Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Open Board of Directors Meeting
Norton Event Center
1601 E. Third St., Suite 138
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Tom Brickley, Ken Coate, Jennifer Cusack, Louis Goodwin, P.T. McEwen, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, Michael Rivera and Kristine Scott.
Guests: Roy Anderson, Adam Eventov and Dan Roberts.
Announcements: 1) Members were reminded to support the Inland Empire Children’s Book Project by donating a new or gently used book appropriate for children up to 18 years old. Collection bins will be accessible at the meetings thru the holiday season. 2) Last week San Manuel Band of Mission Indians held a community lunch and announced their expansion project that will include a hotel, meeting and event space, performance venue and parking structure. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2018 with a target opening in 2020. The new facilities will create some 1,200 permanent jobs.
M/S/P: Minutes of November 7, 2017.
Tom Brickley introduced Major Daniel Henderson, Salvation Army Corps of San Bernardino.
As a front line practitioner Major Henderson defined the causes for homelessness and explained that there is no one stop solution that fits all. The spectrum of conditions are:
- Economic- job loss and home foreclosure
- Health-limited resources are available (physical & mental)
- Prison-lack of structure once released, many have alienated or have no family
- Addition-drug & alcohol addiction is cited as the main reason children are homeless
The Corps’ group homes, emergency shelters and transitional living centers provide housing, food and overnight lodging for varying amounts of time to destitute families, the homeless, and to youth where family care is undesirable or unavailable. They also provide emotional and spiritual support. Services include:
- Emergency Shelters-For families and individuals looking to escape extreme weather or just wanting a safe, quiet place to spend the night. Emergency shelters provide a nutritious meal, a warm bed and a clean shower to those in need.
- Group Homes and Transitional Living Centers-Along with meeting immediate physical needs such as food and shelter, these establishments provide educational, counseling and vocational services to help individuals develop vital life skills and independence for re-entry into society.
- Family Service Programs- the Salvation Army assists families in need by providing food, housing and utility assistance. These programs enable parents to stay with their children, even when placed in emergency shelters.
The defunding of homeless shelters in our area began earlier this year as our county is focused on rapid rehousing. Rapid rehousing is effective for those that do not need specialized programs or much oversight. The majority of the homeless however have a broad spectrum of issues facing them. Housing through hotel vouchers is not a healthy solution, as most of the hotels accepting these vouchers are often in unsafe areas that attract drugs and prostitution.
The Salvation Army is restructuring as 1/3 of their budget from HUD funding has been reallocated. They have begun a major capital campaign to fund development of the 10th Street Hospitality House and property. Their Emergency Shelter and Transitional Living Center has helped many with programs like their Path to Prosperity program, which has a 96% success rate. Their Community Meals Program served over 19,000 meals last year and continues to grow. The first phase of the planned development will focus on remodeling and updating the kitchen at 10th Street in order to increase accessibility and serve more. Further construction on the property will include 16 affordable housing units to create much needed transitional housing. This step will allow clients to pay low cost rent & utilities, preparing them for independent living. Rent collected will create a modest income, as will renting advertising space on a billboard located on the property. The Salvation Army receives a majority of its funding through foundations and individuals but they are striving to become more self-sufficient.
The Salvation Army’s free programs provide housing, food, counseling, community and employment as they work to treat the root causes and symptoms of homelessness and prolonged alcohol and drug dependence.
A Q & A period followed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 am.