Partnering for Progress: Young Adult Mentoring ProgramRoughly one year ago, when the Pacifi c House Young Adult Program was just starting, members of the Christ Church Greenwich Outreach Committee began speaking with the leadership of Pacifi c House about how members of the church might assist with Pacifi c House programs.

“Christ Church Greenwich has provided fi nancial support to Pacifi c House since the early 1990s, and we care deeply about this organization. We were looking for a way to deepen our engagement, so we met with them to understand their needs and fi nd ways to plug into their programs,” said Randy Wolf, co-chair of the committee.

The outgrowth of those conversations was the creation of a mentoring program for clients in the Pacifi c House Young Adult Program. The concept is simple: mentors and clients are paired and meet weekly. Skill sets of mentors are matched to client needs where possible, but Wolf explains that the mentor program is a group effort.

“We play team ball on this. There are seven people at the church who are part of the team. We’ve got access to people with deep experience in social services, professional recruiting, legal services and so on, and we take on challenges as they come,” he said. “We play a role of a combination of school counselor, case manager and guiding parent.”A handful of Pacifi c House clients have participated in the mentoring program so far. Each client comes with their own set of needs and experiences, and the spectrum is wide.

“We are grateful to Christ Church for their willingness to help these young men,” said Rafael Pagan, Jr., Pacifi c House Executive Director. “The mentoring program extends the effectiveness of the work Pacifi c House does to fi nd them, and get them housing and

“We are grateful to Christ Church for their willingness

Join us at the 10th Annual Close to Home Dessert Tasting and Youth Concert event on Friday, February 23rd

with performances by Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice”Visit Pacifi cHouse.org/CloseToHome to get your tickets today!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Your Support Makes a Difference

Pacifi c House NEWSLETTER

W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

Young Adult Mentoring Program

Close To Home Event on February 23rd

Donor Profi le: Rob Morris Meet Our Housing Program Coordinator

(continued on page 2)

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the resources they need. The mentoring relationship strengthens and lengthens the support process.”

“We’re trying to fi nd that connection between passions in the pew with the needs of the community. We’re very anxious to help Pacifi c House grow their program and help them achieve their goals,” said Wolf. “We want to help them succeed.”

An Interview with Miriam Pacheco, Pacifi c House Housing Program Coordinator

As the Pacifi c House Housing Program Coordinator, Miriam Pacheco helps individuals and families fi nd housing. Working through a collaborative process with other agencies, Miriam matches clients to housing

units that are appropriate and within their means.

In order to be placed, clients must fi rst be ‘document ready.’ This means they must have their forms

in order, from a homelessness timeline and verifi cation of homelessness, to an appropriate means of identifi cation, to a verifi cation of disability. It’s a time consuming process, but Miriam knows this information is critical.

“I’m a stickler about details. I was promoted into this position on my vetting skills. Things have to be in order because if the paperwork is rejected, the client loses the opportunity to enter housing.”

Once approved, paperwork is fi led, a homeless survey is completed and information is entered into the system, creating a homelessness score ranging from zero to eight. Scores indicate the individual’s degree of “vulnerability” and the associated severity of the need for housing interventions and the level of

case management support to be recommended. Names and scores are placed on a list used at bi-monthly ‘matching meetings’ where people are matched to available housing. At the time of this article, there were approximately 50 names on the list, and about 2 or 3 units become available during the matching meetings each week.

The process is lengthy, but it works. In the past 12 months 90 people have been placed into housing, and mostly all have remained successfully housed.

“They must be able to sustain their housing because we don’t want to see them return to shelter,” said Miriam. “We’re passionate about our clients successfully entering and maintaining housing, so we carefully look at their income and work to match them to an affordable rental.”

Miriam works to identify landlords that will provide units, explaining that Shelter Plus Care vouchers, plus other subsidies that become available, can often pay the majority of rental costs. Still, it’s a hard sell.

“Landlords are skittish. They want to know, ‘will I be supported? Who do I call?’ Pacifi c House really comes in with that support,” said Miriam. In Stamford, so far only two landlords provide units – just three apartments between them both. Miriam is working hard to fi nd more.

Great care is taken to provide support services that serve to prevent recidivism and help clients thrive in their new homes. “I started my career at Pacifi c House as a volunteer when I was working at GTE Corporation, and over the years I’ve held many positions. Working as the Program Housing Coordinator has been extremely gratifying. It’s tough because we have many more people that need housing, but there’s nothing like fi nding someone a place to live, knowing that you’re helping them return to stability.”

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(Partnering for Progress: continued)

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Client Story: DeShawnWhen housing became available for DeShawn’s older sister, there was only space for one other person. So at age 23, DeShawn told his mom to go live with her, and he became homeless. DeShawn turned to his church for help, and his pastor connected him with Pacifi c House. He went to the shelter the same day.

“Coming to Pacifi c House was a very emotional day, it was my fi rst experience with a shelter, and I didn’t know what to expect,” said DeShawn. “It was a tense fi rst couple of weeks. Its small quarters with lockers right next to each other, I was in defense mode.”

As DeShawn settled into the Pacifi c House Young Adult Program he connected with a mentor from Christ Church Greenwich. With the guidance of his mentor Dan, who has 20 years of experience in recruiting, DeShawn polished his resume. Today he is working with a package delivery service on a temporary basis.

With a job in hand, Dan’s advice continued. “I told him to make sure you’re on time, take extra shifts if there are any available, work hard so if there’s an opening for full-time employment, they’ll think of you,” said Dan.

The two meet weekly to talk. “I’m not a social worker, or a psychologist, but I’ve had success in my life, and I’m willing to help,” said Dan. “I listen to him, and provide another voice to recommend what to do. As mentors we provide another voice that provides support.”

“Dan’s been a great help,” said DeShawn, who sees his goals coming to fruition. “This became my fresh start, this is my reset button. I got my license, I have a job, I work with my mentor and case manager, and

Pacifi c House is working on getting me housing. I want to make this job permanent and get my commercial driver license license so I can drive the trucks and be a positive role model for my family. I had fi nished three years of college before I had to move, I am determined to go back and get my degree.”

“Going into this I thought I would be paired with someone who needs a lot of help, and DeShawn doesn’t, he just needs a break” said Dan. “He’s someone who I think with a little bit of luck would be incredibly successful.”

Serving Up A Smile

Earlier this year the Foster family served a meal at the shelter. “This is the second time our family has done it, and we think it’s a great thing to do,” said Jennifer Foster. “It’s good for our boys to understand that there are people in need, and that this is a great organization that provides warmth, shelter and food. We like the moment of silence before the meal, and the men are always so grateful – our boys always comment to me about that.”

At fi rst, Will, Henry and friend Max did not want to wear the required hair nets, but after a great experience serving the men, they wore them out to their car! Thank you all for volunteering at Pacifi c House, we’re grateful for your service.

Left to right: Jennifer, Will and Graham Foster, Max Sharp and Henry Foster

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The Pacifi c House Young Adult Program Celebrates Its One-Year MarkKey Learnings: We learned that there is no lack of demand for this program. At the time of this writing we are at capacity, all beds are full. We’ve also come to learn that we must take on the role of helping with rites of passage, and while it is great to see three of our clients go to college, we realize we can’t just say good luck and wave goodbye. To be effective, we must continue our support for at least 6 months to one year.

Process Improvements. “By working with the Coordinated Access Network (CAN), we can identify and contact all homeless young adults in Fairfi eld County,” said Rob Lockhart, Pacifi c House Director of Program Services. “When people are experiencing homelessness they call 2-1-1 for help, and their information is captured in CAN. The process identifi es homeless young adults so we can let them know about our program and encourage them to come in.”

Community Partnerships. Several individuals and organizations have stepped forward to assist with the program. A donor provided funds for furniture, the Andrew Rinaldi Memorial Fund supports recreation for program participants. Christ Church Greenwich provides mentoring assistance, and many others have provided gifts and grants to help this program succeed.

Results. Forty homeless young adults have been helped in just one year. Of those 40, three have transitioned from living on the streets to thriving in college, four have enrolled in a GED program, seven have been discharged to stable housing, 12 have obtained employment, and 14 are ‘document-ready’ for housing openings.

Placing 10 people into housing and college will save the community $500,000 this year alone.

“This young adult program is critical,” said Lockhart. “If we can get people on their feet and become independent, we’re actually helping generations of people to avoid homelessness.”

Donor Profi le: Rob Morris, Managing Partner of Olympus Partners Rob Morris fi rst learned about Pacifi c House from his neighbors, Joan and Frank Connor, who were very active in the organization. “Joan mentioned it when I was over one day, and I started to help out,” said Rob.

Over time, the Connors aged, and Frank passed away. “I noticed that Joan was stepping back, so I started stepping up,” he said.

Concurrently, Rob became the

Chairman of Waterside School, a K-5 school drawing from Stamford’s most economically challenged communities. The school’s aim was to provide a path for admission to the area’s more traditional and most competitive schools, and it is located on Pacifi c Street, just down the street from Pacifi c House shelter.

“Ironically, it was on the same street,” he said. “So, I had local knowledge of the area and its challenges. I’m aware that there’s a population in our area that didn’t have all the breaks that others have.”

Morris continued, “The shelter addresses the primary human concerns, and then they focus on constructive efforts such as getting peoples’ documentation to survive in our society, such as social security cards. This place has been very helpful to get some professional training and schooling for people. You can’t do that without a roof over your head.”

“I think it’s our duty as human beings to help those who are less fortunate than most of us. Pacifi c House is a good benefi t to those who need it, we should support what they do.”

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10th Annual Close To Home Dessert Tasting and Youth Concert On February 23rd

Pacifi c House invites you to join us at the 10th Annual Close To Home Dessert Tasting and Youth Concert event on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 7pm at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich.

The evening raises funds for the Pacifi c House Young Adult Program, which helps homeless young adults in our area get back on track for a brighter future.

This celebrated annual tradition entices foodies and music lovers alike. Guests are treated to great music

performed by talented musicians from local high schools while they indulge in decadent desserts and delicious food tastings from the area’s fi nest artisanal bake shops, restaurants and chocolatiers.

The Close to Home benefi t concert is an extraordinary example of young adults helping young adults.

Please plan to join us for this special evening and make a tremendous difference to those young adults who have nowhere to call home.

For tickets and information, visit: www.Pacifi cHouse.org/CloseToHome Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.

performed by talented musicians from local high schools

Pacifi c House would like to thank the evening’s generous sponsors: Concert Sponsor: Olympus Partners, VIPReception Sponsor: Webster Bank, Coach Sponsors: First County Bank, Harbor Point, Stamford Health, First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Guide Sponsors: Creative Video Corporation, Pitney Bowes, Renewal by Anderson, Individual sponsors: Cliff Berger, Debby & Mark Blackman, Francis J. Connor Family, Andrew M. Reid and the Fred & Joan Weisman Fund and Media Partners: Fairfi eld County LOOK, 95.9 THE FOX, CTbites and Hey Stamford

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Congregational Church of New Canaan Provides Funds for GeneratorThe Pacifi c House emergency shelter has a new generator thanks to a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Stamford and the Congregational Church of New Canaan. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused Pacifi c House shelter to lose power for several days while caring for 80 individuals. Funds were provided by the block grant for a new generator, but they fell short by $30,000, and “that’s when the Congregational Church of New Canaan continued their long history of supporting our efforts and came to our rescue in providing the additional funds to complete the project,” said Pacifi c House Executive Director Rafael Pagan, Jr. “We thank the church for bridging the funding gap in attaining an essential piece of equipment that will allow us to be more self-suffi cient in the event of a future storm.”

Our Generous Adopt-A-Day Donors The Adopt-a-Day program gives donors the chance to claim a special date to help shelter clients. It costs approximately $5,000/day to run the shelter each day, and only about half of this cost is covered by public funds. These generous donors provide the additional funds of $2,500 and designate it for a date of their choice.We would like to thank the following recent Adopt-a-Day donors for ensuring that our homeless clients have a safe place to go and nutritious meals to eat:

James and DeAnne Calcagnini Honoring James PolanskyPat Phillips In Honor of Lora Phillips Gray In Honor of Robert Phillips Celebrating St. Patrick’s DayJoan Connor In Memory of Francis J. ConnorJoan Weisman In Honor of Joan Weisman’s birthday In Memory of Husband Fred Weisman Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Zopfi Honoring the date they moved into the home where they raised their family

If you would like to learn more about adopting a day, simply pick the date(s) of your choice – perhaps to honor a person’s birthday or special event, etc. – and make your donation at any point during the year. Contact our development director, Andrew Barer at 203-406-0017x305 to learn more.

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Offi cials Honor Hunger & Homelessness Awareness WeekThe week prior to Thanksgiving, State Senator Carlo Leone, State Representative Terry Adams and Stamford Mayor David Martin, helped serve a meal at Pacifi c House emergency shelter to honor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

The offi cials rolled up their sleeves, put on their hair nets and helped deliver a nutritious meal prepared by The Lockwood Group to about 50 homeless men and young adults. Afterwards each had an opportunity to speak to the crowd.

“I’ve been involved with Pacifi c House for many years, it is one of the premiere organizations that supports people in need. It is our pleasure to be here, and when we see the needs by coming here, it’s easier to fi ght for your resources and services,” said Carlo Leone.

“I know what you go through, and see what Pacifi c House is doing to help, said Rep. Adams. “It’s our job to work for you, reach out to us if you need something.”“Thank you for this opportunity to serve you,” said Mayor Martin. “By being here it gives the community a reminder that there are many parts to our city,

not just the fancy, upscale parts. There are people in need also, and sometimes everybody needs some help.”

Advocating for a budget that funds services for the communityOn September 7, 2017 nearly 500 protesters stood on the steps of the Capitol building in Hartford to protest the state budget cuts that slashed community spending and have plagued non-profi ts in recent years. Representatives from Pacifi c House were there, asking the state to pass the budget and protect community services.

“We were one of several not for profi t community service providers at this rally,” said Pacifi c House Director of Program Services Rob Lockhart. “A very real concern was that without a budget, critical homeless services might be cut. We wanted to make sure that our region and the fragile population that we serve was not overlooked.”

Since that rally, Governor Malloy revised the executive order to give the nonprofi t community $40 million in funding. After a 117-day marathon, the state budget was passed.

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Non Profi tUS Postage

PAIDPermit #106Fairfi eld, CT

137 Henry Street, Suite 205 Stamford, CT 06902

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S e r v i c e s a n d P r o g r a m s

Emergency Shelter• Meals and Shelter• Case Management Services• Young Adult Program• Living Skills• Transition to Housing Support• Recovery Program• Healthcare Services• Outreach

Transitional & Permanent Supportive Housing

• Housing Placement for Formerly HomelessIndividuals and Families

• Supportive Housing Services• Behavioral Health Transitional and Permanent

Housing• Acquisition, New Construction and Rehab

Properties• Housing Development

Incredible Desserts, Great Music, Delicious Food

Plus:Javier Colon, winner of The Voice

Pacifi cHouse.org/CloseToHome