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homeless. what it means. how you can help.
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CAUSE • OCT 2017
This month, CPLC volunteers and local community members picked up trash, trimmed overgrown foliage, pulled weeds, and painted over graffiti in Phoenix’s Kuban Park neighborhood as part of our annual Barrios Bellos neighborhood cleanup event. Thanks to presenting sponsor Valley Toyota Dealers!
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Photograph by Ben Scolaro
COVER STORY
4 | H O M E L ES S . What it means. How you can help.
CPLC UPDATES
1 0 | H O U S I N G CO U N S E L I N G Program outcomes snapshot
1 2 | ES P E R A N Z A L AT I N O T E AC H E R AWA R DS Annual teacher awards gala
A BO U T C H I CA N OS P O R L A CAU SA Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) is an all-encompassing organization for the underserved. CPLC was founded in 1969 to confront oppression facing Latinos in Phoenix, Arizona as part of the movement led by Cesar Chavez, who undertook a fast at our original headquarters. Since then, we have become one of the largest Hispanic nonprofits in the country, promoting stronger and healthier communities throughout the southwestern United States. We provide direct services impacting more than 250,000 individuals annually in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Our vibrant community presence spans a comprehensive range of bilingual and bicultural services in Economic Development, Education, Health & Human Services, and Housing. As one of the largest community development corporations in Arizona, we are focused on individuals and families with low to moderate income levels and complement our services with cultural and linguistic competencies.
TALK TO US Want to comment on something we publish? We’d love to hear from you! Send an email to our editorial staff at marketing@cplc.org. SPECIAL THANKS Research for “Homeless. What it means. How you can help.” by Jazmin Lombera
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CAUSE • NOVEMBER 2017
homeless. what it means. how you can help.
by JONAE HARRISON, CPLC Policy Analyst
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In Arizona, 8,684 people experienced homelessness in 2016, including our state’s most vulnerable: children and veterans.
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Shelter. I: WHAT IT MEANS
One of humankind’s most basic needs, alongside water and food.
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or such a basic need, however, too many experience its absence— homelessness. Homelessness is more than the man holding a sign on a street corner or sleeping in a park. The US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) outlines four categories of homelessness: 1. Literally homeless (no fixed, regular residence) 2. Imminent risk of homelessness (no identified residence after 14-day period) 3. Homeless under other federal statutes (long periods without permanent housing) 4. (Attempting to) flee domestic violence.
Most forms of homelessness are the types we may never notice: the coworker whose family has been evicted and is staying with relatives and friends, a young student living out of her car, a child forced out of the home by an abusive parent. The definition varies, but the need
itself remains fundamental and too elusive for many. In Arizona alone, the Department of Economic Security found that 8,684 people experienced homelessness at any given point in time in 2016. In New Mexico, the number was 2,263, and Nevada reported 7,845 homeless in 2015. Included in these statistics
Failure to meet this basic need leads to increased mortality, chronic health conditions, mental illness, and substance use
are our nation’s most vulnerable: children and veterans.1 Unfortunately, the consequences of even temporary homelessness are very real. Although it may not command the same attention, homelessness is as serious a gateway
as hot topics like marijuana or opioids. The lack of fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime housing becomes a vicious cycle in which housing remains harder to attain, education stretches further out of reach, and payment for health and other basic necessities (like clothing) is nearly impossible. The lack of permanent housing also becomes the root cause of other problematic health conditions.2 Failure to meet this basic need leads to increased mortality, chronic health conditions, mental illness, and substance use, among other issues. Homelessness impacts our families and our community by robbing us of great leaders and contributors. It snuffs the light from those children who have yet to begin their journey, and it conceals the light of those who have given their freedom to protect ours. Pay attention, familia. Homelessness can be a silent killer of people and potential—the ones you see, and the ones you do not.
1. W W W.HUDE XCHANGE.INFO/RESOURCES/DOCUMENTS/2016 -AHAR-PART-1.PDF 2. W W W.NHCHC.ORG/ WP- CONTENT/UPLOADS/2011/09/FACT-SHEE T_ 2016 _ SOCIAL-DE TERMINANTS- OF-HE ALTH1.PDF
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Housing. II: HOW YOU CAN HELP
The most effective cure for homelessness is simple: housing.
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widely used practice to address homelessness is Housing First. Unlike programs which require clients to go through a series of steps before gaining access to housing, Housing First prioritizes permanent housing, which serves as a foundation for individuals to improve their quality of life and pursue their personal goals.3 Many Housing First programs offer (not require) additional supportive services which minimize behaviors that lead back to homelessness. CPLC provides services to address
or avoid homelessness, including multiple Housing First models, in four specific populations:
which will be located in our newlyrefurbished multi-use complex at 35th St. and Van Buren.
CPLC has successfully implemented Housing First since 2014 with individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness. Currently, 110 such individuals are housed in CPLC properties, where they have access to a client-success administrator.
CPLC De Colores’ Housing and Advocacy Intervention offers temporary housing and supportive services for domestic violence survivors, including efforts to find permanent housing for these families.
CPLC is proud to soon provide 16 apartment-style homes dedicated solely to veterans in need of permanent supportive housing,
CPLC Housing Counseling provides interventions to help families avoid foreclosure, preventing homelessness before it happens.
CPLC DE COLORES HELPS FAMILIES EXPERIENCING ABUSE AVO
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omestic violence creates instability for families that can result in homelessness, even when a victim is employed and able to live independently. By providing temporary financial support including rental, utility, and deposit assistance for up to three months, CPLC De Colores’ Rapid Re-Housing program helps a family make the transition to independent living and avoid the need to move into a shelter.
In February 2017, CPLC received a $2 million loan from the City of Phoenix to rehabilitate a dilapidated hotel and convert the property into quality affordable housing for vulnerable populations. At least 16 units of this property are reserved for victims of domestic violence, providing De Colores with CPLC-owned housing options for program participants in addition to scattered-site housing options.
Housing Advocates work with participants to address their immediate needs and help them transition to selfsufficiency. After this time, participants may choose to continue to receive emotional support and other services through the De Colores Community-Based program.
De Colores housing intervention programs employ a Housing First model. The model is driven by the belief that, given choices and resources, participants will be most effective in working to ensure their own safety and success.
3. ENDHOMELESSNESS.ORG/RESOURCE/HOUSING -FIRST
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CAUSE • NOVEMBER 2017
Domestic violence creates instability that can result in homelessness, even when a victim is employed and able to live independently.
OID HOMELESSNESS
by VERONICA CARRILLO, CPLC Resource Development
Housing Advocates work with clients to assess needs and develop short- and long-term goals. Advocates then determine which housing intervention is most appropriate and assist clients in securing permanent housing in the client’s own name to help build a credit and rental history. The level of financial assistance—including rental assistance, utility assistance, and deposit/fee assistance—varies based on client need. Once housing is obtained, Housing Advocates work with the family on issues that will promote permanency including employment and independent living skills. Participants are also provided with legal advocacy, case management, and social support services to meet their
social and emotional needs, including connection to more intensive behavioral health services as needed. CPLC does not maintain any participant requirements except those in the lease agreement in order to obtain housing, such as substance use, criminal history, or participation in services. Please consider donating to CPLC De Colores to support the critical work of our Rapid Re-Housing program. Donations up to $400 are eligible for a full refund through Arizona’s tax credit program.
DONATE NOW! Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. 9
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CAUSE • NOVEMBER 2017
CPLC HOUSING COUNSELING 2016
program outcomes snapshot
by KAREN ARMKNECHT and KARINA TELLO CPLC Research and Evaluation
we prepare clients to purchase a home
23%
66%
22%
phoenix
78%
27%
tucson
50%
after before
las vegas
our clients show a significant increase in knowledge after taking our homebuyer education class
we empower clients to become financially secure phoenix market results
82% 95%
44% 90%
50% 100%
more clients budgeting
more clients saving
more clients using banks
after 59% 94% before more clients feeling financially secure
we are expanding our impact
we serve the southwest
clients directly served
76% are hispanic; 9% are multiracial
2,876
average client’s family income $28,509
3,057
37% are first-time homebuyers*
2,798 2014
2015
average client is 43 years old
2016
85% do not have a bachelor’s degree
in 2016, 1,199 clients attended our financial education classes
*national norm is 32%
we have satisfied clients overall client satisfaction: 4.9 1
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100% of clients are “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with our services
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EDUCATION
ESPERANZA! CPLC RECOGNIZES ARIZONA TEACHERS AT 19TH ESPERANZA LATINO TEACHER AWARDS
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CAUSE • OCT 2017
by BEN SCOLARO, CPLC Marketing This past month, CPLC honored four outstanding teachers at our Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards. Each awardees overcame hardship to become who they are today: Alexis Aguirre, a Spanish teacher at Encanto Elementary in Phoenix, was a foster child whose life of movement and separation has motivated her to be the glue that holds her family and classroom together today. LucĂa Alvarez, a math teacher at San Luis Middle School, moved to the United States at 14 and experienced domestic violence as a child. This struggle drives her to make sure each of her students feels important and respected.
Guadalupe Cota, an ELL teacher at Stevenson Elementary in Mesa, witnessed her immigrant parents face discrimination based on their limited ability to speak English, which inspired her to work with ELL populations. Rafael Vazquez, a math teacher at R.E. Simpson Middle School in Phoenix, grew up in a broken family dealing with alcoholism and abuse. Education was his key to success, which he now shares with his students. Each honoree received a $5,000 cash award as well as a $2,500 donation to their school. Thanks to everyone who nominated, attended, and sponsored (including presenting sponsors Cox and SRP) for making this fantastic evening possible!
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DONATE NOW! Be sure to like CPLC on Facebook and follow our president on Twitter @DavidAdameCPLC
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