ROCK Missions - You Matter!
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It is my pleasure to introduce you to our organization, ROCK Missions.
ROCK Missions started a homeless outreach program in August of 2019. Homeless outreach is an essential step towards meeting people experiencing long-term or multiple episode homelessness and developing the critical relationships necessary for supporting transition to affordable housing and/or needed treatment.
Why are we different? Because what we do is go to where people are comfortable, to where they are right now, because that’s what we find to be most effective. The reason we provide this type of outreach is simple - Waiting for people to come to us didn’t work.
This model highlights three essential aspects of outreach. First, outreach and engagement mean going to where people are, rather than waiting for them to seek services at a specific place. Second, traditional approaches to site-based social services may not be accessible for people who are marginalized, such as homeless individuals and families. Finally, workers/volunteers provide outreach because it is probably most effective.
Currently ROCK Missions goes out on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in Chatham, visiting various locations that are frequented by the homeless. We will continue to expand our outreach as we learn about more locations. We deliver bagged lunches, as well as basic needs such as toiletries, feminine hygiene, Naloxone kits, etc. We also ask our friends if they have any other basic needs such as socks, blankets, etc.
To date we have served over 1000 lunches and the need is growing. We deliver 80-100 lunches each day. We have befriended many, but meet new people each time. Our plan is to extend our outreach to help every day and to other communities within Chatham-Kent.
Some of our success stories include:
· an opioid drug overdose save from using a Narcan kit we handed out
· we were able to get one friend his health card and he is now receiving the care he needs
· finding a permanent home for one of our street friends
We have been welcomed by many community-based organizations in Chatham-Kent, including the Winter Warmup Program run by United Way and we are part of the planning committee for the Indwell project. We are hoping, with this letter of introduction, to welcome you to our team as a support or partner in helping serve our friends. Please reach out if you would like more information, or information on how you can become involved!
ROCK Missions started a homeless outreach program in August of 2019. Homeless outreach is an essential step towards meeting people experiencing long-term or multiple episode homelessness and developing the critical relationships necessary for supporting transition to affordable housing and/or needed treatment.
Why are we different? Because what we do is go to where people are comfortable, to where they are right now, because that’s what we find to be most effective. The reason we provide this type of outreach is simple - Waiting for people to come to us didn’t work.
This model highlights three essential aspects of outreach. First, outreach and engagement mean going to where people are, rather than waiting for them to seek services at a specific place. Second, traditional approaches to site-based social services may not be accessible for people who are marginalized, such as homeless individuals and families. Finally, workers/volunteers provide outreach because it is probably most effective.
Currently ROCK Missions goes out on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in Chatham, visiting various locations that are frequented by the homeless. We will continue to expand our outreach as we learn about more locations. We deliver bagged lunches, as well as basic needs such as toiletries, feminine hygiene, Naloxone kits, etc. We also ask our friends if they have any other basic needs such as socks, blankets, etc.
To date we have served over 1000 lunches and the need is growing. We deliver 80-100 lunches each day. We have befriended many, but meet new people each time. Our plan is to extend our outreach to help every day and to other communities within Chatham-Kent.
Some of our success stories include:
· an opioid drug overdose save from using a Narcan kit we handed out
· we were able to get one friend his health card and he is now receiving the care he needs
· finding a permanent home for one of our street friends
We have been welcomed by many community-based organizations in Chatham-Kent, including the Winter Warmup Program run by United Way and we are part of the planning committee for the Indwell project. We are hoping, with this letter of introduction, to welcome you to our team as a support or partner in helping serve our friends. Please reach out if you would like more information, or information on how you can become involved!
Organizer
ROCK Missions
Organizer
Chatham, ON
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