Learn more about the National Coalition for the Homeless HERE.
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P. O . Box 771554 St. Louis. MO 63177 Phone: 314-881-3283 metrohomelesscoalition@gmail.com
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HOMELESS COALITION MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE ST . LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, ROOM 2.3 * 1301 OLIVE STREET, ST. LOUIS 63103 Saturdays, beginning at 1pm Upcoming 2019 dates are: August 17 Sept. 21 _________________________________________________________ AGENDA FOR AUGUST 17: Lockers Update-- where are we each on our assigned tasks? Resource Directory Distribution-- Do we still want to print more or do we have enough? Officers? -- This is a continuing item. Do we need job descriptions and elections? Other Issues-- what other issues does the Coalition need to address at this time? CLICK HERE for information about a Rally for the Homeless to be held this Friday, August 17th. SEEKING PARTNERS AND PLACES! Coalition members see a need and hope that there will be solutions from members of the wider community. Here are two problems in search of a solution: 1. LOCKERS Homeless people are hampered in entering the library, interviewing for jobs, and applying for housing, etc. due to the bags they need to carry around. We would like to find a source of probably used school lockers and a place for them to be accessible to the homeless community. 2. COMPUTERS In this day and age, internet access is almost a must for job applications and so much more. We would like to encourage a number of social service agencies in the city and county to set up "internet cafes" for clients, especially those who are homeless, to be able to create an email address and use a computer when needed. Let us know if you could help locate a number of lockers or a location for them. This would require a certain amount of oversight, but is it so much to ask? Would the city's Homeless Services office contribute funds or space? Let us know if you know of an agency that would participate in closing the digital gap in our community. The public libraries offer computers to people with cards, but this service has limitations. Disadvantaged people are at even more of a disadvantage by not having online access to look for jobs, resources, medical assistance, housing and so much more. A computer lab or internet cafe in social service agencies could be of major benefit to many people in our community. For more information or to get the ball rolling, send an email to Connie lamkac3@yahoo.com _________________________________________________________ Click here for a list of agencies and organizations that provide meals at various times and days of the week. A PDF can be printed for distribution. Click here for information about changes at the BIDDLE HOUSE OPPORTUNITY CENTER and list of meal locations. Biddle House is no longer providing meals or other services for non-residents. LINKS 2 HEALTH MOBILE UNIT Medical Mobile Unit offering free blood pressure, A1c (diabetes) and BMI screenings. Nurse and social worker on board to refer to community resources and help make medical appointments. Available for walk-ins at 4 metro-link stations from 11:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Thursday: Mondays: Rock Road Metro-link Station in Pagedale Tuesdays: North County Transit Center in Ferguson Wednesdays: North Hanley Transit Center in Berkeley Thursdays: Wellston Transit Center CLICK HERE for a comprehensive series of articles about homelessness published by the Guardian newspaper. FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER AND OTHER HOUSING PROGRAMS: Start the Intake Process in one of these three ways: 1. St. Louis Regional HOUSING HELPLINE 314-802-5444 Shelter Referral Agency Call to start the Intake Process by phone. 2. ST. PATRICK CENTER WELCOME CENTER 800 North Tucker 63101 www.stpatrickcenter.org 314-802-0700 Walk-in hours Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm No appointment necessary. Lunch every day from 12- 12:30 3. BIDDLE HOUSE OPPORTUNITIES CENTER 1212 N 13th St. 63101 314-612-1675 Overnight shelter and day services for men only. Intake for housing services seven days a week 6:30am-7pm. No appointment necessary. This website lists many money-related resources: www.needhelppayingbills.com _______________________________________________________ TIPS FOR JOB SEEKERS. Lots of practical advice. Feel free to print and distribute. The link below will take you to an extensive, co-operative media project concerning homelessness and solutions in the San Francisco area: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/san-francisco-homeless-project-mother-jones Here is a petition that challenges the city's efforts to criminalize the act of providing assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness: https://www.change.org/p/jack-coatar-feeding-the-homeless-should-not-be-illegal-in-st-louis?recruiter=12781528& ____________________________________________________________ HERE is an article that demonstrates that homeless individuals are are more often victims of crime than perpetrators. Investigations are showing that the homeless population is aging. Old and on the Street: The Graying of America’s Homeless READ MORE TIPS FOR JOB SEEKERS: CLICK HERE LIST OF MEAL PROVIDERS: CLICK HERE St. Louis area fails to meet 10-year goal of ending homelessness. Read more. _____________________________________________________________________________ CLICK HERE for a link to HMIS, HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. HMIS is a local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness. Each Continuum of Care is responsible for selecting an HMIS software solution that complies with HUD's data collection, management, and reporting standards. _____________________________________________________________________________ DOCUMENTARY. SEE TRAILER BELOW FOR "Anywhere But Here: A story of loss, survival and the journey home". 42 min. Documentary about Coalition member Steve McMorris. Steve lost his apartment in Belleville, IL before coming to St. Louis for help. We revisit his old place, his place of work at Eckert's Farm Restaurant, where he lived out of his vehicle, where he slept hiding out at night, encounter with police, etc. ___________________________________________________________________________ The METRO ST. LOUIS COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS is working on creative solutions to this complex issue. Join us in our efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families who are living on the brink, instead of in their own homes.
CONTINUUM OF CARE. St. Louis' plan for ending homelessness, listing of members and more. 314-657-1704 1520 Market Street, Room 4062 _________________________________________________________________________________ IDEAS AND STRATEGIES: CLICK HERE to read a summary of many creative, practical suggestions to the issues of homelessness in the St. Louis area. Use the contact page to comment and add your own ideas to the mix. _______________________________________________________________________ The NATIONAL LAW CENTER ON HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY is encouraging every state to pass and support a Homeless Bill of Rights. In Missouri Senate Bill 428 would do just that, but in 2013 it failed to pass and is now considered 'dead.' Read more about the important work that the National Law Center is doing HERE. The Coalition is researching ways to re-introduce this bill in the next legislative session. ______________________________________________________________________________ Here's a link to the ROOM AT THE INN Facebook Page where you'll find out more about this agency's efforts to assist families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Extra shelter beds are provided during the winter months. _________________________________________________________________________________ CLICK HERE for access to a recent URBAN INSTITUTE study that shows that for every 100 low income renters in this country, only 29 affordable housing units are available. ______________________________________________________________________ PROJECTS AND AGENDA OF THE COALITION: *Advocate for shelter, housing, a living wage, and the protection of civil rights. *Work on ways to stop harassment and promote engagement in public places, including libraries and parks. *Start working on providing a Walk-In shelter in St. Louis county *Form a Speakers' Bureau. *Increase Active Regional Membership. *Provide resources for safety on the streets and in shelters. *Explore practical assistance opportunities, such as cell phones, lockers, use of computers, etc. *Create a public awareness campaign. *Research examples of successful projects in other areas. *Meet with Winter Outreach co-ordinators and churches to expand the network of existing efforts. What do YOU Think? JOIN US! ************************************************************************** HOMELESS DEFINED: A person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence and has a primary residency that is 1) a supervised or privately operated shelter, 2) an institution that provides a temporary residence or 3) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular accommodation for human beings. The homeless do not fit one general description. People experiencing homelessness do have shared basic needs, including affordable housing, adequate incomes, and health care. Others need additional services such as mental health and drug treatment in order to remain securely housed. All these need to be met to prevent and end homelessness.
The State of Rhode Island recently passed a Homeless Bill of Rights.
Click HERE for more information. |
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VISIT US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER Need Assistance?
Find resources here: www.startherestl.org ******************************************** ST. LOUIS HOUSING HOTLINE: 314-802-5444 Most shelter and transitional housing programs require intake through the Hotline. ************************************** GUIDE TO SSI AND DISABILITY A comprehensive guide to eligibility as well as the process of applying and receiving benefits. ************************************** SAFE AT HOME: Provides survivors of abuse and threats with a substitute address for IDs, driver licenses, court documents, etc. Requestor must 1) be a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or rape, 2) have recently moved to a safe address, 3) take other steps to protect herself/himself, and 4) be a Missouri resident. www.MoSafeAtHome.com or 1-866-509-1409. *************************************** 7 MYTHS ABOUT HOMELESS PEOPLE DEBUNKED ______________________________________ HERE is a link to an editorial that appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on February 18, 2014, written by members of the Coalition. ************************************************* STREETWISE SAFETY TIPS. CLICK HERE ************************************************* THE SIMPLE DOLLAR A website with MANY resources and tips, including a disability benefits guide and benefit calculator. 
For useful information and many resources, visit
www.thestreetspirit.org AND Western Regional Advocacy Project www.wraphome.org ******************************* ++++++++++++++++++++++
Click HERE for a DIRECTORY OF HOMELESS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. _________________________________ 
The NLCHP provides an abundance of legal advice and resources.
................................................... HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS SENATE BILL 428 creates a Homeless Bill of Rights and prohibits discrimination based on housing status.| Read the wording HERE [Track Bill] On May 31, 2013, Illinois passed a Homeless Bill of Rights. Missouri needs to be next! ********************* Click HERE to learn more about homeless school children in the St. Louis area. |
