Newsletter
Updates from June and July 2018
A monthly newsletter summarizing the efforts of the Network for Homeless Solutions, a collaboration comprised of city staff, volunteers, community churches and nonprofit and private organizations to address homelessness in Costa Mesa.
LATEST NEWS
Westside works together to
address homeless problem
NHS staff was contacted by condominium owners at 401 Bernard Street regarding trash and debris left by individuals loitering on a neighboring parking structure as well as common areas in the complex. 

Staff assembled a meeting between public safety, code enforcement and the property owners to discuss solutions based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.


Examples of solutions include: capping off outlets and water sources and increased security measures during high impact hours. 

Both property owners and managers are now working together to address vagrancy and property security.
Community volunteer goes the extra mile
Last year, outreach came upon an elderly gentleman requesting assistance in the park. Outreach built a relationship with him and learned that he had a son who was also experiencing homelessness.

Outreach worked with the son (client), linking him to several mental health facilities. In order to be successful this client required individualized attention and support, so outreach collaborated with Larry, a community volunteer.

Larry worked one-on-one with the client; locating him daily and assisting with free community-based resources and transportation to mental health appointments.

Larry placed the client in a motel for a couple of weeks while he tirelessly made calls to locate group homes with vacancy. Larry drove the client to the group home, purchased a small refrigerator for his room and an iPad, knowing that music and movies helped him calm down.

The client is now learning how to interact with people, how to take showers every day and how to be helpful around the home. Larry not only takes care of the client, but he also helps the group home with different tasks and brings coffee to the residents. 
July's Housing Placement Locations

A total of 21 homeless individuals were housed this month. This number reflects people placed in outreach housing, temporary and emergency housing.

Below is a breakdown of the numbers:
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OUTREACH
June and July Housing actions
June and July Outreach Actions
LINKAGES
June and July linkages
Linkage Transportation (June)
Linkage Transportation
(July)
Linkage Mental Health
(June)
Linkage Mental Health
(July)
Linkage Social Services
(June)
Linkage Social Services
(July)
Linkage Collaborative Case Management
(June)
Linkage Collaborative Case Management
(July)
Linkage Documentation and House Recovery Resources
(June)
Linkage Documentation and House Recovery Resources
(July)
Linkage Reconnections
(June)
Linkage Reconnections
(July)
Linkage Job Connection
(June)
Linkage Job Connection
(July)
Linkage Substance Abuse
(June and July)
Linkage Medical
(June)
Linkage Field Support
(June)
Linkage Housing
(June)
Linkage Medical
(June)
Linkage Field Support
(July)
Linkage Housing
(July)
CODE ENFORCEMENT
June and July code enforcement actions
VOLUNTEER AND PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS
Orange County Behavioral Health
Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) 
  • 35.58 total hours of service 
  • 21 contacts made with private residents
  • One contact made with homeless residents 
  • 15 legal hold/evaluation
  • Five linkages to other services
  • 0 hospitalized
Orange County Behavioral Health
Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) 
  • 17 total hours of service 
  • 13 contacts made with private residents
  • Four contacts made with homeless residents 
  • Eight legal hold/evaluation
  • 0 linkages to other services
  • Four hospitalized
Outreach and Engagement Linkages and Services
May 2018
Outreach and Engagement Linkages and Services
June 2018
  • Two out-of-state reconnections made.
  • Processing two homeless individuals with pending recconections to out-of-state hometowns.
  • Assisted two homeless individuals gain employment and another with a job interview. Trellis is also partnering with a local start-up jewelry company that will employ and train homeless individuals.
  • Trellis performed six separate deliveries of home furnishings to housed homeless individuals.
  • Delivered furnishings to four homes for families and individuals recovering from homelessness.
  • A total of 15 projects were completed by the community impact team. Projects included: cleaning, furniture deliveries, and providing general support for the day-to-day activities.

The Check in Center:   40 volunteers from 11 different churches help fill 144 slots each month totaling roughly 220 hours a month .
               Mornings:
                               Mon. – Fri. 6 - 7:30 a.m.         2-3 volunteers
                               Sat. – 7- 10 a.m.                 2-3 volunteers
 
               Evenings:
                               Mon. – Thur. 6:30 - 8 p.m.   2-3 volunteers
                               Fri. – Sat. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.       2-3 volunteers
 
Saturday Morning L.O.T.S. (Life on the Streets): Showers, laundry and breakfast 
7:30 – 11:00 a.m. Includes 10 -15 volunteers on average each week, varying from 16 churches equaling roughly 170 hours a month .
 
LOTS Community Impact Team: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon eight to 10 volunteers from five different churches serve to make this happen each Saturday.  
40 hours a month.
               
Most of these volunteers meet each Thursday from 3:30 – 5 p.m. to develop and fine tune this program. 60 hours a month.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Volunteers needed at The Check in Center
The Check in Center is a storage facility for our neighbors who are homeless to keep their belongings in a safe and secure place. This allows clients to go on job interviews, medical and social services appointments. Our homeless friends are also relieved of the physical burden of carrying all their belongings on their back or alternatively stashing everything in the parks and neighborhoods.

Volunteers at the CIC typically help clients retrieve and store their items through checking client bins in and out and according to special procedures. In addition, there's time to get to know the clients better, especially those who are regulars.

All volunteers are partnered with an experienced lead volunteer to give direction and guidance.

New volunteers will also receive a folder containing Oath For Compassionate Service, Professional Boundaries and Handling Conflict and CIC  Pointers for working with the homeless to aid in understanding proper and effective methods of dealing with the complicated issue of homelessness.

Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of two shifts per month in order to develop collective relationship-building, a key factor in ending homelessness.

The CIC is located at the lowest level of the parking structure at the Crossing Church 2115 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa.

Hours of Operations             
Mon-Fri   6:00-7:30 a.m.        
Mon-Thur  6:30-8:00 p.m.
Sat       7:00-10:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat    6:30-7:30 p.m.    
On Sundays, it is closed .
 
Contact: Robert Morse :  santabob@wearetrellis.com  or call 949-205-3583
Trellis
Mentors are needed!

Trellis Community Impact Team – Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
LOTS
The Crossing Church
 Saturday Morning LOTS: Showers, laundry and breakfast 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. For further information, contact  Ian@wearetrellis.com