Funds to fight homelessness are scarce
Since Making it Possible to End Homelessness launched in 1987, the New Brunswick organization has relied heavily on federal funding to help families that have found themselves without permanent housing.
But MIPH organizers have learned that their revenue source may change rapidly, and the group has sought donations from public and private foundations as well as grants to keep its programs run ning. Fundraising efforts also have been increased in recent years to bolster MIPH's $2.6 million budget.
"Federal funds are being slashed," said Andrea Krich, executive director of MIPH. "We are los ing money, we are bleeding money, we are having to do more with less."
On Mothers Day, the group organized a charity walk in collabora tion with the Women's and Gender Issues Club at Edison High School and raised $8,500. The money went fast, Krich said.
"The money from the walk went into our direct costs such as case management, mental health, job training and a wealth of other programs," she said, noting that the group also conducts direct-mail campaigns to solicit donations.
"The homeless tends to be a si lent population that doesn't always advocate for themselves in the best way, so our job is to do that for them," Krich said.
MIPH has 45 employees and receives volunteer support from another 100 people each year. MIPH currently operates two transitional- housing programs: Amandla Crossing and Imani Park.
Amandla Crossing, on Mitch Snyder Drive in Edison, is a 29-unit housing program catered to single- parent families on welfare. Families are admitted on a yearly basis, and parents have to be at least 17 years old to live in the facilities because they have to be eligible for welfare, Krich said.
"The tenants are allowed to stay for up to a year in the fully furnished apartments and near the end of the stay, the program works with the families to locate safe, de cent and affordable housing," Krich said.
The homeless people MIPH takes in are on Medicaid, and the parents are required to have their children with them to live in the facilities. Typically, the families are moms and their children, because men don't tend to apply for the program, Krich said.
At Imani Park, a 16-unit facility on Kilmer Avenue in Edison that provides housing and support services to homeless people living with HIV/AIDS, people may stay up to 18 months. Residents at Imani are on Medicare and the medicines they need are paid for by Ryan White funding.
"MIPH's programs are unique in that they are not just an overnight shelter for a meal and a bed," Karen Sherbine of MIPH said. "They provide the tools to lift people out of what caused homelessness. MIPH has helped over 300 families move off public assistance and into permanent housing -- in short, turn their lives around."
Families come to the program through a mandatory referral net work. Some are taken from shelters, and some are recommended by the Board of Social Services and medical clinics.
"Unfortunately,
MIPH typically has no way of getting in touch with families who are not accepted because the families are on the streets and do not have addresses or phones, Krich said.
While living in the facilities, residents must observe rules against substance abuse and overnight visitors. The housing units require everyone to enter through the front door and sign in to promote secu rity.
"We have so many women here who are victims of domestic violence," Krich said. "At the front desk, we have some pictures of people who are never allowed in."
Some clients also are removed from the program for breaking rules, Krich said.
Violations would include not participating in the program, substance abuse, and being away from their apartment without signing out, among others.
"We have to maintain the integrity of the program," Krich said. "Guests are allowed in the facilities, but not overnight, and each family has their own apartment. We try to make it as normal as possible, but, still it is a transitional program."
As graduates of the program leave and move on with their lives, MIPH tries to keep in touch with them.
"We send out newsletters and keep their names in our databases, and graduates tend to keep in touch with us," Krich said. "We like to have graduates mentor our clients. As someone who walked their life, they have a better perspective."
For more information, visit the organization's Web site at www.miph.net. Katie Lovell may be reached at klovell@starled
