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Winter Shelter Program
Tucson’s
Winter Shelter Program is an interagency effort to
make additional shelter available to homeless people during the
winter months. The winter Shelter Program consists of three
sub-programs: 1) Operation Deep Freeze, an emergency plan
for sheltering everyone in need on nights of severe weather
conditions; 2) Project Hospitality, in which local religious
congregations provide beds and meals at their facilities on a
pre-scheduled rotating basis; 3) One Step Beyond, a
congregation based, extended stay program for selected veterans
working on case management plans geared towards long-term treatment
for mental health and substance abuse problems.
There are 4
organizations that provide the administration, staff and
coordination for the Winter Shelter Program: 1) The Salvation Army
Hospitality House is the intake facility for all Winter Shelter
activities; 2) The Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless coordinates
the congregations that provide the meals and shelter for Project
Hospitality and One Step Beyond, as well as, the medical clinic that
is open to clients of all 3 components; 3) Comin’ Home provides the
case management and transportation for One Step Beyond; 4) Compass
Health Care is on-call to provide appropriate shelter and medical
screening for people who were intoxicated. There were no referrals
made to this facility this season.
Project Hospitality
is a volunteer-driven programs in which more than 30 local religious
congregations coordinated by Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless
contribute approximately 15 beds in “pocket shelters” at their
facilities on a pre-scheduled, rotating basis. Approximately 30 beds
are available every evening spread out among several congregations.
Clients who qualify for this desirable shelter are guaranteed a bed
every night of the winter season. To qualify, clients must agree to
work on case plans to address the root causes of their homelessness
with case managers from any one of approximately 20 participating
agencies.
The
Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless manages a clinic and medical
team consisting of a doctor, nurses and lay volunteers every Monday
night, as well as, many deep freeze nights.
The Winter
Shelter Program is funded by AZ Department of Economic Security,
City of Tucson and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Click
here to read the 2008-09 winter
shelter program summary.
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