Artists Helping The Homeless

THE MISSION OF ARTISTS HELPING THE HOMELESS IS TO REDUCE THE NEED AND COST OF CARE FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING AID WITH RESPECT; ADDRESSING UNDERLYING ISSUES; PROVIDING ADVOCACY FOR THOSE IN NEED; WORKING WITH, RATHER THAN DUPLICATING EXISTING SERVICES; AND RAISING AWARENESS OF HOMELESS ISSUES.

AHH ASSISTED 1,726 PEOPLE FROM ALL SEGMENTS OF THE UNHOUSED POPULATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH A VARIETY OF SERVICES TAILORED TO THE PERSON'S NEEDS. DISCHARGE PLANNING ACCOUNTED FOR THE MAJORITY OF THOSE ASSISTED. GENERALLY, AT THE REQUEST OF CASE WORKERS, AHH STAFF TRAVELS TO THE FACILITY TO PERFORM A NEEDS ASSESSMENT, ARRANGE OR PROVIDE REFERRALS FOR PLACEMENTS, TRANSPORT THE PERSON AND ASSURE ADMISSION WITH A WARM HAND-OFF WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE HELP WITH IDS, MEDICATION OR CLOTHING. WHEN WARRANTED, STAFF FOLLOWED UP TO ASSURE A GOOD FIT, ADJUST PLANS AS PEOPLE PROGRESSED AND ASSIST IN FILLING GAPS AND OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO SUBSEQUENT SERVICES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O, PAGE 3)RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY SERVICES HOUSED 218 MEN, AN AVERAGE OF 58 EACH NIGHT. MOST HAD JOBS, WERE IN JOB-TRAINING OR ATTENDING SCHOOLS IN THE MONTH FOLLOWING AN INITIAL 30-DAY PERIOD TO CLEAR MINDS, TAKE INVENTORY AND MAKE RECOVERY PLANS. THE HOUSES PROVIDE A CLEAN AND SOBER ENVIRONMENT WITH PEER SUPPORT, FREE OF CHARGE. RESIDENTS ATTEND RECOVERY MEETINGS, ALL COURT MANDATED EVENTS, GROUP COUNSELING AND COPING/LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS. RESIDENTS MAY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION ACTIVITES. TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED TO THOSE EVENTS, JOBS AND SCHOOLS, FREE OF CHARGE. A MEDICAL/DENTAL CLINIC STAFFED BY THE WORLD HEALTH FOUNDATION, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS CO-OCCURING ISSUES THAT LED TO OR RESULTED FROM BEING UNHOUSED AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. RELAPSE RATES FOR THOSE IN RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY AVERAGED ONLY 12.5% (VS 40%-60% FIRST YEAR PER NIDA).OVER 85% OF THE TIME, RESIDENTS LEAVING THE PROGRAM HAVE JOBS AND MOVE TO THEIR OWN PLACE, JOIN FRIENDS/FAMILY OR ENTER A TRANSITIONAL HOUSE. SOME, PRIMARILY RESPITE HOUSES RESIDENTS, ENTER TREATMENT OR TAKE OTHER STEPS IN THEIR RECOVERY PLAN. RESIDENTS HAVE REALIZED SUCCESS IN ENGINEERING, BANKING, CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING, TO NAME A FEW. PRIOR RESIDENTS OFTEN STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE PROGRAM, REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IF THEY RELAPSE OR FEEL THEIR RECOVERY THREATENED (RECIDIVISM RUNS AROUND 5%). MORE OFTEN THEY SHARE NEWS OF JOB CHANGES/PROMOTIONS, STARTING FAMILIES AND BUYING HOMES.