T H E W O R T H Y PAT H
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THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN SERVICES
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FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3
COMMUNITY
Meeting Foundational Needs, Inviting Transformation
(cont. from back page)
O
ur clients often have multiple obstacles that need to be addressed in order for them to sustain housing once placed, such as, chronic hypertension and diabetes, complex wound care, renal dialysis, schizophrenia, dementia, alcoholism, and drug addiction. Moreover, our Meal Program continues to serve over 900 meals a day, preparing meals for guests at IHS emergency and specialty shelters, and at the City and County mobile Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons. In addition to the foundational needs of meals and shelter, central to IHS is attention to mental health. Nearly 50% of guests entering our shelters self-report having a mental illness. The percentage is even higher for individuals engaging with our outreach and
case management programs. Hence our heavy commitment to advocate for systems change on behalf of those we serve. Extending a listening ear, encouraging hope, and offering solutions take time–whether that be responding to an email asking for housing assistance, sharing a hygiene kit with someone at Ala Moana Beach Park, or helping reunite family members with loved ones. These interventions also can take a toll on our staff when we are under a constant barrage of cries for help. Ending homelessness requires all of us to do our part; many hands make lighter work. Please continue to offer your support and prayers, volunteering your talents; sharing financial resources, and helping in other ways as you are able.
ENGAGING WITH OUR COMMUNITY: The path into homelessness is unique to each household, and the way out requires a tailored solution. A mental health crisis precipitated by substance addiction, physical injury or life threatening illness, loss of employment because of disabilities, fractured relationships, family dysfunction; they all can contribute to finding oneself with nowhere safe to lay your head at night. In this issue, we are highlighting ways our community is joining together to provide specialized services for individuals on their journey back to stable, permanent housing.
COMMUNITY
IHS' Outreach Team regularly canvases urban Honolulu checking in with familiar and new faces.
‘IMI OLA PIHA
N E W WA I K I K I PA R T N E R S H I P
Our ‘Imi Ola Piha Homeless Triage Center, admitted its first patient in early June. As its name implies, the center is a lightning rod for lives being transformed. Clients choosing to take ownership of their futures and in many cases, begin a clean and sober life. This center has provided an important addition to the Homeless Service System. Just a few months in, the eightbed program has seen over 47 individuals (80+%) successfully transition from stabilization into transitional housing or shelter, with the typical length of stay is 5-10 days. Referrals for the center have been by IHS Outreach, residential substance abuse treatment programs, Honolulu Police Department, emergency departments, and other homeless services providers.
A new position was recently created in partnership with the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association (WBIDA). The Waikiki Outreach Coordinator is dedicated to working with local businesses and service providers in the Waikiki area to connect homeless persons to a full spectrum of homeless services. They will help navigate different systems of care and treatment including coordination with law enforcement, the judicial system, and public safety to facilitate those mentally impaired individuals experiencing homelessness to access the treatment they deserve, but may not know they need. This partnership also creates a direct line of communication for outreach referrals and Waikiki community concerns.
COMMUNITY
Outreach App Innovation In an unprecedented community collaboration with global tech security leader NEC Corporation, local tech integration specialist TRUE, and tech innovation specialist Datahouse, LLC, IHS' Outreach Program informed the
Outreach workers update client profiles.
FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3
Celebrating 45 years! In July, IHS marked 45 years of service! To celebrate we hosted a day of volunteer opportunities: Mālama Meetup. Volunteers partnered with staff at five of our locations, completing beautification and community building projects, such as painting facilities, preparing and serving meals, and cleaning out housing units. This event launched an initiative to create more opportunities for our communities–supporters and guests–to engage with one another. To view current volunteer opportunities, visit our website by scanning the QR code:
development of a smartphone application to better serve unsheltered homeless individuals. The app, which utilizes facial recognition technology, gives each person who participates an universal ID, which then can be shared with client permission with anyone serving that person once linked to the provider network. It is used to document encounters and services provided and designed to promote continuity of care and efficiency among our team, especially as so many unsheltered homeless are on the move these days. The vision is to grow a larger network with other homeless providers, allowing for more efficient care on a larger scale. Participation is voluntary, as each client who is able to, provides consent to have their information stored.
ihshawaii.org/volunteer
FY23
By the Numbers
352,671 meals served by the IHS Meals Program Sumner Men's Shelter staff celebrate Lavaro's move to permanent housing.
791
E X E C U T I V E D I R E CTO R ' S M ES SAG E
Encouraging Those Who Encourage This year, we have celebrated the joy of new homes, pride in sobriety milestones, confidence from gainful employment, healing with family reunifications, and a new chapter for IHS with the launch of critically needed triage and stabilization for chronically homeless individuals struggling with uncontrolled behavioral health needs. We also have been humbled by the passing of guests and beloved friends who were part of our IHS ohana, living out our values of kulia I ka nui (always striving to be our best) and mālama (compassion), respectfully. Their legacies will not be forgotten, as we–staff, guests, and volunteers–continue to be blessed and inspired by the fruit of their efforts to improve lives, their own and others. Our mission can, at times, feel overwhelming when our teams are pounding the pavement canvassing, coaching clients in the shelter, working tirelessly to offer encouragement, creatively navigating systems not designed to serve people experiencing homelessness, and meeting compliance with a host of different funders. In a weary moment, if I ever question whether our efforts are worth the emotional toll taken, I need only recall the faces and stories of former guests who are now thriving in the community, some even working here at IHS, paying their gratitude forward, to exclaim a resounding: "YES! You can bet it is!" I also remember each of you and all the support you continue to extend toward us. In each of those moments, I see the intersection of how your faithfulness to our shared mission continues to fuel hope for our brothers and sisters on the margins. Reminding them that they are valued, and equipping them to live independent lives in stable housing again. But you are also continues to be both a buoy of encouragement for staff and refreshing wind in our sails. Mahalo!
individuals facing evictions received Homeless Prevention Assistance (331 households)
620
individuals participated in Hele2Work Employment Services Connie Mitchell
Executive Director
I need only recall the faces and stories of former guests who are now thriving in the community.
HOMEWARD BOUND 5K FUN RUN November 23, 2023 Race begins at 8:00 am Manoa Valley District Park Scan below to sign-up:
homewardbound.funraise.org
We’re Hiring! Join Our Team and Change Lives. There are few feelings more rewarding than seeing an individual or family regain stability in shelter, employment, or housing. Our staff help make miracles possible every day. We have full- and part-time job openings in our shelters and programs.
Opportunities include nursing, other front-line positions (working directly with clients/guests), and administrative roles. If you’re interested in joining our team, visit our website at ihshawaii.org/careers or scan the QR code:
IHS, The Institute for Human Services, Inc.
546 Kaaahi Street Honolulu, HI 96817 ihshawaii.org
T H E W O R T H Y PAT H
|
THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN SERVICES
|
FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3
COMMUNITY
Meeting Foundational Needs, Inviting Transformation
W
hen driving along Nimitz Highway or walking around Kapahulu, homelessness can appear like its ever increasing. However, according to this year's Point in Time Count, what we are observing are homeless people moving away from the urban core.
Volunteer-hosted game days and nights have become regular events for shelter guests.
Another trend we are excited to see is an increase in folks asking for and accepting shelter. Our shelters are operating at fuller occupancy for the first time since the pandemic commenced, meaning over 122 men are sleeping
at the men's shelter, another 128 individuals are at the women’s and family shelter, and 87 individuals are staying at the housing navigation center at Sand Island, rather than on the street. (story continues on front page)
This newsletter includes the following stories: • ‘Imi Ola Piha Update • Outreach App Innovation • Celebrating 45 Years • Letter from Executive Director