SUMMER
2006
(Editors Note: Our Executive Director offered
a couple of different messages for this issue.
I decided to publish this one. It’s got
a little spunk. I like it.)
If it were your sister and her child, or
your daughter and her family…homeless
and stuck in a rut, what would you do? What
if their situation was compounded by illness,
a disability, or an abusive spouse? As her
mom, dad, brother or sister how would you
help them? What if you had limited resources
and could not provide temporary lodging and
help meet the situational needs of the family?
Really…what are your options?
Fortunately here in North County -- the third
most expensive housing market in the country
-- there are some options. Thank goodness
(goodness defined as: people like you who
aren’t deterred and who really care)
that today there are viable options. Without
your discernment and support, the homeless
naysayers who express their opposition in
the most disingenuous of ways would have got
what they wanted. In other words, if Solutions
hadn’t moved decisively and forcefully,
the naysayers would have found ways to bog
down the process by talking about a solution,
arguing where to put it and studying the feasibility
of how to pay for it.
Keep up your support. Hold that line. After
years of building, developing and creating…you’d
think we would be taking it easy and resting
some, huh? Not a chance.
We are busier than ever. In April we opened
the Solutions Intake and Access Center –
a first-step transitional housing program
for 40 homeless children and their families.
Here the family can get grounded and, with
our case management team, build a comprehensive
plan to position themselves on the right road
- the pathway that will lead to the successful
end of their homelessness. Managing the symptoms
of homelessness, you say? No way. We don’t
just feed the homeless; here at Solutions
the parents learn to feed their family. We
don’t just shelter the homeless; we
raise the bar and help them get better jobs
and develop greater skills. Many come to us
hopeless and broke. Did you know that everyone
at Solutions is required to pay rent and save
30% of their income for their future housing?
Those of you who know us know that solving
the problem is what Solutions for Change is
all about.
In July we launched a brand new program and
one that we’ve been working on for a
long time. It’s called New Solutions,
and it is the first major addition of permanent
affordable housing for the graduates of our
transitional programs. In our next eNewsletter,
you will get some great insights into the
New Solutions effort, how it completes the
Solutions for Change model and significantly
strengthens our mission to end family homelessness
in North County.
And, of course, our nationally acclaimed
and award winning program, the Solutions Family
Center is full with 32 formerly homeless families
working hard to get back on their feet. The
average age at the center last year: eight
years old. On any given day, Solutions for
Change now provides practical solutions to
help over 50 families end their homelessness.
Stable housing, good employment, healthy living
and skill-building educational programs give
our families a real fighting chance. And they
are succeeding.
As our programs and operations have grown,
so has our administrative capacity. We’ve
added an in-house Controller and Accountant.
Mr. Ralph Giove Jr. brings his MBA and over
25 years experience in the accounting industry.
The 2005 audit for the Solutions Family Center
proved us capable enough to trigger the transfer
clause in our partnership agreement with our
nonprofit housing developer Community Housing
Works. Solutions for Change has proven its
mettle to be accountable as the General Partner
and we are well on our way to the planned
sole ownership of the new Solutions Family
Center!
By the way, did I mention that we need your
help? Check out our website and find a way
to help us. There are plenty of ways to get
and stay connected with our families. We need
you. Thank you.
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