Interfaith Community Shelter Group Inc

THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SHELTER CONTINUES ITS MISSION OF PROVIDING LIFESAVING SERVICES TO LOW INCOME AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THROUGH BOTH ITS OVERNIGHT SHELTER AND DAY SERVICES PROGRAMMING. THE EASING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS ENABLED THE SHELTER TO MOVE LUNCHES BACK INTO THE SHELTER DINING ROOM. IT WAS A VERY WELCOME RETURN FOR GUESTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. THIS ALSO ALLOWED FOR AN INCREASE IN CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOMELESS SHELTER GUESTS. ICS CONTINUES TO REQUIRE REGULAR COVID TESTING FOR OVERNIGHT SHELTER SERVICES AND ENCOURAGES COVID VACCINES AND BOOSTERS FOR ALL GUESTS. THE SHELTER MAINTAINED A LOWERED CENSUS TO ENSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF COVID. ICS WAS ABLE TO HAVE MANY OF ITS PRE-COVID PARTNER PROVIDERS COME BACK INTO THE SHELTER TO EXTEND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO LOW INCOME AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY. ICS WAS ABLE TO TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS GUESTS GETTING ENTERED INTO HMIS AND T

THE SHELTER STRIVES TO CONTINUE TO SAFELY PROVIDE MEALS, SHOWERS, CLOTHING DONATIONS, AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. ICS CONTINUES TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO PROGRAMMING TO MAINTAIN SAFETY PER CDC RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAINTAINS MINIMAL BARRIER SERVICES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO RECEIVE THE COVID VACCINE BY OFFERING REGULAR TESTING AND MAINTAINING STAFF TO SAFEGUARD THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES. THE SHELTER MOVED BACK TO SERVING LUNCHES INDOORS TO REDUCE THE TRASH OUTSIDE THE SHELTER AND ON THE STREET. THIS WAS A WELCOME RETURN AMONGST GUESTS AND STAFF AS WELL AS AIDING IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE AGENCY'S ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WHICH HAS INCREASED THE SAFETY AROUND THE SHELTER. VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE BEING AN ESSENTIAL PART OF SHELTER OPERATIONS AND RECRUITMENT REMAINS STRONG. THE EASING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS ALLOWED FOR AN INCREASE IN CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOMELESS SHELTER GUESTS. COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS WORKING WITH ICS ALSO INCREASED WITH PARTNER PROVIDERS COMING BACK INTO THE SHELTER TO EXTEND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO LOW INCOME AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE SHELTER HAS BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS GUESTS GETTING ENTERED INTO HMIS AND THE COC BALANCE OF STATE LIST, ALLOWING FOR BETTER TRACKING, DOCUMENTATION, AND PRIORITIZATIN OF CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. FOR THE SEASONAL OVERNIGHT SHELTER, ICS SHELTERED 1,143 INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING 17,410 BEDNIGHTS. PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER DURING THE WINTER MONTHS CONTINUES TO BE A CORE MISSION, ENSURING THAT NO UNHOUSED PERSON DIES OF HYPOTHERMIA. ICS WAS ABLE TO SERVE 56,726 MEALS AND PROVIDED 3,972 SHOWERS TO PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE A MEAL OR THE DIGNITY OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR HYGIENE.

THE WOMENS SUMMER SAFE HAVEN OPERATES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS FOR WOMEN UTILIZING THE SEASONAL OVERNIGHT SHELTER. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES WOMEN A SAFE PLACE TO BE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CAMPING ALONE OR PARTNERING WITH A MAN FOR PROTECTION. THE WOMEN SERVED BY ICS ARE FREQUENTLY AT RISK OF MANIPULATION AND/OR VIOLENCE. THE MAJORITY OF WOMEN SEEKING SERVICES AT THE SHELTER ARE BETWEEN 50 AND 79 YEARS OLD WITH SEVERE MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM GAINING ENTRANCE TO THE OTHER SHELTER PROGRAMS IN SANTA FE. WITH THE OPENING OF THE WOMEN'S SUMMER SAFE HAVEN (WSSH), ICS SHELTERS INDIVIDUALS YEAR ROUND. THE WSSH SHELTERED 172 WOMEN, PROVIDING 2,909 BEDNIGHTS. ICS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SAFE HOSPITABLE SHELTER, FOOD AND CLOTHING TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN DURING THOSE MONTHS THE SEASONAL OVERNIGHT SHELTER IS CLOSED.