@ the shelterCrisis Ministries E-News October 2007 |
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Stand Down
Stand Down is apart of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to provide services to homeless veterans. Stand Down is typically a one to three day event providing services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling. Referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment will be given. Stand Down is a collaborative event, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies, and community agencies who serve the homeless such as Crisis Ministries. The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego. This year on November 1st and 2nd at Armory Park in North Charleston the 8th annual Stand Down Against Homelessness event will be held. Sponsored by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina, the Stand Down will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days. Organizers expect the event will attract more than 2,000 people from the area. A continental breakfast buffet and full lunch will be offered both days. While many services are geared toward veterans, anyone in need of assistance is welcome. Crisis Ministries, through our Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, will provide information on our Veterans Transitional Dormitory program and employment training and placement services. Crisis Ministries will also be providing veterans with calling cards and bus tickets so that they have the necessary resources to follow up with their appointments for our services. So far in 2007, Crisis Ministries has helped 217 veterans.
Volunteers take our guests on New Adventures
Whether a trip to Isle of Palms or a walk across the Cooper River Bridge, volunteers at Crisis Ministries are exposing our guests to inspiring sights of the Lowcountry. For the second year, on Saturday, August 4th Kae Childs and friends from Seacoast church took our guests to Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms. Everyone enjoyed a day at the beach and surprisingly it was the first visit to the beach for some. Last week, professional nutritionist and volunteer Shirley Sullivan held a health and nutrition class and afterwards influenced some of our guests to sign up to walk the Cooper River Bridge on October 9th. When asked if anyone of the 14 attendees had driven or walked over the bridge none raised their hands. Currently, the Gibbes Museum of Art has provided us with five museum passes that our guests can use and also sends out a representative from the Gibbes two times a month to do art projects with the women and children. As most of us know, a new sight or a new idea can open up a door that previously did not exist. Thank you to those who continue to provide motivation and inspiration to our guests who are in need of daily encouragement. |
The Homeless Health Clinic- Breaking Barriers
This month is Breast Cancer awareness month. Better detection and treatment are helping to reduce death from breast cancer in America, but poor, rural and minority women face barriers that keep them from taking advantage of cancer screenings that could potentially save their lives, researchers say. Some of the barriers facing poverty stricken women are poor knowledge about cancer screening, not being insured and the cost associated with medical care. Our Homeless Health Clinic is taking necessary measures to ensure our guests are informed of their options for breast cancer detection. The Health Clinic provides clinical breast examines and self exam education. The Health Clinic is recruiting all homeless women but especially women 40 and over, as they are the highest at risk, to have a clinical breast exam. The Charleston Breast Center volunteers their services to our women by teaching breast cancer awareness courses periodically at our Family Center. Guests who attend this course can set up an appointment for a free mammogram at their clinic. They also take referrals for women who have been seen in our Health Clinic that may be at risk. Thanks to our Health Clinic and partnership with Charleston Breast Center homeless women have access to early detection and education that may save their lives.
Grant to fund TLC counselingCrisis Ministries recently received $15,000 from the Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation. This funding will help cover the costs of providing onsite counseling services to families living in Crisis Ministries’ Transitional Living Center. Onsite counseling in the TLC will include parenting, life management, budgeting and home management counseling. The Yaschik Foundation has offered continuous support to Crisis Ministries and Charleston’s homeless women and children. Last year, support from the Yaschik Foundation provided funding for facility improvements in Crisis Ministries’ Family Center.
Contact usMailing address: Crisis Ministries Physical address: 573 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29403 Click here to learn more about our programs and services. If you have feedback about this publication, please click here to email us.
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