ImmaCare’s Emergency Shelter closed in July, leaving a number of the agency’s employees without clients to work with on a daily basis. In order to avoid some layoffs, and with the support of our partner, the State Department of Housing, our remaining staff’s job responsibilities and focus were redirected toward supporting Outreach and Diversion, areas of importance that are short-staffed in the Greater Hartford region.

For perspective, in the month of January, the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network (GH-CAN) saw 470 individuals and families experiencing homelessness compared to Fairfield County, who saw 475. Fairfield has 14 Diversion Specialists while Greater Hartford has only four. While Greater Hartford is able to do great work with four dedicated staff members, having more staff makes it possible for more intensive services to be offered.

Diversion and Outreach are the two entry points into the homeless service system; if individuals are having difficulty engaging and entering the system, there is no way for us to help them. Unfortunately, these two points of entry for the Hartford region are understaffed. This factor inspired us to redefine ImmaCare shelter staff duties to fill in the gaps during construction. In addition to our regular year-round Mobile Outreach efforts, our remaining shelter employees are helping those on the street to access services and housing, in addition to providing support in navigating the system and providing basic needs. 

Utilizing staff in these areas offers the opportunity to engage with more clients living outside and provide more basic needs supplies than previously. This increase in engagement translates to an increase in demand of our inventory, meaning that we need your help! Our Amazon Wish List has been updated with nonperishable snacks, personal care products, undergarments, and cold weather accessories. We are looking to you, our valued supporters, to please help us provide the necessary supplies to individuals living in places not meant for human habitation. There are currently 116 street homeless individual men in the Hartford area. In addition to these men, there are women and families who are also supported by our Diversion and Outreach programs. Your Amazon Wish List purchases are delivered directly to our door where we can immediately send them out with our staff to give to those in need. Thank you in advance for helping us help our community members.

Click here to access our Amazon Wish List

Aetna and its employees are long-time supporters of ImmaCare Inc. Making Ends Meet (MEM) is one of their projects that we were recently invited to take part in. This program is an amazing philanthropic effort which provides numerous beneficiaries from a variety of different agencies with monthly grocery donations for an entire year thanks to the generosity of Aetna employees. Employees from across the organization come together to donate wish list items for recipients each month. Participating clients work with their case managers to compile a shopping list of items that they would like, including details and brands if they wish, and then Aetna employees go shopping to fulfill the shopping lists. ImmaCare has three clients who participate this year, one of whom is Kathleen Koller.

A long-time ImmaCare supportive housing client, Kathleen, like many, is doing the best she can, but benefits significantly from a little extra help. Alexis Morales, Kathleen’s case manager for the past three years, describes her as very sweet, humble, and kindhearted; an individual who loves her cat, cooking and helping others.

Kathleen is a very happy person and appreciates all the assistance she receives. When her MEM donations arrive each month, Kathleen is exceedingly grateful and can’t stop saying “Thank you!” She explained to Alexis that by receiving these groceries, she can cut down on traveling to as many food pantries and is able to use her food stamps for other items that she normally can’t afford. Being a part of the Making Ends Meet program makes a huge difference in her life.