Humanity magazine 3

HUMANITY MAGAZINE The American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a network of generous donors, volunteers and employees that share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world, through five key service areas: Disaster Relief- The Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year. They provide shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. Although the Red Cross is not a government agency, it works in partnership with other agencies and organizations that provide services to disaster victims. Supporting America's Military Families- The Red Cross helps military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. Emergency communications, training, support to wounded warriors and veterans, and access to community resources help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually. Lifesaving Blood- Your donations of blood are what make the American Red Cross the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S. Each year, nearly 4 million people donate blood through the Red Cross, helping to provide more than 40% of America’s blood supply. Health and Safety Services- The Red Cross is the nation’s leading provider of health and safety courses, such as CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard training.

International Services- The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 13 million volunteers in 187 countries. Each year, we reach an average of more than 100 million people across the globe. For more information go to: www.RedCross.org

HUMANITY MAGAZINE Helping the Homeless Through Art Artists Helping the Homeless, Inc., (AHH) was founded in 2008 with 501(c)3 status to fund a Sunday night meal program through art events and sales. As AHH learned the stories and needs of the homeless, they discovered they could link them with resources to help them. The agency was created by Kar Woo, a local businessman and artist whose gallery was near the park. For Woo, who majored in psychology in college, this program brought together his business, art and psychology training.

By mid-2009, Saint Luke's Hospital like other emergency services, was experiencing soaring costs for homeless care. Many of the ED cases involved non-emergent issues. When they called a meeting of homeless and emergency services, their homeless clients suggested they invite Artists Helping the Homeless, whose Sunday meals were held in the park across the street.

The meeting spawned the concept for the “Be The Change” van to address transportation, a critical need of the homeless. The van program utilized the principles developed through the meal program and outlined in the agency’s mission. When the Saint Luke’s Foundation offered to fund the start-up, Woo closed his store to devote his full attention to developing the program.

Soon after the van’s launch in February 2010, a daytime operation was added. On the streets every night, the staff quickly built relationships with the homeless, as well as local homeless and emergency services. Over the next few months, the program continued to evolve to meet the needs of both the homeless and community, both of whom Woo considered customers.

These collaborations provide win-win situations for the homeless as well as the collaborating agencies. Today, homeless agencies provide services and staff, hospitals provide financial support and technical or in-kind services; and universities provide interns and services through class projects.

The homeless benefit from the wrap-around services and care coordination. The result is similar to that described in the Winter 2001 Stanford Social Innovation Review as Collective Impact.

Today, Artists Helping the Homeless has grown beyond the original 1½ hour a week meal program.

That meal program, along with the one that started the following year in Olathe, have dished up over 65,000 servings. The meals, like the rides, provide an opportunity to know and build rapport with the homeless. The BE THE CHANGE program operates 100 hours a week with a staff of 5 and volunteers crisscrossing the city. www.ArtistsHelpingTheHomeless.com

HUMANITY MAGAZINE

The Salvation Army: Serving Millions “With more than 130 years of serving millions of people in the United States, The Salvation Army has a treasure trove of data about the most basic human needs,” said David Jeffrey, National Commander of The Salvation Army USA. “Doing The Most Good." In these four words, our mission- to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care. To rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to recovery. In fighting hunger and poverty, we can feed and nurture the spirit. And, in living and sharing the Christian Gospel by meeting tangible needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs. The Salvation Army operates 7,546 centers in communities across the United States. These include food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children's programs. Our work is funded through kettle donations, corporate contributions, and the sale of goods donated to our Salvation Army Family Stores. Eighty-two cents of every dollar we spend supports our various missions across the country.

From its inception, The Salvation Army has relied heavily on volunteers who support it's programs.

Over 2 million people of all ages volunteer their time, talents, and resources to assist The Salvation Army's work from year to year. Often referred to as "the army behind The Army," volunteers play a crucial role in The Salvation Army's ability to provide quality social services for the entire community. Volunteers are valuable assets in The Salvation Army's efforts to meet the changing needs of our world. Through the skills and experience they bring to The Army, volunteers make significant contributions to society by positively impacting the lives of those they assist. Salvation Army volunteers change lives, uplift families and support communities throughout our nation everyday.

The soldiers of The Salvation Army, the committed laity, are local citizens in communities throughout the U.S. who give allegiance to the doctrines and disciplines of the Army. There are approximately 450,000 soldiers in the United

States. These soldiers may take on volunteer responsibilities in the congregation or help in the Army's social service outreach. Many soldiers give valuable service in directing and leading youth groups in character-building activities. Many take part in the Army's musical programs and teach young people to sing and play.

As a valuable means of service to the community, soldiers visit the sick and lonely in hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional institutions. Social service programs are enhanced by the commitment of soldiers who often give their time in the Army's basic ministries of shelter and food provision." To learn how you can help the work of the Salvation Army, go to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.

HUMANITY MAGAZINE HELP USA HELP USA is a national housing and homeless services organization that is dedicated to the premise that all people deserve safe, stable housing.

Founded in 1986 as an organization focused on building transitional housing for families, HELP has since grown in both breadth and depth. We currently operate 43 different programs and residences across five states, and our interventions cover the entire spectrum of housing issues.

HELP runs homelessness prevention programs, manages emergency and transitional shelters, and builds and operates affordable permanent rental apartments. HELP USA believes that creating and maintaining housing stability is the most important step towards a safer, happier, more productive life.

HELP USA has been an innovator since our founder, Andrew Cuomo opened our first residence in 1986.

Under his leadership, HELP USA created our supportive housing model, packaging services with shelter, opening HELP 1 for homeless families in Brooklyn.

Since its founding, HELP USA has combined innovation with management excellence, becoming a national leader in both homeless prevention and a developer of permanent supportive housing for special needs population such as homeless families, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence.

HELP USA’s 38 locations serve communities across the United States including Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, Buffalo, and Washington D.C. The impact of HELP USA’s work is to build empowered communities where everyone has a place to call home.

Prevention is the first and most effective tool in the fight against homelessness. HELP USA’s prevention programs focus on finding and helping individuals and families who are about to lose their homes. Through a mix of support services, including financial support,

counseling, job training, and relocation assistance, HELP’s prevention specialists can keep people from ever becoming homeless.

Studies have shown that preventing homelessness is cheaper, more effective, and longer lasting than waiting until people are on the streets before intervening.

HELP USA operates seven prevention programs: Four HomeBase programs that focus on nonveteran adults and families. Three Supportive Service for Veteran Families (SSVF) programs that focus on veterans and their families.

Finding a safe, clean, affordable place to live can be nearly impossible for families and individuals in large urban areas. This is why HELP USA builds and manages rental apartments and offers them at rates that are significantly below what the market would charge. In addition, HELP USA provides purposefully selected tenant services that help people remain stable in their housing.

Since our first permanent housing development in Brooklyn, HELP USA has developed more than 950 apartments across the country. These apartments serve families, veterans, people living with HIV, and people who have previously been homeless. For more information about HELP USA go to www.HelpUSA.org.

HUMANITY MAGAZINE

Mikki High Bully No More Project Every day thousands of teens wake up afraid to go to school. Bullying is a problem that affects millions of students, and it has everyone worried, not just the kids on its receiving end. Yet because parents, teachers, and other adults don't always see it, they may not understand how extreme bullying can get. Bullying is when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power, either in terms of physical strength or social standing. The Mikki High Bully No More Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an awareness and educating students, teachers, parents, and community leaders on the severity of bully in schools. Our vision is to make a difference in the communities through establishing a foundation by which all will be empowered to bring an end to the bullying issue through awareness, education, and prevention.

Two of the main reasons people are bullied are because of appearance and social status. Bullies pick on the people they think don't fit in, maybe because of how they look, how they act (for example, kids who are shy and withdrawn), their race or religion, or because the bullies think their target may be gay or lesbian. Some bullies attack their targets physically, which can mean anything from shoving or tripping to punching or hitting, or even sexual assault. Others use psychological control or verbal insults to put themselves in charge. For example, people in popular groups or cliques often bully people they categorize as different by excluding them or gossiping about them (psychological bullying). They may also taunt or tease their targets (verbal bullying).

Verbal bullying can also involve sending cruel instant or email messages or even posting insults about a person on a website — practices that are known as cyberbullying. The Mikki High Bully No More Project is proud to make a difference in the lives of young people that allows them to grow into healthy and productive citizens unhindered by bullying. For more information about anti-bullying, go to www.MikkiHighBullyNoMore.org.

Building Homes and Lives As a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that builds with people in need regardless of race or religion, Habitat for Humanity welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. We have more than 1,400 local affiliates in the United States and more than 70 national organizations around the world. Together, we have helped more than 1 million families — representing 5 million people — improve their living conditions since our founding in 1976. There are nearly 2 billion people around the world who live in slum housing and more than 100 million are homeless. Habitat helps by building or renovating simple, decent houses in partnership with those in need. Families left homeless by natural disasters, war and civil unrest often face dire housing situations as they struggle to rebuild their lives. We provide shelter and housing assistance to help these families recover. Habitat for Humanity houses are simple, decent and affordable to low-income families around the world. Whenever possible, we build sustainable, energy-efficient and healthy housing. Donations to Habitat for Humanity provide vital financial support to help us build and repair houses. In addition, more than 1 million people each year volunteer to build with us under trained supervision. In the United States, our partner homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses. On a global scale, we use innovative housing finance practices and/or partnerships with microfinance organizations to build and repair homes. To learn how you can volunteer and serve with Habitat For Humanity, visit their website at www.Habitat.org

HUMANITY MAGAZINE Alabama Teen Challenge Addiction is a term of convenience and is a common reference dealing with habitual or repeated behavior but does not serve our definition of process or underlying cause. We do not serve addictions per se, we serve spiritual strongholds, we understand them within the context of sin, and we deal with strongholds exclusively through evangelism and discipleship as defined by Scripture – there is nothing else in our model. We don’t do treatment, we disciple. We don’t focus on behavior as much as we focus on identity in Christ. In short – we are an expression of the church. None of the above statements should be construed as critical of clinical approaches, but their purpose is to accurately understand the historical evangelistic and discipleship identity of Teen Challenge that has been unequivocal for over fifty years.

Alabama Teen Challenge does not offer or provide clinical treatment or care for individuals who have substancerelated disorders and is, therefore, not subject to regulation or oversight by the Alabama Department of Mental Health through its Certification Standards. However, ATC is required to attain a regimented accreditation process, via Teen Challenge USA, to remain part of one of the oldest, largest, and most successful programs of its kind in the world. This program serves as a medium through which individuals who have substance-related disorders are free to voluntarily pursue activities to support their recovery.

The world-wide mission of Teen Challenge is to evangelize people who have life-controlling problems and initiate the discipleship process to the point where the student can function as a Christian in society applying spiritually motivated Biblical principles to relationships in the family, the local church, chosen vocation, and the community.

Applicants are expected to be active, informed, and voluntarily participate in the established Teen Challenge program including but not limited to prayer, Bible study, and worship. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer with teens and see your life changed in the process, then visit their website, www.AlabamaTeenChallenge.org.

MATTHEW 25 The mission of Matthew 25: Ministries is to fulfill Matthew 25:34-40 of the New Testament by providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, affordable shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to those in need. Additionally, Matthew 25: Ministries is committed to fulfilling Matthew 25:40 by educating the public on the conditions and needs of the “least of these” and by providing resources for action.

Matthew 25: Ministries is an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization helping the poorest of the poor locally, regionally, nationally and internationally regardless of race, creed or political persuasion. By rescuing and reusing products from major corporations and manufacturers, Matthew 25: Ministries provides basic necessities, nutritional supplements, educational materials, micro-enterprise supplies and disaster relief across the US and worldwide.

The people we help are not receiving a handout, but a helping hand. It is only when a person’s most basic needs are met that one can become self reliant. Because of this belief, Matthew 25: Ministries has always placed an emphasis on education, job creation and providing aid to children. Matthew 25: Ministries is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Matthew 25: Ministries began as the result of a trip Founder and President Rev. Wendell Mettey made with a group of doctors and nurses to Nicaragua in 1990. After seeing the seemingly endless poverty and devastation, Rev. Mettey made a promise to himself that he would find a way to help the people of Nicaragua and others in similar need. Upon returning, Rev. Mettey developed a system to recover excess products which were deemed no longer useful by U.S. corporations, and redistribute these items to people in desperate poverty. In the early days, supplies were carried to Nicaragua in suitcases, then aboard United States Air Force cargo planes. Now aid is shipped via forty-foot seagoing containers and semi-trailers to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims.

Since 1991, Matthew 25: Ministries has grown from a small suitcase ministry to an international relief organization distributing more than 15 million pounds of products each year. In total, M25M has sent more than 150 million pounds of aid across the United States and into more than forty countries worldwide. www.M25M.org

HUMANITY MAGAZINE

Chris – A Veteran’s Success Story Born in the rural south, Chris, who is now in his early 60’s, moved with his younger brother to New York City when he was 12 to reunite with his mother who had gone ahead a year earlier to find work. Through the years, Chris’s soft, thoughtful eyes have seen a long and hard struggle with intermittent homelessness.

This struggle began almost 30 years ago as he fought to adjust to civilian life after being honorably discharged from the army where he had served in a tank patrolling the Czech border. Afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), he found it difficult to hold a job and ended up in and out of shelters for several years. Almost from the start drug and alcohol use became an issue.

A recipient of the National Defense Service Medal (which he says he lost on the streets), Chris still experiences anxiety thinking back to his service. He vividly remembers sitting in a tank, during freezing temperatures, awaiting orders. With the tank engines running, black smoke filled the air making it difficult to breathe and making clear vision nearly impossible. He recalls a constant sense of dread “not knowing what was going to happen, just waiting, and just feeling helpless too often.”

Today, Chris is a positive, energetic and prideful man – as we spoke, he repeatedly suppressed smiles in order to avoid revealing a couple of missing teeth – who is determined to establish and live a sober and productive life.

We first encountered Chris through our outreach program about 24 months ago when he was living on the streets in Stamford. Shelter Outreach Case Worker Leroy Jordan found Chris and gently

convinced him to come into the shelter for initial triage services – basic medical care and a long overdue string of consecutive nutritious meals. As Chris recalls, “Leroy was the first contact for me, he opened the door for me – he got me to the doc, he set me up with food stamps, he helped me get an ID, everything basically.”

Looking back on his days living on the streets Chris recalls, “It’s wretched. You disconnect from everything. All ya think about is, ya know, where you’re gonna get your next meal. Your next change of clothes, how you’re gonna get clean, where you’re gonna sleep. Ya gotta stay busy because if ya don’t you go crazy.”

Over the following weeks the shelter became a foundation for Chris as he and staff members worked together to stabilize his condition and change the trajectory of his life. Then, about 12 months ago, Leroy Jordan introduced Chris to Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program Case Manager Marie Johnson. Marie, whom Chris calls his “angel,” immediately went to work aggressively advocating that he receive a subsidized housing voucher (that would pay rent for him to live in an apartment) since he met the criteria for Chronic Homelessness and need for Case Management Services....

Since March 2013, Johnson has connected five veterans to VA vouchers and they are all currently housed and pay a portion of their income toward the rent. Thanks to Marie and the collective efforts of the shelter staff, Chris has been living in his own apartment now for about six months (he contributes $200 each month towards his rent) and with ongoing help from the shelter’s drug and alcohol recovery program is entering his sixth week of sobriety. When asked to share what it was like to finally have a place of his own Chris shared: “It’s a whole different life for me now. Like now I’m trying to get my health together. Now I have insurance. Everything – everything is coming together.” He continued: “Now that I have my place

HUMANITY MAGAZINE I wanna go to school, stuff like that. You know, it’s a whole different thing. A whole different mindset.”

As I was thanking Chris for meeting with me I received a text. Chris reached over, picked up my phone, shook it in his hand, looked me in the eye, and with a wry smile spreading across his lips said “Ya, know, for example, now I’m catching up. Like I don’t even know how to use these dang telephones. I gotta learn that!”

I have no doubt he will. (Adapted From Original Story from Shelter for the Homeless) (cont.)

I can kinda like plan a little more. Everything is not like snatch and grab. In other words, if you don’t know where you’re gonna sleep, if you don’t have anything to eat and you’re hungry, you’re not gonna think about anything besides getting something to eat and finding a place to stay. If you’re cold, hungry, wet, you’re locked into that. If you wanna change your clothes, simple stuff, you want to get a shower, your mind is always wondering – how long is this gonna last? Because when you got no home you know the carpet can be snatched out from under you any second, you are always on edge. So you just make the best of it – you just survive.”

Becoming emotional, Chris continued further: “Now all is good. When you are homeless you tend to hide from people, ya know, kinda stay out of the mainstream. But now it’s different. Even people treat ya different. Rather than try to exclude you, they include you – because they see you are doing better, ok? You are dressed better, you don’t smell, and your outlook on things is different. You’re not gloomy, you’re not running that sad story, so now you can do stuff for them too – not just taking from people – but now you can give.”

The road ahead for Chris is a challenging one, but he remains highly motivated and confident he will succeed at his goal of building a healthy, sober and fulfilling life.

“I’m starting to think of tomorrow more so than just today, because when you’re homeless that’s all you think about – the immediate, but now I’m thinking about like, I’ve got an appointment with the doctor,

From Sleeping on the Streets to Driving Down the Street John was sleeping on the streets of Columbus after losing his home and income as a result of a lay off in 2009. He was born in Russell County, Alabama and has lived in the Columbus area his entire life. This was the first time he had been in this situation. The Homeless Resource Network assisted him with bus tickets, mail service, storage service and assistance obtaining his birth certificate and later a valid state identification card. From July 2009 through July 2010, he utilized their bus tickets to seek employment and get to medical appointments. Through that process he was able to meet his medical needs and obtain employment. He has been gainfully employed and in permanent housing since August 2010. He has even been able to purchase a reliable vehicle to meet his transportation needs. In January 2011 he returned to

HUMANITY MAGAZINE (continued) the Homeless Resource Network to thank them for everything they did for him and to let the know without their services, he would not be where he is today.

Jasmine's Survival Story Jasmine knows first hand that safe, affordable housing is a challenge to find for families in Asheville – and how foundational a place to call home is for family success. When she was 12 year old, she moved with her mother and brother to Buncombe County. They shared a small trailer with her grandparents. But that situation didn’t last and her family had to move out. Unable to find an affordable place of their own, they ended up at ABCCM’s homeless shelter.

They applied for a public housing unit, but the waiting and approval process ended up taking months. Jasmine and her family ended up spending a year at the shelter. Jasmine changed schools – enrolling in Asheville Middle from Enka Middle School.

“It was a big difference,” Jasmine reflects. “I had to deal with a lot socially, living in the shelter and being a teenager. I was really private about that. I would get off the bus at another street.”She remembers another challenge – when kids from her school came to the shelter to do a service project.

Her strategy: “I would try to not be visible.”

Eventually, her family received a place

in public housing at Hillcrest Apartments. She lived there until she was 19. In 2011, Jasmine connected with Green Opportunities (GO) and joined their training team for youth 18 to 24 years-old. She apprenticed with GO’s program for 16 weeks and then worked for GO installing rain barrels and gardens for six months. At that time a job as office receptionist for GO became available. She’s been working at GO since then and is working on a degree at AB-Tech.

At 20 years-old, Jasmine is optimistic about her prospects for becoming more economically stable.

“In my situation I moved out fairly young. I would advise people to stay at home and save money so they don’t have to jump out into a situation.”

Jasmine continues, “Try to build resources, do whatever you can to make yourself self sufficient.

Get yourself prepared.” She is also very grateful for the supportive network she developed through GO. Jasmine’s story highlights the spectrum of housing experiences that many families travel – doubling up, homelessness, shelters, public housing, and several moves. This instability impacts families’ health, ability to find jobs, and children’s academic success.

Jasmine’s success equation is a blend of her determination and resourcefulness, supportive networks, local nonprofits, and publicly funded programs. United as a community, we can ensure that the public and private supports exist for Jasmine and so many others seeking an opportunity to thrive.