Monday, 20 September 2010 15:02 Last Updated on Monday, 20 September 2010 15:12
Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center
Fall Newsletter
Goodbye April
April Pritchard's year as an AmeriCorps Volunteer is over. She will be going back to school to work toward a Master's degree in Renewable Energy. April has been fun, efficient, and a great pillar of strength in the Project Action Office. She has recruited and trained volunteers and always been there when a crisis came along. She has landed a part time job at the Boys and Girls Club to supplement her income. They are so lucky to get her. Since she will still be in Corvallis, April has promised to drop in and help us out once in a while. Everyone Loves April!
Hello Rick
Richard Kleinosky has agreed to step up and take responsibility as office manager for Project Action. He has been working as a volunteer in the office for several months so he knows the ropes. He is calm, easy going and good on the computer. He will be in the office Monday thru Friday from 10 to 12 so he can provide continuity and guidance to the daily volunteers. Project Action is grateful that Rick is willing to fill this important role. Their office is located downstairs under Starbucks coffee shop at 425 SW Madison. Project Action is a program of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center Board.
Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center
The drop-in center continues to operate in the lower lever of the First Christian Church on the corner of 6th and Madison from 9 am to 2 pm weekdays. It provides a comfortable place for homeless and low income persons to have a cup of coffee, eat a snack , read a book, play cribbage, or talk to a volunteer.
In addition to being a safe place for homeless persons to relax, the drop-in center is so much more. It is a place for the homeless to bring their troubles when they are desperate. lonely or about to go over the edge.
When they are sick, they are connected to the Benton County Health Clinic. When they have decided to attack their addiction, there is a volunteer to drive them to detox services out of town. When their belongings have been stolen there is someone to talk to about what to do next. For every problem, there is someone to listen, ask questions, assist with problem solving, and arrange transportation to appointments.
We all know that the homeless often suffer from a combination of mental illness, medical conditions, addiction issues, and the stress that goes with acute poverty. The center is a place to figure out what to do about the most pressing problems for the day.
Barbara Thayer, the outreach worker, whose office is down the hall from the center, has helped several homeless persons with the paperwork and interviews needed to apply for disability benefits. In the first half of this year through the joint efforts of Barbara and other volunteers, nine homeless persons have moved into permanent housing. After they get an apartment, they need a lot of support adjusting to their new situation. Often they are very lonely.
Aleita, Board Chair and Center Coordinator is responsible for connecting homeless persons with medical services. She responds to emergencies, but works to see that everyone has a medical home and follows through to address ongoing conditions, whether they are physical or mental heath issues. She has developed a strong working partnership with the Benton County Health Clinic. She has a fund, supported by private donations to cover the access fee to the clinic for any homeless person and to cover the co-payment required for many medications. She is part of a task group that is developing systems to address communicable diseases among the homeless population. No drugs or alcohol are allowed at the center. A watchman works two hours before and after center hours to assure no use of banned substances is taking place in or around the church. The police are available on call if any one's behavior gets our of hand. While they are seldom actually called, their back up keeps both volunteers and guests feeling safe.
Celebration of Success
On Wednesday Aug 25 At the First Presbyterian Church the CDDC celebrated the success of 16 persons who have made special progress during the last year. This would include following through on medical procedures, getting into housing, maintaining a record as a good tenant, staying clean and sober, and other personal accomplishments.
Wish list: coffee supplies and volunteers.
Another way to help is to donate coffee, sugar , creamer, or paper coffee cups. Gifts of these essential supplies helps a lot. You can drop them off any time the center is open, from 9 am to 2 pm weekdays. If you have never visited the center, this is a good excuse to come by and see what is happening.
We also are looking for volunteers who would take a regular shift each week. The duties are simple: make the coffee, put out snacks, and chat with guests. The advantage of having a volunteer that can be counted on to take same shift in the schedule is that this frees up Aleita, the center coordinator, to take care of duties away from the center. If you want to find out more about volunteering, contact Aleita, 541-740-3235 or Dan Hallgrimson, 541 753-8581 to sign up for a time to visit the center.
Future Happenings:
The men's cold weather shelter will open in mid-November at the West Side Community Church. Open Daily from 7 pm to 7 am. Volunteers are needed so call Aleita Has Holcombe at 541 740 3235 if you want to help. The men's winter shelter is provided by the Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition.
The women's winter shelter will be located at Knoll Brook Community church again this year. If you want to help with food, laundry, or staying over night, call Wilma at Love Inc at 541 757- 8111 Volunteer training is provided. The women's shelter is coordinated by Love Inc.
Rent is Needed.
The City of Corvallis through the Community Development Block Grant funds pays a portion of the rent for the space every month. However we have to make up several hundred dollars in donations to be able to pay our rent. In addition, we must pay for the watchman to keep the church and the parking lot crime free and safe. The center itself is run completely by volunteers, The reality is that our rent fund has been depleted. We now must look to individuals and community groups that have helped us in the past to replenish our cash supply so we can pay our rent each month.
If you want to donate personally, use the enclosed envelope. If you are part of a faith or community group that might make a larger donation, please contact our board chair, Aleita Hass Holcombe 752-540-3235, or out vice chair, Dan Halgrinson, 541 753-8581 with details about who to contact and how to make an appeal.
The volunteers at the center cannot handle this expense alone. We must have your help.
Contribute today!