Interfaith Community Shelter Group Inc

THE MISSION OF THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SHELTER, INC. IS TO PROVIDE SAFE AND HOSPITABLE SHELTER, FOOD, AND CLOTHING TO MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF SANTA FE AND TO PROMOTE SELF- RELIANCE BY PROVIDING A POINT OF ENTRY TO THE OTHER SERVICES NECESSARY TO MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS TO STABLE HOUSING. THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO ICS'S CLIENT SERVICES; THE SEASONAL NIGHT SHELTER, THE DAY SERVICES PROGRAM AND THE SUMMER SAFE HAVEN FOR ALL.

THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SHELTER AT PETE'S PLACE CONTINUES TO BE NORTHERN NEW MEXICO'S LARGEST MINIMAL BARRIER - OR COME-AS-YOU-ARE HOMELESS SHELTER. LAST YEAR, THE SHELTER PROVIDED OVER 15,000 BED NIGHTS OF SHELTER AND OVER 37,000 MEALS TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SHELTER CONTINUED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN MANY AREAS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED, BOTH FOR DAY SERVICES AND OVERNIGHT SHELTER. THE SUMMER SAFE HAVEN PROGRAM WAS ABLE TO SERVE 359 GUESTS FOR OVERNIGHT SHELTER. THE SHELTER SAW AN INCREASE IN THE BEDNIGHTS, MEALS, AND DAY SERVICES PROVIDED. THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SHELTER HAS HAD MANY SUCCESSES IN CONNECTING GUESTS TO RESOURCES FOR LIFE STABILIZING SERVICES AND PERMANENT HOUSING. ICS CASE MANAGERS WORKED WITH MANY INDIVIDUALS TO ENGAGE IN INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. OUR CASE MANAGERS ENTERED 32 SHELTER GUESTS INTO HMIS AND COMPLETED VI-SPDATS WITH THOSE GUESTS. THEY ALSO AIDED GUESTS IN CONNECTING OR MAINTAINING THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LA SALA, THE LIFE LINK, OR THE CHRISTUS ST. VINCENT'S HUGS PROGRAM. HOMELESS PREVENTION HAS ALSO BEEN A FOCUS OF THE SHELTER'S EFFORTS THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT. ICS CASE MANAGERS ASSISTED OVER A HUNDRED AND FIFTY INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES; REFERRALS WERE ABLE RETAIN THEIR HOUSING THROUGH A ONE-TIME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING RENTAL OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION AND VEHICLE REPAIR ASSISTANCE, DOCUMENTATION ASSISTANCE, ETC. THE SHELTER WAS AWARDED A GRANT BY THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS PART OF THE STATE'S PROJECT PICKUP OR PROVIDING INCLUSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR UNHOUSED POPULATIONS. IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS, WE WILL TAKE OUR MISSION A STEP FURTHER BY TAKING OUR LIFESAVING SERVICES ON THE ROAD. SHOWERS TO GO IS THE MOBILE HYGIENE AND NAVIGATION SERVICES PROGRAM WE WILL OFFER MOBILE HYGIENE SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRALS, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO PEOPLE ON THE STREETS WHO CANNOT OR WILL NOT COME INTO PETE'S PLACE. ANOTHER SERVICE THE SHELTER BROUGHT BACK AS PART OF OUR OVERNIGHT SERVICES IS DINNER ONLY. THIS MEANS THAT GUESTS DO NOT HAVE TO STAY OVERNIGHT AT THE SHELTER TO HAVE A MEAL IN THE EVENING. THE NUMBERS OF GUESTS COMING IN FOR DINNER ONLY SERVICES HAS STEADILY INCREASED SINCE THE SERVICE WAS REINITIATED. ICS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MANY LOW- OR FIXED-INCOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE A DINNER OPTIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE IMPACTS OF INFLATION FOR SO MANY. MANY OF THE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE SHELTER FOR DINNER ONLY ARE FORMER GUESTS WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE PETE'S PLACE THEIR COMMUNITY.