6.7 Consumer Advocacy Boards: Becoming Part of the Solution

CONSUMER ADVOCACY BOARDS: BECOMING PART OF THE SOLUTION

Wednesday, July 14

CCABOH HISTORY

CCABoH initiated at Union Mission, Inc. in 2002 to offer consumer leadership and feedback to Healthcare for the Homeless Program at the JC Lewis Health Care Center.

CCABoH primarily worked on issues related to health care, mental health care, and other issues at Union Mission until 2006.

STEPPING OUT

In 2006, CCABoH decided to seek its own non-profit status to assist the community in bringing new funding sources to programs for the homeless and at risk.

Founding member Howard Jackson launched a blog to better keep in touch with youth trained in advocacy through UMI’s service learning curriculum.

MORE CHANGE!

In 2009, CCABoH moved out of Union Mission meeting space and into a new meeting space at SOURCE/Candler Adult Day Center.

In 2010, CCABoH partners with Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness and works toward creating a statewide consumer advocacy group.

MONTHLY MEETINGS

Meetings are held every second Monday and follow Robert’s Rules of Order. The board operates under a charter and by-laws.

CCABoH member Renee Kennedy attends board meetings of both Union Mission, Inc. and Chatham/Savannah Homeless Authority.

ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION

Meetings with elected officials in Savannah, Atlanta and DC

Quarterly Newsletter Holds 1st Homeless Memorial

Day in Savannah in 2009 Public speaking at GAEH and

NAEH conferences Howard Jackson works with

youth at UMI

OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME

Recruitment has changed with our move out of shelter facilities

Engagement has changed since community liaison members no longer work within the Savannah agencies working on homelessness issues

Involvement in state and national advocacy issues less concrete for members

HHH CREED

I Choose to believe change is possible I Choose to be an avid listener I choose to respect others and their

opinions I choose to bring my gifts to the table

and share them I choose to commit to ending

homelessness

THE BEGINNINGS: HHH

Purpose:1. Building Bridges =

EDUCATION2. Empowering Change

= CHANGING LIVES3. Ending

Homelessness = ADVOCACY

THE BEGINNINGS: HHH

History Began with voting /

candidates forum

First public speaking revealed POWER of personal stories

THE DETAILS: HHH

Who:Currently, Formerly, & Potentially Homeless

When:Every Wednesday at 12:00

Where:Urban Ministry Center, local soup kitchen and service center

STRUCTURE: MEETINGS

Meetings: 2 per week – open meeting and leadership team meeting

Open Meeting Includes… Agenda Rotating Facilitator Creed Open Forum Guidelines for participation Closing Question

STRUCTURE: LEADERSHIP

Leadership Team Concept arose after

frustration from making decisions

LT elected in general meeting

Eligibility includes: membership for 2

months, evidence of leadership

potential, and consistency

STRUCTURE: LEADERSHIP

Responsibilities Deciding meeting

agendas Vetting ideas from

Open Forum Set advocacy

agenda on annual basis

STRUCTURE: MEMBERSHIP

Membership To Become a Member

Must attend 3 meetings Sit down with membership

coordinator to go over program and with program director to set life goals

Take new members 1st Wednesday of the month

Given T-Shirt, Hat, and Business Cards

STRUCTURE: OUTREACH

Word of mouth Clean-Up Effort Field Trips Fresh bread at meetings

ACTIONS: SOLIDARITY SLEEP-OUT

Goal: Implement 10 Year Plan – 250 more year-round shelter beds

Plan: Housed and Homeless sleep-out together in uptown park Include rally with variety of

speakers Draw media attention

ACTIONS: SOLIDARITY SLEEP-OUT

Success: Within several months, a new mayor elected (who attended sleep-out) elected and declared ending homelessness a priority

Before next winter, additional 250 beds added

ACTIONS: ROAD TO HOUSING

City bond recommendation: $167 million for roads & $10 million for affordable housing

Theme: Where is the Road to Affordable Housing

ACTIONS: ROAD TO HOUSING

Components: Prayer Vigil 20 speakers before City

Council (1/3 homeless/formerly homeless)

Followed-up with Press Conference

Meetings/phone calls/emails to Council

“Homeless Tour” with Councilman

Won an addition $5 million for Housing

OTHER ACTIONS

Partnership with Police & Jail: Reduce Homeless Arrests

“The Wall”: Active presence in discussions to close outdoor meal site

Community Dance

FUTURE OBSTACLES

How to include Formerly Homeless?

For More Information:

HHH Blog:http://www.urbanministrycenter.org/blogs/hhh-blog

Program Director:Liz Clasen-Kelly – 704-926-0608,

lclasen@urbanministrycenter.org

DISCUSSION

What Obstacles Are You Facing?

What Obstacles Have You Overcome?