Bonterra’s Post

Today is #211Day, and we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible impact of 2-1-1 services in our communities. At HomeAid, we understand the vital role that 2-1-1 plays in connecting individuals and families facing homelessness with the resources they need to get back on their feet. While 9-1-1 is widely known, not everyone is familiar with 2-1-1, the vital service for non-emergency life challenges. Whether it's job loss, illness, or other unforeseen events, 2-1-1 offers support when you're unsure where to turn. From providing information on emergency shelters and housing assistance to connecting individuals with health and human services, 2-1-1 is a lifesaving resource for those in need. Click the link below to learn about eight things you didn’t know about 211 - a critical resource in your community. Let's continue to raise awareness and support this essential service. Click here to read: https://bit.ly/3UvHen9 #211Day #HomeAid #EndHomelessness #HomelessnessAwareness

Thank you National Health Care for the Homeless Council for highlighting the accountability we as leaders, and our organizations as a whole, have when it comes to creating the structures, policies, communication pathways, and organizational cultures that allow “self-care” to occur. Self-care without resources - including time - isn’t possible. Self-care without leadership and org policies protecting your right to engage in what sustains you isn’t safe. Focusing on self-care while evading our responsibility to make that accessible, safe, and available to everyone doing the work not only isn’t helpful, it’s harmful. Research on what drives burnout leaves no doubt that this gaslighting of staff results in burnout and attrition as those who love the work are forced to leave orgs that fail them. How about we collectively agree that organizations must provide staff with information on elements of the work environment ensuring staff’s right to self-care doesn’t risk current harm to them, nor to their professional trajectory? Orgs that fail to do so will be fined a ‘gaslighting penalty,’ which will create a resource pool used by staff in orgs that fail them, ensuring staff members get that self-care they deserve. Can someone make that into a WAC or something?

Housing is healthcare!

Discover how Neighborhood Resilience Project is transforming communities in Pittsburgh. From trauma-informed care to addressing systemic issues, this faith-based initiative is creating real change and healing where it's needed most. Read more about their development program here: https://lnkd.in/eacV9Sxb #CommunityTransformation 

Upward Transitions serves families and individuals who experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing their home, or stranded by providing case management and stabilizing resources to help meet basic social needs. Our ultimate goal is to assist families and individuals during times of financial devastation, so they remain – or can return to being – productive contributors to their community. For more information, go to upwardtransitions.org

Today, Mayor of San Jose, Matt Mahan, paid a visit to HomeFirst's EIH Arena to speak with Eli, a program participant. Eli opened up about his upbringing, and discussed his struggle with homelessness, current stay at Arena, and plans for the future. To learn more about Eli's story, watch out for the forthcoming episode of Mayor Mahan's interview series, "Stories of San Jose." #endhomelessness #storiesofsanjose #bayarea

There are alternatives to arresting people that communities can act on now. Communities that are making progress share key strategies, which include: 🙌 A shared, community-wide definition of what solving homelessness looks like and the belief that it’s possible 🏡 A collaborative, community-wide team that is accountable and working together as a command center 📊 Comprehensive, real-time, by-name data on who is experiencing homelessness to continuously track progress and improve system performance ✊ A racial equity focus to overcome racial disparities 💰 Investments to address a nationwide shortage of safe, deeply affordable homes Learn the facts and stay up to date with the Johnson v. Grants Pass case: https://bit.ly/3xmp8dv

Settled (https://lnkd.in/eWwBVqc4) exists to cultivate home with the homeless, who have experienced a profound and catastrophic loss of family. Through a holistic, research-based response, Settled builds intentional tiny home communities on underutilized church land called Sacred Settlements, where they develop the ethos that shapes the Settled culture. Sacred Settlements are an innovative, research-based way to address long-term homelessness by developing holistic tiny home communities in cooperation with a faith community. Each resident has his or her own tiny home, placed alongside others on the underutilized land of religious institutions. These settlements are designed to foster community through regular interactions with others and working with the broader community to live a lifestyle of service. Settled was birthed out of Founder & CEO Gabrielle Clowdus doctoral research on chronic homelessness and affordable housing, where she discovered the critical response is enduring relationships. She lives at the Settled homestead in Minnesota with her husband and their four daughters, where they practice standing at the crossroads, looking, and asking for the ancient paths. We’re interested in ventures, like Settled, taking non-traditional approaches to these massive issues—including but not limited to areas like technology, materials, supply chain, governance, and business and incentive models. (Related ORI: Interventions & Imagination in Global Shelter: https://lnkd.in/e_SsK_sZ)

It’s a different journey. The causes, experiences, and outcomes of homelessness that occurs later in life are much different than those experienced by younger adults. And there is no one-size-fits-all solution to helping older adults find a path back to stable lives. Those who come to Renewal House are, almost always, homeless for the first time in their lives – in their late 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and, yes, sometimes in their 80’s. They have sustained themselves and, often, their families for many years. Until they couldn’t. Residents come to Renewal House because they have been separated from their natural support systems – family, friends, community connections – often because of a family separation, loss of job, or a prolonged health issue. Whatever the reason, Renewal House provides connections to the support resources needed to heal and restore independence. Your support provides the resources, residents do the hard work of rebuilding their lives. It’s a combination that works!

Unveiling the hidden face of homelessness: it's not just a stereotype, it's a harsh reality for countless Americans living on the edge. Rising rent, limited housing, and youth aging out of foster care leave many vulnerable. This episode on The Nick Halaris Show sheds light on these stories. Tune in, broaden your understanding, and join us in taking action. https://ow.ly/RyLq50Q2M3E