August 2012 - Boulder Shelter for the Homeless

Newsletter of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless • August 2012
4 8 6 9 N o r t h B r o a d wa y, B o u l d e r, CO 8 0 3 0 4 • 3 0 3 - 4 4 2 - 4 6 4 6 • w w w. b o u l d e r s h e l t e r. o rg
Friends like you.
It’s easy to celebrate the large accomplishments
of our clients and residents, like landing a job, or
moving into independent housing. But here at
the Boulder Shelter we put a special emphasis on
the small celebrations. And every time a man or
woman has a breakthrough we think of you, our
supporters. Without you, the Boulder Shelter for
the Homeless could not exist.
Whether you give $5 a month, volunteer a few
hours a week, or gave a major gift this year, friends
like you mean the world to us. And it’s important
for the men and women we help to know that
they have people like you on their side — people
who don’t even know them, but care about their
safety and wellbeing. It’s this support that keeps
all of our spirits high and helps them take the courageous steps toward a life of self-sufficiency.
As donors, volunteers, and champions, your gifts
are investments in our work and they enable us to
plan our spending and to respond with innovative
programs that go beyond emergency shelter and
help break the cycle of homelessness for good.
We’re more grateful than ever to
have friends like you by our side.
Thank you
thank you!
Thank you
And though we keep a keen eye on the big picture, we know that it’s often the small accomplishments that have the biggest impact. Thank you for
making these moments possible.
David & Karen
Jaeger donated
a sporting goods
gift card to the
Housing First
program. Because you are at the heart of the Boulder
Shelter, in one way or another you play a vital part
in all that follows in this newsletter. Here’s what
else is going on at the Shelter right now ...
Kerry
Lightenburger
donated a bus pass for Shelter
use. This summer, the Shelter is open for
clients enrolled in, or on the wait
list for, our Transition Program.
The Transition Program provides a
structured environment in which
men and women take positive
steps to regain self-sufficiency and
independent housing. The program
provides sheltering by contract
and in-depth case management to
homeless men and women who are sober,
working, looking for employment, or receiving
disability income. This program runs year- round.
Additionally, the Shelter is open every morning this
summer to anyone in need to provide a hot breakfast,
mail service, showers, and access to laundry facilities,
mail, and phone messages.
In March of 2012, Boulder Housing
Partners (BHP), the Shelter’s longtime partner in providing housing
for the homeless, received great
news. The Veterans’ Administration
(VA) and the department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) awarded Boulder County
25 VASH vouchers. VASH stands for Veterans Affairs
Supportive Housing and is a joint program between the VA and HUD to assist in getting all homeless veterans
off the streets. These 25 housing vouchers will allow disabled homeless vets in Boulder County to receive
reduced rent housing in perpetuity. The Shelter is helping to get the vouchers distributed. In addition, the VA
will also provide a full-time case manager to support the participants in the program. While the VASH program
has been around for several years, this is the first time Boulder County has received an allotment.
Friends continues on page 3
Matthew Hauser asked that
donations be made to the
Shelter in lieu of receiving
birthday presents. Mallory Bednorz and the
Broadway Animal Hospital
donated blankets, towels, and
food to the Shelter. Andi Jason and Kidz Art
donated coffee mugs to the
Shelter. Broomfield High School
donated hats and scarves to the
Shelter through ‘Crocheting for
a Cause’.
Susan Chunn donated a new
microwave to the Shelter. Boulder Sports Recycler
continues to donate jackets,
shoes, boots, and outdoor
equipment. Through its Community Ticket
Program, the Colorado Rockies
Baseball Organization
continues to donate tickets to
this season’s baseball games for
Shelter clients. The National Honor Society
at Fairview High School
awarded the Shelter a financial
contribution in honor of the
Shelter’s excellent work in the
community. ■
B oard
of
D irectors
Ardie Sehulster, President
Retired HUD Official
Mark Goosman,Vice-President
Senior Product Marketing
Manager, Spatial Corp.
Matt Roan,Treasurer
First Western Trust Bank
Darrell Billington,
Secretary/Recorder
Secondary Educator,
Fairview High School
Ruth Cornfeld Becker
Attorney
Jack Gipple
Psychotherapist
Tom Hagerty
Retired City of Boulder
Deputy Finance Director
Betty Hoye
CPA and Realtor
Jeff Kahn
Attorney
Jim Peters
Vice President,
Boulder Community Hospital
Kathy Reims, MD
Chief Medical Officer,
Center for Strategic Innovation
Scott Robbins
Housing Consultant
Administrative Staff
Director’s Dialogue
It’s Tuesday morning at 9:30. I am sitting in the basement conference room
at the Shelter with about 30 Shelter program staff. We do this every week.
Everyone is arranged in a large
guidelines, there are often extenuating circumcircle, and for the next 90 minstances or areas of ambiguity that require staff diautes we will discuss Shelter
logue (I recall a discussion about a resident who
policy and procedures, conduct
threw a bagel at another resident. There was some
trainings, and hear from colstaff discourse regarding the potential danger of a
laborating agencies. But mostly, we will talk about
fresh bagel vs. a stale bagel as a projectile). All seriShelter residents. Who is doing well and is ready
ous rule infractions at the Shelter are adjudicated
to be admitted into the Shelter’s
in this manner. The final deciTransition Program or move into
sion in this towel throwing case
independent living, and who is
ultimately resulted in Julie being
not doing so well. Those who are
There was some staff banned from Shelter services for
not doing so well are often resi90 days. In addition, she must
dents who have violated one of
meet with a Shelter manager to
discourse regarding
the Shelter’s rules. These rules are
discuss the incident before again
the potential danger being eligible for services.
in place to support the Shelter’s
mission of offering a safe environof a fresh bagel vs. a I have sat through hundreds of
ment for everyone and to uphold
these discussions over the years
the Shelter’s core value of Treating stale bagel.
and I am consistently amazed by
All with Dignity.
the wisdom and empathy disToday’s meeting includes a discusplayed by the Shelter staff; a group
sion about a resident — let’s call
of people who have dedicated
her Julie — who became angry and threw a towel
part of their lives to helping those less fortunate.
at a staff member. Any form of violence, or even
And to struggle daily with what it really means to
the threat of violence, is taken very seriously at
Treat All with Dignity.
the Shelter. Julie’s behavior was clearly unacceptable and the Shelter staff will debate the appropriate consequence for this violation of the rules.
Greg Harms, Executive Director
Although the Shelter has written consequence
Greg Harms
Executive Director
Michael Block
Director, Programs
The Shelter’s
Core Values are:
Travis Railey
Director,
Development & Marketing
Mike Rauer
Director, Facilities
Wayne Agraz
Controller
Gina M. Barajas
Manager, Volunteers
Stephen Milburn
Manager, Boulder County Cares
Manager, Transitional Housing
Support the Boulder Shelter on
Colorado Gives Day, 12/4/2012.
Visit coloradogivesday.org
for more information.
• Treat all with dignity
• Offer support and opportunity
• Achieve results through
competence and creativity
• Practice responsible stewardship
Janet Walker Ready
Manager, Housing First
Caroline Goosman
Manager, Donor Outreach
& Events
Kelli Murphy
Manager, Grants
Sarah Haas
Manager, Kitchen
page
2
29years
of service in our community.
The mission of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless is to
provide safe shelter, food, support services, and an avenue
to self-sufficiency for homeless adults in our community.
Under Our Roof
Friends continued from cover
When you see the homeless in our community, it’s estimated that at least 20 percent are
military vets. Working together to end veteran homelessness in Boulder, BHP and the Shelter are
excited to have this new resource available for those who served our country in military service.
The Neighborhood Shelter Action Group (NSAG) was reconstituted
in early 2012. The NSAG was created as part of the City of Boulder’s
approval of the new Shelter facility at 4869 Broadway back in 2002.
This standing Shelter Board committee serves as the primary vehicle for
ongoing neighborhood/Shelter communications. This group includes
Shelter Board members, Shelter staff, and representatives from the
surrounding neighborhoods. The group has maximum of (10) members and
meets at the request of either the Shelter or the neighborhood representatives.
The purpose of this committee is to offer recommendations to the Shelter Board and/or to the
neighborhood associations on how either can become better neighbors, and develop options
for engaging the neighborhood in Shelter activities, and, if necessary, Shelter neighborhood
dispute resolution.
The NSAG met regularly in 2002 and 2003 as the Shelter was settling in to its new home.
Meetings of the group became less frequent as there were few issues to discuss. In 2011,
however, with the proposal of the 1175 Lee Hill apartment building, new concerns about the
homeless population in north Boulder came to light. The NSAG was reconstituted with the
following members:
John Hinkelman: johnhinkelman@comcast.net • Ronnie Pelusio: Ronnie@Pel-Ona.
com • Frank Bruno: fbruno@westerndisposal.com • Beth Silverman: Beth.Silverman@
mockpropertymanagement.com • Jeff Hoffmeyer: jeffhoffmeyer@me.com • Mark Cervelli:
markcerv@aol.com • Kathy Dessau: KLIDessau@gmail.com • Mark Goosman (Shelter board
member): m.goosman@comcast.net • Jack Gipple (Shelter board member): JackGip@gmail.
com • Greg Harms: greg@bouldershelter.org
The Boulder City Council voted to officially support the Lee Hill
supportive housing project at their April 17, 2012 meeting. This
was a significant step in making the 31-unit apartment building for
the chronically homeless a reality. Much work still needs to be done
and the Shelter’s partner in the project, Boulder Housing Partners,
is working closely with the community to create the operational
plan for the facility. BHP and the Shelter are also ramping up efforts to
secure all the necessary funding for the project.
The Shelter would like to thank those who supported the project during the public phase of
the development. And we would also like to thank those who respectfully and civilly expressed
their concerns about the facility. We are confident that the public process for this project will
lead to a building that will well serve the homeless and be an asset for the local neighborhood.
Street Fare is the Boulder Shelter supportive
employment bakery, run out of the Shelter’s
kitchen, which specializes in miniature cupcakes.
Street Fare employs those for whom typical
employment is difficult or impossible to attain,
namely clients in Housing First and those in the
Shelter’s Transition Program who are working with
case managers to transition into independent housing. Many of these clients are considered legally
disabled; Street Fare not only offers a source of income for them, but also a productive activity
that positively impacts the organization of which they are a part and the community in which
they live. Look for the Street Fare booth at the Boulder, Longmont, and Louisville markets all
summer. For more information, visit www.bouldershelter.org/streetfare.about.html
August 2012
“You left a phone
message thanking
us for an end-ofyear donation we
had made to the
Shelter. I learned
recently that a
friend of mine
from school
has been utilizing your
services. My husband
and I have always tried
to help those in need
when we can. However,
homelessness and
hunger take on a
different meaning
when attached to a
face that you recognize
and care about. I am
simply writing to thank
you and your team for
the caring service you
provide to my friend
and others in need in
Boulder.”
—Shelter donor
Our summer residents, who are in our
Transition Program, have begun a
constructive cycle of rebuilding their lives,
where, for many of them, success leads to
success.
The Transition Program has graduated over
740 men and women into stable housing
since its inception in 1996.
page
3
[ refuge and safety ]
volunteer
profile ::
Doug Schuster
What is your occupation? I’m a
Data Engineer at National Center for
Atmospheric Research.
What activities have you participat-
ed in as a Shelter volunteer? At the Shelter, I’ve been a summer dinner volunteer, winter resident storage volunteer, and winter dorm supply volunteer.
Why do you volunteer? I volunteer with the hope of making a resident’s
night at the Shelter a bit more comfortable — so that it can be a place of
refuge and safety at the end of their day. I also volunteer to help Shelter staff
to focus their energy on engaging the residents directly, instead of spending
time on other tasks. I feel blessed to have always enjoyed having a home of
my own, and want to help out those who are experiencing difficult challenges in their current life space.
“The beauty and depth of the Shelter is in
its recognition that the things that lead
to homelessness are unbelievably hard
to overcome. While we understand and
accept the fragile nature of their existence,
we can also be a conduit
for stability for the homeless men
and women who want to make an effort.
People fail. And people are accountable.
But somebody has to be there for the
second or third chance. The Shelter is here.”
—from conversation at a Shelter staff meeting.
OUR
VOLUNTEERS
Making a difference in so many ways, you are!
On behalf of the staff and residents at the Boulder Shelter, thank you
very much for your volunteer service during the 2011-12 Winter Sheltering season. The Shelter is only able to fulfill its mission because
of your assistance and dedication. You help make it possible for the
Shelter to provide services to more than 1,000 homeless individuals each year, including cooking and serving approximately 85,000
meals. Thank you for your time, energy, and compassion!
Breakfast volunteers: Jewish Renewal, Har HaShem, Bonai Shalom,
Philip Lenzini, Annie Wills, Jeff Hoffmeyer, Julia Guarino, Jill & Jordan
Grano, Phil Locker, Janessa Berggren, Matt Dew, Jim Carlson, Win
Franklin, Ray Toves, Ginny & Peter Strange, Employees of Northrop
Grumman, Jay Millard, Girish Mahadevan, Mark Biggers, Jeff Malin,
Ellen MacDonald, Mary Ruskusky,
Scott Brasington, Charles Partee,
Kim Schafer, St. Tom’s University
and Fairview Student Council.
Dinner volunteers: St. Ambrose
Episcopal, Mountainview United
Methodist, Four Suns, Happy
Thursday Community Bike Ride,
Mark Biggers & Friends, 7th Day
Adventist Church Group, Boulder
Valley Unitarian Fellowship, Carriage Hills Neighbors, Friends of
the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran
Church, Joy Weinstein & Friends,
Deborah Davis, Bella Hoelzeman,
Karen Johnson, Dr. Bob Murphy &
Family, First Trust Western Bank,
Mother’s Kitchen, Garson deCastro and Friends, Shelter Board,
Niwot United Methodist Church, Sai Baba Group, St. Thomas Aquinas,
Allen Family & Friends, Mennonite Church Group, Mary Ann TomaskoPerry & Friends, Christ the Servant, Westview Presbyterian Church,
Friends of Bethel, Sikh Spaghetti Night, Boulder Meeting of Friends,
and Harsh Reddy & Friends.
Dorm Supply volunteers: Chris Blach, Dawn Nguyen, Scott Van
Nostrand, Elisabeth Hyde, Sherry Young, Rich Hall, Maria Harper,
Marcia Forman, Leah Widmer, Paul Hancock, Elizabeth Treister, Kady
O’ffen, Kimberly Hughes-Walker, Austin Drury, Pat Wetherbee, Sydney
Mandel, Kathleen Kelley, Doug Schuster, Marc Weaver, Zach Nelson,
Lisa Egger, Peggy Stephen, Tiffany Stamas, Bev “Lola” Nelson, Kenneth
Rowe, Chanah Gallagher, Amy & Aidan Smith, Philip & Rosa Lawrence,
Ardie Sehulster, Gene Tidball, Sharon Jewell, Eliana Berlfein, Kailey
O’Connell, and Joe Torres.
Linens volunteers: Bettina Straub, Christie Lambert, Corbin Stafford,
Tricia LeJeune, Jim Scott, Bella Hoelezeman, Paul Hancock, Blaine
Wajdowicz, Alex Bak and John Gaipa.
Program Staff volunteer: Daniel Sharkey
Staff Assistant volunteers: Tarryn Jamison, Katina Dukellis, Maria
Harper, Kenneth Phillips, Kyle Schreuder, Francine Myers, Justin
Czyszczewski,
Jennifer Hotka,
Lauren Jones, Anne
Brooks, and Kailey
O’Connell.
Vol. Kitchen
Leads: Sandi Denton, Mark Biggers,
Jon & Deborah Davis, Jeff Malin, Bella
Hoelzeman, and
Anna Schubert.
Shelter staff flexes some muscle at the Shelter volunteer
appreciation party, held at the Avery Brewing barrel room in May.
page
4
Under Our Roof
[ give hope ]
getting to know ::
Michael Block,
Director of Programs
Why do you work at the Shelter? It is a privilege
to have the opportunity to have a positive effect
on those who have suffered so greatly yet are so
often considered an afterthought. For years, while in the private sector, I knew and planned for the
right time to arrive, change my career and do something more authentic. I was always interested in
human nature and the human condition, but maybe I never realized how much. When the time finally
did arrive I was volunteering at the Shelter and, as these things often happen, I ended up taking a job
assisting the manager of Boulder County Cares and pulling a shift on the Shelter floor one night a
week. That was five years ago and it is hard to believe how dumb lucky I was to find the Shelter and
the homeless community it serves. I am continually amazed how this organization responsibly and diligently faces the dilemma of how to best help address such a complicated problem like homelessness
while being mindful of words like dignity and compassion and the complexity they hold. It is a wonderful place to work and an inspiring yet challenging population to try and assist.
What are your daily responsibilities? To support the program supervisors, managers, and staff and
make sure they have the tools and support to do their jobs every day.
More than
15,000
companies
match gifts...
Does yours?
Please contact your
human resources
office. It’s quick, easy
and can double your
gift to the Shelter!
What exceptional challenges and opportunities have you discovered in your work here? The
never ending challenge and opportunity here are really one in the same; the continual struggle to
give our residents hope in the face of sometimes unimaginable suffering and trauma, to ask them to
keep on fighting, to accept the agonizing pace of change, to recognize the difference between battles
and wars, that the only way to make something different is to do things differently, to embrace their
strengths and to trust that help comes to those who help themselves.
What do you like to do for fun? Being a father and being outdoors.
In May, the Fifth Grade class
at Heatherwood Elementary
brought donations of food,
blankets, coats and socks to
the Shelter as one of their 32
Acts of Kindness. According
to their teacher, a parent
reported that when her son
was climbing into bed later
that night he said, “I’m glad
I have a bed to sleep in.”
Thanks, kids, for your kindness and generosity.
Meet us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/
thebouldershelter
Follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/
bouldershelter
www.
bouldershelter
The Spirit of the Community Awards are presented annually by Foothills United Way to
.org
individuals, partnerships, and companies who set the standard for philanthropic spirit or community service, and exemplify the idea of Living United. In June, the Boulder Shelter and Boulder Housing Partners
were awarded the 2012 Spirit of the Community Award for partnerships, specifically for their collaboration on the Boulder County Housing First program.
As the name implies, Housing First offers permanent housing, with intense case management, to chronically homeless individuals as their first step toward stability. What differentiates a Housing First model
from traditional emergency sheltering or transitional housing models is the immediate
and primary focus on helping homeless people quickly access and then sustain housing – put simply, housing comes first, then services. Boulder Shelter case managers
work with these clients to both achieve and maintain housing.
Greg Harms and Betsey Martens, Executive Director, Boulder Housing Partners, accept the Spirit of the Community
Award for Partnership for the Boulder County Housing First Program.
August 2012
page
5
THANK YOU
Sponsors and Golfers of the 18th Annual Boulder Shelter Golf Classic
The Ranch Country Club • May 15, 2012
You made a difference!
TITLE SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS Pasta Jays, EVOL Burritos, Deuce Entertainment, Mountain Streaming
SILVER SPONSORS Flatirons Radiology, First Western Bank Trust
BRONZE SPONSORS Boulder County Seriff Department, Boulder Police Department,
Colorado Business Bank, Hoffbrau Colorado, Merial–Animal Clinic North
EAGLE SPONSORS Edward Jones–Tom Stenz, Kelmeg & Associates, Lanx
BIRDIE SPONSORS Barnsley Tire Co., Christ the Servent Lutheran Church–Louisville
OTHER SPONSORS and GENEROUS DONORS Fisher Honda, Greenbriar, Pollard Friendly Motor, Flatirons Athletic Club,
Perea, Inc., Puddle Car Wash, Goodson Insurance Brokerage Services, Boulder Wine Merchant, Thule, 1st Bank Center, Golf
Galaxy, Ten20, Whole Foods, Pompadours, Natural Grocers, Pangea Organics, Gordon Biersch, Lake Valley Golf Club, Daily
Camera, Westin, McGuckins, T Lazy 7 Ranch–Aspen, Denver Art Museum, MudBugCo Fish Acquisitions, Denver Museum of
Nature and Science, University of Colorado Football, City of Boulder Parks and Recreation, Denver Broncos, Libbey Glass,
Mile-Hi Skydiving Center, Bean & Berry THANK YOU ALL!
Address Service Requested
4869 North Broadway
Boulder, CO 80304
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