. Osborne Compassion Project:
To provide temporary housing and resources which will help the homeless in their efforts to stabilize their lives. To help homeless individuals
To provide emergency housing for families in crisis situations (fire, eviction, etc.) To improve the living circumstances of the homeless by networking with community-based agencies and other community resources. To help break the cycle of homelessness by identifying and addressing barriers and obstacles. To eliminate barriers (skills, knowledge motivation) that threaten and disable low income individuals so that they are unable to extricate themselves from their conditions. The success of the Project will be measured by:
Conducting periodic needs assessment that identifies issues which impact the lives of the homeless. Focusing on program strategies that promote self-sufficient ways that low income individuals can live and meet their financial needs and personal goals. Documenting the earnings and spending patterns of participants in order to help them become better at managing their finance. Providing life skills classes which include, but are not limited to, money management, career development, goal setting, vocational training, and employment. Providing programs that address spiritual growth and development to help when life’s barriers arise in their daily lives. Transitioning participants out of the program once they are fully employed. Helping the homeless to secure permanent housing with a savings account in place
Providing continual support to participants who have transitioned out of the homeless shelter. Helping the homeless to find employment. Each participant will complete personal information when he first comes to the shelter. Once the participant listens to a presentation concerning rules and regulations, he will be asked to agree in writing. Notations will be made daily into the participant’s log. Records will be kept about attendance at sessions designed to address their particular problem. Counselors will make contact with agencies in order to help participants secure employment; get medical treatment, enroll in literacy classes, etc. in-house workshops on money management will be held for the participants so they can learn to effectively manage their own finances. Additionally, individual conferences will be held concerning money management, opening a savings account. Documentation will always be available to the executive director who will periodically check all records. The Project will also use Lancaster Vocational Rehabilitation Center as a resource. This program will help participants through their job readiness program. The participants who are ready for employment will be urged to seek employment through Vocational Rehabilitation’s One Step Program. Vocational Rehabilitation will help financially with continuing education courses. The participants who are not ready for employment will receive help with job applications, resume writing through Carolina Community Action’s job assistance program. Carolina Community Action will also help with the cost of job training depending on individual financial certification. We envision the participants becoming gainfully employed and financially supportive of themselves and their families. Some will improve their level of education via job training, trade school, or GED literacy program. We envision the participants improving their living conditions and moving into affordable housing. We plan to provide guidance as they work to change their hearts through spiritual awareness, independent living skills, financial management and on-going support from the project staff.
