Homeless Prevention VOC has started a Homeless Prevention Program funded through several different grants and local partnerships, including the cities of Chicopee, Holyoke and Westfield. This program provides intensive case management, referrals and financial assistance for rent or mortgage for those who qualify and have been impacted by COVID-19. With minimal outreach, there has been an overwhelming response to this program - the need in the community is clear. Since the beginning of the Homeless Prevention Program in August, VOC has assisted 21 families with rent or mortgage so they will remain housed; connected and provided information on services to 167 individuals; and referred 27 families to Fuel Assistance, three to WIC and eight to the food and diaper delivery program. Jessica King, Director of Homeless and Supportive Services, shares, “Together with friends from the cities of Chicopee, Holyoke, and Westfield, in addition to the United Way and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, we have seen what we can do as a community to help support each other during challenging times.” Virginia works for the School Department. She is 70 years old with several underlying health conditions. Although she has typically only worked 15 hours a week, she has always been able to pay her rent and bills. Due to the pandemic, her place of employment closed. She began to fall behind on her bills but was hesitant to reach out for help. Her landlord heard about the program and reached out on her behalf. After speaking with Virginia it became very clear that she was a hard working woman who, like many, was hit hard financially by the pandemic. VOC was able to assist her with her past-due rent and also utilize other programs within the agency. She is a current fuel client and between the two programs she is able to maintain her independence, and pay her bills without having to make a choice between her medications and her rent and utility bills. She looks forward to sharing her experience with her friends.
“This program is a blessing and I am glad that VOC is doing such good things helping out people from the community and helping so quickly really made the whole thing feel less stressful,” Virginia said.
Employee Training VOC invests in training as an investment in staff, programs and the community as a whole. This year we began a training series for all staff titled ‘Feel Good 5.’ This training series focuses on a different topic each month. All staff receive a weekly email with a short video (5 minutes or less) and some discussion questions. Each staff member watches the video, then processes that video later with their supervisor or team. This allows for ongoing training and development that is attainable for everyone during this very unique time. Topics have included Self-Care, Teambuilding, Self Awareness, Customer Service, Giving and Receiving Feedback, and Managing Challenging Situations. Other employee training opportunities include the Healing Racism Institute, two full days of intensive training that aligns with the work of VOC; Microsoft Outlook and Excel training which takes place over two sessions and includes assigning a mentor to each participant for additional one-on-one support; and Early Education and Care Department (EEC) Life is Good Playmaker training for all EEC staff, including teachers and home educators in this therapeutic play model.
Real People. Over
Real Help.
Real Impact.
230 VOC staff members spent over 3,400 hours in training.
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