BRIDGES - Hope Beyond Homelessness

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H

omelessness and the solutions which could bring it to an

end, are some of the most urgent challenges facing any society. The people who suffer from this condition, most often are unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure, and adequate housing, due to several socio-economic factors.

Homelessness and poverty are interrelated, and to this end, a group of local Battle Creek community organizations have joined together to create a pilot program known as BRIDGES – Hope Beyond Homelessness.

The Battle Creek Community Foundation (BCCF), along with Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek (NIBC) and Summit Pointe (SP), are three local non-profit organizations within the

City of Battle Creek, who have brought their unique resources together in support of BRIDGES. These organizations have created a social good partnership, to form a solutions-based partnership for helping people cross a bridge of hope, that leads to a better future for them.

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Supportive Housing as a 1st Step With a current inventory of rental housing units at its disposal, NIBC will create the first step in the BRIDGES process, and that is providing a 4-room duplex to act as the first supportive housing unit for those transitioning out of being homeless.

Each room will house up to two occupants, and will be outfitted with a twin bed, nightstand, ample closet space, a secured storage area for their belongings, per occupant.

Additionally, the home will have a furnished living room, shared restroom facility, a kitchen stocked with staples, and other amenities to make it feel like a real home.

Wraparound Services as a 2nd Step Summit Pointe is a proven and dedicated organization committed to making life work by assisting and directing customers to find the right path to permanent and supportive housing.

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SP works closely with other community agencies within Calhoun County to find appropriate assistance that fit the needs of our customers. They will be the lead partner who helps establish all the needed support services for the residents, their children, those with behavioral and / or mental health challenges. Services may include: 1) Treatment services, 2) Personal support services or 3) Other support services as needed to maintain the resident and their child / family in the BRIDGES transition process.

Permanent Supportive Housing as a 3rd Step Over the past 40 years, BCCF has grown to expand its role and purpose beyond making important grants and scholarships to creating positive change. To further its mission of creating change, the organization is committed to not just the homelessness dilemma, but the journey beyond being homeless as well.

Once residents have successfully transitioned from being homeless, to being in a BRIDGES home,

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for a period of time, and have shown progress towards living independently, the next step in the process is to secure housing that is more permanent in nature.

This is one of the greatest things about BRIDGES, because it is not just an opportunity to get people off the street, but it is a pathway to a new life, filled with hope and real opportunities, that can help someone who was formerly homeless, reimagine their life and be a productive citizen in society once again.

BRIDGES as a Pilot Program In 2021, BCCF, NIBC and SP, will launch the initial pilot program for BRIDGES as a collaborative venture. The goal is to bring 6 – 8 people into the first BRIDGES home, and from there, work with each resident to transform their lives back into a fully functional, independent, self-sustaining individual.

BRIDGES will be the conduit to which other organizations could plug into, to connect their shared common goals.

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Proposed Budget for BRIDGES Pilot Program The pilot version of BRIDGES will be a shared services approach between BCCF, NIBC and SP. The following items are a preliminary list which should be funded and completed, to ensure the stability of ongoing services.

Renovation of the Calhoun Street Duplex Units - The duplex located at 100 Calhoun Street needs repair. To best serve the BRIDGES pilot program, we recommend a partial renovation, prior to the first residents arriving.

Proposed budget range $39,500 - $49,500.

Furnishing of Units for Residents – Being that residents will be coming from a shelter or off the street, it is our hope to make their transition to the BRIDGES pilot program feel as close to them being in a real home. We recommend furnishing the units with basis amenities for the bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and other shared living spaces.

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Proposed budget

essential human services,

range $14,500 - $18,850.

SP will provide a menu of services to continue the

Property Support and

process of transitioning

Management - For the

from supportive, to

duration of the pilot

permanent supportive, to

program, NIBC will provide

independent living.

services to ensure the

NIBC will also be

continuity of maintenance

provide access to financial

for the property. Services

literacy education and

will include, but not be

training, along with other

limited to: lawncare, snow

services geared towards

removal, leaf blowing,

assisting residents on their

interior cleaning, and

journey to become

overall facility care.

independent again.

Proposed budget is $1,750 per month.

Fair Market Rent Per

Proposed budget range $TBD. Professional Services

Unit – The 100 / 102

Provided by Regionerate /

Calhoun Street duplex

JDL Group – As a proficient

units have a total of 4

team in creating forward

bedrooms, 2 up / 2

thinking community-based

down. Each unit is also

initiatives, Linda Fowler

equipped with a full

and JD Lee have made

kitchen, living room, and

the commitment to

bathroom. A shared

lending their visionary,

laundry facility is on the

strategic, and leadership

lower level, with 2 shared

talents, to ensure the

covered porches on the

intended results for a

exterior of the units.

successful launch of the

Each unit will be supplied with water,

BRIDGES pilot program.

To increase the odds of

sewer, gas, electric,

a successful launch, Linda

cable and Wi-Fi.

Fowler and JD Lee are

Proposed budget is $850 per month, per unit.

committed to leading the shared effort for the pilot.

Wrap Around and Other Services – To ensure that BRIDGES

residents have access to

100 / 102 Calhoun Street Floor Plan

First Floor

Second Floor

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Contact

Battle Creek Community Foundation 32 West Michigan Ave. St 1 Battle Creek, MI 49017 p: (269) 962-2181

Neighborhoods Inc. of

Battle Creek

47 N Washington Ave,

Battle Creek, MI 49037

p: (269) 968-1113

Summit Pointe

140 W Michigan Ave,

Battle Creek, MI 49017

p: (269) 966-1460

© 2020 All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Written and Edited by Linda M. Fowler and JD Lee. www.Regionerate.com | www.JDL.group Designed and Produced by Fifth & King Media.

www.FifthandKing.com

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