Carmichael HART Minutes, July 20, 2017 Meeting began at 6:10 p.m. with opening prayer by Juan Yniguez of Our Lady of Assumption Church; sign-ins, June minutes, introductions
Guest Presenter: Austin Schlocker, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, 2018 candidate for honorary mayor of Carmichael — Schlocker, a Carmichael native who spent two years volunteering with Loaves & Fishes, said his campaign is focusing on social issues, including homelessness, and the need for more discussion and solutions. He cited the latest estimate that there are 3,800 homeless people in Sacramento County, and many hundreds of homeless young people. — Many teens have left foster homes and are mixed with adult homeless people to become potential victims. Only 12 beds have been available for homeless youth in Sacramento County. — Responses to his campaign are mixed, he said. Schlocker’s campaign is promoting the nonprofit California Coalition for Youth (http://calyouth.org/). Cell phone: 916 320-0893
Carmichael HART 501 (c) 3 Application — Scott Young said a pro bono attorney is helping HART finish paperwork for submission to regulators within the next week
Website in progress (https://carmichaelhart.poweredby-wp.com/) — The model site is available online for comment. It could be up and running within the next month.
Sacramento Self-Help Housing Update – Ken Bennett — Five HART groups are now operating in various stages (Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Carmichael, and Folsom, which was organized last week). All will be involved in Winter Sanctuaries this year. — SSHH is opening a house with WIND Youth Services (https://www.windyouth.org/) to provide six more transitional housing spaces for youth in the next month. — American River Community Church will assess a remodeling needs assessment, estimated at $30,000 for roof, electrical and other work, before deciding whether to demolish or make available a house on its property for homeless housing. An inexpensive mortgage is possible, Ken said. — A contractor remodeling estimate is needed to decide on the feasibility of work on a large house owned by a HART member in a good Carmichael neighborhood. — Ken said a “program fee” approach for residents in transitional or shared housing may be a simpler, more flexible alternative to rent, which is less directly related to helping homeless people move toward sustainability. He said the SSHH Cathedral Transitional Program has a 50 percent success rate in moving hundreds of people to sustainability over the past 12 years. — The Greater Sacramento Winter Sanctuary program is looking to work collaboratively with HART, although Carmichael will not provide an intake center as they did last winter.
Committee Updates Advocacy – Justin Giachino — He passed around a Carmichael HART brochure that’s designed to appeal to younger people, with more colors and creativity than the standard brochure. He also called attention to the latest Sacramento County “point in time” (PIT) count of homeless people, up from 3,016 in 2015 to 3,665 this year, with the expectation of many more hundreds on the street within the next two years. — The County approved allocations totaling $6.2 million added to $40 million for homeless services, for family services, preservation of the Mather Community program, a “full service” (triage) outreach for 75 people at a time, and housing for chronically homeless people who because of disabilities already rely on many county services. — There was positive feedback to HART’s 4th of July parade float. Several people said they were glad to see faith organizations coming together to help the community. — There’s a need for a fifth Carmichael HART committee to develop a fundraising plan separate from efforts of the Advocacy Committee. Scott Young said a fundraiser will be needed no later than next fall to help support Winter Sanctuary, other ventures. A sign-up sheet was passed around to prepare for the Fundraising Committee’s next meeting. — Next committee meeting at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 10, at Christ Community Church
Housing – Keith Johnson — The committee is farther along than initially anticipated, he said. — It will discuss county tax lien documents related to property foreclosures (a potential source of homeless housing) at its next meeting. — Should the ARCC house become available, much of the upgrade cost might be met by contributions of supplies and labor from Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and churches who have skilled laborers, HART members said. — Next committee meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 7, at Christ Community Church
Youth – Stephen Young — He said the Central Enrollment and Homeless offices at 3700 Garfield Ave., operated by the San Juan Unified School District, has resources for homeless families with school-age children. Donations of backpacks and school supplies are welcome. — There’s a need for “homeless-friendly” donated food since cans and some other items from food closets aren’t readily usable for people on the street. — A HART “Resource Directory” focusing on Carmichael should go upon our website and Facebook, he said. Training is in order showing volunteers how to use such a guide at shelters and other connection places with homeless people. Ken Bennett said the 211 Website is the best online resource (http://www.211sacramento.org/211/) because it’s continually brought up to date. Also useful is a local guide by Arden-Arcade-Carmichael Faith Communities. Shaun Dillon suggested that HART develop an “app” to direct cell phone users to homeless resources (most have cell phones). — The committee is considering a “host home” approach for families with children with the participation of volunteers in local churches. Several models are operating, including some at Carmichael HART churches (see “Family Promise” at http://sacfamilypromise.org/) — Carmichael HART might consider expanding its Winter Sanctuary outreach to make available a host church for women with children, he said. — Next meeting: 5:00 p.m., Monday, Aug. 7, at Christ Community Church
Winter Sanctuary – Fred Green — About 30 people came to Christ Community Church’s latest outreach (the third Saturday). — The committee is forming 3 subcommittees: budget, logistics, operations. It’s tightening controls to follow at monthly events and at the eight-week Winter Sanctuary, scheduled to start on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, through Feb. 24. Six churches so far are committed (Christ Community, 2 weeks not back-to-back; Carmichael Presbyterian; St. John the Evangelist; ARCC; Crossroads; The Church on Cypress, the daily intake center. The Lady of Assumption may help with volunteers. Ken Bennett said a “maybe” from a potential host church is positive since volunteers become enthusiastic advocates. — Scott Young said Carmichael churches of the Latter-Day Saints have committed to operating the intake center for all eight weeks.
–Next meeting: 6:00 p.m., Monday, Aug. 14, at Christ Community Church
Next HART meeting: 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 17, at Christ Community Church.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.