About Us
Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center
Who we are
The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center (CDDC) is a 501c3 that has a long history of providing a variety of services to persons who are homeless and/or low income. Initially, the center, known as The Circle of Hope, was established to provide a socialization place for people with psychiatric disabilities. It was a peer run center.
Who we are
The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center (CDDC) is a 501c3 that has a long history of providing a variety of services to persons who are homeless and/or low income. Initially, the center, known as The Circle of Hope, was established to provide a socialization place for people with psychiatric disabilities. It was a peer run center.
As time went on, the center attracted a variety of people to include persons with dual diagnosis, individuals who were homeless and other low-income members of the community. In the last few years, the center has accepted support from recognized community leaders and its organizational structure has been changed to reflect a stable base of community leadership. The CDDC board has been working to expand the vision of the center to meet the significant mental, physical and social needs of the people who come. The center is staffed by volunteers recruited from a number of faith communities and other service organizations in Corvallis. Each week approximately 175 hours of community volunteer time is donated to provide the services of the CDDC.
The current mission statement of the CDDC is as follows:
“The corporation’s mission is to respond to the significant needs of individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness, low income, and mental health issues by providing a dignified environment for recovery through practical assistance and advocacy.”
The CDDC elected board meets monthly. In addition, there are committees of the larger board that meet regularly to facilitate the day-to-day activities of the center. Currently our Philosophy and Strategy Committee is working on our organizational plan so it will accurately reflect and communicate to others (especially grantors) what the CDDC hopes to accomplish. Also our newly off the ground Project Action Committee is busy working out the details for administering the mentoring services that are critical to individual recovery strategies.
What We Do
Currently there are two sites where services are provided. Our larger group drop-in center is located in McLean Hall at First Christian Church. Our smaller site, which houses Project Action, is located in Suite Q at 245 Madison on the lower level under Starbucks. Both sites are staffed by volunteers. Recently a grant to obtain an AmeriCorps Vista position has been awarded. This person will help us develop an efficient and effective volunteer system.
The McLean Hall site operates from 9 to 2 weekdays to provide services that meet immediate needs.
• Provides a safe indoor space for socialization.
• Provides coffee, tea and occasional snacks (usually pastry).
• Provides a place to work jigsaw puzzles or play table games
• Serves as a point to receive mail that comes to the CDDC mailbox.
• Serves as a place to ask volunteers for help. Volunteers in turn can
refer people to Project Action’s information and referral desk or to
other agencies or people that may have the immediate help being requested.
• Provides a site for weekly Benton County Health Department’s Community
HIV/Harm Reduction Program.
The Project Action site operates from 10 to 12 weekdays to respond to ongoing needs that may require more than a quick response.
• Provides human and computer resources to access information and referral
requests. Some examples of requests are as follow: asking for help
obtaining birth certificates, replacing lost photo identification and lost Social
Security Cards. Many people need assistance to access health care providers and
obtain prescriptions. Also people often need help with transportation and phone
cards.
• Provides a mentoring system for individuals choosing to work on selected
recovery goals which they identify during an assessment process. Goals may
focus on obtaining employment, finding affordable housing, pursuing a GED,
completing Social Security applications, etc.
Hopes for the Future
The CDDC’s vision for the future includes sponsoring a Mental Health Outreach Worker that can use the opportunity that the center provides to interact and establish trust with members of this community that would benefit from assessment and supported referral to appropriate services.
Also, the CDDC hopes to eventually procure a permanent site with a hygiene center, a gap that has been repeatedly identified in many settings where significant needs of persons who are chronically homeless have been prioritized.
Along with other community partners, the CDDC hopes to play a key role in the quest to end homelessness. The concept of “closing the front door” (prevention) and “opening the back door” (intervention) on homelessness is helpful as the CDDC pursues its vision for providing services in the Corvallis community.
The current mission statement of the CDDC is as follows:
“The corporation’s mission is to respond to the significant needs of individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness, low income, and mental health issues by providing a dignified environment for recovery through practical assistance and advocacy.”
The CDDC elected board meets monthly. In addition, there are committees of the larger board that meet regularly to facilitate the day-to-day activities of the center. Currently our Philosophy and Strategy Committee is working on our organizational plan so it will accurately reflect and communicate to others (especially grantors) what the CDDC hopes to accomplish. Also our newly off the ground Project Action Committee is busy working out the details for administering the mentoring services that are critical to individual recovery strategies.
What We Do
Currently there are two sites where services are provided. Our larger group drop-in center is located in McLean Hall at First Christian Church. Our smaller site, which houses Project Action, is located in Suite Q at 245 Madison on the lower level under Starbucks. Both sites are staffed by volunteers. Recently a grant to obtain an AmeriCorps Vista position has been awarded. This person will help us develop an efficient and effective volunteer system.
The McLean Hall site operates from 9 to 2 weekdays to provide services that meet immediate needs.
• Provides a safe indoor space for socialization.
• Provides coffee, tea and occasional snacks (usually pastry).
• Provides a place to work jigsaw puzzles or play table games
• Serves as a point to receive mail that comes to the CDDC mailbox.
• Serves as a place to ask volunteers for help. Volunteers in turn can
refer people to Project Action’s information and referral desk or to
other agencies or people that may have the immediate help being requested.
• Provides a site for weekly Benton County Health Department’s Community
HIV/Harm Reduction Program.
The Project Action site operates from 10 to 12 weekdays to respond to ongoing needs that may require more than a quick response.
• Provides human and computer resources to access information and referral
requests. Some examples of requests are as follow: asking for help
obtaining birth certificates, replacing lost photo identification and lost Social
Security Cards. Many people need assistance to access health care providers and
obtain prescriptions. Also people often need help with transportation and phone
cards.
• Provides a mentoring system for individuals choosing to work on selected
recovery goals which they identify during an assessment process. Goals may
focus on obtaining employment, finding affordable housing, pursuing a GED,
completing Social Security applications, etc.
Hopes for the Future
The CDDC’s vision for the future includes sponsoring a Mental Health Outreach Worker that can use the opportunity that the center provides to interact and establish trust with members of this community that would benefit from assessment and supported referral to appropriate services.
Also, the CDDC hopes to eventually procure a permanent site with a hygiene center, a gap that has been repeatedly identified in many settings where significant needs of persons who are chronically homeless have been prioritized.
Along with other community partners, the CDDC hopes to play a key role in the quest to end homelessness. The concept of “closing the front door” (prevention) and “opening the back door” (intervention) on homelessness is helpful as the CDDC pursues its vision for providing services in the Corvallis community.
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