Pilot Program

Homeless and Unemployed Day Center and Emergency Shelter

Notes from 12/17 Meeting

Next Meeting 1/7, 10 AM to Noon

First United Methodist Church, 55 Fenn St., Pittsfield MA

We are grateful to the congregation of the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield for opening their doors to explore this buy viagra canada pilot program and their generous and caring spirit. Our community has been given this opportunity to address a significant need in Berkshire County and for collaboration among the faith-based community, non-profit organizations, and local government.

Project Scope: To have a Pilot Program beginning at the end of January and continuing through May 1^st. The Program will include an emergency shelter for able-bodied people for both populations being served, the chronic homeless and the short-term homeless. We will further explore having a day center for the homeless that will include professional programs and support. In addition, this day center will serve the unemployed and under-employed, where they can receive on-going support through mechanisms like inspirational movies and development of useful skills. The emergency shelter will provide a safety net for our most vulnerable population.

Staffing and Programs:  Health and Human Service organizations that serve our target populations are encouraged to participate. The Center will provide a supportive environment for case workers and for other programs, to serve these populations concentrated at the Center. The faith-based community also may provide significant staffing support. As an example, local meal sites affiliated with the

Food Net are presently providing over 1,200 hours a week addressing the food security needs of these vulnerable populations.

We will form a committee that will meet on January 7^th at the First United Methodist Church to discuss staffing, programs, and schedules. For the high-risk populations, we need one qualified staff person per six people served. For low-risk individuals, the ratio is one to twelve.

Building Modifications: There are several construction items that have to do with safety and building access. In December, we will have contractors provide an overview of drawings and lay-outs for a hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detection system. We will also look at installing safety buzzers and cameras at the entrances. Also in December, we will draw plans for partitions, doors, and locks. Installation and construction will begin after the January 7^th meeting, which will help clarify the scope of this initiative.

Fundraising: Co-Act has two qualified phone solicitors who will raise money for building modifications and staffing. We are also asking the City of Pittsfield to pay for the building utilities during this Pilot Program.  Another project to raise funds will be a concert held at First United Methodist Church, during which tours will be given of the building.

Schedule for this Initiative:

• December:  Wiring plans for detectors and cameras, as well as plans for building construction.
• January 7^th:  Committee meeting for staffing and programs.
• January 10^th: Complete floor plans and begin construction and wiring.
• January 20^th:  Building ready for final safety inspection.
• January 21^st: Committee meeting at First United 10 AM to Noon, to determine: final programs, schedule, and opening day.

Objectives:

• A Pilot Program to address the immediate needs of the homeless and unemployed from January to May 1.
• A Model of Collaboration between the Faith Community, Health and Human Services, and Government.
• Programs that are professionally administered and supportive for these populations of need.
• Assure a level of safety for staff, participants in the program, and the local community.

Copied to:

Dave Christopolis,  BCAC,  DChristopolis@bcacinc.org

Danielle Shumway, Elizabeth Freeman Center danielle.shumway@yahoo.com

Lauren Vining, Tapestry Health       ltvining@gmail.com

Hannah Anderson, St. Stephen’s    hannahblessingcup@yahoo.com; handerson@ststephenspittsfield.org

Tricia Farley-Bouvier, City of Pittsfield tfarleybouvier@pittsfieldch.com

Judy Kohatsu, FUMC pastor           JJKohatsu@aol.com

Nicole Dupont, iBerkshires.com     nichanel@msn.com

Jim Ciullo, BCREP   JimCiullo@verizon.net

Susan Coelho, FUMC          sjcoelho@yahoo.com

Janet Henderson, Co-Act    jmh227@hotmail.com

Lindsay Errichetto, BCAC   lerrichetto@bcacinc.org

Paul Gage, FLSC     paul@familylifesupport.org

Mark Miller     mark@berkshire.net

Paul Deslauriers, Co-Act,   Paul@co-act.org

Owen DeRis, Co-Act,  owenderis@gmail.com

Brad Gordon, BCRHA,  bradg@bcrha.com

Joel Huntington, South Congregation  stars153@earthlink.net