Please do not ever forget – You or I could be homeless at any moment no matter what our wealth is
How would YOU want to be treated?
Taking Their Life Back, With Showers of Hope!
It is about Responsibility. Accountability. Ours, as a 501c3 Public Charity.
We are a small nonprofit, Mobile Crisis/Prevention Intervention Unit Faith Based in Jesus Christ.
STA is here to HELP the Cities in which we operate, Not Blame them.
Everything we do is done on a crisis basis. Why?
Everything STA’s Mobile Crisis/Prevention Intervention unit does, strives to lessen the burdens on local governments, Police, Ambulance and other Medical facilities by our presence and availability in the streets helping the Homeless, Friends In Need and preventing “Nuisance Calls”. Through this, we strive to combat and reduce community deterioration and overall delinquency through our services at STA. The community, especially the business communities will see and feel our impact. Guaranteed.
*** Our definition of a Mobile Crisis/Prevention Intervention unit may differ from the norm. Please read our definitions below.
Our Definition of Mobile Crisis/Prevention Intervention Unit per Straight Ahead Outreach’s belief’s and processes: We will define 3 terms according to STA’s beliefs. What does this process do?? It provides results sooner. It gets our Friends In Need off the streets quicker, safer and feeling stronger, more confident and stable.
*STA’s Definition of Mobile = We are 100% Mobile. Everything we do is either done by our Showers of Hope Mobile Crisis/Prevention Intervention Unit van, via phone, or via computer/internet. We are 100% Mobile.
**STA’s Definition of Crisis = “If Someone is”…………
1) Not knowing “which way to turn”, they are in Crisis.
2) Falling Apart, they are in Crisis.
3) Has not eaten for days, is extremely hungry or dehydrated, they are in Crisis.
4) Harming/Endangering the quality of their life due to excessive use of any types of drugs and or alcohol, they are in Crisis.
5) Has not had a shower for over 3 days and have been on the streets, they are in Crisis.
6) Suicidal, for any reason, they are in Crisis.
7) One of our Friends In Need and unable to get to work for any reason, they are in Crisis.
8) One of our Friends In Need, needs food for their children, they are in Crisis.
9) One of our Friends In Need will miss an important appointment, Doctor, Interview, or anything they deem important to their life, they are in Crisis.
10) About to be homeless or has just found themselves unexpectedly homeless, they are in Crisis.
11) Anyone on the streets, living on the streets who simply do not want to be there, they are in Crisis.
12) Has not been able to launder their clothes for more than two weeks, and they are wearing filth, they are in Crisis.
13) Too scared out on the streets and needs someone to talk to, they are in Crisis.
Bottom line? Until our Friends In Need are sheltered and advancing forward to Taking Back Their Lives and somewhat stable, somewhat secure and have a direction and goal for themselves, then they are in Crisis. Even if they are housed. Just because they are housed, does not mean they are stable. Example: If one of our Friends In Need calls us from work in the middle of the night because the motel they are at has locked them out for non-payment and his/her kids are on the street by themselves,,,then they are in Crisis. The way we can tell they are not in Crisis anymore? When they genuinely no longer appear to need us. Until then, everything we do for them on our end and in our minds will be done on a Crisis Basis. :-))!
***STA’s Definition of Prevention/Intervention:
1) Our goal is to Prevent more than anything. Intervention, to STA could be as simple as intervening to provide food, clothing or transportation depending on the severity of the issue and the circumstances which surround them, per their own request or someone else’s on their behalf.
2) We will provide intervention as we are able, to anyone who requests it. You will notice we call it a Mobile Crisis/Intervention Unit. The Crisis and the Intervention go hand in hand and are always considered together.
3) STA, will intervene when needed on behalf of Police personnel when they are encountering a situation involving a homeless Friend In Need, “nuisance” type call, in which they could be utilizing their time more efficiently.
4) We will then take the Friend In Need into our van, talk, listen, provide ideas, hope, maybe a little food, get a shower if possible and figure out what we can do for them.
5) We will calm them and if needed stay with them until they are calm and or sober.
6) Also, of course, intervention entails intervening for someone suicidal, in other words in Crisis and determine if Police/Ambulance services are needed and or transport to the local hospital for evaluation once we listen to their needs.
7) Intervention & Crisis to us at STA covers more than the typical definitions as you can see.
8) We focus on intervening to prevent someone going into a panic mode or Crisis mode.
9) We intervene in order to build someones confidence. To give our Friends In Need some Hope.
There is a great deal of time, energy and expense invested into sustaining our activities. We are 100% committed.
The work we do is life saving, smile creating, and produces feelings of good. It creates room and possibilities for change. Our work creates permanent results.
Our objective is to show our Friends In Need how to “Take Back Their Life” and lift themselves out of the clutches of what we call the Chronic Assistance Cycle and into the community as a positve contributing force, self reliant.
Donations to this important work are greatly appreciated and needed.
We are based in the knowledge that nothing we do would take place if not for the direction of Jesus. We do this through intense listening, coaching, support and direction. Again, this all comes through Jesus’ direction.
Permanent Results—Self Reliant-UP&OUT of the Chronic Assistance Cycle.
A Snapshot of what we do: In a very tiny nutshell :-))!
We go to meet THEM. Wherever they may be. At any time of day or night.
We do not expect our Friends In Need to get to us – This is encouraged for as long as necessary, in order for them to keep the momentum of change going. At our initial meeting, we help uncover what the individual is “searching” for. We set a second date and time to meet with them formally at which time we further evaluate the person’s issues and needs, determine if we can be of assistance to them and, establish a plan of action. We do not want to set them up to fail or give them false hopes. We strive to provide true Hope.
If it is determined we can be of assistance to the individual or if we just simply deem it necessary:
- We provide them a meal if needed.
- We launder their clothes if needed.
- We take them for a haircut if needed.
- We provide them clothes if needed.
- We provide transport if needed.
- We take them for a shower if needed.
- We assist them in obtaining shelter for the evening if needed or desired.
- No cash is given initially.
- We provide and extend van loads of Hope
We will go to them at night or weekends. We make ourselves available up to and including 24/7/365. We spend time speaking with them about the issues which are depressing them, keeping them “using” and or keeping them homeless. We do not and will not call, describe or refer to them as an alcoholic or addict if they have issues with alcohol or drugs. We prefer not to use labels. We are even trying to refrain from the word “homeless” and we are considering removing the use of the phrase Friends In Need.
What ever it takes. How ever much time it takes.
- Does the individual “have to” believe in Jesus? No
- Does the individual “have to” join a Religious Program? No
- Does the individual “have to” know Bible verses in order to get assistance from us? No
- Will they be encouraged to know Jesus? Yes
- Will we assist them in finding a church if they would like? Yes.
- The Individual DOES “HAVE TO” be ready.
- The Individual DOES “HAVE TO” be willing to change. Big Time!
- The Individual DOES “HAVE TO” agree to address the issues, good & bad, which hold them back from experiencing “a meaningful, positive life”.
This process can and will be “very ugly” at times. It is just how it works. Therefore, the person must know, understand and accept that this process is not always “pretty” or “nice.” They will get frustrated. They will get mad. That is ok. It is all part of the process.
This process is precisely what makes it work. Our technique concentrates on the “Root Causes” of the situation. We ask the tough questions others might be reluctant to ask or approach. But, then we are there to back them up or support them emotionally once they have exposed their emotions and hidden feelings.
With Jesus’ guidance we help the individual see and acknowledge the strengths they have (which they have ALWAYS possessed), but temporarily lost due to the various situations and obstacles they’ve encountered, and the decisions they have made. The process encourages the individual to “be aware” of their feelings, attitudes and the impact of those feelings and attitudes in their ‘personal environment’.
Housing is one of our priorities. We strive to move the individual along to that point quickly, if they are ready and able physically and mentally. This move is always done at a pace they can handle. We search for housing based on individuals’ needs and personal make-up to ensure that it is a ‘fit’.
Numbers = Funding. However, Numbers + Poorly Fitted Housing = Higher Homeless Numbers
Current Showers of Hope Mobile Crisis/Intervention Unit:
The van pictured is Lance and Pat’s personal van which is currently used for all STA Showers of Hope activities.
* It has over 235,000 miles on it as of 7/09/2011 and needs to be replaced before it breaks down completely.
We have helped families move personal belongings for VMC, KARM, and many of our own homeless ‘friends in need’ in Knoxville, TN. and St. Petersburg, FL., transported wheelchair bound homeless Friends In Need to numerous activities and appointments, transported Friends In Need’ to church activities, showers, meals, work, doctor appointments, shopping and various events and much much more.
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Critically Needed NEW Mobile Crisis Unit:
The Custom Mobile Crisis Unit/Office would be equipped with :
- a stackable washer/dryer
- 2 showers – (one handicapped accessible)
- 2 toilets – (one handicapped accessible)
- An office area with 3 work stations, 3 computers/Laptops
- 3 beds
- Kitchen and reception area
- Handicap wheelchair lift equipped.
We operate up to and including, 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
This type of vehicle would enable STA to have a Mobile Crisis Unit/Office where we can interview our homeless “friends in need” right in the streets where they are, allow them to take a shower, launder their clothes and give them a meal all at one time at any hour of the day or night and let them take a nap if they like. The perfect fit. We need to raise $200,000 to purchase and outfit a unit of this type and to operate it for one year.
New clothes, if necessary and available can be provided at the time of interview. Haircuts will be provided as feasible. The Mobile Crisis Unit can also double as an emergency shelter for 1–2 nights if requested from another organization. However, each situation will be evaluated and the person may be turned down if his/her recent history has escalated to involve bodily harm or violence. (This is not written in stone however. It will depend on all aspects of each situation.)
Numbers = Funding. However, Numbers + Poorly Fitted Housing = Higher Homeless Numbers
Please Make A Donation Today to Help Us Continue This Valuable Work.
If Not You, Then Who?
We THANK YOU in advance.
865-964-1461
