Wednesday, September 12, 2012
A Wallet in Every Pocket
You may have seen the article in Monday's Observer about the Men's Shelter of Charlotte's new Housing Resource Center and our expectations to move 400 men from the shelter into housing this year. As we've worked with men to get their identification, collect important papers, and keep up with so many other things, we've noticed that very few of our guests have wallets. Imagine trying to keep your driver's license or employee id badge from falling apart if your only option is to stuff it into your pocket. You can help. Donate your used wallet to the Men's Shelter and we'll make sure it goes to a homeless man who has no other means for organizing his pockets. It's easy, just drop it off at our Tryon Street campus at 1210 N. Tryon Street. This could also be a great project for a school class or other youth group to undertake. As we move 8 men per week out of the shelter and into their own place this year, we want to make sure there is a wallet in every pocket. Thanks!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Rumors
Lately, I've heard a number of rumors about the Men's Shelter. I'd like to address the ones I've heard.
Rumor: The Men's Shelter will close for the DNC.
Fact: Both of our campuses, Tryon Street and Statesville Ave, will be open and oeprate as we normally do.
Rumor: Men can now only stay 20 days at the Men's Shelter and then have to leave.
Fact: We do not impose time limits on how long someone can access our shelter as long as he is homeless.
Rumor: DNC protestors may use the shelter as a free place to stay during the convention.
Fact: Not sure why someone might try this, but our intake screening process ensures that only homeless men are allowed to stay in the shelter.
Rumor: The Men's Shelter has a new rule that you have to prove you've been in Charlotte for at least two weeks to be able to stay in the shelter.
Fact: The Men's Shelter is for homeless men from our community, and by community we mean Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (as well as consideration given to areas within the United Way of Central Carolinas service region when no other shelters exist). For many years we have stated that men must be from our community, so this is not new. We have recently restated our requirement asking men where they have been the previous two weeks and, if they have not been in our community for at least two weeks they are not eligible. Our staff always has flexibility with the requirement if the situation warrants. We are at or near capacity every night just serving homeless men from our community. We still do not require photo identification to enter the shelter because many homeless men have lost their identification.
Rumor: Men must leave the shelter every morning and not return until night.
Fact: Our Statesville Avenue campus is only open at night and men are not allowed to remain on property during the day. We provide many supportive services on our Tryon Street campus during the day and any man who is engaged in those services is welcome to remain on campus. All of the men we serve are invited on campus for lunch each day and the campus remains open to all men on weekend days and holidays. During the week, men who should be seeking employment or attending to other personal needs or who are not interested in accepting services are asked to leave campus each morning about 8am until lunch and then after lunch until afternoon check-in (just a few hours in total). Hanging out at the shelter all day, every day is not good for anyone.
I have no idea how these rumors get started or why. They do tend to create anxiety and tension for the men we serve, so we do our best to share information with the men in our shelters and to post information for everyone on our website, www.MensShelterofCharlotte.org. We're always glad when our guests, our volunteers, or others in the public brings these rumors to our attention.
Rumor: The Men's Shelter will close for the DNC.
Fact: Both of our campuses, Tryon Street and Statesville Ave, will be open and oeprate as we normally do.
Rumor: Men can now only stay 20 days at the Men's Shelter and then have to leave.
Fact: We do not impose time limits on how long someone can access our shelter as long as he is homeless.
Rumor: DNC protestors may use the shelter as a free place to stay during the convention.
Fact: Not sure why someone might try this, but our intake screening process ensures that only homeless men are allowed to stay in the shelter.
Rumor: The Men's Shelter has a new rule that you have to prove you've been in Charlotte for at least two weeks to be able to stay in the shelter.
Fact: The Men's Shelter is for homeless men from our community, and by community we mean Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (as well as consideration given to areas within the United Way of Central Carolinas service region when no other shelters exist). For many years we have stated that men must be from our community, so this is not new. We have recently restated our requirement asking men where they have been the previous two weeks and, if they have not been in our community for at least two weeks they are not eligible. Our staff always has flexibility with the requirement if the situation warrants. We are at or near capacity every night just serving homeless men from our community. We still do not require photo identification to enter the shelter because many homeless men have lost their identification.
Rumor: Men must leave the shelter every morning and not return until night.
Fact: Our Statesville Avenue campus is only open at night and men are not allowed to remain on property during the day. We provide many supportive services on our Tryon Street campus during the day and any man who is engaged in those services is welcome to remain on campus. All of the men we serve are invited on campus for lunch each day and the campus remains open to all men on weekend days and holidays. During the week, men who should be seeking employment or attending to other personal needs or who are not interested in accepting services are asked to leave campus each morning about 8am until lunch and then after lunch until afternoon check-in (just a few hours in total). Hanging out at the shelter all day, every day is not good for anyone.
I have no idea how these rumors get started or why. They do tend to create anxiety and tension for the men we serve, so we do our best to share information with the men in our shelters and to post information for everyone on our website, www.MensShelterofCharlotte.org. We're always glad when our guests, our volunteers, or others in the public brings these rumors to our attention.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy 4th of July
Having majored in history, I always find myself reflecting on the true meaning of July 4th. After all, it's about celebrating the birth of our country. I know on my own birthdays I tend to think about what I've accomplished in life, what I am thankful for, and memories of past birthdays - happy and sad. There is so much positive to celebrate this 4th of July. We live in a truly free democracy. We are a nation of prosperity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurs. Others look to our nation for inspiration and guidance. America is truly a wonderful country!
My birthday wish for our nation this year is simple, I wish us the fortitude to tackle our nation's problems at home - homelessness, education, unemployment, and poverty - with the same headstrong, purse strong, and collective determination to prevail that our nation, for so long, has pursued in other parts of the world.
Happy Birthday America!
My birthday wish for our nation this year is simple, I wish us the fortitude to tackle our nation's problems at home - homelessness, education, unemployment, and poverty - with the same headstrong, purse strong, and collective determination to prevail that our nation, for so long, has pursued in other parts of the world.
Happy Birthday America!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
It's All About the Equation
Last week, during our 4th Annual Community Partnership Breakfast, I shared MSC's equation for ending homelessness:
INCOME + HOUSING + SUPPORT = END TO HOMELESSNESS
Yes, this is a bit of an oversimplification of the strategies needed to help someone overcome their homeless experience. But, it's also that straightforward. We have to help the men accessing our emergency shelters determine a path towards income which can then lead to housing. Once housed, we know that without an appropriate level of support, failure is likely, so creating a support network is critical. The cool thing about this equation is that it works. So far this year, MSC has helped about 200 men move to more appropriate housing. Now you know how we did it.Thursday, December 29, 2011
Happy New Year
As 2011 comes to an end, I find myself reflecting back on the past year. I'm first and foremost grateful to our wonderful staff, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors who made it possible for the Men's Shelter to care for close to 600 men each night while moving more than 300 men into more appropriate housing. Our board of directors, under the leadership of board chair Cathy Pullen, have been steadfast in their resolve to ensure that no homeless man in need be turned away. Even with an all-time record of 683 men sheltered on one night (November 29th), I'm proud to say we kept that promise throughout the year. It hasn't always been easy, financially or on our staff, but its been the right thing to do and we'll continue to shelter all who seek our assistance with the support of our community.
As you think about making your resolutions for 2012, I hope you'll think of ways to give your time, talents, and treasure to help the Men's Shelter of Charlotte provide safe shelter to all homeless men while working to end homelessness for each man we serve.
Happy New Year!
As you think about making your resolutions for 2012, I hope you'll think of ways to give your time, talents, and treasure to help the Men's Shelter of Charlotte provide safe shelter to all homeless men while working to end homelessness for each man we serve.
Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)